William Christou

William Christou, a Guardian correspondent focused on Lebanon and Syria, teams up with Amar al-Azam, a professor of Middle East History at Shawnee State University. They dive deep into Syria's surge in treasure hunting amid civil unrest and the dire consequences for cultural heritage. The discussion highlights looted sites like Palmyra, the role of ISIS in profiting from destruction, and the economic desperation driving locals to excavate. They also cover initiatives to preserve history and the complex gray market of antiquities, emphasizing the responsibility of collectors.

William Christou, Beirut-based Middle East reporter for The Guardian, and Kian Tajbakhsh, Iranian-American scholar and former political prisoner, discuss U.S.-Iran negotiation dynamics. They compare divergent ceasefire plans. They explore Iran’s internal divisions and regional strategies. They talk about Gulf states’ aims and the humanitarian toll in Lebanon.

William Christou, The Guardian reporter based in Lebanon, gives front-line dispatches from Beirut and southern towns. He describes daily strikes, mass displacement and the targeting of bridges and health facilities. He recounts intense clashes with Hezbollah, local fears of Gaza-style tactics and the humanitarian consequences of a possible occupation.