The Beirut Banyan

0:00 Intro

3:24 Collapse

9:21 Coverage

25:04 Halfway to Hell

31:48 Long-Form

We're with Abby Sewell for Episode 256 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/lo7ECcK0bBU

We discuss three of her recent L'Orient Today pieces covering collective memory and Haret Hreik, renewable energy and the power sector, and the black market surrounding fuel shortages and smugglers in North Lebanon.

Our conversation includes the wider role of journalism and storytelling, and an appreciation for long-form analysis and the written word.

Abby Sewell is a journalist at L'Orient Today.

The three articles we cover are accessible below, in order of appearance:

More than a ‘Hezbollah stronghold’: The complicated past and present of Haret Hreik

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1254383/more-than-a-hezbollah-stronghold-the-complicated-past-and-present-of-haret-hreik.html

EDL’s struggle to stave off darkness exposes a huge missed opportunity in the renewable energy sector

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1256444/edls-struggle-to-stave-off-darkness-exposes-a-huge-missed-opportunity-in-the-renewable-energy-sector.html

A roadside black market and vigilante justice for thieves and smugglers: North Lebanon adjusts to fuel shortages

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1258315/a-roadside-black-market-and-vigilante-justice-for-thieves-and-smugglers-north-lebanon-adjusts-to-fuel-shortages.html

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

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

0:00 Intro

2:23 Inspiration

9:49 Poetic Justice & Resistance

17:22 All we can expect?

22:17 Political Power

32:17 A tribute to Beirut?

37:02 Nawaya

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/kvTYg3n9Q40

We're with Zeina Saab for Episode 255 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss her book project: 'We Were There: A Book About the Beirut Explosion' and reflect on the pursuit of poetic justice through preserving and honoring collective memory.

Our conversation includes the wider role of civil society in the aftermath of the port blast, grassroots-led movements seeking political power and real inspiration at a time of tragedy and prolonged uncertainty.

Zeina Saab is the Founder and Director of Nawaya and Co-Founder at SE Factory.

To help support the book project, click below:

http://weweretherebeirut.com

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

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@thebeirutbanyan

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

0:00 Intro

2:12 1999-2000

8:37 Post-War Sovereignty

18:03 Certainty

27:19 The Wider Story

40:10 Memories of My Father

We're with Amb. Frederic C. Hof for Episode 254 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/Yt93xZ3KML0

We discuss his recent Newlines Magazine piece: 'Assad: The Shebaa Farms Are Syrian, Whatever Hezbollah Claims' and revisit previous US efforts at securing a peace deal between Syria and Israel.

Our conversation includes Lebanon's position during these talks, and why post-civil war sovereignty never in fact took hold. We also reflect on Amb. Hof's memories of my father while he was mediating between Lebanon and Israel over offshore oil reserves.

Ambassador Frederic C. Hof is Diplomat in Residence at Bard College and Former Director and Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. He was also Former US Special Envoy to Syria.

The article referenced in this episode is accessible below:

https://newlinesmag.com/first-person/assad-the-shebaa-farms-are-syrian-whatever-hezbollah-claims/

Additional career info below as per Bard College's bio:

Hof was previously the special coordinator for regional affairs in the US Department of State's Office of the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, where he advised Special Envoy George Mitchell on the full range of Arab-Israeli peace issues falling under his purview and focusing on Syria-Israel and Israel-Lebanon matters. He joined the State Department in 2009 after serving as the president and CEO of AALC, an international business consulting and project finance firm formerly known as Armitage Associates LC. A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Hof began his professional career as an Army officer. He is a Vietnam veteran and served as a US Army Middle East Foreign Area Officer, studying Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute in Tunisia and receiving a master's degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served as US Army attaché in Beirut, Lebanon and later in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as director for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinian Affairs. He has written extensively on the Middle East and diplomacy. His awards include the Purple Heart, the Department of State Superior Honor Award, the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Medal.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

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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

1:22 Echo Chamber

5:13 Socialization

11:59 Podcast Popularity

19:22 Privacy

26:40 Long-Form

41:21 Experts

We're with Tala Ramadan for Episode 253 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/SEGiDXxWgP4

We discuss Clubhouse's appeal in Lebanon and the Middle East, advantages at discussing with opposing sides over Twitter's more familiar echo chamber and attempts at state censorship over the audio exchange platform.

Our conversation includes increased popularity of podcasts and long-form conversations, and how journalists turn to these platforms for information and storylines when reporting through mainstream outlets.

