The Siege of the Byzantium

by Raymond Ibrahim // National Review Online

Today, August 15, marks the anniversary of Constantinople’s victory over Muslim invaders in what historians commonly call the “Second Siege of Byzantium,” 717–18. Prior to this massive onslaught, the Muslims had been hacking away at the domains of the Byzantine empire for nearly a century. The Muslims’ ultimate goal was the conquest of Constantinople — for both political and religious reasons. Continue reading “The Siege of the Byzantium”

The Stagnant Mediterranean

Socialism and Islamism don’t foster a climate of economic growth and security.

by Victor Davis Hanson

National Review Online

From the heights of Gibraltar you can see Africa about nine miles away to the south — and gaze eastward on the seemingly endless Mediterranean, which stretches 2,400 miles to Asia.  Continue reading “The Stagnant Mediterranean”

Book Review: The Savior Generals – The Tough Who Got Going

by Mark Moyar

Wall Street Journal

For a police chief, keeping the streets of Beverly Hills safe will probably never qualify as an act of great leadership, if only because the task itself lacks a certain degree of difficulty. Continue reading “Book Review: The Savior Generals – The Tough Who Got Going”

Why Do Societies Give Up?

by Victor Davis Hanson

Tribune Media Services

Why do once-successful societies ossify and decline?

Hundreds of reasons have been adduced for the fall of Rome and the end of the Old Regime in 18th-century France. Continue reading “Why Do Societies Give Up?”

Liberal Illiberalism: The Liberal Assault on Liberalism

by Victor Davis Hanson

PJ Media

Conservatives are put into awkward positions of critiquing liberal ideas on grounds that they are impractical, unworkable, or counterproductive. Yet rarely, at least outside the religious sphere, do they identify the progressive as often immoral [1]. Continue reading “Liberal Illiberalism: The Liberal Assault on Liberalism”

The Sick Man of Europe

by Victor Davis Hanson

Defining Ideas

Why are the Greeks such whiners? Look to their tragic history and geography.  Continue reading “The Sick Man of Europe”

Thoughts on the Greek Madness

by Victor Davis Hanson

NRO’s The Corner

Anyone who has lived in Greece can see why the question of default or a “haircut” is not a matter of if, but when. Continue reading “Thoughts on the Greek Madness”

Corrupt Language Breeds Bad History and Bad Policy

by Bruce S. Thornton

Advancing a Free Society

As the history of communism and fascism both illustrate, modern political tyranny has relied on fabricated history to legitimize its claims and actions, and such history in turn relies on the debasement of language. Continue reading “Corrupt Language Breeds Bad History and Bad Policy”

Decline Is in the Mind

by Victor Davis Hanson

PJ Media

It’s Over? Really?

In the last two years, we have a heard a constant litany of “decline,” as in America is over as it once was. Fifth-century AD Rome is often evoked, as are the contemporary economic miracles in China and India to “prove” inevitable American waning. Continue reading “Decline Is in the Mind”