St. Gallen Symposium’s Post

📅 EVENT 🔎 On Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, Brian Massumi (Université de Montréal, CREG-MSH Invited professor) will give a conference titled : "Preemption Today: The Continuation of War by Other Means". 💬 In Ontopower: War, Powers, and the State of Perception (2015) Brian Massumi analyzed the Bush era military doctrine of preemption as an "operative logic" – a kind of self-driving abstract machine enfolded in the social field as a reactivatable tendency. Attention was given to the diffusion of this dynamic from the battlefield to the domestic front through the figure of threat. This talk revisits the operative logic of preemption in its contemporary incarnations, with an emphasis on newly emergent variations permeating the social field. ℹ Organized with the support of the Ecole doctorale de philosophie (EDI), this conference will take place from 6pm to 8pm in auditoire K.4.601, on the 4th floor of the K building. Free entrance, without registration. For more informations on this event, please visit the following link : https://lnkd.in/eDWDsbg7

My first published historical work is now out. The "Lost War for Texas" is published by Texas A&M University Press. It's the forgotten story of Texas' FIRST revolution, the one no one knows about, that occurred from 1811-13. It's the Mexican Revolution from Spain, but the "Mexican Revolutionary Army of the North" was a mix of Tejanos and Anglo-Americans fighting side-by-side FOR Mexican Independence 24 years before the Alamo. If you think you know Texas history, but don't know this story, you don't know Texas history, and if you want to discuss or debate about the revolution of 1836, you can't do it without knowing about the revolution of 1811. Please buy it at Amazon or directly from the publisher, Texas A&M University Press. https://lnkd.in/gwjEtc7Y

I am glad to announce Norwich University's 5th Peace and War Summit that addresses the theme of "War, Memory, and Reconciliation" on Monday, March 18, 2024. You can register for this in-person event (with remote options) here. https://lnkd.in/egxY7UXk The global community has witnessed the outbreak of numerous military conflicts within and between nations, which cause immediate sufferings, such as deaths, injuries, and economic destructions. These intrastate and interstate wars lead the international community to seriously address those devastating consequences caused by wars, as viewed in the contemporary Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Palestine War. However, it tends to give scant attention to the incessantly negative impact of wars at the individual, societal, and international levels, including  lingering painful memories and traumas as well as historical antagonism between former adversary ethnic groups and nations. In this context, Norwich University’s 5th Peace and War Summit thoroughly addresses the issue of war, memory, and reconciliation in diverse regions to promote our understanding of the significance of the persistent effects of past military conflicts on current societies. #norwich #war #memory #reconciliation

⁉️ Did you know that during the crisis over Berlin (1958-62), Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, walked out of the Paris summit? 💬 Khrushchev had issued an ultimatum to the Western Allies in November 1958. He demanded that they leave West Berlin, Berlin should be demilitarised and become a free city. 🚫 The Western Allies refused! 🤝 In an effort to ease tensions, the USA and Soviet Union met in a series of summits - Geneva in May 1959, Camp David in September 1959 and Paris in May 1960. 🕵️ However, before the Paris summit took place, the Soviet Union shot down an American U2 spy plane and captured the pilot, Gary powers. 🚶 When President Eisenhower refused to apologise, Khrushchev walked out! Eventually when Kennedy became President, the conflict over Berlin resulted in the building of the Berlin Wall. Need some help with your GCSE history? I provide expert tuition for Edexcel and AQA topics of Superpower Relations and the Cold War! ✅ High quality revision notes and resources ✅ Clear instructions and live modelling of how to create revision material - mind-maps, flashcards, timelines, Cornell Notes. ✅ ‘How to guides’ for each Paper and exam questions with model answers Contact me: MyHistoryTutorofficial@gmail.com #Edexcel #GCSEHistory #Historygcse #AQA #Edexcelhistory #Historyrevision #Historyexams #exams #examsupport #examsuccess #examstrategy #onlinetutoringbusiness #studhistory #onlinetutoringservices #homeseducation #historytuition #historytutoring #historytutor #historyteacher #onlinetutor #homeed #homeeducationuk #parents #parentsofteens

