moment the underlying reasons for that feeling of inse- curity. I am personally convinced, that the root cause of conflicts and tensions from which we suffer throughout the world derives from the fact that certain great Powers try through force or the threat of the use of force to control the development of international relations and thus to intimidate the weaker countries so as to convert them into satellites and to promote interests that serve those major Powers. 150. History, or at least precedents, confirm, unfortu- nately, that this is a primitive reflex on the part of the strong and privileged. To cite the celebrated dialogue between the Athenians and the Melians in The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, the Athenians tell the Melians that in international relations the strong do what they can and the weak what they are forced to do and that any discussions of rights are meaningful only between equals. The Melians, nevertheless, insist and refer to law and justice. The Athenians reply that “opportunity is dictated by security, whereas justice and honour can be served only with concomitant peril”. In The History of the Peloponnesian War it was the Athen- ians who attacked and destroyed the Melians. 15 1. The tragedy of international politics is that at pres- ent there appears to be no generally acceptable alterna- tive to this machiavellian kind of morality-unless it be this fragile recourse to the wisdom of the Security Coun- cil. This morality of “we are the stronger” and ,“they are the weaker” has been supplemented by the idea that the interests of the nation are ipso facto moral and that the defence of the interests of the State is automatically just. This form of arrogant morality is still popular in certain 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the root causes of conflicts and tensions between nations, highlighting the role of powerful countries in using force or threats of force to control international relations and intimidate weaker countries. The text also references historical examples, such as the Athenians' treatment of the Melians, to illustrate the prevalence of this behavior. The author seems to be advocating for a more just and equitable approach to international relations, rather than one based on power and coercion.

**Category**
International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief, Culture