From Inactivity to Reactivity and Gut Proactivity: Review of Lebanon’s State Policies Towards Syrian Refugees (2011–2022)

Abstract

With an estimated 1.5 million, Lebanon is one of the most affected countries by the Syrian refugee crisis, making it the country with the highest rate of refugees per capita in the world. While praised in the early years for its hospitality, Lebanon’s policy response towards refugees became gradually more restrictive and repulsive. The following article gives a comprehensive review of Lebanon’s policies regarding Syrian refugees between 2011 and 2022. It argues that during this period, the state’s policy response can be divided into three major phases defined by the concepts of inactivity, reactivity and gut proactivity. Each of these phases comprise a multitude of different policies on the local, national and international levels, which are thoroughly examined and categorised. In addition, the article gives interpretations for the probable motives behind the various policies by linking them to the peculiarity of the Lebanese political system itself.