0:00 Intro 3:24 Sanctions 14:41 Reforming the State 18:14 Organization & Structure 32:52 Deeply Embedded 40:00 Letting Go 44:48 Purpose 50:52 A Feminist Movement 56:15 Optimism 1:02:58 Away from the Story Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Q4xHAl6Tlbw We're with Dalal Mawad for Episode 210 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss recent US sanctions against Lebanese politicians and the wider domestic and regional obstacles to reforming the state. We also talk about the protest movement's lack of organ...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 10 min
0:00 Intro 2:22 Personal Well-Being 4:43 The Bubble 8:45 A Unique Tragedy 12:08 Beirut's DNA 16:52 Political Pressure We're with Dion Nissenbaum for Episode 209 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/rowid3IXogw We discuss his recent essay reflecting on the Beirut blasts and how reminders of the tragedy persist. We also talk about US foreign policy vis-a-vis sanctions and a wider push for political reform. Dion Nissennbaum is Beirut-based reporter for The Wall Street Journal. The...
Sep 07, 2020•29 min
0:00 Intro 4:45 No Return 19:09 Shared Pain 32:58 Autopilot 45:19 Collective Loss 51:10 Post-War Perspective We're with Mike Azar for Episode 208 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss public and personal pain in the aftermath of the Beirut blasts, and how collective loss is shaping the post-civil war generation. We also talk about going into 'autopilot' following shock, dealing with trauma and an inability to accept tragedy without justice. Mike Azar is a finance advisor and a friend. Help support Th...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 3 min
0:00 Intro 4:09 Surprise and Disappointment 15:45 Wider Story of Accountability 24:33 International Investigation 29:58 Expectations 34:43 Subsidies 43:36 Silver Lining We're with Houshig Kaymakamian for Episode 207 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/gACljKIAxVE We discuss three of her most recent The Daily Star pieces that reflect on the aftermath of the Beirut blasts, the government's resignation and the STL's verdict. We also discuss subsidies, the economic calamity and me...
Aug 23, 2020•54 min
0:00 Intro 2:24 Justice 17:33 Decisions Made Early On 27:20 The Regional Story 37:20 Accountability 47:58 Too Late For Reform We're with Emile Hokayem for Episode 206 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/FMBK8reqySU We reflect on the STL's verdict issued earlier today and the pursuit for justice following Rafik Hariri's death. We also discuss the decisions made early on in the UN investigation and the regional story at play since 2005. Emile shares his thoughts on accountabilit...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 8 min
4:03 Tipping Point 18:12 Paralysis 31:50 Accountability 42:05 Get them Out 47:48 Reporting on the Ground Click to watch: https://youtu.be/HDdoKkgyf_U We're with Julie Kebbi for Episode 205 of The Beirut Banyan. We reflect on the Beirut blasts last week and whether this is the tipping point for systemic change in Lebanon. We also discuss state paralysis and protestor frustrations, and the durability of corrupt political figures. Julie shares her thoughts on widespread desperation for accountabili...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 6 min
0:00 Intro 3:28 Reflections from Afar 18:00 Symbolic Shock 42:48 'Chernobyl Moment' 1:02:53 Thirty Years Ago 1:11:58 Lebanon's Curse 1:40:11 Forget Resiliency 1:51:06 Principled Views We're with Joey Ayoub for Episode 204 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/5A3rUTcG3nE We share reflections on the Beirut blasts from afar, and the complicated emotions of shared suffering at a distance from the tragedy. We discuss the symbolic shock of the mushroom-cloud effect and expand on whet...
