The world has already tasted the fear of war several times, with World War II leaving 75 million casualties. But even now, in the 21st century, more and more innocent people in the world lose their lives in a renewed war. Even though the world has entered the 21st century for just over 20 years starting with the civil wars in Iraq and Syria, wars break out around the world, and many countries participate in them despite knowing that there will be numerous damages. Why do people keep fighting and killing each other even though they know that war is just a horrible, anti-human massacre? What on earth are they trying to get, and why are they pushing themselves and their families by any means? What is most emphasized in the 21st century is stability and peace in the international community, but now in 2023, the world is still at war.

How is war in the 21st century different from before?

  The purpose of war in the 21st century may vary depending on the situation of the country and the relationship between the countries, but some major factors are as follows. First, political purposes due to regional or territorial disputes, ideological differences, and conflicts between political systems can be considered as examples. In most cases, diplomatic conflicts caused by political clashes or changes in interests between countries lead to war. States sometimes go to war to expand or defend their territory, which was the essential purpose of war in traditional military conflicts between countries. Second, they also wage war to secure the economic benefits of the country through resources, markets, and trade competition. In particular, countries collide due to energy resources or geographical position in trade. There are also many wars that happen for ideological or religious reasons. At this time, terrorist organizations or states use non-traditional strategies to wage war to achieve their objectives. With such diverse objectives and motives intersecting, wars in the 21st century have complex characteristics that are different from simple territorial disputes before. In addition to traditional military reasons, it can now be seen that factors in various areas such as economy, technology, cyber, and information are affecting military conflicts.

  Then, what will the wars that are constantly occurring in the past and the present look like? In the aforementioned World War II, guns and bombs were used as the main attack weapons. With the introduction of new technologies and strategies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the 21st century war has changed significantly compared to the past wars and has various characteristics and means. First, you can find the form of cyber warfare using AI technology in recent wars in the 21st century. As electronic attacks such as hacking using computers and networks increase, information leakage, system destruction, and electronic military operations are frequently carried out among warring countries. The Internet has become essential in the war of the 21st century to the extent that tactics such as using cyberweapons such as viruses to attack information infrastructure are also used. At the same time, warring countries are actively using unmanned aircraft. With the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and drones for war, they are being utilized in reconnaissance, attack, and support missions, giving new dimensions to military strategy. In fact, in 2021, Libyan government forces attacked rebels and patrolled the border using self-bombing drones incorporating AI technology in the battle of the desert. Besides, in September 2020, the Azerbaijani Republic has already used two types of autonomous drones developed by Turkey and Israel in its war against Armenia. These weapons pose tremendous danger in that they have the autonomy to rush and detonate themselves when they detect signals from the enemy. y taking advantage of this, warring countries also control drones to understand or obtain information about their counterparts’ strategies. Moreover, as information wars become more important these days, enemy information manipulation, propaganda activities, and public relations strategies are also emerging as key elements of war. Taking advantage of the fact that any modern person can exchange new information with the world 24 hours a day with a mobile phone, various information manipulation and propaganda activities are being carried out around the world. During World War II, the fierce war between Germany and the Soviet Union was reported in newspapers, but news of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine is being broadcast in real time on social media. In the Russia-Ukraine war, many netizens report the bombing situation online in real time, share the local situation, and see that the wartime situation is being quickly communicated to people. At the same time, using this point, countries sometimes use tactics to create and spread fake news for their counterparts’ disturbing operations in times of war. In future wars, there is a high probability of using AI and drones to minimize casualties beyond cyberattacks, and the important personnel in future wars may be hackers or programmers, not soldiers with guns. These various features and means, along with traditional military strategies, are creating war at a new level. As a result, diverse strategies and technologies are required to respond to non-traditional threats such as online terrorism as well as military conflicts between countries.

