Khodr Zaarour

Khodr M. Zaarour
Born1969/70
Syr Daniyah, Lebanon
OccupationsProfessor, news correspondent
Known forFounder of Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC)
Academic background
Education
Academic work
Institutions

Khodr M. Zaarour (Arabic: خضر زعرور; born 1969/70) is a Lebanese-American professor of international relations specializing in Middle Eastern politics. He is faculty at North Carolina State University (NCSU), a correspondent for multiple media organizations, and founder of the Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC).

Born in Syr Daniyah, Lebanon, he immigrated to the United States in 1982 and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After briefly living in Texas, Zaarour moved back to Pennsylvania to earn two bachelor's degrees and two master's degrees in political science and related fields at Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. He later earned his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. Throughout his career, he has taught at five universities, and is currently a full-time professor at NCSU.

In 2002, Zaarour founded MAPAC, an organization which lobbies on behalf of Muslim Americans and offers political endorsements. He has since served on the boards of several organizations, including the Human Relations Commission for the City of Raleigh and Research Committee 46 of the International Political Science Association. Since 2025, he has frequently contributed analysis and opinion pieces relating to Middle Eastern politics for media outlets, including Al Jadeed, Medi 1 TV, and Voice of Lebanon.

Personal life and education

Zaarour was born in either 1969 or 1970 in Syr Daniyah, Lebanon.[1] On 10 April 1982, he and his mother immigrated to the United States, following his father who had come to the US in the early 20th century.[1] They settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Zaarour attended Greenway Middle School for 7th and 8th grade.[1] After being required to memorize the Gettysburg Address in the latter grade, Zaarour first became interested in American history and politics.[1] After attending Brashear High School for 9th grade, Zaarour and his family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1985, where he attended Robert E. Lee Senior High School until graduation in 1988.[1]

After taking a gap year, Zaarour moved back to Pittsburg in July 1989 where he enrolled at Allegheny College, later graduating with an associate degree in social science.[1] He then enrolled at Duquesne University, where in 1993, he earned double bachelor's degrees in political science and history, and in December 1994, a master's degree in "Liberal Studies and Political Science".[1] While enrolled at Duquesne, Zaarour was elected president of the university's College Republican club.[1] Additionally, upon the outbreak of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and subsequent Gulf War, Zaarour participated in protests on campus against the American military response, and subsequently made his first lobbies to congress with the aims of ending economic sanctions on Iraq.[1] Upon the start of Second Intifada in 2000 and assassination of Rafic Hariri in 2005, he further lobbied support for Palestinians and Lebanese before congress, respectively.[1] In 1996, Zaarour enrolled at University of Pittsburgh where he earned an additional Master's in "International Relations and International Security Studies" in May 1998.[1]

In 2014,[1] Zaarour enrolled in the Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs, where he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in "Planning, Governance and Globalization" in 2020.[2] The doctorate's focus was in American foreign policy, Middle Eastern politics, and international security.[1] As part of his doctoral dissertation he published a journal article, State Sponsored Terrorism and Its Effects on Lebanese Policy and Politics,[3] and a book, Varying Views of Democracy Among Iraqi Citizens, 2005-2018, the latter focused on democracy in Iraq after the 2003 invasion.[4]

Career

Pinpoint map depicting three red dots in North Carolina and two in Virginia
NC State
NC State
Shaw
Shaw
NC Central
NC Central
VA Tech
VA Tech
Hampton
Hampton
Location of universities Zaarour has taught at

Between 1998 and 2000, Zaarour began his career as an intern for the Middle East Institute as an educational researcher, National Defense University as a policy analyst, and United States Information Agency as a regional desk officer, all located in Washington D.C..[1] Since 2000, he has near-continuously worked in some form of tertiary education.[1] By the 2002–03 academic year, Zaarour taught history, international relations, and political science as an assistant professor at Shaw University.[5][6] He continued to teach at Shaw until at least the 2011–12 academic year in the same position, while also serving as the university's international relations program coordinator.[7] By 2024, Zaarour began to teach at North Carolina State University for similar classes as a professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.[6] Zaarour has also worked as an adjunct professor at North Carolina Central University since at least 2011,[8][9] and Virginia Tech,[6] and taught in some form at Hampton University.[1] Without teaching there, he has also given lectures for other universities including California Lutheran University.[10]

