Economist Podcasts No port, still a storm: Lebanon a year after the blast
Aug 4, 2021
Join Greg Karlstrom, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist, and Margaret Kadifa, a contributor to 1843 magazine with deep roots in Beirut, as they dive into the aftermath of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion. They discuss how the blast symbolizes Lebanon’s political turmoil rather than being its sole cause. Personal stories highlight the resilience of residents amid ongoing economic despair. Plus, they explore the surprising implications of Lebanon's economic crisis revealed through the Big Mac Index, illustrating soaring inflation and the cost of daily life.
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Beirut Blast Experience
- A Beirut resident describes the chaos and nightmare of the port explosion.
- They were thrown against walls as shattered glass rained down.
Blast Aftermath
- The Beirut port blast killed 200, injured 5,000, and displaced 300,000.
- One year later, Lebanon faces political instability and a severe economic crisis.
Apocalyptic Beirut
- Greg Karlstrom describes Beirut after the blast as apocalyptic.
- Injured patients stood in parking lots, holding IV bags and tending to shrapnel wounds.