Forty-Five

America’s Reckless Withdrawal From Syria

December 21, 2018

President Trump announced he will be pulling all U.S. troops out of Syria on December 19, in a move that has been heavily criticized by Republicans and allies alike and has left many dumbfounded.  Trump

Middle East

Saudi Arabia and the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

November 25, 2018

The journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to finalize a divorce before he was due to be married to a new wife the following day. His fiancée

Middle East

Muqtada al-Sadr Gains Power and Influence in Iraq

May 26, 2018

Muqtada al-Sadr is best remembered for being a thorn in the side of the Americans during the occupation of Iraq after the 2003 invasion.  During that period he was able to mobilize Shiites in a

Forty-Five

Killing the Iran Nuclear Deal

May 8, 2018

Despite no approval from any of the other signatories of the Iran nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (J.C.P.O.A.), President Trump on Tuesday announced the United States is leaving the

Middle East

U.S. and Allies Bomb Syria

April 14, 2018

On Friday evening, Washington D.C. time, the United States along with the United Kingdom and France launched a missile strike on Syria in response to the recent chemical weapons attacks in Douma.  The missile attack

Middle East

The Civil War in Syria

April 9, 2018

The conflict in Syria has heated up over the past two months as the civil war enters its seventh year.  It is estimated that 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict which has displaced

Middle East

Sisi and the Death of the Arab Spring

March 31, 2018

When the polls closed last Wednesday after three days of voting in Egypt’s presidential election there was no doubt who the winner would be.  Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had systematically removed all major opponents to reelection bid

Middle East

Netanyahu Faces Potential Criminal Charges

February 17, 2018

Binyamin Netanyahu is now in a fight for his political survival after Israeli police last week recommended that he be charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust. While, as of yet, Netanyahu has

International

Mahmoud Abbas and His Waning Influence

December 20, 2017

Time appears to be running out for Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah as Hamas looks to gain complete control of the Palestinian Authority once Abbas is no longer in power.  The chances of a new major

Forty-Five

Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

December 6, 2017

As word spread that President Donald Trump was set to announce America would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, celebrations began.  Shouts of “Amen!” and “Hallelujah” were coming from those who support the president’s decision.  With