Professional organization involvement

Zaarour has worked for several professional organizations. In response to the increase in islamophobia following the September 11th attacks, Zaarour founded the Raleigh, North Carolina–based Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC) in 2002, which lobbies on behalf of Muslim Americans.[1][11][12] On October 2, 2007, Zaarour, representing MAPAC, was part of an effort which successfully lobbied for Ramadan to be recognized as a holy month by the US House of Representatives.[13] In addition to lobbying, Zaarour also assumed responsibility for the organization in its interactions with NGOs like Doctors Without Borders,[14] and its political endorsements for Muslim voters. In 2006, as the organization's political director, Zaarour endorsed Democratic Party incumbent Brad Miller in the US House of Representatives elections in North Carolina for that year, as opposed to the Republican Party candidate because of some of their commentary.[15] Zaarour continued to promote the Democratic party under MAPAC for the next decade until the 2024 US Presidential election, where as the organization's chair, he endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein and her running mate Butch Ware, as he believed their stance on Muslim issues was superior to those taken by the Democrats and Republicans.[11][16] In 2025, Zaarour left MAPAC on good terms.[17]

Zaarour has also served on the boards for the Raleigh chapter of Sister Cities International beginning in 2022– acting as the city's ambassador for his hometown of Syr Daniyah in Lebanon,[1][18] on the Human Relations Commission board for the City of Raleigh beginning in May 2025,[19] and on Research Committee 46 of the International Political Science Association beginning in September 2025.[20] He also served on the board for the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.[21]

Correspondent work

A world map with the United States colored in orange and Lebanon colored in green
Zaarour has frequently appeared on Lebanese media stations in discussion of Lebanon–US relations

