This episode of Barra El Box features Sami Zoughaib, Research Manager at The Policy Initiative (TPI), who provides a comprehensive analysis of Lebanon’s systemic challenges, shedding light on the urgent need for accountability, strategic governance, and sustainable development. Listen

Lebanese lawmakers have elected army commander Joseph Aoun as president, ending more than two years of political stalemate in a sign of Hizbollah’s diminished influence in the country following a devastating war with Israel. Interview with Dr. Sami Atallah. Read more

As the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah holds, Lebanon begins to face reconstruction. But the fragile truce and the country's economic crisis are hampering efforts. Interview with Dr. Sami Atallah. Read more

Lebanon’s capital was hit hard by bombing and an influx of displaced people but residents are rebuilding their lives. Read more

Lebanese villages hit by Israeli attacks amid fragile truce
Read more

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, on Friday in London, where the Arab leader accused Israel of engaging in ethnic cleansing in Gaza. "International pressure is the quickest way to end the misery" for Lebanon and Israel says Sami Atallah, founding director, the Policy Initiative is on FRANCE 24. Read more

As Israel undertakes its fourth ground offensive in southern Lebanon in 50 years, FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee is joined by Dr. Sami Atallah, Founding Director of The Policy Initiative. Read more

Dr. Sami Atallah was interviewed by the Financial Times. Read more

مقابلة مع الدكتور سامي عطاالله في مانشت المساء على صوت لبنان

Interview with Sami Zoughaib. Read more

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is dead, along with several other senior leaders. But Hezbollah says it will continue the fight. And despite the setbacks, it's demonstrated its capabilities to Israeli troops. The Israeli military has confirmed the killing of several soldiers since a ground operation in Lebanon began on Tuesday. So, is Hezbollah prepared for a long battle with Israel? And how will it face discontent among Lebanese civilians at the prospect of another war? Read more

Is Hezbollah still able to fight Israel after its leadership has been weakened? The group says fighters have already inflicted serious damage on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. How different are these confrontations from previous conflicts? Listen

Angles discussed: What does a change in Hezbollah leadership mean for the people in Lebanon? What is the state of the country after multiple wars and a crumbling economy? What hope is there for the civilians there if the government doesn't even function properly?

Interview with Sami Zoughaib. Read more

Interview with Sami Zoughaib. Read more

The Policy Initiative's Sami Zoghaib tells @SkyYaldaHakim that Hezbollah have been able to "regroup" despite sustaining " a significant blow" from Israel. Read more

The massive attack on Hezbollah's communication equipment spread death and terror in Beirut. “This is like a dystopian horror movie where we are the actors,” says Lebanese economist Sami Zoughaib. Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses the preparedness of the Lebanese state for a potential war with Israel.

“Climate, land, and rights: The quest for social and environmental justice in the Arab region” is a new collaborative research project launched by The Policy Initiative (TPI) that explores the intersectionality of the climate emergency, land governance, and the broader challenges of democratic and inclusive governance in the Arab region.  Read more

TPI was cited in the article “Chami: Lebanon still not close to unlocking IMF deal two years since staff-level agreement” posted at the L’Orient Today.

TPI was cited in the article “IMF Executive Director to Mikati: There is no inclination to cancel the signed agreement with Lebanon” posted at the L’Orient Today. Read more

سامي عطالله: الطرح خاطئ وخطير... فالأصول العامة لكل اللبنانيين وليست للمودعين فقط لا سيما كبارهم Read more

TPI was cited at AGBI, covering our article "Economic Impact of the War in Lebanon: Real and potential losses". Read more

TPI was cited in the article “As Lebanon teeters on the edge, a war with Israel would be catastrophic” posted at The Washington Post. Read more

TPI published an estimate of the losses and other potential future costs suffered by Lebanon as a result of the war spillover into south Lebanon. Read more

مقابلة مع الدكتور سامي عطاالله. عطالله: السياسيون والمصرفيون شركاء بالتكافل والتضامن ولا يريدون إصلاحاً حقيقياً بل يمعنون في تدفيع كل المجتمع الثمن الباهظ Read more

مقال لسامي زغيب ووسيم مكتبي

مقابلة مع سامي زغيب Read more

Sami Zoughaib was interviewed by The New Arab.

