In a time when budgets swell with military spending, when debt ceilings strain under the weight of past decisions, and when threats of war still echo in tense regions across the globe, I find myself returning to a lyric written decades ago by Robert Plant:

“The gains of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath.”

That simple line captures what history has proven again and again. War may promise power, control, or even security, but it always extracts a greater price: lives shattered, landscapes destroyed, generations traumatized. It is a trade no nation can afford in the long run.

I believe deeply that the future of humanity depends not on ever-escalating weapons systems or permanent garrisons abroad, but on something far more powerful: cooperation among nations. And not just between democracies, but with all nations—dictatorships, fragile states, and rising powers alike.

Why Cooperation Is Stronger Than Threats

We must begin with what history and economics already reveal:

• War is costly. Even so-called victories leave behind economic ruin, psychological trauma, and diplomatic isolation. No winner escapes unscathed.
• Peace breeds prosperity. Nations that cooperate see greater growth, more innovation, and deeper resilience. Trade, science, medicine, and education flourish in peace—not under missiles.
• Even autocrats need stability. Authoritarian regimes, while ideologically opposed to democracy, still rely on economic growth and national stability. Conflict disrupts both.
• Global challenges require global unity. Climate change, pandemics, cyber threats, and migration crises cannot be solved by armies. They demand coordination, wisdom, and shared sacrifice.

A Responsible Withdrawal, Not a Retreat

Yes, the United States has over 750 military bases across the world. Some of those may still serve a stabilizing purpose—particularly in places like Taiwan, where tensions with China remain high. But in countries like Germany, Japan, and South Korea—strong, peaceful, and economically thriving nations—the time may be ripe for a respectful, phased drawdown.

Such a change must come with diplomatic grace and full transparency. Promises made must be reexamined, not broken. Allies should be invited into honest conversations about shared responsibilities and the unsustainable cost of endless presence.

If the U.S. is to lead in this century, let it lead not by force, but by modeling integrity, self-reflection, and a commitment to lasting peace.

A Final Thought

The world is tired. Tired of tension. Tired of manipulation. Tired of believing that bombs build safety.

It is time to believe in something else:

That we are all better off when we listen more than we command. When we trade blueprints instead of bullets. When we nurture trust, not suspicion.

I believe we can get there.

But first, we must agree on one thing:

The gains of war will never exceed the woe of its aftermath.

Let us choose cooperation. Not because it is easy—but because it is the only way forward where everyone wins.

—L.P.