A myriad swirling currents have distracted eyes from the boiling Middle East despite its accelerating pandemonium. For Israel's part, they are five-times-more surrounded than when Obama first took office. But our attention has been fixed on other pressing matters: the election, fiscal cliff, Hurricane Sandy's $70 billion... read more »

For ... read more »

To the rescue of Islam; to the ruin of the world

Iranians are a warm, pleasant and inquisitive people. Generous and hospitable too. Their land is filled with beauty and ancient archeological treasures waiting for tourists to explore. It has ten percent of the world's oil reserves and plentif... read more »

Since last night's newsletter, much has happened.

The Meeting at the White House - As explained yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama had a critical meeting today in DC. It's been described as "The 'most important' meeting between the heads of these two countries... read more »

Where the offence is, let the great axe fall. (Shakespeare, Hamlet)

It is a deadly game of chess where both players lose, yet apparently, the game must be played out regardless. It is a duel where both combatants end mortally wounded. Israel and Iran keep inching closer and closer, threatening, poin... read more »

Two weeks ago I noticed something unique, at least in my experience--the entire world is now in play. By this, I mean that every important region and country is simultaneously being disrupted by economic tension, political instability, or international threats. I've never seen such a situation in thirty years of close ob... read more »

I step away for a month to finish a book and look what happens. The weirdness keeps piling up. Send in the clowns.

My thesis throughout these newsletters is that the world is behaving strangely. History has morphed and no longer plays by the rules. The math continues its dysfunctional, unpredictable, and almo... read more »