Sami Zoughaib was interviewed by l'Orient Today. Read more

مقابلة عبر الهاتف مع الدكتور سامي عطاالله - برنامج نقطة على السطر - هل يسمح بعد تحميل المواطن أعباء إضافية في موازنة 2024؟ Read more

MP Halimeh Kaakour cited TPI in her speech Read more

Sami Zoughaib was interviewed by Middle East Eye. Read more

War spillover hampers Lebanon's tepid economic growth, while inflation remains in triple digits. Read more

Sami Zoughaib is featured in this article on elites escaping IMF reforms as it would threaten them and are instead relying on the "booming" tourism sector. Read more

Sami Zoughaib comments on the tourism sector amidst the ongoing crisis and political paralysis Read more

Sami Atallah comments on the dollarization in the country. Read more

Hussein Cheaito joins a a virtual panel discussion on how Lebanon’s economy can be reinvigorated and reimagined to be meaningfully productive. Read more

Sami Atallah provides insight on the presidential election Read more

Lebanon’s decision makers are not interested in the reforms required to access IMF financing and are even sabotaging negotiations. Read more

Sami Zoughaib and Sam Heller, from Century International, reveal how Lebanon’s elites have misled the public on the reality of the country’s dire situation. Read more

 Country was grappling with a leadership vacuum and an economic collapse even before the arrest warrants for Riad Salameh Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses why politics is critical for understanding social assistance in Lebanon.  Read more

Sami Atallah discusses recent findings about loans and grants  Read more

Hussein Cheaito talks to Al Jazeera about the massive devaluation and the solutions that help society Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses the recent dollarization and its impact  Read more

Sami Zoughaib comments on Lebanon's tax system and the implications of exchange rate modifications Read more

Sami Atallah participates in the Lebanese National Convention discussing incentives and controls for the Lebanese economy Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on Lebanon's official exchange rate and the dollarization  Read more

Sami Atallah comments on Judge Bitar's efforts amidst developments in Beirut Blast probe Read more

Sami Atallah speaks about the latest developments in the Beirut Blast probe Read more

Sami Zoughaib offers insight on Lebanon's new exchange rate  Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on the roots and implications of social and economic inequality in Lebanon Read more

Revenue collection declined to 6.6 percent of GDP in 2021, among the lowest rates in the world. It’s barely enough for core functions, and the 2022 budget shows no sign of improvement. Read more

A deep financial crisis in Lebanon has pushed 80 per cent of the population into poverty. There's political deadlock, and a powerless caretaker government. So why is it failing?

يتحدث سامي زغيب عن مسار الأزمة في لبنان وواقع السياسات الإقتصادية والإجتماعية في لبنان  Read more

Hussein Cheaito describes and comments on Lebanon's current political situation amidst the financial crisis and presidential and governmental vacuum  Read more

Sami Atallah provides commentary on the maritime border deal and its implications for Lebanon Read more

As the Border Demarcation agreement as been settled, Sami Atallah comments on Hezbollah's stance  Read more

Sami Atallah comments on Hezbollah's role in the Lebanon - Israel deal Read more

This article investigates the effect of ministerial rotations on legislative output. Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses the need for social protection and the IMF agreement.  Read more

Lebanon's Rigged Budget translated to Arabic by Ak Akhbar Read more

Watch on as Sami Atallah discusses Local Economic Development and Municipal Responses amid the financial crisis Read more

Wassim Maktabi comments on the governments latest decisions amidst the financial crisis, noting the government's exception of banks from bearing losses. Read more

In this piece on Tracy Chamoun, Sami Atallah offers some insight on the election of a president in Lebanon Read more

