Lebanon and the Arab Uprisings

The Arab uprisings have put Lebanon under increased strain. While the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt caused limited reverberations the war in Syria echoed in the fine-tuned political and confessional balance of Lebanon. Over one million refugees equal to one-quarter of Lebanonâs population have moved in from Syria. The countryâs economy and its already weak public infrastructure have been impacted heavily. Hizbullahâs engagement in Syria has posed questions about Lebanonâs disassociation policy. Terrorist attacks by ISIL and the growing risk of radicalization across the confessional spectrum have left the country at unease. However Lebanonâs political elites have vowed to shield the country from regional turbulences. Lebanon recently saw a series of demonstrations because of the inability of the government to manage the garbage crisis but it has been far from witnessing a large-scale citizen uprising similar to the 2005 Cedar Revolution or the revolts next door. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation in Lebanon and a detailed assessment of the difficulties which the country is currently facing. . Language: English