If you’re already familiar with the Hajj then this essay isn’t going to break any new ground for you, but if you’re not then I hope you come away with at least a basic understanding of its purpose, origins, and practices. The Hajj is a group pilgrimage to the city of Mecca (whose full name … Continue reading The Hajj and Islamic Pilgrimage
Category: blog
What’s the Deal With Chemical Weapons?
Three weeks ago this Wednesday, on August 21, an apparent chemical weapons attack in a suburb outside of Damascus changed the scope of the Syrian civil war from a mostly internal affair with limited involvement from outside the immediate region to an international incident. The attack violated several international accords banning the use of chemical … Continue reading What’s the Deal With Chemical Weapons?
Abdicated and It Feels So Good
Hey, I've moved! If you enjoy this post you can find more of my writing at Foreign Exchanges, a Substack newsletter covering a variety of topics in history and foreign affairs. Check it out today and become a subscriber! Harrison Ford once said "I think retirement's for old people." Well, 85 is old, so if … Continue reading Abdicated and It Feels So Good