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Lebanon and Germany

Paul Wood examines how Islamic State's actions are aggravating sectarian tensions in Beirut; Steve Evans on the virtues of a 100-year-old boardgame Germans still play with gusto

Islamic State has already targeted religious minorities like Yazidis and Christians in Iraq and Syria - but Paul Wood explains why the group is also aggravating sectarian tensions in Lebanon. Its much-publicised beheading of two Lebanese soldiers have caused outrage in Beirut and might open up old fissures between Shia and Sunni; but they also illustrate the 'civil war' between Sunni moderates and extremists. Lebanon is already straining to accommodate tens of thousands of Syrian and Iraqi refugees: how long can the centre hold? Plus: the virtues of keeping what works, and what pleases people: Steve Evans traces the history of a 100-year-old boardgame, once wildly popular in the trenches and field hospitals of WWI, which Germans still play with gusto. Presenter: Owen Bennett Jones Producer: Polly Hope

Photo: Relatives of Lebanese soldiers kidnapped by Islamist groups demonstrate in front of Lebanon's parliament building in Beirut on September 4, 2014. (ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images)

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10 minutes

Last on

Tue 16 Sep 2014 19:50GMT

Broadcast

  • Tue 16 Sep 2014 19:50GMT