The book explores socialist and post-socialist childhoods, blending personal memoirs with scholarly analysis. It challenges simplistic views through diverse, detailed accounts, contributing significantly to childhood studies and comparative education. The FreshEd Podcast

The European Parliament elections showed increased resilience against cyber threats, with effective defense mechanisms protecting electoral integrity. Lessons from Europe could guide the U.S. in enhancing cybersecurity for elections, emphasizing democratic rights and robust defense strategies. Theconversation.com

Estonia's robust cyber defenses for elections set a global example. Their system, improved since a 2007 cyber attack, features digital identity and secure data exchange, ensuring election integrity and trust in digital services. Theconversation.com

The article discusses Vladimir Putin's history of deceit and manipulation in Russian politics, highlighting his strategic use of lies to suppress opposition and maintain power, evidenced by cases like the apartment bombings in 1999 and the assassination of Boris Nemtsov in 2015. Theconversation.com

Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov celebrated his 80th birthday in Kyiv with concerts showcasing his avant-garde to melodic styles. The events highlighted his impactful works and the cultural reverence he commands, culminating in a politically charged performance of his Maidan-2014 cycle. A blog entry

Arizona State University's Critical Languages Institute has introduced Ukrainian language courses. Funded by federal agencies and donations, these courses aim to enhance national security by fostering proficiency in Ukrainian, among other critical languages. Inclusion.asu.edu

Keith Brown, ASU professor, discusses the need to understand the cycle of violence to effectively break it. He leads The Melikian Center and has a rich academic background. ASU Now - Got a Minute?

Iveta Silova analyzes Latvian textbooks pre, during, and post-Soviet era, focusing on education transformations after socialism. The FreshEd Podcast

North Macedonia's elections are pivotal for EU accession and reflect great power dynamics in the Western Balkans amid COVID-19. Political divisions and online disinformation campaigns heighten the stakes, with potential shifts in governance and regional influence. Canadian Macedonian Historical Society

The article examines the role of Russian private military security contractors (PMSCs), particularly the Wagner Group, in proxy wars in the Middle East and beyond. It explores their operations, legal status, and impact on Russia's international strategy and relations. Newamerica.org

The article discusses Colt's history and the enduring impact of its firearm designs, particularly the AR-15, highlighting their influence and the challenges the company faced, including market pressures and bankruptcy. Slate.com

The article explores the impact of disinformation on Colombia's democracy, particularly during the 2016 peace agreement plebiscite and the 2018 presidential election. It highlights the use of social media and WhatsApp to spread false narratives, influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes. items.ssrc.org