(1) In researching the Constantinople/Istanbul song in this post, I came across this piece of information about the city’s fall to the Ottomans: The Walls of Constantinople, especially the Theodosian Walls, were some of the most advanced defensive systems in … Continue reading →
Remember Daniel Pearl? Why do I start this post with him? He was the first terrorist victim – at least the first I can remember – whose death contained that special element of horrific sadism and psychopathic brutality crossed with … Continue reading →
It may seem puzzling. Instead of increasing sympathy for the Israelis among Palestinian supporters in the West, the October 7 massacre seems to have done the opposite: increased the hatred, and not just for Israelis but for Jews. There are … Continue reading →
As with Ukraine, there are so many reports and so much speculation about what’s going on with Israeli plans for Gaza that it’s really hard to know who if anyone to trust. There’s this report that they are waiting for … Continue reading →
As far back as I can remember – and since I’m pretty old these days, that’s quite far back – the MSM was interested in a particular narrative about Israel and Palestine. Let’s call it “equivalence.” Certain concepts were involved, … Continue reading →
The coverage from CNN: The men in the wedding hall at the Dheisheh refugee camp in the West Bank spend most of their days and nights glued to their phones, smoking, constantly refreshing their news feeds. They look exhausted, the … Continue reading →
Biden said something recently about October 7th that reflects a sentiment I’ve heard others express as well: You can’t look at what has happened here … and not scream out for justice,” Biden continued. “Justice must be done. But I … Continue reading →
If the horrific situation in the Middle East can be said to have any pluses, probably the only one would be that it has underlined the destructive state of academia in the US today. I use the word “underlined” rather … Continue reading →
I sincerely hope Glick is wrong, because this is absolutely horrifying and enraging: Ever since Obama became president his Iran policy has seemed vile and destructive to America, Israel, and the entire Middle East. Then when Biden took office, he … Continue reading →
I’ve written many times about Richard Landes. He is a friend I met through blogging, but he also happens to be one of the greatest experts – perhaps the greatest expert – on the long history of successful Palestinian propaganda … Continue reading →
… (a popular descriptive phrase on the left, uttered without any indication of what it might mean or why Gazans might be blocked by other Muslim countries such as Egypt), Hamas members are presently the wardens and guards. And Egypt … Continue reading →
Here’s the type of person all too numerous in our own State Department. I’m not referring to Parry the admiral. I mean the other guy, the one who speaks first, Sir Richard Dalton: Sir Richard Dalton, knighted in 2005: Richard … Continue reading →