Weapons Don’t Fight Pandemics: Deutsche Welle

Security comes in many forms and some nations invest in broader preparation than others, as demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing for Deutsche Welle, Miodrag Soric argues that countries that focused on arms purchases rather than disaster preparedness struggle with the pandemic. “Tanks, fighter planes and aircraft carriers – where many crew members have fallen ill with the coronavirus – are useless against a pandemic,” he argues. “On the contrary, increased defense spending has often led to states diverting money away from health care systems, infrastructure networks and environmental protection measures.” He argues that the US and other leaders have long underestimated pandemics, climate change and environmental destruction as security threats. The pandemic could lead to more economic struggles and job losses, food shortages, riots and conflicts, populism, protectionism and poverty – with consequences worse than the outbreak itself. The world must cooperate to reduce security tensions, and that requires leadership. – YaleGlobal