We have all heard it said that war is not the answer. This is actually true. War is not the answer; it is one answer. There are many other answers, but not all of them make sense, and not all of them are correct. Sometimes war is the answer. Sometimes it is not. However, it is an answer to some things.
War is defined as a state or period of armed hostility or active military operations: The two nations were at war with each other. War is characterized by death and destruction. That is the point of war.
Peace is defined as the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world. It is characterized by a nation having good to neutral relations with its neighbors, either through isolationism or through positive diplomatic and business relationship.
The reason this platitude is empty is because it does not address the question. It blanketly states that war is not the answer, and yet ignores what the questions might be. The implication is that war is never justified.
So, here is a question: What is the answer to one nation attacking another nation, with the intent of destroying it? Obviously the first answer is to make peace. Make peace is here defined as to ask for or arrange a cessation of hostilities or antagonism. Now, if the other nation refuses to make peace, what is the answer? Obviously, the answer is not make peace. That has already failed. We must seek out another answer.
Could the answer be to negotiate? Negotiation offers a method for making peace, or for surrendering. However, if the desire of the other nation is the destruction of a nation and all of its peoples, then obviously surrender is not an option. Nor is making peace, because that option has already failed.
Is the option defense? Well, if you fight back, isn't that making war? Even if all you are doing is defending yourself from a hostile nation, if you fight back then you are at war with that nation.
So, it would seem that war can be the answer. It is not the only answer, of course; but it would do us all a lot of good to remember that, sometimes, peace simply cannot be attained.
As an afterthought, it is possible to be at peace with a nation intent on destroying you. At peace is also defined as being deceased. When the peaceful nation has been destroyed by the hostile one, then they will be at peace. It is simply a question of; are you willing to make war, or will you ever choose peace?
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