In war, all kinds of heroic and cowardly acts can result.

Following a cultural revolution or revisionist history, heroes and villains can trade places. While some historians attempt to write objective history, almost all write history from specific racial, religious or national perspectives. In the past, military historians recorded and reported what went on in the frontlines. Today, it�s unclear whether military historians or news correspondents will define the ultimate history of a war. In the first two weeks of the Iraq war, several correspondents covering the battle had already died.

History tends to blur the line when it comes to the various roles being played out--whether villains or heroes, victims or the victorious, righteous or unjust. The dust of history may never settle even after many generations of conflicts unless healing and peaceful reconstruction is conducted at a level of commitment and nobility higher than the justification of war in the first instance.

Real wars are not about entertainment. They are serious matters although those who practise for war play war games. In war, adults seem to be playing games --with their lives and those of others.

Those who decide to lead their people into war have on their conscience the burden of destruction resulting from their decisions. It is because of the uncontrolled transgressions that will occur during war, that those who are responsible for it must ultimately be morally and legally responsible for all kinds of military and non-military actions that affect the lives of others.

Those involved in decision-making, and in offensive and counter-offensive actions during wars, with the ensuing dire consequences, must be held responsible for all rules and conventions they transgress.

In war, there are the tragedies of friendly fires and accidental civilian deaths. Protagonists in wars will always rationalise that their causes are just. They articulate noble ideas of freedom, justice, democracy and the rules of the conduct of wars. Military propaganda, diplomacy, political negotiations as well as the call for a holy war are frequently heard. There is perhaps a little too much glorification of war in contemporary civilisation.

The annals of military historians attempt to make heroes of every fallen soldier. The annals of civilians attempt to make heroes of politicians. Contemporary civilisation is so obsessed and preoccupied with making heroes and defining villains that victims of the war are exhibited to justify the cruelty of the enemy. The media and forces of both sides all gruesomely exhibit headless and limbless bodies, charred remains, and disfigured children. Claims and counter-claims make a mockery of so-called leaders who collaborate in lying or interpreting from incomplete information from formulating half-lies or half-truths.

Few people have the authority, influence and boldness to speak the truth regarding today’s international conflicts. Few people, even the best of the educated, can be detached in interpreting each issue.

In the quagmire of lies, whole societies do not value objectivity. Critical thinking is used to show up the right of one party and the wrong of another. There is the seed of irrationality and the lust of power by leaders who will do anything to expand or hold on to their power.

History teaches of the immediate and the historical causes of wars. It also outlines the consequences of war, the terms and articles for the agreement of surrender and peace, and sometimes the road map for rebuilding. Often, school history and historians do not adequately address the elements of the unintended and the unanticipated consequences of war.

Traditional wars are limited in scope and may even be limited in consequences. It takes painstaking research and in-depth understanding to attempt to understand, analyse and articulate the unintended and unanticipated consequences of war. As the world is gripped in the disinformation madness of a modern-day war that is relayed by real-time accounts, it is instructive to think of a time for peace and healing.

The poignant story of Hiroshima has not instructed mankind well enough.