Two new issue briefs from the Rafik Hariri Center at the Atlantic Council evaluate the complex and pernicious effects of Syria’s civil war on Lebanon.

In this issue brief, Hariri Center Fellow Faysal Itani and Research Assistant Sarah Grebowski assess the political, security, and humanitarian implications of the Syria crisis in Lebanon. Events in Syria have sharpened existing fault lines in Lebanon due to Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria, an increasingly volatile security situation, and a growing refugee problem.

Related Resources

The Council also released the issue brief Syria’s War Threatens Lebanon’s Fragile Economy. Author Faysal Itani details the economic challenges that Lebanon faces, particularly in light of the Syria crisis, and offers recommendations on how to avoid a protracted economic crisis, barring a total collapse of security or political will.

The Syrian conflict is accelerating Lebanon’s political and institutional decline and poses a serious long-term threat to its economy. To describe the increase in violence and instability in Lebanon since the war began as simply a spillover distorts the reality of the situation. More accurately, the Syrian conflict has exposed and deepened preexisting rifts among Lebanese and exacerbated Lebanon’s economic challenges.

The issue briefs were launched at the July 9 event, “Beyond Spillover: Syria’s War and Lebanon’s Decay.”

Video Interviews

We interviewed Issue Brief authors Faysal Itani and Sarah Grebowski for their views on the importance of Lebanon and the nature of the threats it faces. Six short clips in the player cover these important questions:

  1. Is Lebanon experiencing spillover effects from Syria’s conflict?
  2. What effect is Syria’s conflict having on Lebanon’s inter-sectarian relations?
  3. Is sectarianism on the rise in Lebanon?
  4. Why does a failed state in Lebanon matter?
  5. Can Lebanon survive the Syrian conflict?
  6. What does the Syria conflict mean for Hezbollah?

Blog Commentary on Lebanon and Syria

Related Experts: Faysal Itani