When I started writing my ATABAY articles more than a
year ago, I availed myself of the subscription promo of The New York Times which enhanced my list of references in foreign news and opinions. I
ended my subscription after a year when its promo had lapsed – its regular
subscription price was too pricy for me.
Frankly, I miss the thought-provoking insights of its
bunch of columnists. Contriving to craft in this article an editorial a la
The New York Times, I engaged in a long “conversation” with ChatGPT about lots
of topics such as the “Might is Right” vs. “Right is Might” feud, Russia and
China expansion moves, West Philippine Sea tension; the good, the bad, and the
ugly scenarios, and snippets of facts.
Assured of its having primed up by our “conversation,”
I asked ChatGPT to write an editorial in the style of The New York Times derived
from the content and context of our “exchanges.” Here’s the finished product of our collaboration with minor editing for clarity and brevity.
EDITORIAL A LA NEW YORK TIMES
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In today’s world, the debate between “Might is Right” and "Right is Might” has taken on a new thrust, as powerful countries such as Russia
and China engage in military expansion and territorial claims that threaten the
sovereignty and security of weaker nations. The “Might is Right” view holds
that power is the ultimate authority and that those who have the most power are
entitled to make the rules. On the other hand, the “Right is Might” view argues
that morality and ethics should be the guiding principles of society, and that power
should be used to promote justice, equality, and human rights.
The clash between the two views has played out in
countless geopolitical turns of events throughout history, from colonialism and
imperialism to the present day. We will explore the current geopolitical landscape,
the reality of “Might is Right” aggressions, and the urgent need for weaker
countries to take earnest courses of action.
In recent years, the international community has
witnessed the alarming military expansion moves of both Russia and China, which
have put weaker countries on edge. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s
territorial claim expansion in the South China Sea (SCS), including the West
Philippine Sea (WPS), have spotlighted the pressing need for closer cooperation
among weaker nations in strengthening national security and reinforcing
national defense.
Such cooperation is integral in upholding and safeguarding the role of international law and institutions, like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to regulate the undesirable behavior of powerful nations like Russia and China.
The situation has become even more crucial for
countries like the Philippines, which is geographically situated near the
hotbed of tensions. A nation with a relatively small military force, hence, a
vulnerable object of military aggression by a stronger country, the Philippines
must explore various courses of action to strengthen its national security and
reinforce its national defense.
COURSES OF ACTION
1. The Philippines must carry on bolstering
its ties with other powerful nations, such as the United States, Japan,
Australia, Great Britain, or NATO as a whole, which can assist in the form of
military training, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships. What’s
more, it can join up with these nations in boosting the deployment of their
military forces in the region as a deterrence to potential aggressors.
2. The Philippines must press on in
pursuing a multilateral approach to resolving disputes in the region. Being an
indispensable international agreement regulating the use of the world’s oceans
and its resources, the UNCLOS must be honored and heeded. The Philippines must
work in partnership with other nations to uphold the principles of UNCLOS and
challenge China’s SCS territorial claims. This can be achieved through
diplomatic channels, international arbitration, or other forms of peaceful
dispute resolution.
The ICC is a vital institution that can play a role in
regulating the behavior of powerful nations. It is a court of last resort for
prosecuting individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and
war crimes. The Philippines, along with other weaker nations, must shore up the
ICC and work towards strengthening international law and institutions that
promote justice and accountability. [Exhibit A: Putin’s warrant of arrest;
Exhibit B: Duterte’s EJK Probe]
3. The Philippines must invest in
military capabilities by allocating more resources towards modernizing its
military hardware, improving the training of its military personnel, and
strengthening its cyber defenses. It must keep on seeking partnerships with
other nations in the region in developing a collective defense strategy that
can provide a robust fortification against potential aggressors.
The need for cooperation among weaker nations is
evident in the past instances of “Might is Right” aggressions. Cases in point: The
Ukraine invasion and Crimea annexation by Russia have violated international
law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Similarly, the
SCS territorial claims by China have raised concerns about its intentions and
its ability to control vital sea lanes in the region.
These dubious actions by Russia and China have put weaker countries ill at ease and brought to light the need for stronger cooperation and collective action to protect the sovereignty and security of weaker nations.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Being the epicenter of tensions in the region lately,
WPS will be the focus of our analysis in wrapping up this article, by
projecting with objectivity, the good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios that may
arise from this steaming situation.
The Good: Cooperation and Diplomacy
The ideal scenario is cooperation and diplomacy
between China and its neighboring countries. If China and the Philippines could
pave the way to resolve their territorial disputes through peaceful
negotiations, it could result in more stable and secure relationships between
these nations. Cooperation could yield shared economic benefits, as well as
joint efforts in addressing issues such as piracy and environmental protection.
The Bad: Military Tensions and Conflict
Sad to say, the WPS situation has been drifting on a
more confrontational trajectory. The risk of military tensions and conflict is
high, especially with China’s growing military expansion. The Philippines,
being a relatively weaker nation, is vulnerable to military aggression from a stronger
country like China. If tensions escalate, it could lead to military action,
which would have disastrous consequences not just for the Philippines but for
the entire region.
The Ugly: Miscalculations and Misunderstandings
With the high stakes involved in this geopolitical
issue, even small mistakes could have catastrophic consequences. If a minor
skirmish, for instance, were to occur between the Philippines and China, it
could quickly spiral out of control, leading to a full-blown conflict.
Moreover, misunderstandings between the two sides could lead to unintended
consequences, such as accidental military engagements.
WPS is a geopolitical issue that demands urgent
attention from the international community. The good scenario of cooperation
and diplomacy is the ideal outcome, but it requires a willingness from all
parties involved to negotiate and compromise. The bad scenario of military
tensions and conflict is a real possibility, and the international community must
work together to prevent it from popping up. Finally, the ugly scenario of
miscalculations and misunderstandings is a real danger that must be avoided at all
costs.
It is crucial that all countries involved in this
issue exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue to ensure stability
and security, thereby steering clear of the unimaginable turning point to take
shape and, in fear and trembling, see the light of day. The direful possibility
of such an Armageddon scenario is embedded in the following From-Russia-With-Love
warning:
“I would like to see the country that arrests Putin by
the decision of the Hague. Some eight minutes after. Or however long the flight
time will be to its capital.” (“‘Toilet Paper’: Russia Mocks World Court’s
Arrest Warrant Against Putin,” NDTV headline)
Chilling.
Head still collage photos courtesy of Getty Images, Northeastern Global News & The Print
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