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Her protagonist is a cinematic Sheherazade, captivating viewers with tales of courageous feats and astonishing achievements. Yet Heiny Srour's "Leila" is not dealing in fiction but in fact: re-telling the story of the Palestinian and Lebanese people with women back in their rightful roles, as active participants in their country's stories. As the film returns to cinemas 40 years after it was made, the Lebanese director tells us why its themes are still extremely topical today. We also discuss her pioneering documentary, "The Hour of Liberation Has Arrived", which made Srour the first Arab women to present a feature at the Cannes Film Festival in 1974.
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“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.'” - Isaiah 6:8The news from the Middle East can be overwhelming, but our hope in Christ calls us to take action. Today, May-Lee Melki from Heart for Lebanon joins us to share how you can help protect young women and girls facing crisis. Then it's on to your calls at 800-525-7000.May-Lee Melki is a Lebanese-American advocate, legal scholar, and ministry leader dedicated to advancing justice and holistic transformation in the Middle East. She serves as the Strategic Engagement Manager at Heart for Lebanon, an underwriter of Faith and Finance.Why Lebanon's Girls Need Us NowLebanon today is not the Lebanon of a generation ago. Compounded crises have pushed countless families into desperation, and girls ages 13–21 often bear the heaviest burden. Without a father, brother, or male guardian to protect them, they face decisions made for them—decisions that can lock them into abuse for life.The urgency has never been higher. These girls can change their country, the region, and the Church—but only if someone intervenes before tragedy strikes.A Concrete Goal: 500 Girls by June 30Heart for Lebanon has already welcomed 250 at-risk girls into its programs this year. With your help, we can reach the remaining 250 before June 30. The math is simple—and remarkably attainable:$114 introduces three girls to Jesus and a pathway to safety.$950 opens the door for twenty-five girls.Less than $10,000 completes the entire goal.Every investment provides:Safe spaces & mentorshipChrist-centered counseling focused on identity and dignityEducation & vocational training rooted in biblical character and life skillsChurch communities where girls—and, prayerfully, their families—can grow in faithHow Your Gift Transforms a LifeRecently, Meili met Iman, a 12-year-old refugee forced to work all day for $20 a month—money her father uses for cigarettes. After a chapel session, with tears in her eyes, Iman asked, "Who is Jesus?" That day, she prayed to receive Christ, saying:“My circumstances may not change immediately, but Jesus will change my heart and be with me.”Your support keeps Iman in school, surrounds her with Christian counselors, and plugs her into a loving church, offering hope not only to her but to her whole family.Two Ways You Can Help TodayPray:Ask the Lord to protect these girls and soften the hearts of their families.Pray for the Heart for Lebanon staff who daily serve in challenging conditions. Give Generously:Text “FAITH” to 98656—we'll reply with a secure giving link.Visit FaithFi.com/Lebanon to give online.Remember: $114 = three girls rescued and discipled in Christ.Jesus taught, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) When you invest in Heart for Lebanon, you're putting your heart into something that echoes into eternity—protecting girls from exploitation, introducing them to the Savior, and empowering them to transform their communities for Christ.Let's finish strong. Join us in reaching the final 250 young women before June 30. Together, we can turn desperation into dignity and despair into hope—one precious girl at a time. Give now at FaithFi.com/Lebanon or text “FAITH” to 98656.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have two financial advisors, and I would like to know which one to work with. One has been with our family for 30 years, but his fees are high. The other has a different investment approach, but his fees are much lower. I'm struggling with the emotional side of potentially changing advisors after such a long-term working relationship. How should I evaluate this situation?I have a 13-year-old son who has been earning money doing yard work and has now saved over $2,000. I would like to know the best place for a young teenager to start saving and investing. What would your recommendation be?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Heart For LebanonStash | Acorns | Betterment | Charles Schwab | FidelityWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.
This week's show features stories from France 24, Radio Deutsche-Welle, NHK Japan, and Radio Havana Cuba. http://youthspeaksout.net/swr250620.mp3 (29:00) From FRANCE- First two press reviews from Monday on the Israel war on Iran, from both the Israeli, Iranian,Lebanese, and French press. Then Monday opinion pieces from the Guardian and Foreign Policy. From Thursday the role of Trump and the US in the war is discussed in French and British press. Then global criticism of the cause of the war from China, while a Chinese military delivery plane that seemed to go to Iran. A science website warns that global carbon emissions are on track to go beyond the 1.5 degree threshold for irreversible global warming in three years. From GERMANY- The Israeli military operation in Iran has not slowed down activities in Gaza, where the distribution of limited aid supplies has resulted in nearly daily massacres of starving people. An interview with Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the United Nations office for Humanitarian Affairs. From JAPAN- Nippon Steel says it has done everything necessary to buy US Steel, which Trump has approved. Australian PM Albanese wasn't able to have a one on one with Trump who left the G7 meeting early. While the G7 leaders were meeting in Canada the Chinese President was on a tour of Central Asia and offered to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East. The Japanese Defense Ministry is evacuating citizens from Iran and Israel. Israel bombed a TV studio that was on air. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released their annual report on global nuclear weapons. From CUBA- Netanyahu has been urging Trump to join the war on Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the Israeli strikes are not surgical and are killing many women and children. Available in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml PODCAST!!!- https://feed.podbean.com/outFarpress/feed.xml (160kb Highest Quality) Website Page- < http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts "War is a place where young people who do not know each other and do not hate each other, kill each other, based on decisions made by old people who know each other and hate each other, but do not kill each other." -- Paul Valery Dan Roberts Shortwave Report- www.outfarpress.com YouthSpeaksOut!- www.youthspeaksout.net
Since Israel launched Operation Rising Lion—a precise and defensive military campaign aimed at preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons—Iran has responded with a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones, indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians. Dr. Matthew Levitt, director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and a leading expert on Iran's global terror network, explains what's at stake—and what could come next. Take Action: We must stop a regime that vows to murder millions of Israelis from gaining the weapons to do it. Urge your elected leaders to assure that Israel has all the necessary support to end Iran's nuclear threat. Resources and Analysis: Iranian Regime vs. Israel War Explained: What You Should Know AJC Advocacy Anywhere: Israel and Iran: Latest Updates, Global Responses, and the Path Ahead 5 Key Reasons Behind Israel's Defensive Strike on Iran's Imminent Nuclear Threat Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod: Latest Episodes: Why Israel Had No Choice: Inside the Defensive Strike That Shook Iran's Nuclear Program What Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks' State of the Jewish World Teaches Us Today Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Israel's shadow war with the Iranian regime, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, erupted into open conflict last week following a stunning report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that confirmed Iran was much closer to obtaining nuclear weapons than previously known. Since Israel launched a wave of attacks on nuclear sites and facilities, Iran has fired missiles toward Israel's most populated cities. Joining us to discuss what this all means is one of the foremost experts on Iran and its global threats, and a regular guest when trouble arises with Iran. Dr. Matthew Levitt, director of the Reinhard Counterterrorism Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Matt, welcome back to People of the Pod. Matthew Levitt: It's a pleasure to be back, but I need to come sometime when the world's okay. Manya Brachear Pashman: That would be nice. That'd be nice. But what will we talk about? Matthew Levitt: Yeah, just call me one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Manya Brachear Pashman: Well, you are one of the foremost experts on the dangers posed by Iran, especially its terror proxies. And you've written the definitive book on Hezbollah, titled Hezbollah: the Global Footprint of Lebanon's Party of God. And I say that whole title, I want to get in there, because we are talking about global threats here. Can you explain the scale of Iran's global threat and the critical role that its terror proxies, like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, play in advancing that strategy? Matthew Levitt: So I really appreciate the question, because it's really important to remind listeners that the Israel Iran war did not start Thursday night US time, Friday morning, Israel time. In fact, it's just the latest salvo where the Israelis, after years and years and years of Iranian we call it malign activity, but that's too soft a term. We're talking about Iran sending weapons and funds to proxies like Hamas to carry out October 7, like Hezbollah to fire rockets at Israel almost daily for almost a year. Like the Houthis, who were much more than a thorn in the Saudi backside until the Iranians came and gave them more sophisticated capabilities. We're talking about an Iran that a few years ago decided that instead of making sure that every gun that it sent to the West Bank had to go to Hamas or Islamic Jihad. They decided to just flood the West Bank with guns. Who cares who's shooting at the Israelis so long as somebody is. And an Iran that not only carries out human rights abuses of all kinds at home, but that threatens Israel and its neighbors with drones, low altitude cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and medium and long range ballistic missiles. And so the totality of this, much like the totality of Hezbollah's striking Israel for almost a year, ultimately led Israel to do what most people thought couldn't be done, and just tear Hezbollah apart, that the Israel war on Hezbollah is the prequel to what we've been seeing over the past few days in Iran. Similarly, for the Israelis, it got to be too much. It wasn't even really that President Trump's 60 days expired and Israel attacked on day 61. It wasn't only that the IAEA came out with a report saying that the Iranians have refused to explain certain activities that can only be explained as nuclear weaponization activities. It was that the Israelis had information that two things were happening. One, that Iran was working very, very hard to rebuild its capability to manufacture medium, long range ballistic missiles that can hit Israel. After the Israeli reprisal attack last October took out a key component of that program, the mixers that are important for the solid propellant, without which you can't make ballistic missiles. And Iran is believed to have, at least the beginning of this recent round of the conflict –Thursday, Friday–about 2000 such missiles. Far fewer now, the Israelis say they've taken out about a third of them, plus launchers, plus radars, et cetera. But that Iran had a plan within just a few years to develop as many as 8000 of these. And that simply was not tolerable for the Israelis. And the second is that the Israelis say that they compiled evidence that Iran had a secret, secret nuclear weapons program that had been going on predating October 7, but was fast tracked after October 7, that they were planning to maintain this program, even as they were negotiating over the more overt program with the Trump administration. President Trump has even taken issue with his own Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who testified in March that the US intelligence committee does not assess that Iran is weaponizing. And President says, I don't care what she says, I think they were very close to weaponizing. The Israelis say they have shared this information at least recently with their US counterparts and that was not tolerable. So the primary goals that Israel has set out for itself with this campaign is beyond the critically important shattering the glass ceiling. Think where people in particular, in Iran thought this would never happen, was two things, one, addressing and significantly degrading and setting back the Iranian ballistic missile production program, and second, doing the same to the nuclear program. They've already carried out strikes at Isfahan, Natanz, even at the upper parts of Fordow. And there is an expectation that the Israelis are going to do something more. The Israeli national security advisor said on Israeli television today, We are not going to stop without addressing the nuclear activities at Fordow. Manya Brachear Pashman: You know, you called it a prequel, Israel's operations against Hezbollah last year. Did you know that it was a prequel at the