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Vatican invests in the future of Middle East Christians

In an exclusive interview with The Beiruter, Lebanon's Ambassador to the Holy See, Fadi Assaf, explains how Pope Leo XIV's scholarship initiative seeks to support vulnerable Christian families, preserve educational institutions, and help communities remain in their homeland.

Beyrouth Livres brings literature across Lebanon

Beyrouth Livres returns for its fourth edition, bringing together more than 40 authors, illustrators and artists from nine countries to celebrate literature, multilingualism and Mediterranean cultural exchange across Lebanon.

Why has Tripoli failed to address its dangerous buildings crisis?

Hundreds of buildings in Tripoli remain at risk of collapse despite years of warnings. Political divisions, lack of funding, and limited coordination between authorities have delayed solutions, while many families remain in unsafe homes with no affordable alternatives.

The pioneers of 19th century Lebanese painting

A look at the 19th-century pioneers who transformed Lebanese painting from religious iconography into a professional art form shaped by local traditions and European influences.

Editors' pick

Vatican invests in the future of Middle East Christians Vatican invests in the future of Middle East Christians

Vatican invests in the future of Middle East Christians

In an exclusive interview with The Beiruter, Lebanon's Ambassador to the Holy See, Fadi Assaf, explains how Pope Leo XIV's scholarship initiative seeks to support vulnerable Christian families, preserve educational institutions, and help communities remain in their homeland.
By Michella Rizk - Anthony Chamoun
Begging in Lebanon and the gap between law and action Begging in Lebanon and the gap between law and action

Begging in Lebanon and the gap between law and action

The Beiruter investigates street begging in Lebanon, exposing the gap between existing legal protections, state intervention and the realities faced by vulnerable children, families and the elderly.
By Jenna Geagea - Yara Saliba
Inside the Red Cross’s Disaster Risk Reduction unit in Tyre Inside the Red Cross’s Disaster Risk Reduction unit in Tyre

Inside the Red Cross’s Disaster Risk Reduction unit in Tyre

From emergency training in the southern village of Toura to displacement tracking in Tyre, The Beiruter reports from inside the Lebanese Red Cross’s Disaster Risk Reduction unit as South Lebanon struggles to recover amid persistent conflict.
By Katharine Sorensen
The national imperative for mandatory military service The national imperative for mandatory military service

The national imperative for mandatory military service

Lebanon’s conscription debate returns, raising questions about national unity, military strength, and whether mandatory service can help rebuild state institutions.
By Anthony Chamoun - Natalie Durham
Lebanon's car market is recovering, slowly Lebanon's car market is recovering, slowly

Lebanon's car market is recovering, slowly

New-car registrations are up almost a quarter this year, but the market remains 46% below its 2019 level. The rebound is taking place in a market with little access to bank financing, where cash and off-bank payments have become increasingly important.
By Chelsea Al Arif
UK government warns: prepare for the end times UK government warns: prepare for the end times

UK government warns: prepare for the end times

Britain’s renewed push for emergency preparedness reflects growing fears of cyberattacks, climate disasters and conflict, alongside a rising prepper movement and declining trust in state protection.
By Tony McMahon
Saint Charbel returns to the big screen Saint Charbel returns to the big screen

Saint Charbel returns to the big screen

After months of anticipation and a release delayed by war, Charbel was officially unveiled on October 9, ahead of its theatrical release on October 22.
By Michella Rizk
One million seniors: Who will care for Lebanon’s ageing population? One million seniors: Who will care for Lebanon’s ageing population?

One million seniors: Who will care for Lebanon’s ageing population?

As Lebanon’s population ages and care systems struggle to keep pace, The Beiruter investigates the growing pressure on elderly-care homes, the financial challenges threatening institutions, and the question of who will care for Lebanon’s elderly in the years ahead.
By Michella Rizk
A moment Lebanon must not miss A moment Lebanon must not miss

A moment Lebanon must not miss

Lebanon stands at a rare crossroads, as public rejection of Hezbollah and Iranian domination has reached new heights. Robert Satloff argues that this shift presents a fragile but genuine opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim its sovereignty.
By Amal Chmouny
A century of the Constitution at a pivotal moment A century of the Constitution at a pivotal moment

A century of the Constitution at a pivotal moment

Lebanon’s Constitution centenary invites citizens, especially younger generations, to explore its history, understand their rights and engage in shaping the country’s future.
By Joanne Naoum
Lebanon’s apple harvest faces a season of uncertainty Lebanon’s apple harvest faces a season of uncertainty

Lebanon’s apple harvest faces a season of uncertainty

Lebanon’s apple farmers face a difficult harvest as rising costs, market pressure, water shortages and conflict-related damage threaten their livelihoods.

