Eugene Finkel
@efinkel.bsky.social
Professor, Johns Hopkins SAIS. Study very violent things that happen to people who don't deserve it, write books, overuse sarcasm. Lviv-Haifa-Jerusalem-Madison-New Haven-Washington-Bologna.
Pinned
Yes, many illegals have Latin American documents/legends (Brazil, Argentina, Peru) for a variety of reasons. It's a well-known problem
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Yes, many illegals have Latin American documents/legends (Brazil, Argentina, Peru) for a variety of reasons. It's a well-known problem
I don't believe they targeted me on purpose, Cherkasov applied to SAIS before I moved there from my earlier position, and I am definitely not that important. But they definitely know how to spot and use opportunities.
February 8, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I don't believe they targeted me on purpose, Cherkasov applied to SAIS before I moved there from my earlier position, and I am definitely not that important. But they definitely know how to spot and use opportunities.
The only downside of having already canceled my WaPo subscription a while back is that I can't do it now.
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The only downside of having already canceled my WaPo subscription a while back is that I can't do it now.
Things keep getting weirder. The author of this email, the "woman named Masha" is a former Putin's Nashi youth movement top activist with quite likely connection to sanctions evasion and other shady stuff.
February 1, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Things keep getting weirder. The author of this email, the "woman named Masha" is a former Putin's Nashi youth movement top activist with quite likely connection to sanctions evasion and other shady stuff.
Reposted by Eugene Finkel
A stunning statement by former head of the IDF, Bogie Ya'alon.
He references the words of Y. Leibowitz, who stated in 1967 that the end result of the occupation will be the fostering of 'judeo-nazis'. Settlers who believe in Jewish supremacy.
“Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz was right and I was wrong.
He references the words of Y. Leibowitz, who stated in 1967 that the end result of the occupation will be the fostering of 'judeo-nazis'. Settlers who believe in Jewish supremacy.
“Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz was right and I was wrong.
January 31, 2026 at 4:25 AM
A stunning statement by former head of the IDF, Bogie Ya'alon.
He references the words of Y. Leibowitz, who stated in 1967 that the end result of the occupation will be the fostering of 'judeo-nazis'. Settlers who believe in Jewish supremacy.
“Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz was right and I was wrong.
He references the words of Y. Leibowitz, who stated in 1967 that the end result of the occupation will be the fostering of 'judeo-nazis'. Settlers who believe in Jewish supremacy.
“Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz was right and I was wrong.
Masha Drokova can very easily be a Russian name. But it doesn't have to. Either way, I suspect she has very weird ideas about the world and might genuinely need help
January 31, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Masha Drokova can very easily be a Russian name. But it doesn't have to. Either way, I suspect she has very weird ideas about the world and might genuinely need help
2026 being the Year of the Fire Horse means that horshoes are going to be on fire
January 31, 2026 at 6:41 PM
2026 being the Year of the Fire Horse means that horshoes are going to be on fire
ניסית פעם לקרוא סוציולוגיה צרפתית?
January 30, 2026 at 10:10 AM
ניסית פעם לקרוא סוציולוגיה צרפתית?
Yes, they counted citizenship, not ethnicity. And they had more important things to do, anyway
January 27, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Yes, they counted citizenship, not ethnicity. And they had more important things to do, anyway
A scary thing, it is
January 27, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A scary thing, it is
E anche un magazzino di zucchero
January 27, 2026 at 11:51 AM
E anche un magazzino di zucchero
And that’s it, Auschwitz and a sugar storehouse. Plus a propaganda cliche about burning hatred. As anticlimactic as a war diary can be. These folks had no idea what they just accomplished.
Also, good luck finding mentions of Jews
Also, good luck finding mentions of Jews
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
And that’s it, Auschwitz and a sugar storehouse. Plus a propaganda cliche about burning hatred. As anticlimactic as a war diary can be. These folks had no idea what they just accomplished.
Also, good luck finding mentions of Jews
Also, good luck finding mentions of Jews
War diary, 322 Division artillery.
27.01.1945. Dispersed up to 600 soldiers and officers, 4 tanks, 8 APCs. On the outskirts of Oświęcim and the t. Oświęcim liberated camps about 12000 prisoners of various nationalities. In these camps were imprisoned women and even children
27.01.1945. Dispersed up to 600 soldiers and officers, 4 tanks, 8 APCs. On the outskirts of Oświęcim and the t. Oświęcim liberated camps about 12000 prisoners of various nationalities. In these camps were imprisoned women and even children
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
War diary, 322 Division artillery.
