Knowing that if even 10% of the US' nuclear weapons are used, that the earth's atmosphere would be so destroyed and its foundation so polluted that human life would end, should bring us to our senses. How wonderful would it be, if a Super power like the US simply decided to get rid of its nuclear arsenal as a sign of peace and good will! There are so many other ways that powerful countries can have of influencing others besides Mutually Assured Destruction!

The more I observe nations and the dynamics of power between nations, the more I think it is unlikely that societies will unilaterally disarm. What seems to trigger movement away from amassing and using weapons is the loss of wealth and effective economic infrastructure that war inevitably brings. I would point to both Northern Island and the Balkans in this way. Only when people found steady work and money in their pocket and loans at their disposal in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland have we seen the society move away from violence and entrenched distrust. This same trend seems to be taking hold in Serbia, Bosnia and its neighboring republics. Central America, too. Much remains to be seen in these countries, of course.

But in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and, importantly, Iran, I don't think you will see movement toward lasting peace before you see prosperity taking hold. And that, the fostering of economic growth, is where the international community should lend a hand. In some cases, as with NATO in Afghanistan and Bosnia, military assistance can help but it must be truly multilateral. And not the pre-emptive, big power adventurism we have seen in Iraq.

The other thing I have noted is the hugely positive impact of international athletic competition. The soccer World Cup, the Euro, Asian, African and South American Cups and the Olympics draw more passionate support among peoples than almost any religious, tribal or super-nationalistic movements. How can we use sport and other common cultural exchanges to bring greater peace between nations and civilizations?