The Beirut Banyan

0:00 Intro

3:50 "Why the hell do you care about Lebanon?"

12:16 Against the Odds

16:26 Personal Quest

19:18 Bel Lebnene

25:53 Bottom Up

32:00 Long-Form Conversations

37:57 How it Started

45:52 Storytelling

53:04 Dawle

53:51Individual Philosophy

1:04:11 Academia

1:15:53 Local & Global

1:20:29 Evolving Thoughts

We're with Mahmoud Rasmi for Episode 188 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/bSQjOWIdKQk

We discuss our shared appreciation for long-form conversations, the wider world of storytelling, and the podcasting medium. We talk about our respective memories of Ras Beirut and the importance AUB played in both our lives. We also reflect on commitment to Lebanon against the odds, and an acknowledgement of immense despair that has overtaken the country.

Mahmoud also shares his passion for philosophy, his work ethic away beyond a university setting, and his love of teaching. Sign up to his online philosophy courses and experience his enthusiasm up front.

Mohamad Rasmi is a philosopher and runs the DecafQuest podcast.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut

Or donating through our Patreon page:

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Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/thebeirutbanyan

Subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform.

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@thebeirutbanyan

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

0:00 Intro

2:39 Mina Today

19:39 Economic Pain

32:56 The Way Forward

50:37 Vanishing Middle Class

56:45 Commitment to Lebanon

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/k1lHD0U_eLs

We're with Alison Meuse for Episode 187 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss El Mina and the challenges of running a small business today; how differing political views are often 'geographic'; shared economic pain throughout the country and searching for a viable way forward; the country's vanishing middle class; and choosing to report on Lebanon.

Alison Meuse is the Asia Times Middle East editor and correspondent.

The Asia Times pieces references in this episode are accessible below:

https://asiatimes.com/author/alison-meuse/

Please note a minor mistake at 8:43. Alison is a 'partner' of Aristo's Pub. I incorrectly said 'part owner'.

Visit Aristo's Pub Instagram page: @aristospub and mention the podcast if you visit them!

Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer of free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 online delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN.

Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details:

www.labonnesoupe.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

2:18 Life Today in Beirut

11:05 The Core Problem

22:30 The Structure

40:08 Societal Constraints

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/h8GDfyegcE4

We're with Mona Salem for Episode 186 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss difficulties of day-to-day life at the moment in Beirut; the core governing and societal factors preventing immediate political change; why the term 'sectarianism' ushers debate and controversy; the history and durability of Lebanon's confessional consociational governing structure; and societal demands - and constraints - for championing disenfranchises groups' rights.

The LSE blog post and FES paper discussed during this episode are linked below:

Breaking the Sectarian Chains: Lebanon Revolts Against its Corrupt Leaders:

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2019/10/22/breaking-the-sectarian-chains-lebanon-revolts-against-its-corrupt-leaders/

Queers in Quarantine: Between Pandemics and Social Violence in Lebanon:

https://www.fes-lebanon.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/covid-19/Queers_in_Quarantine___Between_Pandemics_and_Social_Violence_in_Lebanon.pdf

Mona Salem is a MA in Political Studies Candidate at the American University of Beirut.

Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer of free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 online delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN.

Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details:

www.labonnesoupe.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

2:44 The Need to Organize

25:48 From Protest to Power

36:16 The Source of the Problem

43:23 Politicians & Population

52:32 Consequences of Covid-19

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/cnnfLhJL2Jg

We're back with Nasser Yassin for Episode 185 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss the necessity for grassroots organization when it comes to transitioning the protest movement into a long-term political force; identifying the "source of the problem" when it comes to implementing much-needed reforms; population hesitancy in pushing for a new social pact; and the immediate consequences of Covid-19.

Nasser is the Interim Director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut.

Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer for free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN.

Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details:

www.labonnesoupe.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

2:49 Resignations & Reactions

14:35 The Missing 'Peace'

23:13 Is Sectarianism the Root Cause?

31:37 Diaspora Lifeline

36:37 (Re)creating a Social Pact

45:19 Recent Resignations

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/HSzJq5D8A1E

We're back with Walid Sinno for Episode 184 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss the recent public resignations and reactions; the need for post-civil war reconciliation and establishing a real 'peace'; identifying the root causes for the current economic crisis; financial dependency from the diaspora; and building a lasting social pact.

