🌳 Progress reports

TOP STORIES

Lebanon Reports 'Significant Progress' in IMF Talks

• The Finance Ministry announced talks with the International Monetary Fund continued Thursday at a "positive pace," recording "significant progress toward formulating a common understanding on key issues" between Lebanese officials and IMF mission chief Ernesto Ramirez.
• Finance Minister Yassin Jaber led discussions alongside Economy Minister Amer Bisat and specialized teams from both ministries, focusing on financial sector reform and public finance discipline to prevent any slippage that could jeopardize economic stabilization efforts.
• The Ministry highlighted the existence of a comprehensive draft law on addressing the financial deficit as "a positive development after years of stagnation," opening doors to serious discussions based on a comprehensive approach to solutions.
• A Lebanese delegation is scheduled to travel to Washington for IMF and World Bank spring meetings in two months, marking the last window for official talks before Lebanon's parliamentary elections in May.

Why it matters: Real IMF progress could unlock international funding and signal Lebanon's economic recovery is finally moving beyond promises to actual policy implementation.

Turkey, Syria, Jordan Revive Regional Trade Routes

• The three countries signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding in late January to develop a joint land transport corridor, aimed at reducing costs and improving regional connectivity after more than a decade of road disruptions.
• The agreement outlines development of land and air transport infrastructure, focusing on reviving railway lines, adopting smart transport systems, and unifying regulatory standards to enhance transport efficiency and strengthen regional supply chains.
• Syrian analyst Sharif Shehadeh called the corridor "new hope" for Middle Eastern food security and supply chains, while Jordanian economist Hussam Ayech expects it to generate significant revenue from transit fees between Gulf and European markets.
• A joint ministerial committee comprising transport ministers from the three countries will oversee implementation, emphasizing private sector engagement and investment in logistics and storage services throughout the corridor network.

The bigger picture: This land corridor represents a major shift away from expensive maritime shipping, potentially reshaping Middle East trade flows and reducing dependence on vulnerable sea routes.

Army Chief Haykal Races Against Time for Paris Conference

• Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief Rodolph Haykal has intensified diplomatic visits ahead of the March 5 conference in Paris supporting the Lebanese Army, a pivotal event that will reveal international trust in the military institution tasked with disarming Hezbollah.
• The conference will indicate whether donors will support the army without tying aid to completion of militia disarmament stages, as the United States and Saudi Arabia have done until now.
• Haykal visited Washington last week as part of his diplomatic tour, seeking to secure commitments and demonstrate the army's readiness for the sensitive disarmament mission across the country.

What to watch: The Paris conference will determine whether Lebanon's army gets the resources it needs for disarmament or remains dependent on completing impossible political milestones first.

QUICK HITS

• Italy eyes post-UNIFIL role: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Italy will continue military support in Lebanon after UNIFIL's expected withdrawal, with bilateral missions to train the army and maintain stability through Italian presence, believing President Joseph Aoun is "the right person" for regional balance.
• German president visits Beirut: Frank-Walter Steinmeier's February 16 visit carries significant diplomatic weight given Germany's strategic European position and intelligence role, though expert Zakaria Hammoudan calls it "more about morale and economics" since the primary political role belongs to America.
• Lebanese-American coordination committee speaks: The group affirmed that restricting weapons to state control is a constitutional and sovereign obligation that accepts no delay or bargaining, calling for launching the second phase of the weapon restriction plan across all Lebanese territory according to international resolutions.
• Aoun honors Hariri legacy: President Joseph Aoun marked the anniversary of Rafik Hariri's assassination by calling for renewed commitment to building "a strong, just state that governs by law," saying true loyalty to Hariri's memory means pursuing the state project he dedicated his life to building.
• Health coverage for displaced: Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine launched the "Kareem" initiative providing 100% healthcare coverage in government hospitals for families forced to leave collapsed or unstable buildings in Tripoli, with QR-coded cards distributed through the Higher Relief Commission to ensure comprehensive medical access.

INTERNATIONAL

Israel Deprives Palestinians of Education Through Revenue Withholding

• Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has systematically withheld billions of dollars in tax revenues over two years that Israel collects for the Palestinian Authority, severely impacting public services with education bearing the brunt of cuts.
• West Bank public schools currently operate only three days per week maximum, with teachers receiving about 60% of previous salaries when paid at all, forcing focus solely on mathematics, Arabic, and English while cutting sciences entirely.
• Ten-year-old star student Zaid Hasseneh dreams of becoming a doctor in America but spends most days out of school, trying to maintain his English through Google Translate while his mother works at a halawa factory as the family's sole breadwinner.
• Educators estimate 5-10% of West Bank students have dropped out in the past two years, with many like 15-year-old Talal Adabiq now selling sweets on Nablus streets for $13-16 daily instead of attending classes.

Zooming out: This systematic destruction of Palestinian education represents a generational assault on intellectual development, creating lasting damage that extends far beyond immediate budgetary concerns.

France Debates Anti-Semitism Law That Critics Say Stifles Free Speech

• French MP Caroline Yadan's proposed law to combat "renewed forms of anti-Semitism" passed the National Assembly's law committee on January 20, targeting criticism of Zionism as a form of anti-Semitism despite widespread opposition from human rights organizations.
• The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights condemned the law's "implicit incitement" language as opening doors to "prosecuting intentions," violating European human rights standards and restricting legitimate democratic debate about geopolitical issues.
• French academics and journalists fear the law will be weaponized to silence criticism of Israeli government policies, with researchers Jean Christophe Attias and Esther Benbassa warning it targets those documenting "Palestinian suffering caused by Israel."
• Yadan represents the eighth district for French citizens abroad, where Israeli voters constitute 40% of the electorate across nine countries, raising questions about electoral motivations behind the controversial legislation.

Why it matters: This law could criminalize legitimate criticism of Israeli policies under anti-Semitism charges, setting a dangerous precedent for restricting academic and journalistic freedom in Europe.

NATO Ministers Meet as Ukraine Arms Producers Get Export Permits

• NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels Thursday to discuss European defense and Ukraine support, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov joining for the first time since taking office in January.
• Ukraine reversed nearly four years of policy by granting arms manufacturers export licenses despite ongoing war, with defense sector annual production capacity exceeding $55 billion across over 1,000 companies, mostly new private enterprises.
• Ukrainian forces carried out overnight attacks on Russian military and energy sites, while Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and 219 drones, leaving tens of thousands in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa without heat, power, or water.
• Germany pledged five additional PAC-3 missile interceptors if other countries donate 30 total, while the UK announced over 500 million pounds in new defense missiles and systems for Ukrainian forces.

The bigger picture: Ukraine's decision to export weapons while fighting for survival reflects both confidence in expanded production capacity and desperate need for revenue to sustain its defense industry.

GHER HEK

• Papal letter promotes dialogue: Pope Leo XIV wrote to Sheikh Ali al-Khatib thanking him for participation in Beirut's ecumenical meeting and encouraging promotion of "dialogue, love and peace among Lebanese," emphasizing that Lebanon's religious diversity proves "living together is possible despite all challenges and difficulties."
• Pioneer decoded genetics: Dr. Samia al-Temtami (1935-2021), the first Arab woman to specialize in human genetics, had over 40 genetic diseases named after her as "Temtamy Syndromes," establishing the foundation for genetic medicine across the Middle East while working under difficult conditions with limited resources.
• Beirut parties thriving: Night life venues report fully booked weekends and extended seasons as Lebanese entertainment rebounds with weekly Arab and Lebanese artist performances, creating seasonal employment opportunities from technical crews to hospitality staff while demonstrating the country's resilience through cultural expression.
• Fury returns to ring: Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will end his latest retirement April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in a Netflix-broadcast bout, with the 37-year-old British boxer seeking redemption after losing his rematch with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Thanks for reading—yalla, go make weekend plans.