Brent E. Sasley

Jan 6, 2025 | goodauthority.org | Brent E. Sasley

Last year was yet another eventful year in the Middle East. Much of what happened stemmed from Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 – and Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. The targeting of Hamas leaders, including high-ranking ones, has been an Israeli tactic since 1993. The explosion of thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah agents, in September 2024, marks the latest, albeit one of the most technologically advanced, Israeli intelligence operations in the long Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Nov 15, 2024 | goodauthority.org | Brent E. Sasley

This year is the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, the popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game. Half a century is a useful marker to consider what effects the game has had for scholars and practitioners who work in international relations, not least because so many have played the game. The impact of the game extends well beyond entertainment.

Oct 21, 2024 | goodauthority.org | Brent E. Sasley

If you’ve watched one of Donald Trump’s rallies, you’ve seen how often he seems angry. Although there is no evidence at all for his accusations, he regularly rails against Kamala Harris for having turned America into a hellish landscape over the last few years, and warns of even worse to come if she is elected president. In other words, he’s very emotional. That leads to two questions: First, as a presidential candidate, does it matter if Trump is genuinely emotional or just acting?

Jul 26, 2024 | goodauthority.org | Brent E. Sasley

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress on July 24, it was his fourth time doing so – more than any other foreign leader. Given that the invitation, and the speech itself, divided Democrats – and Congress – it’s easy to wonder why Netanyahu made the trip at all. After all,  his speech would likely widen the gap between Republicans and Democrats over what “support” for Israel means, and heighten Jewish Israeli anger and frustration with Netanyahu and his policies.

Nov 11, 2023 | thenationonlineng.net | Brent E. Sasley

November 12, 2023By Brent E. Sasley The brutality of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and the ruthlessness of the Israeli response, has made some observers wonder if this time, the severity of the violence will finally force Israelis and Palestinians to come up with a real and lasting solution to the conflict over Gaza. The problem is, all previous wars between Israel and Hamas have ended up with the status quo ante, and there’s no convincing reason to think this time will be any different.