Category Archives: War, Culture, and Society

Of Cannibalism and Civil Warfare

Posted on May 15, 2013 by briansandberg

A newly released video allegedly shows a Syrian rebel commander mutilating a dead soldier’s body, removing internal organs, and biting into them. This shocking video reveals the horrors of sectarian violence and civil warfare in Syria, where atrocities have apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, European Wars of Religion, French Wars of Religion, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | 1 Comment

Renaissance Martyrs Canonized

Posted on May 12, 2013 by briansandberg

Pope Francis has canonized the 800 Martyrs of Otranto, who were supposedly executed by Ottoman forces after the southern Italian town of Otranto surrendered in 1480. Otranto was caught up in maritime and naval conflicts during the Renaissance, as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilians and Refugees in War, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, Empires and Imperialism, European History, European Union, Italian History, Mediterranean World, Religious Violence, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment

Early Modern Atlantic World: Slavery, Race, Governance

Posted on April 21, 2013 by briansandberg

The Center for African American History at Northwestern University held a conference this weekend on “The Early Modern Atlantic World: Slavery, Race, Governance.” I was able to attend two sessions of the conference and heard some fascinating presentations by Kristin … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic World, Civilians and Refugees in War, Conferences, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, European History, History of Violence, Human Rights, Mediterranean World, War, Culture, and Society | 1 Comment

Blogs about War and Society

Posted on April 14, 2013 by briansandberg

It is sometimes difficult to find an audience for academic blogs and internet resources amid the vast blogosphere. I am pleased to find that this blog has been featured in an article on blogs that deal with war and society … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Humanities, Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, Humanities Education, Information Management, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

Rape in the Syrian Civil War

Posted on April 14, 2013 by briansandberg

Sexual assault often accompanies military conflict. In many wars, some soldiers use their armed power to inflict sexual violence on prisoners and civilians. Sexual violence can at times become systematic, targeting specific groups of combatants or civilians to intimidate and … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, Human Rights, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

The Danger of Pre-emptive Strikes

Posted on April 13, 2013 by briansandberg

With tensions already running high on the Korean peninsula, many American policy-makers and advisers are talking tough. Now historian Jeremi Suri has weighed in, arguing in an op-ed in the New York Times that “the Korean crisis has now become … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern Europe, Empires and Imperialism, European History, European Wars of Religion, French History, French Wars of Religion, History of Violence, Human Rights, Laws of War, Political Culture, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | 1 Comment

Inside the Syrian Civil War

Posted on April 12, 2013 by briansandberg

The Syrian Civil War continues to rage. Approximately 70,000 Syrians have already been killed and an estimated 4 million Syrians have fled their homes as refugees. PBS’s Frontline recently aired a gripping documentary on “Syria Behind the Lines.” The documentary … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Restoration Work at the château de Versailles

Posted on March 29, 2013 by briansandberg

Louis XIV expanded the château de Versailles in the 1680s, creating a grand palace complex that became the effective administrative capital of France. Louis XIV’s royal state promoted Bourbon dynastic interests and managed the French military from Versailles during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, Early Modern Europe, French History, French Revolution and Napoleon, Museums and Historical Memory, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Political Culture, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment

Sexual Violence in the U.S. Armed Forces

Posted on March 21, 2013 by briansandberg

Sexual violence in the United States Armed Forces has become a major problem. Numerous studies and public scandals have highlighted incidents of rape and sexual harassment, which have often gone unpunished. Women who report sexual harassment and rape claim that … Continue reading →

Posted in Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, Human Rights, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

10th Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

Posted on March 20, 2013 by briansandberg

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the beginning of the Iraq War (2003-2011). The BBC has published a special report on “Iraq: 10 Years On.”  Le Monde offers a video documentary on the … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Violence, Museums and Historical Memory, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment