This article examines the complex and enduring nature of Israel's conflicts with its neighboring states and actors. Based on an analysis of historical events, political declarations, international agreements, and contemporary geopolitical analyses, the article reconstructs the multifaceted reasons behind the persistent state of war and tension. Particular attention is devoted to the foundational ideological and territorial disputes, the impact of the 1967 War, the role of the Palestinian issue, the rise of non-state actors, and the recent resurgence of the "Greater Israel" discourse. The analysis also covers the strained relations with traditional peace partners Egypt and Jordan, as well as the challenges to the Abraham Accords framework in the context of the 2023–2026 war.

This article examines the phenomenon of antipersonnel mines as a type of weaponry that poses a particular humanitarian threat. Based on an analysis of international conventions, statistical data, and historical evidence, a comprehensive picture is reconstructed of the impact of this weapon on civilian populations, the international community's efforts to ban it, and current trends related to the withdrawal of a number of states from the Ottawa Convention. Special attention is given to defining antipersonnel mines, their classification, the history of their use, and the current state of the problem.

This article examines the complex and painful question of how the historical memory of the Holocaust influences the policies of the State of Israel toward the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip. Based on an analysis of public discussions, political statements, human rights organizations' positions, and academic debates, the article reconstructs the multifaceted problem of the relationship between the collective trauma of the Jewish people and the actions taken by Israel during the military campaign that began after October 7, 2023. Particular attention is devoted to the phenomenon of using historical analogies, disputes over the applicability of the term "genocide," and the moral dilemma facing a society that has experienced catastrophe.

This article examines the complex question of whether Russia could successfully capture Latvia, a NATO member state since 2004. Based on analysis of current intelligence assessments, military simulations, and geopolitical dynamics as of February 2026, the article reconstructs the multifaceted nature of the threat, ranging from hybrid warfare to conventional invasion scenarios. Particular attention is devoted to the balance between Russian capabilities, NATO's defensive commitments, and the specific vulnerabilities of the Baltic region. The consensus among Western intelligence agencies indicates that while Russia poses significant hybrid and cyber threats, a conventional military invasion capable of capturing Latvia faces formidable obstacles, primarily Latvia's NATO membership and the alliance's collective defense guarantee under Article 5.

This article presents a comprehensive biography of Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists in human history whose work fundamentally transformed humanity's understanding of the physical universe. Based on analysis of historical documents, scientific treatises, and biographical accounts, this article reconstructs Newton's trajectory from a solitary Cambridge scholar to President of the Royal Society and Master of the Mint. Particular attention is devoted to his groundbreaking contributions to physics, mathematics, optics, and astronomy, as well as his lesser-known pursuits in alchemy, theology, and chronology. The complex personality of Newton—secretive, intensely focused, and intellectually relentless—emerges as inseparable from the revolutionary ideas that laid the foundation for classical mechanics and dominated scientific thought for three centuries.

In this article, the question of the causes of Jeffrey Epstein's years-long impunity is examined, the American financier accused of organizing a network for the sexual exploitation of minors. Based on an analysis of the chronology of investigations, court documents, and expert conclusions, the mechanism that allowed the offender to evade real punishment for more than a decade and a half is reconstructed. Particular attention is paid to the factors that ensured his impunity: privileged social status, connections with the elites, corrupt deals with prosecutors, and the systemic shortcomings of the American justice system.

In this article, the question of the number of human casualties associated with the use of the Kalashnikov assault rifle throughout its history is examined. Based on an analysis of available statistical estimates, historical evidence, and expert conclusions, a range of probable figures is reconstructed, and the methodological difficulties of such counts are explored. Special attention is given to comparing different sources, annual lethality rates, and the Kalashnikov's place among other weapons according to the criterion of lethality.

This article examines the complex relationship between the biblical narrative of Noah's Ark and the geographical feature known as Mount Ararat. Based on an analysis of historical evidence, archaeological expeditions, and modern geophysical research, the evolution of ideas concerning the final resting place of the biblical vessel is reconstructed. Particular attention is devoted to the phenomenon of the "Ararat Anomaly," the Durupinar geological structure, and the long-standing debate between the scientific community and biblical enthusiasts.

And, after all, when will humans master the Moon?

The most decorated athletes in human history.

Who will win if Russia fights NATO?

The Mirror in Culture and Human Life

Carlo M. Cipolla and his essay "The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity"

Russian writers and Charles Dickens