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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Capturing the Unique Inspirational Quality of Ukraine’s Fight Against Russia via Two Writers

If you’re feeling something stirring deep inside your soul when it comes Ukraine’s fight for its freedom against Putin’s Russia,…

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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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A Look at Putin’s Disgraceful, Heartless, Barbaric Treatment of Russian Soldiers and Their Families

The Russian people need to know (Russian/Русский перевод) By Brian E. Frydenborg (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter @bfry1981) March 9, 2022; updated to add Tolkien content…

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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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Clinton SHOULD Win (at Least 274 Electoral Votes), Nevada Key: State-by-State Predictions for Election 2016: Barely or BIGLY, Trump Likely to Lose

Author’s note: sure, I was wrong, but I was closer than most and every state I did call I called…

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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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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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Welcome to the Era of Rising Democratic Fascism Part I: Defining Democracy, Fascism, and Democratic Fascism Usefully, and Spin vs. Lies

Fascism comes in many forms; if Hitler and genocide can be one end of the spectrum, there’s plenty of room…

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The (First) Russo-American Cyberwar: How Obama Lost & Putin Won, Ensuring a Trump Victory

Author’s note: I was able to put this narrative together—one strongly supported by the available information even right after the…

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