Amid chaos, ‘The War Reporter’ introspects

The War Reporter by Martin Fletcher; St. Martin’s Press © 2015; ISBN 978-1-250-07002-9; 306 pages, $25.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Set in Sarajevo (Bosnia) during the siege, and in Belgrade (Serbia) ten years afterwards, this novel tells of television journalist Tom Layne briefly encountering Serbian General Ratko Mladic near the former war-torn city and trying

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

Russia in Middle East may deter Iran, Hezbollah

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Tensions, competition, or dust-up–call it what you will–between Russia and the US presents a fascinating subject for analysis. No doubt, the US is stronger by far economically and militarily. It was left standing at the end of the Cold War, while the Soviet Union disappeared. Now Russia is a fragment–albeit a

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Inspiration and distraction at High Holy Day services

By David Amos SAN DIEGO –As we do every year, my wife and I sat at the synagogue in our preferred seat for the High Holidays services. As expected, we enjoyed the thought provoking words from our Rabbi, heard the pure and beautifully performed chants from our cantorial soloist, and greeted fellow congregants, many of

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Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Why huts are going up in La Jolla, Del Mar

By Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — Beginning on the evening of Sunday, September 27, 2015 until a week later, many people will leave the security, warmth, beauty and permanence of their large, expensive, well appointed, nicely manicured homes.  They will retreat into a simple, sometimes wobbly, unpretentious temporary shelter, covered by nothing more than

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego County