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  • August 3, 2021

    Welcome!

    Welcome!

    Hello! I’m Sam Amenn, host of the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare, a history podcast that focuses on asymmetrical warfare and colonialism/imperialism. I have a Masters in International Relations with a focus on insurgencies and state formation. My podcast utilizes a holistic approach to discuss one conflict per season. This means that I never talk about […]

  • January 2, 2023

    2022 Writing and Podcasting Recap

    2022 is finally over! I don’t know about you, but I am bidding it a fond farewell. That being said, this year was a pretty productive year in terms of the podcast. We’re only two years old, but I’m really proud of the episodes I’ve produced and the events I was able to cover this […]

  • January 1, 2023

    My Favorite Reads of 2022

    Happy New Year! 2022 is finally over. Even though this year was miserable on many fronts, I read 56 awesome books, some even published this year! Here are some of my favorite/most interesting reads of the year. Amanat: Women’s Writing From Kazakhstan Selected and Translated by Zaure Batayeva and Shelley Fairweather-Vega If you know me, […]

  • November 17, 2022

    Episode 45 – The Russian Civil War: Cho’lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy

    Episode 45 – The Russian Civil War: Cho’lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy

    Cho’lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy are giants within Uzbek literature. They were also Jadids, Muslim reformers who lived in Central Asia in the 1900s and witness how the Russian Revolution and Civil War affected Turkestan, Bukhara, and Khiva. Learn how they shaped Uzbek cultural and literary identity and how they were vilified and murdered by the […]

  • November 16, 2022

    Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

    Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

    The Basmachi was disorganized, disjointed guerilla movement in Central Asia during the Russian Civil War. Despite being led by various different leaders and experiencing varying level of organization and success, every unit used these 5 basic tactics in their war against anyone who threatened their small c, conservative values. References “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt […]

  • October 26, 2022

    Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

    Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

    Learn about Abdurauf Fitrat, a giant in Central Asian literature and a statesman who played a key role in creating the modern state of Uzbekistan and its language. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon References: Making Uzbekistan: Nation, Empire, and Revolution in the Early USSR by Adeeb Khalid Reviewed Work(s): Evading […]

  • October 12, 2022

    History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

    History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

    Learn about the five tactics the Basmachi used against the Bolsheviks and why they, ultimately failed. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a Comparative Perspective” by Marco Buttino […]

  • October 10, 2022

    My Love for Central Asian Literature Part 1 – Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Cho’lpon

    My Love for Central Asian Literature Part 1 – Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Cho’lpon

    I’m currently working on a script for my history podcast, the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare, about three Central Asian literary giants: Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Abdulhamid Sulayman o’g’li Yusunov also known as Cho’lpon and it got me thinking about their influence on my historical interests, reading tastes, and writing style. If you’re wondering why […]

  • October 5, 2022

    History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

    History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

    Learn about the five tactics Red Army General Mikhail Frunze used against the Basmachi. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Help Pakistan Page Help Puerto Rico Page Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a […]

  • August 31, 2022

    The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

    The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

    General, Mikhail Frunze entered Central Asia in 1920 and neutered the Musburo, overthrew both the Khivan and Bukharan Emir, and developed a counter-insurgency strategy to crush the Basmachi. However he encountered four problems with his plan: Frunze, in his efforts to overthrow the Bukharan Emir, woke up the hornet’s nest that was the Bukharan Basmachi. […]

  • August 31, 2022

    Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

    Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

    What happens when a former Ottoman Pasha, sentenced to death in absentia finds himself in Central Asia? If you’re Enver Pasha, you first align with the Bolsheviks before jumping ship and joining the Basmachi. Learn how Enver led the Basmachi until his death in a small village in eastern Bukhara. If you enjoyed this episode, […]

  • August 24, 2022

    Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

    Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

    Russia and Central Asia have a long, intertwined history that altered between coexistence and conflict. The Russians didn’t start expanding eastwards until the 1500s and they didn’t ’t really consider invading the region until the 1700s and even then, it’s contained to the Steppe lands. We don’t really see engagements with major Central Asian powers […]

