The ISIS Threat: As Viewed from Neighboring Lebanon

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

India: The World’s Largest Democracy has a New Prime Minister: So What?

May 16, 2014 Finally, after waging the world’s largest and most expensive democratic election, India has announced that their new Prime Minister is Narendra Modi. The leader of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (a Hindu nationalist party) won with the largest margin in almost 30 years. Here are three things you need to know: The new … Continue reading India: The World’s Largest Democracy has a New Prime Minister: So What?

The Iranian DEAL

November 26, 2013The DEAL has been struck. After a decade of tension between Iran and the West over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a deal of sorts has been reached and now we will wait and see if it ends up being good for the world, or not.  What’s the Deal?Basically, Iran has agreed to limit its nuclear … Continue reading The Iranian DEAL

Iran, Nukes and Deals

November 13,  2013 So, I guess we’re on speaking terms again with Iran. It’s been a while - since 1979 when the Iranian Revolution ousted the US-backed Shah and 52 Americans were taken hostage when the US Embassy was overrun by revolutionaries. The Americans were kept captive for 444 days until Ronald Reagan became president. … Continue reading Iran, Nukes and Deals

Random Global Information

October 24, 2013 Running an international research group and leadership institute keeps me constantly curious about the world and trying to understanding it. It’s one of the few things in life that keep me constantly engaged and leaning forward. (Want to know the few other things or people who can keep me leaning forward and … Continue reading Random Global Information

Syria, Chemical Weapons and the US Response

My source inside of Syria contacted me today. He’s a Syrian journalist in Damascus covering the ongoing civil war. He doesn’t want me to use his name, but I trust his information - I’ve literally put my life in his hands when I worked on a project in Damascus back in 2009.  After giving me … Continue reading Syria, Chemical Weapons and the US Response

Five Reasons Americans Should Care About What’s Happening in Egypt

The pursuit of democracy is messy. Sorting out a society when all you’ve had since you can remember is tyrannical dictatorships is going to take some time. Many of my colleagues in Egypt believed that they had achieved freedom and democracy on February 11, 2011, when President Mubarak was ousted. Not true. Removing Mubarak was … Continue reading Five Reasons Americans Should Care About What’s Happening in Egypt