The development of the electric telegraph greatly changed the way diplomacy was conducted in the 19th century. Until that time information was exchanged at the speed of a sailing ship or a galloping horse. During the 1830s and 1840s, inventors working independently… Read More ›
Vietnam War
Why was South Vietnam’s President Ngo Dinh Diem assassinated in 1963?
As 1960 drew to a close, Ngo Dinh Diem remained the president of South Vietnam. He had successfully thwarted a coup attempt against his government. The United States, at least publicly, supported the Diem presidency. It was seen as the… Read More ›
The University That Launched a CIA Front Operation in Vietnam
From Politico Magazine by Eric Scigliono: Time was, Michigan State University made national headlines mostly with its football and basketball teams. Then, more than 250 women accused Larry Nassar, a Michigan State physician and USA Gymnastics team doctor, of sexually… Read More ›
A forgotten hero stopped the My Lai massacre 50 years ago today
From the Los Angeles Times by Jon Weiner: Everybody’s heard of the My Lai massacre — March 16, 1968, 50 years ago today — but not many know about the man who stopped it: Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot…. Read More ›