Viewpoints

Viewpoint
LebanonDemocracy and Governance
Lebanon’s Voters Would Do Well to Support the Forces of Change
May 10, 2022Imad K. Harb
On May 15, resident Lebanese go to the polls to elect a new 128-member parliament to replace the one elected four years ago. Given the right to vote in 2018, e…
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Palestine/IsraelJustice, Equality, and Human Rights
Key Messages from the Oppressed
Apr 6, 2022Dana El Kurd
In the last few weeks, there has seen an uptick in armed attacks by Palestinians within the green line. From the Palestinian perspective, these attacks deliver…
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Palestine/IsraelDemocracy and Governance
Making Sense of the Palestinian Central Council’s February Meeting
Feb 16, 2022Jamil Hilal
The meeting of the Palestinian Central Council (PCC), held in Ramallah on February 6, received more attention in the news media than was warranted for a number…
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SyriaConflicts and Conflict Resolution
The Failure of Syria’s Constitutional Committee
Nov 16, 2021Radwan Ziadeh
In October 2019, Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres enthusiastically welcomed the creation of Syria’s Constitutional Committee that would…
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LebanonIdentity Politics and Sectarianization
Lebanon Courts Civil War, Again
Oct 14, 2021Imad K. Harb
Once again, Lebanon teeters on the abyss of a civil war, this time over conflicts related to the investigation into the disastrous August 4, 2020 explosion at …
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SyriaRegional Relations and Geopolitics
Syria’s Return to the Arab League Is Imminent
Oct 5, 2021Imad K. Harb
A decade after the start of the Syrian revolution against authoritarian rule and the suspension of Syria’s membership in the League of Arab States, the country…
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LebanonDemocracy and Governance
No Rest for the Weary: Lebanon’s Miqati Must Hit the Ground Running
Sep 10, 2021Imad K. Harb
Najib Miqati, the billionaire tasked over a year ago with forming the Lebanese government, has finally finished putting it together, but not before President M…
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LebanonConflicts and Conflict Resolution
Hezbollah Is Not Interested in a War with Israel
Aug 11, 2021Imad K. Harb
As Lebanon reels from seemingly unsolvable political, economic, social, and security crises, an exchange of rocket and artillery fire on August 6th between Hez…