Geneive Abdo’s op-ed on the Iran nuclear deal post-Geneva is published at Al Jazeera America
For Iran, the United States has always been the big prize. For 30 years, Iran’s bombastic rhetoric against the “Great Satan” was merely an expression of a hurt heart. So the euphoria in Iran in the last few days over the nuclear deal is not surprising. However, some Arab societies are mourning, not celebrating. As […]
After Geneva, how will the US and Iran reach a final deal?
For Iran, the United States has always been the big prize. For thirty years, Iran’s bombastic rhetoric against the “the Great Satan” was merely an expression of a hurt heart. So the euphoria in Iran over the last two days over the nuclear deal is not surprising. However, some Arab societies are mourning, not celebrating. […]
Lebanese Salafis amidst Syria’s war
One recent cool and sunny afternoon in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli, Sheikh Bilal Baroudi, a Sunni Salafist cleric, showed me the charred remains of the Salam mosque. He was preaching there on Aug. 24 when a bomb detonated, killing dozens of worshippers. Only a few walls remained. While a construction crew worked tirelessly that […]
Geneva 1.5
As currently conceived, Geneva II — the diplomatic process aimed at reaching a political settlement in Syria — is headed for near-certain failure. Continued difficulty in setting a firm meeting date underscores a fundamental obstacle: the Syrian protagonists — particularly the opposition — are not yet ready to talk. Even if both sides come to […]
Geneive Abdo’s op-ed on Lebanese Salafis and the Syrian civil war is published in Foreign Policy
One recent cool and sunny afternoon in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli, Sheikh Bilal Baroudi, a Sunni Salafist cleric, showed me the charred remains of the Salam mosque. He was preaching there on Aug. 24 when a bomb detonated, killing dozens of worshippers. Only a few walls remained. While a construction crew worked tirelessly that […]
After Geneva, Can an Iran Nuclear Deal Be Done?
The progress made in Geneva last week between Iran and major world powers is making the naysayers of a possible nuclear deal extremely frustrated. Although no deal was struck, an interim agreement seems inevitable, if not when Iran meets the P5+1 again on Nov. 20, then shortly thereafter. In addition, the United States and Iran […]
Ellen Laipson is interviewed on Voice of America’s “ON THE LINE” on US-Saudi Relations
An alliance that has endured for 80 years is showing signs of a rift. Saudi Arabia is so unhappy with the United States that it gave up a coveted seat on the UN Security Council. What does this tension mean for the two allies, their longstanding relationship and the region? To watch the full interview, […]
Ellen Laipson is interviewed on Voice of America’s “ON THE LINE” on US-Saudi Relations
An alliance that has endured for 80 years is showing signs of a rift. Saudi Arabia is so unhappy with the United States that it gave up a coveted seat on the UN Security Council. What does this tension mean for the two allies, their longstanding relationship and the region? To watch the full interview, […]