History is systematically collected information about the past. When used as the name of a field of study, history refers to the study and interpretation of the record of humans, families, and societies. Knowledge of history is often said to encompass both knowledge of past events and historical thinking skills.

Traditionally, the study of history has been considered a part of the humanities. However, in modern academia, history is increasingly classified as a social science, especially when chronology is the focus.

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More on [ History ]

The Economist: Middle East and Africa

Nigeria:
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:36 -0000
The president shows who’s bossGIVEN Nigeria’s long record of military coups, President Umaru Yar’Adua’s dismissal of his top military commanders last week might have looked a bit risky—suicidal, even. And, indeed, there were rumours of rebellion in the air. But the fact that Mr Yar’Adua not only removed the officers but calmly left the country immediately afterwards for a pilgrimage to Mecca speaks of a growing confidence among Nigerians that the bad old days of military intervention have finally been laid to rest. Until recently Africa had a deserved reputation for violent military takeovers, and Nigeria was no exception. Half a dozen coups took place in the three decades or so from 1966 until elections restored civilian rule in 1999. Even then the new president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr Yar’Adua’s predecessor, was a former general who had previously run the country as head of a military junta. With their aviator shades and shiny epaulettes, the generals plundered Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, none more aggressively or brutally than Sani Abacha in the 1990s. ...
Zimbabwe:
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:36 -0000
The opposition scores a telling point IT WAS a humiliating week for Robert Mugabe. As the new parliament elected in March was convened for the first time, the chairman of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Lovemore Moyo, won the vote to become speaker, beating Mr Mugabe’s candidate. Then the veteran leader was booed and heckled during his speech, for the first time in his 28 years in power. Negotiations between the ruling ZANU-PF and the MDC are still suspended, after the two sides failed to agree on who should hold executive power. Mr Mugabe, not one to take humiliation well, looks set to harden his stance: prospects for an early deal look slim. But it was a rare and telling victory for the opposition.The Zimbabwean leader had violated ground rules, agreed on before the negotiations began, stipulating that the new parliament should not be convened, nor a new cabinet appointed, while negotiations were under way. Several MDC MPs have already been arrested, some as they were entering Parliament to be sworn in. Ahead of a regional meeting earlier this month, Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, and his party’s secretary-general and chief negotiator were both detained at the airport and their passports confiscated en route to the meeting; they were allowed to continue on their way after South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki, mandated by the region’s leaders to mediate in the talks, apparently intervened. ...
The Gaza Strip:
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:36 -0000
Though a ceasefire is more or less holding, Gaza is still under siegeDESPITE warnings by Israel’s government that it would stop two boatloads of pro-Palestinian campaigners from “breaking the siege of Gaza”, the ships, carrying some 40-plus enthusiasts, were eventually allowed to dock safely in Gaza’s main port on August 23rd and to disgorge a cargo of medicine, hearing-aids and other items that the local Palestinians have sorely lacked. But, though a ceasefire signed in June is more or less holding and there has been a slight increase in an inflow of humanitarian supplies, Gazans still feel they are virtually under siege. Since a year ago, when the Islamists of Hamas clobbered their secular rivals, Fatah, in the Strip, the Israelis have restricted the supply of necessities in a bid to make Hamas stop firing rockets at Israel and encourage Gaza’s Palestinians to turn against their new rulers. In June, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire. Since then, the flow of goods has increased, but not enough. The boat campaigners intended to publicise the Gazans’ continuing plight. ...
Angola:
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:36 -0000
An oil-rich country prepares to vote for the first time in 16 yearsAFTER recent election fiascos in Kenya and Zimbabwe, all eyes are on Angola. On September 5th, 8m-plus registered voters (in a population of some 17m) should cast their ballot to choose a new parliament. They have certainly had to wait for the privilege. Since independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola has had only one multi-party election, in 1992, and it led to a resumption of the horrific civil war that had ravaged the place since independence. The government has repeatedly promised and postponed fresh elections since the end of the conflict in 2002. Only now, it judges, is Angola finally ready. Decades of war, first pitting Angolans against their Portuguese colonial masters and then against each other, destroyed and traumatised a country that is rich in oil, diamonds and fertile soil. The two sides in the civil war are still the main political parties that will contest these elections: the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the opposition National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The latter, for many years a rebel movement, gave up arms after the death of its leader, Jonas Savimbi, in 2002. Now led by the articulate and urbane Isaias Samavuka, it has turned into a proper party. Though 14 groups are registered to contest the election, UNITA is still by far the largest opposition one. Incidents still occur in the oil-rich province of Cabinda, but a peace deal signed in 2006 has eased separatist tensions there. ...
Libya:
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:36 -0000
Change, if it is on the way, comes in most mysterious waysHOWEVER much of a mess it has made of Libya, the Qaddafi family certainly puts on a diverting show. Like a television serial with several sub-plots, the drama involving Muammar Qaddafi, who has run his oil-rich state since seizing power 39 years ago, and his eight children, manages to sustain suspense even as the story twists in different directions at once. For the past few years, a striking sub-plot has been Libya’s emergence from the international isolation brought by its involvement in terrorism in the 1980s. This story has now taken a final happy turn with the inking of an agreement with America to settle all outstanding legal claims between the two countries. A compensation fund, likely to be filled by a mix of Libyan oil money and “donations” from big American firms keen to do business with Libya, will now pay the remaining compensation to American victims of the PanAm aircraft blown up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 and for other Libyan-sponsored attacks, as well as for 40-plus Libyans killed by an American bombing raid in 1986 in retaliation for an earlier terrorist incident. ...
Liberia:
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:47:15 -0000
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, halfway through her first term as president, is doing well IN HER inaugural speech in January 2006, Africa’s first female head of state set out the daunting tasks facing Liberia, citing her determination to heal the awful wounds inflicted during the civil wars of 1989 to 2003 by her various appalling predecessors, including Charles Taylor, now on trial for war crimes at The Hague. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a former World Banker, also promised to reduce Liberia’s dire poverty and to consolidate democracy. On the whole, she has made progress—albeit with a lot of help from friends abroad. Liberia is more stable these days, thanks in part to a large force of UN peacekeepers, whose numbers are due to fall from 13,000 to just under 10,000 by the end of 2010. Security is gradually to be taken over by a revamped national police force and a new army, both being recruited and trained by an American firm, DynCorp, which is being paid by the United States. ...

