Global FDI flows fell substantially in 2017 on account of rising political and economic instability. FDI inflows to developed countries suffered the biggest annual loss. Saudi Arabia witnessed a wave of divestments, Iran benefitted from the lifting of sanctions while Turkey felt the ripples of a failed coup and currency depreciation. Meanwhile in Lebanon, FDI inflows registered a minor 1% uptick to $2.62 billion with a strong concentration on real estate, especially acquisitions from the large Lebanese diaspora. However, Lebanon cannot escape some long-overdue structural reforms if it hopes to attract more FDIs.