Theodora Dragostinova
@theodorad.bsky.social
Historian & professor @Ohio State.
Books on Eastern Europe & the Balkans: nationalism, migration, borderlands, Cold War culture. Current work on post-1918 divided families & displaced children.
2025 ACLS Fellow.
Books on Eastern Europe & the Balkans: nationalism, migration, borderlands, Cold War culture. Current work on post-1918 divided families & displaced children.
2025 ACLS Fellow.
@cornellupress.bsky.social, I am game, let’s play #StackandSave. Just a quick selection from my home office for the #BookSky challenge—so many wonderful books to choose from!
April 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
@cornellupress.bsky.social, I am game, let’s play #StackandSave. Just a quick selection from my home office for the #BookSky challenge—so many wonderful books to choose from!
Grateful for the opportunity, humbled by the quality of work out there, and energized to promote humanist perspectives on the world when we most need them!
The project title is “Spoils of War: The Repatriation of Children in the post-1918 Balkans”
The project title is “Spoils of War: The Repatriation of Children in the post-1918 Balkans”
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 ACLS Fellowships! This year, the program will award more than $3.5 million to 62 scholars, recognizing outstanding research in the humanities and social sciences: bit.ly/4jwiyEq
American Council of Learned Societies Awards 62 ACLS Fellowships
ACLS Fellowships award $3.5 million to scholars in recognition of excellence in humanities and social sciences research
bit.ly
April 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Grateful for the opportunity, humbled by the quality of work out there, and energized to promote humanist perspectives on the world when we most need them!
The project title is “Spoils of War: The Repatriation of Children in the post-1918 Balkans”
The project title is “Spoils of War: The Repatriation of Children in the post-1918 Balkans”
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
Today (4/3/25) we learned that DOGE has begun terminating previously awarded NEH grants. We understand this includes operating grants to the state and jurisdictional humanities councils, scholarly societies, community orgs, & individuals.
Learn more & take action: nhalliance.org/federal-fund...
Learn more & take action: nhalliance.org/federal-fund...
April 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Today (4/3/25) we learned that DOGE has begun terminating previously awarded NEH grants. We understand this includes operating grants to the state and jurisdictional humanities councils, scholarly societies, community orgs, & individuals.
Learn more & take action: nhalliance.org/federal-fund...
Learn more & take action: nhalliance.org/federal-fund...
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
April 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
Ivan Krastev on how Europe should respond to the trumpian revolution, an appealing analysis—let’s see who the counterrevolutionaries are!
www.ft.com/content/3507...
www.ft.com/content/3507...
March 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Ivan Krastev on how Europe should respond to the trumpian revolution, an appealing analysis—let’s see who the counterrevolutionaries are!
www.ft.com/content/3507...
www.ft.com/content/3507...
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
“A correspondent for Tass, the Russian state-owned news agency, briefly gained access to the Oval Office of the White House on Friday… even as Reuters and the Associated Press were barred from entering the room.”
What else do you need to know?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
What else do you need to know?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Live updates: Trump cancels news conference with Zelensky after contentious Oval Office meeting
The latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
“A correspondent for Tass, the Russian state-owned news agency, briefly gained access to the Oval Office of the White House on Friday… even as Reuters and the Associated Press were barred from entering the room.”
What else do you need to know?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
What else do you need to know?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
When I teach the Cold War, I do an exercise: I give my students a variety of primary sources and ask them, what was the point of no return?
This episode will be on future syllabi, a prime example of a point of no return in the unraveling of America’s position in the global order.
This episode will be on future syllabi, a prime example of a point of no return in the unraveling of America’s position in the global order.
"We’re witnessing the self-sabotage of the United States"
from @davidfrum.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
from @davidfrum.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
At Least Now We Know the Truth
It’s ugly, but necessary to face.
www.theatlantic.com
February 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
When I teach the Cold War, I do an exercise: I give my students a variety of primary sources and ask them, what was the point of no return?
This episode will be on future syllabi, a prime example of a point of no return in the unraveling of America’s position in the global order.
This episode will be on future syllabi, a prime example of a point of no return in the unraveling of America’s position in the global order.
