Empowering Lebanon’s youth to shape the country’s political future through the Beirut Political Review
In the heart of Beirut, life unfolds amid a deepening crisis that has left many Lebanese struggling to navigate daily hardships. The country faces a multitude of challenges—economic collapse, political stagnation, and social unrest—leaving its people grappling with uncertainty. Yet, within this landscape of despair, some individuals are fighting to reshape Lebanon’s future. Among them is 22-year-old Charbel Abi Khalil, who, through the Beirut Political Review (BPR), is creating a platform for the youth, offering a rare voice in a space long dominated by entrenched political elites.
The journey began in 2020, a year marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic, while Lebanon faced mass protests, economic collapse, and political turmoil. Abi Khalil, a fresh graduate, had plans to study abroad and, despite the chaos, left for the UK to pursue a degree in physics. However, his time there took him down an unexpected path.
Although his main focus was on the sciences, Abi Khalil sought to engage in policy work alongside his studies, eventually joining the Warwick Think Tank’s student team as a research analyst. “I loved physics,” he tells NOW, “but I felt drawn to politics, especially issues deeply impacting Lebanon.” During his time at the think tank, Abi Khalil authored reports on climate change and inequality, as well as resource insecurity and proxy competition in the Middle East. However, it felt increasingly strange to him that he was conducting this kind of research abroad rather than fostering a similar culture back home, where students could apply their skills to address Lebanon’s dire challenges.
The turning point came when Abi Khalil saw the Tayouneh clashes unfold on social media. It was then that he realized he could no longer remain isolated from the situation in Lebanon. “I understood that I couldn’t continue my studies abroad while Lebanon was facing such turmoil,” he says. “I knew I needed to shift my focus and return to contribute to the future of my country.”
Returning to Beirut with a new vision, Abi Khalil saw a clear gap: students studying political science, law, and economics in Lebanon often lacked the platforms to apply their knowledge to real-world issues. “Most students here either end up working for international consultancy firms or leave Lebanon entirely because they don’t see a place for themselves in local policy,” he says. “I don’t blame them, but it’s a gap we need to fill.”
While Lebanon has its own established think tanks, Abi Khalil observed that these organizations rarely engaged young people meaningfully. “There’s a surface-level engagement with youth in internships or training programs, but it never leads to real involvement in shaping policy,” he explains. This lack of youth participation in the country’s political conversation is one of the key challenges BPR seeks to overcome.
Building the Beirut Political Review from the ground up wasn’t easy. While the team initially planned to establish BPR as a student club at AUB, they soon realized they had a larger vision. Despite not having officially launched, the think tank has already produced several research projects and opinion pieces, with plans for a print publication that will mark their formal debut.
For Abi Khalil and his team, this endeavor is more than just about academic writing; it’s about fostering a culture of political engagement. In a country where political discourse can be divisive, even controversial, they are keen on maintaining strict academic rigor. “We want to encourage students to engage in policy work that’s evidence-based, not politically biased,” he says. The think tank aims to bridge the gap between Lebanon’s academic institutions and its policy landscape by giving students a space to think critically and propose solutions for their country’s future.
Melissa Ajamian, assistant director for a leadership program at AUB, highlights this value”My central role as an educator is to ensure that students enhance their professional development through practical research experience and critical thinking. Contributing to the Beirut Political Review allows students to work on meaningful issues that impact Lebanon’s future and prepare for public policy, research, and advocacy work.”
One of the major challenges they’ve faced is the apathy among Lebanon’s youth—a deep-rooted sense of hopelessness in the political system. “Our biggest enemy is apathy,” Abi Khalil says. “People feel like there’s no point in trying to do something politically. But I believe the right people will come around eventually.”
Despite these challenges, BPR has attracted students from both Lebanon and the diaspora. With the support of the AUB network and other motivated youth, the think tank is growing steadily. Abi Khalil dreams of expanding their reach, envisioning branches of BPR led by Lebanese students abroad, particularly in the UK and other parts of Europe. “We have this decentralized youth abroad, but no place for them to come together around a common cause,” he says.
At its core, the Beirut Political Review is a platform for youth-led research, particularly on Lebanon’s political policies and their connections to economic and religious dynamics. However, the think tank doesn’t limit itself to Lebanon. With students involved from across the Arab world, the BPR also engages with broader regional issues, giving a voice to those who might otherwise remain unheard.
Self-funded and driven by passion, Abi Khalil and his team know the road ahead won’t be easy. Yet, their long-term goal is clear: to create a space where politically engaged students can come together, research, and contribute to public discourse. “We’re just students,” he says. “But if we don’t start now, we’ll never be ready when the country needs us.”
Ajamian, who also acts as a developmental copyeditor for BPR, tells NOW that “when consulted, I help students refine their research questions and navigate complex issues, providing feedback that fosters growth as advocates while building professional skills. The goal is to produce well-written research that prepares the next generation of policy analysts, researchers, and advocates.”
She adds that engaging students with diverse viewpoints is crucial for fostering a nuanced understanding of sensitive topics, enriching debate, and creating more effective outcomes, especially given the complexities of Lebanese public interest.
In the long run, Abi Khalil hopes BPR will inspire similar initiatives across Lebanon’s universities, helping to cultivate a new generation of thinkers who can navigate the complexities of Lebanese politics and beyond. For now, they are laying the groundwork, one research paper at a time.
