Untold history matters - 6.20.2026

Much of the Western public rarely hears the full Palestinian story before 1948. For generations, many Palestinian Arabs and Jews lived side by side in the land, despite periodic tensions. The collapse of that coexistence was shaped by competing national movements, British colonial policies, war, and decisions made by world powers.

The creation of Israel in 1948 brought safety and self-determination to many Jews after the horrors of the Holocaust, but it also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an event they remember as the Nakba. Countless families lost homes, land, and livelihoods that had been in their families for generations.

Today, Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank continue to endure immense suffering from war, occupation, restrictions on movement, and recurring violence. Human rights organizations, aid workers, journalists, and peace activists have documented a devastating toll on civilians. The death of peace activist Rachel Corrie and the killing of numerous journalists and humanitarian workers remain symbols of a conflict in which civilians too often pay the highest price.

Western governments and media must allow greater scrutiny, transparency, and access for independent reporting throughout Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Lasting peace requires equal concern for every human life, accountability for abuses by all parties, and recognition of Palestinian Jews and Lebanese humanity.

PBS NewsHour blind spot-on Lebanon - 6.19.2026

PBS NewsHour is a program I have long admired for its commitment to serious journalism. That is why I was deeply disappointed by its coverage of the Israeli-Lebanon conflict.

By giving airtime to an IDF soldier and presenting him primarily as an innocent victim, the program failed to provide sufficient context about the suffering endured by Lebanese civilians during years of conflict and military operations. Balanced journalism requires that the voices and experiences of all affected people be heard, not just those on one side.

Lebanon is a sovereign nation and its people deserve the same respect, security, and human rights afforded to any other population. Lasting peace will not come through military force but through respect for international law, human rights, and national sovereignty.

Viewers depend on PBS NewsHour for fair and comprehensive reporting. I hope future coverage will present a fuller picture of the human costs of war and include a wider range of perspectives from those living through the conflict.

Only through balanced reporting can audiences better understand the realities of war and the urgent need for peace.

US - EU must stop funding Israeli terrorism - 6.19.2026

The suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust rightly generated worldwide sympathy and a commitment that such atrocities should never happen again. That promise must apply to everyone.

Today, many people around the world are deeply troubled by reports of mass displacement, destruction of homes, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the immense civilian toll in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. International aid workers, human rights advocates, and organizations have documented conditions that demand urgent global attention and accountability.

The United States has provided approximately $175 billion in aid to Israel since 1948, including about $125 billion in military assistance. Additional wartime funding since 2023 has added billions more. European countries have also supplied arms and military-related support. Many taxpayers increasingly question whether their money is helping advance peace and security or prolonging conflict and human suffering.

No lasting peace can be built on starvation, displacement, collective punishment, or endless war. Human rights and international law must apply equally to all nations and all people. The world should demand an immediate end to attacks on civilians, unrestricted humanitarian access, protection of journalists, the release of hostages and detainees held without due process, and a negotiated path toward justice, security, and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Never Again must mean never again for anyone.

Disconnected From Reality: Global Leaders, Extreme Wealth, and the Fight for Economic Justice - 6.18.2026

At the G7 meeting Oxfam exposes growing economic power from a small number of billionaires At a time when millions face rising food costs, housing insecurity, and stagnant wages, the policies discussed at these high-level meetings appear increasingly disconnected from the realities of ordinary people.

Oxfam’s findings point to a global economic system that is not merely unequal, but structurally tilted—where wealth accumulation at the very top translates into disproportionate political influence. This dynamic risks weakening democratic accountability and narrowing the policy space needed to address inequality, climate change, and public health crises.

If global summits are to retain legitimacy, they must prioritize transparency, tax justice, and concrete measures to reduce extreme wealth concentration. That includes fair taxation of multinational corporations and billionaires, stronger labor protections, and investment in public services that serve the majority, not the few.

Without such shifts, gatherings like the G7 risk becoming forums that manage inequality rather than correct it.

Through the Lens of Conscience: Misan Harriman’s Witness for Palestine - 6.18.2026

“Shoot the People”: A provocative title celebrating Nigerian-British Misan Harriman, Photographer and an Outspoken advocate for Palestine

Misan Harriman, widely recognized for his striking photographic work capturing human dignity and social struggle, has also become a prominent public voice calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. His advocacy reflects a growing movement among artists and cultural figures who refuse to separate art from conscience in moments of mass suffering.

Through imagery and public statements, Harriman has helped amplify the lived reality of civilians affected by war, especially children and families caught in cycles of violence. His stance underscores a broader truth: photography is not only documentation, but also witness. In times when mainstream narratives often sanitize or distance the human cost of conflict, independent artistic voices play a crucial role in restoring moral clarity.

Whether one agrees with every position or not, the core issue remains the same—civilian protection, adherence to international law, and the urgent need for de-escalation and peace. Voices like Harriman’s remind the public that silence is also a choice, and that cultural influence carries responsibility.

At a time of global polarization, the call is simple: protect free expression, listen to those bearing witness, and prioritize human life above political calculation.

Trump’s War on Iran Ends with a “Triumphant” Tehran and a Diminished U.S. - 6.18.2026

Vali Nasr’s analysis of Trump’s war on Iran raises troubling questions about the cost of military adventurism.

After months of conflict, thousands of deaths, economic disruption, soaring energy prices and heightened regional instability, the United States appears to have accepted a settlement that leaves many of the original issues unresolved.

Wars are often launched with promises of decisive victories, yet history repeatedly shows that diplomacy achieves what bombs cannot. If the final outcome is a return to negotiations, citizens have every right to ask why war was chosen in the first place.

America's strength has never rested solely on military power. It has rested on wise leadership, respect for international law and the ability to build peace through dialogue. The lessons of Iraq, Afghanistan and now Iran should remind us that lasting security comes from diplomacy, not endless war.

The world needs fewer wars of choice and more courageous efforts for peace.

Breaking the Cycle: Why the U.S. and EU Must Prioritize Diplomacy Over Escalation - 6.17.2026

If there is to be peace in the Middle East, it must begin with an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran and a halt to all attacks across the region. Those who support President Trump's efforts to end the war with Iran should also support urgent diplomacy to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent a wider conflict that threatens the global economy and countless innocent lives.

Many Americans are increasingly questioning decades of failed policies that have fueled instability. The 1953 overthrow of Iran's elected government, widely seen as driven by control of oil resources, left wounds that remain unhealed today. Likewise, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948 continues to fuel conflict and demands a just resolution.

The United States and European nations should place peace, humanitarian aid and diplomacy above military escalation. Israel must respect Lebanon's sovereignty and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory. Aid workers, civilians and prisoners must be protected under international law.

A lasting peace requires justice, security and equal human dignity for Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians and Israelis alike. The world has seen enough war. It is time for diplomacy, reconciliation and peace.

The Palestinians have suffered enormously under Israel’s brutal occupation. It is time for the U.S. and EU to vigorously support an independent Palestinian state.