In Defense of a Useful History

History does not solve all problems or predict all outcomes. But it isn’t useless in the present moment either.

The Prague Spring, a key precursor to current events in Ukraine. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

The crisis in Ukraine has ebbed and flowed over the past two weeks. As Eric Levitz notes, news out of the conflict fluctuates between hope and abject despair. Every Ukrainian victory brings with it a reminder that the Russians still have the more powerful army and are able to prolong the conflict for…