

The Fire These Times
Elia Ayoub
Where doom scrolling meets radical hope.
“The Fire These Times is a place where we tell our hardest truths, and find one another" - Naomi Klein.
Hosted by Elia Ayoub with co-hosts Dana El Kurd, Daniel Voskoboynik, israa' and other members of the From The Periphery Media Collective.
“The Fire These Times is a place where we tell our hardest truths, and find one another" - Naomi Klein.
Hosted by Elia Ayoub with co-hosts Dana El Kurd, Daniel Voskoboynik, israa' and other members of the From The Periphery Media Collective.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 6min
155/ The '82 Israeli Siege of Beirut: Similarities and Differences with Gaza Today w/ Justin Salhani
For episode 155, Ayman sits with Beirut-based journalist and friend of the show, Justin Salhani, to talk about his recent essay for Al-Jazeera. Expanding on the essay, the two talk about parallels between the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and siege of Beirut and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. As two children of survivors of the '82 siege, their conversation moves between political/military analysis and discussions of memory and narratives as tools of agency. Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastEpisode Credits:Hosts: Ayman MakaremProducer: Ayman MakaremGuest: Justin SalhaniMusic: Rap and RevengeSound editor: Ayman MakaremEpisode designer: Elia J. AyoubTeam profile pics: Molly CrabappleOriginal TFTT design: Wenyi Geng

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 23min
154/ Anti-Imperialism After the Syrian Revolution w/ Sahar Amarir
For episode 154, French-Moroccan-Amazigh analyst Sahar Amarir joins Elia J. Ayoub and Leila Al-Shami to talk about her piece "Imperialist is Multiple, so Should be Our Solidarities: on the Need for Post-Post-Colonialism" published in The Funambulist. Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid Podcast

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 26min
153/ Living Like the World is Dying w/ Margaret Killjoy
For episode 153, anarchist writer, musician and podcaster Margaret Killjoy joins Elia Ayoub and Aydın Yıldız to talk about the very easy topic of apocalypse. What does that even mean? And how do we deal with that without falling into complete despair? Many of y'all know that one of the taglines of this pod is building the new in the shell of the old, right? Well, this is about that. Sort of. It's mainly about staying sane and healthy and as hopeful as possible long enough to even want to build the new in the shell of the old.Margaret Killjoy, in our view, is one of the best minds on this difficult subject, and we think you'll agree.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastShow notes:Penumbra City, the new ttrpg by Strangers in a Tangled WildernessMargaret's two pods: Live Like the World is Dying and Cool People Who Did Cool StuffMargaret's essay for Slingshot Collective that's behind this episode's title as well as one of her podcastsMargaret's essay Don't Let Nazis Have Nice Things republished by Antidote Zine

Feb 16, 2024 • 50min
152/ Israel and American Jewish Dissent w/ Geoffrey Levin
For episode 152, Dana El Kurd hosts Geoffrey Levin to talk about his book "Our Palestine Question: Israel and American Jewish Dissent, 1948-1978". Levin is assistant professor of Middle Eastern and Jewish Studies at Emory University and the Director of Undergraduate Engagement at Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies.Our Palestine Question is a new history of the American Jewish relationship with Israel focused on its most urgent and sensitive issue: the question of Palestinian rights. Given the ongoing genocide launched by the Israeli state on the Palestinians of Gaza, this book couldn't be more timely.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastShow notes:Fida Jiryis - Stranger in My Own Land: Palestine, Israel and One Family's Story of HomeEzra Klein - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/opinion/netanyahu-biden-israel-gaza.htmlDavid Klion - https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/01/28/the-exile-of-the-american-jewish-left/The threshold of dissent - https://nyupress.org/9781479829316/the-threshold-of-dissentNecessity of Exile (Shaul Magid’s book) - https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9798986780313Episode Credits:Host: Dana El KurdProducer: Elia J. AyoubGuest: Geoffrey LevinMusic: Rap and RevengeSound editor: Elia J. AyoubEpisode designer: Elia J. Ayoub

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 35min
Politically Depressed Eps. 5-8
This is a compilation of 4 episodes of our new podcast Politically Depressed, a weekly podcast by Lebanese writer and organizer Ayman Makarem.
These are episodes 5-8 compiled into one long episode (with time codes below).
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider following and rating it on whatever app you use to listen to your podcasts!
Time codes:
00:00 - Episode 5: Sounds of Silence
22:00 - Episode 6: White People Cannot Stop Fascism (Alone)
48:30 - Episode 7: Life on Pause
1:12:20 - Episode 8: Treat Us As Though We're Mourning
The best way to support Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times is through Patreon.com/firethesetimes.
The other best way is to leave a review about Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times wherever you listen to podcasts. Please do this if you haven't already. It makes a huge difference to our visibility.
And the other other best way is to tell your friends and enemies about Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times.

Feb 2, 2024 • 1h 1min
151/ Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors w/ Tory Stephens and Daniel Voskoboynik
For episode 151, Elia Ayoub and Daniel Voskoboynik host Tory Stephens, Climate Fiction Creative Manager at Grist.org, to talk about Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors and why narrative work is an integral part of any climate solution. Why does Imagine 2200 choose hope over dystopia? What are effective narrative shifting tactics and strategies? Stephens is also on the Hollywood Climate Summit Board so Elia talked to him about moving beyond post/apocalyptic films. We also asked him how listeners can take part in Imagine 2200.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastRelevant Links:The Tobacco campaign mentioned by Elia: https://www.unsmokeyourworld.com/en/Too Dystopian for Whom? A Continental Nigerian Writer’s Perspective by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpekihttps://www.uncannymagazine.com/article/too-dystopian-for-whom-a-continental-nigerian-writers-perspective/Imagine 2200 email updates: https://go.grist.org/signup/imagine-email About Imagine 2200: https://grist.org/about-imagine-2200-climate-fiction/ 2024 Collection Page: https://grist.org/imagine2200-climate-fiction-2024/

Jan 26, 2024 • 60min
150/ The Israeli War on Southern Lebanon w/ Karim Safieddine, Michelle Eid & Justin Salhani
For episode 150, Lebanese journalist Justin Salhani guest hosts Lebanese researchers Michelle Eid and Karim Safieddine to talk about the under-reported and overlooked war in southern Lebanon. They look at the human impact of this conflict on Lebanon - a country that in just over four years has experienced a stunted revolution, one of modern history's worst economic crises, and the destruction of large parts of its capital due to a port explosion. They dissect media narratives, share personal anecdotes, and tie the current conflict to history, recalling the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, and more. Michelle Eid is a researcher focused on socio-economic rights and development in the Levant, with a focus on food sovereignty and agricultural politics. She is also the editor-in-chief of Al Rawiya, a digital magazine covering the Levant. Karim Safieddine is an organizer and researcher from Lebanon; he's completing his PhD in Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastPieces by Salhani:Waiting for Nasrallah for The DialSurvivors of Israel’s siege of Beirut see history repeating itself in Gaza for Al JazeeraPalestinian refugees in Lebanon mourn, fear for family in war-torn Gaza for Al Jazeera‘No work back home’: Lebanon’s foreign domestic workers fear Israel war for Al JazeeraIsrael-Hamas war sparks south Lebanon exodus, as people flee border areas for Al JazeeraPieces by Eid:Israel’s Environmental and Economic Warfare on Lebanon for TIMEP(In)Sovereign Soils: Lebanon’s Entrapment in a Global Monopoly on Agriculture for Al RawiyaElia's Note: "October 17" isn't to be confused with "October 7". October 17 refers to the 2019 uprising in Lebanon whereas October 7 refers to the 2023 Hamas attack which was followed by Israel's ongoing genocidal war in Palestine.Book Recommendations: House of Many Mansions - Karim SalibiReturn to Haifa - Ghassan KanafaniBeing Arab - Samir KassirThe New Left - Fawaz TraboulsiCreditsHost: Justin SalhaniProducer: Ayman MakaremGuests: Karim Safieddine, Michelle EidMusic: Rap and RevengeSound editor: Ayman MakaremEpisode designer: Elia Ayoub

