In a country marked by war and a highly saturated and polarized media landscape, two ISP students, Chloe Slaiby, President of the Institute of Political Science Student Chapter, and Marianne Saghbini, Communications Coordinator at ISP, have launched a podcast offering critical and interdisciplinary perspectives on current affairs.
The podcast, titled Kello Siyese (All Things Political), grew out of parallel reflections developed independently by both students. After discovering a shared vision, they decided to join forces and transform the idea into a collaborative initiative, soon joined by other students. “Gradually, the team expanded. Martin Pavlik, a master’s student in Human Rights and Democratization at ISP, joined us; he is now responsible for filming and actively contributes with ideas. We work collectively, dividing tasks, and the team continues to grow. More recently, Rawad Jalloul, also an ISP student, joined us as host,” the founders explain.
The podcast stands out for the diversity of topics it covers, including international relations, geopolitics, law, economics, and history. Each episode adopts an interdisciplinary perspective designed to offer nuanced insight into contemporary issues. Students, instructors, and experts are invited to contribute, ensuring both academic rigor and accessibility.
Kello Siyese, as its title suggests, is built on a core principle introduced in early political science studies: everything is political and subject to political interpretation, its creators note.
“From the beginning, our goal was never perfection or polished production. We wanted to make our voices heard, address issues that concern us, and offer a scientific and objective discourse, something particularly needed in a time of war,” they add. “We also hope to raise awareness and encourage those who are not necessarily familiar with these issues to engage with them.” The initiative also seeks to “inspire future generations to take a greater interest in political science,” they say.
Several episodes have already been produced, covering themes such as war and international law, as well as Lebanese society in times of conflict.
An Expanding Platform for Expression
The students’ ambitions extend well beyond their initial audience. In addition to French- and Arabic-speaking listeners, Kello Siyese aims to reach English-speaking audiences as well.
“Our next episode will be in English, particularly as ISP prepares to launch an English-language Bachelor in Administrative and Political Sciences next year. We started the podcast in Arabic and French, and we are now preparing an English version. Our goal is simple: to reach the widest possible audience.”
Beyond analysis, Kello Siyese also serves as a platform for expression, responding to a broader need for spaces where young people can exchange ideas, engage in public debate, and develop critical thinking skills.
“This project has taken time and continues to evolve alongside a growing team. We started small, and I sincerely hope it will keep expanding and improving. Our objective remains unchanged: to share the knowledge we have access to in a scientific and objective way. Young people and students have the right to participate and the right to understand,” concludes Chloe Slaiby.
At a time of national crisis, when access to reliable information has become increasingly essential, Kello Siyese reflects a generation seeking both understanding and engagement. More than an academic initiative, the podcast represents an effort to enrich public discourse through rigor, critical inquiry, and informed dialogue.
Episodes of Kello Siyese are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anghami.
Also read: Des étudiants de l’ISP lancent un podcast pour comprendre les enjeux actuels