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A quick look at world history will show that since the dawn of man, regional wars and con- flicts, interspersed with peri- odic world wars, started and either finished quickly or else lingering on for years on end. Wars and conflicts that os- tensibly ended with negoti- ations and treaties often re- started for the same original reasons. With such a grim baggage, can mankind ever dream of a lasting, just world peace and global harmony? What constitutes a just peace can vary widely depending on different perspectives and val- ues. Just peace is often defined as addressing historical injustic- es, ensuring fair representa- tion and participation for all, and establishing mechanisms to resolve disputes peacefully and equitably. While the world has expe- rienced periods of relative peace, true just peace, where all conflicts are resolved fairly and all parties feel secure, has been elusive throughout histo- ry. Most periods of peace have been based on power dynam- ics, treaties or simply a lack of major conflict, rather than a true sense of justice and equal- ity. Let's face it—countries don't go to war. The leaders of coun- tries go to war. The number of people responsible for the de- cision to go to war can usually fit comfortably inside a single large room. While the idea of lasting peace may be a distant and idealistic goal, it's not neces- sarily impossible. Just peace implies a state of harmony that addresses the root causes of conflict, ensures human rights, and distributes power equitably. This is dis- tinct from a peace imposed by force or one that ignores past grievances. Throughout history, peace treaties have often been dic- tated by winners, leading to resentment and continued conflict. The rise of powerful empires, like the Roman Em- pire, created periods of rela- tive peace, but this was often maintained through military might and the subjugation of others. Historically, periods of rel- ative peace were often main- tained through dominance or coercion, rather than a genu- ine sense of justice for all. Factors such as resource scarcity, ideological differ- ences and historical injustices can make achieving a truly just peace difficult. According to the Global Con- flict Tracker, there are at least 26 hot wars and simmering conflicts in the world today, including the long-drawn-out war in Ukraine; the potential powder keg developing over Chinese territorial claims in Taiwan and the South China Sea; and wars, civil wars and conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. At least 108 million peo- ple were killed in wars in the 20th century. Estimates for the total number killed in wars throughout all of human his- tory are up to one billion. The number would be much higher still if they also considered the civilians who died due to the fighting, the increased num- ber of deaths from hunger and disease resulting from these conflicts, and the deaths in smaller conflicts that are not considered wars. Wars are also terrible in many other ways: they make people's lives insecure, low- er their living standards, de- stroy the environment, and, if fought between countries armed with nuclear weapons, can be an existential threat to humanity. Looking at the news alone, it can be difficult to understand whether more or fewer peo- ple are dying as a result of war than in the past. One has to rely on statistics that are care- fully collected so that they can be compared over time. The United Nations, interna- tional organisations and peace movements continue to strive for a more just and sustaina- ble peace, focusing on conflict resolution, human rights and global cooperation. They have been doing that for decades, but it hasn't got us anywhere near a peaceful world and a harmonious life. Nearly 40% of peace agree- ments since 1975 have col- lapsed within five years of their inception. Whether war breaks out again or spoilers set back the process, many agree- ments simply don't last long after they've been signed. The unfortunate reality is ev- ident today across the globe. Negotiations have broken down in Sudan, Israel and Pal- estine, as well as in Ukraine and other places trapped in conflict. Policymakers across the globe are discovering that convincing combatants to put down their arms and come to the negotiation table often seems impossible. Crafting peace agreements that last is harder still. Yet we can still draw a few lessons from successful agree- ments and the challenges ne- gotiators faced on the road to peace. In Colombia, the gov- ernment's negotiations with the country's largest guerrilla group, known as the FARC, succeeded in 2016, even though peace processes there had failed to make real pro- gress for more than 50 years. And what was once deemed an impossibly intractable con- flict in Northern Ireland saw a peace process culminating in the 1998 Good Friday Agree- ment, with women at the frontlines of the negotiating table and most militia groups ultimately defused in the years after. In a world in which tyranny continues to exist, war may sometimes be justified. In the same way, it is necessary to fight to defend oneself when attacked; so too, it's some- times necessary to go to war to put down injustice or even the possibility of injustice when its likelihood is great enough. Rarely, however, is this given as a primary reason. Even de- mocracies seem to be roused to war only by self-interest. A genuinely just peace, one that resolves all underlying conflicts and ensures justice for all, remains a goal rather than a historical reality. May- be war is an inevitable product of human nature. Maybe to get rid of war, we have to become something other than human. World peace and global harmony: A utopian dream? Mark Said Veteran lawyer 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 DECEMBER 2025 OPINION With such a grim baggage, can mankind ever dream of a lasting, just world peace and global harmony? Let's face it— countries don't go to war. The leaders of countries go to war. The number of people responsible for the decision to go to war can usually fit comfortably inside a single large room