Jeffrey G. Karam

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Lebanese anti-government protesters celebrate the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Oct. 29 on the 13th day of anti-government protests in Beirut. (Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images)

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On Tuesday, 13 days into the civilian-led uprising-turned-revolution, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned. This resignation, only nine months after the government was formed, resulted primarily from the pressure in the streets throughout the country.

The Lebanese government has once again failed to deliver on much-needed economic and sociopolitical reforms. What comes next? Almost any possibility is determined by the character and momentum of the protests, especially the continued pressure on the government. Here are three possible directions for the government’s next steps.

1 — Politicians could try to maintain the status quo.

My research shows that cross-sectarian bargains between Lebanon’s political elite are resilient and tend to form after moments of crises.…  Seguir leyendo »

A poster of the Koullouna Watani list, left top, and other posters for parliamentary elections that include a portrait of assassinated Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, right, are displayed in Beirut, on Tuesday. (Hassan Ammar/AP)

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On Sunday, tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens will head to the polls to elect a new 128-member parliament. Against a background of rampant corruption, an economy on the verge of collapsing and rising regional tension, here are four key things to know about the upcoming elections in Lebanon.

1. The first elections since 2009 will test changing alliances

The last time Lebanese citizens elected a new parliament was in 2009. Citing concerns over the spillover effects from neighboring Syria’s ongoing civil war, members of parliament postponed the scheduled elections in 2013, 2014 and 2017. While the political elite used the events in Syria to publicly justify postponing elections, the true motive was the changing balance of power among the many local parties.…  Seguir leyendo »

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned Saturday, saying he sensed a plot on his life.

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Last Saturday, in a televised broadcast from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon’s prime minister unexpectedly resigned. Saad Hariri blamed Iran and Hezbollah for his decision and alluded to information about an assassination plot against him. His resignation ended a political compromise leading to the election of Michel Aoun as president after more than two years of deadlock — and maintained Hezbollah’s place in government.

Hariri’s recent move is a political setback for a weak state that fails to provide basic services to its citizens. It clearly signals the need for a recalibration of power between different groups.

Although Hariri’s self-orchestrated departure caught the world by surprise, there is nothing shocking about the move.…  Seguir leyendo »