‘How Do You Balance a Million People Murdered Against 22 Defendants?’
On the podcast: The last living Nuremberg prosecutor describes the Allied trials against Nazi leaders.
Eighty years ago this week, Nazis burned synagogues, desecrated cemeteries, and destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses and homes across Germany, Austria, and occupied Czechoslovakia. The event came to be known as Kristallnacht—the night of broken glass—and foreshadowed the genocide of 6 million Jews in World War II.
Eighty years ago this week, Nazis burned synagogues, desecrated cemeteries, and destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses and homes across Germany, Austria, and occupied Czechoslovakia. The event came to be known as Kristallnacht—the night of broken glass—and foreshadowed the genocide of 6 million Jews in World War II.
On the podcast, we talk to Benjamin Ferencz, the last living prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials where Nazi leaders were brought to justice. A U.S. Army veteran with a law degree from Harvard University, Ferencz was just 27 at the start of the trials. He had never prosecuted a case in his life. Now 99, he is the subject of a new film, Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz, directed by Barry Avrich.
Read More
Tillerson to Shutter State Department War Crimes Office
Critics charge top U.S. diplomat with giving the green light to perpetrators of mass atrocities.
Poland’s Holocaust Denialism Will Come Back to Haunt It
Polish leaders thought peddling historical revisionism at home had no consequences; now, it could threaten two crucial alliances.
Eastern European Laws on World War II History Spark Congressional Reaction
Will a letter sent by concerned lawmakers encourage leaders to change course or further polarize politics?
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.