Wars are both messy and costly, and we must never forget who pays the real cost in the conflict.
As the newest war continues in the middle east, we are bombarded with stories of the impact it has here in North America. In addition to the billion dollars being spent each day by the U.S. military, the entire world is now being hit with a major increase in gas prices. They jumped a quarter a litre in Canada in just a few days.
To combat that problem, multiple nations are releasing oil from their strategic reserves, as Iran vows to shut down the Strait of Hormuz and threatens to help raise the cost to more than 200 dollars a barrel.
These are the economic costs. They are significant, but we must never forget that they are secondary, at best.
The real cost is in lives. Lives of servicepeople lost in the conflict. Lives of civilians caught in the line of fire. Lives of families who lose hope never to be regained.
And also, the loss of accountability.
On the war’s very first day, a missile fired by the U.S. struck an elementary school in Iran, killing at least 165 people (mostly children).
Initial reports are blaming the attack on “bad intelligence”. A tragedy explained with catchphrases and the fog of war.
So, as we grapple with the impact here in Canada, never forget that the true cost is being paid by people overseas including some who just wanted their children to learn lessons not taught on the battlefield.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking beyond the Headlines.
