Robert Rabil, Ph.D.

Professor Florida Atlantic University

  • Boca Raton FL

Robert Rabil is an expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations.

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3 min

Operation Epic Fury: Florida Atlantic's Expert is Ready for Your Questions and Coverage

As tensions surrounding Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East intensifies and the risk of regional escalation grows, Robert G. Rabil, Ph.D., professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University, stands out as one of the most authoritative voices journalists can turn to for clear, strategic analysis. A nationally recognized scholar of Middle Eastern politics, political Islam, terrorism and U.S. foreign policy, Rabil brings decades of research, regional expertise and media experience to breaking developments. He does not simply react to headline, he explains the historical forces, ideological movements and geopolitical calculations driving them. At a time when the conflict’s implications stretch far beyond Iran’s borders, affecting Israel, Gulf states, global energy markets and U.S. national security, Rabil provides critical context on both state and non-state actors shaping events on the ground. Robert Rabil, Ph.D., professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University, is a leading authority on Middle Eastern politics, security, and U.S.–Middle East relations.  View his profile Recent media coverage: WINK: Dr. Robert Rabil, a political science professor at Florida Atlantic University, said the attack marks one of the most significant escalations in regional conflict in years. "I would say now the joint attack today is one of the very few, if not the only, as a matter of fact, attack on a country in the Middle East," said Rabil. "And today, as we have seen, I believe that the President has taken the final decision, and he said, Listen, it's about time, mainly, either to change the regime or produce a change within the regime.” ABC News: “What the president has done recently, what he did with Maduro, and the assassination of Soleimani — all of that changes the regime’s behavior,” Rabil said. Rabil said if Iran’s government were to collapse or dramatically change, cooperation with Western nations, including the United States, could resume, especially if Iranians pursue a democratic alternative. The Jerusalem Post Op-Ed The writer is a professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University. He served as chief of emergency of the Red Cross in East Beirut during Lebanon’s civil war. CNN Robert G. Rabil, Special to CNN Rabil offers measured, informed analysis rooted in decades of scholarship and policy study and can help with key story angles such as: Iran’s Regime Stability and Internal Pressures How domestic dissent, economic strain and political factions inside Iran influence wartime decision-making. U.S.–Iran Strategic Calculus What options Washington realistically has, historical precedents shaping current policy, and risks of escalation or miscalculation. Israel and Regional Security Dynamics How Israel, Saudi Arabia and Gulf states are responding — and whether a broader regional war is possible. Proxy Warfare and Militant Networks The role of Hezbollah, Hamas and other non-state actors in expanding or containing the conflict. Iran’s Nuclear Program How the conflict affects nuclear negotiations, deterrence strategy and global security concerns. Energy Markets and Global Economic Fallout Implications for oil prices, shipping lanes and international economic stability. Long-Term Regional Realignment Whether this conflict accelerates a reshaping of alliances in the Middle East.

Robert Rabil, Ph.D.

1 min

As the Gaza City ground offensive has begun - FAU has a leading expert on the region

Israel has launched a massive ground incursion into Gaza City.  Aiming to destroy what the Israeli government has said is one of the last remaining Hamas strongholds. The offensive will escalate further fighting as the Israeli military indicated this current attempt to remove Hamas strongholds could take months. The attack on Gaza City has drawn criticism from allies of Israel who are seeking to see a stop the fighting and see peace in a region. Media are also watching and looking looking for experts like Florida Atlantic's Robert Rabil who has been commenting and contributing on this topic since the conflict began almost two years ago. Florida Atlantic University's political science professor, Robert Rabil Ph. D. is a star expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations.  His expertise has appeared in major newspapers and academic journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Sun Times, Daily Star (Beirut), History News Network, National Interest, CNN, Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, the Journal of International Security Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, and Middle East Review of International Affairs. He has also contributed several book chapters on political Islam and Middle Eastern politics. Rabil is available to speak with media. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange an interview today.

Robert Rabil, Ph.D.

1 min

Covering the Middle East? FAU has a leading expert on the region

Tension in the Middle East has dominated the news cycle since October 07, 2023. Media from across the globe have continuously connected with experts for insight, perspective and opinions about the ongoing chaos in the region.  Florida Atlantic University's political science professor, Robert Rabil Ph. D. is a star expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations.  His expertise has appeared in major newspapers and academic journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Sun Times, Daily Star (Beirut), History News Network, National Interest, CNN, Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, the Journal of International Security Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, and Middle East Review of International Affairs. He has also contributed several book chapters on political Islam and Middle Eastern politics. Most recently he has been featured on  Al Qahera News and NBC News as well as  The National Interest and  the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Rabil is available to speak with media. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange an interview today.

Robert Rabil, Ph.D.
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Biography

Robert Rabil received his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, his Masters in Government from Harvard University Extension School and his Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. His area of research includes Political Islam, Terrorism, Transnational and Revivalist Movements, U.S.-Arab Relations, Arab-Israeli Conflict, Reform in the Arab world, and Contemporary Middle Eastern and Southeastern Politics.

He is the author of Embattled Neighbors: Syria, Israel, and Lebanon (Lynne Rienner, 2003), Syria, the United States, and the War on Terror in the Middle East (Praeger, 2006), Religion, National Identity and Confessional Politics in Lebanon: The Challenge of Islamism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), Salafism in Lebanon: from Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism (Georgetown University Press, 2014), The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Lebanon: The Double Tragedy of Refugees and Impacted Host Communities (Lexington Books, 2016), and White Heart (London: Austin Macauley Publishers, 2018) . His articles have appeared in major newspapers and academic journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Sun Times, Daily Star (Beirut), History News Network, National Interest, CNN, Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, the Journal of International Security Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, and Middle East Review of International Affairs. He also contributed a number of book chapters on Political Islam and Middle Eastern Politics.

Rabil is currently undertaking multiple research projects on U.S. National Security and Arab Revolts; Arab Revolts and Christians in the Middle East; and Salafism.

Previously, Rabil served as the chief of emergency for the Red Cross in Beirut, Lebanon, taught at Suffolk University, and was the project manager of the U.S. State Department funded-Iraq Research and Documentation Project.

Areas of Expertise

U.S. Foreign Policy
Reform in the Arab world
U.S.-Arab Relations
Terrorism
Political Islam
Transnational and Revivalist Movements
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Contemporary Middle Eastern and Southeastern Politics

Accomplishments

Honorary Doctorate in Humanities

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Education

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

B.S.

1987

Harvard University Extension School

M.L.A.

1995

Brandeis University

Ph.D.

2001

Selected Media Appearances

Is it Iraq’s Turn?

لحرة  online

2025-09-30

Robert Rabil, a professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University, told Alhurra: “The United States, Israel, Europe, and some Arab countries—especially in the Gulf—have decided that non-state actors should not have a role in the Middle East. They cannot dictate the region’s politics. States must remain in charge.”

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In interview with Fadi Chahwan, Professor Robert Rabil analyzes US policy on Lebanon, Syria, and future of North and East Syria

SyriacPress  tv

2025-09-23

WASHINGTON / BEIRUT — In an interview with journalist Fadi Chahwan on his political talk show, Robert Rabil, LLS Distinguished Professor of Current Affairs in Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Political Science, examined the situations in Lebanon and Syria in the context of US foreign policy.

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Lebanon’s long overdue reckoning | Opinion

The Jerusalem Post  online

2025-07-10

Hezbollah’s claims about Israel's colonial ambitions in Lebanon do not stand the test of Israel-Lebanon’s history.

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