D-Day stands as a monumental event in World War II history, symbolizing the Allied commitment to defeating Nazi tyranny and restoring freedom to Europe. Its success required immense courage, sacrifice, and cooperation among the Allied nations and remains one of the most iconic military operations of all time.

D-Day, also known as the Normandy landings, was a pivotal and very important moment in the course of World War II because it marked the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany's control over Western Europe.

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched a massive amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy, France, opening a crucial Western Front against the Axis powers. The successful invasion provided a foothold for the Allies to advance into occupied Europe and eventually liberate France and other countries from Nazi control. D-Day's significance lies in its role in turning the tide of the war in favor of the Allies, leading to the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.

The Normandy landings, was a meticulously planned operation that involved months of preparation and coordination among Allied forces. It was a massive amphibious assault involving over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations landing on the beaches of Normandy in German-occupied France. The invasion marked the largest seaborne invasion in history and was a crucial turning point in World War II for several reasons:

Opening of a Second Front: Up until D-Day, the bulk of the fighting on the Western Front had been carried out by the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. D-Day opened up a crucial second front in Western Europe, relieving pressure on the Soviets and forcing Nazi Germany to fight a two-front war, stretching its military resources thin.

The successful landing at Normandy established a secure beachhead for the Allies to begin their advance into France. Despite facing heavy resistance from German forces, particularly at Omaha Beach, the Allies managed to secure key beachheads and start building up their forces on French soil. 

Breakthrough of Fortress Europe and Disruption of German Defenses: D-Day paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The Allies were able to push inland from Normandy, liberating towns and cities as they advanced, according to a well-coordinated plan and with great determination. This eventually led to the liberation of Paris in August 1944 and the subsequent collapse of German control over France. The invasion caught the German forces by surprise, despite their anticipation of an Allied attack. The diversionary tactics used by the Allies, including elaborate deception operations such as Operation Bodyguard, helped to mislead the Germans about the true location and timing of the invasion, and to finally break the "European Fortress", until that time impenetrable.

Turning Point in the War: D-Day signaled the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. While the war would continue for almost another year, the successful invasion of Normandy marked a significant shift in momentum in favor of the Allies. It demonstrated their ability to mount large-scale coordinated operations and dealt a severe blow to German morale and military capabilities.

D-Day had significant political impacts on the post-World War II map of Europe. The impetuous and irreversible military surge of Allied forces and the subsequent events of World War II had profound and lasting political impacts on Europe, shaping the post-war order and laying the groundwork for the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War era.

The success of D-Day and subsequent Allied advances in Western Europe strengthened the negotiating position of Roosevelt and Churchill at the Yalta Conference. The Allies' progress in liberating France and pushing into Germany gave them a greater advantage in the negotiations held at the Yalta Conference, (February 1945) and undoubtedly influenced the discussions and agreements reached between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin on the post-war settlement in Europe.

Division of Germany and emergence of the Cold War: Following the defeat of Nazi Germany, the country was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Allied powers: the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and France. The division of Germany and the question of its post-war status were central issues discussed at the Yalta Conference. While the Allies had agreed on the broad outlines of Germany's division before D-Day, the actual implementation and details of the division were influenced by the military situation on the ground. The Allied advances in Western Europe, including D-Day, contributed to the shaping of the final agreements on Germany's fate at Yalta. The division of Germany into East and West became a lasting feature of the political landscape in Europe, with the eastern part falling under Soviet influence and the western part aligning more closely with the Western Allies.

The division of Germany and Europe into Eastern and Western blocs set the stage for the inevitable Cold War between the United States and its Western allies and the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellites. The ideological and political divisions that emerged during this period shaped European politics for decades to come. 

Formation of NATO and Integration of Western Europe: The threat posed by the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II led to the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. NATO was established as a collective defense alliance among Western European nations, the United States, and Canada to counter the perceived Soviet threat. The division of Europe and the strategic importance of preventing Soviet expansionism contributed to the formation of NATO. In response to the devastation caused by World War II and the desire to prevent future conflicts, European leaders pursued closer integration and cooperation. This led to the formation of institutions such as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which laid the groundwork for the European Union (EU). The process of European integration was motivated especially by the desire to prevent another devastating war on the continent.

Impact on Soviet Strategy: The success of D-Day and the opening of the Western Front also influenced Soviet strategy and objectives in Eastern Europe. Stalin was keenly aware of the growing strength of the Western Allies and their increasing influence in Europe. This may have influenced his approach to negotiations at Yalta and his calculations about the post-war balance of power in Europe.

Decolonization: The end of World War II and the subsequent geopolitical shifts also accelerated the process of decolonization in Europe's overseas empires. Many European powers, particularly France and the United Kingdom, faced growing pressure to grant independence to their colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The post-war era saw the dismantling of colonial empires and the emergence of newly independent nations, reshaping the political map of the world.

Consequently, the Normandy landings, or D-Day, and the events of World War II had significant impacts on the principles and direction of U.S. foreign policy, by shaping it in profound ways, and influencing America's role in the world, its approach to global challenges, and its commitment to promoting democracy, security, and cooperation among nations.

Global Leadership: The success of D-Day solidified the United States' role as a global leader and superpower. The decisive action taken by the U.S. and its allies in liberating Europe from Nazi control demonstrated America's commitment to promoting freedom and democracy on the world stage.

Commitment to Collective Security and promotion of Democracy: D-Day underscored the importance of collective security and cooperation among nations in confronting common threats. The Allied coalition, comprising diverse nations united in their fight against fascism, highlighted the value of alliances and partnerships in maintaining international peace and security. The defeat of Nazi Germany and the subsequent reconstruction of Europe reinforced the U.S. commitment to promoting democratic values and institutions around the world. The Marshall Plan, which provided economic aid to rebuild war-torn Europe, exemplified America's efforts to foster stability and democracy in the post-war era.

Containment of Communism: The onset of the Cold War following World War II shifted U.S. foreign policy priorities towards containing the spread of communism. The Soviet Union's domination of Eastern Europe and its expansionist ambitions prompted the United States to adopt a policy of containment aimed at preventing further Soviet aggression and influence.

Its role in International Institutions: In the aftermath of World War II, the United States played a leading role in the establishment of international institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These institutions were founded with the aim of promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations, reflecting a commitment to multilateralism in U.S. foreign policy.

The Normandy landings, or D-Day had geopolitical importance and profound geopolitical implications by removing a major threat to European stability and security. It solidified the Allied powers' position as the dominant force in World War II. It demonstrated the strength of the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies in coordinating large-scale military operations and achieving strategic objectives. This shift in power dynamics reshaped the global order, with the Allies emerging as the victors of the war, 80 years ago.

D-Day reminds us of the importance of remembering and learning from history; how our societies and national, regional and global leaders should be aware of the causes and consequences of conflicts and work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Today, in memory of this great event with a great impact on the destinies of humanity, we are unfortunately experiencing an erosion of the international norms and institutions which were built with a lot of pain. The erosion of international norms and institutions founded to promote peace and resolve peacefully conflicts, contributes daily to the great doubt and fear over the longevity of peace and the weakening of global security.

The complex and dynamic nature of international relations, as well as the ongoing national and international challenges and threats, epidemic and poisonous media propaganda are undermining, in front of our faces, democracy, the rule of law, equality before the law, human rights, freedom and every effort to maintain peace and stability in society and the world, bringing back doubt, fear and disbelief that the future of humanity is heading towards a new, unfortunately inevitable war.

*Ambassador, Professor for International Relations, Mediterranean University of Albania