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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Spotlight

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.

1 min

Covering the tensions in the Middle East - our experts are here to help with your stories

Photo credit: Timon Studler With escalating tensions in the Middle East, the situation seems to be changing on a daily basis. Robert Rabil, Ph.D., is an expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations at Florida Atlantic University, and can speak about the current climate in the region, as well as offer expertise on its deep history. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange a time to speak to him.

Robert Rabil, Ph.D.

2 min

Experts in the Media – As the crisis in Ukraine continues, FAU’s experts are getting called to help with coverage

Despite months of tension, weeks of pleas and diplomatic efforts – a full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has occurred. The situation is developing by the minute and media are scrambling to explain what has happened, why it happened, and tell stories of how this invasion is impacting people not just in Ukraine, but in America too. It’s why experts like Florida Atlantic University’s Robert Rabil is front and center to explain what’s going on to reporters. According to Robert Rabil, a political science professor at Florida Atlantic University, the crisis between Russia and Ukraine has been building since the 1990s. "This is on the account of two factors. The first factor is the expansion of NATO to the border of Russia, merely, especially to the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia," Rabil said. "The second factor is from a Russian perspective they believe that they treated Russia like a bygone power." Rabil said with increased sanctions underway and formal diplomatic channels not working, the west could be pushing Russia to deepen its ties to other regimes globally. "It might go to Iran and it will support Iran in acquiring or hastening the acquisition of nuclear weapons," he added. "It will deepen its embrace with China." February 23 – WPTV NewsChannel 5 The invasion of Ukraine is historic and could lead to escalations of violence in other parts of Europe and further. And, if you are a reporter looking to cover this ongoing story – then let our experts help. Robert Rabil, Ph.D., is an expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations. He is available to speak with media about the current situation in Ukraine, simply click on his 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

Brandeis University

Ph.D.

2001

Harvard University Extension School

M.L.A.

1995

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

B.S.

1987

Selected Media Appearances

The True Value of Lebanon's Armed Forces

The National Interest  online

2019-12-03

Alongside a campaign to push for a war with Iran, there is a parallel campaign to undermine Iran’s proxies is equating the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with Hezbollah. Though the armed forces need to answer and act on some legitimate concerns, this pairing is not only erroneous but also dangerous because it undermines the only institution stabilizing Lebanon.

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Trump’s flip-flopping on Syria proves he does not know how complicated the reality is

Independent  online

2019-10-26

Robert Rabil, professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University, says the US presence in Syria is becoming increasingly dangerous. “Sooner or later American troops will face Russian and Syrian forces as they will try to control all of Syria,” he told The Independent. “Syrian Kurdish fighters will not be able to support the US like before, given their recent agreement with the Syrian and Russian governments.”

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How Russia is filling the gap left by Trump's withdrawal of US troops in Syria

Independent  online

2019-10-16

Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria has started to change the balance of power in the war-torn country where regional and international powers have long been involved in a complex situation. Russian troops have now moved into northern Syria to fill the security vacuum left by the United States, and Syrian government forces are taking over areas previously controlled by US-backed Kurdish fighters.

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