Aug 14, 2020•2 hr 10 min
0:00 Intro 1:55 Beirut Blasts 9:49 Forced Change 21:38 Oligarchy of Dictators 32:33 Identity & Citizenship 38:08 The Aftermath 44:35 The Problem 55:48 'Chernobyl Moment' 1:02:53 Thirty Years Ago We're with Nafez Zouk for Episode 203 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/f63C1t-ME4o We address the weekend protests that culminated in the Prime Minister's resignation earlier today. We also discuss the political aftermath of the Beirut blasts last Tuesday, the idea of forced cha...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 20 min
For Episode 202, I reflect on the aftermath of Tuesday's blasts, the protests taking place in Martyrs Square and across downtown Beirut and the hostage-like situation facing Lebanon. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/D9WnzAill3E Click below to donation links for NGOs involved in the aftermath of Tuesday's Beirut blasts. Lebanese Red Cross: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/ Impact Lebanon / Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief?utm_term=re7R78DA2/ Ahla Fawda: https:/...
Aug 09, 2020•15 min
For Episode 201 I speak with Charbel Bassil, owner of Le Chef restaurant in Gemmayze. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/hSMFr_6e88Y Charbel shares his experience surviving the blast while at Le Chef and the injuries he sustained. He also expresses the immense difficulties and shared pain of Beirut's residents. We share memories of Le Chef and what the restaurant means to Beirut. If you'd like to donate and help Charbel repair Le Chef from damages sustained, please use the PayPal link below and no...
Aug 07, 2020•29 min
Click to watch: https://youtu.be/CGjfd0U3pGg Links referenced in this episode to help donate to the victims of yesterday's explosions in Beirut. Lebanese Red Cross: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/ Impact Lebanon / Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief?utm_term=re7R78DA2/ Ahla Fawda: https://www.just-help.org/c/AhlaFawda/ Beit El Baraka: https://beitelbaraka.net/donation/pay/ Lebanese Food Bank https://lebanesefoodbank.org/donate/ Live Love Lebanon: https://www.gi...
Aug 07, 2020•2 hr 47 min
Links referenced in this episode to help donate to the victims of yesterday's explosions in Beirut. Lebanese Red Cross: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/ Impact Lebanon / Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief?utm_term=re7R78DA2/ Ahla Fawda: https://www.just-help.org/c/AhlaFawda/ Beit El Baraka: https://beitelbaraka.net/donation/pay/ Live Love Lebanon: https://www.givingloop.org/livelove/ Caritas Lebanon: http://www.caritas.org.lb/get_involved/donate/ Lebanon Needs:...
Aug 05, 2020•17 min
0:00 Intro 2:46 Explosions in Beirut 11:06 Back to the Beginning 21:50 Expectations 38:09 Hesitation? 1:00:11 Disappointment 1:09:27 Incentive 1:19:35 A Long Time 1:24:43 The Lesser Known 1:33:04 Personal Loss 1:40:25 Memories of my Father We're with Olga Kavran for Episode 198 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Z9EqQInrBtM We address the explosions that shattered Beirut's port, nearby neighborhoods and large swathes of the city. Our conversation addresses accountability, int...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 51 min
0:00 Intro 1:30 Catching up with Carmen 7:42 Day to Day Life in Beirut 19:20 Cancer 23:39 Neoliberal Capitalism 25:23 Structural Racism 29:20 Politics of Fear 33:47 Day by Day Mode 40:26 IMF Negotiations 47:36 Confessional Power Sharing 59:28 Lecturing in time of Covid We're back with Carmen Geha for Episode 197 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss her recent 'The New Arab' pieces tackling the Lebanese government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and wider issues that link the pandemic to rampant ...
Aug 02, 2020•1 hr 6 min
0:00 Intro 1:50 Day to Day Routine 6:54 Personal Evolution 24:38 The Wider Story 39:00 'Uniqueness' 54:45 Political Reform 1:00:54 Localism Click to watch: https://youtu.be/XNfcJ-Db5mk We're with Tamer Aboul-Hosn for Episode 196 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss his recent Medium piece "On the Arab Identity and Its Discontents: A Personal Reflection and a Survey of Christian Perspectives" and dive into the wider story of political autonomy, pluralism and competing narratives that helped shape Leb...
