France Aims to Counter Turkish Influence in the Middle East by Gaining a Foothold in Lebanon

France Aims to Counter Turkish Influence in the Middle East by Gaining a Foothold in Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Lebanon for the second time in less than a month following the terrible blasts that destroyed Port Beirut. Macron first visited Lebanon on August 6, two days after a warehouse with 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded, killing 190 people, injuring another 6,500 and leaving 300,000 citizens homeless. The detonation, one of the largest non-nuclear…

Time to Decolonize Macron! French President Wants to Impose ‘New Political Order’ on Lebanon

Time to Decolonize Macron! French President Wants to Impose ‘New Political Order’ on Lebanon

In an eye-popping display of neo-colonialism, France’s president flies into Beirut to team up with Fairouz, an elderly, much-loved singing icon, and orders political parties to stand aside and let him set up a new government. While colonialism brought democracy and modernity to many nations, there is nothing more embarrassing than a former colonial power…

Hands off Lebanon: Macron’s Self-serving ‘New Pact’ Must Be Shunned

Hands off Lebanon: Macron’s Self-serving ‘New Pact’ Must Be Shunned

French President, Emmanuel Macron, is in no position to pontificate to Lebanon about the need for political and economic reforms. Just as thousands of Lebanese took to the streets of Beirut demanding “revenge” against the ruling classes, the French people have relentlessly been doing the same; both peoples have been met with police violence and arrests….

Lebanon: Pearl on the New Silk Road or Zone of Dark Age Chaos

Lebanon: Pearl on the New Silk Road or Zone of Dark Age Chaos

Many voices have been quick to enter the chorus of commentators hypothesizing the manifold possible causes of the devastating explosions which occurred on the afternoon of August 4 in Beirut which has led to mass anarchy and the surprising resignation of the government on August 11th. While I have no great novel contribution to offer…

“A Cynical Manipulation”: On Israel’s Empty Gesture of Goodwill to Beirut

“A Cynical Manipulation”: On Israel’s Empty Gesture of Goodwill to Beirut

No words can appropriately describe the horror that has befallen Beirut. Whether this massive explosion was the result of reckless negligence, stupidity, an act of terrorism, or a combination of all of the above – it was horrifying. As the people of Beirut pick up the pieces, our thoughts and our hearts are with them….