Divine Justice: With or Without Ghada Ayoub
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-26 13:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Ghada Ayoub
Since her election as a representative of Jezzine two years ago, Ghada Ayoub has become one of the most fiercely attacked members of the Lebanese Forces (LF). Some of these attacks exploit her southern constituency amidst the ongoing conflict, dragging her into controversies for which she bears no responsibility. Others use her gender in a ...
A Surge of Poeticism in Festive Times
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-22 13:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Refined comments pour in during the national holidays: Independence Day, Flag Day, the First Liberation Day, the Second and the Nineteenth. Yet, no one truly believes in the poetry written for these occasions. The mandate era is increasingly seen as more merciful than the independence we now endure, constantly violated by those surrounding ...
When Hezbollah Ends Up Serving Israel’s Interests...
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-19 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Hezbollah Israel weapons Kfarshouba Shebaa Farms
For the past forty years, Hezbollah’s anti-Israel rhetoric and war cries — echoed as fervently in times of peace as in war — have failed to convince public opinion that it genuinely opposes Israel under all circumstances. The latest conflict has exposed a different reality: Hezbollah is far more committed to defending its arsenal than to ...
Why Fear the New When We Know the Old?
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-15 15:16 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The idea of a "new Middle East" often takes on more weight than it deserves, as it is always associated with assumptions, fears, and troubling considerations as if this new Middle East is inherently an enemy of everything we know today. If we look back at World War I, when the concept of a "new Middle East" was first discussed before the ...
Divine Justice and the Principles of Retribution
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-12 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Damascus Rafic Hariri Assassination
Two key figures orchestrated the assassination of the martyred former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, although the International Tribunal for Lebanon had initially accused four suspects and later added a fifth. Mustafa Badreddine and Salim Ayyash were the main perpetrators. The others were primarily accused of fabricating the Abu Adas video and ...
The New-Old World Order... and Trump's Promises
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-08 13:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The United States, as the leading global power, holds a decisive role in shaping the world’s future. From this perspective, many recognize that an election in the US is, in essence, an election for the entire world. Following Donald Trump’s victory, and his attempt to avenge his previous defeat, it is striking how the emerging new world order ...
Democracy as It Should Be!
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-05 11:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
United States Lebanon Elections Democracy
For anyone involved in US politics, either directly or indirectly, the nation's democracy stands out as one of the most dynamic globally. Its freedoms extend far and wide, allowing for robust criticism of presidential candidates and the president himself. American elections carry substantial weight and serve as a profound lesson in democracy for ...
Demographic Shifts Amid the Roar of Rockets
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-11-01 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon's demographic landscape has undergone continuous transformation since the country’s independence, up to the present date. For instance, a large number of Christian residents from the south gradually migrated over the years, driven by various occupations and conflicts. Many formally changed their civil registrations to new areas, ...
All Eyes on the White House
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-29 09:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon USA White House President
Many Lebanese are pinning their hopes on the United States presidential election to bring clarity to the ongoing war in Lebanon and broader regional tensions from Gaza to Iran. While there is some truth to this perspective, the tendency among Lebanese to overanalyze and speculate often outpaces the reality on the ground. Historically, the US has ...
What if Hezbollah Were to Return the Deposits?
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-25 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Free Patriotic Movement Ghada Aoun Gulf Palestine
Hezbollah's financial capacity is estimated to be around one and a half billion dollars, based on general assessments, as the true extent of its funds remains unknown. What is certain is that this money exists outside the banking system and is not part of any financial or economic framework affiliated with the Lebanese state. From these funds ...
When the Media Is Accused of Complicity With Israel
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-22 17:49 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The attitude of the supporters of the pro-Iranian Moumanaa axis or so-called “axis of resistance” is puzzling. There's no doubt that the shock they are experiencing is overwhelming and hard to process. The ongoing war is undoubtedly pushing them to cast accusations in all directions, in a desperate attempt to restore some dignity or shift ...
Electing a President Today: A Painkiller for a Cancer
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-18 09:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Dahyeh Joseph Aoun Israël war Gaza
This situation is widely recognized. Fortunately, for the first time in Lebanon's history, the current state of vacancy may actually be advantageous. Had a president been elected within the constitutional deadlines in 2022, the new leader would have had to navigate the fallout from the October 7 crisis, the repercussions of the Al-Aqsa flood, and ...
Hezbollah's Strength Stems From the Weakness of Its Opponents
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-15 09:18 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon Opposition Lebanese Forces
Hezbollah’s opposition forces have once again revealed their division and inability to achieve real unity, unlike the solid cohesion among the party’s supporters, despite occasional disagreements surfacing for various reasons. For instance, if a meeting was required for Hezbollah’s supporters, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the ...
Class Hatred Veiled in Humanitarianism
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-11 05:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Class hatred runs deep in Lebanon, and it's a reality that no one can deny. This stems from the country's unresolved economic identity. In the capital, liberals who champion free-market economics coexist with the remnants of old communists, who are still committed to the ideals of social justice from the days of Lenin and Trotsky. In this ...
