Archive For The “Lebanon” Category
Regime not listening to the people and future of Lebanon at crossroad The sociopolitical situation in Lebanon deteriorates. A sign of hope is the resilience of the October 17 uprising. Public protest against the government’s corruption is unprecedented. Led by women and young adults, the uprising is authentic, effective and peaceful. The central question is…
Optional civil marriage would serve Lebanon’s fragile democracy By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Is Lebanon ready to introduce civil marriage legislation? Not soon. But talk about responding to youth aspirations, political reform and voice of civil society is pure rhetoric as long as civil marriage is not allowed on Lebanese soil. Lebanese couples seeking secular marriage…
Precarious times for Lebanon By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz The situation in Lebanon is worrisome. Since May, political impasse persists as the prime minister-designate fails to form a cabinet. The economy worsens; national debt soars: over 150 % of GDP; badly needed international aid is postponed due to instability. A more important threat to this weak…
Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes Jackie Haddad worked behind-the-scenes on behalf of the influential Lebanese and Arab American communities to raise funds for the needy, helped to lead and organize the annual conferences of the Midwest Federation of American Syrian & Lebanese Clubs, and was active in her local community in Elmhurst where…
What the Swiss can offer Lebanon By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz This week a Swiss delegation led by President Alain Berset is visiting Lebanon to strengthen “bilateral relations”. The team is also discussing the pressing issue of the Syrian refugees. Lebanon hosts the largest refugee population in the world, per capita; and Switzerland is the “global…
A new prime minister for Lebanon: a change-agent from campus
By Ghassan Rubeiz |
A new prime minister for Lebanon: a change-agent from campus? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz On December 19, Lebanese President Michel Aoun named Hassan Diab, the vice president of the American University of Beirut (AUB), to form the next cabinet. Saad Hariri resigned on October 29, twelve days after nationwide street demonstrations erupted. Stability is eroding…
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