US sanctions, Hezbollah's power play in Lebanon, and offers to rebuild the port of Beirut
The US Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on two top Lebanese contractors and a lawmaker close to Hezbollah over alleged large-scale corruption that undermined the rule of law in Lebanon. This decision comes amid an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon. It also comes as Hezbollah attempts to expand its influence over Lebanon, seeking control over the powerful Finance and Public Works ministries as the country is negotiating for a recovery package form the IMF and looking to rebuild the port of Beirut.
Paul Gadalla joins The Greek Current to discuss this latest move by the US, Hezbollah’s power play in Lebanon, and look at the port of Beirut, which has received offers from a number of countries, including France, China, and Turkey, to reconstruct the demolished port.
Paul Gadalla is a former Beirut-based journalist and Middle East Analyst who focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean and religious minorities. His work has been published in a number of outlets including Kathimerini, The National Interest, and is also a contributor to the Middle East Institute.
Read Paul Gadalla’s latest piece for the Middle East Institute here: Why Hezbollah wanted the Ministries of Finance and Public Works
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
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