time and to what extent did it weaken Iran and leave it more vulnerable in this particular war? Matthew Levitt: I'm going to be the last person in Washington, D.C. who tells you when he doesn't know. And anybody who tells you they did know is lying to you. None of us saw what Israel did to Hezbollah coming. None of us saw that and said, Oh, they did it to a non-state actor right across their border. So they'll definitely be able to do it to Iran, 1000+ kilometers away, big nation state with massive arsenals and a nuclear program and lots of proxies. One plus one does not equal three in this. In other words, the fact that Israel developed mind boggling capabilities and incredible intelligence, dominance and then special tools, pagers and walkie talkies, in the case of Hezbollah, did not mean that they were going to be able to do the same vis a vis Iran. And they did. The same type of intelligence dominance, the same type of intelligence, knowing where somebody was at a certain time, that the protocols would be that certain leaders would get in a certain secret bunker once hostilities started, and they'd be able to take them out in that bunker. As they did to a bunch of senior Hezbollah commanders just months ago. Drone operations from within Iran, Iran being hit with missiles that were fired at Iran from within Iran, all of it. One case did not necessarily translate into the other. It is exponentially impressive. And Israel's enemies have to be saying, you know, that the Israelis are just all capable. Now you're absolutely right. You hit the nail on the head on one critical issue. For a very long time, Israel was at least somewhat deterred, I would say very deterred, from targeting Iran. Because Iran had made very, very clear if Israel or the United States or anybody else targeted Iran or its nuclear program, one of the first things that would happen would be that Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel, Iran's first, most important proxy would rain hellfire in Israel in the form of 1000s upon 1000s of rockets. Until Israel addressed the problem, Hezbollah is believed to have had 150 to 200,000 different types of projectiles, up to and including precision guided munitions. Not only have the overwhelming majority of those been destroyed, Hezbollah still has 1000s of rockets, but Hezbollah leadership has been decimated. There's a new sheriff in town in Lebanon. There's a new government that immediately, when hostility started with Iran's, went to Hezbollah and said, You're not doing this, not dragging Lebanon back into a war that nobody wanted again. We are finally coming out of this economic crisis. And so Iran was faced with a situation where it didn't have Hezbollah to deter Israel. Israel, you know, paved the way for a highway in the air to Iran, taking out air defense systems. It was able to fly over and through Syria. The Syrians are not shedding any tears as they see the Quds Force and the IRGC getting beaten down after what Iran did in Syria. And the Israelis have air dominance now. President Trump said, We, using the we term, air dominance now, earlier today. And they're able to slowly and methodically continue to target the ballistic missile program. Primarily, the medium and long range missiles that target Israel, but sometimes it's the same production lines that produce the short range missiles that Iran uses to target U.S. Forces in the region, and our allies in the Gulf. So Israel is not just protecting itself, it's protecting the region. And then also taking out key military security intelligence personnel, sometimes taking out one person, then a couple days later, taking out the person who succeeded that person, and then also taking out key scientists who had the know-how to potentially rebuild all the things that Israel is now destroying. Manya Brachear Pashman: But Israel is also not hearing from the Houthis, is not hearing from Hamas. It's not hearing from other terror proxies either. Very few attacks from Iran's terror proxies in the aftermath of this wave. Why? Why do you think that is? Matthew Levitt: The crickets are loud. The crickets are loud. Look, we've discussed Hezbollah. Hezbollah understands that if it were to do something, the Israelis will come in even harder and destroy what's left. Hamas is still holding hostages. This is still an open wound, but it doesn't have the capabilities that it once had, and so there have been a couple of short range things that they tried to shoot, but it's not anything that's going to do huge damage, and the Israeli systems can deal with those. The Houthis did fire something, and it hurt some Palestinians near Hebron. You know, the Houthis and the Iranians in particular, in this conflict have killed Palestinians, and in one case, Syrians. They're continuing to hurt people that are not Israelis. One of the things that I think people are hopeful for is that as Iran tries to sue for peace, and it already is, it's been reaching out to Cyprus to pass messages, etcetera. The hope is that Iran will recognize that it's in a position whereby A) there has to be zero enrichment and the facilities have to be destroyed, whatever's left of them. And B) there's a hope that Israel and the United States together will be able to use this diplomatic moment to truly end the conflict in Gaza and get the hostages home. Manya Brachear Pashman: Well, that was what I was going to ask. I mean, if Israel achieves its objectives in this war, primarily eliminating Iran's nuclear threat, how significant a setback would that be for Hamas and Iran's other terror proxies, and could it indeed pave the way for an end of the war in Gaza and the return of the hostages? Matthew Levitt: Like everybody else, I'm so scarred, I don't want to get my hopes up, but I do see this as a distinct possibility, and here's why. Not Hezbollah, not the Houthis, not Hamas, none of them, and plenty of other proxies that don't start in the letter H, none of them could have been anywhere as capable as they've proven to be, were it not for Iranian money and weapons. Also some training, some intelligence, but primarily money and weapons. And so Hamas is already on its back foot in this regard. It can still get some money in. It's still being able to make money off of humanitarian aid. Iran is still sending money in through money exchange houses and hawaladars, but not weapons. Their ability to manufacture weapons, their military industrial complex within Gaza, this is destroyed. Hezbollah, we've discussed, discussed, and a lot of their capabilities have been destroyed. And those that remain are largely deterred. The Houthis did shoot up some rockets, and the Israelis did carry out one significant retaliatory attack. But I think people are beginning to see the writing on the wall. The Israelis are kicking the stuffing out of Iran with pinprick attacks that are targeting the worst of the bad guys, including people who have carried out some of the worst human rights transgressions against Iranians. Let's not pretend that this is not affecting the average Iranian. It is. The president says, Everybody get out of Tehran. That's just not possible. People, average Iranians, good people. It must be just an absolute terror. But Israel's not bombing, you know, apartment buildings, as Iran is doing in Israel, or as Russia is doing in Ukraine. And so it really is a different type of thing. And when the Houthis, when Hamas, when Hezbollah, look at this, you don't you don't poke the tiger when it's angry. I think they also understand now's the time to get into survival mode. What you want is for the regime in Iran not to be destroyed. This is no longer a moment, as it's been since long before October 7, but certainly since then, of how Iran as proxies, export Iran's revolution. This is now a question of how they maintain and preserve the revolution at home. And it's extremely important to the proxies that Iran remain, so that even if it's knocked down over time, hopefully, theoretically, from their perspective, it can regain its footing. It will still have, they hope, its oil and gas, etcetera, and they will get back to a point where they can continue to fund and arm the proxies in. Maybe even prioritize them as it takes them longer to rebuild their ballistic missile, drone, and nuclear programs. Manya Brachear Pashman: Which is a scary prospect as well to know that terror proxies could be spread throughout the world and empowered even a little bit more. President Trump left the G7 summit a day early to meet with security advisors, and just a few hours ago, prior to this interview, President Trump called for Iran's, quote, unconditional surrender, saying that the US knows where the Supreme Leader is, and some other threatening language. But I mean, this appears to be a kind of a clear commitment to Israel. So I'm curious how you assess his administration's actions before and during the war thus far, and do you see the United States edging toward direct involvement? Matthew Levitt: All politics is local, and there is a tug of war within the MAGA movement over whether or not the US should be getting involved. Not only in supporting an important ally, but in removing a critical threat. The President is clearly frustrated that Iran was not being more forthcoming in the negotiations. He said many times, we'd offered you a great deal, you should have taken the deal. He's very aware that his deadline ended, and they didn't particularly seem to care. There's also the background that once upon a time, they tried to assassinate him, I think, after the Israelis did what they did, the President appreciates capabilities. He appreciates success. He likes backing the winning horse. And so the New York Times is reporting that after getting off the phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump reportedly turned to some aides and said, maybe we need to help him. Now it's not clear that's what's going to happen, and my understanding is that the Israelis have plans of their own for things like the heavily fortified facility at Fordow, which is the most important and highly fortified, protected of the nuclear installations. The Israeli National Security Advisor spoke today and said, you know, we're not going to be done until we do something with Fordow. The United States can do multiple things only the United States has the MOP: the Massive Ordinance Penetrator, and the airplanes to deliver it, and they could end Fordow if they wanted. Short of that, they could do other things to support Israel. There's been defensive support for the State of Israel already, but there's other things they could do, refueling and other things if they wanted to. And at a minimum, I don't see the president restraining Israel at all. Now, I've heard some people say that so far, the President has fired nothing more than some social media postings, some of them even in all caps. But the truth is, those do have an effect, and so long as Israel is not restrained. I think the Israelis went into this with a plan. That plan is not necessarily to entirely destroy the entire nuclear program, but if the ballistic missile program and the nuclear program are sufficiently degraded so that it will take them years and a tremendous amount of time and money to rebuild, knowing that Israel has broken the glass ceiling on this idea of targeting Iran, that if the Israelis feel they need to, they will come back. If the Iranians rebuild their air defense systems, the Israelis will address them and create a new highway going if they need to. I think the Israelis are making that clear. Knowing that it's going to be a little bit of a road for Iran, especially when it will have to deal with some domestic issues coming out of this. Finally, the Israelis have started signaling there's other things they could do. The Israelis have not yet fully targeted oil and gas fields and facilities. For example, they had one set of attacks where they basically knocked at the front door of some of these facilities without walking in the house. That's signaling, and I think it's one of the reasons you're seeing Iran quietly trying to reach out for some type of a ceasefire. Other signaling, for example, is the Israelis deciding to fly all the way to Mashhad, which is in far eastern Iran, to take out an airplane. That airplane was not particularly important. It was the message. There is nowhere in Iran we can't go. It's not a question of distance, it's not a question of refueling, it's not a question of air defense systems. We can do what we need to do. And I think the Iranians understand that now. Manya Brachear Pashman: So we talked about the commitment to Israel, and how clear, how important it is to clarify that commitment to Israel. How important is it to clarify the United States commitment to Arab partners in the Middle East to help defend them in other words, if this conflict escalates? Matthew Levitt: This is critically important. You know, one of the individuals who was taken out, for example, was the person who was in charge of the drone attack on the Abqaiq oil facility in Saudi Arabia. If you look, for example, at the Saudi statement condemning the Israeli actions, it was issued by the Foreign Ministry without a single name attached to it. Wasn't issued by the Crown Prince, wasn't issued by the foreign minister. So I think you should expect a whole lot of public criticism. I imagine there's a different conversation going on behind closed doors. It's not necessarily, you know, pom-poming. This makes the Gulf states very, very nervous, in part because they understand that one way Iran could try and get out of this is to expand the conflict. And that the reason they haven't is because, short of trying to prevent Iranians from taking to the streets and potentially doing something to maybe overthrow the regime, short of that, the number one thing that the Iranian regime is most desperate to avoid is getting the United States involved militarily. And I think the Iranians really understand and the messaging's been clear. If you target US Forces in the region, if you target our allies in the region, we'll get involved. If you don't, then we might not. Now the President now