Lebanon hosts far more than its fair share of Syrian refugees. Yet its economy massively depends on cheap Syrian workers, employed informally to maximize short-term benefits to society.

A better policy on refugees also implies acknowledging that pivotal economic role.

I’ve spent the past 6+ months feeling appalled and helpless at my country’s role in Israel’s war, and the hysterical response to anti-war advocacy within the US.

The best way I’ve found to make sense of things—and to limit my doom-scrolling—is to read a lot of books. 🧵📚

🧵It's impossible to quantify the drug crisis sweeping the Middle East. But there are clues.

Google Trends, for example, shows the frequency of specific searches over time.

Since 2010, Arabic searches for 'addiction' have climbed steadily.

This year, Lebanon’s state budget decidedly makes things worse for the most vulnerable. It does just accept inequalities; it deepens them.

Lebanon would need the exact opposite to start tackling its multiple crises. 🧵

institutdesfinances.gov.lb/publication/ci…

A paradox: Western states are so mesmerized by Israel that they are neglecting Ukraine.

Yet in Israel they contribute nothing constructive, nor defend their interests. So why the shift.

Conflicts, it seems, aren't something to win or to solve: They're just the topic of the day.

Syria's drug crisis is in fact many crises rolled into one.

Most obviously, it is a crisis of mental health. Few in Syria have been spared the trauma of war, or received any form of justice for the wrongs they suffered. 🧵
synaps.network/post/syrian-dr…

كان الخوف هو الإحساس المسيطر من حولنا خلال الأيام الماضية، شعور أصبح مألوفاً في منطقة تعاني من أزمات متتالية. الناس تتأقلم، لكن الألم يتراكم. في سوريا وما حولها. تتفاقم أزمة صحة نفسية بفعل انتشار الإدمان على المخدرات. نشرح عن هذه الظاهرة في مقالنا هذا.

synaps.network/post/syrian-dr…