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National memory as a brake on interventionism: the cases of China, Russia and Iran
In stark contrast, China, Russia and Iran have national memories deeply marked by devastating conflicts, and this influences their approach to military intervention. For China, the memory of the“ war of resistance against Japanese aggression” and the“ century of humiliation” in the face of Western colonialism is a pillar of its national identity. This period saw China suffer an enormous human cost, with 1.5 million deaths on the Chinese battlefield, accounting for 70 % of total casualties. The complete victory of the Chinese people in this war safeguarded national independence. The Chinese Communist Party has always presented itself as the architect of this victory, capturing the legacy of the Kuomintang. This memory is perpetuated and used to exalt a victory in line with the interests of current Chinese power. Consequently, China is very cautious before committing military forces, preferring a measured posture and the use of its economic influence. It seeks to avoid any direct military engagement that might expose it to reprisals or compromise its economic relations, as demonstrated by its non-intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict. Likewise, Russia is deeply marked by the Second World War, known as the“ Great Patriotic War”, which caused almost 27 million victims and countless destructions in the USSR. This cult of victory, reactivated under Vladimir Putin, serves to consolidate national identity and legitimize government policies, while orienting the reading of twentieth-century history. This experience has instilled a reluctance to engage in costly and indecisive conflicts. The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan( 1979-1989), which involved 600,000 Soviet participants, including nearly 160,000 Ukrainians, was perceived as an inglorious failure, and veterans had difficulty gaining recognition for their experience.
Flashmag! Issue 162 July 2025
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