Ben and Nizar take a closer look at Lebanon's new government and how it is very much business as usual.

Also covered: Bassil in Davos, Lebanon approaching a fiscal cliff, Parliment to meet on the 2020 budget, debt repayments on the horizon, and the uprising enters a new phase as Lebanese pause to see what this new government can achieve.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are back for season three!

Episode 68 kicks off 2020 with analysis on the appointment of PM-designate Hassan Diab and the reasons behind the delay in forming a government, the assassination of Soleimani from a Lebanese perspective, and how Hezbollah used the situation to their advantage, the return of not so prodigal son Carlos Ghosn, the deteriorating financial situation, and renewed protests in Lebanon taking aim at the banks.

NB: Recorded prior to the violence at the weekend.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

In the final episode of season two, Ben and Nizar reflect back on the main threads of 2019 - the deteriorating economic situation and lack of competence in the political class that led to the eruption of still ongoing protests in Lebanon - to analyze the main takeaways of this past year: the politicization of the economy, broken confidence in the financial system and rejection of politics as usual.

Also covered: News of the past week, including Khatib's withdrawal, clashes in Verdun, and the politicking behind speeches by Bassil and Nasrallah.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Nizar and Ben are joined by Timour Azhari to discuss ongoing politicking over Lebanon's next prime minister, BDL's new circular and what it means for depositors, the human cost of the dire economic situation, and the latest with the protests.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are joined by Rima Majed, assistant professor of sociology at the American University of Beirut to discuss recent attempts to sectarianize the protests, the class dynamics at play, and how protesters are coming together to organize based on profession.

Also covered: Hariri withdraws his name, Samir Khatib is touted, the lira hits 2,300 to the dollar, gas stations strike again, Aoun chairs an economic meeting, and clashes break out in the streets.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on the economy begins at 19:00.

Ben and Nizar are joined by Jad Chaaban, associate professor of economics at the American University of Beirut to analyze how a dual crisis of confidence led to the current economic outlook in Lebanon and what steps need to be taken to re-establish confidence in the banking sector.

Also covered: Safadi, Parliament, Beirut Bar elections, Independence Day and Beirut Madinati.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

One month in, Ben is joined by guest host Timour Azhari to look at the bigger picture for Lebanon's protests, as well as analyze the news of past week, including Safadi's nomination, violence toward protesters, the economic situation, and bank closures.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Nizar and Ben are joined for a second time by feminist activist Nadine Moawad to analyze the news of the past week, including the political dance taking place, the worsening economic situation, counter protests, the involvement of Lebanon's students, and the changing tactics of the protesters.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

As Lebanon takes a deep breath to ponder what happens next, so do we. Ben and Nizar analyze the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri (and by extension his government), what this means for the protest movement and its demands moving forward, and what government formation possibilities are on the table - technocratic, techo political etc. And yes, Ben's 'days without a government' spreadsheet is back in full force.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

There is only one story on everyone's mind in Lebanon right now, as we enter the 12th day of nationwide protests that have brought the country to a standstill.

Nizar and Ben break down the events of this past week day by day, with analysis on the cabinet's reform measures, speeches by Hariri, Aoun, and Nasrallah, the efforts to reopen the streets, the reactions of each of the main political party leaders, and how, in Beirut, the demographics of the protests seem to be shifting.

Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel