Ghassan Charbel

Donald Trump glances at his clock. He doesn’t like long wars. He realizes how dangerous they are. He knows a war is risky as midterm elections approach. He also doesn’t like to lose or even admit defeat. He believes that he was victorious in the war. Nothing remains but to translate the victory…

This was years ago. Commander of the Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani was frank and adamant. He told his visitors that the “American troops had no choice but to leave Iraq. Baghdad was on fire under their boots, just like a carpet made of fire. Their withdrawal will damage their image and…

Trump’s approach differs than that of his predecessors. He has different friendships, rivalries and ways in running wars. He is a general who runs the battle in person through screens, social media and the telephone. His statements have nothing to do with traditional diplomacy. His threats to NATO…

The current Iranian regime was born from the embers of alarm. Khomeini’s revolution took on a responsibility that goes beyond the country’s means, despite its position and wealth. Revolutions are similar to individuals; victories make them arrogant, reckless and risk-takers. Khomeini imposed…

Date: January 9, 1991 Location: The Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva The world fixed its eyes on the venue. Journalists landed from near and far. The Security Council resolution was unambiguous, demanding Iraq's immediate and complete withdrawal from Kuwait, which it had overrun. The deadline…

Two past developments can help us understand the present. The first was when Khomeini, after the victory of the revolution, ordered the removal of the Israeli flag from its embassy in Tehran and ordered that it be replaced with a Palestinian one. He changed the nature of his relations with the most…

The assassination of the Supreme Leader was the most violent earthquake that could have hit Iran. Some believe it is even more devastating than the strike on the nuclear facilities or the major regional setbacks, like losing Syria after decades of dominance or losing the ability to station forces…

Will it be just another round, or will it be greater and more dangerous than that? Is it the end of the war or the end of an era? Will it be a violent passing storm or a deadly earthquake that is enough to change features? Is it true that the approaching fleets are seeking to end half a century of…

Marco Rubio has said that a meeting between President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei can be held as soon as tomorrow if the latter agrees. However, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for this meeting to actually happen. A meeting between these two men is like…

The Lebanese politician said he was at a loss every time he thought about President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He has an intriguing and complex past that merits deep study to understand the major transformation he went through. He admitted that he was alarmed when he saw the 40-something man take over…