POINT COUNTERPOINT - Episode 3

An exchange on political affairs impacting Lebanon and the Middle East, with a unique vantage point from Beirut.

Co-hosted by Michael Young (senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan) and Bashshar Haydar (professor of philosophy at AUB) - both Beirut-based analysts sharing their nuanced perspectives while honing in on disagreements.

Episode 3 covers three topics: (1) Nawaf Salam's cabinet formation process, a perception dilemma that has left his allies frustrated and Amal Movement's continued insistence on the Ministry of Finance; (2) the presidency so far, Joseph Aoun's mandate and the security reality dictated by the Israelis with international support that has allowed for the enforcement of 1701; and (3) the upcoming twenty year commemoration of Rafic Hariri's assassination, and how 'Sunni' and 'Shia' politics will play out with a diminished Iranian sphere of influence.

Michael Young's article discussed during this episode:

"Hezbollah Tries Making a Comeback":

https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2025/01/hezbollah-tries-making-a-comeback?lang=en

Bashshar Haydar's articles referred to can be accessed via his new column in Nidaa al Watan:

https://www.nidaalwatan.com/author/1883-بشار-حيدر

Stay tuned for more episodes.

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Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:38 Cabinet formation process

15:48 Presidency, security & ceasefire

42:14 Twenty year Rafic Hariri commemoration