  • August 17, 2022

    A Brief History of Central Asia

    A Brief History of Central Asia

    The Samanids-7th to 10th Century In her book, Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence, Shoshana Keller wrote that “if you look at a map, Central Asia is at the center of everything but is itself nowhere.” I think that’s a pretty useful way of thinking about this region. It is surrounded by Russia, China, […]

  • June 22, 2022

    Episode 42-The Russian Civil War: Frunze vs the Basmachi 1920-1921

    Episode 42-The Russian Civil War: Frunze vs the Basmachi 1920-1921

    After disbanding the Musburo and overthrowing the Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara, Frunze has one more enemy to eliminate before communism can take hold in Central Asia: the Basmachi. Learn how Frunze created an counter-insurgency strategy against the Basmachi while dealing with mountain warfare, a ragtag army, and a region wracked with famine and sectarian […]

  • May 29, 2022

    Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

    Central Power POWs Before the Russian Revolution, Russia was at war with the Central Powers during WWI and by 1917, had captured approximately 2.4 million prisoners from its eastern front alone. When considering all of their fronts, it is estimated they captured 8 million prisoners in total. These prisoners were held all over the Russian […]

  • May 11, 2022

    The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

    The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

    From 1917 to 1919, Central Asia was cut off from Moscow and the Red Army. This allowed events in the Steppe and Turkestan to take their own course with a regionalized flavor. Beginning in 1919, that all ended with the defeat of the White Army in the Kazakh Steppe, the absorption of the Alash Orda […]

  • May 11, 2022

    Episode 41-The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

    Episode 41-The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

    General Mikhail Frunze has arrived in Turkestan and identified the Musburo and the two Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara as threats to Communism. But can he win a war with the Emirs when facing an insurgency and famine? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Link to resources to Fight for Reproductive […]

  • May 1, 2022

    Special Episode: Dublin Lockout 1913

    Special Episode: Dublin Lockout 1913

    In honor of International Worker’s Day, we’ve taken a break from Central Asia to discuss how Jim Larkin, James Connolly, and the ITGWU fought for worker rights in Ireland in 1913. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Learn how to unionize Join Jonah Furman’s newsletter Follow Jonah Furman and Joshua Potash […]

  • May 1, 2022

    Dublin Lockout 1913

    Dublin Lockout 1913

    Today is International Worker’s Day and in honor of the thousands of workers across the United States striking for their rights and livelihoods, we’ll be discussing the Dublin Lockout 1913. Introduction Since it’s Workers’ Day and the United States is experiencing a revolution in worker rights, I thought it’d be fun to take a minor […]

  • April 17, 2022

    Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

    Join us as we discuss the fate of Central POWs in Turkestan, what Indian Revolutionaries were doing in Tashkent, and how the British attempted to continue their Great Game spy adventures during the Russian Civil War. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Stand with Ukraine Resource Page Help Trans People […]

  • February 9, 2022

    Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

    Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

    Leaders of the Basmachi The Basmachi, who are often thought of as the great bogeyman of Turkestan, spent most of 1918 and 1919 organizing themselves, mostly in the Ferghana, but there were a few units in the Khiva and Bukhara Emirates as well. The Basmachi originated in the aftermath of the 1916 Central Asian Revolt, […]

  • February 9, 2022

    Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

    Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

    The Basmachi are facing famine, growing Red Army forces, and an uneasy alliance between the Bolsheviks and modernizing Muslim reformers. It’s time to organize or die. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Organizations that will help you run for office: Run for Something Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Democratic Association of […]

  • January 26, 2022

    Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

    Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

    Turar Risqulov: mighty intellectual, leader of the Musburo, and a powerful Kazakh member of the Soviet Union. He was betrayed by the very ideology he supported, and executed along with others like him because their nationalistic legacy threatened an insecure Stalin. Learn about how he tried to save Turkestan during a Russian Civil War, his […]

  • December 22, 2021

    Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

    Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

    Kobozev arrived in Turkestan in 1918 and tried to bring order to the region. Facing resistance from the Russian Settlers, he turned to the Muslim population and created different political and governmental opportunities for them. One such opportunity was the Central Bureau of Muslim Communist Organizations of Turkestan (the Musburo). However, when the Muslims start […]

