Iran has enough issues. Iran is like a one man army. And the entire world is hanging up against Iran for its political views, thanks to US pressure. If there were opportunities in Iran and less burden on Iran, we would go to Iran. It is all about opportunities.
Also, not all of us are migrating to the West. Many go to Latin America, Africa and even Asia and other Middle Eastern countries. So it is all about opportunities. We, as a people, regardless of sectarian or political affiliation/influence want to work and live a dignified life. We arent fighting and crying because we love to die. We want to live in peace and security and in dignity.
I am of the opinion that the West should offer no financial aid to the ruling class or to the government of Lebanon. If they are truly the friends of the Lebanese people and they dont intend to harm or hurt us, then they should find solution for the people and break the grip politicians have on us as people. The people cant be the victims in the middle of political tussles. Otherwise, if they put economic pressure and the people suffer the consequences, we would naturally side with our country and govt and see whoever is causing the people harm, whether internally or externally as an enemy. Whatever help that they want to offer should go to the people directly or indirectly, whether through supervised projects or through whatever form of aid.
Our elite are arrogant and have a high sense of entitlement in milking the people. They are holding the people to ransom. The greatest help and love and respect the West can show to the Lebanese people is to offer us visa free travel and work opportunities to their countries. We are a hard working people and we do love life and want to succeed, prosper and live a good life. Our politicians divide state jobs among themselves and offer these jobs to their party loyalists for peanuts. These same party loyalists are turned into foot soldiers and sent to the streets to block roads and burn tyres in times of crisis and political deadlock. The greatest slap these leaders could receive is to weaken their grip over the Lebanese people by giving opportunities and free movement to the people to work abroad. Every serious minded and educated Lebanese is still in Lebanon because they lack the opportunities to leave. The EU grants Turkey a country of over 80 million, visa free travel for Turks. The EU and other western countries in need of labor like Canada and Australia can offer Lebanon, a country of 4 million visa free travel and work permit. Even if not for every Lebanese, at least to those with a university degree or with vocational training and years of work experience. No amount of aid to our rulers will let them provide us with good paying jobs in Lebanon based on merits. Any job they provide people they expect some political leverage in return to enable them monopolize power for their entire lifespan. Their main resource is the Lebanese people who they are holding to ransom and exploiting.
So as a people, we look for opportunities abroad irrespective of east or west. If today North korea can provide economic opportunities, be sure that the Lebanese will among the first people to migrate to North Korea. We just want to live a dignified life.