is talking about potentially doing that, and as a lot of maybe this, maybe that, nothing very clear. I think what is clear is that the Israelis are going to continue doing what they need to do for another one to two weeks. Even going so far as doing something, though they haven't made clear what to address the really complicated problem of the fortified facility at Fordow. Manya Brachear Pashman: So how important is it for global security if Israel is successful in eliminating the nuclear threat in Iran? Matthew Levitt: Look, Iran has been the single most destabilizing factor in the region for a long time now. Imagine a region without a destabilizing revolutionary regime in Iran without a regime that is supporting Shia militants in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Imagine the Shia militias in Iraq suddenly without a funder and a patron, enabling the Shia government in Iraq to actually be able to take control of the country and establish a monopoly over the use of force. At a time when the Shia militias, because of Iran's backing, are becoming more dangerous and more powerful in Iraq. Imagine the Lebanese government being able to be more forward leaning in their effort to establish a monopoly over the use of force in that country, reclaim bases that Hezbollah has used for all this time, and establish a new Lebanon that is not beholden to Iran and Hezbollah. And imagine an Israeli-Palestinian situation where you didn't have Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as spoilers. Recall that October 7 happened in large part because Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran could not tolerate the prospect of Israeli-Saudi normalization. For most Palestinians, this was great news. The Saudis were demanding real dividends for the Palestinians from the Netanyahu government, which was likely going to do them. This was great for Palestinians, bad for Hamas. Imagine Hamas no longer getting that support from Iran. Imagine Iran no longer able to send or being interested in sending millions upon millions of dollars to its proxies, and instead spending what money it has on helping its population, instead of cracking down on it with human rights violations. You could have a very, very different region, let alone imagine Iran no longer carrying out acts of terrorism, kidnapping plots, abduction plots of dissidents and Jews and Israelis and others around the world of the type that we've seen throughout Europe and throughout the Middle East and even in the United States over the past few years. Manya Brachear Pashman: That's quite an imagination you have. But I take your point. Let me ask you this then. Did you ever imagine that Israel would take this dramatic step? Matthew Levitt: What the Israelis have achieved, when you are so against the wall and you're forced to come up with solutions, because it's a matter of life or death – you make the impossible possible. And I think that perhaps the Iranians assumed that the Israeli post-October 7 doctrine applied to non-state actors only. And that doctrine is very simple. Israel will no longer allow adversaries who are openly committed to its destruction to build up weapons, arsenals that they can then use at some point to actually try and destroy Israel. They will not allow that to happen. They allowed it to happen with Hamas. It was a mistake. They allowed it to happen with Hezbollah. It was a mistake that they corrected. And Iran is the biggest, arguably, really, the only existential threat as huge, as a tasking as that was, clearly they invested in doing it. And the question became, not, why can't it be done? What is it that has to be overcome? And I don't think sitting here with you right now, you know, what is it, 3:30 on Tuesday, the 17th, that we've seen the last of the tricks up Israel's sleeve. Manya Brachear Pashman: I only have one last question for you, and that is about the United States. The importance of the United States getting directly involved. I mean, we've talked about previously undisclosed nuclear sites, and who knows how many there could be. We're talking about more than what, 600,000 square miles of Iran. If the goal is a non nuclear Iran, can Israel finish this war without the United States, or does it even matter? I mean, is this just a step to force Iran back to the negotiating table with virtually zero leverage? Matthew Levitt: So look, I don't think the goal here is completely destroying the Iranian nuclear program, or even completely destroying the Iranian ballistic missile program. The goal is to so degrade it that it is set back many, many years, and break that ceiling. People now understand if Israelis need to come back, they're coming back. I think they would like to do as much damage to these destructive programs as possible, of course, and I don't think we've seen the end of it. I think there are more tricks up Israel's sleeve when it comes to some of these complicated problems. Judged by this yardstick, by the way, the Israeli operation is a tremendous success, tremendous success, even though there have been some significant casualties back in Israel, and even though this has caused tremendous trauma for innocent Iranians who have no love for the regime. This is a situation that the Iranian regime has brought down on all of us. I do think that the Israelis have made very, very clear that this doesn't end until something is done to further disrupt and dismantle Fordow, which is the most important and the most heavily fortified, underground, under a mountain facility. It's not clear what the Israelis have in mind. It seems they have something in mind of their own. It's clear they would love for the United States to get involved, because the United States could do real damage to that facility and potentially end the Iranian nuclear program. But at the end of the day, if it can't be completely destroyed, I anticipate it's going to be damaged enough to significantly set it back. This phase of the Israel-Iran war, which didn't start last week, is not about pushing them back a week or a month or two months. Manya Brachear Pashman: Well, Matt, thank you so much for your wise counsel and perspective on this matter, and yes, hopefully we can have you back another time to talk about peace and love and things that have nothing to do with war and conflict with Iran or its terror proxies. Matthew Levitt: I would really look forward to prepping for that interview. In the meantime, I want to thank AJC for all the important work it does, and thank you guys for having me on the podcast. Manya Brachear Pashman: If you missed last week's episodes, be sure to tune in for our crossover episode with Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast, a podcast of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, and my conversation with AJC's Jerusalem Director Avital Liebovich. During a special breaking news episode the day after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, the latest in Israel's ongoing war of self-defense against the Iranian regime.
Bobby and Jared start out during the end of the US Open, why this was a great tournament, talk about why golf is such a unique sport compared to the Big 4, why the media sucks, what's going on with Rory McIlroy, the lead tape chronicles, and a Lebanese barber that is well versed in US/global politics.Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the show to stay up to date on the latest releases! You can also find the video show on YouTube by clicking here.Make sure you check out LMNT electrolyte drink mix at drinklmnt.com! Use the following link to get a FREE variety pack with your first purchase! http://elementallabs.refr.cc/jaredmello Thank you to our sponsor MoonBrew! Go to www.noonbrew.com/jaredmello for 10% off your entire purchase!
PRESS REVIEW – Monday, June 16: The conflict between Iran and Israel features on many front pages and is widely debated in the inside pages. Also, the controversial FIFA Club World Cup continues to make headlines, but perhaps not for the right reasons. Next, MI6 appoints a female head for the first time in 116 years. Finally, German soldiers get a telling-off for causing "romantic strife". The conflict between Israel and Iran continues to rage on, and features on many front pages this Monday morning. The Jerusalem Post leads with a photo of the destruction following a strike in the residential neighbourhood of Bat Yam. Iran Daily has photos of the aftermath of an Iranian strike on an Israeli power station in Haifa. Tehran Times, meanwhile, highlights the civilian victims of Israel's latest strikes on Iran. The Lebanese paper L'Orient-Le Jour points the finger at US President Donald Trump. French daily Libération says it is a "dynamic of the worst", saying it is in the interest of both parties to continue the conflict in order to stay in power. L'Humanité takes a clear stance on its front page, calling the conflict Benjamin Netanyahu's war without limits. The Guardian has an opinion piece by Simon Tisdall. He says that the behaviour of the three leaders involved in the war – Trump, Netanyahu and Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei – raises serious doubts about their judgment, common sense, motives and even their sanity. The New York Times, meanwhile, says that diplomacy with Iran is damaged but not dead. Foreign Policy discusses how the war might end. It says that darker scenarios are most likely, including a potential regional war. The past weekend has been a busy one for football fans after the launch of FIFA's controversial Club World Cup. The tournament is making headlines, but not for the best reasons. The Telegraph headlines with "Bayern thrash team of forklift drivers and fizzy drinks salesmen 10:0 in FIFA farce". Meanwhile, The Times reports that the Professional Footballers Association has joined a legal action against FIFA for abuse of power. In the UK, the Financial Times reports that Britain's foreign intelligence agency MI6 has appointed its first woman leader – a first in the organisation's 116-year history. Meanwhile in Germany, soldiers can now be punished for having an affair with each other's spouses because of the "danger of romantic strife eroding morale", as The Times reports. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.
Five heartwarming stories kick off the weekend. A California father, Bryce Weiner, channels Taken to rescue his kidnapped 14-year-old daughter from human traffickers in Mexico after a three-year, 5,000-mile quest, reuniting at the U.S. embassy. Amy, a former pediatric oncology social worker, founds A Doll Like Me, crafting custom dolls for children with disabilities, funded by donations to affirm their uniqueness. A neighbor surprises another with smoked sausages, sharing 100 pounds of meat in a wholesome gesture. Dirty Paws Agape Haven in Michigan, run by cardiologist Tom Pappas, provides a sanctuary for over 20 senior dogs, ensuring their final years are filled with love. A woman's viral TikTok reveals her eclectic accent, shaped by Indian, Arabic, Lebanese, Nigerian, and American influences, learned via YouTube and Eminem. The duo dives into C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, Book 3, discussing social morality and the church's role in applying Christian principles through laypeople, not clergy. Highlights include Ben's McDonald's adventure and Bella's love for Sicario. The question of the week explores impactful books: Bella cites Perks of Being a Wallflower, while Aaron picks Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology.
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Qawma music from Hasan al-Ajami & Ahmed Ushaysh (Yemen); I. Wayan Sudiarsa Pacet w. Gamelan Suling Gita Samara (Bali); Lebanese vocalist Maya al Khaldi; recent compositions from Jen Shyu and David Leon (USA); trombonist/composer Joseph Daley; Kurdistani pop from De'Lori; Kai Winding & Curtis Fuller (more trombone); Tchangodei w. Itaru Oki & Kent Carter; the inimitable Lucha Reyes; bop from Dexter Gordon; jazz vocalists Mary La Rose & Marianne Solivan; Albert Ayler; Rajasthani music from Anwar Khan and others; Roma song from Trio Salvej; Bulgarian legend Ivo Papasov; Julio Benavente Diaz from Peru; and (as always) so much, much more. Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN: https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580 Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere. Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online: PLAYLIST at SPINITRON: https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/20632151/Conference-of-the-Birds and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/ Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks Find WRFI on Radio Garden: http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
Greatest hits episode! This conversation was first shared in 2023, and this is what I had to say about it: So, you know I love me a story about someone running away to figure out who they are. And, this week we have a doozy. Naomi Mourra, who is Sydney's only Lebanese, lesbian, ex-Jehovah's Witness, comedian, first came to London in the late 90s when she was trying to reconcile the thoughts she was feeling about women-folk with the teachings of her religion. And, she got to explore at Soho's Candy Bar, a lesbian bar that first opened in 1996, but closed in 2014 due to rising rents in the area. Boo!We talk all about the magic of London, finding your bearings in a new city, and wooly jumpers... Follow meInstagram: www.instagram.com/lostspacespodFacebook: www.facebook.com/lostspacespodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lostspacespodSign up to the Queer Word newsletter: https://queer-word.beehiiv.com/subscribeSupport meBuy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lostspacespodFollow my guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomimourra/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomimourracomedy
Big E starts to get political and gets snatched back. The gang debates whether or not getting high is still possible. Dane brings us some Lebanese snacks to try. Doc relives his border crossing days. We say goodbye to a few celebrities.
