"there is only one side of the story; theirs. They have absolutely NO interest in knowing our reasons for anything. To them what we have done is wrong and inexcusable and that's all they need to know."

True. And that unfortunately is just the way a lot of people seem to see it from this side as well. (What are we supposed to call it? The Allies? The terminology hasn't been worked out yet, has it.) Saying the enemy is evil may be true, it may help morale or something as well even. But it is no help whatsoever in anticipating what they might try to do next. Understanding them can help you do that.