0:00 Intro

1:24 Background

12:39 2011

20:18 Civil to Political

30:20 Hezbollah

42:32 The Last Time We Spoke

53:32 The Question

01:01:55 Roles Reversed

We're with Gilbert Doumit for Episode 251 of The Beirut Banyan.

We reflect on crossing paths on the streets of Beirut, from distributing aid kits during the July 2006 War until a chance encounter last week in Gemmayze.

We discuss the political evolution of civil society following the Syrian army's withdrawal in 2005, and Gilbert's own career in pushing for state reform. We also touch on points of friction aired out during this episode, and at the end of our conversation we flip roles as Gilbert asks me several questions.

There are moments of coming to terms in this episode and a reconsidering of preconceived notions that stood out to me. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Gilbert Doumit is a founding and managing partner of Beyond Reform & Development Group.

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Music by Marc Codsi. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.