UK £2 Issue 205, Year 5 May 12, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Interview Hezbollah’s Sarraj’s failed Tunisian secret deals European political leader in Venezuela tour Abir Moussi Page 5 Page 13 Page 4 US ratchets up ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran with military deployment ► According to experts, Tehran could seek “asymmetrical options” by relying on armed proxies in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan.

Thomas Seibert Navy Vice-Admiral James Malloy, commander of the Navy’s 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, did not Istanbul exclude sending the carrier strike group into the Strait of Hormuz. “If hile Iran threatened to I need to bring it inside the strait, I leave the international will do so,” he said. nuclear deal and send Exactly a year after Washington W illegal drugs and refu- pulled out of the Iranian nuclear gees to the West to prod European agreement, on May 8 Iranian Presi- countries into standing up to the dent Hassan Rohani announced United States, Washington is show- measures tailored to avoid an auto- ing it is ready to embark on a “path matic return of international sanc- to war” against Tehran, analysts tions. said. However, he threatened that in US officials warned of Iranian 60 days Iran could resume enrich- plans to attack US interests or al- ment of uranium beyond the level lies in the Gulf region. Washington permitted under the 2015 deal, un- said tens of thousands of US troops less the five other signatories to the deployed in the region were be- agreement — China, France, Ger- ing reinforced by the USS Abraham many, Russia and the United King- Lincoln aircraft carrier, other ships dom — protect Iran’s oil and banking in the carrier’s strike group and a industries from US sanctions. bomber wing. Rohani also threatened European The Pentagon announced May 10 countries with unhindered flow of that the USS Arlington, an amphibi- refugees from the region and illegal ous assault ship, and a Patriot air drugs from Iran’s eastern neighbour defence system battery would also Afghanistan. “You have respon- be deployed in the Gulf. sibilities, too… for keeping your Military escalation. A file photo of a B-52 Bomber of the type that the US Air Force is deploying to the youth away from drugs, the flood of Gulf. (AFP) immigrants and other cooperation Jim Risch Iran has had with you so far. If this US Republican trend continues, the cooperation was conducting a “slow-motion es- hope right now is to sit out the “The (Iranian) regime is now faced Senator will cease,” he said. calation” in an effort to buy time, Trump phenomenon and to hope with a sharp choice between its cur- Just hours after Rohani spoke, the resulting in a “gradual erosion” of for a Democratic president to take rent malign activity and behaving as “The (Iranian) regime is now US administration, in its “maximum the nuclear deal. over in January 2021 who would a responsible member of the inter- faced with a sharp choice pressure” campaign against Iran, The remaining partners of Iran return the US into compliance with national community,” Senator Jim between its current malign announced a ban on Tehran’s ex- under the agreement want to keep the JCPOA,” Popp said. Risch, a Republican from Idaho, said activity and behaving as a ports of industrial metals. “Tehran the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Trump argues that the deal, ne- in a statement. responsible member of the can expect further actions unless it Action (JCPOA), as the agreement gotiated by his predecessor Barack Suzanne Maloney, deputy direc- international community.” fundamentally alters its conduct,” is formally known, in place despite Obama, is flawed because it is not tor for foreign policy at the Brook- US President Donald Trump said. the US withdrawal. However, they permanent, does not address Iran’s ings Institution, said US officials be- However, he also hinted at a soft- have not found a way to shield trade missile programme and does not lieve that Iran “doesn’t bend under a In the lopsided face-off with the er approach, saying he was looking with Iran from US sanctions. punish Iran for meddling in the af- small amount of pressure” but could United States, Iran “possesses vari- “forward to someday meeting with EU diplomatic chief Federica fairs of other countries. change if faced with severe threats. ous asymmetrical options,” Roland the leaders of Iran in order to work Mogherini and France, Germany Critics of the president say Trump “Altogether, it is difficult to avoid Popp, a security analyst focusing out an agreement and, very impor- and Britain said: “We reject any ul- is leading the United States into a the impression that the US is on a on Middle Eastern affairs, said via tantly, taking steps to give Iran the timatums and we will assess Iran’s dangerous situation. US Senator path to war with Iran,” said Popp. e-mail. “US troops in Iraq, Syria and future it deserves.” compliance on the basis of Iran’s Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Afghanistan could well be targets Rohani’s statement meant that performance regarding its nuclear- Connecticut, said on Twitter: Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly for retaliation in case of an air attack Iran had taken “minimum retalia- related commitments under the “Trump’s Iran strategy is blind es- correspondent. Kelly Kennedy on Iran’s nuclear facilities.” tory measures against US maximum JCPOA.” calation. There is no endgame. No contributed to this report from Tehran could seek help from its pressure,” Ali Vaez, director of the Iran’s leaders are hoping for an overriding strategy.” Washington. armed proxies in those countries. International Crisis Group’s Iran end of Trump’s presidency in US Others in Congress said the pres- In a sign of mounting risks, US Project, wrote on Twitter. Tehran elections next year. “Their main sure campaign was working. P2-3,6-7 Recurring political shakedowns in Jordan as crown prince comes to the fore Nazli Tarzi fend off rivals and allegations of mis- his growing visibility. guard and fast-track reforms. King governance. The increase of the crown prince’s Abdullah warned against “exploita- Against the backdrop of the re- public activities and his higher pro- tion by various parties that seek to London shuffles, Jordanian Crown Prince file came as King Abdullah ordered destabilise the country and tamper Hussein bin Abdullah is seeing his changes in the country’s sensitive with security,” the Jordanian Times ordan has been gripped by a public profile boosted as his visits security positions. reported. political shakedown following a throughout the country become A week prior to the reshuffle, King Recent Jordanian history shows royal court reshuffle and chang- more regular and are reported across Abdullah appointed Major-General that political reshuffles have been J es in sensitive security and in- state media. Ahmad Husni as director of the Gen- useful in curtailing domestic insta- telligence positions. Jordanian Prime Prince Hussein, the oldest son of eral Intelligence Department, replac- bility. Minister Omar Razzaz on May 9 an- King Abdullah, drew attention with ing Lieutenant-General Adnan Jundi. King Abdullah was said to view Back in the spotlight. Jordanian nounced the appointment of eight a tour of various provinces on La- The king praised the intelligence the measures as necessary to counter Crown Prince Hussein bin new ministers across key portfolios bour Day. He visited start-ups and department but added that abuses domestic threats and other adverse Abdullah in Amman. and the merging of other posts. local businesses providing job op- were taking place in the agency by a factors, including spillover from the (www.alhussein.jo) It was Jordan’s third cabinet re- portunities to young Jordanians. small minority that placed personal conflict in Syria and an economic shuffle since June 2018 when Razzaz The 24-year-old crown prince high- interests above the country’s. slowdown due to regional develop- of the reshuffle as residents wonder replaced Hani Mulki, who resigned lighted the need for home-grown The king also restructured his own ments. The unemployment rate in whether the government is merely because of tax protests. The develop- businesses to reach the international office in the royal court, bringing in Jordan has spiked to 18.6% and the reshuffling an old deck of cards. ments exposed the limits of reform market. new senior advisers and dismissed Jordanian public debt has ballooned and political indecisiveness in the Prince Hussein has emerged as Faisal Jibril al-Shoubaki as an adviser to $40 billion. Nazli Tarzi is an independent country. an important ambassador for the to the king. Observers will be watching domes- journalist whose writings and films The changes buy Razzaz time and country’s youth but his role in The moves were viewed by ana- tic manoeuvres — big and small — in focus on Iraq’s ancient history and allow Jordanian King Abdullah II to politics remains unclear despite lysts as an attempt to purge the old Jordan to assess the effectiveness contemporary political scene. 2 May 12, 2019 Cover Story Iran Mixed reactions in Washington to escalation in US-Iran showdown

Kelly Kennedy 10% the country’s exports, and put States ended a programme that al- other countries “on notice that al- lowed Iran to exchange enriched lowing Iranian steel and other met- uranium for unrefined yellowcake Washington als into your ports will no longer be uranium with Russia. It said that if tolerated.” no deal was in place in 60 days, it ne year after US President The European Union said in a would increase its uranium enrich- Donald Trump pulled out statement that while it remained ment past the threshold needed for a of the Iran nuclear deal, US “fully committed” to the nuclear nuclear power plant and potentially O pressure and Iranian ma- deal, it rejected “any ultimatums” to that needed for a weapon. noeuvres have led to a showdown in and expected Iran to adhere to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the Arabian Gulf. agreement. said he saw this as a threat. The United States sent the USS The statement said legitimate “The Iranian regime’s announce- Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier trade would continue to be con- ment today that it intends to expand group and US Air Force bombers ducted through INSTEX, an agree- its nuclear programme is in defiance to the region in response to what it ment that allows non-monetary of international norms and a blatant said were threats to its troops in Iraq trade with Iran. The statement also attempt to hold the world hostage,” from Iran. The White House said the asked countries not part of the deal Pompeo said in a statement. “Its Abraham Lincoln had been en route not to take actions that “impede the threat to renew nuclear work that since early April. remaining parties’ ability to fully could shorten the time to develop In response, on May 8, Iran threat- perform their commitments.” a nuclear weapon underscores the ened to work towards weapons- continuing challenge the Iranian grade enrichment of its uranium regime poses to peace and security stockpile if the European signatories While Europe and the worldwide.” that “multiple sources” said the “Secretary Pompeo and I are at to the 2015 nuclear agreement do United States are going Pompeo said the United States United States was “overreacting” one in agreeing that it will be a mas- not help overcome the effects of the about the relationship with would use maximum pressure until to the threat. The sources did not sive step back for that region if it US sanctions within 60 days. Iran in different ways, Iran “abandons its destabilising am- dispute that the commander of became nuclearised,” Hunt said. “So Trump imposed sanctions on Pompeo said the Europeans bitions.” al-Quds Force, Major-General Qas- we urge the Iranians to think very Iranian industrial metal export rev- are united with the United Pompeo said he went to Iraq May 7 sem Soleimani, told proxy forces in long and hard before they break enues and demanded that the Ira- States in dealing with the to reassure Baghdad that the United Iraq to prepare for a battle with the that deal. It is in no one’s interest. It nian government “fundamentally” Iranian threat. States supported Iraq as a “sover- United States soon, the Daily Beast is certainly not in their interest be- change its behaviour. eign, independent nation” and said reported, but the risk was low level. cause the moment they go nuclear, “Under the Iran nuclear deal, Iran Iran said it was angered by the the United States would continue The response, they said, is meant to their neighbours will as well.” was free to engage in and sponsor lack of support from Europe, even to support Jordan, the United Arab be a show of force to the proxy units. US Senator Jim Risch, a Republi- terrorist networks, develop its mis- as it said it followed the terms of the Emirates and other Gulf state allies. While Europe and the United can from Idaho and chairman of the sile force, foment regional conflicts, nuclear deal, the Fars News Agency, The United States provided energy States are going about the relation- Senate Foreign Relations Commit- unjustly detain United States citi- Iran’s semi-official news source, re- alternatives so Iraq would not have ship with Iran in different ways, with tee, said in a statement that Iran’s zens and brutalise its own people, all ported and said it would take meas- to rely on Iran while Iranian oil trade Europe meeting its end of the nucle- response is a sign that it is desperate while maintaining a robust nuclear ures to “reciprocate.” This includes is sanctioned, Pompeo said. ar deal, Pompeo said the Europeans and that the pressure campaign is infrastructure — not to mention, as dropping components of the nuclear Pompeo said designating Iran’s Is- are united with the United States in working. we now know, its extensive nuclear deal if Britain, China, France, Ger- lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as dealing with the Iranian threat. “The regime’s comments on par- weapons archive,” Trump said May 8 many and Russia did not provide a terrorist organisation did not con- British Foreign Secretary Jeremy tial compliance are a non-starter — in a White House statement. sanctions relief within two months. tribute to the threat to US troops in Hunt said May 8 during a news either you’re in or you’re out,” Risch He said the sanctions would af- Iran stopped selling excess ura- Iraq. briefing with Pompeo that there said. “Our own withdrawal from the fect Iranian revenue from industrial nium and heavy water May 8, as re- The Daily Beast, a Washing- would be consequences if Iran broke [nuclear agreement] late last year metals exports, which total about quired by the deal after the United ton publication, reported May 8 the nuclear agreement. has created an opportunity to pur-

Viewpoint Iran under the shadow of war as risks mount

force,” Bolton said. tions under the JCPOA (Joint On May 7, US Secretary of State Comprehensive Plan of Action as Mike Pompeo abruptly cancelled the nuclear deal is formally Ali Alfoneh a visit to Berlin and made an known), which did not leave Iran unscheduled trip to Iraq. He did with any other choice but to not answer questions about the reduce its own obligations.” specific nature of Iran’s “escala- The IRGC has also been silent tion” but US Navy Captain Bill about reports about arming its isentangling the Urban, the US Central Command boats with ballistic missiles. IRGC United States from spokesman, said there were spokesman Brigadier-General wars in the Middle “indications that Iranian and Ramezan Sharif, speaking in East was one of the Iranian proxy forces were making Bandar Anzali in northern Iran, main campaign preparations to possibly attack US accused the United States of themes of US Presi- forces in the region.” orchestrating “a vast psychologi- Ddent Donald Trump and he is CNN, quoting unidentified US cal operation against the Iranian probably just as disinclined to officials, reported that the United nation” and vowed to neutralise start a war against Iran. States received intelligence about “conspiracies of the enemies of The regime in Tehran, acutely Iran moving short-range ballistic Islam and the revolution.” aware of the formidable might of missiles onto boats in the Arabian The US military’s loud state- the United States, is just as wary Gulf. A clear message. A US fighter jet lands on the USS Abraham ments about the motive behind of starting a war it knows it would Washington’s gunboat diplo- Lincoln aircraft carrier during exercises in the Arabian Gulf. (AP) deploying the USS Abraham lose. However, both countries macy comes after what has been Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to may be inching towards a situa- billed as a “maximum pressure” the Arabian Gulf indicate Wash- tion in which miscalculation or campaign against Tehran: The US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear Iranian President Hassan Rohani, ington’s attempt at sending a accidents risk starting a military deal and reimposition of unilat- whose political fortunes were strong signal to Tehran and confrontation. eral American sanctions, the State ruined by the US withdrawal from avoiding a war. The United States is not seeking A combination of Iran Department’s designation of the the nuclear deal, still tries hard to However, a combination of Iran war with Iran, US national Islamic Revolutionary Guard keep it alive. reducing the level of its obliga- security adviser John Bolton said reducing the level of Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist However, hard pressed by the tions under the nuclear deal and May 5 in a written statement. its obligations under organisation, Washington’s IRGC and perhaps in an attempt to the possibility of Tehran with- However, in response to “escala- decision not to renew exemptions gain the political initiative, drawing from it increases the risk tory indications and warnings,” the nuclear deal and to buyers of Iranian oil and Rohani expressed on May 8 his of a military confrontation with the United States deployed the the possibility of Washington no longer permitting government’s decision to “reduce the United States. So do reports of USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Tehran withdrawing Iran to enrich uranium, all some of its obligations under the the IRGC arming its boats. Even Strike Group to the Gulf region constitute components of the nuclear deal.” the slightest mistakes may result “to send a clear and unmistakable from it increases the campaign. In a letter to the governments of in war. message to the Iranian regime risk of a military Tehran has not officially France, Britain, China, Germany that any attack on United States’ responded to reports about and Russia, Rohani emphasised Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at interests or on those of our allies confrontation with arming boats with short-range Iran’s patience but “the counter- the Arab Gulf States Institute in will be met with unrelenting the United States. ballistic missiles in the Gulf. part did not live up to its obliga- Washington. May 12, 2019 3 Cover Story Iran

Viewpoint With carrier deployment, US pressure on Iran takes on new contours

Sabahat Khan military targets, such as nuclear or Iranian President Hassan Rohani, missile storage facilities. re-elected on a mandate to uplift The deployment buttresses US the economy including by negotiat- he United States power but is more significant for ing the end to international maintains a carrier strike the message it carries than the sanctions, appears increasingly group on rotation in and military assets and weaponry hapless at home. Apathy and around the strategic themselves. frustration among ordinary Iranians Arab Gulf region for its US President Donald Trump are reportedly brewing again. theatre-deployed forces assumed his presidency on a The United States designated Tas a routine matter, as it does in commitment to “ripping up” the Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary “disastrous” nuclear deal with Iran. many other parts of the world. Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist For the operational flexibility they To the surprise of many — and organisation on April 8 in a move enable, recent years have seen US reportedly against the advice of key with far-reaching ramifications for Navy aircraft carriers more fre- military and security leaders — Tehran at home and abroad. It was quently in the region as American Trump followed through by described as “vicious” by Iranian ground forces fought large-scale withdrawing from the multilateral Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. accord in 2018 and reimposing Khamenei and Iranian Foreign During a significant part of those crippling sanctions on Iran. Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wars and at the height of tensions The Iran nuclear deal has lived on warned of “dangerous conse- over Iran’s nuclear programme and for a year but may not last much quences” ahead. regional activities, the United longer as the stakes are raised in Under the Obama administration, States maintained not one but two America’s growing confrontation amid military campaigns in Iraq carrier strike groups in the region with Iran. Tehran announced it will and Iran, American leaders avoided simultaneously. withdraw in part from the deal and antagonising Iran to contain the However when US national issued a 60-day notice to the threat of further regional destabili- security adviser John Bolton accord’s remaining signatories to sation and violence. announced May 6 that the United effectively save the deal before it Over the years, Iranian missiles, States was diverting the USS restarts production of highly its use of proxies and deeply Abraham Lincoln with Carrier Strike enriched uranium. entrenched political agents around Group 12 to its Central Command, From the beginning, Trump has the wider region have lent credibil- Different approaches. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) which covers the Gulf region, and called for a renegotiation of the ity to its claims that US forces and and Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt attend a joint news assigning it a bomber task force deal with Iran to cover its ballistic key interests lie exposed to its conference at the Foreign Office in central London, May 8. (AP) comprising B-52s, his signal was missile programme and “malign” capabilities and influence. unmistakably razor-edged. regional activities in addition to its The United States has decided to The decision to deploy the nuclear programme. go after these apparent elements of sue a solution that addresses the a direct consequence of the Trump Abraham Lincoln, which had been With US Secretary of State Mike Iranian power that have allowed it totality of Iran’s bad behaviour and administration withdrawing from conducting operations in the Pompeo and Bolton — both Iran to challenge a far superior military provides true security to the US and the Iran deal and Trump’s blind, me- Mediterranean, to the Gulf came hawks — occupying key positions, and economic power and take on an our allies. andering escalatory Iranian policy.” after the United States said it the White House has stepped up outsized regional role and signifi- “The Iran deal was flawed because Senator Tom Udall, a Democrat received “troubling and escalatory efforts to strategically undermine cance. it failed to address other aspects of from New Mexico, and Senator Dick indications and warnings” from Iran by using America’s economic Putting the squeeze on Iran with the Iran regime’s destabilising be- Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, Iran. and military prowess to fuller multifaceted pressure, the United haviour — to include the pursuit of wrote an opinion piece in the Wash- With four squadrons of F-18 Super effect. States is seeking to control the ballistic missiles and the regime’s ington Post stating that the United Hornets, two squadrons of Seahawk Over the past year, Iran’s oil escalation ladder as it pre-empts support to terrorism throughout States is “barrelling towards another helicopters and an airborne early revenues have nosedived as Iran’s potential responses in the the Middle East. The regime is now unnecessary conflict in the Middle warning and control capability, the American sanctions halved oil weeks ahead. faced with a sharp choice between East based on faulty and misleading Abraham Lincoln brings added exports by forcing key customers to The United States maintains it is its current malign activity and be- logic.” firepower and flexibility to US limit purchases. Now, the United “not seeking war” with Iran but the having as a responsible member of “The Trump administration has forces in the region. States has ended sanctions waivers trajectory of developments the international community.” presented the false narratives that B-52s can carry more than 30,000 for all customers of Iranian oil with increases the odds of a head-on Not everyone in the United States Iran is not meeting its obligations kilograms of bombs and missiles — the aim of driving Iran’s oil income collision, including as a result of was happy about the administra- under the nuclear deal and that it is including nuclear weapons. to the ground. miscalculation. tion’s campaign. somehow partially responsible for Employing B-52s, the US military Trump’s strategy has caused US Senator Chris Murphy, a Demo- the rise of the Islamic State in Syria,” could launch cruise missiles and enormous economic and political Sabahat Khan, based in Dubai, crat from Connecticut on the Senate they wrote. bunker-buster bombs from long pressure on Iran; foreign investors maintains a cross-disciplinary Foreign Relations Committee, said distances to suppress air defence have stayed out and its currency has focus in international security, in a statement that “Iran’s moves to Kelly Kennedy is an Arab Weekly systems, like the Russia-made plummeted, quadrupling infla- defence policy and strategic restart their nuclear programme are correspondent in Washington. S-300, and penetrate hardened tion. issues.

