The Perpetual Cycle of Conflict in South Asia

 

War has once again erupted along the border, with both nations trading blame—as always happens during such crises. Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty loom over the region, creating an atmosphere of unpredictability. Living in a neighborhood where trust is scarce and enmity is cultivated makes life unbearable. In such an environment, survival demands constant vigilance: we arm ourselves, stockpile weapons, and cling to the illusion of "deterrence." But when one side is weaker, this imbalance breeds misery rather than security.

The Delicate Balance of Power

In international politics, equilibrium is everything. Alliances form to maintain this balance, and regions adopt their own strategies. Larger nations often manipulate smaller ones as buffers, stifling emerging powers to preserve dominance. The British Empire mastered this game. By the end of World War II, realizing they could no longer control the subcontinent, they ensured it would never rise as a unified force. Their solution? Partition, perpetual conflict, and a legacy of pliable local elites—"Brown Sahibs" (as Lord Macaulay envisioned)—who mirrored British mindsets in brown skin. These successors continued draining resources, including human capital, to the West, a hemorrhage that continues today.

The Failure of Indigenous Leadership

Instead of breaking free from colonial templates, post-independence leaders perpetuated the same divisive policies. They waged wars, sustained rivalries, and learned nothing from history—despite their education. In this region, extremism and religious nationalism are peddled like "hot cakes" to masses educated in local languages, while elites groom their children in English and foreign institutions. The result? A disconnect: the "Brown Sahibs" remain palatable to the West, while the public is radicalized, used as fuel to power the engine of electoral politics.

The Rise of Majoritarianism

While religious extremists rarely win elections in Pakistan, India’s political landscape has transformed under the BJP and RSS. Over the past two decades, these groups have eroded India’s secular fabric, institutionalizing division and stoking insecurity among minorities. The inevitable outcome? Escalating tensions with Pakistan. Each accuses the other of subversion—India is accued to create unrest in Balochistan and KPK; Pakistan is blamed for Pulwama. This tit-for-tat strategy isn’t about resolution; it’s about maintaining a "controlled conflict" to justify militarization and nationalism.

Media as a Weapon

Indian media has shattered all records in spreading hate, with anchors screaming propaganda to boost ratings. Some Pakistani channels now mimic the same toxic model. Fear sells, and the public is addicted to the spectacle. No one knows if this war will spiral or fizzle—but life staggers on, even as the region’s leaders cling to destructive ideologies.

The question remains: When will we break this cycle? Or are we doomed to replay history forever?