Translation of TPI's Cartels in Infrastructure study by Nidaa Al Watan Read more

Director Sami Atallah discusses the financial crisis, struggle with political accountability, and where change might come from Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on the illegal implementation of capital control laws at the expense of the people Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on the recent series of bank heists as depositors ask for their money back Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on recent events in Lebanon, including illegal capital control on citizen's money and the lack of accountability  Read more

Sami Atallah comments on recent events in Lebanon amidst the economic crisis as people still do not have access to their life savings.  Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses the banking sector and the rightful acts of depositors to forcibly get their money back Read more

Powerful players are interested in blocking the law’s implementation, but advocates for financial reform say they will ensure that doesn't happen. Read more

Translation of How Cartels Work to French in L'Orient Le Jour Read more

Cynthia Saghir comments on the reality of social protection amidst the ongoing wheat shortage in Lebanon Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on the world's wheat supply and how it has left Lebanon's already food-insecure population in much worse shape Read more

Hussein Cheaito offers commentary on the wheat crisis in Lebanon and draws parallels between Lebanon and Sri Lanka despite different geographies and systems. Read more

Sami Zoughaib and Hussein Cheaito discuss tourism revenues and remittances on Al Jadeed  Read more

Al Akhbar's translation of TPI's article: Tourism and remittances are not a panacea for Lebanon's financial woes Read more

Daraj Media's coverage on TPI's video and article around bank spending on media advertisement. Read more

Al Modon covers TPI's video and article discussing how banks utilize traditional media for their benefit.  Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses the economic and financial crisis in light of the protests of Srilanka  Read more

Development economist and nonresident fellow at TIMEP, Hussein Cheaito, unpacks the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Lebanon amidst multiple crises Read more

TIMEP hosted development economist Hussein Cheaito to discuss the state of LGBTQ+ community amidst multiple crises.  Read more

TPI's Hussein Cheaito comments on the Sovereign Wealth Fund.  Read more

Hussein Cheaito comments on Nabih Berri's re-election for the 7th time. Read more

Sami Atallah gives commentary on the newly elected parliament and the role of the opposition in changing political dynamics Read more

Director Sami Atallah offers further insight into the Lebanese elections and their aftermath Read more

Sami Zoughaib discusses elections during his appearance on Al Araby  Read more

Fellow Christiana Parreira and director Sami Atallah talk about the Lebanese parliamentary election results and the changes that have resulted. Listen

Director Sami Atallah talks about the aftermath of the Lebanese parliamentary elections and what kind of reforms the country needs Read more

Sami Zoughaib comments on clientelism and vote-buying ahead of the parliamentary elections  Read more

Director Sami Atallah and fellow Christiana Parreira take a closer look at Lebanon's opposition as elections near. Read more

Nadim El Kak comments on Lebanon's oppositionist scene in the buildup to the 2022 parliamentary elections. Read more

Georgia Dagher from The Policy Initiative comments on the role of the Lebanese diaspora in swinging the vote in favor of opposition parties. Read more

Sami Zoughaib comments on the capital controls law amidst negotiations with the IMF. Read more

Director Sami Atallah comments on the upcoming Lebanese elections, accountability, and the deal with the IMF during his appearance on Voice of Lebanon on April 25th. Read more

Cynthia Saghir provides commentary on the topic of refugees in Lebanon Read more

Sami Atallah, founding director of TPI, discussed with the Financial Times the Riad Salameh controversy and it epitomizes the rottenness of Lebanon’s political system. Read more

A detailed assessment of local economic development focusing on economic activity, human capital, government policy and territorial dynamics in the three regions. Read more

L'Orient-Le Jour interviewed Georgia Dagher, TPI Political Researcher, on predictions for the 2022 parliamentary elections based on her extensive research and data she collected and analyzed for the 2018 elections. Read more

TPI economist Sami Zoughaib commented on Riad Salemeh's active role in Lebanon's collapse, in light of judicial actions against the central bank governor Read more

Mounir Mahmalat, senior economist, presented a TPI paper published by the team's researchers on resource sharing in Lebanon, at the American Economic Association Conference. Read more