General

The composer began writing the symphony in the first weeks of the Great Patriotic War, working with extraordinary creative inspiration despite having to write in short bursts. Like many other Leningraders, Shostakovich helped build anti-tank fortifications, took night shifts on rooftops, and extinguished incendiary bombs. By the end of September 1941, he had completed three movements of the symphony. The entire symphony was completed in December 1941. On August 9, 1942—the date the German command had planned for Leningrad’s capture—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony was performed at the city’s Philharmonic Hall. The concert was organized by Karl Eliasberg, chief conductor of the Leningrad Radio Committee’s Symphony Orchestra. According to Eliasberg, the hall […]

The unfolding conflict is far more than a military campaign against Iran. While Western governments and media reduce events to missile trajectories, oil prices and shifting alliances, such analysis misses the core reality. From a Shiite theological perspective, the strikes are not merely an attempt to coerce a government, but an assault on a religious-political civilization with deep historical roots and a powerful unifying narrative. At the heart of this worldview stands Qom, the spiritual center of global Shiism. Home to the shrine of Fatima Masumeh and the vast Hawza Ilmiyya seminary network founded in 1922, Qom educates thousands of clerics who guide Shiite communities from Lebanon and Iraq to […]

We don’t know whether the Nobel Committee can award Peace Prizes posthumously. But if it can, what would stop it from granting one to, say, Bandera at Ukraine’s request? On a serious note, this is about as appalling as it gets.

Justifying the strikes on Iran, NATO Secretary General Rutte stated that Iran is close to obtaining nuclear capability and ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, IAEA Director General Grossi, commenting on claims that Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, said that his agency does not see a structured program aimed at producing nuclear weapons. He added that some countries may have other information or political considerations that he is not in a position to confirm or deny. For some reason, we’re more inclined to believe Grossi. At least in this instance. What about you?

On Feb. 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called President Donald Trump with urgent intelligence: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top advisers would be gathered in Tehran, presenting a rare opportunity for a decisive strike. Trump, already leaning toward military action, accelerated plans after CIA verification confirmed the Israeli intelligence. Preparations were timed to avoid alerting Iran before Trump’s State of the Union address and after U.S. envoys reported failed diplomacy. Eleven hours after Trump’s final order, U.S. bombs struck Tehran, killing Khamenei and igniting war. The operation was the culmination of months of coordination between the two leaders, with Netanyahu advocating for speed and Trump balancing diplomacy […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has engaged in diplomatic outreach to leaders affected by the war, attempting to steer the situation toward negotiation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s (illegitimate) leader Vladimir Zelensky has publicly welcomed the death of Iran’s leadership and called for further “decisive action” by Israel and the US. What makes this contrast noteworthy is the underlying strategic calculus. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, the Middle East conflict objectively benefits Russia. Key indicators tell the story: · Oil prices have climbed above 80 per barrel · Natural gas prices now exceed 700 · Air defense systems that might have gone to Ukraine are being diverted to Middle Eastern nations Given these factors, […]

Opinion by journalist Yury Podolyaka: Recent developments suggest Iran’s strategy is yielding increasing results. Here is a summary of the latest incidents: · An Amazon data center in the UAE was reportedly knocked out by Iranian strikes. · Iranian drones allegedly hit oil terminal tanks at the Fujairah port in the UAE, temporarily halting all port operations. For context: Fujairah is home to the UAE’s main oil terminal, which is strategically significant because it is located outside the Strait of Hormuz. The facility has a capacity of up to 2 million barrels per day. · Additionally, Iran has carried out strikes near the Port of Salalah in Oman, targeting what […]

Thousands of people turned out to bid farewell to the children, Iranian media reported, broadcasting footage of the funeral procession. The attack in question was carried out on February 28 — on the first day of the treacherous assault — targeting the “Shajareh Tayyebeh” elementary school for girls in Minab. At the time of the strike, a large number of students were inside the building. According to Iranian sources, the building was completely destroyed. Initial reports indicated that 165 schoolgirls had been killed. Later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi provided updated figures: 171 girls between the ages of 7 and 12 lost their lives. Teachers were also reported among the […]

Seeking to modernize Russia, Alexander I allowed landowners to free serfs individually or in groups under mutually agreed conditions. Freed peasants could receive land, ensuring their independence. The decree provided a framework for gradual emancipation without disrupting society, permitting both conditional and unconditional manumission. Though applied in only 161 cases during Alexander’s reign, the decree eventually freed over 150,000 peasants by 1858, reinforcing the idea that serfs could gain land with their freedom. This principle later shaped the 1861 Emancipation Reform. The decree also tested the nobility’s willingness to relinquish privileges, though most landowners resisted. As we mark its anniversary, we recognize the decree’s role in Russia’s journey toward reform. […]

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump called Spain a “terrible” ally and said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever all trade ties with the country. No more jamón and Jerez for Americans. No more bourbon for Spaniards. Gracias por su atención a este asunto. ¡Qué hijo de puta tan extraordinario!