Susceptibility to disinformation and conspiracy theories in Lebanon
This material is one of ten analytical briefs accompanying the full report on the security of Lebanon’s information environment. It forms part of a broader series examining key trends and incidents shaping the informational landscape. We encourage you to read the full report:
https://shafafiyat.com/ar/2025/09/17/%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%86/
Lebanese society shows a strong susceptibility to “bazaar information,” including conspiracy theories, stemming from polarisation and a deep-seated lack of trust in state institutions and foreign influences. This makes alternative explanations more appealing, enabling disinformation networks and extremist groups to exploit public grievances by disseminating unverified claims online.
The complex political landscape, marked by constant external interference and a fragmented power structure, often leads citizens to resort to conspiracy theories to explain the country’s instability. Reliance on speculative information is a way for Lebanese people to cope with reality as they struggle with an opaque system of governance and a complicated network of domestic and international actors vying for influence.
The lack of trust in governmental institutions makes Lebanese society more open to alternative narratives, which often take the form of rumours and conspiracies. Additionally, the influence of external forces on Lebanese politics leads to a widespread feeling of alienation, weakening public trust and encouraging openness to unverified sources of information, creating “echo chambers” where certain narratives become entrenched and resistant to opposition.
Conspiracy theories are common across all social groups, with each faction attributing the country’s crises to the influence of foreign powers or rival sects. For example, Hezbollah supporters believe in an alliance between Sunni groups, Israel, the US, and Gulf countries, aimed at weakening their influence, while Sunni factions view Hezbollah and Iran as oppressors supported by the state apparatus.
Foreign influence, whether real or perceived, exacerbates these tendencies. Lebanon’s sectarian structure and continuous foreign influence create an environment where people believe “something is going on behind the scenes,” which cultivates a culture of suspicion and distrust. In the absence of a cohesive national identity and credible government institutions, Lebanese people often resort to conspiracy theories to make sense of their political and social realities. At the same time, sectarian leaders may promote them to deflect internal criticism.
The Beirut Explosion
Among the widely circulated theories are speculations about the 2020 Beirut explosion, where a segment of the public rejected official explanations about stored ammonium nitrate, suspecting an attack or a conspiracy involving foreign players, including Israel or Hezbollah. Although Lebanese authorities and experts quickly dismissed these hypotheses, images of the explosion and their coincidence with the anniversary of the Hiroshima attack fueled the popularity of theories about a “nuclear attack” or “secret operation” among certain groups of citizens, despite the lack of radiation evidence or typical signs of a nuclear blast.
Financial control by elites and bankers
Concerns about currency manipulation by the Lebanese financial elites are widespread. These, combined with the economic crisis, have led to speculation that international organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are seeking to take control of Lebanon’s economy by imposing restrictive credit conditions. The rising cost of living and hyperinflation intensify these theories.
Foreign influences and destabilization efforts
Against the backdrop of internal political divisions, many Lebanese are convinced that both Israel and the United States are exploiting Lebanon’s internal weaknesses to undermine Hezbollah and increase their influence, giving rise to theories about the hidden intentions of foreign powers. Theories also continue to surface that secret alliances and influences link Syria and Lebanon.