Beirut

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, remains a focal point of significant events, most notably the devastating port explosion of August 4, 2020. Six years later, families of the victims are still demanding justice and accountability for the tragedy, which involved the ignition of improperly stored ammonium nitrate and is considered one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in modern history. The city is also experiencing ongoing political and security challenges, with Lebanese lawyers filing complaints against a banker who met with Israeli officials, and reports of Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon impacting the region. Historically, Beirut has been a site of significant events, including the recent death of Kozo Okamoto, a Japanese militant involved in a 1972 attack, who died there. The city's complex geopolitical situation and the unresolved issues from the port blast continue to make it a subject of international attention.