  • December 1, 2021

    Episode 36-the Russian Civil War The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

    Episode 36-the Russian Civil War The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

    The Alash Orda can no longer trust the White Movement, but they burnt their bridges with the Bolsheviks back in 1918. As the Red Armies sweep the White Army out of Siberia, the Alash Orda have to repair their relationship with the Bolsheviks or become powerless and irrelevant. But why should the Bolsheviks accept the […]

  • November 29, 2021

    15 Holiday Gift Ideas for History and/or Book Lovers

    15 Holiday Gift Ideas for History and/or Book Lovers

    The holidays are here and you haven’t bought a present yet for your history and/or book lover! No judgment-I haven’t gone holiday shopping either. But my own frantic panic inspired me to put together this list of 15 books about Central Asia for that special history or book lover in your life. Fiction Central Asian […]

  • November 10, 2021

    Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim

    The Jadids are chased out of Kokand, Khiva, and Bukhara and they are outnumbered and outmaneuvered by their enemies: the Russian settlers, the Ulama, and the Basmachi. Their best hope lies with the Bolsheviks who need Turkestan to spread communism into the rest of Asia and Turkestan’s resources. But can a Islamic, nationalist, modernizing movement […]

  • October 20, 2021

    Episode 34- Giants of Alash Orda: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov

    Episode 34- Giants of Alash Orda: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov

    Join us as we discuss two giants of Alash Orda and fathers of modern Kazakhstan: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov. Indivisible’s Give Ground Campaign Indivisible’s Build Back Better Campaign Borderless Magazine Article on Increasing Vaccine Access in Prisons and ICE Detention Centers If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon

  • October 11, 2021

    The Anglo-Irish Treaty

    The Anglo-Irish Treaty

    Setting the Stage The Treaty is an incredibly controversial document for two reasons. First, it formally acknowledged partition (which was official British policy by 1921) while turning Ireland into a dominion (NOT an independent state) and required an oath to the king. Second, it triggered a civil war that took many of Ireland’s best and […]

  • September 22, 2021

    Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

    Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

    After negotiations with the Bolsheviks stall, the Alash Orda turn to the White Movement in Siberia. What they find are endless political factions, Cossacks, numerous battles with the Red Army, and a White Army coup. Help Afghanistan Page Support the victims the Haitian Earthquake and Hurricane Ida Stand Up for Abortion Rights If you enjoyed […]

  • September 8, 2021

    Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks

    The Russian Civil War knocks on the door of Siberia and the Steppe. The newly created Alash Autonomy must decide who they will ally with: the Bolsheviks or the White Army. Attracted by Bolshevik rhetoric, the Alash Orda start negotiates with the Soviets, but quickly learn that they have two, conflicting definitions of “self-determination” Help […]

  • August 11, 2021

    Episode 31-Kolesov Bukharan Campaign or How not to Invade Bukhara

    Episode 31-Kolesov Bukharan Campaign or How not to Invade Bukhara

    The Tashkent Soviet just overthrew the Kokand Autonomy and now they rule Turkestan which is being threatened from all directions by famine, the Red and White Armies, the Basmachi, and violent tensions between the Russian Settlers and the indigenous peoples. So, obviously, the bests thing to do is invade their name the Bukharan Khanate. If […]

  • July 28, 2021

    Episode 30-Mustafa Cho’qoy “Imperialist Bogeyman from Turkestan

    Mustafa Cho’qoy activist, minister, refugee, and Bolshevik enemy #1. Learn how a Kazakh activist went from being a minister in Turkestan’s first all Muslim, autonomous government to isolated expat in Paris struggling to get Europe to care about the plight of his people and Turkestan bogeyman that haunted Bolshevik dreams. If you enjoyed this episode, […]

  • July 14, 2021

    Episode 29-The Kokand Autonomy

    In November 1917, the Muslim modernizers of Turkestan came together to create the Kokand Autonomy. But how can people with no governing experience govern a region racked by ethnic violence and famine while their neighbors, the Tashkent Soviet, are planning an all out assault? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Donate […]