6/4/2024, Plainfield, NJ Blood and Ruins: The Last Imperial War, 1931-1945 Hardcover – April 5, 2022 by Richard Overy (Author) https://lnkd.in/e99xNUKp #Richard_Overy University of Exeter 1040 pages Penguin Publishing Group $42.00 https://a.co/d/cFfohqy 1. A Sweeping Reappraisal of World War II Richard Overy's monumental "Blood and Ruins: The Last Imperial War, 1931-1945" offers a groundbreaking reinterpretation of World War II as the culmination of imperial rivalries and the final gasp of Western colonialism. Overy compellingly argues that the war stemmed not from the conventional starting point of Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, but from the Japanese conquest of Manchuria in 1931, which ignited an escalating struggle among imperial powers vying for territory and resources. 2. Challenging Conventional Narratives Overy challenges long-held assumptions, contending that the war was driven more by the ambitions of Britain, France, and their empires than by Hitler's aggression. He asserts that Hitler initially sought only to consolidate his gains in Eastern Europe, reluctantly crossing "the threshold of war" after Britain and France declared war over Poland. The author highlights how the Allies' defense of their vast colonial holdings fueled the conflict, with Hitler lamenting that Germany had acquired a mere fraction of the territory controlled by the British and French empires. 3. A Truly Global Perspective One of the book's greatest strengths is its truly global perspective, examining the war's origins, conduct, and aftermath across multiple continents and theaters. Overy deftly weaves together the subplots of the European, Pacific, and North African campaigns, illuminating the interconnected nature of the imperial struggles. He pays particular attention to the racial oppression, forced labor, and starvation inflicted by both the Axis and Allied powers on subjugated populations. 4. Harrowing Details and Insightful Analysis While providing harrowing details of the war's immense human toll, Overy also offers insightful analysis of the economic mobilization, technological innovations, and strategic decisions that shaped the conflict's outcome. He highlights pivotal battles like El Alamein, Guadalcanal, and Stalingrad, as well as the critical role played by women in factories and on the frontlines. Ultimately, Overy argues that the war's aftermath, with the decline of European empires and the rise of anti-colonial movements, marked the true end of the imperial era. His thought-provoking work challenges readers to reconsider long-held narratives and grapple with the complexities of a conflict that reshaped the modern world. #Blood_and_Ruins #PlainfieldNJ History Happy Hour Episode 126: WWII, A Reassessment (Encore) https://lnkd.in/edfEanhM

What to make of the PM's decision to leave Normandy early yesterday? Since 1984, major D-Day anniversaries have become must attend events for western leaders. For presidents and prime ministers, they offer opportunities to pay respect to the past (and especially to veterans). But they are also occasions for the practice of diplomacy and for the optics of statesmanship. Seen like this, the decision of the British PM to leave early is at best incongruous. But the error is also compounded by what appears to be an inattention to the place of D-Day in British memory. As the response to the release last year of The Great Escaper makes clear, and as the dedication of the British Normandy Memorial in June 2021 similarly attests, D-Day continues to retain an important place in British memory. The PM's decision to leave Normandy early seems strangely inattentive to this fact. Contrast this with the actions of President Biden. He and his team are aware of the place of D-Day in American memory, and they also clearly know the history of D-Day as commemorative occasion (the playbook is very obviously inspired by Reagan in 1984). Biden's speech yesterday at the ABMC Normandy Cemetery struck all the right notes. Want to know more about all this? Then check out this book I edited with Michael Dolski and John Buckley and which came out in 2014 (around the 70th anniversary). It features contributions from a number of international experts, including Kate Lemay, PhD #DDay80 https://lnkd.in/etw-qKxd

With the end of the cold war, Professor Samuel Huntington posited that conflicts would shift from territory or ideology to a clash of civilisations. In this op-ed for The Straits Times, IPS Special Adviser Professor Tommy Koh challenges Professor Huntington’s thesis and argues that recent conflicts, such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine, are driven by territorial and power interests rather than civilisational clashes. Regarding US-China tensions, he attributes them to power and wealth dynamics between the two countries. Professor Koh concludes with a plea for peace and encouragement to turn away from policies and actions that may lead to war. Explore his insights here: https://lnkd.in/gytQsz-P

I am excited to share our latest blog post, "The Battle Line at Louvain." This piece delves into the historical significance of the events that unfolded in Louvain in 1914, examining the strategic implications and human experiences that defined this pivotal moment in history. Whether you are a history enthusiast or looking to deepen your understanding of World War I, this post provides valuable insights and a reflective look at the battle's impact. Explore the full article here: [The Battle Line at Louvain](https://ift.tt/UDM4izY).

September 9 in History: A Glimpse of Remarkable Milestones On this day, September 9, history has witnessed several pivotal events that have shaped our world in remarkable ways: 1776 - The Birth of the United States of America: On this day, the Continental Congress officially adopted the name "United States of America" to represent the thirteen American colonies, marking a defining moment in the nation's journey towards independence. 1850 - California Becomes a State: California was admitted as the 31st state of the United States, a significant development in the westward expansion of the nation. This event catalyzed the growth and prosperity of the region, contributing to its prominent role in American history. 1941 - The First World War II Air Raid on London: On September 9, 1941, London experienced its first major air raid during World War II. This event underscored the intense and far-reaching impact of the conflict, leading to significant shifts in wartime strategy and civilian resilience. 1965 - The Launch of the First Communications Satellite: The launch of the first communications satellite, ATS-1, on September 9, 1965, marked a transformative leap in global communications. This innovation paved the way for modern satellite technology, revolutionizing how we connect and share information. 1976 - The Passing of Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China, passed away on this day in 1976. His death marked the end of an era in Chinese history and set the stage for significant political and economic changes in the country.

🥂 OUT NOW 🎉 : BERLIN AND THE COLD WAR, where I had the honor of contributing a chapter on the "New Atlanticism" and how West German and US leaders envisioned the future international order after the end of the Cold War in 1989. I thank Ingo Trauschweizer, Seth Givens, and Ohio University Press for this wonderful book in the Baker Series in Peace and Conflict Studies. https://lnkd.in/eVVnrRjv