The Battle of Kadesh — lessons for today's leaders

Humankind appears to move in cycles from times of war and destruction, to times of peace and prosperity.

The earliest such cycle about which we have well-documented evidence dates back to over 3,000 years. The battle of Kadesh took place in 1274 BC along what is today the Lebanon-Syria border. The battle was between the Egyptians who controlled modern-day Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, and the Hittites who controlled part of modern day Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Strong and dynamic leaders ruled the two empires — Muwatalli II for the Hittites and Ramses II for the Egyptians. Regional rivalry resulted in Ramses leading an army to conquer the Hittites. For that period, the conflict was at an unprecedented scale involving the use of 5,000 to 6,000 chariots. It also involved the use of disinformation and spies; and of new tactics of warfare where speed and agility — embodied in the small two-man Egyptian chariot — were pitted again the heavier, more cumbersome, three-man Hittite chariots.

Modern historians conclude that the battle ended in a draw. Ramesses II failed to achieve his objective of capturing the city of Kadesh but did break the Hittite army on the field; while Muwatalli II retained control of the city but failed to crush the Egyptians.

But this did not stop both sides claiming victory. According to the Egyptian version, the battle was a triumph for Rameses. The narrative is indeed heroic. Rameses initially fell into an ambush as a result of false information provided by the Hittite spies pretending to be deserters. He nevertheless managed to rally his scattered troops and save the day.

Hittite records tell of a completely different conclusion to the conflict, in which Rameses did not only fail to capture Kadesh but was also forced to depart with his tail between his legs.

However, the aftermath of Kadesh is more interesting. Battles and skirmishes continued but the threats to the Hittite empire from other growing regional powers, such as the Assyrians, led Hattusili III the successor of Muwatalli II to seek a peace treaty with Egypt.

An official peace treaty was signed in 1258 BC. This was the first recorded international peace treaty; and, in commemoration, a large replica hangs on a wall at the headquarters of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The treaty ushered in period of cooperation and collaboration between the two regional powers. The Hittites were skilled in metalwork and taught the Egyptians how to make superior weapons and tools while the Egyptians, masters of agriculture, shared their knowledge with the Hittites. The peaceful and productive relationship between the two nations enabled both to improve the lives of their people and the economies of their respective countries.

So what had this to do with us?

India and Pakistan are two massive countries with good natural resources and a young, motivated and hardworking population. Both are facing a host of challenges ranging from how of provide jobs, health and educational services as well as critical infrastructure for transport, irrigation and drinking water. New challenges are also emerging, such as air pollution in and around the big cities and changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change.

At the same time, there are huge opportunities for trade, technology transfer and management of natural resources and of environmental problems. Cooperation would benefit both countries and in particular the millions of poor, underfed and illiterate people who live there.

But instead of cooperating, both countries continue to adopt a belligerent stance towards each other. As a consequence, trade and travel is restricted; there are disputes about the sharing of riverine waters; and there are recurrent accusations that the other side is sponsoring subversive and terrorist attacks.

The most recent conflict was in May this year. India accused Pakistan of a terrorist attack and launched an offensive against "terrorist bases" in Pakistan. The Pakistan armed forces, in particular the Pakistan Air Force, mobilised itself in defence. Tensions mounted until some good sense prevailed or — according to a version from the White House — until President Trump intervened and effectively halted a nuclear war.

Whatever the truth of the matter, both Pakistan and India claimed to have won. And, like the Egyptians and the Hittites over three thousand years ago, each side claims it was due to the skills of their leadership, their better weapons and their superior tactics.

But maybe now it is time to talk about cooperation. The floods in the Punjab have once again brought home the urgent challenges of climate change, and the smog season on both sides of the border is around the corner.

Will good sense prevail? Can we understand the benefits of peace like big powers three thousand years ago did? Will our leaders understand that greatness is not only about great battles and great victories but also about improving the lives of common people.