In this article by historian, lawyer, and politician Tomislav Jonjić, the focus is on Franjo Tuđman’s decades-long interest in the topic of World War II victims. Jonjić posits that Tuđman's interest was primarily driven by political motives, as he sought to counter the negative portrayal of Croats as genocidal during and after the war. Analyzing Tuđman’s experiences as a Yugoslav Army officer, Jonjić notes that Tuđman recognized the stigmatization of Croats early on and documented this in his diary, emphasizing the need for a more balanced historical narrative.

Jonjić elaborates on Tuđman's reflections found in his personal diary, specifically his commentary on how Croatian history was often discussed solely in the context of crimes and subservience, ignoring the broader spectrum of the Croatian experience. This early reflection laid the groundwork for Tuđman's later political strategies, which were focused on redefining Croatian identity in a post-war context. The historian argues that Tuđman’s work ultimately aimed to dismantle the prevailing narrative that depicted Croats as perpetrators rather than as victims in the context of World War II.

The implications of Tuđman’s research are significant, as they contributed to the formation of Croatian nationalism and identity in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars. Jonjić suggests that this work of re-evaluating historical narratives continues to resonate today, indicating that the legacy of Tuđman’s scholarship remains relevant amid ongoing discussions around Croatian identity and historical memory. As such, this analysis serves as a retrospective look at how one leader’s approach to history shapes national consciousness and the political landscape.