An Overview of Abrazos, No Balazos

Introduction “Abrazos, no balazos” is a Spanish-language anti-war slogan, commonly translated as “Hugs, not bullets” (though “balazo” is more literally “gunshot”), and often compared to the English “Make love, not war”. The slogan was initially associated with the Chicano counterculture of the 1960s, and figured prominently in the Mexican-American anti-war movement, as a slogan in… Read More

An Overview of ‘Make Love, Not War’

Introduction “Make love, not war” is an anti-war slogan commonly associated with the American counterculture of the 1960s. It was used primarily by those who were opposed to the Vietnam War, but has been invoked in other anti-war contexts since, around the world. The “Make love” part of the slogan often referred to the practice… Read More

Shadow Company (2006 Documentary)

Introduction Shadow Company is a documentary directed by Nick Bicanic and Jason Bourque and narrated by Gerard Butler. It is an introduction to the mercenary and private military company industry, concentrating on the role the industry has been playing in recent conflicts. It was released on DVD in August 2006. Overview The documentary film is… Read More

An Overview of Blackwater (PMC)

Introduction Academi, formerly known as Blackwater, is an American private military contractor founded on 26 December 1996, by former Navy SEAL officer Erik Prince. It was renamed Xe Services in 2009, and was again renamed to Academi in 2011, after it was acquired by a group of private investors. In 2014, Academi merged with Triple… Read More

True or False: The Indoor Rower Started as a Military Training Device?

Introduction An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Modern indoor rowers are often known as ergometers (colloquially erg or ergo) because they measure work performed by the rower (which can be measured in ergs). Indoor rowing… Read More

An Overview of the Insurgency in Paraguay (2005-Present)

Introduction The insurgency in Paraguay, also known as the Paraguayan People’s Army insurgency and the EPP rebellion (from the group’s name in Spanish: Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo), is an ongoing low-level armed conflict in northeastern Paraguay (since 27 August 2005). Between 2005 and the summer of 2014, the ongoing EPP campaign has resulted in at… Read More