Soviet Collapse, Chechen Wars, Ethnic Relations. A Discussion With Alexander Verkhovsky
Cyril Babeev interviews SOVA Center director Alexander Verkhovsky on ethnic relations after the Soviet Union’s collapse, and the two Chechen Wars that were closely linked to questions of national identity in the early days of the Russian Federation.
Xi Faces Mounting Problems as CCP Issues His Strongest Mandate Yet
China’s human rights record has led Western countries to boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics. As China alienates those abroad, the CCP signals with a “historical resolution” that there will be no change in leadership.
How Chile’s Past Has Marred Its Political Present
Today, Chileans are casting votes for their new president. This election has shown that Chile, viewed as a beacon of stability in a continent otherwise plagued by fragile institutions, is not immune to political extremism.
“Here to Stay:” How the UK Failed Its Eastern Europeans
In her newest book, Yva Alexandrova illuminates the perspective of Eastern European migrants in the UK. Using data and personal stories, she makes the case for freedom of movement and shows how Eastern Europeans have been let down by both the Left and the Right.
A History of the Saudi-Sino Relationship and Its Future Aspirations
China and Saudi Arabia have worked diligently to look beyond their bitter history defined by Cold War politics. As the global balance of power continues to shift, this relationship is one to watch.
The Intergenerational Trauma of Canada’s Residential Schools
What is the history behind the residential school system, and how does Canada confront the trauma inflicted upon First Nations communities today? Scott Wagner interviews Brad Marsden, an intergenerational survivor of the schools, to find out.
Zalmay Khalilzad’s Troubled History With Afghanistan
In light of Zalmay Khalilzad’s recent resignation as US Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Sajjan M. Gohel and Victoria Jones trace his problematic role in American diplomacy across decades.
Existential Crises and Mass Movements
A pandemic sweeping the globe, liberal democracies facing threats from rising authoritarianism—there are many parallels between the Interwar period and today. But with the added specter of climate change, activists must redouble the interwar generation’s efforts to fight against existential crisis.
How Brazil’s Xokleng Case Impacts the Future of Climate Responsibility
As the Xokleng land dispute continues in Brazil, Emily Gregg explains why the legal case has ramifications far beyond the Amazon.
Lebanon and China: Electrifying Solutions to Beirut’s Traffic
“The Lebanese are all too familiar with pledges that fail to manifest; if this new government wants to prove itself to the people, it should begin by resolving the traffic crisis in Beirut.”
Algeria Ceases Relations With Morocco—How Can They Be Repaired?
The historic grievances between Morocco and Algeria remain unaddressed, leaving dangerous options on the table, Adnan Nasser argues.
“Nobody Knew We Existed:” LGBTQ Voices From Afghanistan
The Afghan LGBTQ community has always faced hardship, but the return of Taliban rule has put their lives in even greater immediate danger. Victoria Jones speaks with activists Najib Faizi and Artemis Akbary about the path that LGBTQ Afghans are charting for themselves in this latest reality.
When Do Americans Give Up?
America’s haphazard withdrawal from Afghanistan has allies questioning whether the US will honor its defense commitments. Caroline Sutton explains what this means for Taiwan and the threat of war with China.
Renewable Energy in Lebanon Will Save Lives
“People should not be deprived of necessities because of the moral bankruptcy of their leaders.” Adnan Nasser outlines the urgency of Lebanon’s energy crisis—and how to solve it.
America Is Going the Same Way as the Soviets in Afghanistan
The Soviet withdrawal was a disaster. The U.S. version looks eerily similar.
The 1968 East LA Walkouts and the Sorry State of US Education
As American students return to school this month, they face new challenges of pandemic learning, on top of already-present inequalities. The 1968 East LA walkouts are a reminder of what can happen when enraged high school students decide to take action.
The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Disrepair
“The Pandemic Games are over now, the Olympic flame extinguished…all that remains are the memories. And memories don’t keep the lights on.”
