In one of the most divisive US elections to date, we’ve come to find out that both Trump and Clinton have Lebanese advisors. This election has polarized not only the US but the world.
People who live halfway across the world, are not US citizens and haven’t even been to America are fighting between each other.
On Trump’s side, Walid Phares is an expert on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and Middle Eastern Affairs. On Clinton’s side, Peter Daou was named Internet Director for ‘Hillary Clinton for President”.
The common denominator between both is that they are Lebanese Christians who were both members of the Lebanese Forces.
Who is Walid Phares
Walid Phares is the advisor on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and Middle Eastern affairs for Donald Trump.
Before that, in 2011, he was appointed by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as an advisor on foreign affairs. He has testified before committees of the U.S. State, Justice, Defense and Homeland Security, the United States Congress, the European Parliament, and the United Nations Security Council.
He also served as an expert on terrorism and the Middle East for Fox News and terrorism expert for NBC from 2003 to 2006. He grew up in Beirut and moved to America in 1990.
He holds a degree in law, political science, and sociology from Saint Joseph University and the Lebanese University in Beirut.
After practicing law in Beirut for a period of time, he went on to get a master’s degree in International Law from the Université de Lyon in France as well as a Ph.D. in international relations and strategic studies from the University of Miami.
In 1986, he presented the “Social Democratic Christian Union” – Union Sociale Démocratique Chrétienne (USDC) in the political council of the Lebanese Forces. He also served as the head of External and Diaspora affairs in the Lebanese Forces.
In 2008, he became the Coordinator of the Trans-Atlantic Parliamentary Group on Counter Jihadi-Terrorism. He also served as secretary-general of the World Maronite Union and secretary-general of the World Lebanese Cultural Union.
He’s also written over a dozen books about related issues.
Who is Peter Daou
Peter Daou is a former advisor to Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. He is currently the CEO and editor of Shareblue, an American media company that produces political content with left-wing views.
Peter lived in Beirut during the Lebanese civil war and, at 15, joined into the Lebanese Forces. He moved to New York in the 80s to pursue his BA in Philosophy at NYU.
He has been described by the New York Times as “one of the most prominent political bloggers in the nation.” For his work in the political blogosphere, the Washington Post said Peter had helped pioneer “a whole new way of campaigning.”
Peter was among the first Internet staffers to work in a presidential campaign war room, directing online outreach and rapid response for John Kerry’s 2004 campaign.
In 2007, he was named Internet Director for Hillary Clinton for President and remained an adviser until 2009. He also designed digital strategies for the UN Foundation, Department of Energy, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Intel, AARP, and Action Against Hunger.