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
Winston Churchill visiting the White House in 1942. Not wearing a suit. #SlavaUkraïni 🇺🇦
February 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Winston Churchill visiting the White House in 1942. Not wearing a suit. #SlavaUkraïni 🇺🇦
Europe makes me proud.
This is not just rhetoric, there are moments that really bring folks together, and this is one of them.
This is not just rhetoric, there are moments that really bring folks together, and this is one of them.
Ukraine is Europe!
We stand by Ukraine.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
We stand by Ukraine.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
February 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Europe makes me proud.
This is not just rhetoric, there are moments that really bring folks together, and this is one of them.
This is not just rhetoric, there are moments that really bring folks together, and this is one of them.
“You don’t hold the cards,” says Trump. To which Zelensky responds, “We are not playing cards.”
Nothing else to add, just what happens when bullies play war, call it peace, and want to make “deals” on the side.
Nothing else to add, just what happens when bullies play war, call it peace, and want to make “deals” on the side.
February 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“You don’t hold the cards,” says Trump. To which Zelensky responds, “We are not playing cards.”
Nothing else to add, just what happens when bullies play war, call it peace, and want to make “deals” on the side.
Nothing else to add, just what happens when bullies play war, call it peace, and want to make “deals” on the side.
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
It was all worth a try -- Macron, Starmer, etc. If anything this has clarified the "can NATO limp along" or "will Trump grudgingly support Ukraine" questions -- no and no. 2/
February 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It was all worth a try -- Macron, Starmer, etc. If anything this has clarified the "can NATO limp along" or "will Trump grudgingly support Ukraine" questions -- no and no. 2/
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
I celebrate the 80% of Germans who did not vote for the far right. Do not make 19.6% of German voters into "the" German people (again).
"The" German people don't exist! The German population is diverse and divided, but voted overwhelmingly for liberal democratic parties.
#BTW25 #GermanElection
"The" German people don't exist! The German population is diverse and divided, but voted overwhelmingly for liberal democratic parties.
#BTW25 #GermanElection
February 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I celebrate the 80% of Germans who did not vote for the far right. Do not make 19.6% of German voters into "the" German people (again).
"The" German people don't exist! The German population is diverse and divided, but voted overwhelmingly for liberal democratic parties.
#BTW25 #GermanElection
"The" German people don't exist! The German population is diverse and divided, but voted overwhelmingly for liberal democratic parties.
#BTW25 #GermanElection
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
Election turnout at 83,5% - highest turnout since German reunification
February 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Election turnout at 83,5% - highest turnout since German reunification
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
Merz just said on German TV that the primary priority of his government will be to ensure that Europe can achieve full strategic independence from the United States in the defence against Russia.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
February 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Merz just said on German TV that the primary priority of his government will be to ensure that Europe can achieve full strategic independence from the United States in the defence against Russia.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.
Extraordinary.
I have personally been thinking about the concept of a “captive state” and will read this with interest.
February 15, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I have personally been thinking about the concept of a “captive state” and will read this with interest.
Check out my colleague Elizabeth Dillenburg’s wonderful new book, Empire’s Daughters, among others below!
It's a real honour to be series co-editor for Manchester University Press' longstanding Studies in Imperialism. Here's the book published last year.
February 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Check out my colleague Elizabeth Dillenburg’s wonderful new book, Empire’s Daughters, among others below!
Reposted by Theodora Dragostinova
🚨 Europeans are shifting their view of the US. ECFR’s latest poll shows that most now see the US not as an “ally” but as a “necessary partner.” Even in Atlanticist strongholds like Poland & Denmark, perceptions have changed.
Read the full report 👇
https://buff.ly/4huJpjm
Read the full report 👇
https://buff.ly/4huJpjm
February 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM
🚨 Europeans are shifting their view of the US. ECFR’s latest poll shows that most now see the US not as an “ally” but as a “necessary partner.” Even in Atlanticist strongholds like Poland & Denmark, perceptions have changed.
Read the full report 👇
https://buff.ly/4huJpjm
Read the full report 👇
https://buff.ly/4huJpjm
800 written & 200+ oral testimonies against (8.5 hours) later, with barely 15 testimonies for, the GOP-controlled Senate passed it with few amendments.
Frankly, I have never been more motivated to teach my students critical thinking, civil society, dissent, protest, agency, etc.
Frankly, I have never been more motivated to teach my students critical thinking, civil society, dissent, protest, agency, etc.
