Robert Rabil, Ph.D.
LLS Jupiter Distinguished Faculty Award, 2010
LLS Distinguished Professor of Current Affairs, 2012-2013
Lifelong Learning Professorship of Current Affairs, 2018-2019
Political Science
Robert G. Rabil, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned and acclaimed scholar. His books have been highly commended and reviewed by major academic journals globally. His recent book on Salafism broke new ground in the fields of Islamism, terrorism and Middle East politics. He is considered one of the leading experts on Salafism, radical Islam, U.S.-Arab and Arab-Israeli relations, and terrorism. He served as Chief of Emergency for the Red Cross in Lebanon and was Project Manager of the U.S. State Department-funded Iraq Research and Documentation Project. He lectures nationally and internationally and participates in forums and seminars sponsored by the U.S. government. He holds a Master’s in Government from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. In May 2012, he received an honorary Ph.D. in Humanities from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He is a Professor of Political Science at Florida Atlantic University.
In September 2016, Professor Rabil was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Army Central.
Student Testimonials
- “One of the most enthusiastic and engaging
FAU lecturers.”
- “Excellent current knowledge base on topic and
updates as events happen.”
UAE Israel Peace 2020 with Robert Rabil, Ph.D.
The Hard Line — Robert Rabil, Ph.D., discusses the Syrian refugee crisis
The Hard Line: Robert Rabil, Ph.D., the Professor of Middle East studies at Florida Atlantic University's Department of Political Science and author of “Salafism in Lebanon: From Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism,” discusses the Syrian refugee crisis and the role the Obama administration has played in what has happened in Syria.
Dr. Rabil discusses Salafism in Lebanon in a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute
The Washington Institute: Facing a leadership crisis, Lebanon's Sunnis must contend with a vigorous Salafi movement in which the activist and jihadist elements are increasingly hard to distinguish from each other. On February 13, 2015, Robert Rabil addressed a Policy Forum concerning the issue of Salafism in Lebanon at The Washington Institute.
Dr. Rabil discusses Salafism on WPBT2's Viewpoint
Viewpoint: Salafism is perhaps best known for the ideologies of Salafi jihadism such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. It is actually comprised of many fundamentalist Islamic movements whose followers consider themselves the only "saved" sect of Islam. Professor and author Robert Rabil discusses Salafism and his book, “Salafism in Lebanon: From Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism.”
Dr. Rabil on U.S.-Iran Mounting Tensions and the Threat and Consequences of a Potential Military Confrontation
News and Notes From Dr. Rabil
- Click here to visit his web site, robertrabil.com.
- Click here to order his latest book — "Salafism in Lebanon".
- Click here to read a review of his book, "Salafism in Lebanon," by the British Cambridge Journal of International Affairs.
- Click here to view the PowerPoint slides on the Divisions and Schools of Islam.
Articles written by Dr. Rabil
- Chaos in the Caucasus: Why a New Regional War Would Be Catastrophic — The National Interest, October 25, 2020.
- Heir to the Ottomans – Interview — Carnegie Middle East Center, October 16, 2020.
- Bashir’s Farm And The Tragedy Of Lebanon – OpEd — Eurasia Review, August 14, 2020; Palm Beach Center for Democracy & Policy Research, August 15, 2020.
- Lebanon is a Lightning Rod for Political Currents in the Arab World — The National Interest, July 17, 2020.
- Domestic Threats in the Era of Nationalism — The National Interest, June 21, 2020.
- Israel and the China Connection — The National Interest, June 7, 2020.
- Why America Has Misdiagnosed Russia’s Role in Syria — The National Interest, May 27, 2020.
- The Middle East Can't Fight A War Against Both Coronavirus And Iran — The National Interest, March 31, 2020.
- Russia's Strategy for the Middle East: Stabilize, Revitalize, Create Chaos — The National Interest, March 14, 2020.
- The Inevitable Middle East War — Eurasia Review, February 21, 2020.
- Saving the Revolution and Lebanon — Eurasia Review, January 23, 2020.
- Why America Should Keep Supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces — The National Interest, December 4, 2019.
- The True Value of Lebanon's Armed Forces — The National Interest, December 3, 2019.
- The Trump Administration Is Tackling One of the World's Most Dangerous Border Disputes — The National Interest, August 11, 2019.
- The Moribund Legacy Of Arab Nationalism – Analysis — Eurasia Review, June 21, 2019.
- Defeating the Islamic State of Idlib — The National Interest, June 13, 2019.
- The Iran Crisis And Washington Strategic Miscalculation – Analysis — Eurasia Review, May 19, 2019.
- Tending to Israel’s Relationship with Russia — Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, December 26, 2018.
- ISIS Isn't Dead Yet — The National Interest, September 1, 2018.
- Contextualizing Jihad and Takfir in the Sunni Conceptual Framework — The Washington Institute, August 31, 2018.
- Contextualizing Jihad and Takfir in the Shi’a Conceptual Framework — The Washington Institute, August 31, 2018.
- Donald Trump is reshaping the Middle East — in Russia’s favor — The Washington Post, August 22, 2018.
- The distortion of Islam that drives terrorism — The Washington Post, August 1, 2018.
- Trump Should Prioritize Fighting Terrorism — The National Interest, July 18, 2018.
- Assad’s Impending Victory Raises Stakes for Security in Israel — The Palm Beach Post, July 16, 2018.
- Syria’s Victory and Israel’s Predicament — Eurasia Review, July 12, 2018.
- The Last Thing The Middle East Needs Now Is Another War – OpEd — Eurasia Review, May 1, 2018.
- Kissinger’s World Order, United States And Russia In The Middle East – Analysis — Eurasia Review, September 3, 2017.
- The Coming Gulf War: Qatar vs. Everyone — The National Interest, June 27, 2017.
- How Muslim Extremists Exploit European Liberalism — The National Interest, June 12, 2017.
- Does Donald Trump Know He's Helping Saudi Arabia Ruin Yemen? — The National Interest, May 4, 2017.
- The Syria Crisis Has Evolved into an International Power Struggle — The National Interest, April 18, 2017.
- The Burkini Isn't a Religious Duty — The National Interest, September 14, 2016.
- Is Peace in Syria Finally Within Reach? — The National Interest, July 16, 2016.
- Profiling Muslims Is Bad. So Is Ignoring Radical Islam. — The National Interest, May 25, 2016.
- God, Paris and Islam: How Salafism Challenges France’s Church-State Relationship — The National Interest, December 3, 2015.
- This Is What Russia REALLY Fears in Syria — The National Interest, October 7, 2015.
- Why America Needs to Beware of Saudi Wahhabism — The National Interest, May 18, 2015.
- Syria's Changing Strategic Landscape — The National Interest, May 5, 2015.
- The ISIS Chronicles: A History — The National Interest, July 17, 2014.
- Moral Outrage Necessitates Defining a Strategy — e-International Relations, September 16, 2013.
- Syria Part of Aggressive Iranian Strategy — The National Interest, June 18, 2013.
- Arab Uprisings Boost Israel's Enemies — The National Interest, September 5, 2012
- The Battle For Aleppo — The National Interest, August 14, 2012
- The Rise of Salafists — The National Interest, August 7, 2012
- Syria and the Power of Sectarian Strife — The National Interest, July 2, 2012
- Syria: The Death of a Nation? — e-International Relations, June 4, 2012
Books by Dr. Rabil
U.S. National Security
Generously Sponsored by Donald and Judy Smith
Salafi-jihadism, non-state terror actors, nuclear proliferation, failed and near-failed states, migration, regional and international competition over resources and projection of power are part of a long list of challenges and threats facing the national security of the United States. Debating, understanding and addressing these challenges and threats constitute a complex and often contentious effort, affecting not only the security, but also the international role of the United States. Assuming power with a dedication to pursuing an “America First” policy without an ideological orientation or a defined global security strategy about how to advance U.S. national security in a global environment leaning towards multi-polarity, the Trump administration will inescapably face serious challenges as the country’s undisputed global power will undoubtedly be tested.
This lecture series tries to enhance the understanding of some major threats to U.S. national security, while at the same time underscoring the paramountcy of examining and analyzing the concerned issues from a multidimensional perspective.
