Michael Young

Lebanon is one of a number of countries with offshore gas, and without a regional strategy to exploit it, oil companies will look elsewhere, writes Michael Young

Michael Young asks: by bolstering the Assad regime, has Vladimir Putin painted himself into a corner?

The Al Assads are masters at their own political survival, with the former US ambassador to Syria admitting the regime will remain in the medium term, writes Michael Young.

A presidential election represents the last opportunity to transition away from Mr Al Assad, otherwise Syria’s conflict could be without political resolution

There is a pressing need to fill the political void in Beirut, writes Michael Young.

Will Mr Putin pay a heavy price for his takeover of Crimea? It’s too early to tell

The Obama administration’s Middle East policy has been so shaky that the naming of a regional expert has overly raised expectations, argues Michael Young

Washington must create a military situation where Moscow is ultimately forced to abandon the Syrian leader, says Michael Young.

Most of the Arab uprisings have failed to create democratic alternatives to what existed before, writes Michael Young

Most of the Arab uprisings have failed to create democratic alternatives to what existed before, writes Michael Young

It’s anybody’s guess where Syria is heading, and a further break-up of the country remains a definite possibility, writes Michael Young

The group's implementation of an Iranian strategy can fan sectarian tensions in the country, writes Michael Young

The Rafik Hariri trial has failed to dent the impunity of assassins in Lebanon, writes Michael Young

If Gulf states, the US and Europe welcome the opening to Iran, can Saudi Arabia take a contrary position?

Don't expect a solution to the Syrian crisis any time soon, writes Michael Young.