Politically Depressed

In this episode, Ayman is joined by Dara Eilo. Dara is an Assyrian activist and human rights advocate who has been involved in organising activities in Syria and Lebanon for the past decade and a half. Our conversation focused on the events that have taken place in Northern Syria since Jan 13, specifically the fighting between STG (that is, the new Syrian government) and the Kurdish-led SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces). What began as military operations to capture all of Aleppo, of which some neighbourhoods were held by the SDF, ended up being a wide-ranging conflict that saw the central government control large areas like Deir Azzor and Raqqa. Meanwhile, the territory controlled by the SDF shrank significantly.At the time of recording, fighting was still ongoing, and there was a very real fear amongst Kurdish communities of a war of extermination, as they described it, an existential war.This episode was recorded on January 24, and that’s important to note because things have already changed since then. After the recording, we learned that a ceasefire was announced by the Syrian government. Then, six days later, on January 30, a comprehensive agreement was signed between the transitional government and the SDF, which includes a ceasefire, gradual integration of SDF battalions in the Syrian Army and civic integration into regional municipalities.The conversation you are about to listen to, like most of the interviews I do on this podcast, is not one that focuses on geopolitics, large narratives, or predictive analysis about what is going to happen next. Instead, as though sitting in a cafe in Beirut, it is a conversation between two people who are deeply connected to the current moment, seeing what is happening on the ground but also the discourse online, and connecting with their shared grief, frustrations, and thoughts.Of course, it goes without saying that we stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people, and with all people who are struggling under systems of oppression and domination.Links:Dara's InstagramAssyrian Movement for Collective LiberationBecome a member of the FTP Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/c/fromtheperiphery

Today’s episode, the first for 2026, is a very very special one. I sit and talk with the Palestinian writer Tarek Baconi, who recently released a book entitled Fire In Every Direction. The book is a memoir that tracks Baconi’s upbringing as a queer Palestinian in Amman, Jordan, as well as the personal process of his political awakening. I can’t recommend this book enough, its so powerful, and at least for me, incredibly relatable.The conversation we hold jumps right into it. We talk about our shared experiences growing up queer in different Arab capitals and decades, him in Amman in the 90s, me in Beirut in the 2000s. We talk about Queer Arab identity, about the scholarship that exists on the subject, and the movements on the ground. Ultimately, our conversation is grounded in a mutual understanding that queer liberation is inextricably tied to our collective liberation in the global south, here specifically, in the levant or bilad al sham.You don’t have to have read the book in order to follow this conversation, but I do recommend getting hold of a copy if you’re able to.Here is a link for where you can buy a copy.Also if you appreciate this conversation, I’ll also provide a link below for the group I am a part of in Lebanon, Queer Mutual Aid Lebanon. For a number of reasons, we are running dangerously low on funds, and so are holding a sustained fundraiser to get more people to join our Patreon. More description of the work we do is in the About section of the Patreon.

In this episode of the Politically Depressed Podcast, I’m joined by a returning guest Sara al-Hassan. Sara is a Sudanese commentator and activist who has worked tirelessly to spread knowledge and awareness about the war in Sudan and before that the revolution and beyond. Like all the interviews I do for this podcast, this is an intimate conversation that centers Sara as a person first and foremost. We do of course talk about the war in Sudan, the developments over the last few months, and the discourses around it. But importantly we also talk about how messed up everything is, draw comparisons between Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine, and really explore the question: how do we get people to care? How to keep people engaged? -- -- -- Follow Sara on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bsonblast/ Twitter: https://x.com/BSonblast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bsonblast.bsky.socialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bsonblast-- -- -- Follow me onInsta: https://www.instagram.com/politically_depressed/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/aymanmak.bsky.social-- -- -- Become a member of the Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/c/fromtheperiphery-- -- --#sudan #war #revolution #activism #empathy #politics #history #africa #middleeast

So many things around us are collapsing all the time. Economies, political norms, communities, our ability to comprehend what the hell is happening and how to stop it and build something different. In this episode, I talk to Lebanese illustrators Rawand Issa about a series of Instagram stories she wrote a month ago about her decision to return to Beirut after leaving 3 years ago. The stories resonated deeply with me and so we talk about her experience away, as in immigrant in Istanbul, but also her return to Beirut and the inevitable mismatch between expectations and realities.Politically Depressed Podcast is a weekly podcast about being depressed during times of political, economic, and ecological collapse. Through solo episodes and interviews, I try to explore politics as lived-experience and asks the question: Can we ever stop being depressed if the world remains as horrible as it is? If you like this episode Tip me in my Tip Jar: https://ko-fi.com/aymanmak #lebanon #migration #community

Going back home always reminds me why I started this project. It's a constant reminder how everything is so absurd and terrifying and intense and how we're all pretty much losing our minds. I talk about my recent trip to Lebanon, share updates and talk about future episodes/video essays that i'm working on. -- -- -- Liked this episode? Become a member of the patreon: Patreon.com/fromtheperipheryTip me in my tip jar: https://ko-fi.com/aymanmak#beirut #psychology #podcast

The sectarian violence in Sweida, Southern Syria has genuinely been keeping me up at night. The images, stories, and potentials for further violence is just really hard to process. There's also a lot of confusion as to what exactly is happening, how did this start, and how does it end. In this episode I try to provide some overview of the situation, but mostly talk about my thoughts and feelings watching this unfold and seeing all the discourse online, and denounce in as strong of terms as possible the violent sectarianism of it all. Syrian Druze communities are under great threat at the moment, and its really scary. As I say in the episode, there have been attacks as Bedouin community and security forces at the hands of Druze militias, but that does not, in anyway justify massacres of Druze civilians and of the sectarian hate being spewed at them online.For a decent chronological breakdown of how this started I recommend this short video by Charles Lister: https://x.com/Charles_Lister/status/1945976275606089749 There's also this very informative episode of a podcast recorded in March with two activists from Sweida (very helpful for background info for whats happening now): https://www.patreon.com/posts/stir-2-unrest-in-128972762For the full list of social media pages and accounts to follow please check the description in my youtube video (all the links look super clunky here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K2nnauhj9M&ab_channel=PoliticallyDepressed-- -- Liked this episode? Tip me in my tip jar: ko-fi.com/aymanmakOr become a monthly member @ patreon.com/fromtheperiphery

I've never slept well. But of course the political catastrophes around all of us make it even harder. I talk about my issues with sleep, what I've been doing/not doing, and ask you how you've been dealing sleep and sleeplessness. --- --- Give me a tip: ko-fi.com/aymanmakBecome a member of the FTP Patreon: patreon.com/fromtheperiphery

I'm making a few changes and wanted to keep you all up to date. Hope to see you all on my Youtube Channel. Note: This is not announcing the end of this podcast. It's more of an expansion, but in a slightly different direction. Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_d8-WfM5gyULH5zL0_e89ALove and solidarity,Ayman

I left twitter last year, soon after Musk took it over. It's no longer a safe place to be. So I moved to Bluesky, which has its own set of problems, but nowhere near as problematic as twitter. But on saving grace is the few brilliant accounts I've encountered while there. In this episode I talk to the person behind one such account, Emissary of Night. A queer lefty Arab intellectual in predominantly English speaking spaces, we definitely had a lot to talk about. So over an hour and a bit we talk about a lot: Edward Said, the role of the intellectual in Palestinian liberation, Bluesky, Twitter, Tankies, Liberals, the War on Terror, being an Arab watching American media. It's a lot and it was great. I hope you enjoy listening half as much as I enjoyed having the conversation. Note: This was recorded on June 7.You can follow Leila on Bluesky @diplomatofnight.com‬Leila also just started a new blog: https://to-our-land.ghost.io/ To give me a tip: ko-fi.com/aymanmakBecome a member of the FTP Patreon: patreon.com/fromtheperiphery#palestine #bluesky #podcast

