Close-up view of Beirut stand-off, May 2008 Anchor Marco Werman gets an update on the tensions in Beirut, Lebanon from reporter Ben Gilbert. The neighborhood where Gilbert lives was seized by Hezbollah militants, as part of their push to wrest control of west Beirut from forces loyal to the U.S. backed government.
Beirut aftermath, May 2008 Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut on how the city's residents have reacted to the recent fighting between political factions -- and how new fighting has erupted elsewhere in Lebanon.
Uneasy truce in Lebanon, May 2008 Loyalists to Lebanon's US backed governing coalition and supporters of the Hezbollah led opposition stopped shooting at each other. But their civilian supporters remain armed, and angry. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on an uneasy truce in Lebanon.
UAE: MTV Arabia -- PRI's The World, March 13, 2008 Ben Gilbert reports on MTV Arabia, a new music television channel based in the United Arab Emirates. It offers a wide variety of content - from American MTV shows with Arabic subtitles to locally-produced programs that highlight pop music from the Arab world.
UAE: Migrant Workers in Gulf Countries - PRI's The World, March 12, 2008 Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on a controversy over migrant workers' rights in the Arab Gulf states. Migrant laborers in Dubai recently took to the streets to demand better pay and working conditions.
Arab investment in the US - PRI's The World - March 6, 2008 Ben Gilbert reports from the United Arab Emirates on how sovereign funds in the Persian Gulf are pumping large amounts of money into the struggling US economy.
UAE: Abu Dhabi to Build Green City - PRI's The World, February 21, 2008 The United Arab Emirates have the dubious honor of having the world's highest per capita carbon footprint. That's why the government in Abu Dhabi has plans to build the globe's first "Zero Carbon City." The goal is to build a city that emits zero greenhouse gases. Reporter Ben Gilbert has the story.
Lebanon: The Orange House -- Two Women Work to Save Lebanon's Sea Turtles - PRI's The World, January 31, 2008 Reporter Ben Gilbert is along the coast in southern Lebanon, where two women are helping to protect the Mediterranean's endangered sea turtles.
Lebanon: US Embassy Vehicle Bombed in Beirut - PRI's The World, January 15, 2008 Ben Gilbert reports on a bomb attack in Beirut today that targeted a US embassy car. The explosion killed at least 3 people. None of the victims were Americans.
Oman: Alcoholics Anonymous in the Arab World - PRI's The World, December 31, 2007 Alcohol is forbidden by the Koran. That places a heavy burden on Muslim alcoholics. Some in the Arab world are turning to Alcoholics Anonymous to find their own path to sobriety. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Oman.
Lebanon lacks a President - PRI's The World, December 6, 2007 Correspondent Ben Gilbert has the latest on Lebanon's election stalemate. Nearly two weeks after Lebanon's previous president stepped down, the divided parliament still hasn't picked a new leader. But they seem close to picking a compromise candidate.
Lebanon / Iraq: Iraqi Boy Band Going for Broke in Beirut -- PRI's The World, November 30, 2007 Beirut correspondent Ben Gilbert checks in on an Iraqi band called "Unknown to No One," or UTN-1. It gained worldwide attention just after Saddam Hussein was overthrown. The band had since split up. Now they're back together and giving it another shot in Beirut.
Lebanon's Divided Education System - PRI's The World, November 23, 2007 The current political crisis isn't the only thing dividing the Lebanese public. People there can't even agree on their shared history. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut.
Lebanon: One Year Later, Israeli Cluster Bombs Still Killing Lebanese, Deminers - PRI's The World, October 25, 2007 Israel's war with Hezbollah ended 14 months ago, but people in Lebanon are still suffering the consequences of that conflict. Civilians are being killed and maimed by unexploded cluster bombs. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut.
Investors return to Lebanon - Marketplace - September 27, 2007 Investing in a recently pacified warzone may not be most people's idea of smart business, but some with financial ties to Lebanon still see opportunity. Ben Gilbert reports.
Lebanon: Iraqi Refugees in Lebanon - PRI's The World, August 29, 2007 The United Nations refugee agency says the number of Iraqis fleeing the violence in their country is rising sharply. Most of the refugees end up in nearby countries like Syria and Jordan. Thousands of refugees are in Lebanon, facing an uncertain future. Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut.
Lebanon: Refugees from Nahr Al Bared Refugee Camp - PRI's The World, August 23, 2007 The fighting between the Lebanese Army and an Islamic militant group in one of Lebanon's Palestinian camps has continued for three months. More than 30,000 refugees have been force to flee to a neighboring camp. But many of them are desperate to return home, even though the camp is largely in ruins. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports.
Lebanon: One Year On, Impact of War Still Felt - PRI's The World, August 14, 2007 It's been one year since the end of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement. The consequences in Israel have been largely political in nature. But in Lebanon, the impact is more serious. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut.
Lebanon's Ability to Party On - PRI's The World, August 6, 2007 Lebanon is politically paralyzed by anti-government protests. Its soldiers are engaged in a drawn-out battle with Islamic militants. But Lebanon manages to party on, despite its troubles or perhaps because of them. Correspondent Ben Gilbert has more.
Lebanon: Slow Pace of Reconstruction - PRI's The World, July 11, 2007 Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the start of a war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah. The war lasted little more than a month, but it caused billions of dollars in damage. A year later, people in parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon are still rebuilding. And they're not getting much help from their government. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports.
Lebanon: UN Relief Agency Stuggles With Refugees from Camp Fighting - PRI's The World, June 28, 2007 Ben Gilbert reports from Lebanon on the UN relief agency that helps Palestinian refugees in the country. The agency has been thrown into emergency mode by the recent fighting at one refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
Lebanon: A Street Fight Turns to a Gunbattle, and Tensions Increase - PRI's The World, June 22, 2007 Religious and political tensions are soaring in Lebanon as violence increases. The last month has seen fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamic militants and a number of assassinations. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on the growing divisions among the peoples of Lebanon.
Lebanon: Political Assasination and Divisions - PRI's The World, June 14, 2007 Reporter Ben Gilbert has the latest on the rising tensions in Lebanon, marked by yesterday's assassination of pro-American Lebanese lawmaker Waleed Ehdoo. Ehdoo was killed with his son and eight other people when an explosion ripped through his vehicle in the capital, Beirut.
Lebanon: Car Bomb Kills Lebanese Politician - PRI's The World, June 13, 2007 A car bomb in Beirut today killed a Lebanese politician, his son and several other people. The politician was member of Lebanon's parliament and a critic of Syria. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks to reporter Ben Gilbert, who lives just a block away from the site of the explosion.
Lebanon's Army the Only State Institution Left -- PRI's The World, June 12, 2007 Lebanon is deeply divided along political and sectarian lines. But the Lebanese appear to be united when it comes to one of the country's institutions, the Lebanese Army. Reporter Ben Gilbert reports on how the fighting in northern Lebanon has brought newfound appreciation for Lebanon's military.
United Nations Sets Up Hariri Tribunal -- PRI's The World, May 31, 2007 The UN Security Council has voted to set up a tribunal to prosecute those accused in the murder of Lebanon's former premier, Rafiq Hariri. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on reaction in Lebanon to that decision.
Lebanon: Reconstruction of Bint Jbeil Splits Residents -- PRI's The World, May 28, 2007 The Lebanese city of Bint Jbeil was leveled during last summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah. Correspondent Ben Gilbert sent us this report about how old and new interests are competing for a stake in rebuilding the city.
Middle East influence from the ground up - Marketplace - May 11, 2007 In Lebanon, Sunni and Shia groups are engaged in reconstruction one-upmanship. Ben Gilbert reports that if you expect to be a player in the Middle East, Lebanon is the place to make your mark.
UAE: Arab Poets a Hit on Gulf Televisions - PRI's The World - April 17, 2007 Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on a competition broadcast on Arab satellite TV where poets face off in the style of American Idol. The program has the popularity of American Idol, too.
Keeping Beirut's nights alive - Marketplace - March 5, 2007 Amid wars and assassination, many in Beirut have turned to the city's nightclubs for escape. Ben Gilbert looks at the difficulties club owners face in keeping the doors open.
Ghost town, Beirut - Marketplace - March 5, 2007 Lebanon's tourism industry was booming until last year's month-long war between Hezbollah and Israel. Subsequent economic and political crises have left Beirut's downtown a shell of its former self.
Bus Bombings in Lebanon - PRI's The World - February 13, 2007 Ben Gilbert reports on today's bus bombings in the mountains north of Beirut, Lebanon. The bombings killed at least three people, one day ahead of the two-year anniversary of former prime minister Rafik Hariri's assassination.
Riots in Beirut - PRI's The World - January 23, 2007 Violence erupted in Beirut today as members of the Hezbollah-led opposition held a general strike against the government of Lebanese Prime Minster Fouad Sinora. Ben Gilbert has the latest.
Hezbollah's Public Relations Efforts - PRI's The World - January 16, 2007 Hezbollah got an image boost after last summer's war with Israel. Now, the Lebanese guerrilla group is trying to buff up its image further...with smart-looking posters and a so-called "Divine Victory" campaign. Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut.
Peacekeepers Confront Challenges to Mission in South Lebanon - PRI's The World - January 5, 2007 Ben Gilbert reports on the challenges faced by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. The UN force is charged with maintaining the peace after last year's conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanese look to cross border Scores of Lebanese citizens continue to leave or plan to leave the country after the latest wave of violence. Renita Jablonski talks to journalist Ben Gilbert in Beirut about the country's continuing trend of emigration.