Eight Lectures
- Qatar: Ally and/or Sponsor of Islamism/Salafism? -
- NATO and Russia: The Coming Confrontation? -
- Malaysia: The Growing Threat of Salafi-jihadism? -
- North Korea: A Rogue State or Chinese Proxy? -
- Turkey: The Falling Republic or the Rogue Ally? -
- The Syrian Crisis: Beyond the Fall of ISIS -
- Algeria and Al-Qaeda in Al-Maghreb: A Reliable Ally? -
- The War Against ISIS and Al-Qaeda: A Reassessment -
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| Course # F8M1 — Full 8 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Mondays, October 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4 2017 |
| Time: | 9:45 - 11:15 AM |
| Fee: | $80 / member; $110 / non-member |
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Register Now
U.S. National Security (Last Four Weeks Only)
Generously Sponsored by Donald and Judy Smith
Salafi-jihadism, non-state terror actors, nuclear proliferation, failed and near-failed states, migration, regional and international competition over resources and projection of power are part of a long list of challenges and threats facing the national security of the United States. Debating, understanding and addressing these challenges and threats constitute a complex and often contentious effort, affecting not only the security, but also the international role of the United States. Assuming power with a dedication to pursuing an “America First” policy without an ideological orientation or a defined global security strategy about how to advance U.S. national security in a global environment leaning towards multi-polarity, the Trump administration will inescapably face serious challenges as the country’s undisputed global power will undoubtedly be tested.
This lecture series tries to enhance the understanding of some major threats to U.S. national security, while at the same time underscoring the paramountcy of examining and analyzing the concerned issues from a multidimensional perspective.
Four Lectures
- Turkey: The Falling Republic or the Rogue Ally? -
- The Syrian Crisis: Beyond the Fall of ISIS -
- Algeria and Al-Qaeda in Al-Maghreb: A Reliable Ally? -
- The War Against ISIS and Al-Qaeda: A Reassessment -
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| Course # F4M2 — Last 4 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Mondays, November 13, 20, 27; December 4 2017 |
| Time: | 9:45 - 11:15 AM |
| Fee: | $40 / member; $60 / non-member |
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Register Now
China and the Middle East: Displacing American Preeminence?
Chinese foreign policy towards the Middle East has recently raised both American and Israeli concerns alike. Chinese openness to foreign investments and international companies has helped lead a great transformation in Chinese society. This economic transformation and China’s burgeoning middle class have created additional energy needs, which has led to a shift in Chinese foreign policy towards the Middle East. Acting in the capacity of an emerging global power, China has forged enormous transactional deals and heavily invested in the economies of the Middle East countries. Significantly, China, until recently, has been careful not to affect American national interest in the region. However, recent Chinese build-up of military and intelligence capabilities in the region, together with its massive investment, is inadvertently or intentionally deepening Chinese influence in the Middle East. More specifically, China’s use of its soft and hard power stands to affect American eminence in the region. This lecture examines Chinese growing influence in the Middle East and probes its intent and ramifications for the United States and Israel’s national security.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # F1R5 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursday, November 30 2017 |
| Time: | 9:30 - 11 AM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Countering the Iranian Threat: The Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance in Israel’s Overall Strategy
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, Iran has
been expanding its power in the Middle East. It has
not only continued to support its proxy forces such as Hezbollah, but has also backed Shi’a Islamist parties in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Significantly, Iran has played a key role in propping up the Syrian regime, while at the same time forging an alliance with Moscow in Syria. This regional projection of power, together with Iranian advances in offensive weapons, including missile technologies, has posed what Israel has called a strategic threat to its national security. In response, Israel has apparently pursued a multi-pronged strategy to counter Iran and Hezbollah’s threat. This has involved enhancing military preparedness and forging regional alliances including with Arab Gulf countries. What has been little, if any, spoken about is Israel’s growing trade and military cooperation with Azerbaijan. Bordering Iran, Azerbaijan’s open-secret alliance with Israel offers Jerusalem geostrategic, military and intelligence advantages, which could counter Iran’s threat to Israel. Reportedly, Tehran has been pressuring Baku to curtail its relationship with Jerusalem. This talk sheds light on the development of the Azerbaijani-Israeli relationship against the backdrop of Tehran, Riyadh and Moscow’s policies in the Caucasus and the Arabian Peninsula. It also probes the significance and implications of this relationship for Israel’s national security.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # F1R0 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursday, December 14 2017 |
| Time: | 9:30 - 11 AM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
