Policy-making in Lebanon: Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Discoveries | Ifi Research Report

Working Paper | September 2013
Policy-making in Lebanon: Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Discoveries by Jeremy Arbid
This report follows the conclusion of the thesis research entitled “Policy-making in Lebanon: Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Discoveries” carried out with support from the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, United Nations in the Arab World Program at the American University of Beirut. The research aimed to clarify the inner workings of the policy-making process in Lebanon. Using the multiple streams framework of John Kingdon (2003), the research sought to understand why the Lebanese government is yet to resolve two key policy issues: whether, and the extent to which, the Republic of Lebanon should regulate and manage the exploration, extraction, and utilization of its potential natural gas and petroleum resources. To this end, the research sought to map the policy interests and preferences of the critical stakeholders that operate within this policy domain. To complete this research, a total of 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts and policymakers who have knowledge of and/ or were directly affiliated to the policy issues under consideration.