Lebanese man plots one or two war crimes to jumpstart career in politics

A college student who aspires to become a prominent figure in Lebanese politics is considering carrying out one or two war crimes in order to secure his future and that of his family as part of the ruling political class.

Chadi Loz, 23, said committing war crimes is necessary if an individual hopes to break the cycle and enter the insular world of high-level politics in Lebanon.

“If you don’t carry out a war crime your best hope is to become the head of a municipality somewhere,” Loz said. “Political activism, volunteering, and civil society work will probably lead you to prison.”

Loz said the Lebanon’s political arena had grown more complex than in the past, when you could simply replace a president or prime minister by assassinating him, but added that he was confident he could go toe to toe with established war criminals.

“I am also a member of a sect and, thank God, weapons are available,” he said.