and to the enduring hope that a more stable and just international order can still be forged from the ashes of misunderstanding and miscalculation. May future generations learn from our collective oversights, ensuring that Europe's lost opportunity for lasting peace is not repeated, but rather serves as a stark reminder of the price of unchecked ambition and ignored grievances. To the scholars who champion rigorous inquiry, the analysts who strive for objective understanding, and the citizens who demand accountability from their leaders, this book is a testament to the power of informed dissent and the unwavering pursuit of a more comprehensive historical perspective.