🌳 Europe eyes Lebanon

TOP STORIES

Italy Plans Long-Term Military Presence After UNIFIL

• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Italy will maintain military support for Lebanon's army even after UNIFIL's mission ends this year, calling President Joseph Aoun "the right person to ensure stability."
• Italy officially requested in December 2025 to keep forces in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdraws, with Lebanon welcoming the proposal to help maintain border security.
• The bilateral mission focuses on training the Lebanese Army, which Tajani says will "in turn disarm Hezbollah" as part of strengthening state authority.
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Stefania Craxi will host a February 23 press meeting on Lebanon with Ambassador Carla Jazzar and Italian parliamentarians.

Why it matters: Italy's commitment signals European confidence in Lebanon's new leadership and provides a potential security bridge as international peacekeeping transitions.

German President Steinmeier Visits Beirut Next Week

• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Beirut on February 16, marking a significant diplomatic engagement given Germany's historical mediation role in Lebanon.
• Germany coordinated with Hezbollah during the 2006 war as a mediator with Israel, with former liaison chief Wafic Safa working with German officials on prisoner releases.
• A German naval contingent participates in UNIFIL, and the visit may address the safety of German forces amid regional tensions.
• European affairs expert Dr. Zakaria Hammoudan notes the visit is "more about morale and economics rather than politics" but acknowledges Germany's vital intelligence capabilities.

The bigger picture: Germany's diplomatic engagement reflects Europe's broader strategy to maintain influence in Lebanon as regional dynamics shift post-ceasefire.

CIA Targets Chinese Military Officers in New Recruitment Push

• The CIA released a new video targeting disillusioned Chinese military officers just weeks after Beijing's dramatic purge of top general Zhang Youxia, second-in-command under Xi Jinping.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe said previous videos reached "millions" of Chinese citizens and inspired "new sources" despite China's internet restrictions.
• The fictional officer in the video warns that "anyone with leadership qualities is bound to be subject to suspicion and ruthlessly eliminated" within China's military hierarchy.
• The campaign follows Beijing's years-long crackdown on military corruption that has hit the upper echelons of the People's Liberation Army beyond Zhang's removal.

Zooming out: The spy recruitment campaign highlights escalating U.S.-China intelligence warfare as both powers compete for strategic advantage in what many call a new cold war.

QUICK HITS

• Singer clears the air: Former Islamist leader Ahmad al-Assir testified that Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker had "no link" to the 2013 Abra clashes that killed 29 people, including 18 soldiers. Shaker was sentenced to 22 years in absentia but surrendered last October.
• Franchise fever hits Syria: Lebanese franchise association president signed a cooperation deal with Syria's business gateway platform to boost Lebanese brand presence in gradually reopening Syrian markets, focusing on food, fashion, education, and services sectors.
• Five arrests, two apartments: Internal Security Forces raided two Chiyah apartments used for storing and trading military weapons, seizing rifles, pistols, ammunition, and disassembled firearms. Two suspects were detained while three others were released on bail.
• Health minister's Tripoli promise: Minister Rakan Nasser al-Din launched the "Karim" initiative providing 100% free healthcare coverage for families displaced from collapsed or unsafe buildings in Tripoli, with QR-coded cards issued through the Higher Relief Commission.
• Media minister makes rounds: Information Minister Paul Markos concluded his Kuwait visit emphasizing Lebanon's "return to Arab media presence" and discussing partnerships with Gulf media outlets while pursuing cases of missing journalists Issam Abdullah and Samir Kassab.

INTERNATIONAL

Syrian Druze Leaders Embrace Israeli Alliance Amid Government Tensions

• Sheikh al-Hajari in Syria's Sweida province publicly declared Druze as "part of Israel's system" after Israeli airstrikes protected his community from Syrian government forces in July 2025.
• Israeli flags and Netanyahu photos appeared in demonstrations at Karama Square in August 2025 and again on February 1, 2026, marking unprecedented pro-Israel sentiment in Syrian politics.
• The region renamed itself from Jabal al-Arab to Jabal Bashan using biblical terminology, while forming independent security forces led by former Syrian army officers.
• Two sheikhs, Raed al-Matni and Saber Falhout, were killed under torture after being accused of treason by pro-Israeli factions within the community.

The bigger picture: Israel's strategy of protecting minority communities creates new regional dynamics that could reshape post-Assad Syria's territorial integrity and sectarian balance.

France Advances Controversial Anti-Semitism Law Despite Free Speech Concerns

• French parliament's law committee approved the Yadan law on January 20 criminalizing calls to destroy recognized states and expanding anti-terrorism incitement rules to include "implicit" encouragement.
• The law targets anti-Zionism as a form of anti-Semitism, with prison sentences from 5 to 7 years and fines between 75,000 and 100,000 euros for violations.
• French human rights commission raised concerns about "prosecuting intentions" and restricting legitimate geopolitical debates, while Jewish French citizens signed petitions opposing the legislation.
• Deputy Caroline Yadan represents a constituency where Israeli voters comprise 40% of the electorate, raising questions about electoral motivations behind the proposal.

What to watch: The law's passage could set precedent for similar legislation across Europe, potentially reshaping how criticism of Israeli policy is legally treated.

US Withdraws from Syrian Base as Regional Presence Shifts

• American forces completed an "orderly departure" from the Al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria on Wednesday after 8 years of operations against ISIS forces since 2016.
• About 1,000 US troops remain in Syria, with some Al-Tanf personnel repositioned to a Jordanian base across the border as part of Trump's Western Hemisphere focus.
• Syrian government forces took control of the strategic base located along the Baghdad-Damascus highway near the intersection of Iraq, Jordan, and Syria borders.
• US Central Command reported attacking "more than 100 targets" and capturing or killing over 50 ISIS fighters in the past two months alone.

Zooming out: The withdrawal reflects broader American strategic realignment as regional powers fill security vacuums left by reduced US military presence across the Middle East.

GHER HEK

• Pope pens heartfelt notes: Pope Leo XIV thanked Sheikh Ali al-Khatib for participating in Beirut's ecumenical gathering, praising Lebanon as proof that "living together is possible despite all challenges." The pontiff has been sending personal letters to Lebanese leaders since his December visit.
• Gene pioneer's lasting legacy: Dr. Samia Temtamy, the first Arab woman to specialize in human genetics, had over 40 genetic diseases named after her as "Temtamy Syndromes." The Egyptian medical pioneer supervised over 60 doctorate theses and helped decode genetic mysteries affecting children across the Arab world.
• Beirut nights are booming: Concert venues across Lebanon are reporting sold-out shows weeks in advance as the nightlife scene rebounds stronger than ever. Lebanese and Arab artists are performing almost weekly, creating jobs from sound techs to photographers while proving the city still owns the night.
• Welsh wizard wins Antwerp: Gerwyn Price claimed victory at the Premier League Darts debut in Belgium, defeating Michael van Gerwen 6-3 in the final after coming through two nail-biting deciders. The tournament's first visit to Belgium drew 10,000 enthusiastic fans to Antwerp's AFAS Dome.

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