Today's digest is themed around two historical events occurring on September 6th, both of which pertain to war and its changing nature. The United States and Western Europe have been at war perpetually since 2001, although against a new type of enemy and in a new type of combat. How have war and conflict shaped our society, and what role do they play in the world today? Book Recommendation: Hannah Arendt, On Violence.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
1776 - The United States carries out the world's first submarine attack, attempting to sink the flagship of the British Admiral in charge of New York. The sub was eight feet long, and had a crew of one. The attack was unsuccessful.
1940 - 300 Luftwaffe bombers strike London, the first night of the London Blitz, a bombing campaign against the city that lasted until May of 1941. Thought not what we think of today, the Blitz was terrorism. By targeting civilians, Hitler hoped to force the British into submission. He failed. Keep calm and carry on.
Lessons From Yesterday
The War on Terror is just nearly 15 years old, and more than anything is an intra-Islam war between the Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'a Iran. This conflict is - obviously - not contained within the region, and fuels violence elsewhere. Instability caused by American invasions and the Arab Spring have exacerbated the conflict. How will this end?
Is there anything we can learn from Christianity's bloody schism, the Thirty Years War (from the Strategy Bridge)? What parallels, if any, exist? Are there solutions, or is the split within Islam too different?
Tour de Tank
One thing I find interesting about WWII is that it was both the beginning and the acme of tank warfare. Tanks were the weapons of the war, the spurs of blitzkrieg, and the armored monsters that allowed war to be waged over vast distances.
When I think of tanks, I think of WWII, but what role do tanks play in warfare today and how do they fit into the military's future plans (from the Strategy Bridge)? The War on Terror is far different than WWII, but tanks are still vital to the military's success.
Big Bomb Go Boom
From reader Kevan in Ecuador comes a fascinating and terrifying visual depiction of nuclear tests over the decades (from Vimeo). The entire video is a bit long, but if you jump to the late 1950s/early 1960s, there are some truly massive blasts.
Whose Story to Tell?
As war has changed, so have our stories and depictions of it. The ancients built monuments and mausoleums to commemorate war. We make movies and write books. But just as the British government censored mail returning home from the Western Front, keeping citizens in the dark about the hells of trench warfare, the way soldiers and veterans today tell their stories can have profound implications (from the New York Times).
The tradition of remembering war is as old as the tradition of waging it. Who tells these stories, and how, shapes our collective perception of what is happening and why. It is an important task.
Howdy, Howie
Howdy, Howie! Hailing from the Golden State, Howie, or Howard, more formally, lives with his human, Jeff. Howie is quite the athlete, competing in dodgeball and gymnastics. He's fit and stylish. It's easy to have the swag if you have the skill. Big thanks to Jeff for sharing Howie!
Will's Weekly Trivia
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IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
Last Week:
1. What year did the Berlin Wall fall? ONE POINT
2. Who is on the $50 bill? ONE POINT
3. Who led the Polish workers strike? ONE POINT
Answers:
1. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989
2. Ulysses S. Grant is on the $50
3. Lech Walesa led the Polish shipbuilders on strike.
This Week:
1. The London Blitz began with how many consecutive nights of bombing? ONE POINT
2. Which WWII leader is one of the author's favorite historical figures? ONE POINT
3. What is the name of the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated? (HINT: It was Russian) ONE POINT
4. Who was king of Sweden during the 30 Years War? TWO POINTS
