In Washington for meetings at the International Monetary Fund, Lebanese economist and advisor to the Ministry of Fiannce Toufic Gaspard addressed a group of policymakers on the economic opportunities for non-oil Arab countries in the wake of the recent uprisings. He argued for a reform of policies and a stronger state that would implement policies to enhance the private sector.

Frustrated with low living standards and poor public services, an anonymous group hacked Lebanese government websites this week, calling for immediate attention to these shortcomings. The group, calling itself "Raise Your Voice," hacked at least 15 websites, including that of the Presidency and the Ministries of Energy, Water, Justice, and Foreign Affairs, among others.

With parliamentary elections coming up in 2013, most politicians have started the age-old debate on what next year's electoral law will be. With little agreement on an appropriate electoral law for the country, Lebanese politicians engage in political bickering every election cycle until they finally reach a political settlement on the type of law that will be adopted.

A year into the Syrian uprising, Lebanon has arguably managed to avoid a major spurt of violence many feared would spread in the region. With violence devolving into a protracted bloody fight between the Assad regime and Syrian rebels, Lebanon fears that its own political divisions may be fed by conflict in Syria.