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…
Leadership, Loyalty, Lines on a Map, and the Lives That Depend on Them
If the last few weeks of news have shown us anything, it’s that politics — whether in Washington, Texas, New York, Nigeria, or Gaza — is ultimately a test of character. And frankly, a lot of folks are not exactly passing with honors. But scattered across these stories are reminders of what actually matters: justice,…
A Fragile Dawn in Gaza
The Trump-brokered ceasefire remains technically intact, but it’s hanging by a thread. There have already been limited strikes following alleged violations, and both sides are quick to point fingers. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is no less dire: food, medicine, and aid are desperately needed, yet delivery remains tangled in the usual web of politics,…
The Arab States’ Moral and Strategic Test: Why They Can’t (or Won’t) Enforce Peace in Gaza
Every time the guns fall silent in Gaza, the world exhales like a nervous parent whose toddler finally stopped screaming. The diplomats dust off their talking points, the news anchors smile a little wider, and everyone starts asking the same hopeful question: “Who’s going to keep the peace this time?” Predictably, the answer that floats…
The Test of True Peace: Why Hamas Must Lay Down Its Arms
President Trump’s diplomacy has won an important and dramatic pause: Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a ceasefire plan that promises hostage releases, humanitarian corridors, and an initial Israeli withdrawal. This is a relief worth noting, but it’s not, on its own, an assurance of lasting peace. The reason is…
Hamas’ “Conditional Acceptance”: Peace on Layaway?
So, President Trump slapped a deadline on Hamas’ acceptance of his peace plan: Sunday at 6 p.m. sharp or Hamas faces “consequences … like no one has ever seen before.” That’s not exactly the kind of line you hear in the polite tea rooms of Geneva, but then again, Geneva’s been sipping tea for decades…
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,…
Israel, Gaza, the UN, and the Latest Round of Blame Games
If you haven’t been glued to the headlines, let me catch you up before CNN and the UN finish chiseling Israel’s tombstone. Israel is knee-deep in Gaza once again, this time bulldozing into Gaza City after months of firefights with Hamas. It’s messy, bloody, and about as “civilized” as a bar brawl at 2 a.m.…
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…
Ceasefires and Crossroads: A Look at the Iran–Israel Pause
After a relentless exchange of fire between Iran and Israel—and a thunderous U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—President Trump announced a ceasefire. It was a hopeful moment... for about five minutes. But then, during a NATO summit last night, President Trump announced that the ceasefire was back on. So far, it’s held longer than the…
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