Recently, Mr Trump lifted “decades-old restrictions on flights between Lebanon and the US” (https://tinyurl.com/ykcpu4ea). However two days ago, the U.S. Department of State maintained a “Level 4 warning: “Do not travel to Lebanon for any reason. U.S. citizens are at risk due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and limited health facilities” (https://tinyurl.com/3jkd397y). From the Ocober 23, 2026 updated travel warning to the Land of Cedars, we can learn that the USA has reduced its staff at the American embassy in Beirut due to safety concerns.
Now, please take a look a the at the first piece of contradiction with the lifted ban mentioned above, dear readers. Do you also see the contradiction like Bambi? So, which official information should we trust as “Americans and other travelers”, including all those mentioned below?
Both Americans and Canadians of Lebanese heritage have dreamed of direct flights to Beirut, for over four decades now, for both convenience and economic reasons.
Indeed, there seems to be a current petition circulating from out of Halifax, lobbying hard with the Canadian Parliament to follow the USA in lifting its ban to Lebanon, just like the USA did (https://tinyurl.com/4m2hyhej).
Without wanting to devalue the enthusiasm of the Lebanese-Canadian community requesting the ban removal (1000+ citizens have signed the petition), Bambi thanks the Canadian authorities for being more careful than our American neighbours with this matter.
Had this petition circulated 2-3 years earlier, and surely before, Bambi would have most likely happily signed it. Today, she looks at the Middle East, and especially her birth country, with even more caution. She does not trust it… yet. Nor does she trust the judgment of Mr. Trump’s administration on this matter, especially given all the apparent contradictions… at least for now.
This being said, of course, she would be happy to be wrong because all what matters is the safety of all passengers, the prosperity of Lebanon, and the good economic interests of Canada. However, in case of approved direct flights from Canada to Beirut, Bambi may perhaps wait for a longer time before trying any flight. In other terms, she may still decide to stop in a European capital on her way, despite the hassle of extra security time at airports or likely higher costs.
To conclude this post, may all armed conflicts stop. May peace and prosperity prevail everywhere, and especially in Lebanon ❤️.
