Articles
Hizbollah’s ‘liberation’ hurt both Lebanon and Israel
The withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon was popular in both countries. But 14 years on, it is clear Hizbollah's success merely empowered the most confrontational elements of both democracies, writes Faisal Al Yafai
Gulf security depends on the prosperity of its neighbours
The challenges to the GCC countries' security do not just come from Iran but also from poverty in Egypt and Yemen, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Syria’s dirty secret is that Assad could win in a fair election
The revolution in Syria is far from finished, writes Faisal Al Yafai. But the opposition must understand that if they cannot provide a vision of life after Assad, then millions of Syrians will vote for him
Saudi Arabia’s military exercise was a goodbye wave to America
The Gulf is seeking to establish its own deterrent, for the day when America's warships sail away, writes Faisal Al Yafai
When even America uses the word apartheid, will Israel listen?
The word apartheid is toxic in Israeli political circles. But by using it, John Kerry is seeking to shock Israel out of its complacency, writes Faisal Al Yafai, and warn it that the world will not accept what is happening in the West Bank
Prince Bandar did not fail Syria: the West lost its nerve
History may not judge the policy of Saudi Arabia well. But it will perhaps record the countries that really sought to end the Syrian conflict, while others merely talked of doing so
Patrick Seale wrote the book on Syria but misread its latest chapter
The journalist Patrick Seale, who has died, was fiercely criticised for his views on the revolution in Syria, a country which dominated both his personal and professional lives, writes Faisal Al Yafai
Israel alone cannot end the longest military occupation of modern times
The conflict in Palestine is the longest-running military occupation of modern times. To end it requires more international involvement, not less, argues Faisal Al Yafai
Political story of Crimea will change the West’s response
The clash in Ukraine is a decisive moment in Europe's history this century. But what, exactly, does it mean? Without understanding what came before, the West cannot make the right decision now, writes Faisal Al Yafai
In Ukraine as in Syria, Western words are hollow if not backed by steel
After Georgia and Syria, Russia has again demonstrated its raw power over an impotent West in Ukraine, writes Faisal Al Yafai
Iran’s proxies are more lethal than its nuclear programme
The country's support for Hizbollah, Assad and others will not go away, even with a deal over its nuclear programme
If the US is leaving the region, where will the Mid-East look?
Like a strained relationship, neither side wants to separate completely, or can fully imagine a life without the other
The roots of modern conflicts do not lie in ancient struggles
The use of a sectarian lens to try and understand modern conflicts in the Middle East is simplistic and flawed, writes Faisal Al Yafai
In Saudi Arabia, Obama won’t escape the shadow of Bush
The one thing the US president does not want is to be compared to his predecessor, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
As with Palestine, Syria talks prefer process over peace
History shows a peace process can drag out interminably. That mistake should not be repeated in Syria
