OPINION, World Peace
Sir, Philip Stephens in his article ("Neither force nor politics alone can conquer terrorism", July 7) makes the case for rethinking the use of force and out-moded political strategies. David Gardener, too, calls for intellectual honesty in dealing with a very sad state of affairs (“The west’s role in Islam’s war of ideas”, July 8). Mr Stephens states very clearly that what is required is mediation, conflict resolution, political courage and – in my mind most importantly – a willingness to compromise.

Chandran Nair

If what both are saying is true, that we are witnessing a clash of values or of policies, then we had best abandon old and tired principles and find those vital compromises. Compromise does not mean giving in or being weak. Its strength lies in bringing to each protagonist a deep and fundamental understanding of the others to draw them from destructive, repetitive, reflex and blinkered action. It brings thought and appreciation to the sides.

It must surely be incumbent on those of us with more enlightened views of the future to extend our hands to those whom we may view as having blood on theirs, to seek ways to halt this sad cycle of violence and find ways to build trust and understanding and to address grievances. If we do not, then harsh rhetoric will prevail, further perpetuating the clash of values and policies and inevitably bringing more avoidable bloodshed. The clash between Islam and Judeo-Christianity will engulf us all, as it did in London where, ironically, people from all faiths, beliefs and values live together by and large in harmony. Just as much can be said about other great cities, like Paris and Hong Kong.

But to achieve this it is perhaps time to find different mediators, as those who are among the “warring factions” cannot play this role. They clearly need help. So much rides on perception. There is a need to reframe the terms of engagement, and if we are to reach compromise, the rules of engagement must change and the mediators must be neutral and disinterested parties. Despite their own problems, emerging nations such as China, India, Brazil and perhaps even South Africa may well be the ones to lead and play a crucial role in this aspect of world peace.

This may not be as absurd as it sounds: the current leaders of the global order – the Group of Eight nations – are for the most part entangled in this clash, and are not about to find ways to mediate and, crucially, from the protagonists’ perception, may not be entirely trusted. But are those who control the status quo willing to give them the role, even though their values and policies may differ? It may well be these different perspectives that will help attain compromise and that elusive middle ground, so badly needed in this clash, to reach rapprochement – a condition that despite the troubles of the world so many of us live and rejoice in.

Chandran Nair,
Chief executive and founder,
Global Institute For Tomorrow,
Hong Kong
www.globalinstitutefortomorrow.org/