  • July 7, 2021

    The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate

    The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate

    Introduction Last week we talked about the Russian Revolution and Central Asia, but we limited it to the urban areas of Turkestan and the Bukharan Emirate. Today, we’ll be discussing how Russia’s other protectorate, the Khiva Khanate, responded to the fall of the Tsars. Khiva Under Russian Rule 1880-1916 As we discussed in our episode […]

  • June 30, 2021

    The Basmachi

    The Basmachi

    We’ve spent considerable time exploring how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia from several different perspectives. So far, we’ve talked about the Russian Settlers, the Alash Orda, the Jadids, and the Bukharan and Khivan Emirs. You may be thinking, that’s plenty of peoples and we’re ready to move onto 1918, but we have one more […]

  • June 23, 2021

    Episode 28-The Basmachi

    Famine, civil wars, complete breakdown of authority-it only makes sense to join a guerilla movement that promises provisions and safety, right? Learn about the Basmachi, a group of warlords turned guerilla movement that became one of the Soviet’s most persistent headaches in Central Asia during the 1920s and 30s. If you enjoyed this episode, please […]

  • June 16, 2021

    The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

    The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

    When we last discussed Central Asia, they were in the midst of the 1916 Revolt, which is now seen as the harbinger of the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil Wars. Today we’ll discuss how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia. Russian Revolution in Russia February Revolution 1917 is an odd year for Russia, because […]

  • June 9, 2021

    History in 5ish Minutes: Fathers of the Jadids in Turkestan

    In this episode we discuss two giants within the Jadid movement in Turkestan: Munavvar qori Abdurashidxon and Mahmudxo’ja Behbudiy. Both men came from religious families, both men were successful merchants, and both men believed that reform was the only way to save Turkestani society. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon References: […]

  • May 31, 2021

    The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917

    The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917

    Listen to our episode above or read our blog post version of our episode below: It’s 1917 and Central Asia is adjusting to a Tsarless reality. To briefly recap, because a lot has already happened and it’s about to get even more complicated: Russian settlers created the Tashkent Soviet in the city, Tashkent. It is […]

  • May 17, 2021

    Episode 27-the Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda

    The Russian Revolution provided the Kazakh intellectuals an opportunity to create their own government and redistribute land that had been taken from them by Russian settlers. But what sort of government can you create when you and your fellow indigenous intellectuals can’t agree on the best way to rule and the Russian Civil War is […]

  • May 3, 2021

    Episode 26: The Russian Revolution and the Khiva Khanate

    Today we are discussing how Russia’s second protectorate, the Khiva Khanate, reacted to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. We’ll discuss Turkmen Revolts, a desperate Khan clinging to power, and a coup. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter A […]

  • April 26, 2021

    Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett

    Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett

    Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr, published by Princeton University Press, 2013 Polymaths of Islam: Power and Networks of Knowledge in Central Asia by James Pickett, published by Cornell University Press, 2020 I enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in […]

  • April 20, 2021

    We have a Patreon!

    We’re excited to announce that we launched a Patreon! And if you sign up now you’ll get access to an exclusive episode on Michael Collins and the Irish War of Independence. Available Tiers We have five tiers you can choose from with awesome rewards such as Lecture Attendee-$1 per month A tip jar level where […]

  • April 13, 2021

    Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia

    Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you […]

  • March 22, 2021

    Episode 24-Bird’s Eye View: What a Civil War Is and Isn’t

    Tomorrow is our one year anniversary! To celebrate we posted our first ever Bird’s Eye View episode. This format allows us to take a step back and discuss the definitions, theories, and common features of an aspect of asymmetrical warfare. Today we’ll discuss what a civil war is and isn’t. Be warned, this episode contains […]

  • March 15, 2021

    History in 5ish Minutes 5 Tactics the Russians Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

    Today we take a deep dive into the tactics the Russians used to suppress the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, discussing the Urkun Exodus, the mass reallocation of Steppe lands, and Kuropatkin’s decision to use an scorch earth strategy. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to […]

  • March 8, 2021

    History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Peoples Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

