Lebanon
U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in Middle East
May 20, 2013
Blasphemy and apostasy laws were applied in a discriminatory manner in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in 2012, according to a new report by the U.S. State Department. “These laws are frequently used to repress dissent, to harass political opponents, and to settle personal vendettas,” Secretary of State Kerry said on May 20. more
Lebanon’s Sheikhs Take on Assad and Hezbollah
May 10, 2013
Salafis are shaking up the fragile political balance among Muslims in Lebanon. The ultraconservative Sunnis—whose religious and social models come from the 7th century—are now stealing the limelight from Sunni and Shiite movements that have dominated politics since Lebanon gained independence in 1943. more
Russian Studies at American Universities in the Middle East: Beirut and Cairo
May 06, 2013 // 12:00pm — 1:00pm
Paul du Quenoy discussed the challenges, rewards, and new perspectives that flow from researching Russia at American academic institutions in the turbulent Middle East. Drawing on his experiences in Beirut and Cairo, he shared insights on teaching and pedagogy and describe his current research, which links the Middle East region to Imperial Russian diplomacy. more
Mentoring Session – First Lebanese Chapter Meeting of WPSP
Dec 18, 2012
The momentum of the mentoring calls has created regional and country chapters where former delegates meet with mentors on the ground. The first in-person meeting took place in Lebanon in November. You can read the bios of the women in the mentoring...
Russian Studies at American Universities in the Middle East: Beirut and Cairo
May 06, 2013 // 12:00pm — 1:00pm
Paul du Quenoy discussed the challenges, rewards, and new perspectives that flow from researching Russia at American academic institutions in the turbulent Middle East. Drawing on his experiences in Beirut and Cairo, he shared insights on teaching and pedagogy and describe his current research, which links the Middle East region to Imperial Russian diplomacy.
A Conversation with Sarkis Naoum
April 15, 2013 // 3:00pm — 4:00pm
The crisis in Syria drags on with consequences that are already reshaping the neighborhood. What is the future of the Assads and of Syria itself? And what are the implications of the Syrian crisis for Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran? Join us for a conversation with Naoum, one of the Middle East’s and Lebanon’s preeminent journalists and analysts for a regional tour d’horizon.
Lebanon and the Arab World in Transition
November 14, 2012 // 12:00pm — 1:00pm
Fuad Siniora, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, discussed the dynamism of the Arab Spring and expressed optimism that current trends can lead to greater dialogue and democracy in the Middle East.
The Syrian Refugee Crisis is Pushing Lebanon to the Brink
The Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon is threatening to become the real humanitarian crisis in the region. There are more Syrian refugees in Lebanon than in any other country in the region. Straddled by a weak economy, domestic political infighting, and internal divisions over the crisis in Syria, Lebanon is finding it hard to cope with the evolving problem inside its borders. In the absence of a quick and sustained international support, the refugee issue in Lebanon could become a full blown crisis with domestic and regional implications for Lebanon.
The Demons Besieging Lebanon: Iran’s Tighter Grip
Hezbollah’s main strength in Lebanon is not its weaponry. Its real backbone is its popular support, which guarantees Hezbollah’s control over state institutions. Iran may be prepared to lose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but it is certainly not ready to lose Lebanon. Now that Hezbollah’s popular support in Lebanon is waning, Iran will do whatever it takes to overcome the results of Lebanon's parliamentary elections in 2013.
The Islamists Are Coming: Who They Really Are
The Islamists Are Coming is the first book to survey the rise of Islamist groups in the wake of the Arab Spring. Often lumped together, the more than 50 Islamist parties with millions of followers now constitute a whole new spectrum—separate from either militants or secular parties. They will shape the new order in the world’s most volatile region more than any other political bloc. Yet they have diverse goals and different constituencies. Sometimes they are even rivals.
Abbas Sibai
Co-Founder, Aie Serve
Abbas Sibai is from Beirut Lebanon, part of Leaders of Democracy Fellows Program at Maxwell School, Syracuse University NY. He is passionate about creating new initiatives related to active youth participation, environment and health issues. Lately he developed "Live Love Beirut" a crowd s...
