https://pjmedia.com/phyllischesler/2008/08/06/the-balkan-mess-has-just-gotten-messier-information-versus-disinformation/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 22:32:40 -0400<![CDATA[Who can understand Balkan history&#8211;that cursed region whose fiery nationalisms led to World War One? Not I. East Europeans remember how especially brutal Muslim Nazi- and Arab-empowered soldiers were during World War Two. Yes, there once were some pockets of European-style assimilation and sophistication among Caucasus-based Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the region. Has anyone read the incomparably charming and popular novel, Ali and Nino: A Love Story written by the very Jewish Lev Nuissimbaum whose pen name was Khurbain Said? The romance captured everyone&#8217;s longing for operatic harmony between Christians and Muslims. (For the Jews, it was always more complicated). Tom Reiss has written a must-read biography of Nuissembaum titled The Orientalist: Solving The Mystery of A Strange and Dangerous Life.]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:12:39 -0400<![CDATA[Phyllis Chesler]]>https://pjmedia.com/phyllis-chesler/2008/08/06/the-balkan-mess-has-just-gotten-messier-information-versus-disinformation-n103707