The Guardian opinion column on the discoveries that change understanding of history

This piece offers an interesting look at the ethics of decision-making and information-sharing during wartime.  

 It centres on the discoveries being made that shift our understanding of the "facts" surrounding the famous sinking of the Lusitania during the first world war. According to the column, the recent discovery of government papers confirm that the ship "was carrying munitions and therefore a legitimate target when it was sunk by a German submarine in May 1915."  

 The journalist, Saul David, continues to explore the reasoning and justification of lies duirng wartime, claiming in this case that the "truth was kept hidden in 1915 because the British government wanted to use the sinking of a non-military ship, and the loss of 1,198 lives, as an example of German ruthlessness."  David further explores how these lies are essentially inevitable, but that ultimately, people do need access to the truth. 

The Lusitania and the secrets of war, revealed

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