AGP Executive Report

Lebanon–EU Cooperation: Lebanon and the European Union launched an EU-Lebanon Joint Monitoring Committee, with talks focused on support for education, healthcare, social protection, and water services for vulnerable communities. Cultural Heritage at Risk: The U.S. returned Roman-era lead sarcophagus fragments looted from Tyre after an FBI investigation, a reminder that protecting Lebanon’s antiquities is still a daily fight. Humanitarian Toll in the South: Save the Children says at least 257 children have been killed in Lebanon in the Israel–Hezbollah conflict over six months, with around 100,000 children facing school disruption. Community & Faith: Pope Leo XIV urged Middle East bishops to “not be afraid of your smallness,” praising small Christian communities across the region, including Lebanon. Local Life & Identity: A Lebanese-born UN housing expert’s new book, Housing Inc., ties the global housing crisis to her own experience as a special rapporteur. Sports & Youth Culture: Kuwait Club’s draw for the WASL finals puts Lebanon’s Al Riyadi in the same group, while local youth initiatives like snack drives for the Lebanon VA show community service culture in action.

Lebanon’s security and politics: A new report says the Lebanese Army isn’t seriously confronting Hezbollah in the southern “pilot zones,” raising doubts about the disarmament plan as IDF preparations for a longer stay continue. Occupied Lebanon on the ground: CNN describes villages in southern Lebanon being flattened under Israeli occupation, with Christian areas spared while others are reduced to rubble. Cultural memory and archives: Palestinian author Raja Shehadeh’s diaries and documents have been preserved at the Universities of Edinburgh and Exeter, safeguarding decades of life in Palestine for research and teaching. Fashion with Lebanese roots: Elie Saab’s couture aesthetic is being brought to a mass audience through an H&M collaboration, spotlighting how Beirut-made glamour is reshaping “luxury at scale.” Media business in the region: ITP Media Group’s acquisition of Singapore’s Heart Media Group expands its luxury and lifestyle footprint across Asia, including Lebanon. Lebanon in the wider world: A travel-advisory roundup flags heightened regional flight disruption and risk around the UAE as tensions escalate.

Lebanon in the spotlight: A Reuters explainer says the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon—overlooking key towns and believed to host Hezbollah underground command and weapons—has become a central flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah war. Human impact: Save the Children reports Israel has killed an average of seven children a day in Lebanon since March, with thousands more injured and many families still unable to return home after displacement. Community & culture abroad: Stockton, California is set to host the first-ever Central Valley Lebanese Festival on Oct. 3, with Lebanese food, live oud music, dabke dancing, and family activities. Social work education: Haigazian University and Samford University celebrated the first graduates of an Advanced Diploma in Social Work, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Lebanon demographics: Lebanon recorded a 35% drop in registered marriages as young people delay starting families. Religion & public life: A Lebanon-linked editorial backlash targets U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s remarks about Islam and lying, sparking outrage within Muslim communities.

Maronite Church Leadership: Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun, pastor of St. Maron in Minneapolis, has been named archbishop-elect of the Maronite Archeparchy of Damascus, a Lebanon-born cleric returning to a major regional post after decades in the U.S. Lebanese Arts & Public Life: Actress Nour is back on social media after a long absence, sharing new photos and marking her first public appearance since her husband, Syrian businessman Youssef Antaki, died last March. Lebanon in the Spotlight: UN Women reports how the war is reshaping daily life for Lebanese women and girls across three generations, with schooling disrupted and fear becoming constant. Culture, Identity & Faith: A report on the Druze describes the community as closed to new converts and highlights beliefs such as reincarnation—an angle that resonates with Lebanon’s own mosaic of faiths. Media & Lifestyle: Berlin gets a fresh travel-style look, focusing on its creative, inclusive culture and repurposed spaces. Regional Business Buzz: Plug Media and World of Business plan a 300-person MENA merger spanning influencer marketing, talent, content and events, including Lebanon. Community & Care: A fundraiser for relatives of the El-Khawwas family who drowned in the UK has surpassed £20,000, with links back to Lebanon’s Rashidieh refugee camp.