Texas, Enron, and Energy Monopolies
The deregulated energy infrastructure in Texas is the product of corporate interests and free-market principles gone haywire. The system is wholly incapable of dealing with extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
“Paint Your Town Red:” An Interview With Councillor Matthew Brown
How did Preston, an impoverished city in Northern England, transform into one of the best places to live in the country? We talk to Councillor Matthew Brown, a proponent of community wealth building and the figure behind the “Preston model,” about his newly published book “Paint Your Town Red.”
Gay is Good for Business: LGBTQ Rights and the Economic Development of America’s Cities and Suburbs
The movement for LGBTQ rights began in cities—but in recent years, it has also moved to the suburbs, creating some strange political bedfellows in the process. Clayton Howard focuses on developments in Ohio to show how, historically, some urban planners saw the “creative classes” and gay friendly districts as engines of economic growth, leaving LGBTQ activists to work with those more concerned about business than civil rights.
Lebanon’s Finest or Final Hour?
Lebanon is currently facing historic economic catastrophe and hurtling towards civil unrest. Adnan Nasser examines what led to this point—and what it means for the future of the Lebanese people.
AMLO’s Mexican Dream Hangs on a Knife-Edge
Mexico’s president Andrés Manuel López Obrador casts himself as the man to save the country—but his movement suffered a setback in last Sunday’s elections. Alma G. Meza analyzes AMLO’s rise in Mexican politics over the last 30 years.
Facebook and Stories About Power
Facebook has banned Trump—again—for the next two years. The tech giant walks a fine line between retaining control of its business and maintaining its image.
The Problem With Evocative Reporting: Why We Need Historical Journalism More Than Ever
“For the historical journalist, it’s not enough to merely report that a bomb took out a government building. We want to know who made the bomb, who’s buying and selling it, who bombed that building 20 years ago, who was operating in that country 100 years ago…the list goes on.”
History, Memory, and the Art of Protest in Belarus
Last week, the shocking arrest of dissident journalist Roman Protasevich threw Belarus, often called “Europe’s last dictatorship,” into the global spotlight once again. It’s the latest episode in a long struggle led by demonstrators, online activists, and artists against the regime.
Unveiling Uzbekistan: The Photography of Umida Akhmedova
Liberated or stuck in the past? Modern or traditional? The photography of Umida Akhmedova offers a glimpse into the lives of women in Uzbekistan.
Orbán & Co. – A Beginner’s Guide to Dismantling Democracy Through Media
“Perhaps, upon opening this text, you may have hoped for a detailed explanation of the independent media struggle itself. What you have read instead is a beginner’s guide for dismantling newly established democracies.” Read our newest article about the crackdown on national and private media in Hungary and Poland.
Hebron: A Microcosm of Occupied Palestine
The situation in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood has again brought the world’s attention to the profound structural inequalities between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. INTERZINE founders Melania Parzonka and Victoria Jones recall their journey into the West Bank’s occupied city of Hebron.
“Created by the Poor, Stolen by the Rich:” The Rise and Fall of the European Super League
The Super League fell apart in 48 hours due to pressure from UEFA, FIFA, and supporters’ clubs. The blatant money grab is a further move away from football’s working-class origins.
Britain Cuts Aid to Yemen—But Keeps Funding Saudi Bombs
Rather than cutting military aid to Saudi Arabia for its war in Yemen, Boris Johnson has cut British humanitarian aid to the beleaguered region.
Rusted Factories and Broken Promises
Hillary Clinton ignored the Midwest in 2016. But the Democratic Party had abandoned Rust Belt voters long before that. If they don’t address their failures, they could lose the region for good, argues Cormac Kelly.
Oh, the Laws You’ll Filibuster!
What do Dr. Seuss, Aaron Burr, and Strom Thurmond have in common? They all play a role in the weird and arcane history of the filibuster.
Is Trump the Way Forward for the GOP?
Will Trump attempt a presidential comeback in 2024? History suggests he’ll face a hard road back to the White House.
Alaska: The Watershed for Pacific Diplomacy?
