By Vito Bianchi Excerpted from the book Otranto 1480: Il sultano, la strage, la conquista by Vito Bianchi. Editori Laterza. 2023. Sixth edition. Bari. pages 125-131. Translated by: Luke Wolf Translator’s note: In 1480, the large port of Otranto, a city inhabited by thousands, was destroyed by a Turkish naval expedition. Tens of thousands were… Continue reading The Horrible Spectacle: The Definitive Account of the Massacre of Otranto, 1480
Tag: history
What is Geopolitics?
Aymeric Chauprade (Professor of Geopolitics; Collège Interarmées de Défense) Translated by Luke Wolf How can we define Geopolitics? The study of political relations between states, intra-state movements such as rebellions and trans-state powers such as criminal networks and multinational corporations is based on geographic criteria, the study of geopolitics highlights the importance of geographical criteria… Continue reading What is Geopolitics?
A History of Torture: Interpersonal Torture /// 102
In this concluding episode of the definitive podcast history of torture, the focus is on interpersonal torture by non-state actors. This episode provides an overview of psychopathic torture, torture in the drug trade, torture for information, sexual torture, torture between ethnic groups and torture for entertainment. It should be pointed out, as Peter Edwards (1996)… Continue reading A History of Torture: Interpersonal Torture /// 102
An American Torture Story /// 101
American torture. For years, philosophers, jurists, and legal theorists struggled with American use of torture in the war on terror. Just a few days after the events of the September 11th attacks, President George Bush was authorizing the use of torture on suspected members of international terrorist organizations. After a few months, American leaders were… Continue reading An American Torture Story /// 101
A History of Torture in America /// 100
This is a history of torture on the North American continent, including Native American, Canadian and United States torture practices. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on war and its sociopolitical impact. This is part six of an ongoing series on torture. You can find part five… Continue reading A History of Torture in America /// 100
Gulag: A History of Soviet Torture /// 98
The Soviet punitive system was the heir of literally hundreds of years of secret police interrogation. For centuries, the Czar’s secret police had tortured, refined, and perfected the art of interrogation – all of it based on practice – not theory. That is why American researchers were so amazed at the Soviet interrogation success rate.… Continue reading Gulag: A History of Soviet Torture /// 98
The Inquisition: A History /// 97
The Inquisition: it’s a byword for tyranny in much of the Western world – especially among the English-speaking peoples of the world. In today’s episode the surprising origins, history, and impact of the Inquisition are detailed. In addition, this episode features a concise history of torture in India. It’s all here and it’s all free… Continue reading The Inquisition: A History /// 97
A History of Torture: Roman, Christian and South American /// 96
This is part two of an ongoing series providing an exhaustive history of torture. All forms of torture, including forms never detailed in any other history of torture, will be covered in this series. Come and hear the way men share their love for one another. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast… Continue reading A History of Torture: Roman, Christian and South American /// 96
An Universal Institution: The Definitive History of Torture /// 95
“Torture was legal, morally accepted, and commonplace in most ancient, medieval, and early modern societies.” This was the way historian Christopher Einolf succinctly described the history of torture: ubiquitous, common; in short: everywhere. Torture is a sort “reverse” gospel – as it is written in Il Libro Dell’avversario, chapter 6: And when the wealthy governors… Continue reading An Universal Institution: The Definitive History of Torture /// 95
The Battle of Takur Ghar /// 94
The Battle of Takur Ghar, also known as the Battle of Robert’s Ridge, was one of the bloodiest engagements in the history of the United States’ war in Afghanistan. Dozens of men died in the hills and mountains of the Shahi-Kot Valley. Scores more were wounded. The battle also featured one of the first documented… Continue reading The Battle of Takur Ghar /// 94
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