Harold Rhode

Westerners who think the new government in Damascus will turn out to be moderate and willing to compromise with the west are kidding themselves, according to Middle East scholar Harold Rhode. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is the coalition of Sunni Islamist insurgent groups which overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, toppling a Baathist dictatorship which ruled Syria for more […]

Western diplomats who think that ceasefires and compromise with Iran and its proxies will pave the way to peace are deluding themselves, according  to Middle East scholar Harold Rhode. In the Arab and Muslim worlds, negotiating before avenging prior humiliations is regarded as a sign of weakness and defeat, Rhode told a Jewish Policy Center webinar […]

Following Israel’s recent strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, White House National Security Communications Advisor John F. Kirby said: “We did not participate in today’s Israeli attack on Yemen and did not help Israel.” This is wonderful news. It shows to the Iranians, Arab states and others that Israel is an independent actor, not a […]