Cure or curse?

There’s nothing like the promise of untold wealth to wash away the winter blues, and as the nation awoke to a new year of crippling debt, power cuts, falling buildings and gloomy economic forecasts, it was in need of some good news. What better palliative then, than the prospect of opening a hydrocarbon jackpot under the Lebanese ocean floor? In the wake of its neighbors’ success in tapping the Eastern Mediterranean’s resources, Lebanon is finally pushing forward efforts to exploit its share of the seabed in search of the spoils of oil and gas. While politicians may promise immeasurable riches for one and all to share, the sage among the crowd will be observing developments with more than a hint of healthy cynicism. What lies trapped underground offshore is far from assured and a bountiful find could easily turn from a blessing to a curse for the country’s economy and