Kickoff

I decided to write this blog as an attempt - most likely in vain - to explain in layman's terms just what the hell is going on in the world beyond our shores.

One day, not too long ago, I was coming back to the office from lunch with a couple of buddies. One of the guys with us - who is an incredibly intelligent person - was telling another about the latest drama in Egypt and he had it completely wrong. It was so wrong I don't even remember how he characterized the situation. It was that wrong.

I calmly explained the context of the situation as best I could - Arab Spring, Tahrir Square, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Morsi, the military. It occurred that instances where people are misunderstanding scenarios like this happens more often than not and if I can contribute anything in this world, it is a measured and cautious, yet comprehensive, analysis of international affairs.

I say this because I have a degree with honors from Lafayette College in International Affairs and French and a Masters in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University. I also wrote an Honors thesis on the manifestation of enlightenment philosophy in 20th Century public policy and have had stints working for both Brent Scowcroft and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs' Central and West Africa team. Besides this, I've spent time on Capitol Hill as both a consultant and an advocate.

I list these qualifications not as a means to toot my own horn - I am actually totally underwhelmed by my experience - but rather as a way to let you know that subsequent entries on this page are going to be crafted in a very careful way. Even a couple of years immersed in the world of international relations is enough to make you throw your presumptions out of the window.

Furthermore, I'm not saying that anything written on this page is the absolute truth. While I do have the aptitude and experience to more fully grasp international affairs than most people, I am by no means omniscient. Actually, far from it. I would be willing to bet you are more omniscient than I.

So, please enjoy and feel free to add comments - as long as they are not abusive to anyone. There's always a lot going on, so I'm sure I will have a post soon.