The long shadow of war: how the aftermath of World War II continues to shape the modern world

Over eight decades after the final shots were fired, the effects of World War II continue to ripple across the globe, from solemn commemorations and hazardous environmental cleanups to the resolution of long-standing personal mysteries and the ongoing consequences of post-war political decisions. Recent events highlight how the war's legacy is not a static memory but an active force still shaping international relations, public safety, and personal histories.

Commemoration amid modern tensions

Anniversaries of the war's conclusion are being marked with both reverence and a sense of unease. Europe recently observed the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8, 2025. While cities like London, Paris, and Berlin held ceremonies to honor the end of the conflict in Europe, the celebrations were tinged with dread over the current war in Ukraine and the rise of authoritarianism globally.

Similarly, the 80th anniversary of Japan's formal surrender on September 2, 1945, which officially ended the war, serves as a poignant reminder of the conflict's global scale. The date itself remains a point of historical nuance, with many celebrating August 15 as V-J Day. During the original surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri, commemorative cards were distributed, a practice that underscores the long tradition of memorializing the war's end.

These commemorative efforts extend beyond official state events. In September 2025, relatives of Dutch prisoners of war traveled to Nagasaki, Japan, to visit the site of the former Fukuoka POW Camp No. 2. A monument erected there in 2015 now stands as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, a testament to the enduring personal and international efforts to heal the war's wounds. In the United States, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans recently opened its Liberation Pavilion, a major complex dedicated to the war's end and its profound, lasting impacts on civil rights, global alliances like NATO, and the creation of the United Nations.

The war's hazardous physical legacy

The physical remnants of the war continue to pose a significant threat. Germany has launched a major initiative to recover an estimated 1.6 million tons of decaying World War II-era ammunition from the North and Baltic Seas. The ordnance, dumped after the war, is leaking toxic chemicals and poses an explosive risk. A government-backed, €100 million pilot project is now underway to safely retrieve and dispose of these munitions.

This danger is also acutely felt on land. In Berlin, the recent discovery of two unexploded bombs from the war—one in the Spree River and another in the Spandau district—forced the evacuation of approximately 10,000 people. Such incidents are a stark reminder that the war's destructive power continues to endanger civilian lives decades later.

Geopolitical consequences and regional conflicts

The end of World War II redrew the global map, creating geopolitical fault lines that persist today. The division of the Korean peninsula in 1945 by Allied powers is a critical example, setting the stage for the Cold War in Asia and the eventual Korean War. The U.S. policy in post-war Korea, often described as a "reverse course," prioritized anti-communism, which fueled the polarization that led to the permanent division between North and South Korea.

For Taiwan, the decade following Japan's defeat was one of profound upheaval. After 50 years of Japanese rule, the island was handed over to the Republic of China. This transition led to immense social and political strife, including the 1947 uprising known as the 228 Incident and the ensuing decades-long period of political repression called the White Terror. These events are fundamental to understanding Taiwan's modern identity and its complex, ongoing relationship with mainland China.

Finding personal closure through science

Amid the large-scale historical narratives, the aftermath of the war is also a story of individual loss and, occasionally, resolution. Thanks to advances in DNA technology, those unaccounted for during the conflict are slowly being identified. The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently announced the identification of Ensign Eugene E. Mandeberg, a U.S. Navy Reserve pilot. He had been missing since going on a mission over Tokyo on V-J Day in 1945.

Such discoveries provide long-awaited closure for families and complete the historical record, ensuring that the personal sacrifices of individuals are not lost to time. From geopolitical shifts and environmental hazards to personal stories of loss and remembrance, the aftermath of World War II is a complex tapestry that continues to be woven into the fabric of the 21st century.