I prefer substance, but I do admire style.
Articles by Michael B Young
This Is How the Iran War Has Exposed Israel's Weakness in the Middle East
Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem on March 19, 2026. Photo by Ronen Zvulun/AFP via Getty Images To understand the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, we must recall that the Israeli prime minister is the political heir of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the founder of the Revisionist Zionist movement, one of whose aides was Netanyahu’s father, Benzion. Jabotinsky outlined Israel’s stark reality in an essay in 1923 titled “The Iron Wall.”
Edward Said and Fouad Ajami: Exile and the Empire
I wrote this article for the Daily Star in 2003, after the death of Edward Said. It captures a particular moment in my thinking. I had been close to Fouad Ajami—serving as his graduate assistant at university—and tried to find a point of contact between Said, at his death, and Ajami, because I felt there was much more to their complicated relationship than the hostility to which most people pointed.
The King and Us
Tariq Tell is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the American University of Beirut, where he also teaches in the Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies. A political economist, Tell previously taught at the American University in Cairo and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
A Newly Unsettled West Bank
In an interview, Nur Arafeh examines the current critical moment in Palestine, and speculates as to how the future may unfold. By MICHAEL YOUNG Nur Arafeh is a fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center whose work focuses on the political economy of the MENA region, business-state relations, peacebuilding strategies, the development-security nexus, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Getting the Economy Wrong
Qaïs Saied has consolidated his hold on Tunisia, but economic woes mean his control remains unstable. By MICHAEL YOUNG Hamza Meddeb is a fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, where he focuses on political economy and security across the Middle East and North Africa. Meddeb is also in charge, with Nur Arafeh, of a new program on political economy at MHKCMEC.
Can the Iranian System Survive?
In an interview, Ali Fathollah-Nejad discusses the recent protests in Iran, and long-term prospects for the post-revolutionary political order. By MICHAEL YOUNG Ali Fathollah-Nejad is a German-Iranian political scientist focusing on Iran, the Middle East, and the post-unipolar world order. He is a McCloy Fellow on Global Trends of the American Council on Germany, exploring how trans-Atlantic foreign policy toward authoritarian states can reconcile interests and values.
America Often Wrong
Anatol Lieven is a senior research fellow on Russia, Europe, and South Asia at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, D.C. He is the author of numerous books, including Pakistan: A Hard Country (2011), America Right or Wrong: An Anatomy of American Nationalism (2004, and revised in 2012), and most recently, Climate Change and the Nation State: The Case for Nationalism in a Changing World.
The unravelling of the Lebanese dream
Efforts in Lebanon to form a new government are continuing – a process that has been ongoing since last October without success. If this fails yet again and no steps are taken to initiate a reform programme to secure international financial assistance for the collapsing economy, the country’s disintegration will accelerate until we may no longer be able to speak of a shared entity called Lebanon. Increasing fragmentation may emerge instead, as the state loses more power and cohesiveness.
Does Cairo Care?
Mohannad Sabry is an Egyptian journalist and author who lived in Cairo until 2015, before he left in self-imposed exile after facing mounting threats. In 2011 he was named a finalist for the Livingston Award for International Reporting, and was nominated for an Emmy Award as part of the PBS Frontline team that produced the show “Egypt in Crisis” in September 2013.
Hezbollah has little to gain from the Palestine crisis
As the situation in Israel and the Palestinian areas has deteriorated in the past week, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has watched developments closely. The party welcomes much of what has happened, but it is too early for it to celebrate. Palestinian gains are more likely than not to affirm Hezbollah’s limited appeal. Hezbollah’s assessment will be primarily focused on what the conflict has meant for Iran and its regional allies, rather than on how it has advanced the interests of the Palestinian people.
Iran supported Al Assad, but needed him to stay a pariah
When Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, was caught on tape last week criticising the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ domination of his country’s foreign policy, the implications were revealing.
It's getting very lonely being Gebran Bassil
There are several ongoing obstacles to Lebanon’s cabinet formation process, but among the more significant ones is the presidential ambition of Gebran Bassil, the head of the largest Maronite Christian party, the Free Patriotic Movement. Mr Bassil believes that if he fails to have enough ministers in the government and allows his political rivals to dominate it, he may never see the presidency.
Can the Islamic Republic Change?
Karim Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he focuses on Iran and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Recently, Sadjadpour wrote an important article for The Atlantic, titled “How to Win the Cold War with Iran,” in which he sought to outline the foundations for a more realistic U.S. approach toward the country.
Can Lebanon's Military Hold Country Together?