 
By Jenna Geagea
The April anomaly behind Lebanon’s customs revenue decline The April anomaly behind Lebanon’s customs revenue decline

The April anomaly behind Lebanon’s customs revenue decline

Lebanon imported about LBP 756.3 trillion worth of goods in the first five months of 2026, around 3.8 per cent more than during the same period in 2025. Yet customs receipts fell by almost 26 per cent to LBP 34.8 trillion. The monthly data show that much of that decline is concentrated in one unusually high comparison month in 2025.
By Chelsea Al Arif
B.Donna: The century-old luxury brand forging the next hundred B.Donna: The century-old luxury brand forging the next hundred

B.Donna: The century-old luxury brand forging the next hundred

The story of the Lebanese luxury retailer that refused to give up on a Bikfaya family legacy.
By Grace Massoud
Non-violence: The power to change history Non-violence: The power to change history

Non-violence: The power to change history

From Gandhi to global movements, non-violence has emerged as a powerful force capable of defeating injustice and reshaping societies as well as history itself.
By Anthony Chamoun
Lebanon’s golden harvest in the line of fire Lebanon’s golden harvest in the line of fire

Lebanon’s golden harvest in the line of fire

War damage, water shortages and rising costs threaten Lebanon’s olive oil harvest, rural livelihoods and export markets.
By Christiane Tager
Lebanon’s neglected fourth language Lebanon’s neglected fourth language

Lebanon’s neglected fourth language

On International Translation Day, The Beiruter explores the world of Lebanese Sign Language through the experiences of two interpreters, examining the communication barriers facing Lebanon’s Deaf community and the struggle for accessibility and professional recognition.
By Michella Rizk
Divorce, religious courts and Lebanon’s missing civil alternative Divorce, religious courts and Lebanon’s missing civil alternative

Divorce, religious courts and Lebanon’s missing civil alternative

Lebanon’s costly divorce proceedings reveal a fragmented personal-status system and sharpen the debate over an optional civil framework for marriage and family rights.
By Michel Tawk
Beirut’s aluminium children Beirut’s aluminium children

Beirut’s aluminium children

Syrian children collect aluminium and plastic from across the capital and sell it by the kilo work that Lebanese law explicitly prohibits, yet no one appears to enforce the ban.
By Paul Van der Stegen
Lebanon’s oldest schools that shaped generations Lebanon’s oldest schools that shaped generations

Lebanon’s oldest schools that shaped generations

Long before today’s schools, these institutions were already teaching generations of Lebanese. From École des Trois Docteurs to Saint Joseph–Antoura and Makassed, this article explores the stories, struggles and legacies behind some of Lebanon’s oldest schools.
By Yara Saliba
The other side of reform: Inside Lebanon’s school mergers The other side of reform: Inside Lebanon’s school mergers

The other side of reform: Inside Lebanon’s school mergers

The Education Ministry says consolidating under-enrolled schools will reduce waste and make better use of limited resources. But two cases in Hadath and Hsarat show how the logic of reform becomes more complicated once it reaches individual schools.
By Chelsea Al Arif
The compounded interests of the Iranian War The compounded interests of the Iranian War

The compounded interests of the Iranian War

As the US confronts Iran’s decades-long regional influence, this opinion piece argues that delayed action and unequal burden-sharing among allies have made today’s choices more costly, with Lebanon showing how deeply that influence can take root.
By Philip Honein
Maritime trade and the limits of shortcuts Maritime trade and the limits of shortcuts

Maritime trade and the limits of shortcuts

New maritime traffic data and maps reveal where global trade converges, who controls the passages it depends on, and the distances ships must travel when the shortest routes are no longer available.
By Katharine Sorensen
The deaf scholar who turned achievement into advocacy The deaf scholar who turned achievement into advocacy

The deaf scholar who turned achievement into advocacy

In an exclusive interview with The Beiruter, Dr. Hussein Ismail, the first Deaf person in Lebanon and the Arab region to earn a PhD, shares the journey that made history and the mission that followed: creating a future where Deaf children grow up with opportunities, not barriers.
By Michella Rizk
Inside Roumieh’s general amnesty protest Inside Roumieh’s general amnesty protest

