Lebanon
Beirut’s legendary Le Bristol Hotel survived wars, occupation and political crises - then this year’s financial crisis struck. The Grand Hotel’s closure trains the spotlight on a tourism sector teetering on the brink of extinction.
The economic crisis threatens the sustenance of Lebanon’s population. Could a growing number of local agricultural initiatives offer a potential solution to the country’s long-term food security?
By the time a judge acquitted Adam Ramer* of drug-related charges, the 28-year-old had already spent just over 21 months in pre-trial detention. More than half of the country’s inmates suffer a similar fate. How can this be?
Amid months of nationwide protests, one Lebanese’s mission to weed out endemic corruption tells the story of a country at economic breaking point.
Ghadir Hamadi always felt that her roots were firmly in the southern Lebanese town of her ancestors. Then Covid-19 hit – and only then did she discover what life is really like there.
As the coronavirus lockdown continues, charity may not be enough to save Hezbollah’s tarnished reputation among Lebanese Shia or to stem the increasing numbers of those infected with the virus. But the Lebanese are no strangers to staying at home.
Have the Middle East’s only two experiments in consociationalism failed? Demonstrators in both Lebanon and Iraq are demanding a change of their respective political systems. Yet, there are differences between the situations in the two countries.
New elections in Lebanon would probably favor those already in power. Yet, the constitution offers an alternative to political sectarianism that would start with a referendum.