Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Pritzker again ignores needs of Arab businesses in latest appointments Activism
  • Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) official candidate endorsements for the November 8, 2022 General elections.
    Arab American Democratic Club issues endorsements for Nov. 8, 2022 Cook County Illinois elections Activism
  • Arab Democrats urge NO VOTE on Gov. J.B. Pritzker re-election bid Activism
  • Assyrian American GOP issues endorsements in Nov, 8, 2022 elections
    Assyrian American GOP group endorses candidates in Illinois Activism
  • Abdullah Hammoud, elected Mayor of Dearborn Nov. 2, 2021. Photo courtesy of Abdullah Hammoud Facebook Page
    AHRC’s 2022 Spirit of Humanity Gala a Great Success American Arabs
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts Arab World
  • Rep. Cyril Nichols to be feted by supporters at fundraiser Saturday Oct. 22 Activism
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri Activism
Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri

Lebanon and Syria’s futures intertwined

Posted on April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 By Ghassan Rubeiz No Comments on Lebanon and Syria’s futures intertwined
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Lebanon and Syria’s futures intertwined

By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz

On October 17, 2019 the Lebanon erupted into a nationwide uprising demanding the dismantling of a corrupt and sectarian political system. Responding to unprecedented street protests, Saad Hariri resigned immediately. A new cabinet was formed by Hassan Diab, an academic with a limited background in public office.

Diab served for eight months but failed to make progress in improving the economy or introducing political reforms. On August 4, 2020, a devastating explosion in Beirut’s port killed two hundred people and destroyed a large part of the capital. Diab resigned a few days later.

Following this disaster, a former ambassador to Germany, Mustafa Adib, tried to form a new government, but he also failed.  Acknowledging the realities of a nation hostage to a political class devoid of guilt or shame, Adib withdrew.

Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri
Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri

Lebanon, the former “Switzerland of the Middle East”, is now a failed state. Hopes for serious reforms are diminishing by the day. After eighteen months of political unraveling, Lebanon has reached the boiling point. Irreversible events and outcomes make it very hard for the Lebanese to put their country back together: toxic sectarian power sharing, political class dominated by civil war personalities, bank closures, sharp currency devaluation, severe restrictions on personal bank accounts, rampant unemployment, 55% poverty rate, a rising pandemic, a devastating port explosion and two parallel maritime border disputes – with Israel and Syria.

This week, two of this country’s leaders are expected to visit French President Macron to discuss how France could help in the formation of a new Lebanese government, which is several months overdue. Macron has visited this Eastern Mediterranean country twice to settle power-sharing squabbles, but with no success. The world is tired of Lebanon’s fratricidal politics, while the country’s integrity is spiraling downward.   

To survive, this nation’s political class must be routed if total transformation of governance is to take place. It is therefore astonishing that President Michel Aoun and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri have not yet considered resignation. For too long, these two powerful leaders have been watching the country go through self-inflicted asphyxiation. More surprising is the hesitation of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to exit the political arena. With full determination, he expects to form the next cabinet, after having at the start of the crisis. What is harder to believe is that Hariri’s opponents, as well as his allies, anticipate his return to power, and soon. Lebanon’s President Aoun holds central bank responsible for financial crisis | Al Arabiya English

It is a shame that we continue to assume that a desperate nation must live with hopeless leadership.

A bit of history shows the importance of the French role in the region. When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after its defeat in the First World War, France was mandated by the League of Nations to “prepare” Lebanon and Syria for independence. The United Kingdom was mandated to run the affairs of other areas in the region. For four centuries of Ottoman rule Mount Lebanon was an integral part of what was known as the Region of Syria. By arbitrary restructuring of borders, the French Mandate managed to detach Lebanon from Syria to forge a Christian-dominated Grand Liban in 1920. With military force and diplomatic maneuvering, Lebanon has been artificially severed from its neighborhood by colonial intervention. Since the Mandate, France has tried to save Lebanon from a perpetual existential crisis. https://www.juancole.com/2005/03/lebanon-realignment-and-syria-it-is.html

Separated from Syria, Lebanon has struggled to survive for over a century. Accordingly, it makes sense to assume that a slow and phased partnership between Lebanon and Syria could eventually lead to a single strategic Arab state. That said, a partially occupied and divided Syria could prove to be a problematic team player – for a weakened and culturally divided Lebanon. The social and ideological problems which pollute Beirut politics today are also active in Damascus. A modest first step in this process of cooperation would be the opening of economic exchange.