Viewpoint Iran economy faces deeper damage as US ups pressure

mated 500,000 barrels per day The oil market took notice of metals sector. Centre of Iran (SCI) said the coun- — of Iranian crude oil exports Tehran’s warning April 22 that it As part of his executive order, try’s monthly inflation rate could disappear from the market, was prepared to close the Strait US President Donald Trump recently hit 51.4%. Jareer Elass following the Trump administra- of Hormuz, the strategic water- emphasised that it is “the policy Iran’s currency freefall began tion’s decision to not renew way that allows for as much as of the United States to deny the last year ahead of the Trump waivers to eight Iranian crude one-fifth of the world’s oil needs Iranian government revenue, administration’s announcement buyers. to be transported from the including revenue derived from in May 2018 to pull out of the Oil prices have surged since the Gulf. the export of products from 2015 nuclear treaty. The sanc- beginning of 2019, with prices for Saudi Arabia and the United Iran’s iron, steel, aluminium and tions renewal spurred a greater UK benchmark crude Brent and Arab Emirates agreed to work copper sectors, that may be used slide in the rial, which has lost US benchmark West Texas with the United States to prevent to provide funding and support nearly 60% of its value, adding to Intermediate rising 30% to 40%, an oil price spike by providing oil for the proliferation of weapons the inflation crisis and hurting respectively, but economic and to replace the expected drop in of mass destruction, terrorist the nation’s foreign trade. geopolitical risk factors have Iranian crude supplies. Riyadh groups and networks, campaigns While the official rate of the ncreasing trade tensions created an unpredictable mar- indicated it would take a meas- of regional aggression and Iranian rial is 42,000 rials to the between Washington and ket. ured approach towards increas- military expansion.” US dollar, the black market Beijing and the Trump The oil market is facing price ing its crude output and the Trump said revenues from exchange rate sat at 143,000 rials administration beefing up volatility over fears that a kingdom is unlikely to ramp up Iran’s industrial metals exports to the US dollar at the end of its military presence in the collapse in US-Chinese trade its oil production in May. comprise 10% of Tehran’s export April. The cost of food staples Arabian Gulf to counter negotiations could wreak havoc However, US Energy Secretary economy. Iran is said to have soared in the last year, with Iperceived Iranian aggression on global economic growth, Rick Perry said on May 7 that “our earned $5.5 billion over the last prices for red meat and poultry have created price uncertainty in further softening weak oil allies, Saudi Arabia for instance, year from its export of products jumping 57%, cheese and eggs the international oil market. demand. Adding to the uncer- are increasing their production to using the four industrial metals 37% and vegetables by 47%, SCI Tehran is stoking price volatil- tainty is not knowing how much meet these needs relative to the now under US sanctions. said. ity as well by threatening to crude flow will be affected by Iran sanctions.” The International Monetary Rumours of fuel rationing to go partially pull out of its 2015 American oil sanctions on OPEC The US government said Fund (IMF) predicted Tehran’s into effect May 2 prompted long nuclear treaty with European members Iran and Venezuela Tehran typically has earned $50 economy, which contracted 3.9% queues at petrol stations in allies and start enriching ura- while a third cartel member, billion a year from its oil exports. in 2018, would shrink 6% this Tehran and other cities, forcing nium in 60 days if they don’t Libya, could suffer serious oil Since the US embargo on Iranian year and said inflation could Iranian Oil Minister Bijan force Washington to back away disruptions if its civil conflict crude sales went into effect in reach record levels. Namdar Zanganeh to call reports from sanctions that are crippling worsens. November with the temporary “Clearly the reimposition of of the rationing decree “lies.” The Iranian oil and banking sectors. The Trump administration waivers attached, Tehran sanctions and the removal of the Interior Ministry acknowledged The market is watching to see announced on May 5 that it was reportedly has lost more than $10 waivers will have additional that the issue of petrol rationing how nimble Iran will be in sending an aircraft carrier strike billion in oil revenue. negative impact on the Iranian is under review but the extent skirting US oil sanctions and how group and a bomber task force to Iran’s economy faces deeper economy both in terms of growth and timing have yet to be deter- much damage oil export restric- the Gulf region to counter “a damage with those exemptions and in terms of inflation, where mined. tions will have on Tehran’s credible threat by Iranian regime revoked. The Trump administra- inflation could reach 40% or battered economy, which is forces,” adding another risk tion notched up its pressure on more this year,” said Jihad Azour, Jareer Elass reports from facing a deepening recession. element to the market considera- Iran’s economy May 8, announc- IMF director of Middle East and Washington on energy issues for Approximately half — an esti- tions. ing sanctions on Tehran’s Central Asia. The Statistical The Arab Weekly. 4 May 12, 2019 News & Analysis Maghreb

Still apart. French Sarraj’s failed European President Emmanuel Macron (C) and tour could herald wider Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj at the Elysee shift on Libya war Palace in Paris, Michel Cousins there had to be a ceasefire and a re- May 8. (Reuters) turn to the UN-led political dialogue with Haftar. In Paris, he was told the Tunis ceasefire had to be unconditional. Sarraj had insisted that he would he Tripoli-based Govern- accept a truce only if the LNA with- ment of National Accord, drew to its pre-April 3 positions. led by Prime Minister Fayez Despite outward smiles and T al-Sarraj, said it intended to warmth on display, the talks with suspend the activities of 40 foreign Macron appear to have been partic- companies because their licences ularly negative. were “out of date.” Taking a hard line, Sarraj was re- Many of the companies are ported by his media office as having French, including Total, Thales, Al- told Macron that not only would catel, GGC and Ponticelli. Siemens, there be no ceasefire unless Haf- the German industrial manufactur- tar withdrew, but that he would no ing giant, is also on the list. longer talk to either Haftar or Aguila ly and the United Kingdom, are said edly deployed south of Tripoli. were few believers, even in Tripoli, The announcement came May 9 Saleh, the president of the Libyan to be reassessing their backing for Conversely, a UN panel charged which remains solidly anti-Haftar. after Sarraj had been to Berlin for House of Representatives. Sarraj Sarraj and the GNA with investigating breaches of the Both sides constantly claim the talks with German Chancellor Ange- said he no longer considered them Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe arms embargo on Libya reportedly other is using mercenaries. As well la Merkel and then to Paris to meet acceptable because of the Tripoli at- Conte appears to be showing signs concluded that at least one recent as Ecuadorean and possibly Portu- with French President Emmanuel tack. of wanting to reach out to Haftar LNA strike involved a Chinese Blue guese pilots, the LNA accuses the Macron. Sarraj criticised France for its pro- and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Arrow air-to-surface missile almost GNA of using Chadian fighters. The The European tour included stops Haftar stance, reportedly telling Hunt said that while Britain did not certainly fired from a Chinese Wing GNA accuses the LNA of using Su- in Rome and London as Sarraj tried Macron that it had deeply angered agree with what Haftar was doing, it Loong drone. If the system was not danese Darfuri rebels and Egyptian to rally support for the Government Libyans, which led to anti-French did not rule him out from having a supplied by China, another foreign troops dressed in Libyan uniforms. of National Accord (GNA) in the face demonstrations in Tripoli. role in a future Libyan government. power did. For the moment, there is a distinct of the attack on Tripoli by Field- Following his talk with Macron, There are also signs of a shift Foreign involvement came on a possibility that the announcement Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan Na- Sarraj during an interview with among Western diplomats accred- personal basis as was seen with the about suspending the companies’ tional Amy (LNA). France 24 TV demanded that the ited to Libya whose governments news that the LNA had captured a activities in Libya because their li- The trip, however, was a failure French government adopt “a clear publicly support the GNA and Sar- foreign fighter pilot after shooting cences had expired may backfire on and suspending the companies was political position” on the Libya situ- raj. “What’s wrong with a Haftar vic- down his jet near Gharyan, south of Sarraj by further straining relations, widely seen as revenge by an angry ation. tory?” asked one senior European Tripoli. particularly between the GNA and GNA. Trying to get the Europeans be- diplomat at a private meeting in In a videoed interrogation, the France. The most Sarraj obtained in Eu- hind him made sense given that Tunis. “He’s the only person able to pilot claims to be Portuguese, al- The GNA appears to understand rope was confirmation that all four the conflict in Libya has been in- unite Libya. Sarraj can’t.” though he spoke English with a clear that. It initially announced that the governments recognise him and the ternationalised. With Egypt, Saudi The only assured firm foreign sup- American accent. He is thought to companies were suspended but GNA as Libya’s legitimate govern- Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, port for Sarraj seems to come from be one of a group of foreign pilots backtracked, giving the companies ment but his hopes that the Euro- Russia, the United States and, some- Turkey and Qatar. based in Misrata, many of them, Ec- three months to renew. That, how- peans would take practical action what more surreptitiously, France For both sides, foreign support uadorean, drawn to Libya by large ever, was probably too late. The to stop Haftar — at the very least de- backing Haftar, Sarraj is dealing has been practical as well as verbal. amounts of money and the thrill of move did little to win support for mand he withdraw his forces to their with sliding international support. The LNA has accused Iran of ship- action. the GNA. positions prior to when the assault Following US President Donald ping thousands of Syria-made mis- Sarraj’s military spokesman on Tripoli began — were dashed. Trump’s apparent decision to swing siles to Misrata. Said to be paid for claimed that the story was fake and Michel Cousins is a contributor to In all four capitals, Sarraj was told behind Haftar, others, including Ita- by Qatar, the missiles were report- that it had lost no aircraft but there The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues.

Viewpoint Can Algeria’s army lead the quest for a modern state?

he arrest of two before the demonstrations demonstrators. The protesters enjoy the respect of the people former Algerian started and yet this member of are not shy to express the view and concentrate on their prime heads of security the Algerian League for the that the interim government is duty, which is to guard the — Mohamed Medi- Defence of Human Rights one of straw men. Their view is longest frontiers of any country Francis Ghilès ene, known as the continues to languish in prison. shared by many observers of in Africa. “God of Algiers” One of Algeria’s most respected Algeria. They are aware of being in a because of the senior statesmen, former Prime It seems increasingly unlikely turbulent continent where Tpower he held from 1990-2015, Minister Mouloud Hamrouche that the presidential election will terrorism is very active close to and Athmane Tartag who suc- weighed in — for the third time in take place, as announced, on July Algerian borders and where ceeded him — and former Presi- less than two months — to tell 4. Indeed, Hamrouche made clear foreign armies — be they French, dent Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Gaid Salah that what was needed that not one person, be it Gaid American or Moroccan — operate younger brother, Said, who after was a real dialogue between the Salah or Interim President across a Sahel region torn by his brother’s stroke in 2013 was army and the reformist move- Abdelkader Bensalah, had the ethnic and socio-economic crises. de facto leader of Algeria, has not ment, not shadow boxing. legitimacy to call a presidential The Algerian Army sees its produced major results. Before such a dialogue could poll. What is needed is a referen- second duty as ensuring the The arrests failed to impress start, a consensus on the way dum to ratify an amended integrity of the state. That it can the millions of Algerians who forward had to be reached within constitution. do by respecting the will of the every Friday since last February the army because maintaining its The people and the army people, playing midwife to a have clamoured their peaceful unity was of paramount impor- should neither turn their back on democratic system that will be desire for radical change in the tance to stability. Neither each other nor risk confrontation. best placed to meet the serious way Algeria is governed. They Hamrouche nor senior officers Dialogue is the only way forward. economic and social challenges have done so in huge marches nor indeed most Algerians are The background to the debate Algeria faces, especially in across the country. The start of under any illusion that the is probably the lack of consensus domestic reforms. Ramadan does not appear to have country’s neighbours will try to within the army. The delibera- If Gaid Salah, by throwing red weakened their resolve. take advantage of the state of tions within a body that com- meat to the wolves, intended to Every week, Algerian Chief-of- affairs in Africa’s largest country. prises more than 500,000 men demobilise the protesters, he Staff General Ahmed Gaid Salah, Hamrouche also made the point take place behind closed doors miscalculated. whose credibility is fast eroding that dismissing or arresting but are none the less real. Beyond Algerians will watch with despite his being in de facto people is fine as far as it goes, the army, debates include trepidation as the Night of command of Algeria, has senior which is not very far. Building ordinary citizens as well as Forgiveness, which precedes the servants of the state, such as the solid institutions is the only way experts, people from the private end of Ramadan, approaches. former CEO of the oil and gas forward and no easy task in a and public sectors. Maybe senior officers could monopoly Sonatrach, Abdelmou- country where Abdelaziz Boutef- Algeria has become a vast choose that special date to agree men Ould Kaddour, fired if not lika emptied most institutions of talking shop but what next? to a serious plan to move for- arrested. their raison d’etre. Hamrouche Army officers can be expected ward. Mediene, Tartag and Boutef- insists the interim president is to have a wide range of views that Algeria acquired territorial lika, arrested May 4, are big fish, fine as a means of ensuring the reflect that, more than any other independence in 1962. Now its indeed, but the protesters are not continuity of the state, not least institution, the body they belong people want to build a modern the only ones unimpressed by in its relations with foreign to is the backbone of the country state. If the army supports that this crude display of what many powers. Building solid institu- that enjoys the trust of most aim, however arduous, its place see as histrionics designed to tions and ensuring electoral rolls Algerians. in history will be assured, appease the crowd and thwart a and elections are free of fraud are Recruited from every region alongside that of liberating Algerians will watch transition to real democracy. key tasks. and every social class, the army Algeria from 132 years of French with trepidation as Gaid Salah’s credibility was not The demonstrators have holds in its hands the future of colonial rule. It would certainly the Night of helped by the case of human avoided all provocations Algeria. Some officers are mark it out as an army unlike any rights activist Hadj Ghermoul, attempted by those who wish to concerned that too many conces- other in the Middle East and Forgiveness, which who was sentenced more than preserve the way Algeria is sions will create division and North Africa, bar, maybe, Tunisia. precedes the end of three months ago for carrying a governed but only change the disorder. Others are more banner protesting Abdelaziz facade. There has been absolutely confident in the maturity of the Francis Ghilès is an associate Ramadan, Bouteflika’s possible fifth no violence as the police play 43 million Algerians. fellow at the Barcelona Centre for approaches. mandate. That was three weeks their new role of protecting the All of them, however, wish to International Affairs. May 12, 2019 5 News & Analysis Tunisia Interview Abir Moussi emerges in Tunisia’s opinion polls as she breaks with political order