In this episode, I talk with Peggy, someone whose wisdom and approach I've found really nourishing in this time of depleting catastrophe. I just like talking to her and she always comes up with really interesting insights. We initially met in the Palestine watch party, which I hosted, and many of the things she said in those discussions are still with me. We talk about a wide-range of topics and so its hard to sum up. If there's anything that's said that sparks your interest, let me know in the comments and I'll definitely respond. You can follow Peggy on Instagram: @halmonipower@lei4palestinePeggy also has a blog at https://stillinsirsasana.blogspot.com/--- --- Like this podcast? Consider supporting it by:Leaving a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becoming a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Following me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Following me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

The Israeli blockade on Gaza will kill 14,000 babies in 48 hours if it is not lifted. This was announced today by the UN. It has been 79 days since the total blockade was placed on Gaza, after Israel unilaterally ended the ceasefire agreement they signed with Hamas. It is impossible to deny what is being painfully and maliciously enacted on a daily basis: a genocide, mass extermination and annihilation. Two million Palestinians in Gaza are being starved and bombed. This has to stop. I don't know how, but it has to.Donate to support community kitchens in Gaza: https://chuffed.org/project/allchildrenareourchildren

Elon Musk is one of the most dangerous men alive today. But he didn't come out of nowhere. In this episode I talk about one thing that he's done, that I think most people don't even know he did. To me, it's amongst the worst of it all.Note: When I list some of the wort things he's done, I forget to mention his creation and involvement in DOGE, which I know is a pretty huge thing to miss, but alas. Also, this was recorded on Tuesday May 13 (3 days ago). Since then the podcast 'Syria: The Inconvenient Revolution' has released a new episode! Check out the first two episodes here.-- -- Like this podcast? Consider supporting it by:Leaving a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becoming a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Following me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Following me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

I've been a bit absent from this podcast the last couple of weeks. I share why - which amounts to some pretty good, interesting news. One thing I forgot to mention in the episode is that I've also been arranging a few interviews for this podcast by really really cool people, so stay tuned for that. Anyway, I guess the crunch is over, so I'll go back to releasing episodes on the weekly.Film Club: https://www.patreon.com/posts/lebanon-wars-126557915New Video Essay: https://youtu.be/W1pKLk-E6J0-- -- Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

This is a special announcement episode broadcast on all FTP channels. We at FTP are hosting a series of weekly film screenings and discussions on the Lebanese wars starting this Sunday April 20. In this short episode, Elia and Ayman go through the list of films they selected, what you can expect from the screenings, and how you can participate. To sign up and join the watch parties head over to ⁠our Patreon⁠ where you'll find ⁠this post with the invitation link⁠.Invites are immediately available to all Patreon members. If you don't want to become a member, you can buy the link with a one-time purchase.--All the films (except the last) are already publicly available on ⁠this playlist⁠ on our Youtube Channel.The films we'll watch are: ⁠A Feeling Greater than Love⁠ (2017) dir. Mary Jirmanus Saba - A feature-length documentary about the class struggle and labour movements in the lead up to the outbreak of the war in 1975.⁠Lebanon's War⁠ - Part 3: Explosion (2001) - A 42 minute episode of a documentary series by Al-Jazeera on the Lebanon Wars that covers in great depth the 1975 outbreak of the civil war with incredible, rare interviews.⁠Beirut, My City⁠ (1983) dir. Jocelyne Saab - A 38 minute film by a legendary Lebanese filmmaker filmed in Beirut amidst the Israeli siege that serves as a timeless intimate meditation on a city tortured by war and occupation.⁠Souha, Surviving Hell⁠ (2001) dir. Randa Chahal Sabagh - A 57 minute documentary following communist resistance fighter South Bechara as she returns to the south of Lebanon after its liberation from Israeli occupation in 2000.⁠Last Days of the Man of Tomorrow⁠ (2017) dir. Fadz - A short film that serves as a brilliant, illuminating, and humorous retrospective on the war by the post-war generation.-- -- Hope to see you at the film screenings! ⁠Here again is the link to sign up. ⁠

Going back to basics for this episode. I talk about how sad I've been, how so many of us are unwell, and how we should talk about it more.-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

I'm just so damn mortified by the daily massacres. The images. The wailing screams. The f*scist apologia. This was recorded on Wednesday, April 3th.-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

