Cody J. Foster, Ph.D.
Education:
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
M.Phil, University of Cambridge (Queens' College)
B.A., Indiana University
M.Phil, University of Cambridge (Queens' College)
B.A., Indiana University
Biography:
I am a specialist in modern international history and America in the World. My research focuses on human rights, transnational non-state activism, and peace movements. In addition to articles in academic journals and book chapters in edited volumes, my essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, History News Network, Counterpunch, and The Lexington-Herald Leader. My research has been featured in The USA Today, The New York Times, NPR, The Courier-Journal, and several local and foreign newspapers and magazines. I hold a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, and a B.A. from Indiana University.
Research Interests:
America in the World
US History
Human Rights
War crimes
Global Cold War history
Peace Studies
Research
I am currently working on a transnational history of peace movements during the Vietnam War by focusing on the International War Crimes Tribunal (IWCT) as a vessel for human rights activism. The IWCT provides us with an opportunity to better understand the early stages of the modern human rights movement while also exploring topics related to transitional justice, war crimes, information and misinformation, and the American way of war. I previously worked on a history of non-traditional diplomatic pathways organized by citizen-diplomats and peace leaders during World War II.
Selected Publications:
Refereed Journal Articles
(2021) “‘A Laboratory for War’: The Second International War Crimes Tribunal and the Fight for Human Rights During the Vietnam War,” Modern American History (under review).
(2013) “A Forgotten Catalyst: Herbert Hoover and the Creation of the Modern American Post-Presidency,” Journal of the Historical Society 13.1 (March): 69-94.
Book Chapters
(2020) “Did America Commit War Crimes in Vietnam?” in The New York Times Editorial Staff, eds., Casualties of War (Rosen Publishing), 202-206.
(2018) “The Simpson Family: A Political Dynasty” in eds. Kathleen Gronnerud and Scott Spitzer, eds., American Political Dynasties: A Study of Power, Family and Political Influence (Praeger), 287-294.
Encyclopedia Entries
(2017) “National Security Agency” in Paul Joseph, ed., The SAGE Encyclopedia of War: Social Science Perspectives (SAGE).
(2016) “The New Left” in ed. Andrew Hartman, The College Researcher: The 1960s (Gale). 2016 “William Westmoreland” in ed. Andrew Hartman, The College Researcher: America in Vietnam (Gale).
(2016) “My Lai Massacre” in eds. Andrew Hartman, The College Researcher: America in Vietnam (Gale).
Book Reviews
(2020) Mark K. Updegrove, A War Remembered: The Vietnam War Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library (The LBJ Presidential Library and Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin, 2017), published in H-War.
(2017) Ken Hughes, Fatal Politics: The Nixon Tapes, the Vietnam War, and the Casualties of Reelection (University of Virginia Press, 2015), published in H-War.
Other Publications
(2017) “Did America Commit War Crimes in Vietnam?” The New York Times, 1 December 2017.
(2017) “The Case For History As A Tool To Change the World,” History News Network, 1 January 2017.
(2016) “The Highest Ideals of Our Enlightenment,” The Courier-Journal, 22 November 2016.
(2016) “Reject Rhetoric at UK,” The Lexington Herald-Leader, 19 November 2016.
(2016) “Reparations For Those Upon Whom U.S. Has Trod,” Lexington Herald Leader, 4 March 2016.
(2016) “Barack Obama’s About To Become An Ex-President,” History News Network, 25 January 2016.
(2016) “Is The Current Reparations Debate Going Far Enough?” Counterpunch, 2 February 2016.
(2015) “President Obama’s Striking Embrace of Military Solutions,” History News Network, 16 November 2015.
(2015) “How Does the Most Famous Border State Feel About the Confederate Flag?” History News Network, 14 July 2015.
(2014) “Have You Got A Shot at Being Elected President?” History News Network, June 30, 2014.
