Lebanon

List of Lebanon articles

Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, speaks during a joint signing ceremony for offshore gas exploration in Beirut on Jan. 29.
Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, speaks during a joint signing ceremony for offshore gas exploration in Beirut on Jan. 29.

How Lebanon Can Unlock Its Oil and Gas Wealth

A new maritime deal with Israel could be an economic lifeline for Lebanon—if the government in Beirut can get its act together.

An offshore natural gas production platform is seen from Dor, a coastal town in northern Israel, on Dec. 31, 2019.
An offshore natural gas production platform is seen from Dor, a coastal town in northern Israel, on Dec. 31, 2019.

Don’t Let Politics Kill the Lebanon-Israel Gas Deal

A U.S.-brokered maritime border agreement could have profound effects on the entire Middle East.

A child points at a mural depicting Palestinian fighters and a captured Israeli soldier in Gaza, on Dec. 11, 2021.
A child points at a mural depicting Palestinian fighters and a captured Israeli soldier in Gaza, on Dec. 11, 2021.

Iran-Hezbollah Intelligence Center May Help Hamas Target Israel

Growing evidence points to a joint communication center in Beirut that coordinates activities in the region.

Clouds of dust rise as damaged grain silos collapse near shipping containers and cars.
Clouds of dust rise as damaged grain silos collapse near shipping containers and cars.

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.

Families look out from screened windows.
Families look out from screened windows.

Syrian Refugees Find Little Hope in Lebanon’s Election

Lebanon’s large refugee population has long given up on their futures in the country.

Lebanese independent lawmakers on their way to parliament pose at Martyrs' Square in central Beirut on May 31.
Lebanese independent lawmakers on their way to parliament pose at Martyrs' Square in central Beirut on May 31.

Lebanon Has an Opposition Movement Again

A new coalition could check—or even dislodge—Hezbollah and its iron grip.

A woman votes behind a white privacy screen.
A woman votes behind a white privacy screen.

Lebanon’s Surprisingly Promising Election

After years of political deadlock, the country may be starting to shake off its ruling class.

A person with curly hair stands with their back turned toward the camera, draped in a red and white flag with a green tree in the middle. They're standing in the middle of a road and tan buildings are in the background.
A person with curly hair stands with their back turned toward the camera, draped in a red and white flag with a green tree in the middle. They're standing in the middle of a road and tan buildings are in the background.

Can Lebanon’s Elections Pull the Country Out of an Abyss?

On Sunday, Lebanese go to the polls for the first time since their 2019 uprising.

Lebanese lira bills are damaged in a special machine at Lebanon's Central Bank in Beirut on November 24, 2008.
Lebanese lira bills are damaged in a special machine at Lebanon's Central Bank in Beirut on November 24, 2008.

The Islamic State Is Capitalizing on Lebanon’s Economic Collapse

A growing number of Lebanese men are deciding their best hopes lie with jihadis next door.

A Hezbollah flag flutters as tankers carrying Iranian fuel arrive at al-Ain in Hermel, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, on Sept. 16.
A Hezbollah flag flutters as tankers carrying Iranian fuel arrive at al-Ain in Hermel, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, on Sept. 16.

Cutting Off Lebanon Won’t Stem the Captagon Trade

Instead of pushing Beirut to the economic brink, Saudi Arabia should address its own amphetamine addiction.

An aerial view shows Beirut in darkness during a power outage on April 3.
An aerial view shows Beirut in darkness during a power outage on April 3.

In 2021, Lebanon Suffered While the World Looked On

Skyrocketing inflation, government corruption, and international apathy defined a country in economic free fall.

A Lebanese protester lifts a national flag.
A Lebanese protester lifts a national flag.

Lebanon’s Reformers Trade the Street for the Ballot Box

After 40 years of stasis, some new faces sense a glimmer of hope to change Lebanon’s poisoned politics.

The Daily Star in Beirut
The Daily Star in Beirut

Lebanon Loses a Pillar of Independent Journalism

The Daily Star’s demise is the story of Lebanon, reduced from promising country to failed state.

A member of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement fires his gun.
A member of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement fires his gun.

Hezbollah Has No Choice but Escalation

The Beirut port blast investigation is turning over dangerous stones.

A member of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement fires his gun during the funeral of some of their members who were killed during clashes in the Tayouneh neighbourhood of the capital Beirut's southern suburbs a day earlier, on Oct. 15, 2021.
A member of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement fires his gun during the funeral of some of their members who were killed during clashes in the Tayouneh neighbourhood of the capital Beirut's southern suburbs a day earlier, on Oct. 15, 2021.

Sectarian Violence Is Lebanese Elites’ Comfort Zone

Open battle broke out in downtown Beirut this week—and the chances for political justice slipped further away.

A member of Hezbollah fires a gun during a funeral for some members who were killed during clashes in the Tayouneh neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on Oct. 15.
A member of Hezbollah fires a gun during a funeral for some members who were killed during clashes in the Tayouneh neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on Oct. 15.

Lebanon Is Europe’s Most Urgent Challenge

A collapsing state risks creating a catastrophic refugee crisis.

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati

Does Lebanon Finally Have a Government That Can Fix the Mess?

Probably not. But after a year of stalemate, even old faces are better than none.

A souvenir shop owner displays glasses decorated with pictures of Hassan Nasrallah.
A souvenir shop owner displays glasses decorated with pictures of Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah Is Trying to Be Lebanon’s Savior

As the country’s economic desperation grows, the Shiite sectarian group is promising to provide for anyone in need. 

An aerial view shows Lebanon's capital Beirut in darkness during power outage on April 3, 2021.
An aerial view shows Lebanon's capital Beirut in darkness during power outage on April 3, 2021.

The United States Has No Plan to Save Lebanon

The country’s desperate citizens are increasingly investing their hopes in a U.S. government that has other priorities.

Lebanese doctors chant slogans as they take part in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in central Beirut on Nov. 12, 2019.
Lebanese doctors chant slogans as they take part in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in central Beirut on Nov. 12, 2019.

Lebanon Is in Terminal Brain Drain

As the country’s economy goes into free fall, there’s a rush for the exits that could hamstring the country for generations.

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