Lebanon

Non-state actors and the phantom of asymmetry
Non-state actors and the phantom of asymmetry
The sunny days of free-riding are receding. In some form or another, most countries have leeched off American power for the last three decades. The preponderance of US military…
The war in Gaza has not destroyed normalisation … for now
The war in Gaza has not destroyed normalisation … for now
Arab governments who have diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Egypt and Jordan, are under increasing pressure from their populations to sever ties amid a growing outcry over…
A day at the (Beirut) races
A day at the (Beirut) races
I have often gone past the Beirut horse racing track but had never gone in – until my last visit. Conveniently located adjacent to the national museum and with a weekly five-race…
The good oil: Israel and Lebanon strike a border deal
The good oil: Israel and Lebanon strike a border deal
There has been little to cheer about of late in terms of positive developments towards peace in the Middle East. But this week, the news came from an unexpected source – relations…
Lebanon: Celebrating small change
Lebanon: Celebrating small change
Lebanon’s recently-completed parliamentary elections generated plenty of talk about the triumph of independents. But the elections themselves amounted to something of a curate’s…
Iran’s energy diplomacy
Iran’s energy diplomacy
Much is made of Iran’s use of proxy or allied groups to exert “hard power” influence throughout the Middle East where Tehran believes its interests are under threat (Lebanon), or…
The other Arab diplomatic talks with Israel
The other Arab diplomatic talks with Israel
Much publicity has been given to the news about Israel’s normalisation of relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and now what appears to be Sudan. But another set of…