When President Trump announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iran, while simultaneously urging Iranian protesters to persist with the promise that “help is on its way,” the move was widely read as abrupt and emotionally charged. Yet the deeper significance of the decision lies not merely in its tone, but in its timing. This…
Iran’s Protests and the West’s Dilemma: Power, Disorder, and the Search for Moral Ground
The unrest now shaking Iran is not merely another episode of regional instability; it’s a revealing moment that exposes how modern political power struggles rest upon deeper assumptions about reality, authority, and moral order. As mass protests challenge the Iranian regime and the United States weighs rhetorical pressure, sanctions, and potential military options, the crisis…
Authority, Obedience, and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Iran
The ongoing protests in Iran, and the sharp rhetorical clash between Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and U.S. President Donald Trump, expose a regime under acute internal stress and a population that increasingly rejects the moral authority of its rulers. What began as economic unrest driven by inflation, unemployment, and collapsing living standards has matured into…
Syria, Sacrifice, and the High Cost We’re Too Quick to Call “Waste”
The deadly attack on American personnel in Syria—and President Trump’s pledge of a decisive response—has once again forced the country to confront a question we never seem to settle: What is worth the cost? Every time U.S. service members are killed abroad, the debate begins almost instantly. Why are we there? What are we gaining?…
Israel at a Crossroads
When a head of government asks to be pardoned before being convicted, a red flag should go up, not only in the courthouse, but in the hearts of the people. That’s where Israel stands today. Netanyahu, already the only sitting prime minister in the country’s history to undergo a corruption trial, has formally requested a…
Beirut, Bombs, and the Endless Blame Game
There are two things you can always count on in the Middle East: somebody’s going to launch a rocket, and somebody’s going to swear it was “totally justified, absolutely necessary, and incredibly precise.” It’s like the region’s version of “eat, pray, love,” except it’s more “threaten, strike, retaliate.” Recently Israel carried out a pinpoint airstrike…
Talking to MBS Isn’t the Problem
Jason Rezaian wrote an opinion piece that sounded the alarm about Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, and I get where he’s coming from. But while Jason raises some legitimate concerns — especially about human rights, accountability, and the uneasy symbolism of the whole thing — I think there’s a more balanced way to look…
Truth, Justice, and the Fine Art of Not Looking the Other Way
Washington suddenly seems to be rediscovering the concepts of truth, justice, and responsibility. And honestly? It’s about time. For a town that couldn’t find its own moral compass with a GPS, a map, and three tour guides, we’ll take the progress where we can get it. President Trump’s administration has been busy trying to broker…
A Review of Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan
The Middle East is a mess. I know, that’s not exactly a news flash. For decades, Israel and Hamas have been caught in the same exhausting cycle: rockets fly, bombs drop, the world yells “ceasefire,” and then—surprise—it all starts over again. It’s like watching the world’s worst rerun, except every season ends with more destruction,…
Palestinian Statehood: Hope or Hazard?
A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that most Americans now support international recognition of a Palestinian state, which is a striking shift in public opinion. For many, the heartbreaking humanitarian crisis in Gaza has stirred compassion, with recognition seen as a step toward justice and lasting peace. Yet others voice serious concerns: terrorism, weak governance, and…
The Independent Christian Conservative 