How Nations Weaponize Stories to Protect Fragile Identities

Nations, like individuals, can act narcissistically. They rewrite history, deny harm, and cast themselves as victims to shield fragile identities. From MAGA to Russia’s “historic destiny,” from Israel’s perpetual siege to Australia’s ANZAC myth, weaponized stories bind and blind us. The challenge is not to abandon myth but to create narratives resilient enough to hold truth as well as pride.