With more than half of Syria under the control of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, there are concerns the militants are edging towards Baghdad.
Mario Abou Zeid is no longer with the Carnegie Endowment.
Mario Abou Zeid was a research analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his work focuses on political developments in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
A political scientist, Abou Zeid has focused his research on security, governance, terrorism, Islamist movements, Lebanese politics, and the Syrian conflict. In 2011, Abou Zeid co-authored the Lebanese General Electoral Guide for the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections. Abou Zeid was formerly assistant editor of Carnegie’s Middle East journal, Sada.
A frequent media commentator, Abou Zeid has been interviewed by outlets including BBC Arabic, Associated Press, Reuters, Radio France Internationale, ARTE, AFP, the Daily Star, An-Nahar, NOW News, and CCTV. He has been published in Al Jazeera English, the International Relations and Security Network (ISN), and the National Interest.
With more than half of Syria under the control of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, there are concerns the militants are edging towards Baghdad.
Recent major territorial gains by the self-proclaimed Islamic State are making many players very nervous.
Qalamoun is strategically important for both the Assad regime and Syrian opposition groups.
An alliance of opposition forces has seized control of a second strategic city from government troops.
The status of the Iran nuclear talks is crucial for the further development of the region.
Four years into the conflict in Syria, the United States is screening opposition fighters for the first time to boost war against the Islamic State.
Ten years after the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the Sunni leadership vacuum in Lebanon has yet to be filled.
The value of hostages to the Islamic State depends on the potential for their execution to be exploited.
Eight months of continuous presidential vacuum is bad news for the future of Lebanon’s democracy and stability.
The Islamic State’s expansion in Qalamoun is not the real threat to Lebanon’s security—the Nusra Front’s attempt to gain more control along the Lebanese side of the border is.