The Time is Ripe for a New Just World Order

The number of renowned international experts warning that the ongoing “sleepwalking process into nuclear catastrophe” keeps growing. So does the list of irresponsible political, military, and think tank lunatics who openly state that a nuclear war is OK and according to their computer-modelled scenarios, even a winnable endeavor.

The objective reality is that such a war could never be won, and the very existence of the next generation hypersonic missile technologies and underwater drones has demonstrated that a devastating first strike by either side is a pipe dream.

At the same time, it is obvious that while the UN was and still is, useful to solve or rather ease some humanitarian problems, its Security Council (UNSC) which must prevent military conflicts is incapable of doing this. 

The numbers of human and material losses during 21^st Century wars alone are staggering while UNSC was practically helpless the entire time.

However, the purpose of this essay is not to point fingers on who to blame but rather address the problem and identify responsible professionals who are both capable and willing to draft the basic principles of the New Just World Order (NJWO) which must be brought into reality while there is still time.

Going back in the history we see examples of similar efforts like the 1648 Peace of Westphalia which emerged in the wake of the 30 Years’ War establishing the framework of the modern sovereign nation state system at the heart of international law.

We have the example of the Congress of Vienna in 1815 after two decades of Napoleonic wars decimated Europe and an attempt arose again in the form of the League of Nations in the wake of the meat grinder of WW1. We saw a noble attempt occur once more in the form of the United Nations and Bretton Woods System that were brought online after WW2.

 Sometimes these international efforts were shaped by honest agendas and sometimes not, but in all instances, it was agreed by all parties that a new system was necessary to avoid a plunge into wars of self-annihilation.

Unfortunately, human memory is weak and the Byzantine web of power politics is not easily transformed by conferences or agreements to play nicely with partners.

So, what is to be done?

Since there is no ready outline, why not start with a discussion that might include representatives of the government, public and private sectors to present their ideas that place the highest value on the defense of humanity and sovereign nation states? These should include all willing participants with no exception. 

UN structures which work, and there are some, should be preserved while those which don’t, put through proper reforms.

The basic principle should be a win-win development for all nations, large and small, rich and poor, and no divisions for leaders and subordinates.

There is no shortage of cooperative projects to build together across all continents which could create real employment, build new and rebuild decayed factories and infrastructure, and establish trust amongst nations who have been set at each others’ throats for too long.

The clock is ticking and we cannot afford delaying this process any longer.

The League of Nations was introduced after WWI but it didn’t prevent the WWII.

This time let us build the NJWO which hopefully prevent WWIII.

Unfortunately, the war drums are banging and time is running out. 

Matthew Ehret is Senior Fellow of the American University in Moscow and Director of the Rising Tide Foundation Edward Lozansky is President of the American University in Moscow