CFR’s James M. Lindsay discusses Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in February 1990 and his subsequent rise to the presidency to show how individuals shape history.

CFR’s James M. Lindsay remembers the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and discusses the difficulty inherent in writing a workable constitution.

CFR’s James M. Lindsay remembers the firebombing of Tokyo during World War II and discusses the destructive power of conventional weapons.

CFR’s James M. Lindsay remembers Adolf Hitler’s announcement in 1935 that he would reintroduce conscription in Germany, and discusses instances when a country should be confronted rather than accommo…

CFR’s James M. Lindsay remembers the sarin gas attack on Tokyo’s subway on March 20, 1995 by a religious cult, and discusses how technological advances increasingly mean that governments are no longe…