Send us a textIn this episode, Ricardo Karam meets with Nada Boulos, a pioneering auctioneer and expert in Middle Eastern art based in Beirut, Lebanon.Nada shares her unique journey from studying political science at the American University of Beirut and Université Paris II to pursuing art history at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London. She reflects on her formative apprenticeship with renowned auctioneer Guy Loudmer at Drouot in Paris, where she gained invaluable experience in the world of auctions.Returning to Lebanon, Nada founded her own auction house and became one of the first to specialize in modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art auctions, breaking new ground in the region's art scene. She talks about the challenges and triumphs of building a business that merges passion for art with the intricacies of the auction world.Nada opens up about hosting bi-annual auctions in a historic Lebanese mansion, her deep connections with artists and collectors, and her commitment to supporting charitable causes through successful fundraising auctions. Join Ricardo Karam and Nada Boulos for an intimate conversation about art, culture, and the enduring legacy of creativity in Lebanon.في هذه الحلقة، يلتقي ريكاردو كرم مع ندى بولس، مزادة رائدة وخبيرة في فنون الشرق الأوسط مقرّها في بيروت، لبنان.تشارك ندى رحلتها الفريدة التي بدأت بدراسة العلوم السياسية في الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت وجامعة باريس الثانية، ثم متابعة تاريخ الفن في معهد سوذبي للفنون في لندن. تستعرض تجربتها التدريبية الهامة مع المزادجي الشهير غاي لودمر في دروا باريس، حيث اكتسبت خبرة لا تقدر بثمن في عالم المزادات. عند عودتها إلى لبنان، أسّست ندى دار مزاداتها الخاصة وأصبحت من أوائل المختصين في مزادات الفن الحديث والمعاصر من الشرق الأوسط، مبتكرة مجالاً جديداً في المشهد الفني في المنطقة. تتحدث عن التحديات والنجاحات في بناء عمل يمزج بين الشغف بالفن وتعقيدات عالم المزادات.تتحدث ندى عن تنظيم المزادات، وصلاتها العميقة مع الفنانين والهواة، والتزامها بدعم القضايا الخيرية من خلال مزادات ناجحة لجمع التبرعات.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم وندى بولس في حديث حميم عن الفن، والثقافة، والإرث الدائم للإبداع في لبنان.
The UN's nuclear watchdog has accused Iran of concealing three nuclear sites in the early 2000s. There's new fighting in Gaza, now between Hamas and an Israel-backed gang in the south of the strip. A Lebanese official has denied reports that Israel and the United States have agreed to end Unifil. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Iran operated three secret nuclear sites until early 2000s, UN watchdog says Lebanon denies reports of US-Israel deal to withdraw UN peacekeepers Daily killings as Hamas and Israel-backed gang engage in battle of attrition in Gaza Who are the activists on board the aid yacht intercepted by Israel? This episode features Lemma Shehadi, Senior Communities Correspondent, UK bureau, and Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent.
Tadhg Hickey stands in for George Galloway to unpack the brutal realities hidden behind political posturing—from Gaza to Lebanon. Leila Hatoum exposes Israel's daily violations of Lebanese sovereignty, while brave activists set sail to break the Gaza siege. Plus, a sharp look at Trump and Musk's ego clash, Greta Thunberg's bold stand, and what comes next in a post-genocide world.Featuring:Leila Hatoum - War Reporter and Editor-in-Chief at Mena UncensoredAbubaker Abed - Palestinian Journalist and Commentator
Atlanta Grubber Dining Podcast: Discover Roswell, GA's Burgeoning Restaurant Scene Welcome to the Atlanta Grubber dining podcast, where we explore the dynamic culinary landscape of Roswell, GA. This charming town's restaurant scene is bursting with new flavors and exciting eateries that are sure to delight your palate. From upscale Latin cuisine to authentic Mediterranean dishes, classic red sauce Italian, Polish pierogies, and one of the most renowned delis in metro Atlanta's history, we've curated a list of must-try spots that will satisfy every craving. Featured Restaurants Arepa Grill Kitchen & Wine An upscale twist on the beloved Buford Highway favorite. Don't miss their salmon tartar – it's a must-try dish that elevates Latin dining to new heights. Bey Mediterranean Located in the vibrant Southern Post, this Lebanese gem offers an array of authentic dishes. The kibbeh nayeh is a standout, praised as one of the best dishes in recent memory. Savory Gourmet Situated on Canton Street, this deli is celebrated as the best in metro history. Their brisket sandwich is a culinary masterpiece that you simply have to experience. Mashawi Mediterranean Featuring all-you-can-eat Palestinian, Persian, and Mediterranean cuisine, this eatery offers both incredible quality and quantity. Imagine Smith House meets Persian BBQ – it's a feast for the senses. Grana Italian Located in Roswell's stunning new Southern Post development, this spot serves the best red sauce Italian cuisine, perfect for those craving traditional Italian flavors. Chelo Steps away from Canton Street, this Persian restaurant is led by the original chef from Rumi's Kitchen. The Chilean sea bass is a knockout dish that exemplifies Persian culinary excellence. Baltic Deli In East Roswell, this top-tier Polish deli is known for its exceptional pierogies. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Polish flavors. Additional Spots to Explore Voodoo Brewing: Enjoy killer bar food paired with an amazing beer selection. I Taqueria Mucho: Offers better-than-average Mexicali fare that's worth a try. Tipsy Thaiger (Coming Soon): Their pop-up pork jowl was phenomenal, leaving us eagerly anticipating their full menu. Join us as we continue to explore these culinary hotspots and uncover even more hidden gems. Have a favorite new restaurant we should check out? Drop your recommendations in the comments! Stay tuned to the Atlanta Grubber dining podcast for more delicious discoveries in Roswell and beyond. #RoswellGA #AlpharettaGA #JohnsCreekGA #MiltonGA #EastCobb #AtlantaEats #CantonStreet #BestRestaurants
Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today's show:· Jo-Jo Valenzuela, executive chef/ managing partner at Tiki on 18th, a unique cocktail bar that blends Polynesian and Filipino cultures in original cocktails and tiki classics, all complemented by Filipino food favorites; · Leah Culley, founder and head pastry chef of Sweet Almond French macarons; · Fatema Issa, general manager and managing partner of Vera Cocina & Bar, where the menu is a tribute to the unexpected connection between Lebanon and Mexico, inspired by Lebanese migration to Veracruz in the 19th century; · Michelin-starred Chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino and co-owner Dean Mosones of Bar Japonais, where blends of Japanese cuisine and French influences delight; · Derek Battle of Flave, an app that rewards users for posting photos of their food and drinks at local restaurants. Tune in to hear about Flave's Pride Month promotion -- you can turn your food photos into extra rewards and highlight LGBTQ+ owned restaurants.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the wake of the Assad regime's fall in Syria, thousands of Alawites, a minority Shia sect historically linked to the former regime, have fled to Lebanon. They are seeking refuge from discrimination and sectarian violence that has left over 1,000 civilians dead, including women and children. The late Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, became the most powerful Alawite when he seized control of Syria in a coup in 1970. Under the rule of Hafez al-Assad and then his son Bashar - the ruling Assad's recruited heavily from the Alawite community placing them in top posts in state, security and intelligence branches. Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, promised to protect Syria's minorities, but has struggled to contain a wave of violence directed towards the Alawite community. Emily Wither travels to the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli to meet with Syrian Alawite refugees and a new youth movement. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with award-winning author Dave Margoshes' novel, A Simple Carpenter (Radiant Press, 2024)—which recently won a Saskatchewan Book Award and the Western Canada Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Set in the early and mid-‘80s in the Middle East, A Simple Carpenter plays out against a backdrop of strife in Lebanon and ethnic/religious tensions between Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine. This historical backdrop serves as an empathetic and thoughtful commentary on our modern political climate. Part biblical fable, part magic realism, and part thriller, A Simple Carpenter follows the epic journey of a ship's carpenter stranded on a small Mediterranean island and visited by a frightening mysterious creature. He's lost his memory but has acquired the ability to speak, write and understand all languages. After his rescue, he spends time in a Lebanese coastal village recuperating with a group of nuns who, observing him perform what appear to be small miracles, take him to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Later in Beirut he's hired as a translator for the UN peacekeeping force, and is recruited as a messenger for a group named Black September. On a quest to find his true identity he travels on foot across the hills to the Sea of Galilee, encountering a series of strange and magical communities evoking biblical times along the way. More about Dave Margoshes: Dave Margoshes is a Saskatoon-area poet and fiction writer. He began his writing life as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor on a number of daily newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, and has taught journalism and creative writing.He has published twenty books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. His work has appeared widely in literary magazines and anthologies, in Canada and beyond, including six times in the Best Canadian Stories volumes; he's been nominated for the Journey Prize several times and was a finalist in 2009. His Bix's Trumpet and Other Stories won two prizes at the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Awards, including Book of the Year. He also won the Poetry Prize in 2010 for Dimensions of an Orchard. His collection of linked short stories, A Book of Great Worth, was named one of Amazon. CA's Top Hundred Books of 2012. Other prizes include the City of Regina Writing Award, twice; the Stephen Leacock Prize for Poetry in 1996 and the John V. Hicks Award for fiction in 2001. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with award-winning author Dave Margoshes' novel, A Simple Carpenter (Radiant Press, 2024)—which recently won a Saskatchewan Book Award and the Western Canada Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Set in the early and mid-‘80s in the Middle East, A Simple Carpenter plays out against a backdrop of strife in Lebanon and ethnic/religious tensions between Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine. This historical backdrop serves as an empathetic and thoughtful commentary on our modern political climate. Part biblical fable, part magic realism, and part thriller, A Simple Carpenter follows the epic journey of a ship's carpenter stranded on a small Mediterranean island and visited by a frightening mysterious creature. He's lost his memory but has acquired the ability to speak, write and understand all languages. After his rescue, he spends time in a Lebanese coastal village recuperating with a group of nuns who, observing him perform what appear to be small miracles, take him to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Later in Beirut he's hired as a translator for the UN peacekeeping force, and is recruited as a messenger for a group named Black September. On a quest to find his true identity he travels on foot across the hills to the Sea of Galilee, encountering a series of strange and magical communities evoking biblical times along the way. More about Dave Margoshes: Dave Margoshes is a Saskatoon-area poet and fiction writer. He began his writing life as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor on a number of daily newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, and has taught journalism and creative writing.He has published twenty books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. His work has appeared widely in literary magazines and anthologies, in Canada and beyond, including six times in the Best Canadian Stories volumes; he's been nominated for the Journey Prize several times and was a finalist in 2009. His Bix's Trumpet and Other Stories won two prizes at the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Awards, including Book of the Year. He also won the Poetry Prize in 2010 for Dimensions of an Orchard. His collection of linked short stories, A Book of Great Worth, was named one of Amazon. CA's Top Hundred Books of 2012. Other prizes include the City of Regina Writing Award, twice; the Stephen Leacock Prize for Poetry in 1996 and the John V. Hicks Award for fiction in 2001. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies
NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with award-winning author Dave Margoshes' novel, A Simple Carpenter (Radiant Press, 2024)—which recently won a Saskatchewan Book Award and the Western Canada Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Set in the early and mid-‘80s in the Middle East, A Simple Carpenter plays out against a backdrop of strife in Lebanon and ethnic/religious tensions between Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine. This historical backdrop serves as an empathetic and thoughtful commentary on our modern political climate. Part biblical fable, part magic realism, and part thriller, A Simple Carpenter follows the epic journey of a ship's carpenter stranded on a small Mediterranean island and visited by a frightening mysterious creature. He's lost his memory but has acquired the ability to speak, write and understand all languages. After his rescue, he spends time in a Lebanese coastal village recuperating with a group of nuns who, observing him perform what appear to be small miracles, take him to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Later in Beirut he's hired as a translator for the UN peacekeeping force, and is recruited as a messenger for a group named Black September. On a quest to find his true identity he travels on foot across the hills to the Sea of Galilee, encountering a series of strange and magical communities evoking biblical times along the way. More about Dave Margoshes: Dave Margoshes is a Saskatoon-area poet and fiction writer. He began his writing life as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor on a number of daily newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, and has taught journalism and creative writing.He has published twenty books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. His work has appeared widely in literary magazines and anthologies, in Canada and beyond, including six times in the Best Canadian Stories volumes; he's been nominated for the Journey Prize several times and was a finalist in 2009. His Bix's Trumpet and Other Stories won two prizes at the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Awards, including Book of the Year. He also won the Poetry Prize in 2010 for Dimensions of an Orchard. His collection of linked short stories, A Book of Great Worth, was named one of Amazon. CA's Top Hundred Books of 2012. Other prizes include the City of Regina Writing Award, twice; the Stephen Leacock Prize for Poetry in 1996 and the John V. Hicks Award for fiction in 2001. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies
NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with award-winning author Dave Margoshes' novel, A Simple Carpenter (Radiant Press, 2024)—which recently won a Saskatchewan Book Award and the Western Canada Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Set in the early and mid-‘80s in the Middle East, A Simple Carpenter plays out against a backdrop of strife in Lebanon and ethnic/religious tensions between Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine. This historical backdrop serves as an empathetic and thoughtful commentary on our modern political climate. Part biblical fable, part magic realism, and part thriller, A Simple Carpenter follows the epic journey of a ship's carpenter stranded on a small Mediterranean island and visited by a frightening mysterious creature. He's lost his memory but has acquired the ability to speak, write and understand all languages. After his rescue, he spends time in a Lebanese coastal village recuperating with a group of nuns who, observing him perform what appear to be small miracles, take him to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Later in Beirut he's hired as a translator for the UN peacekeeping force, and is recruited as a messenger for a group named Black September. On a quest to find his true identity he travels on foot across the hills to the Sea of Galilee, encountering a series of strange and magical communities evoking biblical times along the way. More about Dave Margoshes: Dave Margoshes is a Saskatoon-area poet and fiction writer. He began his writing life as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor on a number of daily newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, and has taught journalism and creative writing.He has published twenty books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. His work has appeared widely in literary magazines and anthologies, in Canada and beyond, including six times in the Best Canadian Stories volumes; he's been nominated for the Journey Prize several times and was a finalist in 2009. His Bix's Trumpet and Other Stories won two prizes at the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Awards, including Book of the Year. He also won the Poetry Prize in 2010 for Dimensions of an Orchard. His collection of linked short stories, A Book of Great Worth, was named one of Amazon. CA's Top Hundred Books of 2012. Other prizes include the City of Regina Writing Award, twice; the Stephen Leacock Prize for Poetry in 1996 and the John V. Hicks Award for fiction in 2001. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
After an extended break, this is a Lebanese-focused Lebanon with our good friend Joy Tassidis and new character Sylvio Chiha!
On the next episode of A2 THE SHOW, we welcome CMK Beats, a trailblazing Lebanese music producer signed to Bentley Records since 2019. Known for his chart-topping hit Girl I Want Your Love, CMK made history in Lebanon and climbed to #2 on China's NetEase DJ/Dance chart. In 2025, he's breaking even more ground as the first Lebanese and Arab artist to collaborate with Eminem on a new track. In this powerful conversation, CMK opens up about his musical evolution from electronic to rap, the impact of war on his uplifting sound, and how music serves as a tool for healing and unity. From condemning violence to inspiring the next generation, CMK shares his journey, vision, and hopes for Lebanon's rising music scene.⭐Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmkbeatslb/?hl=en⭐Please visit our website to get more information: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/⏰Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction07:29 – Musical journey & dance album success15:21 – War experiences shaping upbeat music22:25 – From electronic to rap: artistic evolution29:46 – Music as healing & community36:43 – Condemning violence against civilians39:11 – Youth frustration & lack of change44:15 - Desensitisation & negative youth trends50:55 – Rap's message & evolution57:59 – Lebanon's rising music scene1:05:25 – Finding identity through music
In this episode of Tales & Talk: Learn Arabic Through Novels, we dive into the powerful and controversial Lebanese novel Hikayet Zahra by Hanan al-Shaykh. Discover how real storytelling can transform your Arabic learning journey — through rich vocabulary, emotional depth, and authentic Levantine expressions. If you're serious about learning Arabic, let me help you. Join the Khaled Nassra Method on Patreon — get full access to transcripts, exclusive exercises, and real Levantine Arabic that'll take your skills to the next level, inshallah.
Today's headlines include: A Tasmanian jumping castle operator has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over a 2021 incident that killed six children. An Australian man has been released on bail after four years in an Iraqi prison. Israel has launched a series of air strikes on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. And today’s good news: Australian scientists have developed a potential pathway to curing HIV, using the same mRNA technology behind COVID-19 vaccines. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Zara SeidlerProducer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What did you do because of a celeb? BS Meter: Crushed hoss in Cambodia Finding out who our radio mum loves the most What broke up the friendship? Currency Quiz: One million Lebanese pound Why did the cops come to your house? Join the Pod Squad Listen Live on the Nova Player App Follow us on Instagram - TikTok - Facebook - SnapchatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For our latest Select, we have Lebanese vinyl maverick, NeighborsByMusic. Her penchant for discovering new sounds has led her to build an extensive repertoire over the years, blending diverse music styles from different cultures. Her sets often incorporate influences from oriental, Brazilian funk, hip-hop and jazz. NeighborsByMusic treats us to a special vinyl-only set–initially recorded at JIVE in Beirut–that meshes together threads of Brazilian bossa nova, funk, and Arabic oldies from Simone and Hamid El Shaeri with 90s hip-hop and a hint of jazzy house here and there. The colossal proportions of the set, fitting together a multitude of different sounds, are somewhat reflective of the organised chaos that Lebanon is known for. Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of feel-good tunes, such as Ezra Collective's ‘Palm Wine', Mtume's ‘Juicy Fruit', and Simone's ‘Mabsouta', the set ends abruptly, as if alluding to a typical electricity cut at midnight in Beirut.
Send us a textIn this episode, Ricardo Karam meets with Josyane Boulos, a prominent Lebanese writer, actress, and theater director known for her profound contributions to theater and media in Lebanon.Josyane shares her artistic journey growing up in a creative environment as the daughter of the late journalist Jean Claude Boulos, and how this background influenced her career in theater and media. She talks about her beginnings in school plays, her rise to become one of the leading figures in the Lebanese theater scene, as well as her work hosting television and radio programs that deeply and thoughtfully address social and cultural issues.Josyane highlights her role as the director of Monot Theater, where she worked on renewing programs and attracting a new audience through diverse and innovative performances. She believes that theater is a form of resistance and a way to express people's struggles. Josyane is dedicated to strengthening its role in promoting social change and cultural awareness in Lebanon. She also discusses her commitment to supporting local artists by organizing workshops and performances aimed at enriching the Lebanese artistic scene.Join Ricardo Karam and Josyane Boulos for an honest conversation about theater, culture, social responsibility, and her vision for the future of art in Lebanon.في هذه الحلقة، يلتقي ريكاردو كرم مع جوزيان بولس، الكاتبة والممثلة والمخرجة المسرحية اللبنانية البارزة، التي تميّزت بإسهاماتها العميقة في المسرح والإعلام اللبناني.تشارك جوزيان رحلتها الفنية التي نشأت في بيئة فنية، كونها ابنة الإعلامي الراحل جان كلود بولس، وكيف أثّرت هذه الخلفية على مسيرتها في المسرح والإعلام. تتحدث عن بداياتها في العروض المدرسية، وتطوّرها لتصبح من أبرز الأسماء في المشهد المسرحي اللبناني، بالإضافة إلى عملها في تقديم البرامج التلفزيونية والإذاعية التي تتناول القضايا الاجتماعية والثقافية بعمق وموضوعية.تسلّط جوزيان الضوء على دورها في إدارة مسرح مونو، حيث عملت على تحديث البرامج وجذب جمهور جديد من خلال عروض متنوعة ومبتكرة.تؤمن جوزيان بأنّ المسرح هو وسيلة مقاومة وتعبير عن هموم الناس، وتسعى لتعزيز دوره في دعم التغيير الاجتماعي وتعزيز الوعي الثقافي في لبنان. كما تتحدث عن التزامها بدعم الفنانين المحليين وتنظيم ورش عمل وعروض تهدف إلى إثراء المشهد الفني اللبناني.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم وجوزيان بولس في حوار صادق عن المسرح، الثقافة، والرسالة الاجتماعية، ورؤيتها لمستقبل الفن في لبنان.
On today's show we speak with Lebanese-born, australian-based filmmaker Samia Mikhail about her poetry which responds to the barbarism of imperialism, while feeling the pain of the oppressed and the murdered, and expressing the pain and rage of all that is left of humanity as we watch senseless wars created in the Global South by ruling classes of the Global North. How can one write any other poetry when people make money from killing others and stealing their fields? We don't beg emotions from those who don't have any. Oh God, how cruel people can be.Samia's poetry and writing can be found at the following Arabic publications: Ilaaf, Ana AlAaghar, Eihterafaat kinaah,Thakafaat, Kitabaat, Horraas alwatan, Kalimaat bawhh al-rouh, Rasa'el maa kahwat Alsabaah.
