Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Ali Salman
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How Lebanon became a managed stalemate
The pattern is now visible. On 1 June, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire. Within days, both sides violated it. On 5 June, Israeli airstrikes killed three Lebanese army officers and six others on a road south of Nabatiyeh. On 6 June, Israeli helicopters struck Beirut’s southern suburbs in…
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The ceasefire framework is exposing Lebanon’s institutional collapse
On 16th April, the United States announced a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Extensions followed. Frameworks were negotiated. International mediators declared progress. But the ceasefire was never real. It was announced on the day it ceased to be true. For six weeks, the south has been struck continuously.…
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Berri’s calculated defection and the future of Shia politics in Lebanon
On 2nd March, when the Lebanese government declared a total ban on Hezbollah’s military and security activities, most of the commentary focused on Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Almost no one focused on the man who made it possible. Nabih Berri, speaker of parliament and leader of Amal, the other pillar…