Walid is an oil and gas engineer.

Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer for free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN.

Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details:

www.labonnesoupe.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

6:11 State Response to Covid-19

28:48 Public Response to Covid-19

35:12 Healthcare System Reform

47:07 Recommendations vs Decision-Making

59:29 Covid-19 & Economic Crisis

1:12:14 Contextual Factors & Covid-19

We're back with Fatima Al Sayah for Episode 183 of The Beirut Banyan.

We discuss the Lebanese state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic; public behavior that has changed since the novel coronavirus began spreading earlier this year; Lebanon's healthcare system and state institutions in dire need of reform; severe disconnect between policy papers and decision makers; Covid-19's impact on Lebanon's economic crisis; and contextual factors that matter when comparing different countries' experiences to the pandemic.

Fatima is a Public Health Researcher at the School of Public Health - University of Alberta. She is also a member of 'HealthNERDS'.

Here is the link to the LCPS piece discussed:

https://www.lcps-lebanon.org/featuredArticle.php?id=316

Make sure to take advantage of La Bonne Soupe's generous summer offer for free house wine; a free glass of Lebanese wine with in-restaurant meals; and a $10 delivery discount off of $30+ orders when using the promo code: BANYAN.

Check out La Bonne Soupe's website for online delivery options and - if you plan to visit - their contact details:

www.labonnesoupe.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

2:32 Hyperinflation & Politics as Usual

22:55 Missing Information

34:03 Responsibility

41:43 The Sinking Ship

49:07 Taking Lebanon to Hell

1:06:16 Moving Forward

We're back with Henri Chaoul for Episode 182 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/uvBxkqRT7U4

We discuss his recent resignation letter and his four-months long experience serving as a finance advisor to the Ministry of Finance in its ongoing negotiations with the IMF. We also discuss the desperate need for accountability, transparency and responsibility, and why the public is not provided a full and honest picture of the severity of the crisis.

Henri also shares his belief in the need for a civil state, and why the current political class is unable to deliver proper reform.

Henri Chaoul is a board member of Kulluna-Irada.

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

3:11 American Policy in the Middle East

23:09 Women & Political Representation

38:17 Sanctions & Impact

47:17 Accountability & Justice

We're back with Jomana Qaddour for Episode 181 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/m0k1bwamCQk

We discuss her experience as a foreign policy advisor to the Pete Butiggieg campaign and American engagement in the Middle East; political demands and aspirations of women in the region; the impact of sanctions vis-a-vis the Caesar Act on Syria and Lebanon's economy; justice for war crimes beyond local borders; and the power of connectivity and shared grievances of protestors across the world holding their respective regimes to account.

Jomana Qaddour is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council. She and her father, Dr. Jihad Qaddour, founded Syria Relief & Development in 2011, a US-based NGO providing humanitarian relief to Syrian civilians.

Kindly note one mistake: in the episode I incorrectly refer to George Floyd as George Irving.

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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

2:27 Defamation, Interrogation & Detainment

37:43 IMF Package & Human Rights

45:07 'Kafala' (Sponsorship) System

1:01:59 Refugees & Human Rights

We're back with Aya Majzoub for Episode 180 of The Beirut Banyan.

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/ZUbrWdwCfcY

We discuss several topics pertaining to human rights issues in Lebanon including recent interrogations and detainment vis-a-vis 'anti-defamation' and 'insult laws'; IMF negotiations and shielding disenfranchised groups from further economic pain through potential austerity measures; demands to abolish the 'kafala' / sponsorship system for domestic / migrant workers; and the Palestinian and Syrian refugee populations' vulnerability given the wider economic crisis.

Aya Majzoub is a Lebanon and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch.

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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.

I share an audio clip by my father at a Brookings Doha Center event on 31 January 2013 titled "Lebanon & its Multiple Challenges".

Click to watch:

https://youtu.be/NLp5F3-tYEs

Words about problem solving at a time most needed.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

My father's blogspot page is:

http://mohamadchatah.blogspot.com

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

Watch these episodes via our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/c/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.