This week on The Bye Round, Jimmy sits down with rising Bulldogs star Jacob Kiraz for an honest and inspiring conversation. From his deep connection with Bulldogs fans to the powerful bond between the players, Kiraz opens up about what makes this Bulldogs squad special. Plus, they dive into the influence of Lebanese culture in his life and in the locker room, the impact of coach Cameron Ciraldo, the tough years at Canterbury, his State of Origin ambitions, and whether the Bulldogs have what it takes to win the Premiership in 2025. Email: thebyeround@gmail.com Ladbrokes: https://www.ladbrokes.com.au/ Hyundai: https://www.hyundai.com/au/ Become A Bye Round Classic VIP: https://classicsports.com.au/pages/thebyeround Better Help: https://betterhelp.com/byeround Follow The Bye Round On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebyeround/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebyeround?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebyeround Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UkvzTvKsY2shwMsbDiagaListen On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-bye-round-with-james-graham/id1629371037 0:00 Awkward Starts 3:09 Bulldogs Sign Lachlan Galvin 7:18 State of Origin ambitions 10:13 Calf Injury 11:52 Bulldogs Fans 24:06 Connection Between The Players 31:27 The Lebanese Culture 45:57 Tough Years At The Bulldogs 49:46 NRL Debut 54:10 Cam Ciraldo 1:02:09 Stephen Crichton 1:06:19 2024 NRL Finals 1:07:25 Can The Dogs Win The Premiership In 2025? 1:09:48 Kiraz’s Dream Spine 1:10:40 Jimmy’s 3 QuestionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Show Notes In this episode, Simon Western speaks with Lebanese scholar and activist Karim Safieddine. Together, they discuss the vibrant and volatile political landscape of Lebanon, exploring how social movements, intellectual traditions, and grassroots activism collide and coalesce in the streets of Beirut. Karim shares his personal story of growing up amidst conflict, complexity, and contradiction, offering a lens into how identity is formed in a fractured society and how hope emerges through resistance. They explore themes of secularism, anti-establishment politics, and the evolving role of intellectuals in social change. The conversation touches deeply on what it means to live a good life and how ordinary people - through organising, dissent, and imagination - shape the possibility of a good civile society. Key Reflections · Elites often suppress transformative movements; activism persists through localised, organic mobilisation. · Intellectuals must step beyond theory and engage meaningfully with activist work. · A good life is not about material excess but about meaningful relationships, creativity, and communal survival. · Resistance is necessary for vitality; dissent keeps societies alive and evolving. · Bridging academia and activism is essential for sustainable change. · Empowering local voices and grassroots movements is crucial to Lebanon's future. Keywords social movements, political sociology, secularism, identity, intellectuals, activism, anti-establishment, cosmopolitanism Brief Bio Karim Safieddine is a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh whose work explores the intersection of social movements, intellectual history, and political power in Lebanon. With a particular focus on the Lebanese Left, Karim investigates how oppositional movements both contest and reproduce dominant ideological frameworks and structures of authority from the late 20th century to the present. Rooted in a Gramscian tradition yet open to diverse theoretical tools, his research engages with questions of leadership, resistance, and hegemony. His work bridges political sociology and historical analysis, offering critical insights into how movements emerge, evolve, and navigate Lebanon's sectarian and neoliberal political terrain. Karim holds an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics (2020) and a BA in Economics from the American University of Beirut (2019). His academic interests include political and historical sociology, social movements, and the role of intellectuals in shaping public discourse.
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. On this 600th day since the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, we do a zoomed-out update on all seven fronts of the war and where they stand today. Fabian begins the program by updating us on new humanitarian aid operations in the Gaza Strip and chaos on Tuesday as Gazans temporarily overtook a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation disbursement center near Rafah. We turn to the West Bank where Israeli forces raided foreign exchange stores in Ramallah and Nablus on Tuesday, accusing their parent company of “connections with terrorist organizations,” according to an army closure notice. Fabian delves into other -- as yet -- unrealized fears regarding the West Bank. We reported this morning that Israel and Syria are in direct contact and have, in recent weeks, held face-to-face meetings aimed at calming tensions and preventing conflict in the border region between the two longtime foes. Fabian weighs in on the evolution of the over 19 months of war there. Although there were early drones and missiles coming from Iran-backed militias in Iraq, recent news indicates negotiations to release Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Israeli-Russian researcher who was taken hostage in Iraq two years ago, are at advanced stages. For the past six months, the militias have not targeted Israel, explains Fabian. However, even as we were recording today's episode, the Israel Air Force retaliated against the Iran-backed Houthis' relentless ballistic missiles and struck the Houthi-held Sanaa airport. Again. Since November 27, 2024, there has been a negotiated ceasefire with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist army. But all is not quiet and, as Fabian explains, Israel will likely remain in fighting form along the border -- permanently. And finally, the great unknown: reports from The New York Times indicate that US officials are worried that Israel could decide to carry out strikes on Iran’s nuclear program without much warning. Fabian reviews what we know. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Gazans overrun Strip’s new aid center; operator says distribution has resumed Israel launches anti-terror raids on West Bank money changers Israel and Syria holding face-to-face meetings at border to calm tensions Reports claim deal in works to free Israeli-Russian held hostage by Iraqi militia Security cabinet approves plan for high-tech security barrier along Jordanian border US officials concerned Israel may strike Iran nuke sites without much warning – NYT Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch. Illustrative: Fighters from the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah train in southern Lebanon, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For review:1. A senior Israeli official said Monday that a Hostage release and Ceasefire deal with Hamas has been rejected. The proposal- as reported by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen- called for a ceasefire of about 70 days during which 10 living hostages would be released in two phases, modifying the so-called Witkoff outline, which laid out a shorter ceasefire for the release of about 10 living hostages. 2. US Initiative Begins Aid Distribution in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), stated that roughly 8,000 boxes of food have been distributed in the foundation's first two days of operation, with each box feeding 5.5 people for 3.5 days, totaling 462,000 meals. 3. Russia Rejects Next Round of Peace Talks to Occur in Vatican; Perhaps Geneva. It remains unclear when another round of talks will be held. The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed it was still working on its memorandum of terms. 4. Sweden Security Assistance to Ukraine Worth $501 Million. Part of the measure focuses on targeted areas such as drones, naval operations, demining, and digital systems. Sweden is also contributing over $105 million to fast-track ammunition procurement, split between Czech- and Estonian-led initiatives. 5. The British Army intends to adopt a military strategy shifting from reliance on conventional military assets to drones and autonomous systems, The Times reported. The modernized military framework is set to be officially unveiled in the UK's upcoming Strategic Defense Review 2025. 6. New Zealand to spend $2.4 billion on defense in 2025. New Zealand's defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33. 7. US Army to Upgrade M270 MLRS Launchers to the A2 Variant. The A2 variant features an improved fire control system, a new 600-horsepower engine, an armored cab, and a new transmission- plus other system components. Work will take place in Texas and Arkansas, with an estimated completion date of December 30, 2030.
Send us a textIn this episode, Ricardo Karam meets with Maria Hibri, Lebanese designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Bokja, a renowned Beirut-based design studio known for merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression.Maria takes us on a journey through her life in Beirut, where she was born, raised, and continues to draw deep creative inspiration. She speaks about her academic background in Arabic Literature and Journalism, and how her early experiences as an event designer, antique dealer, and floral shop manager helped shape her unique design sensibility.She reflects on the founding of Bokja in 2000 alongside Hoda Baroudi, and how the studio became a space for storytelling through textiles. With a deep appreciation for Central Asian and Middle Eastern fabrics, Maria and Hoda began reimagining vintage furniture into vibrant, meaningful art pieces that have captivated collectors around the world.In this intimate conversation, Maria opens up about her profound love for Beirut, a city she sees as both fragile and fiercely inspiring. She explores the delicate tension between art and commerce, sharing how she has learned to protect creative integrity while building a sustainable design business.Join Ricardo Karam and Maria Hibri for a conversation about identity, creativity, and the power of design to bridge memory and modernity.في هذه الحلقة، يلتقي ريكاردو كرم مع ماريا هبري، مصممة لبنانية ورائدة أعمال، ومؤسسة مشاركة لاستوديو بقجة، وهو استوديو تصميم شهير مقره بيروت معروف بدمج الحرفية التقليدية مع التعبير المعاصر.تأخذنا ماريا في رحلة عبر حياتها في بيروت، حيث وُلدت ونشأت وتستمر في استلهام إبداعها العميق من هذه المدينة. تتحدث عن خلفيتها الأكاديمية في الأدب العربي والصحافة، وكيف ساهمت تجاربها المبكرة كمصمّمة فعاليات، وتاجرة تحف، ومديرة متجر زهور في تشكيل حسها التصميمي الفريد. تستعرض ماريا تأسيس استوديو بقجة في عام 2000 إلى جانب هدى بارودي، وكيف أصبح الاستوديو مساحة لسرد القصص من خلال الأقمشة. وبفضل تقديرها العميق للأقمشة الآسيوية الوسطى والشرق أوسطية، بدأت ماريا وهدى في إعادة تصور الأثاث العتيق وتحويله إلى قطع فنية نابضة بالحياة ومليئة بالمعاني، جذبت اهتمام جامعي التحف حول العالم.في هذه المحادثة الحميمة، تتحدث ماريا عن حبها العميق لبيروت، المدينة التي تراها هشة وملهمة في آنٍ معاً. تستكشف التوتر الدقيق بين الفن والتجارة، وتشارك كيف تعلّمت الحفاظ على نزاهة الإبداع أثناء بناء عمل تصميم مستدام.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم وماريا هبري في حديث عن الهوية، والإبداع، وقوة التصميم في ربط الذاكرة بالحداثة.
Joshua 13 marks a transition in Israel's conquest of Canaan. Though much land remains unconquered, God tells an aging Joshua to begin the process of dividing the land among the tribes. This chapter lists the regions still to be taken, including Philistine and Lebanese territories. It then details the inheritance given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—those who chose to settle east of the Jordan. The chapter emphasizes that while battles remain, God's promise continues through preparation and inheritance, not just conquest.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.
The presidents of Lebanon and Palestine have discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and international issues of mutual concern.
A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert, police said on Wednesday. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, is accused of showing support for the Lebanese militant group, who are proscribed by British authorities, during a performance on November 21. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick and Angela are joined by an Oscar winner for a vegan feast. Natalie Portman is an award-winning actor, director and activist who has been making films since her first role at the age of 12 in Léon: The Professional. In a highly acclaimed career, she has also starred in Closer, Jackie, Thor, Star Wars (Episodes I, II and III) and the 2010 film Black Swan, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She joins us to talk about her exciting new film Fountain of Youth, which is released on Apple TV+ on 23 May, UK. The action-packed movie, directed by Guy Ritchie, took its cast all over the world during production with shooting locations in Bangkok, Vienna, London and Cairo. Natalie is part of a star-studded cast including John Krasinksi, Domnhall Gleeson, Eiza González and Dish favourite Stanley Tucci. Natalie joined us just before a trip back home to Paris and was delighted to be fuelled by an array of vegan plates... and a Paloma cocktail to start. Angela served a vegan version of Waitrose's broccoli tabbouleh with preserved lemon & zaatar houmous and Lebanese baba ganoush. The wine experts at Waitrose suggest pairing the meal with Kaapzicht Granite Ridge Bush Vine Chenin Blanc. We loved spending time with Natalie and we are sure you will too. She shared her passion for vegan food and told Nick and Angela about life (and food shopping) in Paris. We find out what it's like to star in a Guy Ritchie movie and Natalie revisits the year of her Oscar win. You can watch full episodes of Dish on YouTube All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish We can't all have a Michelin star chef in the kitchen, but you can ask Angela for help. Send your dilemmas to dish@waitrose.co.uk and she'll try to answer them in a future episode. Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions.
