Maxwell School News and Faculty Media, Opinion and Analysis

Khalil discusses the Arab Spring after 10 years on PBS NewsHour

"I think it's tempting to think about the Arab Spring as a failure. But I think the reality is that it's really still under way," says Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history. "Many of those same issues that brought the protest to a head and the challenging of those—of the different Arab governments still exist." Watch the full PBS NewsHour interview, "Ten years after the Arab Spring, democracy remains elusive in Egypt."

February 12, 2021

Khalil discusses the Syrian war, Russia in USA Today

"Moscow views the Syrian civil war as a foreign-influenced crisis that threatens the broader Middle East region and its interests there and at home," says Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history.

March 13, 2020

Jok discusses South Sudan's latest peace deal with Al Jazeera

"This government will be a mere postponement of conflict if it gives a blind eye to the corruption and grand theft that has created a ghastly and deadly form of inequality in South Sudan since 2005," writes Jok Madut Jok, professor of anthropology.

February 25, 2020

See related: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Conflict

Khalil quoted in USA Today article on US-Iran tensions in Iraq

"Iraq has become a battleground for American and Iranian influence," says Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history.

January 13, 2020

Banks weighs in on Iran retaliation in Newsweek

"This is an escalation for sure but retaliation, revenge or reprisals are unlawful at international law, not that Iran abides by international law," says William C. Banks, professor emeritus of public administration and international affairs. "The risks are that the U.S. will play along and some escalatory act will be disproportionate to the circumstances, leading to something far worse," he adds.

January 10, 2020

Khalil discusses Iran's missile attacks with CNY Central

"We would hope now is that cooler heads will prevail within the Trump administration that can reason with the President that the time is now for negotiations rather than further escalation," says Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history.

January 10, 2020

Zoli speaks to local media about the death of Qassam Soleimani

January 7, 2020

See related: Conflict, Middle East & North Africa

Khalil comments on death of Iran Gen. Soleimani in USA Today, LA Times

The killings of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy Chairman of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, "were a dangerous and ill-advised escalation by the United States," Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history and Middle East expert, told USA Today. " Khalil also talked to other outlets about this development, stating that "Their deaths will make it more difficult to resolve the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran and will only destabilize Iraq further."

January 6, 2020

Bhan weighs in on call for Israel model in Kashmir in Al Jazeera

December 5, 2019

See related: Conflict, South Asia

Khalil discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in USA Today

"The most the Israelis are willing to offer does not meet the minimum demands of the Palestinians. This includes a viable, independent state with sovereignty over its borders and resources," says Osamah Khalil, associate professor of history.

September 23, 2019