Ohio bill bans DEI offices & positions, ‘taking positions on “controversial” topics…,strikes by full-time faculty,’ also establishes post-tenure review, & requires all syllabi with instructor’s qualifications & contact info to be published by colleges. www.highereddive.com/news/ohio-se...
Ohio Senate passes bill to ban DEI and faculty strikes at public colleges
The legislation would also establish post-tenure reviews and require all instructors to share their contact information and syllabi publicly.
www.highereddive.com
February 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
800 written & 200+ oral testimonies against (8.5 hours) later, with barely 15 testimonies for, the GOP-controlled Senate passed it with few amendments.
Frankly, I have never been more motivated to teach my students critical thinking, civil society, dissent, protest, agency, etc.
Frankly, I have never been more motivated to teach my students critical thinking, civil society, dissent, protest, agency, etc.
You can count on an Eastern European woman to call it as it is: you can’t “make a deal” announcing concessions before the negotiations begin.
“Why are we giving them everything they want even before the negotiations have started? …
It’s appeasement. It has never worked.”
“Why are we giving them everything they want even before the negotiations have started? …
It’s appeasement. It has never worked.”
We shouldn't take anything off the table before the negotiations have even started.
It is clear that any deal behind our backs will not work.
You need the Europeans, you need the Ukrainians.
Extracts from my doorstep ahead of NATO Defence Ministers meeting ↓
It is clear that any deal behind our backs will not work.
You need the Europeans, you need the Ukrainians.
Extracts from my doorstep ahead of NATO Defence Ministers meeting ↓
February 13, 2025 at 10:59 PM
You can count on an Eastern European woman to call it as it is: you can’t “make a deal” announcing concessions before the negotiations begin.
“Why are we giving them everything they want even before the negotiations have started? …
It’s appeasement. It has never worked.”
“Why are we giving them everything they want even before the negotiations have started? …
It’s appeasement. It has never worked.”
Commitment to “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” can be the only basis for peace and security in Europe, full stop.
BREAKING: France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK sign a joint statement vowing to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty & demanding a role in the peace talks.
This is leadership.
It’s also unprecedented.
A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.
This is leadership.
It’s also unprecedented.
A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.
February 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Commitment to “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” can be the only basis for peace and security in Europe, full stop.
Relocate, transfer, displace—whitewashing ethnic cleansing, what a disgrace.
WSJ sub: “Indian Partition went smoothly enough, right? Will try to remember to check this before publishing.”
February 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Relocate, transfer, displace—whitewashing ethnic cleansing, what a disgrace.
Gov-funded humanities about to become less humane, singling out “accessibility” and “justice” in addition to gender and DEI as ineligible for funding.
February 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Gov-funded humanities about to become less humane, singling out “accessibility” and “justice” in addition to gender and DEI as ineligible for funding.
Some words from those years that are becoming increasingly relevant:
Loyalist
Apparatchik
Purges
Ideological diversion
Party line
Loyalist
Apparatchik
Purges
Ideological diversion
Party line
In the Soviet Bloc, the Communist Party assigned political minders/ commissars to every school, factory, army unit, etc to ensure ideological compliance and loyalty to the regime. Hiring was based on class background and demonstrated loyalty.
Obviously, this is very different.
Obviously, this is very different.
This new EO signed today appears to create DOGE as a shadow government across the entire federal government. Each agency/dept will be assigned a DOGE minder who will work with the Secry or Director and essentially be in charge of all new hiring and/or firing. People have been saying the Elon is ...
February 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Some words from those years that are becoming increasingly relevant:
Loyalist
Apparatchik
Purges
Ideological diversion
Party line
Loyalist
Apparatchik
Purges
Ideological diversion
Party line
Spent 4 hours listening to testimony ag Senate Bill #1 that imposes ideological control on higher ed in Ohio (don’t teach “controversial topics”, folks!). So heartened by the courage of my students & colleagues! In these turbulent times, find your cause & pour your heart in it.
February 11, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Spent 4 hours listening to testimony ag Senate Bill #1 that imposes ideological control on higher ed in Ohio (don’t teach “controversial topics”, folks!). So heartened by the courage of my students & colleagues! In these turbulent times, find your cause & pour your heart in it.