Jan 18, 2024 • 1h 35min
Politically Depressed - First 4 Episodes
The Fire These Times is expanding into a network of autonomous, decentralized projects and podcasts from the periphery.
The first new addition to this media ecosystem is Politically Depressed, a new weekly, blog-style podcast by Lebanese writer and organizer Ayman Makarem.
We've compiled the first 4 episodes of Politically Depressed into this compilation (with time codes below).
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider following and rating it on whatever podcast app you use.
Stay tuned to hear about the many other projects and podcasts we have lined up!
Time codes:
1:40 - Episode 1: Introductions
19:18 - Episode 2: Israel Attacks Beirut
48:45 - Episode 3: Genocide Golden Globes
1:11:25 - Episode 4: Sanity or Humanity
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The best way to support Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times is through Patreon.com/firethesetimes.
The other best way is to leave a review about Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times wherever you listen to podcasts. Please do this if you haven't already. It makes a huge difference to our visibility.
And the other other best way is to tell your friends and enemies about Politically Depressed and The Fire These Times.

Dec 22, 2023 • 1h 8min
149/ How Azerbaijan is Greenwashing Genocide w/ Karena Avedissian and Anna
For episode 149, Elia sat down with Karena Avedissian and Anna, TFTT returnees and co-hosts of Obscuristan, a podcast which is soon joining the broader network (whaaat? - We talk about that at the beginning of the episode).We talked about Azerbaijan hosting COP29 next year, the global climate conference, and why it might be a problem for a petro-dictatorship to host a climate conference. We discussed how Azerbaijan is trying to greenwash its recent genocide of the Armenians of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh by claiming the area, devoid of its human population, has now achieved net-zero (yes, we're not joking). We also talked more broadly about the Armenian struggle for justice and what we might learn from the Palestinian one.You'll also hear Elia's exclusive, world-premiere take on Aliyev's ridiculous mustache.Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid PodcastLinksLearn For Artsakh on InstagramAzerbaijan presents green energy potential of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur at COP28 in Dubai (Archived link)Augmented Azerbaijan? The return of Azerbaijani irredentism by Laurence BroersDon’t water it down: The role of water security in the Armenia-Azerbaijan war by Nareg KuyumjianThe Azerbaijan pavilion at COP28 in Dubai (Archived link)Nvard Yerkanian: They Came With PeaceWikipedia overview of COP28

Dec 15, 2023 • 58min
148/ Understanding Seen and Unseen Violence in Israel-Palestine w/ Diana Greenwald & Alexei Abrahams
For episode 148, Dana El Kurd and Elia Ayoub are joined by Diana Greenwald and Alexei Abrahams to talk about seen and unseen violence in Israel-Palestine. They explore the many forms of violence of the Israeli occupation that led to the October 7 massacre and the brutal Israeli response in Gaza. What is kinetic violence? What is structural violence? And how do these two differ?Diana is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at The City University of New York. Her research focuses on the politics of the Middle East, nationalism, conflict, and state-building. She obtained her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan in 2017. From 2017-8, she was Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Middle East Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her current book manuscript examines Palestinian local politics under Israeli occupation. This project draws on elite interviews and local data on policing and taxation collected in the West Bank between 2014 to 2019.Alexei leads the digital trace team at the Canadian Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO), McGill University. He is the author of a forthcoming book, Social Media Observatory (No Starch Press, 2024), on how to code full-stack web applications for public interest research on contemporary political discourse. He's also the author of "Seeing absence and all its instruments: How decontextualization of kinetic violence undermines our understanding of the Israel-Palestine Conflict."Support: You can support my work with a one-off or monthly donation on Ko-fiMasterclass on Modern Lebanon: Registration is now openNewsletter: Subscribe to HauntologiesSocial Media: I’m on Bluesky, Instagram and MastodonContact: To collaborate, reach out on ayoub@thefirethesetimes.comThe Fire These TimesSocial Media: TFTT is on Bluesky and Instagram Transcription: You can help Antidote Zine transcribe TFTT episodes hereWebsite: All episodes are archived on the websiteFrom The PeripheryTFTT is a proud member of From The Periphery Media Collective, which you can support on Patreon and follow on Bluesky, YouTube and Instagram.Check out other project wherever you get your podcasts: Politically DepressedSyria: The Inconvenient Revolution From The Periphery Podcast The Mutual Aid Podcast


