History Lessons on Warfare

September 25, 2022

History Lessons on Warfare 

Padmini Arhant

Since world creation, humanity has been subject to numerous trials and tribulations. The wars, health calamity in epidemic and pandemic, natural disasters, food crisis and different kinds until now.

The lessons from war in particular is poignant defining the battle fought for interests other than defending sovereignty, territorial integrity, individual freedom and civil liberty as invariably fait accompli.

Despite military prowess, nuclear might, superior defense systems and technology compared to their targets, the military engagement yield major setbacks for the aggressors often leading to economic drain and massive human casualties ending in quagmire.

The ravaging war with serious economic costs including the irreversible ones in loss of civilian and military personnel lives are proved counterproductive.

The reasons being misplaced aspirations and miscalculated strategy for the militarily advantaged unwilling and unrelenting in the face of ground reality.

History is testament to this effect – Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen…to name a few among several war zones and lately the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is hard to comprehend the lack of recognition and acknowledgment in the leadership, strategists and think tanks behind protracted warfare to ceasefire and mitigate further catastrophe. Instead the extended war is pursued more for prestige against practicality.

Again the war waged for territorial annexation and dominance is a lost cause designed to be a failure with permanent damage proven time and time again.

The nation led towards military confrontation for strategic goals, economic gains and individual legacy at the expense of own citizens’ lives and future are self-explanatory experiencing inevitable defeat.

The world war 2 with global conquest in mind and similar ones before or in the present to establish superpower status produced negative outcome for aspirants exposing their vulnerability and inadequacy in specific contexts.

The confrontational military means with more weapons and ground forces by no measure guaranteed to reverse events in the battle ground for the invader considering the will of the attacked to defend national independence from any foreign occupation near and far outweigh the former abnormal wishes to rein control.

Accordingly, heeding lessons from global events in history with respect to warfare, the ceasefire accompanied by solemn commitment translated into action ending bloodshed, violence, deaths and destruction is the only saving grace and pragmatic approach to conclusion of hostility and enmity.

When decisions are made ignoring consequences, it is also incumbent upon decision makers to realize the aftermath and reverse course to the path of peaceful negotiations and dispute settlement.

The real leadership power rest in saving not claiming lives and avert situations heading towards the point of no return.

War is not the choice in exerting authority and superiority. They are ultimately tried and exhausted bringing the conflict to conclusion as nothing is meant to go on forever.

Russian war in Ukraine is no different and would rather benefit in renouncing the current policy of shelling and decimation exacerbating resources besides testing citizens’ patience and trust reflected in street protests against war and mobilization.

Padmini Arhant 

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com 

Presidential Communiqué

November 20, 2008

Thus far, the campaign events were about the developments leading to the victory of the Democratic candidate in a historic manner.

It is time to conclude the interesting, dramatic, challenging and the most exciting Presidential race with the honorable acknowledgements.

As stated in the earlier blog posts, my contribution to the Obama candidacy privately acknowledged throughout the campaign by President-elect Barack Obama.

President-elect Barack Obama never failed to express gratitude and deep appreciation of the hard work since my involvement in the campaign.

I received the genuine acknowledgment promptly after every primary race and the general election.

Here are the excerpts of some communication held following important moments of the campaign:

Prior to the acceptance of Democratic Nomination:
nomination_acknowledgement

Obama for America


Invitation to join the election night:

From: Barack Obama

To: Padmini Arhant

Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 8:22:21 AM

Subject: Will you join me on Election Night?

Join Barack on Election Night
Padmini –

I want you to be there with me on Election Night when the results come in.

We’re planning a big event that will include tens of thousands of supporters in Grant Park in downtown Chicago.

We’re saving some of the best seats in the house for 5 people who have given to the campaign before — and who decide to make a donation one last time before Sunday at midnight.

You can bring a guest, and we’ll fly you in and put you up in a hotel for the night.

You’ll go backstage at the big event and — no matter what happens — you’ll have a front row seat to history as we celebrate the supporters who got us over the finish line.

Any donation counts — whatever you can afford. Show your support at this crucial time with a donation of $250 or more, and you could join me on Election Night:

https://donate.barackobama.com/frontrow

This movement for change has been a testament to the power of ordinary Americans coming together to achieve extraordinary things.

I look forward to having you there on Election Night.

Thank you,

Barack

————————————————–

My response to the invitation:

Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 3:40:21 PM PST

Dear Senator Obama,

I am honored and delighted to attend the historic night on November 4, 2008.

I predicted this night in my letter to Amy Goodman of Democracynow.org in mid-January 2008.

Some might say audacious while others, probably presumptuous!

I have absolutely no qualms about your victory on November 4, night.

Hope, you remember that I posted the blog "The Winner" on February 2, 2008 and took lot of heat from the critics during the Primary election.

However, this time I do not wish to spoil the surprise for many feeling nervous about the outcome.

Let me be the first one to congratulate you on your victory as the 44th President of the United States.

My heartfelt Congratulations to you ahead of time!

Best Wishes,

Padmini Arhant

Private and Intended for Addressee only please:
———————————————————

I could not attend the election night for reasons explained in the blog post – Transparency – Broken Promise.

——————————————————-

On the Historic Night, November 4, 2008 – As the results poured in, I received the following email from our President-elect Barack Obama:

From: Barack Obama

To: Padmini Arhant

Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 8:17:45 PM

Subject: How this happened

Padmini –

I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack

—————————————-

Finally, I am profoundly thankful to President-elect Barack Obama for his kindness, understanding and greatness demonstrated throughout his communication with me.

It is just unfortunate that he could not express his true sentiments in public as stated in earlier blog posts.

It is truly an honor to be part of history.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant