George Kennan's diaries reveal just how much he hated America (and held Jews in contempt)
by David Greenberg

"The [Kennan] diaries establish beyond any doubt that Kennan was given to gross and derogatory generalizations about virtually all foreign peoples."

Seeds of Discord in Ukraine
by Scott Reynolds Nelson

Yes, Ukraine is rife with ethnic and nationalist frictions. But underlying its strife are its wheat fields.

The Sterling Racism Scandal: What about Associating with Muslim People?
by Juan Cole

Would the outrage be as deeply felt if he had said something like that about Arab Americans or Muslim Americans.

Why Is the US the Only Country that Celebrates ‘Loyalty Day’ on May 1?
by Jon Wiener

It’s a day "for the reaffirmation of loyalty"—not to the international working class, but to the United States of America.

The Return of Geopolitics
by Walter Russell Mead

Societies filled with Nietzsche’s last men (and women) characteristically misunderstand and underestimate their supposedly primitive opponents in supposedly backward societies.

Going on strike? The weird origin of the word labor unions use
by Corey Robin

Greg Grandin gives us a fascinating history of the phrase “to strike.”

A History of Supreme Court Snark
by Garrett Epps

Roberts and Sotomayor sniped at each other last week, but earlier Courts saw far worse.

High School History Doesn't Have to Be Boring
by David Cutler

"We teach you ways to use evidence to support your argument.”

The KKK’s Recent Comeback Means That They Think They’re Losing
by Keli Goff

The recent upsurge in racist incidents is deplorable, of course. But it also means that America is browning, and the Ku Klux Klan can’t stop it.

Once Again, The New York Times Whitewashes Paul Robeson
by Ron Radosh

"Robeson was in fact a secret member of the CPUSA for decades."

Thomas Jefferson Was a Muslim
by Abbas Milani

A candidate was accused of being a closet Muslim... in the 18th century, not the 21st.