I'm a Lebanese-Australian journalist and current News and Opinion Editor at Lebanon's Al-Akhbar English. My personal website is antounissa.com and I can be followed on Twitter.
Latest posts by Antoun Issa
Lebanon: Sabra and Chatila Massacre Remembered 29 Years On
September 16, 2011, marked the 29th anniversary of the most grueling moment in the six-decade long Arab-Israeli conflict - the massacre at Sabra and Chatila. The blogosphere was swarming with tributes to the victims of the massacre.
Lebanon: Protest Against Syrian Regime Attacked by Loyalists
A small protest in the front of the Syrian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon ended in violence on Tuesday, 2 August 2011, when pro-regime loyalists stormed the gathering. Syria has always had a polarising effect on its smaller neighbour Lebanon, and Lebanese politics is often divided between pro-Syrian and anti-Syrian camps.
Lebanon: Musician Arrested for Mocking President in Song
Lebanese musician Zeid Hamdan was detained briefly this week for allegedly defaming President Michel Suleiman in a song he released in 2010. Lebanese newspaper Assafir has since reported the Hamdan has been released, but not before a Twitter and blogger storm publicised the news of his initial arrest. Lebanon's online...
Lebanon: Maritime Dispute with Israel Escalates
Hezballah leader Hassan Nasrallah has exclaimed that God had given Lebanon an opportunity to rid itself of a crippling debt, and become a "rich country" by providing it lucrative offshore oil and gas reserves. However, the reserves potentially lie in a disputed maritime border zone with Israel.
Lebanon: Bloggers Fight Negative ‘Looks Like Beirut’ Jibe
We've all heard it before. Perhaps at the glance of an untidy bedroom, or even on a television sitcom, the ‘looks like Beirut' jibe has widely become a common phrase to denote a chaotic mess. A Twitter and blogger stir was caused last week when a headline in Australia's The Age newspaper invoked the infamous phrase.
Lebanon: New All-Male Government Formed Amidst Continued Wrangling
After almost five months of protracted negotiations and political bickering, Lebanon's Hezballah-led March 8 alliance finally announced a new exclusively male, 30-minister government to be headed by Sunni billionaire Najib Mikati.
Syria: Blog Interview with Opposition Activist Ammar Abdulhamid
American blogger and Syria expert, Joshua Landis, conducted a video interview with exiled leading Opposition activist Ammar Abdulhamid on the Syrian unrest. Speaking on Landis' blog, Syria Comment, Abdulhamid was questioned on a variety of topics concerning the Syrian revolution, from the dangers of a sectarian breakdown, to the regional implications of a potential collapse in regime.
Syria: Complexity Behind the Protests
Unrest in Syria enters its second week, as anti-government protests continue in their bid to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Whilst it may seem that the unrest in Syria is a natural progression of the Arab revolution spreading throughout the region, there are unique dynamics in Syria that distinguish it from other Arab states.
Lebanon: Is Politics a Social Media Taboo?
Are Lebanese bloggers politically apathetic? Bloggers react to a Global Voices article that claimed a rally organised by former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri on Sunday 13 March was "snubbed" by bloggers.
Lebanon: Bloggers Snub Hariri Rally
Inspired by uprisings across the Arab world, former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri held a rally in Beirut on Sunday calling for the disarming of the powerful Shi'ite Hezballah movement. Despite attracting thousands of supporters to the rally, Hariri failed to make an impact online as the Lebanese blogosphere largely snubbed his demonstrations.
Libya: Death Toll Rises to 6,000, US Mulls Intervention
Human rights groups have put the latest death toll in the Libyan crisis to over 6000, as pro-Gaddafi forces continue to pound opposition-held cities with air strikes. Libyan bloggers and tweeps share their side of the story in this post by Antoun Issa.
Egypt: Revolution's Not Over, Army Attacks Protestors
One month after a revolution began to demand political reform, Cairo's Tahrir Square was again the scene for bloody violence as the Egyptian army moved to quash continued protests for civilian rule. Two weeks since the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egypt remains grappled in a tug of war between protestor demands for immediate democratic reform and a potent military refusing to cede power.
Libya: Gaddafi Cracks Down on Anti-Regime Protestors
News is emerging on Twitter that Libyan leader Mu'ammar Gaddafi has sent in the army against protestors, with deaths reported in Benghazi and other parts of the country. Libyans have been inspired by pro-democracy demonstrations in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt that have toppled their respective rulers.
Lebanon: Vocal support for Egyptian protestors
The Lebanese blogosphere has been vociferous in its support for the Egyptian protests that have so far left up to 150 people dead. They have been anything but idle as the Arab world witnesses a momentous event that could change the region forever. Here's their take.
Lebanon: ‘Day of Rage’ Shocks Bloggers
Thousands of supporters of disposed Sunni Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri took to the streets in a 'day of rage' on Tuesday to protest the fall of their leader. The worst of the scenes were in the predominantly Sunni city of Tripoli, where protestors burnt tyres, vehicles, offices, and attacked the media. Bloggers of all political persuasions expressed dismay at the violent behaviour and openly sectarian nature of the protests.
Lebanon: Déjà vu as country plunges into crisis … again
Another day in Lebanon, another political crisis. As the recent turmoil threatens to tear the fragile country apart once again, many disconnected ordinary Lebanese respond with great apathy to a political process that has only caused them pain.
Lebanon: Bloggers Support Tunisian Protests against “Arab Pinochet”
Lebanese bloggers have joined the chorus of concern over the Tunisian riots that have thus far claimed 24 lives. Sympathy and support is extended to the Tunisian youth protesting the authoritarianism, corruption, and poor economic management of President Zine el Abidine ben Ali, dubbed the "Arab Pinochet" by Lebanese blogger, the Angry Arab.
Australia: Asylum Seeker Boat Tragedy Shocks Nation
A boat carrying up to 100 Iranian, Iraqi and Kurdish asylum seekers crashed into sharp cliffs off Christmas Island in Australia on December 15 killing at least 30 people. The tragedy throws back into light the hard-line policies of Australia's government towards asylum seekers in the past year.
Lebanon: Sensational Wikileaks Scandal Sparks Debate
While Wikileaks are yet to release the bulk of the 2,045 US diplomatic cables it holds on Lebanon, the few it has thus far leaked have stirred the blogosphere. Bloggers respond to the sensational revelations found in the cables.
Lebanon: CBC Report on Hariri Assassination Sparks Debate
An in-depth CBC report on the high-profile assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri has sparked intense discussion in the Lebanese blogosphere.
Lebanon: Civil War Missing Revisited
Twenty years have passed since Lebanon's warring factions called it quits. Not soon after, all grievances and memories of the bloody Lebanese Civil War were swept under the carpet. But for some with missing relatives and loved ones, the wounds are still bleeding, according to bloggers.
