The Lonely Face of Global Conflict : Power, Inequality, and the Failure of International Institutions!

The Lonely Face of Global Conflict: Power, Inequality, and the Failure of International Institutions!

ANJAN SARMA

In an age defined by ceaseless geopolitical struggles, the specter of war continues to cast its long shadow across the world.

From the trenches of Ukraine to the battle-scarred cities of Gaza, from the silent suffering of Afghan women to the fractured hopes of Sudanese refugees, the lonely face of global conflict is etched into the very fabric of modern history.

But beyond the obvious destruction of warzones and the human toll they extract, a more insidious crisis looms—the failure of international institutions to uphold justice, equality, and peace.

The global order, built on the foundations of diplomacy and cooperation, finds itself paralyzed in the face of power imbalances, economic inequalities, and political maneuvering by dominant states.

The 21st century was meant to herald an era of stability through multilateralism. Yet, the reality has proven to be starkly different. The United Nations (UN), once envisioned as the world’s beacon of hope, finds itself increasingly sidelined by the very powers that created it.

RelatedPosts

নাগৰিকৰ মগজু ‘হেক’ কৰা স্নায়ুৰাজনৈতিক বিশেষজ্ঞৰ এতিয়া জয়জয়াকাৰ!

March 24, 2025

WORLD WATER DAY IS EVERYDAY

March 22, 2025

The Renewed Boundaries of Being Indigenous : Indigenous Values Vs Modern Values

March 20, 2025

The Security Council, dominated by five permanent members with veto power—China, Russia, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom—has become an arena of strategic stalemates rather than meaningful resolutions. Conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian crisis underscore the UN’s inability to intervene effectively when powerful nations are involved. Instead of enforcing peace, the institution is often reduced to issuing condemnations that fall on deaf ears.

Beyond the UN, other international organizations also find themselves struggling against the weight of political realities. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) have been instrumental in supporting Ukraine, but their involvement has further divided the world into opposing blocs.

Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) struggle to assert their influence in conflict resolution, often hindered by financial constraints and internal divisions. The result is a fragmented global order, where institutions meant to promote cooperation have become arenas for geopolitical rivalries. The economics of conflict further exacerbates global instability.

Wars are not fought solely for political ideology but are deeply intertwined with economic interests. The arms industry, controlled by a handful of nations, continues to thrive in times of war. The United States, Russia, China, France, and Germany dominate the global arms trade, supplying weapons to both allies and adversaries. The sale of fighter jets, missiles, and defense systems perpetuates a cycle where war remains a profitable endeavor rather than a humanitarian crisis to be prevented.

At the same time, the disparity between wealthy nations and conflict-ridden states widens. Countries in the Global South bear the brunt of economic decline, inflation, and famine, often as indirect consequences of global conflicts. Sanctions imposed by the West on Russia, for instance, have led to rising food and energy prices worldwide, disproportionately affecting developing nations that have little role in the war.

The economic burden of conflict extends beyond battlefields, creating refugee crises, unemployment, and weakened governance structures that further destabilize already fragile regions. Perhaps the most tragic consequence of international failure is the suffering of civilians, particularly marginalized communities.

The plight of Afghan women under the Taliban, the persecution of Uyghurs in China, the ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas in Myanmar, and the systematic displacement of Palestinians all point to a world where human rights are selectively defended. The international community, despite its vocal advocacy for democracy and freedom, often turns a blind eye when economic or strategic interests are at stake.

Refugee crises continue to spiral out of control, with millions seeking asylum across borders, only to be met with hostility, closed doors, and xenophobic policies. The European response to Ukrainian refugees has been starkly different from its treatment of Middle Eastern and African migrants, highlighting the racial and political biases that shape international refugee policies.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been criticized for disproportionately prosecuting leaders from African and weaker states while failing to hold powerful nations accountable for war crimes. The failures of international institutions do not signify their irrelevance but rather the urgent need for their reform.

The UN, NATO, and other global organizations must adapt to new power dynamics, ensuring that decision-making processes are not solely dictated by the most powerful nations. Expanding representation, limiting the use of veto powers, and fostering genuine multilateral diplomacy are necessary steps toward a more balanced global order.

Furthermore, economic policies must prioritize conflict prevention rather than war profiteering. The arms trade must be subjected to stricter international regulations, and sanctions should be designed to minimize harm to innocent populations. The world’s wealthiest nations have a responsibility to invest in rebuilding war-torn regions rather than merely funding military operations.

Above all, human rights cannot be conditional. Whether in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, or Myanmar, the same principles must be applied universally, regardless of political or economic considerations. The lonely face of global conflict is not merely a reflection of war itself but of the collective failure to prevent, resolve, and heal the wounds of these conflicts.

Until international institutions undergo meaningful transformation, the cycle of war, displacement, and suffering will continue, leaving humanity trapped in an endless loop of destruction and inequality The world is at a crossroads. The growing loneliness of conflict, the failure of international institutions, and the rise of inequality have created a global order that is increasingly defined by power and self-interest. Yet, there is still hope for change.

By acknowledging the true face of the world and working together to address its challenges, the international community can create a more just and equitable future. This will not be easy, but it is essential if we are to build a world where the strong do not always prevail over the weak, and where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and cooperation, not through violence and domination.

The time for empty rhetoric is over. The world must act now to address the root causes of conflict and create a future where all nations, regardless of their size or strength, have a voice and a place at the table.

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking.  You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com(For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary) Images from different sources.