Dear Editor,

Wars are no longer insular activities. Increasingly, they involve chan reactions and dominoes effects, even more so that the world has become more and more interconnected.

Depending on what triggers a war it could quickly affect how much you pay at the fuel pumps across the globe.

Wars demonstrate the importance of unity. In order words, you cannot kick your toe on a rock and not expect you whole body to be in pain.

According to the World Food Programme, conflict is the biggest driver of hunger, with around 70 per cent of the world’s hungry living in areas affected by wars.

Another challenging effect of wars is the economic hardship it creates. It is like everyone is carrying the burden that wars bring. When a war triggers a hike in fuel prices, for instance, everything will automically follow with an increase. Even health-care services and education may experience a direct hit when scarce resources have to be diverted for the funding of war. Thus, warfare is not detached closed-doors activities that involve only those on the battlefield. It spills out into the streets and trespasses on your daily lives, the consequences of which leave suffering.

Therefore, wars cannot be seen as showdowns between two men facing off with sticks and stones. Unless you can close your eyes and make the whole world turn dark, or throw a stone into a pool and cause it not to ripple.

Homer Sylvester

Jacksonville, Florida

h2sylvester@gmail.com