This is one complicated problem, but the best thing to do is discuss how you feel with her. Never mind about the ex, etc. All she can do is say she doesn't feel that way about you and don't take it too personally. She probably hasn't straightened things out in her own life yet.
Take it slow, but don't be afraid to speak your mind to her. Be patient. MarcyYes I agree that's a good answer, tell her first and see how she feels about you, if it so happens that she likes you to then tell the other guy to back off.
If she says she doesn't feel the same don't loose her just tell her that its cool to stay friends then, because being her best friend you will always be there for her, she'll turn to you for everything and its nice to have a guy like that. She might even change her mind about the way she feels.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.