Ghassan Charbel

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…

The fleets have approached closer, and the generals have pored over maps. The scent of war is in the air. The region holds its breath. Coexisting with Iran’s approach is less costly than enduring the collapse of the Iranian regime. Mediation has been set in motion. The region seems locked into a…

Don't say that you have a solution. You are not a decision-maker and have no right to steal the spotlight or praise. Your fate is to remain in the shadows and for others to take credit for your work. The solution comes from the source. Your participation in devising it does not give you any right…

General Mazloum Abdi asked President Ahmad al-Sharaa for something he cannot give. Al-Sharaa cannot parcel out the “new Syria” among its components. Genuine decentralization for Kurdish areas would immediately raise parallel claims by the Alawites of the coast and the Druze of Suwayda. Without a…

Ruling a country is already complex. One must consolidate legitimacy and maintain firm trust between governance and the people. One must listen closely to the people, not simply make do with official reports that often do not raise doubts or address difficult questions. The daily concerns of the…

It is hardly surprising that the Saudi initiative to host the intra-Southern dialogue has been well received in Yemen. The initiative offers the people of southern Yemen, as well as all of its factions, an opportunity to develop a united vision for the Southern Question and a framework for…