Conflict Analysis Project

Between February and March 2025, the World Bank (WB) published three assessment reports on the economic toll of the “war” in Ukraine and the “conflicts” in Gaza and Lebanon. These reports lend themselves to a comparative reading of their assessment methodology, which is supposed to be “well-established and globally recognized” (WB 2025a, p. 52). A cross-analysis offers a critical perspective on the political construction of WB assessments and, a fortiori, on their multiple use as instruments within international relations.

This policy brief offers a critical overview of the reforms implemented under the influence of the International Financial Institutions, and the risks they pose to the social protection landscape in Lebanon, as well as their detrimental consequences on the population.
It calls for a more comprehensive rights-based policy approach to guide current reforms, in line with the long-standing calls of experts and civil society.

This study examines the water-related challenges faced by residents of Bar Elias, Lebanon, focusing on the impacts of water scarcity, quality, and access on vulnerable populations. The study highlights how inadequate water resources in the region exacerbate socio-economic disparities, particularly among women, children, refugees, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. In Bar Elias, women are primarily responsible for water collection, while children are vulnerable to waterborne diseases, which further hinder their development.