The Beirut Banyan

0:00 Intro

0:17 Parallel

12:15 Lost battle

27:02 Endgame

36:18 Near the end

53:37 Refugees

1:00:05 Russia without Putin

We're with Ambassador Ihor Ostash for Episode 299 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/gBRk62qvHLY

We discuss Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Putin's security considerations and endgame in Kiev, and parallels to Lebanon's place under Syrian occupation and current Iranian dominion.

Our conversation includes the Ambassador's optimistic view that the Putin regime is nearing its end. We also compare the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to the 2020 Beirut port blast, and consider tipping points for regimes' influence over regional security spheres.

Ihor Ostash is the Ambassador of Ukraine to Lebanon.

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

5:53 Delivering the message

9:42 Layered & complicated

15:25 Sovereignty

30:53 Ethno-geography

48:03 Birth & death

1:12:25 Ten principles

1:12:40 (1) National Narratives

1:17:50 (2) Self-government

1:17:59 (3) Subsidiarity & Localism

1:19:38 (4) Solidarity

1:25:32 (5) Cantonal Sovereignty

1:36:21 (6 & 7) Structure & Government

1:46:27 (8) Direct Democracy

1:54:46 (9 & 10) Roadmap & Implementation

2:16:28 Consensus

We're with Iyad Boustany for Episode 298 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/uUXIzS6VE9g

We discuss layered history, identity and the merits of sovereignty in a consensus-based form of power-sharing governance.

Our conversation includes reflections on the Règlement Organique constitution, the Mutasarrifyate form of governance, French Mandatory and post-independent administration and a debate on political violence's role in systemic paralysis.

We also talk about the proposed federalist constitution's ten principles and the role of family history in shaping persuasion and narrative.

Iyad Boustany is an advocate for a federalist government in Lebanon.

Check out his website:

www.fedleb.org

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

2:53 From science to politics

12:59 Ideological shift

38:24 Immediate post-civil war era

51:14 Falling out with the Lebanese Forces

57:00 March 14, 2005

1:07:13 Seventeen years

1:22:15 Local decisions

1:31:37 External powers

We're with Toufic Hindi for Episode 297 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/zMsnTnb244I

We discuss his varied career in Lebanese politics, radical shift in ideological stance during the civil war and 15-month imprisonment from 2001-2002.

We look back at the civil war years, in particular, and reflect on his earlier relationship with the Lebanese Forces and how local decisions taken by partisan groups interplayed with geopolitics.

We also talk about the prospects for serious reform without addressing Iran's security considerations and underlying local problems that persist.

Toufic Hindi is a political analyst.

The book mentioned in this episode, ‘Une Trosième Guerre Mondiale Pas Comme Les Autres' can be purchased via the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/Toufic-Hindi/e/B0756D4FK3%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

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.

My appearance on The Happy Hour podcast, hosted by Ramzi Abou Ismail.

0:00 Does story telling shape or reflect public opinion?

3:47 Remembering Martyr Mohammad Chatah: Will justice be achieved?

23:11 Lebanon and sovereignty: A long history of battles.

31:26 Is Hezballah a “security provider” for part of the Lebanese society?

42:15 Are groups trying to dominate each other in Lebanon by seeking foreign aid?

50:24 Do our problems lie in our inability to apply legislation, or with legislation itself?

59:07 Similarities and Differences between March 14 2005 and October 17 2019

1:01:47 Different perspectives regarding the opposition today: Strength and weaknesses

1:19:56 What is truly dividing the opposition, and what are our chances in the elections?

'Podcaster, columnist, advocate for Lebanese sovereignty, and all-round awesome guy, this Thursday, we bring you the Happy Storyteller, Ronnie Chatah! With Ronnie, we reflect on Lebanon’s struggle with political violence, absence of justice, and gateways to reform.'

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/qqWAN_rNRsk

In memory of Lokman Slim

17 July 1962 - 4 February 2021

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/64ib_xV6kIA

A special thank you to Monika Borgmann (filmmaker, director of UMAM Research & Documentation & Lokman's wife); Rasha al Ameer (author, publisher of Dar al Jadeed & Lokman's sister); & Salma Merchak (editor, publisher & Lokman's mother).

Zero Fear.

Arabic translation & subtitles by Yousra El Baba. Music by Marc Codsi.

0:00 Intro

2:09 So Far

9:04 Two Sides of the Story

15:56 Beyond Control

30:27 Independent

42:46 Maneuvering Space

50:57 2018

56:59 2022

1:04:36 Decentralization

1:10:18 32 Years

We're with Ziyad Baroud for Episode 295 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/S2eZy-1vEMg

We discuss his illustrious career in civil society (from working and serving as secretary general of LADE to positions at both TRA and LCPS), as well serving as minister of interior in two successive governments.

We look back at the maneuvering space afforded to him, responsibilities while serving in power and resignation, lessons learned from the 2018 election campaign and the possibilities for running in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

We also talk about electoral reform and decentralization.

Ziyad Baroud is an attorney and former minister of interior.

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

4:12 Transition

9:08 Today

14:47 Fluctuation

18:55 IMF Deal

27:15 What happens?

30:47 Mistakes

37:11 Looking Back

45:54 Rentier Economy

50:36 Haircut

54:45 Capital Controls

55:45 State Assets

1:02:31 Price

We're with Kabalan Farah for Episode 294 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/PFQWLa3iPOs

We discuss Kabalan's transition from navigating the financial markets to reporting on Lebanon's crippling economic crisis.

We look back at lack of fiscal policy / mistakes made in the years leading up to 2019, and the potential for crisis management, stabilization and lasting reform lost in the months following October 17.

We also talk about a de facto haircut, capital controls and the future of state assets.

Kabalan Farah is a finance reporter at L'Orient Today.

Check out his latest piece, 'A new peg in the works?':

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1288334/a-new-peg-in-the-works.html

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.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/y3KzP0npJo4

In memory of Mohamad Bahaa Chatah

7 March 1951 - 27 December 2013

Music by Marc Codsi.

0:00 Intro

3:51 Spotlight

16:03 Teenagers

23:53 Civil war

40:03 Inclination

46:19 IMF

55:17 Return

1:01:11 Diplomacy

1:17:58 Eight years

We're with my mom, Nina Chatah, for Episode 292 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/3oNV3wgJO9U

We share memories of my father, Mohamad Chatah. We discuss my parents' relationship growing up in pre-civil war Lebanon, their move to the United States, his career abroad and ultimate return to Lebanon.

We also reflect on eight years passing since his assassination on December 27, 2013.

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

3:27 Meaning

9:22 Divide

28:36 Something wrong

46:56 Aspiration

1:00:33 Now

We're with Asma Andraos for Episode 291 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/aRTcMDErOPw

We discuss all that was March 14, 2005. From its buildup in the weeks leading up to that date, the momentum on the street vs the political decisions made, and the movement that withered as political violence took hold.

We also look back at the reasons for the divide that emerged between the March 8 and March 14 camps, carry-over aspirations into October 17, 2019 and where the older demands for sovereignty and independence stand today.

Asma Andraos in an events organizer. She previously served as an advisor to former prime minister Saad Hariri from 2005 - 2017.

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.