Face-to-face talks between top American and Chinese diplomats are being held this week in Alaska, of all places. David Tang examines the deeper symbolism behind the location, 80 years after a failed attempt to avert war between the US and Japan.
Was the Soviet Union Racist? A Discussion With Alexander Verkhovsky
Was the Soviet Union racist? We ask Alexander Verkhovsky, a member of Russia’s Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, whose organization “SOVA” is registered as conducting activity of a foreign agent under Russian law.
A Nazi Chemical Cartel and the “Other” Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials give us a sense of comfort: the victors of the war chose justice over vengeance. But they did not leave us with as blank a slate as one may think. Martha Papapostolou explains.
Imagining the Future
“Redes,” an interactive visual exhibition, connects the 2019 protests in Chile with the little-known Project Cybersyn, Salvador Allende’s futuristic vision for a socialist Chilean economy.
Migrant Voices in a Global Moscow
Central Asian migrant labor has fueled Moscow and other major Russian cities since the oil boom of the 2000s—a pattern dating back to the Soviet era. As Jeff Sahadeo demonstrates, Cold War Moscow was more than just “spies and hockey players, ballerinas and babushkas.”
What Goes Up Must Come Down: The Story Behind the GameStop Frenzy
Did Redditors use GameStop to break the stock market? Not exactly—financial innovations often lead to speculative bubbles. Julius Koschnick explains.
A Passage to India?
As post-Brexit Britain reshuffles its foreign policy priorities, Ed Harvey discusses the ultimate obstacle in the UK’s relations with India: its colonial past.
What the History of the Roma Can Tell Us About the Dangers of Surveillance Futures
Governmental surveillance of citizens’ daily lives has reached a new high—raising fears that it’s here to stay. For the Roma community, such intrusion is nothing new.
“Extremism in the Defense of Liberty:” The Rise of American Conservatism
Donald Trump has left the White House. But fear and hatred will remain a potent cocktail for American conservatives, as it has been since the days of Barry Goldwater and George Wallace.
Liberal Internationalism Comes Home
“Today’s alt-right are buoyed and strengthened by America’s foreign policy.” In this article, Ed Harvey makes the case for viewing the events at the US Capitol through the lens of America’s highly militarized approach to global politics.
The Price of Contamination
Legal cases against foreign multinationals in the Central African Copperbelt seek justice for decades of pollution. But activists should also investigate the historical legacies of colonial mining companies.
Protests in Belarus: A Second Ukraine?
As the Belarus protests continue for an eighth month, many have compared them to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution that overthrew Viktor Yanukovych. Viktor Seliukov examines how the unique factors that define the Belarusian and Ukrainian post-communist political realities make the two movements more different than they appear.
Red Coats and Red Hats
Two centuries ago, men in red coats stormed the US Capitol. Yesterday, the job was done by men in red hats.
The Ugly Stepsister of American Democracy
Today, a group of Republican senators will protest the Electoral College results in a dangerous and futile bid to keep Donald Trump in power. But why does the US still use the arcane system? Scott Wagner explains.
Unity By Gun
Last year, Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize. Now, his country is headed for another civil war. How did we end up here again? Jaclynn Ashly investigates in our special feature on Ethiopia.
Putin’s Gambit: Russia Takes Aim at Eastern Europe Once Again
Despite renewed opposition from European leaders, Putin still controls the board in Eastern Europe. Szymon Butryn explains.
Why the Polls Missed Again in 2020
Polls hinted at a “blue wave” in 2020. Instead, Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives. What’s wrong with polling? Caroline Sutton looks at what’s changed since its heyday.
When Elections Go Wrong
The world is holding its breath today—and probably will be for days to come. Five elections have been disputed throughout US history. We’re likely headed for a sixth.
The Rage of Polish Women
Since October 22, Poland’s unprecedented mass protests in response to the tightening of abortion laws have drawn the world’s attention. Melania Parzonka investigates the history of reproductive rights activism in the country, only to realize that Poland has come full circle—from having one of the most progressive abortion policies, to the inhumane restrictions of today.
