Publication

This paper discusses the effects domestic polarization, political fragility and an overspill of the Syrian civil war are having on Lebanon. The author first describes the deep political polarization in the country, including 1) how it is demonstrated by the inability of Parliament to elect a new president since the end of Michel Suleiman's term in office in May 2014, and 2) how this is preventing the country from passing important reforms, including a revision of the electoral system. The author then discusses how Hizbollah has been drawn into the civil war in Syria, the threat posed to the group and the country by Salafi jihadist organizations, and how Hizbollah and the Lebanese army have cooperated with one another to deal with this threat.