Mandela’s Legacy.

Now that the  ceremonies following the death of Nelson Mandela have been completed, showing the world a refreshing combination of mourning and celebration, many will be the thoughts about his legacy and what his life will mean to future generations.

There is one lesson to draw which stands above all others; reconciliation with former enemies advances the common good, brings unity and prevents suffering. In the capitals of the West, where the last death throes of the utterly failed and discredited War on Terror and all its attendant doctrines of armed intervention and stoking insurrection, are now evident, this lesson needs to be compulsory learning for the most incompetent generation of diplomats since the Crimea.

On their record of achievement sits the complete failures and consequent human suffering of their policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and worst of all Syria, where their encouragement of the rebels at the outset stoked the civil war and has led to one of the worst humanitarian disasters since the WWII. Yet among them stands out one figure steadfastly seeking conciliation and consensus, respected by all sides everywhere; Catherine Ashton the grandly titled High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs for the EU. She tries to follow what may come to be known as the Mandela Doctrine, which stands in sharp contrast to the American enthusiasm for making enemies and picking fights.

Meanwhile Russia has emerged as the world’s most successful diplomatic power, with an ever increasing following among the majority of uncommitted nations fed up with war and conflict. Moreover, and this is the interesting bit, the vast majority of the people of both the US and Europe are in sympathy with the message which Russia promotes. They too are fed up with endless quarrels and fights.

The Western public has turned its back on intervention. That is Mandela’s legacy.

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