Middle East Experience

The political elite in Beirut is accustomed to traditional allies in the Gulf, Europe or the United States coming to their rescue and bailing them out when the going gets tough.This has been the case since the end of Lebanon’s 1975-’90 Civil War. The Taif Accord, which paved the way for a new system of governance, also led to over a decade of Syrian hegemony over the country. But, the initial will to end the 15 years of bloodshed ultimately came from the Lebanese leaders and warlords.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Today, barring a few names, a majority of those former warlords are still in power. And today, Lebanon is facing unprecedented crises on all fronts: social, financial, economic and healthcare.Over the years, Lebanon’s politicians have been embroiled in corruption scandals and accused of wasting billions of dollars of government funds.Still, the Lebanese people - for the most part - enjoyed the necessities of life.Since the nationwide anti-government protests in October 2019, those essential commodities have grown increasingly scarce for almost half of the population.The difference is that today the political elite has decided to “hang on and go over the cliff rather than do what they know they need to do to get some help,” a senior Western diplomat told Al Arabiya English.France, with the help of the Gulf and Washington, has hosted more than one conference to garner aid for Lebanon. That assistance has not materialized because, for the first time, the international community conditioned the support on badly needed reforms to combat corruption.No change in the ruling elite’s behavior has been noticed by those inside or outside Lebanon.The president, his son-in-law - who heads the largest Christian bloc in Parliament - and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri have been mudslinging for 10 months over the formation of a new government.The latter has gone on several trips abroad looking to muster up support, but there has been a common message, according to diplomats and officials.“This time around, the solution must come from within Lebanon, and the Lebanese leaders have to make that decision [to change],” a second diplomatic source told Al Arabiya English.“[The international community] is taking a step back,” the Washington-based source added.Meanwhile, a US official said that there was a new approach to dealing with Lebanon: “We’re in crisis control mode.”The official said that supporting the army would continue but asserted that the solution to form a competent government capable of reforms had to be done inside Lebanon and independently.Washington has seemingly shifted away from dealing with politicians and has looked to ensure the Lebanese Army stays intact for fear of a further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon.As the Lebanese army chief prepares for his annual visit to Washington to review bilateral ties, the army recently began offering joy rides over Lebanon as a way to gain some extra cash.The largely US-trained military faces a cash crunch due to the freefall of the Lebanese pound.Apart from the Lebanese army, the US has had another reliable partner over the years in Beirut: the Central Bank.But that too has come under fire - literally and figuratively - since informal capital controls were imposed on depositors and life-long savings disappeared almost overnight.Careful not to be seen as intervening in domestic affairs, the international community is now watching and keeping at arm’s length.Using a carrot and stick approach has seen sanctions imposed on Iran-backed Hezbollah officials, organizations and allies. But the US went further in 2019 and slapped sanctions on Christian allies of the Shiite militant group for their alleged role in corruption.The Parliament speaker - long seen as one of the more corrupt officials in Lebanon - saw his top political aide and former finance minister sanctioned as well.Europe has threatened to follow suit, with France saying it sanctioned some Lebanese politicians in a move that would prevent them from crossing French borders or accessing potential funds in French banks. No list of sanctioned officials has been published.However, the European Union has so far failed to agree on a unified sanctions regime that is meant to pressure Lebanese politicians to put political and personal interests aside to salvage what’s left of the Lebanon created in 1943.“It’s really hard to watch. And I am stunned to see yet another group of leaders - having watched the Arab spring leaders get hauled out of ditches -” continue to push ahead and live as if it is business as usual, the Western diplomat said.Read more: Lebanon will never regain sovereignty with Hezbollah’s current status: David Hale
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Crisis control mode: No one outside of Lebanon plans to come to the rescue

Ray is an anthology of four short films inspired by Satyajit Ray’s literary works. It has its high points, but somehow stuff gets lost in transl….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Ray Review: Not quite a Ray of sunshine

With the failure of local, regional and foreign mediation attempts to break the monthslong Cabinet formation deadlock, the Lebanese, facing poverty, hunger and soaring unemployment, are looking for divine intervention to save them from the worst economic and financial crisis since the 1975-90 Civil War..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanese look for divine intervention to rescue their country

Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF soldier stabbed, weapon stolen in Jordan Valley, suspect caught

The families of those who died in the Mount Meron tragedy in April worry this could compromise the investigation into the disaster.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Meron structures ‘dismantled’ raising concerns among victims' families

We are still living with the catastrophic consequences of Rumsfeld and his gang. And it’s not as if this chain of events was unimaginable at the time..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Rumsfeld’s much-vaunted ‘courage’ was a smokescreen for lies, crime and death | Richard Wolffe

The development of mRNA vaccines used to treat coronavirus is seen by one expert as the "moonshot moment" of 2020.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'COVID-19 is a paradigm for how scientific miracles can happen' - analysis

While investigators have not concluded what caused nearly half of the 40-year-old high-rise to suddenly collapse, reports indicate that deep structural problems were known and ignored.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Could a Surfside-style building collapse happen in Israel? - analysis

"It is not right that an entity of the magnitude of the Mossad is not regulated by an Israeli law."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Is it time to regulate the Mossad like the Shin Bet, IDF? - FADC

Psychologists and specialists in Gaza are working to help children who suffered trauma and support mothers who lost their children during the latest Israeli war.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza children deal with psychological trauma month after war