Guns, gangs and metal

The double-edged sword of protection inside Beirut's scrap economies

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2248196
AutoresElizabeth Saleh (autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume40
Fascículo1
Páginas12-15
Data de publicação2024-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAnthropology Today (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0268-540X • E-ISSN: 1467-8322
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-8322.12863
OpenAlexW4391442827
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas13

In Beirut, the role of 'local strong men', known as the masoul, has significantly transformed, particularly in Lebanon's financial crisis and since the devastating Beirut port explosion in August 2020. Traditionally, these armed henchmen, affiliated with mainstream political parties, have exerted control over the scrap metal industry, from collection to transportation. However, the increasing profitability of scrap metal, notably copper and iron - long-standing leading exports - has led to new forms of 'local strong men', termed 'asabet (gangs). These groups have escalated violence, breaking from what was previously considered normative behaviour. This article examines these evolving protection practices and their implications for Lebanon's sociopolitical landscape

Economics · Economy · Metallurgy · Political science · Scrap · SWORD · China's Global Influence and Migration · Engineering · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Materials Science · Middle East Politics and Society · Mechanical Engineering