Phil Johnson, Ph.D. April 21, 2016 On Monday of this week, a bomb exploded on a bus in Jerusalem wounding 20 and killing the perpetrator, a 19-year old Palestinian man from the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem. Hamas has claimed responsibility. This, in addition to the increased number of stabbings in Jerusalem this year do … Continue reading Peace: One Step Backwards for Israel and Palestine
July 15, 2015 After years of talking about it, a deal was finally struck on Tuesday morning regarding Iran’s nuclear program. As could be expected, not everyone agrees with it. The news of the deal struck some as the best thing ever, others felt it was the best that could be done under the circumstances, … Continue reading Finally: An Iran Nuke Deal: The “Great Satan” and the “World’s Top Sponsor of Terrorism” Come to Terms
March 2, 2015 I just finished a leadership conference in Germany and Italy and arrived in Paris last night- a place that was awash in terror on January 7th when the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine was attacked. Two days later, a kosher (Jewish) market in the south-eastern area of Paris was … Continue reading Paris: The Charlie Hebdo Effect Still Lingers
December 31, 2014 I love New Year’s Eve. I don’t actually do anything - or go anywhere, but there is something very satisfying about letting a year expire - with all the good or not-so-good that happened, at least it’s over and there’s a chance to start a new year. But before we officially say … Continue reading 2014 RECAP
It is time to give a quick “global update” and comment on some of the many stories dominating the news theses days. Fasten your seatbelt - here’s the world: 1. Shooting Near the Canadian Parliament. One soldier was killed and at least 3 others were wounded by a terrorist shooting today in Ottawa. Why does it … Continue reading The World in a Nutshell: October 2014
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
May 26, 2014 Every once in a while, I’ll stop and post some views on what’s happening in the world. It almost seems like a full-time job just to try to keep track of all that’s happening. Here’s my “simplified” list of five complex issues that are happening now: EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: What’s happening? Egypt … Continue reading GLOBAL UPDATE: MAY 2014
April 14, 2014Well, it appears I am not a good blogger when I am traveling. Maybe I need to Tweet more - and share “sound-bites” of my impressions of the world. Obviously waiting for the “right time” to write a more comprehensive account of leadership conferences and other experiences is not working! So, as the … Continue reading Global Next’s Winter/Spring Season 2014: The World in Context Wrap Up
March 13, 2014Lebanon is complicated. There’s no other way to describe it. Walking down busy Hamra Street you will see miniskirts and hijabs side by side. Lebanon has 19 official religions. There’s the Lebanese army and then there is Hezbollah. The Lebanese coalition government finally put its pieces in place, but new elections are “scheduled” … Continue reading Lebanon: Caught in Syria’s War
January 6, 2014As 2014 gets started, I thought I’d give a preview for the first part of my year ahead. For those not familiar with Global Next and its work, click HERE. The short version is this: I go places either for the purpose of training leaders in a global setting or I go places … Continue reading Looking Ahead: The Globalnexter in 2014
The Global Nexter 