Links to Recent Articles of Interest
By Juan Cole, Informed Comment blog, posted October 9
The author teaches Middle East history at the University of Michigan.
By Carl J. Bon Tempo, Washington Post, posted October 6
Traces US refugee policy from the 1950s to the present. The author teaches history at SUNY Albany and is the author of Americans at the Gate: The United States and Refugees During the Cold War (Princeton U. Press, 2009).
By Nicole Hemmer, cnn.com, posted October 2
On voter intimidation in New Jersey in 1982 that led to a nationwide consent decree (now expired) against the Republican National Committee. The author is an associate research scholar at Columbia University and co-host of the history podcast Past Present.
By Gustavo Orellano, Los Angeles Times, posted October 1
A similar story to the New Jersey episode recounted by Nicole Hemmer, above.
By Stephen Wertheim, The New Yorker, posted October 1
On the spillover of U.S. military policy into civilian life since the 1990s, exacerbated by the current administration. The author is a staff member of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and has written Tomorrow, the World: The Birth of U.S. Global Supremacy (Harvard U. Press, forthcoming October 27).
By Lawrence Wittner, History News Network, posted September 27
Analysis of the 2020 Democratic Party platform. The author is a professor Emeritus of history at SUNY Albany.
By Nadezhda Azhgikhina, The Nation, posted September 25 (in translation)
A tribute by the director of PEN Moscow to the late historian Stephen F. Cohen, who died on September 18. “Stephen Cohen was an active participant in democratic changes in Russia, and he will always be remembered as such.” See also the New York Times obituary, “Stephen F. Cohen, Influential Historian of Russia, Dies at 81.”
“The Endless Fantasy of American Power: Neither Trump Nor Biden Aims to Demilitarize Foreign Policy”
By Andrew Bacevich, Foreign Affairs, posted September 18
The author is a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University and president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
Edited by Peter Kornbluh, National Security Archive, posted September 15
September 15 marked the 50th anniversary of a White House meeting at which President Nixon ordered the CIA to foment a coup to overthrow the elected president of Chile, Salvador Allende. “Make the economy scream,” he ordered. The National Security Archive has assembled and published declassified documents showing the US government's plotting.
Thanks for Rusti Eisenberg and an anonymous reader for flagging some of the above articles. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48@gmail.com.
Miscellaneous Notes on Current Activism
H-PAD Urges Forums on Critical Issues
In these final weeks prior to the election, historians have an opportunity to tap the interest and attention of students and community members on the vital issues facing our country. In this era of zoom and skype, virtual forums can be created more rapidly and simply than the in-person events to which we are accustomed.
To facilitate events, we are providing a list of historians, scholars and activists who are willing to speak in virtual Forums without honoraria–assuming this fits with their schedules.The list of speakers, proposed topics, and contact information is available here. We suggest that you contact the desired speaker directly.
For further questions or suggestions contact: Andor Skotnes (skotna@sage.edu) or Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg (Carolyn.Eisenberg@hofstra.edu).
“Educating Against White Supremacy”
Hundreds of educators and organizations have signed-on to a statement entitled “Educating for Democracy Demands Educating Against White Supremacy.” Click here to see the statement, the list of signers so far, and an option for signing it.
“We Are Not Your Soldiers” Campaign