No End in Sight? Lebanon in Renewed Turmoil | NAASR Armenian Studies

No End in Sight? Lebanon in Renewed Turmoil

Panel discussion featuring:
Ohaness Geukjian, American University of Beirut: Lebanese Politics from Sectarian Power Sharing to Nepotism;
Tsolin Nalbantian, Leiden University: Armenians in the Lebanese Socio-Political Fabric;
Antranig Dakessian, Haigazian University: Armenians in Lebanon: A View from Inside;
Sara Anjargolian, Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Armenia: Armenia’s Helping Hand to Lebanon and to Lebanese-Armenians;
Moderated by Asbed Kotchikian, Bentley University

On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion destroyed Beirut’s port and many neighborhoods in that city. The death toll from the explosion has been marked at upwards of 180 and more than 6,000 casualties have been reported. This explosion hit the already shaky Lebanese socio-political and economic infrastructure which has been weakened by decades of political infighting and collapsing economy, compounded by Covid-19 triggered public health issues.

This panel conversation tries to contextualize the recent developments in Lebanon by looking at the country’s socio-political structure, the role of the Armenian community within that fabric as well as the possible futures of the country and the community.