The Lebanese Politics Podcast

In Lebanon's first election since the Oct. 17 uprising, voters sent a sizable contingent of change candidates to Parliament, while clipping the wings of both Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement. Nizar and Ben take a look at the vote, its translation to seats in Parliament, the new MPs, and what all this means for Lebanon in the coming months. Follow us on Twitter for updates @lebpoliticspod Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ahead of Sunday's national elections, Nizar and Ben run through what to expect, both in terms of voting and results — and what's in store for Lebanon in the aftermath. Follow us on Twitter for updates @lebpoliticspod Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Elections have begun! As expats head to the polls around the world this weekend, Nizar and Ben take a deep dive into what political parties are saying — and what that tells us about how they see Lebanon's problems and their proposed solutions. 0:00 - 4:51: Intro *Diagnosing the problem* 4:51 - 14:00: The establishment and/or hezbollah? 14:05 - 19:00: Hezbollah's reasoning - 28:20: Bassil's disillusionment with 'power' 28:21 - 37:32: Alliance justifications *Solutions* 37:34 - 51:42: Stability rhetoric (Hezbollah - Amal - Mikati - Jumblatt) 51:43 - 57:45: The 'sovereigntists' 57:48 - 1:03:30: Neo-liberalism & technocratic economics 1:03:30 - 1:09:05: FPM's new rhetoric: Attacking banks & systemic change 1:09:07 - end: Strategies for change Follow us on Twitter for updates @lebpoliticspod Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

In our second episode focusing on Lebanon's 2022 parliamentary elections, Nizar and Ben analyze the strategic responses to two major developments — Hariri's withdrawal and the FPM's perceived weakness — and what they tell us about how moneyed interests interact with politics. Follow us on Twitter for updates @lebpoliticspod Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Elections are coming! Returning after a long break, Ben and Nizar review major developments since the last parliamentary elections in 2018 and examine to what extent the two electoral moments are different or similar. We zoom in on the gradual deterioration of the economic situation alongside political deadlock and a campaign by financial elites and their allies to protect their interests. This episode is the first of a limited run leading up to the vote on May 15. Episode 111 will zoom in on alliances and strategies. Follow us on Twitter for updates @lebpoliticspod Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of HRW's Beirut Blast report begins at 07:30. Ben and Timour are joined this week by Aya Majzoub, Lebanon and Bahrain researcher at Human Right's Watch, to walk through HRW's mammoth 700+ page report: “They Killed Us from the Inside” An Investigation into the August 4 Beirut Blast. (https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/08/03/they-killed-us-inside/investigation-august-4-beirut-blast) One year on from the deadly explosion that killed 218 people, wounded 7,000 and displaced 300,000, the report breaks down how the Rhosus and it's cargo came to be in Beirut, the catalogue of failures across the Lebanese state that allowed 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate to be unsafely stored for so long and how best to seek justice for the victims. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Hariri's resignation starts at 17:50. Ben, Nizar and Timour are back to analyse the latest in Lebanon's ongoing crisis, including protests over the lack of progress in the Beirut Port explosion investigation, potential sanctions against Lebanon's political class and our main focus, the resignation of PM-designate Saad Hariri. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Lebanon's finances begins at 07:19. After a week packed with financial news, Ben and Timour are joined by Omar Tamo, journalist at L'Orient Today focused on banking and finance, to discuss the latest array of confusing decisions and negotiations between Lebanon's central bank and commerical banks and what it all means for ordinary depositors and Lebanon's struggling subsidy program. Also discussed: cabinet formation, Lebanon's new sexual harrassment law, the STL and the World Bank's latest economic monitor. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on the new opposition in Lebanon begins at 11:00. Nizar and Timo are joined this week by Hussein El Achi, lawyer, activist and secretary general of new political movement Minteshreen, to talk about the landscape of Lebanon's opposition, the dynamics of coalition forming and early projections for next year's parliamentary elections. Also discussed: Assad's election victory, corona in Lebanon, BDL's dwindling reserves and the Lebanese army looking for aid. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Palestine starts at 11:11. Ben and Nizar are joined this week by Laura Albast, communications and social media manager at the Institute for Palestine Studies, to discuss Palestine, the #SaveSheikhJarrah campaign and if the momentum and solidarity in response to the latest violence can translate into improvements for Palestinians on the ground. Also discussed: Lebanon's covid situation, the Charbel Wehbi scandal, government formation and violence at pro-Assad rallies during Syrian expat elections. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on access to data starts at 16:20. Ben and Timour are joined by Assaad Thebian, co-founder and managing director of the Gherbal Initiative, a project that aims to make data visually accessible to the public, to discuss access to information in Lebanon and how data can challenge narratives and empower citizens. Also discussed: coronavirus, movement in the Beirut blast investigation, the Hajj Hobeiche case, investigations against Riad Salameh, the economic crisis and little progress on cabinet formation. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Lebanon's media landscape begins at 15:15. Ben and Nizar are joined by Jean Kassir, co-founder of Megaphone, an independent news platform, to discuss Lebanon's media landscape, the constraints and failures of traditional media and the challenges facing alternative media. Also covered: the latest on coronavirus, port reconstruction plans, BDL's audit and cabinet formation. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Lebanon's Great Famine begins at 11:30. Nizar and Timour are joined by Christian Taoutel, head of the history department at the USJ to talk about Lebanon's 1915-1918 famine and the parallels it has to the situation in the country today. Also discussed: coronavirus numbers on the rise, the lira fluctuating wildly, calls for resignations but no progress on cabinet formation and the latest on lifting subsidies. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Timour and Ben are joined this week by political journalist Jad Ghosn to put the news of a hectic past week in the country into context by discussing the politics underpinning it all and whether or not March 8 and March 14 still hold up as prisms with which to analyse Lebanon. Discussed in the episode is the rise in daily coronavirus cases, the controversy over the treatement of Dr Sandrine Atallah, protests across the country, shocking statements from security officials, the passing of the World Bank loan with Parliament's amendments, electricity on the brink of running out and cabinet formation. Referenced: https://www.reuters.com/article/lebanon-women-sexuality/lebanese-sexologist-lambasts-ridicule-by-childish-tv-hosts-idUSL8N2L8522 Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on extreme inequality in Lebanon and the country's tax system begins at 33:00. Ben, Nizar and Timour are joined this week by Lydia Assouad, a PhD candidate at the Paris School of Economics and research fellow at the World Inequality Lab, to discuss why levels of inequality in Lebanon are so extreme and how this inequality is reflected in Lebanon's tax system. Also covered: blackouts across the country, a scandal over vaccine distrubition to MPs, the protest at Bkerki and the use of terrorism charges against Tripoli protesters. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on Hezbollah, the Syrian regime and political impunity in Lebanon begins at 16:45. Nizar and Timour are joined this week by political researcher and commentator Ziad Majed to discuss the lack of accountability over political assassinations in Lebanon, the differences between the roles of Hezbollah and the Syrian regime with regard to the country and whether Hezbollah is a weak point in its history. Also covered: the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, the removal of Judge Fady Sawwan from the Beirut port explosion investigation and Nasrallah's take on the slaying of Lockman Slim. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on the World Bank's Lebanon Emergency Crisis and COVID-19 Response Social Safety Net Project (ESSN) begins at 18:40. Ben and Timour are joined this week by Sami Zoughaib, a Beirut-based researcher and former LCPS researcher/podcaster at Alternative Frequencies, to discuss social protections in Lebanon and the technical and political difficulties with the World Bank's $246 million loan for the ESSN. Also covered: vaccines arrive in Lebanon, the probe into the Beirut port explosion restarts, controversy around Lockman Slim's memorial, the 16th anniversary of Rafik Hariri's assassination and government formation. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

