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
Critical Challenges to Trump’s U.S. National Security Strategy
Salafi-jihadism, nuclear proliferation and international competition
over resources and projection of power are part of a long list of
challenges facing the national security of the United States.
Addressing these challenges constitutes a complex and often
contentious effort affecting not only the security, but also the
international role of the United States. In his National Security
Strategy Speech, President Trump identified his doctrine “America
First” as associated with a “Strong America.” He stated: America
First National Security Strategy is based on American principles. It
is a strategy of principled realism that is guided by outcomes, not
ideology. It is based upon the view that peace, security and
prosperity depend on strong, sovereign nations that respect their
citizens at home and cooperate to advance peace abroad.
In reality, however, Trump’s doctrine has been more or less guided
by America’s interests and constraints and the divisions among his
advisors and in Congress, as well as by his personality. Significantly,
“American First” policy faces the daunting challenge of how to
advance U.S. national security in a global environment leaning
towards multi-polarity. This lecture series aims to enhance the
understanding of some major threats to U.S. national security and,
at the same time, to underscore the reach and limits of the
President's strategic doctrine in confronting reality.
Eight Lectures
- U.S.-Israel-Jordan Relations: The Collapse of Strategic Cooperation? -
- U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Challenges and Threats -
- Islam and Islamism in Netherlands: Implications for the West -
- Tunisia: Prospects or Wishful Thinking of Islamism? -
- Religion and Politics in India: Implications for Regional Stability -
- United States, Islam and Islamism in Indonesia: Threats and Challenges -
- Trump Administration and Saudi Arabia: The Rise or Fall of the Trump-Kuchner-Bin Salman Triumvirate? -
- The Trump Administration and the War on Terror: 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 15, 22, 29; November 5, 19, 26; December 3, 10 2018 |
Time: | 9:45 - 11:15 AM |
Fee: | $80 / member; $110 / non-member |
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Register Now
Critical Challenges to Trump’s U.S. National Security Strategy (Last Four Weeks Only)
Salafi-jihadism, nuclear proliferation and international competition
over resources and projection of power are part of a long list of
challenges facing the national security of the United States.
Addressing these challenges constitutes a complex and often
contentious effort affecting not only the security, but also the
international role of the United States. In his National Security
Strategy Speech, President Trump identified his doctrine “America
First” as associated with a “Strong America.” He stated: America
First National Security Strategy is based on American principles. It
is a strategy of principled realism that is guided by outcomes, not
ideology. It is based upon the view that peace, security and
prosperity depend on strong, sovereign nations that respect their
citizens at home and cooperate to advance peace abroad.
In reality, however, Trump’s doctrine has been more or less guided
by America’s interests and constraints and the divisions among his
advisors and in Congress, as well as by his personality. Significantly,
“American First” policy faces the daunting challenge of how to
advance U.S. national security in a global environment leaning
towards multi-polarity. This lecture series aims to enhance the
understanding of some major threats to U.S. national security and,
at the same time, to underscore the reach and limits of the
President's strategic doctrine in confronting reality.
Four Lectures
- Religion and Politics in India: Implications for Regional Stability -
- United States, Islam and Islamism in Indonesia: Threats and Challenges -
- Trump Administration and Saudi Arabia: The Rise or Fall of the Trump-Kuchner-Bin Salman Triumvirate? -
- The Trump Administration and the War on Terror: 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 19, 26; December 3, 10 2018 |
Time: | 9:45 - 11:15 AM |
Fee: | $40 / member; $60 / non-member |
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Register Now
Israel and Hezbollah: Preparing for Israel’s Strategic Threat and Unpredictable War
The defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria has ushered in new dynamics in
which Iran, Hezbollah and Iraqi Mobilization Units have
strengthened their presence in Syria and have been building up their
power in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
emphasized that “Iran had taken over Lebanon... When Israelis and
the Arabs agree on one thing, people should pay attention. We
should stop this Iranian takeover.” Intelligence Minister Israel Katz
(Likud) stressed: “The situation in Lebanon is a wake-up call that the
UN must not miss: Lebanon is Hezbollah and Hezbollah is Iran.”
Clearly, Israel’s concern about Iran and Hezbollah’s threat to Israel
have heightened. Israeli analysts believe that Russian and Iranian
intervention in Syria has greatly benefitted Hezbollah’s fighting
capabilities. Military officials in Israel are now beginning to view the
Hezbollah threat as strategic rather than tactical. In his policy
recommendations for Israel for 2016–2020, Amos Yadlin, Former
Military Intelligence Chief and Head of the Institute for National
Security Studies (INSS), wrote “Israel must prepare itself for a full
scale military conflict with Hezbollah.” Put differently, Israel is
preparing itself for a confrontation with Hezbollah as a foreign army
rather than a terrorist group. Significantly, analysts believe that
Israel’s shared concerns and growing intelligence cooperation with
Saudi Arabia are pushing Jerusalem to the precipice of war. They
argue that, given Hezbollah’s ongoing military involvement in Syria
and its attendant human cost, the Islamist party is not going to
provoke a war with Israel. And they point out that dragging
Lebanon into war would only widen regional instability and deepen
Russian military involvement there.
In fact, the International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon, whose
members include U.S., Russia and France, appealed in a joint
statement for Lebanon to “continue to be shielded from tensions in
the region.” Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amiram Levin, a decorated
war hero and former chief of the Northern Command, and former
Chief of Staff and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon have warned
Netanyahu’s government against brash and populist statements and
cautioned the government against dragging Israel to war.
Clearly, the unfolding developments in Syria have made the
geostrategic and military dynamics between Israel and Hezbollah
more complex and fraught with danger and uncertainty. A
conflagration by intent or miscalculation, even if Israel wins, will
most likely have a prohibitive cost and uncertain political outcome.
Professor Rabil, in this perceptive talk, offers a rare and insightful
look into the complex background and dynamics against which
Israel and Hezbollah are making their strategy and military moves.
He also explores Israel’s political campaign and potential offensive
and defensive military preparations to deter and subdue Iran and
Hezbollah’s strategic threat.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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Course # F1R8 — One Time Event
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Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
Dates: | Thursday, December 13 2018 |
Time: | 12 - 1:30 PM |
Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Trump’s National Security Strategy and Russia: The Inevitable Confrontation?
Until very recently and despite growing concern about
Russian meddling in American elections, President
Trump kept his belief that cooperation with Russian
President Vladimir Putin is beneficial to American
stability, especially in the Middle East. Even American
commentary suggested a “love-in” between Trump
and Putin.
This rapprochement, however, never materialized.
Clearly, Trump has been constrained by his cabinet,
bureaucracy and, as importantly, Congress, none of
whom trust Putin. So, instead of collaboration, a wary
and antagonistic U.S.-Russian relationship has
developed. In his National Security Strategy speech,
President Trump stressed: "Russia aims to weaken U.S.
influence in the world and divide us from our allies and
partners. Russia views NATO and the E.U. as threats.
Russia is investing in new military capabilities, including
nuclear systems that remain the most significant
existential threat to the United States, and in destabilizing
cyber capabilities.”
Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia
interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries
around the world. The combination of Russian ambition
and growing military capabilities creates an unstable
frontier in Eurasia, where the risk of conflict due to
Russian miscalculation is growing.
With the U.S. counteracting Russia in Syria, Ukraine,
Black Sea and the Arctic, among other places, has a
confrontation with Russia become inevitable? This talk
surveys U.S.-Russian relationship in its historical
context and gauges the benefits and dangers of
potential U.S. cooperation or antagonism with Russia in
flashpoint areas.
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 8 2018 |
Time: | 2:30 - 4 PM |
Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now