An overview of Afghan-Iranian relations

As the United States has unveiled their rigid sanctions with Iran in regards to their denuclearization, the world’s eyes are once again turned to the country to see how it will respond to financial threats. Sanctions coming from a country like the U.S. have historically been seen an alternative to real action to appease public […]

Opinion: The great lie of the internet

Someone with access to the internet does not have all the world’s information at their fingertips, but it certainly feels that way. The dawn of the internet shot the information age light years ahead. Resources like Wikipedia, dictionary.com, sites that compile news together from multiple sources, and access to unlimited TED talks and history documents […]

Five Mark Twain quotes as they relate to 2018

Note: These are the author’s interpretation of quotes said in a context completely separate from today. Even the most timeless phrases must always be viewed, at some point, through the lens of context. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable […]

On this day in history: The founding of the American Red Cross

May 21, 1881 — Clara Barton becomes the president of the American Red Cross, holding their first meeting in Barton’s apartment in Washington D.C. Barton had been working to integrate the U.S. into the Red Cross since 1873, and that long road had finally come to and end as the next chapter of her life […]

The Taliban promises amnesty to Afghan security forces — with conditions

The Taliban, who call themselves the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, have released a statement regarding some changes to their treatment toward the Afghan security forces. While these changes come a few conditions (outlined below), which could be interpreted in several different ways. The first is that the stipulations and demands do not essentially change anything, […]

‘The Expanse’: Divisiveness and turmoil in the solar system

“The Expanse” is a science fiction television series originally aired by Syfy, and based on the novels of the same name by James S. A. Corey. The story is set 200 years in the future, where our solar system has been completely colonized. The main powers exist on Earth, Mars and the asteroid belt, each […]

Taliban insurgents driven from Farah, Afghanistan

Afghan security forces were supplemented by U.S. Special Operations Forces and U.S. air assets as they expelled a Taliban offensive for the city of Farah in western Afghanistan. The Taliban had infiltrated the city, but took heavy casualties as they were pushed back out — estimates vary, as they often do, but most estimates put […]

Pakistan’s border fence: Keeping out the Taliban

Since the announcement in 2005, Pakistan has developed plans and made efforts toward building an approximate 1,500 mile fence running along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This is an effort to hinder the Taliban’s freedom of maneuver between the countries, as well as drug runners. Pakistan aims to spend approximately $483 million in constructing the fence line, […]

Ramadan and how it affects conflict areas in Muslim nations

Tuesday marked the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim observance that spans the length of approximately one month. This year, Ramadan extends from 15 May to 14 June. Ramadan is a staple of the Muslim faith, though various people in various sects in various parts of the world all observe it differently. Typically, with Ramadan comes […]

Tear Gas: What is it and how is it used?

As tear gas floods the Gaza Strip, international attention has once again been turned toward the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Protests have erupted against the U.S.’s relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem, a move approved by the American congress in the 90s, but not enacted until now. Reports say over 60 have […]

Secretary of Defense Mattis meets with South Korea’s foreign minister

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Mattis met with South Korea’s foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, recently. The two discussed the ongoing changes in North Korea that have taken much of the world by surprise, outlined in the Panmunjeom Declaration. They talked about the efforts toward denuclearization, and of the upcoming June 12 meeting between North Korean leader Kim […]