Archives for March 2018

Published on March 23, 2018 by Gary Grappo

Shock, But Hold the Awe: Trump to Meet Kim

Published first at Fair Observer on March 9, 2018

Can the world expect substantive achievements to come out of the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, two of the most unpredictable leaders? The world can be forgiven for having been whipsawed by Washington’s announcement on March 8 that President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The revelation came after […]

FO° Talks: America’s New Fast-Changing Role in the Middle East, Part 1

August 25, 2024 By Gary Grappo

After World War II, the need to ensure that no single country controlled access to the region’s rich reserves of fossil fuels underscored US diplomacy in and led US diplomats to the Middle East. While the US forged an alliance with Saudi Arabia, the British had thrown their hat in with Iran. The US proved […]

FO° Talks: America’s New Fast-Changing Role in the Middle East (Part 2)

August 25, 2024 By Gary Grappo

The United States’ role in the Middle East took a turn in the early 2000s after the Bush administration’s War on Terror. The disastrous US invasion of Iraq changed the public perception of the US’ role in the region and the world. While the Obama administration attempted to pivot to Asia, the 2011 Arab Spring, […]

What Happens Now That the Iranian President Is Dead?

June 1, 2024 By Gary Grappo

The recent death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash has created uncertainty regarding the nation’s future. Gary Grappo, a retired US diplomat with extensive regional experience, provides insight into the potential implications. The president is a figurehead, and the immediate effects will be minimal. Still, Raisi’s death highlights the instability of the […]

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Archives for March 2018

Shock, But Hold the Awe: Trump to Meet Kim