Latest writing and updates:
Hamas’s Hamad Promises Further ‘al-Aqsa Floods’ (in Context)
Below is a partial translation/transcript of Hamas political official Ghazi Hamad’s October 24, 2023, appearance on LBCI program “Nharkom Said” (Have a Happy Day), with host Nada Andraos…
World Politics Review: “Hezbollah Won’t Stand Down Without a Cease-Fire in Gaza”
My latest for World Politics Review, on the limited – but still deadly – war between Hizbullah and Israel since October, and the seeming impossibility of de-escalating the Lebanon-Israel front without a ceasefire in Gaza…
Century International: “It’s Time for a Ceasefire in Gaza—and Then a New Push for Peace”
Century International colleagues Thanassis Cambanis, Dahlia Scheindlin and I urge the Biden administration to push for a ceasefire in Gaza…
Century International: “Adopt a Ministry: How Foreign Aid Threatens Lebanon’s Institutions”
I have a new report out for Century International, on how international donor support is keeping Lebanon's public institutions and services running…
Foreign Affairs: “The Upsides of Syrian Normalization”
Another new article from me, this time a piece for Foreign Affairs on why Arab normalization with Assad's Syria is basically fine – potentially even good…
The New Humanitarian: “What lessons can be drawn from the international earthquake response in Syria?”
Today at The New Humanitarian, I have an article on why international aid was so slow to reach Syria's northwest after February's devastating earthquakes…
Century International: “How Lebanon’s Elites Sabotaged an IMF Rescue”
At Century International, The Policy Initiative's Sami Zoughaib and I have a new commentary that works as a short, shareable version of our recent report on Lebanon’s stalled IMF talks…
Century International/The Policy Initiative: “The Shadow Plan: How Lebanese Elites Are Sabotaging Their Country’s IMF Lifeline”
I have a new report out, this time a collaboration with Sami Zoughaib of Lebanese think tank The Policy Initiative on how Lebanon's IMF talks have gone so badly awry…
Century International: “A Humane Choice: Sanctions Relief for Syria’s Earthquake”
I have a new commentary out today for Century International, on the Biden administration's decision to temporarily relax Syria sanctions to facilitate earthquake relief – clearly the responsible, humane thing to do, and a move worth defending…
War on the Rocks: “Turkey's Russian Red Light in Syria”
I have a new article out today at War on the Rocks, this time on how Russia – despite Turkish officials’ protests to the contrary – has, in fact, had an effective veto on Turkish military interventions in Syria; and how Moscow has now used that to maneuver Ankara into normalizing with Damascus…
Century International: “The Mysterious Pipeline for ISIS Recruits from Northern Lebanon”
I have a new report out today for The Century Foundation's Century International, this time on how dozens of young men from Lebanon's Tripoli disappeared last year, apparently to join the Islamic State in Iraq…
Century International: “Syrian Prisoner Amnesty Could Be a Breakthrough—If Damascus Is Ready to Do More”
I have a new report out today for The Century Foundation’s Century International, this time on a newly expansive amnesty announced by Syrian authorities. This amnesty decree could, potentially, allow for some diplomatic opening – but only if Damascus takes its implementation further…
Century International: “Economic Collapse—Not Elections—Will Shape Lebanon’s Future”
I have a new commentary for The Century Foundation’s Century International today, on what I think this weekend's Lebanese elections do and do not mean for the country's politics…
Foreign Affairs: “The Ponzi Scheme That Broke Lebanon”
I have a new article at Foreign Affairs today, on the United States' newfound commitment to fighting corruption in Lebanon…
Century International: “Russia’s War in Ukraine Will Also Hurt Syria”
Out today for Century International, I have a new report on the Ukraine conflict's ramifications for Syria…
Century International: “U.S. Policy Finally Distinguishes Between Lebanon and Hezbollah”
I have a new piece for Century International, this time on how U.S. policymakers ought to understand Lebanon's present crisis and to balance the United States' main policy aims in the country: preventing a failed state, and countering Hizbullah…
Century International: “‘Early Recovery’ Aid Can Provide Vital Relief to Syrians—If Donors Follow Through”
I have a new piece for The Century Foundation’s Century International, this time on “early recovery” aid to Syria and the contentious politics around it…
War on the Rocks: “Lights on in Lebanon: Limiting the Fallout from U.S. Sanctions on Syria”
For War on the Rocks, my new article on how the Biden administration's handling of a Lebanon energy project's sanctions implications seemingly fits into a more careful, precise approach to Syria sanctions, and a larger effort to mitigate sanctions' collateral damage…
The Century Foundation: “Lebanon Is in Free Fall. Opposition Groups Have Radically Different Ideas about How to Save It.”
My new report for Century International, on how members of Lebanon's opposition envision political change in a country that's collapsing around them…
DAWN’s Democracy in Exile: “The Dire Costs of Ending the U.N.'s Cross-Border Aid Into Syria”
My new piece for DAWN’s Democracy in Exile on the upcoming Security Council vote to renew the UN cross-border aid mandate in Syria…