Op-Ed

{The Discourse} The Unlikely Peace-Keeper: Can Walnuts Bring Two War Juggernauts Together?

ByGuest Writer

PublishedJuly 18, 2025

By Babatunde Adesokan

IT’S walnut season. The rough, round nuts remind me of Mother Earth, with gravity pinning us to its round shape without falling off. The cracking of a nut into two halves also reminds me of volcanic eruptions on Earth and how the ongoing proxy war between Iran and Israel may divide the world into crunchable crusts.

The African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, has a hard outer shell. When cracked, you find two halves of the seed delicately inside. Between these two cotyledons, there’s a thin, often papery or nylon-like membrane that is often discarded.

But why do we even bother to eat walnuts? Looking at the health benefits of walnuts, they are considered a good source of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins, contributing to brain health, immune function, sexual fitness, and heart health. They may also help in managing weight and reducing the risk of certain diseases.

It’s walnut season, and it’s not only loved in Africa. According to TabletmagDotCom, walnuts are also loved by Georgian Jews, who use them to make a variety of sauces and pastes. Similarly, Tabriz, located in northwestern Iran, is known for its rich walnuts. Walnuts remind us that even in the midst of conflict, there are still things that bring us all together.

Again, it’s walnut season. Like kolanuts, walnuts should be served as a totem of peace at the peace talk between the two war nuts. So, when each leader cracks the hard nuts and sees the hapless hard crust falling off, they should be made to see the damage they can inflict on Mother Earth when they engage in a battle of nuclear might.

Hopefully, the humble walnut can even inspire a new era of diplomacy between these two war juggernauts.

Who knows?

Adesokan, a writer, poet and public affairs analyst writes from Osogbo

The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author. It does not represent the editorial position or opinion of OSUN DEFENDER.