Friends and followers, You have noted my interest in interfaith dialogue and increasing understanding about Islam.  I am excited to announce I have completed my year-long project to interpret the Quran into a chronological modern-English text.  I am now shopping for editors and hope to publish it before the summer.  If you are interested in… Read More 22 Feb: Publishing my Quran interpretation 

3 December 2016 Jason Criss Howk, Soldier, U.S. Army (Retired) Much has been made of the large number of generals that have been interviewed by the President-elect or selected for his cabinet. There are some that think this will lead to a militarization of our government or foreign policy. I can shed some light on… Read More Fear Not The Generals

Veterans Against Bigotry, By Jason Criss Howk   The lesson most modern warriors take away from their military service is that race, ethnicity, and religion are not important traits when you need help in a fight. They are not useful indicators of leadership or tactical skills. They don’t influence marksmanship or strategic thinking.  No matter… Read More Veterans Against Bigotry

A collection of options from the Wilson Center about where America should go in regards to Asia.  PDF of report

Dr Khalaf Al-Habtoor is a UAE based businessman, writer and philanthropist and spoke briefly about Iran, Syria, terrorism and DAESH.  He started out by stating he traveled to the US from the Arabian Gulf not the Persian Gulf. He questioned quickly if the US was a partner to the Arab nations or Iran. He reminded… Read More Dr Khalaf Al-Habtoor on the Middle East the next US president faces

I am spending a couple days in DC to hear Arab views on the Middle East issues they think the next US president will face.  First up the PLO Deputy Chief of Mission discusses the status of the Israeli and Palestinian issue.  His major thesis: The 1988 agreement of a two-state solution is under threat… Read More PLO views on the Israel-Palestinian Issue

Book Review of Anatomy of a Soldier by Harry Parker, 2016 Faber & Faber Limited, UK Reviewer, Jason Criss Howk Harry Parker has delivered a story that every Soldier will understand and every other citizen should strive to.  As I readied to leave my first year-long tour in Afghanistan, I was given the news that… Read More Must Read Account of Soldiering: Book Review

WWSD? What Would Sistani Do? In my introduction to Islam class yesterday we got into a frank discussion about what are Muslims supposed to do when facing some modern social issues.  I recalled a website my Islam professor (Dr Abbas Kadhim) once shared with me and thought it would be useful to show my 39… Read More WWSD? What Would Sistani Do?

Great update in this article about the Saudi Arabian government coming to terms with a blaringly obvious issue.  I have been on a public speaking tour for a year explaining this history. The Saudi government has admitted they have a problem and they were a big part of creating it.  Keep an eye on the… Read More The Saudis Admit Islamism got out of control…

Jason Criss Howk 10 September 2016 “”That’s the key, they tell us; we can’t beat ISIL unless we call them radical Islamists,” the president continued.” -President Obama, June 2016 speech http://www.aol.com/article/2016/06/14/obama-goes-after-trump-over-radical-islam-criticism/21395224/ After 15 years of American Presidents and the press dancing around the topic of Islam, and confusing nearly every American instead of educating and… Read More 15 years later Americans can’t see the difference between Islam and violent radical Islamist ideology

25 August 2016 Tonight 32 members of the Sandills community gathered at the old Pinehurst Post Office ( The Outpost) for a discussion of the life and legacy of Pinehurst’s first citizen.  Major (retired) Jason Howk led the discussion that highlighted the key leadership traits of General and Citizen Marshall.  Our focus was on how… Read More Learning from George C. Marshall 

Look for this great book in September! Book Review: Uber Alles, by Robert Arthur Neff Reviewed by Jason Criss Howk    “Sophie drunkenly observed that her world was all broken —truly, truly shattered.” Everyone has likely felt like Sophie at times. I know I have. But how Sophie got to this point is quite an… Read More Book review: Uber Alles, Robert Arthur Neff

An important study here from the Washington Institiute for Near East Policy. Inside the Caliphate’s (ISIS) Classroom If you want to undermine an ideology (after you decide to and actually specifically identify the enemy that is following said ideology) you must understand what it’s ideology is and how they spread it.  As this study will… Read More How ISIS Teaches its Message to Youths and Others

By Major (Retired) Jason Howk I have been watching the two cases of grieving families using their grief to make attacks on presidential candidates. One has gotten a lot of coverage while the other has not. It made me think about parents of Soldiers I met during my 23 years of service. Some parents were… Read More Gold-Star Veterans

My short response to the recent OpEd by a retired CJCS who doesn’t like to see retired officers involved in domestic politics. He wrote it for the Washington Post.  I’d give you the link but they want me to subscribe to see the story again… Response: I disagree on many grounds but foremost our military… Read More Veterans have every right to participate in politics

That’s how fast it happens.  Must read story about 17 year old attacker in Germany.  NYT article Violent radical ideas, like this strain of Islamism, are refined to catch people teetering between good and evil and teaching them the evil option. They are snake-oil salesmen and evil ideas seem to have a faster payoff.  Hate… Read More Between good and evil

A colleague of mine suggested I take a look at this recent article in the NY Times about a man trying to understand the Wahhabi ideology of Islam found in Saudi Arabia. I would further recomend this article to my audience.  NYT Article about those who seek change in Saudi Arabia There is always a… Read More Every nation must look at how they contribute to violent radical Islamism

In light of the dark events this evening in Nice France I must reiterate that President Obama must lead America and the world in a discussion about violent radical Islamism.  If we cannot understand and identify the enemy that has declared war on everybody in the world that does not think exactly like them, then… Read More America must ID radical Islamist ideologues

I spend a lot of time trying to mentor Millennials. I say trying because this generation can be challenging to mentor.  Not because they are lazy or fickle as many try to paint them but because they see the world differently and like to get lots of opinions before making a decision. This author makes… Read More Mentoring the largest generation at work