< 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.

Labyrinthine Politics in Lebanon Delays Formation of New Cabinet By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Sep 16, 2018

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate, Saad Hariri, has presented President Michel Aoun with a “cabinet formula,” an allocation of cabinet seats that reflects the size of parliamentary blocs. Aoun, however, turned down the formula, and announced instead his intention to “send a letter” to parliament to ask that it votes on replacing Hariri. If parliament does vote … Continue reading “Labyrinthine Politics in Lebanon Delays Formation of New Cabinet”

Nobody Will Save Lebanon’s Economy if the Lebanese Are Not Worried About Immediate Crisis By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Aug 16, 2018

The condition of the Lebanese economy “is not sustainable,” said the vice president of the World Bank, Ferid Belhaj, in a statement that shook whatever confidence Lebanon still had left. (But more on that later.) Even though Belhaj opined that he was, nevertheless, “not worried” just yet, he also said the country had been willfully … Continue reading “Nobody Will Save Lebanon’s Economy if the Lebanese Are Not Worried About Immediate Crisis”

Why Iran Can’t Get Satisfaction in Iraq By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Jul 22, 2018

As restive Iraqis rioted in the predominantly Shia south, politicians quarreled among themselves. Baghdad accused Iran of instigating the protests to twist arms and force the formation of a cabinet to its liking. Iran demurred. But if Baghdad politicians’ claims are even halfway true, it is curious that protesters have shown no favor toward Tehran, … Continue reading “Why Iran Can’t Get Satisfaction in Iraq”

Any Economic Plan for Lebanon is Doomed to Fail Until the Country Reduces Hezbollah’s Influence By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Jul 10, 2018

The management consultancy, McKinsey, has delivered a five-year economic plan for Lebanon to the government. The blueprint is expected to form the basis of the platform of Saad Hariri’s upcoming cabinet. Though details are still under wraps, word has it that the plan recommends cutting Lebanon’s public-sector expenditures to 15 percent from the current 40 … Continue reading “Any Economic Plan for Lebanon is Doomed to Fail Until the Country Reduces Hezbollah’s Influence”

Russia and Iran Contest for Power in Syria through Hezbollah and Shia Clan Proxies By Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Jul 4, 2018

In Syria, tension is on the rise between militias loyal to Russia and those faithful to Iran, amid signs that Moscow and Tehran are racing to recruit local clans. Last month, members of the small Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese clan of Al Jamal shot dead a fighter of the Russian-aligned Jaafar clan on the Syria side of … Continue reading “Russia and Iran Contest for Power in Syria through Hezbollah and Shia Clan Proxies”