    During this episode we revisit the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, this time focusing on the tactics used by the indigenous rebels, particularly the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples in the Steppe. We’ll discuss their use of hit and run tactics, the advantages the Steppe provided, and their targeted assaults on major infrastructure. Transcript coming If […]

  • February 22, 2021

    Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

    Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

    This is a very special episode as we discuss the Jadids with renowned scholar, Dr. Adeeb Khalid. The Jadids were an Islamic modernizing movement within Central Asia that would later find common cause with Bolsheviks and create modern day Uzbekistan. We’ll be discussing who the Jadids were, their doctrinal development, and how they fit within […]

  • February 17, 2021

    History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916

    In this episode, we briefly discuss the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia, focusing on how the Russian administration created two societies one of the incoming Russian Settlers and one for the indigenous peoples. We also discuss the two biggest problems facing the Russian administration: land and the demand for political participation. Transcript coming If you […]

  • February 8, 2021

    Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

    In this episode we discussed the Central Asian Revolt of 1916. Sparked by decades old administrative issues, the Russian settler’s “redistribution” of land and resources, and the Tsarist’s decision to conscription indigenous peoples (who up until that point that had been exemption of conscription), the revolution overtook most of Turkestan and lasted into 1917. In […]

  • January 27, 2021

    History in 5ish Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising

    In this episode, we discuss 5 facts abou the 1898 Andijan Uprising, discussing Madali Ishan’s revolt against Russian colonialism in Central Asia and stoking paranoid Islamophobia. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter

  • January 25, 2021

    Episode 21-Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

    During this episode we will briefly discuss Russian colonialism in Central Asia from 1860-1890, focusing on the how and why. We’ll discuss the subsuming of Steppe Lands, the abolishment of the Kokand Khanate, the subjugation of the Bukharan and Khivan khanates, and the attacks on the Turkmen people of the Ferghana Valley. Transcript If you […]

  • January 11, 2021

    Episode 20-Interview with James Nagle

    Today we have a very special episode where we spoke to James Nagle about what life was like for an average IRA recruit and a British soldier. If you enjoyed our big picture overview but want to dive deeper into what life was like for an IRA recruit on the run, a civilian having to […]

  • December 7, 2020

    Episode 19-A BRIEF History of Central Asia

    It’s season 2 of the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare! This season we’ll be discussing the Central Asian Civil Wars during the Russian Civil War. Today, we’re starting with a BRIEF history of Central Asia. In this episode we’ll explain how this podcast defines Central Asia, give a very brief overview of Central Asia’s ancient and […]

  • December 1, 2020

    Special Episode-6 Books on the Irish War of Independence

    We reached 101 followers on Spotify this weekend and so we produced this special episode to celebrate! We discussed the 6 books we used the most when writing our scripts for our episodes on the Irish War of Independence.

  • November 23, 2020

    History in 5ish minutes 5 facts about Margaret Skinnider

    Today during History in 5sh Minutes we’ll be discussing 5 Facts about Margaret Skinnider Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter

  • November 9, 2020

    History in 5ish minutes 5 facts about Arthur Griffith

    Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 minutes. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 facts about Arthur griffith If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter […]

  • October 19, 2020

    History in 5ish minutes: 5 tactics the IRA used to defeat the British during the Irish War of Independence

    Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 minutes. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 tactics the IRA used to defeat the British during the Irish War of Independence If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you […]

  • October 12, 2020

    Episode 18-Interview With Jesse Alexander

    We are excited to talk to Jesse Alexander, host of the YouTube History Documentary the Great War. We discussed how asymmetrical warfare developed during the immediate interwar period, following World War I, as well as his newest project, Rhineland 45, which he is currently crowdfunding. Learn more about Rhineland 45 and support the project here […]

  • October 5, 2020

    Episode 17-the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty

    In today’s episode we discuss the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, including the many controversial decisions made by DeValera during the Truce, the struggle Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Michael Collins, and Arthur Griffith faced from internal and external stakeholders during the negotiations, and the tragic fracture that occurred within the Irish people after the Dail approved […]

