Links to Recent Articles of Interest
By Andrew J. Bacevich, The American Conservative, posted March 3
On one of many phases of the late controversial historian's career. "His lessons from Vietnam could teach us a lot about the havoc we've wreaked in the Middle East." The author is a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University.
By Howard Machtinger, Portside.org, posted March 2
A very helpful reminder and capsule analysis, from an anti-imperialist perspective, of the Washington Post's "Afghanistan Papers" expose in December '19, which showed that high-level US officials held views on the war in Afghanistan radically different from what they were telling the public.
By Gilliam Brockell, Washington Post, posted February 29
Based on an interview with John M. Barry, author of The Great Influenze: The Epic Story of the Greatest Plague in History.
By Juan Cole, Informed Comment blog, posted February 26
On the travesty of the anti-Muslim politicians Trump and Modi visiting a Muslim shrine. The article includes historical background on Muslims and Hindus in India. The author teaches Middle East history at the University of Michigan.
By Benjamin Dangl, The Abusable Past website, posted February 26
The author teaches at the University of Vermont. This article is drawn from his new book The Five Hundred Year Rebellion: Indigenous Movements and the Decolonization of History in Bolivia (AH Press).
By William J. Astore, TomDispatch.com, posted February 25
Compares the "home front" in World War II and the present, while highlighting the ghastly realities of the ongoing wars. The author is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and history teacher.
By Paul R. Pillar, Responsible Statecraft, posted February 23
Analyzes reasons for the US's long failure to avoid, and then exit, the Afghanistan quagmire. The author is a 28-yer veteran of the CIA and a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Strategic Studies.
By Heather Cox Richardson, History News Network, posted February 23
The author teaches US history at Boston College.
By Danny Sjursen, TomDispatch.com, posted February 20
Smedley Butler was a highly decorated officer during three decades in the Marine Corps who became a prominent antiwar and anti-imperialist public figure in the 1930s. The author, himself a retired US Army major who has taught history in military and civilian schools, asks why no retired generals have spoken out about present-day US wars.
By Rosa Boshier, Hyperallergenic, posted February 20
A short but richly illustrated article based on an ongoing exhibition at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California.
Thanks to an anonymous reader for suggesting articles included in the above list. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48@gmail.com.