Overturning our Triumphs
A Chilling Reverberation of a Gruesome Past
In the vein of Richard Desjardins' poignant lament on the Battle of Vimy, today, it's impossible not to ponder the absurdity and senselessness of violence that once claimed the lives of countless soldiers, including 10,000 Canadians during World War I. Now, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, the ghostly echoes of the past seem more pertinent than ever.
The discordant symphony of power plays and propaganda duels between the White House and the Kremlin, orchestrating the celebration of this landmark anniversary, resonates disquietingly. Last week, the American president declared that May 8 would be renamed Victory in Europe Day in the United States, promising an extensive military parade to commemorate the occasion. In a flurry of social media vitriol, he claimed, "The Allies around the world are celebrating the victory we won in World War II. The only country not celebrating is the United States, and the victory was only achieved thanks to us."
Yet, let's not overlook the grand coalition of countries that mobilized long before the United States joined the war effort, giving their lives until the German surrender on May 8, 1945. It's a sobering reminder that victory doesn't belong to a single nation. In fact, it was a Soviet soldier who first hoisted a flag on the Reichstag in Berlin on May 2, 1945.
Vladimir Putin's measured response to Donald Trump's chauvinism was a marked contrast, deploring the American president's narrow-mindedness. However, Putin himself has weaponized the past in service of his propaganda machine, as he did during his extravagant parade commemorating the end of what the Russians call the Great Patriotic War. Even then, he drew a twisted comparison between the great Soviet battles against Nazi Germany and the conflict in Ukraine, blatantly violating international law.
As these world leaders bluster and posture, the some 50 million souls who lost their lives, from the shores of France to the shores of Japan, passing through the concentration camps, are being systematically ignored. And the institutions we've inherited from the post-war period, dedicated to preserving their memory and ensuring "never again," are being dismantled.
Take the United Nations, for instance, which has faced significant funding cuts, jeopardizing its role as a central pillar of global cooperation. Or the Security Council, which has become increasingly ineffective and reduced to a stage for the great powers and their allies, while Russia has used its veto to shield the terror-infested regime of Bashar al-Assad and Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine.
The United States, meanwhile, has grappled with allegations of war crimes and possible genocide in its unwavering support of the Israeli government's military campaign in Gaza, a campaign that started on October 7, 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC), inspired by the trials of Nazi leaders at Nuremberg, faces an uncertain fate, with Russia and the United States mocking and threatening its investigative efforts.
Remarkably, all of this unfolds as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the armistice, a'peace' not unlike the one Desjardins lamented in his haunting ballad. Instead of inspiring introspection and reaffirming our collective resolve to remember the terrible lessons of the past, we find ourselves facing a world that's rearranging its weapons without much thought or hesitation. It's a far cry from the victory that many fought and died for.
[Enrichment Data:]
- International Cooperation: Ongoing efforts to strengthen global relationships and share interests are visible through regional collaborations, such as the Think7 summit and UN initiatives like the International Year of Cooperatives.
- UN and Global Governance: The United Nations plays a critical role in promoting international cooperation, with events like the World Health Assembly addressing modern global challenges. Geopolitical tensions, however, can hinder the effectiveness of these efforts.
- Historical Events: Victory in Europe Day represents a significant milestone in history, symbolizing the power of international cooperation in the face of a common enemy. The current state of tensions between major powers like the U.S. and Russia may impact how historical events, including VE Day, are perceived and commemorated.
- Institutions' Erosion: The United Nations, the ICC, the Security Council, and regional cooperation are all institutions rooted in the post-war era, created to preserve shared historical achievements and prevent future conflicts. Recent actions by the U.S. and Russia have raised concerns about their future and the integrity of these institutions.
- Amidst the anniversary commemorations of the end of World War II, a brilliant display of social media vitriol suggests a stark contrast in political perspectives, as both American and Russian leaders claim victory for their respective nations.
- The anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the strength required to overcome war-and-conflicts, with the brief peace following World War I serving as a poignant comparison to the current geopolitical landscape.
- Policy-and-legislation, such as the renaming of Victory in Europe Day in the United States, and military parades, symbolize a continuation of the power plays and propaganda duels that have long been part of politics, even as general-news outlets grapple with the erosion of institutions like the United Nations.
- French Canadians, whose lives were tragically claimed during World War I, may find echoes of the genocide their ancestors faced in the chilling disregard for international cooperation and the violation of international law by contemporary leaders.
- Entertainment outlets are urged to use their platforms for raising awareness about the important lessons that history teaches us, as crime-and-justice concerns, including the allegations of war crimes and possible genocide in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, persistently challenge the harmony of the global community.
- As the world enters a new era of military tensions and diplomatic struggles, the anniversary of the end of World War II presents a crystallizing moment for advocates of international cooperation to take stock, stand firm, and rally for the continuation of the post-war legacy of shared values and solidarity.
