Not the ‘preppers’ you see on TV: America’s wealthy take ‘prepping’ seriously

Not the ‘preppers’ you see on TV: America’s wealthy take ‘prepping’ seriously

Depending on the circles you run in, the word “prepper” has different connotations. Its use in the media on shows with exaggerated premises about crackpots building camouflaged tree houses has made the idea of “being prepared” for disaster somewhat laughable, but among people that have spent some time in failed states, impoverished nations, or places […]

Rohingya refugees prepare for oncoming monsoon season

Rohingya refugees prepare for oncoming monsoon season

Rohingya refugees just over the Myanmar/Burma border are preparing for the oncoming monsoon season, which generally hits in the summer and can last into the fall. The rains that precede the monsoons have already been hitting the refugee camps, which house just under 700,000 people. According to The International Rescue Committee, the population of the […]

May 4, 1939: A demonstration of British aerial firepower

May 4, 1939: A demonstration of British aerial firepower

May 4, 1939 — The Royal Air Force (RAF) lines up its premier fighter planes on the tarmac at the RAF Duxford airfield in England — the Supermarine Spitfires, pictured above. The plane had only been introduced into the RAF the year prior on this very airfield, piloted by men from 19 Squadron, RAF Duxford. Spitfires […]

Kurdish official kidnapped over Hashd al-Shaabi’s missing dead

Kurdish official kidnapped over Hashd al-Shaabi’s missing dead

A Kurdistan government official was recently abducted by armed men in Baghdad who demanded the remains of fallen Hashd al-Shaabi be returned to Iraq. The demands were about the events of October last year, when Iraqi supported paramilitary forces took over the city of Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Several casualties were had by both sides […]

Iran protests continue as government cracks down

Iran protests continue as government cracks down

Iran has been plagued with nationwide protests since last December as its citizens continue to demand fundamental rights from the government. Recently, Iran has banned the use of Telegram — a secure messaging app — to block communication and collaboration efforts by protesters. This has led to activists relying on more creative methods to get […]

Committee formed to investigate ethnic cleansing in Kirkuk

Committee formed to investigate ethnic cleansing in Kirkuk

When the city of Kirkuk changed hands between the Peshmerga and Hashd al-Shaabi militants last October, many residents fled their homes as looting and murder began. Now, order has been somewhat restored by Iraqi security forces but these same displaced citizens believe they cannot return home. An investigative committee has been established by the central […]

A Quiet Place: Silence has never been so terrifying

A Quiet Place: Silence has never been so terrifying

Directed by John Krasinski Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward This movie is the definition of non-stop. It manages to capture a level of intensity in a post-apocalyptic world that far transcended the overdone zombie and monster films and shows that have been so popular in the last few years. […]

Metropolis: The head, the hands and the heart

Metropolis: The head, the hands and the heart

“Head and hands need a mediator. The mediator between head and hands must be the heart!” – “Metropolis” If you haven’t seen the version of “Metropolis” (1927) that was recovered in 2008 and restored in 2010, I would recommend going and seeing that before reading. However, if you need convincing to go see a 2.5 […]

South Korea to remove loudspeakers from DMZ

South Korea to remove loudspeakers from DMZ

South Korea has decided to dismantle many of speakers used to blast propaganda and K-pop across the DMZ. This was one of many psyop missions to attempt to influence soldiers and civilians from North Korea. Historically, these speakers have also been a profound source of irritation for the North Koreans, even prompting an exchange of […]

Turkey attempts to quell foreign press

Turkey attempts to quell foreign press

Turkey, and more specifically President Erdogan, has a long-standing feud with social media. From banning access to Twitter and Facebook during the Gezi Park protests in 2013, where 11 people were killed in the four months of the unrest, to continuous protests of the Turkish government against social media companies. Interestingly, the protests in Gezi started […]