“Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war” Mark Anthony, 44 BC. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar 1599
“One Settler, one bullet” Peter Mokaba, 1990
“Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” Julius Malema, 2023
“All of Ukraine is ours” Vladimir Putin, 2025
“Deplete, Degrade, Destroy, Decapitate” Donald Trump, 2026
“The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants” Pope Leo XIV, 2026
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” W B Yeats, 1919
Although prompted by the harsh reality of the US/Israel/Iran war, the focus of this article is not on the merits, scale and consequences of that conflict which seem to have been grossly under-assessed and under-analysed by President Trump and his arrogant advisors.
Nor does it promote any form of unnecessary procrastination, prevarication, equivocation or “woke inspired” inaction from nations or individuals when confronted by actual or potential violent and dangerous ultra-extremism, whether ideological, political, religious or personal, which puts the safety and security of those nations or individuals at real and palpable risk.
It does however reflect on a trending dilution of the use of Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente and Deference for conflict resolution whether that conflict be at international level, within nations and their governments and parliaments or amongst ordinary cities in their streets, universities, schools and homes.
Amidst the bombs, missiles and drones in the Middle East, the belligerent bellicose threats, ultimatums and shifting deadlines and the impotent protestations of the United Nations and leaders of uninvolved or “non-aligned” nations, including our own duplicitous President Ramaphosa, there is –not only as dramatically exposed by this war – an emerging underlying behavioural pattern within all levels of our global society that should probably be of immense concern to humanity itself..
This refers to the diminishing capability and capacity of members of the human race to interact politically, economically and socially with each other in a manner that reflects tolerance, empathy, a desire for a non- confrontational co-existence, mutual respect and a genuine integrity of purpose to resolve conflict, disagreement and differences.
There appears to be less determination and patience to achieve the solution driven, consensus based relationships and interactions which are so desperately needed for the survival of humanity in a world of wide ideological , ethnic and spiritual differences, diverse colours, creeds and classes and confronted with diminishing essential resources and increasing populations.
In a more desirable world, the successful use of Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente and Deference would make such co-existences and consensus based relationships possible, but the growing absence of these behavioural tools in our volatile world is detrimentally affecting the potential for a permanent peaceful, productive and progressive global society – as utopian as that may be
The global geo-political characteristics of aggression, domination, terrorism and repression and the desire for some kind of international, national or personal supremacy, are variously personified by the likes of Putin, Lukashenko, Trump, Khomeini, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jing Pin, Maduro, Netanyahu, and the many other leaders of countries and communities that seek to impose their will on others by way of warmongering, dictatorship, autocracy, undue influence and abuse of power and other undemocratic means of coercion; often in defiance of the rule of law.
Inter alia, Ukraine, Kosovo, Taiwan, Cuba, Greenland, Venezuela, Iran, South Korea are examples of countries whose sovereignty is currently or may in future be subjected to domination from others by way of military or other interventions. The events of October 7 2023 and the consequent devastation in Gaza and the civilian casualties are atrocious and shameful and there is still no agreed upon solutions for Palestinian dignity or sovereignty. Despite a “cease fire” villages in Lebanon are being demolished by Israel and the future of that state and its once thriving capital, Beirut, is precarious.
The Russian aggression in Ukraine continues seemingly definitely while the world seems able to only act as a relatively helpless spectator.
Trade wars, mainly in the form of punitive tariffs and sanctions and often conducted as a form of geo-political and economic bullying revenge or retribution, contribute to collapsing economies and increased global poverty and unemployment.
Communists, socialists, capitalists, fascists and even liberals are increasingly adversarial. Terrorist groups whether politically or religiously motivated such as ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and others cause relentless harm and havoc within and outside the areas they operate. Dangerous rebels wreak death and destruction in Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar, Somalia, Haiti, Nigeria and closer to home, Mozambique.
The above conflicts and crises play out on the international stage but it is worth reflecting on how Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente, and Deference are being used by the South African society to advance the provision of much needed economic growth, employment, basic service deliveries, homes, hospitals, clinics and schools and better standards of living for all of its citizens.
Ironically, our peripatetic “talk a lot” but “do nothing” President preaches dialogue whenever and wherever he can, even to the extent of announcing, on 10 June 2025 and with his usual self-congratulatory rhetoric, a South African National Dialogue. Apparently the purpose of which is to provide “ordinary” citizens an opportunity to explain their problems to government – as if indeed their problems are not staring the President and his government in the face every day – and propose solutions – as if indeed those solutions are not the responsibility of that government that those “ordinary” citizens elected in the first place !
As is the norm with this President, there are committees, plans and processes but there has been no such dialogue and yet again the President pays lip-service to dialogue, as indeed he does with his so-called non-aligned foreign policy and selective diplomacy. Despite his so called GNU (Government of National Unity), he continues to impose his and his ANC’s self – serving will, laws and decisions on the people of South Africa “whether you like it or not!”
His attempts to project himself as a global statesman of diplomacy and mediation, particularly in respect of the Russian/ Ukraine war and other African conflicts have been a costly and hollow charade.
In our “honourable” legislatures we see undignified brawls, walk outs and trading of personal insults. In their committee room’s parliamentarians, particularly from the MK and EFF, use brutal bullying and sometimes racist rhetoric when confronting witnesses, No wonder we see the same disrespectful behaviour in our universities and schools where buildings are burnt and classrooms trashed.
