The Beirut Banyan

Jan 31 2025 477 ep. 54 mins 143
The Beirut Banyan Podcast artwork

Storytelling and conversations, from Beirut and beyond. Subscribe from your preferred podcast platform. Support us through Paypal or Patreon.

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A New Duo with Sarah Yassine (Ep.412)

Jan 31 2025 62 mins  
An episode on a new and unexpected duo: President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Covering the dramatically shifting security climate that brought about rapid political change, Joseph Aoun's leadership and the consensus that ushered in his presidency, Nawaf Salam's clean slate and the majority vote that guaranteed his prime minister-designation, and freeing l

To Aaliya's - with Nadia Tabbara, Brother Michael, Wael Taleb, Ronnie Chatah & William Dobson

Dec 20 2024 35 mins  
Words shared on the closing evening of Aaliya's Books. With Nadia Tabbara, Brother Michael, Wael Taleb, Ronnie Chatah & William Dobson. For Niamh Fleming-Farrel, William Dobson & the Aaliya's community. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or d

Decades Apart - An interview by Marie Jo Sader on the End of the Assad Regime

Dec 20 2024 19 mins  
An interview by the gifted Marie Jo Sader, a Paris and Beirut-based independent journalist and 2023 Lokman Slim Prize winner for her investigative work on the circumstances of Lokman Slim's assassination. A discussion on the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, a retrospective on anti-Assad protests that shaped Lebanon in 2005 and wider implications for Lebanon, Syria and the region

The Fall of the Assad Regime with Bashshar Haydar (Ep.411)

Dec 17 2024 88 mins  
An episode on the fall of the Assad regime and its implications on Syria and Lebanon. Covering the rapid collapse of the Assad regime, identity formation in the wake of over half a century of minoritarian rule mired by tyranny, where Iran stands in the near future and a wider ambition for the region carried by hope. With Bashshar Haydar, professor of philosophy at The American Un

Dominant Narratives & Ideologies - hosted by Ralph Baydoun w/George Wardini & Ronnie Chatah (Ep.410)

Dec 08 2024 84 mins  
Recorded Thursday, 5 December 2024. Three days before the Assad regime's fall. An episode for Syria & Lebanon. Hosted by Ralph Baydoun (founder of Influeanswers) with George Wardini (director of PolyBlog) and Ronnie Chatah (host of The Beirut Banyan). Ralph Baydoun leads the discussion and posits 'resistance'-focused counter narratives to neutrality and sub-state disarmament disc

Dust Over Dahiyeh - An interview

Nov 20 2024 21 mins  
Outtakes from an interview on my New Lines piece following Hassan Nasrallah's death titled "Dust Over Dahiyeh". Link to article: https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/hassan-nasrallah-the-killing-of-a-killer/ The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or

Trump, 1982 & civil strife with Bashshar Haydar & Michael Young

Nov 10 2024 65 mins  
POINT COUNTERPOINT - Episode 2 An exchange on political affairs impacting Lebanon and the Middle East, with a unique vantage point from Beirut. Co-hosted by Bashshar Haydar (professor of philosophy at AUB) and Michael Young (senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan) - both Beirut-based analysts sharing their nuanced perspectives while honing in on dis

Neutrality & Lebanon by Mohamad Chatah

Aug 02 2024 10 mins  
From a panel that took place in late November 2013, with the presence of Switzerland and Austria’s then-ambassadors to Lebanon. Including some of my father’s last words on the fundamental need for neutrality, 1701’s necessity, what neutralization actually means and how it worked (albeit briefly) in the 1950s & 60s. We should have no role in regional war other than shielding

Tragedy & Absurdity (Ep.409)

Jul 31 2024 12 mins  
On all that is happening in Beirut's southern suburbs, southern Lebanon and the region vis-a-vis Israel and Iran. Along with absent Lebanese diplomacy and the upcoming port blast anniversary. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating throu

Summer & War Part 3 with Georges Haddad & Giulia Cingolani (Ep.408)

Jul 30 2024 62 mins  
Recorded Monday, 29 July. Reflecting on escalation between Hezbollah and Israel and deliberately staying in Beirut throughout the conflict. With predictions on post Majd Al Shams retaliation by Israel and a potential response by Hezbollah, along with thinking through worst case scenarios and red lines that have yet to be crossed. Also includes a look part on August 4, 2020 and t