May 4, 2026 - Michael Kimmage | Thomas Berger | Oona Hathaway

The Internationalist explores the enduring influence of the Kellogg-Briand Pact and its principles on international relations over the past century.

In *The Abandonment of the West*, Michael Kimmage explores the rise and decline of the idea of 'the West' in American foreign policy. The book traces how this concept, once central to U.S. diplomacy, began to fragment after the Cold War. Kimmage argues that reviving this idea is crucial for addressing contemporary global challenges and fostering unity within the U.S.

Thomas U. Berger's 'War, Guilt, and World Politics After World War II' examines how collective memories of wartime atrocities and guilt have influenced the foreign policies and domestic politics of states in the postwar era. The book analyzes the moral and political consequences of war guilt, showing how societies grapple with responsibility, reconciliation, and the construction of new international roles. Berger connects historical memory to patterns of demilitarization, pacifism, and security policy in countries like Germany and Japan. He explores how guilt has constrained military policy choices and shaped international institutions and norms. The book illuminates the complex relationship between historical reckoning and contemporary world politics.

In 'Cultures of Anti-Militarism', Thomas U. Berger compares the postwar trajectories of Germany and Japan to explain how both societies developed strong anti-militarist norms that shape contemporary security policies. The book investigates cultural, political, and institutional factors that led to demilitarization and public skepticism about military power in each country. Berger examines the role of memory, legal constraints, political leadership, and civil society in producing these distinct security cultures. He also discusses the implications of anti-militarism for alliance politics, domestic debates over defense, and responses to external threats. The work provides a nuanced account of why these two major postwar powers have been reluctant to remilitarize fully.

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