0:00 Intro

1:52 A return to sectarian discourse

7:46 Senate & federalism

23:00 'Change' & sectarianism

29:28 Post-elections

38:14 Culture & infrastructure

46:28 Resignation & boycott

1:01:11 Port blast investigation

1:10:24 Media figure

1:29:08 Q&A

1:58:36 Nine years ago

We're with Albert Kostanian for Episode 354 of The Beirut Banyan, recorded live at Aaliya's Books.

Click to watch: https://youtu.be/AYj36wcmKFQ

We discuss the post-October 17 political and economic landscape, the role of media and Vision 2030's impact on discourse and narrative, an anthropological take on culture and infrastructure and the lack of public utility that could bring more people together, and where the port blast investigation stands.

We also cover post-elections frustration and sectarianism in light of the time zone fiasco, including a look at why Taif's stipulation for a senate was never implemented and increased calls for federalism.

Albert Kostanian is an economist, host of LBC's Vision 2030 and chairman of Kulluna Irada.

Special thanks to Samer Beyhum for his audio-technical support.

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