Inside Roumieh’s general amnesty protest

Behind Roumieh’s walls, a growing crisis is unfolding as hundreds of prisoners refuse food and medication in protest over Lebanon’s suspended general amnesty law.
By Anthony Chamoun - Natalie Durham
The paradox of Peace The paradox of Peace

The paradox of Peace

On the International Day of Peace, this article examines what genuine peace requires and why Lebanon must move beyond ceasefires towards justice, reconciliation and sustainable positive peace.
By Razan El Helou
London hears calls to ban the Muslim Brotherhood London hears calls to ban the Muslim Brotherhood

London hears calls to ban the Muslim Brotherhood

A London forum brought together British politicians and Middle Eastern representatives to debate calls for banning the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK, focusing on its political influence, financing networks and the challenges of proscribing the organization.
By Tony McMahon
Roca News: The NYC media company captured the real Lebanon Roca News: The NYC media company captured the real Lebanon

Roca News: The NYC media company captured the real Lebanon

On their recent visit to Lebanon, Roca covered the strength, positivity and beauty Lebanon has to offer.
By Grace Massoud
25 years after 9/11: Enduring legacies for America and the Middle East 25 years after 9/11: Enduring legacies for America and the Middle East

25 years after 9/11: Enduring legacies for America and the Middle East

Twenty-five years after 9/11, its legacy continues to reshape U.S. foreign policy, counterterrorism, civil liberties and Middle Eastern geopolitics amid emerging technologies and renewed global power competition.
By Amal Chmouny
The paycheck is the tip of the iceberg The paycheck is the tip of the iceberg

The paycheck is the tip of the iceberg

Lebanon’s gender pay gap reflects deeper inequalities in how women’s work, care responsibilities, qualifications and career advancement are valued across the labour market.
By Abir Chebaro
How books are teaching students what history class won't How books are teaching students what history class won't

How books are teaching students what history class won't

Lebanese authors and educators are using literature to help students confront the human experience of war while the country still lacks a unified curriculum covering its modern history.
By Vanessa Kallas
Lebanon’s three water bills Lebanon’s three water bills

Lebanon’s three water bills

Lebanon’s water paradox is leaving households to pay multiple times for a basic necessity, as aging infrastructure, losses and weak management turn a water-rich country into a place where securing reliable supply has become a costly burden.
By Jessica Habchy
Beirut port explosion: Who has the power to try? Beirut port explosion: Who has the power to try?

Beirut port explosion: Who has the power to try?

The Beirut port blast investigation has entered a new phase after the Court of Cassation prosecutor submitted a legal review outlining alleged responsibilities of more than 70 officials, paving the way for Judge Tarek Bitar to issue the final indictment.
By Joanne Naoum
To understand the threat to our real democracy, watch Putin's fake one To understand the threat to our real democracy, watch Putin's fake one

To understand the threat to our real democracy, watch Putin's fake one

By Rafael Behr

As Russians vote this weekend, remember that Britain is not immune to the cynical tactics and corrosion of trust that keep him in power
PLUS
By Rafael Behr
The vibrant story of Tyrian purple The vibrant story of Tyrian purple

The vibrant story of Tyrian purple

From the Romans to the Byzantines, how did the Tyrian purple lie at the center of the Phoenicians’ world and how does that legacy echo on today?
By Masarra Kahwaji
What Lee Kuan Yew’s warning reveals about Lebanon’s democracy What Lee Kuan Yew’s warning reveals about Lebanon’s democracy

What Lee Kuan Yew’s warning reveals about Lebanon’s democracy

On the International Day of Democracy, Lee Kuan Yew’s warning reveals how Lebanon’s shrinking middle class and lack of consensus on fundamental state principles undermine the foundations of democratic resilience.
By Anthony Chamoun
The Maronite who gave the world Aladdin The Maronite who gave the world Aladdin

The Maronite who gave the world Aladdin

A forgotten manuscript revealed Hanna Diyab, a Maronite from Aleppo, as the Christian storyteller whose tales of Aladdin and Ali Baba helped shape One Thousand and One Nights and became part of global culture.
By Jenna Geagea
The long quest to engineer the soldier The long quest to engineer the soldier

The long quest to engineer the soldier

From ancient warrior rituals and battlefield stimulants to AI-era biotechnology, this article explores humanity’s centuries-long pursuit of creating soldiers who can overcome fear, fatigue and the limits of the human body.
By Nami El Khazen
Why Lebanon lights its mountains for Eid el-Salib Why Lebanon lights its mountains for Eid el-Salib

Why Lebanon lights its mountains for Eid el-Salib

From Saint Helena and the story of the Cross to bonfires, fireworks, scouts, choirs and village traditions, this article looks at how Eid el-Salib has grown into one of Lebanon’s most distinctive celebrations of history, culture and community.
By Michella Rizk
The islands that guard the Red Sea The islands that guard the Red Sea

The islands that guard the Red Sea

The Houthi capture of islands surrounding Bab al-Mandeb brings weapons and surveillance closer to vital shipping lanes, increasing risks to global trade and energy flows.
By Nami El Khazen
Warning: our democracy won’t survive the death of reading. Read on if you still can Warning: our democracy won’t survive the death of reading. Read on if you still can

Warning: our democracy won’t survive the death of reading. Read on if you still can

By John Harris

While fascists protest in UK ports and purvey nonsense and poison online, ever fewer people have the perspective or analytical tools to challenge them
PLUS
By John Harris

Politics

Economy

Beirut and Tripoli Ports enter the race for global trade routes Beirut and Tripoli Ports enter the race for global trade routes

Beirut and Tripoli Ports enter the race for global trade routes

Lebanon’s ports of Beirut and Tripoli are entering a new phase after joining the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, creating an opportunity to reconnect the country with global trade routes, attract investment and revive its maritime sector, but success will depend on infrastructure upgrades, customs reforms and the ability to turn agreements into concrete economic gains.
By Daoud Rammal
Lebanon’s missing piece: Who will pay for the banking collapse? Lebanon’s missing piece: Who will pay for the banking collapse?

Lebanon’s missing piece: Who will pay for the banking collapse?

Lebanon’s renewed IMF negotiations hinge on banking reforms and a contentious question: how will the estimated $70 billion in financial losses be shared?
By Christiane Tager
Lebanon’s road out of the Grey List Lebanon’s road out of the Grey List

Lebanon’s road out of the Grey List

As Lebanon faces a new FATF assessment in October 2026, questions remain over whether its progress in financial oversight, anti-money laundering measures and institutional reforms will be enough to secure its removal from the grey list.
By Patricia Jallad
The world's oil is not always where the power lies The world's oil is not always where the power lies

The world's oil is not always where the power lies

From Venezuela's vast reserves to the Strait of Hormuz and Europe's dependence on American diesel, the events of 2026 reveal how control over oil depends on far more than geological wealth.
By The Beiruter
Through crisis and war: The journey of Lebanese bread Through crisis and war: The journey of Lebanese bread

Through crisis and war: The journey of Lebanese bread

Lebanon’s bread bundle has evolved from a heavily subsidized staple into a reflection of the country’s economic collapse, tracing the impact of currency devaluation, wheat shortages, war, subsidy cuts and rising production costs from 2019 to today.
By Jessica Habchy
Lebanon’s banking reform hits a constitutional roadblock Lebanon’s banking reform hits a constitutional roadblock

Lebanon’s banking reform hits a constitutional roadblock

Lebanon’s banking reform faces constitutional challenges as disputes over restructuring, central bank independence, IMF commitments, and financial recovery continue.
By The Beiruter
The global economy moved, its institutions are catching up The global economy moved, its institutions are catching up

The global economy moved, its institutions are catching up

Low- and middle-income economies now account for nearly half of the world’s trade in goods, creating a growing gap between where economic power resides and international institutions whose central bargains were negotiated under a very different global hierarchy.
By The Beiruter
What is keeping the Lebanese Lira at 89,500? What is keeping the Lebanese Lira at 89,500?

What is keeping the Lebanese Lira at 89,500?

Lebanon’s dollar rate remains near 89,500 lira, but rising prices expose the limits of exchange-rate stability and the challenges facing Banque du Liban and the Ministry of Finance.
By Carmen Haidar
The World Megatrends and the future of Constrained Economy The World Megatrends and the future of Constrained Economy

The World Megatrends and the future of Constrained Economy

Futurist Carsten Beck explores how embedded AI, a shifting world order, demographic change and economic constraints are reshaping the future and how leaders can prepare.
By Peter Thommen
Global trade is more connected than it looks Global trade is more connected than it looks

Global trade is more connected than it looks

New OECD research finds that accounting for foreign machinery, software, and R&D reveals deeper global supply-chain dependencies than conventional trade statistics capture.
By The Beiruter
The housing crisis hiding in plain sight The housing crisis hiding in plain sight

The housing crisis hiding in plain sight

New research and interviews with Habitat for Humanity reveal the less visible costs of housing: from sacrificing food and medical care to, in Lebanon, living in homes they cannot afford to repair.
By The Beiruter
In southern Lebanon, war is burning the harvest In southern Lebanon, war is burning the harvest

In southern Lebanon, war is burning the harvest

War has devastated southern Lebanon’s farmland and orchards, threatening rural livelihoods, national food security and agricultural production for years to come.
By Christiane Tager
Can young Lebanese truly afford independence? Can young Lebanese truly afford independence?

Can young Lebanese truly afford independence?

For many young Lebanese, having a place of their own remains difficult to achieve in today’s economic reality. Between rising living costs, expensive rent and family responsibilities, what does independence really look like for Lebanon’s younger generation?
By Yara Saliba
The new luxury is not things, but time The new luxury is not things, but time

The new luxury is not things, but time

As convenience becomes easier to purchase, wealth is giving affluent consumers greater control over how they spend, save and reclaim their time.
By The Beiruter
Why are companies spending billions buying their own stock? Why are companies spending billions buying their own stock?

Why are companies spending billions buying their own stock?

As corporate buybacks reach record levels, Nvidia’s $150 billion authorization shows why companies are choosing to spend billions purchasing their own shares rather than deploying all of their cash elsewhere.
By Katharine Sorensen
Foreign investment is a game of fewer, bigger bets Foreign investment is a game of fewer, bigger bets

Foreign investment is a game of fewer, bigger bets

Foreign investment is concentrating in fewer, more expensive projects, as data centres, semiconductor fabs and other capital-intensive industries direct enormous sums toward countries with the infrastructure and resources to host them.
By The Beiruter
The empty tables crisis The empty tables crisis

The empty tables crisis

Lebanon’s restaurant sector is facing a deepening crisis as declining purchasing power, a 40% drop in sales, a 50% decline in delivery orders and rising operating costs push businesses closer to closure.
By Rimah Hashem
Is Lebanon’s latest bid to support workers enough? Is Lebanon’s latest bid to support workers enough?

Is Lebanon’s latest bid to support workers enough?

Lebanon approved higher transport allowances, increased family benefits, and support for drivers as efforts continue to ease rising living costs.
By The Beiruter
Global trade is turning to services, unevenly Global trade is turning to services, unevenly

Global trade is turning to services, unevenly

Services are taking a growing share of global trade, but the countries capturing the fastest-growing, digitally deliverable markets remain highly concentrated.
By The Beiruter
Landlocked economies in a maritime world Landlocked economies in a maritime world

Landlocked economies in a maritime world

Being landlocked imposes an unavoidable distance from global markets, but ports, borders, and relations with neighboring countries determine how costly that geography becomes.
By Katharine Sorensen
Has the time come for the return of "mechanics"? Has the time come for the return of "mechanics"?

Has the time come for the return of "mechanics"?

Lebanon considers restoring mechanical inspections amid road safety concerns, vehicle violations, lost state revenues, and calls for a more transparent system.
By Patricia Jallad
Inflation was low. So why did Jordan and Saudi Arabia raise interest rates? Inflation was low. So why did Jordan and Saudi Arabia raise interest rates?

Inflation was low. So why did Jordan and Saudi Arabia raise interest rates?

Why did Saudi Arabia and Jordan raise interest rates after the US Federal Reserve when their inflation was lower, while Kuwait held steady? The answer lies in how each country manages its currency.
By Carmen Haidar
The coming rocket shortage The coming rocket shortage

The coming rocket shortage

The race to fill orbit with satellites is colliding with a harder reality: too few proven rockets are available to launch them.
By The Beiruter
The Middle East’s cooling problem The Middle East’s cooling problem

The Middle East’s cooling problem

Cooling already drives nearly half of peak electricity demand in MENA, with hotter summers and expanding access to AC set to make it the region’s largest source of electricity-demand growth.
By The Beiruter
Business by DM: Inside Lebanon’s Instagram market Business by DM: Inside Lebanon’s Instagram market

Business by DM: Inside Lebanon’s Instagram market

Instagram is helping Lebanese entrepreneurs build businesses without storefronts, but its growing marketplace raises questions about consumer protection, taxes and the sales the state cannot track.
By Jessica Habchy
Europe is stalling. Why is Poland rising? Europe is stalling. Why is Poland rising?

Europe is stalling. Why is Poland rising?