Why the Israeli Offensive Won’t Lead to a Presidential Election
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-08 09:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Many draw parallels between the Israeli invasion of 1982, the election of President Bachir Gemayel, and today’s invasion, along with the possibility of electing a president under similar circumstances. It’s important to discuss the 1982 events in detail, especially since opposition parties often link Gemayel’s election to the ...
Political Shiism and the Void Ahead
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-04 09:46 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, marked the conclusion of the fourth phase in Lebanon's history, known as political Shiism. Each phase has been characterized by the dominance of one of the major sects over the others in various ways. Political Maronitism prevailed from independence until the assassination of ...
Nabih Berri, at the Heart of the Lebanese Equation
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-10-01 08:47 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri now bears the burden of the crisis alone. In the absence of a president, and with a non-executive government that is not meeting due to the absence of ministers from the Free Patriotic Movement, the international community has no one to negotiate with except for Berri. Although Caretaker Prime Minister Najib ...
A Support Front Lacking Support
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-09-24 13:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Since October 7, 2023, it has become evident that the crisis will not be resolved until Israel alters the balance of power in the Middle East and ensures the safety of its citizens. Israel would not accept humiliation or defeat, as experienced on the day the Al-Aqsa Flood was unleashed. It has since regained its considerable power and is committed ...
Syrian Migrants: Between Access to Learning and Lack of Education
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-09-17 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The issue of Syrian migrants has clearly become a major focal point, across the border – where the Assad regime capitalizes on the migrant crisis to lift sanctions and restore its status – and within Lebanon itself, where recurring demands for the expulsion of Syrians surface periodically, often tinged with varying degrees of racism ...
The Surge of Extremism and Unyielding Minds
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-09-10 11:14 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanese people have been closely following the recent developments in the Iraqi Parliament with deep shock, particularly its July debate on a proposal to abolish the legal marriage age. This move would allow minors to marry without any age restriction, effectively turning every young girl into a potential bride. The proposal ignited ...
Before We Lay Greater Lebanon to Rest…
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-09-03 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Media outlets aligned with the Axis of Resistance were quick to voice their opinions on the topic of Greater Lebanon, with some commentators arguing that the Lebanese state was never truly a product of Lebanese thought but rather the result of a historical mistake in separating Lebanon from Syria. In fact, the resurgence of nationalist rhetoric ...
A Second Airport Is No Aberration
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-08-27 11:22 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
We are being led to believe that attorney Majd Harb has committed a serious offense by submitting an urgent draft law proposal, signed by several MPs, to establish additional airports in Lebanon. The opposition to this proposal can be categorized into three main groups. While none of these groups have relied on weak excuses to justify ...
Stop Counting… Senseless Census
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-08-20 10:59 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In recent days, a number of Hezbollah sympathizers have impertinently mentioned demographics in Lebanon, with the sole purpose of embarrassing Christians in unprecedented ways. In this context, the Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al Akhbar published inaccurate figures, thereby stating that Lebanese Christians now make up less than 20% of ...
FPM’s Autumnal Fall
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-08-13 10:56 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil
The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is unraveling. Despite this breakdown, a complete collapse seems unlikely due to the steadfast loyalty of its popular base. Unfortunately, this fracturing is happening under the watch of former President Michel Aoun. Many expected that the party would lose significant support after Aoun's presidency, especially ...
Echoes of Trauma: The Perpetual Struggle of Lebanon
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-08-06 11:29 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
There is no way out for the Lebanese people amidst this fragmentation. We are confronted each day with a myriad of contradictions and concerns, to the extent that even the sound barrier evokes terror and fear. Nightlife and celebrations serve as forms of masked denial, to which Lebanese people resort to entertain themselves and forget their ...
Are Beauty Pageants Still Relevant?
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-30 19:38 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In recent years, the world has undergone significant changes with evolving mindsets and shifting concepts. One of the most notable shifts lies in the perception of beauty pageants and their overall approach regarding women. These beauty contests are increasingly criticized for objectifying women and reducing their worth to mere physical ...
Why Hezbollah Views a Second Airport as Provocative
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-23 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The discussion over establishing a second airport in Lebanon is consistently slammed as an act of treason. Similarly, any issue in Lebanon that conflicts with the ‘resistance’ axis and its ideas results in opponents being automatically branded as traitors. After lawyer Majd Harb's press conference, where he proposed the idea of establishing a ...
The State Burdens More Lives Than It Improves
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-16 12:01 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
An event that received fleeting media coverage at the end of last week holds significant symbolism in Lebanon's political and social landscape. It involved the attack on newly introduced buses that the government put into operation on Thursday, marking an initial stride in public-private sector collaboration. Operational control was delegated to ...
Why a Budget of $10M for Lebanese Basketball Is a Good Idea
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-09 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The public bidding that took place between MTV and LBC for the rights to broadcast basketball games for the next four years has set a precedent for broadcast rights in Lebanon. This comes after years of secret bidding or brokerage that occurred under some mandates. The federation decided that the bidding would be public and mediatized to ensure ...
The Cultural Saboteur…
Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-02 13:41 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Observers of Lebanon's political and social landscape might perceive that the alarming regression of all concepts echoes medieval times in its approach. At its helm is Hezbollah’s caretaker Minister of Culture, who molds the Lebanese culture according to the party’s ideological beliefs. The advocate of the saying “vices of deviation” ...