The Beirut Banyan

We're joined by Ishac Diwan for Episode 21 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss crony capitalism and its effect on Lebanon's economy following the civil war. We also reflect on the past ten days of protests and the potential for needed economic and political reform in Lebanon.

Ishac formerly worked at the World Bank and has lectured at Harvard, Columbia, New York University and is currently in Paris serving as Director of the Chaire Socio-economie du Monde Arabe at Universite PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres).

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

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Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Marie-Joe Abi Nassif for Episode 20 of The Beirut Banyan. Our conversation was previously recorded about the debate surrounding civil marriage in Lebanon, and meant to follow Episode 14 with Roderick Sursock (and as a companion to Episode 6 with Marie-Joe's husband, Abdallah Salam).

Due to the uprising underway (and the shift in focus to demands for political change), we decided to include a portion of the conversation that focuses on the broader debate between secularism and sectarian rule, and Marie-Joe's belief in the Lebanese army's unifying abilities. Marie-Joe shares her father's commitment to the army as a former general and his running of the Ministry of Economy during military rule in the late 1980s, and her firm belief in the state's responsibilities towards its citizens.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by my mom, Nina Mikati Chatah, for Episode 19 of The Beirut Banyan. We hear her hope for continued momentum and hesitations with the length of time it may take for state leaders to resign. We also hear her firm belief that this uprising is unique, and perhaps a final chance in her lifetime to see a better Lebanon.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Mazen El-Hassan for Episode 18 of The Beirut Banyan. We discuss the commitment, sacrifice and legacy of his father, Wissam El-Hassan, and we reflect on both of our fathers' contributions to reforming the state and why seeing people in Martyrs Square and at their tombs is especially important for both of us. We also discuss the meaning of what's happening across Beirut and throughout Lebanon, what proper reform actually means, and what's at stake for the future of the Lebanese state.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Makram Rabah for Episode 17 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the government's attempts to pass through its reform package, the ongoing demonstrations in Beirut and throughout Lebanon, and whether this type of uprising can actually change the way the country is governed.

Makram is a history professor at AUB, a regular contributor to Al Arabiya news, and a writer and analyst on domestic and regional politics impacting Lebanon. He is also the author of 'Campus at War' about student protests that gripped AUB campus during the late 60s and early 70s.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by neighbor and friend, Sarah Borgi, for Episode 16 of The Beirut Banyan, and we carry on from yesterday's conversation. Sarah and I share thoughts on recent developments with Hariri's reform package announced earlier today, what this protest means for the future of the Lebanese state, and the ongoing demonstrations entering their fifth day in Martyrs Square and across Beirut and Lebanon.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by family and friends for an improvised episode of The Beirut Banyan.

This episode takes place at a cafe in downtown Beirut, and is recorded over two sessions: the first in the early afternoon as the protests were growing; the second in the early evening while ongoing protests continued into the night.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Roderick Sursock for Episode 14 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss the Sursock family's legacy and story, particularly when it comes to Beirut's rapidly changing urban landscape.

Roderick and his mother, Lady Yvonne Sursock Cochrane, are living memory of a vastly different Beirut. Roderick shares his childhood growing up in the palace, what took him away from Lebanon and a determination to return even during the worst years of fighting. He firmly believes in holding on to what he's inheriting and refuses to sell, determined to keep a part of Lebanon's architectural history physically present for future generations to come.

Roderick shares his personal views on why Lebanon's political and economic landscape remains bleak, and potential remedies that could help preserve some of Beirut's once famous urban charm.

Walk down the main street of Sursock Quarter and take a moment to gaze at the Weeping Women statue that once stood in Martyrs Square, now placed in front of Sursock Museum. And reach the end of the street and turn left, to see Sursock Palace in all its glory and reflect on a vastly different time in Beirut's history.

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

We're joined by Philippe Massoud for Episode 13 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss Lebanon's hospitality industry and what inspired him to open ilili Restaurant in New York.

Philippe's father, George Massoud, ran the Coral Beach Hotel throughout the worst years of the civil war, and he was ultimately killed there. The family continued to run the hotel for several years thereafter, ultimately selling the hotel just as the war neared its end.

We discuss Philippe's memories of the Coral Beach, his father's commitment to protecting their staff and keep the hotel running, and Philippe's personal drive to open an award-winning Manhattan institution, ilili Restaurant.

Book a table at ilili while in New York and see Philippe's personal touch come to life:

www.ililinyc.com

If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi . Graphics by Sara Tarhini .

We’re joined by Sam Dagher for Episode 12 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss his career in journalism and what brought him to the world of storytelling.

Sam was the only non-Syrian journalist reporting from Damascus between 2012-2014, and was later arrested and forced out of the country for his criticism of the Assad regime. His recent book titled ’Assad or We Burn the Country’ documents his time covering the Syrian rebellion in the midst of the Arab Spring, and the ruling family’s determination to hold onto power.

Sam has written for The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His writings - in addition to a link for book purchasing - can be found on his website:

https://samdagherjournalist.com

Sam has also covered Syria’s relationship to Lebanon and the aftermath of America’s invasion and occupation of Iraq. He previously worked as a financial investor turned reporter in Russia and Eastern Europe, covering regional readjustment to post-communist rule. Our conversation explores all these topics and more.

Help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page:

https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan

And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan

Twitter: beirut_banyan

Facebook: The Beirut Banyan

Website: www.beirutbanyan.com

Music by Marc Codsi . Graphics by Sara Tarhini .