Category Archives: Liberty

9/11 @ 25

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

For about ten years I fought in the “War on Terror”. My work was in three theaters, all in Africa (Uganda, Mali, Nigeria) against ISIS, Al Shabbab, Al Qaida and Boko Haram. I mapped jihadi movements throughout the Lake Chad … Continue reading →

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A Simple Tale of Soviet Armenia

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

I think this my favorite of my novels. It is not the most elaborate, that would go to “The Unraveling.” Nor is it the best researched, that would go to “Lords of Misrule.” But my novel about Armenia, called “An … Continue reading →

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“Adam and Eve” by the Afghanistan National Institute of Music

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

Five years ago I was involved in a pretty crazy adventure, lending a hand to a diverse group of people which included Juilliard Music School, the Estonian Intelligence Minister, the Portuguese Defense Minister, the Qatari Royal Family, and Yo Yo … Continue reading →

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Reflections On My Last 5 Years

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

“Pretty soon my five years in the Senate will be coming to an end. On a trip to Mexico, the U.S. Ambassador was introducing the Senator and said, “Everything of any significance to the life of our nation goes through … Continue reading →

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Maria Corina Machado Live

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

Last time I saw MCM was in Rosario, Argentina during a Freedom Foundation event with Nobel Prize winning novelist Mario Vargas Llosa. Who would have thought MCM would go on to win her own prize. It was very nice to … Continue reading →

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