Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Response to COVID-19 in Wavel Palestinian Refugee Camp Anera is beginning a multi-faceted response to COVID-19 in Wavel camp for Palestinian refugees in Baalbeck, Lebanon. A Palestinian refugee who fled the Syrian civil war, and who lives near the camp, tested positive for the virus today. She traveled in and out of the camp often,…
Read More “Response to COVID-19 in Wavel Palestinian Refugee Camp” »
The newly formed Lebanese cabinet deserves a chance By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz A popular uprising forced the resignation of the Lebanese prime minister and his cabinet last October. But a strong self-serving government and a very unpopular parliament are still operating with full force. The uprising has a long way to go to achieve its…
Read More “The newly formed Lebanese cabinet deserves a chance” »
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…
Read More “A new prime minister for Lebanon: a change-agent from campus” »
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…
Read More “Regime not listening to the people and future of Lebanon at crossroad” »
Uprising in Lebanon must focus on domestic reform, not on Hezbollah By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz The uprising is not about Hezbollah’s dominant role in Lebanon, and it should not be; it is largely about corrupt domestic politics. But the attitude of Hezbollah- locally know as The Resistance- toward real reform may either help or derail…
Read More “Uprising in Lebanon must focus on domestic reform, not on Hezbollah” »
Personal Reflections of a Lebanese American on Trump Power and Civil Discord By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Americans are divided on many basic issues and President Trump has reinforced this tension. Trump is both a contributing factor to America’s pain and a symptom of its dysfunction. The fact that our commander in chief is still popular…
Read More “Personal Reflections of a Lebanese American on Trump Power and Civil Discord” »
Census and (lack of) Sensibility in the way nation’s manipulate population data Governments around the world manipulate their Census data on populations in order to undermine minority rights and strengthen government abuses against minorities. In the United States, the government has used the Census for decades as a means of suppressing the actual numbers of…
Read More “Census and (lack of) Sensibility in the way nation’s manipulate population data” »
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…
Read More “Optional civil marriage would serve Lebanon’s fragile democracy” »
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…
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…
Youth Hub Center to open in Lebanon with support from Joumana Kayrouz Prominent Michigan Accident attorney Joumana Kayrouz announced this week that she will fund the building of a new youth hub center in Batroun, Lebanon as a part of a larger effort by Lebanese expatriates to support their former homeland. An icon of the American legal…
Read More “Youth Hub Center to open in Lebanon with support from Joumana Kayrouz” »
Arab American veteran showcased during Immigrant Heritage Month More than 12,000 Arab Americans served in the United States Military during World War II, and many served before and after in other wars defending America. Their service is an important part of Immigrant Heritage Month which is celebrated every June along with the achievements of other…
Read More “Arab American veteran showcased during Immigrant Heritage Month” »
