 ضحى عيسى
.بعد مضيِّ عامٍ على ما أطلق عليه عدوّ لبنان "الهدنة"، لا يزال الجنوب يصارع في حربٍ غير معلنةٍ، ولا يد امتدّت له
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 Sara Azzi
Lebanon is one of the most politically saturated countries in the region, where public life is shaped by sectarian arrangements, geopolitical pressures, and the consequences of state collapse. Yet surveys show that a striking majority of young Lebanese have turned away from formal politics. A recent study finds that nearly 70% of Lebanese youth express little to no interest in politics, while 90% report dissatisfaction with Lebanon’s governance system. [1] For a generation that mobilized in the hundreds of thousands during the 2019 Thawra, this detachment demands explanation  Natalie Dergham
In a country marked by significant political instability, the United States is erecting one of its largest embassies, an almost billion-dollar fortress overlooking the hills of Awkar. The irony is striking: at a time when financial instituions have failed, the government is facing economic and political challenges, Washington’s financial commitment is expanding, not contracting. What is the rationale behind this? What does the U.S. genuinely desire in Lebanon? Why does it continue to pour resources into a country that seems to be perpetually on the edge of failure?  Lama Chatila
In a world full of wars between distinct cultures and perspectives, different religions and sects, one third party plays an important role in writing the narrative of the war or conflict to the public and in being a link between the conflicting sides; this party is the translator. The role of a translator in a political conflict is not just converting a source text in one language to a target text in another. A translator has an impact on the public narrative of a war, facing political, cultural, emotional, and ethical challenges in reporting a conflict objectively, without bias or falsification.  Maria Ward
When we think of the Arab world, we too often imagine a battleground between colonizers and the colonized, forgetting a culture that has endured for millennia and laid the foundations of modern civilization. Long before “Arab” became an ethnic marker, it denoted membership in the Arabic‑speaking world: a world that produced groundbreaking discoveries in the sciences, medicine, architecture, philosophy, and the humanities. Yet in today’s media landscape, Arab contributions are frequently minimized or appropriated under Western narratives, leaving many unaware of the true origins of everyday practices and ideas.  Nagihan Toka
In the course of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, which was initiated by Israel's missile strike on Tehran on June 13, Türkiye was one of the most strategically attentive and diplomatically engaged actors in the region, despite not being a direct participant in the conflict. Ankara's position, deeply rooted in historical policy trends and current geopolitical calculations, reflected a nuanced balance between regional stability, national security, and international diplomacy.  Sam Habib & Lilya Yatim
The recent escalation in regional tensions incited by Israel’s attack on Iran, specifically targeting the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and military sites, has spurred a new crisis in the Middle East. Although the Trump administration alleged that Israel acted unilaterally against Iran, the ongoing strikes align with Washington’s objective of defanging Iran through dismantling its network of paramilitary allies, often called the “Axis of Resistance.” Further, Israel’s attack emerged amid the United States’ failure to achieve an Iranian nuclear deal. Thus, it may signal Trump’s willingness to use his Israeli allies as leverage to reinforce US power in the region, while simultaneously limiting Iran’s regional influence and military capabilities.  Fatma Zahra Delly
Female Tunisian activists, social workers, and politicians have been pivotal in pushing for gender equality throughout the years, from independence to today’s fight for democracy. This article aims to highlight the inspiring legacy of legal reforms by key female symbols, proving their enduring role in Tunisia’s journey toward justice and freedom.  Sereina Khalifeh
The depiction of conflict within the media is rarely neutral and often subjected to biases. The recent war between Lebanon and Israel provided a first-hand example of the biases in media and the selective reporting that can manipulate the perception of the public discourse. The narrative presented tends to mirror geopolitical alignments, editorial agendas, and societal prejudices. This influences the way the audience analyzes the conflict. This piece will tackle the discrepancies found within media coverage, focusing on the portrayal of events in Lebanon versus those in Israel amidst the war, while critiquing the role of media in escalating polarization and confusion.  Lorenzo Cogliolo
After October 8, 2023, amid Hezbollah’s involvement in cross-border fighting with Israel in solidarity with Hamas’ ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’, Tel Aviv escalated the conflict into a full-blown war on September 17, 2024. After more than 4,000 Lebanese killed, 16,500 wounded, 1.6 million people uprooted, a ground invasion, and relentless bombings resulting in what analysts refer to as urbicide, on November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement was signed. Accordingly, the Israeli army has 60 days to withdraw from Lebanon. Despite numerous violations of the ceasefire, early reconstruction efforts have already started. Lessons from the rebuilding of Beirut’s city center following the Lebanese civil war and Haret Hreik after the 2006 July War, can shed light on the interplay between post-war urban recovery and social equity and yielding insights into the current reconstruction process. |
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The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy & International Affairs.