Lebanon and the Arab Uprisings: In the Eye of the Hurricane(Durham Modern Middle East and Islamic World Series)

The Arab uprisings have put Lebanon under increased strain. While the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt caused limited reverberations, the war in Syria echoed in the fine-tuned political and confessional balance of Lebanon. Over one million refugees, equal to one-quarter of Lebanon’s population, have moved in from Syria. The country’s economy and its already weak public infrastructure have been impacted heavily. Hizbullah’s engagement in Syria has posed questions about Lebanon’s disassociation policy. Terrorist attacks by ISIL and the growing risk of radicalization across the confessional spectrum have left the country at unease. However, Lebanon’s political elites have vowed to shield the country from regional turbulences. Lebanon recently saw a series of demonstrations because of the inability of the government to manage the garbage crisis, but it has been far from witnessing a large-scale citizen uprising similar to the 2005 Cedar Revolution or the revolts next door. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation in Lebanon, and a detailed assessment of the difficulties which the country is currently facing.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Lebanon and the Arab Uprisings: In the Eye of the Hurricane Martin Wählisch and Maximilian Felsch Part I: Stability, Unity and Confessional Balance 2. Lebanon’s Consociational Politics in the Post-2011 Middle East: The Paradox of Resilience Tamirace Fakhoury 3. The Role of Hizbullah in the Syrian Conflict Magnus Ranstorp 4. Jihadism in Lebanon after the Syrian Uprising Aaron Y. Zelin 5. The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Lebanon Maximilian Felsch Part II: Humanitarian, Economic and Social Challenges 6. Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: Coping with Unprecedented Challenges Sam van Vliet 7. The Blind Spot: Palestinian Refugees from Syria in Lebanon Daniel Meier 8. The Economic Cost of the Arab Uprising on the Lebanese Economy Marcus Marktanner, Maureen E. Wilson and Sandra El-Saghir 9. The Fight for Oil and Gas: Regional Rivalry, the Arab Uprisings and Lebanon’s Energy Sector Isabella Ruble Part III: Foreign Policy, Regional Ties and International Relations 10. Lebanese Foreign Policy and the Arab Uprisings Henrietta Wilkins 11. Syrian-Lebanese Relations: The Impossible Dissociation between Lebanon and Syria Carsten Wieland 12. U.S.-Lebanese Relations: Long-term Schizophrenia Jennifer Skulte-Ouaiss 13. EU-Lebanese Relations: Shifting EU Policies in the Aftermath of the Arab Uprisings? Julian Pänke

About the Author :
Maximilian Felsch is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Haigazian University, Beirut, Lebanon. Martin Wählisch serves as Political Affairs Officer for the United Nations in the Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon and is an affiliated scholar of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

Review :
"Waehlisch, Felsch and their contributing authors, have produced a book on Lebanon today that is as dynamic, diverse and absorbing as the country itself. It captures both the subtle and blunt workings of the Lebanese governance system that is unique, sometimes frustrating, but certifiably durable to date. This book clarifies how Lebanon works and how it has weathered recent Middle Eastern upheavals and wars, while also shedding light on important regional dynamics that are central actors in the country. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Lebanon today." Rami G. Khouri, American University of Beirut, Lebanon / Harvard Kennedy School, USA. "In the upheavals that have transformed the Middle East over the past five years, Lebanon has been uncharacteristically absent from the headlines. And yet, the Arab uprisings have had a tremendous impact upon the country. This excellent collection of essays explores the legacy of the Syrian civil war and other regional conflicts upon Lebanon's demographic balance, political contract, infrastructure and social services, foreign policy, and economy. It is an essential text for any scholar, policymaker, or general reader concerned with Lebanon and its future." Elias Muhanna, Brown University, USA. "Waehlisch, Felsch and their contributing authors, have produced a book on Lebanon today that is as dynamic, diverse and absorbing as the country itself. It captures both the subtle and blunt workings of the Lebanese governance system that is unique, sometimes frustrating, but certifiably durable to date. This book clarifies how Lebanon works and how it has weathered recent Middle Eastern upheavals and wars, while also shedding light on important regional dynamics that are central actors in the country. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Lebanon today." Rami G. Khouri, American University of Beirut, Lebanon / Harvard Kennedy School, USA. "In the upheavals that have transformed the Middle East over the past five years, Lebanon has been uncharacteristically absent from the headlines. And yet, the Arab uprisings have had a tremendous impact upon the country. This excellent collection of essays explores the legacy of the Syrian civil war and other regional conflicts upon Lebanon's demographic balance, political contract, infrastructure and social services, foreign policy, and economy. It is an essential text for any scholar, policymaker, or general reader concerned with Lebanon and its future." Elias Muhanna, Brown University, USA. "A treasure trove of new ideas and fresh research with valuable insights not only on Lebanon but also on developments in the region since the Arab Spring. It responds to a necessity that emerges in times of radical change: a re-evaluation of everything we thought we knew." Nadim Shehadi, Director of the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies at The Fletcher School, Tufts University