What should a confident Quaker voice for peace sound like today?
Hannah reflects on the world today, how it makes her feel, signs of hope, and how Quakers can help discern the next steps.
I'm standing in the kitchen when I read the news that the US military has abducted the president of Venezuela. I stand stock still for a minute, not believing what I'm reading.
And then I realise I shouldn't be surprised. Somehow, that feels even worse.
My political awakening came in high school when the US-led coalition invaded Iraq, claiming their actions to be within international law. Last year the second Trump presidency started tearing up the rule book and then, two months ago, that administration stated their intention of restoring 'American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere'. So really, I shouldn't have been shocked. But I'm scared about what this means for the future.
The undermining of the rules-based international system is just one of the forces at play in reshaping the world as we know it. What does it mean for Quakers and others who care about peace and justice?
The world has changed
Power in the world is shifting; new empires – states and corporations – are wielding power, but old ones still have teeth. 'Foreign policy' positions that were recently unthinkable now feel plausible.
Governments are changing
With far-right populism on the rise, racist narratives and authoritarian policies are mainstreamed. These policies silence dissent.
Meanwhile, a few corporations are as powerful as some nation states and are largely unaccountable, putting profit before people.
We're in an arms race
Arms spending is rocketing, both in NATO countries, and in states perceived as the UK's 'enemies'. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the European response was an increase in military spending, rather than investing in measures that strengthened peace. The UK's military spending plans have risen to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 – up from 2.5% by 2030 in the previous government.
The way wars are fought is changing
Civilians are increasingly the victims of war. Between 2023-2024, civilian deaths surged by 40%, and these numbers remained steady last year. Wars and genocide in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere have met variously with grassroots despair or apathy. International mechanisms were powerless to stop the slaughter.
These wars are shop windows for AI and autonomous weapons systems which have transformed how militaries and militias kill people.
Tech connectivity means we can view violence livestreamed, and with cyber-attacks on the rise, some people say the UK is already at war with Russia.
We're living with climate breakdown
Climate breakdown is being super-fuelled by the increase in military spending.
Military emissions are huge, with little acknowledgement or accountability. Meanwhile conflict, including wars for oil, leaves communities and ecosystems devastated, stripped of the natural, social and financial resources they need to heal and adapt.
The UK government's response to all this?
This Labour government, like the Conservatives before them, believe military spending will make us 'strong'.
To achieve this, they want to persuade the public that these measures are essential: the UK's 2025 Strategic Defence Review called for a 'whole of society' approach to war preparedness – among other measures, they're going to expand cadet forces, offer young people a gap year in the military and deliver 'defence courses' to FTSE100 companies.
The government peddles the myth that military spending benefits everyone, but there's less money for peacebuilding and the overseas aid budget. And there's been a weakening of human security priorities which focus on the everyday things that make people feel safe, like decent housing, healthcare and a safe climate.
Signs of hope
That is a hard summary to read.
Breathe.
In these dangerous times, solidarity movements are organising to challenge genocide, for a liveable planet and against fascism. As always in war, civilians support each other – like through Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan. We are equipped with more understanding than previous generations, as the internet allows us to hear directly from minoritised groups. At a governmental level, internationalism is down, but not out. With political will there's scope for peoples to work together cooperatively. And with it, potential to build something more equitable than what's come before, prioritising the perspectives of women, indigenous people and those living in poverty.
What can Quakers say?
I'm lucky enough to do peace campaigning work for Quakers in Britain. I'm working with Quaker Peace & Social Witness Central Committee (the Quakers who guide our work), to discern what a confident Quaker voice for peace would sound like now.
To do that, we need your help.
We're holding online sessions to consult Friends. We've been delighted by the take up already and three sessions are already full – if you can, join us for the last one on 26 February at 7pm. We'll start by focusing on the world as it is, and then consider how to develop that confident Quaker voice for peace. All Quakers are welcome – you don't need to be an expert. You will need to bring curiosity and a listening ear!
If you are unable to make this date, there will be other opportunities to feed into the process which we will be advertising in Quake! soon.
