As global tensions rise—from the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to disputes over Venezuela’s waters and the great power rivalry in the Pacific—an ancient warning from 83 AD resonates with striking relevance. Calgacus, a Scottish chieftain, reportedly declared before the Roman conquest: ‘They create a desert and call it peace.’ This statement, whether historical or attributed by Roman historian Tacitus, encapsulates a recurring pattern of power dynamics: the destruction of societies in the name of order, followed by declarations of victory over the ruins. From Roman Britain to modern Iraq, colonial Africa to contemporary Afghanistan, this cycle persists. Calgacus saw Rome’s claims of civilization, security, and law as thinly veiled exploitation, subjugation, and devastation. Tacitus, too, seemed to critique the empire’s rhetoric versus its reality. The modern era mirrors this pattern. Crises—real or manufactured—prompt calls for military intervention, often framed as the only viable solution. The promises are familiar: swift victories, precision technology, and flourishing democracy. Yet, the outcomes tell a different story. Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan stand as stark examples of interventions that left fractured societies, extremism, and humanitarian crises. The language of intervention is carefully crafted to sanitize violence: ‘kinetic actions’ replace bombing, ‘collateral damage’ masks civilian deaths, and ‘nation-building’ disguises occupation. This linguistic manipulation perpetuates a false binary between action and inaction, sidelining diplomacy and conflict resolution. The aftermath of intervention often reveals a growing ‘desert’: power vacuums, destroyed infrastructure, and radicalized populations. Syria’s refugees, Yemen’s cholera epidemic, and Somalia’s chaos are modern manifestations of this desert. Yet, there are instances where intervention may be justified, such as preventing genocide in Rwanda or halting ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. The challenge lies in recognizing the limitations and consequences of military force. Breaking the cycle requires humility, investment in diplomacy, and addressing root causes like poverty and governance failures. Honest accounting of failures, rather than rebranding them as successes, is crucial. Calgacus’s warning, preserved by his conquerors, endures as a call to resist the seductive simplicity of force and embrace the complex work of genuine peace. The choices we make in each crisis will determine whether we continue to create deserts or forge a path toward lasting peace.
OP-ED: They create a desert and call It peace – Lessons from two millennia of failed interventions
