Monthly Archives: September 2013

Changing Organization of Al-Shabab

Posted on September 28, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The al-Shabab organization has clearly been evolving over the past months, perhaps leading to its spectacular attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, last week. Analysts who study terrorist organizations…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Is Violence Contagious?

Posted on September 28, 2013 by briansandberg

A new article in The Atlantic provocatively states that “Violence is Contagious.” Drawing on recent sociological and psychological studies, the article suggests that violence spreads like an epidemic. Certainly, metaphors frequently compare violence to a disease. Waves of violence are … Continue reading →

Posted in Arms Control, Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Artiste nel chiostro

Posted on September 27, 2013 by briansandberg

A conference on Ariste nel chiostro (Artists in the Cloister), is being held on 4-5 October 2013 in Firenze. In 1938, Giovanna Pierattini published her groundbreaking study on nun artist Suor Plautilla Nelli in the journal Memorie Domenicane. To mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, Conferences, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, Italian History, Mediterranean World, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Religious History, Renaissance Art and History, Women and Gender History | 1 Comment

European War and Society Position

Posted on September 27, 2013 by briansandberg

The Department of History at Sam Houston State University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate professorship in European military history with a start date in August 2014. Ph.D. required by the time of appointment. In addition to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers in History, European History, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

History and Politics in France

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

History and politics are often closely entwined in France. Even academic historians sometimes engage directly in social commentary and political activity, sometimes referred to as histoire engagé. Some historians have taken engagement a step further to become local or national … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Paris History, Political Culture | Leave a comment

Al-Shabab Attack in Nairobi

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for an attack by multiple gunmen at a shopping mall in Nairobi known as the Westgate centre. The BBC reports that “The attackers…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Mediterranean World Workshop Events

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

The Mediterranean World Workshop at Northern Illinois University participated in two events on campus this week. Members of the Mediterranean World Workshop attended a public lecture by Julia Clancy-Smith (Professor, University of Arizona) on “From Sidi BouZid to Sidi Bou … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern World, Graduate Work in History, Lectures and Seminars, Mediterranean World, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment

Growing Sectarian Violence in Iraq

Posted on September 21, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
Sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia militants is again growing in Iraq. A series of bombings targeting civilians at mosques and funerals has rocked Baghdad over the past week. In…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

UN Confirms Sarin Gas Used in Attack in Syria

Posted on September 16, 2013 by briansandberg

According to the BBC, “The UN has confirmed ‘unequivocally and objectively’ that chemical weapons have been used in Syria.” A new UN report based on forensic testing indicates that “sarin gas was used in a rocket attack in the Syrian … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Human Rights, Laws of War, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

On International Law and Military Intervention

Posted on September 15, 2013 by briansandberg

The use of chemical weapons and mass killing of civilians in Syria have escalated calls for the United States and its allies to launch military strikes in Syria. John Kerry (US Secretary of State), Samantha Powers (US Ambassador to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Human Rights, Laws of War, Revolts and Revolutions, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment