What’s Next in Syria?

Syria is in disarray. For years the Assad regime held power with the support of Russia and Iran. Though technically still a nation, different factions carved out portions of Syria from which to operate. As seen on the "before" map in yesterday's post, Syria was a collage of Assad loyalists, the Kurds and allied forces, …

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Awakening to a New Middle East

Over the weekend we witnessed the reshaping of Syria as the Assad regime collapsed and various rebel groups sliced up the territory on their way to conquering Damascus. Here is a before and after look at Syria: Red = Assad-controlled area before the weekend vs the Assad-controlled area just before the fall of Damascus. Now …

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Flashback: Up to the Golan

Given a yearning to be in Israel, despite the chaos happening there, I often look back at past trips with a mindset of "Where was I on this date?" Yesterday, a former tour guest reminded me of a very special day spent in northern Israel in November 2019. As you know, that area is the …

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When Real Life Becomes News

Our tour group awakened on a bright Sunday morning in Israel. We were slated for a much-anticipated treat: a trip to Ramat David Air Force Base. We had been through background checks and had gotten special permission to visit the infamous airbase in the middle of the Jezreel Valley. But at breakfast, our tour guide …

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