By Philip C. Johnson January 28, 2026 – Little Elm, Texas In the span of a week in Israel, I sat down with two profoundly different voices shaping the nation’s future: retired Major General Amos Yadlin, a legendary figure in Israeli defense, and Gershon Baskin, a lifelong peace activist with unofficial backchannels to Hamas. Their … Continue reading My Personal Insights Regarding my Interviews with Yadlin and Baskin in Israel
By Philip C. Johnson January 26, 2026 – Jerusalem In a wide-ranging conversation in Jerusalem, veteran Israeli peace activist and backchannel mediator Gershon Baskin offered a candid assessment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s current state. Baskin, who has spent nearly four decades building unofficial dialogues with Palestinians—including Hamas—remains a rare voice advocating for pragmatic engagement amid deep … Continue reading Gershon Baskin on Hamas Backchannels, Uneven Prisoner Exchanges, and Gaza Reality
By Philip C. Johnson January 21, 2026 - Tel Aviv In the third week of January 2026—amid mounting signs of internal strain within Iran’s regime and the formal launch of Phase 2 of the Israel–Gaza ceasefire on January 14—I traveled to Israel to speak directly with those who have shaped, and continue to shape, the … Continue reading Insights from Amos Yadlin: Navigating Israel’s Security Crossroads in January 2026
By Philip C. Johnson January 18, 2026 For the past month, I’ve been in Krakow, Poland, immersed in the somber task of teaching groups of students about the Holocaust—its unimaginable horrors and the direct links to the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Western sentiment that are growing more and more in our world today. Standing amid the … Continue reading Echoes of Never Again: Leaving Krakow’s Lessons for Israel’s Frontline Amid Iran’s Massacre and Looming Retaliation
By Philip C. Johnson, writing from Rome, Italy October 15, 2025—The world held its breath as the Peace 2025 Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, birthed a ceasefire heralded as a "historic dawn" by U.S. President Donald Trump. With signatures from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, … Continue reading Israel-Gaza: The Fragile Dawn of Peace 2025:
By Philip C. Johnson October 9, 2025 Dateline: Rome – It's 9:12 PM CET here in the Eternal City on October 9, 2025, just two days past the second anniversary of October 7, 2023. I’m sitting near the usual chaos at the Spanish Steps, but my thoughts are a few thousand miles to the east … Continue reading Peace at Last? The Israel-Gaza War Ends—Two Years After the Nightmare Began
By Philip C. Johnson—August 15, 2025 I’ve spent years working in the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries, navigating the heated controversies that erupt whenever Israel enters the conversation. From diplomatic circles to local communities, I’ve seen firsthand how polarized and complex these discussions can be. But Tucker Carlson’s August 11, 2025, interview with Mother Agapia … Continue reading Tucker Carlson’s Interview with Mother Agapia: A Masterclass in Unchecked Narrative
By Philip C. Johnson - July 23, 2025 Israel’s global image is under siege, with media often amplifying the harshest narratives about its actions. Yet, the Jewish state retains strong allies, especially the United States. Let’s cut through distorted reporting, clarify recent events, and provide a balanced counterpoint to one-sided portrayals of Israel’s challenges. Israel’s … Continue reading Does Israel Have Any Friends Left?
By Philip C. Johnson - June 27, 2025 A recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked intrigue, with Israel Hayom - Israel’s most widely distributed yet often distrusted newspaper - reporting a multi-point plan to end the Gaza war within two weeks. The call, held late … Continue reading Is the Israel-Gaza War Almost Over? Here’s the Gossip About Trump and Netanyahu’s Recent Phone Call
Philip C. Johnson June 16, 2025 If you’re just tuning in, allow me to recap where we are regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As of June 16, 2025, the Israel-Iran conflict has reached a fever pitch, with recent Israeli airstrikes, codenamed “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. On … Continue reading The Israel-Iran Conflict: A Ticking Eschatological Time Bomb
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