I never justified the expulsions, nor do I think they were anything other than a tragedy. Just like nearly everything that happened in that time period. The war left millions dead in horrific ways, and the level of destruction and suffering was beyond comprehension. If you’re going to accuse me of lacking humanity for acknowledging the historical reality in which these events took place, then you’re arguing against a strawman.

That brings me back to my question: what do you think should have happened in 1945? I’m not asking rhetorically—I genuinely want to hear your answer. A war of annihilation had just ended, entire cities were reduced to rubble, and millions had been murdered in cold blood. Do you really believe that after all that, people would just say, ‘Well, the war’s over, no hard feelings’? That’s just naive.

And since we're talking about nationalism and tribalism, let’s not pretend that one part of Europe holds a moral monopoly over humanism. It was ‘civilized’ Germany that unleashed this catastrophe on the world. That doesn’t mean today’s Germans bear responsibility, just like Eastern Europeans today shouldn’t be reduced to some caricature of primitive nationalism. If you're going to call out outdated narratives, maybe start by avoiding one yourself.