Lebanon may see a government in the near future, after a delay of eight months. Yet waiting on the political cartel in power to take decisions that are beneficial for the country is rarely advisable. That is why foreign countries that want to avoid a complete collapse of Lebanon should look at ways of reinforcing the Lebanese armed forces and integrating them into their efforts. Read Full Article »
The Shah’s Ride
Ray Takeyh is the Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he specializes on Iran, political reform in the Middle East, and Islamist movements and parties. Prior to joining the council, he was a senior advisor on Iran at the U.S. State Department. Takeyh is the author, most recently, of The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty.
In Lebanon, military rule is no solution but the army can hold things together
A Lebanese protester wearing a Lebanese flag face mask as members of the Lebanese Armed Forces stand guard during a demonstration against dwindling economic conditions, at Al Nour Square in the centre of Tripoli, May 3, 2020. AFP Lebanon may see a government in the near future, after a delay of eight months. Yet waiting on the political cartel in power to take decisions that are beneficial for the country is rarely advisable.
Is Decentralization a Solution for Lebanon?
As Lebanon continues to disintegrate, its political system is unequivocally broken. What had been an interesting consociational model until its civil war in 1975, was replaced at the war’s end in 1990 with a pluralistic system of national pie-sharing that included the wartime leaders and a new class of businessmen. Read Full Article »
Lebanon's endless crises: is decentralisation a solution?
Lebanese women march on Mother's Day under the slogan 'Mother's Cry', in Beirut, Lebanon, 20 March. EPA As Lebanon continues to disintegrate, its political system is unequivocally broken. What had been an interesting consociational model until its civil war in 1975, was replaced at the war’s end in 1990 with a pluralistic system of national pie-sharing that included the wartime leaders and a new class of businessmen.
Lebanon's endless crises: is a federal system the solution?
Lebanese women march on Mother's Day under the slogan 'Mother's Cry', in Beirut, Lebanon, 20 March. EPA As Lebanon continues to disintegrate, its political system is unequivocally broken. What had been an interesting consociational model until its civil war in 1975, was replaced at the war’s end in 1990 with a pluralistic system of national pie-sharing that included the wartime leaders and a new class of businessmen.
Could Lebanon ever become a neutral state in the Middle East?
Bechara Boutros Al Rahi speaks during a rally at the Maronite Church's seat in Bkirki, Beirut, last month. AP Photo In recent weeks, the Maronite patriarch, Bechara Al Rai, has taken centre stage in Lebanon’s political life. This comes as those in power remain unable to come to an agreement over a new government, even though Lebanon is in the throes of a financial and economic meltdown that has led to widespread poverty.
Will our image of Beirut as a cultural capital ever come back?
The skies above Beirut have been particularly stormy this year. AFP A walk around Beirut these days will reveal that large numbers of buildings in the city, including some of its most beautiful old mansions, lie abandoned and ready to be torn down. There are many reasons for this, not least that many owners see little reason to renovate their properties when they hope to sell the land at a higher price. This seems an apt image for this moment in Lebanon.
Why now? Lokman Slim’s killing in Beirut throws up many questions
Lokman Slim with his dog. "He was a generous person and loved people. He even loved trees and the garden and animals generally," recalled Ahmad Jaber. Lokman Slim / Facebook Lokman Slim was a Shiite Muslim secular intellectual known for his opposition to the Shiite movement Hezbollah. AFP Slim, who is remembered by friends as multi-talented, was also a publisher who ran a research centre focused on Lebanese culture and history. Reuters Lokman Slim's office. "Lokman is a researcher. Lokman is a writer.
Why Lebanon just can't seem to form a government
Near empty roads in the Jal El Dib area of north Beirut in Lebanon on January 23. The lockdown has been extended till Febraury 8. EPA Since October, Lebanon has been mired in a government-formation process that is going nowhere. While the country continues to suffer, President Michel Aoun and Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri remain divided over who is the final authority on naming ministers, essentially creating a constitutional crisis.
Are We Seeing More Realistic Geopolitics in Middle East?
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Arab world was dominated by what became known as the “politics of axes,” in which regional dynamics were driven by the rivalries among different alignments of states. As “pax americana” in the Middle East has come to a halting end, the region is returning to a somewhat similar situation, in which the ultimate outcome may possibly bode well for the Arab states. Read Full Article »
How Lebanon's President Michel Aoun is paving the way for son-in-law Bassil
As Lebanon’s cabinet formation process drags on, President Michel Aoun and his son-in-law Gebran Bassil are attempting to ensure that any new government allows them to advance their political agenda. This involves two primary objectives: saving Mr Aoun’s shipwreck of a presidency and guaranteeing that Mr Bassil will become the next president, in 2022.
