Violent protests have erupted again in Lebanon as the country lurches deeper into a political and economic crisis.

There's little prospect of a Government being formed soon. The local currency is depreciating against the US dollar, making daily life more expensive.

There's a weekly cap on withdrawals from the banks.

People are desperate and their frustrations spilled over into riots in Downtown Beirut on the weekend. Many believe it's the only way they'll be heard by the political elite.

It's a very different scene in Australia. Geraldine has been struck by the surge of national pride in the wake of the bushfire crisis. She hopes the Government uses the opportunity to act on this rare moment of national consensus.

Finally, Geraldine and her daughter reflect on the power of a good funeral.

Let us know what you think of the episode on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Lebanon on 'brink of chaos and anarchy' Washington Post

Deidre Macken: United by Crisis, Frustrated into Action

Can Scott Morrison Learn to Lead?

Things are hot in the Middle East and even hotter on this week's podcast.

Geraldine and Eliza have divergent views about the American assassination of Iranian Commander Qasem Suleimani. They also disagree about some of the journalism that has stemmed from the killing.

But they do tend to see eye to eye on 'Meghxit'. Eliza feels sorry for Meghan Markle and hates her treatment in the press. But she also thinks the Sussexes could have handled the split better.

Also this week: Captain Cook and summer time in Cairns. Money exchange in Beirut. And how to define 'star power' on TV.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Trent Dalton’s three-part series on Captain Cook in The Australian

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/cook-rediscovered-miracle-on-the-great-barrier-reef/news-story/2e118a456b4df6ded3cce366e6d8aeeb

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/cook-rediscovered-endeavour-believed-to-be-in-watery-rhode-island-grave/news-story/9cc8cbff3b434dc6b0124e723cfb0bfb

Dexter Filkins on Qasem Suleimani

Thomas Freidman on Suleimani

Tarek Osman on Suleimani

Julia Baird on Meghan Markle

Eliza and Geraldine discuss John Le Carre's latest novel "Agent Running in the Field".

Let us know what you think at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Here are some reviews:

The Atlantic

Peter Craven in The Australian

The Guardian

LDC has a special guest this week.

Geraldine and one of her oldest friends (and Eliza's godmother) Mary Ciccarelli are in Beirut for new years celebrations.

The three women sit down over a a glass of wine to talk about their impressions of Lebanon & the Syria crisis, the latest Ann Patchett novel and the joys of cauliflower for dinner.

Let us know your thoughts at [email protected] or join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page.

The Good Shepherd Sister of the Middle East

Ann Patchett - The Dutch House

All is True - movie

Ad Astra - Brad Pitt

Lee Child says Tom Cruise is too small to be Jack Reacher

The Middle of Nowhere - George Megalogenis in The Monthly

Stasiland Now - Anna Funder in The Monthly

A Gentleman in Moscow

Welcome to the last podcast of 2019!

It's been a huge year.

Geraldine travelled to Russia. Eliza went back to full time work. Progressive politics was overtaken by fear.

Tune in for hot tips and analysis.

Please let us know your reflections on 2019 by joining the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Thankyou so much for listening!

The Loudest Voice - Stan

Succession - HBO

Normal People – Sally Rooney

Women’s Work – Megan Stack

Inside the trial of Shamima Begum – British GQ

Fintan O’Toole – The Ham of Fate

Lech Blain – How good is Queensland! The Monthly

Australia in the World podcast

Rear Vision – ABC Radio National

Understanding Assassinations – Rear Vision ABC Radio National

Serial Season 3

Slow Burn Season 2

The Daily podcast – New York Times

Who the Hell is Hamish – podcast

The Two Popes - film

Knives Out - film

Buy From The Bush by Grac...

Eliza had the privilege of being at The Hague last week for the Gambia's genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi lead Myanmar's defence and argued that no genocide was committed against the Rohingya muslim community. She said any crimes committed during the 2017 "clearance operations" should be tried at home, rather abroad.

Eliza joined a group of Rohingya survivors at The Hague, who now live in the camps in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh.

When Eliza returned to Lebanon she went to the Roman ruins at Baalbek for the final bookclub of the year. The verdict: Baalbek is a must see!

Geraldine is having a lovely, social wind-down to Christmas.

Stay tuned for the "Best of 2019" podcast which will drop just before Christmas Day.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

The Daily: Elizabeth Warren

ABC Rear Vision – Nancy Pelosi

The Minefield – Is literary fiction worth it for the moral life?

Packer Boys - The Belvoir

Remember the horrible crimes against the Rohingya community in 2017?

The Myanmar Government - lead by freedom fighter turned leader Aung San Suu Kyi - will defend accusations of a genocide at the International Court of Justice at The Hague this week.

And Eliza will be there to bear witness with three very brave Rohingya survivors who have made the long journey from the camps in Bangladesh.

Also on this podcast: Eliza and Geraldine predict a Tory majority at the UK poll on Thursday. And how to fix lower back pain.

Join the conversation at our "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email us at [email protected].

The "Best of 2019" episode will be recorded next week.

Geraldine is having one of those weeks that makes you tired just hearing about it. It started with big breaking news stories on her breakfast radio shifts on Monday. Then it was down to Canberra and Melbourne for meetings and will culminate with her MC’ing a big public function to celebrate 80 years of international broadcasting at the ABC.

It’s been a busy time over in Lebanon too. Eliza’s husband Adam is back in Australia so she’s running around with the kids while monitoring the looming economic crisis. The local Lebanese currency, the Lira, has dropped sharply against the US dollar. Employees are only receiving a fraction of their wages. It’s hard to see a solution in Lebanon that doesn’t result in more financial pain for most of its citizens.

Thanks for listening!

Join the conversation at the Facebook page “Long Distance Callers” or email us at [email protected]

The Climb – Geraldine Doogue

Australia in the World podcast

Allan Gyngell on China

Brian Hartzer forced to quit Westpac

Risk of economic collapse looms in Lebanon

This is an updated episode of "The Crown". The first attempt had some audio problems. Apologies!

The new season of The Crown has just dropped on Netflix.

It begins in 1964 as England is on the verge of electing British Labour MP Harold Wilson into Downing Street.

The series continues to unpick the enduring marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

The British actress Olivia Colman has taken over as Queen from Claire Foy. Geraldine isn't quite sure about the new Monarch, despite being a big fan of Colman's work. Eliza agrees that Colman doesn't quite nail the reserved Elizabeth like her predecessor, partly due to her natural warmth and expressive face.

The conversation about The Crown segues to the topic of marriage in general. Then it's the train wreck that was the Prince Andrew interview concerning his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Thanks for listening!

Email us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Facebook at the "Long Distance Callers" page.

The Crown & Peter Morgan

The Audience Peter Morgan

Prince Andrew interview on BBC

Broadchurch

Eliza & Geraldine discuss "Fleishman Is in Trouble" by Taffy Brodesser-Akner.

The verdict: relentless.

Let us know your thoughts via email [email protected] or join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page.