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Geopolitics: Wounds Without Borders

Understanding Geopolitical Trauma

Geopolitical trauma teaches us that suffering does not end when the war does. Its aftershocks ripple across generations, geographies, and identities.  

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

Trauma is often thought of in personal terms: an accident, a loss, a moment of pain. But when entire populations live through war, occupation, displacement, and systemic violence, trauma transcends the personal—it becomes geopolitical. Geopolitical trauma is the invisible wound carved into the collective psyche of nations and communities caught in the crossfire of history and power. It lingers long after the bombs stop falling and the cameras are turned off. From the scarred streets of Gaza to the frozen conflict zones of Kashmir and the war-battered fields of Ukraine, geopolitical trauma manifests as more than just broken buildings—it shows up in broken minds, displaced identities, and interrupted generations.

This article explores the layered and far-reaching impacts of geopolitical trauma, drawing on real-life examples, academic insights, and the voices of those who have lived through the wounds of geopolitics. As we uncover these stories, one truth remains constant: trauma has no borders.

What is Geopolitical Trauma?

Geopolitical trauma refers to the psychological, emotional, and cultural injuries experienced by individuals and communities due to sustained exposure to geopolitical conflict, colonization, war, displacement, and political instability. Unlike personal trauma, which is episodic and individual, geopolitical trauma is systemic, collective, and generational.

This trauma is not limited to those who experience physical violence. It also includes the anguish of living under surveillance, the erasure of cultural identity, the fear of occupation, and the heartbreak of exile. Political borders, often drawn with colonial arrogance, have sliced through communities, languages, and histories, leaving behind wounds that never fully heal.

Historical Context: Borders Born from Blood

Many modern geopolitical traumas are rooted in the legacies of colonialism. The arbitrary borders imposed by colonial powers have created fragile states and permanent states of conflict. In South Asia, the Partition of 1947, orchestrated by the British Empire, led to the creation of India and Pakistan—and later, Bangladesh. It triggered one of the largest mass migrations in history, resulting in over a million deaths and leaving deep scars across generations.

Similarly, the Balfour Declaration and the division of the Ottoman Empire laid the groundwork for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Africa, the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 carved the continent into artificial states with no regard for ethnic or linguistic realities, sowing seeds for endless strife.

In Eastern Europe, the fall of the Soviet Union unleashed a wave of nationalism and identity crises, leading to armed conflicts in places like Chechnya and later Ukraine. These historical events are not just lessons in geopolitics—they are sources of inherited pain.

Case Study 1: Palestine – A Homeland Under Siege

Palestinians have lived under occupation, siege, and displacement for over seven decades. Generations have grown up in refugee camps, stateless and uncertain of their futures. The trauma is not only physical—caused by bombings and military raids—but also deeply psychological.

Children in Gaza, according to numerous UNICEF reports, suffer from widespread PTSD symptoms, nightmares, bedwetting, and chronic anxiety. A 10-year-old in Gaza has likely experienced four major military assaults in their lifetime. The psychological impact of watching homes demolished and loved ones killed—without any sense of justice or closure—creates a state of collective grief and helplessness.

In addition, the trauma of identity loss looms large. Palestinians in diaspora, scattered across the globe, struggle with a constant yearning for a homeland many have never seen. The pain of being reduced to a “refugee” status by the world while holding onto the memory of a home passed down in stories and photographs reflects the depth of geopolitical trauma.

Case Study 2: Kashmir – Paradise Militarized

Known once as a paradise on Earth, Kashmir is now one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world. The region, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has been the epicenter of political unrest, violence, and human rights abuses for decades.

Residents of Indian-administered Kashmir live under continuous surveillance, curfews, and military presence. Mass graves, enforced disappearances, and pellet gun injuries have become tragically common. The psychological toll on the population—especially the youth—is severe. Depression, anxiety, and feelings of entrapment are widespread. A study published by the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) found that nearly half the adult population in Kashmir suffers from some form of mental distress.

