(1) A thread on #Lebanon and why the country's successful coronavirus response could have pressed the accelerator button on its revolution. Yes, this is a hopeful message despite the economic carnage that lies before us but bear with me a moment.

(2) the concerted effort btw govt and people in cutting the chains of transmission of the virus proactively and despite meager resources not only averted a public health disaster, it also achieved the unimaginable: reverse brain drain.

(3) 1000s of middle and upper middle class Lebanese have decided to come back, many of these young. And yes while this means that the remittances that this country relies so heavily on will drop, leading to short term pain, it is exactly that--short-term.

(4) talent is returning and so are $$$s that won't languish in Ponzi schemes. This is a massive opportunity to reenergize the economy, to make it productive, to revamp our agriculture and boost green energy. It also has the potential to breathe new life into its politics

(5) I don't think this should be underestimated. The scopes of possibilities are big. The waning power of traditional external powers also has the potential to create new political spaces. There are opportunities, and with the right focus and strategy, change could be afoot.