27.01.1945. Dispersed up to 600 soldiers and officers, 4 tanks, 8 APCs. On the outskirts of Oświęcim and the t. Oświęcim liberated camps about 12000 prisoners of various nationalities. In these camps were imprisoned women and even children
27.01.1945. Dispersed up to 600 soldiers and officers, 4 tanks, 8 APCs. On the outskirts of Oświęcim and the t. Oświęcim liberated camps about 12000 prisoners of various nationalities. In these camps were imprisoned women and even children
Losses inflicted on the adversary, killed up to 130 soldiers and officers, taken prisoner 1 soldier.
Captured trophees flak artillery guns 4, vehicles 18, artillery guns 1, mortars 2, storehouse with flour and sugar 1, storehouse with ammunition 1
Our losses: 14 people killed, 36 people wounded.
Captured trophees flak artillery guns 4, vehicles 18, artillery guns 1, mortars 2, storehouse with flour and sugar 1, storehouse with ammunition 1
Our losses: 14 people killed, 36 people wounded.
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Losses inflicted on the adversary, killed up to 130 soldiers and officers, taken prisoner 1 soldier.
Captured trophees flak artillery guns 4, vehicles 18, artillery guns 1, mortars 2, storehouse with flour and sugar 1, storehouse with ammunition 1
Our losses: 14 people killed, 36 people wounded.
Captured trophees flak artillery guns 4, vehicles 18, artillery guns 1, mortars 2, storehouse with flour and sugar 1, storehouse with ammunition 1
Our losses: 14 people killed, 36 people wounded.
During the attack on t. Oświęcim the entire regiment’s personnel had a burning desire to burst as soon as possible into that town, liberate from German slavery their brothers an sisters. During the expulsion of Germans from Oświęcim were liberated prisoners of all nationalities up to 10000 people.
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
During the attack on t. Oświęcim the entire regiment’s personnel had a burning desire to burst as soon as possible into that town, liberate from German slavery their brothers an sisters. During the expulsion of Germans from Oświęcim were liberated prisoners of all nationalities up to 10000 people.
the town was encircled by two tranches and an anti-tank ditch. In Oświęcim camps there were several hundred thousands prisoners of all nationalities. In Oświęcim by the German command was built a death factory, which the Germans blew up while retreating
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
the town was encircled by two tranches and an anti-tank ditch. In Oświęcim camps there were several hundred thousands prisoners of all nationalities. In Oświęcim by the German command was built a death factory, which the Germans blew up while retreating
the regiment’s units continue pushing the adversary and by the end of the day fully captured t[ownlet]. Oświęcim.
T. Oświęcim was turned by the enemy into a last [another possible translation: extreme] hub or resistance
T. Oświęcim was turned by the enemy into a last [another possible translation: extreme] hub or resistance
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
the regiment’s units continue pushing the adversary and by the end of the day fully captured t[ownlet]. Oświęcim.
T. Oświęcim was turned by the enemy into a last [another possible translation: extreme] hub or resistance
T. Oświęcim was turned by the enemy into a last [another possible translation: extreme] hub or resistance
1st Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the town
3rd Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the barracks
2nd Rifle Battalion captured the center of Stare Stawy continuing to mop up the settlement.
Adversary’s defeated units 948 and 359 Divisions and 21 police regiment fiercely resist
3rd Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the barracks
2nd Rifle Battalion captured the center of Stare Stawy continuing to mop up the settlement.
Adversary’s defeated units 948 and 359 Divisions and 21 police regiment fiercely resist
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
1st Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the town
3rd Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the barracks
2nd Rifle Battalion captured the center of Stare Stawy continuing to mop up the settlement.
Adversary’s defeated units 948 and 359 Divisions and 21 police regiment fiercely resist
3rd Rifle Battalion engaged in combat for the barracks
2nd Rifle Battalion captured the center of Stare Stawy continuing to mop up the settlement.
Adversary’s defeated units 948 and 359 Divisions and 21 police regiment fiercely resist
Our losses: 8 people killed, 23 people wounded. Regimental command post in the area of the Włosienica church.
27.01.1945. The adversary offers determined resistance, conducts heavy fire from mortars, rifles-machine guns. Units of the regiments at 11:00 crossed the Soła river
27.01.1945. The adversary offers determined resistance, conducts heavy fire from mortars, rifles-machine guns. Units of the regiments at 11:00 crossed the Soła river
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Our losses: 8 people killed, 23 people wounded. Regimental command post in the area of the Włosienica church.