Perhaps most tragic is the normalization of trauma. Young people in Kashmir have grown up amid lockdowns and conflict; for many, war is not an event but a condition of existence. Their trauma is compounded by the global silence or selective media coverage, which renders their suffering invisible.

Case Study 3: Ukraine – The Trauma of Invasion

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shocked the world and created one of the largest refugee crises in Europe since World War II. Millions fled their homes as cities were bombarded. While the world responded with solidarity and support, the trauma experienced by Ukrainians continues to unfold.

In war-torn cities like Mariupol and Kharkiv, families were torn apart, and communities obliterated. Survivors now grapple with survivor’s guilt, displacement, and uncertainty about the future. For children, the interruption of education and the exposure to violence will have lasting consequences.

The trauma also has cultural dimensions. The war is not just about territory—it is about identity, history, and language. Ukrainians have had to assert their national identity in the face of attempts to erase it. Trauma becomes entangled with resistance, pride, and memory.

Generational and Cultural Impact

Geopolitical trauma doesn’t end with the cessation of violence. It seeps into cultural memory and is passed down through generations. Stories of survival, loss, and resistance become family heirlooms. Children inherit the fears and hopes of their parents.

In Afghanistan, a country that has endured decades of war and foreign occupation, entire generations have grown up knowing only conflict. This has led to a normalization of instability and mistrust. The trauma isn’t just from the physical destruction but also from the ideological impositions, the betrayals by foreign powers, and the broken promises of peace.

Diasporic communities, too, carry these traumas. Refugees and immigrants from conflict zones often live with survivor’s guilt, cultural dislocation, and the burden of representing their entire nation abroad. Mental health services, if available, often lack the cultural competence to address the unique experiences of such populations.

The Role of Media and Global Indifference

Media plays a dual role in geopolitical trauma. On one hand, it can amplify voices, bear witness, and mobilize support. On the other, it can desensitize or distort. Selective coverage creates a hierarchy of suffering, where some traumas are spotlighted and others ignored.

For instance, the swift and widespread coverage of the Ukraine war stood in stark contrast to the muted or biased narratives about Palestine or Kashmir. This disparity deepens the trauma of those who feel unseen and unheard by the global community.

The rise of digital media and citizen journalism has challenged this imbalance to some extent. Still, trauma is not just what is experienced—it is also what is denied recognition.

Healing and Resistance: The Path Forward

Despite the darkness, geopolitical trauma has also given rise to resilience, creativity, and solidarity. Communities have found ways to resist through art, music, storytelling, and activism.

In Palestine, poets like Mahmoud Darwish have turned suffering into a form of cultural resistance. In Kashmir, photographers and filmmakers document their realities despite state censorship. Ukrainian musicians, Afghan writers, and Syrian painters use their craft to preserve identity and process pain.

Mental health initiatives tailored for conflict zones, such as mobile therapy units, community healing circles, and trauma-informed education, are beginning to emerge. However, healing cannot be detached from justice. Recognition, reparations, and the right to return or self-determination are integral to any meaningful recovery.

Beyond Borders, Beyond Headlines

Geopolitical trauma teaches us that suffering does not end when the war does. Its aftershocks ripple across generations, geographies, and identities. It calls for a deeper understanding of how power, politics, and historical injustice shape human lives—not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically.

To address geopolitical trauma, we must go beyond charity and temporary aid. We must ask uncomfortable questions about complicity, colonial legacies, and the ethics of international politics. We must create spaces for the voices of the traumatized to lead, not just be studied.

In a world increasingly fractured by division and conflict, recognizing the shared humanity behind geopolitical trauma may be our first step toward healing, not just for those directly affected, but for us all. Because trauma, like hope, knows no borders.

Read: Daughters as Princesses or Warriors

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Abdullah-Soomro-Portugal-Sindh-CourierAbdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.

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