Life in Lebanon as the Country Falls

Oct 23, 2025 | Lebanon, the former “Switzerland of the Middle East”, stands on the brink of becoming a failed state. Years of civil war, border conflicts and corrupt government has left the country bankrupt and spiralling into chaos. The Beirut port explosion reduced the capital to tatters and exposed the utter failure of sectarianism politics. Lebanon now finds itself more vulnerable than ever to foreign influence, once again a key stake for international powers playing out their broader ambitions across the Mideast. But in this deeply divided country, a young generation is ready to battle for reform.

At the supermarkets in Beirut, hyperinflation has led to the food changing price every day. Lilian, 24, hoped to become a diplomat but the economic crisis forced her to quit her studies. Now she is has joined the protest movement and pawns her clothes to buy food. The man most people blame for this desperate situation is Riad Salameh, head of the central bank for the past three decades and accused of embezzling close to a billion dollars. The IMF and World Bank has offered to bail out Lebanon if the central bank opens up its account books. Something that Salameh – with the support of the whole political class – absolutely refuses to do.

Yet economic collapse isn’t the only cause of the country’s woes. In southern Lebanon, safety risks along the border with Israel are a main source of instability. This is a stronghold for Hezbollah, which operates as a state within a state, providing for every aspect of daily life in exchange for absolute loyalty. Further north, the Bekaa valley is the other Hezbollah stronghold. But it is also home to one of Lebanon’s most serious problems the Syrian refugee crisis. The mass arrival of 1.5 million Syrian refugees has further destabilised a nation long distrustful of Syria. Everything is done to hide the Syrian problem. Large international NGO are prevented from working here and the refugees themselves, like 12-year-old Abdelfateh, are forced to slave long hours to survive.

No population census has been held for decades in Lebanon to avoid threatening the fragile balance of sectarian powers. But the sunnis are convinced they form the largest section of the population.They feel oppressed and increasingly look towards Saudi Arabia or Turkey’s Muslim brotherhood for help. But despite everything, people like Lilian are determined to confront these endemic problems. “My destiny is to stay here and engage in political action…. The proverb “Lebanese love life” is very true, we love life despite everything!”

This documentary was produced by Kaliste Productions and directed by Alfred de Montesquiou. It was first released in 2021.

Trump Announces Random New Tariffs for Dozens of Countries, Causing Economic Chaos and Hardship.

Aug 1, 2025 | Donald Trump signed an executive order modifying the tariff rates he first announced in April ahead of a Friday deadline for the new rates on imported goods to go into effect. The order states that goods imported from every nation on Earth will be subject to a 10% tariff except for goods from the 92 countries listed in an annex that are subject to higher tariff rates. The highest tariff is on goods from Syria, which will be taxed at 41%.

Watching Trump run the US economy is like watching a child playing with a toy till. – © Mark Alexander

Hungry Man Kitchen: Mfarakeh A Middle Eastern, Spiced Potato Dish – Protein-rich, Irresistible, Satisfying, and Moreish

Jun 27, 2025 | Mfarakeh (also spelled Mufaraqah, Mufarakeh, Mfarrakeh) is a traditional Middle Eastern comfort food made from eggs scrambled with vegetables or meat, often flavored with warm spices like cumin, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper.

The name "Mfarakeh" comes from the Arabic word "farak" (فَرَك), meaning "to crumble" or "separate" — referring to the way eggs are stirred into the pan to form soft, distinct curds. It’s popular in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and parts of Iraq and Egypt, with many families preparing their own twist depending on what’s available.

This version is a one-pan dish made with spiced ground beef, potatoes, and eggs — simple, high in protein, and incredibly satisfying.


Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.

NICEA: Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil »

Attentat dans une église en Syrie : «C’est la première tuerie de masse contre des chrétiens à Damas depuis 1860»

LE FIGARO : ENTRETIEN - Pour le spécialiste Wassim Nasr, l’attentat-suicide imputé à Daesh qui a fait 27 morts dans un quartier chrétien de Damas, rappelle la capacité de nuisance des cellules djihadistes restées en Syrie, qui cherchent à décrédibiliser les autorités syriennes.

Un attentat-suicide a fait au moins 27 morts et une cinquantaine de blessés dans l’église Mar Elias du quartier chrétien de Damas en Syrie ce dimanche 22 juin 2025. Selon un ministre syrien, l’auteur de l’attentat appartenait au groupe État islamique. » | Par Elisabeth Pierson | lundi 23 juin 2025

THE GUARDIAN : Islamic State suicide bombing in Damascus church kills 22 and injures 63: Evening attack is first major atrocity by Islamist terror group in Syria since President al-Assad was deposed »

Syria Sees Outbreaks of Violence and Killings | BBC News

Mar 17, 2025 | Since overthrowing President Assad’s regime, Syria’s new authorities have been working to establish their control over the country.

But this has brought them into conflict in areas dominated by the Alawite sect, the group from which President Assad drew much of his support.

Fighting recently broke out with dozens of casualties in an Alawite village south of Latakia. Lina Sonja reports from the area.

Christians Are Pressing Trump to Clear a Path for Israel to Annex the West Bank

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Some 80 percent of white, evangelical Christians voted for President Trump. Now, some want a policy change that could undermine a future Palestinian state.

Evangelical Christian leaders who delivered votes to President Trump are now pressing him to declare that Israel can claim ownership of the West Bank, based on a promise God made to the Jews in the Bible.

They are seeking a way to pave a path toward annexation of territory that is widely viewed internationally as intended for a future Palestinian state. Israel seized the territory as part of a war between it, Jordan, Egypt and Syria in 1967 and has occupied it since. In recent years, the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been encouraging Jewish settlers to build homes there at an increasing rate.

Prominent evangelical supporters of Mr. Trump are mounting a multipronged approach to pressure the president — making appearances in Israel, petitioning the White House, pushing their ideas at a key evangelical conference and building congressional backing.

Some of America’s leading evangelicals, including Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins and Mario Bramnick, visited Jerusalem on Tuesday to publicly back Israel’s sovereignty of the West Bank. » | Ephrat Livni | Reporting from Washington | Saturday, March 8, 2025

Fears of Civil War in Syria as More than 1,000 Reported Killed | BBC News

Mar 9, 2025 | The UN is urging Syria's interim leaders to take swift action to protect civilians following a wave of violence against members of the minority Alawite community.

The violence began after loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad - whose regime was toppled last December - ambushed government forces in recent days.

Government security forces are said to have been carrying out reprisals in Latakia Province, where at least 1,000 Alawites, including children are said to have been killed in recent days. The BBC has not been able to independently verify the death toll.

The Alawites are a minority sect of Shia Muslims, from which the Assad family originates.

Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – who played a leading role in the rebellion that toppled Assad – has called for peace and announced an investigation into the violence. But so far, he hasn't directly addressed accusations that atrocities were being committed by his supporters. Syrians have been protesting against the violence in the capital Damascus.

The UN says it's received "extremely disturbing" reports of whole families being killed, and has called on the interim authorities to take "swift actions to protect Syrians" while the US says the Syrian leadership must hold the perpetrators accountable.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Lina Sinjab in Damascus.

We Will Work on Forming an Inclusive Transitional Government: Syria's President Sharaa

Jan 30, 2025 | Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa will work on forming an inclusive transitional government, he said on Thursday in his first speech after being declared president. "A preparatory committee for the national dialogue conference will be announced in the coming days," Sharaa added.

French, German FMs Meet Syria's New de facto Leaders | DW News

Jan 3, 2025 | Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and her counterpart, France's Jean-Noel Barrot, are the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria and meet with de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, 2024. Their visit to Syria is the highest-level western visit since the fall of the Assad regime.

They expresseed support for the rebuilding of Syria. But they also made it clear that the EU will not finance Islamism - or tolerate discrimination against women or ethnic and religious groups.

DW talks to Christoph Schult in Damascus who is currently traveling with FM Baerbock. He is a journalist at Germany's Spiegel magazine.

There's some controversy over the Syrian leader's greeting for his EU visitors. Ahmad al-Sharaa shook hands with the French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, a man, but not with Gemany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a woman.

Syria's New Government Should Represent All Groups in Civil Society | DW News

Jan 1, 2025 | Syria has celebrated its first new year free of the Assad family's rule in five decades. Fireworks lit up one of the main squares in central Damascus as Syrians welcomed 2025 with high hopes for their future. The fall of the regime last month has allowed activists and ordinary people to speak openly for the first time about the country they want Syria to become. While some groups are connecting to unify their efforts, others are attempting to play down a quick transition to new governance. DW's Rama Jarmakani reports from the capital, Damascus. We spoke to Anas Joudeh, founder and director of the Syrian group 'Nation Building Movement'.

Syrians Head into First New Year without Assad | DW News

Dec 31, 2024 | For the first time in over half a century, Syrians are heading into the New Year free of the Assad family's brutal leadership. But Syria's new de-facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa has warned that Syrians may have to wait three years for a new constitution and four for elections. Al-Sharaa, and his Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have been trying to reassure people at home and abroad that personal freedoms will be protected in the meantime. In Damascus, those promises are already being put to the test as some bar owners risk reopening their establishments.

Asma al-Assad Given 50/50 Chance of Survival as Leukaemia Returns

THE TELEGRAPH: British-born wife of ousted Syrian dictator, Bashar, is being kept in isolation as condition worsens

Asma al-Assad has been given a 50/50 chance of survival after her leukaemia returned, The Telegraph understands | Miguel Medina/AFP
Asma al-Assad is severely ill with leukaemia and has been isolated by doctors who have given her a “50/50” chance of survival, The Telegraph understands.

The British wife of the ousted Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad, is being kept away from others to prevent infection and cannot be in the same room as anyone else.

Her father, Fawaz Akhras, has been caring for his daughter in Moscow and was described as “heartbroken” by sources in direct contact with her family.

Assad and his wife sought asylum in Moscow after his brutal regime lost its grip on power after 13 years of ruinous civil war.

