Ghassan Charbel
Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper

The Surprises of Sinwar’s Year

On October 7, 2023, Yehya al-Sinwar achieved half of his old dream. He dealt Israel an unprecedented blow to force it to release tens of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. The world was shocked by the extent of the surprise. Sinwar managed to reach that day due to several factors. Among them was…

What Party, What Lebanon and What Iran?

The images coming from Lebanon are painful, terrifying and horrific. Bodies are being retrieved from under the rubble, and houses are burned or abandoned. A million refugees – a record number in the country’s history. They sleep in the open in the capital and others sleep in their cars because…

The War of the Absent General

For nearly a year, the region has lived with the war that was sparked by the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation. It also seemed that Israel has started to live with the “war of support” launched by Hezbollah within certain rules of engagement. The impression was that the United States succeeded in preventing…

Lebanon… Netanyahu is More Dangerous than Sharon

On Sunday, Israeli planes dropped leaflets over the Wazzani area in South Lebanon, demanding residents leave immediately under the pretext that Hezbollah was firing from the area. The most alarming part of the message was a phrase warning the population not to return “to this area until the end…

Jordan’s Stability Is Necessary for Palestinians, Arabs

Whoever knows Jordan, knows that its fate is tied to the Palestinians. It cannot abandon the open Palestinian wound and doesn’t even want to. The establishment of the two-state solution is in Jordan’s higher interest. Keeping the bleeding wound open makes worry a daily part of life in Jordan. The…

A Problem for his Allies and a Problem for his Enemies 

Where will Benjamin Netanyahu take Israel? Where will he take the Middle East and United States? His rivals in Israel are warning that he is not concerned with a ceasefire unless it is preceded by a victory. They are warning that he is costing Israel too many losses. His opponents have failed to…

How Difficult it Is to End a War 

Ending a war is more difficult than deciding to wage one. The one backing down must offer a convincing story. He must offer explanations and justifications. He must compare the losses and gains and declared goals and which of them were achieved. He must say if he feels more secure after the…

Strong Men Who Have No Solution

People are drawn to strong leaders. Such a leader can either polish the image of his nation or conceal its fragility. He can curb the ambitions of enemies or thwart their plots. His strength offers a sense of invincibility, allowing his people to feel secure and proud. A strong leader imposes…

The General and the Politician: Sinwar and Abu Ammar

Are we headed towards a new Palestinian Nakba that is more horrific than the first? Are we standing before a new chapter in the long bitter conflict when Yayha al-Sinwar replaces Yasser Arafat and Hamas replaces Fatah? Is Hamas banking on claiming the right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian…

The Edge of Full-Scale War and Netanyahu’s Trap 

Benjamin Netanyahu fears the end of the war. He will be confronted with investigation committees and several questions about accountability and errors. For him, the issue is practically about life or death. The issue is more than just about Netanyahu clinging to office to avoid accountability. …