0:00 Intro 3:51 Spotlight 16:03 Teenagers 23:53 Civil war 40:03 Inclination 46:19 IMF 55:17 Return 1:01:11 Diplomacy 1:17:58 Eight years We're with my mom, Nina Chatah, for Episode 292 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/3oNV3wgJO9U We share memories of my father, Mohamad Chatah. We discuss my parents' relationship growing up in pre-civil war Lebanon, their move to the United States, his career abroad and ultimate return to Lebanon. We also reflect on eight years passing since...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 35 min
0:00 Intro 3:27 Meaning 9:22 Divide 28:36 Something wrong 46:56 Aspiration 1:00:33 Now We're with Asma Andraos for Episode 291 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/aRTcMDErOPw We discuss all that was March 14, 2005. From its buildup in the weeks leading up to that date, the momentum on the street vs the political decisions made, and the movement that withered as political violence took hold. We also look back at the reasons for the divide that emerged between the March 8 and Ma...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min
0:00 Intro 1:30 Drive to register 18:51 Future of this country 42:38 Entrepreneurs We're with Dana Hourany for Episode 290 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/WbtraNrDDpc We discuss her recent NOWLebanon pieces covering opposition-led politics and last week's lawyers syndicate election defeat for October 17 parties, impressions following the diaspora voter registration campaign, as well as entrepreneurial skills moving online in times of financial crisis and economic collapse....
Nov 28, 2021•1 hr 2 min
I discuss October 17's setback and defeat in last weekend's lawyer syndicate elections, our recent independence day's passing and why political & militant actors in Lebanon are behaving as they do. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Jr-FamUfG00 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 podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Insta...
Nov 23, 2021•16 min
0:00 Intro 1:35 Transition 24:38 Regime 44:20 March 14 1:11:42 Investigation 1:19:06 October 17 We're with Jad Ghosn for Episode 288 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/xXykuFazJa0 We discuss his journalism career and transition from mainstream media to independent podcasting, and the common criticism both of us face when recording episodes with 'regime' figures. Our conversation includes a look back at the March 14 movement, investigative journalism's role in the port blast a...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 45 min
Click to watch: https://youtu.be/04xqYUAgxmM In Ep.287 I narrate my latest piece for NOWLebanon, 'Agency. Not Surrender'. To read the full article: https://nowlebanon.com/agency-not-surrender/
Nov 15, 2021•13 min
I discuss the driving force - both the good and the bad - behind running for next year's parliamentary elections, in hopes that pushing for reform remains an ultimate priority, regardless of whether the opposition wins or loses against traditional parties. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/VCwMqgjufFk 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 podcast fro...
Nov 13, 2021•12 min
I discuss the wider issue of consensus and how it has shaped modern Lebanese political history. I also reflect on the 1960s and why that decade is an anomaly when it comes to state building, neutrality and sovereignty. 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 podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeir...
Nov 12, 2021•25 min
I discuss the need for diaspora citizens to register to vote for next year’s parliamentary elections and I outline the process step by step. To register, click on the following link: https://diasporavote.mfa.gov.lb And follow the steps noted in the episode. Contact Kulluna Irada's call center for further information needed: Worldwide: +96176907686 (WhatsApp) North America Hotline: +16478466388 To read my article, 'Agency. Not Surrender.' in NOWLebanon this Thursday, visit the website: www.nowleb...
Nov 10, 2021•10 min
0:00 Intro 3:34 What keeps you here? 10:30 Appreciation for rock music 19:44 Patience 41:25 Democratization 1:00:38 Benefit 1:14:33 Independence 1:34:38 Years to come We're with Rabih Salloum for Episode 283 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/ZFr1aUPNAhI We discuss his current solo project Grave Jones, his latest single 'Heaven Only Knows' and earlier music with Slutterhouse. Our conversation includes an appreciation for rock music, Beirut as a backdrop for storytelling and t...
Nov 07, 2021•1 hr 40 min
Click to watch: https://youtu.be/6YFqWn7ny4M I discuss what's at stake when it comes to reformists and next year's parliamentary elections, regional and international posturing vis-a-vis Iran and the increasingly likely return of (Russian-based) Syrian influence over Lebanon, and why any country with leverage over the Iranian regime and negotiating over their nuclear program must place our sovereignty on the table. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/...
