Wednesday, December 13, 10:00 AM EDT

Why Lebanon Matters and Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Change

With the Israel-Hamas War ongoing on Lebanon’s southern border, the country’s multiple interconnected crises have compounded. How has the security situation evolved? What is Lebanon’s role within the broader Axis of Resistance and the broader geopolitical web? What are the repercussions on regional security stability of their involvement? How have the economic and social challenges facing the country been exacerbated by the war? Has the unstable regional security situation diminished confidence in an IMF deal for the country? What are the potential solutions or strategies to address Lebanon’s economic downturn amid the crisis? What is the role of U.S. soft power and credibility in Lebanon? And how has U.S. policy toward Lebanon evolved since 2019 and during the Israel-Hamas War and impacted Lebanon’s stability? The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to host an expert panel to discuss four critical themes — security, governance, democracy, and stability — in Lebanon and innovative solutions for resolving Lebanon’s associated crises in each of these spheres.

Speakers

Amb. Edward M. Gabriel
President and CEO, American Task Force on Lebanon 

Firas Maksad
Senior Fellow and Director of Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute 

Lamia Moubayed Bissat
President of the Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan

Patricia Karam
Senior Policy Advisor on Iran, Freedom House 

Fadi Nicholas Nassar, moderator
U.S.-Lebanon Fellow, Middle East Institute 

For more information and to register: Why Lebanon Matters and Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Change | Middle East Institute (mei.edu)