Category Archives: War, Culture, and Society

Obama’s Strategic Vision

U.S. President Obama has articulated a strategic vision that focuses on war’s terrible costs, but argues that engaging in warfare is sometimes necessary, according to Bob Woodward. The President seems to share this view of strategy with Chuck Hagel, nominee … Continue reading →

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

French and Malian Forces take Gao

French and Malian military forces have retaken the city of Gao. Le Monde reports that on the French government’s statements on the taking of Gao. The combined French and Malian government forces are now reportedly advancing into Timbuktu, which has … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Early Modern World, French History, History of the Book, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

First-Person War on Film

Warfare is now filmed by participants and observers with an intimacy and immediacy never before possible. Soldiers, journalists, and civilians in the Iraq War, Afghan War, Syrian Civil War, and other current conflicts are able to use micro digital cameras … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History of Violence, Strategy and International Politics, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

US Women in Combat

The Department of Defense has announced that it will lift the ban on women serving in combat positions in the United States military. The move in some ways confirms the already-existing situation in the Iraq War and Afghan War over … Continue reading →

Posted in Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

French Way of War

The French intervention in Mali against Islamist militant groups has drawn worldwide attention to French military forces and their capabilities. French politicians seem concerned to maintain an independent foreign policy that is distinct from NATO and European Union international politics. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arms Control, Civil Conflict, European History, European Union, French History, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

French Air Power in Mali

The French military intervention in Mali is only a few days old, but already French air power is having an impact. According to the French Defense Minister, Rafale and Mirage fighter-bombers have flown a number of sorties over Mali, bombing … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Mediterranean World, Political Culture, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Job Opportunity in Northern Illinois: Historian at Rock Island

The United States Army Sustainment Command at Rock Island, Illinois, is currently searching for a full-time Historian (a civilian position). Here is a link to the job description: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/334842700 Senior History majors, recent graduates, and Master’s students at Northern Illinois … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers in History, Humanities Education, Museums and Historical Memory, Northern Illinois University, Undergraduate Work in History, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

World War II Exhibit and Viewer Identification

A new exhibit is opening at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans this weekend, featuring a more direct approach to reach its museum audience. The new wing attempts to engage museum visitors by prompting viewer identification with … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Publishing, Historical Film, Museums and Historical Memory, Strategy and International Politics, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | 1 Comment

Plagiarism and Patriotism

This weekend, a new exhibit is opening at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The opening prompts a reflection on one of the founders of that museum and its former President, historian Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose was … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Publishing, Education Policy, Historical Film, Historiography and Social Theory, Humanities Education, Museums and Historical Memory, Political Culture, Strategy and International Politics, Uncategorized, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society, Writing Methods | 1 Comment

French Military Intervention in Mali

French President François Hollande has launched a military intervention into war-torn Mali, where a civil war has been raging for months. The French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault explained the rationale for the French intervention, claiming that military action is justified … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Empires and Imperialism, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Mediterranean World, Political Culture, State Development Theory, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, Uncategorized, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment