By Aly Kamadia, Editor-In-Chief, iDose

Dear Readers,

February 24^th marks one year since the tragic Russia-Ukraine war began.

Much of the war’s coverage this past year has been all too predictable, and there are no reasons to believe that it will change. More specifically, the major narratives in the US (and many Western countries) are nothing more than over-simplistic slogans allergic to the slightest whiff of complexity.

A war between Russia and Ukraine is automatically defined as a war between “us” versus “them”.

It is automatically a war between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”.

It is automatically a war between “democracy” and “autocracy”.

It is automatically a war between “freedom” and “tyranny”.

And if you dare deviate from the rhetoric that a war between Russia and Ukraine was always inevitably some sort of planetary war for civilization, your voice simply won’t be tolerated by many mainstream media outlets.

In this spirit, it is all too appropriate for iDose to feature an essay (long read) by Andrew Bacevich, the Co-founder and Chairman of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Bacevich, who is also Professor Emeritus of History and International Relations at Boston University, has never been shy in challenging mainstream narratives when the moment calls for it. 

We also feature thoughtful pieces from eminent scholars on topics ranging from ChatGPT to irritating economic inflation, in addition to an article on the consequences of Long Covid and organ damage.

If this all sounds depressing, I’ve taken the liberty to add a piece by an (academic) psychologist on four recommendations to achieve happiness.

A digression? Maybe. But some of you will love it.