Stable, but Walking in the Dark

Jad Chaaban is a Lebanese economist and an associate professor of economics at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Chaaban, who also describes himself as a social activist, views his research and advocacy as focused “on using evidence-based economics analysis to enhance the well-being of the most vulnerable groups in society.” He has served as an economic policy advisor to various Lebanese ministries and public agencies. Prior to joining AUB in September 2006, he was an economist in the World Bank’s Middle East regional office, where he did research related to poverty reduction and economic management in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Diwan met with Chaaban to discuss the condition of Lebanon’s economy, at a time when the country’s economic health is high in the preoccupations of many Lebanese.