Ghassan Charbel

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

The Earthquake’s Lessons and the Maps Hanging in the Balance

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,…

Three Boxer Fighters and an Unprecedented Abyss

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…

Khamenei, Netanyahu and Trump’s Keys 

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…

Beirut, Damascus and the Challenge of a Normal Country

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…

Araghchi, the Bomb and the Iranian Train 

The United States has no interest in resorting to the military solution to resolve the dispute with Iran over its nuclear program. The use of force in the Middle East revives memories of costly experiences. President Donald Trump himself does not believe that the military solution is viable, unless…

Iraq: The Traps and Regional Roles 

Baghdad is relieved because it managed to avoid falling into several traps. Iraqi factions entertained the idea of expanding the conflict in wake of the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation in Gaza and opening of the “support front” in Lebanon. However, internal advice and external warnings steered Iraq clear…

Baghdad, Sharaa and Trump’s Shadow 

Baghdad has the unusual ability to force its visitor to open up about the past and its pains. The ability becomes more pronounced when the friends choose to have dinner on the banks of the Tigris only to find out that the current resort was once one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. I believe people…

Trump and the Riyadh Dates

It is not unusual for President Donald Trump to kick off his first tour in Riyadh, just like he did during his first term in office. The changes that have taken place in Riyadh since his 2017 visit and his arrival on Tuesday have deepened his conviction of Riyadh’s ability to host major dates and…

Wearing Sharaa Out or Breaking Syria Apart?

Benjamin Netanyahu is leading the region to the abyss. He is driving it into tunnels that will leave us in endless conflict if his project succeeds. Netanyahu is trying to capitalize on the blows his army has delivered in recent wars, with the aim of imposing new facts on the ground in neighboring…

Iran... Pragmatism after the ‘Flood’ 

Iranian commentators appear to be relaxed about the prospects of the ongoing negotiations with the United States. Some have implied that a honeymoon period is possible with the “Great Satan” if its intentions are sincere. They speak of a mutual need. Iran needs an agreement that would end the…