If I understand the basic concept of animosity, then when I say someone is my enemy, they will see me in exactly the same way. A simple and effective method of maintaining the status quo – balance of power – whatever cover all term you prefer.
So, when public statements are made regarding defending ourselves against cyber attacks from Russia, and they are presented as ‘the enemy’, I can only assume that they will present their version in the same terms.
Now, I am not naive enough to take it all at face value. Governments make public statements of dire adversarial antagonism, whilst long-standing discussions continue through back corridors. And they have done since they were able to pick a fight with another nation.
Nor am I gullible enough to think that it is all one-sided. There is boundless evidence for our, and our allies, involvement in all sorts of underhand and subversive activity over the years. And I am positive that it continues today.
After all, how would we know that Russia was hacking, subverting, influencing areas of our domestic lives unless we were indulging in the same activities in the other direction. And that applies to China, Iran, wherever you feel appropriately threatened from.
Or not. After all, the US bugged the German chancellor!
So, the status quo – we spy on each other, we interfere with each other’s domestic activities, we publicly accuse each other of every sin since the beginning of time – remains. The Security Services justify their existence, and we are kept ‘on-side’ in the ongoing Cold Wars.
I know there are very bad people out there, probably planning all types of very bad things to do to us as a society. And I appreciate all the work done by the Security Services to retain our safety.
But that is very different from the public posturing to retain outdated animosities.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if the secret discussions were brought into the light, and common ground was sought instead of antagonism and division, then perhaps some of the peripheral repercussions would be reduced.
As an example, and for whatever else it is, the situation in Syria is significantly due to the retained confrontation between Russia and ‘the west’, a proxy war.
So, how about deflating the rhetorical grandstanding, talk to other nations as human beings, and maybe, just maybe, we could have a few less ‘enemies’, and a few more friends.
And we all need friends.
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