News Abroad

Why Thucydides Is (Sadly) So Relevant Right Now

by Eric Orlin

“War is a violent teacher, and brings most men's passions to the same level as their circumstances.”

Britain’s EU Referendum: What Is At Stake?

by Deepak Tripathi

DeGaulle had his doubts about British enthusiasm for the union. Now we’ll see if he was right.

No, Mr. Trump, You Cannot Be Neutral When It Comes to Negotiating with the Israelis and Palestinians

by Richard L. Cravatts

In dealing with Arabs, where an honor/shame cultures suffuses all negotiations, rationality is not the moderating factor.

Might Makes Right: An American Tradition

by William Astore

To hear Republican candidates like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz talk, almost any act of violence is justifiable to defeat the enemy.

Studying the 30 Years War Gives Me Hope about Our Religious Wars

by Wayne Te Brake

The evidence from European history suggests not only that peace is possible but that some form of peaceful religious coexistence will likely be the eventual outcome.

Both Truman and Obama Faced a Choice. Retreat Peacefully from the World or Engage It.

by Kenneth Weisbrode

Truman chose engagement.  Obama chose to pull back.

The Medieval Christian King Inspired by the Muslim World

by Simon Doubleday

His name was Alfonso the Wise. We should emulate him.

Who Are the Yazidis? And Why Is ISIS Trying to Slaughter and Enslave Them?

by Brian Glyn Williams

This ancient people, whose roots go back more than six thousand years, are at risk of being wiped out. This is a window into their long secret world.

What History Suggests Will Be Russia’s Next Move in the Middle East

by Mark N. Katz

It’s zigzag policy of engagement and disengagement may be about to take yet another turn.

How Historians Can Help Us Better Understand the Revolutions Taking Place Around the World

by Jack Censer

The key is to understand revolution as a global phenomenon.

The Shocking Story of Hitler’s Jewish Spy

by John Broich

And the lesson it holds for us today as we decide whether to admit Syrian refugees.

Are Russians Really Long-Suffering

by Christopher Lawrence

That's the stereotype.  It's wrong. 

This Historian Just Got Back from Kurdistan – And It’s Left Him Feeling Upbeat About the Middle East!

by Brian Glyn Williams

At a time when some American politicians seek to tar whole religions in broad brushstrokes, Islam is not a monolith, it is a mosaic.

Democracy Is in Retreat Around the World. Is Another World War in the Offing?

by Jonathan Adelman

On 3 occasions in the last century war has reshaped the world—and each time the new order eventually gave way to chaos and war. Are we on the verge of a 4th world war?

Yes, We Apologized to Iran and Should Have after Our Sailors Crossed into Their Waterways

by John Dickson

Other countries have apologized when in the wrong. So have we.

The Frightening Prospect of a Nuclear War Is About to Become a Lot More Likely

by Lawrence S. Wittner

The Obama administration is making nukes smaller and easier to direct at specific targets.

Does Even the New York Times Glamorize Modern Armed Conflict?

by Robin Lindley

An interview with David Shields, the author of "War Is Beautiful." 

Chinese Underwear and Presidential Briefs: What the CIA Told JFK and LBJ About Mao

by Steve Usdin

And the real reason, it seems, that the CIA fought for decades to keep these documents secret.

Is Saudi Arabia a Threat to the United States?

by Giovanni Tortoriello

An interview with expert David Commins.

Top 7 Middle East Foreign Policy Challenges in 2016

by Juan Cole

My own feeling is that the US engagement with the Middle East is likely to remain so intense only for another two decades.