Brookings: Topics - Lebanon

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Economic Recovery and a New Government in Lebanon

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tarik Yousef and the Middle East Youth Initiative speak with Jad Chaaban about recent economic and political developments in Lebanon, where Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri ended months of negotiations by announcing a new unity cabinet earlier this week. With impressive overall growth projected for 2009, Lebanon’s economy may emerge stronger from the global crisis if the new government can agree on needed reforms.

National Dialogue and State-Building in the Middle East

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 09, 2009, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

On November 9, the Brookings Doha Center hosted a policy discussion with H.E. Mohamad Chatah, the Lebanese minister of finance, H.E. Ghassan Khatib, director of the Palestinian Government Media Center, and H.E. Ayad Al Samarrai, speaker of the Iraqi Parliament on the project of inclusive national dialogue and state-building in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Iraq. The speakers examined past and current nationally-driven conflict resolution efforts.

Going Home? Prospects and Pitfalls for Large-Scale Return of Iraqis

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Recently discussion has turned to the prospects for the large-scale return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Iraq. More than 4 million Iraqis have been displaced, either internally or externally. And while the Iraqi and US governments, policymakers in the region, and humanitarian actors assume that most will return to Iraq in the near future, Elizabeth Ferris points out that experience with other displacement crises indicates that return will be neither automatic nor straightforward.

The Lebanese Elections and the Middle East: An Opportunity for Change?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 23, 2009, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

On June 23, the Brookings Doha Center hosted a policy discussion to examine the elections in Lebanon, to shed some light on the technical aspects of the elections and the monitoring process, and to explore potential reforms to the Lebanese electoral law and its underlying sectarian political system.

Lebanon: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lebanon’s electoral system, like Iran’s, should be confined to the dustbin of history, says Hady Amr. It’s disturbing. And worse, it actively reinforces the divisions which spark civil and sectarian strife. A new system can emerge if Lebanese civil society calls for it, and the international community supports these calls. The outcome would ultimately be a truly democratic Lebanon with less sectarianism, less violence, and more unity.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in Lebanon's Elections

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hady Amr discusses the good and bad news related to Lebanon's recent elections in which a pro-American coalition won. Amr notes that while there are many positives, the electoral system, in which parliament is seated on sectarian lines needs to go.

After the Elections: U.S. Policy and Political Stability in Lebanon

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 11, 2009, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

On June 10, Tamara Wittes, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Democracy and Development Project at the Saban Center at Brookings, and Daniel Brumberg, acting director of the Muslim World Initiative at USIP and director of Democracy and Governance Studies at Georgetown University analyzed the significance of the June 7, 2009 parliamentary elections in Lebanon and their impact on U.S. policy in that country and the region.

Lebanon on the Brink of Elections: Key Public Opinion Findings

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this Saban Center Middle East Memo, Shibley Telhami presents data from his March-May public opinion poll in Lebanon. Telhami examines the attitudes of the Lebanese public on core foreign and domestic issues that will be critical to the type of government that could emerge following the June 7 parliamentary elections. Many of the issues addressed in the poll are of great interest to the United States as it implements its policy in the region.

Global Economic Crisis: Prosperity and Politics in Lebanon

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Navtej Dhillon speaks with Jad Chaaban, author of “The Costs of Youth Exclusion in the Middle East,” about the resilience of Lebanon’s economy during the global recession. With elections approaching, policymakers must protect recent fiscal gains, avoid debt increases, and ensure diverse jobs are available for Lebanon’s youthful electorate. An edited transcript follows.

Salafis' Social Networking in Lebanon

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Salafism has become part of Lebanon’s social makeup and is an officially recognised movement. Bilal Saab looks at how it gained popularity in the country and how Salafis have increased their influence through mainly non-violent initiatives.

Middle East Needs Obama's Touch

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama will face a series of challenges in the Middle East demanding urgent attention: an Iraq that could still unravel, an Iran approaching the nuclear threshold, a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and weak governments in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Martin Indyk and Richard Haass outline what the initial goals of the Obama administration should be in the region.

Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Richard Haass argue to be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement.

A Time for Diplomatic Renewal: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Richard Haass note that President-elect Obama will face a series of critical, complex, and interrelated challenges in the Middle East that will demand his immediate attention: an Iran apparently intent on approaching or crossing the nuclear threshold as quickly as possible; a fragile situation in Iraq that is straining the U.S. military; weak governments in Lebanon and Palestine under challenge from stronger Hezbollah and Hamas militant organizations; a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and American influence diluted by a severely damaged reputation.

Al-Qa`ida’s Presence and Influence in Lebanon

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Saab examines the Salafi-jihadi movement in Lebanon which he believes has no operational ties to the tribal areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan. He writes that the movement in Lebanon is neither fictional nor a creation of Syrian intelligence services, and instead has a Lebanese constituency not entirely made up of Palestinians.

Rethinking Hezbollah’s Disarmament

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Saab provides an examination of the true nature of Hezbollah, which he argues is an essential pre-requisite for sound policy making toward the organization. He recommends a rethinking of the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament through a proper assessment of the challenge it poses and a thorough understanding of its organic connection with Iran.

A Grand Strategy for America in the Middle East

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 05, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack for a discussion of his book A Path Out of the Desert: A Grand Strategy for America in the Middle East. In the book, Pollack offers a long-term strategy to improve the political, economic and social problems that underlie the region’s many crises.

Middle East’s Economic Paradox

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to a recent study by the Middle East Youth Initiative, the region loses $25 billion a year due to youth unemployment. Navtej Dhillon, MEYI Director/Fellow, Jad Chaaban, Assistant Professor at American University of Beirut, and Tarik Yousef, Brookings Senior Fellow and Dean of the Dubai School of Government, discuss country statistics and regional policy implications.

What Lebanon Needs Now

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hady Amr writes about the need for Lebanon to create a truly democratic electoral system, free from the legal restrictions that divide the government into religious sects. He believes the current feudal system of government must be eliminated in order for the country to come together as Lebanese rather than sectarian groups.

The Changing Nature of State Sponsorship of Terrorism

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The current United States approach to state sponsorship of terrorism is flawed, writes Daniel Byman. He suggests that instead of simply managing a list of state sponsors, Washington needs to recognize the complexity of sponsorship, monitor states using a broad definition of what constitutes state sponsorship, and use diplomatic pressure as well as political and economic penalties when needed.

Lebanon Rivals Agree to Deal

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tamara Cofman Wittes discusses a new deal announced in Doha between Lebanese factions including Hezbollah. Wittes believes that this decision should force others in the Middle East to recognize that Hezbollah is a regional actor with ambitions outside of Lebanon.

America and the Middle East: The Role of Public Opinion

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 15, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On May 15, 2008, The Brookings Doha Center (BDC), a project of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, hosted Shibley Telhami for the first in-house BDC policy luncheon. The discussion focused on Dr. Telhami’s latest academic polling on public attitudes in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

What Ayman al-Zawahri's Words Really Mean for Lebanon and the 'War on Terror'

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Saab and Magnus Ranstorp dissect a recent message from Ayman al-Zawahri urging Muslims worldwide to join insurgencies. Regarding Al-Qaeda's view of Lebanon's role, Saab and Ranstorp state that even though societal structure plays against attempts to establish a solid presence, "the reality is that Lebanon has turned into a place where jihadist travelers can quietly meet, train, and plan operations against Israel and the West."

U.S. Policy and Syria: Who's Converting Whom?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Testifying before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Peter Rodman argued "the conditions do not exist for an improvement of relations with Syria as long as Syrian policies remain hostile to important interest of ours in the Middle East." He concluded that Syria must change course in relation to Iraq, Lebanon, and Arab-Israeli peace before the U.S. reaches out to the country.

The Future of U.S.-Syrian Relations

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In congressional testimony, Martin Indyk argued that the current policy of isolating Syria has had mixed results. He believes that the next U.S. president should consider a different approach that could foster a more productive relationship allowing mutual goals to be realized in the troubled region.

