Karlshorst: 9 May 1945 German Surrender and KGB Rezidentura in Berlin

On the anniversary of the German surrender at Karlshorst, east Berlin, in the presence of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, a bit of history—and lots of photos and videos, including by me—about the vicinity, which was used for administration of the Soviet Zone (1945–49); and housed the biggest KGB station in the world (1954–1991).

Bonus Post: Western Wunderwaffen

NATO Sec.-Gen. has hissy fit over Russian exhibition of captured NATO, UK, UK, EU Wunderwaffen. Video of the exhibits is in the post.

Afghanistan Studies: Garbage-in, Garbage-out

Christian Bleuer has been maintaining the massive “Afghanistan Analyst Bibliography” since 2004. Bleuer just published the final edition (29 April 2024), accompanied by an essay titled, “The State of Research on Afghanistan: Too many poor quality publications and some real gems.” Links included at post.

USA: The Dying Hegemon

China, Russia, and Iran, a coalition of countries targeted by the collective west, know they have a common enemy and are cooperating militarily, politically, and economically to neutralize it. Recent meetings of Iranian, Russia, and Chinese defense ministers in Astana (Kazakhstan); and China’s reaction to threats by Antony Blinken, are addressed.

Tehran’s Responses to ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ and ‘Bomb Iran’ Threats

Nobody likes a bully; and USA is a loud-mouthed bully. Iranians resent 125+ years of foreign interference in their affairs. Tehran has responded to USA’s ‘maximum pressure’ and ‘bomb Iran’ threats by enhancing Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capacities. IRGC can ‘kill’ US aircraft carriers outside Persian Gulf. Iran is prepared for an ‘inevitable war.’ Washington underestimates Iranian tenacity and military technologies

A Note on Pathans (Pashtuns or Afghans)

Note on the term ‘Afghan’ as an ethnonym and ‘Afghanistan’ as a toponym based on pre-modern histories and geographies.

Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Shadiyakh, Nishapur (Khurasan, Iran)

Nishapur has the dubious distinction of being ruined frequently by earthquakes and invaders. It was home to Omar Khayyam and Farid al-Din Attar, and devastated in AH 618/AD 1221 by the Mongol army commanded by Tolui, Chingiz Khan’s son. An overview of the fortifications of Nishapur; and excavation at Shadiyakh palace, HQ of Abdallah b. Tahir, Khurasan’s Abbasid governor

Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Introduction

Introduction to a series on fortifications of the Islamic east, and the changing character of war. In this first post, a brief look at the layout of Fort Juwayn, Khurasan (a province split between Iran and Afghanistan), as it stood in 1884

Professor Putin’s History Lecture

Putin’s interview served to convey Russia’s message past gate-keeper media to millions of viewers in the Global South: Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is less important to the Kremlin what Westerners and ‘Westoxified’ non-whites think of why Russia was compelled to wage war in Ukraine. What matters is shaping the views of people of color; how they perceive Russian policies, and understand why Russia was compelled by NATO to wage war in Ukraine.

A Russian Proxy War in the Middle East?

An agreement between Iran and Russia is being finalized. The Kremlin is chafing at U.S. support for Ukraine. Russia is likely to support Iran in a ‘proxy war’ in the Middle East. A Russian think-tank said, for payback, Russia may support a ‘hybrid war far from its own borders.’