In the Shadow of War
- Binding: paperback
- Author: collective work
- Publisher: Instytut Zachodni
- PL ISSN: 0033-2437
- Publication date: 30 August 2023
- Number: 1-2/2023
- Number of pages: 274
- Size: A5
The lead article featured in this edition of Przegląd Zachodni delves into the dynamics of the European Union’s assistance during in the initial year of the war in Ukraine. Through this exploration, intriguing insights emerge about the effectiveness of legal and institutional mechanisms deployed amidst this largest migration crisis and most profoundly impactful humanitarian tragedy in nearly eight decades. While met with scepticism by many, the display of European solidarity managed to surprise even its critics. And yet, a stark contrast remains in the dichotomy between the treatment of Ukrainian migrants and the plight of those facing peril and death in the Mediterranean Sea.
Successive studies provide numerous references to history and raise questions about experiences that require breaking through customary and impromptu barriers. The imprints of history have remarkable endurance, exerting influence over human perspectives for prolonged periods. Similarly, they cast shadows over political spheres and international relations, a prime example being the German military doctrine. This persistence of historical stigmas extends its reach to the ongoing conflict on the Dnieper. As of today, even a rough estimate of how long the conflict will continue to shape the attitudes and choices of Ukrainians, Russians and other nations remains elusive. Moreover, due to the intricate interconnectivity across all parts of the world, the ramifications of Ukraine’s conflict may fundamentally shift China's position, while the shadow of the ongoing war will be cast over such distant corners of the globe as Alaska and Svalbard. Each of these perspectives reveals the key role of communication. This is spurred by universal access to information, instrumentalisation, propaganda, and attempts to rewrite history and manipulate information, even to the point of resorting to the dissemination of fake news.