Lebanon
Between two worlds: Writer Claire Hajaj
“Two things about my own life became clear: I really did understand both sides, and I didn’t understand them at all.”
by Amy Frykholm
Endangered faiths
Gerard Russell’s account of disappearing Middle Eastern religions has an elegiac quality. It’s heartrending and often infuriating.
Taking up arms: Lebanese Christians get ready for ISIS
"I sell exclusively to fellow Shi'ites and to Christians," says one Lebanese arms dealer. "Demand from Christians has increased immensely."
by Wadih El Hayek and Youssef Zbib
God and global cinema
Cinema has long been a critical medium for exploring religious themes in mainstream culture. Today, filmmakers continue to find a distinctive religious voice.
Christians in exile: Syrians take refuge in Lebanon
Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon in massive numbers. The situation threatens to overwhelm a country already struggling to maintain a delicate peace.
Hopes and fantasies: The U.S., Israel and the war in Lebanon
It’s possible that Hezbollah was inviting a sharp Israeli response when it decided to cross into Israel, ambush an Israeli patrol and kidnap two soldiers. In any case, the Israelis’ decision to launch land and air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds and on Lebanon’s infrastructure has only burnished Hezbollah’s credentials.Far from turning the Lebanese against the “Party of God," Israel’s military response has bolstered Hezbollah’s self-appointed role as defender of the nation. In fact, it has made Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a hero throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds.