The Origin of Conflict: Can It Be Stopped? 

Conflict is an intrinsic part of human history. From the first territorial disputes between nomadic tribes to modern geopolitical tensions, conflicts have shaped our world in numerous ways. To understand how conflicts can be stopped, it’s essential to delve into their origins and analyze strategies for resolution. Let’s embark on this journey through history to the ongoing conflicts in Canada-India and Palestine-Israel along the way. 

Historical Origins 

The origin of conflict is complex and is influenced by a multitude of factors. Emanating from the clash of interests, values, and scarcity of resources, triggered territorial disputes since ancient times. In medieval Europe, religious divisions fueled wars. Colonialism further sowed the seeds of civil wars altering borders and societies worldwide. 

As history progressed, nationalism emerged as a main source of conflict. It led to the outbreak of both World Wars as nations sought to expand their power and influence. During the Cold War, the ideological divide between capitalism and communism exacerbated global tensions, leading to proxy conflicts.  

Ongoing Conflicts 

Ongoing conflicts such as the Canada-India tension and the Palestine-Israel conflict are a painful reminder of how at times humans can be inhumane towards one another and the devastating effects are far-reaching. 

Canada-India Tensions   

The origins of this dispute lie in the 1985 Air India bombing, a terrorist attack involving Sikh extremists. Canada’s decision to grant asylum to Sikh separatists has strained relations with India. The latter accuses Canada of sheltering those responsible for acts of terror. Over time these tensions have festered with both nations taking measures to protect their interests.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to the end of the nineteenth century. In 1947, the UN adopted Resolution 181, known as the Partition Plan, which sought to divide Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. In 1948 the Jewish state of Israel was created sparking the first Arab- Israeli war that displaced 750000 Arab majority Palestinians. Ever since the region has been plagued by clashes and conflicting claims to the same land. While numerous attempts have been made to negotiate peace, antagonism persists causing immense suffering to residents.

Resolution Strategies 

To stop conflicts, several strategies have been adopted: 

• – Conflict Prevention: Identifying and addressing potential conflicts at an early stage is crucial. Implementing conflict prevention measures, like peacekeeping forces, can help mitigate tensions before they escalate. 

• – Diplomacy: Negotiations, mediated by third parties, can provide a platform for conflicting parties to discuss their issues, needs and aspirations. Diplomatic efforts can help build trust and pave the way for resolution. 

• – Reconciliation: Encouraging reconciliation through Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, transitional justice, and societal dialogue can help communities heal and rebuild trust. 
• – International Cooperation: Addressing global conflicts often requires international cooperation. Organizations like the United Nations play a crucial role in conflict resolution. 
• – Education and Awareness: Promoting education about conflict resolution, tolerance, and understanding can help reduce the likelihood of discords. 
• – Humanitarian Aid and Peace Building Meetings: Humanitarian assistance alleviates the suffering and hardships of survivors during the crisis, which in turn can foster a more conducive environment for peacebuilding. 

While it may be challenging to completely eradicate conflict, it is possible to mitigate its impact and foster resolution through diplomatic efforts, reconciliation, and cooperation. With conflicts prevailing worldwide, the quest for dispute settlement remains a global imperative. 

Hiral Badiyani, Content Writer, emQube

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