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• The research to peace

College of International Relations
Professor Kota Suechika

Why do we fight? Why do we resort to violence?
To think about war is to think about peace.

Is religion really the reason for war in the Middle East?
“We should not assume that conflict is bound to occur when different religions, sects, and ethnic groups come into contact,” says Dr. Suechika.
“The Middle East has been in turmoil for generations since the fall of the empires, and people are still struggling to create mutually agreeable rules and systems,” he continues.
According to him, the disputes cannot be resolved if you fail to look at the myriad factors underlying them: “Taking a closer look at the context in which disputes occur – the underlying mechanisms behind them - means thinking about how people can live freely and peacefully despite their differences.”
Currently carrying out a large scale research project in Syria and Iraq, Dr. Suechika aims to secure a firmer grasp of the lives of people living in conflict zones, from both macro and micro perspectives.
“If you can see everyone in the equation, violence should not be your first resort,” he says.
With this in mind he continues his research to help create new rules and systems that will help people break free from the cycle of hate and violence. His hope: a world without war.