The Beirut Banyan

An episode discussing competing narratives over Lebanon's national interest, an ideological divide over Hezbollah's weapons, covering economics in times of conflict and preconditions before any consideration for peace with Israel. With L'Orient Le-Jour economic journalist Stephanie Bechara. Check out Stephanie's Substack piece "The cause I came home to": https://substack.com/home/post/p-194594679 The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & X: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 3:32 The Lebanese cause 6:21 Lebanon destroyed 9:55 Intentions when defending Hezbollah’s weapons 12:59 Iran in the name of Palestine 15:32 Shyness defending Lebanese interests 18:34 Extremism 19:23 Ideological divide 23:33 Engagement 31:53 Economic coverage everwhelmed by war 36:03 Financial and economic literacy 42:22 Economic consequences due to recurring conflict 45:08 The security component impacting investment 48:41 Prospects for peace with Israel 56:35 Fabric of the country