27.01.1945. The adversary offers determined resistance, conducts heavy fire from mortars, rifles-machine guns. Units of the regiments at 11:00 crossed the Soła river
27.01.1945. The adversary offers determined resistance, conducts heavy fire from mortars, rifles-machine guns. Units of the regiments at 11:00 crossed the Soła river
26.01.1945. Liberated from the German captivity prisoners of the Oświęcim camps: Russians more than 1000 people, Yugoslavs up to 200 people, Poles up to 900 people, and other nationalities, French, Greeks, Czechs, up to 2000 people
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
26.01.1945. Liberated from the German captivity prisoners of the Oświęcim camps: Russians more than 1000 people, Yugoslavs up to 200 people, Poles up to 900 people, and other nationalities, French, Greeks, Czechs, up to 2000 people
Here is the most explicit, on the ground, as it happened, reference in the Soviet military sources.
War diary of the 1085 Rifle Regiment, 322 Rifle Division (with very minor edits, tried to keep structure and grammar largely intact).
War diary of the 1085 Rifle Regiment, 322 Rifle Division (with very minor edits, tried to keep structure and grammar largely intact).
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Here is the most explicit, on the ground, as it happened, reference in the Soviet military sources.
War diary of the 1085 Rifle Regiment, 322 Rifle Division (with very minor edits, tried to keep structure and grammar largely intact).
War diary of the 1085 Rifle Regiment, 322 Rifle Division (with very minor edits, tried to keep structure and grammar largely intact).
There are maybe one or two references to some, not all of them in Russian sources (I might have overlooked some sources, though). Caveat: Auschwitz had many satellite and sub-camps that were liberated by several units, some before Jan. 27.
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
There are maybe one or two references to some, not all of them in Russian sources (I might have overlooked some sources, though). Caveat: Auschwitz had many satellite and sub-camps that were liberated by several units, some before Jan. 27.
That is, if you know where to look and are not scared of this mythical monster, the Russian cursive.
The liberation of Auschwitz as recorded by the liberators. War diaries of the units that liberated Auschwitz. They are available, but almost no mentions of them in English.
The liberation of Auschwitz as recorded by the liberators. War diaries of the units that liberated Auschwitz. They are available, but almost no mentions of them in English.
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
That is, if you know where to look and are not scared of this mythical monster, the Russian cursive.
The liberation of Auschwitz as recorded by the liberators. War diaries of the units that liberated Auschwitz. They are available, but almost no mentions of them in English.
The liberation of Auschwitz as recorded by the liberators. War diaries of the units that liberated Auschwitz. They are available, but almost no mentions of them in English.
Years ago I did a liberation of Auschwitz thread on the other platform. Time to redo
Jan. 27, 1945 Soviet troops liberate Auschwitz. What happened? How? The Western Front is studied minute by minute, the East a black hole. The strange thing, though is that many documents are declassified and online
Jan. 27, 1945 Soviet troops liberate Auschwitz. What happened? How? The Western Front is studied minute by minute, the East a black hole. The strange thing, though is that many documents are declassified and online
January 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Years ago I did a liberation of Auschwitz thread on the other platform. Time to redo
Jan. 27, 1945 Soviet troops liberate Auschwitz. What happened? How? The Western Front is studied minute by minute, the East a black hole. The strange thing, though is that many documents are declassified and online
Jan. 27, 1945 Soviet troops liberate Auschwitz. What happened? How? The Western Front is studied minute by minute, the East a black hole. The strange thing, though is that many documents are declassified and online
Reposted by Eugene Finkel
Amid everything else, a brief note to announce the CFP for the 2026 Summer Workshop in the Economic History and Historical Political Economy of Eurasia.
If you are an economist, historian, or political scientist working on Imperial Russia or the USSR, please consider applying.
July 17–18, Paris.
If you are an economist, historian, or political scientist working on Imperial Russia or the USSR, please consider applying.
July 17–18, Paris.
Scott Gehlbach - 2026 Summer Workshop in the Economic History and
Call for papers We invite submissions to a workshop on the economic history and historical political economy of Eurasia. The workshop will take place at th...
scottgehlbach.net
January 25, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Amid everything else, a brief note to announce the CFP for the 2026 Summer Workshop in the Economic History and Historical Political Economy of Eurasia.
If you are an economist, historian, or political scientist working on Imperial Russia or the USSR, please consider applying.
July 17–18, Paris.
If you are an economist, historian, or political scientist working on Imperial Russia or the USSR, please consider applying.
July 17–18, Paris.