In our streets, taxi wars are a daily event, peaceful protests turn violent at the drop of a hat. Increasing divorce rates, gender based violence and child abuse destroy family values with the consequent emergence of gangsterism and drug and alcohol abuse amongst our youth.
Throughout the SA society there are signs of increasing tensions, aggressiveness and intolerance, a far cry from the days of Mandela’s presidency and a stark reminder of our failure to achieve the society he envisaged.
Returning back to our global space. If the use of the 4 D’s continues to collapse as the prime foundation for conflict resolution and our human interactions, the sustainability of the human race will be at risk. I once asked Dr Anton Rupert what he feared most for the next generation. His answer was “a nuclear war!”
With the decline of Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente and Deference and with the current global warring, conflicts of interest between the world’s “super powers”, political and religious extremism and the race to selfishly obtain and secure diminishing resources, his answer was indeed prescient and his greatest fear may well be a fear we should all now share ourselves.
The unpredictability of super powerful world leaders and the inevitability of human beings at all levels of society to make mistakes of grave consequence would suggest that no nation, let alone Iran, should have access to a nuclear bomb. Currently nine countries have such access, some of which have leaders of very questionable mental stability and rationality.
Fragile and fractured co-existences between nations, political, economic and social communities and even individuals are generally associated with various forms of radicalism or ultra-left or right extremism. Although often gullible to the sway and populist persuasion of radicals and extremists, the majority of human beings on this planet instinctively long for a peaceful life underpinned by social stability, economic opportunity and progress supported by the application of the rule of law, the preservation of individual and press freedoms and the provision of human dignity for themselves, their families, their neighbours and their global co-inhabitants.
This yearning of the majority to belong to what is referred to as the centre or middle ground is all too often denied them as a result of the governance they are subjected to or the presence of radical or extremist influences within the countries in which they live.
Therefore, in both democratic and undemocratic political dispensations, an active citizenry is necessary to advance and progress middle ground values of moderation, compassion, pragmatism, social cohesion and economic opportunities for all, not just the privileged or politically connected few.
However a fatigued citizenry. oppressed by government or just pressurised by the daily grind of coping with household matters and earning a decent income, finds it hard and even dangerous to “take to the streets” to make its views known and voices heard. This could relate to oppression and abuse of political power, mismanagement of government finances and taxpayers money, basic service delivery, jobs, homes, better health care and education, crime and corruption or even a less damaging foreign policy such as in the case of SA.
Consequently the centre or middle ground requires strong and co-ordinated civil society organisations, activists, jurists and professional associations to “carry their flag”.
Currently international CSO’s are mainly focussed on humanitarian issues such as child abuse, poverty relief, medical assistance and environmental crises. At national level, internal domestic issues dominate the agendas but the organisations are widespread, diverse in purpose and lack co-ordination. This weakens their voice and influence in collectively achieving a broader mutual objective of advancing the values, principles and policies of centrists.
South Africa is blessed with many admirable CSO’s but too often their individual opinions and views are drowned out or diluted by ebullient loudmouthed or sweet talking disingenuous politicians.
At both international and national level, the power and influence of CSO’s and likeminded societal groupings could be greatly magnified if, whilst maintaining their own independent pursuit of their specific objectives, they belonged to a purpose driven overarching structure, the purpose of which would be the co-ordinated expression of the opinions, proposals and even demands of the centre in respect of international and national “affairs of state.”
In SA for example, a Union of SA Civil Society Organisations (UCSOSA) – or some similar overarching council, board or body- could become a powerful collective mouthpiece that advances middle ground values, principles, policies and practices for the better overall governance in our country and the wellbeing of its citizens.
Sadly, good governance can no longer be the sole responsibility of politicians who generally, once elected, backtrack on or fail to implement their promises of good governance and pursue self-orientated ambitions and the preservation of personal power rather than the common good.
The USCOSA could peacefully, purposefully and effectively speak and act on our citizenry’s behalf with considerable leverage.
It is not naïve to believe that there is a world where Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente and Deference prevents damaging international, national and domestic conflicts. It is not utopian to imagine a planet that provides for a peaceful sustainable co-existence for all its inhabitants. It is not just wishful thinking to positively and optimistically consider the ability of civil society to dominate and direct political, economic and societal environments and direction.
Many politicians would have us believe that they align themselves with and practice these vital engagement principles. However, endless talks about talks is not dialogue. Diplomacy conducted by social media posts containing threats of obliteration, unachievable pre-conditions and so called “red lines” or as a front to hide secret nefarious agendas is not diplomatic. Détente cannot be achieved when adversaries deliberately and wilfully provoke increase tensions between parties. Personal insults, calling fellow human beings “scum, crazy bastards, mentally challenged” etc does not reflect deference.
Unless “leaders of society” use Dialogue, Diplomacy, Détente and Deference with integrity, transparency and honourable objectives for the peaceful, progressive and productive co-existence of nations and communities and find a way to defeat radicalism and extremism, we will endure violent conflicts, tyrants, dictators, increased climate disasters, dangerous public protests and, perhaps worst of all a depletion of resources essential for the sustainability of the human race itself. It will lead to the self-destruction our environment, our economies and our very existence on this planet.
Organised civil society, representing the “ordinary” people of the centre, not only has the responsibility but also the capacity to avoid this global havoc and destruction and create and maintain lasting sustainability and peaceful human co-existences. It just needs to get its collective act together.
[Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CTBT_Diplomacy_%26_Public_Policy_course_-July_2013%289378912632%29.jpg]
The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of the Daily Friend or the IRR.
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