Peace & Stability Above All Else

One could say that the most important aspect of international relations is the reduction of global warming, as without our planet, we have nothing. It could also be argued that we must strive to reduce global hunger, as the most basic human need is food, and if we cannot provide food for each other, we will have utterly failed those who required our help. Or, it could be stated that we must spread democracy, as economic strength and social liberties tend to follow in the wake of democratic governance.
However, how are we to accomplish any of those goals if we do not have international stability? I say that the single most important aspect of international relations is the pursuit of peace, as without peace nothing else can possibly follow. If two nations war, they will not sign an accord dealing with how to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. If two nations war, they will more likely than not push innocent civilians to starvation. If two nations war, the crown of Democracy will likely be tarnished and perhaps even cast away into the chasm of that ever-so-ubiquitous “National Security”.
Therefore, if we are to seek the preservation of our planet, or the improvement of the myriad humanitarian crises constantly plaguing us, or the strengthening of the great ideals of Democracy, we must first look to settle our differences peacefully; stability and peace in our international engagements must be the ultimate goal in international relations.