PUBLICATIONS
Lebanon - Syria Borders Report
August 2011
The "Lebanon-Syria Borders" Report was jointly commissioned by LRF...|+|
COMING UP
An Overview of the Levant: What’s Next in Syria – Washington, DC – May 22, 2012
The U.S.|+|
POLICY
The Foundation operates as a think tank that produces and communicates objective, high quality insights and recommendations on political, social, educational and economic matters related to Lebanon for policy makers, media and the public at large. We also organize non-partisan educational conferences.
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Women's Political Participation in Lebanon The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted a roundtable discussion on “Women’s Political Participation in Lebanon”. Women in Lebanon have led women’s emancipation in the region but have lagged behind in many ways. They are currently virtually absent from policy-making circles, and they continue to fight for basic human rights. This panel invited leading women’s rights activists and social actors to shed light on some of the challenges women in Lebanon face and suggested recommendations to advance their role in society. These experts addressed the legal, religious, political and social status of women in Lebanon and discussed how it compares to other countries in the region.
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Lebanon in the Shadow of the Syrian Uprising The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted an off-the-record discussion on "Lebanon in the Shadow of the Syrian Uprising”. The panel focused on the impact of the Syrian uprising on Lebanon, including the formation of the new cabinet, the STL indictment, and the relationship between Hezbollah and Syria. The panel also addressed the implications of these developments on Lebanon's relationship with the United States.
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Understanding Lebanese Temperament The Lebanon Renaissance Foundation has partnered with IDRAAC (Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy & Applied Care) a Lebanese NGO, over a research project titled “Understanding Lebanese Temperament”. Findings would help the Foundation better understand the elements affecting the Lebanese temperament, thus enabling the Foundation to properly tackle root policy issues and methods for addressing educational programs promoting attitude change. |
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The Special Tribunal & Hezbollah's Growing Influence in Lebanon: Challenges Ahead The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted "The Special Tribunal & Hezbollah’s Growing Influence in Lebanon: Challenges Ahead" discussed the issues surrounding the expected announcement of Special Tribunal indictments, including their implications for Lebanon. The panel also addressed the US-Lebanese relationship in the context of a new Lebanese government more aligned with Hezbollah and proposed legislation to reconsider US assistance to Lebanon.
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Hezbollah, the Shia Community and the Lebanese State The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted "Hezbollah, the Shia Community and the Lebanese State" to unveil Ziad Majed's new policy paper regarding Hezbollah and the Shia community of Lebanon. During this conversation, experts debated Mr. Majed's recommendations and discussed events on the ground in Lebanon, including the implications of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as it relates to the Shia community.
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Evaluating the U.S. Role in the Levant The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted a roundtable discussion on the role of the U.S. in the Levant.
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The Future of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted “The Future of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon” to unveil Dr. Nadim Shehadi’s upcoming policy paper on Palestinian refugee presence in Lebanon and discuss his recommendations for addressing this issue. Mr. Shehadi analyzed the Palestinian presence in Lebanon, the community’s impact on Lebanon’s sectarian balance, the rising tide of militant Islam in the refugee camps, and the exploitation of armed Palestinian factions by foreign actors.
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Dueling Agendas for Lebanon The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted “Dueling Agendas for Lebanon.” The past month has seen two new agendas announced for Lebanon. One is the Ministerial Statement of the new Lebanese government, laying out a detailed and ambitious plan for reform and development. The other is Hezbollah’s new political manifesto, which sounds the battle cry of resistance and rejects the logic of elected majorities or minorities. These dueling agendas highlight the dilemma for Lebanese leaders today, in terms of building a strong, unified state that is responsive to and inclusive of all its citizens.
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Lebanon's Election In Context The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program convened a discussion on the upcoming Lebanese elections and their potential implications for Lebanon, U.S.-Lebanon relations, and the wider region. Panelists were challenged to consider whether Lebanon’s position, embracing ambiguities between East and West, might mark a change following these elections and whether their results will continue or hamper the country’s on-going power sharing arrangements. Macro views were also discussed given Lebanon’s position as the “regional laboratory”, with possible consequences on present rivalries among regional stakeholders.
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The Lebanese Link: Building a Comprehensive Regional Peace The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted “The Lebanese Link” that focused on the obstacles and opportunities that Lebanon represents with regard to the various tracks in the peace process, and the issues that must be addressed in order to build towards an eventual Lebanon peace track. Lebanon can no longer be forgotten because it’s an essential element in building a lasting peace in the Levant. The Israeli-Syrian conflict, the growing influence and threat of Iran, and the regional Sunni-Shia rivalry all intersect in this small country on Israel’s northern border.
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Lebanon: The Swing State of a New Levant The U.S.-Lebanon Dialogue Program hosted “Swing State of a New Levant “ that engaged senior political figures and policy experts from the U.S., Lebanon, and the region on a new era of U.S.- Lebanon relations, Lebanon’s pivotal role in the region, and the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections. The conference covered challenges expected with the arrival of President Obama, as the U.S. is set to re-engage throughout the Middle East, and where Lebanon represents a good opportunity to demonstrate that democracy and free markets can deliver despite the failure in Iraq and the global financial crisis. Challenges and opportunities were identified through the consolidation of the gains achieved by the “Cedar Revolution”, the repositioning of the US within an opportunity to re-invent the badly damaged American profile in the Middle East and the strengthening of Lebanon’s state institutions.
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