Palestine: Anatomy of an Abyss

In this lecture, Mouin Rabbani examines the present crisis of the Palestinian national movement in terms of its various domestic dimensions as well as external challenges. Rabbani offers a discussion of the prospects for Palestinian national reconciliation, the potential for renewed conflict with Israel, and analysis of President Trump's declared objective of pursuing "the ultimate deal.” The crises of both Fatah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority will be examined, particularly in light of recent initiatives to achieve agreements between rival Palestinian factions. Mouin Rabbani is an independent analyst, commentator, and researcher specializing in the contemporary Middle East. He has previously served as Principal Political Affairs Officer with the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Head of Middle East with Crisis Management Initiative/Martti Ahtisaari Centre, Senior Middle East Analyst and Special Advisor on Israel-Palestine with the International Crisis Group. He is Senior Fellow with the Institute for Palestine Studies, Co-Editor of Jadaliyya, Contributing Editor of Middle East Report, Associate Fellow of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Policy Advisor to Al-Shabaka - The Palestinian Policy Network. A graduate of Tufts University and Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Rabbani has published, presented, and commented widely on Middle East issues, including for a variety of major print, television, and digital media. Sponsored by Middle East and Islamic Studies and Arab Studies Institute. Co-Sponsored by Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Global Islamic Studies, Global Affairs, Middle East Policy Group, History Department.