Fact Check: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!

Fact-Check Article: "Most Wars are pointless; more innocent people die. Settle it peacefully!"

What We Know

The claim that "most wars are pointless and more innocent people die" can be evaluated through various studies and reports on the impacts of armed conflict. Research indicates that wars significantly contribute to civilian mortality, often through indirect means. For instance, a study published in BMC Medicine found that armed conflicts were associated with an increase in civilian mortality, estimating that wars contributed to approximately 29.4 million civilian deaths globally from 1990 to 2017, with children aged 0–5 years experiencing the highest relative increases in mortality rates (Jawad et al., 2020).

Additionally, the Costs of War project reports that at least 408,749 civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have died as a direct result of post-9/11 wars, highlighting the severe toll on innocent lives (Costs of War). This project emphasizes that many more civilians suffer from the indirect consequences of war, such as loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, and destruction of health infrastructure, which can lead to increased malnutrition and illness.

Moreover, historical data indicates that civilian casualties often outnumber combatant casualties in modern conflicts. For example, between 1990 and 2000, civilians accounted for 90% of the four million war-related deaths globally (Council on Foreign Relations).

Analysis

While the claim suggests that wars are "pointless," the motivations behind wars can vary greatly, including territorial disputes, ideological conflicts, and resource control. Thus, labeling all wars as pointless may oversimplify complex geopolitical dynamics. However, the evidence clearly supports the assertion that wars lead to significant civilian suffering and death.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is generally high. The study by Jawad et al. is peer-reviewed and utilizes robust statistical methods to assess the impact of armed conflict on mortality, making it a credible source of information (Jawad et al., 2020). The Costs of War project is also a well-regarded initiative that compiles data from various reputable sources, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to provide a comprehensive overview of the human costs of war (Costs of War).

However, the claim's assertion that most wars are "pointless" lacks empirical backing and is subjective. While the consequences of war are devastating, the motivations for engaging in conflict are often deeply rooted in historical, political, and economic contexts. Thus, while the claim about the high civilian death toll is supported by evidence, the characterization of wars as pointless is more contentious and requires further nuance.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim "Most Wars are pointless; more innocent people die. Settle it peacefully!" is Partially True. The evidence supports the assertion that wars lead to significant civilian casualties and suffering, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children. However, the characterization of wars as "pointless" is subjective and does not adequately reflect the complex motivations that drive conflicts. Therefore, while the humanitarian impacts of war are undeniable, the broader implications of the claim require a more nuanced understanding.

Sources

1. Estimating indirect mortality impacts of armed conflict in civilian populations
2. Civilians Killed & Wounded | Costs of War
3. The Effect of Civilian Casualties on Wartime Informing
4. Deaths in Wars and Conflicts in the 20th Century
5. War and Peace
6. The Civilian Consequences of Conflict | CFR Education
7. Civilian experience of war