Biden must support Macron's plan for Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the site of the explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, August 6. Reuters On December 22, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon for the third time in five months. While his plan is to visit with French UN peacekeepers, Mr Macron will also be keen to see where Lebanon’s politicians are in forming a new government.
Beirut's elite don't know what to do with Lebanon besides loot it
An anti-government protester holds a picture of Lebanese President Michel Aoun as he shouts slogans during a protest, in Beirut's Ashrafieh district, Lebanon, on November 26, 2020. AP Lebanon has not had a fully functioning government since early August, when Prime Minister Hassan Diab submitted his resignation in the aftermath of the horrific explosion in Beirut port. Since then, he has served in a caretaker capacity.
Blood and Grapes
Michael Karam is a British-born Lebanese wine writer and journalist. He is the author, with the photographer Norbert Schiller, of Wines of Lebanon, which won the Gourmand Award for the Best New World Wine Book in 2005. He has also published Arak and Mezze: The Taste of Lebanon and Lebanese Wine: A Complete Guide to Its History and Winemakers. Karam is the editor of, and a contributor to, the Tears of Bacchus: A History of Wine in the Arab World.
Hezbollah is losing its ability to intimidate anyone
Amid Lebanon's economic chaos and popular despair, there is little patience left for the group's 'resistance' ideology A demonstrator waves a Lebanese flag during anti-government protests on August 8, which were ignited by a massive explosion in Beirut's port. Lebanon's economy was already tanking due to a currency crisis, economic mismanagement and politicial turmoil when the blast hit. Reuters Protesters sit outside tents at Martyr's square in downtown Beirut in August.
Hezbollah is actively undermining France's help for Lebanon
The French President has a plan to bring Lebanon economic relief and political stability, but militant parties have a darker vision for the future A Lebanese protester shouts slogans during a demonstration against the lack of progress in a probe by authorities into a monster blast that ravaged swathes of the capital 40 days ago, near the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut.
Lebanon's Michel Aoun has wasted his presidency
The constitution does not grant a president much power, but in Beirut high office is what a politician makes of it A journalist takes a selfie with French President Emmanuel Macron after a news conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon. Bloomberg French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon.
Hariri verdict: Is the UN capable of delivering justice?
Families of victims of the 2005 car bomb that killed Rafik Hariri were promised justice, but were left with disappointment Bahia Hariri, sister of the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, mourns after hearing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's verdict in the trial of her brother's assassins, Beirut, Lebanon, August 18, 2020.
Opinion | A U.N. Betrayal in Beirut
Op-Ed Contributor Feb. 13, 2010 Beirut, Lebanon FIVE years ago today, the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri of Lebanon was killed, an assassination that set off the “cedar revolution” and forced Syria, the principal suspect in the crime, to withdraw its army from the country. Meanwhile, global public outcry led the United Nations Security Council to initiate an international investigation, the first of its kind. Half a decade later, however, the Hariri case has made little progress toward justice.
From one crisis to the next: where is Lebanon headed?
Seven days after the port explosion in Beirut, repercussions are playing out for the political class – particularly Hezbollah Demonstrators take part in a protest following Tuesday's blast in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters Lebanese people gather around a fist-shaped banner reading 'Revolution' as people gathered to protest against the political leaders and to call for those responsible over the explosion to be held accountable.
People in Lebanon Want Neutrality, Not War
People in Lebanon Want Neutrality, Not War But Hezbollah’s main agenda is to keep Lebanon in the Iranian orbit, whatever the price
Lebanon's sectarian divides are deep, but most in the country want neutrality
But Hezbollah’s main agenda is to keep Lebanon in the Iranian orbit, whatever the price Anti Hezbollah protesters shout slogans and hold placards with the UN Resolution 1559, which was adopted in Sept 2004, that called for disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, during a sit-in against Hezbollah and Iran in front the UN headquarters, in Beirut, Lebanon, July 24.
Lebanon’s future and the IMF deal could depend on who wins the US election
The country appears to be in a holding pattern until the US elections in November Palestinian-Syrian artist Ghayath al-Roubeh (L) and Lebanese artist Nagham Abboud paint a mural depicting a 100,000 Lebanese pound banknote being reflected in a mirror as a 1000 Lebanese pound note, symbolising the level of inflation caused by the shrinking Lebanese economy, at al-Nour Square in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, July 8.
At this rate, Lebanon may not survive to see its 100th birthday
The country is rapidly running out of foreign currency reserves, which are essential given that Lebanon imports the vast majority of what it consumes Lebanese anti-government protesters chant slogans as they take part in a demonstration near the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on June 25. AFP On June 29, the director general of Lebanon’s Finance Ministry, Alain Bifani, resigned from his position.
