Category Archives: War, Culture, and Society

Why Leaders Lie

Posted on August 3, 2011 by briansandberg

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, has published a new book on Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics. Worldview  interviewed Mearsheimer about the book yesterday on WBEZ. Students in HIST 390 … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, Political Culture, War in Film | Leave a comment

150th Anniversary of First Bull Run

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War has begun, ensuring that every day over the next four years, there will be commemorations of each battle, skirmish, and political event of the war. Over 8,000 historical reenactors ventured out into … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

54th Massachusetts Reenactors

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

As the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War unfolds, historical reenactors are enthusiastically commemorating most of the major events of the war. African-Americans are apparently getting involved in Civil War historical reenactment in increasing numbers. One new group has … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Libyan Women Prepare for Combat

Posted on July 1, 2011 by briansandberg

Women have long participated in warfare, despite assumptions that war has been a predominantly masculine activity. Some Libyan women are now preparing for combat to support Qaddafi’s regime. Civil conflicts, such as the Libyan war, often present possibilities for women … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Gender and Warfare, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

France Arms Rebels in Libya

Posted on June 29, 2011 by briansandberg

The French government now admits that it is arming rebels in Libya in an overt attempt to oust Muammar el-Qaddafi. Col. Thierry Burkhard, a French military spokesperson, said that French forces “airdropped water, food and medical supplies” to Misurata and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arms Control, French History, Mediterranean World, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Society for Military History Conference

Posted on June 8, 2011 by briansandberg

The Society for Military History Conference is coming to the Chicago area this weekend.  This conference is the annual meeting of the largest academic and professional society for military history in the United States.  This year, the conference theme is … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Early Modern Europe, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Al Qaeda’s Paper Trail

Posted on May 31, 2011 by briansandberg

Al Qaeda apparently used business-like accounting practices, leaving a significant paper trail of receipts and account books. A story on NPR reports on emerging details of the Al Qaeda organization, resulting from computers and documents seized during the recent raid … Continue reading →

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

The Killing Seas: Mediterranean Migration

Posted on May 29, 2011 by briansandberg

Anthropologist Hans Lucht discusses the precarious lives of modern-day Mediterranean migrants from Africa who embark in North Africa for Italy in an op-ed in the New York Times. Lucht points out that southern European nations have long worked with Qaddafi’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, French History, Human Rights, Italian History, Mediterranean World, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Iraq War Memorial

Posted on May 29, 2011 by briansandberg

What would an Iraq War Memorial look like, if one were to built in Washington, D.C.? An art historian explores this question in an op-ed in the Washington Post. This piece considers the construction of recent war memorials in Washington, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, History in the Media, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

General Ratko Mladic Captured

Posted on May 26, 2011 by briansandberg

After 16 years as a fugitive, former Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic has been captured in Serbia. General Mladic commanded the Bosnian Serb Army during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.  Mladic is accused of orchestrating the Massacre … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, European History, European Union, History of Violence, Religious Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment