Montana World Affairs Council

The conflict between the nation of Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas has escalated into rocket attacks into Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, followed by Israeli air strikes into the West Bank.

Calling the current situation in Iraq "a stunning development", Montana World Affairs Council founder Mark Johnson said the bad news is just beginning in Iraq.

After Missoulian reporter Martin Kidston's article in the Thursday, March 27 newspaper, the Montana World Affairs Council received word that a Missoula middle school's entire 8th grade class would be attending a conference on human trafficking.

What some diplomats are calling an attack by the Assad regime in Syria utilizing weapons of mass destruction, namely chemical weapons, has resulted in a response that may include the use of cruise missiles from the United States.

After a military coup in Egypt, former President Mohammad Morsi is under house arrest, and tens of thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets to celebrate the overthrow of the fundamentalist Muslim leader.

Retired Ambassador Mark Johnson of the Montana World Affairs Council based in Missoula says two events in the past week have signaled a change in the overall picture in the Middle east, the Iranian elections, and the decision by the United States to become directly involved in the Syrian civil war.

"Someone once said if hell had a theme park, it would be in today's Syria." Those are the words of former ambassador Mark Johnson, now affiliated with the Montana World Affairs Council in Missoula.

Montana World Affairs Council founder has his own 'Argo' story.

On Wednesday, Israel launched an attack on Gaza in retaliation for Palestinian rocket strikes, leading to the death of the top military commander of Hamas. Israel has threatened to invade the area, although a truce has been negotiated by Egypt...

Former ambassador Mark Johnson comments on Obama re-election and the Middle East.