Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on May 1, 2018
Could America’s unorthodox president’s approach to the Iran nuclear deal actually be gaining traction? He came into office with no national security or foreign policy experience. In his presidential campaign, he made wild claims about how he would shake up US policy in both areas, previously the province of “the establishment,” whom he derided and […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Intermountain Jewish News on April 20, 2018
Gary Grappo, a distinguished fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies at Denver University’s Korbel School of International Studies, retired as a Senior Foreign Service Officer, including service as US Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, in 2011 — yet many still defer to him as “Ambassador.” Grappo was Head of Mission for the […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on April 12, 2018
The Syrian War, apart from its horrendous humanitarian toll, is now for all intents and purposes an international conflict. Syria’s civil war has reached a magnitude unforeseen by anyone in the conflict’s seven-year course. Not in 2011, when it began. Not in 2012 when President Barack Obama drew his no-chemical-weapons red line and then failed […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on March 23, 2018
The Saudi crown prince is on a two-week tour across the US, and he needs honest and frank advice from the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MBS) began his nearly two-week swing through the US on March 20 with a visit to the White House and meeting with President Donald […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on March 9, 2018
Can the world expect substantive achievements to come out of the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, two of the most unpredictable leaders? The world can be forgiven for having been whipsawed by Washington’s announcement on March 8 that President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The revelation came after […]