The quote, by Eleanor Roosevelt, emphasizes that ethical intent must translate into ethical action. This is particularly relevant in today’s world where powerful nations often speak of peace but simultaneously support arms trade and proxy wars for strategic or economic gains.

The major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars -

• For self-interest as many developed nations are among the largest arms exporters. Like USA accounts for 43% of world's arms export (2020-24).

• These countries continue to sell weapons to regions like West Asia, East Europe and Africa. For example, weapons manufactured in Europe and USA have been found in prolonged conflicts like the Yemen war.

• The economic interests of the military-industrial complex often override moral responsibility.

• Private defense contractors, closely tied to political and economic elites in developed countries, profit from prolonged wars.

• Proxy wars and geopolitical rivalries (e.g., USA vs Russia in Syria or NATO vs Russia in Ukraine) show how powerful nations prioritize national interest over ethical responsibility.

Ethical Considerations for Powerful Nations to stop ongoing concflicts

• Moral Responsibility as Global Leaders: With great power comes greater moral responsibility. Powerful nations must lead by example in promoting disarmament, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

• Humanitarian Prioritization over Strategic Gains: Ethical decision-making should be driven by empathy for civilians affected by war, not profit margins, but by the value of universal human dignity.

• Integrity in Diplomacy: Preaching peace while profiting from war is ethically inconsistent. Nations must demonstrate coherence between values and actions, upholding moral integrity in foreign policy.

• Consequentialism: The consequences of arms exports include civilian deaths, refugee crises, and destabilization. Ethical governance requires developed countries considering the long-term human cost over short-term economic or strategic gains.

• Ethical realism: It calls for balancing national interest with global good. Which can be achieved through actively supporting global institutions like the UN in mediation and peacekeeping efforts.

• Transparency and Accountability in Arms Trade: Nations must bring ethical scrutiny into defense deals, ensure end-use monitoring, and uphold international norms like the Arms Trade Treaty.

Examples: The US and European nations supplying arms during the Yemen conflict worsened the humanitarian crisis.

In contrast, Norway suspended arms exports to countries involved in Yemen due to ethical concerns, showing moral leadership.

True commitment to peace requires that powerful nations transcend national interest for global ethical responsibility. Mere advocacy without ethical action makes peace a hollow slogan. Ethical international conduct demands integrity, empathy, justice, and above all, the moral courage to choose humanity over hegemony.