October 9, 2014 Regardless as to the US-led airstrikes which began several weeks ago, ISIS remains on the march. As I write this, the strategic town of Kobani, on Syria’s border with Turkey, is under siege. It seems likely now that Kobani will fall to ISIS - and Turkey seems to sit on the border with … Continue reading The ISIS Threat: As Viewed from Neighboring Lebanon
Author: globalnexter
I am the president and founder of Global Next Research Group and Leadership Institute. I go places. Sometimes I take people with me - mostly students and young business people. I haven't been everywhere, but I've been to the right places. I haven't met everyone, but I've met the interesting ones.
In a nutshell, I'm all about shaping the way people think about life, leadership, purpose and a complex world. And I'm also a little bit about the right suite case and comfortable shoes.
The Happiness Factor: Who’s Happy and Why?
Are you happy? Would you know it if you were? How would you actually define happiness? The founding fathers of America bothered to include the “pursuit of happiness” as one of the inalienable rights of all humans. Of course, the right to “pursue” happiness is not necessarily a guarantee of finding happiness. But according to … Continue reading The Happiness Factor: Who’s Happy and Why?
Thoughts from the Corners of the World
It's always interesting when I look at snapshots of my life - just moments, short chapters and then the page is turned. Snapshot One: For the last few weeks I was working at the Swiss UMEF University in Afghanistan, teaching a course for their MBA program. It was nothing like I thought it would be. I almost … Continue reading Thoughts from the Corners of the World
I Believe…
September 3, 2014 Yesterday, it was reported that a second US journalist, Steven Sotloff, was beheaded by ISIS (or the Islamic State). This comes two weeks after James Foley was executed the same way. The brutality is unbelievable. Journalists are not military targets any more than women or children would be. And these decapitations are … Continue reading I Believe…
Five Questions and Answers about ISIS
August 23, 2014Of course you’ve heard about ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. It’s also known as ISIL or simply the Islamic State. They are a full-fledge terrorist state who have claimed large swaths of Iraq and Syria as their territory. They are persecuting other Muslims, Christians and religious minorities. And they have … Continue reading Five Questions and Answers about ISIS
Israel and Gaza: Spin City
August 8, 2014The ceasefire between Gaza and Israel is over and rockets are flying from both sides now. According to the New York Times, Hamas broke the temporary peace just before the expiration of the 72-hour ceasefire. During negotiations in Cairo, Hamas declared that the fighting wouldn’t end until their demands were met. A spokesman for … Continue reading Israel and Gaza: Spin City
Unexpected Influence: Yoo JaeHa and K-Pop
July 27, 2014I am always interested in stories about someone’s personal impact on the world. And if that impact is unexpected, then it's all the more interesting. You may not be all that familiar with K-Pop (Korean pop music), but if you joined the more than 1 billion people who watched Psy’s viral YouTube video “Gangnam … Continue reading Unexpected Influence: Yoo JaeHa and K-Pop
Conspiracy Theories Everywhere…But Why?
July 25, 2014 Ah, the allure of a good conspiracy theory. Who was behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy? Did the US government know about 9/11 before it happened? Are there aliens living among us? Has anyone ever actually been to the moon? (My friend, Robin Shipp, hates it when I bring this up!) … Continue reading Conspiracy Theories Everywhere…But Why?
UKRAINE, RUSSIA, GAZA AND ISRAEL: ARE THERE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY?
July 20, 2014 July 17th was a bad day, to say the least. Malaysian Airline flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine and after 10 days of rockets and airstrikes between Gaza and Israel, Israel began a ground invasion into Gaza. A lot of people have died. Many more have had their lives turned upside … Continue reading UKRAINE, RUSSIA, GAZA AND ISRAEL: ARE THERE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY?
Looking Back on the Journey…
This blog tries to cover a lot of ground - from life and leadership to cultural shifts and geopolitics. The overarching theme is to connect stories to people and people with truth. Recently, my team and I decided to take a look back at some of the 1500+ people who have been through Global Next's international … Continue reading Looking Back on the Journey…