Tala Ramadan is a Beirut-based journalist.

The article referenced in this episode is accessible below:

https://smex.org/clubhouse-the-popular-audio-only-app-gets-banned-in-mena/

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.beirutbanyan.com

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

0:00 Intro

1:28 Background

5:06 First Step

7:41 Individual Level

12:21 Failed State

19:44 Paralysis

30:46 Pre-Civil War

39:09 Opposition Leverage

50:43 Personal

We're with Majd Harb for Episode 252 of The Beirut Banyan.

We put corruption in context and discuss the first steps necessary in addressing state failure. We also examine Lebanon's legal text as it stands and the strength of our constitution.

Majd pinpoints political reasons for our ongoing political paralysis and reflects on an individual lawyer's work at proving that Lebanon is currently a failed state. We further reflect on what political opposition could look like in years to come as well as the fundamental need to pursue justice at all costs.

Majd Harb is a Partner at Harb Law Firm.

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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:24 Background

12:39 2011

20:18 Civil to Political

30:20 Hezbollah

42:32 The Last Time We Spoke

53:32 The Question

01:01:55 Roles Reversed

We're with Gilbert Doumit for Episode 251 of The Beirut Banyan.

We reflect on crossing paths on the streets of Beirut, from distributing aid kits during the July 2006 War until a chance encounter last week in Gemmayze.

We discuss the political evolution of civil society following the Syrian army's withdrawal in 2005, and Gilbert's own career in pushing for state reform. We also touch on points of friction aired out during this episode, and at the end of our conversation we flip roles as Gilbert asks me several questions.

There are moments of coming to terms in this episode and a reconsidering of preconceived notions that stood out to me. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Gilbert Doumit is a founding and managing partner of Beyond Reform & Development Group.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

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Or donating through our Patreon page:

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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. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

2:00 False Comparison

11:36 Buildup

17:45 Sectarian Story

26:05 National Unity

32:10 Familiar

39:10 Reconsider

44:54 Principle

53:15 Repeated Decision

59:32 October 17

We're with Sara Assaf for Episode 250 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/8my2ZQojRJg

We reflect on sixteen years since the March 14 2005 protests that paved the way for the Syrian army's withdrawal from Lebanon.

We discuss the buildup to that date and the political failures since. Our conversation includes the ultimate derailing of Lebanon's sovereignty and the price of repeated assassinations that targeted March 14 figures.

Sara Assaf is a political commentator.

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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

0:00 Intro

1:25 Disbelief

4:08 Rage

6:28 Shared Passion

9:55 A Part of Ourselves

13:03 Heal Wounds

20:44 1989

26:23 Impunity

31:30 Justice

34:52 Too late?

41:08 Ghobeiri

48:44 Storytellers

55:34 A Way Out

We're with Monika Borgmann for Episode 249 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss UMAM Documentation & Research's contribution to collective memory and the wider power of storytelling.

We also reflect on Monika's relationship with Lokman Slim, the aftermath of his assassination and the consequences of impunity.

Our conversation includes a shared pursuit for justice against all odds.

Monika Borgmann is Co-Founder and Co-Director of UMAM Documentation & Research.

The article referenced in this episode is accessible below:

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1247158/we-should-not-mourn-justice.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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.

Mike Azar interviews me on Clubhouse about storytelling, my WalkBeirut tour and podcasting.

We debate fundamental obstacles facing stability and long-term reform in Lebanon.

0:00 Intro

3:04 Are the big answers outside?

16:04 Multiple Assassinations

21:23 Sovereignty

30:12 Long-Term Investment

40:01 What can be done?

55:21 Media

1:07:53 My Father

We're with Mouafac Harb for Episode 248 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/qlObTi8-s5Y

We discuss his recent The Daily Star piece "Victory Lap for Tehran in Lebanon" and lay out domestic components to the current political and economic crisis vs regional and international posturing that may be conducive to restoring Lebanon's sovereignty.

We also talk about Iran's long-term investment vis-a-vis Hezbollah, the shifting media landscape from conventional outlets to independent voices, and reflections of Mouafac running into my father weeks before his assassination.

Mouafac Harb is an advisor to MTV Lebanon and a contributor to The Daily Star.

The article referenced in this episode is accessible below:

https://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2021/Feb-22/517681-virtual-victory-lap-by-tehran-in-lebanon.ashx

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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Logo design by Sara Tarhini. Animation & illustration by Sana Chaaban.