Digital & AI Policy: Ooredoo Group and UNDP, with Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, GSMA and Women in AI, opened a High-Level Digital & AI Policy Leaders Forum in Doha, bringing Lebanese and other Arab officials and regulators to push more inclusive digital economies. Lebanon–Greece Partnership: Greece’s PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Athens to upgrade ties into a strategic partnership, stressing support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and its multicultural identity. War, Memory & Culture: A report warns Israel is razing Gaza and South Lebanon sites to erase Palestinian presence, while Berlin’s Pride remembrance “rainbow bench” was vandalised—an echo of how identity and public culture keep getting targeted. Community & Faith Aid: Samaritan’s Purse withdrew from a U.S. State Department $300M grant offer after “prayer and discussion,” saying it relies on donors rather than government funding. Arts & Identity: A feature on Omar Sharif revisits how he changed religion and name to marry Faten Hamama, and a London “Back to Hogwarts” event highlights a Beirut-born Lebanese-Palestinian actress in the cast.

Lebanon Education Under Strain: In Tyre, about 200 displaced families are still sheltering in a school gym as the school year starts Sept. 15, with officials trying to reopen classes while keeping shelters running—yet parents say anxiety is high and children are losing learning time. Regional Conflict and Daily Life: The wider Lebanon–Israel–Hezbollah standoff keeps negotiations stalled between Israel and Lebanon and between the US and Iran, leaving no clear path for families to return home. Immigration & Mobility: The US lifted a January pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries (effective Aug. 21), including Bangladesh, after a court order—visa interviews can continue under normal rules. Cultural & Community Tensions: In Jerusalem, Christian schools say Israeli authorities failed to renew entry permits for 70+ teachers and staff, forcing an indefinite delay to the start of the academic year. Diaspora Politics & Identity: A report on Iranian diaspora life highlights how the war has split communities between supporters of strikes and those opposing the conflict.

Lebanon-Linked Diplomacy: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Greece that Lebanon’s stability is “essential” for Europe, urging full, “without selectivity” implementation of the U.S.-brokered Israel–Hezbollah framework and warning that military solutions haven’t worked. Regional Security & Conflict: A new assessment says Hezbollah is shifting toward guerrilla tactics—small infiltrations, drone and explosive attacks—while its ability to seize the Galilee is reduced by damage and the IDF presence in southern Lebanon. Qatar’s Footprint: A report says Qatar is expanding influence in Syria and Lebanon through investment, military assistance, and mediation, including funding the Lebanese Armed Forces and backing infrastructure and energy projects. Culture & Heritage: Ainteb/Gaziantep’s layered Armenian and Ottoman-era history is explored through food and archival research, tying cuisine to the region’s past communities. Local Community Life: Thousands rallied for Lebanon’s City Watch Coffee co-owner, Ratha San, after ICE detention and possible deportation to Cambodia, with a “Keep Ratha Home” petition topping 3,000 signatures. Safety & Daily Life: Lebanese and Indian residents in the UAE were warned about scammers targeting visas, Emirates IDs, and biometric data.

Back-to-school under fire: In Tyre, Lebanon, about 200 families are still sheltering in a school gym as the Sept. 15 term nears, with displaced children anxious they may lose another year while negotiations stall. Human stories, urgent needs: A 9-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is seeking a $3 million injection to preserve his ability to walk, with his family publicly sharing the fight for treatment. Lebanon in the diaspora spotlight: London-based Lebanese jeweller Nada Ghazal opens a new boutique while worrying about family and staff back home, turning her craft into a record of joy, grief, and survival. Culture & craft: A design-focused profile spotlights Ghazal’s boutique and creative journey, linking personal memory to Lebanon’s wider cultural resilience. Regional tensions ripple into daily life: EU aviation safety updates extend warnings for airlines to avoid parts of the Persian Gulf and keep caution over Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon through late September. Art, archives, and memory: Raja Shehadeh’s Palestinian diaries are set to find a new home at the University of Edinburgh, preserving intimate writing from life under occupation.

Lebanon-Iran Diplomacy: Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi’s push for better ties, but insisted relations must go through official state channels, not via political groups. Regional Culture & Identity: A feature on Beirut’s Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael spotlights how murals and graffiti turn neighborhoods into an open-air gallery of politics, identity, and everyday life. Lebanon Education Crisis: With September approaching, at least 100,000 students may face another school year without classrooms as conflict damage and shelter use keep schools out of reach. Community & Heritage: UNESCO’s director-general Khaled El-Enany wrapped up a first official visit to Lebanon, reaffirming support for recovery and resilience. International Spotlight on Lebanon: A roundup of Middle East museums includes Lebanon’s Gibran Museum in Bsharri, highlighting the country’s cultural legacy beyond the headlines.

Education Crisis: Lebanon’s school year may start without classrooms as at least 100,000 children face disruption, with the Education Ministry reporting 340 schools damaged in the latest conflict and 17 fully destroyed, while many children still learn remotely because buildings are shelters. Cultural Heritage: Archaeologists say Lebanon is still yielding major finds despite war—recent work includes Roman temple remains in Maasser al-Shouf, with plans to resume excavations as sites in the south have been hit by halted digging. Regional Identity & Unity: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem urged Muslim unity during Iran’s Unity Week, arguing US-Israel wars failed due to Iranian resilience and warning against internal Muslim divisions. MENA Street Art: A travel feature spotlights Beirut’s Gemmayze & Mar Mikhael murals and graffiti as an “open-air gallery” of politics, identity, resistance, and everyday life. Travel & Daily Life: UAE flight disruptions and cancellations are reported across multiple airlines, with travelers urged to check statuses before heading to airports.

Lebanon Heritage Under Pressure: Archaeologists say Lebanon is still yielding major finds—from a Roman temple system in Maasser al-Shouf to other Phoenician, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader and Arab-era treasures—even as the latest Israel-Hezbollah war has slowed excavations in the south. Druze Culture & Identity: A new steakhouse and modern hospitality push in the Druze villages of the Golan Heights aims to revive tourism, while locals openly debate identity across borders. Lebanon’s Cultural Life Abroad: NYC first lady Rama Duwaji is heading to Portugal for a “Journey through Islamic Calligraphy” retreat, spotlighting Islamic arts and community “suhbah” experiences. Regional Tensions, Local Impact: Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran wants constructive ties with Lebanon while warning against violations of ceasefires, as diplomacy and threats continue to swirl around the region.

Lebanon-Israel diplomacy: The next round of US-mediated Lebanon-Israel talks is set for early September, with Beirut pushing for more Israeli withdrawals while Israel insists Hezbollah disarmament verification comes first. Hezbollah stance: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected the framework agreement again, saying the group won’t “surrender” nearly six months into the war. Lebanese Army & sovereignty: An opinion piece urges Lebanon to accelerate Framework Agreement implementation in southern pilot zones to restore state authority and enable displaced families to return. Regional cultural pulse: Australian Muslim artist Lara Chamas won the 2026 Australian Muslim Artists Art Prize for “Dawa Ahmar,” a mosaic work drawing on her grandmother’s prayer mat and Lebanon’s Byzantine heritage. Food & everyday culture: A Lebanese-style salad recipe highlights sumac, mint, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and crispy pita chips—simple, fresh, and very “home table.” Community life: The Montgomery County Council on Aging announced a Sept. 9 Senior Celebration with wellness resources, live entertainment, free lunch, and vaccine clinics.