Syria’s presidency announced in May this year that the then-first lady had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and the blood. » | Ben Farmer | Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Hope and Fears of Christians in Syria under the New Islamist Leadership | DW News

Dec 24, 2024 | Christians in Syria are preparing to celebrate their first Christmas since the overthrow of president Bashar al Assad. After nearly five decades under the rule of the Assad family, the country faces a new era following this month's sudden rebel victory. While some Christians express hope for the future, there are concerns about the fate of religious minorities under Syria's new Islamist-led government.

For more on this, we talk to Priest Firas Lutfi. He is a Parish Priest in Damascus and Head of Franciscan community in Damascus, Syria.

Christians in Syria prepare for Christmas

Happy Christmas to One and All

MARK ALEXANDER: Here we are at the start of Christmas once again. How time flies by!

I should like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your very valued and continued support. Truly, it is much appreciated. In fact, your support sustains me.

As we all know, times are difficult for many, and even dangerous and life-threatening for many others. One thinks of the poor, suffering people in the Ukraine, in Gaza, in the Yemen, in Syria, and in many other countries besides. In Africa, for example, in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan itself.

Then there are areas and countries in the world which are experiencing very difficult economic challenges, such as Argentina. Many Argentinians are suffering from the anarcho-capitalist economic experiment being tried there. And even here at home in Europe, many are suffering from poverty and extreme economic challenges. Many are homeless, and many have difficulty putting food on the table for their children and loved ones. One hopes and prays for them all: hopes and prays for better times ahead for everyone.

Over Christmas, many people will be experiencing loneliness, too. Even in plenty, loneliness can be a particular challenge. Especially for the elderly or for people who have been rejected by their families, possibly because they have had the courage to be true to themselves and have come out. Many families reject their gay children or siblings. Being alone at Christmas, for whatever reason, is a particular challenge for many.

With this backdrop, I should like to send you all my sincere thanks for your staunch and continued support. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the twelve days of Christmas, and beyond, of course. I want you all to know and be sure that your visits here to this website are not only noticed, but are appreciated greatly. In a strange way, I feel that you are like my family. So, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Frohe Weihnachten! Joyeux noël! ¡Feliz navidad! Buon Natale! Nadolig Llawen! Feliz Natal! !عيد ميلاد مجيد

© Mark Alexander
All Rights Reserved

LIVE: Christians in Syria Celebrate Christmas

Dec 24, 2024 | Christians attend mass in Damascus, Syria, celebrating Christmas for the first time since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and the control of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Protests Erupt in Syria over Christmas Tree Burning

BBC: Protests have broken out in Syria over the burning of a Christmas tree near the city of Hama.

A video posted on social media showed masked gunmen setting fire to the tree on display in the main square of the Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town in central Syria.

The main Islamist faction which led the uprising that toppled President Bashar al-Assad said the men responsible for the arson were foreign fighters and had been detained.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country, demanding the new Islamist rulers protect religious minorities. (+ video) » | Jacqueline Howard, BBC News. Reporting from London | Lina Sinjab, Middle East Correspondent. Reporting from Damascus | December 24, 2024

Kremlin Denies Reports Asma al-Assad Is Seeking Divorce and a Return to London

THE GUARDIAN: UK-born wife of ousted Syrian leader is a divisive figure around world and, like her husband, is under sanctions

The Kremlin has denied Turkish media reports suggesting that Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of the ousted Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, is seeking a divorce and hoping to return to London.

Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow earlier this month, the transponder of his aircraft switched off as he left to avoid detection, after a lightning rebel advance brought an end to his family’s 50-year rule.

In a statement attributed to Bashar al-Assad on Telegram, he later insisted his departure from Syria had not been planned but that he had been forced to leave after his position at a Russian-controlled airbase came “under intensified attack by drone strikes”.

His family has long had ties to Moscow, with relatives buying up tens of millions of dollars’ worth of properties in Russia over the years. » | Ashifa Kassam and agencies | Monday, December 23, 2024

Verwandtes Video hier.

Journeyman Pictures: The Village in Syria Where They Speak Jesus' Tongue

May 25, 2016 | Aramaic (2008): In a village in the Syrian countryside, Muslims and Christians live side-by-side and keeping the language of Christ, Aramaic, alive.

Assad Says He Left Hmeimim Base in Syria on 8 December for Moscow

THE GUARDIAN: Syria’s Bashar al-Assad said on Monday he was evacuated to Russia from the Hmeimim base in Syria on the evening of 8 December as it came under drone attacks, after leaving Damascus that morning with opposition fighters closing in. [Read more here.]

'The Fall of Any Dictator Reflects Badly on All Autocracies'

Dec 15, 2024 | Journalist and author Anne Applebaum joins Trevor Phillips to discuss the network of authoritarian states and the issues they pose for the West.

It comes after the Assad regime which ruled over Syria was toppled by rebel forces.

Ms Applebaum says, "the fall of Assad as a blow to the alliance [of Russia, China, Iran etc] - it may mean Putin doubles down on his war in Ukraine."