Poland’s economic rise shows how freedom, foreign investment, a skilled workforce and strong institutions transformed a post-communist economy into one of Europe’s fastest-growing success stories.
By Peter Thommen
Rising costs are squeezing Lebanese households Rising costs are squeezing Lebanese households

Rising costs are squeezing Lebanese households

Lebanon’s rising prices for energy, food, healthcare, and education are intensifying pressure on households as wages struggle to keep pace.
By The Beiruter
What should a country hoard? What should a country hoard?

What should a country hoard?

Critical-mineral reserves promise protection against supply shocks, but choosing which materials to hold, in what form and in what quantities is far more complicated than stockpiling oil.
By The Beiruter
The hidden geography of the world’s food The hidden geography of the world’s food

The hidden geography of the world’s food

Using global production data and trade figures, The Beiruter traces the geography connecting the world’s farms to a concentrated network of fertilizer producers.
By The Beiruter
Why $100 oil no longer breaks the world economy Why $100 oil no longer breaks the world economy

Why $100 oil no longer breaks the world economy

Oil prices above $100 once threatened economic crisis, but decades of declining oil intensity, diversified energy supplies and strategic reserves have made the global economy more resilient to petroleum shocks.
By Katharine Sorensen
Every chokepoint has a half-life Every chokepoint has a half-life

Every chokepoint has a half-life

A chokepoint is most powerful before it is used. Each denial exposes the dependence and gives its targets another reason to escape it.
By Dr. Joseph Sokhon
Lebanon’s cost-of-living crunch Lebanon’s cost-of-living crunch

Lebanon’s cost-of-living crunch

Lebanon’s slowing inflation masks a deepening cost-of-living crisis as soaring fuel, generator, food, education, healthcare and insurance expenses strain household budgets.
By Christiane Tager
Lebanon’s electorate: Who is Lebanon counting? Lebanon’s electorate: Who is Lebanon counting?

Lebanon’s electorate: Who is Lebanon counting?

Christians make up roughly one-third of Lebanon’s 2026 electorate, but 53 per cent of Lebanese on the preliminary overseas voting lists. In 1932, the contrast was even greater: Christians represented about half of the resident population counted by the census but 84.7 per cent of the emigrants it recorded. Almost a century later, Lebanon can still measure the sectarian balance of its voters more easily than that of the millions of Lebanese and Lebanese descendants living outside the country.
By Chelsea Al Arif
The new economics of cultural abundance The new economics of cultural abundance

The new economics of cultural abundance

AI is pushing a decades-long decline in production costs to a new extreme, testing what becomes valuable when cultural supply can expand almost without limit.
By The Beiruter
The shipping crisis small firms can’t afford The shipping crisis small firms can’t afford

The shipping crisis small firms can’t afford

Shipping disruptions are driving up the cost of global trade, putting smaller firms at greater risk of being pushed out of international supply chains.
By The Beiruter
Fuel price hikes spark Syria’s biggest post-Assad protests Fuel price hikes spark Syria’s biggest post-Assad protests

Fuel price hikes spark Syria’s biggest post-Assad protests

Syria’s largest post-Assad protests expose the economic pressures facing the new government as fuel hikes deepen public frustration and hardship.
By The Beiruter
Lebanon’s tourism comeback: By the numbers Lebanon’s tourism comeback: By the numbers

Lebanon’s tourism comeback: By the numbers

Lebanon’s 2026 tourism season recovered after a difficult start, but airport traffic, regional demand and spending remained below previous highs, revealing a sector still dependent on stability and confidence.
By Christiane Tager
The world has never owed this much money The world has never owed this much money

The world has never owed this much money

Global government debt is approaching 100% of GDP without triggering a widespread debt crisis, but higher refinancing costs and growing reliance on private investors are making that stability harder to sustain.
By The Beiruter
Lebanon’s economy of waiting Lebanon’s economy of waiting

Lebanon’s economy of waiting

Nearly seven years after Lebanon’s banking collapse, prolonged uncertainty over deposits and reforms continues to delay spending, investment, lending and the country’s economic recovery.
By Carmen Haidar
The $8 billion gap: Who pays the price? The $8 billion gap: Who pays the price?

The $8 billion gap: Who pays the price?

Lebanon’s $8 billion financial gap dispute has become a central battle over who owns the funds, how losses should be distributed, and whether Banque du Liban or the banks should bear responsibility for returning depositors’ money.
By Patricia Jallad

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