Mar 17, 2026
Although the episodes in our series build on each other in certain ways, all of our series are designed so that each episode can be listened to as a standalone.
In Episode 1 of our new series on Lebanon, Hussein Assaf joins us to discuss the ongoing assault on Lebanon by Israel and the United States. Hussein Assaf is a journalist with Vocal Politics based out of Beirut.
Our conversation begins with an update on the ongoing assault on Lebanon by Israel and backed by the United States. We then talk about the political forces at play in Lebanon, giving a brief history of the political makeup of the country to help put the current assault in context. We talk about Hezbollah and the relationship it has with the Islamic Republic, unpacking the common talking point in the West that Hezbollah is an Iranian "regime" proxy and instead providing a more appropriate analysis (and in doing so, giving insight into how the United States treats its proxies). We close on a discussion on the information and psychological warfare that is a part of the US and Israel's assault on West Asia and on its own populations at home.
Further resources:
Related episodes:
- Listen to our ongoing series on Lebanon
- Listen to our ongoing series on Iran
- Listen to our ongoing series on Palestine
- Listen to our ongoing series on China
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