The Lebanese Politics Podcast is back for season four and with a new co-host joining the team to boot! Timour Azhari, Lebanon correspondent for the Thomson Reuters Foundation and long time friend of the show is joining Ben and Nizar as a permanent host of the podcast. In our first show of 2021, we cover the continuing crises in Lebanon, including the coronavirus lockdown, protests in Tripoli, the assassination of Lockman Slim, the six month anniversary of the Beirut port explosion and the lack of push to form a government. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the investigation into the Beirut port explosion begins at 30:00. Ben is joined by friend of the show and Al Jazeera English's Beirut correspondent Timour Azhari to discuss the latest on the investigation into the deadly explosion at Beirut's port with no accountability so far four months after the blast. Also covered, protests in Hamra as Lebanese universities more than double their tuition, coronavirus on the rise again as Lebanon moves into a holiday period easing of restrictions, Macron's non visit to the country, a packed Parliament agenda and the looming spectre of the loss of subsidies on bread, fuel and medicine. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the BDL forensic audit begins at 15:35. Ben and Nizar are joined by NERD and finance professional Mike Azar to talk through the ins and outs of the forensic audit of Banque du Liban, Lebanon's central bank. Also covered, the latest on coronavirus, the new lockdown, cabinet formation and the maritime border talks. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are back to analyze the latest happenings as Lebanon's myriad crises continue to unfold, with the US sanctioning FPM leader Gebran Bassil, the central bank refusing to hand over documents to the forensic auditor, hospitals at breaking point amid financial and coronavirus crises, and investigations into the Beirut port explosion exposing a chronic lack of accountability. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion with Alain Bifani begins at 12:00. Nizar and Ben are joined this week by Alain Bifani, the former director general of the Ministry of Finance, to discuss the inner workings of the ministry, its importance in government formation talks, and the current political and economic crises in the country. Also covered, demarcation negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, coronavirus, BDL subsidies, and the lack of progress toward designating a new PM. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of rising sectarianism in Lebanon begins at 09:20. Nizar and Ben are joined by Ibrahim Halawi, teaching fellow in international relations at Royal Holloway - University of London, to analyze rising sectarian discourse, its role as part of the counterrevolution, the civil state and alternatives to the current social contract, and whether Lebanon is heading toward civil strife. Also discussed, coronavirus, the resignation of Adib, and stalled government formation. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are back for a mid-week minisode focusing on the two biggest issues in the country right now: the rapid rise in coronavirus and the political stalemate over forming a new Lebanese government. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of Macron's visit begins at 19:45. A month since the deadly explosion devasted Beirut's capital, Nizar and Ben analyse the second visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, his reform timetable, and the motives behind both France's actions in Lebanon and the seeming acquiescence of Lebanese politicians. Also discussed, the World Bank's assessment of the damages caused by the Beirut Port explosion, the cancelation of the Bisri Dam project, coronavirus capacities, and who exactly is Lebanon's new prime minister designate Mustapha Adib. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are joined by Ramez Dagher, an MD & psychiatry resident who also writes regularly on Lebanese politics on the Moulahazat blog, to discuss the latest post Beirut Port explosion, with political wrangling to shift blame, worrying spikes in coronavirus threatening an already overwhelmed hospital system, the muted reaction to the STL verdict, and a political class seemingly stalling for time as the country still reels in the aftermath of the blast. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Nizar and Ben are joined by Timour Azhari, Al-Jazeera English's Beirut correspondent, to discuss the deadly explosion at the Beirut Port and its aftermath, including Saturday's violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar dive into two of the big news stories in Lebanon this past week: a new lockdown in response to record cases of coronavirus and the border incident between Hezbollah and Israel. Also discussed: lack of transparency on electricity, political squabbles over the Bisri Dam project, the upcoming STL verdict, and music censorship on Army Day. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Biography and discussion of Riad Salameh begins at 22:30. Ben and Nizar are back with the news of past week, including the concerning spike in coronavirus case numbers ahead of touted new measures to contain the virus, political chatter on Lebanon's neutrality, the lira's continuing volatility, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's visit, and a decision to conduct a forensic audit of Banque du Liban (BDL). Our main topic this week, on the back of an FT scoop that $6bn of "other assets" on BDL's balance sheet were the result of “seignorage on financial stability” whose value was determined by Governor Riad Salameh, is the man himself. We take a look at Salameh from his private sector work, through his 27-year tenure as BDL governor, to the controversies surrounding him and his financial engineering policies today. Links referenced: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/07BEIRUT794_a.html https://www.ft.com/content/d2d63b9b-9669-4ec0-93e9-ed97cbeb9261 Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of economic and political news starts at 05:57, analysis on the banks winning the narrative begins at 27:10. After managing to record the podcast between power cuts, Ben and Nizar analyze the political and economic news of the past week, including Alain Bifani's resignation, Wazni ruling out a forensic audit, the lira slide, a touted return of former PM Hariri, IMF talks on hold, and the deadly consequences of economic hardship, before taking a closer look at what all this means for country's economic future and the mounting evidence that the narrative pushed by the banks is becoming dominant among Lebanon's political elite. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Nizar and Ben are back after a short break with updates and analysis on all the latest news in Lebanese politics including: coronavirus, the Caesar Act, the attempted gagging of US Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the US' anti-Hezbollah narrative, the ongoing lira collapse and alarming food price inflation, queues outside bakeries, and where the politicians are at, with appointments, the boycotted Baabda meeting, little progress on IMF talks, and calls to remove bread and fuel subsidies. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the 6/6 protest and counterrevolutionary rhetoric begins at 16.23. Ben and Nizar take a look at the protest and clashes over the weekend in Beirut and their context, including the build up of sectarian rhetoric, calls to disarm Hezbollah, why thawra organizations did or did not participate, and how securitization and sectarianization could reverse the achievements of October 17. Also covered, the news of the past week, including updates on coronavirus and the lira value, Parliament's extraordinary session, Banque du Liban and the Ministry of Finance's decision to agree on the numbers, the killing of a local banker, the impacts of the economic crisis on domestic workers with many Ethopian workers left outside their embassy by their employers with no pay and no way home, civil defense strikes, and Jamil el-Sayyed's explosive rhetoric against protesters. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Back to the basics for this episode as Nizar and Ben take a look at the political news of the past two weeks, including South Liberation Day, coronavirus updates, Parliament's LL1.2 trillion emergency package, failures on the amnesty, banking secrecy, and capital control laws, a change to appointments, and Grand Mufti Ahmad Qabalon's call to end Taif and the National Pact. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of Lebanon's industry begins at 17:00. Ben and Nizar are joined remotely this week by Paul Abi Nasr, member of the board of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists and CEO of Polytextile, to discuss the Lebanese industrial sector over the past few decades, the impacts of the current economic crisis, how the government plan was lacking in vision and content, and what Lebanese industry actually needs to reach its full potential. Also discussed: the latest on the lira, coronavirus, and the fuel scandel in Lebanon, the arrest of Mazen Hamdan, head of monetary operations at Banque du Liban, a crackdown on smuggling across the Syrian Lebanese border, and the start of talks with the IMF. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of workers and labor unions begins at 22:22. Ben and Nizar are joined this week by Lea Bou Khater, a researcher in labor movements, lecturer in development at Lebanese American University, and development researcher at Consultation and Research Institute, to discuss the impacts of the recent economic and coronavirus crises on workers in Lebanon, how the ruling class has historically coopted the labor unions, and how the thawra has impacted the formation of new unions. Also discussed: coronavirus cases in Lebanon begin to tick up, a fuel scandel emerges, army actions are investigated, Baabda hosts some political theater, and Bahaa Hariri eyes a political spot. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the government's economic and financial rescue plan starts at 23:35. Ben and Nizar are back for our fifth lockdown episode with all the latest on the coronavirus in Lebanon, the renewed protests, and the economy, including BDL Governor Riad Salameh's speech. Our main topic this week is the government's proposed economic and financial rescue plan, what it covers, what is missing, and our analysis on the good, the bad, and optimistic. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