To be clear, many in Lebanon have for a long time viewed the Syrian regime as a root-cause of instability in Lebanon and the entire region. For those Lebanese and for the Syrian opposition, any talk of cooperation with President Assad’s team is a non-starter.

The current dialogue – which has just started to make sense – between Washington and Tehran, if successful, would greatly improve Syria’s relations in the region. However, if Washington and Tehran fail to resolve their differences (over the “nuclear deal,”and regional – intervention), Syria and Lebanon will move even further apart, and the price will be calamitous for all parties.  Rouhani Says Vienna Talks Open ‘New Chapter’ — Naharnet

Lebanon has reached the boiling point, but its political leaders have nearly lost the capacity to acknowledge their obscene failure.  The situation in Syria is not better. Could these two closely related Arab states gradually find common ground in their search for a better future? If, and when, Syria moves toward a democratic political transition, one could look for parallel changes in Lebanon’s prospects. 

For the short term, Lebanon must form a strong and credible government soon. This is a tall order, but the alternatives are dark. A Hariri-led cabinet would extend the agony and delay the solution.

The idea of future integration of Lebanon with Syria is not a matter of dilution of sovereignty of either party, but a natural step of renewal and state building.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ghassan Rubeiz
Ghassan Rubeiz
Blogger, writer at The Arab Daily News online
Dr. Ghassan Rubeiz is an Arab-American writer, journalist and commentator on issues of development, peace and justice. He is the former Middle East Secretary of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. Reach him at rubeizg@gmail.com.
Ghassan Rubeiz
Latest posts by Ghassan Rubeiz (see all)
  • To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon? - January 17, 2023
  • World community should do more than rejecting Israel’s baseless terrorist accusation against Palestinian NGOs - January 12, 2022
  • Lebanese political system cannot fix itself, responsible external assistance is badly needed - October 23, 2021

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Ghassan Rubeiz, Lebanon, Middle East, Opinion, Politics, Syria Tags:failed state, Lebanon, Mustafa Afib, politics, protests, Saad Hariri, Syria

Post navigation

Previous Post: AHRC & ACJ hold Zoom meeting on discrimination against Asian Americans 
Next Post: American Muslims for Palestine organizes boycott of Israeli Dates

Related Posts

  • Place Charles-de-Gaulle, Prissier, France. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
    From a Social Movement to an Urban Insurgency in France Abdennour Toumi
  • Obama failed to deliver on promises to Arabs and Muslims American Arabs
  • 6 dead, 900 injured by Israeli military, settler terrorism Arab World
  • Ziad Awad family in Gaza observe Ramadan. Photo by Ahmad Hasabllah
    Israeli oppression overshadows Gaza observance of Ramadan Ahmad Hasaballah
  • AIPAC Controlled Congress vis-a vis HOUSE Reps. O’Rourke, Engel and Royce American Arabs
  • Jordan’s King offers insight into war on terror Arab World

More Related Articles

Book: Apartheid is a Crime by Mats Svensson from Cune Press New Book: Apartheid is a Crime, Palestinian life under occupation Arab World
Israeli Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu: The Muse for This American to become the Hero of Her Life Arab World
Mordechai Vanunu Newstip Declined by #NYT #BreakingNews #Israel #Nuclear #WhistleBlower #Vanunu American Arabs
The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021 American Arabs
Freedom of the Press, is Israel listening? Arab World
Adalah Logo Israeli Supreme Court upholds the racist and discriminatory Jewish Nation-State Law Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon?
    January 17, 2023
  • Image from Rashid-al-Din Hamadani's "A Compendium of Chronicles. Image courtesy of Wikipedia
    Why allow religious extremists to re-define Islam in the West?
    January 10, 2023
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    This Thanksgiving, let’s use our Blessings for good
    November 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022
    January 4, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri
    October 19, 2022

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme