Miscellaneous
A quick disclaimer here: we’ve got a two-for-one episode for you. In part I, we’re going to be discussing the fallout in Lebanon after the massive explosion in Beirut. Meanwhile, in part II, we’ll be discussing the nationwide backlash to the contested election in Belarus. Part I: The Lebanese crisisOn August 4th, two explosions occurred at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, causing the deaths of nearly 200, wounding over 6,000 more, and displacing over 300,000 people. The second explosion was so devastating that it was detected by the U.S. Geological Survey as a seismic event with a 3.3 magnitude and was felt in Turkey, Syria, and Israel. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for Lebanon, which has been suffering from an economic collapse and widespread political instability and corruption. Within a week of the explosion, the entire Lebanese government resigned. My guest today is Tom Rogan, he’s a commentary writer with the Washington Examiner, host of the McLaughlin Group, and covers foreign policy and affairs. On part I, we’re going to discuss how the explosion in Beirut happened, the deep-rooted problems that exist in Lebanon’s government, and what will likely happen on the horizon. Part II: The awakening in Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the president of the Eastern European nation of Belarus, is clinging onto power after 26 years. How has he been able to do it? Well, every election he’s been in with the exception of his first victory in 1994 has been labeled by international monitors as neither free nor fair. The latest presidential election on August 9th between Lukashenko and his main opponent, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, sparked intense nationwide protests and allegations of election fraud after Lukashenko claimed to have won 80% of the vote. On part II, we’re going to discuss what the dynamic is like in Belarus, how it impacts U.S. strategic goals in Eastern Europe, and what Lukashenko’s fate might be. "Hashing it Out" is a podcast hosted by Siraj Hashmi, Washington Examiner's commentary video editor and writer. Each episode includes a political guest to offer historical context of the news and politics of the day and insight into how we got to where we are. If you want to find the deeper meaning behind current events, then "Hashing it Out" is the podcast for you.