Analysis by Farah Termos, Staff Writer

Back in January, Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Nissan, left diplomatic heads in awe when he fled the tightly knit, populated city of Tokyo to escape from prosecution. His conviction, that of which entailed embezzlement of funds and reporting false predicaments of company earnings, took place in Japan, otherwise known for its exceedingly high conviction rate. Yet, his dramatic escape from Tokyo to Beirut changed the game of global political prosecution, amassed international worry over righteous surveillance at a time where everyone’s steps are calculated and watched, and urged even Interpol to intervene.

Opinion Analysis by Albert Geukgeuzian, Staff Writer

Sars-Cov-2, or better known as COVID-19, has impacted every individual, every country, every region around the world, we are seeing its effects in the number of deaths, we are seeing it in occupied ICU beds. We are seeing people lose their loved ones while not even being able to be by their bedside. While all of this is happening, we are seeing an increase in confirmed cases, more people are forgoing medical guidelines. Why? Why now when cases are surging?

Policy Analysis by Jana Al Hassanieh, Staff Writer

After a disgraceful history of failed dams, many Lebanese citizens have lost trust in the ruling political system that has advocated those dams’ construction. Unfortunately, in Lebanon, the political interests, not the scientific evidence, control policy development and project implementation. In the past week, key political figures and ruling oligarchy have been greatly supporting Bisri dam’s construction; attempting to persuade the Greater Beirut citizens that they are victimized and targeted for water deprivation. Yet it is very clear that the Bisri Dam project is supported by political arrangements to reap profits from deals and brokers, and to fulfill the politicians’ agenda.

Opinion Analysis by Elie El Hajj, Contributor

Are you as good as you think you are? Really? How good are you with money? What about reading people’s emotions? Is your grammar above average? You’re probably wondering why I am asking all these questions. Knowing how competent we are and how our skills stack up against other people is more than a self-esteem boost - it helps us figure out when we can forge ahead on our own decisions and instincts and when we need instead to seek advice. A concept that is sadly not present in our Lebanese culture since we already know everything possible present in the universe…

Opinion piece by Gaelle Nohra, Staff Writer

Over the four months span at home, you have probably came across those advertisements recommending to you the twenty and plus ways in which your quarantine could be efficiently invested from improving your LinkedIn profile to attempting fancy Asian recipes. Notwithstanding the intellectual and moral assets forged, quarantine self-growth should be a significant component yet not a vital requisite or directive for the professional career to sustain or for the future self to excel.

Opinion analysis by Roa Daher, Staff Writer

"The Palestinian cause is not a cause for Palestinians only, but a cause for every revolutionary, wherever he is, as a cause of the exploited and oppressed masses in our era." - Ghassan Kanafani

Opinion Analysis by Michael Maalouf, Staff Writer and Karim Bassil, Staff Writer

Lebanon went from being “Switzerland of the Middle East” to becoming “Venezuela of the Middle East”. As the days go by the desperation for help increases and Lebanon is seen as having two choices to get out of this crisis; going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support or heading East and opening the door for Chinese investors.

Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer

This article is the final part of a more general series discussing Lebanon’s Economic Recovery Plan. Each piece tackles a different aspect of the reality of current events, explains the economic or financial principles behind it and provides the real solutions that Lebanese citizens deserve to see implemented. In this final edition, we will look into capital controls, whether they help or hurt, as well as when we could see them lifted.

Analysis by Jana Rasamny, Contributor

Why do people sexually harass? Is it a matter of choice? Sexual Harassment may not seem to be our greatest threat at the moment, nevertheless it remains prevalent and continues to negatively impacting the victims of said behavior, in deeper ways than physical. Even if, sexual harassment is far from being abolished any time soon and although responses to prevent it are few, it is critical understand what causes people to sexually harass, and hopefully helping in preventing such behaviors.

Opinion Analysis by Albert Geokgeuzian, Staff Writer

Lebanon is, constitutionally, a democratic nation, it has been ever since its independence. However, it is more of a Hybrid Regime rather than a democracy, as classified by The Economist. There are many factors that have made Lebanon a hybrid regime; factors such as ‘wasta’, corruption, government functioning, and freedom of press among others.The importance of a completely free press can’t be overstated; in fact the press is often seen as a 4th branch of government. However, Lebanon is considered to afford the most freedom to its press in the region, how true is that statement? And should we want more?

