What is the basis of fear?

[Mark]

On page 160, Marie-Laure realizes “This...is the basis of his fear, all fear. That a light you are powerless to stop will turn on you and usher a bullet to its mark.” How does this image constitute the most general basis of all fear? Do you agree?
Question supplied by publisher.

[Mark]

Events you can't control result in death, pain and suffering. The quote makes sense in the context of war where the combatants are in a constantly stressful situation. Under the circumstances, it is easy to see how fear is the end result.

I kind of see it a little differently. People go to war because they believe in the cause. I understand this is a corporate concept, individuals drafted into the military may not believe in the cause, but in general they do, or the effort falls apart. If people fail to take the risk; fail to go to war to further the cause, isn't that a purer form of fear than to go knowing, as is always the case, they do not have complete control of their situations?