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Lebanon Ideas Forum
The Lebanon Ideas Forum houses dialogue and analysis on the latest developments concerning Lebanon, its relations with the United States and implications on the wider Middle East region.
The Middle East Program's Lebanon Ideas Forum (LIF) fosters the exchange of ideas and discussions on the political, economic, and social developments pertaining to Lebanon, and its impact on the wider Middle East region and international community. The LIF aims to provide transatlantic and regional policymakers with unique perspectives and analysis on the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing Lebanon, as the country struggles to recover from one of the most severe economic recessions in history and an avalanche of political crises. The initiative is keen to identify policies that will help unlock Lebanon’s potential to develop the drivers of any successful society: inclusive politics, economic development, and a vibrant civil society.
Publications
Building Lebanon’s Sovereignty and the State
This white paper focuses on viable policy recommendations for Lebanon, the United States and regional and international actors to address the political deadlock and economic downturn, drawing on ideas collected through a series of roundtable discussions with Lebanese politicians, officials, and civil society members, as well as foreign diplomats, academics, policy experts, and leaders from the Lebanese American community.
Building a Better Lebanon
In this report, the co-authors explore the best way out of the intersecting economic, fiscal, and political crises facing Lebanon. Against a general backdrop of weak institutional capacity and growing instability, the authors argue that any reform program for Lebanon should be simple, transparent, and most importantly managed by a credible government of reform. In the heat of the present crisis, Lebanon must maneuver toward a productive economy away from the dominant financial sector through initiatives supporting business capacity, entrepreneurs, and skills development.