War and its Damage in the 21st Century

  So let’s take a look at some of the great wars that broke out in the 21st century based on the objectives and means mentioned above. The first war to look at is the U.S.-Afghanistan war, which left more than 210,000 dead. The U.S.-Afghan War is a 20-year-long military operation that began on October 7, 2001, and ended the U.S. military participation in Afghanistan on August 31, 2021. The war began in the wake of the terrorist attack on the U.S. mainland on September 11, 2001. The goal of the U.S. military was to eliminate the Taliban, the main culprit of the 9·11 attack, and Al-Qaeda in the name of helping Afghanistan find stability. However, the United States failed to achieve its original goal due to ongoing conflict and difficulties. The war was mainly centered on ground combat and air attacks, and the U.S. military also showed cooperation with Afghan government forces to suppress the Taliban. In particular, the U.S. operated with an emphasis on wiping out Al-Qaeda, an international armed forces by the extreme Salafist Muslims, which was founded by Osama Bin Laden, a Saudi Arabian. In May 2011, as Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda was tracked down and killed by U.S. special forces in Pakistan, the war seemed to end with the victory of the U.S. military. The United States succeeded in defeating the Taliban and overpowering Al-Qaeda, but there was internal opposition from Afghanistan to the ongoing domestic conflict and U.S. military intervention. The war led to stabilization and reconstruction efforts, and the United States and the United Nations Forces continued to carry out police and military training and development projects to stabilize Afghanistan. However, inside Afghanistan, opposition to U.S. military intervention, political unrest, and resistance from the remaining Taliban forces continued. Eventually, in August 2021, after a protracted war that continued, the U.S. military officially ended its military operation in Afghanistan and withdrew. The war in Afghanistan began with the U.S. attempt to counter terrorism and secure security, but over time led to the Taliban gaining ground again in Afghanistan.

 

 

 

 The second war to look at is the Russia-Ukraine war, which is still ongoing in 2023. The Russia-Ukraine war took place on two major occasions. The first began in 2014 when Russia occupied Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula, and since then, conflicts have arisen between separatist forces and Ukrainian government forces in the eastern part of the country. Secondly, on February 24, 2022, tensions rose once again as Russia launched a large-scale military operation against Ukraine. Russia invasion is strongly condemned by the international community, and military clashes between Russia and Ukraine are still ongoing. Military operations in cities and towns have resulted in significant civilian casualties, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis and refugee problems are also known to be serious. Russian attacks using missiles and artillery destroyed Ukraine’s manufacturing and transport infrastructure and blocked international trade routes due to sea blockade. In addition, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were about 5.873 million Ukrainian refugees as of August 1, 2023, with a massive refugee crisis continuing. The war has had a significant adverse impact, especially on the agricultural and food industries that have been the driving force behind Ukraine’s economy. Ukraine is a major source of agricultural products in the European, Asian, and African markets, and is known to account for an overwhelming proportion of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil exports, which are major items in the food production industry. The Ukrainian agri-food industry has served as a so-called European Breadbasket, accounting for 19% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 and 40.7% of exports in 2021. However, the war has caused problems such as hindering the supply chain of Ukrainian agricultural products, reducing the number of arable land that can be used during the sowing season, and blocking access to sea transport routes. According to the USAID Program (AGRO), direct losses in Ukraine’s agricultural sector due to the war in the first 11 months of 2022 were more than $6 billion, with total losses of more than $30 billion. As such, many countries that relied on Ukraine wheat exports are on the verge of food shortages due to rising wheat prices.

 

  The ongoing war includes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is also a very big issue. The conflict was caused by territorial, political, and religious conflicts between Israel and the Palestine, and one of the main issues was land issues caused by long-running conflicts and nationalism. Jerusalem is a very religiously important city in the region, acting as one of the key areas of the border dispute between the two countries. The repeated military clashes and terrorism between Islam and Judaism to occupy Jerusalem’s territory have continued, leading to numerous fights in Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza Strip, located on the Mediterranean coast, is one of the most recent centers of ethnic conflict between Israel and Palestine, and is known as one of the densely populated areas. The Gaza conflict stems from territorial conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians and is one of the key issues in the effort to establish a Palestinian state. International experts claim that nationalism and religious conflict in the region are blocking the peace process. Recent intensive military operations in Gaza have destroyed all infrastructure in the Palestinian region, including residential areas, schools, and hospitals, and civilians are constantly being evacuated. The international community has tried to mediate and peacefully adjust several times, but the situation in Gaza has not been peaceful due to a complex problem that is not easy to solve, and the war is still continuing. Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist party and military group, has always been criticized for its indiscriminate terrorist attacks that do not distinguish between civilians. Although there is no strategic value such as schools and restaurants and it is clear that it is not a combat area, it commits suicide bombings. Also the rocket attacks by Hamas are considered a war crime like killing civilians. In October this year, Dylan White, an acting spokesman of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), condemned Hamas’ attack, calling it a terrorist attack on NATO partner Israel, and issued a statement in support of Israel, saying, “Terrorism is a fundamental threat to a free society and Israel has the right to defend itself.” A month later, the European Commission president said that the European Union(EU) and the United States stand by Israel against Hamas terrorism, and Israel has the right to self-defense under international humanitarian law. More than 30 European countries, including Ukraine, the United Kingdom and France, have condemned Hamas terrorism against humanity and have expressed support for Israel and their right to self-defense. On the other hand, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea say they support Hamas, saying only ending Israel illegal occupation of Gaza and oppression of Palestinians is the way to bring peace and prosperity to the Middle East.