Joy at others misfortunes. It's fine when it's punching up, but I've noticed it too often be used to punch down. I talk about it.Headlines: - Israel kills two more journalists in Gaza: Hussam Shabbat and Mohammad Mansour- Protests seize Turkey after Erdogan's latest power grab-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

I talk about the idea that I have for the next video essay.-- --Support Ali's Go Fund Me-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠

There were numerous massacres that happening in the Syrian coast over the last week. I talk about them, share some information that I have about them and the reactions to them. I also provide some context to recent developments in Syria which I think too many are confused by and even more are coopting for ideological purposes. Here's some additional resources on the coast massacres: Article by Robin Yassin-Kassab Report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights Short video by Megaphone News-- -- New video essay 'Where Are the Arabs?'-- --As always I'll be going live this Sunday at 6pm CET to talk more about what I discuss in this episode. Join me if you have any questions or just want to hold space.-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠

Just a personal rant about feeling sad that my therapist can no longer do sessions with me. I also share some thoughts about why therapy was so useful/helpful for me, especially in this present moment of despair and gloom.Headlines: Zelensky v. Trump, Vance; Israeli aggression on Syria. -- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠

A LOT has happened in Lebanon (and the region) in the last few months. This is the first of many episodes where I try to unpack not just the situation of Lebanon but the situation of the region as a whole from a Lebanese (leftist) perspective. There's a lot of moving pieces, a lot of history, and most important, a lot of seismic shifts that I think needs to be accounted for in our analysis, discussions, and actions. I'll be doing a live-stream for this episode (where you can ask your questions, ask for elaborations, or just chat about stuff). It'll happen on Sunday 23rd at 8pm CET. Here is the link to join (press notify me to get a notification when I start): https://youtube.com/live/KBxiEWlUFx0?feature=share-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠

On Feb 16, 2013, the revolutionary Syrian anarchist Omar Aziz was martyred by the Assad regime. His legacy and actions, specifically around the local councils during the Syrian revolution, will be commemorated in events and talks held around the world on Feb 16, 2025. Here is a link with texts, resources, and dates:https://rememberomaraziz.net/Here is the comic I did on the Syrian rev + local councils:Comic on Syrian RevolutionAs part of the new series, I'll be hosting a live-stream discussion on this episode tomorrow (Tue 11th) at 6PM CET on Youtube. It'll be a space for you the listener to engage more, ask your questions, get more clarity on stuff I may have skimmed over, etc. Here is the link to the live stream:https://youtube.com/live/yc6qQoWkn2c?feature=share-- --Leave me a tip in my⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of the⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Follow me on⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠

New season! Same format! Not much will change with breaking up this podcast into seasons, it's just more helpful for planning/organizing. I am going to take the opportunity to try to regularise some of the formats I was playing with towards the end there. Announcement: - New Podcast: Mutual Aid Podcast Headlines: - Musk and 4chan - Lebanon ceasefire: displaced force their way back home - War on Jenin - Egypt and Jordan reveal their hypocrisy Main topic: - Personal baggage in political organizing - (Self) Projection of parental roles onto leaders - There are no adults in the white house ---- ---- Leave me a tip in my ⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠ Become a member of the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠

It's finally happening. I finished the video essay. There's a live drop happening on Patreon on Sunday 26th at 8pm CET. Ayman will be in the live chat. Join us! Link to the Video Essay Free for members, available for one-time purchase for anyone else!

Even when things feel pointless, we have to keep going. We have to give our actions meaning. Whether it's our own individual contributions or the movements we participate in, we can't completely lose hope in their possible impact and meaning. I think doing so is giving our enemies an unnecessary victory over us. --- --- Leave me a tip in my ⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠ Become a member of the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠ Follow me on ⁠Bluesky⁠

Today it is officially one year exactly since I started this podcast. I look back and reflect on this year and talk about the year ahead. What has changed, what has stayed pretty much the same, what has gotten much worse? I ask these questions at the political, personal and polito-personal (to coin a term) level. Thank you to everyone who has listened over the last year. I appreciate every single one of you. May we mark the 2nd year of this podcast with new achievements, new breakthroughs, new ruptures to this depressing, catastrophic existence. --- --- Leave me a tip in my Tip Jar⁠ Become a member of our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky

So I got rejected from yet another writing grant. But I persist. From now I'm gna focus on doing my work and hoping those listening/reading appreciate enough/are able to support me. This episode is basically a free-association personal ramble about stuff I've been thinking about re my work and what I'm reluctantly calling 'diasporic discomforts'. Very little politics in this one, except brief talk about the "ceasefire" in Lebanon. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Tip Jar Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> FTP ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's finally happened. After 13 years of struggle, the Syrian people emerge victorious. What started as military operations in the north quickly escalated into country-wide revolt, built on decades of resentment, organising and, counter-revolutionary violence. Prisons liberated, Assad fled, and for the first time, in over a decade, Syrians are celebrating. They know, more than any of us, the work that comes now, but for now, let's celebrate with them. This episode is dedicated to Omar Aziz, to Razan Zaitouneh, to Alan Kurdi, to all the brave fighters who were martyred by this regime, to all the ordinary men and women who dared to dream, to the organisers of the councils that sustained their communities through years of siege, to those who perished in refuge under the crushing weight of exile, to all the revolutionaries who are no longer with us: this moment is for you. May this inspire all of us to dare to dream, to understand that sacrifice may well pay off, that the long struggle towards justice is but that: a long struggle. The people wanted the overthrowal of the regime, the people overthrew the regime. May we experience such joy in Lebanon, may the Palestinians experience such joy. May all oppressed peoples across the globe be victorious in their struggle against their oppressors. Oppression leads to resistance which oppression can never crush. I have so many thoughts and feelings, so I share with you this episode. It of course is not expansive. Three main things I forgot to discuss: The Israeli opportunism in this moment, bombing areas in southern Syria and seizing new territories. Sednayel prison as a place not just of disappearance but wholesale massacres. Accepting Syrian agency the way we do with Palestinians. Are you reading Syrian poetry? Listening to Syrian music? Engaging with Syrian twitter or insta? Centring Syrian voices? Are you accepting and trusting that Syrians understand their situation better than anyone else? If not, you may be falling for narratives that ultimately hurt Syrians and contributing to their erasure. - - But for now Syrians celebrate. Let's celebrate with them. -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

These horrible two months seem to have come to an end. At least for the time being. A brief bittersweet moment amongst all the horribleness. I share they thoughts and reflections about the ceasefire deal that was announced just two days ago. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I've been doing terribly. All of us are. But I can't go on like this. I will not cede them this victory. This is possibly my most personal episode yet as I try to make sense of it all. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What was meant to be a reflection on The Peoples Want festival ended up being a long discussion of how insane Germany has become. Doqsi (Egyptian living in Berlin) shares their experience and analysis of the current situation of the Palestine solidarity movement in Berlin as well as the intense and white supremacist crackdown from the state, the media, and liberal organizations. We do talk a bit about the festival but end up really lamenting that the safety we both sought in Europe is increasingly being chipped away. Essay I make constant reference to: https://criticalmuslim.com/explore/issues/halal/german-redemption-theology The Peoples Want Links Website: ⁠thepeopleswant.org⁠ Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/lespeuplesveulent⁠ -- -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I had the extreme pleasure of spending the last week discussing and organizing with a group of activists and revolutionaries from across the global south. This happened at a conference hosted by The Peoples Want, a collective working on building genuine, strong internationalist bonds between struggles across the globe. Holding these conversations was intense but full of inspiration, especially at a time where I'm witnessing my world being destroyed, while everything feels empty of meaning, let alone hope. I share my reflections of this past week as well as brief comments on: the continued Israeli aggression on Lebanon, the impending U.S elections, and climate-crisis induced flooding in Spain and Saudi Arabia. The Peoples Want Links Website: thepeopleswant.org Instagram: instagram.com/lespeuplesveulent -- -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What is liberalism? Who are liberals? Where do they stand in relation to the colonies? Where do they on genocide? I think the answer to the last question is pretty obvious to anyone paying attention over the last year. But regardless, I thought I'd do an episode sharing my reflections and understanding of liberalism, as a historical movement and political tendency that is riddled top to bottom with contradictions. History has shown that liberals are much friendlier to fascism than they are to anything resembling communism. We see this history repeating itself painfully clear. I share my, admittedly messy and incomplete, impressions on the matter. --- --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

