Hiroshima 1945: Why the atomic explosion that transformed war, peace and global power still matters 80 years later

Eight decades after the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the event continues to stand as one of the most defining moments in modern history—bringing World War II closer to its end while ushering in an era dominated by nuclear weapons, geopolitical rivalry and fears of global annihilation.

On August 6, 1945, the US deployed the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" over Hiroshima, instantly devastating the Japanese city. The explosion killed tens of thousands of people, left countless others with severe radiation-related illnesses and permanently altered the course of international politics.

Just three days later, a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki, causing another wave of catastrophic destruction and claiming around 70,000 lives, with many more suffering long-term injuries and health complications.

A breakthrough in science with devastating consequences

The atomic bomb remains one of the most consequential inventions in human history.

Unlike innovations such as the airplane, vaccines or the personal computer—which transformed lives largely through progress and development—the atomic bomb demonstrated how scientific achievement could also become humanity's most destructive weapon.

While the bombings accelerated Japan's surrender and effectively brought World War II to a close, they also marked the beginning of the nuclear age, where the possibility of global destruction became a permanent feature of international relations.

Eyewitnesses recalled unimaginable destruction

The devastation witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki left lasting scars on survivors and those who documented the attacks.

Journalist Leslie Nakashima, who returned to Hiroshima shortly after the bombing, found his family safe but described an almost unrecognisable city. Writing weeks later, he spoke of the bomb's extraordinary destructive force after seeing large sections of his hometown reduced to ruins.

In Nagasaki, teenager Sumiteru Taniguchi was delivering mail when the blast hurled him from his bicycle. He suffered extensive burns across his back and severe internal injuries that affected him for the rest of his life before his death in 2017.

The beginning of the global nuclear arms race

Following the bombings, nuclear technology quickly spread beyond the United States.

The Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, ending America's monopoly on nuclear weapons. In the decades that followed, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea all developed nuclear arsenals, while nuclear ambitions in parts of the Middle East have continued to generate international concern.

The rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities transformed global security, with countries increasingly relying on deterrence rather than direct confrontation.

Nuclear weapons remain a global concern

Many strategic experts argue that nuclear deterrence has helped prevent major wars between powerful nations by making the cost of direct conflict too high.

Others, however, warn that the risks remain as serious as ever, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue and more countries pursue advanced military capabilities.

The emergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber warfare and autonomous defence systems has changed the nature of modern conflict, but analysts continue to identify nuclear weapons as one of the greatest threats facing humanity.

Former British diplomat Tim Willasey-Wilsey recently argued that the gravest danger to civilisation would come from the use of a nuclear weapon in conflict for the first time since 1945.

He cautioned that the greatest risk lies not in technological failure but in human decision-making, warning that a future nuclear war would represent a catastrophic failure of political judgement rather than scientific capability.

Eight decades later, Hiroshima remains a warning

As the world marks another anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, the events of August 1945 continue to serve as a reminder of both the extraordinary power of scientific innovation and the devastating consequences when it is used for war.

The legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains central to ongoing debates over nuclear disarmament, global security and the responsibility that accompanies technological progress.

(With AP inputs)