 

 

 

Korean War : Ceasefire Is Not an End

 

 

   Then, what kind of situation is Korea in terms of war? Currently, the Republic of Korea has not concluded the end of the Korean War, which broke out in 1950, for 70 years. The war, which began due to the North desire for unification to the prolonged Cold War on the Korean Peninsula, has been temporarily suspended until 2023 with the declaration of a ceasefire in 1953. The possibility of a recurrence of the Korean War is a complex and multifaceted problem without a specified answer, and various factors can have an impact. Several aspects, including the current geopolitical system, international situation, economic situation, military readiness, and diplomatic relations between the two countries, must be considered simultaneously. The relationship between the two Koreas is always drawing attention. Although there has been no direct military conflict since the ceasefire was declared, North Korea nuclear weapons development and continuous ballistic missile tests have created an atmosphere of instability. It should also be noted that relations with the international community, such as the United States and China, can also increase the likelihood of a recurrence of disputes. Since the United States and China are countries that support South Korea and North Korea militarily and diplomatically, respectively, and act as major players for stability on the Korean Peninsula, the impact of the relationship and attitude between the two countries is also of significance to the Korean War. Furthermore, international events in other regions on the planet can also affect the Korean War, which could increase the likelihood of a recurrence of the war if international tensions spread to areas including the Korean Peninsula. Above all, the peace process and diplomatic efforts between the two Koreas are crucial to reducing the likelihood of a recurrence of the Korean War, so active diplomatic efforts and negotiations are needed along with the international community. Military tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising as North Korea has opened up the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against South Korea and recently increased the level of provocations by conducting a series of missile tests and artillery firing. In the meantime, the Republic of Korea has held two inter-Korean summits with North Korea in 2000 and 2007, showing efforts for peace between the two countries. In fact, the Moon Jae-in government successfully held three inter-Korean summits in 2018 alone and even achieved the Panmunjom Declaration for peace, prosperity, and unification on the Korean Peninsula. South and North Korea seemed to be moving one step closer to the end of the war and unification, declaring the opening of a new era of peace without war on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations, but the relative stability of inter-Korean relations and peace disappeared as if it were when after the change of South’s government in 2022. Since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, there has not been a single inter-Korean dialogue. In addition, in April last year, the direct hot lines between the two countries, including military communication lines, were cut off, which served as emergency communication channels to block military conflicts caused by misunderstandings in the event of an unexpected situation. North Korea’s leader Kim continuously fires ballistic missiles, and President Yoon is responding to them with large-scale South Korea-U.S. military exercises, including the deployment of U.S. strategic assets. Inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation do not fall victim to the U.S.-China hegemony competition, but are essential to South Korea’s continued economic development and diplomatic space expansion. Former high-ranking government officials pointed out that the Yoon Suk-yeol government should actively move now to find clues to inter-Korean dialogue and exchange and cooperation.

 

  If a war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula again, it will kill countless civilians and soldiers. In the position of accepting refugees from other countries, we will also have numerous refugees, increasing the burden on neighboring countries and the international community as well as the humanitarian crisis in the Republic of Korea. The Korean Peninsula will lose everything if it launches military operations with the military power of both Koreas, which is stronger than during the Korean War. In addition to destroying all of the domestic industrial infrastructure that has been developed and built at a rapid pace, the damage caused by the suspension of trade is expected to be strong from our standpoint, which is highly dependent on trade. This will pose a great threat to regional security as well as the entire international community, and there are also concerns that it could lead to World War III if it leads to supportive participation by countries around the world, including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. In a worst-case scenario, if North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons, uses them, the nation may reach the point where it will be impossible to revive for decades. This scenario is very pessimistic, and as we have tried to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula so far, the end of the war will have to take place as soon as possible beyond easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

 

 

 

 

 

  People who have been devastated by the bombing run away to live in the dust. Depending on the development of the war, they may never be able to come home again. At this moment, Gaza civilians are walking about a dozen kilometers with white flags, asking the enemies not to kill them. Right now, we are living with bated breath in the threat of war that we don’t know when it will resume. Can you just let it be someone else’s business, saying it’s just a war? The age of barbarism returns to the sidelines. Only those who know the horrors of war speak out for peace. But even those who have never felt the fear of war must speak of peace. Many people should no longer be sacrificed by someone’s greed. Everyone knows that a peaceful world is a happy society, but the world is still at war.

 

 

 

김진아  82_j@inha.edu

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