11/11 11:11

[flwyd]

91 years ago today, peace was declared in Europe. The war to end all wars left an unstable continent that fell in to war again two decades later.

20 years ago this week, the Berlin Wall, the most tangible piece of the Iron Curtain, was declared open. Although Eastern Europe's transition into capitalism and democracy has not been free of pain and strife, dictators and warmongers have little traction there.

America and its allies, primarily European, are today at war in Asia, in places outsiders have been at war in recent memory. If we do things right, hopefully Iraq's and Afghanistan's next two decades can be like Europe's in the last 20 years, not like Europe's in the 20 years after World War I. If we do (more) things wrong, we may be back for thirds.

Peace takes time. Peace takes work. Peace is worth it.

Comments

[477150n.livejournal.com]

Word.

Visiting Berlin this summer*, one thing that struck me was this: sometimes it seems like peace is just not possible in the middle east. For long periods of time, it must have felt like peace would never be possible in Europe. It must have seemed like they had been fighting forever and would continue to do so. But now we have the EU. Europe isn't perfect, but I realized that peace is possible.

*And now, preparing for a probable upcoming trip to Croatia. (!)

[hattrickflyer.livejournal.com]

On the subject of WW1...

[sandbar.livejournal.com]

I have little to add but Amen, Aum Shiva and Holla.