At a time when Lebanon is facing a severe economic and political crisis, new border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel are, quite naturally, particularly undesirable for the country. But this week, both Israel and militants of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah attacked each other across the Israel–Lebanon border. It is unclear why each side…
Lebanon’s Central Bank governor Riad Salameh proved he is the country’s real ruler by unilaterally deciding to lift fuel subsidies — in defiance of President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and all other critics. The move had a crippling effect on what remains of normal life in Lebanon, causing electricity and water cuts, forcing…
One year ago, a huge explosion occurred in the port of Beirut, killing 217 people. On the anniversary of the tragedy, thousands of Lebanese took to the streets to commemorate the victims and express their discontent about what is happening. The Lebanese people demand that those responsible for the tragedy be punished. As noted by…
Hariri’s resignation should neither shock us or worry us. It is simply another move in the same game which has been played out since the early 90s. How many of us can remember the names of the Presidents of Italy or Germany? This is because in these republics, it is the prime minister who wields…
Fuelled by outside powers more interested in fomenting anti-Hezbollah and anti-Iranian feelings than helping impoverished people, the country is a tinder-box plagued by corruption, economic strife and sectarian divides. One year ago today, the horrific Beirut Port explosion ravaged Lebanon’s capital, claiming over 217 lives and escalating already boiling tensions in a country embroiled in…
The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated markedly in recent weeks, with mass protests over the deteriorating economic crisis and political collapse that have taken place in the country over the past three years. Protesters block roads and streets, set fire to tires and trash cans, protest insane price increases, another drop in the national currency…
