Contradictions in Philosophy

The question has been put to me both in social and professional settings- how can you maintain a general pacifist stand with disposition to Military initiatives?

Answer is simple:

War and conflict are sadly an inseparable part of man's existence, there will always be people who will attack others whether unprovoked or otherwise, hence the reality is that people must defend themselves from aggression and you are only able to do that with the necessary infrastructure and knowledge, which is why there will always be a defence industry.

I will always be an advocate for sustainable/deterrent defensive instructure and for a general strategy that minimises Civilian casualties in the course of defence, however the reality is that people one way or another are going to die. What I cannot subscribe to are the mindless, ill-considered conflicts that some get mixed up in (in the pretext of deterrent action) or the equally mindless invasion of other's territories for the variety of reasons that will be advanced by the megalomaniacs, who will always control the reins of power.

It would be nice to live in a flower-power, lovey dovey world, but its never going to happen, until the Book of Revelations comes to pass, however until then a realistic world-view is my only option.