Instructor of Sociology @AUBsoam | Policy consultant & freelance writer | Alum @AmherstCollege | Sports management & law @ISDEuniversity 🏀⏳
Jun 3, 2020 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
THREAD: Why early Parliamentary elections are NOT the answer:⬇️
1- During the uprising, demands to hold early elections were contingent upon having an independent government that passes a new electoral law guaranteeing fairness and accountability (spending ceilings, media, etc).
2- Political change cannot happen from the top (ie thru elections), especially not in a context where people are unemployed, starving, and subjected to all forms of violence.
Early elections would be a favor to the oligarchy, as it would undermine any street mobilizations.
Apr 26, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
THREAD: We are approaching the second wave of the #LebanonProtests, which will likely resemble #October17 in some ways, but will also distinguish itself and test people's resolve in others. A few things to expect and keep an eye on:⬇️
1- The grievances and living conditions that brought people to the streets initially are even worse now. This will be reflected in protesters' revolutionary tactics, which will surely be more violent and with clear targets: banks, public institutions, politicians' houses, etc.
Jan 21, 2020 • 13 tweets • 4 min read
THREAD: Government of 20 ministers is formed. Adding two ministers (1 for Frangieh and 1 for Arslan) resolved the deadlock.
Ultimately: FPM-led bloc has 7 ministers (including Tashnag), Hezb 2, Amal 2, Marada 2, LDP 2.
4 named by Diab. Here's info about some of them.⬇️
Interior minister Mohamad Fehmi is an army general. Had a high ranking post under former president Lahoud. Unconfirmed claims that he is fully loyal to the Assad regime and that a Syrian security adviser asked Hezballah to have him named. Plz lmk if it's true or not.
Jan 5, 2020 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
1/ THREAD: Reigniting the radical #imaginary spirit of the #revolution is essential at a time when streets have been stripped from some of their earlier momentum.
How do we overcome attempts at taming our econ expectations by elitist "realists" & those sectarianizing the mvmt?⬇️
2/ Disappointment followed the Diab's appointment. Coupled with the worsening econ situation, people are drained, distressed, & depressed.
Most are tired and desperately want any kind of resolution to the existing situation. That's how elites manage to reproduce the status-quo.
Dec 29, 2019 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
THREAD: Throughout the #revolution, protesters have clearly opposed the effects of postwar #capitalism. However, we've still been raised and #socialized in a world dominated by this #neoliberal model, which breeds a distinct #counterrevolutionary culture. Some examples.⬇️
1/6
The western concept of "civility" has been used to undermine the revolution by claiming that those engaging in more violent forms of protests are ruining it.
When a system is inherently violent (starving, stealing, repressing, incarcerating), it's just a pathetic argument.
2/6
Dec 4, 2019 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
Thread on Samir Khatib and the revolution:
As @HBaumannLiv has explained, postwar neoliberalism empowered a class of business elites who became increasingly associated with the sectarian establishment. That's how contractors such as Hariri, Mikati & others assumed leadership 1/4
Neoliberal policies (deregulation, financialization, wage repression, privatization, rent-creation, etc.) and expanding patronage networks even helped reproduce sectarian dynamics, all the while repressing class-based resistance and organizing. 2/4
