0:00 Intro 1:27 Why are you here? 10:13 Policy & planning 19:27 Not in parliament 29:16 Vertical farming 36:59 Solar energy 39:20 Medical coverage 49:27 Research center 1:02:26 Q&A 1:28:18 Incentive 1:38:22 The system We're with Ziad Abi Chaker for Episode 350 of The Beirut Banyan, and the second of a live series at Aaliya's Books. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/KQKaqNhqENo Our conversation covers policy and planning expectations in the near term, potential benefits of remaining in civ...
Mar 05, 2023•1 hr 55 min
0:00 Intro 4:15 Gemmayze 11:23 Roman Beirut 24:39 Late Ottoman Era 54:30 1950-1970 1:16:58 Pop Quiz 1:27:21 Q&A We're with Charles al-Hayek for Episode 349 of The Beirut Banyan, and the first of a live series at Aaliya's Books. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/gxNpGaQCKUk Our conversation covers three different eras encompassing Beirut's role in history as a regional hub for trade, knowledge and a metropole for emerging political ideas and more, including the Roman era, late-Ottoman years an...
Feb 24, 2023•2 hr 12 min
We're with Marie Jo Sader & Monika Borgmann for Episode 348 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/wh2lH3z3vBc We discuss the two year anniversary of Lokman Slim's assassination, the role of investigative journalism in pursuing accountability and justice, and whether the written word is a challenge to the criminals committing political violence. We also talk about the Lokman Slim prize, a demand for an international investigation and a generations-long challenge against impun...
Feb 18, 2023•59 min
We're with Bachir Ramadan for Episode 347 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/u5yRAHHMo8k We discuss near fatal injury following the August 4, 2020 port blast, his gradual recovery and a passionate pursuit for drumming against all odds. We also talk about the metal scene in Lebanon and the wider story of music appreciation and performance. Bachir Ramadan is a drummer. For in-person and online drumming lessons, contact Bachir on Instagram: [at]Bachirramadan89 or by email: Bachi...
Feb 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Click to watch: https://youtu.be/c3ILmIEV3dE I share my thoughts on the situation evolving between Tarek Bitar and Ghassan Oueidat's jurisdiction, the realization that a local investigation into the port blast simply will not yield tangible results, Wissam Eid’s important legacy and reflections on my earlier conversation with Melhem Khalaf and Najat Aoun Saliba during their fifth night in parliament. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or d...
Jan 25, 2023•23 min
In memory of Aimee Daou Click to watch: https://youtu.be/NC25udsI63o Listen to our earlier conversation (Ep.334: Life in a Time of Cholera, Corona & Cancer): www.soundcloud.com/thebeirutbanyan/ep334 And check out Warren Zevon's final performance of Mutineer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShB7zbHu9X4 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 podcas...
Jan 25, 2023•10 min
We're with Najat Aoun Saliba & Melhem Khalaf for Episode 344 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/PqTrgZd23NU Apologies for the poor audio. This was taken from an Instagram Live session filmed in parliament during their fifth night sleeping there, and the internet connection was sub-standard. The quality improves as the discussion progresses. We discuss Tarek Bitar's sudden return, Baabda elections and their firm belief in institution-building and local agency. Najat Aoun S...
Jan 24, 2023•39 min
We're with William Noun for Episode 343 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/bVpSOiGjNDk We discuss his recent interrogation and arrest. Our conversation includes ongoing protests aimed at protecting Tarek Bitar's role as investigative judge looking into the August 4 port blast. We also talk about recent escalation from families and whether street protests can, in effect, help Bitar resume his work now stalled for nearly 15 months. William Noun is a political activist. Help sup...
Jan 18, 2023•38 min
I share my thoughts on Tarek Bitar's predicament, protestors' demands at the Justice Palace and an insistence on proactive diplomacy that focuses on Iran's security interests in Lebanon while discrediting pandering voices seeking accommodation with Hezbollah's weapons. 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. Follo...
Jan 12, 2023•21 min
We're with George Wardini for Episode 341 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/sUhmyviJG7M And like last time, we switch roles between host and guest. We discuss the reasons both of us cover political developments in Lebanon, the art of persuasion through content creation and a wider pursuit for decency, fairness and justice. George Wardini is a content creator. Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our P...
Jan 11, 2023•29 min
This happened by accident. Gabrielle Elia and I had just finished recording Al Wadi (Part 2), and my mom wanted to speak with her for a moment. The cameras, microphones and Zoom kept recording. With their permission, they let us listen and turn this into an anniversary episode. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/kHGDRpzWgjo In memory of those across generations and communal lines that paid the ultimate price for a free and tolerant Lebanon.
Dec 27, 2022•31 min
In memory of Mohamad Bahaa Chatah 7 March 1951 - 27 December 2013 https://youtu.be/-jQlvqrh2CQ
Dec 26, 2022•14 sec
Video version: https://youtu.be/AgfKUejHnkg Al Wadi (Part 2) catches up with Gabrielle Elia, author of 'Impressions of My Youth in Lebanon'. We dive deep into Wadi Abu Jmeel's history - a bygone neighborhood once central to downtown Beirut - and the Lebanese Jewish community's position in a time of post-independence uncertainty for Lebanon. Our discussion explores Gabrielle's childhood, full of an innocent joy that she retains. We also talk about relics both abandoned and restored of a once vibr...
Dec 20, 2022•57 min
0:00 Intro 3:01 Michel & Michel 29:48 Architecture 40:12 Moawad & Baroud 55:11 Leverage We're with George Wardini for Episode 337 of The Beirut Banyan. And, at times, we switch roles between host and guest. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/RKdAGJs3UeI We discuss Michel Moawad's presidential candidacy, the 'Change' bloc's Baabda-elections voting record, looking at local politics through three dimensions, possibilities for a 'Change'-'Opposition' alliance and leverage when it comes to lost...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 21 min
0:00 Intro 2:50 Career 10:19 Social media 18:24 Not visible 31:06 Silos 36:45 L'Orient 40:51 St. George 44:38 Holiday Inn 1:01:22 Burj El Murr 1:09:37 Grand Theater 1:16:03 Martyrs Square statue 1:23:54 The fist 1:28:55 The egg 1:33:24 Connection 1:39:07 Beit Beirut 1:43:46 National museum 1:48:36 Generational shift We're with Zaven Kouyoumdjian for Episode 336 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/S6HAaWIXbTw We discuss his over two decade career as a journalist in a shifting m...
Dec 04, 2022•1 hr 51 min
0:00 Intro 3:03 Four years ago 12:02 'West Beirut' 21:12 Storytelling 27:39 Twelve years ago 47:23 Anxiety & depression 59:51 Change 1:05:39 Personal favorites 1:13:09 Satisfaction 1:23:28 Favorite movie(s) We're with Anit Tabet for Episode 335 of The Beirut banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/quyly6uhD_c We discuss cinema culture, movie reviewing, contrasting classic films with newer series, more selective streaming services and how Ziad Doueiri’s West Beirut brought us closer to our r...
Nov 13, 2022•1 hr 31 min
A conversation about a friend's incredible strength in fighting stage three breast cancer, going through double mastectomy surgery, coping with cancer's temporary remission followed by recurrence and spread into bone marrow, proactively maintaining mental health despite being bed-ridden for over three months and how she is an inspiration to anyone handling immense personal pain in a time of collapse and uncertainty. With Aimee Daou of Bolero - Batroun. Here is the link to Warren Zevon’s final ta...
Nov 06, 2022•45 min
0:00 Intro 0:24 Complications 21:21 Next phase 31:34 Michel Moawad 48:47 Taif 58:27 Sectarianism 1:07:20 Hostage We're with Ibrahim Mneimneh for Episode 333 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/bn0M5vwcziI We discuss complications surrounding the ‘Change’ bloc’s fracturing, the next political phase and how to approach Baabda elections, defending the Taif Agreement and addressing sectarian reform through a long-delayed senate, and challenging our hostage-like situation by produc...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 20 min
0:00 Intro 2:11 What's happening 18:14 Mechanism 30:22 Pragmatism 42:45 Baabda 52:29 Michel Moawad 1:04:52 Long battle We're with Gistelle Semaan, Iman Tabbara & Ghiya El Asaad for Episode 332 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/lCYHieBqEDs We discuss the fracturing of the 'Change' bloc, an internal mechanism needed that takes voting and consensus into account when needed, populism vs pragmatism, the Baabda elections underway, Michel Moawad's viability and the long battle ...
Oct 30, 2022•1 hr 32 min
I share my thoughts on the 'Change' bloc fracture, democratic voting vs consensus, compromise vs absolutism & October 17's national-political pursuit overlayed with differing lists & districts. 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 chec...
Oct 26, 2022•21 min
I share my thoughts on the 10-year marker of Wissam El-Hassan's assassination, joining his son Mazen El-Hassan in Martyrs Square where both of our fathers are buried side by side, heading to Gemmayze afterwards and untangling the political discussions that grew from there. 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. F...