partnership that may contrib- Iman Zayat and ute to the creation of a national Lamine Ghanmi project capable of leading Tunisia to a better future but we strongly reject any partner- ith parlia- ship that may harm the mentary country and its people.” and She did not mince words presiden- about the type of partnerships tial she would reject. elections “The political component to scheduled which I am referring,” she said, Wfor late this year in Tunisia, the “is no other than the Islamist Free Destourian Party and Abir party Ennahda that has Moussi, the 43-year-old lawyer embraced, since its inception, leading it, have become serious the ideology of the Muslim contenders. Brotherhood, the mother An opinion poll conducted organisation of all Islamists. by the Sigma Conseil polling “The embrace of the radical agency indicated that the Free ideology of the Muslim Broth- Destourian Party (PDL) was erhood was acclaimed by fourth among political parties Ennahda’s leaders before they with 9.9% support of respond- started working on improving ents. Moussi, the party’s their image at home and outspoken leader, was third abroad by denying their ties to among potential presidential the Muslim Brotherhood to candidates, at 12.4%. Other have a hold on Tunisia. Now, polls placed her and her party we see them relying on mere even higher. fallacies and distortions to promote their group as a civil party.” Moussi blamed Islamists for “We propose to bring violence before and after the back the power of the 2011 uprising that toppled Ben Ali. state. With the fraying She said when Ennahda’s of state institutions, the leaders returned from exile, Challenging the system. Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Destourian Party. (Courtesy of PDL) lobbies and vested they tried to directly control the state by enacting a law that interests, the power of excluded Destourians, who deal with Islamists in parlia- “further confirmation of what implement his programme.” the state diminished come from the ruling parties of ment if both Ennahda and PDL we have already said about the “We propose to bring back Tunisia’s first president Habib candidates are elected to the seriousness of the threat that the power of the state. With and with it the ability to Bourguiba and his successor, legislature. this organisation represents.” the fraying of state institu- respond to the demands Ben Ali, from taking part in For now, Moussi said she Moussi’s beliefs, particu- tions, the lobbies and vested of the people.” drafting the constitution. This, wants Ennahda held account- larly, regarding political Islam, interests, the power of the Moussi said, made it clear that able. “We want judicial seek inspiration from the ideas state diminished and with it Abir Moussi, leader of Islamists were the first to use accountability for all the of Bourguiba, who viewed the ability to respond to the exclusion, thinking that would wrongs that were committed Islamists as “obscurantists” demands of the people,” she the Free Destourian uproot a national force that against Tunisia from 2011 till with an ideology that planted said. Party had been anchored in the today and accountability the seeds of ignorance and Her party has prepared a country’s political tradition for might lead to a ban,” she said. poverty and the abolition of draft constitution it said about 100 years. “Of course, we do not advocate women’s rights. would restore balance. Moussi noted that 2011-13, excluding them based on a Moussi said the revolution- Moussi rejected accusations The Arab Weekly met with when Islamists led the govern- political decision. We demand ary doctrines that swept the that she nurtures neo-authori- Moussi to learn about her ment, was marked by violent a fair judicial process that country after 2011 have been tarian tendencies, saying the views and those of her party, jihadist activities. would lead to the implementa- discredited. “We are not part PDL is committed to democ- the political scene in Tunisia “We saw in their era bloody tion of a court’s order. ” of this ‘Arab spring’s’ network racy and the rule of law. and the PDL’s prospects and attacks and political assassina- Moussi steered away from and are not involved in the “We are the most able to election programme. tions and we witnessed the suggestions of a crackdown political system that has given enhance democracy and foster Moussi said the growing slaughter of soldiers and that would victimise Islamists, it birth,” said Moussi. “We are a human rights as our party has interest in the PDL is a serious security forces as well as an as happened under Ben Ali. nationalist party as large as life held the reins of power during trend due to two factors: the escalation in terrorist attacks. with nearly 100 years of various eras of the country’s party’s unwavering commit- We have also seen black flags existence.” history and knows the short- ment to its principles despite raised in different parts of the “We did not come from comings and qualities of each pressure and intimidation and country accompanied by calls The programme of the abroad with foreign funding period,” she said. the party’s insistence on for the suppression of individ- and a foreign agenda,” she As presidential and legisla- challenging the existing ual freedoms and public Free Destourian Party added. tive elections approach, political order and giving rights,” she said. focuses on adjusting Moussi heaped scorn on Moussi said the PDL has Tunisians who are sceptical of “It was a dark period during financial imbalances, secularist leaders who, swayed prepared a detailed pro- the political establishment which radicals such as Ansar by realpolitik, have struck gramme to address the hope of a way out of the al-Sharia emerged and con- supporting the alliances with Islamists to country’s economic and social country’s many predica- trolled mosques to recruit national currency and shore up power and engi- challenges. ments. young people and send them to neered a political system that “The Free Destourian Party Moussi said she is undaunted Syria, Iraq and other hotbeds boosting national scatters state power among is the only party that has by criticism levelled at her as of tension.” production. the parliament, the govern- presented its economic, fighting an old guard battle Moussi accused Ennahda-led ment cabinet and the presi- financial and social pro- aimed at resurrecting the governments of ineptitude and dency. gramme to the public. That pre-2011 political order. She mismanagement, leading to a She said: “The core of the took place April 26 after a said many of the critics are “in rapid deterioration of the “We want a public trial to crisis lies in the political thorough diagnosis based on a state of confusion and country’s economic situation. examine evidence and facts,” system that weakens the the available figures and data,” bewilderment as some of them “They almost mortgaged the she said, pointing out that executive power of the she said. continue to play on falsehoods country and plunged Tunisia cases involving Ennahda were president and fans infighting Moussi said the programme and fake news. We are princi- into debt by relying exclusively being examined by Tunisian between power centres.” focuses on adjusting financial pled in our positions and on foreign loans and misman- courts, including allegations of The constitution, drafted imbalances, supporting the programmes but our oppo- aging our national resources,” an Islamist secret apparatus under a government and national currency and boost- nents are trying to mislead she said. and of complicity in political legislative body dominated by ing national production. The public opinion into seeing the The grim assessment led assassinations as well as the Ennahda, arguably lends more PDL has proposed the creation [PDL] as an exclusionist Moussi to assert that “the basic use of violence in Siliana in power to the prime minister of institutions to control political entity.” idea is to take them out of the November 2012. than to the president and even indebtedness, reform public The former-ruling Demo- political scene because of the On the United States’ more power to parliament. systems and other structural cratic Constitutional Rally, in harm they caused and because possible designation of the The system has resulted in reforms to overcome the which Moussi had the position of our need to search for Muslim Brotherhood as a eight governments since 2011, crisis. The party also intends of deputy secretary-general, effective solutions that may foreign terrorist organisation, all of which were unable to to present proposals for the was banned in 2011 by a court allow Tunisia to navigate this Moussi said: “It would be solve the country’s high reform of Tunisia’s health ruling after the removal of critical juncture.” much better to decide here in inflation and unemployment sector. President Zine el-Abidine Ben The PDL suggests a legal ban Tunisia whether to ban the rates and widening debt. Ali. Moussi was one of the few on mixing religion and politics movement or not regardless of Moussi insisted that “the Iman Zayat is the Managing who dared to challenge that that would make any Islamist the ongoing shift in interna- ruling system must be Editor of The Arab Weekly. ruling in court. party illegal. She said she tional positions.” changed to assert the powers Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Moussi said her party was considers this achievable but She said, though, that of the elected president which Weekly correspondent in ready to “accept every political did not say how the PDL would Washington’s position is would allow him to Tunis. 6 May 12, 2019 Opinion

Editorial US-Iran showdown year ago, US President Donald Trump walked out of the 2015 Joint Comprehen- sive Plan of Action nuclear agreement with Iran. The US move was motivated by the TrumpA administration’s dissatisfaction with the nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama for its failure to perma- nently block Iran’s nuclear ambitions, restrict Tehran’s missile development programme or stop its interference in the affairs of other countries in the region. Since then, Washington has increased pressure on Iran through a series of economic sanctions, including oil exports ban, and designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Despite Tehran’s claims to the contrary, Iran’s economy has suffered as a result of the sanctions. Its oil exports, which account for nearly 60% of the country’s foreign revenues, dropped to about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from 2.5 million bpd a year before. Experts say Iran is likely to see its oil exports fall to about 500,000 bpd. Tehran had hoped other countries, especially in Europe, would help it evade the sanctions but the Europeans, wary of possible US financial sanctions, did not. Amid signs the pain was becoming increasingly unbearable for its economy, Iran announced “retaliatory” measures. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council said May 8 that the © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly country would not consider itself committed anymore “to observing restrictions regarding storing enriched uranium stocks and heavy water stocks.” Iran’s Machiavellian calculations “In the next stage Iran will also stop observing restrictions on the level of uranium enrichment and measures regarding modernising Arak heavy water may not work in Libya reactor,” it said. Mohamed Aboelfadl Iranian President Hassan Rohani said Tehran could resume high-level uranium enrichment if Brit- Iran may expand its interest in what is going on in Libya but the accumulated ain, France, Germany, China and Russia — the other signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement — did not experience confirms that it will not enjoy full freedom of movement. protect Iran’s oil and banking sectors from US sanctions within 60 days. ome say the Iranian ship and the world can no longer afford Tehran wanted to emphasise Tehran’s move raised questions about Iran’s wider spotted off the coast of to ignore or allow its arms devel- that squeezing it into a corner commitment to curtailing its nuclear designs. Misrata recently was the opment programmes. Tehran’s would lead to extending its arms to Experts said Iran does not need more than a year to first and last to sail to insidious use of hot spots and crises Libya and mess up arrangements achieve a nuclear enrichment “breakout” if it cancels inspections. Libya or that it repre- around the world is less and less for the elimination of extremists Furthermore, Rohani threatened Europe with sents Iran’s stubbornness tolerated, putting it in the spotlight and armed militias, in addition to withholding Tehran’s cooperation in areas that are Son breaking the sanctions levied and resulting in more political, undermining pledges made by the key to the European Union’s interests. against it and that’s all there is to it. economic and, possibly, military Libyan Army not to fiddle with “You have responsibilities, too… for keeping your The reality is that the ship is pressures against it. the flow of oil and gas to Western youth away from drugs, the flood of immigrants and likely the first trickle of a flood of The Libyan scene certainly countries. other cooperation Iran has had with you so far. If ships, aeroplanes and land convoys looked like a tasty morsel to Tehran Of course, Tehran’s strategy can this trend continues, the cooperation will cease,” he headed towards Libya soon. The since the fall of Muammar Qaddafi’s only find the needed political, se- said. Libyan crisis could be a new haven regime in 2011 and the outbreak of curity and economic support from Iran’s announcements elicited a new set of US sanctions May 8. The new sanctions were aimed at for Tehran, nourishing its appetite civil strife and armed divisions. At Turkey and Qatar, which both con- stopping the export of Iranian iron, steel, alumin- for more hostile operations, tak- first, Tehran’s approach to the Lib- sider Libya open terrain. The three ium and copper. The White House pointed out that ing advantage of the chaos that it yan crisis was a bit shy because the countries would be cooperating and the steel and mining sector, which constitutes 10% hopes to expand in Libya. Syrian crisis was more urgent and coordinating their strategies in a tri- of Iran’s exports, is the country’s second largest The Iranian regime has always still in its infancy and the situation angle of influence that had emerged source of foreign revenue. exploited regional tensions to pur- in Yemen needed attention. There during the Gulf crisis and led Saudi Applying pressure or blackmail on nations, sue its goals. Most of the successes was also the harassment Iran was Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, especially those that have tried the most to accom- of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary encountering in Lebanon and Iraq. Bahrain and Egypt to boycott Doha. modate Iran’s demands, will not address the issues Guard Corps were carried out riding All of Tehran’s political and military The four countries have escalated at the root of the showdown with the United States. Those issues have to do with Tehran’s pursuit of the wave of internal conflicts that subversive teams were being kept their condemnations of Ankara’s policies that are dangerous to the peace and security have become the perfect opening busy around the clock. and Doha’s meddling in Libya. of the region and the world. through which Iran can stick its Until now, Iran has not resorted Tehran’s approach in Libya seems Iran’s brinkmanship will escalate tensions and nose in other countries’ affairs, be- to blatant intervention in Libya and to be based on cooperation with make the risk of war even more likely. lieving that the short-term benefits refrained from direct confrontation Turkey and Qatar but with a specifi- of a soft approach embodied in with Egypt because Cairo considers cally Iranian twist. Iran apparently spreading Shiism will have tremen- Libya its vital backyard and hidden believes that the Syrian crisis is end- Election rerun dous returns in the long run. scores may surface should Iran dare ing and the general trend is towards Iran’s influence in Lebanon in- play with it. clipping Tehran’s wings there. The in Istanbul creased with the Lebanese civil war However, now that the very fate consequence of that step would be s expected, Turkish President Recep and the growing role of Hezbollah. of the Iranian regime is at stake, all to undermine Tehran’s role in the Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the decision of In Iraq, Tehran became the master political restraints can be over- region and allow international pow- Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council to puppeteer after the US-led invasion come. This is what Tehran is doing ers to go after Iranian interests in rerun the March 31 Istanbul mayoral and the outbreak of sectarian fight- in Libya. Iran knows that it is defy- places where it has devoted major election. ing Egypt in Libya and that Egypt AThe Turkish leader had called for such an outcome ing. Its behind-the-scenes med- efforts to plant its roots. in the first place. His party, the Justice and Develop- dling in Yemen became evident might forget its indulgent attitude The Iranian regime has examined ment Party (AKP), introduced many legal and when the Houthi rebels engaged in towards Iran if the latter continues the situation in Libya and decided procedural appeals and had succeeded in having battles with forces of the legitimate its meddling. that its interests could be served by many recounts ordered. government and its supporters. Iran has started violating many of prolonging the war in Tripoli be- But, after 17 days of appeals and recounts, Ekrem The crisis in Syria became more the givens of the world order. The tween the Libyan National Army and Imamoglu, the candidate of the main opposition complex because of Tehran’s med- ship heading to Misrata was no ac- the Government of National Accord, Republican People’s Party (CHP), remained ahead dling that allowed it cident. It was a message to regional which is backed by Islamic extrem- even if by a slim margin. Turkish prosecutors to entrench itself on and international powers that ists, an array of armed militias as initiated 32 investigations and more than 100 several fronts. Tehran has tools that it can use officials were questioned as “suspects” in alleged well as Turkey and Qatar. Tehran is election irregularities. Today, Iran’s to embarrass them, confuse hoping that, when the situation The decision of the electoral council shocked policies in their agendas and be a in Libya becomes confused again Turkey’s opposition. Syria are being thorn in their side. and the paths to peace disappear in “It is illegal to win against the AK Party,” CHP rejected the heat of the battles, perhaps the Deputy Chairman Onursal Adiguzel commented. international community will ease “This system that overrules the will of the people its pressure on Iran. and disregards the law is neither democratic, nor Iran may expand its interest in legitimate. This is plain dictatorship.” what is going on in Libya but the The move will cast doubts about Turkey’s electoral process and fuel allegations about its leader trying to accumulated experience confirms impose an unchallenged authoritarian rule. that it will not enjoy full freedom of For others, the decision is bound to raise questions movement. The extremist organisa- about the commitment of Islamists to democracy. tions in Libya are aware that alli- Kadri Gursel, a respected journalist commented: Foreign ances with Tehran are not guaran- “The decision to rerun the local elections in Istanbul: threats. teed and might change any time and Political Islam is proven finally & irrevocably A member the regional and international forces incompatible with democracy.” of the that have been working tirelessly It is obvious from the jitters the decision has sent Libyan to undermine its presence in Iraq, to financial quarters that the move will not help Coast Guard Turkey’s recession-plagued economy. Syria and Yemen will not allow it The concern is shared by diplomats and experts on patrol off to play in and with Libya and its who will be watching the election rerun June 23 to the eastern neighbouring countries. see if Ankara sees any limits to its political over- port city reach. of Misrata. Mohamed Aboelfadl is an Egyptian (AFP) writer. May 12, 2019 7 Opinion

Iran ‘calibrates’ its moves but does Published by Al Arab not know what to expect Publishing House Gareth Smyth Publisher Political pressure is tilting the Iranian leadership and Group Executive Editor away from wait-and-see. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Editor-in-Chief ran has responded to the Iran’s is a calibrated move. Ro- ply withdraw from the deal, they before Trump left the JCPOA and United States’ withdrawal hani stressed a readiness to “ne- know, means all the sanctions are now likely to head towards Oussama Romdhani from the 2015 world-power gotiate, within the boundaries would come back. At the same 700,000-800,000 bpd. agreement limiting its of JCPOA” and that he wanted time, Iran is aware of worse-case Iran’s average $67 billion nuclear activities. Europe, Russia and China to scenarios, which means prepar- annual oil revenue over the Managing Editor On the first anniversary save the deal. ing for conflict while working to past decade could slump to $25 Iman Zayat Iof US President Donald Trump Jenkins drew a parallel with bypass sanctions.” billion or less. As Tehran strives abandoning the “worst deal Iran’s “exertion of diplomatic It may be a long time until the to increase non-oil exports, Deputy Managing Editor in history,” Iranian President pressure” through a phased US election in November 2020 Washington may introduce fur- and Online Editor Hassan Rohani announced steps expansion of enrichment after and start of a new presidential ther sanctions like those in early Mamoon Alabbasi Iran will take towards resuming 2005, ending a 2-year suspen- term in January 2021. Golkar May over steel, aluminium and frozen aspects of the nuclear sion in place during talks with expects evidence of “radi- copper exports. Senior Editor programme unless it receives Europe. Iran first resumed calisation” with Iran’s parlia- The government tripled John Hendel international help against strin- converting raw uranium into mentary elections in February welfare payments to 10 million gent US sanctions. feeder gases, then reopened the 2020 alongside by-elections for poorer citizens but inflation Chief Copy Editor The details may matter or may Natanz research facility and did the Experts’ Assembly, which hurts the salaried middle classes Richard Pretorius be overtaken by events. Rohani not enrich to 20% until 2010. chooses the supreme leader. and retired people. said Iran would stop exporting The Iranian nuclear pro- Few in Tehran or Washington “It’s awful here, with rising Copy Editors enriched uranium and heavy gramme was less developed doubt that the “hawks” around prices hitting anyone on a fixed Stephen Quillen water and, after 60 days, would then and Trump was not in the Trump, especially national salary,” said the professional Kyle Arensdorf resume enriching uranium White House. This time, it could security adviser John Bolton, in Tehran. “Rohani has raised beyond the 3.76% limit set by take two or three months for want to overthrow Iran’s leader- government workers’ wages East/West Section Editor the 2015 agreement, the Joint current stocks of 160 kilograms ship. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of by 20% and is cutting back on Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Comprehensive Plan of Action of LEU to reach the JCPOA the Foundation for Defense extra expenses. Luckily, the (JCPOA). limit of 300 kilograms, perhaps of Democracies, argued in the Central Bank chief has been able Gulf Section Editor On the former, US Secretary of coinciding with the 60-day Wall Street Journal that the CIA to control, relatively, the rise in Mohammed Alkhereiji State Mike Pompeo had six days timescale. should finance workers’ strikes the dollar but far scarier is the earlier announced Washington “This could all be done in as sanctions prompt unemploy- US Navy coming to the Persian Society and Travel might sanction any parties tak- stages — first enriching to 5%, ment and labour unrest. Gulf.” Sections Editor ing Iran’s enriched uranium, as then to some higher level,” said One Tehrani professional said “Everybody is talking about Samar Kadi Russia has done, or stored its Saeid Golkar, assistant professor he did not expect a popular war,” said Golkar. “A cousin in heavy water, as Oman has done. of Political Science at the Univer- uprising, even as sanctions bite. the countryside told me that all “I think it’s just a coincidence sity of Tennessee, Chattanooga. “People are quiet this time and the farmers are speaking about Senior Correspondents that the US threatened to sanc- “Iran has few choices, so [it] are blaming Trump,” he said. this danger.” tion LEU [low-enriched ura- has taken a desperate move to “They feel he’s disrespectful, Are such fears exaggerated? Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) nium] exports and that Iran now try to warn [the Europeans and even racist.” Perhaps, said Golkar, “but a Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) says it will suspend them,” said Russians] but mainly to satisfy An International Monetary false-flag operation can start a Kelly Kennedy (Washington) Peter Jenkins, former British the Iranian hardliners and their Fund projection of 6% concre- war. Nobody knows who will ambassador to the International social base who feel humiliated.” tion and 40% inflation in 2019 shoot against the Americans in Regular Columnists Atomic Energy Agency. “Iran Political pressure is tilting the predates the United States Iraq or in other countries.” Rashmee Roshan Lall will soon find itself in posses- Iranian leadership away from ending sanctions waivers for Claude Salhani sion of more than 300 kilograms wait-and-see. “Iran has been Iran’s remaining oil customers. Gareth Smyth is a regular of LEU and, therefore, in ‘non- optimistic, waiting for 2020 and Tehran’s exports were already contributor to The Arab Weekly. Yavuz Baydar performance’ of that JCPOA praying Trump will not again be down to 1.3 million barrels per He has reported from the Middle Correspondents provision.” president,” said Golkar. “To sim- day (bpd) from 2.3 million bpd East since 1992. Nazli Tarzi (London) Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Sudan can avoid Syria’s catastrophic path Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Abdul Basit Sida Chief Designer Perhaps the first thing Sudan needs is a national administration keen Marwen el-Hmedi

on defending the people and the country’s future. Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir here have been est and shortest way to resolve tions and unflinching opposition sources, cutting across various Hanen Jebali encouraging signs differences and keep Sudan safe to the regime were unable to disciplines. Sudanese expatriate recently that it is pos- from catastrophic evils, some- play the role expected of them workers in Gulf countries and sible to reach a solu- thing that Syrians have suffered because of their inability to move elsewhere have an excellent tion that would lead from for eight years. freely in the harsh and authori- reputation for their skills and Contact editor at:

Sudan to safety. The Sudanese Army declared, tarian climate imposed by the professionalism. They are capa- [email protected] TThe representatives of the again, its commitment to safe- regime. ble of boosting their country’s Forces for Freedom and Change guard the interests of the people Sudan had a different experi- economic and social develop- and the Transitional Military and to block the return of repres- ence with the country’s military ment in cooperation with Suda- Council led by General Abdel Fat- sive security apparatuses loyal and political parties. There has nese back home. tah Burhan have agreed on many to the deposed president and always been an active and effec- Perhaps the first thing Sudan points. The most important was preventing them from threaten- tive civil society in Sudan keen needs is a national administration Al Arab Publishing House the need for a reasonable transi- ing or assaulting demonstrators. on defending the interest of all keen on defending the people and Quadrant Building tion period to enable the Suda- The Sudanese political forces, Sudanese, regardless of their the country’s future. It has the 177-179 Hammersmith Road nese to regain their strength, despite their various ideological social status and orientation. task of removing obstacles for the London W6 8BS organise their ranks and free orientations and their differ- It stubbornly committed to de- Sudanese to harness their experi- their country, as much as pos- ent modes of representation, fending the future of Sudanese ence and energies in the service sible, from the heavy legacy of have shown maturity and have youth. of society and the country and three decades of corrupt rule. reached minimal levels of The weight of this civil society to move confidently towards a Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 They also agreed that the consensus. They have exercised was evident in the role played promising future that guarantees Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 sovereign council, which is to their duties in various forms, by the Sudanese Professionals a fair and dignified life. oversee the formation of the especially in communicating Association, which includes It must do that while main- government and the parliament with demonstrators with some representatives of various trade taining excellent relations with and the drafting of a constitution participating in demonstrations. unions and grass-roots organisa- Sudan’s neighbours and the US Publisher: to be the basis for free elections, They have done all that and tions. In Syria, the regime had international community at large The Arab Weekly USA LLC. be mixed between military and remained keen on keeping been able since the 1980s to based on common interests, civilian members. dialogue with the military alive shrink the weight and role of mutual respect and the mainte- [email protected] That point is crucial. The and provided ground for talks’ trade unions and even turned nance of regional security and [email protected] presence of the military in the success. them into tools of the repressive stability. council is essential to maintain- The experience in Syria with and totalitarian security appa- We Syrians wish the best Tel: 248-679-6624 ing security, stability and the similar circumstances was a bit- ratus. of luck to our dear Sudanese integrity of the state and the ter one. From the first day of the Despite contradictory state- brethren and we hope that their presence of civilians is also indis- revolution, the army was a tool ments and accusations between success will serve as a shining pensable to reassure Sudanese in the hands of the regime. The negotiating sides in Sudan, the example for us so we, too, can society that the country is on a army turned against the Syrian situation has not reached a criti- solve our crisis through respon- path towards a democratic civil people, using all kinds of weap- cal stage, sources said. Hope ex- sible national dialogue that tran- regime in which the military will ons, including aviation, missiles ists that there will be intensive, scends the mentality of intimida- Subscription & Advertising: protect the state and society. and chemical ones, systemati- focused and urgent efforts to tion and revenge, especially on [email protected] However, what happened at cally destroying cities and towns solve outstanding issues, which the part of the regime. Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 the end of April cast doubt on and displacing their inhabitants. are solvable with a firm will and The regime has been relying quickly reaching a consensus. The result was that the country sincere intentions. on all and sundry from outside There were contradictory state- became a land open to greedy Sudan has the resources for a Syria to maintain its grip on Mohamed Al Mufti ments from spokesmen for each and insatiable international and definite jump forward. It has wa- power that was used to destroy Marketing & Advertising party that dampened the initial regional forces. ter reserves and vast arable land the country, displace its people Manager wave of optimism. The domesticated parties capable of ensuring strategic and jeopardise the fate of the Open dialogue remains the among the Syrian opposition food security to it and neigh- country’s future. Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 bouring countries. best means to resolve differenc- failed to side with the people www.alarab.co.uk es, converge points of view and in the revolution. Opposition The country also has an Abdul Basit Sida is a Syrian round corners. It is also the easi- parties known for extremist posi- unrivalled capital human re- writer. 8 May 12, 2019 Spotlight US move against Brotherhood Interview Untangling the ‘conundrum’ of US blacklisting of Muslim Brotherhood

Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice-president at the Challenging the ► swords. Foundation for Defense of Democracies, examines A 2013 file the options for Trump’s administration. picture shows a man holding a plaque of hood a terrorist organisation. the Muslim “Certainly, there is an aura of Brotherhood politics that surrounds all of emblem that Kelly Kennedy this,” Schanzer said, adding that was removed Sisi, Saudi Crown Prince from the party’s Mohammed bin Salman bin burned-out ith pundits Abdulaziz and the Emiratis headquarters in and aren’t fans of the Brotherhood the Moqattam government and that a designation would district of Cairo. officials place “Qatar in the crosshairs” (AFP) calling the because of its support of the move to Brotherhood. designate He noted that the designation Wthe Muslim Brotherhood a must be based on “clear and “terrorist organisation” both credible evidence” that the illegal and a logistical night- Muslim Brotherhood has mare, Jonathan Schanzer said engaged in violence; and while the answer might be to investi- groups that splintered off from gate and designate the group the Brotherhood, such as the faction by faction. Islamic State and al-Qaeda, “It would be entirely legal,” meet those standards, the said Schanzer, senior vice-presi- Brotherhood itself publicly disa- require monitoring “many, the Muslim Brotherhood that designated a terrorist organisa- dent at the Foundation for vowed violence in the 1970s and many parts,” Schanzer said, we could probably describe as tion but it did not, Schanzer Defense of Democracies and a has evaded charges of vio- some of them in the United radical in their ideology,” he said, assess the organisation on former terrorism finance analyst lence. States and some parts of said. “It is something that our a “case-by-case” basis. at the US Treasury Department. “This is the conundrum,” political systems the United law enforcement agencies have There are other options, he “It would be easier for the Schanzer said. “This is what States considers allies, such as been loth to do. said, including designating bureaucracy to digest.” people are howling about when Turkey, Jordan and Morocco. In “Ideology, however, is not individuals or calling the The question arose in April they talk about the so-called those places, there’s little enough for a designation.” Brotherhood a “hate group,” a after US President Donald illegality of the designation.” evidence of Brotherhood-spon- Externally, officials could lighter designation that Trump said he was considering Because there needs to be “a sored violence, Schanzer said. look at whether the designation wouldn’t include as many the designation of the Muslim top-down assessment,” he said, The Muslim Brotherhood has should come from the US State repercussions. Brotherhood as a terrorist organ- it might be easier to do it branches in more than 90 Department or the US Treasury “All of that’s on the table,” he isation. branch-by-branch or country- countries. Department, he said. Treasury said. In a statement, Sarah Hucka- by-country. “In some cases, it’s Islamism could assess whether an Schanzer shared the plan bee Sanders, the White House The second consideration is heavy and nationalism light organisation is supported by a with administration and press secretary, said April 30: that the designation would and, in other cases, it’s nation- terrorist group and the bar is “a congressional officials. While, “The president has consulted alism heavy and nationalism little lower” than for the State he said, people seem receptive with his national security team “There are a number of light,” he said, adding there are Department designation. to the idea, he’s seeing resist- and leaders in the region who many varieties. There is also a question of ance. share his concern and this charities across the In other cases, a terrorist whether the designation is “People understand the designation is working its way country that have designation could punish warranted, Schanzer said. process that I’ve delineated,” he through the internal process.” groups that have refused to “Is this a smart thing to do in said. “That doesn’t mean they The move followed a meeting connections back to the participate in violent activi- the battle of ideas?” he said, like it.” Trump had on April 9 with Muslim Brotherhood ties. arguing that the Brotherhood is On the “hard right,” people Egyptian President Abdel Fattah that we could probably The United States has not often a “stepping stone” to want to designate the entire al-Sisi, who became president designated an internal group on violence jihadism and that network. “They’re opponents after a military-backed uprising describe as radical in terrorism grounds since 2009, many violent movements have of the network and would removed Muslim Brotherhood- their ideology”. Schanzer said. That, he said, been inspired by the teachings rather that there not be legal affiliated President Mohammad suggests that the FBI and CIA of the Brotherhood. restraints,” Schanzer said. Morsi from office in 2013. The Jonathan Schanzer, have lost the appetite for going “In my view, doing an On the left, he said, some group, whose leadership is in after internal terrorist organisa- assessment is not a problem,” consider taking even small prison or in exile, opposes Sisi. senior vice-president at tions. Schanzer said. “It’s a man- steps as “acquiescing to the Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the the Foundation for “There are a number of date.” Trump administration.” United Arab Emirates and Defense of Democracies charities across the country The CIA said the Muslim “I believe this is the middle Bahrain consider the Brother- that have connections back to Brotherhood could not be ground,” he said. Trump’s Brotherhood move likely to embolden Cairo

Hassan Abdel Zaher against state institutions, police all Brotherhood militias. Egypt knew that it did not work in a tional nature of the Brotherhood, stations and churches. In late 2013, the Egyptian gov- vacuum as it clamped down on this which has branches in many coun- The attacks followed the ousting ernment declared the Brotherhood movement.” tries around the world and secret Cairo of Egyptian President Muhammad a “terrorist group.” In September However, the possible US terror- investments, makes elimination of Morsi, a Brotherhood member, 2018, the government confiscated ist tag on the Muslim Brotherhood the funding sources of the move- n expected designation during an army-backed popular up- the funds of hundreds of Brother- would exempt Egypt from wor- ment next to impossible. by the United States of rising, after he failed to deliver on hood members and companies. The ries over what the world thinks or “Some of these funding sources the Muslim Brotherhood electoral promises to salvage the act included millions of dollars, 188 reacts as it tries to dismantle the are present outside Egypt,” said A as a “terrorist” organisa- economy and unify Egyptians, one companies, 1,113 charities and 104 Brotherhood. retired police General Farouk al- tion could embolden Egypt to take year after he was elected president. schools. The entities were said to The Brotherhood is deeply root- Megrahi. “This means that the fiercer measures against the Islam- In recent years, Brotherhood- be important financing methods ed in the Egyptian society. It runs Egyptian government cannot con- ist movement, analysts said. linked militias have killed many for Brotherhood activities. schools and nurseries that were trol them.” These measures would help Cai- policemen and burned dozens of However, as it maintained pres- important recruitment grounds. The possible American terrorist ro abolish the movement, make its churches. sure on the Islamist movement, The Brotherhood sent its educat- label for the movement would pun- financing run dry and eliminate it Following Morsi’s ouster, a Cairo always had an eye on exter- ed members to mosques around ish those with links to it, including from public memory, they added. Brotherhood senior executive re- nal attention on the crackdown. Egypt to offer free tuition to pu- companies that do business for or “Egypt has gone a long way in vealed the presence of coordina- International reaction to Morsi’s pils. with the movement. This, analysts eradicating the Muslim Brother- tion between the movement and a ousting ranged from sharp criticism Most of the nurseries and the said, would make Egypt’s mis- hood already,” said Hesham al- branch of the Islamic State in Sinai. to warm welcome. The administra- schools are in state hands now sion of choking the organisation to Najjar, a specialist on Islamist Attacks against the Egyptian Army tion of US President Barack Obama and Brotherhood control over the death a lot easier. movements. “Nonetheless, the in Sinai, Mohamed al-Beltagui said, criticised the move and withheld mosques is something of the past. “Funding is the buzzword for designation would give Egyptian would end immediately after Morsi military aid from Egypt. There was Nevertheless, Egypt needs to get any terrorist activity,” Amin said. efforts in this regard a huge impe- was returned to power. similar criticism in many European to the roots of Brotherhood financ- “The American terrorist label tus.” “The movement’s violence capitals. In most of the Arab Gulf, ing, with the organisation having would tighten the noose around The Muslim Brotherhood, an and links to terrorism are beyond especially where the Brotherhood a strong stream of finance from the Brotherhood financially, which 80-year-old Islamist movement doubt,” said Najjar, a former mem- was a security threat, there was channels that are, on the surface, will significantly facilitate Egypt’s that is believed to be the foun- ber of the Brotherhood. welcome. unrelated to the movement. These mission of ending this movement dation of political Islam and an Egypt countered the terrorism “There was a huge international channels include business activi- once and for all.” ideological term of reference for by sentencing a huge number of reaction to the popular uprising ties that are not registered in the all Islamist movements, became Brotherhood members, including against Morsi,” said Ashraf Amin, name of Brotherhood members, Hassan Abdel Zaher is a the Egyptian state’s enemy No. 1 most of its leaders, to prison. Egyp- a former assistant to the Egyptian analysts said. Cairo-based contributor to in 2013 when its militias attacked tian authorities disbanded almost interior minister. “This was why They added that the transna- The Arab Weekly. May 12, 2019 9 Spotlight Eastern Mediterranean Turkey on collision course with Egypt over drilling off Cyprus

Amr Emam cooperation among eastern Medi- terranean countries. In 2013, it signed an agreement on the joint Cairo exploitation of hydrocarbon re- serves with Cyprus. elations between Egypt In January, seven Mediterra- and Turkey are expected nean countries, including Egypt, to deteriorate after Cairo formed Eastern Mediterranean R warned Ankara against Gas Forum, allowing for the crea- drilling off Cyprus. tion of a regional gas market. Fo- The Egyptian Foreign Ministry rum members invited other coun- said May 4 that it followed “with tries to join. Turkey apparently concern Turkish plans to drill accepted the invitation but that off the western coast of Cyprus,” hasn’t stopped conflicts. warning of ramifications of the The Egyptian warning is prob- move on stability in the eastern ably a signal of frustration towards Mediterranean. Turkey’s conduct over the years. Cairo’s warning follows a series Cairo’s reaction also shows anger of Turkish provocations, in the at the destabilising role that Tur- face of which Cairo had either de- key has been playing in the region clined to reciprocate or abided by and its interference in Egypt’s af- the strictest diplomatic lines. fairs and those of other countries Turkey’s plans to drill off Cy- in the region, analysts said. prus would significantly threaten In February, Egyptian Foreign Egypt’s economic interests in the Minister Sameh Shoukry declined region, something Cairo would not to comment on criticism from allow, analysts said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the European-Arab League summit the same month. Cairo’s reaction also “The fact is that we are busy shows anger at the doing more important things,” destabilising role that Shoukry said. “We will not de- Turkey has been playing scend to this level.” in the region and its Erdogan has adopted a hostile stance towards Egypt since Egyp- Turkish Navy frigate Gaziantep escorts drilling vessel Fatih off the Mediterranean interference in Egypt’s tians ousted Muslim Brotherhood- Troubled waters. resort city of Antalya, last October. (Reuters) affairs and those of other affiliated President Muhammad countries in the region. Morsi in 2013, in an army-backed uprising that led to the collapse of Libya. Egypt views that govern- serves in the region to be gigantic,” Turkish drilling off Cyprus, Egypt “Egypt has been trying to launch political Islam empowerment sup- ment as an amalgam of terrorist said oil and gas expert Ramadan received a new submarine from a legal regional umbrella for the ported by Turkey and Qatar. militias. It backs the campaign Abul Ela. Germany, the third from the Euro- exploitation of natural resources Apart from attacking Cairo and against the militias by the Libyan Egypt plans to utilise its lique- pean country. in the eastern Mediterranean,” inciting international public opin- National Army. faction plants in becoming a re- “A confrontation is possible, said Nourhan el-Sheikh, a political ion against it, Turkey offers refuge Nonetheless, Turkish threats to gional energy hub as part of efforts especially if Turkey violates the science professor at Cairo Univer- to Muslim Brotherhood fugitives stability in the Eastern Mediterra- that can turn the eastern Medi- sovereignty of Cyprus and Greece, sity. “Turkish moves… destabilise wanted by Egyptian authorities. nean may trigger harsher Egyptian terranean into an oasis of wealth, given economic and political coop- the region and open the door for Turkish authorities allow many anger, analysts said. peace and cooperation. eration between Egypt and these conflict because it has no legal Brotherhood media channels to air This is particularly so with the This may explain Egypt’s mili- countries,” said Saad al-Zunt, head right to drill in it.” from Turkey, as part of a campaign region containing huge gas re- tary buildup in the Mediterranean. of local think-tank Centre for Stra- Egypt is at the centre of poten- by the Islamist movement against serves and Egypt pinning hopes on Cairo has spent billions of dollars tegic Studies. “Egypt has what- tial wealth in the eastern Mediter- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah its own natural gas finds to drive to modernise its navy, includ- ever naval power it needs in this ranean, having discovered major al-Sisi. its economic reawakening, they ing with purchases of helicopter regard.” gas reserves off its Mediterranean In late April, Erdogan vowed added. carriers, advanced corvettes and coast. Cairo has tried to turn this to offer support to the Islamist- “Despite the lack of specific es- speedboats. A day before Egypt is- Amr Emam is a Cairo-based potential wealth into a source of backed government of Tripoli in timates, all studies expect the re- sued its warning against planned contributor to The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint Turkey’s gas exploration moves off the coast of Cyprus unlikely to yield results

urkey started yet an- come a hub for exporting natural eastern Mediterranean. Turkey Mediterranean to Europe since other controversy by gas to European markets. dispatched exploration ships to that trade goes against their inter- announcing it would What makes matters related Cypriot territorial waters, ac- ests. It is easy to see the com- Ahmed Kandeel explore for natural to gas reserves of the eastern companied by warships to protect plexities involved in the strategic gas, 60km west of Mediterranean more complicated them. Turkey has been harassing environment for the development Cyprus’s Akamas Pen- is that Turkey seems to be an Cyprus’s exploration vessels and and export of natural gas from the Tinsula and 150km from the Turk- undesirable partner in most of the last year it intercepted Italian region. ish coastline — inside Cyprus’s regional cooperation frameworks drilling vessels off Cyprus while Such moves increase the likeli- economic zone and continental in the sector. its own ships were exploring for hood of military confrontation shelf. In January, Egypt, Israel, gas within Cypriot territorial between eastern Mediterranean The Turkish declaration was Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Italy and waters without clear and interna- countries, especially considering strongly criticised by the United the Palestinian Authority estab- tionally recognised legal grounds. the tendency of the Turks to use States, the European Union, lished the Eastern Mediterranean It is estimated that Turkey’s bid all possible means, including mili- Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Egypt and Gas Forum with the intention of for natural gas resources in the tary options, to defend what they others for violating the territorial creating an international organi- eastern Mediterranean will not say are their legitimate “rights” to waters of a sovereign state. The sation that respects the rights of come to fruition in the short term. resource discoveries. critical reactions only compound- its members to their natural US Senator Bob Menendez, If Turkey continues its policies ed Ankara’s challenges at home resources in accordance with the a Democrat from New Jersey, in the eastern Mediterranean, and abroad. principles of international law and US Senator Marco Rubio, a which is most likely to happen, Recent Turkish moves came and strengthens their efforts to Republican from Florida, sub- Erdogan will find himself more as the country faces serious build the right infrastructure. mitted a bill in the US Congress isolated and Turkey’s economic economic difficulties. Since the Ankara was not invited to par- titled “Security and Partnership crisis will intensify. On the other end of last year, and for the first ticipate in the forum because its for the Eastern Mediterranean” side, there will be a tendency to- time in ten years, Turkey has activities in the region were seen with the view of lifting the arms wards closer cooperation between been experiencing an economic to be destabilising. Ankara also embargo on Cyprus that’s been in the other players in the region to recession, with an inflation rate of rejects Cyprus’s claims over its place for decades. The measure achieve positive returns quickly If Turkey continues about 20% and skyrocketing food maritime economic zone, arguing suggests that political, military and as a tool to deter Ankara. and medicine prices. The Turkish that parts of it were within the and economic circles in Washing- This shows the importance of its policies in the lira is under tremendous pres- jurisdiction of Turkey or Turkish ton are willing to further isolate encouraging and promoting the eastern sure but the biggest blow is the Cypriots. Turkey if it goes ahead with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum repayment in the next 12 months Furthermore, it rejected S-400 missile defence deal with as a vital grouping that serves Mediterranean, which of about $18 billion in foreign cur- agreements broached by Cyprus Russia or if it continues following the interests of the participat- is most likely to rency loans. to define its maritime borders, policies that hinder US interests ing countries in accordance with happen, Erdogan will Turkish President Recep Tayyip including its agreements with in the region. the principles of international Erdogan seems to be betting on Egypt and Israel, based on which In addition, some countries law and respect for international find himself more the natural gas riches of the east- the economic zones of those — Iran and Qatar, for example — conventions. isolated and Turkey’s ern Mediterranean to overcome countries were determined in the may increase instability in the the economic crisis and to ensure eastern Mediterranean. region by supporting terrorist Ahmed Kandeel is an Egyptian economic crisis will he stays in power. He’s also appar- Turkish naval forces modified movements interested in disrupt- writer specialising in Asian intensify. ently hoping that Turkey will be- their rules of engagement in the ing gas exports from the eastern affairs. 10 May 12, 2019 News & Analysis Syria

Viewpoint Iraqi militias’ presence in Syria spurs fierce criticism from all sides

Assad’s rule in Syria but they control wide swaths of territory themselves and execute Iran’s will James Snell in Syria,” Smyth said. That territory has become a practical difficulty for those he story of Iraq’s attempting to reach a favourable militias is contentious. conclusion to Syria’s war and for These forces were Iraqi politicians taking stock of a undoubtedly significant broad Iranian effort to overtake in the country’s recent domestic Iraqi politics and fighting — against the increase Iranian strength across TIslamic State and against Kurdish Mesopotamia and the Levant. forces after the Kurdistan region’s Iraqi militias have, Smyth said, referendum on independence in “also established their own 2017. presence in Syria by starting their It is commonly claimed that own branches there, helping with Iraq’s Shia militias were created in the creation of new Iran-controlled New escalation. Syrians, fleeing possible air strikes, drive along the main Damascus-Aleppo highway a moment of crisis as a last-ditch militias and still maintain near the town of Saraqib in Syria’s jihadist-held Idlib province, May 9. (AFP) national defence and their creation thousands of their own fighters in was attributed to a fatwa issued by the country.” Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Muqtada al-Sadr, formerly the 2014 that called on Iraqis to take up leader of a sectarian militia during arms to defend the country against the post-Saddam era and now an Russian-Syrian forces the Islamic State (ISIS). electoral force, has been a Although this event, and the persistent critic of the PMF, peril in which Iraq found itself in including for its apparent focus on 2014, galvanised recruitment and Iranian aims rather than improving pound Idlib, Turkey shifts increased the number of those the future of Iraq. willing to take up arms, it was not Al-Sadr has called an immediate the beginning of Iraq’s militias. withdrawal of PMF fighters from Sectarian militias, including on Syria as one of a series of demands attention to Kurdish positions the Shia side the Mahdi Army and he made of the Iraqi government’s the Badr Corps, fought in the civil foreign policy, including holding war following the overthrow of that Iraqis ought to seek better Sami Moubayed Kurdish separatists in Kobane, Ras ish troops advanced on Tell Rifaat Saddam Hussein. Political diplomatic ties with Saudi al-Ayn and Tell Rifaat, north of in the Aleppo countryside, where, affiliates of both serve in Arabia and aim to end the Aleppo. Erdogan claims, thousands of Iraq’s legislature and Iraqi militias in fighting in Syria and Beirut The Turkish operation was to Kurdish fighters fled from Afrin Yemen. have happened in April immedi- last year. It has been on Erdogan’s either form part of Syria are not or have previously Al-Sadr’s ays after Syrian peace ately after the supposed withdraw- hit list since December, along with formed part of its operationally statement contains talks wrapped up in Ka- al of US troops, who have been pro- Kobane and Ras al-Ayn. The last government. independent of their much politics. Iraqi zakhstan, a major offen- tecting and arming Syria’s Kurds two were problematic, because of A similar Iranian allies, able to citizens have borne D sive was launched by Syr- for the past five years. a heavy concentration of US troops dynamic exists in divorce their activities much and the gains ian and Russian forces, striking at By early this year, however, it be- but Tell Rifaat was accessible, situ- the Popular from the worst excesses of recent years have the north-western Syrian province came clear such a multilayered op- ated within the Russian zone. Mobilisation of the forces backing been repeatedly of Idlib and the nearby countryside eration would not occur, certainly Forces (PMF), Assad’s survival. diminished by half a of Hama, in pursuit of Hayat Tahrir not after US President Donald whose militias decade of direct and al-Sham, the al-Qaeda affiliate in Trump announced that he would Not only did Erdogan back fought ISIS but did not guerrilla conflict against the Syrian battlefield. be keeping 400 troops in Syria, out on his Idlib promise but do so without criticism. ISIS in the north, failures of The timing of the operation stationed mostly amid the Kurd- he temporarily withdrew his PMF fighters were accused of governance across the country was surprising, coming after a ish communities. Instead Erdogan best fighters from the participating in punitive and a creeping sense of Iranian statement by Russian President would have to go for something far province, saving them for a violence against those remaining encroachment. Al-Sadr’s criticism, Vladimir Putin, who, speaking small, more strategic and “surgi- major attack against in Mosul after ISIS was defeated in coming as it does amid a litany of April 27 in China, said no full- cal.” Kurdish separatists in the city and its number includes other complaints, could, therefore, fledge invasion of Idlib would hap- The Turkish president reverted Kobane, Ras al-Ayn and Tell many militiamen ill at ease serving be dismissed as pure pen because of the massive refu- to his earlier agreement with the Rifaat, north of Aleppo. their country rather than some oppositionism. gee crisis that it would trigger into Russians, seeking Putin’s sup- sectarian interest. To say that would be to miss the Turkey and beyond. port for a limited operation in the This is displayed by the ease with extent to which Iraq’s politicians “Right now, we and our Syrian Kurdish territories in exchange for The devil, however, lies in the which some militias went from and public are aware of Iranian friends consider that to be inad- cleansing Idlib on Russia’s behalf, details. For starters, how will the Iraq, where their ostensive mission influence in their country and visable,” Putin said. Repeated at- both from the Islamic State (ISIS) Kurds of Tell Rifaat respond to the to counter ISIS mission was clear unwilling to be involved in broader tempts at forcefully retaking the and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Turkish operation? After their de- cut, to Syria to participate in a conflicts as part of a side they did city had been aborted by France In theory, once the city was feat in Afrin, they regrouped and re- bloody civil war on the side of not join. and Germany, who feared a re- “clean,” Syrian government forces armed, making Tell Rifaat far more Syrian President Bashar Assad and Al-Sadr’s statement referenced newed flow of refugees into Eu- would be ushered back into Idlib, difficult to overrun than Afrin. his Iranian allies. his unwillingness for Iraq to find rope. under the watchful eye of the Rus- Second, will the Americans Phillip Smyth, senior fellow at itself involved in a broader sian Air Force, with implicit ap- stand by and watch their Kurdish the Washington Institute for Near confrontation between Iran and a proval of the Turks. A Russian-led allies being exterminated in Tell East Policy, said: “The Iraqi Shia union of Israel and the United Turkish troops at nearby reconciliation process would fol- Rifaat, as they were defeated in militias that have gone to Syria States. Iraqi PMF fighters, positions have looked the low, like those in East Ghouta and Afrin? have, for the most part — and I’m operating as part of Iran-aligned other way as Russian bombs Daraa. Until that happens, the Rus- Third, what will be the fate of talking the vast majority — done so units, have as recently as late were dropped on Idlib. sians will bomb HTS on Erdogan’s Turkey’s remaining forces in Idlib, at the behest of Tehran.” March, been killed in Syria in behalf, which is what they have known as the National Liberation Iraqi militias in Syria are not suspected Israeli air strikes. The operation in Idlib remains been doing since late April. Front, once through with their op- operationally independent of their The idea that they are there, confined to aggressive aerial bom- The two leaders had worked to- eration against HTS? A collective Iranian allies, able to divorce their fighting and dying, at the behest of bardment, aimed more at breaking gether in the past on similar agree- pardon is impossible, the Syrians activities from the worst excesses another nation is enough to spur moral of the opposition than eject- ment. In 2016, Erdogan looked insist, saying that only those who of the forces backing Assad’s criticism within Iraq, criticism ing it from the Syrian city. That will the other way as the Russian Air join the Russian-led reconcilia- survival. increasingly justified and be the task of the Turkish Army, Force pounded his Syrian proxies tion process will be allowed to stay “The groups they have joined are increasingly vocal. through an agreement between in Aleppo. In exchange for letting in Idlib, after surrendering their ideologically, financially and Putin and Turkish President Recep them retake the city in full, the arms. What about those, especially politically tied to the Iranians. James Snell is a British Tayyip Erdogan reached last Sep- Russians did nothing to prevent from HTS, who refuse? These groups helped secure journalist. tember. the carving of a Turkish-adminis- In the past, armed groups who Erdogan promised to finish the tered “safe zone” along the border- said no to the Russians were job by mid-October but failed to line, free from any Kurdish pres- shipped off to Idlib but now, with meet the deadline, shifting his at- ence. Idlib poised to return to govern- tention to the Kurdish enclave in Three years ago, the Turks took ment control, where will the north-eastern Syria, which he has control of Jarabulus, Azaz and al- militants go? There are very few been promising to raid since De- Bab and, in mid-2018, marched on pockets left in Syria that are under cember. Afrin, west of the Euphrates, also control of the armed opposition That territory was far more dan- within Russia’s sphere of influ- and those that are will refuse to gerous — and urgent — for Erdogan ence. In exchange for letting him welcome a contingent from HTS than Idlib, a city he knew could take Afrin, Erdogan abandoned his and the Islamic State. not remain indefinitely under con- proxies in the Damascus country- Meaning either the Russians will trol of the armed groups, given its side, not lifting a finger to protect have to come up with another Idlib presence deep in Russia’s sphere of them in East Ghouta. or defeat them fully in Idlib itself, influence. A similar scenario is in the mak- something that will probably take Not only did Erdogan back out ing, amid Turkish silence over the a very long time and is easier said on his Idlib promise but he tem- attacks on the Idlib-Hama axis. than done. porarily withdrew his best fight- Turkish troops at nearby positions ers — Ahrar al-Sham and the Zinki have looked the other way as Rus- Sami Moubayed is a Syrian Heavy cost. Iraqis mourn over the coffin of a Shia militia member Brigade — from the province, sav- sian bombs were dropped on Idlib. historian and author of “Under who was reportedly killed in Syria, during his funeral in Najaf. (AFP) ing them for a major attack against Simultaneously, however, Turk- the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). May 12, 2019 11 News & Analysis Iraq Worries mount over Iraq preserving its interests amid US-Iran standoff

Mamoon Alabbasi However, if the two sides do not want my mediation, why do I sacrifice the interests of my coun- London try?” Abadi accused fellow politi- he Iraqi government cians of not being vocal against should prioritise the in- government policies he said were terests of Iraq and not threatening the country’s stabil- T lean too much in Iran’s fa- ity. vour in Tehran’s standoff with the “We must be vocal. The oth- United States, former Iraqi Prime ers are not opposing the govern- Minister Haider al-Abadi said. ment because they have their The remarks were the latest sights on (official) posts that they criticism by Abadi towards the don’t want to lose,” he said in the policies of Adel Abdul-Mahdi, 90-minute interview. “I tell them who replaced Abadi as prime you can oppose policies to correct minister last October. a path without being in the oppo- “We have to preserve our own sition to the government. I am not interests. Some people believe opposing the government but I’m that the current government is pointing to where mistakes are.” more interested in supporting Abadi said Abdul-Mahdi com- Iranian interests (than our gov- mitted a “grave error” by failing ernment had done),” Abadi told to appoint defence and interior Al Sharqiya TV. ministers seven months after be- coming prime minister. “It is wor- rying to leave two security min- Abadi accused fellow istries without heads. How can politicians of not you leave two important security being vocal against ministries without ministers?” government policies Abadi asked. he said were He accused Abdul-Mahdi of be- threatening the ing influenced by pro-Iran politi- cians who insisted on appointing country’s stability. candidates backed by Tehran. “The prime minister should Conflicting interests. A file photo shows Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi (L) speaking with Abadi expressed scepticism have picked two independent former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad, last October. (Reuters) about Abdul-Mahdi’s bid to make candidates for the ministries right Iraq a “meeting point” for region- from the start: professionals who achieved with a lot of sacrifice, it is likely to have cost him securing “There was certainly wide- al rivals following the prime min- are not siding with a party,” said won’t last without reason,” said a second term as prime minister spread fraud in the elections and ister’s recent visits to Iran and Abadi. “He (Abdul-Mahdi) in- Abadi. “We are facing an interna- in the 2018 elections. we opened an investigation,” he Saudi Arabia. sisted on appointing figures who tional terrorist organisation, an Abadi sidestepped the issue of said. “If elections continue to be “The problem is where our pri- are backed by known sides. That’s ideology that’s not easy. We de- the Dawa Party, which is viewed carried out this way, not only will orities should be in this issue. why we have entered this crisis.” feated it militarily on the ground with suspicion by critics of Iran there be a lower turnout but even What is Iraq’s interest? Is it in Abadi warned that the crisis but it returned to its terrorist who may have voted for the for- many politicians might not take Iraq’s interest to play the role of a over the two ministries threatens methodology of the past.” mer prime minister had he disas- part.” mediator now? Was Iraq asked to the security of Iraq, notably from The interviewer, TV presenter sociated himself from the party. mediate?” Abadi asked. the dangers of the Islamic State. Ahmed Mulla Talal, said Abadi’s Abadi casted doubt on the fair- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy “To be a mediator, the two par- “Our current security situation insistence on remaining a mem- ness of the elections, suggesting it Managing Editor and Online ties must approve that mediation. is an accomplishment that was ber of the Iran-backed Dawa Party was the reason of his electoral loss. Editor of The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint Iran’s three-pronged approach in Iraq

he National Iranian agents and proxies in Iraq with activities. He does, however, Iraqi military. However, Iran is far Oil Company sabotaging oil refining and show a great deal of determina- from reaching that goal. announced the transporting activities. tion to control the party. He has In its confrontation with Ali al-Amin opening of an office The second area in which Iran portrayed himself as being close Washington, Tehran is trying to in Iraq to facilitate could do damage in Iraq is not to all party leaders but is, in fact, control three key domains in Iraq: cooperation in the oil new but has lately taken a great working to remove them all. oil, the Dawa Party and the army. sector and the deal of priority and seriousness in A third area in Iran’s attempt to Iran’s goal is not to start a war Ttransfer of engineering and Tehran’s policies in Iraq — party consolidate influence in Iraq is with the United States but to technical services to Iraq. politics. the military council project. create an embarrassing Iraqi This announcement came right Iran has split some Shia parties. Through its tools and proxies in reality for Washington. after the beginning of the second It has encouraged the spawning of Iraq, Iran is pushing for the Tehran has completed much of phase of the US sanctions on Iran. militia groups and party splinters creation of the council to destabi- the groundwork. It has restored The United States has said it in the Sadrist movement, such as lise the army. its relationship with the Kurds, wants to reduce Iranian oil the exit of the extremist group Iran already controls Al-Hashed infiltrated the Sunni environment exports to zero. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and others with al-Shaabi — the so-called People’s and is trying to win over the Shias While Iraqi legal circles confirm Iranian backing. Mobilisation Forces. Even though through control of the Dawa Party. that the opening of the office does Tehran confiscated control of it has legitimised their existence When this work is completed, not in itself constitute a challenge the Supreme Council and pushed by law, the militias have not been Iraqi leaders who have shown to the sanctions, as long as it it to rebel against the leadership able to take over the role of the independence from Iranian keeps to an advisory role and does of Ammar al-Hakim, who left the army in the country. influence will be marginalised. not import Iranian oil, some Iraqi council and founded the Wisdom The army is credited with Iran’s goal is to reimpose parliamentary sources expressed Movement. liberating Iraq from the Islamic dialogue with Washington, even if concern about the repercussions Tehran also infiltrated Arab and State and remains the one Iraqi it must be done through its Iraqi of the US sanctions in pushing Sunni groups and divided their institution that Tehran has not tools and at the expense of Iraq’s Tehran towards dangerous ranks by backing small Sunni infiltrated. The army’s immunity interests. activities that could harm Iraq. parties, which are represented in was a reason for al-Quds com- Meanwhile, Muqtada al-Sadr Iran’s influence in Iraq should parliament and government. Iran mander Qassem Soleimani’s anger suffers from confusion and not be underestimated and the is reorganising the leadership of and that of other leaders of Iran’s fragmentation reigning over his Iranian regime has begun using the Iraqi Dawa Party to be in line Islamic Revolutionary Guard position. This was demonstrated that influence to reduce the with its interests. Corps with former Iraqi Prime in his demand that the leaders of effects of the US sanctions by A prominent person in the Minister Haider al-Abadi. Bahrain and Syria resign at a time transferring political and eco- strategy is Tariq Najm, a mysteri- Abadi thwarted all efforts to when he seems unable to take a nomic burdens to Iraq. ous figure who had been away have pro-Iranian militias infiltrate clear Iraqi stance on Iranian Tehran is preparing to “invade” from the Dawa Party for years but the Iraqi military leadership. He developments. many domains in Iraq. The first, who suddenly emerged as a party also rejected the military council Despite it all, there is serious of course, is oil. leader. project, knowing that the aim of it resistance in Iraq to the Iranian What worries the Iraqi political Najm, who carried out an was to introduce partisan and project of weakening and entrap- Iran’s goal is to elite is that Iran, whose oil Iranian plan to remove Nuri sectarian quotas and politics into ping Baghdad in the quagmire of minister has questioned the al-Maliki as prime minister, even the military establishment. the Iranian crisis. Abadi and reimpose dialogue ability of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to though he was chief-of-staff for Hence, pressure exerted by the Hakim form a nucleus of resist- with Washington, compensate the global market to Maliki from 2006-10, is seeking to Iranian leadership on Iraq to pass ance that has found support in even if it must be cover any shortage of Iranian oil, control the Dawa Party through a law establishing a military Najaf and from Iraqi personalities would prevent Iraq from increas- Iranian support and planning. If council at the head of the Iraqi who understand that going along done through its Iraqi ing its oil exports. In fact, Tehran he succeeds, the party and its Army was to have the council with the Iranian project spells tools and at the will aim at reducing Iraqi oil decisions will fall under full populated by generals appointed political, security and economic exports from 4 million barrels per Iranian hegemony. by Iran-affiliated parliamentary problems for Iraq. expense of Iraq’s day (bpd) to 3 million bpd or less. Najm does not show much blocs. That way, Tehran is the interests. It could do that by tasking its enthusiasm for Dawa Party’s effective decision maker in the Ali al-Amin is a Lebanese writer. 12 May 12, 2019 News and Views Gulf

Gender quotas a solution to feminising senior roles in Saudi government

employed 90,000 women. Today, that figure is 600,000, equivalent to 31% of all Saudi private sector Najah al-Otaibi workers. More remarkably, this figure is rising despite the marked economic slowdown that has he empowerment of accompanied new austerity women in Saudi measures, including steep rises in Arabia appears to be a the price of electricity, water and classic case of two gasoline, the loss of cheaper expat steps forward, one labour and the imposition of a 5% step back. Despite the value added tax. unfortunate deten- In the private sector, Saudi Ttion of several women activists, the women own 39% of all small and appointments of Hind al-Zahid and medium-sized enterprises. Many Princess Reema bint Bandar bin others occupy senior roles with Sultan to key positions in the Saudi real decision-making power. This government represent an impor- is especially true in banking and tant landmark for the country. finance, health and human Zahid is the kingdom’s first services, journalism and business, under-secretary for women’s including colossal family-owned empowerment and Princess conglomerates such as the Olayan Reema, who will represent the Group. kingdom in the United States, is The government’s decision to Saudi Arabia’s first female ambas- amend the kingdom’s labour sador. Their appointments fired policies is partly responsible for the ambition of many Saudi the increase. Under Saudi King women who want to represent the Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, country in government but they the kingdom opened many retail More representation needed. Saudi entrepreneurs Asmaa Alabdallah (L), founder of BitGo, and Reem also highlight the growing dispar- industries previously closed to Dad (R), co-founder of Taibah VR, stand in front of Halcyon House in Washington, last August. (AFP) ity in gains made by women Saudi women, such as grocery workers in the kingdom’s private stores, clothing shops, cosmetic and public sectors. stores and pharmacies, to female Government-run universities, such authority. Tamader al-Rammah, While the government can Under Vision 2030, the govern- employees. as Effat and Dar al-Hekma, offer the deputy minister for labour and reasonably argue that employing ment has implemented pro- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz women’s entrepreneurship social development, is the highest- women in the private sector is the grammes that have achieved some Al Saud’s government acceler- training as does King Saud Univer- ranking woman in government — only way to create the viable success in feminising the ated the process by relaxing sity, which in 2017 opened the King and the only woman deputy market economy and national kingdom’s private sector workplace gender segrega- Salman Institute for Entrepreneur- minister. labour force the kingdom needs to workforce. These efforts tion laws, ending the ship on its women’s campus. The government is in a bind. On survive, no such rationale exists for have not been women’s driving ban If Saudi women have been the the one hand, it needs to wean government jobs. mirrored in the While the power and discontinuing private sector’s biggest winners, Saudi nationals off state-sponsored Consequently, the kingdom public sector. and influence of Saudi regulations that they are arguably the public employment. On the other hand, should aim for a much more Understandably, conservatives is prevented women sector’s biggest losers. Under empowering Saudi women who modest quota than the United Arab the government is waning, it has not from owning a Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia pledged wish to work is essential to Emirates. Ensuring that women are trying to shrink its vanished, neither have business without to decrease the size of the civil implementing economic transfor- represented in all sectors of payrolls as it the social and cultural the consent of service by 20% by the end of 2020. mation. Introducing gender quota government is more important transitions from a barriers they imposed male guardians. Saudi women have borne the brunt systems in government may be the than imposing gender parity. state-led to a for decades. The Saudi of those cuts, with the number of best way to balance these compet- Next, the kingdom needs to market-driven government also female government employees ing priorities. slowly elevate more women to economy. However, the introduced pro- shrinking from almost 724,000 in Nearly half of the world’s positions of authority in accord- drive should be balanced grammes designed to 2016 to 521,343 in 2018 — a drop of countries mandate some type of ance with Vision 2030, which aims by a concerted effort to increase the number of women 28% in two years. quota for female representation in to increase female representation increase women’s representa- working in the private sector. The In addition to the rapid decrease government. This list includes in senior government jobs to 5%. tion in the state bureaucracy, Hadaf Joint Training Programme in the number of female bureau- many Arab states. In the United While the power and influence of especially in its upper echelons. teaches women (and men) hard crats, just 1.3% of Saudi women Arab Emirates, for example, 50% of Saudi conservatives is waning, it The Saudi government can achieve (e.g., computer programming and occupy senior positions in govern- seats in the Federal National has not vanished, neither have the this by imposing a gender quota English language) and soft (e.g., ment, the lowest percentage in the Council (a quasi-parliamentary social and cultural barriers they system. communication and customer G20. There are no Saudi women body) are to be allocated to women imposed for decades. Under these Although the results of the service) skills and assists them in governors, ministers or senior in the next election. conditions, quotas are the best way kingdom’s push to replace expatri- finding jobs that match their skill advisers. However, the Saudi government to guarantee Saudi women a voice ate workers in the private sector sets. Women have been elected to will need to proceed cautiously if it in government and in their with Saudi nationals have been Other major programmes include municipal councils and make up wishes to avoid charges from country’s future. mixed, Saudi women have, under Wasoul, which provides transpor- 20% of the Shura Council, a conservatives, who cheered the Vision 2030, made unquestionable tation stipends for working quasi-parliamentary consultative detention of women driving Najah al-Otaibi is a senior analyst gains. women, and the Qura Initiative, body, but neither institution activists, that it is purposefully with the Arabia Foundation in In 2011, the private sector which subsidises childcare. wields real decision-making “Westernising” the bureaucracy. Washington. Saudi Arabia welcomes growing number of pilgrims for umrah

The Arab Weekly staff “This position is not strange to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. It is always a race to pro- Riyadh vide good and help the needy under such circumstances.” growing number of pil- This year, the largest number of grims have been travelling pilgrims, of whom more than 50% to Saudi Arabia each year were women, were from Pakistan, A to perform umrah, Islam’s Indonesia, India, Egypt, Turkey and minor pilgrimage, the Saudi Centre Yemen. Many visitors were also reg- for International Communications istered from Algeria, Malaysia, Iraq announced. and Jordan. Over the past eight months, more Separate from the haj, umrah is a than 6.1 million pilgrims travelled general Islamic pilgrimage that may to Mecca to take part in the ritual, be undertaken any time of the year. up from 5.7 million during the same While not compulsory, it is deemed period in the last Islamic year. a way to strengthen faith and ensure The increase comes as Saudi a more complete haj experience. Arabia looks to expand capacity in Umrah rites are especially popular Mecca to accommodate more than during Ramadan, when able-bodied 30 million visitors per year, part of Muslims fast during daylight hours the Vision 2030 strategy to advance as one of the five pillars of Islam. growth and tourism. Leading up to Ramadan, Saudi of- The kingdom implemented direc- ficials said the country had taken tives from Saudi King Salman bin security precautions to ensure pil- Abdulaziz Al Saud to accommodate grims could complete the ritual in pilgrims from Sudan after political “safety, security and comfort” and instability in Khartoum forced the the kingdom’s Ministry of Haj and closure of some flights to and from Umrah introduced an interactive the country. website to provide services for pil- “His (King Salman’s) guidance grims. was not limited to providing ser- King Salman urged the kingdom vices,” said Sudanese Ambassador to redouble efforts to “provide the to Saudi Arabia Abdul-Azim Al- best services and facilities to Um- Karouri. “Saudi Arabia is trying to rah pilgrims, visitors and worshi- exert efforts and help the Sudanese pers during the blessed month of people amid the ebb and flow of Ramadan,” the Saudi Press Agency Sacred Ritual. Muslim worshippers gather at the Grand Mosque in Mecca to perform umrah during changes and events. reported. Ramadan. (AFP) May 12, 2019 13 News & Analysis Lebanon Leaked files expose Hezbollah’s secret dealings in Venezuela

Simon Speakman Cordall officials, claimed El Aissami and his father recruited Hezbollah members to expand spy and drug London trafficking networks in the region. Hezbollah has also been accused iles leaked to the New York of money laundering in the Triple Times from Venezuela’s se- Frontier and operating one of the curity services apparently largest cigarette smuggling opera- F confirm Hezbollah’s pres- tions in the Western Hemisphere. ence in the country and its ties to Revelations about El Aissami’s one of embattled President Nico- suspected ties to Hezbollah came las Maduro’s closest confidantes. as little surprise to Venezuela’s ri- Venezuelan Industry Minister val US-backed government of Juan Tareck El Aissami has been inves- Guaido. “Many of us have known tigated for his alleged ties to the about it for well over a decade. Un- country’s criminal underworld der his mandate as interior min- Dangerous networks. Anti-narcotics chemists inspect bags containing drugs before an incineration and Hezbollah, which is thought ister, thousands of Venezuelan of seized illegal substances in La Guaira, Venezuela. (Reuters) to have expanded its presence in passports were given away to ter- the Triple Frontier area of Argenti- rorists,” said Vanessa Neumann, entist with the RAND Corporation, there are many nationalities in- activities and real estate market na, Brazil and Paraguay to include Guaido’s official representative to said revenues from the operation volved in these schemes, includ- transactions.” operations within Venezuela. the United Kingdom. were laundered into either Colom- ing Lebanese, Syrians, plus Ven- Separating Hezbollah from its The leaked documents say El Hezbollah’s presence extends bian pesos or Venezuelan bolivars, ezuelans of Lebanese and Syrian networks throughout Venezuela Aissami and his family helped throughout Venezuela “but espe- with Hezbollah netting 8-14% of extraction and others.” Venezuela may not be as straightforward as move Hezbollah operatives into cially in the border region with the profits. is home to around 500,000 citi- Guaido’s efforts to oust Maduro. Venezuela, worked with a drug Colombia because of the drug traf- “Hezbollah has long maintained zens of Lebanese origin. “Hezbollah is so entrenched in lord and shielded 140 tonnes of ficking and the long-standing of a significant presence in Venezue- “However, how many are also Venezuela that it will be difficult chemicals believed to be used for FARC (the Revolutionary Armed la,” Clarke later wrote in e-mailed tied directly to Hezbollah is un- for the United States to completely cocaine production from authori- Forces of Colombia). They have an comments to The Arab Weekly, certain. What we do know is that eradicate its influence even if Ma- ties. enormous presence in the Guajira “primarily through criminal op- the legal resources available to duro is removed from the picture,” Peninsula… and they straddle the erations and terrorism financing these individuals’ eclipses any of Moya-Ocampos said. Lina Khatib border,” Neumann said. networks… The group operates those involved within the (Triple Lina Khatib, head of the Middle Head of the Middle East and North The financial opportunities somewhat freely throughout parts Frontier) networks, making access East and North Africa Programme Africa Programme at Chatham House available to Hezbollah in Ven- of the country and, given its illicit to definite information difficult to at Chatham House, said: “Tackling “Tackling Hezbollah’s activities ezuela are significant. Through- business, is likely armed.” come by,” he said. Hezbollah’s activities in Venezuela in Venezuela and the (Triple out the 2000s, a Hezbollah-linked Quantifying the scale of Hezbol- Moya-Ocampos stressed the and the (Triple Frontier) can only Frontier) can only be done cocaine-smuggling ring, said to lah’s Venezuelan presence is diffi- ideological sympathies many in be done as part of a wider strategy as part of a wider strategy to be headed by Lebanese national cult. “We know a lot of the people Maduro’s and Chavez’s inner cir- to combat transnational organised combat transnational organised Chekry Harb, relied on Panama immediately surrounding Maduro cles held for the group, allowing crime in those areas. The attention crime in those areas.” and Venezuela as hubs for an op- (and late President Hugo Chavez) Hezbollah to operate relatively this issue is receiving today is di- eration channelling narcotics from are connected to corruption, drug freely in the country and “for the rectly linked to the United States’ Colombia to the United States, trafficking and money laundering group’s supporters to potentially efforts to pressure Iran economi- Testimony of informants in the West Africa, the Middle East and on a large scale,” Clarke said. have used Venezuelan territory for cally.” files, reportedly provided to the Europe. Diego Moya-Ocampos, an ana- fundraising and money-launder- New York Times by one of Ven- Writing in Foreign Policy in Feb- lyst at IHS Markit, said: “We be- ing activities, likely involving the Simon Speakman Cordall is a ezuela’s most senior intelligence ruary, Colin Clarke, a political sci- lieve, as you would expect, that local financial system, commercial freelance writer.

Viewpoint Masked slavery lingers in Lebanon

he Lebanese have mand: Respect. “We are workers, gether and dangling down the side workers are usually returned to been through a great not slaves,” they said. “Our lives of the building to escape. the office that paid for their travel many terrible ordeals matter, include us in the labour Even if they are lucky enough and hired them only to be sold to Makram Rabah over the years that, l a w.” to survive the dangerous drop, another household. Some brave either by design or The kafala system does not they usually must live in hiding Lebanese activists have estab- external circum- adequately ensure the legal rights and accept low-paying jobs until lished a kind of underground stances, have led of foreign domestic workers, who they are caught by authorities and railroad to help get the workers to Tthem to civil strife, destroying often labour long hours for low pay deported. freedom and provide them with a their people and once vibrant and endure gross abuse, includ- Due to the colour of their skin safe haven. economy. ing starvation and sexual assault. or their nationality, these work- Newly appointed Labour Minis- Yet the terrible economic chal- Their plight leads many to try to ers’ welfare is not protected by the ter Camille Abousleiman bravely lenge they are facing now and escape, often unsuccessfully. It is Lebanese state. From the moment pledged to abolish the kafala the chaos that will likely emerge not uncommon to read of a domes- these domestic workers land in system and introduce progressive from it are beyond what even the tic worker who fell to her death as Lebanon, they are mistreated. legislation to protect the lives and Lebanese can imagine. Because of she tried to escape her employer’s They are often met by aggressive contractual obligations and duties years of corruption and the politi- residence. police officers who shout at them of the more than 250,000 domestic cal class’s failure to enact reforms, One only needs to imagine the and enforce the country’s archaic workers in Lebanon. the country has dug itself deep in harsh conditions and repeated laws, which do not allow domestic Unfortunately, Abousleiman’s a hole from which it is impossible abuses the labourers endure that workers to break their contract or commitment may not be enough to escape. lead them to choose the near change employers. to go against a multimillion-dollar Lebanese Prime Minister Saad suicidal act of tying bed sheets to- If they try to escape, domestic industry and a Lebanese society Hariri’s cabinet has desperately that is by and large unwilling to been scrambling to pass its an- compromise its comfort for the nual budget and adopt austerity sake of basic human rights. measures, sparking protests from While the Lebanese worry about various interest groups that refuse their GDP, debt, inflation and other to give up any of their benefits or indicators that track their failing even entertain the idea of salary economy, a great irony has escaped cuts. them: They are demonstrating for While these demonstrations took their right to a better economic place, a more important protest in future while neglecting to address Beirut was largely overlooked. It a kafala system that actively de- involved hundreds of foreign do- prives others of their rights. mestic workers and local Lebanese Treating other humans with dig- activists demanding abolishment nity and respect does not require Treating other of the kafala system, a mediaeval the Lebanese to wait for new laws. labour law that requires foreign It simply requires them to act with humans with dignity workers to submit to an ironclad common decency to avoid an even and respect does not work contract with a Lebanese greater disaster — moral bank- require the Lebanese sponsor. This reduces the workers ruptcy. to bond slaves and deprives them to wait for new laws. of basic freedoms and rights. Makram Rabah is a lecturer at the It simply requires Marching through Beirut, American University of Beirut and domestic workers from various author of “A Campus at War: them to act with nationalities, races and sexes held Trapped by the system. Migrant domestic workers carry placards Student Politics at the American common decency. placards and issued one simple de- during a protest against the kafala system in Beirut, May 5. (AFP) University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” 14 May 12, 2019 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Hamas and Israel clash in worst violence in years

Manuel Langendorf before Israel celebrated Memorial and Independence Day and shortly before the Eurovision song contest London May 14-18 in Tel Aviv. “Hamas likely knew that (Israeli) iolence between Gaza- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu based armed factions and would not run the risk of rockets the Israel Defence Forces falling on Tel Aviv or having a major V flared May 3-6 and caused military operation while thousands casualties on both sides. of tourists from all over the world are Israeli attacks on Gaza reportedly here,” Zilber said. killed 25 Palestinians while rocket Hamas, he said, was using this to fire into Israel led to the death of four push Israel to speed up implementa- Israelis in the most serious surge in tion of the ceasefire deal agreed to in violence since the war in 2014. November. The escalation started after Israeli Ely Karmon, senior research soldiers reportedly targeted protest- scholar at the International Institute ers at the border fence between the for Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya, Gaza Strip and Israel May 3 with live said Hamas had been using “low- ammunition. Sniper fire from Gaza level violence on the fence — arson in retaliation resulted in injuries to balloons and kites” to achieve maxi- two Israeli soldiers. mum concessions from the Netan- Over two days Hamas and Pal- yahu government. estinian Islamic Jihad indiscrimi- Israeli authorities agreed to im- nately fired more than 600 rockets plement several measures as part and other projectiles into southern of the ceasefire within one week, Israel, many of them intercepted by the Times of Israel reported, citing a Israel. The Israeli Air Force carried senior Palestinian official in the Gaza out more than 350 strikes, targeting Strip. The official said Israel would military sites but reportedly hitting lift restrictions on “importing 30% Temporary quiet. Palestinian students look at a building that was destroyed by Israeli air strikes near residential buildings and media in- of dual-use goods into Gaza and al- their damaged school in Gaza, May 7. (Reuters) stitutions in Gaza. low for increased exports” from the coastal enclave. In return, armed paign is not over and it demands pa- nected to Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s forming his next government. Some factions in Gaza were to restrict “re- tience and sagacity. We are prepared ties to Iran, calling the group the politicians who are expected to be- The surge in violence sistance” activities to peaceful pro- to continue.” “real proxy of Iran in the Palestin- come part of the government are de- came days before Israel tests at the border. “The Israeli public is increasingly ian area,” adding that Gaza was be- manding “a more forceful approach celebrated Memorial and The agreement also included Isra- fed up with the periodic escalations,” coming “an alternative platform for to Gaza,” said Zilber. “Aside from the Independence Day and el’s permission for Qatar to disburse said Zilber. Netanyahu knows, Zil- Iran.” actual implementation of a ceasefire shortly before the $480 million in the occupied West ber said, that a military operation in Zilber said he doubted that the deal, internal politics within Israel Eurovision song contest Bank and the Gaza Strip. Gaza would not solve the fundamen- group was trying to undermine the might be leading to another escala- May 14-18 in Tel Aviv. Reports on the deal provoked a tal issues: preventing the collapse of November ceasefire, arguing that tion.” backlash against Netanyahu. Ben- Gaza and bringing quiet for southern Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Karmon also cited pressure on Ne- After two days of intense warfare, ny Gantz, the head of the Blue and Israel. ran the military campaign together tanyahu by right-wing parties, the a ceasefire was agreed after media- White party, said the rocket fire was Many observers stressed the need and were both at the negotiations opposition and public opinion to act tion by Egypt and the United Na- the result of Israel “losing our deter- for a political solution to address the table in Cairo. “There are political more forcefully. “I think the present tions. rence,” adding that the government dire situation in the Gaza Strip where reasons for Hamas and Israel to paint ‘quiet’ is very limited in time,” Kar- This is a “direct continuation of surrendered “to blackmail from Ha- the unemployment rate is more than Islamic Jihad as the bogeyman,” he mon said. what we have seen over the last mas and other terrorist groups.” 50%. said. Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader year,” said Neri Zilber, adjunct fel- Criticism also came from within “The only way ‘calm’ can be Karmon said the flare-up was ini- Ziad al-Nakhala told Al Mayadeen low at the Washington Institute for Netanyahu’s own party. Likud’s achieved is if Palestinians in Gaza… tiated by Palestinian Islamic Jihad television: “I anticipate a war to Near East Policy. About every two Gideon Sa’ar criticised circum- are seen as a people deserving of po- but Hamas wanted to profit from the erupt in the summer following Isra- months, Zilber said, there was an stances of the ceasefire, stating that litical rights, not an economic pro- situation. el’s attempts to disarm the Palestin- escalation mainly over the issue of a military campaign “was not pre- ject to be developed,” wrote Interna- Israel’s internal politics will, in ian factions in Gaza.” economic, financial and humanitar- vented but postponed.” Netanyahu tional Crisis Group Israel-Palestine part, determine whether this pattern ian relief for the Gaza Strip. released a statement, after the start analyst Tareq Baconi. of recurring violence will continue Manuel Langendorf is a writer The surge in violence came days of the ceasefire, saying: “The cam- Karmon said the issue was con- as Netanyahu is in the process of focusing on the MENA region.

Viewpoint Gaza’s Palestinian tragedy

movement in 1965, various Pales- The game it is playing with other It is no longer wise for Hamas to initiative is motivated by Egypt’s tinian factions have adopted armed factions in launching missile at- fight the battle of Palestine alone. security interests and concerns resistance as the main strategy for tacks on Israel is a dubious one that If it persists in doing so, that would inside a geographic zone on the Mohamed Kawas the liberation for Palestine. The Ha- may please enthusiasts but with no be a mixture of a naive practice by Egyptian border, no more. Pales- mas movement in Gaza belatedly real consequences for the strategic innocent revolutionaries and the tinian unity is no longer an Arab joined this strategy in 1987. balance of power. sly execution by corrupt politicians concern or even Egyptian concern. he truce in the Gaza The Arabs lost their wars and the If the Arab armies during previ- of premeditated foreign agendas. More dangerous is the fact that Strip represents a Palestinian factions lost their bat- ous times and the Hezbollah rock- Between this aspect and that the Palestinian Authority has facade showing the tles with the Israelis because of one ets now and Iran’s ballistic mis- aspect, failure keeps piling up such adopted that fatality, considered rival parties’ keen- simple fact that seemed obvious for siles have never shaken this great that it would be in the interest of the division in the Palestin- ness to control the decades: Israel enjoys an obvious imbalance, why should we expect Hamas to end the division in the ian camp as final and is working clash and rein in the military superiority that the West, differently from the rockets of Gaza Palestinian camp more than it is towards separating the Gaza Strip firepower deter- led by the United States, has always and their limited capabilities, no a matter of a Palestinian national and the West Bank and establish- Tmined by their major agendas. sought to support and strengthen. matter how surprising they are? interest in general. ing two independent Palestinian The recent confrontation seemed Israel enjoys international politi- Israel bears full responsibility for The tragedy of Gaza seems to be entities going towards two differ- bloodier than its predecessors and cal, intellectual and strategic cover the bloodshed in Gaza, regardless one insignificant detail in what is ent destinies. went beyond targeting military provided by the major world pow- of the useless controversy about being cooked up for the Palestin- Ramallah condemned the bomb- objectives to deliberately reach ers, including Russia and China. who is the aggressor and who is ian territories and the region. Gaza ing of Gaza as if it were a foreign civilian targets. While the world capitals may at the victim. The result is the same: does not appear in the details of party. The Palestinian Authority A few Israelis were killed in the times express tactical divergence great losses, despite stubbornness the so-called “Deal of the Century” has formed a new government with clashes and more than 150 people with Israeli policies, this diver- and defiance. that White House adviser Jared no representatives from Hamas. were either killed or wounded on gence has never tilted the balance Kushner developed. There is no The statements made here and the Palestinian side. The equa- in favour of the Palestinians and Gaza, no West Bank and no Pales- there calling for unity between the tion is so perversely lopsided that the Arabs. What unites Hamas tinian state. What unites Hamas two wings do not matter. the Palestinian side considers this The Palestinians have a noble and Kushner is their eagerness to Gaza’s misery and pain remain imbalance as a given because of the cause that no free soul can deny. and Kushner is their kill the Oslo Accords. Gazan after all and strategically do overwhelming military superiority Israel has the logic of firepower and eagerness to kill the Kushner’s project does not not go beyond the borders of the of Israel. It is worthwhile bringing its associated privileges on its side recognise the implications of the Strip, if not beyond the walls of up the question about the efficacy and that impose their own reality. Oslo Accords. remainder of the agreement that the homes destroyed in the recent of provoking this monster then The matter is no longer a naive had established the Palestinian round of violence. denouncing its hideous crimes. classic argument between right Authority, does not abide by any Gaza and Hamas have only one But, then, how to deal with an and wrong or between justice and The Egyptian mediation and treaties, charters or resolutions and address and it is in the West Bank. occupier? injustice. It is a conflict about the pushing the Gaza Strip towards a does not recognise an Arab peace All Palestinians have only one That question has been raised reality of a fait accompli, a conflict truce are just a new sign that the initiative. choice and that is unity based on since 1948 and more intensely that lays bare a utopian discourse event, despite its dramatic devel- Under the leadership of US diversity and differences instead of since the occupation that ensued on one side and a clear map of opments, remains a detail within President Donald Trump, Wash- division. from the 1967 war. Influenced by forces and interests that lay the major regional and international ington is preparing to overturn and Palestinian poet Mahmoud Dar- the late Egyptian President Gamal rules of this world on the other agendas, which cannot afford to erode the usual references and fold wish cried out in one of his poems Abdel Nasser’s view that “what was side. pay attention to one small part of away the history of the Arab-Israeli “we’re alone” and it was the most taken by force can only be recov- Hamas came to the same conclu- what is left of Palestine. conflict and bring it in line with Is- painful cry imagined by the man. ered by force,” the Arab political sion that others had reached. Just In the game’s scorecard, Gaza is rael’s interests in general and those How many voices are saying these establishment adopted the famous like the other factions, the move- losing. It is being cornered, isolated of Binyamin Netanyahu and the days that we are no longer one to three Nos at the 1967 Khartoum ment is no longer talking about from the other Palestinian side in Israeli right wing in particular. be alone? Summit: “No peace, no recognition liberating the Palestinian territories the West Bank and from an Arab Egypt’s mediation is limited to and no negotiation” with Israel. from the sea to the river but is talk- context that is no longer willing to reaching a truce and perhaps later Mohamed Kawas is a Lebanese Since the creation of the Fatah ing about the 1967 borders. sponsor its battles. to further understandings. Cairo’s writer. May 12, 2019 15 News & Analysis Turkey Erdogan gambles big with rerun of Istanbul election

Thomas Seibert while remaining the biggest party in Turkey, and its right-wing part- ner, the Nationalist Movement Istanbul Party (MHP), do not have a major- ity in Istanbul. The joint candidate ven for a political street of the two parties, Binali Yildirim, fighter such as Turkish received 48.55% of the vote, about President Recep Tayyip Er- 14,000 votes fewer than Imamoglu, E dogan pushing through a the candidate of the secularist Re- rerun election in Turkey’s biggest publican People’s Party (CHP), who city against an opposition that feels also relied on support by other par- it has the moral high ground and is ties. enjoying support from all parts of Erdogan faces a political land- society seems like a big gamble. But scape that makes it hard for him to he is going for it, guns blazing. find new allies beyond the AKP and Under severe pressure from Er- the MHP in time for the June vote. dogan and his ruling Justice and “The sea has ended, you have run Development Party (AKP), Turkey’s ashore,” US-based Turkey expert Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) Selim Sazak said by telephone. ordered that the March 31 mayoral “This is a usurpation in the mind of election in Istanbul be repeated most of the Turkish public.” June 23 because of alleged irregu- He added that Imamoglu’s win larities. in March had demonstrated to gov- Observers inside and outside ernment foes that they could beat Turkey said the decision reflected Erdogan at the ballot box after years Erdogan’s aim to snatch back power of AKP successes in election after from opposition candidate Ekrem election. “The opposition is saying: Imamoglu, who had won the March We have won. That is a fundamen- vote and had been installed as Is- tal paradigm shift,” Sazak said. tanbul’s mayor. Imamoglu is banking on the Imamoglu was stripped of his ti- emergence of a broad, if informal, tle by the decision. The YSK’s order coalition that could carry him to was “taken in a highly politicised another victory. He called on CHP A stolen victory. Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul following a decision by (AFP) context,” EU foreign policy chief supporters and nationalists, Kurds the authorities to rerun the city’s mayoral election, May 8. Federica Mogherini and Enlarge- and disgruntled AKP voters to sup- ment Commissioner Johannes port him. Several smaller parties opposition,” HDP lawmaker Nazmi ers that he had not been able to heart of the European Union’s rela- Hahn said in a statement. that fielded mayoral candidates Gur said by telephone. The HDP sleep because of the YSK’s decision. tions with Turkey,” Mogherini said. In parts of Istanbul, people in March said they were thinking stood behind Imamoglu in March. “Then the first light of the morn- France urged Turkish authori- opened their apartment windows about withdrawing their candi- The controversial decision for ing was brighter than ever. I under- ties to justify the move and ensure and banged pots and pans in pro- dates for the June vote in support a rerun in Istanbul has widened stood that #HerseyGuzelOlacak,” “respect for democratic principles, test of the decision. “There is no of Imamoglu. cracks within the AKP. Former he posted. pluralism, fairness, transparency democracy and no rule of law left in “What we are doing now is a fight Turkish President Abdullah Gul and and, in particular, the presence of the Turkish Republic,” said Ahmet, for democracy and mobilisation for former Prime Minister Ahmet Da- foreign observers” in the new vote. a barber in Istanbul. “They stole democracy,” Imamoglu told Agence vutoglu both criticised the move. Erdogan faces a Erdogan’s growing authoritarian- Imamoglu’s election victory,” said France-Presse. “It will, of course, Reports said Davutoglu was plan- political landscape ism has rekindled debate whether Ilhan, a shopkeeper. be a revolution once we carry it to ning to set up his own party before that makes it hard for political Islam is compatible with a Erdogan welcomed the rerun its conclusion.” July. him to find new allies Western-style democracy. The AKP, vote. “We sincerely believe there Some observers say Erdogan Meanwhile, the opposition cam- beyond the AKP and with roots in political Islam, said it were organised corruption and ir- could try to woo Kurdish voters. For paign got off to a fast start. A poll the MHP in time for remains committed to democratic regularities,” Erdogan told party the first time in eight years, the gov- placed Imamoglu at around 50% the June vote. norms and the rule of law but crit- members in parliament, saying a ernment allowed lawyers of Abdul- of the vote and Yildirim at approxi- ics said the annulment of the Istan- new election was the “best step” lah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the mately 48%, suggesting that Ima- bul election showed that this is not for the country. militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party moglu’s lead has widened since the Erdogan also faces scepticism the case. The Islamic-conservative AKP (PKK), to visit their client on the March election. abroad. German Foreign Minister “The decision to rerun the local and its predecessors have ruled Is- prison island of Imrali near Istanbul Using the motto “Her sey cok Heiko Maas said the decision to an- elections in Istanbul: Political Islam tanbul for 25 years and the city is an just days before the rerun decision. guzel olacak” (“All will be well”), nul the election was “not transpar- is proven finally & irrevocably in- especially sensitive issue for Erdog- The PKK is seen as a terrorist organ- Imamoglu called on artists and the ent and incomprehensible to us.” compatible with democracy,” Kadri an, who grew up in the metropolis isation by Turkey and the West, business community to take a stand The European Union called for the Gursel, a respected journalist who and rose to power after serving as However, the Peoples’ Democrat- against Erdogan and the AKP. election body to produce its rea- is critical of the government, wrote mayor. ic Party (HDP), Turkey’s main pro- In some cases, Imamoglu’s call sons “without delay.” on Twitter. “Political Islam puts an The new election is still a big po- Kurdish party, said support for Er- clearly hit a nerve. Tarkan Teve- “Ensuring a free, fair and trans- end to its very existence in the le- litical risk for the president. The dogan was out of the question. “We toglu, Turkey’s biggest pop star, parent election process is essen- gitimate democratic playground of March vote showed that the AKP, will urge our voters to support the tweeted to his 3.5 million follow- tial to any democracy and is at the politics.”

Viewpoint Erdogan’s Istanbul grab is no surprise he impasse in Turkish all over it. social media and the pro-Imamoglu Erdogan will stage rallies in politics is the result of Years of power grab have spin is in full swing that he will win Istanbul’s nearly 40 sub-districts Turkish President eradicated Turkey’s semi- the June 23 revote by an even larger — breaching the constitution once Yavuz Baydar Recep Tayyip Erdog- democracy, with separation of margin. more — and continue with his an’s puzzling ways of powers and rule of law thrown into Will he though? This is the divisive, polarising discourse, (mis)handling of the garbage can. The one and only critical question that gets lost in which will keep the gates open to Istanbul’s election tool of democracy left for Turks political scuffling. Emotions blur violence. All that is part of his Tcrisis that has enveloped the was the ballot box. Denial of that reasoned debate as a result of the gamble, which is based on raising country. marks a final nail in the coffin of anger and the judicial chaos. the bet each time. In what may be seen as a whatever remained of pluralistic People in both camps only lend an The opposition camp is hopeful daredevil political act, he order. ear to wishful thinking in their of a larger-scale mobilisation, exercised enough pressure over Yet, some optimistic — or choosing. despite that many white-collar Turkey’s Supreme Electoral opportunistic — pundits in Turkey Will hopes overcome Turkey’s residents of Istanbul may be Council (YSK) that led to the try to declare to the world that brutal reality? Given the memory leaving for summer vacations. annulment of the mayoral election democracy is not dead and the will of Erdogan’s climb to the altar of Fears are high over intensified in Istanbul. of the citizenry stands to be full-scale of authoritarianism, the election fraud but, for the Erdogan Even legal experts could not find respected. They are wrong and answer is more likely “no.” camp, it may not be necessary at a convincing point why Ekrem they mislead the international Although he is at his weakest in all, as pointed out in an article by Imamoglu, the candidate for the opinion. power, standing in the centre of an Turkish researcher Abdullah secular-nationalist bloc that had Erdogan has hijacked the unpredictable Islamist-Nationalist Aydogan for the Washington Post, won the Istanbul election by nearly election process, not only by alliance, Erdogan remains a since even election irregularities, 15,000 votes, was deprived the denying a clear-cut result in mastermind of political such as invalid votes, worked in mayorship. Istanbul but by appointing trustees engineering, with his skills of Erdogan’s favour. This move shocked and further in predominantly Kurdish survival intact. His push for repeat Other data show clearly that angered opposition voters, who municipalities won by the pro- elections means he will enter the there are at least 500,000 pro- prepare to go to what Erdogan Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party. race only to win. He knows that if Erdogan voters who did not go to self-confidently called as “repeat The ballot box has become the he loses, his legend will receive a the polling place March 31. The elections.” They are right in their latest victim of his power grab lethal blow that makes recovery president gave orders that each and rage. moves, a claptrap path that his rule impossible. every one of them will be pushed Years of power grab Although a larger scale anti- will control fully everything, as in Equipped with extensive powers to go and cast their vote this time. Erdogan mobilisation is under way, the case of some Central Asian as a president, Erdogan has full Erdogan’s party has a huge have eradicated the fact is, as pointed out by Hasim republics. control of the state and security micro-level network in Istanbul Turkey’s semi- Kilic, a former liberal chief judge of The “coup” has impassioned apparatus. He keeps the judiciary and there should be no surprise Turkey’s top court, that “YSK not Imamoglu — a charismatic figure and the media on a leash. His that, with the addition of a fear- democracy, with only abused its powers but also whose soft manners are rhetorical ammunition is intact: He mongering campaign and abuses of separation of powers invalidated the fundamental right reminiscent of Turgut Ozal, a late has immense powers to persuade power, he will grab back Istanbul. and rule of law of the citizens’ right to vote.” president of Turkey — and the large his followers that “all calamities In other words, Turkey crowds who support him. over Turkey are the product Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish thrown into the experienced yet another “civilian “Everything will be just fine” unleashed by hostile powers of the journalist and regular columnist garbage can. coup” with Erdogan’s fingerprints became the slogan going viral over world. for The Arab Weekly. 16 May 12, 2019 News & Analysis East West

Hands of fate. White House senior adviser Jared Kushner speaks at a symposium of the Washing- ton Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, May 2. (Reuters)

