Join us for an eye-opening discussion with Ronnie Chatah where he tells us his journey of attachment to Lebanon. From the story of his father's assassination to the deep impact Hezbollah has had on the country, the conversation takes us through the complexity of the country and WHY we find ourselves in a war today.
*Disclaimer* - THIS PODCAST WAS FILMED IN AUGUST, 2024
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For some people, if your father is brutally assassinated, turning to the darkside and seeking revenge are understandable. But for Ronnie Chatah, whose father, Lebanese economist, diplomat and former Minister of Finance, Mohamad Chatah, was murdered in a car bombing in Beirut in 2013, he chose a different course.
My enlightening discussion with Ronnie explores the path to Storytelling that he pursued and which resulted in him expanding his Beirut Walking Tours into the Beirut Banyan Podcast as a tribute to his father.
We explore the people, places and events that have helped shape his views, beliefs and stories and keep him committed to Lebanon as well as touch on the current events, politics and players impacting the country, in particular the impact of Hezbollah over the past 30 or so years, as Israel rains down hell on Lebanon for the thousandth time.
Join me for this fascinating journey with a devoted son of Lebanon.
Timestamps⏱️
0:00
2:00 Intro
6:51 2005 and political identity
11:37 What inspired podcasting?
19:03 Finding his voice after father's assassination
28:17 Syria, Hezbollah & Lebanon
41:27 A FULL-SCALE WAR?
52:15 1967 Arab-Israeli War
1:01:19 Sectarianism & Hezbollah's grip
1:10:59 Should Hezbolla debate be delayed?
1:15:15 Hezbolla would lose a Civil War
1:21:00 What's next?
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