A discussion on Beirut's municipal elections and Beirut Madinati 2025's platform. With Lama Wazzan, Lina Jarrous, Kristy Asseily & George Kyriakos. Co-hosted with Charbel Al Khoury. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platfo...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Kristy Asseily joins The Beirut Banyan to discuss her candidacy for Beirut's 2025 municipal elections. Our discussion covers her recent return to Lebanon and passion for grassroots politics, Beirut Madinati's efforts in retrospect, and the short and long-term platform the list is advocating. We also talk about voter engagement, communal concerns, municipal relations with the Muhafez, digitization efforts, learning from NGOs and why the municipality matters. Kristy Asseily is a member of the Nati...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Please make sure to check out the video version: https://youtu.be/rKUnhF4hXU4 On displacement and refuge on both sides of the Green Line, the diversity we retain and a tribute to the city we call home fifty years after April 13, 1975. With special thanks to Ali Hamed. Videography by Alexy Chidiac. Soundtrack by Marc Codsi. The podcast is made possible through donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut or donating through our Patr...
Apr 11, 2025•49 min
George Wardini returns to The Beirut Banyan. We look back to 1983 and discuss similarities in the relative calm Lebanon experienced following Israel's siege of Beirut and expulsion of Arafat from Lebanon. We also examine post-2024 war developments and security risks related to attempts at disarmament, what the potential of a wider Arab-Israeli peace deal under the Trump administration could mean for Lebanon, the need for the government to make Lebanon's case against Iran's inclinations to hold o...
Mar 21, 2025•58 min
البير كوستانيان: وحدها المحاسبة وإعادة الهيكلة تسترجع الودائع، لا بيع الأوهام
Mar 19, 2025•5 min
Nadim Shehadi returns to The Beirut Banyan. In this episode we discuss the 2020 Eurobond default and the controversy surrounding that decision. We also look at fault lines formed between the banking sector and restructuring-advocacy groups and the wider story of the economic direction of the country. Nadim Shehadi is an economist and regular contributor to Arab News. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via...
Mar 11, 2025•55 min
Albert Kostanian returns to The Beirut Banyan. In this short episode he candidly discusses a campaign to discredit his economic views and media reputation, debunks accusations of shadow funding and behind-the-scenes government orchestration regarding Kulluna Irada, dispels smear tactics increasingly used to sideline reform-minded advocates in government and civil society, and conveys a firmly held belief in solution-based policies - in particular the ongoing debate surrounding banking restructur...
Feb 22, 2025•12 min
On a wedding, a commemoration & a funeral. And holding Nawaf Salam’s incoming government to a higher standard.
Feb 10, 2025•3 min
POINT COUNTERPOINT - Episode 3 An exchange on political affairs impacting Lebanon and the Middle East, with a unique vantage point from Beirut. Co-hosted by Michael Young (senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan) and Bashshar Haydar (professor of philosophy at AUB) - both Beirut-based analysts sharing their nuanced perspectives while honing in on disagreements. Episode 3 covers three topics: (1) Nawaf Salam's cabinet formation process, a perception dilemma that has lef...
Feb 07, 2025•58 min
An episode on a new and unexpected duo: President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Covering the dramatically shifting security climate that brought about rapid political change, Joseph Aoun's leadership and the consensus that ushered in his presidency, Nawaf Salam's clean slate and the majority vote that guaranteed his prime minister-designation, and freeing local governance from the Doha Agreement's forced national unity paralysis. With Sarah Yassine, architect and politica...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Words shared on the closing evening of Aaliya's Books. With Nadia Tabbara, Brother Michael, Wael Taleb, Ronnie Chatah & William Dobson. For Niamh Fleming-Farrel, William Dobson & the Aaliya's community. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and yo...
Dec 21, 2024•35 min
An interview by the gifted Marie Jo Sader, a Paris and Beirut-based independent journalist and 2023 Lokman Slim Prize winner for her investigative work on the circumstances of Lokman Slim's assassination. A discussion on the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, a retrospective on anti-Assad protests that shaped Lebanon in 2005 and wider implications for Lebanon, Syria and the region. Follow Marie Jo Sader on X [at]mariejosader The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations...
Dec 21, 2024•19 min
An episode on the fall of the Assad regime and its implications on Syria and Lebanon. Covering the rapid collapse of the Assad regime, identity formation in the wake of over half a century of minoritarian rule mired by tyranny, where Iran stands in the near future and a wider ambition for the region carried by hope. With Bashshar Haydar, professor of philosophy at The American University of Beirut. The Nidaa al Watan article mentioned is accessible here: https://www.nidaalwatan.com/article/29708...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Recorded Thursday, 5 December 2024. Three days before the Assad regime's fall. An episode for Syria & Lebanon. Hosted by Ralph Baydoun (founder of Influeanswers) with George Wardini (director of PolyBlog) and Ronnie Chatah (host of The Beirut Banyan). Ralph Baydoun leads the discussion and posits 'resistance'-focused counter narratives to neutrality and sub-state disarmament discourse. The conversation includes the potential for Israeli settlements in southern Lebanon, communities allegedly ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Outtakes from an interview on my New Lines piece following Hassan Nasrallah's death titled "Dust Over Dahiyeh". Link to article: https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/hassan-nasrallah-the-killing-of-a-killer/ The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your pre...
Nov 21, 2024•22 min
POINT COUNTERPOINT - Episode 2 An exchange on political affairs impacting Lebanon and the Middle East, with a unique vantage point from Beirut. Co-hosted by Bashshar Haydar (professor of philosophy at AUB) and Michael Young (senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan) - both Beirut-based analysts sharing their nuanced perspectives while honing in on disagreements. Episode 2 covers three topics: (1) Trump's election win and what that means for US policy towards Lebanon; (2...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 5 min
From a panel that took place in late November 2013, with the presence of Switzerland and Austria’s then-ambassadors to Lebanon. Including some of my father’s last words on the fundamental need for neutrality, 1701’s necessity, what neutralization actually means and how it worked (albeit briefly) in the 1950s & 60s. We should have no role in regional war other than shielding ourselves from its rippling effects. There are ideological voices today ranging from frustrated academics with fringe a...