Opinion Analysis by Farah Termos, Staff Writer

Lebanon, a country amid its worst economic crisis yet, has seen a plethora of decisions regarding its economic downfall. With a projected governmental budget overdraw, a national GDP downfall, a collapse of the exchange rate along with the worst national net migration rate across the globe in 2020 – Lebanon faces the worst it’s faced in years, and possibly in the entirety of it’s lifetime. the relationship between Lebanon and the IMF is as strained as ever; and Lebanon finds itself in a puddle of uncertainty, sinking into debt and away from the IMF’s tenure of help.

Policy Analysis by Taleen El Gharib, Staff Writer

Our community’s healers have no one to mend their wounds. They continue to prove their strong will, resilience and passion to ensure quality healthcare for their community, despite the many violations they routinely experience in their profession as essential workers. But if no immediate action is taken to save the pharmaceutical sector from collapse, what will be the future of this profession? What are the long-term effects on Lebanon’s quality of healthcare?

Legal Analysis by Mounia El Khawand, Staff Writer

The Lebanese-israeli conflict has reached a precarious cessation of hostilities, with large-scale battles and guerrilla combat transforming into minor skirmishes and diplomatic warfare. Yet, several points of contention remain, particularly the Lebanese-israeli maritime border conflict - a salient issue under the umbrella of the international law of the sea.

News Analysis by Sarah El-Abd, Editor-in-Chief

As of mid-day on July 7th various social media platforms began sharing the news of a lawsuit by current Lebanese Prime Minister, Hasan Diab, against the American University of Beirut. As common to social media, the news were hardly questioned and the yet-to-be-confirmed lawsuit soon became both a joke, but also a factor of fear to many. Although the news of a lawsuit surfaced recently, the Diab request stems long before he had formed his government - back in early January. As Diab was preparing for his cabinet and place at the Grand Serail, he met with the Board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut…..

Opinion Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh

Eight months. That’s how much it took for an average citizen to go from fighting, to planning their next flight away from a country they considered home. The generation that smelled the tear gas, took the beating, chanted the songs, and held the flag was the same one that is now looking and hoping for an opportunity to leave and never look back.

Opinion Analysis by Dina Richani, Staff Writer

The so-called "social contract" has long been broken in Lebanon. As the fracture between the citizens and the state widens by the minute, Lebanese people see eye to eye on the deep-rooted corruption that has torn down the country and its economy and made the people hungry. Together with the poverty rate increasing drastically in light of the current economic crises, who can play a role in filling the governance gap and delivering services to the community?

Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer

This article is part of a more general series discussing Lebanon’s Economic Recovery Plan. Each piece tackles a different aspect of the reality of current events, explains the economic or financial principles behind it and provides the real solutions that Lebanese citizens deserve to see implemented. This article tackles the problems with Lebanon’s current monetary policy and what it should look like going forward.

Opinion analysis by Michael Sadek, Staff Writer

The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) has always been an epitome of hope in our country, treating thousands of young patients at no cost for their families. But, akin to other institutions entirely dependent on donations, CCCL’s operations can drastically vary with a fluctuating economy. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating financial situation in Lebanon, CCCL is suffering from a noteworthy deficit, which may put the lives of many at stake.

Opinion piece by Taleen El Gharib, Staff Writer

The Coronavirus pandemic has weighed a heavy toll on the LGBTQI+ community, and their struggles have not been voiced to the public. Considering the profuse obstacles they experience in their daily lives, many critical factors deem LGBT+ people more vulnerable to Coronavirus: their reluctance to seek medical treatment, as well as the disproportionate effect the pandemic has on their mental health.

News Analysis by Anonymous, Staff Writer

Bahaa Al Hariri, one of the 6 children of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Al-Hariri, made recent headlines in Lebanese media. A billionaire businessman – some might describe him – but there is more to him than meets the eye. His recent political endeavours and involvement in Lebanese politics has not only gathered attention yet also brought question of his political intentions. To prevent radicalizations and conspiracies attributed to the Staff Writer's religion, and to protect the safety of family members who reside outside Lebanon this publication protects the Staff Writer’s identity.