Daily Star / Harvard's Belfer Center / American University of Beirut
Rami Khouri is Director and Editor-at-Large of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut. A syndicated columnist and former regional editor at the Daily Star, a Beirut, Lebanon-based English-language newspaper, he is also a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center.
What's next for US relations with Turkey and North Korea? Early Tuesday morning, North Korea tested another intercontinental ballistic missile. It blew up shortly after take-off. But North Korea keeps working on a nuclear missile that could reach the U.S. Also, in Turkey, a close vote has given sweeping new powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkey is an important Western ally in the region, but its leader is becoming increasingly authoritarian.
Terrorism by remote control: Is there any protection? Should President Trump's travel ban on refugees and visitors from seven mostly Muslim countries be re-instated? The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to hear arguments today. The President's massively disruptive travel ban is aimed at refugees and travelers from seven mostly Muslim countries, but nearly all terrorist acts in the US since 911 have been committed by US citizens. Furthermore, there's new evidence that ISIS recruiters and handlers operate remotely — without anybody having to cross any borders at all. Rather than focusing on keeping potential terrorists out of the country, should we focus on those who are already here?
The UN calls for humanitarian pause in Aleppo Both sides are increasing the violence in Syria's second largest city, and today, the UN called for a humanitarian pause . Millions of people in Aleppo are threatened with a cutoff of their water supply. Rami Khouri, syndicated columnist and senior fellow at the American University in Beirut, says the geopolitics make it a quite complicated situation.
The New Egypt? Same as the Old? Three years after the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt's Tahrir Square, it seems a long cold winter has returned. Former strongman Hosni Mubarak and his closest security officials have been cleared of all charges stemming from the killing of protesters during the 2011 mass demonstrations. A new army general, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has consolidated power as Egypt's president, and thousands of religious and secular opposition activists are in jail. But the spigot of US aid is wide open and business is booming. Is it game over for democracy in Egypt?
Will a Historic Agreement Be a Historic Mistake? For the first time since the Islamic revolution 34 years ago, the US and Iran have signed an agreement. Six other nations have also agreed that economic sanctions will be suspended for six months in exchange for a temporary freeze on Iran's nuclear program. Congress and America's allies are sharply divided. Although both President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry lauded the deal, there's trouble with both political parties in the US Senate, from South Carolina Republican Lindsay Graham, who wants to get tougher, to New York Democrat Charles Schumer, one of Israel's most vigorous supporters on Capitol Hill. We hear the arguments from Washington and the Middle East.
The Fall of Tripoli: Is This the End of the Gadhafi Regime? Within hours after heavy fighting erupted in Libya's capital this weekend, it appears that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi's regime is finally on its way out. Rebel forces are claiming control of 95 percent of Tripoli as skirmishes continue in the capital, and the Libyan strongman's whereabouts are unknown. NATO has pledged to continue its air strike campaign in support of the rebels, and Western leaders are reaching out to the rebels' National Transitional Council to discuss ways to build democracy in the country. Why did Tripoli fall so quickly? How will events in Libya affect other countries involved in the Arab Spring movement? What lessons can the West learn from failed attempts to build democracy in other Muslim countries?
The Fall of Tripoli: Is This the End of the Gadhafi Regime? Within hours after heavy fighting erupted in Libya's capital this weekend, it appears that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi's regime is finally on its way out. Rebel forces are claiming control of 95 percent of Tripoli as skirmishes continue in the capital, and the Libyan strongman's whereabouts are unknown. NATO has pledged to continue its air strike campaign in support of the rebels, and Western leaders are reaching out to the rebels' National Transitional Council to discuss ways to build democracy in the country. Why did Tripoli fall so quickly? How will events in Libya affect other countries involved in the Arab Spring movement? What lessons can the West learn from failed attempts to build democracy in other Muslim countries?
Massive Change in the Middle East and the Muslim World Since the upheaval in Egypt and the beginning of the so-called "Arab Spring," which began in Tunisia, President Obama has faced a changing Middle East and Muslim world, where America's values often conflict with strategic interests. A new generation wants the end of repressive dictatorships. Will that lead to democracy and the defeat of Islamic extremists like bin Laden's al Qaeda? Will it create new opportunities for Iran, since the US long supported those now-failing regimes in the quest for stability and supplies of oil? If Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah are really united, will the peace process with Israel get new life or remain in limbo?
