Gino's Podcast

What’s the deal with the Finance Ministry? The Ministry of Finance in Lebanon has become a powerful tool for advancing Hezbollah’s interests, shaping its ability to sustain its influence and control over the country’s systems. This ministry oversees critical financial operations, including customs, tax collection, public sector finances, and cash management, all of which have been exploited to Hez...

Let me keep this short, but I can’t stay silent on this. The usual suspects are at it again—ganging up to strong-arm Nawaf Salam and Joseph Aoun into caving to their demands. Why? So they can cash in some favors and avoid getting wiped out in the upcoming elections. Let’s dive in. Gino's Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or p...

A few private or throw-away accounts kept commenting conspiracy theories about Nawaf Salam on my posts on Instagram, I reckon they’re rumors spread by people who stand to lose illegitimate privilege in case he succeeds in the transformation of Lebanon, post-Assad and post-Nasrallah. So I thought, why not objectively compare what we wrote in 1987 and published by Oxford-based Centre for Lebanese St...

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of joining Lil Watan on MTV Lebanon via live video call with Joe Maalouf and his guest, Makram Rabah. Both are good friends of mine, and I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Joe on numerous investigations and battles over the years. After a long hiatus, it was an honor to share airtime with him once again—especially as it marked my first appearance on M...

Thanks for reading Gino's Blog! This post is public so feel free to share it. My therapist once told me, “You’re like a whistleblower—you know something for certain and try your best to tell everyone, but most people think you’re insane and ignore it. That only frustrates you more, especially when you’re eventually proven right—often too late.” I’m paraphrasing, but that sentiment has stuck with m...

I’d like to start by congratulating both Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam. It feels surreal to say this, but the two candidates I wholeheartedly supported are now our president and prime minister. I won’t waste time dwelling on the naysayers, the intimidators, or those who resorted to threats and smear campaigns. Instead, I want us to move beyond them and focus on undoing and repairing the damage they...

Who is Nawaf Salam? Nawaf Salam is a Lebanese diplomat, jurist, and scholar who has built an impressive career blending international law, diplomacy, and a commitment to reform. Currently serving as a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) since 2018, Salam is one of the rare figures from Lebanon to hold such a prominent global role. Before joining the ICJ, he represented Lebanon at the...

This is a follow-up to my piece The Presidency Isn't Enough . Don’t forget to subscribe! Gino's Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Gino's Blog at ginoraidy.substack.com/subscribe