Central challenges of using history to understand the present

  One of the central challenges of using history to understand the present (and as a guide for actions in the future) is that of contemplating what remains the same over time, and what is different because of changes in context. “The Siege of Sarajevo” played out over the course of almost 4 years from 1992-1996; well before the widespread use of the Internet or cell phones. What can we learn from studying that case? What continuities can we expect to see and what differences might be expected given the changes in the information environment since the Siege of Sarajevo?