Sydney Encore Show June 27th: https://www.comedystore.com.au/event/billy-darcy-absolute-session-encore/ This week the solo pod returns as I talk about Eckhart Tolle, bombing in front of Lebanese blokes, bombing on another NRL radio show lol, some sick shows including my big Sydney show at the Comedy Store, accidentally becoming a Crystal Palace fan, Alone season 2, Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams and more. New Episode every Thursday! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJscnfTTW_-aO5D81Xi22yw? Facebook: www.facebook.com/billydarcy1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/billy.darcy Music: 'In the Clouds' by RENNANSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send us a textIn this episode, Ricardo Karam meets with Dr. Karam Karam, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the American University of Beirut, former Minister of Health, and one of the leading figures in public health reform in Lebanon and the Arab world.Dr. Karam shares his journey from the southern Lebanese town of Al-Khyam, where his father was tragically assassinated to becoming a global advocate for healthcare, education, and reform. He talks about the deep connection to his roots, the significance of Liberation Day, and how personal loss shaped his lifelong dedication to service.He reflects on his education at AUB, his medical training in the U.S., and his return to Lebanon where he introduced minimally invasive surgery to the region. Dr. Karam dives into his tenure as Minister of Health, where he spearheaded crucial reforms, including the creation of a national health financing agency, improved access to medication, and greater autonomy for public hospitals. Through his words, Dr. Karam gives us a glimpse into the challenges of leadership, the responsibilities of public office, and the belief that progress begins with people. He also opens up about his family, including his wife, Dr. Anne Marie Karam, and their three children, each following inspiring paths in medicine, research, and international consulting.Join Ricardo Karam and Dr. Karam Karam in an intimate conversation about memory, medicine, and the mission to serve.في هذه الحلقة، يلتقي ريكاردو كرم بالدكتور كرم كرم، أستاذ الطب السريري في الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت، وزير الصحة السابق، وأحد الشخصيات البارزة في إصلاحات الصحة العامة في لبنان والعالم العربي.يشارك د. كرم رحلته من بلدة الخيام الجنوبية في لبنان، حيث تمّ اغتيال والده بشكل مأساوي، إلى أن أصبح مدافعاً عالمياً عن الرعاية الصحية والتعليم والإصلاح. يتحدث عن ارتباطه العميق بجذوره، وأهمية يوم التحرير، وكيف أن الخسارة الشخصية شكلت التزامه الطويل الأمد بالخدمة.يتأمل في تعليمه في الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت، وتدريبه الطبي في الولايات المتحدة، وعودته إلى لبنان حيث قدّم جراحة المناظير إلى المنطقة. يغوص د. كرم في فترة عمله كوزير للصحة، حيث قاد إصلاحات هامة، بما في ذلك إنشاء وكالة تمويل الصحة الوطنية، وتحسين الوصول إلى الأدوية، وزيادة استقلالية المستشفيات العامة. كما يفتح قلبه عن عائلته، بما في ذلك زوجته، د. آن ماري كرم، وأولادهما الثلاثة، الذين يسلك كل منهم مساراً ملهمًا في الطب والبحث والاستشارات الدولية.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم ود. كرم كرم في محادثة حميمية حول الذاكرة، والطب، ورسالة الخدمة.
Send us a textIn this episode, Ricardo Karam meets Nehmeh Taouk, a man whose journey began in the modest surroundings of a simple village life among cows and sheep in Bsharri, northern Lebanon. From these humble origins, Taouk carved an extraordinary path.After early work at "Beit Al-Mustaqbal", a prominent Lebanese research center, he left Lebanon in 1988, driven by a relentless desire to learn and grow. In France, he developed his skills in distribution and technology, eventually founding Soft Solutions, which would later evolve into VALOORES in 1989. Today, VALOORES operates in 17 countries, but Taouk's story remains deeply personal, a testament to determination, perseverance, and the belief that no background is too modest to dream big. His work, spanning fields like business intelligence and cybersecurity, has earned him international recognition, including a distinguished award in India in 2023 for his efforts in public advocacy and promoting dialogue and social cohesion.Join Ricardo Karam and Nehmeh Taouk as they explore the inspiring journey of a Lebanese villager who never lost sight of his roots while building a vision that crossed continents and industries.في هذه الحلقة، يلتقي ريكاردو كرام بنعمة طوق، الرجل الذي بدأت رحلته في كنف عائلة متواضعة في بلدة بشري شمال لبنان، بين الأبقار والأغنام. من هذا الواقع البسيط، شقّ طريقه نحو قصة نجاح فريدة.بعد عمله في مركز "بيت المستقبل"، أحد أبرز مراكز الأبحاث في لبنان، غادر طوق البلاد عام 1988 مدفوعاً بشغف التعلّم والطموح. في فرنسا، طوّر خبراته في مجالي التوزيع والتكنولوجيا، وأسّس لاحقاً شركة "سوفت سولوشنز" التي تحوّلت عام 1989 إلى "فالوريس".واليوم، تنتشر أعمال "فالوريس" في 17 دولة حول العالم، إلا أن قصة طوق تبقى شخصية بامتياز، تجسّد الإصرار والإيمان بأن البدايات المتواضعة لا تمنع من تحقيق الأحلام الكبيرة. وقد نال عام 2023 جائزة دولية مرموقة في الهند تقديراً لدوره في الدفاع عن القضايا العامة وتعزيز الحوار والتماسك الاجتماعي.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم ونعمة طوق لاكتشاف قصة اللبناني الذي حافظ على جذوره وقيمه، رغم نجاحه في بناء رؤية تخطّت الحدود والقارات.
Yara Khoury Nammour interviews London-based Lebanese designer Samar Maakaroun. They discuss at length her journey into the field of branding and lettering, her work at Pentagram studio in London and what it means to be the first Lebanese partner in the studio. They cover her independent project on lettering "29 Words for 29 Letters" – playing with meanings, writing systems, and animation, to build a playful and experimental multicultural glossary, and embracing the multiplicity and complexity that comes from thinking in and working with two languages, and in a diasporic context. Samar discusses a special book project for the charity SkatePal and how the timing of the project lent it a different and more poignant political urgency. The discussion ends with a conversation about AI and how it can be supportive of designers' work, but also how it can be misused. FOLLOW & RATE KHATT CHRONICLES:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/khatt-chronicles-stories-on-design-from-the-arab-world/id1472975206» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ATH0MwO1tIlBvQfahSLrB» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1014374489THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5mMJ782dhW6yvfq0E0_HhAABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
TRUMP'S GULF TRIP AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REGIONHEADLINE 1: President Trump's whirlwind Middle East tour was rife with record-breaking deals.HEADLINE 2: Congressional Republicans have reiterated their support for full Iranian nuclear dismantlement.HEADLINE 3: Trump's sharp policy reversal on U.S. sanctions against Syria during his Gulf tour was coupled with a major request: that Syria join the Abraham Accords with Israel.--FDD Research Fellow Hussain Abdul-Hussain fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, providing timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation with Nadim Koteich, a Lebanese journalist and political analyst who serves as the general manager of Sky News Arabia.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief
On the next episode of A2 THE SHOW, we're joined by Zahra Hankir, Lebanese author and journalist of Egyptian and Palestinian heritage. Her acclaimed books Our Women on the Ground and Eyeliner explore identity, resistance, and the power of storytelling.We talk about her Palestinian roots, the role of Arab women journalists, and how beauty can be a form of cultural expression and defiance.
This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Mohanad's latest paper for Carnegie investigates the rise of a new form of drug smuggling in Lebanon. Together, they discuss Hezbollah's involvement in these drug networks, as well as the opportunities to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and state institutions as a result of the group's weakened standing. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Mona Yacoubian, the CSIS Middle East Program's new director, and Asher Grant-Sasson to discuss the challenges the shifting drug trade poses for Lebanese stability. Transcript: "Mohanad Hage Ali: Hezbollah and the Captagon Trade," CSIS, May 15, 2025. Mohanad's latest work: "Double Dealers: Lebanon and the Risks of Captagon Trafficking," Carnegie, March 19, 2025.
"Connection moves at the speed of vulnerability. It takes courage to be the first on the dance floor or to reach out to someone, but those brave steps can lead to powerful connections"- Bahaa Chmait In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Baha Chmait, a facilitator and 2024 TEDx speaker focused on combating loneliness through shared experiences. Baha discusses how his Lebanese heritage and family gatherings around food shaped his approach to fostering connections. They explore the importance of vulnerability, intentional design, and playfulness in adult interactions. Baha shares strategies like assigning roles in social settings and creating zones for different engagement levels to alleviate loneliness. He emphasizes the need for proactive connection and the transformative power of shared joyful experiences.
