Lebanon

By Jenny Gustafsson | – (Via Waging Nonviolence) – Unlike previous movements, demonstrations in Lebanon have spread to all parts of the country and are targeting the entire political establishment. Holding a megaphone, a women chants to the crowds gathered at Martyrs’ Square in the middle of central Beirut, “We are the revolution of the […]

Lebanon

The Map: Beirut’s Demonstrations as Live City-Making

Global Voices

By Filip Noubel | – (GlobalVoices.org) – The protests that have swept Lebanon since October 17, 2019 started as a reaction to the announcement by the government of new taxes. They have since evolved into a rejection of the political and economic model that has allowed local elites to maintain control over the country since […]

Hizbullah

The Iraqi and Lebanese Popular uprisings Caught between Iranian and Israeli Geopolitics

Middle East Monitor

By Oraib Al-Rantawi | @OraibAlRantawi It is not only Iran that is paying close attention to the uprisings of the Iraqi and Lebanese people; Israel is also monitoring the situation closely, especially in Lebanon. It has also been involved in the Iraqi crisis recently and dealing direct blows to the Popular Mobilisation Forces and the […]

Hizbullah

Hezbollah: What Lebanon’s Protests against Sectarian Elite Mean for the Party-Militia

The Conversation

By Adham Saouli | – The national uprising that has engulfed Lebanon since mid-October is historic and revolutionary. Protests have continued across Lebanon, even after Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 saying he wanted to give the country a “positive shock”. The response of Hezobllah, the armed political movement that has been part […]

Lebanon

How Lebanon’s Uprising Defies the Sectarian Narrative: Not Sunni, Shiite, Christian

The Conversation

By Mira Assaf Kafantaris | – Religion has shaped Lebanon since it gained independence from France in 1943. In this multicultural country of Muslims, Christians and Druze – a medieval faith derived from Islam – religion defines membership and belonging. It is woven into Lebanon’s economic, political and social fabric. The mass protests that began […]

Lebanon

Demanding Democracy: Lebanon’s PM Hariri Resigns in Face of Massive Protests, Gridlocked Corrupt Elite

Georges Habib

Montreal (Informed Comment) – Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced his resignation1 in a letter to President Michel Aoun. In a public address, the now former premier has explained his actions as necessary to the protection of the state and the revival of the Lebanese economy. Hariri has also called on his fellow ministers […]

Lebanon

Will Massive Lebanese Demos end the Country’s Era of Corruption?

Middle East Monitor

By Amira Abo el-Fetouh | – We may be too optimistic to hope that the massive demonstrations that have spread in all the cities of Lebanon will lead to the collapse of Hariri’s regime that has ruled the country for about 30 years. This regime was established when businessman Rafik Hariri, close to Saudi Arabia, […]

Iraq

An Arab Autumn:The Hidden Political Poison That Iraq And Lebanon Are Really Protesting About

Niqash

By Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – This month Iraq and Lebanon have anti-government protests in common. Partially that’s due to the ineffective and deeply corrupt quota system their governments also share. There’s no easy way out of this trap. Politics More in common than you might know. Thousands of locals in Lebanon […]

Lebanon

Lebanon: Security Forces Use Excessive Force Against Protesters

Human Rights Watch

Riot Police Fired on Crowds with Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets