Evil does not appear in a day. It comes quietly. First it looks reasonable, then it becomes normalized. History has shown this many times.
In 1930s Germany, people were not monsters. They were tired, they were poor, they were afraid. In this environment some political cadres emerged and said ’we will establish order“. Capitalist circles, the bureaucracy and propaganda spread these words. At first these words were applauded. Soon those who objected were silenced. No one was talking about concentration camps. Security was talked about, stability was talked about. This is how evil became entrenched.
Something similar happened in Latin America. In Chile, an elected government was targeted on the grounds of “instability”. Then came the coup. Thousands of people were killed, disappeared, tortured. Decisions were made elsewhere. People on the streets paid the price. Years later, what happened was covered up by saying “those days were hard”.
Iraq was called freedom. We were told there were weapons of mass destruction. Then it turned out there were not. But a country was destroyed. Millions of people were killed or displaced. This was not a simple mistake. It was a choice with known consequences.
What these examples have in common is clear:
None of them started with “we are doing evil”.
Each time there was a justification that seemed valid.
The fact that the US sees itself as the world's order-making power is a continuation of this line. When power is unchecked, law retreats. Human life becomes a number. Those who make decisions are not held accountable. Because there is always a “greater purpose”. Whose purpose is rarely asked.
Behind this power is not only military power. There is also the money system. The dollar's place in the world makes the cost of wars invisible. The US is in debt, but it is not shaken. Because the debt is in its own money. The burden is distributed to other societies.
Today imperialism does not work by planting flags. If you control a country's money, energy, security, you are there. Elections are held but decisions are taken in other centers. This is not sovereignty, it is dependency.
This is where the real issue begins. This order is not only established by force from the outside. It grows from within in silence. Injustice is seen, but “now is not the time”. Lawlessness is known, but silence is kept for fear of “something worse will happen”. This is how evil becomes permanent.
What countries should do in the face of this situation is not complicated. No big words, no hamas... First, defend the law, strengthen multilateralism, take a position based on principle, not power. Not to remain silent for the sake of short-term interests. Because every injustice that “doesn't touch me” today will come knocking on the door tomorrow. Aligning with power gives temporary comfort; holding on to principle provides lasting security.
There is no neutrality in the face of tyranny.
Silence is also a choice.
And history also writes about those who remain silent.