Cars and motorcycles walk past signs showing Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (left) and his late father Ali Khamenei (right), accompanied by the slogan "Thank you, faithful Iran," as they stand along the highway leading to Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport on June 22, 2026. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
Hazem Saghieh is a journalist and writer. He is one of the leading figures in Arab journalism. He worked at As-Safir, then at al-Hayat, before joining al-Sharq al-Awsat in 2019. He is regarded as one of the most influential critical voices in contemporary Arab intellectual discourse. His books and articles primarily address issues of politics and culture, and are characterized by their critique of nationalist ideology, authoritarianism and political Islam.He reflects on the irony that characterized the road leading to Beirut airport this week for L'Orient-Le Jour.Like every international airport, Beirut’s is a vital gateway for its people. Yet few peoples are closely bound to their airport as the Lebanese are to theirs. Lebanon has always been a country of emigration. It was also, for much of its modern history, a destination for...
Hazem Saghieh is a journalist and writer. He is one of the leading figures in Arab journalism. He worked at As-Safir, then at al-Hayat, before joining al-Sharq al-Awsat in 2019. He is regarded as one of the most influential critical voices in contemporary Arab intellectual discourse. His books and articles primarily address issues of politics and culture, and are characterized by their critique of nationalist ideology, authoritarianism and political Islam.He reflects on the irony that characterized the road leading to Beirut airport this week for L'Orient-Le Jour.Like every international airport, Beirut’s is a vital gateway for its people. Yet few peoples are closely bound to their airport as the Lebanese are to theirs. Lebanon has always been a country of emigration. It was also, for much of its modern history, a destination for...
Another day of violence as Israeli forces advance in South, carry out demolitions and fire on Ali Taher heights