Category Archives: Religious Violence

A French September 11?

The cover of Le Monde, the leading French newspaper, displayed a photo of the spontaneous rally at the place de la République on Wednesday evening, 7 January, following the horrific attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo earlier in the … Continue reading

Posted in Atrocities, Civilians and Refugees in War, European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Human Rights, Paris History, Political Culture, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Islamic Radicalism or Mental Instability?

A driver deliberately drove his car into pedestrians in Dijon, France, injuring at least eleven people. The driver aggressively swerved into pedestrians at five different locations in the city on the evening of Sunday 21 December. Witnesses reported that the … Continue reading

Posted in French History, History of Violence, Political Culture, Religious Politics, Religious Violence | 1 Comment

Taliban Attack on Taverna Restaurant in Kabul

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The Taliban launched a well-coordinated attack on the Taverna di Liban restaurant, which is located in one of the most secure neighborhoods in Kabul, Afghanistan. Foreign nationals and aid workers…

Posted in Civilians and Refugees in War, Religious Violence, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Changing Organization of Al-Shabab

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?

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

Al-Shabab Attack in Nairobi

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

Growing Sectarian Violence in Iraq

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

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

History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The Muslim Brotherhood has been an important religious and political organization in Egypt for decades and is one of the major participants in the ongoing Egyptian Revolution. NPR provides a…

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

Warrior Pursuits on the Radio

A discussion of Warrior Pursuits: Noble Culture and Civil Conflict in Early Modern France (2010) has been broadcast on internet radio on the New Books Network (NBN). Jay Lockenour recently interviewed me about Warrior Pursuits on New Books in Military … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Conflict, Current Research, Early Modern Europe, European Wars of Religion, French History, French Wars of Religion, History in the Media, History of Violence, Languedoc and Southern France, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Renaissance Art and History, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment