0:00 Intro

4:10 Main Stumbling Block

11:17 Long Term

18:25 Unstable State

26:26 Primary to Breakdown

36:31 Lebanese Position

45:05 Macron Approach

52:26 Immediate Strategy

58:41 State Monopoly

1:06:12 Unicorn

We're with Heiko Wimmen for Episode 232 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/2bhBuerTMQk

We discuss the recent International Crisis Group briefing, "Avoiding Further Polarization in Lebanon" and reflect on the immediacy of avoiding state collapse. We also address wider issues of economic reform and debate the urgency of addressing sub-state weaponry.

Our conversation includes a healthy exchange over Hezbollah's role in the deterioration of the Lebanese state, and a back and forth over expectations given continued political paralysis and a crippling financial crisis.

Heiko Wimmen is the International Crisis Group Project Director for Iraq, Syria, Lebanon.

The briefing referenced in this piece is accessible via the following link:

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/lebanon/b81-avoiding-further-polarisation-lebanon

And the recommended earlier briefing mentioned by Heiko towards the end of the episode is available here:

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/lebanon/preventing-state-collapse-lebanon

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.