Simon Speakman Cordall

Simon Speakman Cordall is a freelance writer.

Author Articles

A Lebanese man walks past a money exchange company in Beirut. (AFP)
Devaluing currency not imminent but effective reforms remain distant
October 12, 2019
Many challenges. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen attends a news conference in Geneva on the creation of a constitutional committee for Syria, October 2. (AFP)
Caution over Syria constitution process
October 05, 2019
At wits’ end? Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (R) meets US Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea at the governmental palace in Beirut, September 23. (AFP)
US sanctions to spare Hezbollah’s political allies, for now
September 28, 2019
Perfect storm. A man uses binoculars to watch over the border with Israel at the “Garden of Iran” Park, which was built by the Iranian government, in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras, on September 2. (AFP)
Hezbollah watches as storm clouds gather over the Gulf
September 21, 2019
Growing wariness. Members of the Israeli security forces stand at a checkpoint near the northern Israeli town of Avivim, close to the border with Lebanon, September 1. (AFP)
Hezbollah, Israeli brinkmanship continues in the face of ratcheting tensions
September 14, 2019
An employee works inside a factory of Saipa Syria, the Syrian branch of the Iranian car making company, in the industrial city of Hassia in Homs. (Reuters)
Russia and Iran tussle for Syria’s war spoils
September 07, 2019
Men ride a motorcycle past a plume of smoke from a blaze at the scene of a government bombardment in Idlib province, August 25. (AFP)
Intricate web of players complicates conflict in Idlib
August 31, 2019
A general view shows the Arab Bank building in Beirut Central District.(Reuters)
New challenges to Lebanese economy as Fitch downgrades credit rating
August 24, 2019
Officials attend a session of the peace talks on Syria in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, August 2. (Reuters)
Astana talks achieve mixed results although crucial issues broached
August 03, 2019
A man pushes a trolley as he passes a poster showing Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburb of Beirut. (AP)
In siding with Iran, Hezbollah could put Lebanon’s future at serious risk
July 20, 2019
Stubborn concerns. A Kurdish policeman searches a man at a checkpoint controlled by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on a highway in Hasakah province. (AP)
Germany snubs US request to send ground troops to Syria
July 13, 2019
On close watch. Israeli soldiers at an army base in the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights look out across the south-western Syrian province of Quneitra. (AFP)
Israeli attacks on Iranian, Hezbollah targets in Syria show no sign of waning
July 06, 2019
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) receives US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beirut, March 22. (AP)
Lebanon stays away from Bahrain conference, wary of own challenges
June 29, 2019
Many questions. A map shows the ten offshore blocks off the Lebanese coast for which the Lebanese cabinet in December 2017 approved licences for three international companies to carry out exploratory drilling. (AP)
US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel expected to begin in weeks
June 22, 2019
In the crosshairs. Armed police stand next to a suspicious vehicle parked outside New Scotland Yard following an investigation by a bomb disposal unit in London, March 9.(Reuters)
Failed London bomb plot exposes Hezbollah’s criminal activities in Europe
June 15, 2019
Problems linger. Lebanon’s Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil walks to attend a cabinet meeting in Baabda, May 27. (Reuters)
Lebanon agrees on draft budget but challenges remain
June 01, 2019
Critical test. Lebanese Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil listens during a news conference at the Government House in Beirut, May 24. (AP)
Lingering economic woes cast huge uncertainties over Lebanon’s future
May 25, 2019
Anti-narcotics chemists inspect bags containing drugs before an incineration of seized illegal substances in La Guaira, Venezuela. (Reuters)
Leaked files expose Hezbollah’s secret dealings in Venezuela
May 11, 2019
Syria’s UN Ambassador Bashar Jaafari (C) speaks with other participants during a session of the peace talks on Syria in Nur-Sultan, April 26. (Reuters)
Idlib proves problematic for diplomats in Kazakhstan
April 27, 2019
Sensitive issue. Foreign women and children walk in al-Hol camp, which houses relatives of Islamic State group members in north-eastern Syria, March 28. (AFP)
ISIS defeat in Syria fuels debate over foreign fighters’ repatriation
March 30, 2019