But if one thing can outweigh what happened to Lebanon that day, it is what hasn't happened since. Some who donated money to help blast victims a year ago now find themselves recipients of food and cash handouts. Once known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East", Lebanon now has all the trappings of a failed state. "I really see it now as a dystopia, it's the only word I have to describe Lebanon... Lebanon is rudderless, penniless and sleepless, but for both Rantisi and Hage, not completely hopeless.

Source: Bangkok Post August 01, 2021 02:15 UTC