Aug 02, 2024•11 min
On all that is happening in Beirut's southern suburbs, southern Lebanon and the region vis-a-vis Israel and Iran. Along with absent Lebanese diplomacy and the upcoming port blast anniversary. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio ...
Jul 31, 2024•12 min
Recorded Monday, 29 July. Reflecting on escalation between Hezbollah and Israel and deliberately staying in Beirut throughout the conflict. With predictions on post Majd Al Shams retaliation by Israel and a potential response by Hezbollah, along with thinking through worst case scenarios and red lines that have yet to be crossed. Also includes a look part on August 4, 2020 and the upcoming port blast's fourth year anniversary. With Georges Haddad & Giulia Cingolani - both employed in the hum...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Reflecting on the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel war in southern Lebanon and its impact on daily life away from the battlefield. Looking back on periods of relative calm vs manageable instability, the long-term political and societal impact of failed governance, false economies and tourism destinations like Batroun, and an acceptance of impunity and injustice on the port blast's upcoming anniversary. With George Wardini - director of PolyBlog. The podcast is only made possible through listener and vie...
Jul 25, 2024•43 min
Three updated scenarios for what could play out in the near term for Lebanon.
Jun 26, 2024•8 min
Reflecting on the July 2006 War and UNSCR 1701 eighteen years later, during a time of escalation and regional war's expansion. Looking back on humanitarian assistance in times of emergency and crisis, the Lebanese government's negotiating role in helping shape UNSCR 1701, a return to border conflict and battlefield over armistice and deterrence and the lack of state agency bringing us closer to Hezbollah's interests. With Sarah Borgi - economist and independent consultant. The podcast is only ma...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Episode 405: The War Photographer A journey into memories of growing up along Beirut's demarcation line during the Lebanese civil war, a professional pursuit of conflict photography across the region and the difficult journey of mental health awareness and personal recovery. With Patrick Baz - award-winning photojournalist and photographer, and author of Don't Take My Picture: Iraqis Don't Cry. With special thanks to Beirut Center of Photography - taped live at Aaliya's Books. The podcast is onl...
Jun 11, 2024•2 hr 9 min
The final episode for the first season of Social Work Research Hub's miniseries, covering social work history and research in Lebanon along with intergenerational dialogue among social workers. Tonight's guest is Solange Sakr. - Holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Saint Joseph University (1965) - Started working in social security as a social worker in 1966. Hosted by social worker Aimee Ghanem - founder of Sworld. Audio version available on The Beirut Banyan podcast. We extend our tha...
Jun 09, 2024•46 min
POINT COUNTERPOINT - a new miniseries for The Beirut Banyan podcast. An exchange on political affairs impacting Lebanon and the Middle East, from a unique vantage point in Beirut. Co-hosted by Bashshar Haydar (professor of philosophy at AUB) and Michael Young (senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan) - Beirut-based analysts sharing their nuanced perspectives while honing in on particular disagreements. Moderated by Ronnie Chatah. Episode 1 hones in on two issues: (1) W...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr
A miniseries covering social work in Lebanon, dialogues between different generations of social workers. Tonight's guest is Hyam Hahi. - Over 40 years of experience in social work, primarily in academia. - Holds a BA in social work from Saint Joseph University (1971) & MA in social work from Laval University in Quebec, Canada (1984). Hosted by social worker Aimee Ghanem - founder of Sworld. Audio version available on The Beirut Banyan podcast. We extend our thanks to CEREC (www.thecerec.org)...
Jun 02, 2024•59 min
A miniseries covering social work in Lebanon, dialogues between different generations of social workers. Tonight's guest is Moussa Jadoun. - Twenty years of experience in social development (1964-1983) - First-rank social worker at the “Office du Developement Social” مصلحة الإنعاش الاجتماعي. - Former Director General of the National Employment Office (1993-2002) and Head of the Secretariat at the office (1983-1993). Hosted by social worker Aimee Ghanem - founder of Sworld. Audio version availabl...
May 29, 2024•57 min
A miniseries covering social work in Lebanon, dialogues between different generations of social workers. Tonight's guest is Therese Tawile. - Over 50 years of experience in social, developmental, and awareness raising (CEMEAL and volunteer work camps). - Additionally involved in relief work (SEF) and nine years of volunteering with Caritas Jbeil during the civil war. - Holds a BA in social work from Saint Joseph University (1962). Hosted by social worker Aimee Ghanem - founder of Sworld. Audio v...
May 26, 2024•39 min
A miniseries covering social work in Lebanon, dialogues between different generations of social workers. Tonight's guest is Nawal Ghostine - Over 40 years of experience in social work. - Nurse and social work graduate from Saint Joseph University (1959). - First social worker at the Lebanese Electricity Company. Hosted by social worker Aimee Ghanem - founder of Sworld. Audio version available on The Beirut Banyan podcast. We extend our thanks to CEREC (www.thecerec.org) for providing the studio....
May 22, 2024•41 min
A conversation with Tamara Rasamny - MA at Columbia University's Climate School. A look at the student encampment at Columbia University in support of Gaza, the wider meaning of a global movement demanding justice and freedom for Palestine, Tamara's own detainment during the police raid on Columbia's campus, and a reflection of her participation in protests at home in Beirut and abroad in New York. The student encampment's demands include: - Divestment of all finances, including endowment, from ...
May 19, 2024•40 min
