The New Arab • 26th September 2022

The race for Lebanon's next president

The new parliament formed in May is preparing to elect the next president of the Lebanese Republic, who will be in charge for the next six years. President Michel Aoun is expected to leave office by 31st October, and the election of a new president represents a crucial test bed for political parties to gauge alliances and outline the political direction of the country. By convention, the president of Lebanon is a Christian Maronite, and the main responsibility is to serve as a symbol of the na

The New Arab • 14th September 2022

Why Lebanon's capital controls law is causing unrest

On 30 August, a joint parliamentary committee in Lebanon postponed discussions over a controversial capital controls law that would limit the flow of foreign capital in and out of the country. The proposed law is the latest of several versions passed by the parliament over the last year, but the body has now suspended its discussions until the government settles on a fully-fledged reform plan. It aims to legalise and standardise banking restrictions put in place at the beginning of the economi

DAWN • 8th September 2022

Lebanon's LGBTQ+ Community Faces New Backlash and a Struggle for 'Dignity and Respect'

Several recent episodes, including during international Pride Month in June, show how the LGBTQ+ community is still struggling to express itself freely and protect its rights, despite Lebanon's relative openness in the Arab world.

Middle East Eye • 22nd August 2022

New drive to light up Beirut's power-starved streets

Anyone who has flown over Beirut at night in the past two years to land in the Lebanese capital has been met by wide stretches of darkness interspersed with a few spots of light. Although Lebanon has suffered power outages for decades, the economic crisis has heightened energy instability and has turned the formerly vibrant Beirut into a ghost city.

DW.COM • 18th August 2022

Lebanon turns to solar power to address acute energy crisis | DW | 17.08.2022

When Patrick Ardahalian moved from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon in 2010, he was shocked at the frequent power outages in the country's capital, Beirut. "Power outages are something I had never experienced," he said. But for the Lebanese people, the situation was different, he added. "They never experienced stable electricity in their life." To address the country's energy crisis, Ardahalian, who is of Lebanese origin but grew up in Greece, decided to pick up solar power. "Lebanon is a very sunny c

Foreign Policy • 11th August 2022

Beirut’s Collapsing Grain Silos Are a Symbol of Lebanon’s Dysfunction

Exactly two years after a deadly blast, the capital was again enveloped in dust.

Valigia Blu • 21st July 2022

Legalizzare la cannabis è una questione di diritti umani

A quasi tre anni di distanza da quando è stato depositato alla Camera e al Senato, il disegno di legge (DDL) unificato Magi-Licatini sulla depenalizzazione della coltivazione domestica di cannabis per uso personale è approdato in Parlamento il 29 giugno a seguito del parere favorevole del testo da parte della Commissione Giustizia della Camera dei Deputati. Il testo della proposta mira a modificare il Testo Unico sugli stupefacenti (DPR 309/90) depenalizzando la coltivazione domestica di massim

DW.COM • 14th July 2022

Lebanon's dollarization of university tuition worsens students' lives | DW | 13.07.2022

In 2018, Manar Sleiman moved from Baalbek to Beirut to study architecture at Notre Dame University there, thanks to a scholarship that covered 85% of her expenses. Although the university where she chose to study wasn't the most expensive institution in Lebanon, keeping up financially was a challenge. "I already struggled to pay tuition fees and expenses, and I had to sleep in the university dorm," the 22-year-old told DW. But the economic crisis that began in late 2019 put her career as a st

Middle East Eye • 11th June 2022

Explained: Renewed Israel-Lebanon maritime border dispute

Tensions are rising between Israel and Lebanon over their maritime border after arrival of Israeli-contracted exploration vessel in disputed area.

DAWN • 2nd June 2022

The ‘Nightmare’ of Being Gay in Tunisia

The fragile, two-month truce in Yemen that was just extended for another two months has been welcomed by all...

The New Arab • 30th May 2022

Lebanon's first test: Will Nabih Berri be re-elected?

For the first time since the economic crisis in 2019, Lebanese citizens voted on 15 May to elect a new parliament. The election set into motion two significant changes in the legislative branch of the government. On one hand, voters elected thirteen candidates inspired by the Lebanese uprising (or Thawra), a series of anti-establishment protests that started on 17 October 2019 to protest against the ruling class. On the other, Hezbollah and its allies lost their parliament majority. Although t

Middle East Eye • 23rd May 2022

Lebanon's opposition MPs now need to prove their victory not only symbolic

Thirteen candidates inspired by the 2019 protest movement have been elected, making them the fifth largest bloc in parliament.

Middle East Eye • 15th May 2022

Lebanon votes for first time since economic crash

Lebanon's 2022 general elections | Live blog - news coverage from Tripoli, Lebanon.

Middle East Eye • 15th May 2022

Hope and apathy as Lebanon votes in first polls since economic meltdown

Low voter turnout comes as a disappointment to many who believed the country's crippling financial crisis would drive more voters to the polls.

The Independent • 15th May 2022

Lebanon is desperate for change but Sunday’s election is unlikely to help

Lebanon goes to the polls on Sunday for the first general election since a severe economic and political crisis hit the country in late 2019.

The New Arab • 6th May 2022

Why Gulf states are rekindling ties with Lebanon

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Yemen in April announced the return of their ambassadors to Lebanon, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have yet to return their envoys to the country. The re-engagement came after diplomatic tensions had escalated in October 2021 following Lebanese information minister George Kordahi's criticism of the Saudi-led coalition's war in Yemen. Although Kordahi made those comments before being appointed minister, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states withdrew the

Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East • 1st May 2022

Beirut blast families fight to keep ruined silos up until justice served

Families of the victims and activists say the Lebanese government is in an undue hurry to bring down a massive symbol of the 2020 Beirut port explosion and the negligence behind it.

Middle East Eye • 10th April 2022

Lebanon: What is driving the judiciary's recent actions against banks?

Increased judicial scrutiny over the banking system raises questions around the motivation and timing behind recent actions against banks.

Politics Today • 21st March 2022

How the Ukraine War Impacts Food Security in MENA

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, several MENA countries announced that the war could cause a wheat shortage.

DW.COM • 10th March 2022

Middle East faces severe wheat crisis over war in Ukraine | DW | 09.03.2022

The invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed on Russia have European nations worried about access to natural gas on which they have long depended. The conflict has increased pressure on energy resources, driving up the prices of oil, gas, coal and other commodities. But the war in Ukraine could hit more than just energy supplies in Europe. Global food security is also at risk. In particular, it could disrupt the wheat supply chain in several Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)