September has been marred by weapons of war: missiles in the Middle East, hunger in Sudan, terror in Ukraine, expulsion in Myanmar/Burma. Such weapons are tools of conflict, violence – and at the core – dehumanization of enemies and those unfortunate noncombatants who live nearby.
For two years in the 1990s I lived in the nation of Angola, best known for its brutal and prolonged Civil War – one fueled by resources from East and West. Maintaining my own neutrality was not difficult. I witnessed both sides committing atrocities using all these weapons of war, plus land mines and kidnapping children to be soldiers.
Amid today’s grave conflicts, what are the weapons of peace? What are the tools, the strategies, that we can use to maintain harmony, prevent conflicts, and restore human well-being?
Diplomacy is one effective weapon. It begins dialogue. As trust is built, dialogue leads to negotiation and compromise to resolve disputes. Lasting treaties may even result. Via organizations like the United Nations, countries have ready-made frameworks to host such dialogue and negotiation. Talented diplomats use their communication skills to defuse tensions and expectantly resolve issues before they escalate. Successful diplomatic efforts, like the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, prove that diplomacy can indeed prevent the spread of dangerous arms and promote global security.
Nonviolent resistance is another powerful weapon of peace. Championed by recent figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., nonviolent resistance has proven effective in India, South Africa, the United States, and even Norway. Such resistance presses for justice through peaceful protest and civil disobedience, while avoiding the destructive consequences of armed conflict.
Economic interdependence between nations is a more subtle but effective weapon of peace. When countries are economically tied through trade, they have a vested interest in maintaining good relationships. We see this phenomenon today in the interactions between the United States and China. Military action becomes less attractive when economic stability and prosperity are dependent upon mutual cooperation.
Prayer for our enemies maybe the most underutilized weapon of peace. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” teaches Christ. Intercession for the good of those who are hostile toward us often opens our eyes to their humanity, softens our own hearts, and creates space for reconciliation.
Two of my injured patients in Angola were soldiers from opposing armies. Rehabilitating in beds next to one another, the young men were initially tightlipped. But over the ensuing days of wound care, they begin to share stories, then food rations, then assisting one another to walk. They mastered the tools of harmony.
Weapons of peace these are. While traditional weapons destroy, these tools maintain harmony, prevent conflict, and create stability where humanity can thrive.