A question people have asked over the last year (and half a century). A constant mark of shame for the entire 'arab world' but also the beginning into a very serious inquiry - which I would contest has radical potentials that have yet to be fully explored. As I develop my next video essay, on this very topic, I'm doing this episode to just explore the things I'm thinking about out loud. I also provide some - incomplete - highlights on the latest developments in Lebanon and Palestine. One thing I definitely neglect to mention, specifically in southern Lebanon, is how great the losses are of Israeli soldiers who are trying to invade Lebanon. They cannot win real confrontations, so they use their aerial superiority to bomb hospitals and civilians. --- --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's so difficult to speak. Confirming in words what we know, but cannot believe, is happening. Lebanon, my home, has been subjected to an unfathomable aggression by Israel over the last week. Over 1600 people have been killed, thousands more injured, and approximately 1 million people internally displaced! Almost all of this in almost two weeks. In this episode I share my reflections as a Lebanese, but also my bitter analysis based on what Palestinians have been showing us over the last year. Israel will not stop, it needs to be stopped. Otherwise we're all doomed. -- -- -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The criminal and vile escalation of Israel's aggression in Lebanon has forced 10s of thousands to flee the South. In lieu of a government, organizations, grassroots groups, and local communities have been stepping in and doing, essentially, the government's work - to provide for and protect its population. I'm dedicating this episode to talking about one of these groups, which has in fact been operating since 2020, and which I helped found. It's a group I'm proud to be a part of and whose members are the most inspiring, powerful, and caring comrades that a queer could ask for. I talk about the work we do, the context within which we work, as well as the necessity for mutual aid and community work in this time of war and displacement. Also just to note, I ofc don't claim to speak on behalf of the group, just as myself as a member and comrade. -- -- -- -- This is also a 'Fundraiser Episode'. Please donate what you can, become a member of our Patreon, or just share it with your friends, families, comrades and allies: QMA Patreon -- https://www.patreon.com/qmalebanon Reach out to this email for direct x-fer (bank, paypal,etc.): [email protected] -- -- -- Referenced Materials: My Old Essay's on Mutual Aid https://thepublicsource.org/charity-mutual-aid https://thepublicsource.org/charity-mutual-aid-2 Essay written by two members of QMA Lebanon https://jeem.me/en/society/1286 -- -- -- -- Love and Soldarity, Ayman

569 people killed in 2 days in Lebanon by the same people committing genocide in Gaza and moving to annex the West Bank. The Israelis are truly unhinged. Their aggression on the south of Lebanon has steadily increased over the last year. But yesterday was different. I provide an overview of what happened yesterday, Sept 23rd, and demonstrate that the Israelis are indeed speed-running through the playbook they have developed in Gaza over the last year. I share other thoughts on the issue in general as well. ---- ---- ---- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the last 4 days, Israel has essentially declared war on all of Lebanon. With its mass electronic terrorist attack on Sept 17, followed by similar attacks the following down, and yesterday, Sept 20, they attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut with a bunker buster bomb. All told, Israel has killed more than 70 people and injured thousands of others. They have also increased their illegal, terrorising fly-overs across Lebanon and have drones that buzzed all throughout the night. They claim this aggression is all about deterring Hezbollah, but of course we know this is not the case - with yet another minister going on t.v. claiming that all of Lebanon is Hezbollah. The rogue fascist state of Israel is completely unhinged. What will it take to reign them in? I share my reflections on this as well as my feelings in this moment as a Lebanese person who is worried and heartbroken from my friends and family back home. --- --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

