US presidential elections: A view from the Middle East

Although the era of US global hegemony is coming to a close, the Middle East – more than most regions Continue reading →

Interview: Mideast alliances shift as regional balance alters

In January, I was interviewed by the conservative Iranian publication Javan about the shifting balance of power in the Levant and Persian Gulf. Continue reading →

Will Geneva lead right back to Assad’s 2011 reforms?

Originally published at RT on February 10, 2016 Syrian peace talks have already stalled. The opposition refused to be in the Continue reading →

The Syrian opposition circus comes to town

This article was originally published on RT’s Op-Edge on December 22, 2015 In January, the Syrian government will – ostensibly Continue reading →

Rinse and repeat: 82 new US-trained Syrians prepare for fight

A US military source has revealed in private conversation that the US-led Coalition formed to target the Islamic State (IS) Continue reading →

As Iran nuclear deadline passes, narrative battle heats up

June 30, 2015, Vienna –  It’s D-Day in Vienna, and the parties sitting across the negotiating table still haven’t ironed Continue reading →

To Beat ISIS, Kick Out US-Led Coalition

Read this article in French and Turkish too. It has been a bad week or two for foes of ISIS. The Continue reading →

In Yemen, and Middle East, U.S. Needs to Learn When to Quit

This essay is part of a New York Times opinion-page debate on whether “Yemen is America’s fight.” Six years before Continue reading →