Remembering our 'most basic common link'

Since the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the world seems to have erupted into chaos. Our skies are not longer deemed safe. Historic schisms between Palestine and Israel have culminated in a ground invasion of Gaza, with over a thousand innocents lives needlessly lost. And more recently, we have witnessed the horrific beheading of a cherished American journalist by the Islamic State.

At this time of uncertainty, fear, and terror, our best hope for peace and prosperity perhaps lies in remembering our 'most basic common link': that in spite of our differing beliefs, views, and origins, we are all human beings and we all inhibit the planet earth, as a famous American president reminded the world in a tumultuous decade. Appreciating John F Kennedy's message could help the world overcome its present problems. 

Indeed, what is the point of plundering through two destructive world wars and facing the brink of mankind's destruction by nuclear war if we do not relate back to these experience to elicit guidance in order to solve the challenges we face today?

The heated circumstances of the Cold War, in which JFK lived and served his country, were far more severe than those currently in operation. If reaching a solution, however long and difficult to attain, was possible in that era, there is no reason why it is not possible to do the same in our present era. 

As JFK outlined, conflicts such as the one between Israel and Palestine and the rise of extremism through militant groups such as the Islamic State, are man-made problems; therefore, they can also be solved by mankind. 

Difficulties inevitably arise, however. There is no simple answer. There is no clear formula. Every challenge is context-specific and requires special attention. Achieving peace is the product of the efforts of many nations, over a sustained period of time.

Throughout this process, it is important to remember the most basic common link. Losing sight of the fact that there is indeed a special truce that unites Israelis and Palestinians or America and Russia is likely to result in attention being directed back onto differences, which only serves to exacerbate animosities. 

Quarrels will arise and conflicts of interest will occur because, while we are all human-beings, we are not the SAME human-being. However, this fact need not mean that peace is unattainable or that war is inevitable.

A possible solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, for example, does not necessitate that Israel love its Palestinian neighbour and vice-versa; it demands only that both sides offer tolerance to each other and set aside personal differences in the interest of achieving a more important mutual cause: that of peace, and not just for their time, but for all time. 

Moreover, defeating terrorist organisations such as Hamas and the Islamic State thus requires the United States, Europe, Russia, Israel, and other Middle-Eastern countries to remind the world of its most basic common link and the threat imposed to it by these militants, in the hope of achieving unity across the broad and executing a global strategy that draws out the peace needed to preserve humanity.  

Let us not forget our most basic common link. It is what unites us, preserves us, and gives us a purpose to solve seemingly unsolvable challenges.