Mubarak Expected to Step Aside Tahrir Square is packed tonight and there’s wild celebration in the aftermath of Mubarak’s resignation. Throughout the evening, Egyptians have been massing in Tahrir Square—anticipating that 30 years of repressive government may be about to come to an end. It’s still not clear [if he does step down] that protesters around the country—now joined by striking workers—will have won all that they’ve been demanding. Will the emergency law that suspends civil rights be revoked? Will the military continue to run the country or will there be a transition to civilian rule? We’ll talk about what appears to be history in the making in the world’s most influential Arab country.
Peaceful Protests Turn Violent in Egypt After President Mubarak declared he would not run for-re-election last night, President Obama went on TV with his assessment of the ongoing protests in Egypt. At today's White House briefing , press secretary Robert Gibbs would not elaborate on whether the President was calling on Mubarak to step down immediately, rather than serving out his term, which ends in September. Meanwhile, after nine days of peaceful protest, Tahrir Square erupted in violence today as Mubarak loyalists arrived on the scene. Men on horses and camels beat anti-government protesters. Thugs attacked reporters and TV crews. As darkness descended, Molotov cocktails started fires in crowds of men, women and children, and there was the sound of gunfire. But, despite the presence of tanks and armored personnel carriers, there was no indication that the military was trying to restore order. It's now evening in Cairo. We hear from reporters and others about the developing scene, see how the Obama Administration is reacting, and talk to observers about repercussions in other Middle Eastern countries.
Can Tunisia Change the Arab World? After weeks of massive protests, Tunisia's dictatorial President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country on Friday. Yesterday, his Prime Minister formed a unity-government, but today four members of the opposition resigned and clashes continued between police and protesters on the streets of Tunis.
Can Tunisia Change the Arab World? After weeks of massive protests, Tunisia's dictatorial President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country on Friday. Yesterday, his Prime Minister formed a unity-government, but today four members of the opposition resigned and clashes continued between police and protesters on the streets of Tunis, after a revolution unprecedented in the modern Arab world. Nobody knows if the ousted President Ben Ali will be replaced by democracy, a military coup d'etat or chaos. Whatever the outcome, many Arabs are thrilled for the moment by a popular revolt against repression, corruption and abuses of power. We update events in Tunisia, look at the possible repercussions throughout the Middle East and the consequences for American foreign policy.
America Leaves Iraq: Is the Mission Accomplished at Last? Yesterday at the Disabled Veterans of America meeting in Atlanta yesterday, President Obama reminded his audience that, as a candidate, he promised to bring the war in Iraq to what he called, " a responsible end… "
America Leaves Iraq: Is the Mission Accomplished at Last? President Obama did not say "mission accomplished," but he did say yesterday that all combat operations in Iraq will end this month, as he promised. Fifty thousand American troops will remain, but the State Department will lead what's become a civilian effort, using the biggest embassy in the world. But Iraq has no permanent government. There's disagreement over how much violence has really declined and fears it will increase when US troops are gone. Is the US still relevant? What about Iran? How do Iraqis feel about America's role, and what's the future for five million displaced people?
More Protests on the Streets of Iran It appears that at least 20 demonstrators were killed Saturday on the streets of Iran in clashes with police and militias in civilian clothes. After a quieter Sunday, protesters were back on the streets of Tehran today.
Protests Smaller but Still Alive in Iran It appears that at least 20 demonstrators were killed Saturday on the streets of Iran in clashes with police and militias in civilian clothes. After a quieter Sunday, protesters in Tehran faced police and militia again today. Their numbers were much reduced, but there's no doubt that dissention runs deep and wide, including a split among clerics in Iran's ruling elite. We update today's developments, assess the strength of the regime, and find out how other countries are responding. Should President Obama give the protesters solid US support, or would that threaten their legitimacy and even endanger their lives?
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
