THE BRIEFING ROOM
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST | ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST | BY AVI MELAMED
NEXT EPISODE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6
UPCOMING GUEST ON THE BRIEFING ROOM:
MUHAMMAD NAJIB
Inside Palestinian Politics
Nearly 20 years have passed since the violent confrontation between the two major Palestinian movements—Fatah and Hamas. A broad look at the Palestinian reality since then reveals two fundamental trends: a severe deterioration in Palestinian conditions, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and the complete failure of repeated efforts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that Palestinian parliamentary elections will be held in November 2026. The last elections took place in 2006, when Hamas won a decisive victory.
But will elections actually take place? What does the Palestinian political landscape look like today? With Hamas refusing to disarm, do elections even make sense? What happens in Gaza if Palestinian Authority rule is formally restored while Hamas remains the real power on the ground?
And against the backdrop of the war and the ongoing crisis with Iran, what are the implications for the Palestinian arena? Who are the emerging figures in Palestinian politics today, and what roles might they play in shaping the Palestinian political landscape going forward?
We will explore these questions and more with our guest, Palestinian journalist Mohammed Najib.
Mohammed Najib is a Palestinian defence correspondent, security journalist, and analyst from Ramallah, in the West Bank. For 36 years, he has reported on developments in the Middle East, working for leading newspapers, including Janes Information Group. His writing credits include the book “Global Security and Intelligence”, published by Praeger Security International, as well as the mid-2007 publication “Entry-point to Palestinian Security Sector Reform” by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
A speaker at numerous public diplomacy events and a participant in several security conferences.Since joining Janes Information Group in April 2001, contributed to several of Janes’ publications covering Defence, Intelligence, Strategic Affairs, Islamic Groups, Counterterrorism, Country Risk, and Organised Crime.
Holds a professional degree in Written Journalism from Bir Zeit University and a B.A. in English Literature from Al-Quds University.Proficient in four languages: Arabic, English, French, and Hebrew.Elected to the Foreign Press Association (FPA) board in 2014, and having been re-elected to that position for the past ten years.
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