The Economics of Terrorist Groups
Last month, btw published news of “cultural vandalism” committed by the Islamic State (which is variously referred to as IS, ISIS, and ISIL). The extremist group appeared to have destroyed ancient artifacts in the Middle East because the objects were viewed as religiously offensive. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that ISIS has been […]
Where Was Putin?
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on March 5, and then wasn’t seen or heard from again for eleven days. This is highly unusual because the Russian leader typically maintains an almost-daily presence in the lives of the Russian people. News of his visits, meetings, and general daily activities are […]
Making the Most of Your Spring Break
While rites and rituals surrounding the arrival of spring go back to ancient days, our collective concept of “epic” vacations away from it all are relatively modern. But not everyone can swing an epic spring break every year. Some years it’s a bliss-filled week spent on a beach, some years it’s a “staycation.” But it […]
Shored Up: West Coast Labor Dispute
It is easy to take for granted how our goods make their way to us. That is, until something happens that grinds the process to a halt. This happened all along the West Coast as a nine-month old dispute involving dockworkers and shipping companies caused a major disruption in international trade. The ordeal recently ended […]
Great African American Biographies
To commemorate Black History Month, btw offers our annual snapshot of some of our most influential and culturally significant African American men and women. W.E.B. Du Bois William Edward Burghardt DuBois is a figure commonly remembered in Black History Month recognitions. However, he remains a difficult person to categorize in just one area. He was […]
The Great Vaccination Debate
Last month, we brought you news of the recent resurgence of measles after more than a decade of being considered “eliminated” in 2000. This week, we dig deeper into the growing concern over the spread of the disease and look at both sides of the larger vaccination debate. A Brief History of Vaccination Smallpox, a highly […]
Just a Movie: How Accurate Do Films Need to Be?
Four of the eight nominees for the Academy Award for Best Picture this year are considered “biopics” (short for biographic pictures): American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Selma, and The Theory of Everything. All four have been subjected to some level of scrutiny for how the films have portrayed their subject matter and its level of […]
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a key leader in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Both his father and his mother’s father were Baptist ministers. When King became a minister, he used his position to fight racial inequality and inspire African Americans. He was a powerful […]
Deadly Attack on French Newspaper
Between January 7 and 9, two armed gunmen stormed the offices of the satirical publication called Charlie Hebdo, located in a high-traffic area of central Paris. Two days later, a third gunman took hostages in a grocery store, demanding the release of his associates. Seventeen people were killed in total, making it the deadliest terror […]
A Turkey of a Day
Dedicated btw fans know that we have posted about the history of the presidential turkey pardon in the past. But this year, let’s switch it up a bit and examine a different Thanksgiving history angle. (And no, it’s NOT going to be about Pilgrims, Native Americans, and what they might or might not have agreed […]