Eighty years on, ‘never again’ is sounding hollow, Pg 8

The Hindu | May 9, 2025

Key Theme:

This editorial reflects on how the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender (VE Day) feels hollow today amid growing global conflicts, Russian aggression, and eroding trust among Western allies, questioning the sincerity of the post-WWII resolve to say “Never again.”

Core Arguments

• Fractured Commemorations: The WWII victory is commemorated differently in the West and Russia, symbolizing a deepening geopolitical divide, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Erosion of Post-War Unity: The post-war promise of peace, unity, and multilateralism is weakening amid rising conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Africa, and Asia, and increasing militarization in Europe.
• Mistrust Among Allies: NATO cohesion is under strain, especially due to former US President Trump’s stance and Putin’s aggression, pushing Europe towards military preparedness and independence.
• Rise of Authoritarianism: Authoritarian leaders are reshaping historical narratives for nationalistic ends, e.g. Putin in Russia and Xi Jinping in China, diluting the war’s lessons.
• Selective Memory: Western memory of WWII often excludes the role of colonies and non-Western nations, reinforcing Eurocentrism and undermining the global spirit of “never again.”

Important Insights

• VE Day’s relevance is shifting from a remembrance of peace to a show of military might in authoritarian regimes.
• The breakdown of global trust, rising security threats, and failure of international institutions suggest that the foundational post-war vow to avoid conflict is faltering.
• The world order is regressing into bloc politics and military alliances, contrary to the ideals forged in 1945.

Mains Mock Question:

_"Discuss how the current geopolitical climate challenges the post-World War II ideal of ‘never again’ and threatens the global peace architecture established after 1945."_ (10 marks)