Category Archives: Middle East

White Paper: The Abraham Accords: Core Terms, Current & Prospective Members, and Strategic Implications (as of November 8, 2025)

Posted on November 9, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary The Abraham Accords are a set of U.S.-mediated normalization arrangements launched in 2020 that pair a short Abraham Accords Declaration with country-specific bilateral normalization agreements with Israel. Initial signatories were the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain (September … Continue reading →

Posted in International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

White Paper: The Identity of the Wise Men of the Gospels — Biblical and Historical Context

Posted on November 7, 2025 by nathanalbright

I. Introduction The account of the Wise Men from the East visiting the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12) has fascinated theologians, historians, and lay readers alike. While popular tradition imagines three kings visiting the manger, Scripture itself is more restrained, mentioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, History, International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Yemen Conflict: Deep Divides, Complex Dynamics, and Paths Toward Peace

Posted on September 23, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Yemen’s civil war is a multifaceted conflict rooted in historical, political, economic, and regional divides. The conflict involves multiple internal actors (Houthis, the internationally recognized government, Southern separatists, tribal/local authorities, extremist groups) and external powers (Saudi Arabia, UAE, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

White Paper: Consequences and Implications of Israel’s Sept. 9, 2025 Strike on Hamas Leadership in Doha, Qatar

Posted on September 10, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary On September 9, 2025, Israel carried out a strike in Doha targeting senior members of Hamas’s political leadership resident in Qatar. Qatar condemned the action as a violation of its sovereignty; early reporting indicated multiple fatalities among associates … Continue reading →

Posted in International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Structural Reasons For The Elusiveness Of Yemeni Unity

Posted on August 9, 2025 by nathanalbright

Introduction Yemen’s modern history has been shaped by deep-rooted fractures—historical, political, tribal, economic, and geopolitical—that persistently thwart its unity. Despite the 1990 formal unification, true cohesion remains out of reach. 1. Historical and Colonial Legacies Yemen historically consisted of separate … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Strategic Situation of the Late Assyrian Empire

Posted on August 4, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary In the late 7th century BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire stood at the apex of its territorial reach but simultaneously approached a tipping point that would soon lead to its catastrophic collapse. The empire’s political and military dominance over … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Food Aid Logistics, Accountability Breakdown, and the Perception of Starvation: The Case of Gaza

Posted on August 2, 2025 by nathanalbright

Author: Nathan Albright Date: August 2025 Executive Summary Conflicts often generate competing narratives about humanitarian conditions, particularly in contested and politically charged environments. The Gaza conflict provides a stark example: accusations against Israel of “starving Gaza” persist in global discourse … Continue reading →

Posted in International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bombs Over Tehran

Posted on June 23, 2025 by nathanalbright

Earlier today someone asked me how the passage in Deuteronomy 21 regarding God avenging the blood of the innocent dealt with the victims of war. My first thought was that it didn’t. Since the beginnings of history, we have realized … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The British Role In Operation Shader

Posted on February 4, 2025 by nathanalbright

The Royal Air Force (RAF) plays a crucial role in Operation Shader, the UK’s contribution to the fight against Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. Here’s a breakdown of their involvement, with a focus on their operations from Cyprus: RAF … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Military History, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Druze: A Distinctive Middle Eastern Community

Posted on December 14, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Druze community represents a fascinating example of religious and cultural distinctiveness in the Middle East, with origins dating back to the 11th century CE. Their faith emerged during the Fatimid Caliphate when a group of Ismaili Muslims, led by … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations, Middle East, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment