IBB Bulletin: the Long Game
Help us propel the Middle East toward lasting peace and prosperity—the time to act is now
Dear Friends and Supporters of IBB,
News out of the Middle East has been increasingly destabilizing and concerning over the past month, and that’s putting it lightly. With the downfall of the leader of Hezbollah, rockets flying overhead, and bombing being normalized, tensions have reached critical mass. Innocent civilians have been caught in the crosshairs of longtime conflicts coming to a head, and much hangs in the balance for the region and its people. While the voices and work of moderates might be seemingly drowned out by more extreme actors, IBB is part of the movement working diligently behind the scenes to bring to fruition a prosperous and peaceful Middle East.
Wars end, and in the aftermath, there is a window of time in which societies can be reshaped for the better. We believe in preparing the region and its people for that moment by equipping them with the resources and information necessary to change their societies on their own terms. In other words, we are playing the long game. The people and the ideals they hold dear will be what remains on the other side of these conflicts, and it will be up to them to rebuild with the tools they have. We are helping to equip them to succeed. It's not glamorous work—the important stuff almost never is.
This month, I have a very specific and urgent request for you all: Lebanon stands at a critical turning point, and we need your help to seize this moment for reform. With Hezbollah’s power weakening, Lebanese moderates and reformists have a rare opportunity to push for peace, liberal values, democracy, and economic recovery. Your donation will directly support grassroots efforts, provide vital political training, and amplify moderate voices in the media. Together, we can strengthen the forces of progress and help rebuild Lebanon, ensuring its future is free from extremism and economic ruin. Time is running out—donate now to make a lasting impact. What’s happening in Lebanon is a microcosm of the broader Middle East. Helping the country to thrive will have positive ripple effects across the region.
(For more specific IBB-related updates, including Faisal’s upcoming panel at The Global Free Speech Conference and speaking gig at the Abu Dhabi Bitcoin Conference, keep reading below.)
With urgency and hope,
Reid Newton,
Lead Editor, Ideas Beyond Borders
Giving Ventures Podcast: Episode 70 – Autocrats, Dissidents, and Global Freedom
More than 70% of the world’s population lives under an autocratic leader. In fact, today, there are only 34 liberal democracies—the lowest number in more than 25 years.
In episode 70 of Giving Ventures, Donors Trust speaks with three leaders about important organizations working to turn the tide of autocracy and raise the profile of democracy. First, we hear from Leopoldo Lopez of World Liberty Congress, a newer group created and led by the very dissidents that the group aims to serve. Then, Javier El-Hage of the Human Rights Foundation shares about HRF’s important work highlighting the dangerous trend toward autocracy. Finally, Ideas Beyond Borders founder Faisal Saeed Al Mutar discusses how his organization injects the ideas of freedom into the Middle East region.
On October 17-18, 2024, The Future of Free Speech and Vanderbilt University will host the inaugural Global Free Speech Summit. Experts from academia, industry, and civil society organizations will gather on Vanderbilt’s campus to discuss the most pressing challenges threatening freedom of expression worldwide and identify impactful solutions to reinvigorate this fundamental freedom.
Join Faisal in Atlanta this month to hear him explain how we can fix international development. He says the solution is simple, and he can prove it: aid doesn’t have to be costly to be effective. And effectiveness comes when you trust people to lead their own change. People in the region are ready for change. They’re eager to stay if they’re given the resources and the power to improve their own lives.
Bitcoin MENA 2024 is set to unite the global and regional Bitcoin community, drawing in industry leaders, high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, influencers, enthusiasts, and learners alike. Throughout this two-day event, participants will delve into the potential, challenges, and innovations within the developing Bitcoin ecosystem.
To book Faisal as a speaker, click here.
Olive farming in times of war
Amid rising tensions, Samer Hasbany is forced to find new ways to maintain his family's olive business in southern Lebanon.
The latest challenge is a big one. Rocket and missile attacks from Israel, just five kilometers across the border, have damaged some of the orchards, potentially contaminating the soil. If toxic chemicals are found when the land is tested later in the season, Hasbany will be unable to sell his award-winning olive oil. “I’m not sure what we can do. This is our family heritage, but we don’t have a clear vision of the future right now.” It’s not the first time the farm has survived times of turmoil. In 2006, the orchards were damaged, and their soil was contaminated by chemicals during the war with Israel. It took seven years to recover to a level where they could sell the olives once more. That’s when Hasbany decided to expand into olive oil, creating an award-winning product that won the silver medal at the Dubai Olive Oil competition in 2023, surpassing contestants from all over the world.
Catch the best moments from HITEX 2024, where Ideas Beyond Borders (IBB) and the Rwanga Foundation hosted a business competition showcasing top innovators in Iraq. Out of 1,000+ applications, 30 finalists competed, with eight winners announced at the award ceremony. See how these entrepreneurs are shaping the future of technology and business in the region, which is part of IBB’s mission to strengthen Iraq’s business ecosystem.
Innovator Spotlight: Inspiration of Beirut
Micheline AbuKhater hopes to use her jewelry brand, Inspiration of Beirut, to inspire conversations about Lebanon’s diverse cultural heritage, drawing on her knowledge of the country’s past to remind people of a time when different communities coexisted more harmoniously. Looking past the divisions that have splintered society since the outbreak of civil war in 1975, she describes the shared Lebanese passion for enjoying life and points to the county’s 1960s heyday, when Beirut, with its glamorous hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs, was known as the Paris of the Middle East. “In Lebanon, we love to have fun. It’s a way of living. Even if a woman is poor, she tries to dress well and wear jewelry. It’s part of our culture,” she says.
Translator Spotlight: Rami Abo Zarad
“Despite being in the Information Age, free speech is what most of the Arabic-speaking world continues to lack. There is a dire need for societal tolerance of opposing opinions that do not see eye to eye with the mainstream narratives. Giving more people in the region access to diverse viewpoints empowers them to dispel the shadows of intolerance and censorship, which are the primary causes of extremist attitudes and ideologies. Without access to a positive alternative, people seek belonging and truth from radical, biased sources. IBB is working to change that. To give people an off-ramp from extremism—one that is both logical and appealing.” - Rami Abo Zarad, IBB Translator