Lebanon’s civil war: The feud that never ended

Lebanon’s civil war: The feud that never ended

The Lebanese civil war that broke out in 1975 marked a dark chapter in the country’s history and would have an impact on the region for decades afterwards.

The conflict lasted for 15 years, as armed militias and their political sects battled for power. Alliances shifted over time and outside forces exploited the chaos for their own interests.

An estimated 150,000 people were killed in the fighting and thousands went missing. The war depleted the country's public resources and caused turmoil for years after.

But even after the war ended, the same sectarianism that fuelled the violence continued to thrive. It seeped into the country’s political institutions, into every facet of society, and it decimated the economy. Corruption and clientelism became the status quo. This led to a cycle of violence, popular uprisings and government stalemates.

On this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher marks the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the civil war with a look back at the events that shaped it, how it changed people’s lives and the complicated legacy that scarred the country. She speaks to experts and academics and asks, how much has really changed today?

Jaksot(476)

Is it time for serious reform of the UN and humanitarian law?

Is it time for serious reform of the UN and humanitarian law?

The rules-based international order is the system of principles, laws and institutions put in place since the end of the Second World War to protect human rights and prevent conflict. But this status ...

6 Helmi 22min

How Jared Kushner’s plan for Gaza could affect Palestinians

How Jared Kushner’s plan for Gaza could affect Palestinians

Jared Kushner’s vision for Gaza may have been presented in a vibrant-coloured map and renderings of futuristic, high-rise towers, but Palestinians in the strip say they are sceptical. Residents likene...

30 Tammi 25min

What happens next after Syrian army offensive against the SDF?

What happens next after Syrian army offensive against the SDF?

After days of fighting, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and government troops under President Ahmad Al Shara agreed to a fragile ceasefire. But in that short time – and with each side still a...

23 Tammi 15min

What options does Iran have as pressure builds at home and abroad?

What options does Iran have as pressure builds at home and abroad?

Two weeks of protests in Iran have been met with a regime crackdown that threatens to provoke foreign intervention. What started as demonstrations over worsening economic conditions has spiralled into...

16 Tammi 24min

Why US action in Venezuela is causing so much anxiety in Middle East

Why US action in Venezuela is causing so much anxiety in Middle East

Even though Caracas sits across the ocean, thousands of kilometres from the Middle East, the US attack on Venezuela and capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro has been unsettling. For Venezuelans who fe...

8 Tammi 22min

How serious is the ISIS threat in Syria?

How serious is the ISIS threat in Syria?

After the US struck ISIS targets in Syria in late December, President Ahmad Al Shara’s government stepped up its own operations, carrying out weapons raids and arrests across the country. It came afte...

2 Tammi 20min

The year in impact: Our episodes that resonated the most in 2025

The year in impact: Our episodes that resonated the most in 2025

The profound transformations in the Middle East this past year have rippled far beyond the region, reshaping politics and alliances around the world. The US has taken a new interest in Syria. Lebanon ...

26 Joulu 202528min

How Yemen’s power balance is shifting again

How Yemen’s power balance is shifting again

Political power in Yemen is shifting once again, reigniting questions about who truly holds authority in the country and whether it is heading towards another fundamental rupture. The Southern Transit...

19 Joulu 202515min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-asiastudio
the-ulkopolitist
linda-maria
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
rikosmyytit
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-pykalien-takaa
rss-kuka-mina-olen