Lebanon and the Arab Uprisings ─ In the Eye of the Hurricane

Although there has not been the equivalent in Lebanon of the uprisings seen in other Arab countries, the fragile state is under increased strain by the events in the region. Over one million refugees, equal to one quarter of Lebanon’s population, have moved in from Syria, Sunni jihadists and Shi’a Hezbollah have engaged in some fighting, and both the economy and the political power sharing system are threatened. At the same time there has been a rise in Christian nationalism, and friction with Israel concerning maritime boundaries and newly discovered oil and gas in the Mediterranean. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation in Lebanon, and a detailed assessment of the difficulties which Lebanon is currently facing.

Martin Wahlisch is an affiliated scholar of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Maximilian Felsch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Haigazian University, Beirut, Lebanon