Oct 19, 2022•27 min
0:00 Intro 1:32 Cynthia Zarazir 26:08 Organization 45:18 Line 29 1:16:43 Baabda 1:42:48 Serail 1:48:34 Hezbollah 1:53:42 Social contract We're with Rawad Taha & Laury Haytayan for Episode 329 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/jvDheG_l1x8 We discuss all that is post-elections political terrain and also cover bank heists, the need for more October 17 supporters and groups to organize into political parties, Line 23 vs Line 29, Baabda elections and new potential names for t...
Oct 09, 2022•2 hr 18 min
0:00 Intro 3:16 Personal story 10:09 Not so negative 16:15 Accessible for the youth 26:07 Idea of the project 32:23 National healing process 41:28 Planting seeds 51:10 'Allo, Beirut?' exhibition We're with Tala Khlat & Delphine Darmency for Episode 328 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/e-emNUkREZ0 We discuss citizenship building, civic engagement and the wider role of youth empowerment and education. Our conversation includes the power of collective memory in reclaiming ...
Oct 02, 2022•55 min
Apologies for the mismatched audio levels. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/5lUD1VEgxFg I share disagreements with the wider framing of core problems explored within the opinion piece 'The Time to Act is Now' authored by the EU various European ambassadors and the need to create leverage and diplomatically engage Iran over Lebanon. Link to L'Orient Today article authored by EU and various European ambassadors: https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1312839/the-time-to-act-is-now.html
Sep 28, 2022•36 min
0:00 Intro 1:18 The death of the country 9:12 A process that's denied 22:40 Line 29 36:55 Baabda 48:02 Reclaim what was stolen 52:44 'Madrase' moment 1:03:02 Political violence 1:14:38 Environmental degradation We're with Najat Aoun Saliba for Episode 326 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/JniZaGvq5wM We discuss her first four months as a member of parliament, the debate surrounding Line 23 vs Line 29, the Baabda presidency-selection process moving forward, her 'madrase' mome...
Sep 25, 2022•1 hr 24 min
I discuss the strength, warmth and inspiration that keeps me in this country - and despite the immense pressure and suffering we are witnessing - defines by defying Lebanon's tragedy. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/mIanFfYOznI With mentions of Chaden El Daif, Joe Farchakh, Charbel Salameh and Charles al-Hayek. 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...
Sep 03, 2022•34 min
0:00 Intro 0:46 AUB 12:41 Mikhael Gorbachev 19:21 Cause & consequence 39:27 Baabda Click to watch: https://youtu.be/LVKuyzwxZlg I discuss changes at AUB, Mikhail Gorbachev’s legacy, the cause & consequence for state failure along with independent MPs navigating paralysis, & structural limitations inherent to Baabda. 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 ...
Aug 31, 2022•43 min
Recorded from an Instagram Live session We're with Gino Raidy for Episode 322 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/gw0T0eCEkvo We discuss heightened social media attacks and physical threats hurled against photojournalist Hasan Shaaban and MTV host Dima Sadek. Our conversation includes merging local aspirations with international diplomacy, and the process needed for 'Change' bloc MPs to pursue and yield reform. Gino Raidy in an activist, blogger, and podcaster. He current host...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 51 min
Recorded on 17 July (International Justice Day) at Station Beirut Click to watch: https://youtu.be/zwkryW4QJOk Introductory speeches: Monika Borgmann-Slim, director of UMAM Documentation & Research; Rasha Al Ameer, director of Dar Al Jadeed; and Anna Fleischer, director of Heinrich Böll Stiftung Beirut - Middle East Participants: Ronnie Chatah, host of The Beirut Banyan podcast; Andreas Kindl, German Ambassador to Lebanon; Moussa Khoury, lawyer of Ms. Borgmann for the Lokman Slim case; Aya M...
Aug 03, 2022•2 hr 8 min
0:00 Intro 5:39 Instagram page 15:12 Measurements 36:06 Done it better 46:26 Without Solidère 52:28 People 1:03:01 The story 1:11:38 A whole chapter of history We're with Mohamad Tohmé for Episode 322 of The Beirut Banyan. Click to watch: https://youtu.be/XI_9NZuvZl0 We discuss his Instagram page (lebanon_then_now) and the measurements needed to accurately layer before and after photos throughout Beirut. Our conversation includes the Municipality and Solidère's varying roles in post-civil war ur...
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 20 min
