Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Global Post on May 1, 2015
Since last August, the Palestinians have suffered serious blows to their aspirations of statehood. Their own leaders failed them twice and Benjamin Netanyahu was re-elected after rejecting the idea that there would be a Palestinian state under his leadership. So, what now for the nearly 4.5 million Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza? In […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Checkpoints on March 2015
An Air Force Academy graduate’s experience with the serpentine, frustrating, fulfilling pursuit of a democratic Iraq. September, 2009 Baghdad, Iraq Up at 0530, dress, pack, grab my PPE (personal protective equipment—30-pound steel-plated vest and Kevlar helmet) and rush out into the morning heat to join Ambassador Chris Hill at the U.S. Embassy’s helo pad. We […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at The Daily Journalist on March 13, 2015
Like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran is creating a pro-Iranian organization in Iraq, ensuring that its interests in its unstable neighbor are well protected. The presence of Popular Mobilization forces answerable to Iran in the Middle East’s most vital and vulnerable area is an unprecedented realignment of regional forces and a challenge to regional security and […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at The Daily Journalist on March 13, 2015
Like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran is creating a pro-Iranian organization in Iraq, ensuring that its interests in its unstable neighbor are well protected. The presence of Popular Mobilization forces answerable to Iran in the Middle East’s most vital and vulnerable area is an unprecedented realignment of regional forces and a challenge to regional security and […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on February 16, 2015
Saudi Arabia and Oman possess differing national identities, varied social and cultural roots, and divergent approaches to tolerance that may explain their different experiences with extremism. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sultanate of Oman share significant characteristics: language; basic religious heritage; geographic proximity; a remarkably rapid growth in economic development and prosperity; a dependence on oil and […]