logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2020
54m 52s

6/Lebanon's October 17 Revolution/ A Cou...

Elia Ayoub
About this episode

This is a repost of an episode I did with Dr Andrew Arsan, British-Lebanese scholar and author of the book Lebanon: A Country in Fragments, and which was originally released on the Hummus For Thought podcast. I'm releasing it here as an introduction to a series of upcoming episodes on Lebanon that will deal with the October 17th Uprising and its meanings.

The Uprising will serve as a framework through which my guests and I will try to understand the post-war era of Lebanese history, from 1990 to the present moment, as well as some topics dating further back. 

We will highlight groups of people that are usually ignored in discussions around Lebanon, including by the Lebanese themselves, such as refugees and migrant workers in Lebanon, including migrant domestic workers (check out the Kafala series), the LGBTQ community, as well as Lebanese Jews, Lebanese Kurds and Lebanese of part African or Asian origins. 

We will also be looking at Lebanon's relationship with Palestinians, Syrians, Israelis, Iranians, the Arab world and the West as well as dive into such light topics as Lebanese identity and the diaspora, Hezbollah's role in the region and at home and the environmental threats facing the country.

You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, Spotify, Castro, Pocket Casts, and RSS. More to come! You can follow the podcast on Twitter @FireTheseTimes and Instagram @thefirethesetimes

You can also support it on Patreon @firethesetimes or BuyMeACoffee.com @joeyayoub.

You can support Egna Legna's campaign to bring food and aid to victims of the Kafala system in Lebanon by clicking here.

Featured photo is from the cover of Lebanon: A Country in Fragments.

Associated Blog Post: https://thefirethisti.me/2020/04/08/06-lebanons-october-17-revolution-a-country-in-fragments/

Up next
Jun 30
200/ The Rise of End Times Fascism w/ Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor
For episode 200 (!) of The Fire These Times, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor join Dana & Elia to talk about their piece "the rise of end times fascism." Naomi Klein is the author of Doppelganger, On Fire, How to Change Everything, the Shock Doctrine & No Logo, among others. Astra Ta ... Show More
1h 5m
Jun 26
199/ The Stories That Fascism Fears Most w/ Jessie Gender (Special Crossover w/ Resistance is Fertile)
“Fascism isn’t just about power—it’s about controlling the stories we tell. It warps narratives to justify oppression, trapping us in cycles of dominance and despair. But stories can also resist, break those cycles, and open the door to something new.“ This is how YouTuber and ha ... Show More
1h 14m
Jun 9
198/ A Liquid Convo About Venezuela w/ Laura Vidal
For episode 198, Elia Ayoub is joined by Venezuelan researcher - and old friend - Laura Vidal to talk about, and around, Venezuela. We got into why Venezuelans flee the Maduro regime, how Venezuela(ns) is often covered, and the broader discourse battles that may or may not includ ... Show More
51m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Losing Lebanon: In limbo and longing for hope
In the final part of our three-part special on Lebanon, we're examining the stagnant nature of Lebanon. Lebanon's recent history has pushed the country to the limit and left it crippled and uncertain. Today, Lebanese citizens remain unsure about what the future may hold for them. ... Show More
29m 10s
Dec 2019
Lebanese Protests
Real Arabic provides you with interesting podcasts about culture, politics, history, and society in the Middle East in slow, simplified spoken Levantine Arabic. This episode introduces you to the background context of the recent popular uprisings in Lebanon. stay tuned for our po ... Show More
15m 7s
Oct 2019
We Are Lebanon
In episode 118, the girls go deep into the protests in Lebanon and break down what the citizens want in their reforms and how the government is responding. Special reporting from former guest Afeef Nessouli! FOLLOW HIM NOW!!!FOOTNOTES: Lebanon protests: Five things you need to kn ... Show More
51m 16s
Jul 2019
Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
Real Arabic provides you with interesting podcasts about culture, politics, history, and society in the Middle East in slow, simplified spoken Levantine Arabic. This episode introduces you to the history of Palestinians in Lebanon pre-civil war, which is key to understanding the ... Show More
6m 43s
Aug 2019
The Civil War in Lebanon
Real Arabic provides you with interesting podcasts about culture, politics, history, and society in the Middle East in slow, simplified spoken Levantine Arabic. This episode introduces you to the Lebanese civil war. It gives a simplified breakdown of key events, and attempts to r ... Show More
12m 53s
Apr 2020
The Lebanese Protests: Part 2
This episode introduces you to the initial phases of the recent popular uprisings in Lebanon. Stay tuned for our update of the current situation in Lebanon. For transcripts and translation, or to sign up for Arabic classes, go to our website: https://realarabic.weebly.com 
11m 11s
Jul 2019
An Introduction to the Sectarian Groups of Lebanon
Real Arabic provides you with interesting podcasts about culture, politics, history, and society in the Middle East in slow, simplified spoken Levantine Arabic. This episode introduces you to the sectarian groups of Lebanon, which are key to understanding Lebanese history, cultur ... Show More
5m 56s
Aug 2020
Lebanon, USA 2.0
This week, a special collaboration with one of our all time favourite podcasts: Radiolab. We produced the episode - Lebanon USA - last year, and Radiolab have taken that original story and elevated it to a whole new level.This is a story of a road trip. After a particularly traum ... Show More
48m 15s
Jul 2023
#70 — Seule à travers le Liban, avec Apolline Convain
Fascinée par le monde arabe, Apolline Convain décide de réaliser son échange universitaire à Beyrouth, la capitale du Liban. Elle veut ressentir de l’intérieur ce pays en proie à de nombreuses crises sociales, politiques et économiques. Après 6 mois en ville, elle se lance sur le ... Show More
45m 15s