Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit: How Close to War Did We Come?
Mythology tells us of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. She was said to be a princess of neighbouring Sparta who fell in love with a prince from Troy and she went to live with him. It is said that she was the “face that launched a thousand ships”.
There is a modern day Helen….her name is Nancy Pelosi, the third most ranking official in the current US Administration. For some unknown reason she went to Taiwan and stirred up a hornet’s nest. China over-reacted with war exercises and even simulated landing on the island.
The Taiwanese, a proud and independent nation carried out their own defensive drills to ward off the invaders. China is still carrying out “offensive exercises in the Taiwan Straits, a waterway that is considered international waters.
To add to the already messy situation, a delegation of US Senators went to “reaffirm” ties with Taiwan.
With a war raging in Ukraine with Russia as the “invader” the world could have come close to the only two remaining superpowers in mortal combat with each other. Russia is no longer considered a “superpower” as evidenced in the heavy losses of lives in Ukraine.
“Even Freedom Has Its Limits”
This is one of the biggest gripes of Putin, the President of the Russian Federation. Many say he sees himself as the Tsar of his homeland and he has ambitions to take over more lands that once were part of the old Soviet Union.
Whatever his motives, the world is now gripped in a war that may last for some time. Nancy Pelosi’s motives are less clear. Americans take freedom to the extreme ….that you can say whatever you like, do whatever you want, and go anywhere on Earth.
Thus the President of the USA, Joe Biden is powerless to prevent Pelosi to go where she wants. They say that “even freedom has its limits”….America would be wise to realise this and not see everything through rose coloured glasses.
That actual war did not break out is a blessing. All sides know that in war there are no real winners, only losers. Loss of life, even one life is one too many.
Both the US and China being nuclear armed is cause for concern. Common sense should prevail at the upper echelons of power. Already many parts of the world are suffering from devastating climate changes, with many suffering heatwaves and wild fires, to drought and parched earth.
Crops have been affected, livestock barely survive, grain and corn are held up by the war in Ukraine, although now a United Nations (UN) brokered shipment is on bringing relief to many parts of Africa where famine is a curse and malnourishment abounds.
The UN has been playing an active role in keeping the peace in several parts of the world. In own troops have come under constant fire in several African nations….(UN troops are normally made up of men from neighbouring countries)
UN – A Toothless Tiger?
While the UN plays an active role in keeping the peace in several parts of the world, it is really a “toothless tiger” since it has to seek the approval of the UN Security Council is that is made up of several countries. The five Permanent Members have the “veto” power which can effectively kill off any resolution. That is one of the biggest weakness of the World Body.
One can only hope that no leader is trigger happy and gung-ho in his dealings with other nations. This world cannot afford a Third World War for the end result could be the total destruction of mankind.
G S Kumar
G S Kumar is a veteran journalist and broadcaster. He actually began his journalistic career with the Asian Defence Journal (ADJ) back in 1974 as an Assistant Editor. He returned to broadcasting and spent the next 17 years on both sides of the Causeway before ending his stint as an Executive Producer with Current Affairs in Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Then from 1988 till now he has served with The Straits Times (Singapore), SingTel Yellow Pages and even with The Malaysian Reserve. He is keen on news and current affairs and the “plight of mankind” in an ever changing world.
