AHRC in the Media

Farah Aburaya, a Political and Security Studies Researcher at the Al Habtoor Research Centre, was interviewed by Qnews on July 10, 2026, about the security and political situation in southern Lebanon amid Israel’s violations of international law and the ceasefire.   The interview focused on the security and political situation in southern Lebanon, addressing the legal, strategic, and humanitarian consequences of Israel’s military operations. It covered Israel’s refusal to withdraw from southern Lebanon, its violations of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and the wider implications for Lebanese sovereignty.   Ms. Farah also explored the debate surrounding the disarmament of Hezbollah, emphasizing that the viable path to disarming non-state actors is through empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and restoring the state’s absolute authority. Furthermore, the interview analysed Israel’s ongoing destruction of villages in southern Lebanon and examined the reactions of local communities to calls for disarmament amidst the ongoing Israeli’s violations.   The discussion explored the long-term humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions of the continued destruction of Lebanese villages, including the prospects for the return of displaced residents and the broader demographic and political implications for Lebanon. It also examined whether ongoing diplomatic efforts by Washington are effectively containing the conflict or merely buying more time for Israel to impose new realities.   

The Washington Times cited an analysis by Mostafa Ahmed, head of the Political and Security Studies at the Al Habtoor Research Centre, in its article for the 2026 NATO summit hosted by Türkiye. The article highlighted his assessment of Ankara’s growing defence industrial capabilities, its efforts to leverage the NATO summit as a platform to strengthen defence partnerships with Gulf states, and the broader strategic implications of Turkey’s increasing role as a regional security and defence actor.   His analysis titled “Ankara’s Defensive Rise: A New NATO Path?” also addressed the evolving defence strategies of the Gulf, the growing demand for Turkish military technologies, and how Ankara’s focus on technology transfer and cost-effective weapons is reshaping regional security partnerships, complementing, rather than replacing, traditional U.S. security relationships.   Article Published Date: July 5, 2026   Read More Here: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/5/ankara-markets-drones-air-defense-states-looking-reduce-reliance-us/

TIME cited Mostafa Ahmed, Head of Political and Security Studies at the Al Habtoor Research Centre, in its analysis of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world’s most vital digital corridors. The article was based on his assessment of the growing risks to global submarine cable infrastructure in the context of the Iranian war, examining the potential repercussions of disruptions to international data flows, cloud computing, financial networks, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.   Mr. Mostafa study titled “What If: Iran Targeted Submarine Internet Cables in the Arabian Gulf?” also explored the legal, geopolitical, and security implications of Iran’s proposals to target submarine cables, their implications for the digital transformation strategies of Gulf states, and the broader impact on regional technological development.   Time Article Published Date: May 19, 2026   Read More Here: https://time.com/article/2026/05/19/iran-war-subsea-cables-internet-strait-hormuz-gulf-states-ai/   The Financial Times cited the same study by Mostafa Ahmed, in its coverage of the strategic implications of stalled submarine cable projects in the Middle East. The article highlighted his analysis of the Strait of Hormuz as a critical digital chokepoint, whose vulnerability extends beyond energy security to encompass global telecommunications infrastructure.   His assessment addressed how prolonged geopolitical instability could undermine investor confidence, delay AI and cloud computing ambitions, disrupt international data connectivity across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and reshape long-term infrastructure investment decisions throughout the region.   Financial Times Article Published Date: June 25, 2026   Read More Here: https://www.ft.com/content/5e6ce736-3a48-406a-933a-ed215370bd16?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Farah Aburaya, a Political and Security Studies Researcher at the Al Habtoor Research Centre, was interviewed by Qnews on June 12, 2026. The researcher discussed, with another guest, Mr. Youssef Abdelkader, Political Analyst and Journalist, the evolving US-Iran War and its broader implications for regional security and global energy markets.   Ms. Farah Aburaya answered some pressing questions surrounding the US-Iranian conflict and its regional and global repercussions. She addressed Egypt’s assessment of the strategic importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz for Arab economic security and the security interconnectedness of the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal. The interview also explored the challenges of enforcing any US-Iran agreement in light of the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as the potential for de-escalation to refocus international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.   The discussion highlighted Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to safeguard Arab national security, emphasizing the sovereignty of the Gulf states as a non-negotiable priority and the necessity for any agreement to address broader regional security concerns rather than focusing solely on the nuclear issue. Furthermore, the interview assessed the continuing threats posed by Iran’s regional proxy networks, the implications of the conflict for Lebanon’s fragile political stability, and the risk of a diplomatic collapse that could ignite a wider regional war. Finally, Ms. Farah addressed the potentially devastating global economic consequences of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including its impact on energy markets and global prices.  

The Al Habtoor Research Centre’s Gaza Reconstruction Plan received praise and attention from media outlets, emphasizing the plan's importance and potential to address the region’s complex challenges, highlighting its significance for fostering stability and development in Gaza. The following is a summary of notable articles and their key findings: