May 1, 2014
O’Hanlon has established a realistic approach to avoid rivalry. He emphasizes that “predetermined conflict isn’t real, but neither is predetermined peace.” The United States and China don’t have territorial wants that they both claim. However, our allies do have overlapping territorial claims with China and this is where a lot of the conflict comes from. Examples of this would be Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands – which O’Hanlon has presented before. Due to the act that people are more historically informed and can learn from past mistakes, it is easier to avoid conflict. However, there is a sense of insecurity when an established power sees a rising power as a threat. He goes into two popular solutions: abandoning allies and trying to outcompete China. Negatives and positives are discussed for both of these scenarios. He explains that abandoning our allies could be detrimental because the number of allies we have results in higher military spending and a higher GDP between Western allies. Secondly, O’Hanlon dismantles the second solution because we cannot try to out-compete China as the US did with the Soviet Union because the Chinese have a much healthier economy than the Soviets did, and China is still growing. O’Hanlon is confident that in order to avoid rivalry or war, you need to have a “philosophy that blends a commitment to strategic resolve and strength with an effort at reassurance.”
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
