New Realities in an Ancient Land

Wissam Yafi's Blog presents opinions on the most pressing issues in his native Lebanon and the Arab World and possible solutions to salient problems.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Lebanon’s Electoral Lifeline: Voluntary Expat MPs for Every District

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Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. As whispers grow louder that expatriates may be stripped of their right to vote in the upcoming elect...
Sunday, November 30, 2025

A Pragmatic Path for Lebanon: Halting Rearmament Instead of Chasing Disarmament

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The United States has reportedly placed an ultimatum on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): disarm all paramilitary groups in Lebanon before ye...
Saturday, November 8, 2025

Lebanon the Message: A Muslim Welcome to Pope Leo

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As Lebanon awaits Pope Leo’s historic visit, our nation endures profound suffering. Israeli bombardment ravages parts of our land, while eco...
Wednesday, August 27, 2025

A Grand Bargain in Baabda? Lebanon’s Crossroads Between Sovereignty and Strategy

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The recent visit by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham to Lebanon’s Presidential Palace together with Presidential envoys Tom B...
Thursday, August 7, 2025

Lebanon’s Crossroads: Going for a Third Choice- From Standoff to Engagement

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Lebanon stands at a perilous crossroads. Two entrenched positions—each armed with legitimate grievances—continue to clash, while the country...
Monday, April 21, 2025

A National Choice: Why Lebanon Must Pursue a Plebiscite to Disarm Hezbollah Peacefully

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Lebanon stands at a precipice, teetering between a fragile stability and the abyss of renewed civil strife. At the heart of this delicate ba...
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Lebanon Wars of 2024, Who Won, Who Lost, Costs and Implications

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Many in Lebanon have been quick to declare winners and losers in the recent war. Some have claimed that Israel won the war by obliterating H...
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About Author

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Wissam S. Yafi
Reston, VA, United States
Wissam Yafi obtained an MPA/ID degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 2001 having studied in its first cohort under Jeffrey Sachs, Dany Rodrik, Lant Pritchett, among others. Since graduation, Mr. Yafi has been writing on Middle East economic development, geopolitics, and technology policy having traveled extensively throughout the region and consulted with leaders, policy makers, and academicians. He has published two books: Inevitable Democracy in the Arab World (2011): New Realities in an Ancient Land, a book which looks at the dynamics forcing change in the Middle East. Also, A Decade of Turmoil and Hope (2013), which discusses the Arab region and Lebanon from the turn of the century to the Arab Spring. As well as Fina, a utopian science fiction novel about a futuristic Lebanon. Mr. Yafi continuously lectures and publishes Op-Eds and commentaries.
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