Kyrgyzstan In Crisis – An Interview With Alisher Khamidov
On October 15, the people of Kyrgyzstan overthrew their president for the third time in 15 years. Kyrgyzstan expert Dr. Alisher Khamidov sits down with Melania Parzonka to discuss how the USSR’s collapse created economic and ethnic tensions and why the Kyrgyz can’t find peace today.
Debunking The Irish Slave Myth: The Irish Diaspora in the New World
No, the Irish were never enslaved—the myth popular among white supremacists is as perverse as it is inaccurate. As Tárlach Russell discusses, comparing the Irish experience to that of enslaved Africans obscures the oppression faced by Irish servants in the New World.
Historical Primer: Debate Cancelled After Trump Refuses to Attend
Instead of debating tonight, Trump will host a town hall in Miami. The last major candidate to cancel a debate? Jimmy Carter in 1980.
Poland’s Historical Identity Crisis
The national myth advanced by Poland’s Law and Justice Party—that of a staunchly Catholic, anti-communist people—obscures the nuances and complexities of Polish history. In light of the recent crackdown on the LGBT community, Melania Parzonka demonstrates how Poland must face the truth of its past to move forward.
Anti-Immigrant Racism in the United States: American as Apple Pie
The two images could not be more incongruous: on one side, the Statue of Liberty, a beacon of light in a world of darkness. On the other, Trump’s border wall, an imposing statement in concrete saying “Keep Out…Or Else.” Justin Faulhaber explains how, too often, the nation of immigrants has built barriers instead of bridges.
Historical Primer: Democrats Push for Court Reform
To introduce our new Historical Primer series, Scott Wagner looks at FDR’s attempt to expand the Supreme Court in 1937 and why Democrats might have more success today.
How the Italian-American Dream Became a Racial Nightmare
How can a nation of diverse immigrants have such a problem with race? In order to complete the transformation from denigrated to integrated, some European immigrant groups adopted racist sentiments already prevalent in the United States. Isabel Robertson explains.
“Dancing on the Heads of Snakes:” Yemen, Then and Now
The civil war in Yemen remains the world’s most urgent humanitarian crisis—yet its roots receive little media attention. Monia Al-Haidary explains how the current conflict is intimately linked to the country’s postcolonial history as a battleground for competing foreign powers.
Black Lives Matter & Israel-Palestine: Learning From Ralph Bunche
“I can understand you. I am also a member of a persecuted minority.” Different experiences of injustice may bring people together, but they don’t necessarily translate into complete understanding. Asher Kessler examines Ralph Bunche, the American architect of the 1947 Partition Plan for Palestine, and how his exposure to racism and work to combat it led him to identify with the struggle of the Jewish people in the quest to establish Israel.
An Angry People – Serbia In the Times of COVID-19
Last month, Serbia was host to Europe’s first demonstrations against a coronavirus curfew. Although Belgrade’s pandemic response may have been the trigger for this unrest, Vukan Markovic explains how these protests actually represented a much deeper rupture within the country’s political reality, revealing many underlying frustrations that have been brewing for years.
Race and the Second Amendment: “If Only He Had Been Armed”
In June, a St. Louis couple the internet dubbed “Ken and Karen” went viral for confronting peaceful protesters with (improperly handled) firearms. Charged with a felony, Mark and Patricia McCloskey are speaking today at the Republican National Convention. They typify a certain American phenomenon: using racialized fear to justify abuse of the right to bear arms. To understand this dynamic, Scott Wagner examines the history of one of America’s most powerful lobbying entities: the National Rifle Association.
Race and the Second Amendment: Reconstruction and Repression
After the Civil War, Southern Society was broken. The Second Amendment was used to help rebuild it. Read more in Part Two of Scott Wagner’s series on race and the Second Amendment.
Race and the Second Amendment: Protecting the “Peculiar Institution”
Amidst the largest protests for racial justice in US history, gun sales rose for the second time in 2020. As Scott Wagner demonstrates in the first of our three-part series, racism, violence, and the right to bear arms have been constant companions since the emergence of Atlantic slavery.
