Thomas Kühne, "Protonic Masculinity, Hegemonic Masculinity: Brutality and Femininity among Hitler's Soldiers"
This article, article "Protonic Masculinity, Hegemonic Masculinity: Brutality and Femininity among Hitler's Soldiers" by Thomas Kühne, explores the conceptualization of masculinity among German soldiers during the Nazi regime. Kühne argues that the ideal of German masculinity under Nazi ideology was marked by strictness, aggression, and discipline. However, this ideal also accommodated expressions of gentleness, empathy, and characteristics conventionally perceived as feminine, especially within combat roles. The nuanced interaction between toughness and gender flexibility allowed soldiers to cultivate a masculine identity while navigating complex emotional experiences. By examining this dynamic, Kühne illuminates how soldiers’ identities were forged within a framework that simultaneously demanded emotional suppression and permitted vulnerability, thus offering a more layered understanding of gender performance within military and authoritarian contexts.
Lorna de Vries, "Israel-Politics: Between Nazi Past and Cold War Present – German-Israeli Relations After the Holocaust"
Lorna de Vries's article examines the complex diplomatic and ideological dynamics between Germany and Israel following World War II and the Holocaust. Focusing on the contrasting approaches of West and East Germany, de Vries explores how West Germany’s financial reparations and military support were integral to the postwar reconciliation narrative. In contrast, East Germany’s anti-Israel propaganda highlighted ideological divides rooted in Cold War politics. The article challenges the conventional narrative of moral atonement, revealing a more intricate story influenced by geopolitical and ideological motives.
Omer Bartov, "The Great Struggle within the Third Reich: How the SS Overpowered the Wehrmacht during the War"
Omer Bartov explores the shifting dynamics of power between the SS and the Wehrmacht in Nazi Germany. Bartov argues that while the SS initially served as a protective force for Nazi leadership, it evolved into a formidable military and political entity, gradually eclipsing the Wehrmacht in influence. By examining the internal competition for Hitler's favor and control over Germany’s military assets, Bartov reveals how the SS became central to the Reich’s concentration camp system and a key player in the Nazi war effort, marking a pivotal change in Germany's militaristic tradition and the political landscape of the Third Reich.
Avihu Zakai, "The Cinema as Pandora’s Box during the Weimar Republic"
Avihu Zakai examines Siegfried Kracauer’s analysis of German cinema from the Weimar period as a psychological reflection of Germany’s post-World War I trauma. Through his influential work, *From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film*, Kracauer argues that Weimar cinema reveals a tormented German psyche oscillating between tyranny and chaos, a struggle culminating in the rise of Nazism. Zakai analyzes films like *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* as allegories of Germany's descent into totalitarianism, positioning German cinema as a cultural arena that mirrors and forewarns the nation’s catastrophic historical path.
Danny Orbach, "Espionage as Chess: Nazi Intelligence Agents and Soviet Infiltration of West Germany's Intelligence Service, 1951-1961"
Dr. Danny Orbach delves into the Soviet Union's successful infiltration of West Germany's intelligence service (the Gehlen Organization, later the BND) during the 1950s. Orbach highlights the efforts of Soviet spies, particularly Heinz Felfe, who exposed hundreds of German and American agents, disrupted numerous operations, and provided vast amounts of classified information to the Soviet Union. The discovery of these infiltrations in the early 1960s severely damaged the BND's standing in West Germany and its relationship with the CIA, leading to a significant breach in intelligence collaboration between the United States and West Germany. Orbach’s analysis traces these failures to both lax security measures and the recruitment of former Nazi security and intelligence personnel, revealing the complex legacy of wartime affiliations within Cold War intelligence.
Nadan Feldman, “Hitler's American Friends: The Third Reich's Supporters in the United States” by Bradley W. Hart" – book review
Nadan Feldman examines the surprising extent of Nazi influence within 1930s American society. Hart argues that support for Nazism extended beyond fringe elements to include elite circles—politicians, business leaders, and university students—who subtly promoted pro-Nazi views. The book highlights how Nazi supporters attempted to gain public legitimacy, reflecting an undercurrent of fascism within a divided and economically struggling America. Hart's work sheds light on this controversial chapter, underscoring the social vulnerability to authoritarianism during a turbulent period.
Tamar Kogman, "Die Deutschen und ihre Nation: Geschichte einer Idee” by Andreas Fahrmeir" – book review
Tamar Kogman delves into the evolution and persistent ambivalence of German nationalism. Fahrmeir traces the concept of the German nation across various historical periods, from the medieval and early modern periods through the Nazi era and up to contemporary Germany. He explores how German nationalism, marked by shifting ideological expressions and institutional forms, became one of the most complex and studied forms of nationalism, especially given its destructive manifestation in the Nazi regime. Kogman’s review highlights Fahrmeir’s nuanced perspective, which examines German nationalism’s role in shaping both inclusive and exclusive identities, thereby influencing physical and ideological boundaries.