Long gone are the days when countries used to wage war to only occupy other lands. In the past 50 years or so we can see that the occupying forces in the world are no longer the colonizers. Words like proxy, strategic assets, favorable enemy etc have emerged as a result of the new doctrine in which a country/bloc would keep their interests no matter how. Strategic assets such as media and extensive use of PR tools have helped the few powerful people to manipulate the way things roll.
For about one century, the concept of Nation States, has taken over the basic and rather straightforward decision-making matters. Homeland based on nationalism have led to people having a rather one-sided view of things. For many, homeland is the most beloved thing. Thoughts like the one below are very common.
"Things that are appropriate for my country should be supported even if they are morally wrong. Long live homeland!!"
And we have seen over the past decades, that how public opinions are shaped by presenting one action as legal and useful in a broader spectrum. Meanwhile, that same action would never be approved, if pursued by another group/entity/country.
In the next 5 years, we can see a 'process of choosing sides' witnessing its peak. The public is dividing itself into black and white without leaving any room for grey areas. It is like "Either you are with us or against us". Such an attitude leaves no room for rational discussions. The media with the help of people themselves have been able to create a fierce divide. Extreme point of views are fast grasping people on both sides of the line. We have seen in the recent years as to how the public was fed with disinformation about the reasons to wage wars and conflicts. And through all this propaganda we have seen people who went completely against the information they were fed with and started justifying horrific acts such as terrorism being the only option.
Such a process will continue until two big untouchable blocs will be formed. Not necessarily through war but the two extremities will pave the way for it. The next generation will open its eyes in a very difficult time. A time which will be very heavy on one's intellectual capacity. becoming harder for people to stay moderate. The basis of this prediction is the pace of the change in public opinions. Within the span of 10 years the terrorists have become strategic assets and friendly dictators have become a threat to democracy.
