Ralph Waldo Emerson once said ‘Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be achieved through understanding’. Violence begets more violence than peace. This is the law of nature that we live in. On the second day of the international conference on “The Role of Islamic States in a Globalized World”, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Dato’ Seri Zaini Mohd Said, raised an important question concerning why states fail to deter external aggression? He was making reference to this failure in the context of the Muslim nations today. His enlightening presentation exposed a clear message; that Muslim nations need to embark on serious preparations if they want to use deterrence as a tool to prevent external aggression. As a matter of fact, the ability to deter involves many strengths. One of the important points he emphasized was the fact that Muslim nations lack security and military cooperation.
The notion ‘for peace, we must prepare for war’ is significantly crucial in understanding the need to have defense preparedness capabilities. This does not necessarily mean to engage in heavy military equipment but rather that other aspects of peace building are important strengths which need to be developed. It is the element of understanding which is the answer to the prevention of conflict and war. In this regard, the issue of deterrence as an approach to avoid war needs serious consideration. Military deterrence alone cannot work. It needs the instruments of effective diplomacy, economic strength, political will, nation building, and multi-lateral cooperation.
Many of these instruments are lacking in the Muslim nations. Many Muslim states are the end-consumers of services provided by their adversaries and continue to remain under the dictates of ‘the mightier’. As a matter of fact Muslim nations are endowed with rich natural resources and intellectual capabilities but these are not used effectively and are being manipulated by the politically influential.
Every Muslim knows that preparation for future encounters is strongly encouraged. This requires good planning and strong willpower. We are always reminded in the Quran that we are to prepare ourselves in the best manner to be able to counter an enemy’s infiltration. Being ever conscious of the need to prepare and plan in whatever task we engage is an act of responsibility and commitment.
During the seminar, Dato’ Seri Zaini proposed that the Ministries of Defense in all Muslim States should establish a Center for Excellence. This step is crucial according to him in order to upgrade research and development capacity and cooperation among Muslim States. Perhaps this is a good platform within the ambit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to channel funded-research projects and initiatives.
The prime objective of the proposed center would be to embark on the sharing of knowledge and information pertaining to new developments in military technology. This will help the country to identify potential resources which may boost potential research and development in order to enhance the deterrence ability for security purposes.
The center would also be expected to facilitate the sharing of intelligence. At the moment, intelligence sharing is well coordinated by Interpol in which the central call for information always comes from the major powers. There is no coordinated intelligence amongst OIC countries.
In addition to having combined and joint military exercise with the non-OIC countries, Muslim States need to initiate regular military exercises to boost confidence and preparedness. This will help their military personnel and allow for international exposure to different climates and geo-strategic locations.
Joint military cooperation is also deemed necessary, particularly when conflict occur in their states. The first initiative should come from among the Muslim nations before engaging others, specifically the United Nations. This cooperation will train and encourage military personnel to take full responsibility.
Only when those steps are implemented will research and development programmes among them subsequently manifest. In addition, joint training and joint operations will benefit and expose military personnel, who in return will respond to the research teams and be able to provide them with technology they require which will best serve them in the field. This could certainly advance new ideas and innovations in military technology and strategy.
Looking at the inadequacy of the application of deterrence in our military capabilities today, it is perhaps ver pertinent for Muslim states to seriously reflect on this matter.
Perhaps the establishment of the proposed center will also generate ideas concerning how to improve the strategy and application of deterrence in the military systems of Muslim nations. At the moment, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Five Powers Defense Arrangement (FPDA) demonstrate the achievements and vital application of deterrence for its members. There is no such initiative within the realm of the Muslim world.
Therefore, the adage ‘For peace, we must prepare for war’ does not necessary point to war and attack unilateral attack but more towards preventive measures through the application of deterrence and understanding arrangements.