  • September 28, 2020

    Episode 16-Cathal Brugha and the Irish War of Independence

    Today we’ll be discussing Cathal Brugha’s role during the Irish War of Independence, including his struggles as minister of defense, his difficult relationship with Collins and Mulcahy, and his role in the Treaty debates. Transcript Voting Links: Indivisible IL 09 Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago South Side Twitter Page Virus Free Voting […]

  • September 21, 2020

    Episode 15-Cathal Brugha and Easter Rising

    Today we’ll be discussing Cathal Brugha and his role in the Gaelic League, Easter Rising, and the creation of Sinn Fein and the IRA. Transcript Voting Links: Indivisible IL 09 Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago South Side Twitter Page Virus Free Voting Payback Project Protecting Ruth Ginsberg’s Seat Until After the Election […]

  • September 14, 2020

    Episode 14-Northern Ireland and the Irish War of Independence

    Today we discuss Northern Ireland and the role it played during the Irish War Of Independence, discussing figures such as James Craig, Edward Carson, and David Lloyd George. Transcript Donation Links for California: Direct Relief Wildfire Relief Election links: Illinois Virus Free voting References https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/james-craig-backbone-of-revolt-the-soul-of-intransigence-1.508452 https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/ireland-s-first-world-war-veterans-shunned-ostracised-murdered-1.3691036 https://www.irishnews.com/news/easterrising/2016/03/26/news/1916-46-000-from-belfast-volunteered-for-first-world-war-443443/ The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by […]

  • September 4, 2020

    History in 5ish Minute: 5 Ways the IRA Disrupted the British Prison System

    Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 mintues. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 ways the 1920s IRA and the Provisional IRA disrupted the British Prison System. Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro […]

  • August 31, 2020

    Episode 13 Michael Collins’ Intelligence War

    Today we discuss Michael Collins and his intelligence war including the formation of the Squad, his spies such as Ned Broy, David Neligan, and James MacNamara, and Bloody Sunday Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by […]

  • August 26, 2020

    The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans

    During our podcast episodes on the Irish War for Independence, we focus on the IRA’s tactics and perspective. Today, we’ll be focusing on the British response and the different military and law enforcement groups they employed against the IRA and the Dail.

  • August 17, 2020

    Episode 12-Hunger Strikes During the Irish War of Independence

      In this episode, we discuss the role of hunger strikes during the Irish War of Independence, including the story of Thomas Ashe, the Mountjoy Prison and General Strike of 1918, and Terence MacSwiney. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our […]

  • August 10, 2020

    Book Review for Making Uzbekistan by Adeeb Khalid

    Rating: 5/5 Pros: A comprehensive exploration into the creation of Uzbekistan and its neighboring states A long overdue overview of an often-neglected region of the world Well-researched and detail heavy but still easy to read Cons: Need to know a little about the region before reading Is VERY detail heavy and needs to be reread […]

  • August 3, 2020

    Episode 11-Interview with Dr. Mary McAuliffe

      We are very excited to interview Dr. Mary McAuliffe about her new biography on Margaret Skinnider and the experience of Irish women during the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War. Buy Dr. McAuliffe’s biography on Margaret Skinnider here: http://www.ucdpress.ie/display.asp?isbn=9781910820537& Follow Dr. McAuliffe of Twitter: https://twitter.com/marymcauliffe4 If you enjoyed this episode, please […]

  • July 27, 2020

    Episode 10-Richard Mulcahy and the Irish War of Independence

    In this episode we discuss Richard Mulcahy’s role as Chief of Staff of the IRA during the Irish War of Independence, including his efforts to instill discipline and organization, his difficult relationship with Brugha and DeValera, and his increased radicalization. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. […]

  • July 6, 2020

    Episode 9-Richard Mulcahy and Easter Rising

    In this episode we talk about IRA”s chief of Staff, Richard Mulcahy’s role in Easter Rising and the efforts to rebuild the IRA up to 1919. Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 BLM Links Movement for Black Lives SURJ Chicago Chicago Alliance Against […]

  • June 22, 2020

    Episode 8: Anglo-Irish War Part III 1921

    Before we begin, we want to make it clear that this podcast and website knows Black Lives Matter and support the protesters demanding justice and arguing for the abolition of the police. There are links below on how we can help support the movement and challenge our own prejudices and educate ourselves. This is the […]

  • June 8, 2020

    Episode 7-Anglo-Irish War Part II-1920

    Before we begin, we want to make it clear that this podcast and website knows Black Lives Matter and support the protesters demanding justice and arguing for the abolition of the police. There are links below on how we can help support the movement and challenge our own prejudices and educate ourselves.

