Dalal Saoud

The people of Lebanon have endured many crises over the past 45 years -- but nothing like the situation they face now. Gone are the times when they could afford nice clothes, branded products, new cars and housekeepers.

Lebanon's deteriorating economy, an expected reduction of subsidies and political inertia have left the population at risk of acute hunger within months, experts told UPI.

Lebanon, which has been relying heavily on migrant workers in recent decades, is no longer an attractive destination for them.

The Lebanese Army, which has been playing a critical role in maintaining stability, is facing the growing challenges of a deteriorating economy, political pressures and looming security chaos.

Ten years after the start of a revolution, Syria is in ruins and in danger of collapse. While President Bashar al-Assad remains in power, there is no solution in sight to restore peace and end the people's suffering.

Arab-Israeli normalization, which accelerated under former U.S. President Donald Trump, is likely to slow, as President Joe Biden restores relations with Palestinians and renews support for a two-state solution.

The removal of a judge who charged four senior politicians with negligence in the Beirut port explosion has raised fears of "political interference" and prompted renewed calls for an international investigation.

Under close watch by the World Bank and international humanitarian organizations, Lebanon has begun a smooth COVID-19 vaccination campaign that is expected to last at least a year to contain the virus' spread.

The slaying of an anti-Hezbollah Shiite political activist in southern Lebanon and recent violent unrest in Tripoli have increased fears the country is slipping into "security chaos."

Lebanon is racing against time to vaccinate a large number of its population, including Palestinian refugees, displaced Syrians and migrant workers, in order to contain an increase in the COVID-19 mortality rate.

Lebanon, sinking deeper into political and financial crisis, has reached a dangerous impasse with no solution in sight to save it from a painful crash.

Bank depositors in Lebanon, who woke up one day more than a year ago to face the painful reality that their life savings are stuck in the banks, are now bracing for the worst: Most of their money, if not all, is gone and cannot be recovered. 

Lebanon, which entered a 25-day lockdown last week, tightened its measures to slow a dangerous surge in COVID-19 cases and ease pressure on hospitals whose intensive care units have reached full capacity.

The people of Lebanon are keen not to break the tradition of celebrating Christmas despite a catastrophic year that plunged them into poverty and grief.

Lebanon, which is witnessing the collapse of one professional sector after another due to an economic crisis, is losing its highly skilled workforce, with an increasing number of doctors, nurses and engineers leaving.

More than four months after the blast at the Beirut port, inhabitants of the devastated areas are still recovering, finding comfort in relentless support by local groups and renewed international aid.