On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials for Nazi war crimes, this essay explores the present-day significance of the tribunal in light of the current geopolitical situation and the policies of the Bush administration. The discussion highlights the historical, political, and moral dimensions of the ongoing controversies about “the war on terrorism” and American foreign policy since the occupation of Iraq. Just as was the case at Nuremberg, a key theme at issue in today's debates is the hypocrisies of nations, especially their questionable moral legitimacy to impose equitable judgment on a defeated nation. My aspiration is to draw attention to the complexities involved in attempts to achieve international justice and to call for an engaged, moral response to those chauvinistic blinders that preclude fairness.
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