The Lord of the Rings, Israel, and Palestine: Reflections of the Gaza-Hamas War in Tolkien

From Jenin to Jerusalem, from Kibbutz Be’eri to Al-Shifa Hospital, how Tolkien’s tale evokes the horrors of war but also…

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An Urgently Needed Definition of “Fascism” as the West Fights It Anew at Home and Abroad

Happy New Year!  Sadly, in 2023 and beyond, we will and must confront a dreadful specter of the past not…

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A Plea to Disney for Coherence and Quality Control in Star Wars (and More Finesse with Politics)

We don’t need perfection, but the casual ridiculousness has to stop, or, how Obi-Wan Kenobi is a perfect microcosm for…

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The Iran Natanz Attack Sorta Happened in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and in a way instructive for us all!)

Two Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes with surprising resonance for the Middle East and the conflict involving Iran, Israel,…

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On Bourdain Day, His Life a Reminder to All that Anyone Can Speak Up for the Marginalized, Bring People Together

On his birthday, let’s remember what why we all loved Anthony Bourdain: because he showed us how to love each…

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After the Storms: Are Harvey, Irma the New Normal?

And what would that mean going forward? Some hard choices, necessary changes, and a reckoning. Originally published on LinkedIn Pulse…

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What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Good and Evil in the Real World

Though Star Wars is make-believe, there is much it can teach about the real-world dynamics of good and evil and…

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Syria, ISIS, The Walking Dead, The Leftovers, & Tolkien: Musings on the Crumbling of Civilization & Morality

How three TV shows illustrate critical dynamics of the Syrian Civil War and how two books show us why we need to…

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Top Political & Foreign Policy Lessons from Game of Thrones

Top ten political and foreign policy lessons from Game of Thrones, or, how Game of Thrones can rescue us from…

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