The fourth of our remote lockdown episodes, Ben and Nizar are joined by Hicham Safieddine, lecturer in the history of the Modern Middle East at King's College London and author of “Banking on the State: The Financial Foundations of Lebanon,” to talk about the depreciating lira, the role of the central bank and BDL Governor Riad Salameh, and who ultimately has responsbility for monetary policy in Lebanon. Also covered: the latest on the coronavirus in Lebanon, a disappointing parliamentary session, and the ongoing economic crisis. NB: Apologies for the slight echo in the second half of the recording, week four of remote recording brought with it new challenges. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on the BDL circular begins at 20:50. Ben and Nizar are (remotely) joined this week by Mohamad Faour, a postdoctoral researcher in finance at the University College Dublin and one of the NERDS(https://finance4lebanon.com) to discuss the logic behind the Banque du Liban circular released this past week that would allow those with deposits less than or equal to $3,000 to withdraw their money in lira at the market rate. Also covered: the latest on coronavirus in Lebanon, politics as usual when it comes to BDL and Banking Control Commission appointments, Lebanese expatriates start returning, and Al-Jadeed comedian Wissam Saad's "jokes" fall flat. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are back for our second remote lockdown episode with all the latest on the coronavirus in Lebanon, the dismantling of the downtown protest camps, and the economic situation. We ask the question on everyone's mind: Where are the Lebanese government's plans for social protections as the twin crises of coronavirus and Lebanon's economic meltdown set the stage for mass unemployment and poverty? Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Ben and Nizar are joined by journalist Timour Azhari for a special remotely recorded lockdown episode, with all the latest on coronavirus in Lebanon, updates on the economic situation, and the fallout from the controversial release of Amer Fakhoury. NB: The lockdown isn't getting to you, those are notification beeps in the first five minutes, our bad, internet recording teething troubles. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on default begins at 19:45. Ben and Nizar are joined by economist Marwan Mikhael, former head of research for Blominvest, to discuss Lebanon's decision to default and where the country goes from here. Also covered: coronavirus, lira fluctuations, and the financial prosecutor's move against the banks. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion on coronavirus in Lebanon begins at 19:12. Ben and Nizar are joined this week by Dr Abdul Rahman Bizri, professor of infectious diseases at AUBMC, member of National Communicable Diseases Committee, and a founding member/former president of Lebanese Society for Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, to discuss the recent cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Lebanon and how the Lebanese health system can handle the outbreak. Also discussed: Lebanon starts oil & gas exploration, the latest on the financial situation and the eurobond payment, clashes between supporters of the FPM and the PSP, Diab takes a swing at critics, and the crackdown on journalists/activists continues. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the financial situation begins at 18:49. Ben and Nizar are joined by economist and historian Joane Chaker to discuss the counter arguments to last week's deep dive topic - to pay or default - and why many believe that Lebanon defaulting on the eurobond payments is necessary. Also covered: the vote of confidence, the attack on economic journalist Mohammad Zbeeb, Lebanon asks the IMF for technical assistance, and Hariri blasts Bassil. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of the financial situation begins at 20:51. Nizar and Ben are joined for the second time by former banker Dan Azzi to discuss the state of the lira, haircuts on deposits, and take a deep dive into whether or not Lebanon should pay its eurobonds due early March. Also covered: The people vs. Ziad Aswad, The Daily Star drops its print editon and Radio One goes off air, and a full breakdown of the new government's ministerial statement. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

Discussion of human rights violations in the protests begins at 20:55. Ben and Nizar analyze the news of the past week, including the so-called Deal of the Century, the 2020 budget, and the latest on the financial crisis, before diving in deep into human rights violations in the protests - including arbitary detention, unlawful use of force, and intimidation tactics - with the help of guest Aya Majzoub, the Lebanon and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch. Music track: Zuhal by Elepheel, check out his other work @elepheel

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