Nov 04, 2021•9 min
0:00 Intro 5:01 Fatherhood 10:45 Reflection 31:16 Maturity 40:34 2005 & 2009 54:43 March 14 1:06:32 Sectarianism 1:17:21 Militia 1:40:02 Internal Structure 1:44:18 Diaspora We're with Hussein El Achi for Episode 281 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/HS-EVvzEeoA We discuss all that is Minteshreen, reflections on two years past the October 17 uprising and comparisons with earlier protest movements. Our conversation includes last week's tragic events in Tayyouneh, differenc...
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 53 min
I discuss the recurring suspension of the Beirut port blast investigation, Judge Tarek Bitar's continued pursuit and the reasons I think the threats against him are more performative in nature than meant to remove him, in an attempt to discredit the entire process as was done to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Fve_5cMKr3U Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www...
Oct 12, 2021•13 min
0:00 Intro 0:25 What is Kulluna Irada? 10:55 'Email your ambassador' 17:10 The same page 26:12 Port blast investigation 35:45 Opposition parties 46:06 Reflective 50:48 Splintering We're with Diana Menhem for Episode 279 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/BUId-YOV0iM We discuss civic engagement, political reform and the wider role of Kulluna Irada. Our conversation includes position papers and policy statements delivered by Kulluna Irada, lobbying efforts regarding lawsuits an...
Oct 10, 2021•56 min
0:00 Intro 0:58 Karantina 19:01 1934 Beirut Port Blast 25:47 Tramway 42:52 Train 48:12 Alternative Modes 57:26 Pressing Matter We're with Mohamad El Chemaa for Episode 278 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/Ai_sxzYy9Nk We discuss Karantina's construction and evolution, the 1934 port blast and the country's once-renowned public transport system including the Beirut tramway and Lebanese national rail network. Our conversation includes urban planning gone astray, alternative mod...
Oct 03, 2021•1 hr 4 min
0:00 Intro 2:23 Scar 15:48 Change 31:17 Reconciliation 39:47 Militia 48:00 Sovereignty 56:23 Elections 1:11:50 On Your Terms We're with Samy Gemayel for Episode 277 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/3aJdZ4eht-0 We discuss the shared pain of losing family members to political assassinations, and inheriting legacies from loved ones. Our conversation includes Kataeb's political evolution since 1936, along with its militia role during the 1970s and 80s. We touch on the difficult...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 25 min
Click to watch: https://youtu.be/8p47uTIfPAg Subscribe to The Beirut Banyan's YouTube channel and help promote our video releases: www.youtube.com/c/thebeirutbanyan Thanks to everyone listening and watching. Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode with Samy Gemayel.
Sep 25, 2021•3 min
0:00 Intro 0:25 America 28:50 Stability & Crisis Management 47:56 Two Narratives 1:01:49 Sovereignty & Neutrality 1:23:38 October 17 We're with Nadim Shehadi for Episode 276 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/502pNWB33_E We discuss America's influence in Lebanon over the past two centuries, and the soft power interchange among people and education vs a more recent foreign policy defined by hard power expenditure and bureaucracy. Our conversation includes a fork in the...
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 39 min
0:00 Intro 1:05 Tankers & Talks 7:58 Coming from Syria 14:01 Hof Line 23:37 Expectations from Elections 35:33 Burden 44:36 Engaging Iran 49:14 Lebanese Forces' Disarmament We're with Laury Haytayan for Episode 275 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/nAK5qU9hHjA We discuss the energy crisis impacting Lebanon, along with the Iranian oil tanker and World Bank proposal both involving Syria. Our conversation includes Laury's perspective on the Hof Line and more recent negotiati...
Sep 12, 2021•57 min
0:00 Intro 4:23 Political Curiosity 18:42 The Same Story 28:29 Broader Alliance 35:43 National Elections 51:38 Hezbollah 1:00:09 Not Leaving 1:08:51 Clarity 1:14:37 Lebanese Forces & Opposition We're with Rawad Taha for Episode 274 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/ekKbRFkfIIs We discuss Rawad's political activism, how the readings of Samir Kassir impacted his views and whether the current aspirations of Minteshreen match those from the buildup to the March 14 movement. ...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 21 min
0:00 Intro 2:29 Preconditions 8:57 Sovereignty 28:25 Militia 34:21 Neutrality 50:00 Baabda Declaration 1:02:11 Federalism 1:25:24 Intellectual Journey We're with Hicham Bou Nassif for Episode 273 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss lost sovereignty, the necessity for a foreign policy of neutrality including examples from the late 1950s and 60s, and the wider debate on decentralization and federalism in Lebanon. Our conversation includes false equivalence when it comes to comparing political parties...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 41 min
0:00 Intro 4:39 The Last Few Weeks 11:55 Crossroads 15:08 Dysfunction 29:10 Determination 33:24 Iran's Needs 42:38 False Equivalencies 1:01:26 Warzone 1:08:14 Salvageable System? 1:22:55 Departure We're with Tala Ramadan for Episode 272 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the immense challenges over the past few weeks and rampant dysfunction making daily life enormously difficult in Lebanon. Our conversation includes a reflection of Iran's security needs in Lebanon, disagreement over what I conside...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 27 min
In memory of the victims of the August 4 blast. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/x7v4ktFV21Q Written and narrated by Mike Azar. Music by Marc Codsi.
Aug 03, 2021•12 min
0:00 Intro 2:40 Storyteller 10:59 School Years 18:06 Instagram 27:57 Liberating 32:52 Modern Beirut 42:12 Focus of Beirut 49:07 Diaspora 1:02:54 'Lebanese' 1:10:20 Nahda 1:18:46 National Narrative 1:44:20 Phoenicia 1:57:35 Collateral 1:59:55 Saydet el Bzez We're with Charles al-Hayek for Episode 270 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/4Io4GQGssdY We discuss the importance of storytelling, history education and the 'liberation' that comes with learning from our collective past....
Jul 18, 2021•2 hr 10 min
Previously unpublished introduction to my conversation with Jad Ghosn from his podcast, 'Reflection with Jad Ghosn'. For the full episode: https://youtu.be/2-UV_y30tPQ We discuss the July 2006 war, why I started my WalkBeirut tour and The Beirut Banyan podcast, and a general background to storytelling. A special thanks to Jad Ghosn for letting my publish the introduction to our episode.
Jul 12, 2021•19 min
0:00 Intro 1:52 Erosion 9:18 Safety Issues 18:05 Incentives 26:18 Biking Today 33:50 Corruption We're with Elena Haddad and Zeina Hawa for Episode 269 of The Beirut Banyan. Video: https://youtu.be/x1EzebEJM20 We discuss incentives needed to position the bicycle as a serious alternative to car usage as well as corruption impacting all things public sector. Our conversation includes lack of pedestrian access and viable public transport in Beirut and across Lebanon. Elena Haddad and Zeina Hawa are ...
Jul 11, 2021•53 min
0:00 Intro 1:28 Part of the Story 9:04 Intimidation 14:52 Crux of the Issue 22:04 Covering Lebanon We're with Matthew Kynaston for Episode 268 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/KBaDJHgPihw We discuss his recent interrogation, wider consequences of intimidation and what it's like for a reporter to become part of the story covered. Our conversation includes Matthew's character-driven storytelling craft and his personal journey to Lebanon. Matthew Kynaston is a multimedia journ...
Jul 04, 2021•32 min
0:00 Intro 2:45 Accomplishments & Ageing 10:40 A Way to Express 18:57 Birth Pangs of Greater Lebanon 27:34 Comparing Trends 39:32 Tools Needed to Shield 54:18 Sectarianism 1:00:52 Federalism 1:08:25 1975-82 We're with Chloé Kattar for Episode 267 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/SW0_voCRSiM We discuss emotions accompanying completion of a PhD in Lebanese history overlapping with the October 17 uprising and continued economic collapse and political paralysis. Our convers...
Jun 27, 2021•1 hr 18 min
Chaker Khazaal is a reporter, speaker, and author. His work includes an acclaimed trilogy 'Confessions of a War Child, Lia, and Sahara', 'Tale of Tala' and 'OUCH!', penned following the Beirut port blast. Follow Chaker on social media: IG: chakerkhazaal; FB: @ChakerKhazaalPage; Twitter: @ChakerKhazaal From long-form analysis to in-depth essays and books covering wide terrain, Tala Ramadan shares her appreciation for the written word. Each episode will jump into a select work, reflecting on the t...
Jun 21, 2021•25 min
This week's article is "Tension & Turf", accessible via the following link: https://nowlebanon.com/tension-and-turf/ 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 podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illu...
Jun 21, 2021•11 min
