‘Historically, Lebanon has been far more important to Syria than Syria has been to Lebanon. Syria has played a significant role in Lebanese politics: the Assad regime effectively ran the country. At one point, around 20 per cent of the Lebanese population were Syrians. Many of them have not returned, not only for security reasons, but also for financial ones,” explains Ronnie Chatah, a political analyst, university lecturer and host of the podcast The Beirut Banyan. Speaking to us in Beirut, he helps us understand the dynamics and economic implications that the reconstruction of Syria may ha…