MERIP updates

NEW: ‘Our Compass is Broken’—Israel’s Ongoing War on South Lebanon

Dear Friends and Comrades,  Amid the escalating US and Israeli war on Iran, the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon is intensifying. In addition to drone and missile attacks in Beirut, Israel is carrying out a combined ground and aerial campaign aimed at creating a so-called buffer zone up to the

James Ryan, Susann Kassem • 2 min read

Lebanon

'Our Compass is Broken'—Israel's Ongoing War in South Lebanon

Every day since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in 2023, my father, like many other villagers from Lebanon’s south, has listened to the news in the hope of hearing that he can return to our village along the border of South Lebanon and rebuild our house.

Susann Kassem • 12 min read

Repair Amid Ongoing Ruination—Rebuilding Dahiyeh Once More

Standing beside a destroyed building in Dahiyeh in September 2025, a fruit seller said to me, “I want to bring Naim Qassem [Hizballah’s new secretary general] here. I want to show him the damage. Our people need to do better.” He knew that, like him, I was Shia, and

Iman Ali • 11 min read

Primers

A Primer on Lebanon—History, Palestine and Resistance to Israeli Violence

The Israeli bombardment of Lebanon between September and November 2024 was the deadliest violence in the country since the civil war.

Lara Deeb, Maya Mikdashi, Tsolin Nalbantian, Nadya Sbaiti • 38 min read

MER Article

The End of the Axis of Resistance?

Analysts have been quick to view the swift collapse of Bashar al-Asad’s regime in Syria as a fatal and final blow to the so-called Axis of Resistance: the network of Iranian proxies spanning from Lebanon to Yemen. But such premature post-mortems underestimate what the Axis of Resistance achieved, misrepresent

Kevin Schwartz • 4 min read

MER Article

Listening to the Camps' Walls—Lebanon Since October 7

There has been no shortage of worry in Lebanon following the Hamas attacks on October 7 and the ensuing Israeli declaration of all-out war on Gaza. Israel has made it clear that war with Hezbollah will lead to devastating consequences for the whole of Lebanon. “What we’re doing in

Rami Rmeileh, Maziyar Ghiabi • 7 min read

Current Analysis

Political Assassinations and the Revolutionary Impasse in Lebanon and Iraq

In the midst of deepening political and economic crises, the recent assassinations of two intellectuals—Hisham al-Hashimi in Iraq and Lokman Slim in Lebanon—have shaken the popular protest movements that are pushing for fundamental change in both countries. Haugbolle and Andersen consider the conseq

Sune Haugbolle, Henrik Andersen • 14 min read

Current Analysis

Fissures in Hizballah's Edifice of Control

On August 15, Beirut awoke to the news that more than 20 alleged members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) had been captured by a group calling itself “the military wing of the al-Miqdad family.” The group had sent footage to the al-Mayadin television network, which was quickly picked up by other local

Lara Deeb, Mona Harb • 12 min read

Current Analysis

Drones Over Israel

Two stories regarding Israel and drones appeared last week, illustrating both the dangerous new world of drone proliferation and Israel’s major role in making that possible.

Steve Niva • 3 min read

MER Article

Hizballah in the Sights

Thanassis Cambanis, A Privilege to Die: Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and Their Endless War Against Israel (Free Press, 2010).

Lara Deeb • 20 min read

Current Analysis

Lebanon Against Itself (Again)

The year 2011 has brought Lebanon’s political tug of war into the streets again, with thousands of protesters burning tires and blocking roads over the apparent failure of their candidate to secure the office of prime minister. But months of hype to the contrary, this time the raucous demonstrations

Marc J. Sirois • 12 min read

Current Analysis

The Long, Steep Fall of the Lebanon Tribunal

After five long years, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is expected to hand down its indictments at long last. By the end of 2010, or perhaps the beginning of 2011, the Tribunal will accuse a number of individuals of direct involvement in the murders of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and seve

Heiko Wimmen • 15 min read