42 years ago today, far-right anti-Palestinian Christian militias in Lebanon committed the most horrendous massacre of the 15-year long Lebanese civil wars. With the heavy support of Israeli forces, who were occupying Beirut at the time, these militias (most notably the Lebanese Forces) killed up to 3500 Palestinians and Lebanese over 3 days. In this first filmed episode of this podcast, I talk about this massacre, providing a brief overview of the lead-up to it, as well as its continued relevance to today. Two brief notes: Although filmed, this episode can still be listened to as normal (there are no visual elements except my face and hand-gestures). This is not a thorough historical overview, which would require much more time and research. There are things I have left out, intentionally o forgetfully. Although I focus on the atrocities committed by far-right christian militias, I am of course aware they are not the only to commit massacres. I know people in my comments will be talking about the Damour massacre, committed by Palestinian factions. Although I acknowledge that no faction during the civl wars is innocent of committing atrocities, I reject the false equivalencies that many proclaim. The most egregious example of this, to my mind, is Ziad Doueiri's 2017 film 'The Insult'. -- -- -- Documentary on the Massacre -- -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Hate' is a terrible way of understanding fascism and all forms of bigotry. Claiming to be against it seems to be more of a balm for the already protected subject, but does nothing for those that are violating, persecuting, and targeting by these violent structures. It is a moral statement, a pretty boring one, and not a political one. Despite this, its a very popular thing here in the imperial centers. I discuss this among other topics including: comments from my recent video essay (on Arab nationalism and colonialism), the Israeli invasion of the West Bank (specifically Jenin), and the floods in Sudan and Bangladesh. -- -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Its a genuine question. Is it even a thing? Or is there a better term/framework?I also talk about how it seems that tankies have finally realized Sudan exists and ofc are producing the worst takes - with it creating harm and distractions. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Organize' is one of those words thats used a lot but needs to be critically examined for each respective situation, space, struggle etc. In building strong, long-lasting, and powerful movements, we need to make sure that the human connections within are built on trust, respect, and duty - especially enough to deal with conflict. I share my thoughts on this as well as other things like how there was a public Swiftie concert 20 meters away from a Palestine protest in downtown Vienna, and how dystopic and surreal that was. -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I'm so tired. -- -- Tip Jar: https://buymeacoffee.com/poldep Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fromtheperiphery

It's becoming increasingly difficult to talk about things, my feelings, my thoughts. --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In preparation for a video essay I'm developing, I decided to do an episode where I talk about the themes, arguments, and histories I've been examining and trying to synthesize. Definitely a ramble, but a potentially interesting one. Also, I have this weird tendency to emulate people's manner of speech when I read/listen to them too much (in this case, there are certain points, I'm basically just cosplaying as Edward Said). Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The world, especially the global south, desperately needs a strong internationalist left. There are some who think they're part of it, but are in fact doing incredible amounts of harm to communities that they de-facto erase in their analysis. These are the 'Tankies'. Is it white supremacy on the left, a conspiratorial world view, or just a lazy inability to understand the many systems of power and domination that exist in different contexts (and that local communities continue to resist)? People Not States Website People Not Sates Instagram --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It feels like fewer people are talking about Palestine. Has the supression of protests worked? Are people burntout, or have they lost interest? The unfathomable amount of violence cannot normalized. If it is, then its all doomed for sure. In this episode, I of course talk about G*z* as well as the nationalist mob violence against Syrian refugees in Turkey (and briefly in Lebanon). -- -- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I watched the 'debate'. I watched U.Sians (esp liberals) freaking out. Even the NYT is turning against Biden. It truly is a shitshow, but one in which all of our fates are attached. We need bold movements to counter both rising fascism and this privelaged resignation (e.g. 'we're so cooked'). I don't know, this episode is also a bit of a ramble. It's hard to think straight when Israel is threating to send your home country 'to the stone age' on the daily. --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

With the grim prospects of an expanded war in Lebanon, I share my grim Lebanese analysis. --- --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠

I've known this story for years. It has deeply affected my ways of thinking and understanding both myself and the world around me. I'll let it speak for itself for now, but I will probably discuss in a future episode what it means to me. I hope you appreciate this reading and apologize in advance for some of the clunky translations (the only English translation is from some white guy in the 80s and cross-checking with the original, it does seem he's made some weird choices). --- --- Want to give me a small tip? --> ⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠ Want to become a member of our Patreon? --> ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