Why Terrorism Persists: A Global Struggle for Peace

The shadow of fear often looms large in our lives, a constant reminder of our own mortality. Not long ago, this fear was a daily reality for Nepalis. My childhood memories are tinged with the anxiety our parents faced as we left for school, uncertain if we would return. This experience, tragically, mirrors the current situation in parts of Europe, Africa, and other Asian nations. The reasons behind Nepal's decade-long internal conflict, which claimed over 10,000 lives, remain complex. Yet, through that immense suffering, we learned a crucial distinction: terrorism and terrorists are not one and the same. Our goal became to dismantle terrorism, not simply to eliminate individuals. This fundamental shift has been instrumental in Nepal's journey toward peace, a journey we continue to pursue.

Today, the world grapples with various forms of terrorism. India faces the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, while groups like ISIS cast a long shadow over Europe and Africa. Major powers such as the USA and Russia have launched extensive campaigns to eradicate terrorist organizations. However, I believe that a complete victory remains elusive due to a fundamental flaw in approach: ego often fuels conflict, inadvertently perpetuating the very terrorism it seeks to destroy.

Consider the analogy of a family. If a family member is in distress, I will strive to help them. Conversely, if a family member is being unjustly dominated, I will defend them. This inherent human instinct to protect our own extends to all individuals, including those who become involved in terrorist groups. When we engage in retaliatory violence against members of these groups, we often overlook their familial ties and human emotions. This can ignite a cycle of vengeance, leading to further conflict rather than its resolution. Why, for instance, do groups like ISIS target the USA and Russia? Perhaps it stems from perceived injustices or the killing of their own.

Beyond grievances, the global proliferation of terrorism can also be linked to economic factors. Some groups may seek to dominate regions or exploit religious divisions to facilitate the sale of weapons, thereby bolstering their economic standing. Without this illicit arms trade, their financial resources and national economies would suffer.

This brings us to a critical question: how can we achieve global peace? What role has the United Nations played in this endeavor? It often seems that the UN's approach to achieving peace in conflict zones involves deploying armed forces, effectively seeking to eliminate terrorists through military means. But does this strategy truly stop terrorism, or does it inadvertently contribute to its spread? It raises concerns about whether their actions are genuinely fostering peace or merely intensifying the conflict.

It is imperative that we understand the profound difference between a terrorist and terrorism itself. We must ask ourselves: why are individuals willing to sacrifice their lives for these causes? While childhood indoctrination can certainly play a role in shaping a terrorist mindset, we are increasingly seeing young, educated individuals joining groups like ISIS. These individuals are capable of critical thought and analysis. Why do they choose this path? Why aren't global powers, so eager to project their strength, dedicating sufficient resources to understanding the root causes that drive these individuals to join such movements? Until we address these underlying issues, the cycle of violence will continue, and true peace will remain a distant dream.