The Beirut Banyan

I’m joined by grandmother, Afaf Dabboucy Mikati, for Episode 237 of The Beirut Banyan.

For the video edition along with English and Arabic subtitles please click on the following link then CC button:

https://youtu.be/K53Ag1A94ZU

I love you, tayta. Rest in peace.

Afaf Dabboucy Mikati

21 Dec 1932 - 14 Jan 2021

Special thanks to Sara Hamzeh for quickly putting the subtitles together.

I share a piece I recently wrote for L'Orient-Le Jour / L'Orient Today on the principles that matter most.

Click below to read the articles in French or English:

L'Orient-Le Jour:

https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1246487/ne-faisons-pas-le-deuil-de-la-justice.html

L'Orient Today:

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. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

3:03 Suspension, Censorship & Principles

9:03 Traditional Media's Evolution

16:10 Determined

23:22 Sensitive Issues

30:37 Calculated Move?

34:29 Cost-Effective

45:00 No Click-Bait

48:54 Built-In Pressure

57:29 Intimidation

1:02:52 Ultimate Burden

We're with Diana Moukalled for Episode 235 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/GO_lcr0Vl0Q

We discuss Daraj Media, her three-decades long career as a journalist and the current state of freedom of expression in Lebanon,

We also talk about her start at Future TV and an illustrious career beginning in 1993 tackling underreported issues including gender and minority rights. Our conversation includes systemic state failure and challenges when pushing for accountability, traditional media's advantages and disadvantages in the digital age, and where alternative media stands in an otherwise chaotic media climate.

Diana is a cofounder of Daraj Media.

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. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

For Dad.

Your heart beats through mine, that day and today. And that, they’ll never take away.

Mohamad Chatah

7 March 1951 - 27 December 2013

Music by Marc Codsi. Arabic subtitles by Sara Hamzeh.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/JlNzNMRRxwQ

A short thank you to everyone who watched and listened to the podcast this year. You kept me together.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/FofmSvL-9EQ

One final episode (wrapping up 2020) is set for release on Saturday, 26 December at 5pm Beirut time. A special episode marking a difficult occasion.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and receive a notification upon its release.

See you in 2021!

0:00 Intro

1:43 End of 2020

5:13 Permanent Change

9:46 Ideals vs Individuals

11:59 Narrative

17:56 March 14

26:53 Violence

32:15 Support vs Silence

43:51 'Possiblist'

1:01:59 Inclusivity & Principles

1:10:51 Bubble

We're with Samer Makarem for Episode 233 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/pfClAib3MUM

We discuss Minteshreen, permanent changes following the October Uprising, and a 'possiblist' perspective when it comes to political and economic reform.

We also talk about perceived justice, ideals vs individuals & a reflection of what March 14 2005 meant to both of us. Our conversation includes challenging violence, and pursuing an inclusive political agenda that also addresses sovereignty and state security issues that can no longer be ignored.

Samer Makarem is a member of Minteshreen.

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. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

4:10 Main Stumbling Block

11:17 Long Term

18:25 Unstable State

26:26 Primary to Breakdown

36:31 Lebanese Position

45:05 Macron Approach

52:26 Immediate Strategy

58:41 State Monopoly

1:06:12 Unicorn

We're with Heiko Wimmen for Episode 232 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/2bhBuerTMQk

We discuss the recent International Crisis Group briefing, "Avoiding Further Polarization in Lebanon" and reflect on the immediacy of avoiding state collapse. We also address wider issues of economic reform and debate the urgency of addressing sub-state weaponry.

Our conversation includes a healthy exchange over Hezbollah's role in the deterioration of the Lebanese state, and a back and forth over expectations given continued political paralysis and a crippling financial crisis.

Heiko Wimmen is the International Crisis Group Project Director for Iraq, Syria, Lebanon.

The briefing referenced in this piece is accessible via the following link:

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/lebanon/b81-avoiding-further-polarisation-lebanon

And the recommended earlier briefing mentioned by Heiko towards the end of the episode is available here:

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/lebanon/preventing-state-collapse-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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

2:54 Purpose

8:00 Gap

15:30 Initial Three Schools

18:01 Big Toys

23:20 Ground Painting

30:58 Shading Canopies

35:32 Urgency

We're with Nada Borgi and Sandra Richani for Episode 231 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/_bqb-BLDj9k

We discuss their 'Let's Play' Initiative, aiming to restore and design three playgrounds in three different schools destroyed by the August 4 port blasts.

Their crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $45,000 by the end of this year. The GoFundMe link is accessible below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/beirut-schools-playgrounds-design-project?utm_source=whatsapp-visit&utm_medium=chat&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Our conversation includes citizen-driven initiatives and volunteer efforts that help create a positive environment for children returning to their schools post-lockdown.

Nada Borgi and Sandra Richani are architects and urban planners / designers.

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. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

3:12 The Moment

13:28 Entrepreneurial Spirit

16:20 Importance of Lebanon

19:50 Serge Hochar

25:19 Yves Mourad

28:17 Father Joseph Fahed

30:02 Neila Bitar

32:12 Sandro Saadé

35:07 Ramzi Ghosn

37:37 Elizabeth Gilbert

44:41 Identity

We're with Michael Karam for Episode 230 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/8O2mRYdS73s

We discuss the recently released film 'Wine and War', the wider story of Lebanese wine and entrepreneurial spirit interwoven in our history and identity.

Our conversation includes reflections of wine producers mentioned in the film and the background conflicts that define our modern era.

Michael Karam is a wine writer and author of 'Wines of Lebanon'.

Click on the following link to watch the movie

https://wineandwar.com

All proceeds go to the pediatric unit at Saint George Hospital in Beirut. You can also donate directly to Saint George Hospital via the following link:

https://www.stgeorgehospital.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.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

2:00 Paralyzed

7:28 Stacked Against You

14:44 Fluid

20:04 The Region

25:26 Monetary

32:06 'Revolutionary'

35:44 Neoliberalism

43:43 Organization

51:11 Youth

We're with Rima Majed for Episode 229 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/JRPZRHl6BWg

We discuss her recent Middle East Eye piece, 'Lebanon's unfinished revolution: Where next?' and reflect on the underpinnings of what Rima refers to as sectarian neoliberalism.

Our conversation includes domestic and regional considerations, comparing recent attempts at reform, defining what 'revolutionary' means and a need for political opposition to organize.

Rima Majed is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the American University of Beirut.

The article referenced in this piece is linked below:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/one-year-lebanon-marks-unfinished-revolution

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. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.