When the economic crisis hit Lebanon and other Arab countries, two media platforms, Daraj and Megaphone, financed by American businessman George Soros, started attacking the Lebanese economy through their channels, and to promote new bankers who could help establish five new banks under Soros’ control. This strategy was orchestrated by the “puppet” Hassan Diab’s advisers, mainly his key economic strategist, who also serves as a founding member of the Kulluna Irada Agricultural Development Association.
The battle really began in 2019, as the revolution unfolded. Left-wing figures, including Hazem al-Amin (editor-in-chief of Daraj), his wife Diana Moukalled and Jean Kassir (co-founder of Megaphone) rallied around the “fresh dollar.”
Funding came from Soros’ Open Society Foundation, with the sole objective of “destabilizing the Lebanese economy.”
On a larger Arab scale, other countries were not spared from Soros’ reach. Any country that resisted Soros’ attempt to control its economy became the target of virtual campaigns, articles and investigations aimed at its officials.
However, Arab nations quickly recognized Soros’ strategy and acted decisively, blocking access to the Daraj website in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and several other countries. The message was clear: We will not allow you, through your proxies Daraj and Megaphone, to interfere with our economies.
The question remains: Why did Soros’ influence persist in Lebanon?
Initially, Hezbollah found this situation advantageous. Through its media and indirect coordination with Soros’ platforms, it attempted to convince the Lebanese public that the banks were responsible for mishandling depositors’ funds. However, the actual influence of Soros’ networks was negligible, with the readership of these platforms barely exceeding 500 people. Anyone browsing their social media accounts can easily spot this lack of engagement.
For instance, visiting the Daraj Facebook page reveals a complete absence of interaction with its posts, sending a clear message from social media users who reject and refuse to follow platforms that undermine the economy.
Had Soros understood the lack of impact of these platforms, he would have pulled the funding long ago.
After four years of claiming to speak “on behalf of the people,” the two platforms have ultimately become nothing more than “foot soldiers” in Soros’ financial network, struggling to survive.
Anyone visiting X and following Soros-backed institutions such as Legal Agenda, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (Afaq), Kulluna Irada, Daraj Media, Helem for LGBTQ+ rights in Lebanon, CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), Basmeh & Zeitooneh for refugee rights, Public Source Media and Megaphone will quickly realize—without having to dig deep—how they support each other through retweets, likes and interactions. This is done in an effort to amplify their influence and secure continued funding.
It’s important to note the absence of these platforms when it comes to exposing corruption. For instance, anyone searching for Gebran Bassil’s name—who wasted over $50 billion on Lebanon’s electricity sector—on Daraj and Megaphone will find that the last article written about him was in 2023.
The political class that wasted billions in subsidies sent to Syria is not seen as an adversary by those claiming to advocate for change. And those who misused public funds aren’t even viewed as suspects. That’s because Soros, quite simply, does not care about these issues. His plan is focused on targeting the banks and repeating the mantra, “It’s their fault.”
An insider familiar with the operations of Daraj and Megaphone shared that, during a meeting between the funders from the Open Society Foundation and the two platforms, it was jokingly suggested that they might “attack Soros” if necessary. The response came with a laugh, “We attack all politicians, even ‘the master’ if we want to, and if we are allowed to, of course,” adding, “This way, the reader believes we’re impartial. Every politician gets an article. But when it comes to the banks? There are countless articles.”
Thus, the political and economic agenda behind Soros’ platforms is crystal clear. Anyone who opposes the views of the funders will quickly find themselves in the crosshairs of websites and activists, always ready to launch campaigns in pursuit of political, economic and financial gains—as Soros has successfully done in numerous countries.
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