Without hope, there can be no peace in an increasingly armed worldTo many of us diplomats in Washington, DC, the continuing war in Ukraine remains one of the most sobering reminders that peace, once taken for granted in much of the world, is never permanent. Like my diplomatic colleagues, I continue to hope that a peace pact can still be achieved. Shaped by the trauma of World War II, postwar Germany built its identity on economic strength, diplomacy and a deliberate reluctance to project military power. Full?scale world war is no longer an abstract concept confined to history books – it is a possibility that responsible leaders must work tirelessly to prevent. Hope alone is not a strategy – yet without hope, there can be no peace at all.

Source: Philippine Star January 03, 2026 16:45 UTC