Prime Minister Najib Mikati (right) receiving Russian Ambassador Alexander Rodakov at the Grand Serail on Oct. 12, 2022. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
The Russia-Ukraine war is once again at the heart of Lebanese politics.At the UN General Assembly Wednesday evening, Lebanon voted in favor of a resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of four separatist regions in eastern Ukraine — a position that aligns Lebanon with Western opposition to Moscow in the ongoing conflict.Lebanon’s pro-American alignment is all the more questionable given other Arab countries’ — even those close to Washington, such as Saudi Arabia and the Emirates — cautious reactions.This is not the first time Beirut positioned itself in the anti-Moscow camp at the UN since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Unlike other Arab countries, Lebanon’s room to maneuver the diplomatic scene has been very narrow in recent months, given the indirect maritime border negotiations that were mediated by the US.The imminent...
The Russia-Ukraine war is once again at the heart of Lebanese politics.At the UN General Assembly Wednesday evening, Lebanon voted in favor of a resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of four separatist regions in eastern Ukraine — a position that aligns Lebanon with Western opposition to Moscow in the ongoing conflict.Lebanon’s pro-American alignment is all the more questionable given other Arab countries’ — even those close to Washington, such as Saudi Arabia and the Emirates — cautious reactions.This is not the first time Beirut positioned itself in the anti-Moscow camp at the UN since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Unlike other Arab countries, Lebanon’s room to maneuver the diplomatic scene has been very narrow in recent months, given the indirect maritime border negotiations that were mediated by the...