Beginning as an academic requirement[1] but increasing in frequency by 2025, Zaarour has contributed analysis and opinion pieces for multiple Lebanese media stations, including Al Jadeed,[22] OTV, Radio Liban Libre,[23] Sawt Beirut International, and Voice of Lebanon, on topics including Iran–Lebanon relations,[24][25] Lebanon–US relations,[24] China–US relations,[26] the Hezbollah–Israel conflict,[27] and Israel–Somaliland relations, all within the context of the Middle Eastern crisis started in 2023.[28][29] He also has contributed pieces for the Egyptian-based Al-Masry Al-Youm[30] and Al-Jumhur,[31] Moroccan-based Medi 1 TV,[32] Saudi-owned London-based Al Majalla,[33] and UAE-based Erem News.[34]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Dr. Khodr Zaarour to Beirut Times: Strategic Insight on Middle East Politics and Global Security". Beirut Times. November 12, 2025. Archived from the original on April 9, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Congrats, SPIA Class of 2020!". Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs. May 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Volume 2, Issue 5: Fall 2021: ISSN 2694-2577". Journal of Applied Professional Studies. Fall 2021. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Varying Views of Democracy Among Iraqi Citizens, 2005-2018". Virginia Tech. August 17, 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  5. ↑ George, Cindy (April 2, 2003). "New leader wants 'only the best' for Shaw University". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. B3. Retrieved March 31, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Khodr M. Zaarour, professor of history, political science and international relations, [...]
  6. 1 2 3 Pitchford, Francesca (June 5, 2024). "NC State Faculty Authors Explore School Diversity and Democracy in New Books". NCSU Department of Integrative Humanities and Social Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Shaw University 2011–2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog" (PDF). Shaw University Undergraduate Catalog: 294. 2012. Archived from the original on August 7, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2026. Zaarour, Khodr M. - (2000); M.A., University of Pittsburgh; Assistant Professor of International Relations, Political Science, and History; and Coordinator of the International Relations Program
  8. ↑ "University Undergraduate Catalog 2011–2013 [Archived Catalog]". North Carolina Central University. 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Undergraduate Course Catalog 2025–2026". North Carolina Central University. 2026. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Strategic Miscalculations and Consequences of U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East". California Lutheran University. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Holyoke, Gregory (December 4, 2024). "'There's so much trauma': Arab Americans remain fearful and hopeful about Trump's second term". Euronews. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  12. ↑ Zebrowski, John (July 20, 2003). "A moment of silence". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. A22. Retrieved March 31, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Muslim/American Public Affairs Council, a year-old group aimed at helping Muslims get more involved in politics.
  13. ↑ Vollmer, Sabine (October 14, 2007). "A Happy End To Holy Month". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. B1. Retrieved March 31, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ McArthur, Al (August 29, 2006). "Triangle groups unite to provide for "Doctors Without Borders"". Technician. Archived from the original on April 9, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  15. ↑ Christensen, Rob (October 25, 2006). "A Miller endorsement". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. B5. Retrieved March 31, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ Evans, Jordan Willow (September 13, 2024). "Muslim American Public Affairs Council Endorses Green Presidential Nominee Jill Stein". Independent Political Report. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  17. ↑ "About MAPAC". Muslim American Public Affairs Council. Archived from the original on March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026. MAPAC acknowledges the outgoing Trustees and honors their dedication and efforts to serve the Muslim community: Dr. Khodr Zaarour [...]
  18. ↑ "Board of Directors". Raleigh Sister Cities. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026. Syr (Lebanon) Ambassador: Khodr Zaarour, PhD
  19. ↑ "Human Relations Commission". City of Raleigh. Archived from the original on April 10, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  20. ↑ Pachocka, Marta (September 17, 2025). "Our Current RC46 Board after the 2025 Elections". International Political Science Association. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Wake County ACLU" (PDF). Liberty. Vol. 44, no. 2. North Carolina: American Civil Liberties Union. Spring 2011. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 4, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2026. Wake County ACLU Board member Khodr Zaarour congratulates [...]
  22. ↑ "خضر زعرور: هنا بيروت" [Khodr Zaarour: This is Beirut]. Al Jadeed (in Arabic). January 6, 2026. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "كل الفرق مع إيلديكو – خضر زعرور" [All the differences with Ildiko – Khodr Zaarour]. Radio Liban Libre (in Arabic). August 12, 2025. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "خضر زعرور لصوت لبنان وشاشةVdl24: ترامب لم يعط الضمانات الجادة الى الرئيس عون ولا يمكن الفصل راهنا ما بين ايران وح*ب الله..." [Khodr Zaarour told Voice of Lebanon and VDL24: Trump did not give serious guarantees to President Aoun, and it is currently impossible to separate Iran from Hezbollah...]. Voice of Lebanon (in Arabic). October 17, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  25. ↑ Shahin, Thuraya (March 25, 2026). "بعد خفض التمثيل الدبلوماسي مع إيران: العبرة في تنفيذ القرارات السيادية" [After reducing diplomatic representation with Iran: The lesson lies in implementing sovereign decisions.]. Sawt Beirut International (in Arabic). Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  26. ↑ Shahin, Thuraya (October 31, 2025). "لماذا يفوق اهتمام ترامب بالصين وآسيا اهتمامه بالشرق الأوسط؟" [Why is Trump more interested in China and Asia than in the Middle East?]. Sawt Beirut International (in Arabic). Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  27. ↑ "خضر زعرور: تحضيرات لحرب استنزاف والحزب الله صار جندي في الحرس الثوري!" [Khodr Zaarour: Preparations are underway for a war of attrition, and Hezbollah has become a soldier in the Revolutionary Guard!]. OTV (in Arabic). March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  28. ↑ "خضر زعرور لصوت لبنان وشاشة VDL24: العام 2026 عام الاضطرابات والانتخابات ومفاوضات تجري خلف الستار مع ايران" [Khodr Zaarour to Voice of Lebanon and VDL24: 2026 will be a year of unrest, elections, and behind-the-scenes negotiations with Iran.]. Voice of Lebanon (in Arabic). January 2, 2026. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  29. ↑ Shahin, Thuraya (January 2, 2026). "ما الأسباب وراء اعتراف إسرائيل بأرض الصومال؟" [What are the reasons behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland?]. Sawt Beirut International (in Arabic). Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  30. ↑ Al-Nassaj, Osama (April 19, 2026). "24 ساعة فاصلة بين إيران والولايات المتحدة.. هل تُنهي التوتر أم تشعل المواجهة؟" [24 hours separate Iran and the United States... Will it end the tension or ignite a confrontation?]. Al-Masry Al-Youm (in Arabic). Archived from the original on April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  31. ↑ Naji, Abdullah (April 20, 2026). "أستاذ بجامعة أمريكية لـ"الجمهور": الاقتصاد يفرض التهدئة بين أمريكا وإيران ونتنياهو كعامل معرقل محتمل" [A professor at an American university told Al-Jumhur: The economy is forcing a truce between America and Iran, and Netanyahu is a potential spoiler]. Al-Jumhur (in Arabic). Archived from the original on April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  32. ↑ "فتح هرمز وكبح النفوذ والنووي .. إلى أين تقود شروط واشنطن تجاه إيران؟ قراءة خضر زعرور" [Opening the Strait of Hormuz, curbing influence, and the nuclear issue: Where are Washington's conditions toward Iran leading? A reading by Khodr Zaarour]. Medi 1 TV (in Arabic). April 8, 2026. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  33. ↑ Shahin, Thuraya (April 23, 2026). "هل دفعت واشنطن وحدها لبنان إلى التفاوض مع إسرائيل؟". Al Majalla (in Arabic). Archived from the original on April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  34. ↑ Hamed, Mohamed (April 13, 2026). ""خبير أمريكي: الضربة العسكرية القادمة على إيران ستكون "مؤلمة جداً" [US expert: The next military strike on Iran will be "very painful"]. Erem News (in Arabic). Archived from the original on April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
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