Author Archives: oliverakel

The Gaza war has driven a rather rare wedge between Israel and the current US administration. While the U.S. is supportive of the goal of decimating Hamas following the atrocities inflicted by them on October 7th, Israel’s seemingly disregard and unconcern for the growing casualties and the dire straits of thousands of innocent Palestinians, aContinue reading “On US – Israeli Relations”

This is an open letter from President Biden to Prime Minister Netanyahu. “Dear Bibi, We have long stood by Israel in its quest for peace and security, often even at the price of our own national interest. We continue to do so. We have always defended Israel’s right to protect itself and we have willinglyContinue reading “On the Gaza War, Part VI – Tough Love”

Two years ago Putin’s army attacked Ukraine expecting only token resistance, believing it would be a veritable cake walk. It is rumored that front line Russian troops brought along their dress uniforms for an early victory parade through Kyiv. That was then. Over the last two years, the Ukrainians have put up fierce resistance, surprisingContinue reading “On the Ukraine War”

To show solidarity with the Palestinian people who are under siege by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Houtis of Yemen are attacking U.S. and other western ally’s ships that are within their reach. Various Iranian and ISIS militias are attacking U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. To date over 45 ships haveContinue reading “On the Gaza War, Part V”

As the war rages and fatalities mount to unconscionable levels and as Gaza, this 140 square mile enclave, is being systematically obliterated and as the erstwhile innocent Gazans are caught in the middle of an ongoing nightmare with nowhere safe to hide, calls for a ceasefire and for aid seem to fall on deaf ears.Continue reading “On The Gaza War, Part IV”

Day 95 and the war in Gaza grinds on, with Israeli casualties estimated at 1200 in Israel and an unknown number in Gaza, and maybe 22,000 Palestinians in Gaza, but really too many to count in the chaos that reigns. Israel is bound and determine to annihilate Hamas, which is a justified objective, but atContinue reading “On the Gaza War, III”

We have long considered ourselves a shining beacon on a hill. But our beacon is losing its luster and the hill is eroding under out feet, and we don’t seem to notice.  Our borders are an open sieve, our electric grid is outdated and insecure, our healthcare system is costly and unfocused; crime rate isContinue reading “On American Future”

Perhaps the most important attribute of the new administration we will elect next year will be its ability to unite this seriously divided nation.  As things unfold around us, it seems that the Republicans are unable to unify its own party, let alone the whole country. The Republicans are supposed to be the G.O.P., GovernmentContinue reading “On the Republicans”

As we await the land, sea and air invasion of Gaza for which Israel is gearing up, and the destruction and loss of life we expect, it is not too early to ask ourselves what are the take-aways from this costly conflict. If we don’t ask and try to discern the WHY, we are doomedContinue reading “On the Gaza War, Part II”

The Gaza Strip is an enclave of Palestinians which has been under Palestinian jurisdiction since Israel voluntarily withdrew its military and its settlements in 2005. It comprises an area of 140 sq. miles, around 25 miles long, and between 4 and 8 miles wide – – –  about twice the area of Washington D.C. ItContinue reading “On the Gaza War”