Ghassan Charbel

Can a map, no matter how large, contain two armies, two authorities and two “states”? Is obligatory coexistence just a form of truce until one army succeeds in defeating the other? Is a clash inevitable between the two armies, two authorities and two “states” because the factions are impeding…

Can Lebanon become a normal state again, one that can make its decisions through its state institutions and that respects its commitments in line with international laws? Can Hezbollah acknowledge that the “Axis of Resistance” is no more and that it has no choice but to return to Lebanon and close…

The first component of wisdom is a precise assessment of the balance of power. It is indispensable in war, revolution, or a coup d’état. The balance of power is an almost inescapable consideration that cannot easily be written out of the equation. Ignoring it usually leads to catastrophic…

As bloody crises often ravage our countries, we find ourselves confronted with a bitter truth: our homelands are deeply wounded and lie atop wells of fear. People often tend to paint a rosy picture of their beloved countries. This love of country can leave us susceptible to denial. A tendency…

I once asked a man who had worked in Saddam Hussein’s palace whether he had ever heard him swear. “No, he did not have a habit of swearing. He would fall silent when he became angry, but sparks would flash in his eyes; whenever he accused someone of treason, betrayal, or embezzlement of public…

When visiting the president’s office, it helps to come bearing warmth. A firm embrace, a grateful smile, a public thank you – all gestures of loyalty that set the tone. It’s best to arrive eager for wisdom and ready to express not only personal admiration but also that of your people. In these…

The latest war in the Middle East was, both in terms of the course it took and its outcomes, resembles an earthquake. This is the latest of the earthquakes to hit the region: the 1967 war, the 1973 war, Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem, the victory of the Iranian Revolution, and the US invasion of Iraq,…

Unprecedented scenes in this terrifying region. In the scorching Middle Eastern ring, three great boxers face off over patches of blood and lakes of rubble. The people of the region woke up to the news that US bombers had struck three Iranian nuclear facilities at dawn. The Israelis woke up to…

It’s no simple feat to make Tehran live at the mercy of Israeli fighter jets and for the Israeli army to declare that the skies leading to the Iranian capital are open to its aircraft. It’s no simple feat to make Tel Aviv come under a barrage of Israeli missiles and for its people to come out of…

The Lebanese people complain about the advice from ambassadors and dictates from international financial organizations. They believe that the outside was paving their road and goals and setting the means for them. They are annoyed that their country is being treated like a minor, who the world has…