Lebanon

The Guardianship Syndrome
The Guardianship Syndrome

Lebanon’s modern history has been shaped by successive forms of foreign tutelage, beginning with the proclamation of Greater Lebanon 105 years ago. Over the course of half a century, the country experienced various mandates and occupations: 23 years under the French Mandate, 30 years under Syrian domination, alongside repeated Israeli invasions ...

Council of Ministers: A Moment of Truth on Disarmament
Council of Ministers: A Moment of Truth on Disarmament

The Council of Ministers will meet today to examine the Lebanese Army’s plan for militia disarmament. Despite the uncertainty, three points are clear before the session: the meeting will take place, ministers from the Shia duo will attend, and the army’s plan will be formally submitted to the government. However, serious doubts remain that ...

The Empty Chair Policy That No Longer Works
Op-edThe Empty Chair Policy That No Longer Works

The empty chair is not a strategy, it is a disguised escape. While the vast majority of Lebanese want a functioning state, Hezbollah maintains its destructive blocking tactics. But this approach can no longer succeed. Since replacing the Syrian patron in 2005, the pro-Iranian group has steadily taken over institutions and created a chronic ...

Lebanon Launches National Roadside Reforestation Project
Lebanon Launches National Roadside Reforestation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture announced the launch of a nationwide project to reforest roadside areas across Lebanon, as part of its strategy to enhance green spaces and protect biodiversity. The initiative also aims to improve urban and rural landscapes. Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani emphasized that the project represents “an investment in ...

Lebanese Army Raises Readiness Level to 75% Ahead of Cabinet Meeting
Lebanese Army Raises Readiness Level to 75% Ahead of Cabinet Meeting

Hours ahead of Friday afternoon’s Cabinet meeting, the Lebanese Army has increased its readiness level to 75%, focusing its forces on monitoring sensitive points. The Lebanese Army is reported to be stepping up its deployment in Beirut, the suburbs and on key roads to prevent any clashes. Local broadcaster LBCI reported that strict directives ...

Disarming Hezbollah: The Lebanese Army Challenge
Disarming Hezbollah: The Lebanese Army Challenge

As Lebanon slowly recovers from the war between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese Army faces a critical mission: extending state sovereignty across the entire country by establishing a monopoly on arms. This requires disarming the Iran-backed militia, a historic and high-risk operation that could redefine both the army’s role and the ...

The Lebanese Army Reinforces Presence Amid Hezbollah Support Rally
The Lebanese Army Reinforces Presence Amid Hezbollah Support Rally

The Lebanese army intensified its presence on Thursday around the airport – a strategic location near the main access roads leading to the southern suburbs – and in southern Lebanon, following an internal directive that called for the “strict enforcement of the document issued on September 24, 2024, regarding raising the readiness rate to ...

General Security Seizes Smuggled Medicines in Tripoli
General Security Seizes Smuggled Medicines in Tripoli

As part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling, a patrol from the North Division of Lebanon’s General Security (GS) stopped a truck leaving the port of Tripoli on judicial orders. Upon inspection, the truck was found to be carrying smuggled medicines, prompting the judiciary to open an investigation and order the detention of those involved. This ...

Raggi Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Illegal Arms
Raggi Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Illegal Arms

Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi reaffirmed on Thursday the government's commitment to addressing the issue of illegal arms, aiming to extend state authority across all Lebanese territory Speaking at the 164th session of the Arab League Council in Cairo, Raggi described Lebanon’s recent decision to confine all weapons to state ...