What is the end game driving US sanctions?
Foreign policy under Washington's Republicans could instigate a series of socioeconomic collapses across the Middle East A new proposal in the US for wide-ranging sanctions in the Middle East is intended to target Iran's actions against American interests. AP Last week, a group of conservative Republican members of the US House of Representatives released a report on the country’s foreign policy, replete with recommendations.
Hezbollah is much weaker than it seems
The militant political party cannot survive all of the battles it intends to fight Hezbollah supporters perform a salute as they stand behind motorcycles carrying the group's flags in the southern Lebanese district of Marjayoun on the border with Israel on May 25, 2020. AFP Some would say that, given the crisis Lebanon is facing today, Hezbollah’s project for the country is dead. Such statements, however, go too far.
Lebanon has only one hope to escape from total collapse - the IMF
It’s difficult to be optimistic in Lebanon today, but we are at a valuable new moment in the country’s history. After decades of feeding off of a rentier system, the country’s corrupt political forces realise they have killed the beast that fed them. It is “game over.” Their ability to recreate what they had before is nil. If one dared be optimistic, it would be optimism that Lebanon has no alternative today but to rebuild everything from scratch.
Lebanon simply cannot afford to watch its two main pillars of stability to crumble
With the banking sector on the verge of breakdown and the military under immense pressure, ordinary Lebanese fear a return of the civil war years Lebanese army soldiers during clashes with demonstrators in northern city of Tripoli last month. EPA As Lebanon continues to suffer from the pain of an economic collapse, events last week raised the prospect of a worrisome scenario in the country, which the country’s political leadership cannot afford to ignore.
Lebanon's protest movement is far from over
In Lebanon, there has been a belief recently that the confinement due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has benefited corrupt politicians in the country. Because people have not been allowed into the streets, this view goes, the protest movement that began last October has been deflated. There is a major problem with such a judgment.
The Middle East’s Newest Front
Harith Hasan, a nonresident senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center (CMEC) and Kheder Khaddour, a nonresident scholar at CMEC, have just published a paper titled “The Transformation of the Iraqi-Syrian Border: From a National to a Regional Frontier.” The paper was published with support from the X-Border Local Research Network, a component of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development’s X-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy, and Trends program.
Trump vs Democrats and coronavirus
In January of this year, Donald Trump formed his coronavirus task force and banned travel from China, the virus’ country of origin. It only took one American death for Trump to call the Chinese virus a pandemic. I suppose Trump could have been like Obama during the H1N1 outbreak and waited until 1,700 people were dead, but Trump wants to be a GOOD president. So far, objectively, he has been. Even Democrat leaders like our very own Gavin Newsom is praising Trump’s response to COVID-19.
Israel's 'iron wall' is sealing the country off from peace
If trust is to be rebuilt, the security doctrine that has defined Israeli defence for decades must be reconsidered Israeli soldiers and armoured vehicles are pictured on November 19, 2019 near the border with Syria in the annexed Golan Heights. AFP The outcome of Israel’s recent elections sent a stern message to the country’s Arab citizens as well as to Arabs in general.
Killing and the Coronavirus
Rebecca Murray is a freelance journalist and field researcher who has been focused on the situation in Libya since 2012. She is a contributing author to the book The Libyan Revolution and Its Aftermath, published in 2015 by Hurst and Oxford University Press. Murray has also written from Libya for publications including Vice News, Al-Jazeera English, Middle East Eye, and Zenith, as well as for McClatchy.
Lebanon: Coronavirus is Showing Corrupt Elites the Scale of the Damage They Have Caused
Lebanon is a country that has received little attention during the Covid-19 crisis. As of Monday, the country officially had over 250 coronavirus cases, with four confirmed fatalities. People in Beirut estimate the real number of infections to be four to five times that number, and the government’s decision to deploy the army to prevent people from violating quarantine rules reinforces that view. For now, the disease still appears to be under control.
Lebanon: coronavirus is showing corrupt elites the scale of the damage they have caused
As the Lebanese lock down, Beirut is being forced to realise how unsustainable its political and economic choices have been Ahmad al-Asmar, 84, and his wife Nouzat Awada, 79, perform Friday prayers inside their home as mosques are closed over concerns of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sidon, Lebanon.
Politics and the Pandemic
Amir A. Afkhami, MD, Ph.D., is an associate professor with joint appointments in psychiatry, global health, and history at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he the preclinical education director. He is also the author of A Modern Contagion: Imperialism and Public Health in Iran’s Age of Cholera (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2019). His work focuses on the intersection of history, diplomacy, and domestic and global health policy.
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