Ten years ago, it appeared to be the beginning of the end for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. His government's brutal crackdowns on peaceful protests in 2011 had given birth to an insurgency backed by foreign foes—the U.S. among them. Atrocities mounted, including use of chemical weapons against civilians, mass murders and torture, over the course of the decade-long civil war that followed. Estimates suggest that more than 600,000 people have died and millions more have been displaced, making the Syrian civil war one of the deadliest, most disruptive conflicts of the 21st century...

Global Policy

As Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi to address escalating tensions in Idlib, Moscow and Damascus are working to consolidate recent political gains made along the country's southern border...

Global Policy

Host Carol Castiel and VOA senior diplomatic correspondent, Cindy Saine, talk with Mona Yacoubian, a senior official at the US Institute of Peace who tells VOA that the end of the US military intervention in Afghanistan underscores the need to prioritize diplomacy, peacebuilding, and development...

Peace Processes;  Global Policy

Just before going into self-isolation for possible COVID-19 exposure, Russia's Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow. The World's Carol Hills spoke with Mona Yacoubian, a senior adviser at the US Institute for Peace, about Russia's role and future strategic goals in the Syrian conflict...

Global Policy;  Conflict Analysis & Prevention

There is growing discontent among Lebanese with political and military powerhouse Hezbollah calling the shots in the country. Analysts say a 2006-style confrontation with Israel, which bolstered its militia image then, is not an option for Iran-backed Hezbollah now, as it's seen as...

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Analysts and activists alike are demanding that rampant corruption that has eroded Lebanon’s governing system be uprooted. Supported by the United States, the European Union’s recent adoption of a new sanctions regime on Lebanon’s corrupt players is seen...

Democracy & Governance

The House Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism met on Thursday to discuss Lebanon’s “political paralysis, economic crisis and challenges to US policy. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Florida), Chairman of the committee, said that the resignation of...

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Hezbollah has used its financial backers in Iran and its significant military arsenal to “permeate the Lebanese state,” according to a paper launched this week. The paper — authored by Lina Khatib, director of London-based think tank...

Conflict Analysis & Prevention