Stifled Stories of the Black Imagination
Stories are gateways to the souls of a people. For African and Black writers, those stories have been buried under the colonial gaze and Western biases. Asia Wesley helps us uncover them.
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Or Will It?
In late May, the United States was confronted with 8 minutes and 46 seconds of racial violence and hatred. Our Chief Editor Victoria Jones sat down with Allen Linton, a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, to discuss whether the George Floyd protests and corresponding social media activism represent a moment or a movement.
Morality, Realpolitik, Racism – Why Did the US Drop the Atomic Bomb On Japan?
75 years ago, the world witnessed the use of the most destructive weapon in human history. Elodie Miles discusses the fateful choice to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, suggesting that America’s moral justification downplayed aspects of realpolitik and racism that significantly influenced the decision.
Why China Won’t Back Down
China is one of the world’s preeminent powers—but it wasn’t always that way. From 1839-1949, China suffered numerous defeats at the hands of imperialist powers. As Caroline Sutton demonstrates, the Chinese Communist Party uses the “century of humiliation” to cement its legitimacy and assert the nation’s sovereignty.
No Return to Normalcy: Warren G. Harding and Race after the First World War
A global pandemic. Rising racial tensions. A momentous presidential election. 1920 and 2020 aren’t so different. But how did President Warren G. Harding address the multitude of issues facing the United States in the wake of World War I? Brett Hall investigates.
Mercury Rising: The Role of Climate Change in Armed Conflict
Climate change is seeping into political conversations regarding mass migration, economic consequences—or even war. Natasha Ion discusses how climate change has already contributed to conflicts in Syria and Darfur and how confronting it will be a critical component of ensuring stability in the 21st century.
The Wrong Man for the Job: Zalmay Khalilzad’s Perverted Quest for Afghan Peace
Who is the man that engineered the US-Taliban peace deal? As speculation surrounding Russian bounties erupts in the American media, Terra Schroeder investigates Zalmay Khalilzad—the figure who has been pulling the strings of US Afghan policy for years.
A Conversation With Patrick Cockburn
Iraq and Afghanistan are still reeling from the aftershocks of the US invasions in 2003 and 2001, respectively. Monia Al-Haidary sits down with Patrick Cockburn, award-winning journalist and author of the newly released “War In the Age of Trump,” to discuss how the failure to understand the two countries doomed the interventions.
Unmasking Chinese Censorship in the Age of COVID-19
During the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese system of information control seemed to stumble—only to emerge triumphant and even more resolute shortly thereafter. Our latest piece demystifies the often misunderstood phenomenon of censorship in China.
The Star-Spangled Banner and the Question of Liberty
On July 4, the citizens of the United States celebrate their independence and freedom. But as Scott Wagner demonstrates, that term—and the extent to which the US has represented it—has a complicated history.
What, to the Descendants of Enslaved Africans, Is Juneteenth?
What is Juneteenth, and what does it mean for Black Americans today? Aviva Neff explores the history behind the holiday as a celebration of Black resistance and a reminder of the work yet to be done.
In Case of Emergency, Break Precedent
Last week saw the most widespread protests for racial justice in the US since the Civil Rights Movement. In response, Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military to quell dissent. Our editor Scott Wagner examines previous cases of military deployment to evaluate the unprecedented nature of Trump’s declaration.
The History of Quinine Should Make Us Wary of Leaders Who Claim Hydroxychloroquine Can Cure COVID-19
In light of Trump’s controversial claims about the efficiency of an antimalarial treatment for COVID-19, Aditya Iyer recounts the fascinating history of quinine and its ties to colonialism.
Techno-Optimism to Disillusionment: The Complex Legacy of the Howard Dean Campaign
As COVID-19 forces US politics to go online, Caroline Sutton investigates the relevance of technology in election campaigning by taking a look at one of the most important primary runs you may have forgotten.
Who Paved the Way for Putin?
