National Interests of Countries

My theme investigation examines that countries do not have permanent friends and permanent enemies but only have permanent interests. I have chosen texts from novel, short story, non-fiction books, magazines, newspapers and internet sites. The texts describe permanent interests of countries that cause wars to occur, the change of alliances and current political policies of countries toward warfare. My report outlines three key connections about permanent interests of countries that I made between the texts.

What are the principle reasons for nations to go to war?
Nations go to war because of beliefs, alliances and resources. The website, “Cause of World War I”, reveals that wars occur because of leaders’ aggression and alliances between nations. German Kaiser William II wanted to have dominance over Great Britain and France. The alliances formed between nations caused the large number of countries to be involved in the war. Russia’s willingness to support Serbia and the strong bond between Germany and Austria-Hungary caused these countries to be involved when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The alliance of the Central Powers and Entente Powers caused the involvement of Great Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. The same reason is echoed in Remarque’s novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, when Paul Baumer stated the reason for the First World War: “generals and emperors need at least one war in their life or they don’t become famous.” Baker’s short story, “Finished with the War”, expresses the same reason when Siegfried Sasson declared that: “I believe that this war, has now become a war of aggression and conquest.” Both non-fiction books, History of World War II and The World at Arms, reflected similar reasons. Adolf Hitler’s aggressive ambitions to expand Germany’s lebensraum, living space, caused World War Two. The website, “The United Sates and the Iran-Iraq War”, and the Otago Daily Times article, “The Gulf Crisis and the United Nations”, reveal that wars occur because of resources and leaders’ aggression. Saddam Hussein’s goal of regional dominance caused the Iran-Iraq War and the invasion of Kuwait to take over the oil reserves. The present Iraq War is also the result of ambitions to take over resources available in foreign countries. The website, “Bush’s Deep Reasons for War on Iraq”, shows that the United States is only interested in the oil in Iraq. It is sad to see that nations go to war because of national interests or even selfish personal interests. Countries are only interested in their interests and will do anything to achieve their interests. Nations should not go to war just because of the alliances formed between nations. We should prevent future wars that are triggered by selfish ambitions and national interests. All alternative resolutions must be considered before going to war. We should try and preserve peace for the benefits of our world.

What are the reasons for nations changing their alliances?
National interests between countries lead to formation of alliances and change of alliances when national interests no longer existed between countries. Both websites, “Collapse of Alliance” and “World History at KMLA”, reveal that the reasons for the changes of alliances are because of the change of national interests and the difference in viewpoints. After the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht, the only interests of combating Hitler’s Third Reich and restore freedom and peace that held the allied forces no longer existed. It resulted in the Soviet Union isolating itself from France, Great Britain and the United States. The Warsaw Pact alliance and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were formed. In the Otago Daily Times article, “The Gulf Crisis and the United Nations”, and The Press article, “Why the Gulf Forces have Gone to War with Iraq”, show the same reason. The United States provided arms to Iraq, during the Iran-Iraq War, to exhaust its opponent, Iran, but became bitter enemies when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The conquest of Kuwait gave Iraq the control of about 20 per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves and Saddam Hussein is able to dictate the foreign and oil policies of other Gulf countries. This would seriously affect the American interests in the Gulf oil so the countries became enemies. In the Pacific Islands Monthly article, “Nuclear Diplomacy- Lange’s Holy Grail”, same reason is reflected. New Zealand would not admit vessels that were carrying nuclear weapons because of its nuclear-free policy. The United States insisted on obscuring the presence or absence of nuclear weapons, for it preserved the ambiguity that maintains the credibility of the nuclear deterrent. It resulted in the United States breaking away from the ANZUS alliance, as no national interests existed between the countries. Nations are always changing their alliances because national interests are always different at different time. National interests should be the interests of the people, rather than the interests of leaders and governments. We should learn and accept different viewpoints from other countries and form alliances, if the alliances will benefit the nations and our world.

What is a sensible contemporary political policy toward warfare as a justifiable alternative action by government?
The United Nations, France, Germany and Russia all proposed peaceful alternatives towards the Iraq War. The website, “Sanctions Against Iraq”, and the Otago Daily Times article, “The Gulf Crisis and the United Nations”, describe peaceful resolutions as alternatives to warfare. The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 661, imposing comprehensive sanctions on Iraq, as peaceful resolutions toward the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Even after the withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait, the economic sanctions are still in place as leverage to press for Iraq disarmament. The website, “Iraq Declaration Russia-Germany-France”, and the Time magazine article, “France Is Not a Pacifist Country”, reveals similar actions by governments by using peaceful alternatives toward the Iraq War. The countries proposed the alternative solution of achieving by peaceful means of weapon inspections. The countries are trying to obtain a comprehensive settlements for the Middle East by publishing and implementing the roadmap and putting together a general framework for the Middle East, based on stability and security, renunciation of force, arms control and trust building measures. Many countries are using justifiable alternatives, such as sanctions and weapon inspections, toward warfare. The main priority of governments should be the prevention of involvement during warfare and solve the problem by using peaceful resolutions available. Although some peaceful alternatives are ineffective, we must be patient and find effective alternatives toward warfare. It is very important to find and use the effective alternatives because the prevention of warfare will save millions of lives and protect our environment for the future generation.

My investigation showed that warfare occurs because of selfish ambitions. Change in national interests leads to change in alliances. Justifiable political policies of government are the prevention of involvement in United Nations disapproved military actions and solve the problem by using peaceful alternatives. Actions by government should not be for the selfish national interests but for the interests of the world. We should learn and accept the differences between nations to maintain peace and harmony in our world.