Brian's unique explorations of the conflict and the historical context and events leading up to Hamas's October 7 terrorist pogrom, Israel's response in its Gaza campaign, and the wider regional situation and context

(Arabic الترجمة العربية / Hebrew תרגום לעברית) Brian's writing, academic studies, independent research, and journalism on the Israel-Hamas, Israeli-Palestinian, Israeli-Arab, and other Middle East conflicts span over two decades through his undergraduate and graduate degree programs (including a class abroad in Israel and Palestine), his decade of journalism, his work in the humanitarian aid and development sectors, his living and working ro4 over five years in the Middle East (mainly in Jordan but also Israel and Palestine) as well as his commentary as an expert for two Arabic language television stations.  His relevant work and commentary has been featured in The Jerusalem ReportThe Jerusalem ReportThe Jordan TimesVentureSmall Wars Journal, Global Risk Insights, (Policy)Mic, The Washington and Lee Political Review, AlGhad TV, and Alaraby TV.

My Most in-depth article on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was my July 28, 2014 piece titled: The Israel-Hamas Gaza High-Stakes Poker Game of Death.  You will get a an exploration of the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict going back to the beginnings of Zionism in the late nineteenth century along with a detailed analysis of the 2014 Israel-Hamas violence, the most violent confrontation between Israeli and Hamas until the current 2023 crisis.  Two much shorter excerpts from this article are particularly relevant: Who Really Controls Gaza? Israel’s Election, Netanyahu, and the struggle for Israel’s Soul and Counterinsurgency (COIN) & Civilians: Israeli vs. American Approaches.  Also of particular relevance for those wanting to understand the history and roots of the conflict is my graduate school paper on the British Mandate era, which saw the First Arab-Israeli War and, the birth of Israel as a state, and the first mass displacement of Palestinians, and another graduate paper of mine on water rights in Palestinian territory.  The rest of my work is highlighted below.

THE CURRENT WAR

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BACKGROUND

Happy—Wait, No—Risky New Year 2016

Happy Risky New Year If people thought 2015 was bad, 2016 shows no sign of letting on up on risk. The Middle East, China, Europe, Central Africa, even the United States will all raise serious questions about risk in 2016 ...

2015 Year in Risk Review: Risky Business

2015 was a tough year, but not altogether bad… Originally published on LinkedIn Pulse January 4, 2016 By Brian E. Frydenborg (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter @bfry1981) January 4th, 2016; alternate version published on Global Risk Insights AMMAN — The year 2015 ...

This ONE Chart Breaks Down the Obama ISIS / Terrorism Strategy and Why Republican Ideas Will Make Things Far Worse

This is THE ONE chart / infographic you need to see that breaks down the broad components of Obama's very rational ISIS / counterterrorism / Middle East strategy. It makes clear that in every major area, Obama understand how to ...

Republican Criticism of Obama’s Sound ISIS Strategy Myopic; GOP Ideas Help ISIS, Endanger Americans

GOP Ideas Help ISIS, Endanger Americans Just because Obama's ISIS, counterterrorism, and Middle East strategy is complex and will not fit on a bumper-sticker or in a soundbite does not mean it is not a good one, and a bit ...

Encountering Dehumanization Among Israelis and Palestinians

The lengths to which far too many people on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict go to minimize or deny the humanity and suffering of people on the other side and to claim a monopoly of suffering and righteousness for ...

What the Paris Attacks Taught Me About Israel

When Paris was hit by terrorism and French civilians were killed, the world stood up for the French. When Israel is hit by terror and Israeli civilians are killed, too many people are silent. Standing up against the terrorist murder ...

Blame Bibi Netanyahu for the Violence First, Then Blame Both the Israeli and Palestinian People

Netanyahu, by far, has the most power of anybody in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and this has been the case for over six years. Nobody has done more to shape the current situation over this period, and therefore, nobody deserves more ...

Republicans: Wrong on Iran Deal & Constitution, Wrong for USA & Israel

It's hard to be so wrong and silly on such substantive issues as war and peace, nuclear proliferation, improving our relationship with Iran, and our Constitution, but the Republican Party is trying very hard and is succeeding spectacularly. We should ...
Other Related External Articles by Brian:

The Jerusalem Post

The war in Ukraine is embarrassing for Israelis and Palestinians- Nov 1, 2022

Starting a conversation- Oct 20, 2016

Encountering dehumanization- Jan 6, 2016

The Jerusalem Report

Americans and Israelis, living by division, need hope- Nov 15, 2020

The London School of Economics and Politics (LSE) Middle East Centre

Trump and Netanyahu: Tainted Love Furthers Self-Destructive Tribalism- February 22, 2019

Small Wars Journal

 

Academic work

A Glass Half Empty: Selections of Israeli Water-Related Policy Affecting Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip - February 2011 PDF

The British in Mandate Palestine: Assessment of an Intervention - March 2010 PDF

Presented at the Arab-American University - Jenin's "Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding in Palestine: Reality and Challenges" Conference, May 2015

"Entering a conflict in between confrontation and intermittent violence between two parties that saw themselves with wholly incompatible interests, and failing to address that very issue, saw British policies push the parties to sustained violence and all-out civil and inter-state war; even in 2010, the Arabs and Jews in Palestine go back and forth between confrontation, intermittent violence, sustained violence, and war, with no end in sight; and this is a legacy of the British Mandate era for Palestine: the social constructs are still at the heart of this conflict, and that is why peace remains so elusive." 

Behind the Human Bombs: Understanding Palestinian Suicide Terrorism - November 2009  PDF

Rome and the Barbarians, America and the TerroristsWashington & Lee Political Review - Spring 2007 PDF

DONATE TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

Palestine Red Crescent Society is basically the Red Cross in Gaza and the rest of Palestine.

IsraAID is Israel's largest humanitarian organization.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), a deeply experienced organization, has provided emergency medical services for people in Gaza for many years.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the UN agency specifically tasked with helping Palestinians.  Several of its aid workers have already been killed in the current round of violence.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is one of the largest Jewish-focused philanthropic organizations in the world and is helping Israelis on the ground.

Save the Children is one of the premier international aid organizations and has long-operated in Gaza.