Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on May 2, 2015
After a failed statehood bid at the UN, the tragic Gaza debacle and Netanyahu’s re-election, what now for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza? Harsh tactics aimed at punishing Israelis will not work. Instead, Palestinians must turn inward and ask themselves what they can do to change the dynamic. They must take firm control of […]
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 […]