U.S. military tests how to protect troops from explosive blasts as combat brain injuries increase
The blast shook the ground and its red flash of fire covered the doorway as U.S. special operations forces blew open a door during a recent training exercise. Moments later, in their next attempt, the boom was noticeably suppressed and the blaze a bit smaller,...
Great power competition: Why U.S. military planning pivoted from terrorism back to old adversaries
By Eric Rosenbach, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School President Joe Biden’s recent approval of a major shift in U.S. nuclear weapons strategy highlights the attention the country’s national security officials are paying to Chinese ambitions for...
Sake brewers in Japan hope UNESCO heritage recognition can boost the appeal of its rice wine
Deep in a dark warehouse the sake sleeps, stored in rows of giant tanks, each holding more than 2,640 gallons of the Japanese rice wine that is the product of brewing techniques dating back more than 1,000 years. Junichiro Ozawa, the 18th-generation head of Ozawa...
High price of war: Milwaukee reacts to how Pyongyang’s support in Ukraine is being repaid by Putin
North Korea’s calculated support for Russia in the Ukraine war has thrust the secretive nation into a new level of international intrigue. Reports from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed that Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Moscow and...
The Rise of American Autocracy: Lessons from North Korea’s Kim Dynasty about how dictators keep control
With his unpredictable political strategies, contentious policies, and efforts to centralize power, Donald Trump has been a highly polarizing figure in American politics. His style and tactics have often led to comparisons with various autocratic leaders worldwide,...
Victoria Amelina: Posthumous book by Ukrainian author documents war crimes since Russian invasion
A posthumous book by Victoria Amelina, the Ukrainian author killed last year during a Russian missile strike, will be published in February upon the war’s third anniversary. Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary, which draws upon...
Reggie Jackson: History teaches us that ignoring the elephant in the room will not make it go away
“My children, you are permitted in time of great danger to walk with the Devil until you have crossed the bridge.” – Old Balkan proverb Those words are an example of how and why people consistently ignore things and make alliances with evil forces in...
Podcast: A “Deep Dive” of Reggie Jackson’s “Elephant in the Room”
The Deep Dive podcast by Milwaukee Independent takes a closer look at the stories that matter most, uncovering the layers of complexity behind today’s pressing issues. From groundbreaking research to critical social movements and the intersection of local and global...
1000 Days of Defiance: Ukraine’s continued fight for survival and the looming impact of Trump’s return
November 20, 2024, marks the tragic milestone of the 1,000th day since Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The brutal assault, intended to topple Ukraine’s government within days, instead ignited a fierce national resistance and a war that has...
Once upon a Tuesday: A political parable about running with scissors in America
Once upon a Tuesday … there was a schoolhouse in a small rural town where some young children spent their time learning in class, while others goofed around at play. Every morning semi-trucks would roar by the schoolhouse without regard to the speed limit or the...
Israel’s West Bank settlers hope Trump will pave the way for major land grabs in occupied territory
As Donald Trump’s victory became apparent after the U.S. elections, Jewish West Bank settlement advocates popped bottles of champagne and danced to the Bee Gees at a winery in the heart of the occupied territory, according to a post on Instagram. The winery said...
“Latine” emerges as popular alternative to “Latinx” term for describing Latin American identity
“Latino” and “Hispanic” have long been the most prominent terms used to describe people in the U.S. with roots in Latin America and Spain. But over the last several years, “Latinx” has become a de-facto gender-neutral alternative to...
