Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.

Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.

Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.

Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.

Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.

Lebanon faces an economic and political crisis of an existential nature. The cumulative effects of decades of sectarian-based corruption, a currency described by economists as akin to a Ponzi scheme, constant insecurity on the southern border with Israel, and the complete collapse of neighbouring Syria into the ravages of civil war had already resulted in widespread protests demanding widespread reforms. This protest movement raised tensions with Hizbullah over the group’s support for what it admits is a corrupt establishment because any major reforms to Lebanon’s political system will inevitably need to address Hizbullah’s independent security apparatus and huge arsenal of weapons.