On Christianity, Ancient Rome, History, and Memory: A Christmas Season Reflection

A review of The Darkening Age: The Christian Destruction of the Classical World (by Catherine Nixey, Mariner Books, 2017 hc/2019…

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Death, Stupidity; Rinse, Repeat: What Is New, What Is Old in Latest Israeli-Palestinian Tragedy

A sick twist in the current cycle of violence stems from the natural outcomes of the repeated past cycles of…

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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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Much Ado About Omar: What Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Fiercest Critics and Most Ardent Defenders Miss & How to Overcome the Toxic Discourse Surrounding Her

After the freshman representative’s controversial remarks and the ensuing firestorm over Israel, anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry, there is…

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9/11 and Global Tribalism

As the 90s closed out, humanity was coming together. Now it’s tearing itself apart. Originally published on LinkedIn Pulse September 22, 2018…

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Jordan’s Civil Society Comes of Age

It seems most people—including many Jordanians—have failed to realize how wonderful the past few weeks here in Jordan have been…

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I (Still) Hate Trump, But He Was Right to Strike Assad Regime of Syria Before & He Should Do It Again

Trump is still a danger to America and the world. But if he exercises American power in a way that will…

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Trump’s Jerusalem Jeopardy: A Hackneyed “Holy” Hot Mess

America’s president did something stupid concerning Jerusalem. Cue predictably stupid reactions. Originally published on LinkedIn Pulse December 11, 2017 By Brian E.…

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I Hate Trump, But He Was Right to Strike Assad Regime of Syria

Trump is still a danger to America and the world. But if he exercises American power in a way that will…

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What We Can Expect from Trump & My Message to Iranians on Trump: Prove Him Wrong by Fighting for Peace & Human Rights

The Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) conducted another interview with me (see previous one here) a few weeks ago about…

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Even Without Trump, American Politics Is Pathetic, & VP Debate Is Proof

Anyone looking for reassurance from that vice-presidential debate, especially after seeing Trump in two debates, would still have seen one…

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Republic of Georgia Shows Trump & His Fans Depressingly Normal: Just Another Ethno-centric Nationalist Movement

Author’s note: as Trump’s presidency unfolds into its third year, the idea that Trumpism really is little more than banal…

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9/11 Marked Continuation, Not Beginning, of Politicization of Foreign Policy & National Security

Rather than signify any beginning of weaponizing foreign policy and national security in politics, the 9/11 attacks simply marked the…

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Erdogan Leads Turkey’s Democracy on a Populist Death March After Failed Coup

In my previous piece on Turkey, written as the coup attempt was underway, I noted that should the coup fail, Erdoğan…

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The Definitive Battle for the Soul of Turkey & Its Future Is Happening Right Now & It Is This Coup

…Is Happening Right Now & It Is This Coup This military coup is the defining moment for post-Cold War Turkey. …

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