The Conflict Chronicle

Why We Cover a Conflict Simulation

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For the past 60 years, more conflicts have been among communities of identity, whether based on religion or ethnicity, than among nation states. The instrument of choice for these modern conflicts has been terror. The combatants and victims have included every member of the communities at war with each other. Since the World Trade Towers were destroyed in 2001, nations have tried to make their citizens secure by waging war against terrorists and those who harbor terrorists. But after 4 years, the net result has been more violence as both the terrorists and the nations fighting the terrorists believe their violence is justified. Now that weapons of mass destruction are accessible to all, it’s not an overstatement to say that the spiral of violence is threatening the existence of human life on the planet. We are not proposing that nations stop protecting their citizens or stop seeking justice. We are not “passivists”. But for the sake of the world, we want to encourage the search for a way out of this perilous impasse.

Conflict Lab is hosting a conflict simulation between fictional communities of identity. It’s an experiment to test alternative strategies. We have been asked to be a neutral reporter of the process and the probable consequences of the decisions made by the simulation participants. Although simulation is a departure from our reality beat, this noble initiative compels us to accept our role. You have our commitment to bring you the truth as we see it in the light of history, using the best scholarship and consistent with the highest standards of journalistic integrity. When we have opinions – and we do have them – they will appear in these editorials.