< Back

Hussain Abdul-Hussain

Hussain Abdul-Hussain is the Washington bureau chief of Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai and a former visiting fellow at Chatham House in London. Previously, he helped launch and manage the Iraqi stream of the Arabic TV network Alhurra. Before relocating to Washington, Abdul-Hussain worked as a reporter, and later as managing editor, for Lebanon’s The Daily Star. He has reported from conflict zones on the border between Lebanon and Israel, and from Baghdad shortly after the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. Abdul-Hussain has also contributed articles to US newspapers, including The New York Times and the Washington Post, and appeared on American TV news networks such as CNN and MSNBC. In addition, he is a frequent commentator on Arabic satellite TV networks.

Articles By Hussain Abdul-Hussain

Even When They Don’t Win, Iran’s Iraqi Loyalists Refuse to Lose By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Apr 6, 2022

Benefiting from a skewed Supreme Court interpretation of the Iraqi constitution, Iran’s loyalists this week once again prevented the Iraqi parliament from electing a president, thus violating a constitutional mandate that a presidential election be held within 30 days of electing a speaker, which happened in January. With parliament stalled, Iran and its tiny minority bloc are forcing Iraq’s parliamentary majority to choose … Continue reading “Even When They Don’t Win, Iran’s Iraqi Loyalists Refuse to Lose”

Abu Dhabi Attack Shows Talking to Iran is Futile By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Jan 22, 2022

When the UAE held talks with the Iranian regime last month, things appeared to go as well as could be expected. National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed landed in Iran on December 6 and invited President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Abu Dhabi next month. But instead of returning the good will, Iran’s militia in Yemen, the Houthis, responded this week … Continue reading “Abu Dhabi Attack Shows Talking to Iran is Futile”

Iraq Election Drubbing Leaves Iran Scrambling to Save Its Militias By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Jan 14, 2022

There was plenty of political drama when Iraq’s parliament held its first session this week since the October election. Amid the theatrics and walkouts, the meeting illustrated the magnitude of the defeat suffered by the parties loyal to the Iranian regime in the fourth election since the toppling of Saddam Hussein. The rejection of Tehran’s favored candidates has rendered its bloc in Iraq’s parliament … Continue reading “Iraq Election Drubbing Leaves Iran Scrambling to Save Its Militias”

UAE Balances Israel Ties With Iran Detente By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Dec 23, 2021

The policies of three of the Middle East’s top players have been outlined in a flurry of diplomacy, joint statements and budget announcements over the past two weeks. The United Arab Emirates sent its National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed to Iran while also receiving Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Israel deployed its Defense … Continue reading “UAE Balances Israel Ties With Iran Detente”