American University of Beirut

 The Global Syst​em

The global system is experiencing a transitional period. The rise of emerging states such as China, India, South Africa, and Brazil has changed the pattern of international forces, becoming an important motive for the ongoing evolution of the global system. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have shown that there is a tendency by rising regional and global powers to challenge the US-led global system. Current international developments indicate that the post-Cold War-era unipolar system has ended. However, the transition is still being shaped, and IR scholarly debates are rotating around the nature of the future order. The rise of multilateral and contending new blocs in the Global South such as the BRICS+ and the political solidarity in the “East" or “Global South," will have consequences on global geopolitics and geo-economics. Here, the Institute aims to understand the impact of the rise of these new powers in defining the new rules of the “great game" and reshaping the understanding of international law and humanitarian responses. Within this context, several publications and events were organized to assess and understand the key objectives of rising powers such as Russia, China, and India in identifying their geopolitical and geo-economic (trade, investments, corridors…) objectives globally. ​

Lebanon in the Internati​onal Order

As a small state with a fragile political system, Lebanon has always been vulnerable to changes in the regional and international systems. The Cold War, the Arab-Israeli wars, and the post-Cold War systems and developments have impacted the domestic politics and landscape in Lebanon, often leading to institutional paralysis or breakdown. Within this context, to understand the role of small states in international relations, the Institute organized roundtables to analyze the role of small states in international relations by engaging in a comparative study of the behavior of different small states in different geopolitical contexts. Often, small states can play a pro-active role in regional integration and mediation efforts. Hence, taking other comparative studies into account, the Institute aims to focus on two directions: First, it is crucial to define and analyze Lebanon's role in international and regional organizations such as the UN and the Arab League in addressing international and regional challenges. Second, aim to develop the concept of neutrality and pro-active diplomacy in foreign policy-making to shield the country from the spillover effect amid rising regional and international conflicts.

Lebanon and its Nei​ghbors

Historically, Lebanon has played a bridging role between the East and the West. It is an integral member of the EuroMed and the Arab neighborhood and the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant, hence, competition over energy resources highly affects Lebanon's foreign policy. To analyze the impact of regional developments and the role of Turkey, Iran, and the GCC, our Institute, in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Regional Peace and Security Project in Beirut, launched the annual conference “Beirut Security Debates". For each edition, more than 30 scholars, experts, and policymakers from the US, Europe, and the Middle East were invited to discuss the impact of international and regional developments on Lebanon and its neighborhood. Moreover, to understand the role of its neighbors, a series of publications were launched to analyze the role of Turkey and Iran and their domestic and foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. Here, the Institute aims to examine the role of regional powers in Lebanon's immediate neighborhood and assess Beirut's role in navigating between regional rivalries and conflicts.

Lebanon Abroad, the Lebanese Diaspora Project:​​

Lebanon's diaspora has been a crucial humanitarian force for many years, providing vital assistance during crises, displacement, and conflict. Due to its history of civil war and state collapse, Lebanon has seen significant internal and international migrations over the years. The Lebanese diaspora provides economic stability and financial support to those still in the country, mainly through remittances and in-kind aid to family and civil society organizations. However, institutional cooperation with the Diaspora has been limited to a few events related to government or cultural and educational institutions. To deepen and facilitate coordination and cooperation between the Diaspora and the Fatherland, IFI aims to engage in comparative studies of other Diaspora-Fatherland relations to explore creative and modern incentives for projects to attract Diasporan involvement in Lebanon and map their involvement in the country. Initiatives can

include online platforms, the development of an e-governance system in Lebanon, internship program for young Diasporan Lebanese experts in different Lebanese ministries to engage in policymaking and reform initiatives. Additionally, IFI as part of AUB’s large family, aims to deepen relations with other American institutions in aiming to establish a collaborative environment tackling different issues related to education, governance, and reforms.​

Syria ​Watch

Despite the ousting of the Assad regime, the protracted crisis in Syria continues to adversely affect millions of lives requiring humanitarian assistance, as many are internally displaced and others are scattered around neighboring countries. Syria still suffers from political fragmentation due to its division into multiple spheres of influence and the presence of foreign troops. Given the gravity of the long-lasting crisis and its implications on Lebanon and the region, over the past years, our Institute ​has hosted and organized policy dialogues with various experts, researchers, and policymakers invested in intellectual production vis-à-vis the crisis. Together with various international stakeholders, the Institute has also contributed to devising solutions for the Syrian situation, whether from a political, strategic, policy-oriented, or developmental lens. This project aims to focus on four axes: The first axis is the Syrian “Regime Transformation," which aims reflect on the concerns of the weak centralized authority and the inability of the new administration to monopolize armed forces, in addition to the possible lack of inclusivity and transitional justice that may create societal polarization; the second axis is dedicated to “Political Economy, Reconstruction, Post-war Economy," aiming to highlight the impact of the lifting of the sanctions on Syria, the reconstruction and development process and the role Lebanon can play; the third axis refers to the “Diplomatic 'Grand Game'," aiming to analyze the complex and conflicting global and regional diplomatic interplay shaping the post-war future of Syria; and finally the fourth axis on “Challenges for Lebanese-Syrian Relations" aiming to examine the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the issue of border demarcation, the exchange of prisoners, the de-escalation mechanism and the influence of non-state actors in shaping both countries' relations towards each other. 

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