‘A nation’s real strength rests in spirituality, not military might’

This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled ‘A nation’s real strength rests in spirituality, not military might’ by this writer carried by the newspaper on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and yesterday.

Afghanistan provides a powerful modern illustration of why physical superiority alone cannot guarantee complete victory. The United States and its allies possessed overwhelming advantages in aircraft, satellites, drones, precision weapons, intelligence and financial resources.

The Taliban possessed nothing remotely comparable. Yet after two decades, foreign forces departed and the Taliban returned to Kabul. Political and strategic failures played major roles, but one undeniable factor was that the conviction sustaining resistance was never extinguished.

Iran offers another contemporary illustration. Whatever one’s political judgment of Tehran, the ability of Iranian society to withstand immense military, economic and psychological pressure cannot be understood exclusively through inventories of missiles or military hardware.

Religion, nationalism, historical memory, collective sacrifice and a deeply cultivated narrative of resistance have all contributed to national cohesion.

Destruction of infrastructure or military assets does not automatically produce collapse when the population continues to perceive endurance as meaningful.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026