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Blogging Lebanese politics, business and society since 2005

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The Arguileh as Witness to Lebanese Life

If one was to look for an item that unites the Lebanese, a man2oushé is a good place to start. But as popular as the breakfast staple is, there is another object that has continuously witnessed all aspects of Lebanese public life.

From politics, to weddings to modern art, the mighty arguileh established itself as an ultimate cultural icon, an icon that was never camera-shy. Continue reading →

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Lebanese Electricity from Iran? Not so Fast

The supply of Electricity from Iran to Lebanon would be convenient for Iran and for some Lebanese parties, but it won’t be happening anytime soon.


Tehran, we have a problem

In the news today is a statement by an Iranian official that Lebanon could be getting Iranian electricity as soon as next week. Considering the state of affairs of the electricity in Lebanon, many would gladly (if begrudgingly) take that offer. But don’t hold your breath, it won’t happening anytime soon. Continue reading →

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Don’t Indulge Tripoli’s Militant Islamists

Tripoli’s “mini-Syria” erupts as militant islamists battle a heavy-handed army. Extreme caution should be exercised to avoid Syria’s mistakes.


10 year old child from tebbané playing resistance (source: LBC)

As people are watching the events unfold in Tripoli, many are tempted to dismiss them as the usual clashes between pro-Assad Alawites in Jabal Mohsen and anti-Assad Islamists in Bab el Tebbaneh. The truth, alas, is that we are now entering a new chapter, one where things are a bit more complicated and a bit more like Syria.
Continue reading →

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Mohammad Chatah’s Big Idea

What’s the best way to spend Lebanon’s upcoming oil wealth? The race for ideas has begun.

Is there anything better for a highly indebted country with creaking infrastructure than the prospect of earning substantial amounts of cash from newly discovered natural resources? Repaying the national debt, building more schools and improving the roads can all be nothing but unalloyed good, right? Continue reading →

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A New Old Problem. Lebanon Should Start Worrying About its Debt Again.

The Lebanese debt issue is back to the forefront. Social stability will be its first victim.


(Social instability is rearing its ugly head)

In case you haven’t noticed in the last few years, people and politicians have almost stopped talking about Lebanese national debt. What used to be a toxic political issue almost vanished as a talking point. It’s not because of fatigue or desperation, it’s simply because we were actually solving the problem. Continue reading →

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Saad Hariri Should Consider a Meaner Twitter Personna

Yesterday, this exchange between our ex-PM and and a twitter “hater” made the round on facebook, accompanied by the usual tsk.tsk.tsks directed at our ex-PM:

Mr. Hariri’s response was mediocre as a put-down. It betrayed anger and awkwardly tried to squeeze in an “I’m rising above the fray” sentiment towards the end.

Critics focused on the fact that Mr. Hariri responded in the first place. That he almost stooped to a level of bickering in his responses to Assy. Supporters retorted that to the contrary, the tweets show that Mr. Hariri is a real person, unlike other politicians (a.k.a Mr. Mikati) who let sleek PR firms do the tweeting for them.

Here’s my suggestion to Mr. Hariri: Continue reading →

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1000 RSS Subscribers to Beirut Spring. Thank You

I was positively surprised this morning when I peeked at my RSS counter (bottom of right sidebar) and found that 1019 of you are now subscribed to Beirut Spring’s RSS feed. I don’t usually celebrate statistical milestones — and I’ve had many since I started blogging in 2005 — but this one is close to my heart.

The reason I still prefer RSS over subscription devices like Facebook and Twitter is that RSS is still the best way not to miss what someone writes. Twitter and Facebook are great tools, but they’re more about what’s happening right now. A great blog post that was written 10 hours ago can easily get lost in a torrent of cool links and photos.

For those who are still not subscribed, perhaps you’d like to subscribe by email?

One more time, thank you.

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Don’t Demonize Proportional Representation

Attacking a good idea for political expediency..

Hariri may 6

There’s a new talking point in Beirut: An electoral law based on proportional representation is evil because it reinstates Damascus’ influence by increasing the power of its allies in Lebanon.

I understand when people like MP Walid Jumblatt peddle such rubbish. After all, he stands to significantly lose influence if such a law was to be enacted. But MP Hariri’s reiteration of this argument yesterday is very worrying to me. Continue reading →