The Beirut Banyan

I share my thoughts on 'Change' MPs choosing not to vote for Nawaf Salam during prime-ministerial consultations, pragmatism vs. absolutism and Line 29, the downside to endless photo ops, fallout from Najat Aoun Saliba's comments regarding Nabih Berri's experience in parliament, and the inability to address policy concerns related to Iran's security dominion over Lebanon.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/Ta1BMKJchaM

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

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Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

0:28 Diaspora

3:19 Expectations

21:29 The three of us

29:18 Justice

36:03 Familiar terrain

47:47 Paternal duties

48:27 Trust

55:09 Failure

1:03:12 Mission

1:16:48 Nation

We're with Paul & Tracy Naggear for Episode 318 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/D_cZTNKPwYk

We discuss the diaspora vote, expectations for Sunday's parliamentary elections, and the mission that bonds the three of us.

Our conversation includes the pursuit of justice, building trust for newer names and groups demanding change, and the familiar terrain that pushes many Lebanese citizens to vote for well-established parties.

We also talk about the needed consequence for failure, and the silence that brings a nation together.

Paul & Tracy Naggear are political activists and the parents of Alexandra "Lexou" Naggear.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:41 This time around

9:46 Policy

16:38 Earlier attempts

27:35 What can be done

35:39 Repetition

42:38 Current ambition

49:14 The Hariri name

58:14 Beirut 2

We're with Fouad Makhzoumi for Episode 317 of The Beirut Banyan.

We compare this year's parliamentary elections with 2005 and 2009 and examine what can be done that is different to earlier attempts at reform.

Our conversation includes avoiding repetition that leads to paralysis, policies that would undermine Iran's security position in Lebanon and on the ground campaigning in Beirut.

Fouad Makhzoumi is MP candidate in Beirut 2 district.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

5:19 2004 - 2005

11:50 Mar Mikhael Agreement

20:23 Sided opposition

27:29 Sectarianism

37:07 Fault

50:41 Protesters

1:02:24 Blast

1:08:54 Baabda

1:12:18 Iran's security in Lebanon

We're with Alain Aoun for Episode 315 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/klKtZcfxk9Q

We discuss the buildup to March 14, 2005, the political decisions taken in the aftermath of the Syrian army's withdrawal from Lebanon, and the wider role of sectarianism while pursuing national aspirations.

Our conversation includes the geopolitical burden on local affairs, looking back at forced national unity, and protester demands following October 17, 2019.

We also discuss the port blast's implications on sovereignty, a diplomatic way to challenge Iran's security needs in Lebanon, and voter concerns while campaigning in Baabda district.

Alain Aoun is MP candidate in Baabda district.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:30 List formation

31:17 Reform

47:23 Fundamentally disagree

1:43:40 Economics

2:12:20 Post-elections

We're with Mounir Doumani, Petra Samaha & Rayan Charara for Episode 314 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss the list formation process, why previous reform attempts failed and the program offered by Citizens in a State.

Our conversation includes a look at post-civil war economics, post-elections ambition and a healthy debate on political agency, sub-state activity, systemic failure and lost sovereignty.

Mounir Doumani is MP candidate in Tripoli, Petra Samaha is MP candidate in Zahle & Rayan Charara is a member of Citizens in a State.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

2:55 Sectarian anxiety

11:08 One particular figure

26:04 Voters in Beirut

36:35 Local issues

47:58 The message

1:03:11 Enter parliament

1:11:03 Expertise

1:24:22 A system for Lebanon

We're with Iman Tabbara & Waddah Sadek for Episode 316 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss campaigning in Beirut 2 district, combating sectarian anxiety within the Sunni community and delivering the message of reform and good governance.

Our conversation includes taking expertise in various fields to parliament, pushing through legislation when dealing with geopolitical concerns, and overcoming the exit of one particular figure from politics.

Iman Tabbara and Waddah Sadek are MP candidates in Beirut 2 district.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:00 Personal intention

9:24 Municipal to national elections

20:44 National journey

34:43 Larger list

1:01:53 Day-to-day politics

1:15:31 The wall

We're with Sarah Yassine for Episode 313 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/4tZTLxYRzYM

We discuss the personal intentions for running for parliament, Madinati's journey from municipal to national elections, and why a larger unified list did not pan out for October 17 groups.

Our conversation includes campaigning on the ground in Beirut 2, the day-to-day concerns of voters and overcoming the geopolitical burden on reform-minded politicians.

Sarah Yassine is MP candidate in Beirut 2 district.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

0:58 Childhood

7:34 Enter parliament

12:47 Sovereignty

24:41 Pressure

29:25 Violence

43:02 Army figure

51:06 Baabda voters

57:00 Memories of my father

We're with Khalil Helou for Episode 312 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/eOk2q_hr9Es

We discuss his childhood pre-civil war, a well-established army turned political career, issues of sovereignty and foreign policy, and how to affect change through parliament.

Our conversation includes campaigning on the ground in Baabda and tackling system failure through legislature.

Khalil Helou is MP candidate in Baabda district.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

2:38 Reluctance

10:49 Transition

24:38 Secularism

42:58 March 14 & March 8

57:10 On the ground

1:02:58 Judicial independence

1:10:38 The journey

We're with Verena El Amil for Episode 311 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss reluctance and responsibility when it comes to running for parliament, the transition from student politics to national aspirations, and the journey set forward from October 17, 2019..

Our conversation includes wider debates surrounding secularism and sectarianism, the comparisons made between March 14 & March 8, and an insistence on judicial independence.

We also talk about campaigning on the ground in Matn district, and why the choice was made to run there as opposed to Beirut 1 district.

Verena El Amil is MP candidate in Matn district. She is a lawyer and member of the Beirut Bar Association.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

4:55 Memories

8:53 Politics today

13:03 Structural problem

23:24 Pursuit in parliament

30:30 Beyond the state

36:53 Independent

41:57 Generator industry

49:28 Waste burning

55:37 On the ground

We're with Najat Aoun Saliba for Episode 310 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/BEsRNfDpCE0

We discuss early memories of Damour and pre-civil war Lebanon, political pursuit today through parliament and focusing on administrative process and accountability.

Our conversation includes obstacles beyond the state obstructing reform, independent voices emerging as competition to established names, and issues addressed when campaigning on the ground.

We also talk about the decades old generator industry, increased waste burning and mitigating environmental concerns through legislation.

Najat Aoun Saliba is MP candidate in Chouf district. She is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry and an atmospheric chemist at the American University of Beirut.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:

@thebeirutbanyan

And check out our website:

www.ronniechatah.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.