Should the upcoming constitutional referendum pass in Russia, it would allow Vladimir Putin to stay in presidential office for two more terms. In this article, Melania Parzonka answers the all-important question: how did Putin actually come into power?
The Kent State Shootings, 50 Years On: Interview With a Survivor
50 years after the 13 seconds that changed America forever, Victoria Jones interviews Chic Canfora in this special feature about the horrifying events of May 4, 1970 to discover what they can teach us about youth activism today.
Between Utopia and Dystopia: Lessons from Sweden’s Socialist History
As the world marks International Workers’ Day, Fabian De Geer analyzes one of the countries most renowned for socialism: Sweden. Seen by some as a model to aspire to and by others as one to fear, he uncovers what Swedish socialism is really all about.
A Violent Inheritance: The Roots of Bolsonaro’s Authoritarianism
Investigating Brazil’s violent and oppressive military dictatorship that ruled from 1964 to 1985, Luiza Monetti details how many of the elements that gave rise to Bolsonaro’s authoritarianism have actually been in place for decades.
Brexit: Northern Ireland’s Death Warrant?
Recalling the last 100 years of struggle between Republicans and Unionists in Northern Ireland, Tárlach Russell considers how Brexit may ultimately determine the fate of the only land border between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
We Failed in the 1918 Pandemic. We’re Still Failing Now.
Using the go-to comparison of the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, Scott Wagner digs deeper to warn how, despite technological advancements, the century-old nightmare may come back to haunt us as we battle the coronavirus pandemic today.
The 2020 Democratic Candidate Should Organize Along Class Lines – History Proves It
As the Bernie Sanders campaign comes to an end in these times marked by polarization, economic downturn, and a global pandemic, Caroline Sutton uses the 1896 election to explore how organizing along class lines could lead the US Democratic candidate to victory.
A War from Within? Drug Cartels and the Mexican State
Using the border state of Tamaulipas as an example, Monica Guerrero Ruiz uncovers what people are getting wrong about the relationship between the cartels and the Mexican state.
The 1999 NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia: A Precedent for Western Interventionism?
On the 21st anniversary of the launch of NATO’s bombing campaign that marked the end of the Kosovo War, Sebastian Bruhn reflects on the operation and how it has influenced Western intervention in 21st century conflicts.
Postwar Justice and Polarization: Is Turkey Greece’s Peacemaker?
The civil war that engulfed Greece following liberation from the Axis powers left scars that polarize the nation to this day. Martha Papapostolou explains how the current Greco-Turkish border dispute might be a rare opportunity for the current government to overcome these divisions.
Thrust Back into the Dark Ages: Why the Taliban Deal is Doomed
“Asking them to fight ISIS is the equivalent of asking Harvey Weinstein to fight Jeffrey Epstein.” By exploring the Taliban’s extraordinarily violent history, Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel reveals why their peace deal with the US is destined to fail.
Natural Gas, Refugees, and the West: Turkey’s Geopolitical Conundrum
What does the maritime dispute between Turkey and Greece have in common with the Syrian crisis? Hercules Chatzitheoklitos shows how almost a century after its collapse, the legacy of the Ottoman Empire continues to haunt the geopolitical arena of the Middle East.
Making Sense of Ilhan Omar’s Connection to Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Ilhan Omar, a member of “The Squad,” is perhaps one of the most polarizing members of the US House of Representatives. Her awkwardly posed photo with Turkey’s notorious leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, prompted Barbara Kelemen to investigate their potentially suspicious connection.
Poland, the Gulf War, and the New World Order
They say that the road to NATO is paved with good intentions. Melania Parzonka explores how Polish covert operations in the Gulf War freed Poland from the Warsaw Pact’s suffocating embrace and turned it into one of America’s most faithful allies.
Viva la Revolución – The CIA, According to Cuba
“It’s complicated”—30 years after the end of the Cold War, the US-Cuba relationship remains rocky. Victoria Jones examines how their shared history is still contested in Havana, along with the CIA’s murky past there.