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
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
pursue in principle 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 has
already faced serious challenges to the country’s undisputed
global power. Consequently, on May 3, 2017, Secretary Rex
Tillerson, without much fanfare, addressed his State Department
employees about what “America First” means for U.S. foreign
policy. The guiding principles of “America First” rested on
addressing America’s “partnerships and alliances” which have
become “a little bit out of balance” during the post-Cold War era
and on reconciling “our interests with our values.” Apparently,
this policy, in principle, is neither isolationist nor interventionist.
It leans more toward realpolitik. Nevertheless, its contours have
not yet been defined and most likely will be shaped by how the
Trump administration deals with its foreign challenges and
threats. 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 both their local and America’s
perspectives.
Eight Lectures
- The Trump Administration, U.S. Military and Iraq: Gen. H.R. McMaster and the Rise or Fall of the COINdinistas? -
- The Sahel Region: A Bleak Future and Historic Migration? -
- Oman: The Go-between State? -
- Turkey, the United States and the Gulenist Movement: The Rise of Post-Islamism in the U.S.? -
- The Arctic Region: Prospects and Challenges of the Last Frontier? -
- The United States, Russia and the Syrian Crisis: Beyond the Fall of ISIS -
- France, Salafism and “Centrist Policies”: Revising or Abolishing “Multiculturalism”? -
- The Trump Administration and the War on Terrorism: An Assessment -
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| Course # W8M2 — Full 8 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Mondays, January 8, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5 2018 |
| Time: | 11:15 - 12:45 PM |
| Fee: | $80 / member; $110 / non-member |
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Register Now
Israel and the Arab Sunni States: The Big Deal or the Superficial Alliance?
Though their rhetoric had been historically anti-Israel,
Arab Gulf States did not essentially participate in Arab-
Israeli wars. This conflicted relationship experienced a
thaw in the wake of the Madrid Peace conference.
Whereas Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel, Arab
Gulf states developed covert and multi-faceted economic
and security cooperation with Israel. Recently, the threat
from Iran has intensified and enhanced this cooperation,
leading to reports of overt collaboration on regional
security regardless of whether or not Israeli-Palestinian
peace talks have progressed. Moreover, Russian
intervention in Syria on the side of the Asad regime and
Iran has underscored common strategic interests for Israel,
the Gulf States, Egypt and Jordan. In fact, security
cooperation between Israel and many Arab Sunni states
has never been better. Will the growing cooperation
between Israel and the Arab Sunni states lead to a big deal
as trumpeted by the Trump administration or to a
superficial alliance? This talk attempts to shed light on the
unfolding, yet undefined, new phase in the Arab Gulf-
Israel relations, and on the deepening yet socially
unsettling Israel-Egypt-Jordan relationship.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # W1R7 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursday, February 22 2018 |
| Time: | 11:15 - 12:45 PM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
