8 DANGERS TO WORLD PEACE Outline. 1. Danger spots of the world. 2. Balance of Power. 3. Role of the U.N. 4.

Nuclear threat to world peace. During the present century in course of three decades, there have been two major World Wars. Even now so soon after the Second World War, there is lack of amity and friendliness between the nations 31 of the world. The world is now divided into two distinct blocs. One is led by the U.S.S.R. and consists of Communists countries, the other being led by the U.S.A. and the U.K. comprises the capitalist countries of the world. These two ideologies-Communist and Capitalist-are opposed to each other, and the intolerance of their followers constitutes the greatest threat to the world security today. In addition to the two Power blocs, there are other countries, which are not attached to either of these camps. We have seen in the not very remote past the consequences of such an ideological conflict. There were wars in Korea and Viet Nam. There were occasions when it appeared that these regional wars would precipitate major wars. In Central Europe also there were times when a major war appeared to be imminent. Germany is still divided into two parts by an artificial boundary. How long a divided Germany can remain as such, is a problem affecting world peace. In the mainland of China there is the Communist Government; in Formosa it is the Kuomintang Government and both arc irreconciled to each other's presence. Not only diverse economic theories, but also lack of respect for each other's territorial integrity leads to struggle. In our own country, we have seen how India violated the territory of Kashmir and there was an armed conflict between Indo-Pak forces. In West Asia, the Arab nations have not reconciled themselves to the existence of a Jewish State. Both the sides arc fully prepared to face each other in men and material. Let us then examine how we can eliminate the threat to world peace. There is no denying the fact that the foreign policy of the U.S.S.R. during Stalin's regime was violent and aggressive. The world reached the brink of war several times, and it is fortunate the shells did not actually start bursting. One of the greatest reasons, which kept the tempers of the opposite camps under control was their balance of power. Both the sides are so evenly balanced in their military strength that neither can be sure of a conclusive victory. Added to the effect of counterbalanced power is the role played by a few nation which are not aligned to cither of the blocs. Pakistan is one of the most important of such countries, and her role in bringing peace to IndoPak has been universally acclaimed. 32 The U.N. Security Council has also contributed in a large measure to peace in the world. End to the war in Korea and West Asia could be localised by the efforts of U.N.

The world is happier today as the danger of war is much less than what it was a few years ago. The international relationship has considerably improved. The efforts of the U.N. Disarmament Commission for ten years have ultimately borne some fruit. As a first step, the big nations have agreed to cut down the strength of their armed forces. Of course the next step of reduction of the armaments-both conventional and nuclear-must follow if disarmament has to be real. In this age of technology it is not so much the number of the forces as their equipment and armament which count for their war effort. Any agreement on the reduction of armaments must also be supported by an elaborate ground and aerial inspection plan to eliminate any chance of surprise attack and secret preparations. The greatest threat to mankind today is from thermonuclear weapons. A single hydrogen bomb, or intercontinental ballistic missile with an atomic warhead can cause more devastation than a million pounds of gunpowder. Here again the balance of strength of both the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A acts as a deterrent to each other in using them. Besides, the ensuing destruction by way of radio-activity fall out and pollution of air and water by increased radio-activity does not accept any political barriers. Due to these ravages both friends and foes will suffer and the degree of destruction is unpredictable at present. It may lead to the annihilation of mankind. The fear of total destruction, including that of self-destruction, has proved a great check on war-like tendencies of the nations and the greatest guarantee against a major war at present. It is ironical the weapon with the maximum destructive capability has also the greatest security against a world war.