UK £2 Issue 199, Year 4 March 31, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Interview Trump’s Tunisian Arab minister brain decision on of women drain the Golan Page 21 Page 20 Page 11 Army opens way for post-Bouteflika era, risky transition ahead in ► Despite their commitment to far-reaching change, many protest leaders are cautious about what next steps to take.

Lamine Ghanmi insufficient to appease large crowds that demanded implementation of Article 7 of the constitution, which stipulates that “the Algerian peo- ple is the source of political power.” he prospect of Algerian “All that was offered by the re- President Abdelaziz Boutef- gime’s figures, including Gaid lika leaving office when Salah, is dust swept away by the T his term ends April 28 is a wind,” said parliament Member foregone conclusion. Experts said Khaled Tazaghart, from the oppo- Algerian Army Chief of Staff Gener- sition Socialist Forces Front, as he al Ahmed Gaid Salah sealed Boutef- marched in Algiers. “People want lika’s fate when he called on the the whole regime with all its sym- Constitutional Council to declare bols and personnel to go away.” the president unfit for office. There are many possible prob- This recalled previous military lems ahead, including a poten- interventions in Algerian politics tial power vacuum if the military since independence in 1962 that does not implement a transition entrenched a de facto military au- plan before Bouteflika’s term ends tocracy. April 28. There is also the risk of violent confrontations after weeks of The protests started to peaceful protests. “Imagine the show signs of division nightmare scenario that the mili- based on region and of tary would have to face if the im- antagonism between passe pushes millions of Algerians secularists and to clash in the streets with the se- Islamists. curity forces across the country,” said political writer Walid Ait Said. Military leaders used to decide Opposition figure Said Saadi, behind closed doors what course whose views have influenced the the country should take in major protest movement, warned that Closing a chapter. A 2012 file picture shows Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (L) and Army decisions, such as picking the pres- Gaid Salah’s move could “push the Chief of Staff General Ahmed Gaid Salah reviewing an honour guard near Algiers. (AP) ident. Now, however, the military army into the downward spiral of is negotiating a tight curve amid a facing off with the people.” powerful popular movement that The protests started to show be pushed into a new adventure to be adopted by parliament. Opponents are also wary of an keeps it under pressure. signs of division based on region with initiatives that threaten the If Gaid Salah’s proposal gains extended transition period once Gaid Salah sees Article 102 as the and of antagonism between secu- nation’s cohesion like the proposal traction and Bouteflika is found in- Bouteflika leaves office. way “out of the crisis.” larists and Islamists. In Tizi Ouzou, for the creation of a constituent as- capable of governing, the president “The logic says the people must However, some in the opposi- the stronghold of secularists in the sembly,” said constitutional law ex- would be replaced by Senate Presi- end the regime and, after that, the tion said that proposal has come Berber-speaking Kabylie region, pert Fatiha Ben Abbou, who backs dent Abdelkader Bensalah, who people decide what kind of regime too late. “Implementing this article protesters marched for the first the protests. would have 90 days to call presi- they want, with an election agenda has been overtaken by the events. time with signs in which pictures The army must demonstrate cre- dential elections. The vote would following later,” said leftist opposi- It should have been applied years of leading Islamists were combined ativity and imagination to remain occur under the watch of the gov- tion Workers’ Party leader Louisa ago,” said opposition Culture and with those of regime figures. credible with the populace. Only ernment of Prime Minister Noured- Hanoune. Democracy Rally party leader Despite their commitment to Bouteflika’s traditional backers fell dine Bedoui. She said she does not see a long Mohcine Belabbas, in reference to far-reaching change, many protest in line with Gaid Salah’s suggestion Some legal experts and protest transition under the current gov- Bouteflika’s ill health, including a leaders are cautious about what that the Constitutional Council figures say Bensalah cannot be ernment as “a good solution for stroke in 2013. next steps to take. invoke Article 102 of the Algerian interim president because he is a Algeria.” Protesters showed signs of radi- “Safeguarding the unity and Constitution to possibly declare dual Algerian-Moroccan national calisation March 29. Gaid Salah’s the stability of the country is the the president unfit. and the constitution stipulates the Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly call for the implementation of Ar- most important and crucial issue If approved by the Constitutional Algerian president must be only of correspondent in Tunis. ticle 102 a few days earlier seemed now. It is nonsense for Algeria to Council, the measure would have Algerian nationality. P4 Tunis gets a facelift and Tunisians a dose of optimism at Arab summit

Stephen Quillen ing financial crisis and a fractured under the same roof and seeking Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on tions, hundreds of Arab and inter- political scene, the influx of high- to strike compromises on divisive March 28. “We hope that the sum- national media representatives ranking officials and visitors came issues. mit will give an impetus for more travelled to to report on Tunis as a welcome change and boon for solidarity and cooperation be- issues pertinent to their respective the economy. tween Arab states.” countries, including the Palestini- unisia’s capital received a Not only were hotels in Tunis The presence of King Salman, an issue, conflicts in Libya, welcome facelift ahead of and its suburbs at capacity but who arrived a few days before the and and US President Donald the 30th sum- restaurants, shops and popular summit, reflected deepening ties Trump’s recognition of the Golan T mit, with the city’s roads, venues enjoyed a steady stream between Tunis and Riyadh since Heights as Israeli territory. public parks and main squares ti- of customers who brought in Caid Essebsi’s election in 2014. died up and freshly decorated for revenue for a recovering tour- The Tunisian presidency said the occasion. ism sector. King Salman’s visit was an op- For Tunisia, the influx of Welcome billboards and flags of The country’s hard currency portunity to develop “all areas high-ranking officials the visiting Arab League countries reserves — having steadily de- in the interest of the two broth- and visitors came as a greeted scores of high-level dig- clined for years — rose by three erly peoples.” welcome change and nitaries and thousands of visitors extra days during the week of At the top of Tunisia’s sum- boon for the economy. arriving in Tunis, while security the summit. mit agenda was the conflict in services were put on high alert by The event also offered Tuni- neighbouring Libya. Strife there The central media point was Tu- the Ministry of Interior. sians a respite from the country’s since 2011 has adversely affected nisia’s City of Culture, a 9-hectare Residents joked that Tunisia fractious politics, as local media trade and employment opportuni- downtown arts complex down the should host more summits to en- shifted focus from the domestic ties in Tunisia. road from the Palais des Congres, sure periodic renovation for its scene towards broader regional is- Former Tunisian Foreign Minis- where Arab heads of state con- public spaces, which are often sues. ter Ahmed Ounaies told the Asso- vened for the summit March 31. derided for having fallen into dis- Tunisian leaders said they ciated Press that the summit could array. The city’s upgraded appear- sought to maintain the country’s “Tunisia is renowned for its be a victory for Tunisia, “especial- Stephen Quillen is an Arab ance was not the only cause for traditional position of neutrality moderation and rationalism,” said ly if it manages to advance the po- Weekly correspondent in Tunis. optimism, however. in Arab affairs, taking pride in as- Tunisian President Beji Caid Es- litical process in Libya.” For Tunisia, beset by a linger- sembling so many Arab leaders sebsi as he welcomed Saudi King Apart from visiting state delega- P2-3,6 2 March 31, 2019 Cover Story Arab Summit Tunisia counts on ‘diplomatic rationalism’ to shore up Arab solidarity

Lamine Ghanmi

Tunis

unisia hosted high-ranking officials from across the Arab world for a regional summit T March 31 it hoped would re- build Arab solidarity and strengthen its diplomatic role. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, UN Secretary-General An- tonio Guterres and Arab League Sec- retary-General were among those arriving ahead of the 30th Arab League summit, which sought to address regional crises such as the conflicts in Libya and Yemen and the Palestinian issue Tunisian Foreign Minister Khe- maies Jhinaoui said the choice of Tunisia as the summit site was not “simply good luck” but reflected “Arab leaders’ deep and full convic- tion that Tunisia is a welcoming land that embraces all Arabs.” Strong attendance by Arab lead- ers, he said, was a “testament that Tunisia has regained its position on the Arab world stage. President Beji Caid Essebsi was eager to visit his brothers in various Arab capitals since he became president,” Jhi- naoui said. The summit occurred amid cri- ses and divisions in the Arab world, exacerbated by mounting tensions Seeking solutions. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L), Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui (C) and with regional rivals , Turkey and Assistant Secretary-General Ambassador Hossam Zaki attend a preparatory meeting for foreign ministers in Tunis, March 29. (AFP) . For Tunisia, hosting the summit is a way to bolster its regional profile their highest level of alert ahead of Tunisia also seeks to lay the Bilateral trade between Tunisia pecially if it manages to advance the and strengthen relations across the the summit, deploying extra police groundwork for Syria’s return to the and Libya was previously at $2 bil- political process in Libya,” former Arab world. It also assured visitors and soldiers around the country and Arab fold, including by allowing it to lion per year but it has plunged sig- Tunisian Foreign Minister Ahmed that Tunisia is safe as it seeks to draw increasing security at land and sea re-enter the Arab League. nificantly since Libya devolved into Ounaies said. more of them for its tourism sector, a borders. chaos after the NATO-backed upris- He said Tunisia’s main priorities key earner of foreign currency. Tunisia’s cities have been largely Tunisian diplomats said ing in 2011. for the summit included making the Caid Essebsi said Tunisia’s “mod- free of violence since November Tunisia has hosted numerous dip- Palestinian cause a central Arab is- eration and rationalism” allowed 2015, when the third of three jihad- they want their country to lomatic meetings on Libya and will sue, sending a message to Syria that it to foster critical dialogue among ist attacks killed dozens of people, mend rifts between Arab have another on the sidelines of the “Arabs are with it now” and unifying Arab countries. He said he hoped the mostly foreign tourists. states and forge a summit involving officials from the the Arab world against US President summit served as “an impetus for Tunisian diplomats said they want consensus on sensitive United Nations, African Union, Eu- Donald Trump’s views on the Israel- more solidarity and cooperation.” their country to mend rifts between regional issues. ropean Union and Arab League. Palestine conflict. “We want to bring together the Arab states and forge a consensus “We are one people in two states,” “The economic issue must be Arabs to advance our common inter- on sensitive regional issues, includ- However, the issue with which Caid Essebsi said. “Tunisia is suffer- treated as a priority to give to Arab ests and cooperation,” Caid Essebsi ing the threat of Iran and the United Tunis is most concerned is the con- ing the most from the continuing youth by rebuilding the foundations said while greeting King Salman on States’ recent recognition of the Go- flict in neighbouring Libya, which crisis because of the demise of the of modernising industries, technolo- March 28. lan Heights as sovereign Israeli terri- has negatively affected its trade bal- Libyan state.” gy and education in the Arab world,” Tunisian security services were on tory. ance. “Tunisia can achieve success es- Ounaies said.

Viewpoint Riyadh hoping for Arab unity to counter regional threats

ably the most important ele- for Arab countries at a time when Sabahat Khan elegations from 22 dulaziz’s Vision 2030, which aims members of the Arab to transform into a ment to Saudi regional interests Syria’s readmission into the Arab League had busy vibrant, knowledge-based business and political agenda. The “Arab League has been a topic of conver- agendas before the and leisure hub. spring” propelled parts of the Arab sation. league’s March 31 Riyadh has stepped up efforts to world into civil strife and conflict, Saudi Minister of State of Foreign summit, including counter Iranian influence around which were exploited by rivals Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said Riyadh DKing Salman bin Abdulaziz Al the region, particularly Yemen, and detractors. Saudi Arabia and seeks a unified Syria that is free of Saud, who is personally head- , Syria and . The its allies have sought to function foreign intervention and remains ing the Saudi delegation, being Saudi-led coalition continues to as bulwarks against the spread of closely engaged with international received in Tunis by Tunisian support the internationally recog- regional instability. partners to ensure implementation President Beji Caid Essebsi. nised Yemeni government against Riyadh’s approach to Arab af- of UN Security Council Resolution King Salman was accompanied Iran-backed Houthi rebels, having fairs has been based on principles 2254, which unequivocally calls for by a high-powered delegation, committed $13 billion in humani- of preserving the sovereignty of a political settlement in Syria. including Saudi Minister of Interior tarian and economic assistance to states and in promoting stability Syrian membership of the Arab Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Yemen in recent years. through consensus-building. It is a League has been suspended since Minister of State Musaed al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia’s goals unsurpris- strategy that contrasts sharply with the outbreak of civil war there in Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim ingly attach considerable premium Iran’s, as Osama bin Ahmed Naqli, 2011. Hossam Zaki, Arab League as- al-Assaf, Minister of Commerce to the regional stability and coop- the Saudi ambassador to sistant secretary-general, recently and Investment Majed al-Qasabi eration that underpins enhanced and permanent representative to hinted Syria could be on its way and Minister of Media Turki al- connectivity, trade and shared the Arab League, stressed recently. back into the bloc but pointed out Shabanah. prosperity. Saudi Arabia’s record- Iran incites regional crises to cre- the return of Damascus would be The Arab League has been breaking trade and investment ate division and harm the unity of contingent on its “willingness to criticised for failing to live up to its deals with China, Pakistan and In- Arab countries. reach a political compromise and main purpose or popular expecta- dia demonstrate the breadth of the The Arab League summit comes the regime’s ties to Iran.” tions in resolving Arab challenges. Saudi vision and strategic moves it at a disturbing moment. US Presi- A steadfast champion of Arab Saudi Arabia’s goals Despite its apparent shortcomings, is undertaking for the future. dent Donald Trump’s decision to unity, Saudi Arabia, together with however, the Arab League survives Last year, Riyadh began push- recognise Israel’s annexation of Egypt, is widely recognised as the unsurprisingly as an institution with political ing for a Red Sea bloc to overcome Syria’s Golan Heights could signal Arab world’s leading force. attach considerable significance and prestige. political challenges against shared turbulent times ahead and imperil Riyadh’s positions and history There is, after all, no bigger economic growth and prosper- the chances of peace in the Middle of principled stands against ter- premium to the or more comprehensive po- ity when international interest in East. rorism and foreign interference regional stability litical forum for Arab countries. states of the Red Sea basin and Riyadh remains committed to combine with an ambitious vision and cooperation that If prospects of Arab unity are to Horn of Africa has grown markedly. an independent Palestinian state to lead its Arab partners into a new be realised, it will be through this Earlier, Riyadh spearheaded efforts with as its capital, based era of shared peace, stability and underpins enhanced mechanism. to create a military coalition of on pre-1967 borders as stipulated prosperity. connectivity, trade Riyadh has embarked on Islamic states to take on the mutat- in the Arab Peace Initiative. Le- ambitious development plans as ing future threat of terrorist outfits, gitimising the Israeli occupation Sabahat Khan, based in Dubai, and shared exemplified by Saudi Crown Prince such as the Islamic State. of Arab lands such as the Golan maintains a cross-disciplinary prosperity. Mohammed bin Salman bin Ab- Yet, Arab unity remains argu- Heights has been a rallying call focus in international security, March 31, 2019 3 Cover Story Arab Summit Egypt views Arab League as crucial despite weaknesses

Hassan Abdel Zaher After Nasser’s death, however, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat pursued a policy of peace that left Cairo Egypt shunned by the Arab League. After Cairo signed a peace treaty s preparations for the with Israel in March 1979, a move Arab summit in Tunisia that divided the Arabs, Egypt found concluded, many have its position in the Arab League im- A been questioning the Arab perilled. League’s role as a unifying force to An Arab League foreign and econ- resolve regional problems. omy ministers meeting in April 1979 Despite criticisms of it not doing called for imposing economic and that — whether in conflicts such as political sanctions on Egypt, which Ineffective but still of use. A 2018 file picture of an Arab League meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo. (AFP) Syria and Yemen or the rise of the isolated Cairo and undermined it Islamic State — there is little doubt economically, given Egypt’s de- that the pan-Arab organisation is pendence on financial aid from Supporters of the organisation tem is one of its main weaknesses, Gheit, a former Egyptian foreign viewed as essential in Cairo, which Arab countries. point to the formulation of an Arab analysts said, particularly given the minister. “We feel Egypt’s support hosts the Arab League’s official The Arab League headquarters, peace initiative with Israel during divisive views that exist across the at the league.” headquarters. which had been in Cairo since the the Arab summit in Beirut in March region, meaning Arab League reso- The most populous and the most “Egypt strongly believes that the league’s founding, was transferred 2002. However, the organisation lutions and statements are rarely militarily powerful Arab nation, Arab League is the only remaining to Tunis. failed to endorse the initiative. unanimous. Egypt has traditionally had very knot tying the Arabs together,” said However, this brief disruption in Although the Arab League has “There is also an urgent need close ties with the Arab League. Mohamed al-Shazly, a former as- Egypt’s ties with the pan-Arab or- failed to take an active role in con- for establishing a common Arab With the exception of Tunisian sistant to the Egyptian foreign min- ganisation ended in October 1990 flict resolution, supporters point to court that brings to account mem- politician Chedli Klibi, who held the ister. “The Arabs will drift further with the return of the league’s head- the organisation’s economic suc- ber states harming the security of position of Arab League secretary- apart in the absence of this knot.” quarters to Cairo and the normalisa- cesses, not least the establishment other member states,” said Hussein general from 1979-90, all those who Egypt and five other Arab coun- tion of ties between Egypt and the of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area. Haridi, a former Egyptian assistant led the league since its founding tries founded the League of Arab other 21 members of the organisa- More recently, Arab League mem- foreign minister. “The league also have been Egyptian. States in March 1945. The organisa- tion. bers established an Arab Common needs to establish a peace and se- These are probably enough rea- tion was a milestone towards bring- Despite its failure to address many Market for Electricity, another joint- curity council that can prevent and sons for Egypt, the historical cen- ing Arab countries, most of which problems facing Arab countries, Arab economic milestone. resolve conflicts within Arab coun- tre of Arab nationalism, to press for were newly freed from foreign oc- Egypt views the Arab League as an As for the Arab League’s inability tries.” maintaining the league as an organ- cupation, together, a prerequisite indispensable Arab foreign policy to take strong positions on regional Nonetheless, introducing reforms isation, analysts said. for them to chart common strate- tool. crises, political analysts pointed to requires political will on the part of “The presence of the league head- gies for political, economic, social “This is particularly so with Egypt the need for structural reform. the member states, something that quarters in Cairo is proof that Egypt and security future. maintaining a policy line aiming at “This reform is necessary for this is currently lacking. is the centre of the Arab world and Egypt used the league, whose protecting the institutions that bring entity to become an effective Arab In an interview with the Egyptian the central state where solutions to membership grew as other Arab the Arabs together,” Shazly said. policy tool,” said retired Egyptian magazine al-Ahram al-Arabi, Arab Arab problems come from,” Shazly countries joined, in unifying the Ar- The league, however, appears in- diplomat Ahmed al-Quwisni. “The League Secretary-General Ahmed said. abs, especially during the 1960s and creasingly ineffective, with the or- league needs to effect more Arab Aboul Gheit said Egypt was a strong 1970s. Egypt was promoting pan- ganisation playing little role in ad- coordination on all political, eco- backer of his organisation. Hassan Abdel Zaher is a Arab unity under President Gamal dressing regional crises in the past nomic and security issues.” “It plays an important role in Cairo-based contributor to Abdel Nasser. two decades. The organisation’s voting sys- bringing Arabs together,” said Aboul The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint What want from the Arab League summit

s Arab leaders gather July, Israel passed its racist Nation ians in the occupied territories. thing in return. in Tunisia for the State Law, which gave only Jews In Tunis, Palestinian President Normalisation is counter to the 30th Arab League the right of self-determination in will ask his Arab generous Arab Peace Initiative Kamel Hawwash Summit, they will Israel, changed the status of the brothers to fill the financial gap made by the Arab League in Beirut have their hands language from an “official” left by the US administration’s in 2002. The initiative predicated full examining files language to one “with special sta- decision to end its funding. He normalisation on the return of asA complicated as Syria, Libya, tus,” labelled Israel as the home- will ask them to pressure Romania illegally occupied Arab land to the Yemen and the Palestinian territo- land for Jews from any part of the and Honduras not to move their Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon. ries. For Palestinians, the summit world (while Palestinians can’t embassies to Jerusalem. Abbas will want the Tunis sum- comes at a time their cause is fac- return to their former homes) and However, Abbas will face a mit to reaffirm its commitment to ing threats by the administration labelled Jewish-only settlements dilemma in relation to the free the initiative and an end to free of US President Donald Trump. as a “national value.” and escalating normalisation normalisation. The United States is not only The situation in Gaza has dete- taking place with Israel. In the Surely, Trump’s recognition of pushing for an Arab backing for riorated as Israel refuses to end its past year, Israeli sporting teams Syria’s Golan Heights as Israeli its self-proclaimed “Deal of the 12-year siege. have taken part in competitions in territory should strengthen Ab- Century” but also wants Gulf The Trump administration several Gulf countries where the bas’s hand in asking for an end to countries to fund it. The United defunded the UN Relief and Works Israeli flag was raised and national normalisation, which only serves States is expected to announce Agency for Palestine Refugees in anthem played. Israeli ministers to embolden Israel to entrench its details of its Mideast peace plan the Near East, almost forcing its openly visited and Israeli Prime occupation and oppression. after the Israeli elections April 9. collapse, and ended US aid to the Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was Whatever issues there are be- The Palestinian leadership will Palestinians, including finances to welcomed to Oman in October. I tween Arab countries and the Syr- be hoping to restore the cause to East Jerusalem hospitals, which say “free” normalisation because ian regime should be put to one the forefront of the issues to be deliver important care to Palestin- Israel has not done or offered any- side because the Golan belongs to discussed in Tunis. the Syrian people, not the Assad The United States recognised Je- regime, and, in turn, to the Arab rusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017 people. and moved its embassy to the city As for Palestinians, then they while Israeli snipers were killing will want the Arab leaders to stand Palestinian protesters at the Gaza with them as they face the wrath border fence. of Israeli oppression and violence The Palestinians saw some in Gaza and the West Bank. They movement to restore the promi- will want a strong stand against nence of their cause in the Arab Israeli attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque, League’s summit last year in Saudi which continues to be a target for Arabia. Saudi King Salman bin Israeli extremists. Abdulaziz Al Saud affirmed in his They know Arab citizens sup- Palestinians will speech that the Palestinian issue port them. However, they will is a top Arab priority and will want Arab leaders to be equally want the Arab remain so until the Palestinian supportive through the delivery leaders to stand with people have their legitimate rights of strong positions in Tunis. They them as they face restored and establish an inde- will want them to prioritise con- pendent state. Palestinians were crete actions in their favour over the wrath of Israeli buoyed that he named the meet- normalisation with Israel. oppression and ing the “Jerusalem Summit.” However, since that summit, Daily struggle. An Israeli soldier stands guard as Palestinians Kamel Hawwash is a Britain-based violence in Gaza and matters have worsened signifi- watch Jewish settlers (unseen) touring the Palestinian side of the Palestinian university professor the West Bank. cantly for the Palestinians. Last old city market in Hebron, last February. (AFP) and writer. 4 March 31, 2019 Debate Algeria

The two Algerian generals’ war of shadows

in no case has substantive proof of their misdeeds been presented. The scale of the attack on offic- Francis Ghilès ers, who were deemed by their peers to be professional and clean upstanding officers, suggested that the Bouteflika clan was trying, yet again, to divide and weaken the vast game of chess is army, whose 500,000 soldiers and being played across officers remain the ultimate guar- a chessboard that antor of Algeria’s long frontiers that happens to be Africa’s abut many countries that are either largest country, Al- failed states, like Libya, or going geria. through severe internal turbulence, ALiar’s poker, however, might be such as Mali and Niger. a better way to describe the dirty Mediene has never forgiven tricks that characterise the bitter Bouteflika or Gaid Salah for retiring feud between two generals: the him on the pretext that his forces former head of security Mohamed failed to foresee the jihadist attack, Mediene and the Chief of Staff emanating from Libya, on the gas Ahmed Gaid Salah, who convinced field of In Amenas in January 2013. Algerian President Abdelaziz Master puppeteer that he is, the Bouteflika to dismiss Mediene in “king of Algiers” is resorting to September 2015. his well-honed tricks encourag- A man like Mediene does not ing so-called Islamists, some of simply retire after 25 years of hold- them common prisoners who are ing so much power. The man who drugged, to provoke demonstra- happened to be in the Pentagon tors in Algiers every Friday when when it was attacked September the, up to now absolutely peaceful, 1, 2001, and pointed out that the marches take place and encourag- United States had underestimated ing various civil society groups to its Islamist enemy, is pulling the make a lot of noise. strings in the theatre of shadows Algerian oligarchs own news- that characterises Algerian politics. papers and TV stations. Haddad, Gaid Salah was appointed chief to quote but one example, owns of staff in 2004, jumping a queue two dailies Le Temps d’Algerie and of more worthy senior officers Wakt el-Djazair as well As Dzair TV by a president who was intent on and Dzair News but in no way does reining in the independence of the their power equate that of their Extraordinarily resilient. Algerians take part in a demonstration against President Abdelaziz army senior staff. He has been close Russian peers. Bouteflika in Algiers, March 15. (DPA) to the president’s powerful brother, Mediene is a key supporter of Said, ever since and involved in Ahmed Ouyahia, who was dis- many of the corrupt deals with missed as prime minister by the be, it is worth remembering that could invest in Algeria and abroad, tion, to Mouloud Hamrouche, who, foreign partners that char- Bouteflika clan. Ouyahia Bouteflika’s whole life has been in companies or countries that are in the mid-1980s, prepared the acterises a system built started his career in the spent manipulating his peers and Algeria’s key trading partners. blueprint of bold economic and Mediene’s security 43 million Algerians, whom he has The presidential clan has cor- political reforms that, as prime on absolute loyalty to The question is: the boss. agency and has been always held in utter contempt. His rupted every sector it was involved minister, he enacted in 1989-91. Another linchpin Will the likes of discredited by his claim that he brought the civil war in. Chakib Khelil corrupted the No one wants another revolution, of this system, Gaid Salah and countless twists of the 1990s to an end is fraudu- oil and gas monopoly Sonatrach Algeria has been through too many which has milked Mediene succeed, and turns over a lent: That honour rests with his up- during his tenure as minister of — the war against France, the agrar- tens of billions of as they have in the generation. right predecessor, General Liamine energy from 1999-2010. The crash ian and Arab nationalist versions in dollars out of Al- past, in banging the However, he Zeroual, who was president from of Khalifa Airways and bank in the 1960s and 1970s. They narrowly geria over two dec- stable door firmly is a street fighter 1995-99. 2003 left a trail of billions of dollars escaped, at a huge cost in life and ades, is Ali Haddad, shut on them? and well-suited to It is true that Bouteflika did get lost to Algeria. The privatisation of destruction, the Islamic version in who has resigned as this tussle between the Berber language included in the GSM mobile telephone system the 1990s. head of the employer’s ageing crocodiles that the Algerian Constitution, thus to the Egyptian Swahiri family Today, they aspire to be governed federation, Forum des will heavily influence the recognising that Berber culture is was a public scandal. Other affairs by a more competent and less cor- chefs d’entreprises. By virtue outcome of the current events. the anthropological bedrock of the involve prominent families from rupt generation, which is not short of his corrupt practices, Gaid To all intents and purposes, country’s — indeed North Africa’s — the Gulf where Bouteflika spent of talent. The question is: Will the Salah can easily be blackmailed by Bouteflika has been used and ma- identity. 1977-99 in exile. likes of Gaid Salah and Mediene foreign interests, notably French nipulated by members of his clan His sorry exit from the scene Meanwhile, millions of Algerians, succeed, as they have in the past, in and American. for many months. He is no longer mirrors his appalling stewardship young and old, are in the streets banging the stable door firmly shut Last summer, he changed virtu- an actor and, despite the claims of of Algeria’s wealth. Low oil prices clamouring for the Augean stables on them? ally every head of military region some of those who have seen him cut Algerian hard currency reserves to be cleaned. Many upright army in Algeria and committed many recently, has been reduced to the from $178 billion in 2014 to less and police officers agree with them. Francis Ghilès is an associate senior officers to trial for corrup- role of pathetic puppet. than $90 billion. No attempt was They could do worse than to fellow at the Barcelona Centre for tion. Some were condemned but As sorry a spectacle as this may made to set up a wealth fund that turn, for a transition administra- International Affairs. The rising ceiling of protesters’ demands in Algeria

it since the beginning of Boutef- state and political society. paved the way for the violent the movement and destroy it from lika’s chronic disease. The crisis There are also those who argue power struggle between - the inside? worsened after Bouteflika an- that the intervention of the army ists and the regime during what No doubt, these questions will Azraj Omar nounced his intention to run for a chief of staff was dictated by has become known as the Bloody remain unanswered for quite some fifth presidential term. several factors, the first of which Decade. time. Still, we can say that the Political observers, however, is Bouteflika’s stubbornness and Today, the people’s resistance popular movement, with all its say Gaid Salah’s call to implement tendency to dominate the Algerian is a game changer and it has put components, is a product of the Article 102 was a constitutional political scene despite his illness. in motion new political equations ever-growing governing crisis in he initiative presented and legal error. Bouteflika has never given the that have complex implications for Algeria since independence. It is a by the Algerian Army The power to remove the presi- opposition any importance nor Algerian political life. strong rebuttal to opposition par- chief of staff and depu- dent through Article 102 belongs has he given the Constitutional Several parties in the Al- ties that failed to connect with the ty minister of defence, to the Constitutional Council, Council or the parliament any gerian political scene say the people and prepare for a common Lieutenant-General which should have met and veri- consideration. So, Gaid phenomenon of the popular destiny, in addition to their failure Ahmed Gaid Salah, fied whether Bouteflika was unfit Salah’s intervention is movement must be de- to put forth refined political ideas Tcalling for the activation of Article to exercise his duties as head of likely to open a breach When will the coded. The movement that can win credibility among the 102 of the Algerian Constitution as state. If so, the council would in the political dead people realise that was characterised people and create alternatives. a prelude to announcing the va- inform the parliament of its find- end and prevent the regime that they by its peaceful The standing question is wheth- cancy of the position of president ings after which the parliament the crises from want to change is not nature. Protesters er the popular movement will blowing up in eve- purposely avoided and removing President Abdelaziz would instruct the president of the just a matter of step out of its spiritual hesitancy Bouteflika from office in a smooth National Assembly to exercise the rybody’s face. clashing with and lean towards the army while fashion, poses major problems powers of presidency for 45 days, There are certain figures in authorities, secu- continuing the process of mobilis- politically and constitutionally. after which the position would be several interpre- power but a problem rity forces and the ing the people and demanding In many aspects, the initiative declared vacant if the president tations of Gaid of culture and certain army. The move- radical change of all the structures does not correspond to demands was unable to fully carry out his Salah’s previous mindsets entrenched ment went into of the ruling regime. So far, there advocated by the people’s move- duties. declarations. His in tyranny? different directions have been only seen slogans and ment in Algeria. The movement In addition, and since the stating that the popu- but without producing emotional reactions. is no longer limiting its strategic president is also the minister lar protests were peaceful a new spiritual or intel- When will we see the emer- goals to a specific one — such as of defence, any decision by the and civilised enabled him to lectual or political leadership gence of a real project for a real refusing Bouteflika’s fifth term deputy minister of defence should gain the opposition’s and the to implement its plans. civil society-state instead of the as president — but has raised its first be approved by his boss — the people’s trust. He, therefore, was In this regard, a political analyst current politically crippled state demands to include a total rejec- minister of defence, who, in this looked on as the people’s saviour may liken the protests to bat- of a regime? When will the people tion of the ruling structure in all case, is also the president. from the clutches of Bouteflika tle manoeuvres orchestrated realise that the regime that they of its details and getting rid of the Analysts pointed out that Gaid and his gang. by resistance movements. One want to change is not just a matter regime’s familiar faces and its hu- Salah’s encroachment on the This was clear in the mass dem- wonders who created and shaped of certain figures in power but a man capital. prerogatives of the Constitu- onstrations that followed Boutef- this movement across Algeria. problem of culture, values and Gaid Salah said his initiative tional Council and parliament lika’s decision to run. The country Was it truly spontaneous and certain mindsets entrenched in represents an urgent solution to represents an implicit acknowl- has never seen the likes of these self-formed or was there a framing tyranny? save the country from an escalat- edgement of the army’s chronic demonstrations, except perhaps whose executor wants to remain ing political crisis that has gripped control over the mechanisms of those by the Islamists who had like a ghost so as not to penetrate Azraj Omar is an Algerian writer. March 31, 2019 5 News & Analysis Egypt Egypt, Jordan and Iraq come together on security concerns, economic interests

Amr Emam

Cairo

ordanian King Abdullah II and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi travelled to Cai- J ro to discuss with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ways their countries could work together to address security and economic challenges. Analysts said the March 24 meet- ing was particularly important to confront challenges during the post-Islamic State (ISIS) period. “The three states are at the front line of the war against ISIS,” said Hassan Abu Taleb, a political ana- lyst at Egypt’s Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies think-tank. “With the war against this terrorist group coming to an end on the ground in Iraq and Syr- ia, ISIS militants will most likely search for another refuge, travelling through neighbouring countries, including Jordan, to get to it.” The visit to Cairo was Abdul- Mahdi’s first trip outside his coun- try since becoming prime minister last October. It occurred just before an Arab summit in Tunisia. Abdul-Mahdi’s trip was also after a visit to Iraq by Iranian President Hassan Rohani, during which he tried to establish closer economic ties with Baghdad in his country’s bid to reduce the effects of US sanc- tions. Iraq is at the heart of a rivalry be- tween the Arabs and the Iranians, with each side trying to draw the Shared concerns. Jordanian King Abdullah II (L), Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi embattled country closer to its or- at a meeting in Cairo, March 24. (AFP) bit. A statement issued by the three leaders highlighted the historical, Following a meeting with Abdul- importance of fighting terrorism tween their three countries. same problem, is an important con- social and cultural ties between the Mahdi, Sisi called for the formula- and countering those offering fi- The Cairo meeting was also about duit for the entry of Egyptian goods three countries and called for their tion of a mechanism to deal with nance, arms, refuge or media sup- economic interests, with Iraq pre- and workers into Iraq. governments to work together to the movement of foreign militants port to militants. paring to reconstruct cities razed During a meeting of the joint enhance cooperation, “taking ad- from conflict zones to other coun- during the war against ISIS and Egyptian-Iraqi Business Council, vantage of the potential offered by tries in the region. Egypt and Jordan looking to pro- March 23, Egyptian Prime Minister their geographical locations.” “This [the movement of foreign The March 24 meeting was vide construction expertise. Mostafa Madbouli said Cairo would Closer cooperation between militants] is one of the symptoms particularly important to Earlier in March, Haidar Nouri, look to play a leading role in the re- Egypt, Iraq and Jordan is also about of terrorism as a phenomenon, one confront challenges during the commercial attache at the Iraqi construction process in Iraq. existential threats facing them, an- that causes worries to us all after the post-Islamic State Embassy in Cairo, said Iraq had allo- “Economic cooperation between alysts said. successes were made in defeating (ISIS) period. cated $33 billion for 500 projects in the three countries is extremely Both Iraq and Egypt have seen the terrorist ISIS organisation,” Sisi areas destroyed in the fight against important now that each of them territory under their control fall said. ISIS. needs the other,” said Samir Ghat- into ISIS hands, with Egypt strug- At the heart of future coopera- “The comprehensive war against At a conference on the recon- tas, the head of local think-tank gling with an ISIS presence in the tion, analysts said, would be intel- terrorism must also be maintained, struction of Iraq, he referenced the Forum for Strategic Sinai Peninsula. A military opera- ligence-sharing on the movement in the light of victories scored by support among Iraqi citizens for the Studies. “Egypt stands to benefit a tion involving all three branches of of suspected terrorists and security Iraq in the war against ISIS,” the presence of Egyptian companies in lot from participation in Iraq’s re- Egypt’s armed forces is in its second and political coordination between three leaders said. their country. construction and Jordan is also in- year of fighting ISIS, with efforts the three states to stop potential ac- They said they would form a Egypt, which has a sizeable un- dispensable in this regard.” now focused on preventing ISIS tion by militant groups. working group to follow up on the employment rate, will look to open militants fleeing the collapse of the In a statement, Sisi, King Abdul- recommendations of their meet- new markets for its construction Amr Emam is a Cairo-based group in Syria. lah and Abdul-Mahdi stressed the ing and coordinate cooperation be- industry. Jordan, which suffers the contributor to The Arab Weekly. Marking four decades to Egypt-Israel ‘cold peace’

Mahmud el-Shafey the door to peace talks. manent peace based on justice.” the Egypt-Israel peace treaty would Israel is key to Egypt’s ambitions On November 9, 1977, Sadat Sadat remains the only Arab lead to a wider peace. to become a regional energy hub. shocked Egypt’s parliament — and leader to visit Israel and address the That peace has not materialised. Israeli companies developing Is- London visiting Palestinian leader Yasser . Less than three years later, Sadat rael’s largest natural gas field have Arafat — by deviating from a pre- It was Sadat’s visit to Israel that was assassinated by members of signed a gas pipeline deal worth $15 n the White House South pared speech to say he was willing heralded secret Egyptian-Israeli the Egyptian Islamic Jihad who ob- billion to send gas to Egypt. There Lawn on March 26, 1979, a to “go to the end of the world” and talks at Camp David in the United jected to the treaty. Begin launched are expectations the deal could beaming US President Jim- even Israel’s Knesset in search of States one year later that led to the the 1982 Lebanon War, which con- soon be expanded. O my Carter placed his hands peace. peace deal signed in March 1979. tributed to his resignation and led Egyptian negotiators have been over the double-handshake taking When Begin extended an invita- to further rounds of conflict. important mediators in talks be- place between Egyptian President tion to Sadat, the Egyptian presi- Egyptian negotiators have Egypt and Israel established full tween Israel and , including Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Min- dent accepted despite the oppo- diplomatic relations in 1982 and negotiations to end the recent flare- ister . sition of his top aides. Egyptian been important mediators Egypt remained the sole Arab coun- up along the Gaza Strip. Sadat and Begin had just signed Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmi re- in talks between Israel and try to officially recognise Israel un- Despite this history, commemo- the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, end- signed in response. Hamas, including til 1994, when Jordan took the step. rations of the peace treaty were ing an official policy of enmity be- Sadat’s speech before the Knesset negotiations to end the At a time when Arab-Israeli re- muted in both countries, with a few tween Cairo and Tel Aviv and ignit- on November 20, 1977, is consid- recent flare-up along the lations remain in crisis on many retrospectives in national newspa- ing hopes for a wider Arab-Israeli ered a historic address. Gaza Strip. fronts, the Egyptian and Israeli pers but nothing more. Neither Sisi peace. “We have won, at least, the “I have chosen this difficult road, governments moved closer, even nor Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin first step of peace, a first step on a which is considered, in the opinion The treaty called for full nor- while relations between the Egyp- Netanyahu commented publicly on long and difficult road,” Carter said of many, the most difficult road,” malisation of relations between the tian and Israeli people remain the anniversary of the treaty’s sign- It was not an easy route to peace. he said. “I have chosen to come two countries, Israel withdrawing strained. ing By 1979, Egypt and Israel had to you with an open heart and an armed forces and civilians from the Egyptian President Abdel Fat- An expansive feature by Egypt’s fought four wars, including the open mind. I have chosen to give Sinai Peninsula, Cairo turning the tah al-Sisi during an interview state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper catastrophic Six Day War in 1967, in this great impetus to all interna- Sinai into a demilitarised zone, as with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” pro- reported that “Israeli officials have which Israel seized the Gaza Strip tional efforts exerted for peace. I well as unhindered passage of Is- gramme this year said Cairo was complained that while Egypt has and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, have chosen to present to you, and raeli ships through the Suez Canal pursuing the “deepest, closest co- honourably respected its responsi- the West Bank — including East Je- in your own home, the realities de- and the recognition of the Straits of operation ever” with Israel. He had bilities under the peace treaty, the rusalem — from Jordan and the Go- void of any schemes or whims, not Tiran and the Gulf of Aqaba as in- been asked whether the Egyptian peace between Egypt and Israel ‘re- lan Heights from Syria. The Yom to manoeuvre or to win a round ternational waterways. and Israeli militaries were coordi- mains a cold peace.’” Kippur War in 1973 represented an but for us to win together, the most Sadat and Begin were awarded nating in the fight against a branch important psychological vindica- dangerous of rounds and battles in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, with of the Islamic State in the Sinai Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab tion for the Egyptians and opened modern history — the battle of per- both men expressing hopes that Peninsula. Weekly correspondent in London. 6 March 31, 2019 Opinion

Editorial Welcoming the Arab summit

rab leaders gathered March 31 in Tunis for their 30th summit amid mounting challenges facing the region. The summit will struggle to meet with the continued fallout of war andA domestic strife in parts of the region. For years, armed conflicts have wrought death, displacement and destruction at an unprec- edented scale on Arab populations. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and injured in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. Billions of dollars have been lost in damaged infrastructure and scrapped sources of revenue. Ongoing peace efforts are crucial for the future of the region although they have uneven chances of success. There are international processes in motion in Syria, Yemen and Libya. The Arab summit is likely to offer deserved support to the UN-led efforts aimed at finding a negotiated solution to the Libya conflict. In Syria, the process seems out of Arab hands. The US administration has long taken owner- ship of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, which remains the core issue for the Arab world, but Washington’s recent proclamation of the Golan as Israeli territory comes on the heels of © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly another widely disputed decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Such stances are not conducive to peace in the region and constitute a major challenge to Arab leaders and Time for tough choices for US-Arab relations. in Lebanon Finding the road to peace and stability is complicated by regional and global interfer- ence. Iran’s aggressive expansionism and Khairallah Khairallah sectarian designs are fuelling strife and insecu- To be fair, the Lebanese cannot be held alone responsible for rity across the region. Tehran’s proxies in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and the situation in their country, especially when we know that the Yemen constitute a continued threat to regional world left Iran free to act as a dominant force in the region. peace and security. The neo-Ottoman ambitions of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey are another onsidering US do with democratic practices. detained the diplomats of the US destabilising factor. Secretary of State In the final analysis, we find Embassy in Tehran for 444 days? A coherent and effective strategy that builds Mike Pompeo’s visit elements accused of How did Ronald Reagan respond on the Saudi-led effort to combat terrorism and to Beirut, Lebanon assassinating former Lebanon to the bombing of the US Ma- curtail Iranian expansionism is needed to shape finds itself facing Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and rines headquarters in Beirut? Did a comprehensive Arab security approach. his colleagues in 2005. Such an approach will have to address the difficult choices. he not withdraw US troops from CCertainly, the response to So why is Bassil defending Lebanon, leaving the country to interrelated challenges of water scarcity, climate change, food insufficiency and poverty. Pompeo is not found in mean- such a party, a party that has Syria and Iran? Even when conflicts are over, the Arab world ingless formal discourse of the taken the Shia community For sure, the Lebanese must will need to spend billions on reconstruction kind used by Lebanese Foreign hostage and is trying to turn all shoulder their responsibili- and the rehabilitation of its infrastructure and Minister Gebran Bassil. of Lebanon into a hostage using ties. Lebanon cannot bear any socio-economic systems. Arab leaders, and not Bassil spoke of Hezbollah, the pretext that it is resisting confrontation with Hezbollah, just foreign powers, should play a determining which is nothing more than Israel? which, because of the cover role in this regard. another brigade of Iran’s Islamic There is no common sense provided by the Christian bloc, The Arab League and its agencies should help Revolutionary Guard Corps, say- behind defending Hezbollah has established its private state suggest alternative political, social and eco- ing it was a “Lebanese party.” unless Bassil’s aim was to do and controls of key parts of the nomic policies to those that have caused Hezbollah itself does not say it what was required of him to country. destabilising turmoil in the Arab region since is a Lebanese party. guarantee for himself the posi- To be fair, the Lebanese cannot 2010. There is need today for new policies that Hezbollah Secretary-General tion of president of the republic be held alone responsible for the encourage digital skills, innovation and creativ- admitted that whenever his father-in-law situation in their country, espe- ity in education, promote entrepreneurship and Hezbollah’s entire budget comes ’s term ends. cially when we know that the business-friendly environments and buttress from Iran. Nasrallah said he is That’s all there is. Everything world, particularly during the equal opportunity across society, without merely a “soldier” at the ser- else is made up of insignifi- eight years of Barack Obama’s distinction of gender. Economic integration in vice of the velayat-e faqih, cant details, including the tenure in the White House, left most parts of the region, except for the Gulf that is, of Ayatollah great calamity that befell Iran free to act as a dominant countries, is below the 13% mark. , the Lebanon since the force in the region. This is a time of Dealing with the deep roots of the frustra- supreme leader signing of the Cairo On top of that, there was a tions of youth are a national security issue for of the revolution tough choices but Agreement in 1969. kind of Arab abandonment of the Arab world. Such frustrations can breed in Iran, who is certainly not that of That calamity is Lebanon under the pretext that utterly devastating phenomena, such as illegal considered the irresponsible turning Hezbollah it had fallen militarily and politi- migration and dangerous radicalisation. commanding rhetoric to defend into the sole voter cally and that the Lebanese were Despondency and lack of confidence in what officer of the Hezbollah and its for the position unlikely to start any confronta- the future holds are driving thousands of Islamic Republic. practices to reach of the Lebanese tion with Hezbollah, which had well-trained and sorely needed doctors, president. By contrast, the presidency. swept through Beirut and Mount engineers and university professors to leave words uttered by The fact that Hez- Lebanon in May 2008 without Arab countries in search for greater opportuni- Pompeo were logical bollah — and we should meeting any resistance. ties abroad. and realistic. Pompeo understand Iran here — is Well, the Trump adminis- Even if the socio-economics of the region described Hezbollah’s the decider of who the presi- tration is still betting on the were supposed to have been addressed by the naked truth and pointed dent of Lebanon is, is much Lebanese Army establishment Beirut special development summit, which out where Lebanon’s interests more dangerous for Lebanon and on the existence of a nucleus virtually no Arab leader attended, this dimen- lie. He accurately outlined the and its citizens than the Cairo in the Lebanese government that sion is crucial for the region’s future stability. It nature, activity, regional role Agreement. What this implies is refuses to bow to Hezbollah. certainly makes sense that regular summits and and mission of Hezbollah. the complete hijacking of Leba- There is also a radical change special development summit will be merged in Granted, Hezbollah is in the nese sovereignty by Iran, while in the American position regard- the future, as recently decided by the Arab the Cairo Agreement amounted League. Lebanese parliament and has ing Iran with the advent of Don- If there is one single result that Arab leaders three ministers, including at the to relinquishing Lebanon’s ald Trump as US president and should strive to achieve in this summit or any Health Ministry, in the govern- sovereignty over a small part of the trio of Pompeo, US Vice-Pres- other summit it should be instilling the Arab ment but does this mean it its territory, the so-called Fatah ident Mike Pence and national League with new momentum. This will hinge should be ignored that Hezbol- land in Arqoub. security adviser John Bolton. on effective and far-reaching reform of this lah is an armed sectarian militia Pompeo’s visit was an op- Considering these changes, the pan-Arab institution and on the political will of that has hijacked a whole com- portunity for Lebanon to act re- question is not what Lebanon Arab leaders. munity in Lebanon? sponsibly by not adopting Iran’s can do as much as it is how far A more cohesive Arab world can establish To have three ministers in view of Hezbollah because the the US administration is willing better terms of cooperation with the outside the government and an equally latter considers Lebanon a back to go to change Iran’s behaviour. world to address key issues at hand. At the important number of members base from which it carries out Are the sanctions sufficient to forefront is the scourge of terrorism. Even when of parliament and before that missions in Iraq, Syria, Yemen make this change? the Islamic State has been mostly vanquished to be able to decide and impose and other countries. There is no disagreement here on the Levant’s military battlefields, its threat who should be president of Lebanon can, for example, that Lebanon is in an unenviable remains alive everywhere. Lebanon after shutting down respond to the United States position. This is a time of tough The most important part of the war on the House of Representatives by asking what successive US choices but certainly not that of terrorism remains to be fought at the level of for two-and-a-half years show administrations since 1979 have irresponsible rhetoric to defend ideas. Arab leaders need to intensify efforts that Hezbollah has achieved a done to curb Iran’s behaviour Hezbollah and its practices to aimed at promoting a moderate and enlightened lot in 39 years. and make it behave as a normal reach the presidency. interpretation of Islam that can shield vulner- state. able youth from the risks of radicalisation and Of course, to get to where it is, terrorist recruitment. the party resorted to methods What did Jimmy Carter do Khairallah Khairallah is a and means that have nothing to when the Iranian authorities Lebanese writer. March 31, 2019 7 Opinion

Trump’s ‘new parameters’ for Middle East Published by Al Arab peace are recipe for disaster Publishing House Claude Salhani Publisher Even with the prayers of his key evangelical aides, Trump would need more than a miracle and Group Executive Editor in the Holy Land to avoid messing up an already messy situation in the Middle East. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Editor-in-Chief S President Donald about the Middle East but have Israeli Golan Heights Law, nostalgic for the days the United Oussama Romdhani Trump’s Middle little experience dealing with its which effectively annexed the States used to work inside the East initiative with complexities. Golan Heights, is “null and void box. plans of “new The trouble with amateurs and without international legal After the brash calls from the Managing Editor parameters” is versus professionals is that the effect” and called on Israel to sidelines, there is wariness in Iman Zayat nothing short of a former believe they can do bet- rescind its action. The resolu- the region and among the Mid- Urecipe for disaster. ter than people with decades tion was adopted unanimously, dle East old hands that the new Deputy Managing Editor Dozens of experienced of experience. They look at the including by the United States, parameters may vindicate the and Online Editor diplomats and negotiators hard-earned years of experience on December 17, 1981. worldview of Islamist radicals Mamoon Alabbasi with proven track records from acquired by those with knowl- Trump may well declare the and Iranian demagogues who Northern Ireland to the former edge as a handicap rather than Golan to be Israeli all he wants, expect only hostility and unfair- Senior Editor republics of Yugoslavia have an asset. the reality of the matter is that ness from the West. John Hendel come up short in addressing the Case in point: the Trump the Golan is Syrian and it’s not What’s the new in the new Middle East peace process and administration and its handling up to the United States or Israel peace plan? Huge territorial Chief Copy Editor the Israeli-Palestinian debacle. of the Middle East peace pro- to decide otherwise. swaps or population transfers? A Richard Pretorius But Trump has infuriated cess. Long-time observers Never since the begin- new Sykes-Picot agreement? the Palestinians and much of of the Middle East are ning of the Israeli- Toying with borders and the Copy Editors Palestinian crisis the Arab world with unilateral to be excused if they Toying with re-engineering of reality, even Stephen Quillen and one-sided decisions. His express scepti- have Palestinians’ when the people affected are too Kyle Arensdorf moves included moving the US cism about US borders and the rights been so weak, only breeds new crises Embassy to Jerusalem, with- Secretary of State re-engineering of trampled. While and wars. East/West Section Editor drawing funds essential to main- Mike Pompeo’s reality, even when Washington’s For any agreement to over- Mahmud el-Shafey (London) taining US health and education expressed intent the people affected pro-Israel come the mistrust that perme- programmes for the children to look for peace are too weak, only stance was gen- ates the Middle East and to Gulf Section Editor of Palestinian refugees and outside the “old breeds new crises erally accepted stand even a razor-thin chance Mohammed Alkhereiji recognising the Golan Heights as parameters.” and wars. in the Arab world, of success there is an absolute “Israeli territory.” If by “new param- though not with- necessity of having a minimum Society and Travel Trump is so convinced that he eters,” he means adopt- out gripe, the United of conditions met before any Sections Editor can succeed where others have ing unilateral steps such as States was still regarded conference can be convened. Samar Kadi failed that he flaunts an intent those outlined above, then by many as the only power How will the Trump adminis- to introduce “new parameters” I fear that we are in for a capable of being a credible tration stand on the key issues Contributing Editor because the old ones did not rough ride. mediator in the region. that it rejects as “old parameters Rashmee Roshan Lall work. Trump’s decision on the The Trump administration’s that never worked?” Even with Experienced Middle East Golan goes counter to the rest recent decisions were a break the prayers of his key evangeli- hands worry about the Trump of the international community with the “old parameters,” cal aides, Trump would need Senior Correspondents team’s lack of experience in di- with a UN Security Council which had preserved minimum more than a miracle in the Holy plomacy and complex negotia- resolution supporting opposing arrangements and safeguarded Land to avoid messing up an Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) tions in one of the most volatile Israeli occupation of the Golan the impression that the United already messy situation in the Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) regions of the world. In that re- and of which the United States States could be an honest bro- Middle East. Kelly Kennedy (Washington) spect, they are all amateurs. Key is a signatory. ker. With this type of thinking members of his diplomatic team UN Security Council Reso- outside the box, it is not hard to Claude Salhani is a regular Regular Columnists may be evangelically passionate lution 497 declared that the imagine Middle East diplomats columnist for The Arab Weekly. Claude Salhani Yavuz Baydar A tale of two elections: Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Israel 2019, US 2020 Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Rashmee Roshan Lall Roua Khlifi (Tunis) It is on the outer fringes of US 2020 electoral politics that the Palestinian Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi issue is pushing up through the weeds of domestic policy debate. Designers srael’s election campaign case, too discombobulated to explicitly cited concern “about he agreed Palestinian conditions Ibrahim Ben Bechir went to Washington on worry about Gaza (or the Golan the platform AIPAC is providing don’t meet American values March 25, big time. Heights). for leaders who have expressed of “fundamental human rights Hanen Jebali Both front runners Election billboards across bigotry and oppose a two-state and human dignity,” that the for the April 9 poll — in- Israeli cities show Netanyahu solution.” relationship with Israel is hurt- cumbent Prime Minister with Trump, with the triumphal Another, Senator Kamala Har- ing America’s image in the world Contact editor at: IBinyamin Netanyahu and his proclamation that Israel’s leader ris of California, seems to hew to and a two-state solution with challenger of the is in “another league.” It is a a fairly traditional, see-no-evil “security, safety and dignity” for [email protected] Blue and White party — made reference to the extent to which stance on Israel. Harris, who Israelis and Palestinians was the high-profile appearances in the Trump’s America continually has generated enthusiasm and, only solution. American capital. favours Israel on Netanyahu’s more important, small dona- O’Rourke spoke lyrically, Netanyahu met with his watch. Just days ago, Trump tions as proof of her appeal as a inspirationally but, sadly, all buddy and political benefactor officially (and unilaterally) rec- presidential candidate, skipped too theoretically. He never ad- Al Arab Publishing House US President Donald Trump at ognised Israeli sovereignty over AIPAC but allowed its leading of- dressed, as his questioner later Quadrant Building the White House. Gantz showed the occupied Golan Heights, ficials to visit her office instead lamented, the specific points 177-179 Hammersmith Road up at the American Israel Public defying international law on and subsequently tweeted plain she raised about the Boycott, London W6 8BS Affairs Committee (AIPAC) sovereign borders, vanilla support for Israel. Divest and Sanctions movement conference, the largest US lobby As for Trump, he, too, sees Sanders, a Jewish leftist who and US withdrawal of funding to for Israel. There, Gantz empha- political advantage in being the lived on an Israeli in the UNRWA, which helps Palestin- sised his military credentials president who moved the US 1960s, has previously lumped ian refugees. For good measure, Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 and condemned corruption and Embassy to Jerusalem, defends Netanyahu in a rising global O’Rourke took it upon himself to Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 racism. At another event, Gantz Israel at the United Nations and authoritarian axis along with assail the Palestinian Authority. criticised Netanyahu for the constantly privileges that coun- Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro. In Sand- The angst expressed on social deteriorating security situation try over all others in and beyond ers’ 2016 run at the Democratic media by O’Rourke’s ques- in Israel. the Middle East. Trump’s agenda Party’s presidential nomination, tioner prompted James Zogby, US Publisher: Some 6,000 miles away, is obvious. He wants to keep he shattered the usual Ameri- president of the Arab Ameri- The Arab Weekly USA LLC. the action was heating up and his evangelical support and is can taboos on Israel, calling for can Institute and a founding Gantz’s words seemed all too angling for the American Jew- “respect and dignity” for the member of the Palestine Human [email protected] true. Israel’s military struck with ish vote, which has long been Palestinian people and a warn- Rights Campaign in the 1970s, to [email protected] force after a rocket fired from solidly Democratic. ing “that Netanyahu is not right tweet a measured sense of hope. Gaza hit a family home north of Clearly, Trump will run for re- all of the time.” “Since most pols have spent Tel: 248-679-6624 Tel Aviv. The Israeli action was, election on a solidly pro-Israel It is on the outer fringes of their careers trying to ignore its acting foreign minister said, platform. However, the cam- US 2020 electoral politics — the Palestinian rights,” Zogby wrote, the largest operation undertaken paign overall is likely to gener- hopeful but eventually hopeless using an informal abbreviation in Gaza since 2014. ate some heat — if not much Democratic Party candidacies for American politicians, “it’s There was a moment on light — on the Palestinian issue. — that the Palestinian issue is an opportunity to force them to March 25 when events seemed Consider what is happening with pushing up through the weeds address it. Ask #BetoORourke to be spiralling into war but then some of the large contingent of of domestic policy debate. enough times — he’ll figure it out Subscription & Advertising: Hamas announced a ceasefire, Democratic candidates vying to The most recent and telling & might get better.” [email protected] which the other party disdained become their party’s nominee was what happened to Beto That sounds about right. The Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 to acknowledge. for president. O’Rourke, the 46-year-old Texan question needs to come up — a What’s happening with Israel As many as 12 of the declared who’s considered a Democratic lot — this election season even and the United States is clear. Democratic candidates for box office star but a long shot if no substantive answers are Mohamed Al Mufti In both countries, incumbent president stayed away from the for the presidency or even the offered. Marketing & Advertising leaders see political advantage annual AIPAC conference. It may nomination. Manager in helping each other with base be a nod to progressive advoca- A Palestinian-American wom- Rashmee Roshan Lall is a appeals to the lowest common cy to highlight Israel’s treatment an asked O’Rourke a pointed columnist for The Arab Weekly. Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 question at the University of denominator. This symbiotic of Palestinians. Only one of the Her blog can be found at www.alarab.co.uk relationship pays little heed to AIPAC stay-aways — US Senator New Hampshire about American www.rashmee.com and she is the Arab world, which is, in any Bernie Sanders of Vermont — support for Israel. In response, on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 March 31, 2019 News & Analysis Gulf Four years since start of Yemen war, Houthis cause stalemate to continue

Saleh Baidhani

Aden

our years since the start of Operation Decisive Storm, the Saudi-led military inter- F vention against Iran-backed Houthi forces, Yemeni political sources said it has succeeded to some degree in preventing Tehran from extending its encroachment in Yemen through local proxies. However, with the Houthis em- boldened by Iranian support, an overall stalemate continues despite UN efforts to mediate a peaceful so- lution. Military experts said that, with the Arab coalition’s support, armed forces affiliated with Yemen’s inter- nationally recognised government expelled the Houthis from Aden and most southern governorates. Houthi forces have also been ousted from the port of Mocha, near the Bab el Mandeb strait, which provides international ship- ping access to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Saudi Arabia launched a military coalition in 2015 backing the inter- nationally recognised government of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi against the Houthis, who had seized control of Sana’a and large parts of northern Yemen in September 2014. Yemeni political sources ac- knowledge that the alliance’s mission faces many obstacles, as shown by the gridlock over the port of Hodeidah. Guns blazing. A 2018 file picture shows a Yemeni supporter of the attending a rally in Sana’a. (AP) In December, during talks in Swe- den, the Houthis and the Yemeni Martin Griffiths, has not contained quite a change and that’s good Qafesh was “one of the most im- Yemeni sources said it is a mis- government agreed to a ceasefire in the Houthis’ bellicose behaviour. for the people of Hodeidah but portant military leaders” and was take for Griffiths to try to deal with Hodeidah and to exchange prison- On March 28, Griffiths said the we need to go further. We need to head of military operations against the Houthis on the same level as ers. They were to withdraw their redeployment of rival factions in quickly see those redeployments the rebels in Yemen’s west coast, the recognised government. forces from the city and its ports, Hodeidah was “slow” going but happening.” Al-Masdar News reported. The United Nations said approxi- handing control to the United Na- would happen. On the same day of the UN en- Fighting again erupted March 26 mately 14 million people, half the tions. Several deadlines for the “As I’ve been reminded recently, voy’s comments, Talal Qafesh, a in Hodeidah, resulting in the death country’s population, are facing withdrawal passed without action there are 50% fewer civilian casual- military commander in the pro- of civilians, pro-government fight- famine and are reliant on aid for and both sides blamed the other for ties in Hodeidah since the ceasefire Yemeni government forces, and ers and Houthis. The new round of survival. being responsible. went into account than in the pre- two civilians were killed in a road- fighting was the heaviest since the Yemeni sources said the United vious three months,” Griffiths told side bomb explosion south of Ho- ceasefire went into effect Decem- Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly Nations, through Special Envoy the Associated Press. “So that’s deidah. ber 18, residents said. contributor in Yemen. Saudi role expected in resolving Libyan crisis

The Arab Weekly staff tenuous and forces affiliated with the two sides have fought on a regu- lar basis. London Haftar enjoys broad internation- al support and is one of the most audi King Salman bin Ab- prominent figures on the Libyan po- dulaziz Al Saud received Lib- litical scene. yan National Army Field Mar- King Salman and Haftar, who S shal Khalifa Haftar, ahead of met March 27 in Riyadh, discussed the Arab League summit, in what developments in Libya, the official observers said was a possible open- Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The ing for Riyadh to play a transforma- Riyadh meeting, an unidentified tive role in bringing together parties LNA source said, was at the request involved in the Libyan crisis. of the Saudi king, Russia’s Sputnik Arab diplomatic sources said the news reported. meeting signalled that Riyadh was Libyan political analyst Abdul- expected to play a more active role hakim Fannush described the in Libyan peace negotiations. meeting as an important political Libya has been in turmoil since development that comes at a time the 2011 uprising that toppled long- significant gestures are needed in time ruler Muammar Qaddafi. Haf- Libya. tar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) Fannush said Haftar’s visit to Ri- backs an administration in eastern yadh is consistent with Saudi sup- Libya that rejects the UN-backed port for the LNA and within the aim government, known as the Gov- of reaching an agreement between ernment of National Accord (GNA) Haftar and Sarraj to end the Libyan and led by Prime Minister Fayez al- crisis. Sarraj. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is the kingdom’s defence minister, The Saudi king’s meeting also met with Haftar with talks cen- with Haftar signalled tred on Libya’s security and stability that Riyadh was in Libya, SPA said. Helping the process. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) meets with Libyan National Army expected to play a more The United Arab Emirates has Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Riyadh, March 27. (Reuters) active role in Libyan been helping Libya resolve its is- peace negotiations. sues. In May 2017, the Emirates tions to move away from the politi- He said support for the agreement reported March 2. brokered an unprecedented meet- cal deadlock. signed in February was a “national A UN-sponsored conference has Ties between the GNA, based in ing in Abu Dhabi between Haftar HoR Member Saleh Fhima de- duty” and challenged anyone who been scheduled for April 12 in Libya Tripoli, and the LNA, which is affili- and Sarraj. In February, Abu Dhabi scribed the agreement in Abu Dhabi opposes it “to come up with a real with all Libyan factions expected to ated with the House of Representa- again hosted Sarraj and Haftar, who on elections as “light at the end of alternative or stop theorising,” pri- attend and work on details of elec- tives (HoR) in Tobruk, have been agreed on the need to have elec- the tunnel.” vately owned Libya’s Channel TV tions. March 31, 2019 9 News & Analysis Iraq Mosul ferry disaster illustrates Iraq’s wider problems

Azhar Al-Rubaie A tragic blow. Iraqi rescue team members Mosul are seen at the site where an he sinking of a ferry in overloaded the Tigris River in Mosul, ferry sank in which caused the death the TigrisRiver T of more than 100 people, near Mosul, sparked outrage across Iraq but ob- March 22. servers said the swift punishment (Reuters) of local officials in this case only scratches the surface of the coun- try’s wider problems. The accident occurred March 21 while families were travelling to Umm al-Rabeein Island to cel- ebrate Nowruz and Mother’s Day in Iraq. A ferry, reportedly over- crowded with more than 265 peo- ple — five times its capacity — on board capsized.

Mosul does not have many divers to search for the missing bodies. Help arrived from other Iraqi cities and Turkey.

Lamees Mahmoud al-Bachari, who was on board the ferry, said a 20-year-old man saved her from downing but two of her sisters died and two of her nieces were miss- ing. “It was very crowded with pas- sengers and we asked the man who runs the ferry to stop loading more people but he replied: ‘Do not wor- ry, it’s safe’,” she said. lem goes beyond the responsibility the process,” he said. Humanitarian Relief Foundation. experienced in deep diving, we “Soon after the ferry moved, wa- of local officials. They welcomed People in Mosul are complaining They swiftly responded to our re- managed to find the bodies of two ter quickly entered the ferry… We charging the former governor to set about infrastructure problems in quest of sending five divers. The children. We will continue our could not see anything. We just an example for other politicians. the city, said Rashdi. “Before the Turkish divers started research to search for the missing.” heard men screaming and children “Firing Akoub is not enough. ferry accident, bridges were col- identify sites they believe contain Help came also from people who crying,” she said. We want him to be judged in court lapsing,” he said. the missing bodies. The search will weren’t divers. “We appealed to Protests in Mosul called for those so that he can be a lesson for oth- Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city continue for two weeks.” authorities to rescue the victims responsible to be punished. Iraqi ers,” said one protester who did not and which is divided in two by the Divers from other parts of Iraq but the river police directorate Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi wish to be identified. “We want to Tigris, does not have many divers volunteered to search for bodies. had only three boats, which is not asked parliament to vote on the live in peace. Yesterday it was the to search for the missing bodies. “The ferry incident encouraged enough, prompting owners of pri- sacking of Nineveh Governor Nofal Islamic State. Today it’s the ferry Help arrived from other Iraqi cities me to go to Mosul as a patriotic vate boats to intervene to save al-Akoub because of alleged negli- disaster and we’re afraid of what and Turkey. duty to help anyone in need,” said some of the victims,” said Yousif gence and abuse of power and pub- will come tomorrow. We can’t ac- Mohammed al-Janabi, a humani- Rami Sinan, a diver from the south- Mudhaffar, a student at the Univer- lic funds. cept any more disasters.” tarian aid worker who was sent to ern city of Basra. He said three of sity of Mosul. Akoub and his two deputies were Laith al-Rashdi, a journalist who look after survivors and the fami- his friends volunteered to go with “Despite the pain and sadness, I fired by parliament on March 24. was present when Akoub visited lies of the victims, said: “We set him to Mosul. am happy to see Iraqis from all the Protests continued and an Iraqi the river near the site of the ferry up a tent to provide assistance to “On [March 27], we started our provinces rush to come to Mosul to court issued an arrest warrant for disaster, said the governor was family members of those who have mission of searching for missing show their support and give their Akoub on corruption charges. chased away by protesters and drowned or are still missing. victims. We faced many obsta- condolences,” said Mudhaffar. Although many protesters had family members of the victims. “The shortage of divers and res- cles, like bad weather, lack of vis- called for the firing and punish- “They began to circle the car so he cue boats in Mosul prompted us to ibility in the water and strong cur- Azhar Al-Rubaie is a freelance ment of Akoub, they said the prob- drove away and (his car) hit me in coordinate with the Turkish IHH rents of water but because we are journalist in Iraq.

Viewpoint Proposed changes to Iraq’s citizenship law stir controversy

raq’s capital is divided once and rectify unspecified episodes of more over a draft law that forced expulsions and the banish- would drastically transform ment of certain segments of Iraqi Nazli Tarzi the country’s citizenship law. society. The litany of amendments Iraqis have been loud in con- in the document blurs legal demning the demographic implica- Idistinctions between those who tions. Some have accused those have the right to lawfully enter behind the draft — whose identities and reside in Iraq freely and those remain anonymous — of overriding entitled to citizenship. the notion of sovereignty and dis- The proposed law extends figuring rules that traditionally and to those born in Iraq to foreign fairly determined how citizenship parents regardless of legal status. was granted. Foreigners who reside in Iraq for Existing mechanisms are in doubt up to 12 months would be entitled considering the repeated failures by to rights equal to those enjoyed by the Iraqi government to introduce Iraqis, including a monthly social strict controls during religious tour- welfare allowance of 500,000 Iraqi ism season to ensure that foreign dinars (about $420). pilgrims return to their home coun- The draft law has proven wildly tries after they visit shrines. unpopular but the concern that While religious tourism attracts weighs most heavily in the minds millions of people annually, largely of citizens is the reduction of the Blurring the line. An Iraqi employee delivers Iraqi passports at the from neighbouring Iran, it pro- period foreigners must wait before main Baghdad Passport Office. (AP) vides cover for the illegal entry of they are eligible for naturalisation. migrants during holy months on the Iraq’s Citizenship Law of 2006 Islamic calendar. stipulates a 10-year waiting period are likely to try again but the gov- naturalisation rules for foreigners.” The anger Iraqis displayed is ex- Iraqi lawmakers chose but the draft measure proposes to ernment will struggle to convince Publicly voiced criticism pected in a context that the public shrink it to 1 year, which analysts the populace of the need to amend bloomed on social media, indicting is sidelined from decisions the to unsettle the cited as the main reason the draft the law. the level of distrust Iraqis, suspi- government takes. Iraqi lawmak- historical foundations failed to pass on an early vote. “Whether in Iraqi embassies cious of those guiding the changes, ers chose to unsettle the histori- The extent to which the changes abroad or in civil affairs centres feel. cal foundations of the country’s of the country’s represent a strategic risk has been at home, bureaucratic hurdles are The move has led to renewed citizenship law in absence of public citizenship law in hotly debated in local media, reac- endless for Iraqis looking to renew attacks on the administration of consultation, consent and a referen- absence of public tivating discussions about citizen- their papers or have a passport is- Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, dum of citizenship and nationality ship, statehood and what it means sued for the children born abroad,” who is accused of weaponising the rights. consultation, consent to be Iraqi in the post-2003 political said former Baghdad resident law to further political agendas. and a referendum of order. Nabil, who resides in London. “The The official justification, pro- Nazli Tarzi is an independent Failure to change Iraq’s citizen- priority for the government vided by the Directorate of Resi- journalist whose writings and films citizenship and ship law, however, has not stopped should be relaxing complicated dence, is to right the wrongs of focus on Iraq’s ancient history and nationality rights. those steering the proposals. They procedures for Iraqi before relaxing the Saddam Hussein government contemporary political scene. 10 March 31, 2019 News & Analysis Syria ISIS defeat in Syria fuels debate over foreign fighters’ repatriation

Simon Speakman Cordall guarding the captives is significant and, with resources thin, corrup- tion has become a factor. Many Tunis fighters are paying their way out of the camps and disappearing s the last scraps of the Is- into the Syrian countryside, said lamic State’s caliphate fall Dareen Khalifa, a senior Syria ana- to the Western-backed lyst with the International Crisis A and Kurdish-led Syr- Group. ian Democratic Forces, the victors The SDF has suggested an inter- must deal with a potentially dan- national tribunal be established gerous peace dividend: captured to deal with the thousands of ISIS militants and their families. prisoners. Frustrated at Europe’s reluc- “Allowing the SDF to have a tri- tance to accept repatriation of bunal would grant them the le- jihadists, US President Donald gitimacy of a state actor,” Nicholas Trump in February threatened to Heras, a Middle East security fel- release hundreds of Islamic State low at the Centre for a New Ameri- (ISIS) fighters. “The United States can Security said. “As you can is asking Britain, France, Germany imagine, a number of the states and other European allies to take involved within the Syrian theatre back over 800 ISIS fighters that we are reluctant to see that happen,” captured in Syria and put them on he said. trial,” Trump posted on Twitter. Foremost among those states “The alternative is not a good is Turkey, which regards the SDF one in that we will be forced to re- as an extension of the Kurdistan lease them.” Workers’ Party, outlawed as a ter- Though some ISIS fighters have rorist organisation by Ankara. made their way to their home Granting the SDF status of inter- countries in the region, many re- national broker would also give the main in Syrian Democratic Forces Kurdish-dominated organisation a (SDF) camps in Syria. There are degree of protection Turkey would no official numbers for the prison not be comfortable with. camps or the number of ISIS pris- With US patience and interna- oners within them. tional funding for the Syria cam- paign dwindling, the SDF must rely on what resources they can find to Sensitive issue. Foreign women and children walk in al-Hol camp, which houses relatives of Islamic With funds short and maintain the camps. State group members in north-eastern Syria, March 28. (AFP) corruption rife, ISIS “Right now, everyone is look- fighters with access to ing to the Trump administration were really built to house this many ber there who have established you differentiate between a sup- ready funds can have to fund the campaign,” Heras said, people for this long. There’s no themselves, asking local people to port worker and a frontline fighter? themselves smuggled “but they’re not having it. They plumbing but there’s food, medical pledge allegiance to ISIS. They’ve You can’t. Either way, by releasing out of the camps. just don’t want to put more money care and educational facilities for also been active in arbitrating in some of these guys, you’re estab- into Syria, which leaves the SDF the children,” with SDF officials -at tribal disputes and other local con- lishing, at a minimum, a base for However, the New York Times, struggling to meet the existential tempting to enroll children of ISIS cerns. There are also those who future recruitment. citing unidentified US and SDF needs of these prisoners — hous- fighters in a distinctly left-leaning have entered Idlib. We just don’t “Many of these ISIS fighters are sources, reported there were seven ing, medical care, security.” educational system, she said. know what has happened to them going to infiltrate whatever com- camps. Most were said to be tem- Khalifa said she has visited sev- With funds short and corruption or what they’re doing.” munity they’re released into. What porary facilities in former schools eral of the camps, “Conditions rife, fighters with access to ready There are prisoners deemed a we’re looking at is a mafia-type sit- and government buildings. The aren’t terrible,” she said, describ- funds can have themselves smug- low enough risk to be condition- uation. We know they’re there, we Times said the camps housed ing camps split into sections, hous- gled out of the camps, Khalifa said. ally released. “The foreign fight- just can’t see them.” 5,000-30,000 militants and their ing foreign fighters, families and “There’s a definite threat there, ers are easy enough to identify,” families. domestic insurgents. particularly in eastern Syria,” Heras said, “but for the locals it’s Simon Speakman Cordall is a The cost of housing, feeding and “However, none of the camps Heras said. “We’ve seen a num- almost impossible. I mean, how do freelance writer. Washington’s support to SDF in Syria fuels US-Turkish tensions

Thomas Seibert and through our partners and al- is unlikely that the Trump admin- lies to enable stabilisation efforts,” istration will concede a Turkish Shanahan said, referring to the role in northern Syria similar to the Berlin campaign to defeat ISIS. US-Turkish agreement in Manbij,” Reports say the Pentagon’s budg- a Syrian city where US and Turk- he military defeat of the Is- et for 2020 has earmarked $300 mil- ish troops agreed on joint patrols, lamic State (ISIS) by Kurd- lion to train and equip the SDF. The Macaron said via e-mail. ish-led forces backed by Wall Street Journal reported that “Implementing a buffer zone be- T the United States is spark- US military officials were drawing tween Kurdish fighters and Turk- ing new tensions in northern Syria, up plans to leave approximately ish forces along the Syrian-Turkish where Turkey is preparing to move 1,000 US soldiers in Syria despite border largely depends on whether against the Kurds despite warnings an announcement by US President American and European officials by Washington. Donald Trump of a pullback of all agree on a deal to deploy joint The Syrian Democratic Forces 2,000 US troops. Washington said forces to secure this buffer zone,” (SDF), an alliance dominated by a the United States would keep a “re- Macaron added. Kurdish militia, has declared vic- sidual presence” in Syria. Turkey is unlikely to get what tory over ISIS after routing the ji- Continued US assistance to the it wants in the area, he said. “US hadists in their last bastion in the SDF is the last thing Turkey wants policy for the foreseeable future eastern Syrian hamlet of Baghouz. to see. Ankara regards the People’s remains to protect [its] Kurdish al- The defeat in Baghouz means the Protection Units (YPG), the Kurd- lies in northern Syria while simul- self-styled ISIS caliphate, which ish force that forms the backbone taneously appeasing Ankara’s de- Bumpy road. A US military vehicle drives through the Syrian once encompassed almost 90,000 of the SDF, as a terrorist organisa- mands,” he said. village of Baghouz in the countryside of the eastern Deir ez-Zor sq.km in Syria and Iraq, has been tion and vowed to send troops into The US position could lead Tur- province, last January. (AFP) destroyed. northern Syria to create a YPG-free key to look for other partners while The United States praised its buffer zone along Turkey’s south- Washington and Ankara are also Kurdish partners, who lost more ern border. in a row over Turkey’s plan to buy interest in countering the forces ment control. Talks between the than 10,000 fighters as they pushed a Russian missile defence system. of Kurdish separatism, including Kurds and Damascus about possi- ISIS back with the support of Amer- Turkey is unlikely to get The government in Ankara said Iran,” Cafiero wrote in an analysis ble autonomy for the Kurdish re- ican air power over the course of what it wants in northern Turkish and Iranian forces were in- for the Centre for Iranian Studies in gion have yet to produce results. several years. “We are inspired by volved in a joint operation against Ankara. Following the victory over ISIS in the battlefield success of the Syrian Syria. militants of the Kurdistan Work- “Such a strategy on Ankara’s part Baghouz, Rojava Resistance, a pro- Democratic Forces,” Acting US Sec- Turkey has staged two military ers’ Party, the mother organisation undermines the Trump adminis- YPG Twitter account, posted video retary of Defence Patrick Shanahan incursions into Kurdish areas in of the YPG that is active in Turkey, tration’s ‘maximum pressure’ cam- of what it said were 150 trucks tak- said in a statement. northern Syria since 2016 and con- Iran and Iraq. paign against the Islamic Republic ing “military reinforcement and Shanahan suggested that US trols areas around the cities of Ja- Tehran rejected the Turkish as- [of Iran], yet such costs in the form heavy weapons” to Qamishli, a Syr- support for the group would con- rabulus and Afrin. Following the sertion but the message from An- of greater tension in Turkey-US ian city on Turkish border that has tinue. “We understand our work end of the battle against ISIS in kara was clear, said Giorgio Cafi- relations are worth accepting as been partly under YPG control. Last is far from complete. As the D-ISIS Baghouz, the SDF called on Turkey ero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics, officials in Ankara see it,” Cafiero December, 18 people were killed in campaign in north-east Syria tran- to leave Syria, Reuters reported. a consultancy in Washington. For pointed out. clashes between the YPG and Syr- sitions from liberating territory to Joe Macaron, a fellow at the Arab Turkey, US support for the SDF The Kurds are also concerned ian Army units in the city. enabling local security and pre- Centre in Washington, said the was “unacceptable and Ankara about vows by the Syrian leader- venting resurgent ISIS networks, United States is reluctant to grant will work with any willing partners ship to return the Kurdish area in Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly we will continue to work by, with, Turkey a role in northern Syria. “It in the region that share Turkey’s eastern Syria under central govern- correspondent. March 31, 2019 11 Spotlight Trump’s Golan Decision Damascus with few options after Trump’s Golan move

Sami Moubayed from renewed American sanctions. Syrians are in no illusion. They real- ise they are on their own. They will Beirut receive nothing and ought to expect nothing from Russia, Iran or Hez- heated, albeit fruitless, de- bollah. bate is under way in Syria Attempts at creating Hezbollah on how to respond to US cells on the Syrian side of the bor- A President Donald Trump’s der, in anticipation of such a mo- announcement recognising Israeli ment, were amputated by repeated sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Israeli strikes on the Lebanese party Both sides of the Syrian conflict members in Syria. Their presence seem to agree on one thing — their was eradicated in mid-2018, after Illegal transaction. US President Donald Trump (L) and Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu legal ownership of the occupied ter- Russian troops deployed along the hold up a Golan Heights proclamation after a meeting in the White House in Washington, March 25. ritory — but practically nothing else. Syrian-Israeli borders, creating a de (AFP) Statements from the Syrian Min- facto safe zone that was Hezbollah- istry of Foreign Affairs and Istanbul- free. based opposition groups sounded Had such a US decision been taken if Damascus fell first, Tehran would to take the matter to the United Na- among Golanis. Most of the resi- surprisingly similar, both underlin- prior to 2011, then Syria would have automatically follow. We were their tions, on behalf of the Syrians. dents are young, born after 1981. ing UN Security Council Resolutions used its Hamas connection to cre- front line.” Another option is to revive the Inasmuch as they feel Syrian, they 242 and 497. ate problems for Israel from within. “That situation does not apply civil obedience of the Arab Syrian are Israeli citizens and don’t seem Both said that Israel’s 1981 an- That relationship has been severed now with the Golan,” he added. residents of the Golan Heights, an ready to jeopardise their lives for nexation of the Golan is null and by Hamas’s support for the Syrian “Many here were mistaken when estimated 20,000 out of 40,000 (the the sake of a cause that has with- void, yet they signed off on a prac- opposition and, within its own fief- they printed posters of Presidents rest are Israeli settlers). ered, even among Palestinians. tical note, adding that they will re- dom in Gaza, Hamas is fighting an Bashar [Assad], [Vladimir] Putin, With that, too, not being an op- sort to legal means, via the United uphill battle against angry Palestin- [Hassan] Rohani and Sayyed [Has- tion, this leaves the Syrians with Nations, to protest Trump’s actions. ians protesting crippling economic san Nasrallah]. The Russians are our Attempts at creating very little they can do, apart from Few imaginative journalists went as conditions. allies in the war on terror, not in the Hezbollah cells on the going through official diplomatic far as to threaten all-out war against “Why would they stick out their Axis of Resistance.” Syrian side of the border, channels of rejection and condem- Israel. neck for our sake?” asked Mousta- One option is to create a team of in anticipation of such a nation. Given that most countries In different times, Hezbollah pha al-Obari, a restaurant owner independent lawyers from both moment, were have no diplomatic relations with would have raised the banner of ji- in Damascus. “For more than eight camps, raising the matter with the amputated by repeated Damascus and that Syria is still out had and so would have the Iranians. years, we have been killing each International Court of Justice. The Israeli strikes on the of the Arab League, this leaves Da- Neither, however, is capable — nor other and burning our country. We legal grounds for their argument are Lebanese party members mascus with one option: relying on willing — of going to war with Israel deserve everything that is happen- fairly straightforward since neither in Syria. help from friendly countries, such for the sake of Syria. ing to us today.” international law nor the United Na- as India, China, Brazil and Russia, Hezbollah’s constituency would He added: “Trump realised how tions recognises Israel’s occupation When Israel annexed their oc- to lobby on its behalf in the interna- never allow it, already complaining weak we really are. He watched to of the Syrian plateau. cupied territory in October 1981, tional circles. that their participation in the Syr- see how the Arabs would respond Such a team is technically diffi- they famously rose in peaceful re- There is a very low ceiling there, ian conflict has cost them plenty of to his decision to move the embassy cult, however, since the top legal volt, refusing to accept Israeli IDs. however, and very little that they money, arms and manpower. Hez- to Jerusalem (in December 2017). experts from both sides are at dag- That sporadic movement badly hit can do to change a reality — an il- bollah Secretary-General Hassan What happened? Nothing!” gers drawn, tearing each other apart the economy of northern Israel, legal one, but a reality nonetheless Nasrallah even recently confessed Rami Elias, a member of the rul- over the upcoming UN-mandated prompting Tel Aviv to respond with — regarding the future of the Golan. that the party was going through ing Ba’ath Party, said: “We are in no constitutional committee. Mean- force, laying siege to the Druze vil- a financial crisis, indirectly saying illusion. The Iranians did not come while, sponsors of both camps are lages of the Golan for 43 days. Sami Moubayed is a Syrian that he was not ready for war. here in 2012 only because they milking the story to death, with There is no appetite for such re- historian and author of “Under the Iran’s economy is suffocating loved us. They came here because, both Tehran and Ankara promising sistance anymore, however, even Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015).

Viewpoint How Trump ‘creates facts’ on the Golan

nouncement has done what even region was framed in the context Israel and Syria agreed that the goal territories. He rejects the rules that Israel hesitated to do. His explicit of Cold War competition. Only by was a peace treaty and restoration long governed diplomacy as yester- Geoffrey endorsement of Israel’s sovereignty shunning Moscow, as Egyptian of Syrian sovereignty to the “June day’s news. He considers their serial Aronson on the Golan stands as a US deci- President Anwar Sadat did when 4, 1967, line.” “Land for peace” was inability to seal a deal as a conse- sion to unilaterally and irrevocably he expelled Soviet military advis- still alive at the Clinton White House quence of his absence. determine the territorial outcome ers in 1972, was the road opened for and in the cabinet of Israel Prime For more than a year Israel S President Donald of June 1967 and end any ambiguity Egypt to win effective US support to Minister . Hafez Assad mounted an increasingly public Trump’s proclama- about Israel’s intentions. reclaim territory and then only after too, near death, was keen to leave campaign for Trump to move on tion declaring Israel Indeed, Israel’s controversial the October 1973 war. this legacy. the Golan. No one on his team had to be sovereign on the 1981 Knesset law did not explicitly Syria, the self-styled beating heart Clinton’s failure and Assad’s death given much thought to Syria. Unlike Golan Heights forever extend Israeli sovereignty over of the Arab nation, never had the did not produce a change in the their predecessors, the architects of changed the context the Golan but declared the more gravitas of Egypt in US eyes. Nor terms of the envisioned deal. I was his policy towards Damascus have Uof any negotiations on the Golan’s ambiguous application of Israeli law was Hafez Assad, the taciturn Syrian part of an effort after 2004 with for- never engaged in diplomacy with future. and jurisdiction. The measure did leader, lionised as was Sadat by his mer Israeli officials and representa- the Assads or even been to Bilad In both the Golan declaration not stop serious efforts to agree on a American friends. Nevertheless, tives of Damascus to succeed where al-Sham. and the earlier decision recognising land-for-peace deal with Damascus the UN rejection in 1981 of Israel’s Clinton had failed. This “Swiss How attractive instead to dis- Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Trump that would result in an Israeli with- Golan Law reaffirmed international track” failed too but it retained the pense with the hard work of gave material voice to a narrative drawal to the June 4, 1967, border. consensus, shared by the United basic outline of the international diplomatic engagement in favour of long championed by Israel and As dramatic as it is, Trump’s States, of the outlines of an accept- consensus, as well as willingness simply recognising Israel’s power viewed with growing sympathy in decision was not taken in isolation. able land-for-peace deal. by Syria to address Israeli and US to create facts on the ground. With Washington. In September 1975, in the context Washington continued to claim concerns about Hezbollah, Hamas a simple stroke of a pen — like the The US decisions on Jerusalem of discussion on peace talks, US its centrality in on-again, off-again and Iran. Jerusalem decision — Trump makes and the Golan, Washington has President Gerald Ford, in a letter to diplomatic efforts to reconcile Israel Throughout these efforts, un- history. declared, were simply recognition of Israel’s Ambassador in Washington and Syria. Central to this status was dertaken over many decades by And the world did not end. facts on the ground. , noted that: its claim that only the United States Democrat and Republican admin- Trump has convinced himself that Washington’s acceptance of the “The US will support the position could restore the Golan to effective istrations, Assad was considered a his decisions are cost free. Perhaps. “creating facts” rationale stands as that an overall settlement with Syria Syrian sovereignty. credible and legitimate interlocutor. But the many opponents of the US a historic US endorsement of the in the framework of a peace agree- US President Bill Clinton came Notwithstanding his ties to Hezbol- move also have a vote in this game. central strategy adopted by Israel ment must assure Israel’s security close to a deal on this basis in 2000. lah, Iran and Hamas, he was seen Washington and Jerusalem betray after its June 1967 conquests and from attack from the Golan Heights. as a responsible address, with an hints of the era before the Sadat- consistently condemned by the The US further supports the position interest in accommodating demands Assad October 1973 surprise, when international community, including that a just and lasting peace, which to reduce these ties in the context of complacency ruled and even as the United States. remains our objective, must be ac- Trump has convinced a peace agreement with Israel that Egyptian forces overran the Bar Lev Since June 1967, when Israel ceptable to both sides. The US has himself that his restored the Golan to his rule. line and Syrian tanks threatened the annexed East Jerusalem, it has pur- not developed a final position on The created a Sea of Galilee, no one believed that sued this policy of “creating facts the borders. Should it do so, it will decisions are cost rationale and an opportunity for the Arabs would resort to war to on the ground” — premised on the give great weight to Israel’s posi- free. Perhaps. But the Trump to break these traditional regain territory. assumption that the international tion that any peace agreement with many opponents of rules. community would have no choice Syria must be predicated on Israel Trump dismisses the failed Geoffrey Aronson is a non-resident but to accommodate them. remaining on the Golan Heights.” the US move also have diplomacy pursued by his predeces- scholar at the Middle East Institute On the Golan, Trump’s an- During this era, US policy in the a vote in this game. sors on Syria and the Palestinian in Washington. 12 March 31, 2019 News & Analysis Lebanon

Aoun goes east in desperate quest for Russia’s help

Makram Rabah

here are many episodes of Lebanese history that have yet to receive extensive attention, among them is the Rus- sian bombardment of TBeirut and its occupation 1772-74. Part of the Russian-Ottoman war at the time, Beirut and its port fell although momentarily under the sphere of the Russian Empire, which became more involved with the so-called Eastern Question and the fate of Ottoman Empire. Russia’s interest in the region has gone beyond its 18th-century so- journ. Its involvement in Syria and the region has prompted it to take a more active role in the political and economic affairs of the Levant. The recent trip of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, accompa- nied by his daughter and his son- in-law Lebanon Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, to Moscow is better understood as a desperate plea by the Lebanese, or at least part of them, to invite Russia to take a more proactive role and to shield Lebanon from the terrible fate that awaits it. Aoun’s Russia trip was conveni- ently after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Beirut, Face-saving visit. Russian President (R) meets with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Kremlin in Moscow, where he delivered a threatening March 26. (Reuters) message to Aoun about the gravity of the Lebanese state’s harbour- ing of Hezbollah, which places the lah and its negative role. knowledge. First, for the Russians, tion of the Syrian refugees. A pro- gas fields in the Mediterranean, yet country and its faltering economy Aoun, who was expecting a royal Aoun, just like Syrian President posal that Russia and its allies have Putin is aware that his ironclad alli- under impending US sanctions. welcome on the tarmac in Moscow, Bashar Assad, is not the master of been floating for six months that ance with Israel dictates preventing Pompeo’s gloves-off approach was disappointed as he landed his own fate and any real discus- when properly examined is merely Iran from increasing its hegemony vexed Aoun, Hezbollah’s main and was met by Russian Deputy sion needs to happen with whoever a marketing gimmick that stresses over the Lebanese and the Syrian Christian ally and its Foreign Minister Mikhail calls the shots — in this case, Iran. logistics and downplays the politi- states. political cover, and led Bogdanov. Simply, Aoun, Second, if Aoun wants to be a cal factors needed to facilitate the Aoun’s attempt to play the him to publicly and who insists at inflat- “friend” and ally of Russia, this refugees’ return. Russians against the Americans unwisely defend Putin is aware that ing his international would entail him cooperating with In this respect, Russia only reflects a misapprehension of the Iran’s Lebanese his ironclad alliance and local stature, Russia and the United States over gave Aoun and his escorts empty gravity of the situation as well as a militia, going as far with Israel dictates was expecting to containing Iran’s influence and promises, merely stressing the dearth of imagination by Aoun and as to exonerate it preventing Iran from be greeted at the would require him to challenge, importance of the refugees’ return the power-hungry Bassil, who fail from its terrorist increasing its airport by Putin rather than fully cooperate with, without providing concrete finan- to realise that Lebanon’s economic accusations. hegemony over the or no less than the Hezbollah. cial or political commitments. and political salvation entails it While the Russia Lebanese and the foreign minister As it stands, Aoun is merely Aoun’s undeclared intention is refraining from playing the game of trip had been sched- Syrian states. but had to settle for a patron of Iran and most of his to convince the Russians of the nations and implementing a proper uled before Pompeo’s Bogdanov, a career actions do not go beyond fronting value of investing in Lebanon’s oil policy of disassociation. visit, Aoun was hoping diplomat who has no for Hezbollah and giving them the sector, which would entail them his meeting with Russian sway in Putin’s inner circle. legitimacy of a Christian ally, which curbing intensifying US economic Makram Rabah is a lecturer at President Vladimir Putin would This symbolic yet important it greatly needs. sanctions. the American University of Beirut save face and what remains of gesture by the Russians under- One of the declared objectives of Russia and its various oil com- and author of “A Campus at War: Lebanon’s international standing scored several essential facts, one Aoun’s trip was to jump-start the panies might be interested in a Student Politics at the American and divert attention from Hezbol- that perhaps Aoun refuses to ac- Russian Initiative for the repatria- share from the newly discovered University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” As US pressure mounts on Iran, Lebanon finds itself in jam

During the Reagan era, the US It’s aimed at cutting off the legitimate political party with of armed resistance. Embassy in Beirut was attacked, funding for terrorists and it is representatives in parliament and Lebanese Foreign Minister killing 63 employees and leading working,” Pompeo said in Beirut, the cabinet. However, there has Gebran Bassil, who is also Aoun’s Rami Rayess to its military withdrawal. adding that Iran had given as always been a demarcating line son-in-law, has taken the same Today, US President Donald much as $700 million to Hezbollah between the state’s official stance line, telling Pompeo that Lebanon Trump is pursuing a hard-line in a year. “We believe that our and that of the party, which raises has “the natural right to defend ike Pompeo was policy against Tehran and work is already constraining eyebrows over the question of itself and to resist any occupation not the first US its allies, chief among them Hezbollah.” political legitimacy. of its land. This is a holy right.” secretary of state Hezbollah. In Lebanon, Hezbollah Former Lebanese President Aoun, meanwhile, has not to visit Lebanon “Our pressure on Iran is simple. is acknowledged as a Michel Suleiman (2008- fulfilled his pledge to re- and he will 16) worked to develop examine the country’s

probably not be a unified defence Any form of defence strategy after Mthe last. His recent visit, however, strategy that would the creation of a unleashed a wave of criticism from give the Lebanese political manoeuvring new cabinet. He Hezbollah and its allies, which are state an upper that seeks to draw has also defended under increasing pressure from the hand on war and a distinction between Hezbollah’s access United States. peace issues vis-a- Lebanon the state to weapons as Lebanon has traditionally sought vis Hezbollah. and Hezbollah the necessary to good relations with Washington The Baabda party is no longer ensure national and ties between the two countries Declaration, an option. security. run deep. Lebanese veterans approved His words put remember when 14,000 US Marines unanimously — Lebanon fully in line descended on the Lebanese coast including by Hezbollah with Hezbollah. Any in 1958 as US President Dwight — in June 2012, called on the form of political manoeuvring Eisenhower worked to counter the state to respect all international that seeks to draw a distinction rising wave of Nasserism. resolutions, including UN between Lebanon the state and During the 1975-76 war in Resolution 1701, which called Hezbollah the party is no longer Lebanon, Washington quietly for “the cessation of hostilities an option. gave Syria President Hafez Assad between Lebanon and Israel.” And, with the United States the green light to send troops into The resolution continues to be ramping up pressure on Iran and Lebanon to end the fighting. War, respected. Hezbollah, Lebanon seems to be however, continued until 1990 and Now, however, Lebanese putting itself in a jam. the Syrian tutelage remained until President Michel Aoun, whose 2005, after the assassination of The ties that bind. A Lebanese man drinks coffee next to a poster success is largely due to Hezbollah Rami Rayess is a Lebanese former Lebanese Prime Minister of late Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyeh in the support, has publicly backed writer. Follow him on Twitter: Rafik Hariri. southern suburbs of Beirut. (AP) Hezbollah’s position on the issue @RamiRayess. March 31, 2019 13 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Gazans wary of new Israeli war, continued siege

Yousef Alhelou Observers say Netanyahu’s re- sponse is likely to be limited to air strikes because it will not be in his London favour to wage a ground war in the middle of an election campaign. alestinians living in the Gaza “Invading Gaza and carrying out Strip are wary that fighting a ground operation is very costly; between Hamas and Israel that’s why Israel relies heavily on P could escalate into a full- its air force to terrorise civilians in blown Israeli military onslaught but Gaza,” said Adnan Abu Amer, a Pal- they also expressed frustration with estinian expert in Israeli affairs. “It the continuation of the siege on the is an (Israeli) attempt to regain the enclave. so-called power of deterrence and The latest flare-up began March save face.” 25 after a long-distance rocket fired There are fears, however, that from Gaza hit a house near Tel Aviv an escalation in Israeli air strikes and wounded seven Israelis. Ha- would lead to high civilian casual- mas, which controls Gaza, denied ties in Gaza. involvement in the attack but Israel “People here are depressed and responded with air strikes against frustrated because suffering has Hamas and other targets across the become a feature of our daily life. Palestinian territory. There is fear of and anger at the un- The strikes led Palestinian mili- known. Our lives are at stake. An es- tants to fire rockets towards Israel, calation can happen any moment. which responded with more attacks We cannot plan for the future,” said and massed troops near the Gaza Marwan Diab, a Gaza resident. border. No fatalities were reported For Israel, halting rocket fire may on either side. not be enough. The Israelis want Hamas to stop the Palestinian pro- tests near the Israeli border, known Netanyahu’s response is as the “Great March of Return,” likely to be limited to air which began a year ago. Marking strikes because it will the first anniversary of the pro- not be in his favour to tests, organisers had a “Million Man wage a ground war in the March” March 30. middle of an election During the past year, more than In the crossfire. Palestinians look at a destroyed Hamas site that was bombed in an Israeli air strike campaign. 200 Palestinian protesters have in Gaza, March 27. (Reuters) been killed by Israeli fire. Human An Egyptian-brokered truce be- rights groups said most of the dem- tween Hamas and Israel appears to onstrators did not pose a threat to attention to the humanitarian dis- Abdullah said. “The Egyptian role is appreciated be holding, despite occasional skir- the Israeli military. aster resulting from the siege. “I Others say that they have had but not strong enough. People want mishes. Hamas, the Islamic Jihad Among the key demands of the am in favour of an escalation if it enough of wars and of the siege. the Israeli side to commit itself to and smaller militant groups said in protesters is for Israel to lift the ultimately brings a solution to the “The people of Gaza do not need the ceasefire,” said Diab. a statement that they are “commit- siege on Gaza, which the United harsh living conditions in Gaza by any more wars or destruction. Peo- “We think the role of the Egyp- ted to calm” as long as Israel is but Nations says has the Palestinian en- lifting the Israeli siege,” said Walid ple here want to live peacefully be- tian mediators is important. Even if there are concerns that the situation clave on the brink of collapse. Mahmoud, a Gaza resident. cause they have had enough. Gaza the ceasefire is fragile, at least they would get out of control. “No calm or tranquillity is ex- Kari Abdullah, another Gaza resi- is a big prison and people support (the Egyptians) can have an influ- Israel is in the middle of a cam- pected in Gaza before lifting the dent, said that, while Gazans have any party that is able to lift the ence,” said Mahmoud. paign ahead of April 9 elections, in siege and allowing people here to become accustomed to Israel’s mili- siege, naval blockade and allow “I believe the Egyptian efforts are which Israeli Prime Minister Biny- have a normal life,” said Ibrahim tary escalations, they can no longer freedom of movements,” said Gaza good but we know Israel does not amin Netanyahu is presenting him- al-Madhoun, a Palestinian political bear the siege. “We have experi- resident Nour Malik. respect its agreements with the Pal- self as the candidate who best offers analyst. enced many wars. We have nothing Gaza residents said they appreci- estinian side,” said Malik. his countrymen security. He was Some residents in Gaza see a to lose… A ceasefire will be fragile ated the role of Egyptian mediation criticised by his electoral rivals for military escalation between Israel as Israel thinks it can violate it any and hoped that Cairo would press Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian failing to stop rocket fire from Gaza. and Hamas as the only way to draw time by presenting any excuse,” Israel more. journalist living in London.

Viewpoint Security narrative casts shadow on Israeli elections

sraeli Prime Minister campaigning and dirty tricks. gists tried to argue that the United seeking to deflect attention from Binyamin Netanyahu was in Perhaps the best example of this States’ Golan announcement its brutal suppression of the attendance March 25 when is the apparent hack of Gantz’s legitimises Moscow’s seizure of Gazan protests and to pressure Kyle Orton US President Donald Trump mobile telephone by Iran. What Crimea. However, the more wor- Netanyahu into concessions so he signed the declaration rec- actually happened remains a mys- rying precedent is internal. Every can avoid a war on the eve of an ognising Israeli sovereignty tery. The leak is, of course, politi- member of Netanyahu’s Likud election. Iover the Golan Heights but had cally timed. The situation became Party running in this election, It is unlikely that Netanyahu, a to leave soon after a rocket from murkier when a senior Iranian except the prime minister, has notoriously cautious leader, wants Gaza hit a house north of Tel Aviv. cleric claimed that the regime had advocated annexation of the West a war in Gaza. The mobilisation of These events — and other re- hacked the phones of members of Bank and most of the right-wing IDF troops is a pro forma step. Ne- gional developments — took place the Netanyahu family. coalition parties are signed up to tanyahu has facilitated the trans- less than two weeks before Israeli For Gantz, this reopened the this idea as well. fer of $1 billion from Qatar and elections, with Netanyahu neck accusations he is a “leftist,” i.e. Such a step would — unlike al- more to Hamas over the last few and neck with his challenger. weak, despite indications his poli- tering the status of the Golan — be years to help keep Gaza quiet — Netanyahu’s decade-long domi- cies would be more of the same, a death knell for any peace pro- something that provides a strong nance over Israeli politics is being especially abroad, with Netan- cess. The United States has tried talking point about “funding challenged by former chief of yahu and surrogates asking how to argue that the Golan is unique terrorism” for Gantz. An outbreak staff of the Israeli Defence Forces somebody who cannot protect his but if Netanyahu prevails in this of hostilities would cancel out any (IDF) Benny Gantz. Hardly inspir- phone could protect the country. election he has eyes on a law that claims Netanyahu has handled the ing, Gantz has a relatively clean Even the light-hearted respons- would immunise him while in Hamas situation well. personal record — while Netan- es — one Israeli commentator sar- office and the votes for that might Despite strong interests against yahu is to be indicted on multiple castically asked that if Iran “found be available if he accedes to the it on both sides, there is no guar- charges of corruption — and is anything interesting on Benny West Bank annexation demands antee this flare-up will not esca- bland enough to bring together Gantz’s phone, like anything at of his party and partners. late, especially with Iran meddling nearly all the anti-Netanyahu all about his political views” they What was effectively a cam- in Gaza. Hamas vowed another components of the Israeli political should pass this on to the Israeli paign stop for Netanyahu in “return march,” an event in which system. public — pointed towards Gantz’s Washington as Trump formally dozens of people were killed last The result is an Israeli election limitations. recognised the Golan as Israel’s year. That most of the slain were shorn of almost all policy issues — The Israelis captured the Golan was interrupted by a rocket from Hamas operatives did not undo it is just a straight referendum on Heights during the war of 1967 Hamas-held Gaza hitting a house the political damage to Israel. The whether Netanyahu should con- and annexed the territory in 1981. in Mishmeret, wounding seven options for preventing a repeat are tinue as prime minister — and an There is little doubt Israel will family members. More rockets fol- few and drastic. electorate divided almost evenly continue to hold the Golan and, lowed and Israel launched a wave Meanwhile, Iran is taking ad- between the two sides. in reality, this is desirable since of retaliatory air strikes. The IDF vantage of its Russian-mediated So tight is the race that religious the alternatives are Iran and its was mobilised to the borders of takeover of southern Syria to or- parties, which generally wait until tributaries. the Gaza Strip. ganise cross-border terrorist cells It is unlikely that after the election to cast their lot Trump’s decision to recognise It remains unclear who attacked into Israel and is generally con- with a candidate, have declared the annexation — and to recognise Israel and why. It is possible the solidating its position throughout Netanyahu, a for Netanyahu, and the prime it now — is mostly symbolic and missile was from a fringe fac- the country. notoriously minister orchestrated a merger to seems to be an attempt to boost tion such as the Iran-controlled It will soon be clear whether ensure the votes for a tiny racist Netanyahu’s fortunes in the elec- Harakat al-Sabireen, which Hamas these trends have rallied Israelis cautious leader, faction do not go to waste, all in tion. Such an intervention might recently moved to suppress, and around the man they know or wants a war in Gaza. an effort to shore up the national- seem shocking but it is routine. Iranian cells within Hamas. It is vindicated Netanyahu’s critics. The mobilisation of ist right wing of the spectrum. It is just that such US interven- possible, as Hamas told the Egyp- In this heavily personality- tions in the past had usually been tians during ceasefire talks, that Kyle Orton is a Middle East IDF troops is a pro driven contest, the incentive has against Netanyahu. the rockets went off by accident. analyst. Follow him on Twitter: forma step. been for symbolism, negative The Russians and their apolo- Or maybe it was simply Hamas @KyleWOrton. 14 March 31, 2019 News & Analysis Iran The scramble for Iran’s leadership

Maysam Behravesh the 1979 revolution and taken stanc- es to facilitate a “second coming” in the future, he is ill-equipped for suc- Stockholm cession to supreme leadership. His biggest shortcoming is argu- s Iranian President Has- ably lack of support in the epicen- san Rohani’s government tres of power, including the IRGC, struggles to respond to expected to play a significant role in A flooding sweeping across determining who will hold the top Iran, another silent, yet more de- job in Iran after Khamenei. cisive, struggle is unfolding in the “He is no favourite in quarters country’s corridors of power — Iran’s close to Ayatollah Khamenei,” said future supreme leadership. Sajad Abedi, a senior analyst at In his first official visit to Iraq as Iran’s National Defence and Security president of Iran, Rohani, along with think-tank, which is closely affiliat- Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- ed with the supreme leader’s office. mad Javad Zarif, met with Grand “[Akbar Hashemi] Rafsanjani’s Ayatollah Ali Sistani, ’s death encouraged Rohani a bit but most influential figure. he doesn’t stand a chance,” Abedi Conspicuous by his absence from added, referring to the former presi- the meeting was Iranian Major- dent and conservative-turned-re- General Qassem Soleimani, com- formist politician who suspiciously mander of al-Quds Force and Ira- died January 2017 at a swimming nian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali pool in Tehran. Rafsanjani was Khamenei’s right-hand man in Iraq widely regarded as Rohani’s key po- who has been dubbed as “the single litical mentor and supporter. most powerful operative in the Mid- Other contenders have a better dle East.” chance, however. Given the Sistani-Khamenei ri- In the final days of December valry and that the former has mostly 2018, Khamenei appointed Ayatol- refused to give audience to the lat- lah Sadegh Larijani, former chief ter’s representatives or envoys, the justice and brother of parliament Clerical politics. Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeisi (2nd R) attends a session of the Assembly of rare meeting was interpreted as Speaker Ali Larijani, as chairman of Experts in Tehran, March 12. (AFP) a political snub to Iran’s supreme Iran’s Expediency Council, a state leader and an attempt by Rohani to body tasked with resolving disputes consolidate his authority at home in between parliament and the Guard- ther,” Abedi added Seyyed Ali, who taught jurispru- Without the executions, “the the face of relentless hardliner con- ian Council. Then comes Ebrahim Raeisi, the dence at the Qom seminary and country would have not expe- testations. Sadegh Larijani led Iran’s judici- conservative cleric who was in- recently moved to Najaf for further rienced any peace even after 30 ary from 2009-19 and is trusted by stalled by the supreme leader as studies. years,” he told a gathering in Qom in Khamenei but his reputation — as Iran’s judiciary chief on March 7. Ali is married to the daughter of June 2016, on the anniversary of his Corruption aside, “the well as his brothers Ali’s and Fazel’s Raeisi, who lost the presidential Seyyed Javad Shahrestani, Sistani’s grandfather’s death, describing the likelihood of Larijani — is stained by allegations of cor- election to Rohani in 2017, previ- son-in-law and representative in victims as worse than Islamic State becoming supreme ruption at the heart of the justice ously served as the custodian of Iran, and is believed to enjoy his terrorists. leader is very low due to system. Astan Quds Razavi, a wealthy foun- backing and endorsement. Yet, if direct participation in the his illness.” A similar problem bedevilled dation in charge of managing the “The [Supreme] Leader [Khame- elimination process does not pre- Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme Imam Reza shrine and its financial nei] really likes him and they used clude a politician from ascending A promotional video posted — and leader’s well-known son, because proceedings in the north-eastern to meet often before his relocation to the top judiciary position in Iran, then deleted — on Twitter and Tel- he threw his weight behind for- city of Mashhad. to Najaf,” Abedi said. verbal support for it is perhaps seen egram by the Rohani government’s mer prosecutor of Tehran Saeed The greatest impediment to his “He was even supposed to serve as a prerequisite for climbing the po- official information platform dem- Mortazavi, who was sentenced to ascension to leadership is Raeisi’s as an Interim Friday Prayer Imam of litical ladder to the highest step. onstrated the intensifying jockey- prison for abuses during the 2009 domestic and international notori- Tehran at some point but it was de- It is not clear who will succeed ing for power in Tehran because post-election protests, including ety for being among the select few cided that he had better steer clear Khamenei as supreme leader or Khamenei is ageing and speculation the death in custody of protesters. who oversaw the mass execution of of politics [for the time being] and whether the office or even the re- about the next supreme leader is Mojtaba Khamenei’s name surfaced thousands of political prisoners in instead further his religious educa- gime itself will survive the mani- rampant frequently in the media at the time 1980s. tion in Najaf, presumably because fold developments affecting Iranian The clip states that one of the for alleged malfeasance and corrup- While this unique record counts he’s in the cards for [future] leader- society today. What is clear is the three powerful messages of the tion. as a source of revolutionary cred- ship.” intensifying scramble for the top Rohani-Sistani meeting is aimed at Corruption aside, “the likeli- ibility among some hardliners, Khomeini does not have a stain- spot and its ripple effects in Iran’s “Iran’s heads” to the effect that “Ro- hood of Larijani becoming supreme Raeisi’s leadership would expose less political record from a human domestic politics and foreign policy. hani was received by one of Iraq’s leader is very low due to his illness,” Iran to incessant criticism and trou- rights perspective, though. He ex- highest-ranking and most influen- Abedi said. Larijani reportedly suf- ble at home and abroad. The ensu- plicitly expressed support for his Maysam Behravesh is a doctoral tial sources of emulation.” In a simi- fers from stomach cancer. ing political vulnerability of such an grandfather’s decision to order the candidate in political science at lar vein, the first message takes a jab “Moreover, the Expediency Coun- appointment would be too high for mass execution of People’s Mujahi- Lund University, Sweden, and a at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard cil is somehow considered the last Iran’s national interests. deen of Iran members in the sum- freelance journalist writing about Corps (IRGC). political stop for politicians in Iran, The last option is the most ne- mer of 1988 and commended it as a Middle East security and inter- While Rohani has been a core in the sense that everyone who ends glected one: late Ayatollah Ruhollah prudent attempt at “crisis manage- national relations. Follow him on member of Iran’s ruling elite since up there does not usually move fur- Khomeini’s 33-year-old grandson ment.” Twitter @behmash.

Viewpoint Iran’s new year comes with old problems

ranian Supreme Leader not to believe the words of “first- year. So much is clear in Major-Gen- sible way can US sanctions and the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tried rate fools,” a reference to John eral Mohammad-Ali Jafari’s March European Union’s failure to protect hard to strike an optimistic Bolton, national security adviser to interview with Soroush weekly, in the Islamic Republic secure an eco- Ali Alfoneh note in his March 21 address, US President Donald Trump. “He which he attacked Iranian President nomic boom in Iran? on the occasion of the Iranian claimed if the United States with- Hassan Rohani and his cabinet as Turning to Iran’s neighbours, new year, which he wishfully draws [from the Iran nuclear deal], insensitive to the hardships of the Khamenei used considerable effort Idubbed “the year of the economic people will not even be capable disadvantaged classes in Iran. haranguing the rulers of Saudi Ara- upswing.” of buying bread and there will be Khamenei admits Iran is facing bia: “I’m not aware of any regime Khamenei’s optimism, however, rebellion in the streets of economic difficulties but assured as evil as the Saudi regime, which is unwarranted. Iran and Iranians Iran… Is this truly the US that the country would prevail in is authoritarian, dictatorial, unjust, are likely to face old prob- analysis? Or is it psycho- the “economic war” that the United dependent and corrupt!” lems in the new year and a logical warfare…? The States is waging against the regime. Referring to reports of the United closer look at Khamenei’s answer is not clear to The European Union also faced States building nuclear power address reveals the Iranian me,” Khamenei said. the ayatollah’s wrath: “The Euro- plants in Saudi Arabia, Khamenei leader himself expects a Bread riots, however, peans… warn us against leaving the said: “This does not bother me per- difficult year ahead. were rampant in Decem- nuclear deal but, for all practical sonally, because I know, God will- Khamenei began his ber 2017 and January purposes, they have left the deal ing, in the near future, [the power address by attacking 2018 and the Islamic Revo- themselves.” plants] will fall into the hands of those who warn lutionary Guard Corps per- Khamenei specifically pointed at holy Muslim warriors.” against the year ceives the rebellion of the a banking channel established by Iran’s supreme leader did not of “threats” and poor as a very real threat the European Union to circumvent provide evidence to support this “hardship.” to the regime in the new United States financial sector sanc- theory and it remains unclear if he The ayatollah tions and facilitate financial trans- believes his own predictions. Khamenei’s speech dismissed With a heavy heart. actions between Iran and European Khamenei’s speech to mark the may have been an such claims Iranian Supreme companies. “The economic channel new year may have been an attempt attempt to boost the as concerns Leader Ayatollah they have created is more like a to boost the morale of the Iranian of “simple- Ali Khamenei joke. A bitter joke… They betrayed public but, in practice, the address morale of the Iranian tons” easily greets Iranians us. Stabbed us in the back,” Khame- presented the best argument ex- public but, in intimidat- gathering in nei concluded. pecting ever greater hardships. The ed by the Mashhad for It is not clear what alternative plight of Venezuelans may very well practice, the address United celebrations financial channels Khamenei has indicate the plight of most Iranians presented the best States. of Nowruz, the in mind to secure trade with the tomorrow. argument expecting Khame- Persian New European Union and how one can nei also Year, March 21. read anything positive in severing Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at ever greater urged the (AFP) economic relations between Iran the Arab Gulf States Institute in hardships. public and the Europeans. In what pos- Washington. March 31, 2019 15 News & Analysis Turkey Erdogan shows signs of ‘panic’ before local elections

Thomas Seibert suggest the AKP may lose control over Ankara and other cities. Days before the vote, the ruling party Berlin could not be sure of victory in Er- dogan’s home town, Istanbul, ei- ess than a year after Turk- ther. ish leader Recep Tayyip The prospect of significant loss- Erdogan won sweeping es, amid a downturn in the econ- L powers in presidential and omy, a sharp drop in the value of parliamentary elections, he is fac- the national currency and a rise in ing a new electoral test and some unemployment, created concern observers say his government is in government circles, said Aydin showing signs of “panic” amid Engin, a columnist at T24, an inde- predictions of major losses. pendent news portal. Polls indicate that Erdogan’s rul- “There is a panic-like situation” ing Justice and Development Party on the government side, Engin (AKP) may experience a setback said. He pointed out that pres- in local elections after winning sure by the government had led to 53 out of 81 provincial capitals in unprecedented opposition unity. 2014. The AKP has teamed with In some regions of Turkey, the the right-wing Nationalist Move- pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic ment Party (MHP) but it is unclear Party (HDP) is supporting centre- whether the alliance can repeat its right and centre-left parties, its result of presidential and parlia- traditional rivals, without fielding mentary elections last June when its own candidates, to inflict maxi- the two parties won a combined mum damage on the AKP. 53.7% of the vote. “The fact that the opposition has Even though the current elec- formed a united bloc has upended tions determine local parliaments traditional voting calculations,” and mayors, Erdogan has turned Engin said. “AKP candidates, es- the vote into a referendum about pecially in Ankara, Istanbul, Bursa Crackdown ahead. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech next to a model himself. The AKP has governed and Izmir are behind or the race is dinosaur in Ankara, March 20. (AFP) Turkey for more than 16 years and on knife’s edge.” has defeated the opposition many The government’s response has Republican People’s Party, com- Hagia Sophia could be turned into in the city. times since then as it oversaw an been to increase pressure on the mented that candidates the gov- a mosque. Major losses for the AKP in Is- economic boom that created a opposition. ernment didn’t like were “free Built nearly 1,500 years ago, the tanbul or other major cities could new middle class. Erdogan threatened to go after to enter the election but banned Hagia Sophia served as the most shatter Erdogan’s reputation of opposition candidates after Elec- from winning.” important church of the Byzantine invincibility. There has been me- tion Day for what he says are con- Erdogan also indicated there Empire before it was turned into dia speculation that a drop of the Statements by Erdogan nections to radical groups, even could be judicial investigations a mosque after the Ottoman con- AKP/MHP alliance to less than and other AKP officials though the candidates have been against Kilicdaroglu and Meral quest in 1453. Modern Turkey’s 50% could trigger calls for early gave the impression of a cleared to run by Turkey’s election Aksener, leader of the Iyi Parti founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk parliamentary elections. desperate governing board. Speaking in a television (Good Party), a conservative oppo- declared the building a museum Some observers, however, warn party throwing the interview on March 24, Erdogan sition group. Former HDP leader in the 1930s but Turkish Islamists against counting out the presi- kitchen sink at a said the AKP would move to strip Selahattin Demirtas has been in have been campaigning for years dent. reluctant electorate. around 340 opposition members jail for more than two years. to reconvert the building into a “Erdogan certainly seems weak- of any post they might win in the Statements by Erdogan and Muslim house of prayer. Erdogan er than at any other time in the last Erdogan, who has enjoyed wide- election. “We will block them,” Er- other AKP officials gave the im- said March 24 that the Hagia So- almost 17 years but that does not ranging executive powers since dogan said. pression of a desperate governing phia could be “taken out of the mean he is at risk,” Steven Cook, a the election last year but who has Turkish Interior Minister Suley- party throwing the kitchen sink museum status.” Middle East expert at the Council been criticised at home and abroad man Soylu said the government at a reluctant electorate. Erdog- The AKP has also been try- on Foreign Relations in Washing- for growing autocratic tendencies, had information that some can- an showed parts of the video of ing to address growing unease ton, wrote in the Foreign Policy has been using the state apparatus didates had ties to the Kurdistan the massacre at mosques in New among Turks about the presence magazine. “He and the AKP have and a heavy media presence to at- Workers’ Party, considered a ter- Zealand during campaign events of 3.6 million Syrian refugees in controlled Turkey for almost two tract voters. rorist group by Ankara, and would to whip up support. In what ap- the country. Binali Yildirim, the decades and, as a consequence, But the March 31 elections could be “suspended” if elected. Kemal peared to be another attempt to AKP mayoral candidate in Istan- they control the press, control bring unwelcome surprises for Kilicdaroglu, leader of Turkey’s attract Muslim conservative vot- bul, said Syrians would be de- state resources and control the po- Erdogan’s party. Some surveys biggest opposition group, the ers, he suggested that Istanbul’s ported if they disturbed the peace litical process at every level.”

Viewpoint After elections, Erdogan will have to confront the economic reality

egardless of the out- during the past decade or more. come of local elections, This is an election that will not Turkey is expected to change Turkey; it will only keep the door slightly open for a return Yavuz Baydar come out badly wound- ed and severely divided. to parliamentary democracy, from It is true that the which the country has deviated so Rchoice of mayors and city councils in far. nearly 1,000 municipalities has been Then, there is another issue that overloaded with political symbol- will remain unchanged. For nearly ism. However, it is safe to presume three years, the Turkish economy that Turkish President Recep Tayyip has become the true opposition Erdogan will remain in control over figure to Erdogan and his team. The the management of Turkey, regard- unstoppable decline that is now geo- less of how many municipalities metric in the finances, hitting with of greater significance — such as high unemployment and a deep Ankara and Istanbul — his party alli- recession, will be the real adversary ance may lose. for Turkey’s weakened but still hard- The reason is simple: Turkey’s to-beat president to tackle. administrative regime has changed Erdogan probably knows that the radically since the referendum of deep wound is a product of his hy- April 16, 2017. The 51% “yes” vote Distressing developments. A stallholder reads a newspaper as he per-centralised style of rule, which handed Erdogan extensive executive waits for customers at a bazaar in Ankara, March 26. (Reuters) decides on about everything in the powers — to rule at will by decree. country. By the latest, extremely Consequently, the legislature’s controversial measures to take powers were crippled to a mini- them are bankrupt — as he pleases, Aware of the dependence on Er- hostage the foreign investors’ assets mum and the separation of powers he can remove mayors at will, re- dogan for financial resources if they by locking them in Turkey, Erdogan devolved to near non-existence. placing them with trustees. win key cities — such as Istanbul, shows no remorse in challenging the Rule of law, as the cynical joke goes Erdogan exercised this author- Ankara or Bursa — opposition lead- globalised system while wrecking in Turkey, has turned into a “Law of ity when he dismissed approxi- ers have already declared that “they the domestic economy. Rule.” mately 100 mayors of the Peoples’ will get along well with Ankara,” This is only a stronger sign of how It is important to stress that the Democratic Party in mainly Kurdish meaning they will treat the presi- tightly Erdogan and his team are regime has boosted Turkey’s notori- provinces of south-eastern Turkey. dent with high respect and possibly glued to power; how unwilling to ously centralised administrative He is not hiding his intention to do it abide by conditions he sets for their leave it no matter what. system into a “hyper-centralised” again, if the voters insist on choos- political survival. In this sense, local elections are Erdogan probably one. Roughly speaking, the new ing the same party’s candidates. This is because Erdogan not only yet another exercise for Erdogan to order makes it nearly impossible for If it happens, that will maintain threatened the Kurds but also the cement the new system, on top of knows that the deep municipalities to have “free turf” the massive tension in the country. mainstream opposition bloc, with which he hopes to remain the deci- wound is a product of and develop their own local finances While Kurdish politicians and “bankruptcy” in clear terms. sive figure. Political opposition may his hyper-centralised without the consent of the central voters seem defiant before the One may argue that given the stay weak but it will be the economy government, which, in Turkey’s oppressive measures, the mayoral hyper-centralisation of executive that will make Erdogan fight for sur- style of rule, which case, means Erdogan’s palace. candidates of the mainstream op- powers, the election result may end vival and define Turkey’s future. decides on about With power accumulated in his position secular-nationalist National up as a blip. It is realistic to say that person to the maximum, Erdogan Alliance, which includes the Repub- the more greater municipalities the Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journalist everything in the can not only block financial flows lican People’s Party and the Iyi Party, opposition alliance wins, the more and regular columnist for country. to needy municipalities — most of tread cautiously. it will regain the self-respect it lost The Arab Weekly. 16 March 31, 2019 News & Analysis East West Rising concerns over regional impact as US moves away from two-state solution

Kelly Kennedy

Washington

ariness is growing in Washington about po- tential effects in the W Middle East that could be caused by the Trump admin- istration’s drifting away from the two-state-solution between Pales- tinians and Israelis. The conjecture could only be amplified by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s suggestion that US President Donald Trump’s adminis- tration planned to abandon existing US policy understandings regarding the future of Israel and the Palestin- ian territories. Talking to Congress March 27, Pompeo signalled the administra- tion’s intention to move away from “the parameters that were largely at hand in the discussions before and they led us where we are today — no resolution.” His statement came in answer to a question whether the United States would stick with such policy underpinnings on the issues of bor- ders, mutual recognition, settle- ments and refugees. “I’m very confident that what was tried before failed and I’m op- timistic that what we’re doing will give us a better likelihood that we’ll achieve the outcomes that would be better for both the people of Is- rael and the Palestinian people as well,” Pompeo said. Pompeo refused several times to say whether the Trump administra- tion planned to stick with the Unit- ed States’ support of a two-state so- New ‘parameters.’ US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifies before the House Appropriations Committee’s State, Foreign Operations lution. He testified about Trump’s and Related Programs Subcommittee in Washington, March 27. (AFP) proposed budget before the US House of Representatives’ Foreign to be an honest broker for a Middle mistaken,” said Ibish. at the American Israel Public Affairs plan so far. Affairs Committee. East peace deal — they’ve undercut It’s politically risky for Arab coun- Committee conference in Washing- Hanegbi said it’s good to let Hez- Experts said they are concerned Palestinians at every turn.” tries to support Israel out-loud, he ton. bollah “know how committed we that the end of the two-state objec- Aaron Miller, a distinguished fel- said, and there’s a question of the However, the alliances are built are” and that Israel attacked 1,000 tive could lead to more extremist low at the Wilson Centre in Wash- difference between Arab and Israeli more on common enemies than targets in Syria for that reason: to activity in the Middle East, espe- ington, said “Israel is the wrong values. any deep desire to be friends, he send a message to Iran. cially if Iran and Hezbollah choose place to start” with a peace plan “It’s underappreciated but it’s said. They’ve worked on border se- Barbara Leaf, senior fellow at to use it to stir anti-Israel and anti- because negotiations must “hold real,” Ibish said. “They’re not val- curity with Jordan, which officially the Washington Institute for Near US sentiment. up the hope that there will be sat- ue-free people. They are human looks like an agreement between East Policy (WINEP), said there are “I think they’re going to destroy isfaction of Palestinian national as- beings.” Jordan and Iraq, he said. “clear, public indicators not of nor- the remnants of the Oslo agreement pirations.” There’s also a strategic problem. While obvious change may not malisation, as such, but normalcy.” and the remnants of a two-state so- “The fact is this is an issue of be apparent, cooperation between Leaf served as US ambassador lution,” said Hussein Ibish, senior great volatility in the region and it some Arab nations and Israel moves to the United Arab Emirates from resident scholar at the Arab Gulf Hussein Ibish, senior can erupt at any moment, remind- quietly through underground com- 2014-18. States Institute in Washington. “I resident scholar at the Arab ing them there are enemies in the mitments for security, agreements In the past, Egypt and other don’t think it is on the table at all. Gulf States Institute in region — Iran, Hezbollah, [the Is- for water and electricity projects countries shaped public policy I think what’s on the table now is Washington, said that if the lamic State] ISIS — who get a big and even meetings between heads around “the notion of Israel as en- what [Israeli Prime Minister Biny- Trump administration kills benefit from the occupation and of state. emy,” she said. amin] Netanyahu has described as the idea of a two-state the fact that it’s not resolved. They And as they continue without That’s changed as the Middle can score big points without do- major pushback from the popula- East has shifted because “you don’t ‘state-minus,’ which is not going to solution, it had “misread the be good enough for anyone.” ing anything. You just shout in the tion, there’s been the possibility have a singularity of government Netanyahu said Israel would not power dynamics in the megaphone.” — albeit small — that a Palestinian- views on threats,” she said. Saudi give up control of territory west of region badly.” The Arab countries are aware of Israeli solution could come through Arabia, the United Arab Emirates the Jordan River. this, he said. a back door. and Bahrain see Iran as the enemy. This, in combination with Otherwise, he said, prospects for “They’d at least like to take the Conventional thinking says that Egypt doesn’t see Iran as its biggest Trump’s recognition of Israeli sov- cooperation between Arab coun- batteries out of the megaphone,” the only way for Israel to work with threat and others don’t see it as a ereignty over the Golan Heights, tries and Israel could fall apart. Ibish said. the Arab world is by solving the Is- threat at all. the move of the US Embassy from The rise of Iran and violent jihad- He added that the current Israeli raeli-Palestinian issue, said Tzachi Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the closure ism has brought “functional coop- government would not hear these Hanegbi, Israeli minister of regional of the Palestinian office in Washing- eration” among Saudi Arabia, the messages. cooperation. Talking to Congress ton and perceived heavy support of United Arab Emirates and Israel, he “They see no need to give any- “We believe it’s the other way March 27, Pompeo signalled Netanyahu just before Israeli elec- said, including sharing security and thing to the Palestinians,” he said. around,” he said. “We believe they the administration’s tions, has many concerned that the intelligence. The Trump administration’s have to get around Arab countries intention to move away from administration will not work to- “The Golan probably didn’t help,” stances regarding the Palestinians wanting Israel to disappear.” “the parameters that were wards a two-state solution. he said. “That probably won’t help are not helping. “Totally cutting off As an example, Hanegbi talked largely at hand in the The White House has not re- Mr Kushner’s peace plan.” the PLO is an impossible situation,” about the “Red-Dead” project. leased its peace plan for the region. He cited the in 2014 he said. The multibillion-dollar project discussions before.” Pompeo, when asked when it would as an example of the Arab world’s “The least harm [the administra- pipes water from the Red Sea to a be announced, joked: “I think we willingness not to step in between tion] can do is to never release the desalination centre in Jordan’s port Technology has also changed can say in less than 20 years.” The Israel and the Palestinians. Kushner plan.” of Aqaba. Brine created by the de- sentiment towards Israel — both plan is expected in April from Jared Still, he said, it’s not enough. He continued: “This is what you salination process would be moved positively and negatively — as Kushner, the president’s son-in-law “Yes, you do have functional co- get when you put people who are to the Dead Sea, which has been people have access to information and adviser. operation but you don’t have what passionate about the issue but shrinking. Each country is to pledge through the internet, which has Pompeo called the recognition of is required to go very much beyond know nothing about the issue in $40 million per year for ten years, changed priorities, Leaf said. the Golan Heights “the right thing that,” he said. charge of the issue.” Hanegbi said. The Middle East governments, to do.” Ibish agreed. Retired Israeli Major-General “It’s a win-win-win situation,” he excluding Iran, have no real ap- Democrats called him out, with “There has been tremendous Amos Gilead, executive director said. petite for war with Israel, she said, US Representative David Price, a convergence,” he said, “but there of Israel’s Institute for Policy and Still, Hanegbi said he sees as neg- while at the same time they want Democrat from North Carolina, remains the occupation. No one has Strategy, called it an “unprecedent- ative the Obama administration’s to know “what’s in it for us” before raising the issue later March 27. found a way to deal with that.” ed achievement” that Arab Sunni Iran nuclear deal, which Trump reaching any unofficial agreements “The US should be in the busi- He said that if the Trump admin- countries “who have tried again pulled the United States out of, with Israel. ness of fostering dialogue, peace istration kills the idea of a two-state and again to destroy us have be- Hezbollah growing more power- “The Palestinian issue is still that and stability in the Middle East — solution, it had “misread the power come our strategic partners.” ful in Lebanon and “getting ready wild card out there,” she said. not worsening tensions and suffer- dynamics in the region badly.” “You can do a lot while denying for a future confrontation” and the ing,” he said on social media. “The “Anyone who believes the Sau- it,” he said during a session about instability of Jordan. He agreed Kelly Kennedy is an Arab Weekly Trump admin can no longer claim dis can deliver the Palestinians is “Sunni-Israeli alliances” March 25 with the Trump administration’s correspondent in Washington. March 31, 2019 17 News & Analysis East West After New Zealand attacks, Facebook under scrutiny

Mahmud el-Shafey and talking points playing up the was suing Facebook and YouTube promise of machine learning and AI for “broadcasting a message with to deflect pressure from lawmak- violent content abetting terrorism London ers, advertisers, the media and the or of a nature likely to seriously vio- public. The unfortunate fact that late human dignity and liable to be s Christchurch came to a the video of the shootings was re- seen by a minor,” court documents standstill March 29, part uploaded millions of times across stated. of a memorial service for numerous different websites shows In France, this could be punished A the 50 victims of a terror- that tech’s pledges and promises by three years’ imprisonment and ist attack on two mosques in New have gone unfulfilled.” an $85,000 fine. Zealand two weeks earlier, ques- Facebook said it removed 1.5 “Once again it has taken yet an- tions were being asked about how million videos of the attack within other tragic terrorist attack to ex- far-right hatred is spread online, 24 hours after the shootings and pose how tech would rather dis- particularly via social media. blocked 1.2 million attempts to up- tract, deny and dissemble than Among issues considered are how load the video. The company prom- make real substantive changes to In trouble with users. A woman holds a sign during a demonstration Facebook reacted after the March ised to do more to ensure that the ensure their platforms are not mis- against Facebook in front of the company’s headquarters in Menlo 15 attack, which was live streamed 17-minute Facebook live stream used to broadcast, promote or in- Park, California. (AFP) on the social media platform, and could not be seen on its platform. spire violent acts,” Ibsen said. what role the internet played in the A statement by Facebook Vice- New Zealand’s privacy com- ited hateful treatment of people stressed that more should be done. radicalisation of the alleged perpe- President of Product Management missioner criticised Facebook for based on characteristics such as “I’m pleased to see that they trator, white supremacist Brenton Guy Rosen confirmed that the com- its lack of response following the race, ethnicity or religion — and are including it and that they have Tarrant. pany’s AI system failed to recognise Christchurch attacks. that has always included white taken that step but I still think that The Counter Extremism Project the live stream as a terrorist attack “It would be very difficult for supremacy,” Facebook said. “We there is a conversation to be had (CEP) said social media companies and said Facebook would upgrade you and your colleagues to overes- didn’t originally apply the same with the international community — Facebook in particular — needed its systems. timate the growing frustration and rationale to expressions of white about whether or not enough has to do more to address the prolifera- “We will need to provide our sys- anger here at Facebook’s facilita- nationalism and white separatism.” been done,” Ardern said. tion of extremist content on their tems with large volumes of data of tion of and inability to mitigate the “But over the past three months “There are lessons to be learnt platforms. this specific kind of content, some- deep, deep pain and harm from our conversations with members of here in Christchurch and we don’t “Facebook has received much thing which is difficult as these the live-streamed massacre of our civil society and academics who are want anyone to have to learn those criticism… and deservedly so, for events are thankfully rare,” Rosen colleagues, family members and experts in race relations around the lessons over again,” she added. allowing the New Zealand terror- said in a post. countrymen broadcast over your world have confirmed that white Speaking at the Christchurch ist’s live stream to run its course on “AI is an incredibly important part network,” Privacy Commissioner nationalism and white separatism memorial, she said any solution to the platform, especially given that of our fight against terrorist content John Edwards said in an e-mail to cannot be meaningfully separated racism, extremism and intolerance CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previous- on our platforms, and while its ef- Facebook executives. from white supremacy and organ- would have to be global. ly promoted artificial intelligence fectiveness continues to improve, Facebook pledged to block ised hate groups.” “We ask that the condemnation (AI) and machine learning as the it is never going to be perfect.” “praise, support and representa- New Zealand Prime Minister of violence and terrorism turns now panacea to eliminating this kind of Facebook is also facing lawsuits tion of white nationalism and sepa- Jacinda Ardern, who received in- to a collective response. The world horrific content,” CEP Executive Di- for the streaming of the attack, in- ratism” on its platforms and Insta- ternational plaudits for her com- has been stuck in a vicious cycle rector David Ibsen said in a release. cluding from the France Council of gram. passionate response to the terror- of extremism breeding extremism “The tech industry has used spin the Muslim Faith. The group said it “Our policies have long prohib- ist attack, welcomed the move but and it must end,” she said. Viewpoint Political earthquake likely after Spain’s snap elections ar-right lawmakers could Manuela Carmena and Barcelona Francis Ghilès be elected to Spain’s par- Mayor Ada Colau to power. The two liament for the first time cities remain laboratories for politi- since the death of dicta- cal change in Spain. tor Francisco Franco Not all is lost. It is far from clear in general elections in that many Spaniards are happy FApril. The far-right Vox party might with the steady drift rightward win 12-46 seats out of the 360 in of the PP, even less Ciudadanos, parliament, polls suggest. whose founder Albert Rivera went Were Vox to do well in April, the to great lengths to portray the party seats it would gain in Madrid would as modern, pro-European and busi- hand valuable propaganda to the ness friendly. motley crew of far-right parties The speed with which both challenging the status quo in May’s moved to support Vox to form a European parliamentary elections. government in Andalusia suggested Spain would join the growing list of a lack of principle: violent anti- EU countries where populist parties Islam, anti-women and anti-immi- are on the rise. The vote in Spain grant rights diatribes are not, offi- thus has the makings of a double cially, part of the political platform trigger. of either conservative party. Yet, Vox won 12 seats in the parlia- though they gained far more votes ment of Andalusia in December’s All roads lead to Barcelona. Catalan Regional President Quim in Andalusia than the upstart Vox, regional elections and runs that Torra (C) speaks in Barcelona, February 1, hours after they were happy to throw their government in coalition with the pro-independence leaders were transferred to Madrid ahead of principles overboard and support two other conservative parties, Ciu- the start of their trial. (AFP) the extreme right in its successful dadanos (“Citizens”) and the older bid for power. Meanwhile, the PP Partido Popular (“People’s Party”). no longer wants to talk to the Cata- For many years after Franco died major earthquake. all the more likely because the lan parties that are pushing for in 1975, memories of the hardship Several factors played roles in budget vote came the day after independence. he imposed on the Spanish people last year’s regional poll: higher 12 former Catalan independence The awkward fact is that Cata- made the country immune to the levels of unemployment or very leaders went on trial on charges of lunya, along with Madrid and sirens of the far right. That is no precarious employment after the sedition and rebellion before the the Basque Country, is one of the longer the case. There are broad 2008 financial crisis; a corrupt and Supreme Court in Madrid. Those three richest regions of Spain, that European explanations for this long-governing Socialist party in charges came because they at- further polarisation risks violence shift in Spain but it also echoes Andalusia; a fourfold increase to tempted to organise a referendum on the streets and that jaw-jaw is particular Spanish dynamics. 53,000 people in irregular immi- of independence 18 months ago, surely better than war. Populist parties are on the rise gration across the Mediterranean a decision that the Partido Popu- It may well be that electors across the old continent due to over the year; the drive by the lar (PP) government of Mariano decide that Sanchez deserves a the fallout of the financial crisis of Catalan government to get one of Rajoy, then prime minister, and the broader mandate. They are unlikely 2008 and the growing social divide Spain’s more prosperous regions to Supreme Court declared unconsti- to give PSOE a majority in parlia- that followed. The increasing resort secede. tutional. ment but, were they to increase to the politics of identity — indeed, All roads in Spain lead to Barce- The volatile fault lines of Spanish the number of Socialist deputies, of wounded identity — fed fears of lona and there is no doubt that the politics are more difficult to bridge they would be signalling to the PP irregular immigration, especially endless crisis between Madrid and because what was, for a generation, and Ciudadanos that they do not from Muslim countries, which Barcelona is fuelling the reawaken- a broadly two-party system has go along as those parties move to the European Union has failed to ing of Spanish nationalism across morphed into a four-party game. the right nor with the support they address properly. The terrorist acts the country. While Ciudadanos emerged on the offer to an overtly racist Vox in of recent years across Europe have The government of Spanish centre-right to challenge the PP, Andalusia. With Basque heightened fears of the other. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Podemos (“We Can”) on the left Much will depend on the turnout The Libyan debacle after 2011, failed to pass the national budget challenged the Spanish Socialist in April. In these times of increased nationalists and their the large flow of refugees and when Catalan nationalists with- Workers’ Party (PSOE). polarisation across Europe and Catalan counterparts, immigrants that followed the drew support for the minority With Basque nationalists and rising xenophobia, Spaniards politics has “Arab spring” — mostly Syrian and Socialist government. They did so their Catalan counterparts, politics might decide to turn out in higher ever greater flows of sub-Saharan when it became clear that Sanchez has fragmented to the detriment numbers to support moderate fragmented to the Africans trying to reach Europe was only interested in piecemeal of a serious and stable central democratic parties in a country detriment of a serious via Italy and Spain — provided the concessions to Catalonia, instead of government. Internal strife may that, alongside Portugal and, until backdrop for a perfect storm. The allowing a referendum on seces- have halted the rise of Podemos 1945, Italy, suffered under the yoke and stable central question is whether April’s elec- sion. but the party still is part of the local of authoritarian and xenophobic government. tions will produce a minor or The withdrawal of support was coalition that placed Madrid Mayor dictatorships. 18 March 31, 2019 Economy

Uber set for rapid Mideast Briefs Aramco building global expansion with Careem acquisition gas business The Arab Weekly staff to cut carbon

London footprint

ith the announcement Saudi Aramco is building an inter- it had acquired its Mid- national gas business and convert- dle East rival Careem ing more crude oil into chemicals to W for $3.1 billion, US ride- lessen its carbon footprint, com- hailing service Uber has executed pany CEO Amin Nasser said. the biggest tech deal in the region. Aramco is creating “an energy Uber will purchase Careem with bridge” between Saudi Arabia and $1.7 billion in convertible notes and China to meet the Asian energy $1.4 billion in cash. The transaction consumer’s increasing need for oil is expected to be finalised, after and gas as well as for chemicals and regulatory approvals, in the first liquefied natural gas. quarter of 2020. “We need to help our stakehold- The deal would see Uber acquire ers, including here in China and all of Careem’s mobility, delivery the wider Asia region, realise that and payments businesses from Mo- oil and gas will remain vital to rocco to Pakistan, with major mar- world energy for decades to come,” kets including Egypt, Jordan, Paki- Nasser said. stan, Saudi Arabia and the United Aramco’s gas expansion strat- Arab Emirates. egy needs $150 billion of invest- Begun in 2012, three years be- ment over the next decade as the fore Uber, Dubai’s Careem is one of company plans to increase output, the Middle East’s most successful Nasser said in November. start-ups. It is popular across the region, particularly in Egypt and (Reuters) Pakistan, in part because it intro- duced the option for riders to pay Expansion phase. The Uber logo on display on a car in San Francisco, California. (AFP) by cash or credit card. “With a proven ability to develop Turkish innovative local solutions, Careem Saudi-based Kingdom Holding, proposal. Bloomberg News said. has played a key role in shaping the one of Careem’s early investors, Uber’s acquisition of Careem As part of the $3.1 billion deal, watchdogs target future of urban mobility across the said the acquisition is an opportu- “could eliminate competition on Careem shareholders would re- Middle East, becoming one of the nity for both companies to expand the markets in which the parties ceive notes that can be converted JP Morgan over most successful start-ups in the and benefit from the region’s rapid operate,” it said, adding that both into Uber stock. region,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrow- growth. had “committed not to implement In 2016, Saudi Arabia’s Public In- lira plunge shahi said in a statement. When the deal is finalised, the the agreement… until the ECA vestment Fund (IPF) became one The Financial Times reported two ride-hailing services will op- makes it finalised,” Agence France- of the biggest investors in Uber, in- Turkey’s banking watchdog be- that the deal is a reversal from erate as separate brands, despite Presse reported. jecting a $3.5 billion direct invest- gan an investigation into JP Morgan Uber’s exits from costly markets, Careem becoming a wholly owned ment into the firm, giving the IPF and other banks over complaints it such as China, South-east Asia and subsidiary of Uber. Sheikha is to 14% ownership. received after the lira plunged more Russia in exchange for minority head the Careem business, which Uber will purchase Uber said its revenue last year than 4% and the main share index stakes in competitors Didi Chux- will report to its own board that Careem with $1.7 billion in was $11.3 billion, while its gross fell sharply. ing, Grab and Yandex. will include three representatives convertible notes and bookings from rides were $50 bil- The Turkish watchdog said it “This is a milestone moment for from Uber and two representatives $1.4 billion in cash. lion. However, the company lost received complaints that a report us and the region and will serve as from Careem. $3.3 billion, excluding gains from JP Morgan published March 22 hurt a catalyst for the region’s technol- The only hitch in the deal relates Uber announced that once the the sale of its overseas business the reputation of Turkish banks ogy ecosystem by increasing the to one of Careem’s and Uber’s big- acquisition of Careem was com- units in Russia and South-east and caused volatility in financial availability of resources for bud- gest markets — Egypt. The Egyp- pleted, it would add Prince Al- Asia, Thomson Reuters reported. markets. ding entrepreneurs from local and tian Competition Authority (ECA) waleed bin Talal Al Saud’s Kingdom The deal follows the $580 million A JP Morgan spokesman for the global investors,” Careem CEO said it would wait for formal noti- Holding Company, Al Tayyar Travel acquisition of Dubai-based ecom- region declined to comment. Mudassir Sheikha said in a release fication of the deal from the two Group Holding Company and Saudi merce company Souq Group by announcing the deal. companies before investigating the Telecom to its shareholder base, Amazon.com in 2017. (Reuters) Viewpoint US approves $3.8 billion F-16 Strategic port deal with US may affect Iran-Oman relations sale to agreed to issue 1 billion cubic feet The United States approved the of gas per day from Iran to Oman. sale of 25 F-16 fighter aircraft to Mo- Omid Shokri Part of the gas would be con- rocco for $3.8 billion, the US State Kalehsar verted to liquid natural gas (LNG) Department announced. in target markets. The remaining Besides the new Block 70/72 F- capacity of the pipeline would 16s, equipped with state-of-the-art involve future markets in the electronic systems and weaponry, man has been able to southern Persian Gulf. Washington approved the mod- steer clear of regional Iran and Oman have agreed to ernisation of 23 F-16s already in the disputes in recent change the route and design of the Moroccan Air Force fleet for $983 years and play a more Iran-Oman submarine pipeline to million. balanced role in the avoid crossing UAE territorial wa- Gulf while maintain- ters. Iran’s gas pipelines to Oman (Agence France-Presse) Oing good relationships with both would pass through a depth of Iran and the United States. about 1,000 metres, instead of 300 However, US sanctions against metres, so its distance would be the Iranian oil sector have chal- slightly shorter and doesn’t cross Bahrain to lenged the bulk of Iran’s energy UAE territory. transit and export plans, including Iran has five LNG projects but, use Huawei the Iran-Oman natural gas pipe- because of sanctions, these pro- line. jects are incomplete. Iran planned technology in The United States and Oman to use natural gas to export to have signed an agreement allowing Oman and use some of this natural 5G rollout (Reuters) Washington to use Omani ports for Reshaping the future. A general view of Duqm Port in Oman. gas to produce LNG in Omani facili- commercial, military and security ties. Bahrain plans to roll out a com- purposes. The agreement gives US The strait, a sensitive position ment of a maritime transport fleet Even if the strategic agreement mercial 5G mobile network by military forces better access to the in pipeline projects, has always between the two countries, the between the United States and June, partly using Huawei technol- Arabian Gulf and fewer ships will been a source of conflict between facilitation of visa issuance for Oman does not affect the Iran- ogy. need to sail through the Strait of Iran and the United States. In Iranian and Omani nationals, the Oman natural gas project, Iran will VIVA Bahrain, a subsidiary of Hormuz. August 2018, the United States increase in Iranian companies in have a hard time completing its Saudi state-controlled telecoms The deal will improve the United claimed full control over the oil Oman and the more competitive natural gas projects and oil produc- firm STC, in February signed an States’ ability to develop power in and gas pipelines in the area and prices of Iranian exports in Oman tion capacity recovery projects agreement to use Huawei products the Persian Gulf. The port of Duqm threatened to resort to force if Iran have improved relations between without solving its problems with in its 5G network, one of several is strategically located outside the disrupted passage of ships from the parties. the West over human rights abuses Gulf telecoms companies working Strait of Hormuz and is 550km the area. In 2013, Iran and Oman signed and missile programme develop- with the Chinese company. from Muscat. It’s an ideal port for Regardless of the US presence in a memorandum of understanding ment. Bahrain said it expects to be one the development of the sector. the region and the various deals on natural gas exports. With Iran’s of the first countries to make 5G Iran expressed interest in using signed with Arab countries, Iran’s implementation, the gas pipeline Omid Shokri Kalehsar is a senior available nationwide, Bahrain’s the same ports and has many times ties with countries such as Oman ran directly from the Gulf to Oman. energy security analyst and visiting Telecommunications Minister Ka- threatened to block the Strait of remain strong and significant. The 25-year contract for the research scholar in the Schar mal bin Ahmed Mohammed said. Hormuz, which is a strategic oil By the end of 2018, Iran-Oman transfer of Iranian gas to Oman School of Policy and Government shipment route, in response to trade volume totalled approxi- through the pipeline was worth at George Mason University. Follow (Reuters) hostile US actions. mately $1 billion. The develop- $6 billion. Tehran and Muscat him on Twitter: @ushukrik. March 31, 2019 19 Economy Capital flight a concern in turbulent Algeria

Lamine Ghanmi Looming trouble. A man walks outside Tunis Al Salam Bank in Algiers. xperts warned of “preda- (Reuters) tion” of Algeria’s finances by people linked to Algerian E President Abdelaziz Boutef- lika’s regime amid unprecedented protests demanding the overthrow of the political and business estab- lishment. Economists said poor and mid- dle-class Algerians, many of whom joined protests since February 22, are likely to feel the pain of what former Prime Minister Mokdad Sifi called the “economic disaster” to be left behind by Bouteflika. “The threat of rising acts of preda- tion is real, especially in the context of the expected change of political leadership with the privileged ties enjoyed by several private sector businesspeople to the state under the regime of Bouteflika are now called into question,” warned Our Algeria Built on New Ideas (NABNI), a think-tank in Algeria. Algerian newspaper El Khabar reported that business and political leaders in Bouteflika’s entourage were selling their “most liquid as- sets,” including luxury villas. There is also wariness about the risk of capital flight. Algeria’s rigid carry out such a mission and man- rule and failure to diversify the Moody’s said. January 2018. Average monthly oil banking system could act as a brake age successfully the economic tran- economy despite Algeria’s high Algeria’s oil and gas output has prices declined 13.2% for the Al- against the massive transfer of sition,” said Bourenane. mineral and human potential. been mainly unaffected by the un- gerian Saharan Blend in January funds from Algerian banks to for- “That is why it is urgent that cur- Moody’s rating agency said Alge- rest but it is likely workers will back this year versus the same month in eign institutions unless economic rent finance and economy leaders ria’s political unrest would deepen an escalation of the protests if the 2018. officials facilitate such operations. cede their places to such a team to its underlying economic and fiscal impasse over protesters’ demands Nour Meddahi, an economics “It is urgent to replace top eco- prepare the economic transition.” challenges and poses a risk to its continues. That could include a professor, said the decline was be- nomic and financial managers im- Economists said the inability to credit profile. general strike floated by protest cause of shrinking production as mediately and without any delay. end the unrest would make the dif- “We expect a protracted period of leaders to force concessions. Algeria becomes part of the “shaky This will prevent any headlong rush ficult economic situation worse for uncertainty to weigh on the coun- “For the crucial hydrocarbons six” OPEC members with falling by current leaders and help block most Algerians and complicate any try’s economic prospects, which sector, a stoppage of the pumping, output because of lack of foreign capital flight that is typical of revo- political transition. have deteriorated significantly refining and liquefaction facilities investment. lutionary circumstances like the since the oil price shock in 2014,” because of a strike would have ir- Since his appointment as CEO situation in Algeria now,” said Alge- Moody’s said. reversible consequences for oil and of state-owned energy group rian economist Naceur Bourenane. The value of total oil and Algeria’s fiscal deficit widened gas fields and downstream facili- Sonatrach in March 2017, Abdel- Experts urged full openness by gas exports shrank 40% to to more than 15% of GDP after oil ties and for the smooth running of moumen Ould Kaddour has been the usually secretive Central Bank $2.14 billion in January prices collapsed in 2014 and the the economy and normal life of trying to attract foreign investors, of Algeria, including weekly pub- this year compared to government, wary of social unrest, the population in the mid and long including major US firms. lic statements “about foreign cur- January 2018. shied from painful fiscal reforms terms,” said Algerian economist Analysts said Algeria’s leaders bet rency reserves, its commitments that would have allowed the coun- Ferhat Ait Ali. on Ould Kaddour, who has links to to finance import operations by try to adjust to lower oil prices. The oil and gas sector, which the American energy industry, to specifying types of imports and the “The economic record of Boutef- Algeria’s fiscal deficit was an es- provides Algeria with 95% of its bring in US firms. funds used to finance these opera- lika is a disaster. With him, Algeria timated 7% of GDP in 2018 despite total exports and 60% of the state ExxonMobil Corporation sus- tions,” Bourenane said. has lost 20 years or 35% of its life as recent increases in oil prices. budget, showed signs of structural pended the signing of an initial deal “Only a team of economic profes- an independent nation,” said Sifi. “Declining production related to decline because of the country’s with Sonatrach that would have sionals of real integrity and experi- Algeria is feeling the pinch of the postponed investment projects is “economic nationalism” policy. helped Algeria develop its shale gas ence and who are fully independent economic consequences from the starting to weigh on growth; pro- The value of total oil and gas ex- sector as Mobil and other foreign oil of those who are or had been at the political crisis and lack of reforms tracted political tensions are likely ports shrank 40% to $2.14 billion firms wait out the unrest, experts economy’s helm in recent years can during the 20 years of Bouteflika’s to exacerbate this slowdown,” in January this year compared to said. Egypt’s new export strategy faces stumbling blocs

Hassan Abdel Zaher by increasing the number of indus- parallel foreign exchange market. trial and export companies operat- As a result, the Egyptian pound lost ing in Egypt. more than half of its value against Cairo The strategy, the ministry said, foreign currencies, which should be would help export-oriented compa- advantageous to the competitive- gypt has unveiled an am- nies and factories improve produc- ness of Egyptian goods in foreign bitious strategy meant to tion. It would also diversify Egypt’s markets. more than double national industrial production by helping manufacturers chart their own ex- E exports to $55 billion a year Energy prices, customs but several stumbling blocks are in port strategies. the way. The strategy aims to attract more duties on imports and Energy prices, customs duties on investments to Egypt’s industrial tough competition could imports and tough competition in sector by offering what the govern- make implementation of foreign markets, especially in Af- ment describes as “unprecedented” Egypt’s strategy an rica, could make implementation of incentives. arduous mission. the strategy an arduous mission. Increasing production and raising “To increase the exports, we need exports is a make-or-break issue for An increase in exports can stimu- to reduce production costs for man- the Egyptian economy. Apart from late production and contribute to ufacturers, including the price of being necessary to address Egypt’s job creation. Egypt’s unemploy- energy,” said Mohamed al-Zeini, a balance of trade, the increase in ment rate is 8.9%. The stimulation member of the Industry Committee exports would results in additional of production would also reduce in the Egyptian parliament. “Pro- foreign currency revenues. commodity prices in the local mar- duction costs decide the final price Egypt needs to raise the propor- ket by increasing supply. of manufactured products and con- tion the industrial sector adds to the However, challenges to success- sequently their competitiveness in overall national income. The indus- fully increasing exports include local and foreign markets.” trial sector now contributes 17% to high interest rates on bank loans — Energy prices are a major hurdle the national income, an extremely as high as 22% — for industrial pro- for industrial production in Egypt. low figure compared to what Egypt jects. Factories are billed a relatively high Big ambitions. Workers stand near steel bars at an industrial could realise from this sector, econ- “Competition in foreign markets $7 per 1 million BTUs of natural complex in Sadat City, 94km north of Cairo. (Reuters) omists said. is also far from easy, especially in gas, which raises the cost of manu- Apart from being close to impor- Africa where major producers, in- factured goods. This, specialists tant markets in the Arab region and cluding China, are flooding the say, is reflected in the final price of said customs duties on imports of import production requirements,” the African continent, Egypt also markets,” said economist Ali al- Egyptian goods and their ability to production requirements are some- he said. has an advantage in terms of the Edrisi. “This is why, together with compete in foreign markets. Some times higher than the customs du- The new export strategy was for- price of its goods. the export strategy, the government factories are closing because of high ties imposed on manufactured mulated by the Ministry of Trade The Central Bank of Egypt had to needs to draw up a proper market- energy costs goods. and Industry after consultations float the national currency in No- ing strategy that increases the ap- Farag Amer, the head of the In- “This means that it is cheaper to with the country’s 12 export coun- vember 2016 to address a wide range peal of Egyptian goods among con- dustry Committee in parliament, import manufactured goods than to cils. It is designed to boost exports of monetary problems, including a sumers in foreign markets.” 20 March 31, 2019 Society Arab Brain Drain Medical doctors, a disappearing profession in Iraq

Oumayma Omar

Baghdad

oda Janabi, 26, a recent graduate from a pres- tigious medical school H in Baghdad, is thinking about migrating to Europe or the United States because of physical harassment, life threats and poor remuneration facing medical pro- fessionals in Iraq. “Physicians in Iraq are being blamed for everything from the shortages in medicine, the lack of vaccines that the Ministry of Health is supposed to provide, to complications that patients might have and are quite common in the medical field,” Janabi said. Physicians are frequently har- assed by families of patients for as simple a reason as barring them from staying in the hospital after visiting hours, she said. “During my hospital residency, I have been personally threatened more than once by patients’ rela- tives,” Janabi said. “Many doctors I know were targeted by tribal revenge in case of the patient’s death, even if the patient was criti- cally ill or arrived almost dead at the hospital.” Tough profession. Doctors and patients at a Baghdad hospital. (AFP) Revenge attacks targeting doc- tors from grieving families, pow- erful tribes and militia leaders and laws override state laws that Arab and foreign countries,” Badr Commission for Human Rights, try’s health system, which will resulted in a massive brain drain are supposed to protect all citizens added. said authorities should enact laws further deteriorate unless the across the medical profession in without exception,” he added. In 2017, there were nine doctors that protect medical establish- government takes serious steps to Iraq. This, in addition to poor pay, Approximately 20,000 doctors for every 10,000 people in Iraq, ments and professionals. safeguard and reward them prop- infrastructure damage and politi- have emigrated from Iraq in the three times fewer than in neigh- “The doctors and medical staff erly,” Bayati added. cal violence, has left Iraq without last 15 years, a study conducted bouring Kuwait and two times constitute the safety valve of our Doctors have taken to the streets physicians needed to care for trau- by the International Committee less that conflict-ridden Libya, the country in times of war and peace. to demand a 2013 law allowing matised populations. for the Red Cross, the Iraqi Health World Health Organisation said. Extra effort should be made to health workers to carry weapons An Iraqi surgeon, who asked to Ministry and other medical organ- protect them in a lawless soci- in their workplace be activated. be identified as Dr Saad for safety isations concluded. ety where they are repeatedly at- Poor pay is another reason doc- reasons, said dozens of highly It said 70% of Iraqi health per- Revenge attacks targeting tacked by terrorism and placed tors opt to leave Iraq. As a resident qualified physicians in rare spe- sonnel said they considered leav- doctors from grieving at the mercy of tribal law,” Bayati doctor who must practice in hos- cialities have fled Iraq in the past ing the country out of fear of re- families, powerful tribes said. pitals in various regions of Iraq be- few years because of kidnapping prisals, kidnapping or violence. and militia leaders resulted Law 26, enacted in 2016, and fore receiving her diploma, Janabi and assassination threats by mili- “Iraq is left facing a vast short- in a massive brain drain Article 230 of the Iraqi Penal Code earns $750 per month, a small amount compared to what resi- tias and armed gangs. age of doctors,” Health Minis- across the medical stipulate a prison sentence of no “In one case the family of a car- try spokesman Seif al-Badr said. less than 1 year for attacking medi- dent physicians earn abroad. diac surgeon had to pay more than “Poor pay and intimidation, in- profession. cal staff while they are performing “The pay does not cover my $100,000 in ransom to have him cluding tribal harassment, are the their duty. housing and transportation ex- released. Fearing further attacks main reasons pushing doctors to The massive flight of doctors, Some lawmakers have proposed penses. It is a very poor remunera- and revenge acts, he quietly closed leave. They are subject to daily of- combined with poor medical in- including crimes against doctors tion for the time and effort that we his surgery, packed his things and fences and these include insults, frastructure ravaged by wars and under Iraq’s anti-terrorism law, spend on the job,” she said. emigrated with his family to the abuses, assassination and threats decades of international sanc- which could bring the death pen- United States,” Saad said. to their life.” tions, has led to the deterioration alty. Oumayma Omar, based in “Doctors are suffering the most “Iraqi doctors are known for of Iraq’s overall health-care sys- “The continuous emigration of Baghdad, is a contributor to the from chaos and insecurity plagu- their skills, which makes them tem. medical professionals will have a Culture and Society sections of ing Iraq because tribal customs appreciated and welcomed in Dr Ali al-Bayati, of the Iraqi High catastrophic effect on the coun- The Arab Weekly. Heated debate in Morocco over brain drain

Mohamed al-Alawi The programme also aims to pro- ous fields who chose to work out- The Moroccan Labour Union par- foreign countries falling over them- vide expertise in fixing develop- side their country. liamentary bloc said current pro- selves to recruit engineers, doctors ment goals and strategies in various A study by Recruit website, a lead- grammes have not halted or reduced and researchers trained in Morocco. Rabat sectors, evaluating research projects ing recruitment firm, said 91% of the brain-drain-related bleeding. It Some observers saw in the minis- and in attracting investments and Moroccan graduates dream of leav- attributes the phenomenon to the ter’s statement an encouragement he brain drain of young pro- partnerships. ing the country and of finding career lack of political will, lack of proper for qualified Moroccans to leave the fessionals from Morocco has In his speech commemorating opportunities abroad because they follow-up and accompaniment of country. become a centre of debate King and People’s Revolution Day believe that migration from Moroc- new graduates and to low wages in Motadhad said the real reasons T and controversy in intellec- last August, King Mohammed VI co will help them progress and de- addition to widespread cronyism, behind the brain drain in Morocco is tual, media and official circles. The pointed out that “many young peo- velop their careers. social unrest and restrictions on the desire of those migrating to im- kingdom has the second highest rate ple in Morocco, especially university Hishem Motadhad, a teacher and freedoms. prove their personal economic and of brain drain in the Middle East and graduates in science and technol- researcher of political and strategic The Ministry of National Educa- social conditions and those of their North Africa region, a recent study ogy, are thinking of emigrating, not sciences in Canada, said the Moroc- tion, Vocational Training, Higher families, in addition to their search indicated. only because of the tempting mate- can government was not taking the Education and Scientific Research for self-development and for build- Efforts to combat the trend began rial incentives abroad but also be- issue of brain drain seriously, espe- affirmed that the emigration of Mo- ing their career paths. in 2007 when the Moroccan govern- cause they do not find in their coun- cially when, now more than ever, roccan talents is a joint responsibil- Most Moroccan professionals ment introduced the International try the appropriate conditions for Morocco must be keen on retaining ity of several ministerial sectors and seeking to go abroad emigrate to Forum for Moroccan Competencies employment, career advancement, qualified people and giving them requires further national mobilisa- France. Each year, thousands of Abroad (FINCOME) to attract young innovation and scientific research.” the status they deserve by creat- tion to promote the country’s eco- doctors and engineers in Morocco Moroccan professionals and acad- He added that “it is for the same ing the right professional and social nomic fabric and ensure the success leave the country headed to Eu- emicians working abroad back to reasons that a number of Moroccan conditions because they are impor- of the new development model that rope. Although Morocco needs such Morocco and integrate them into the students abroad are not returning to tant to the sectoral mechanisms that the country seeks to put in place. professionals, they prefer to seek a country’s higher education, scien- work in their country after complet- will help Morocco deal with the cur- Data released by the Moroccan place that provides them with de- tific research and business sectors. ing their studies.” rent and potential future challenges. ICT Federation indicate that about cent living conditions, appropriate Minister of National Education, Motadhad called on the Moroc- 8,000 IT engineers and technicians social status and the rights they de- Vocational Training, Higher Educa- can government to deal responsibly graduate from Moroccan universi- serve. tion and Scientific Research Said The Moroccan Labour with curbing brain drain and said “it ties and institutes each year. Howev- If Morocco has a good reserve of Amzazi said FINCOME is one of Union parliamentary bloc must work seriously to attract back er, 10-20% of them migrate abroad, top-level cadres and highly quali- many strategies and programmes said current programmes Moroccan experts and competen- even though there is a strong need fied professionals by international Morocco has been working to imple- have not halted or cies residing abroad and integrate for their talents in Morocco’s labour standards, then, for Motadhad and ment to stop brain drain. reduced the brain-drain- them in order to contribute to the market. other experts and professionals, the FINCOME established institution- acceleration of the country’s devel- Amzazi said the high percentage absence of fairness in terms of em- al links with Moroccan profession- related bleeding. opment.” of Moroccan expertise being recruit- ployment opportunities and the lack als abroad and created a database of “It’s the human capital that is the ed abroad and the classification of of transparency in recruitment and qualified people, as well as of public A study published by the Arab foundation of every country’s socio- Morocco as the second country in promotion may be reason enough to and private institutions in Morocco League last year revealed that there economic development and the res- North Africa and the Middle East in push them to opt for emigration. involved in research, development, were about 50,000 Moroccan stu- ervoir of the collective memory that “exporting” experts, are testimoni- training and in the transfer of tech- dents studying abroad and about is at the basis of any national pros- als to the excellent “quality of train- Mohamed al-Alawi is a Moroccan nology and scientific knowledge. 200,000 Moroccan experts in vari- perity,” he said. ing and education” in Morocco with writer. March 31, 2019 21 Society Interview Bridging the gap between women’s rights and practice in Tunisia

Labidi said Chapter 46 of the “This is why we are concerned constitution established that it with developing mindsets, was the responsibility of the state especially since it is men’s prevail- Amna Jibrane to support women’s rights and, ing misogynistic mentality and the since 2014, laws and mechanisms sexist discrimination suffered by have been enacted to protect many women that constitute the women. major obstacles to our efforts of unisian Minister of She noted that the Ministry of guaranteeing women’s rights. Women, Family and Women’s Affairs allocated a “The real challenge is to over- Children’s Affairs special budget for economic come this mentality that manifests Neziha Labidi said empowerment of Tunisian women itself in our everyday practices.” she was pleased with as well as for halting violence “There are no ideal societies but, legislation providing against women and increasing at least in Tunisia, we aspire to equal rights for their presence in decision-making reduce gender gaps and violence Twomen in Tunisia but also positions. against women, as well as to acknowledged that the road ahead Tunisian women have a strong integrate women into all domains required great effort to achieve presence in most professional of public life. This is our vision and equality. sectors, notably in medicine, law, perception of women’s presence in Tunisia has a distinguished higher education, the textile society,” added Labidi. record in women’s rights activism. industry and agriculture where Despite efforts by the Ministry of The first comprehensive legisla- they represent more than 50% of Women Affairs, women in Tunisia tion in favour of women in the the workforce. They are, however, must deal with economic and Arab world was enacted in Tunisia severely underrepresented in social marginalisation. The in 1956 at a time when women’s leadership positions, accounting difficult economic situation for rights were ignored in the region. for just 4% of them. women in rural Tunisia poses a Tunisia’s Personal Status Code “We also included on our agenda dilemma for the government at a created a unique set of laws a gender-based approach and the time the country’s economy is dealing with the rights of women principle of equal opportunity experiencing severe hardships. and other family legislation. between women and men, Asked whether rural women Labidi said there is a gap something that has led to the have fewer rights compared to between theory and practice when selection of Tunis as the capital of their urban counterparts, Labidi it comes to women’s rights in Arab women for the year 2018-19 said: “From our point of view, Tunisia because of legal twists and an International Capital for when we enact a law, we do not that the issue has undergone. Equal Opportunities for Women discriminate between rural and “These turns can be seen in the and Men in 2019,” said Labidi. urban women. We do it for women Hopes and challenges. Tunisian Minister of Women, Family and difficulty of amending the She said she remains strongly everywhere, in all age groups, and Children’s Affairs Neziha Labidi. (Twitter) Personal Status Code in 1993, committed to defending Tunisia’s regardless of the environment when the principle of obedience, pioneering legislation, even they are living in.” which places women no matter though many measures remain The Tunisian Ministry of the executive branch, has no Labidi also touched on the their status under the custody of theoretical. She, however, said the Agriculture said 1.8 million women choice but to enforce the law, she situation of housewives, pointing their spouses, was abolished. They gap between what’s desired and live in rural areas, 32% of all said. out that the Personal Status Code had to obey their husbands in what exists is something that most Tunisian women and 50% of the Equality in inheritance was one regulates relations within the everything, including work and of the world suffers from and rural population. of the most difficult legal reforms family. study,” Labidi said in an interview stresses that Tunisia is working Regarding the law on the that the Committee on Individual “The code was not only created with The Arab Weekly. hard to achieve equality. equality in inheritance, which Liberties and Equality, which was for the empowerment of Tunisian The law, outlined in Chapter 23 Labidi said equality between the sparked controversy among created by the Tunisian president women but also to coordinate the of the Personal Status Code, was sexes is an integral human right. It political and intellectual currents to activate the provisions of relations within the family but in replaced with the principle of should be effectively practised in in Tunisia, Labidi said the govern- equality stipulated by the consti- the end, it is up to the family to mutual respect within the family. accordance with the law in public ment referred the bill to parlia- tution, had come up against. establish the best way for internal In 2014, Tunisia’s new constitu- life and the family. ment for ratification and it will Labidi said the proposed law lets interactions,” she said. tion provided guarantees for “We are all born on an equal become law if it wins the support Tunisian families choose whether equality between men and footing but cultural differences are of most members. to implement equality in inherit- Amna Jibrane is a Tunisian women. what give us social roles,” she said. If it does, the government, as ance or not. journalist. Interview Philanthropy gaining visibility in Arab world

needs philanthropy. are made primarily to education actual impact in the region? ments has its challenges globally The Arab Weekly (TAW): How and health. Isn’t it unfair to other PM: “Through the increase in even among the leading players. Khadija has the act of philanthropy sectors and causes such as saving philanthropy, there are more There are variety of benchmarks, Hamouchi evolved in the region? our environment, bringing more stakeholders involved in including [Impact Reporting and Patricia McCall (PM): “While gender-parity, solving poverty addressing the region’s needs. In Investment Standards] IRIS and philanthropy and charity have and illegal immigration? youth unemployment and job the new [International Finance always been part of society (in PM: “First, access to quality creation, we have many busi- Corporation] IFC principles so atricia McCall the region), it has become education and health are still and nesses and corporate leaders investors have to be thoughtful inherited her 10-year increasingly more visible and remain critical elements of any supporting local entrepreneur- about what they seek to meas- professional com- transparent. Several leading society and I think that philan- ship education programmes. ure, ensure they are collecting mitment to the philanthropists have formed thropists realise they have an “There is, of course, a focus on reliable data to assess impact and region from her foundations and are increasingly important part to play in working the urgent needs such as food adjusting portfolios and targets grandparents, who calling on their peers to join closely with the education and and education for refugees and based on their long-term theory were born in Leba- them, giving a more public face health systems to complement conflict areas. There are many of change. Pnon. Today, she said she is to philanthropy, which I believe and enhance the provision of examples, including for example “In terms of return, of course, hoping to help increase the helps to encourage others to join those services. Addressing basic Injaz, which provides entrepre- it depends on how you measure effectiveness of local philan- in. I believe what matters is the human needs is paramount, such neurship learning to the youth in return, with impact investment thropy through impact invest- increased participation in areas as refugee education. the region. It has reached the return equation incorporates ment. that are important to society “I also believe that in many thousands of students and often your intended impact McCall is a senior adviser to such as education, health care, cases philanthropists know their provides role models for them outcome, say cleaner water or the Al Ghanim family’s philan- entrepreneurship. own country and its require- and encourages them to think reduced poverty. In terms of thropy endeavours in education, “In the past, I was involved in a ments best and so it’s natural to about an entrepreneurial future. financial returns, the rate environment, entrepreneurship particularly innovative form of aim to address local issues first This complements the national expected by investors varies as and empowerment in the Arab philanthropy whereby regional as it’s important for the sustain- education systems and helps to some are willing to take a lower world. She advises many families business leaders supported a ability of our local economy. The up-skill the region’s youth for the rate of return in exchange for a on global partnerships and sits policy initiative to assess a form philanthropist needs to feel long term.” social impact but they don’t on the boards of local start-ups. of a Marshall Plan for the Middle connected to the issues they are TAW: What could make impact necessarily have to. She worked on investment East post ‘Arab spring.’ supporting and often that means investment even more impact- “The industry is growing reform issues at the United “This plan focused on identify- doing something local. ful? significantly and will eventually Nations and at the World Bank. ing solutions for youth unem- “Having said that, I think you PM: “Impact investing is a settle upon several selected Focusing on solving the youth ployment and laying the founda- will find that philanthropy in the significant theme globally among impact indicator standards. The unemployment crisis, she helped tions of job creation and region is diverse and many philanthropists and it is begin- legal framework does need to launch the Centre for Economic stability. It certainly did not fall participants give widely to both ning to take hold in the region. It keep up as there does need to be Growth at INSEAD Business into the traditional philanthropy their local community and allows them to both address criti- thought given to non-profits that School and the Arab stabilisation model but was innovative in its abroad. The refugee crisis is an cal issues in the region and aim to seek a financial return.” plan. design, where it was looking for example of philanthropists work- advocate for social change but She spoke with The Arab creative solutions to society’s ing together to address an issue also seek a return, often times Khadija Hamouchi is a Weekly via Skype, discussing the most pressing problems and in the region not just their own equal to a more traditional rate of Belgian-Moroccan social need to prioritise among the used solid research and global country.” return, which can then also be entrepreneur and founder of development of social issues. thought leaders to develop a TAW: How are philanthropy put back into their philanthropic SEJAAL, an initiative that is She said that every society, credible plan.” investments driving long-term activities. building an app for young under- or well-developed nation, TAW: Much of the donations sustainable social change and “Measuring impact invest- people. 22 March 31, 2019 Culture

Tunis to be celebrated as ‘Capital of Islamic Culture’

Roua Khlifi “Tunis as a ‘Capital of Islamic Culture’ will celebrate spirituality, Tunis architecture, arts and plurality of civilisations that will consolidate unis will celebrate being a its role in history as a country that “Capital of Islamic Culture” often boasts diversity,” Zine el- for 2019 with a programme Abidine said. T that highlights cultural as- He emphasised the importance sets, architectural landmarks as of the programme in improving well as intellectual and historical the image of Islam and culture in diversity and richness. the world. He said the programme The Islamic Educational, Sci- would include meetings involving entific and Cultural Organisation scholars discussing Islamic cultural (ISESCO) said it selected Tunis as identity and the challenges facing a 2019 “Capital of Islamic Culture” modernity. representative of the Arab region “This programme speaks of the for its distinguished history and awareness that spread in the Arab unique civilisation in the region. world of the importance of cel- ISESCO started “Capital of Is- ebrating the image of the Islamic lamic Culture” programme in 2005. world on a global scale. It is a chal- The project is celebrated annually lenge that we are all facing against in three cities — representatives of this pressing need to develop the Arab region, the Asian region against the changes of our time,” and the African region. Zine el-Abidine said. “ISESCO seeks to celebrate Is- “Islam is the diversity of civili- lamic cities around the world to sations. It is a renewal, enlighten- highlight the richness of the Islam- ment and art and creativity. There ic culture. Tunis is a city that boasts is no conflict between Islam and a rich history and diverse civilisa- culture because the latter can build Special legacy. The courtyard of Al-Zaytouna mosque in Tunis. (Reuters) tion. The world knows Tunisia for and construct the components Al-Zaytouna, which is a university of Islam. We want Tunis to be the and a mosque that has produced capital of all arts to be open for all The activities will include res- that preceded them and not in dis- we cannot attribute it to one re- many scholars,” said ISESCO Direc- people.” toration and opening of historical cord. ligion only. It is an act of extrem- tor-General Abdulaziz Altwaijri. He said the celebration of Tunis monuments along with establish- “If they know of Tunisia’s rich ism of a criminal nature. Terrorists as a “Capital of Islamic Culture” ment of institutions such as the history, they would realise the tol- are criminals and it is a shame to would include as points of empha- Tunis International Centre for Civi- erance of the country and its peo- blame Islam for these acts.” Tunisian Minister sis: the capital of spirituality, the lisations and the Centre for Arts ple. This shows present-day Tu- “Look at what happened in New of Culture capital of thought and science, the and Literature. nisia is an example of the modern Zealand. That is a terrorist act car- Mohamed capital of literature and art and the Altwaijri praised Tunisia as an state that respects human rights ried out by a Christian extremist. Zine el-Abidine capital of interpretation and inno- example of an Arab country that and empowers women in every as- Do we call it Christian terrorism? “Tunis as a ‘Capital of Islamic vation. could help change misconceptions pect of society. These are facts that We don’t. If it were a Muslim, it Culture’ will celebrate Zine el-Abidine outlined Tuni- of the Arab world. Westerners ignore.” would have been labelled ‘Islamic spirituality, architecture, arts sian cultural institutions intro- “The world today is full of dark Altwaijri said ISESCO was fight- terrorism’,” Altwaijri said. and plurality of civilisations.” duced in recent months, including stereotypes of Muslims that often ing Islamophobia as part of its “Western media are unfair. At the National Opera, the National portray Muslims as close-minded goals facing growing threats ISESCO, we are determined to Puppeteers Centre, the National and violent,” he said. “The attack against Muslim communities. prove these allegations wrong. We “Today, one can remark that Tu- Museum for Modern Arts, the of New Zealand reflects these be- “ISESCO constantly works on have conducted several reports on nisia has witnessed a remarkable National Cinematheque and the liefs that could be also related to facing this unjust treatment of the matter and we will continue to growth since the independence House of Novel. the ideology of West-centrism as Muslims carried out by extremists fight this Islamophobic campaign as it developed into a modern and The “Capital of Islamic Culture” the Western world sees itself as the who loathe Muslims,” he said. “We that can only stem from a person open state, which still preserves its programme will include panel dis- source of knowledge and develop- try to change the negative image full of hate, a person who cannot roots and identity.” cussions and exhibitions through- ment.” that Westerners have of Islam and possibly be living in the modern Tunisian Minister of Culture Mo- out the year with talks focusing on He added: “This is an opportu- provide the necessary information era.” hamed Zine el-Abidine introduced Islamic culture in the arts and ar- nity to show a different image and regarding the religion by events the programme, which opened chitecture of Tunis as well as draw- show the world that the Islamic and programmes like the ‘Capital Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel March 21, at a news conference ing issues of Islam in the modern culture and civilisation exist in of the Islamic Culture.’ and Culture contributor to March 19. times. continuity with the civilisations “Terrorism has no religion and The Arab Weekly. A night at the opera with Emirati tenor Rashed al-Nuaimi

Caline Malek cides to go into music, all these comes to culture and society,” he easy. Born and raised in Dubai, so they try to protect you but, for questions arise as to where this said. “People value it in a differ- Nuaimi first delved into film-mak- me, there was an element of prov- person fits into certain standards ent way. So I started by perform- ing at the University of Sharjah be- ing something and as long as I was Abu Dhabi and whether you can be looked at ing opera, gaining recognition and cause, he said, he never thought committed to that, they slowly as significantly as a doctor, lawyer people started seeing Emirati mu- music could be an actual career. started to understand it.” t’s not every day you come or politician.” sicians in a different light.” “When I graduated, it was a The change took time and re- across an Emirati opera singer Nuaimi spoke fervently about When he applied to pursue a step-by-step process,” he ex- quired patience. “It started with but Rashed al-Nuaimi is hop- how such attitudes became a part master’s degree in opera at the plained. “I knew I couldn’t appear resistance from some and sup- I ing to break the mould in the of his mission to demonstrate that Manhattan School of Music in on stage and sing comfortably. It port from others,” Nuaimi said. Gulf and create new opportunities music can and should be a part of New York, Nuaimi said he was not wasn’t a smart thing to do. So I “A singer and dancer, in the Ara- for young Arabs. it. “We respect music but, when surprised — and was even glad — started taking vocal lessons, fol- bic language, has somewhat of a “There are certain points of we go into it, people get iffy about to have been rejected. lowed by talent shows on campus negative connotation to them but views when it comes to musicians it, so it’s a strange line,” he said. “If I were to sing opera in the and then I created my Instagram now I’m in a space where when I in the Middle East,” said Nuaimi, Nuaimi recalled singing from a West, I wouldn’t be deemed of a page where a lot of people started got the acceptance… They all got 26. “As any other society, we have very young age. He admitted that certain good quality because op- connecting with me.” ecstatic and I never thought that our values that we connect to cer- the reason he ventured into opera era is a very technical-based art,” would happen.” tain professions and music wasn’t was to use it as a gateway to pur- he said “You have to have a cer- Nuaimi said he is exploring ar- one of them. sue his foremost passion — musi- tain form of study to achieve it Nuaimi admitted that the eas he can introduce his culture “You’re expected to become a cal theatre. and, if you don’t, those who are reason he ventured into and share his passion with the politician, an engineer, a doctor “Opera has a standard that has aware of it can notice it. opera was to use it as a Arab community so they can view or a lawyer but once someone de- an easier approach to it when it “I dabble into the opera style gateway to pursue his it differently. but I won’t classify myself as one foremost passion — “I’m going further than opera because the art form requires into musical theatre,” he said. more technical knowledge that I musical theatre. “Because I never thought the day don’t have.” of doing my master’s would come, That redirected Nuaimi to what Slowly, his name grew and he I decided not to limit my future he said is his rightful path of pur- was asked to take part in events to a certain idea because, just as I suing a degree in musical theatre that included operatic singing. didn’t know I’d reach here, I don’t at the Boston Conservatory at “People started to change the know what I’ll do then but I want Berklee. label of it, which was the most my work to involve steering this “It’s all about singing, acting important thing to me,” he said. kind of dialogue in the Arab com- and dancing all put together in “They started seeing the con- munity. That’s my goal.” one and it’s amazing because I cept of a singer differently. That’s As long as he is steering that never thought I could wake up when I believed I was ready and conversation and being a part of and all I do is related to art,” he my family and surroundings were that shift, Nuaimi knows he is on said. “I thought it would always ready to accept me doing it as a the right track. be something I would have to do career.” “Within a 5-year span on my so- on the side of my real job, as I Nuaimi has come a long way, cial media, I can immediately see worked in the government sector from times of surrounding confu- the huge jump that’s happened in in media for three years. I would sion and fear from his family that that view, which is why I’m even go to my day job and dedicate he would end up as a stereotypi- more excited now to go to the next myself at night to music, perform- cal singer who acted in ways they level,” he said. “I feel I’ve got the ing events, creating my own mu- did not approve of. “It’s a tough responses that make me feel com- sic and taking piano lessons but, society,” he said. “People will fortable to take that next step.” now, my entire day has become view you in a certain way and no Breaking the mould. Emirati opera singer Rashed al-Nuaimi music.” one would want a family mem- Caline Malek is an Arab Weekly performs in Abu Dhabi. (The Arab Weekly) The road has not always been ber to go through that ridicule, contributor in Abu Dhabi. March 31, 2019 23 Culture Interview Raed Abdullah al-Maliki, Saudi photographer with a passion

for photography. within an urban setting with its For example, when he discovers developed infrastructure, you’d Omar Ali a new site, it is not to photograph notice in my pictures that I had al-Badawi it as much as he wants to get to striven to highlight the modern know the place and its environ- aspects of that city and its various ment in detail. This is probably cultures and races,” Maliki said. why he takes photographs from “On the other hand, with different and unexpected angles, people living in the countryside aed Abdullah even if the shot itself is rather — or ‘children of nature’ as al-Maliki has a simple. photographers like to call them bachelor’s degree in “Every artist works hard to — you’d notice their natural physical education make his shots simple in their environment reflected in their from Umm Al Qura content but with a quick aesthetic photography, filled with the University and impact on the viewer,” Maliki aesthetic warmth of their blue works as a school- said. “Sometimes it takes hours of skies.” Rmaster in Najran, Saudi Arabia. waiting or maybe hundreds of Maliki participated in photo- He is also an accomplished shots to get the specific focus he graphing the haj season and photographer with an impressive wants.” producing the documentary record of prizes and awards. He said that has happened to “Feeling the Holy Sites.” He said he started taking him in a shot freezing the flight of “It was a wonderful experi- pictures as a hobby to document a bee as it hovered over a flower. ence,” he said. “I met with an elite life’s moments. Then it became a Despite the apparent simplicity of group of Saudi photographers. In passion, especially after he the picture, it had taken Maliki addition to a team spirit, we were received support and encourage- hours of waiting and hundreds of united by our enthusiasm to ment from those around him. shots to catch the desired scene. depict the haj experience in a way This made him set high goals for One shot comes from hours of that suits us as artists and his photography. patience. highlights the kingdom’s efforts Maliki said he liked to visit sites During his photo journeys, in the service of the guests of in search of a simple shot that Maliki has visited many places he Allah.” gives him “pleasure.” That pursuit has documented at different Maliki added: “To document an is probably stronger than his love times. Each site has a special spot event, you could join a team or in Maliki’s heart. Historical sites work alone and move around in are his favourite, he said, espe- search of great shots. Each A story of passion. Saudi photographer Raed Abdullah al-Maliki. “Every artist works cially in Najran province, such as method has its own advantages (Courtesy of Raed Abdullah al-Maliki) hard to make his Aba Al-Saud Palace, the archaeo- and disadvantages. logical zone of Al-Ukhdud, Abar “For me, it’s best to be part of a shots simple in their Hama and its thousand-years-old team, especially when there are would have preferred to work I usually look for new angles that content but with a inscriptions, the volcanic crater at acceptance and agreement inside alone. Perhaps I would have other photographers haven’t Tabah, the archaeological site of the team. The best example of wrestled with myself without found yet. Even when I’m quick aesthetic Shuwaymis in the region of Ha’il, that is the team I worked with for anybody knowing.” presented with new themes or impact on the the Heritage Village in Rijal Almaa ‘Feeling the Holy Sites.’ I felt as Maliki said: “The artist can see content, I’ll highlight something viewer.” and the historical village in one with the rest of the team and his reality differently, even if he that no one else had discovered, Jeddah. we were bound by the same got used to looking at it. Looking hoping to bring out a new aspect The Saudi photographer said passion for our art. Our goal was for and choosing the angles and through my photography.” Saudi photographer the city and the countryside each to carry out our mission to the places at different times with new has its own essence. best of our abilities. ideas in mind will lead me to Omar Ali al-Badawi is a Saudi Raed Abdullah al-Maliki “If we assume that I lived “Had I not found that team, I something worth shooting. journalist. US artists reinterpret Arabia’s ‘1001 nights’ in Beirut exhibition

Samar Kadi ing the positive legacy and looking a more contemporary sense, I want- Chapline’s “The Book” and “The “The Book” is a kind of introduc- to the future,” Brito said. ed to reimagine theft as a greater Room” and four sculptures sought tion, almost like in the very begin- None of the seven artists had term from border theft, to wage to portray the space and objects re- ning of a fairy tale movie where you Beirut previously exhibited in the Mid- theft, theft of property and copy- lated to the tale. have the book opening up,” Chap- dle East and their works have been rights, theft of identity, et cetera,” line said. he “One Thousand and One created specifically for the new gal- Castator said. Describing his portraying of the Nights” folk tales, known lery’s launch. Two of them, Canyon “The ‘Mona Lisa,’ the most fa- Maria Brito, the show’s setting of the tale in “The Room,” as “Arabian Nights,” have Castator and Jonathan Chapline, mous stolen painting of all time, US-based Venezuelan Chapline said: “For me it is like T inspired artists, film-mak- travelled to Lebanon for the exhibi- and Nefertiti’s bust displayed in curator of Lebanese when you exist in a narrative and in ers, choreographers and writers for tion opening. Berlin museum where it obviously ancestry, said the theme is a kind of dream lights your senses centuries. It was also the theme of Castator drew on Scheherazade’s does not belong represent cultural close to her heart being are high, you can go anywhere, you the inaugural exhibition of Artual much-loved story of “Ali Baba and theft that happened during World familiar with Arab and can do anything.” Gallery in Beirut showcasing artis- the Forty Thieves.” In his work “Den War Two. The green Grinch cartoon Middle Eastern culture. His sculptures, including a lamp, tic interpretations of the fantastical of Thieves,” he depicted various fig- character stole Christmas. I also a dagger and a head, are an exten- narrative by seven contemporary ures, including America’s found- wanted to evoke the theft of a na- “I have always worked with some sion of the paintings that talk about American artists. ing fathers, pickpockets, cartoon tion so I incorporated the founding kind of domestic-based interiors the narratives of “One Thousand Maria Brito, the show’s US-based characters and artefacts such as the fathers; after all, America is stolen that are deeply personal. I really and One Nights,” he added. Venezuelan curator of Lebanese an- “Mona Lisa” and Nefertiti’s bust. land,” Castator said. wanted to talk about how I visual- Monica Kim-Garza’s “Woman cestry, said the theme is close to her “As a kid I remember the tale of “A person can only rob you one ise this narrative that I grew up as Sitting on Carpet,” “The Magic Car- heart being familiar with Arab and Ali Baba and the 40 thieves as being time but these terrible figures seem a child knowing about,” Chapline pet” and “Some Kind of a Story” Middle Eastern culture. the hideout of all these bad guys. In to rob us every day,” he added. said. celebrate women. Rosson Crow’s “When I was a child, I had to read “Scheherazade’s Domain” is a col- “One Thousand and One Nights” at ourful visual of objects that de- school and I was always fascinated picted the tale’s setting. In “Stee- by the idea of this woman who was plechase,” Allison Zuckerman uses telling stories to a man who wanted art history. Her rendition of Sche- to kill her,” Brito said. “It was also herazade is as if she was running a fascination about how the interi- away at night while her sister is tell- ors looked like and this place where ing stories to the king, who is mini- Scheherazade was lying down on a mised in the painting. bed filled with pillows of silk. Jamea Richmond-Edwards’ unti- “Even back then it was about tled painting shows a “black Scheh- strength, feminism and creativity erazade” on an extremely colourful as well as (Scheherazade) having background. Holly Coulis repre- the intelligence to save her life.” sented the tale’s “collation” in her Brito said she selected young, es- works “Figs and Coffee, Moon and tablished artists who could focus Sun” and “Water, Apples, Pome- on bodies and figures while work- granates.” ing on interiors and space. “Those Gallery owner Hind Ahmad de- are the two most important parts scribed the show as “the perfect to me that could visually translate launch project” for Artual Gallery, the tale. The works came out very which aims to introduce interna- beautiful and very colourful,” she tional emerging and established said. artists to the Arab world and to “Every artist in this show put out initiate a true cultural dialogue be- what they hide in their heart and tween East and West. are related to the tales. The works “The Thousand and One Nights” are very colourful and very posi- exhibition runs through May 3. tive. So I want to think about the idea of having hope of seeing a dif- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly ferent side of the Middle East, see- Recreating a narrative. “The Book” by Jonathan Chapline. (Artual Gallery) Travel and Society section editor. 24 March 31, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Manama: Through May 15

“The Bahrain National Museum: A 30th anniversary retrospec- tive” exhibition traces the history of the Bahrain National Museum and highlights major milestones.

Marrakech: Through May 16

The Marrakech Biennale is a festival with the mission to build bridges between cultures through the arts. The seventh edition is taking a multidiscipli- nary approach to introduce art- ists and works primarily from the Arab world, the Mediterranean region and sub-Saharan Africa.

Beirut: Through June 1

The Laugh Story Comedy Show A general view of Marsa Matruh. (Ibrahim Ouf) takes place every Thursday through Saturday at the Royal Hotel. The show features come- dians such as Tony Abou Jaoude, The unspoiled Egyptian resort of Hicham Haddad, Bonita Saade and Jad Bou Karam.

Dubai: Marsa Matruh attracts tourists April 3-6 The fifth edition of World Art Dubai, at Dubai World Trade Ibrahim Ouf nearly exclusively by Egyptians, Centre, will showcase 150 galler- especially during the summer. ies and artists from more than 30 It was an escape for residents of countries. Pieces include abstract Marsa Matruh Alexandria seeking a quiet place paintings, fluid painting, cubism when their city was crowded with art, mixed media and sculptures. gyptians’ favourite summer vacationers from other parts of escape for decades, the re- Egypt. Beirut: sort town of Marsa Matruh, In recent years, however, Marsa April 3-14 E on Egypt’s Mediterranean Matruh has seen increased foreign coast is gaining popularity among presence coupled with the devel- The Beirut International Platform foreign visitors for its unspoiled opment of first-class tourist facili- of Dance, considered one of the beaches and natural beauty. ties and entertainment projects. most important dance festivals Near the border with Libya, The resort’s proximity to oases in in the region, brings to the stage Marsa Matruh, Arabic for “Port of Egypt’s Western Desert, including local and international dance Matruh,” lies on the tip of the vast Siwa Oasis, is another attraction companies. expanse of the Egyptian and Liby- amid the growing popularity of sa- an deserts in the heart of Egypt’s fari and desert adventures. Tunis: culture. In addition to water sports, April 4-14 From above, the city is a long visitors can enjoy Marsa Matruh’s stretch of scattered buildings and unique Bedouin culture and food. The 14th Jazz a Carthage, an tourist facilities along the Medi- Bedouin tribes organise events annual music festival, brings terranean coast on a backdrop of for tourists that include desert sa- together renowned international desert dunes. A closer look reveals faris and sightseeing, overnight and local musicians for concerts, long white, sandy beaches with stays in colourful Bedouin tents lectures, exhibitions and nightly crystal clear turquoise waters. and lunch or dinner cooked in the jam sessions. Concerts take place traditional Bedouin way. in Gammarth, Tunis, Sidi Bou Some hotels plan special pro- Said and La Marsa. Hotel rates in Marsa grammes, including Bedouin danc- Matruh are within the es, drinks and cuisine. Most hotels Merzouga Desert: reach of all budgets. A have nightclubs, bars and cafes on April 5-15 night at a three-star hotel rooftops overlooking the sea or in costs around $25 and lush private gardens. A bust of Cleopatra in Marsa Matruh. (Wikipedia) The Marathon des Sables is one around $50 for five-star In summer, refreshing winds of the most gruelling ultramara- accommodation. from the Mediterranean turn the thons. Runners must endure ex- hot desert climate of Marsa Matruh leader from the city. “Visitors get a “Rommel Cave” after the German treme weather conditions in the “This is a resort that shows de- into a pleasant experience, while lot in return for the small amount commander of El Alamein battle, Sahara on a 250km run through sert and sea beauty in their most winter is mildly cool, making it an of money they spend.” has been transformed into an inter- sand dunes and elevations in attractive forms,” said Amr Sedky, ideal spot year round. Marsa Matruh is near El Alamein, esting museum. southern Morocco. a member of the board of the Egyp- Hotel rates in Marsa Matruh are the site of decisive battles in World Under the Roman rule of Egypt, tian Travel Agencies Association. within the reach of all budgets. War II between the British Army, which started in 30BC, Marsa Dubai: “It is a resort for all types of travel- A night at a three-star hotel costs which occupied Egypt at the time, Matruh’s port was the main ex- April 11-13 lers — those with a limited budget around $25 and around $50 for and German forces. port facility of Egypt’s agricultural and those who have more money five-star accommodation. Commemorating the event are crops to Rome. The town hosted a The Middle East Film and Comic to spend.” “This makes the resort a military museum in Alamein, military base during British occu- Con (MEFCC) is a multi-genre Marsa Matruh has a lot to a good destination for the British war cemetery, the Ital- pation. event at the Dubai World Trade offer for sea, swimming and those with a limited ian war cemetery and the Ger- The city is famous for salted Centre. MEFCC showcases comic diving lovers. The town had budget,” said Mahdi man war cemetery on the way to shell-roasted pumpkin seeds, an books, movies, television pro- for a long time been visited al-Omda, a tribal Marsa Matruh. A cave, dubbed the excellent source of protein and fi- grammes and related pop culture bre, and desert herbs used in the elements, such as anime, manga, treatment of illnesses. collectible card games, video While it is mostly known for its games, webcomics and fantasy beaches, safaris and food, Marsa novels. Matruh has many historical and inspirational sites. These include Dubai: the Ramses II temple, which con- April 27- May 5 tains ruins of ancient monuments and inscriptions that date to the The tenth Dubai International time of the Egyptian pharaoh, and Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition will Cleopatra’s Bath, a natural pool feature works by an array of cal- where, legend has it, the fabled ligraphers and will explore mod- queen used to bathe. ern and traditional techniques of “It is a place that meets every- calligraphic expression. body’s best expectations,” said Hesham Abulnaga, a government We welcome submissions of employee and regular visitor of calendar items related to Marsa Matruh. “It has the finest cultural events of interest to beaches, the most affordable ho- travellers in the Middle East tels and the most delicious cuisine. and North Africa. I will visit it again and again, of course.” Please send tips to: Ibrahim Ouf is an Egyptian [email protected] A view of the old watch tower in Marsa Matruh. (Wikipedia) journalist in Cairo.