Harold Lasswell defined politics as ‘who gets what, when and how’ and this definition of politics has encapsulated political behaviour around the world, with politicians being driven by political positions, resource distribution and out-competing their competitors. This has led to much political apathy around the world, along with the corporatisation of the state, with vested interests penetrating political systems and having a large say over policy and legislation formulations.

In our contemporary world, power politics dominates international relations and this has given undue prominence to the concept of military balance in determining relations between states. Both peace and war is decided as a function of military balance amongst states. Equitable distribution of military power amongst state actors produces peace, while any imbalance leads to war.

As you watch this, the bombs from the savage Syrian and Russian regimes continue to fall upon the heads of our Ummah in Eastern Ghouta. Words cannot express the horrors that we are witnessing in this Blessed land. Since last Sunday, so in just 1 week, more than 500 people have been killed, including 150 children…..and the death toll continues to rise day after day.

A trend that is currently gaining traction in Palestine with ferocity not limited to the following Palestinian Ministry of Education extracurricular activities with the youth: