Lebanon was, for most of its history, oriented towards the West, the Mediterranean and later the european nations. Could it be, that in times of a rising China and an expansionary Iran, the country will change it focuse and looks in the East instead? Should Iran be capable to fulfill its dream and gonne establish… Continue reading Towards the East?
Tag: Lebanon
Two States in one
Who ever had the opportunity to travel to the Beqaa Valley, like I had today, will soon have realised just how difficult it is to hold control over a state like Lebanon. The coast of Lebanon has always been a place to trade and exchange between different countries and empires. Tyros, Saida, Byblos or Tripolis… Continue reading Two States in one
Delta is coming closer
The new COVID variation from India, called Delta, is on the rise all over the globe and frightens people and governments. Now, first cases have been reported in Lebanon. States that came along pretty well with the pandemic so far, such as Taiwan and Vietnam, or were able to vaccinate many of their people, such… Continue reading Delta is coming closer
A surprising Turnaround
Nearly eleven month after the deadly explosion in the port of Beirut, while no one really wasn´t expecting this, there seems to be some kind of progress taking place in the investigation of this catastrophe. In February, leading judge of the investigations, Fadi Sawwan, resigned. He accused several members of parliament to be involved and… Continue reading A surprising Turnaround
The divine Blessing
Where secular powers are about to fail, one may look for higher forces, as happened in the Vatican on Thursday. But what does it mean for Lebanon?
01.07.21
The last couple of days were pretty taff, even for lebanese proportions. And so far, it doesn´t look like there will be any less chaos in the future. Probably, it will intensify. The currency hit a new all-time low during the weekend, on saturday the rate on the black-market was 18.000 LL to one US-Dollar,… Continue reading 01.07.21
After all, Religion?
The Cedar-Republic has always been a place, where different religions and even more confessions use to meet each other. And there have been conflicts and wars on the way. The crises of today seems to have a different reason, and confessionalism, defining politics in accordance to religious borders, is now even hatred by many Lebanese.… Continue reading After all, Religion?
Tripolis
Lines of traffic are unavoidable nowadays. If you drive the coastway from Beirut up north, there´re fortunately not that many fuel-stations, so that the traffic is not too bad. Only a bit. And so I was able to avoid hours of sitting in a minibus and could explore Tripolis once again, the first city of… Continue reading Tripolis
Sidon
The old fortress stands lonely in the sea. She isn´t very impressive, neither by it´s size nor by it´s interieur, she hasn´t seen a renovation for some time. She is to be visitied over a small bridge, and it doesn´t take long to see everything she has to offer. Despide that, she is able to… Continue reading Sidon
Back in Beirut
I´m back on track in Beirut, the unique capital of a unique country.
Simon Dierich 