Blogs

This article reviews the International Court of Justice’s January 11–12, 2024 hearings on South Africa's “probable genocide” allegations against Israel and outlines the court's provisional measures, which the judges largely supported. While legal experts and the ICJ emphasized urgent protections for Gazan civilians and adherence to international law, major Western governments—particularly the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France—dismissed the ruling, continuing to back Israel’s military actions and weapons transfers . Pope Francis urged negotiation and peace, though President Biden did not shift policy. The article also notes wider global reactions: South Africa welcomed the ICJ order, while organizations like the EU and UN human rights experts called for full compliance—some advocating arms embargoes on Israel. In summary, the piece underscores a deep international divide: legal calls for humanitarian protection versus continued political and military support for Israel.

This piece highlights the U.S. military’s need to strengthen land-based Arctic preparedness, noting that while the Air Force and Navy have maintained legacy capabilities, newer challenges require dedicated ground force strategies. The activation of the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic) in June 2022 marks a major step, but the Department of Defense still lacks a fully defined Arctic mission, doctrine, and operational guidance to align with the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region.

Drawing on the author’s own childhood experience in war-torn Bosnia, this reflective piece explores how traumatic memories—like recalling fireworks as gunfire—linger long after the conflict ends. It underscores how early exposure to violence, hatred, and ethnic division in Bosnia (1992–1996), including the longest modern siege in Sarajevo, can imprint deep psychological scars.

This article examines how melting Arctic ice has spurred geopolitical competition over seabed claims and trade routes. Notably, Russia has capitalized on thawing conditions—and weakening Western deterrence—to escalate military presence, including the deployment of nuclear-capable Tu-95 “Bear” bombers armed with long-range cruise missiles near Alaska.

This analysis cautions that despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent positive rhetoric, the war in Ukraine is far from concluded. Initial hopes for a decisive breakthrough in 2023 have been stalled, and Graham argues that neither side can claim victory soon—suggesting a continued stalemate rather than an immediate end to the conflict.

This article contrasts the strategic “pivots” by Presidents Nixon and Obama toward China. It traces how Nixon’s 1970s opening reshaped U.S.-China relations, later echoed in Obama’s Asia “pivot,” and evaluates how Beijing’s evolving influence forces Washington to rethink long-term engagement and geopolitical competition.

This piece explores Iran’s cautious yet deliberate involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Tehran avoids direct military escalation, preferring ideological support toward Hamas (distinct from its direct proxy control of Hezbollah), it provides arms and training selectively — carefully calibrated to avoid triggering broader confrontation under Western pressure.

This article explores how America’s shifting demographics—including growing Arab and Muslim communities and vocal voices like Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Bella Hadid—are influencing public opinion on Israel–Palestine. While Israel still commands strong support, recent upticks in grassroots pro-Palestinian sentiment, particularly on college campuses post-Hamas attack, reflect broader changes in the U.S. societal landscape.

The piece argues that deeply embedded religious-nationalist ideologies on both Israeli and Palestinian sides pose a formidable barrier to peace. Israeli government policies—like the 2018 Nation-State Law and settlement expansion—and steadfast Hamas resistance signal that, without significant ideological shifts, meaningful negotiation remains elusive.

This reflection on Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy portrays him as a pragmatic statesman who embraced realpolitik—pursuing both robust military action (e.g., the Great White Fleet) and diplomatic work (e.g., negotiating peace). Despite his imperialistic inclinations, Roosevelt also championed agreements that maintained global balance.