EASTERN PROMISES

That our politicians got us into an absolutely avoidable waste crisis they have been unable to extricate us from for over three months is simply embarrassing. It’s not about garbageany more. It’s about turning Lebanon into a distressed asset.It has become obvious that our institutions, which have been running on an ad hoc basis for 25 years now, are headed for a complete meltdown. The state is not successfully providingeven one basic service. Our politicians have made this country a joke, and todayit looks like things will only get worse.Legislative paralysis is putting us at risk of losing much-needed loans for development projects from the World Bank. If we allow this to happen, we’re taking a potentially devastating risk. Other international institutions and past partners could very well reconsider financial facilities armarked for Lebanon, triggering an isolation of our financial system. Once our uncooperativeness unplugs us from the international system,