Mein erster Job in der #Akademia: Ab diesem August bin ich dann wohl allerhšöchstwahrscheinlich Visiting Assistant Professor of European Studies (DAAD Professor) an der Vanderbilt University in Nashville (Tennessee). #PostDocLife #Academia

Für eine lange Zeit hatte die kleine Armee der De-facto-Republik #Abchasien ausschließlich alte sowjetische Technik in ihren Beständen. Wie das aktuelle Bild zeigt, haben die Streitkräfte wohl neuere Fahrzeuge russischer Bauart bekommen. #Russland #Georgien #Kaukasus

Romanian President Nicusor Dan designated Liberal party deputy leader Adrian Vestea to try to form a new government after his first nomination withdrew his bid bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Media is reporting on the draft deal between the U.S 🇺🇸 and Iran 🇮🇷 and the anticipated outcome

There have recently been reports that Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa was going to Washington on Sunday. The followig AFP report saying he was invited by Trump is true. Trump wanted Sharaa to come. Sharaa politely declined as per my sources. The images that would have ensued may well have been seriously awkward for him as he seeks to balance pragmatism with keeping his conservative base on side. Plus there are persistent claims that the US would like Syria to fight Lebanese Hezbollah fed by Trump's own off the cuff remarks. There is no formal demand that Syria do so, nor is Syria likely to. Bottom line, Sharaa is shrewd and independent minded. He is playing the long game and can apparently even decline an invitation from Trump. Sharaa receives invitation to US for mid-June lorientlejour.com/article/15… via @LOrientToday

Armenian flower exporters facing Russian embargo are selling their produce locally at below production price: I bought a bouquet otherwise worth over 25 euros paying only 3 euros. This was 1 AM last night.

The Middle Corridor is more than a railroad…it is a growing web of connectivity. Significant investments are yielding real results. See CPC’s latest report: “How to Maximize the Middle Corridor 2026” api.caspianpolicy.org/media/…

Call for Papers: We are seeking pitches for our 'Current Debates' section, see the CfP here: networks.h-net.org/group/ann…

Today marks 100 years since the death of Gertrude Bell. Explore her life in this article from our archives.

Poster from the New Deal

🇨🇳 How the Chinese depicted the flag of Persia/Iran during the Qing Dynasty.

The hottest ocean water on the planet right now is located just south of the Strait of Hormuz. Sea surface temps off northern Oman are approaching 95°F (35°C), bathwater-warm, and the reason the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman produce some of the most insufferable humidity on Earth.

For those in Tbilisi: we’d like to invite you to an interesting event on June 18th. ℹ️: In collaboration with the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, I have been working on a project for the past few years, within the framework of which we have been researching 48 audio recordings made by the German linguist Adolf Dirr between 1909 and 1910. The majority of these recordings were made in Tbilisi. The recordings feature 22 individuals speaking and singing in various languages and dialects. These languages include Georgian, Mingrelian, Svan, Tush (Tsova-Tush/Batsbi), Udi, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Persian, and other regional languages. Some of the recordings are unique, as they may well be the oldest existing audio recordings in those languages (more on this later)! A website where interested parties can familiarise themselves with all of this is practically ready (I will share it with you later). At the event, we will discuss the project's significance and the working process behind it, the biographies of the individuals recorded by Dirr, and other interesting stories. 📆: 18 June, 19:00 Location: "Terminal" – 34 Abashidze St, Vake, Tbilisi Please let me know if you wish to attend. We need to know in order to finalise the number of attendees.

Trump kündigt auf Truth Social eine deutliche Ausweitung der militärischen Angriffe der USA auf den Iran an:

I like exercise names like “Romanian deadlift” or “Bulgarian split squat.” The addition of an Eastern European country adds a certain gravitas. I’m gonna invent something called the “Moldovan pushup”

The Spirit of Alardy, by artist Tigran Kaitmazov. Alardy is one of the most formidable and revered spirits in Ossetian mythology, ruling over smallpox, measles, and eye diseases. Because smallpox was a deadly disease, Alardy was feared more than other holy figures. To protect their families from his wrath, people sought to placate him. The cult of Alardy is an example of how the popular consciousness attempted to comprehend and protect itself against devastating epidemics.

Big Boy No. 4014 traveled through Northeast Ohio on Monday as part of its East Coast journey to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Thousands of Northeast Ohioans lined up to catch a glimpse of the train while it made its way along. 📸 @TrainWizardPro  clevelandmagazine.com/articl…

Some photos from Belfast last night. #belfast #riot

Bulgaria’s newly-appointed government plans to end providing weapons to Ukraine bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Unter vielen erschreckenden Ideen im AfD-Programm Sachsen-Anhalt ist diese besonders verräterisch: das Bauhaus wird als „wurzellos“ denunziert, genau wie schon von den Nazis. Es geht hier um eine rechtsextreme Kulturrevolution, und da kann eine Landesregierung einiges erreichen.

🇷🇴: "I'm going to visit Eiffel Tower" 🇫🇷: "Oh, enjoy your time in Paris 😍" 🇷🇴: "..." 🇫🇷: "..." 🇷🇴: "Slobozia Eiffel Tower, Romania"