I’d like to start by congratulating both Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam. It feels surreal to say this, but the two candidates I wholeheartedly supported are now our president and prime minister. I won’t waste time dwelling on the naysayers, the intimidators, or those who resorted to threats and smear campaigns. Instead, I want us to move beyond them and focus on undoing and repairing the damage they have caused with their violence, corruption, and sheer incompetence.
I’d also like to express my gratitude to my colleagues, friends, and readers/listeners who came together, crossed divides, and kept up the pressure to ensure that the best candidate for this new chapter of Lebanon emerged victorious. It’s an honor to stand alongside you in this fight, and I am proud of the blood, sweat, and tears we have poured into this since October 17, 2019. In my heart, I always believed we would one day have a president echoing the platform we fought for in our blood- and teargas-soaked streets—sooner rather than later. Even in the darkest, most hopeless moments, you never gave up, and you continue to inspire me and give me the energy to keep going.
Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, let’s get down to business. The roadmap has been clearly laid out and embraced by most, articulated in Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech with a clear, unambiguous, eloquent, pragmatic, yet uncompromising approach.
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The President’s Agenda:
We’d like to see this as the platform of the Nawaf Salam’s cabinet. As a reminder, here’s everything Joseph Aoun mentioned:
Governance and Accountability
* Acknowledged Lebanon’s governance crisis, pledging to overhaul political and economic systems.
* Promised equality under the law—no more immunity for criminals, corrupt officials, or mafias.
* Committed to judicial reform:
* Independence for the judiciary (this one is especially important for me, having suffered like so many with the weaponization of the judiciary for free speech)
* Faster rulings and streamlined processes.
* Overhaul of prison systems.
* Vowed to reject any unconstitutional laws and respect the separation of powers.
Economic Reform
* Prioritized economic revival through:
* Restructuring public administration to eliminate inefficiency and favoritism.
* Embracing transparency, accountability, and digital transformation.
* Strengthening Lebanon's free-market economy while ensuring fair banking practices and protecting depositors' funds.
* Promised to tackle unemployment, poverty, and environmental degradation head-on.
Security and Sovereignty
* Reaffirmed the state’s exclusive right to bear arms—no militias, no exceptions.
* Strengthened support for the Lebanese army to:
* Secure borders.
* Combat smuggling and terrorism.
* Reclaim occupied territories.
* Pledged to develop a comprehensive defense strategy to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Social and Cultural Development
* Emphasized unity among Lebanon’s diverse population:
* No favoritism among sects or citizens.
* Respect for individual and collective freedoms.
* Promised to:
* Enhance education, focusing on public schools and the Lebanese University.
* Invest in scientific innovation and research.
* Improve social safety nets and health services.
Lebanon's Image Abroad
* Called for stronger ties with Arab nations and strategic partnerships globally.
* Rejected using foreign influence to sow divisions within Lebanon.
* Advocated for expat rights, especially voting, while encouraging them to stay connected to their homeland.
Refugee and Border Policies
* Promised to address the Syrian refugee crisis:
* Focused on voluntary and dignified repatriation.
* Called for international cooperation to manage the crisis without resorting to discrimination.
We’re With You
Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, we stand behind you. You are in your positions because the Lebanese people, both at home and across the globe, have placed their trust in you to lead us toward recovery and restore hope for a future free from the past four decades of hardship.
Please don’t let us down. We are counting on you.
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