In the era of Augustus, after his
predecessor – Julius Caesar successfully invaded and subdued the Gauls (mostly in
modern-day France), the only logical northward expansion for the empire is to
conquer the Germanic tribes!
But as fate would have it, the cunning and smart young
German warrior Arminius fooled the Roman governor Varus into taking an unpleasant
and unfavorable route in the heart of Germany.
With a violent and decisive ambush, 3 legions of the Roman Empire – 20,000
men – slaughtered in what would be one of the more critical battle of Roman
history. That happened in 9 CE (/AD) and it marked the beginning of the
end of Roman’s northern conquest.
It took Arminius an extravagant amount of time and effort to prepare
for the eventual battle, risking his life visiting other tribes (that could simply
decide to kill him depending on their mood or take), and play-acting with Varus
as he visits the camp as a ‘friend’ giving the governor good ‘sound bytes’ about
a future Roman-controlled Germany, or offering information on places or promising
route in an otherwise God-forsaken terrain of the German woodlands. His foresight of an eventual clash with the
Romans equipped him to prepare way before – joining the Roman auxiliary army
fighting non-German tribes, which not only earned him Roman citizenship (and trust) but gave
him intimate lessons of the Roman way of battle.
*
2000 years later, long after the Romans, and then the Turks, the
Mongols and European colonial powers set the world on fire, ransacking tribes, degrading
societies and wiping-out long-established communities – the greed and thirst
for new territories by powerful governments didn’t cease to exist.
The call for new Arminiuses became a necessary balancing need,
difficult in the modern world where rich and militarily-strong governments constantly
attack opponents or anyone who gets in their way.
The recent Belarusian skyjacking ordered by its President,
to simply arrest a journalist is one example. Putin’s constant aggression against Ukraine and
active anti-opponent campaign which led to suspicion of a poison attack against
his number one contender - Navalny. Neighbors’
interest in failed states of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan which for a time,
parts of it at least – were conquered by ISIS.
Palestine’s issue on Israel’s settlement policy. Border clash between India,
Pakistan and China. The never-ending threat of invasion on South Korea by their long-standing enemy to the north. Everyday clashes of fisherman and navies in the high seas in
our oceans as far as the Southern Ocean. More importantly, China, who’s on
track to become the world’s number one economic power in but a few years – seems to have multiple
territorial expansion effort. In one book (‘The New Silk Roads’) – it proposed
that Xi’s massive Belt and Road project could be a secret scheme to expand the country’s
interest, trade and economic control, contradicting its advertised mutual benefit with partner nations. It also includes a more overt physical aggression on territories like South
China Sea which directly conflicts with Vietnam’s territorial interest and
Philippines' UN-ruled right on EEZ. Another is an on-going territorial dispute with Japan on northeastern sea. Then there’s always
the ‘problem of Taiwan’ which for some decades now – behaved and existed as a
country and now threatened with immediate war if they so decided to formalize
it. Like another Tibet waiting to
happen.
The world is yet again on fire or about to! Combined greed
and the game of ‘economic survival’ in a world of fast-dwindling natural
resources and now exacerbated by a smart virus that threatens a long-period of
instability or even economic collapse of some states – it seems that the dynamite’s
wick has been ignited.
Where is Arminius?
Before he was of any significance, Arminius was but an
ordinary tribe-man learning the world and minding his own life. The opportunity to serve in the Roman army is
but natural for any German adult in those days where laws do not exist, and
fighting is a way of life (while today – joining a military is a big decision jump).
It was a good way to earn ‘money’ – mostly by pillaging and looting beaten
enemies. But he was no mere
barbarian. He had a goal. A dream.
A dream of a free Germany. With a
dream – it gave his life a direction. He
was purposeful. His dream and will preceded a plan. A well-conceived plan preceded a successful
execution. What followed was but triumph
and success. If one was lucky at least –
as he was. The enemy was tricked, his
forces miraculously listened to him – and followed his lead. Enough to make the campaign a success – and remembered
for thousands of years.
But how can we generate modern-day Arminius when we don’t brandish
swords or resolve problems with a duel?! Ah, perhaps we need to examine what the
current warfare looks like.
The enemy - the world’s enemy surrounds us. They are smart! Setting up little things or
doing little invisible ‘attacks’ which are being used or could later be used as instruments
of war – physical or not. From the same
book (New Silk Roads) and various internet write-ups, China as an example had
started offering ridiculous loan arrangements to weak nations, some reaching 40
to 60% of the country’s GDP - and rumored to have bribed officials into accepting
them. Never mind if the country defaults.
Like what happened to Sri Lanka. Or
other failing Central American states. Or small African territories like Djibouti. “Unpayable loans as a weapon”. Technology warfare is ever present as
well. Recent shutdown of pipeline in the
US rumored to be from Russian hackers? The
world’s list of first-class hackers was reported to be coming from North Korea,
Iran, China and Russia. It seems they are fighting an effective digital war and
earned them millions in ransom or from proprietary materials – or millions in
lost for the targeted enemy.
Economic model is also fast-changing. No longer that countries try to even protect
their assets and companies – as most silent business owners across the world are billionaires based in the Middle East, Russia or China. Back to the Silk road-centric economy – as the
book writer claimed. Weak governments
who were easily bribed changed policies to even allow 100% foreign ownership. Imagine
basic utilities such as power, water or transportation. These three alone are enough to control one
country’s progress! Enough to
deliberately bring chaos! Enough to fail
a state! And yet, weak and corrupt governments simply turn a blind eye. They can see – but the promised treasures shine more than
so-called patriotism, loyalty or just being right.
Sometimes – the enemy is within. And it’s sometimes more difficult to fight when the enemy is inside. Beside you. Or behind you. Already, we can see headlines
of assassinated journalist, or anyone opposing government policy. Whether that’s
in Belarus, Iran, Venezuela, Brazil, the Philippines, Russia, India or just about anywhere.
*
We – are Arminius. Each one of us! But without the spear and sword.
Whatever poor and helpless
country we belong to.
We could do small acts in helping the community. Or doing small changes that favors the
long-term. Or learning the enemies’
tactics and not falling for it. Or being
active in government’s policy-making or an extra voice that influences it.
But like the Germanic tribes then – unity is challenged the
most. There will be family members, friends
and colleagues that would strongly disagree with your views. Even start a conflict with you. And sometimes – providing simple details of
truth seems to evade their rationality.
Arminius experienced the same. Even had open conflict with one tribe who
wanted to murder him. But like our hero,
we have to be patient, smart,
focused and someone who never gives up.
It’s probably a long process. It will take time. And like Arminius, we have to learn the tricks. Learn the enemy's ways. It’s but a first step but without it, we’ll be
blind - following pieces of bread, picking it up by piece - thinking it’s a
good-enough reward for our reckless and mindless effort. But what’s waiting could be a witch in an
ugly house ready to put us in a giant cauldron.
To feast on us. To devour our country. Our culture. Our people.
What we all do now, collectively - will dictate whether Varus
will resurrect and wipe us all out. It’s
a choice. It’s a choice that we make
now.
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