People recreate their own versions of the past to grapple with the chaotic reality around them. These stories form their identities. In this process it’s crucial to match real-world circumstances as accurately as possible.
Tag: Conflict
What It Takes To Be an Empire in a Changing World
Pinky: Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight? Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world! 1) Wouldn’t it be great if you could start an empire? By that I don’t mean an Elon Musk-style multi-million dollar company with hundreds of thousands of employees, though that would … Continue reading What It Takes To Be an Empire in a Changing World
All You Should Know about the Changing World Order
May you live in interesting times (an allegedly Chinese saying, in fact not Chinese at all) 1) We live in extremely interesting times. The world order around us is changing quickly and profoundly. The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Ukraine crisis are just two most talked-about elements of larger transformations that are taking place on … Continue reading All You Should Know about the Changing World Order
Back to the future? What history tells us about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the world of the coming decades
1) Since the beginning of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, both sides have referred to the enemy’s allegedly fascist nature, striving to frame the opponent’s actions as manifestations of the destructive and ruthless spirit displayed during the Second World War. In many respects, however, the war we are witnessing in … Continue reading Back to the future? What history tells us about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the world of the coming decades
Understanding the Ukrainian crisis: a talk at the UPF Barcelona
For all Spanish speakers: Recently, I've had the honor to participate in a talk about “The Ukraine catastrophe. Russia and the West,” together with the diplomat Eugeni Bregolat, the journalist Rafael Poch, and professor Tamara Djermanovic. During the event at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barclona we discussed the keys to the conflict and the … Continue reading Understanding the Ukrainian crisis: a talk at the UPF Barcelona