The tactical advantage this narrative provided was significant. The victims of Nazi genocide, tiny, remnant populations of Serbs and Jews, would henceforth be recast as militaristic perpetrators of ethnic cleansing against Muslims. Once established, Serbs and Jews could do no right, irrespective of the deadly peril they faced. Each and every military response they took in defense of their national security and civilian populations would be branded as fascist aggression and condemned. Henceforth, each and every attack upon them—no matter how heinous and horrific— was not just discounted, but excused, even commended as justified retaliation.

Henceforth, as Hitler’s loyal bodyguard announced, “only muslims are slaughtered.” Continue reading →