  • May 25, 2020

    Episode 6 – Anglo Irish War Part 1 1919

    This is the first episode in a three part series, where we will discuss the Anglo-Irish War. Today, we review the major events that occurred in 1919 including rescuing DeValera from prison, sending DeValera to America, and the IRA ambushes at Soloheadbeg and Fermoy.

  • May 18, 2020

    Overview of the Members of the GHQ Staff

      In last week’s episode (included above), I talked about how the IRA organized itself, the tactics it used, and its relationship with members of the Dail. Since then, I’ve done some research into the members that made up the General Headquarters Staff. I even made a spreadsheet, capturing basic information about the men: GHQ […]

  • May 4, 2020

    Episode 5 IRA: Formation and Organization

    In this episode we talk about the IRA as an organization, how it was formed, the many different command structures it tried, its tactics, it’s relationship with civilian ministers, and the relationship between ground troops and General Headquarters Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by […]

  • April 27, 2020

    Episode 4-The First Dail

    In this episode we talk about the creation of the first Dail and its relation with the IRA Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by Charles Townshend, 2014, Penguin Group Fatal Path: British Government and […]

  • April 6, 2020

    Episode 3-Ireland 1917-1918: Resurrecting a Rebellion

    In this episode we talk about Ireland between 1917 and 1918, focusing on how Sinn Fein and the Irish Volunteers were able to rebuild themselves after Easter Rising. Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3

  • March 31, 2020

    Women of Easter Rising Part II

    I had a lot of fun researching Irish women who took part in Easter Rising for this episode, but I couldn’t cover them all in one sitting, so here is a thread of the other women who contributed to the Rising one or another. #WomensHistoryMonth

  • March 30, 2020

    Irish Women Who went on Hunger Strike

    Hunger strikes are a familiar weapon in the war against colonial policies and wrongful imprisonment. Although today it is associated primarily with Gandhi or with the IRA, like Bobby Sands, it is an old tactic practiced all over the world and by all genders, such as revolutionaries in Imperial Russia, suffragettes in Britain and the […]

  • March 26, 2020

    Episode 1-Easter Rising

    Our first episode will discuss Easter Rising, contextualizing it within Ireland’s long fight for self-governance and discussing its long legacy.

  • March 23, 2020

    Episode 2-Women of Easter Rising

    This episode will talk about five women who contributed to Easter Rising: Constance Markievicz, Kathleen Clarke, Winifred Carney, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, and Molly Osgood.

  • March 21, 2020

    The Art of Asymmetrical Warfare

    This episode will introduce the host, Sam Amenn, and discuss the goals of this podcast.

  • March 16, 2020

    I’m Launching a Podcast!

    Hello all! I am very excited to announce that on March 23rd, I’ll be launching a podcast! It is called the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare and it is a history podcast that focuses on asymmetrical warfare (surprise, haha!) I’m very excited. I’ll be posting the episodes on this blog and will also upload them to […]

  • March 9, 2020

    Book Review: A History of God

    A History of God by Karen Armstrong, Gramercy Books, 2004 Pros: Fair and balanced look into the history of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Succinct summary of dense information Well-written Cons: Lot of information Can be dense and is a long read Could be organized differently This is a well written and fair book that covers […]

  • March 2, 2020

    Book Review: The Good Friday Agreement

    The Good Friday Agreement by Siobhan Fenton, 2018, Biteback Publishing Pros: Quick and Easy read Provides needed context on women’s and LGBTQ issues in Ireland A great overview of what’s happened in Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement Cons: Lacking in deep analysis on any issues This book is a breezy and easy read of […]

  • February 24, 2020

    The Organizations Involved in Easter Rising and the Anglo-Irish War

    The Anglo-Irish conflict, like many asymmetrical conflicts, can be confusing because of the vast amount of people and organizations involved. I have often wished there was a simple chart that I could refer to as I am reading about the conflict, so I made my own.