Aug 01, 2020•1 hr 18 min
2:00 Day to Day Life in Beirut 8:24 Back to 2005 10:20 Taef Accord 46:08 The Banking Sector 1:03:56 The Middle Class 1:16:53 Civil War Legacy 1:25:32 Freedom of Expression 1:34:01 Army & Internal Security 1:42:33 Light at the End of the Tunnel Click to watch: https://youtu.be/1Cq-ftnQyLA We're with Maha Yahya for Episode 195 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss her recent piece "All Fall Down" that appeared in Carnegie Middle East's Diwan blog and expand on five pillars that sustained post civil...
Jul 28, 2020•1 hr 49 min
0:00 Intro 3:17 Memories & Music 24:41 Competing Narratives 32:22 'Lebanonism' 40:00 Arab Nationalism 47:24 Palestine and The Civil War 57:28 Singing the 20th Century Click to watch: https://youtu.be/AEtfmjqu1i4 We're back with Deeba Shadnia for Episode 194 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss a range of topics that include nostalgia and nationalism, identity and the arts, and how Fairuz' music fits into the backdrop of all that is modern Lebanon. Our conversation includes notions of 'Lebanonism...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 17 min
0:00 Intro 2:25 Life in Beirut 10:48 Learning through Podcasting 17:20 Is consensus-driven governance the core problem? 23:04 Reflections 44:28 The Ultimate Stumbling Block 1:01:42 Freedom of Expression Click to watch: https://youtu.be/sDm5PSdUeOc We're with the Lebanese Politics Podcast for Episode 193 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss life today in Beirut; the benefits of getting the wider story across through long-form narrative and podcasting; various reflections on the initial days of the Oc...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 33 min
0:00 Intro 2:25 Did resignation serve its purpose? 11:34 More dangerous today than 1975? 17:20 Is consensus-driven governance the core problem? 35:35 Is it too late to reform confessional power-sharing? 52:12 What are the conditions today for an IMF deal? 1:06:45 Will you return to your advisory roles? 1:11:05 Memories of My Father Click to watch: https://youtu.be/fYOQI_nN09s We're with Alain Bifani and Henri Chaoul for Episode 192 of The Beirut Banyan. We put their recent resignations in perspe...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 25 min
0:00 Intro 1:37 How We Met 6:07 Where We Are Today 18:41 Appetite for Change 23:57 Politics as Usual 30:49 Hope 35:38 Special Tribunal for Lebanon 40:51 Secularism & Sectarianism 47:02 Online Tirades Click to watch: https://youtu.be/1jBBGEq44-Y We're with Mazen El-Hassan for Episode 191 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the symbolism of how we met; political developments in recent weeks; whether there remains an appetite for fundamental change; politics as usual vs radical change; hope persis...
Jul 18, 2020•54 min
0:00 Intro 1:40 Local Longevity 16:24 Local & Regional Overlap 22:30 Tipping Point 28:46 Caesar Act 38:04 Mystery Attacks 46:40 The Geopolitical Story Click to watch: https://youtu.be/_JVqd4C3tzQ We're with Deeba Shadnia for Episode 190 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the longevity of the Lebanese protest movement; how local aspirations and regional politics overlap; whether Lebanon has crossed a 'tipping point' from crisis to collapse; the immediate and long-term effects of the Caesar Act;...
Jul 16, 2020•56 min
0:00 Intro 2:45 Telecoms Today 8:55 Field Offices 18:58 Unlocking Bandwidth 23:12 Cryptocurrency 29:20 Bridging the Gap 37:09 Personal Reflection Click to watch: https://youtu.be/rc-RjXtaKzY We're with Georgio Nicolas for Episode 189 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the telecoms sector in Lebanon, and long-term problems associated with reduced bandwidth and slow internet speeds. We also talk about lack of international field offices in Beirut, and inherent obstacles when persuading tech firms to...
