It is an absurdity of Middle Eastern politics that many politicians and analysts are still betting on the complete elimination of Iran’s role in the region. Even more absurd is the expectation that Israel will drag Washington into this “war of elimination.”

A witty Arab artist, when asked, “What message would you like to send to future Arab generations?” ironically replied: “I’d tell them not to come.”

The new chapter in Syria, which began after it turned the page on almost 54 years of Assadist rule in December, could be undermined by the painful developments earlier this month.

Safeguarding victory is often more difficult than achieving it.

That is self-evident, all the more so when powers and factions are eagerly seeking to overturn the shifts we saw in Syria a few months ago.

Following the bitter objections of the “Shiite duo” to Nawaf Salam’s designation as Lebanese prime minister, he is seeking to reassure them by stressing that he has two choices: accommodation or … accommodation.

The past week will be a turning point for Lebanon by all measures. Observers agree that this was no ordinary presidential election and not only because it ended a long-standing presidential vacuum that reflected a systemic political crisis.

I am not a fan of the excessive use of the term “minorities,” let alone exploiting it to reshape nations based on external interests.