We catch up with our good mate, Dubai Virgin Radio star Kris Fade, and his brother Matty from "Gogglebox". We delve into what it was like growing up Lebanese in Australia and, in turn, trying to make it as an ethnic person in the Australian media. Kris shares how his life has changed since moving to Dubai—from interviewing the likes of Tom Cruise, The Rock and Ryan Reynolds, to meeting the late Pope, becoming friends with Terry Crews, and even having Will Smith help him propose to his wife! See us live on our 'Home Made Encore Tour'! Grab your tickets at sooshimango.com CREDITS Hosts: Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri, Andrew Manfre Producer: Liza Altarejos Audio Imager: Nial Fernandes Follow the Sooshi Mango Podcast page on Instagram @sooshimangopodcast and on Tiktok @sooshimangopodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. According to the Hamas health ministry, two IDF airstrikes early Wednesday hit the Karama School in Tuffah, a suburb of Gaza City, killing 15. Later in the day, an Israeli strike near a restaurant and market in the city killed at least 33 people, including women and children. Fabian reports on these two incidents and assesses where the IDF is currently heading in Gaza based on statements from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir yesterday. A Hamas commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern coastal Lebanese city of Sidon early Wednesday morning. What was Khaled Ahmad al-Ahmad responsible for? Three Israeli soldiers were wounded in two attacks carried out by Palestinians in the northern and southern West Bank on Wednesday afternoon. Even as the fighting in Gaza is ramping up, we learn that the concentration of forces are still largely in the West Bank. As the army is searching for manpower, it apparently has no lack of woman power. Women still cannot enlist into all fighting units, but where they can, they’re showing up in record numbers. Fabian talks about this and a new rededicated unit -- where women can serve -- aimed at fighting drones along the northern border. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Hamas-run authorities say at least 48 killed in series of IDF strikes in Gaza Hamas, Hezbollah commanders killed in IDF strikes in Lebanon 3 soldiers wounded, 2 seriously, in West Bank attacks Ultra-Orthodox incensed as IDF chief orders boost in community’s conscription IDF sees continued surge in female combat recruits amid Gaza war Revived air defense battalion to aim new weapons at drone threat in north Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch. IMAGE: Soldiers stand near an Israeli army mobile canon at a position by Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, on May 6, 2025. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“You're not supposed to swallow it…but it's fine to have it in your mouth.” Whether it's the debut from Metal Church or Dream Theater, or the swansong from Slayer or Pantera, TERRY DATE is undoubtedly one of the most prominent and prolific producers, engineers, and mixers of metal music to have blessed the ears of metal fans for more than 40 years. Get ready for “a little origami”, remember that cross walks exist “for health reasons”, and discover why it's better to not be “on the boat” during a thunderstorm if astraphobia is an issue. Check out our accidental album dive that was riddled with “Dysfunction” and discover just how many outstanding albums got left out of our discussion thanks to the “different tastes” of some of us. Behold the hilarity of “Dealer's Choice”, realize that “Episode 300 will be ‘The One' (it's gonna be a mindblower)” and JOIN US as we go BEHIND THE BOARD with our METAL PRODUCERS SPOTLIGHT on TERRY DATE. Visit www.metalnerdery.com/podcast for more on this episode Help Support Metal Nerdery https://www.patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast Leave us a Voicemail to be played on a future episode: 980-666-8182 Metal Nerdery Tees and Hoodies – metalnerdery.com/merch and kindly leave us a review and/or rating on the iTunes/Apple Podcasts - Spotify or your favorite Podcast app Listen on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, or wherever you get your Podcasts. Follow us on the Socials: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok Email: metalnerdery@gmail.com Can't be LOUD Enough Playlist on Spotify Metal Nerdery Munchies on YouTube @metalnerderypodcast Show Notes: (00:01): “We both cried a little bit…it was fine…”/ #EasterPotluck / #fabulous / “Wait, are they Lebanese? From Lisbon?” / #markthetime #OreoBalls / “If you saw ‘em, you'd be impressed…”/ ***WARNING: #listenerdiscretionisadvised *** / “Advised but not recommended…”/ “I act like I don't hear it…you keep saying it…”/ ***WELCOME BACK TO THE METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!!*** / “Here we go…”/ Crosswalks exist for a reason…use them as if your life depended on them. / “He probably would have rioted…”/ “Okie dokie…” / “Sorry, is that better?” / “Two girls walking together…probably no undies either…” (07:50): #thisepisodesbeeroftheepisode / #TwoTidesBrewing #GardenOfEvil / “It looks like Opeth's Still Life…”/ “Super day drinking…4%ABV…”/ #RussellsReflectionsBoatEdition / “You start small…”/ #Bowrider / #Astraphobia / “How long is the water electrified?”/ “Isn't it great how they can be wrong all the time and still keep their jobs?” (13:13): “If you wanna reach out and touch us you can EMAIL US at metalnerdery@gmail.com or VOICEMAIL US at 980-666-8182 or hit us up on the socials at #metalnerderypodcast at #TikTok #InstaGram #FaceBook #YouTube / “This episode's #SlayerOfTheEpisode…”/ #BumpOfSlayer / “A little #origami bump of Slayer…my precious…”/ MANDATORY SUICIDE (South Of Heaven – 1988) / “And just like that…”/ “If Reign In Blood had THAT production…”/ “It comes from the factory #preloud …”/ #origamiASMR / “We don't need to do that anymore…” / “Maybe just a little…” / #RussellsReflections / #TheWhiteLotus / “Here's the rules if you wanna make a show on #HBO…” / “They can't be hard…”/ #TheRighteousGemstones / “I can put so much, right there…”/ “No, I'm talking about White Lotus…Righteous Gemstones is funny…”/ “It's people you want bad things to happen to…”/ The joys of being wealthy and giving back (23:55): #TheDocket / “You're about to get re-railed…”/ “That's gonna be the one, dude…”/ #nextweek / METAL NERDERY PODCAST PRESENTS: BEHIND THE BOARD – PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT: TERRY DATE / “We didn't do the #Patreon…” / “Do you think it's possible to make #PulpFiction chronological?” / #TenFilmRule / #PatreonShoutout / ***COME JOIN US ON THE PATREON AT patreon.com/metalnerderypodcast *** / “What is that noise?” / #MetalChurch METAL CHURCH (Metal Church – 1984) / “Here's a trivial question for you…remember the #HowardSternTVShow on cable?” / #FifthAngel MIDNIGHT LOVE (Time Will Tell – 1989) / *** NOTE: This was actually produced by Terry Brown, NOT Terry Date, and was released in 1989, NOT 1986. The eponymous Fifth Angel debut was released in 1986 and was produced by Terry Date. *** / “Wait…that's not racist either…” (35:00): “You were so into the shred though…the super technical…”/ “I like it when he does this…”/ #TheAccused PSYCHOMANIA (Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told – 1988) / “How many riffs can we put in there?” / “That was like comparing dick sizes…”/ “It sounds nothing at all like the rest of their catalog…”/ #debutalbum / “What's up with the cover?” / #DreamTheater A FORTUNE IN LIES (When Dream And Day Unite – 1989) / “Does it sound like Queensryche?” / “They've got Paul Stanley naked on the cover…”/ “It's like a nasal hallucination…”/ #Soundgarden LOUD LOVE (Louder Than Love – 1989) (44:04): “We did a dive on it…you were here…if they got their sound from that, let's play something off of that…”/ “Every now and then we'll throw a hit out there…”/ #Overkill ELIMINATION (Years Of Decay – 1989) / “Even the riff is shaped similarly…”/ #Pantera THE ART OF SHREDDING (Cowboys From Hell – 1990) / #MetalYoga / “It's the French one…”/ #Overkill HORRORSCOPE (Horrorscope – 1991) / “Very #djenty…”/ “It's doomy…”/ “It's the chair…”/ “Now wait a minute, why is that funny?” / “Just for funsies…you're not gonna like it…”/ “I gotchu…when someone says that, they're gonna hook you up…”/ #Pantera FUCKING HOSTILE (Vulgar Display Of Power – 1992) / “Fun fact about this that I learned the other day…” (54:22): “I thought we have…maybe it was on our #BlackMetal episode…”/ #whyareyousuchadick? / “Last night…Satan came into my room…and he had his way with my forehead…”/ “It's okay to have it in your mouth, just don't swallow it…” / #247Spyz BREAK THE CHAINS (Strength In Numbers – 1992) / “Do you have to put the mic IN your mouth?” / “How about some Prong?” / ***INTERJECTION: THESE ARE ALL #TERRYDATEPRODUCED ALBUMS!!!*** / #Prong (NOTE: slight misunderstanding…This was NOT “Cleansing” but “Rude Awakening”) / RUDE AWAKENING (Rude Awakening – 1996) / “We don't have to, but we kinda have to…”/ #DoobInterludeExtendedMix / “Dealer's choice?” / #LMAO / #Pantera SHEDDING SKIN (Far Beyond Driven – 1994) (1:03:55): “We've skipped a lot…we don't have to play every band…”/ #WhiteZombie ELECTRIC HEAD PT. 1 (THE AGONY) (ASTRO-CREEP: 2000 – 1995) / “This is where he went from White Zombie to Rob Zombie…”/ “That brings back fond memories…”/ “You can't skip over that…”/ #Pantera (REPRISE) SANDBLASTED SKIN (The Great Southern Trendkill – 1996) / “That is fucking ugly as homemade fuck…”/ “I met him at Redneck Fest…” / “You've gotta go with some #Helmet, right?” / “We're filling a hole…”/ #Helmet PURE (Aftertaste – 1997) – Mixing / “What about that one?” / “It's actually my favorite KISS album…”/ #Staind MUDSHOVEL & HOME (“I'm surprised you like this…there's a lot of melody…”) / “It's not Planet Caravan…”/ SUFFOCATE (Dysfunction – 1999) (1:17:43): “This is what you wanna hear?” / “This was a huge album…let me see the #setlist…” / #LimpBizkit NOOKIE (Significant Other – 1999) / “You know what that sounds like? / #Soulfly PROPHECY (Prophecy – 2004) / #KoRn TWISTED TRANSISTOR (See You On The Other Side – 2005) – Mixing / “Whatever dude, it's the same thing…”/ “I know there's some good stuff near the bottom…” / “That was THEIR last album ever…”/ “Where did this come from? And you're still doing it!” / #Slayer TAKE CONTROL (Repentless – 2015) & PIANO WIRE / “Sounds like a mess, right?” / THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!!! / “Here's what makes a lot of noise…it sounds like a woman screaming through the woods…”/ “Fuuuuuuuuck…”/ #untilthenext #outroreel
Elia Ayoub and Lebanese journalist Justin Salhani have one thing in common: their parents lived through the Lebanon wars (1975-1990). Claude Salhani was a well-known photojournalist United Press International and Reuters. The photo featured in this episode shows him in the middle, injured after an Israeli strike on Beirut in 1982. We also talked about a recent gallery of Claude's photographs published by Al Jazeera.For this episode of The Fire These Times, and to close off our discussions on the Lebanon wars - check our the recent episode Elia did with Ayman Makarem on our sister podcast ‘From The Periphery Podcast' - we thought it meaningful to add one more layer: if the wars aren't really over, where does that leave us, the ‘children of the children of war'? The Fire These Times is a proud member of From The Periphery (FTP) Media Collective. Check out other projects in our media ecosystem: From The Periphery Podcast, The Mutual Aid Podcast, Politically Depressed, Obscuristan, and Antidote Zine.To support our work and get access to all kinds of perks, please join our Patreon on Patreon.com/fromtheperiphery Announcement: Justin Salhani is joining the FTP fam! He will be mostly contributing to the From The Periphery Podcast as our Beirut-based correspondent focusing on regional affairs. For more:Elia Ayoub is on Bluesky, Mastodon, Instagram and blogs at Hauntologies.net Justin Salhani is on Bluesky and InstagramThe Fire These Times is on Bluesky, Instagram and has a website From The Periphery is on Patreon, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, and has a websiteTranscriptions: Transcriptions are done by Antidote Zine and will be published on The Fire These Times' transcript archive.Credits:Elia Ayoub (host, producer, sound editor, episode design), Rap and Revenge (Music), Wenyi Geng (TFTT theme design), Hisham Rifai (FTP theme design) and Molly Crabapple (FTP team profile pics).