Regional diplomacy: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran wants stronger political and economic ties with Muslim neighbors, including Lebanon, while urging “greater rationality” from Beirut. Lebanon-Israel talks: A new US-mediated round is set for early September, but Hezbollah again rejected the framework and called for it to be scrapped. Lebanese politics & rights: Lebanon’s parliament voted to abolish the death penalty after a long moratorium, replacing it with life imprisonment with hard labor. Culture & food: A Lebanese lamb shawarma recipe and an Asian cucumber salad both made the rounds, keeping everyday cooking in the spotlight. Local life & society: UNESCO’s director-general Khaled El-Enany concluded a first official visit to Lebanon, reaffirming support for recovery and resilience. Arts & heritage: A piece on “Silk Amnesia” argues Lebanon’s school narrative leaves out the country’s silk history. Community note: A Lebanese school return-to-class feature highlighted students getting back to learning.

Alumni & Community Life: Southwest High Schools Alumni Association announced its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Night, with Distinguished Alumni award winners and Hall of Fame inductions set for Sept. 12 at the Sullivan Civic Center. Food & Lifestyle: Oola Bowls is opening a new Collegeville, Pennsylvania location (Sept. 26), bringing its açaí bowl brand and community giveaways to the area. Culture & Identity Debate: A New Zealand Holocaust curriculum controversy is reigniting arguments about who should shape education and how Holocaust history is framed. Lebanon-Linked Community Support: In Dearborn, LAHC (Lebanese American Heritage Club) opened a $3M behavioral health, education, and workforce development center, aiming to serve tens of thousands more annually. Religion & Public Engagement: Lebanon’s Lebanese Muslim Association confirmed Australia’s National Mosque Open Day for Oct. 31, with a theme focused on combating Islamophobia. Arts & Resistance: Sweden’s Bonniers Konsthall opens an antifascist resistance exhibition ahead of the Swedish election, spotlighting how culture can push back politically. Middle East Politics & Unity: An Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran calls for Muslim solidarity and resistance, with Lebanese voices linking unity to support for Palestine and Lebanon.

Lebanon in the spotlight at UN level: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) warned of racial discrimination risks amid civilian deaths and mass displacement in Lebanon, urging an end to blanket displacement and evacuation orders tied to military operations. Islamic unity and regional culture talks: Iran hosted the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, drawing scholars and guests including from Lebanon, with clerics calling for Muslim unity and warning against external agendas. Community access to faith spaces: The Lebanese Muslim Association announced Australia’s National Mosque Open Day for 31 October 2026, framing it as a public response to rising Islamophobia through open doors, tours, and Q&As. Lebanon-linked visa and migration pressure: A U.S. court struck down a State Department immigrant visa ban affecting 75 countries, while separate reporting says tourist visas were revoked for some asylum-seeking clients from Lebanon and Jordan—raising fresh anxiety around mobility and belonging. Cultural food identity, Lebanese-style: A shawarma feature highlights how Lebanese and Syrian styles differ in Lebanon’s wider diaspora food culture, from sauces and pickles to pomegranate molasses.

UN Leadership Watch: Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett is emerging as the front-runner to become the next UN Secretary-General, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi also in the mix—an election that could mark a rare moment with five women among the candidates. Lebanon & Culture Policy: Lebanon ratified the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, a move aimed at strengthening cultural rights and heritage protection. LGBTQ Rights in Lebanon: A Lebanese judge allowed a transgender woman to update her personal status record and change her gender in a rare ruling, based on a 2016 appeals decision. Education & Recovery: UNESCO’s Director-General wrapped a first official visit to Lebanon, reaffirming support for recovery—spanning classrooms, heritage sites, and cultural institutions. Arts & Lifestyle: Frieze Abu Dhabi announced its inaugural lineup—84 galleries from 36 countries—running Nov. 19–22 in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Community & Faith Dialogue: A Montreal meeting brought together scholars and Muslim community representatives to discuss hijab legal developments, elections, and coordination among Islamic institutions.