Author Archives: Harper

HARPER: MARK PERRY RIP

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Harper

The world has lost a great man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth and justice, whether delving into the depths of the Pentagon bureaucracy, the thorniest Middle East conflicts, American literary history, baseball, or just about any … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

HARPER: HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Harper

One of the strategic initiatives that the Biden Administration may be getting right is the diplomatic dialogue with Russia. From the very outset of the new administration, the US has pursued some low-hanging fruit, like the early extension of the … Continue reading →

Posted in China, History, Russia | 99 Comments

HARPER: RUSSIAN-AMERICAN AFGHAN DECONFLICTION

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Harper

In their June 16 telephone conversation, Presidents Biden and Putin discussed the possibility of US intelligence personnel operating out of Russian military bases in Central Asia to monitor Afghanistan, following the complete US and NATO withdrawal, now expected to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

HARPER: A BOLD PROPOSAL FOR DURABLE PEACE

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Harper

My historian friend Steve Douglas has written the following account of General Douglas MacArthur’s transformation from brilliant military commander to advocate for an end to warfare as a means of resolving conflicts among nations. It has important lessons for today’s … Continue reading →

Posted in History | 15 Comments

HARPER: MOVE OVER MR. TRUMP

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Harper

Colonel Lang has eloquently stated the dilemma facing the Republican Party. As Senator Lindsey Graham admitted following the events of January 6, the Republican Party cannot live without Donald Trump, but at the same time, the Party must look to … Continue reading →

Posted in Harper, Politics, Uncategorized | 22 Comments

HARPER: THE LESSONS OF STALINGRAD BY STEVE DOUGLAS

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Harper

After hearing a lecture by my friend Steve Douglas on the lessons of the battle of Stalingrad, I urged him to write this essay on the topic.  Given the current toxic relationship between the United States and Russia–the two predominant … Continue reading →

Posted in Harper, The Military Art | 32 Comments

HARPER: DID MAXIMUM PRESSURE BOOST IRGC JUNTA?

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Harper

Since the Trump decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and launch the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, internal developments in the Islamic Republic have benefitted one group in particular:  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

HARPER: SAUDIS SHAKEN BY 911 COURT RULING

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Harper

It is altogether fitting that on the 19th anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon a Federal Magistrate has ordered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to produce 24 current and former officials for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

HARPER: UAE-ISRAEL DEAL LESS THAN MEETS THE EYE

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Harper

On initial observation, the deal struck between Abu Dabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Zayed, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jared Kushner is very much less than meets the eye.  Some usually thoughtful Middle East analysts like Robin Wright have proclaimed this a "game-changer" … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

HARPER: JUDGE CLEARS PATH FOR BOLTON INDICTMENT

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Harper

Federal District Court Judge Royce Lamberth has cleared the way for John Bolton to be criminally prosecuted for violating his non-disclosure agreement and revealing classified material without authorization.  In a 10-page ruling issued June 20, the former presiding judge of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 20 Comments