New Delhi, March 17 -- "It is the habit of every aggressor nation to claim that it is acting on the defensive," observed Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. This statement captures a recurring pattern in global politics, where nations initiating conflict often justify their actions as necessary responses to perceived threats. As the leader of a newly independent India, Nehru saw powerful nations justify territorial expansion or military interventions under the guise of self-defense. His insight warned that the moral high ground is often claimed by those seeking dominance, masking true aggressive intent.

The pattern Nehru described is evident throughout history. Aggressor nations frequently frame offensive actions as defensive...