Jul 14, 2020•45 min
0:00 Intro 3:50 "Why the hell do you care about Lebanon?" 12:16 Against the Odds 16:26 Personal Quest 19:18 Bel Lebnene 25:53 Bottom Up 32:00 Long-Form Conversations 37:57 How it Started 45:52 Storytelling 53:04 Dawle 53:51Individual Philosophy 1:04:11 Academia 1:15:53 Local & Global 1:20:29 Evolving Thoughts We're with Mahmoud Rasmi for Episode 188 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/bSQjOWIdKQk We discuss our shared appreciation for long-form conversations, the wider wor...
Jul 11, 2020•1 hr 35 min
0:00 Intro 2:39 Mina Today 19:39 Economic Pain 32:56 The Way Forward 50:37 Vanishing Middle Class 56:45 Commitment to Lebanon Click to watch: https://youtu.be/k1lHD0U_eLs We're with Alison Meuse for Episode 187 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss El Mina and the challenges of running a small business today; how differing political views are often 'geographic'; shared economic pain throughout the country and searching for a viable way forward; the country's vanishing middle class; and choosing to re...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 4 min
0:00 Intro 2:18 Life Today in Beirut 11:05 The Core Problem 22:30 The Structure 40:08 Societal Constraints Click to watch: https://youtu.be/h8GDfyegcE4 We're with Mona Salem for Episode 186 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss difficulties of day-to-day life at the moment in Beirut; the core governing and societal factors preventing immediate political change; why the term 'sectarianism' ushers debate and controversy; the history and durability of Lebanon's confessional consociational governing stru...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min
0:00 Intro 2:44 The Need to Organize 25:48 From Protest to Power 36:16 The Source of the Problem 43:23 Politicians & Population 52:32 Consequences of Covid-19 Click to watch: https://youtu.be/cnnfLhJL2Jg We're back with Nasser Yassin for Episode 185 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the necessity for grassroots organization when it comes to transitioning the protest movement into a long-term political force; identifying the "source of the problem" when it comes to implementing much-needed ref...
Jul 03, 2020•1 hr 4 min
0:00 Intro 2:49 Resignations & Reactions 14:35 The Missing 'Peace' 23:13 Is Sectarianism the Root Cause? 31:37 Diaspora Lifeline 36:37 (Re)creating a Social Pact 45:19 Recent Resignations Click to watch: https://youtu.be/HSzJq5D8A1E We're back with Walid Sinno for Episode 184 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the recent public resignations and reactions; the need for post-civil war reconciliation and establishing a real 'peace'; identifying the root causes for the current economic crisis; fin...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr
0:00 Intro 6:11 State Response to Covid-19 28:48 Public Response to Covid-19 35:12 Healthcare System Reform 47:07 Recommendations vs Decision-Making 59:29 Covid-19 & Economic Crisis 1:12:14 Contextual Factors & Covid-19 We're back with Fatima Al Sayah for Episode 183 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the Lebanese state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic; public behavior that has changed since the novel coronavirus began spreading earlier this year; Lebanon's healthcare system and state i...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 22 min
0:00 Intro 2:32 Hyperinflation & Politics as Usual 22:55 Missing Information 34:03 Responsibility 41:43 The Sinking Ship 49:07 Taking Lebanon to Hell 1:06:16 Moving Forward We're back with Henri Chaoul for Episode 182 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/uvBxkqRT7U4 We discuss his recent resignation letter and his four-months long experience serving as a finance advisor to the Ministry of Finance in its ongoing negotiations with the IMF. We also discuss the desperate need f...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 16 min
0:00 Intro 3:11 American Policy in the Middle East 23:09 Women & Political Representation 38:17 Sanctions & Impact 47:17 Accountability & Justice We're back with Jomana Qaddour for Episode 181 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/m0k1bwamCQk We discuss her experience as a foreign policy advisor to the Pete Butiggieg campaign and American engagement in the Middle East; political demands and aspirations of women in the region; the impact of sanctions vis-a-vis the Cae...
Jun 25, 2020•1 hr 3 min
