Had there been no slaughter of the Muslims of Jerusalem in 1099, the name “Salah al-Din” might never have risen from obscurity to become one of the greatest names in the history of “Holy War”.  Yet the slaughter did take place and as a result, locked the Franks and Muslims in a bloody battle of…

One of the most significant events in the history of Islam was the decision by the Abbasid caliph al Mutassim to import young Turks from the Central Asian Steppes as slaves to serve as highly trained, mounted archers. This process of importing these young Turks would continue for centuries and would soon change the course…

This was a proposal I crafted in 2008 to address the dispute over equitable distribution of Iraqi hydrocarbon revenues. Goal of Proposal: This proposal seeks to address the issue of the equitable management of the Iraqi hydrocarbon sector, and the equitable distribution of the revenues generated therein. Overview: The government of Iraq will form a…

“…The European Union, a singular example of democratic constitution and integration of different cultures, can prove that there is an alternative formula to cultural uniformity or domination: a dialogue which respects different cultures and their representatives, as long as these different cultures are ready to respect the fundamental values of man” Thus Romano Prodi, former…

North Korea is a hot topic right now so I thought it would be worthwhile to give some background into their nuclear program. In 2006, 2009 and 2013, North Korea tested atomic weapons and in 2016 tested another, larger weapon with a yield of 10-30 kilotonnes[i]. It’s worth noting that the atomic bombs dropped in World War II were…

Update: 13:30CST It’s baaaack.  The Tiangong-1 crashed into the South Pacific somewhere northwest of Tahiti at 8:16PM EDT. ——- For those who have seen the movie ‘Gravity’, you know that the Chinese space station Tiangong-1 plays a major role.  It is, in fact, the ‘lifeboat’ that saves Sandra Bullock’s character.  The only problem? That scenario is no longer…

It will suffice to say that an extreme ignorance, a grossness without equal, and an inconsistency which disconcerts the most measured approaches are today the foundation on which the government rests. The dey is an imbecile who has outbursts of puerility like a child and who reflects on nothing, before or after giving his orders[1].…

Section II: Salah al-Din’s Victories at Hattin and Jerusalem While there is debate as to Salah al-Din’s abilities in the realm of military tactics and strategy , his victories at the Horns of Hattin and Jerusalem were both decisive. In the case of Jerusalem, it was the accomplishment of a long-stated goal – the liberation…