L.A. Times - Middle East

In Iraq, displaced families return to ruins
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Villagers' homecoming to a war-ravaged community is a sign of an uncertain calm. But lasting peace hinges on whether traumatized Iraqis can set aside their hurt and losses and start over. After the gunfire and explosions, after the panicked flight to an unfamiliar town, the Kadims had one more shock in store: the homecoming.
Two Iraqis' different paths lead to American cooperation
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
In Ramadi, a businessman and a sheik each play a role in helping bring peace, and the U.S. hopes, long-term stability to the once-violent city. One is from the city, a businessman with the hint of smuggling to his name.
Top Marine wants to shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Gen. James Conway says the insurgent threat in Iraq's Anbar province has decreased and the forces could better serve in violent regions of Afghanistan. Marines in western Iraq's Anbar province no longer face a serious threat from insurgents and would be better used in increasingly violent regions of southern Afghanistan, the top Marine Corps officer said Wednesday.
Japanese aid worker killed in Afghanistan
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The engineer was abducted Tuesday and his body found riddled with bullets. The bullet-riddled body of an abducted Japanese aid worker was recovered Wednesday, the latest grim symbol of insurgents' apparent determination to drive foreign humanitarian groups from Afghanistan.
Ex-Marine's case goes to Riverside County jurors
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The panel begins deliberations in Jose Nazario's trial. The jury hears a tape in which he appears to admit ordering the 2004 killings in Fallouja. A federal jury in Riverside on Wednesday began deliberating the fate of a former Marine sergeant accused in the killing of four Iraqi prisoners, a case that both sides argued in closing arguments could affect the United States' mission in Iraq.
Obama camp meets with Iraq war veterans protesting at Democratic convention
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
About 50 members of Iraq Veterans Against the War lead 4,000 protesters on a march that ends five hours later outside the Pepsi Center when their request to meet with a liaison is granted. About 50 Iraq war veterans led a boisterous crowd of about 4,000 protesters to the gates of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday evening, demanding to speak at the podium inside.

NPR Topics: Middle East

New Chief Aims To Restore Air Force's Reputation
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:25:00 -0400
Gen. Norton Schwartz is a man in line with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' vision of the Air Force. Unlike his fired predecessor, Schwartz isn't reluctant to send Air Force officers and more intelligence and surveillance to Iraq.
Treating Iraqi Children For PTSD
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:35:00 -0400
The war in Iraq has had a severe impact on the country's children. More than 650 children were reported killed there last year. Iraq's children also have been the victims of kidnapping, torture and rape. A clinic for children suffering post-traumatic stress disorder is opening this month in Baghdad.
'Three Cups of Tea' With Pakistan's Musharraf
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:30:00 -0400
Greg Mortenson, executive director of the Central Asia Institute, met with Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf during a recent trip to the region. Musharraf had read a book Mortenson co-wrote titled Three Cups of Tea, about his experiences building more than 60 schools in remote parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Lebanon Prime Minister Heads To Iraq
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Fuad Siniora is expected to arrive in Baghdad Wednesday. Relations are improving between Iraq's Shiite-dominated government and the Arab world's Sunni leaders.
Musharraf Resigns Amidst Growing Outcry
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:20:00 -0400
Pervez Musharraf has resigned as Pakistan's president under threat of impeachment. It may be the final act in a long confrontation between Musharraf and the political opposition that has accused him of illegally seizing power and mishandling the country's economy. Shuja Nawaz, a Pakistani journalist and author, explains issues facing that nation's government.
Middle East Diplomacy, Shrinking U.S. Involvement
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:41:00 -0400
Complex diplomatic negotiations are taking place in the volatile region. With the U.S. taking a back seat in the talks, smaller countries such as Egypt and Syria are stepping up and taking leading roles.

NYT > Middle East

Military Sending Foreign Fighters to Home Nations
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:21:39 -0000
More than 200 militants captured in Iraq and Afghanistan over two years have been passed to their countries’ intelligence services.
U.S. to Hand Over Security in Anbar to the Iraqis
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:19:43 -0000
The U.S. military will hand over responsibility for the security of Anbar Province, one of the most violent regions in Iraq, as early as next Monday, officials said.
Israelis in Anguish Over the Abuse and Murder of a 4-Year-Old
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:32:39 -0000
Israel is in the grip of a nightmarish tale of a French girl named Rose, who police say was killed by her grandfather.
World Briefing | Middle East: Sarkozy Reaches Out to Syria
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:59:28 -0000
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has announced plans to go to Syria next Wednesday to pursue restoring diplomatic ties.
U.S. Soldiers Executed Iraqis, Statements Say
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:51:40 -0000
Three U.S. soldiers are expected to be charged for murder in connection with the killing of four Iraqi prisoners.
Bomber Kills 25 Recruits at an Iraqi Police Station
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:19:31 -0000
It was unclear how the suicide attack against a line of Iraqi police recruits outside a police station in Diyala Province was carried out.

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