Seeking hostile aliens...

 

 

In the blockbuster Independence Day, the US President, on the eve of the final assault on the invading aliens stated, ‘In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind -- that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences any more. We will be united in our common interests.’ Science fiction was what it was, yet it made everyone feel part of a united mankind fighting against extermination. For once, no one was an Iraqi or American, no one was a Jewish, Christian or a Muslim. For once, a Russian defeat didn’t sum up to an American victory, who having discovered the way to break the shield of the alien ships passed it to rest, including those who, had been their adversaries for long. For once, mother earth or Vasudev Kutumbakam mattered more than anything else. Yet, to expect that sort of solidarity in today’s world is a daydream. Everywhere countries are at loggerheads with each other and within themselves. Any attempt to solve the problems creates more problems in turn. Sample this; when everyone thought that eluding peace might return to Iraq, Turkey, besieged by relentless terrorist attacks of the Kurdish rebels, has planned major invasion into Kurdish majority Northern Iraq, even though Turkey itself was against the US invasion of Iraq. While Turkey is an old ally of the US, the Iraqi Kurds had fought beside the US soldiers against the Saddam regime, thereby making them natural allies of US as well. Again, Iran is against the Kurdish rebels but the Kurdish apathy for Iran again makes Kurds a natural ally of Israel who in turn is a natural ally of US and has a face-off with Iran. While US might still support Turkey against the Kurdish rebels but any such action by Iran would make US antagonistic and also force Israel to help the Kurds which in turn would sour the otherwise long standing friendship between Israel and Turkey. The Arabs might be against the Turks but they would support anybody who is against Iran. They might support the Kurds but if they get support from Israel, they would then become natural enemies of the Arabs. Phew, it just gets more complicated! Yet it's just one of hundred such complications inhibiting mankind today. Finally, it all sums up to nothing - given the perpetual threats of nuclear wars.

It’s only a deadly alien invasion which might force mankind to forget needless animosities and shout in one voice, ‘We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests.’ For once, this science fiction needs to come to reality.