Lebanon – Policy left hanging

Ask many Lebanese what the summer season this year meant to them, and the answer you get will probably be different than the upbeat assessments of Lebanese officials. Final figures are not out yet, but we can certainly feel that this year was a special one. However, for those in Lebanon not on vacation, we were able to measure this success most often through the breakdown in state infrastructure. Capitalist culture is more than entrepreneurship; it’s the capacity to deliver on your promises, and Lebanon has yet to convince that it is a premier tourist destination. Here’s a layman’s view of this past summer: On the negative side, Lebanon’s road, electrical, and telephone infrastructure were very weak links. Even in Beirut, the three-hour power cuts were not enough, as extra rationing was imposed. Outside of the capital the situation was near catastrophic, so much so that from Tripoli to Zahleh