Commonwealth Policy Center

The massive explosion in Beirut left over 135 dead, 5000 wounded, and over 200,000 Lebanese homeless. Reports indicated it was caused by tons of fertilizer being stored near fireworks at a shipping port. Governmental leaders are passing the buck as to their responsibility, and now bracing for more aftershocks in an economy that’s been devastated by 30 percent unemployment and devalued currency. Lebanon’s economy was a ticking time bomb—already on the brink of collapse. While we’re grieved over the loss of life over this tragedy in Beirut, another lesson is at play: those governments without regard to fiscal responsibility, sound monetary policy, and political corruption will inevitably doom its people to insecurity and disadvantage them when disaster strikes.