Articles
International Media
Quoted among various Middle East specialists in Sky News Arabia سكاي نيوز عربية about whether Netanyahu’s announced plan of attack on Rafah is a bluff for concessions from Hamas as he also announced he would be dispatching a negotiations team to Qatar, or whether it is a serious step in preparation for the operation, without a clear timeframe. I explained that it’s a mixture of both, delving into pressure points for Israel and Hamas, how the hostage release figures into the talks, and how the implementation of Biden’s conditions is key towards framing the next stage in the process. I explain that Rafah is sought as key towards the military defeat of Hamas and that even when hostages are released, continuation of Hamas dismantlement is inevitable.
US Media
Following my video remarks for María Maloof’s The Capitol Institute, here is my op-ed for their website based on the comments analyzing the geopolitical tensions and security interests behind the Civil War in Sudan. Learn more about Iran’s role, Egypt’s concerns, and why the Muslim Brotherhood is reappearing again.
“Despite advancing through the House in a 352-65 vote this morning, a bipartisan bill designed to force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a wholesale ban in the US is unlikely to pass in the Senate, policy and media experts tell us. A possible alternative outcome, according to one source? A TikTok IPO.” I am quoted amongst various legal, technical, and media experts in The Drum article by Kendra Barnett, following up on the House vote on the bill that would force a ByteDance divestment from TikTok or ban the app. We discuss the next legal and political steps for each side, given that the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate in its current iteration. I explain that the company will continue to invest in active lobbying campaigns despite the outcome being pretty much predetermined in its favor to counter the brand damage from bad publicity.
TV Video Appearances and Podcasts
In this action-packed episode of The KAJ Masterclass LIVE with Khudania Ajay - Come, Let’s Go LIVE, I address many of the issues that appear a mystery to the world outside the US (and to some extent, the Americans as well). We talk about:
the US elections and what to expect now that Trump and Biden have clenched the status of the presumptive nominees for their respective parties
How will each candidate’s return to the Oval office affect the war in Ukraine, and Israel-Hamas war - and who would Zelensky and Netanyahu prefer to see at the helm of the US foreign policy
Will Biden really pull support for Israel over the upcoming Rafah operation? What to expect of the temporary humanitarian pier US is pushing - and the security implications? Will we see the repeat of the Turkey-led Gaza flotilla incident?
What to make of PM Modi’s visit to Kashmir - and the media coverage of it
Why is the Khalistani movement in California sparking a mainstream coverage discussion? How will California handle India’s allegations of extremism and terrorism against the separatists?
Why is Maldives switching sides, evicting India’s troops, and embracing China? What can Maldives governance and ideological streak tell us about the broader geopolitical implications of this development?
Is China working to undermine financial relationship with the US - or playing games? What to make of its espionage tactics such as the new spy balloons in the US and hidden surveillance equipment in the cranes in US ports? Will China succeed in displacing the US thanks to its mass EV export, including to Russia?
Can Russia’s claims about thwarting an ISIS attack against a synagogue be believed in light of the upcoming elections? What are the circumstances surrounding Putin’s latest claim to the Kremlin tell us about the direction of Russian politics? What about the brazen near-miss hit on Zelensky and the Greek PM in Ukraine?
What is North Korea signaling - and to whom - by ramping up its war capacity?
What is the significance of the Haiti gang warfare, destabilization, and the resignation of its interim Prime Minister?
What to make of the assorted bellicose issues in Africa - Mozambique once more overrun by jihadists, Rwanda and DRC on the verge of war, Ethiopia near a break out of another civil war, the ongoing war and humanitarian disaster in Sudan?
Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking discussion!
I appeared on Azerbaijan’s SVS TV to discuss the implications of the annual Global Baku Forum, which brought together hundreds of international thought leaders to discuss an assortment of security, humanitarian, energy, technology/innovation, and other policy and social issues, and Azerbaijan’s growing role on the international stage, past experience in such gatherings, strengths and opportunities for future impact, and the most pressing and interesting issues that may evolve out of these discussions at the upcoming COP29.
Participated in a Russian opposition channel, Утро Февраля (Morning of February), discussion out of Ukraine. Lots about Putin & Russia, Qatar, Macron’s newly adopted bravado, fear mongering propaganda, French colonial legacy, Haiti, and Nayib Bukele’s successes in El Salvador…
The Washington Outsider Report on the Coalition Radio
https://www.youtube.com/live/wweZo5nMfr4?si=UUOb_krndp6a-vfQ
-Ep. 133
Don’t miss this fantastic book talk with Matt Gatton, a New Mexico-based artist and scholar extraordinaire, on The Washington Outsider Report. He brings together his scientific experiments on the use of light, his experience with portraiture and study of ancient Greek architecture and philosophy, as well as very vivid history to uncover the circumstances that resulted in Socrates’ executions and which were covered by a shroud of enigma for over 2000 years. The discussion will also address:
the real and surprising origins and meaning behind the word “mystery”
What the Allegory of the Cave has to do with an ancient religious festival long forgotten and how and why all of that is linked to Judaism, Christianity, and continues to have impact on the world today
how personalities shaped geopolitical events and the astounding parallels with current events - and what these political actors had to do with accusations levied against Socrates.
What can be learned about the inherent flaw of democracies from the exploration of the cradle of democracy - and various tyrants and their battle of power.
How and why sociopathic authoritarian leaders manage to have such sway on the public imagination and what lessons lie in these ancient controversies for the modern-day electorates and governments
why some geopolitical occurrences and conflicts keep reappearing throughout history
Who can really be trusted with power? And what can we glean about the nature and the pursuit of the truth from a philosophical "thriller" about a group of well-meaning philosophers and the road paved with good intentions that led them straight to hell?
... and so much more!
The Washington Outsider
Is Cairo really getting soft on the Muslim Brotherhood? John Rossomando explores the seemingly paradoxical position by Egypt when it comes to backing the Al Burhan government in Sudan, despite the general engineering the return of elements of MB, imprisoned after Al Bashir’s downfall, with quotes by Hany Ghoraba.
“The Specter of Hamas Haunts Europe” - For those who’ve missed the live stream of my recent roundtable with Giovanni Giacalone and Adrian Calamel on The Washington Outsider, here is the full recording of our discussion on what is behind Hamas’ successes in Europe, the policy and intelligence failures fueling Hamas propaganda, fundraising, and recruitment, including particularly Italy and UK, and whether it is at all possible to reset the framework dictated by Qatar and Muslim Brotherhood financing and political support.
Once again, Giovanni Giacalone breaks into a topic no one dares to touch: continuing a journalistic investigation into a Fatah-affiliated terrorist who apparently was getting some political and/or intelligence cover to operate in Italy despite active warrant out and having no credentials to open bank accounts. And the latest is the judiciary-level effort to suppress information that would shed light on the strange situation, reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s, when Italy had an understanding with the PLO to attack Jewish targets, but not the rest.