Ukraine and Russia: A Troubled History
It is the issue of Russian identity, rather than strategic or economic importance, that lies at the heart of the Crimean crisis, argues Alexander Lee
History Matters
Thoughts, opinions and commentary on all things historical.
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Sebastopol Besieged
The legacy of the Crimean War still resonates in Ukraine, as Hugh Small explains.
Ukraine and Russia’s History Wars
In Ukraine, it’s not just the future which is at stake. It’s the past, too.
Magyar Myth Makers
Hungary’s authoritarian government is rewriting the nation’s troubled past.
The Complex Origins of the First World War
If one is looking for a single definitive cause for Europe’s collective decision to fight in 1914, the only certainty is disappointment, argues Sam Fowles.
Fractious Waters
The controversy over fracking finds echoes in 19th-century concerns over groundwater.
Recorded History
Proposed changes to the way the census is compiled may hinder future historians’ understanding of the past.
Vampires and Poltergeists
While vampires are not real, history shows that the fear of them is.
Were the Borgias Really So Bad?
Alexander Lee attempts to rescue the Borgia family from their baleful reputation as a political – and papal – dynasty steeped in sin.
Egyptian Harbingers
The army has been a player in the affairs of Egypt for at least 5,000 years, says Tom Holland.