A lot has happened and changed in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine since we last spoke with Karim Safieddine over a month ago in our episode titled “Anti-Establishment Positions in Lebanon and Beyond.” So, we decided to have him back on to try and make sense of this moment, where a lot of shifts, some positive and some negative, are unfolding right before our eyes. We discuss a variety of issues, from the South of Lebanon which continues to have Israeli Occupation Forces on the ground in violation of the ceasefire agreement’s deadline to the introduction of two new figures into Lebanese politics—President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

If you haven't already, do check out our previous episode with Karim!

Finally, here are some links to further explore/clarify some things mentioned in the episode:

1. When Karim mentions May 7, this is what he refers to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Lebanon_conflict

2. "Self Criticism After Defeat" link to book: https://saqibooks.com/books/saqi/self-criticism-after-the-defeat/

3. Links related to ecological crisis and ecocide:

* https://www.jibal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jibal-Research-design-eng-digital-DD20211123.pdf

* https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/05/lebanon-israels-white-phosphorous-use-risks-civilian-harm

* https://www.wilpf.org/the-ecocide-of-palestine/

* https://www.newarab.com/analysis/ecocide-gaza-environmental-impact-israels-war

* https://www.newarab.com/news/gaza-conflict-has-caused-major-environmental-damage-un-says

* https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/the-environmental-impact-of-syrias-conflict-a-preliminary-survey-of-issues/