Reports & Articles

The Lebanese Parliamentary Elections:
A Surprise, But No Real Change
By Doreen Khoury

Lebanon’s recent parliamentary elections, which resulted in a surprise victory for the pro-Western March 14 coalition after months of prediction that the Opposition would win, contradicted many of the myths and narratives that had surrounded the election since the signing of the Doha Accord in May 2008. The election highlighted once again the need for extensive reform to the electoral system and the Lebanese political system as whole. Read...

Gender Mainstreaming – Possibilities and Limits of a Radical Social Concept
By Barbara Unmüßig

Gender mainstreaming is, at its core, a radical socio-political concept for achieving gender equality and equal opportunity.
Why is it radical? Gender mainstreaming is a strategic approach that initially obligates governments, as well as businesses and other institutions, to systematically introduce a gender-oriented perspective for every political and economic decision. Read...

Watching in Silence
By Sami Mubayed

The Iranian elections have raised a stir in the Arab media and vibrated strongly in Arab capitals. Media outlets close to the positions of Syria, Hizbullah, and Qatar show a clear bias towards the Iranian official line, while outlets close to the camp that fears Iran, especially in the Arab Gulf, anticipate a breakdown of the Iranian government, similarly to the revolution of 1979. Sami Moubayed however doubts that that the current events will lead to radical changes and suggests that while Iran’s Arab allies will stay put, waiting for it to settle its internal affairs, its adversaries will eventually face disappointment.  Read...

Beyond Guantánamo.
Restoring U.S. Credibility on Human Rights
By Thomas C. Hilde

How to restore the credibility of a country whose foundations and self-understanding are based on the universality of freedom and human rights, but that has violated precisely those rights by practicing torture in Guantánamo and other prisons around the world? The image of the United States as a role model of liberal democracy has suffered tremendously over the last eight years.

Guarded Optimism in the Arab World
Towards Obama’s Call for a "New Beginning" between the United States and Muslims” in Cairo
By Layla Al-Zubaidi & Doreen Khoury

President Barak Obama’s call for a “new beginning between the United States and Muslims” in Cairo resonated deeply throughout much of the Middle East. The speech was the main event of his regional tour and signified a major break with the rhetoric of the previous administration. Much of the Arab media were full of praise for the speech. Critical remarks however, were also voiced, especially the question how this new rhetoric will translate into concrete changes on the ground. Read...

Bareed Mista3jil

"Bareed Mista3jil" is a book published by Meem in Beirut, Lebanon. The book, available in both English and Arabic versions, is a collection of 41 true (and personal) stories from lesbians, bisexuals, queer and questioning women, and transgender persons from all over Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections:
Will Hezbollah Lead the Next Lebanese Government?
By Doreen Khoury

On June 7th 2009 Lebanon will hold parliamentary elections, the outcome of which will determine the course of the small Middle Eastern’s country following four years of internal political polarization and occasional violence. Read...

 Walking the Line
By M. Kraft, M. Al-Masri, H. Wimmen, N. Zupan

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, the German Development Service , the Forum Civil Peace Service  and the Working Group on Development and Peace jointly commissioned a study as to understand more the  the conflict and peacebuilding context and for reflection on options for peacebuilding by German development and peace organisations. Read...

"Climate Change: A Global Challenge"
By Barbara Unmüßig

Experts, scientists and politicians from the region and abroad gathered in Amman on 21-22 October 2008 to discuss the impact of climate change for the Middle East. The Heinrich Boell Stiftung - AMEO organized this first regional conference on climate change in the Middle East under the title “Climate Change Policies in the Middle East – Challenges for Decision makers and Activists”. During this conference Barbara Unmüßig delivered the keynote speech on "Climate Change: A Global Challenge". Read...

Streets of Beirut: Self and the Encounter with ‘the Other’
By Steven Seidman

Steven Seidman by comparing the street topography and the contours of the self he attempts to demonstrate how streets become social enclaves or security combat zones rather than serving as gathering spaces or public spheres. This shapes the construction of the self and how the self engages with the other, where urban topography intersects with Beirut's unique history of shaping the contours of the self. Read...

The 2009 Iraqi Provincial Elections
By Doreen Khoury

On January 31st 2009, Iraqis held their second provincial elections since the fall of the Baathist regime in 2009. The results signaled widespread support for secular and nationalist forces and serious electoral losses for the religious federalist parties, who had been accused of mass corruption and mismanagement. Significantly, Sunni Arabs for the first time actively participated in the elections, thus reversing the disproportionate results of their boycott in 2005. Read...

What Can Europe Do in Iraq? Recommendations for a New U.S.-European Collaboration

This publication describes a new start of cooperation between Europe, the United States, and regional partners in the Middle East to tackle the challenges in Iraq and to help bring peace, stability, and sustainable development to the wider region.
With contributions by Layla Al Zubaidi, Bülent Aras, Megan Chabalowski, Richard Gowan, Faleh Jabar, Daniel Korski, Sami Moubayed, Daniel Serwer, and Heiko Wimmen. Read...

MNSG – Navigating the Space between Exile and Home

A publication by offline:events in collaboration with independent Iraqi artists, filmmakers, and authors documenting the lives of Iraqis navigating the space between home and exile and lending Iraqi refugees and those living in exile a voice to express their realities and reflections inter alia on notions such as Homeland and Exile, East and West, and Identity. Read...

Lebanese Perceptions of German Middle East Policies and the German Participation in UNIFIL
By Dennis Kumetat

In this study, which is based on a quantitative survey conducted with the support of hbs, Kumetat examines the Lebanese perception of Germany's role in the middle east, the deployment with UNIFIL and prospects for a greater German role in Lebanon. Read...

Interview with Climate Change Activist

A vivid Arabic NGO position presented by Wael Hmaidan on the negotiations of COP 14 in Poznan and on sustainable energy in the Arab countries. Taped on December 03, 2008 at the COP 14 in Poznan, Poland. To watch (youtube).

Syria Says No to Bombs
By Sami Moubayed

Far from achieving the intended blow against Al-Qaeda and Sunni insurgents in Iraq, the recent American incursion into Syrian territory on the border with Iraq undermines voices of moderation in Syria, and facilitates the recruitment efforts of extremist Islamist groups, in a country that has every reason to be wary of the terrorist threat, says Syrian analyst Sami Moubayed. Read...

A New Islamophobia ?
By Ilan Halevi

Islamophobia, according to Ilan Halevi, is a growing phenomenon in Western countries. Drawing on prejudices against Islam that have deep in roots in Christian European history and thought, the phenomenon has reached unprecedented heights in the post 9/11 political discourse. Islamophobia today serves similar purposes as Anti-Semitism did in the past, and offers a convenient scapegoat and a battle cry to distract and rally those who see their livelihoods and their way of life threatened by the forces of globalization and global capital. Read...

Green Wars?
Conference Report

Environmental problems can cause conflicts between and within states, but also require cooperation between parties that are otherwise at odds.. The conference “Green Wars? Environment between Conflict and Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa” was held on November 2-3, 2007 and tackled the darker side of the environment-conflict-nexus, but also the opportunities for find common ground over environmental issues. Read report...
For more information on the conference, click here.

Lebanon Pulls back from the Abyss
By Heiko Wimmen

The political crisis that has dragged on for nearly 18 months escalated dramatically during the second week of May. With the help of the Arab League, a process of dialogue was inaugurated and, on May 20, a temporary compromise was struck. The immediate crisis seems now resolved; however the situation remains volatile and renewed conflict possible, in particular as long as regional tension remains high. Read...

Mixed Messages and Open Friction
The Arab League Summit in Damascus, March 2008
By Sami Moubayed

Lebanon’s political crisis loomed large over the latest Arab summit in Damascus, with the Lebanese government and key Arab states accusing host Syria of fueling the festering conflict. Syrian analyst Sami Moubayed evaluates the score of the latest round in a protracted struggle.

No Place Home

- Iraqi Refugees between Precarious Safety and Precipitous Return

By Layla Al-Zubaidi and Heiko Wimmen

Violence and turmoil have caused a massive stream of refugees from Iraq to seek safety in neighboring countries. This report attempts to give an overview of the origin and magnitude of the crisis, probes the likelihood of substantial numbers of refugees returning in the near future, and assesses the responsibility of international actors towards the refugees.  Read...

UNFIL – Peacemakers in the Line of Fire
By Timur Gِöksel

Since October 2006, a beefed up UN force has been deployed in Southern Lebanon to prevent new hostilities between Hizbollah and Israel. But can the ‘new’ UNIFIL really make a difference once the fragile truth in South Lebanon gets under the pressure of renewed regional tensions? Timur Gِksel, spokesperson for UNIFIL for more than 20 years, attempts an assessment.  Read...

More Reports

Activities & Events

Opening of exhibition and event series “America” in Beirut Art Center
Beirut, October 20, 2009

Beirut Art Center’s exhibition and event series America reflects on what the United States of America mean in our collective unconscious. The exhibition features sixteen works by artists of different nationalities and backgrounds, living inside and outside of the US. Whether they focus on people, urban environment or natural landscape, whether they dwell on pivotal historical moments or mundane ones, all these works reflect on aspects of American cultural, social and political life that have become of universal relevance. Read...

Open Panel Discussion

With the President of the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council

Beirut, July 8, 2009

In Collaboration with the Iraqi Amal Association

A public open panel discussion with his Excellency Dr. Medhat Mahmoud president of the Iraqi Higher Judicial Council on judiciary independence and the experience of the judiciary in Iraq.

Bareed Mista3jil
Beirut, 30/05/2009

The Feminist Collective and IndyACT are launching “Bareed Mista3jil: True Stories,” the first book by and about queer women and transgender in Lebanon. The launch of the book is at Masrah Al Madina, Beirut

Video Works 2009
Beirut, 27-28/05/2009

VIDEO WORKS presents the video productions of young Lebanese filmmakers on contemporary social and political issues. Through VIDEO WORKS, Ashkal Alwan strives to build a sustainable support structure for video production in Lebanon that provides young and emerging artists with an opportunity for cultural expression.

Anywhere but Now
Beirut, 2-3-4 /04/2009

This international symposium and the accompanying film screenings explore the landscapes and passions of belonging, the struggle over sovereignty and the fragile sense of concepts such as "home" and "now" in the lands of the Eastern Mediterranean. Film Screenings in Cooperation with Arte East.

New Visions- New Writers
Literary Symposium
Beirut, 19/03/2009

Babel theatre is organizing a literary symposium with Syrian novelists aimed at encouraging dialogue between Syrian and Lebanese people and at bringing to Beirut an alternative Syrian cultural voice.  The novelists will discuss their experiences as well as trends in the contemporary Syrian novel.  On a broader level, the symposium is also intended as the beginning of a literary dialogue forum between Damascus and Beirut. 

Dox-Box
Damascus, 4-11/03/2009
Tartous & Homs, 12-15/03/2009

Documentary film festival organized by Pro Action Film, an initiative of independent filmmakers working to establish and improve documentary film making in Syria.

Launching of the Arabic Version of the Booklet
Slow Trade – Sound Farming
A Multilateral Framework for Sustainable Markets in Agriculture
Beirut, 5-6/12/2008 

Within the Workshop "Food Sovereignty vs. Free Trade, Towards an Alternative Multilateral Agricultural Governance Framework" organized by the Green Line Association, the launching of the Arabic version of the "Slow Trade - Sound Farming: A Multilateral Framework for Sustainable Markets in Agriculture", will take place. This publication was developed by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and MISEREOR. Read...

Which development, which citizenship and which state for Lebanon?
Beirut, 25-26/11/2008

The workshop will gather a group of Lebanese sociologists and political scientists, who will present research papers analyzing the interrelated problems of state building, citizenship and development and the manifest failures that have occurred on these accounts in Lebanon. The workshop will then move on to propose a new citizen-based approach aimed at mobilizing the potentials and resources inherent in Lebanese civil society for building a new democratic, non-confessional Lebanon.

Emerging Powers and the Middle East
Beirut, 24-25/10/2008
In Collaboration with The Carnegie Middle East Center

This conference will look at the Middle East as a focal point of overlapping and competing interests of established and emerging powers, bringing together Chinese, Indian, Russian, Western and Middle Eastern specialists on international relations, who will be encouraged to merge their perspectives into a comprehensive vision.

"When Judges Stand together …"
Workshop on Collective Movements of Judges in the Arab World
Beirut, 10-11/10/2008

Meeting of judges and legal experts from various Arab to discuss a study on collective movements of judges in the Arab world and their interaction with social mobilization that has been compiled by research team of Arab experts.

What is to be Done?
Lebanon's War-Loaded Memory
Series of Workshops and Films
Beirut, 2008 - 2009

Lebanon's war memory: series of workshops and public cultural events on questions of memory, truth seeking, reconciliation, justice and accountability initiated by UMAM Documentation and Research.

Reloading Images
Damascus, March-October, 2008

An interdisciplinary, artistic research, exchange and reflection platform for young artists and cultural scholars from Syria and abroad organized by NewYorkRioTokyo e.V. in association with Al Makan Art Association (Damascus) and PAIN/Plankton vzw (Brussels).

Voices of Lesbian Women in Lebanon
Beirut, September, 2008

A book of lesbian identities, stories and experiences and a research paper on social stigmatization and multiple marginalization of lesbian women in Lebanon compiled by Meem.

Power, Governmentality, Resistance and State of Exception in the Arab World
Beirut, 29-30/08/2008

Conference aimed at an improved understanding of the workings and interrelation of state power and resistance in the Arab World.

First Arab Bloggers Meeting
Beirut, 22-24/08/2008

30 bloggers from 9 different Arab countries came together for three days for an extensive experience exchange, a project in cooperation with the hbs Arab Middle East Office in Ramallah.

Citizen/Online Journalism
Beirut, 21-25/07/2008

A five-day training, implemented by the Journalism Training Program at the American University of Beirut, with the purpose to provide young Arab journalists and civil society activists who rely on new media with the necessary skills, but also with journalistic and ethical standards.

Gender and Human Rights Training for Iraqi Judges
Beirut, 11-16/07/2008

Five-day workshop on gender issues and human rights for Iraqi family court judges and academics in cooperation with Kafa -Enough Violence and Exploitation and the Iraqi Al-Amal Association.

Double Jeopardy - Navigating the Space between Exile and Home
Malta, 08/07/2008

Panel discussion with Iraqis in exile on their experiences and screenings of related Iraqi short films in the course of the Kinemastik Film Festival and in partnership with offline:events.
To download the event publication, click here.

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