For the sake of peace, leave history out of politics
Klaus Segbers says since, in politics, history is often dressed up and trotted out only to justify current policies and actions, we should leave it well alone when seeking to resolve conflicts
For anyone who has been raised and lives in Germany, it is quite apparent that history is a difficult commodity. Germany was involved in the beginning of the first world war (unintentionally, whether sleepwalking or otherwise), and had a fundamental role in the outbreak of the second world war. Having also experienced a period of limited sovereignty (1949-1989), and unification (in 1990) that was as unexpected as were the accompanying concerns about a potential new assertiveness, Germany's post-war history is filled with different historical analogies and narratives.
There is an emerging consensus now that German society is caught in a double bind: Never again - to war, but also to Auschwitz (genocide).
But what happens when these two road signs of Germany's post-war history clash? This was the case during the Yugoslavian collapse and succession quarrels, particularly in the case of Kosovo. Then, in 1998, the German government, a Social Democratic/Green coalition, decided to assist militarily. Ever since, the German government has taken decisions like this on a case-by-case basis.
Historical interpretations always need to be framed and, as a rule, no one frame lasts forever. So, many historical narratives are resurrected, defended and contested to serve current interests.
The second world war ended in May 1945 in Europe, and in September in Asia. It is still among the biggest disasters, if not the biggest, that humankind has had to endure. As such, it offers many different stories about how it began and ended. We can assume with some certainty that many aspects have been confused, or slightly modified, to serve current purposes.
Most politicians are not historians. The very moment they start using historical analogies, it's necessary to consider the purpose: in most cases, reaching out to past events means that someone is looking for justifications for ongoing issues and interests. The media, in particular, must watch closely, and critically assess any exploitation of history.