  • February 10, 2020

    Review for the Irish Civil war: Law, Execution, and Atrocity

    Irish Civil War: Law, Execution, and Atrocity by Sean Enright, Merrion Press, 2019 4/5 A slightly dry, but fascinating read about the executions that took place during the Irish Civil War. Like his prior book on the Easter Rising Trial, Sean spends the first half of the book providing historical and legal context for the […]

  • February 3, 2020

    Review for Fatal Path

    Fatal Path: British Government and Irish Revolution 1919-1923 by Ronan Fanning, Faber and Faber, 2013 4/5 A light and easy read about the British perspective during the Anglo-Irish War. I greatly enjoyed this book. Since I normally read about the conflict from the side of the IRA/Irish Nationalist’s, this book was enjoyable and provided needed […]

  • January 27, 2020

    Thoughts on African Kaiser and handling colonialism

    African Kaiser: General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918 by Robert Gaudi, Berkley, 2017 I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while. I read African Kaiser by Robert Gaudi last year and, while it was an easy and enjoyable read, there was an element that didn’t sit right […]

  • January 20, 2020

    Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924

    Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924 by Padraig O Caoimh, Irish Academic Press 2019 Rating: 4.5/5 Pros: A long overdue biography on a vital founder of the Irish Free State and Irish Army Rich analysis that is easy to read Provides needed context on the […]

  • April 20, 2019

    Overview of Pamela Toler’s Lecture on Women Warriors

    A few weeks ago, I went to the Pritzker Military Museum and Library to attend Pamela Toler’s lecture on her new book Women Warriors: An Unexpected History. Toler is a well-known historian who studies the often over looked aspects of history such as women contributions and noncombatants contributions during war. Her book focuses on women […]

  • April 3, 2019

    Book Review-The Woman Who Would be King

    The Woman Who Would be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney, 2014, Crown Publishing   4/5   This is a well-written, engaging study of a fascinating woman from Ancient Egypt. It has an easy to read study and, while it sometimes strays a little too far into the theoretical, it […]

  • March 20, 2019

    Hatshepsut

    Hatshepsut was one of the most successful pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, a woman who took the name pharaoh after serving as Thutmose III’s regency for seven years. She oversaw the expansion of Ancient Egypt’s trade, a great reign of peace, and oversaw a series of large building projects such as one of the architectural wonders […]

  • March 6, 2019

    Treaty of Versailles

    Last week, I attended a fantastic given by Michael S. Neiberg at the Pritzker Military Museum and library about his latest book the Treaty of Versailles: a Concise History (which I also read) and I thought I’d write about the experience. Mr. Neiberg modeled the structure of his lecture on the structure of his book, […]

  • March 1, 2019

    Ida B. Wells

    Ida B. Wells is a giant, not only within the civil rights movement, but in American history. She was an African-American investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement. A founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a co-owner of the newspaper Memphis Free Speech […]

  • February 20, 2019

    Book Review: Syria: An Outline History

    Syria: An Outline History by John D. Granger 4/5 This is a well-written book about a large swath of land in what is now known as the Middle East. Even though there is a modern-day equivalent of Syria, it is a small portion of what had been Syria until roughly the 20th century. The borders […]

  • February 13, 2019

    Book Review: Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt

    Review of Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt by Rosalie David. Published by Penguin in 2002 4/5 This book, while different from what I had been expecting, was a well written and insightful read. It focuses on the development of the Ancient Egyptian belief system chronologically, focusing on the historical events that affected who and […]

  • February 6, 2019

    Book Review: A Peace to End all Peace

    A Peace to End All Peace: the Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin. Published by Owl Books 2001 4/5 This is one of those books that everyone reads for a foundational knowledge about the Middle Eastern policy during WWI. It is a well-researched and well […]

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