Shaping Lebanon's Future

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lebanon is mired in a long running political crisis and the country has been without a president since November 2007. Bilal Saab writes that "three years after the withdrawal of Syrian troops, Lebanon has become less, not more stable." He offers suggestions for the U.S. to reshape its policy towards the country.

The Lebanon Crisis

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 19, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a policy luncheon on March 19, 2008 with Jeffrey Feltman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and, until recently, the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon. Feltman addressed the crisis in Lebanon in the context of his three and a half years experience there.

Israel Braces for Hizbullah's Revenge

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Saab investigates the likely responses from Hezbollah in light of the recent killing of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh.

The Future of the Middle East

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 04, 2008, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

On March 4, Brookings hosted journalist and author Robin Wright for a discussion of her new book, Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East. Wright focused on the pivotal countries and regions of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Morocco, drawing on first-hand interviews with many of the region’s key players.

Lebanon: The Forgotten Crisis

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 24, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Often overlooked in the headlines, Lebanon continues to flirt with renewed civil strife that could be devastating to a region that does not need any more. Bilal Y. Saab joined Nadim Shehadi and David Schenker to discuss this critical and delicate region.

Fatah al Islam: How an Ambitious Jihadist Project Went Awry

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Y. Saab and Magnus Ranstorp examine the rise and evolution of the terrorist group Fatah al Islam in Lebanon. They conclude that Fatah al Islam could not have morphed from a Palestinian Islamist group to a formidable terrorist network without an influx of Arab fighters from Iraq and financial support from al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia.

The Dilemma of Democracy in Lebanon

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Y. Saab and Elie D. Al-Chaer look at the similarities between Lebanon's political system and world politics. In this context, they suggest next steps for domestic political players to take the country down the path towards full-fledged democracy.

Scenarios – Lebanon’s Presidential Elections

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Saab notes that "the outcome of the Lebanese presidential election will directly affect the immediate security and future stability of the country."

Securing Lebanon from the Threat of Salafist Jihadism

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Y. Saab provides an independent and in depth assessment of the threat of Al Qaeda–inspired salafist jihadism to the present and future security of Lebanon.

Lebanon's Presidential Election: Make or Break?

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bilal Y. Saab argues that the outcome of the Lebanese presidential election on September 25 is a crucial event which could have major implications for the future stability of Lebanon.

Avoiding the Emergence of Two Lebanons

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Hady Amr, The Daily Star (9/10/07

Could This War Produce a Sunni-Israeli Alliance?

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Martin S. Indyk, Haaretz (8/28/06)

Displacement in the Current Middle East Crisis: Trends, Dynamics and Prospects

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Statement by Khalid Koser, Seminar on Displacement, Protection of Civilians and the Law of Armed Conflict in the Current Middle East Crisis (8/15/06)

Middle East Crisis: Is The U.S. Part of the Problem?

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The Daily Star (7/31/06)

Keep Syria and Iran Out of Negotiations Over Lebanon

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Martin S. Indyk, Council on Foreign Relations (7/27/06)

Crisis Unabated in Middle East

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Internet Chat with Martin S. Indyk, Washingtonpost.com (7/26/06)

U.S. Fails to Defend Interests in Mideast

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Chicago Tribune (7/17/06)

What Lies Beyond Israel and Lebanon?

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Martin S. Indyk, NPR (7/15/06)

Give the Lebanese Voters a Say in Choice of New Electoral System

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Hady Amr, The Daily Star (9/30/05)

The New Dynamics in Syria and Lebanon

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 22, 2005, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon inaugurated a new period of domestic uncertainty in both countries. Flynt Leverett, a senior fellow with the Saban Center at Brookings and author of Inheriting Syria: Bashar's Trial by Fire (Brookings, April 2005), and David Ignatius, associate editor of the Washington Post, participated in a panel discussion on the wider issues of Syrian and Lebanese politics. Former Ambassador to Israel and current Director of the Saban Center Martin Indyk moderated.

Lebanon at the Crossroads: Rebuilding An Arab Democracy

Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Saban Center Middle East Memo #7

Lebanon's Hidden Dangers

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel Byman, foreignpolicy.com (3/1/05)