Defending the ‘Deal of the Century’ while keeping the details secret Kelly Kennedy The fighting may show that the the consequences could be dire. He noted that there was “no “We’re talking about something economic incentives likely to be Kushner, from a conservative mention of the Arab states,” adding radioactive,” Herzog said. “I did unveiled by the Trump adminis- Jewish family, said neither Israeli that he believes that’s because the not hear any word about the risk.” Washington tration may not be enough to push nor Palestinian leadership know Arab states will not be able to tem- The conflict has created years of the idea of a one-state solution. the details of the plan. per the response from Palestinian violence, he said, so the adminis- hile he refused to pro- The plan, the release of which “To date, we’ve kept the details Authority President Mahmoud Ab- tration must be willing to negoti- vide details of what has been delayed until after Rama- really close,” he said. “The way bas. ate if any of the parties reject the has been billed as the dan, follows moves in Israel that you know that is that nothing has “If you make it a secret, you can’t plan. “They’re going to do this,” W “Deal of the Century,” have analysts assuming it does not leaked.” make news,” said Ghaith al-Omari, Ross said, “and the president is go- Jared Kushner, adviser to US Presi- include a two-state solution. Neither side has anything to lose a senior fellow at the Washington ing to be invested in this.” dent Donald Trump, said he be- Those include the Trump admin- in looking at the proposal, Kush- Institute’s Irwin Levy Family Pro- Kushner said he’s come to see lieves the Middle East peace plan istration moved the US Embassy in ner said, though the Palestinians gramme on the US-Israel Strategic how big a role the United States would provide a new place from Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. likely have more to gain. He said Relationship and a former execu- can play in trying to resolve the which both the Israelis and the Pal- Then, Trump appeared with Israeli the “average Palestinian” doesn’t tive director of the American Task issue but that Trump would make estinians to start. Prime Minister Binyamin Netan- have faith in the government, their Force on Palestine. “If you make it the final decision about releasing That plan may not include a two- yahu in the Oval Office just before neighbours, Israel or Americans. secret, you can’t get people to buy the plan. state solution, however. Israeli elections. Trump also grant- “We want the Palestinians’ lives in. They’re asking us to take it on “If we can make breakthroughs “If you say ‘two-state,’ it means ed Israeli sovereignty over the Go- to get better and we want Israel’s faith. In a region where any deci- that can help people live better one thing to the Israelis, it means lan Heights, and, after Netanyahu security to get stronger,” he said. sion is life or death, no leader is go- lives and live safer lives, then I one thing to the Palestinians,” was re-elected, met with approval Kushner said past failures were ing to take it on faith.” think there’s nothing better than Kushner said. “We said, ‘You know, his plan to annex all or part of the caused by getting caught up in And there’s a reason that the trying to pursue peace between let’s just not say it. Let’s just say, West Bank. ideologies and in not creating con- conflict remains unresolved: people, even though it’s really ‘Let’s work on the details of what The Trump administration has crete, actionable plans. “A peace plan that does not in- hard,” Kushner said. this means,’” also cut off aid to the Palestinian “It’s as if he’s saying: ‘You failed clude ‘state,’ that does not include On May 8, an Israeli newspaper Since Kushner spoke May 2 at people while continuing to send to draw the line. We will draw the ‘Jerusalem,’ won’t sell,” Omari said. with ties to Netanyahu — Israel the Washington Institute for Near billions to help with Israeli secu- line for you,” said Michael Herzog, Dennis Ross, a former special Hayom — said it had a leaked copy East Policy’s Soref Symposium, rity. a retired brigadier-general in the assistant to Obama, said he hoped of the proposed plan but admitted Israel and Gaza have engaged in Israel Defence Forces and the Mil- the plan exceeds Palestinians’ ex- it was “quite possible that this is a the worst fighting since 2014, with Ghaith al-Omari, ton Fine International fellow at the pectations, which he said the ad- fabricated document.” more than two dozen people killed. a senior fellow at the institute. People aren’t interested ministration has “driven to a low The document was reported to The violence calls into question Washington Institute’s in operationalising plans that they point.” He also said he hopes the say that a Palestinian state would the likelihood that any solution Irwin Levy Family don’t believe in, he said. administration has done enough be established in Judea, Samaria Programme can be orchestrated by Kushner, Kushner said there would be a for Netanyahu that they could ask and Gaza, minus the Israeli set- who is Trump’s son-in-law, and the “A peace plan that does not heavy economic component to the him for something in return, he tlements. The Palestinians would Trump administration. include ‘state,’ that does not plan but Palestinians may then feel said. give up all but light weapons and Trump immediately showed his include ‘Jerusalem,’ won’t sell.” they are being bought out, Herzog “I’ve spent 30 years working on Israel would provide protection, support for the Israelis, who said said. By polling Palestinians, they this,” Ross said. “I want them to while opening borders and help- the fighting began after a Hamas “We know what’s in the plan,” learnt that the Palestinians didn’t succeed.” ing, with the United States, Europe sniper shot at two Israeli soldiers Kushner said May 2. “We believe understand what was going on in The panellists said they fear Ab- and Arab countries, rebuild infra- on the border. it’s virtuous. We believe it’s some- the peace process because the ne- bas will reject the proposal out of structure, including an airport on “Once again, Israel faces a bar- thing that’s better for both sides.” gotiating was done at the leader- hand and then Netanyahu will an- Egyptian land. rage of deadly rocket attacks by Experts who spoke after Kush- ship level, he said. That didn’t give nex what he’d like from the West If Israel objects, the leaked doc- terrorist groups Hamas and Is- ner’s speech said the plan can’t people any room to believe in it. Bank. ument states, the United States lamic Jihad,” Trump said on social have buy-in in the Middle East if David Makovsky, director of the “Here I wonder if Abbas will sur- would stop all funding; if Hamas media. “We support Israel 100% in people aren’t included in it, that Washington Institute’s Project on prise us,” Makovsky said. “If it’s and Fatah object, the United States its defence of its citizens. To the the Palestinians may end up feel- Arab-Israel relations and former repudiated by everyone, then it would stop all aid to the Palestin- Gazan people — these terrorist acts ing as if they’ve been set up, that senior adviser to the special envoy doesn’t work. Can [Abbas] step in ians. If the Palestine Liberation against Israel will bring you noth- Arab countries don’t appear to for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and pre-empt that?” Organisation agrees without Ha- ing but more misery. END the vio- have enough clout with the Pales- under US President Barack Obama, Abbas could, potentially, ask to mas and Islamic Jihad, it would lence and work towards peace — it tinians to be included and that the said there was significance in what sit down with Netanyahu to see if start another round of violence in can happen!” smartest thing for Palestinians to he didn’t hear in Kushner’s speech, they can work things out. Ross said which the United States supports The fighting could be related to do may be to pre-empt the expect- as well as in what was not empha- that would be out of character but Israel. Palestinian leaders seeking loos- ed outcomes of the plan. sised. that it would be the smartest route. The newspaper reported that ened restrictions on goods through If the plan fails, they said they “He said kind of off-handedly The panellists also said the ad- the White House said it would not the Israeli blockade in exchange hope the Trump administration ‘not two states,’” Makovsky said. ministration has no other plan if “respond to another speculative for peace during Israel’s hosting of would be willing to negotiate with “To hear it on record, I think is the peace plan fails. Kushner re- report that is inaccurate and does Eurovision. the Palestinians and the Israelis or very significant.” fused to address the possibility. not help.” May 12, 2019 17 News & Analysis East West Persecution of Christians seen on the rise in Middle East

The Arab Weekly staff

Tunis

hristians are being persecut- ed at near genocide levels in the Middle East and North C Africa, posing an existential threat to one of the region’s oldest religions, stated a recent report com- missioned by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. “There is widespread evidence showing that ‘Christians constitute by far the most widely persecuted religion…,’” said the interim report, which was conducted by Bishop of Truro Philip Mounstephen. “Fur- thermore, the evidence suggests that acts of violence and other in- timidation against Christians are be- coming more widespread.” The report’s findings indicate that some of the world’s oldest Christian communities are steadily declining, including in Syria, Iraq and the Pal- estinian territories, thought to be the birthplace of Jesus.

A recent report commissioned by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt singled out Iran, Iraq and Turkey for fostering hostile environments for Christians.

“Christianity now faces the pos- sibility of being wiped out in parts of the Middle East where its roots go Under threat. Iraqi Christians gather at Saint Joseph’s church in Erbil to celebrate Palm Sunday, last April. (AFP) back furthest,” the report said. The report stated that, in the oppressive laws, repressive social Erdogan’s governing Justice and In Iran, Christians have been im- While the report painted a dire Palestinian territories, the Chris- norms, state-sanctioned violence Development Party often “depicts prisoned solely for practising their picture for Christians in the region, tian segment was less than 1.5% and acts of terror as targeting Chris- Christians as a ‘threat to the stabil- faith. Last year, Victor Bet-Tamraz, it expressed hope that their contin- of the overall population; in Syria, tians in the MENA region. ity of the nation,’” the report said. an Assyrian pastor, and his wife, ued presence could be a catalyst for the Christian population declined It added that political instability “Turkish Christian citizens have Shamiram Issavi, were sentenced to tolerance and reconciliation. from 1.7 million in 2011 to less than and increased religious conserva- often been stereotyped as ‘not real prison for organising house church- “Despite the disheartening na- 450,000; and in Iraq, Christian num- tism were driving faith-based per- Turks’ but as Western collaborators.” es, which the state deemed a threat ture of the situation,” the report bers slumped from 1.5 million before secution, which affects other reli- The Turkish state maintains bu- to national security. said, “the steadfast presence of 2003 to less than 120,000. gious minorities, such as Yazidis and reaucratic policies that severely The report stated that Christians Christians in the region is a sign of With Christian populations hav- Shias. restrict access to Christian places from a Muslim background are par- hope and opportunity to advocate ing dropped from 20% to 4% of the The report singled out Iran, Iraq of worship in occupied areas of Cy- ticularly “vulnerable in almost all for religious protection, to advance MENA population over the past cen- and Turkey for fostering hostile en- prus, including for Orthodox and states in the MENA region.” pluralism and religious tolerance tury, Christians are “at risk of disap- vironments for Christians. It said Maronite communities. “Their perpetrators have mainly across the region as well as pre- pearing” in the region, “represent- “incitement to hatred and hate “Many historic churches and as- been extremist groups and their serving Christian heritage, foster- ing a massive setback for plurality in propaganda against Christians,” at sociated cemeteries in the area have own family and community mem- ing positive relationships between the region,” the report said. times directed by the state, was be- also been allowed to fall into disre- bers, except in Iran in which the Muslim and Christian communities The report, which is to be finalised coming more common. pair, be vandalised or converted to state is the main persecutor of and encouraging peace and recon- in June, cited discriminatory and Turkish President Recep Tayyip other uses,” the report stated. Christians,” the report stated. ciliation.”

Viewpoint Secular versus sacred: Uighurs are in a hard place

uch of the world, mula. He deemed the Islamic state lamic Cooperation actually praised the Uighurs. including Arab “a branch of the absolute trustee- China in March for “providing care This is not particularly sur- countries, stays ship of the Prophet… (one that) to its Muslim citizens.” In Febru- prising. Trump is not known for Rashmee silent on ac- constitutes one of the primary ary, Saudi Crown Prince Moham- championing Muslim causes but Roshan Lall cusations that ordinances of Islam, which has med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz there is another reason, too, and it China is waging a precedence over all other derived defended China’s “right” to crack plugs into the way Arab and other Mcampaign of assimilation against ordinances, such as prayer, fasting down on its Muslim citizens “for Muslim leaders are behaving. Uighur Muslims. The sultan of and pilgrimage.” That is to say, its national security.” Trump’s America is engaged in Brunei announces, after weeks the government is free to abrogate Imran Khan, prime minister of trade negotiations with China and of an international outcry, that a provisions of the law if it judges it Pakistan, which borders Xinjiang, is unwilling to add the Uighurs to strict new interpretation of sharia necessary to the public interest. home to the Uighurs, said: “Frank- a long list of difficult issues. Much won’t be fully enforced. It was a remarkable move and ly, I don’t know much about” of the Arab and Muslim world Both developments challenge did not conform to the general what’s happening to the Uighurs. takes a similar pragmatic position the common argument advanced view advanced by radical Islamists Indonesian President Joko Widodo with respect to China, the world’s by Islamophobes and Islam- and Western theorists partial to also expressed ignorance. Turkey second largest economy. China ist extremists. They say there is the clash-of-civilisations position. is the only Muslim country to have has money to invest (through its no separation in Islam between Both argue that Islam is impervi- condemned China’s treatment of sweeping 65-country Belt and secular and sacred. In fact, the ous to secularisation, it is a total the Uighurs as “a great embarrass- Road Initiative) and money to buy separation is often maintained by “civilisation,” in fact a “total ment for humanity.” oil and other necessaries. It hun- Muslim leaders against all odds, discourse,” in the words of the The non-Muslim world has gers to expand its global footprint simply to govern. scholar Ernest Gellner. not been a great deal more vocal and is increasingly seen as a coun- The most notable example in In fact, though, as Khomeini either. The European Union has terpoint to the United States. the 20th century came after the demonstrated, Muslim leaders spoken up and Sweden pledged to In the circumstances, there is 1979 Iranian Revolution, which routinely govern by secular ration- grant refugee status to all Uig- little appetite to cross China. As enshrined sharia as the law of ale. Some of that is on view with hurs. The US response has been Sophie Richardson, China director the newly christened Islamic respect to international issues. patchy. The strongest statement for Human Rights Watch, recently Republic. However, by 1988, The Uighurs are a case in point. came from Randall Schriver, pointed out: “It’s hard to muster Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini A UN panel, as well as human who leads Asia policy at the US any response at all.” found it necessary to release the rights organisations, said that Defence Department. He recently American pragmatism — hard, government from the commands China’s Uighur minority is being described the Uighur situation as unfeeling — is running along the of sharia in “the public interest” persecuted for its faith, with at tantamount to imprisonment in same lines as that of the Arab and (maslaha) because conservative least 1 million forced into “re- “concentration camps,” a com- Muslim world, which shows that Trump’s America is clerics obstructed legislation on education” camps, while the rest ment that incensed Beijing. secular spaces exist in governance engaged in trade the grounds it didn’t conform of the Uighur population endures US Secretary of State Mike in Muslim countries just as much to sharia. They objected to land relentless and intrusive surveil- Pompeo has called for an end as anywhere else. negotiations with redistribution and labour contract lance. to the “abhorrent” practice of China and is laws that regulated conditions, Muslim leaders have offered detaining Uighurs in camps but Rashmee Roshan Lall is a unwilling to add the wages, safety and holidays. little or no criticism of the alleged Pompeo’s boss, US President Don- columnist for The Arab Weekly. They were holding up the busi- mistreatment of their co-religion- ald Trump, has neither tweeted Her blog can be found at Uighurs to a long list ness of government and Khomeini ists in China. Foreign ministers of nor mooted his favourite threat — www.rashmee.com and she is of difficult issues. responded with a creative for- the 57-member Organisation of Is- sanctions — on behalf of on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 18 May 12, 2019 Economy

Aswan solar power park highlights Briefs Iraq planning Egypt’s renewable energy strategy $53 billion megaproject Amr Emam with ExxonMobil, PetroChina Cairo Iraq is planning a $53 billion gypt is preparing to open megaproject with global energy a huge solar power park in giants ExxonMobil and PetroChina the southern city of Aswan, to use seawater from the Persian E a project that indicates the Gulf to boost oil production, Iraqi country’s renewable energy plans. Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi Benban Solar Park, a photovol- announced. taic power station under construc- The 30-year project would boost tion since 2017 by nearly two dozen output from Iraq’s southern oil major renewable energy companies fields and includes designs to cap- and thousands of Egyptian work- ture natural gas lost to flaring for ers, will produce 1,600 megawatts production, Abdul-Mahdi said. of electricity when it fully operates “This is an enormous project later this year. and will produce tens of thou- The 37.2 sq.km site is one of sev- sands of jobs,” Abdul-Mahdi said. eral projects undertaken by the The government projects Iraq will Egyptian government with the aim capture $400 billion in revenues of increasing dependence on re- A cheaper alternative. Solar panels are seen in a field in Kafr al-Dawar village in northern Egypt’s over the life of the investment, he newable energy. Nile Delta. (AFP) said. “Dependence on renewable en- ergy will help our country reduce panies to the national network. The for the network to give them elec- To increase production, the Egyp- (The Associated Press) traditional energy consumption,” laws also permit the flow of invest- tricity. tian government spent nearly $25 said Mohamed al-Sobki, a profes- ments in renewable energy. Major renewable energy projects billion to construct electrical power sor of energy planning at Cairo Uni- “Renewable energy investments such as Benban are also empower- plants. The new plants increased Bahrain gets versity. “This will save money and always have huge returns,” said ing Egypt. The project is subdivid- national production to 28,000 meg- advance the national commitment Walid al-Khattam, the head of the ed into 41 plots that make up the awatts of electricity a year. first instalment to the Paris Climate Agreement of Renewable Energy Programme at world’s largest solar power park. Egypt shares 450 megawatts of 2016.” Ain Shams University. “Egypt also The park is expected to be con- electricity with Jordan and 150 of $10 billion Egypt plans to increase the con- has a competitive edge when it nected to the national electricity megawatts with Libya. There are tribution of renewable energy to comes to all types of clean energy.” network soon after it begins opera- also plans to share electricity with Gulf package electricity production from less There is no estimate of renewable tions. Four new substations are be- Sudan and Saudi Arabia. than 3% now to 20% in 2022 and energy investments in Egypt but ing established for this purpose. Apart from electricity sharing, Bahraini officials said the then raise that figure to 40% by the number of renewable energy When operating fully, the Ben- the construction of the world’s country had received the first 2035. Moves towards that goal in- companies and renewable energy ban Solar Park will reduce up to largest solar power park promotes instalment of a $10 billion support clude the construction of several projects are on the rise. 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide Egypt as a model for other African package from key Gulf allies aimed major solar power plants and wind Renewable energy companies are equivalent each year. This will help countries. This is something Egyp- at balancing its budget by 2022. farms. constructing solar power plants on Egypt demonstrate commitment to tian companies working in the field The initial payment of $2.3 bil- Thousands of state institutions, rooftops amid increasing demand the Paris Climate Agreement. of renewable energy look forward lion had been received “in full,” including schools, are turning to by citizens and private and pub- Together with growing produc- to. the government said in a state- renewable energies by installing lic institutions. The demand is in- tion from the national network, the “Local companies constructing ment carried by the official BNA solar power equipment on their creasing in part because of the rise project will help Egypt implement the park have acquired enough news agency. roofs. Some institutions are feeding in the price of electricity after the its strategy of becoming a regional expertise from the project,” said With 80% of its revenues from the national electric grid, making near total elimination of subsidies, electricity-sharing centre. Khaled Abu Bakr, head of one of oil and a large budget deficit, money by selling electricity to the a facet of Egypt’s economic reform Egypt moved from an electricity the companies working on the pro- Bahrain announced in October an state-operated network. programme. deficit to a surplus in five years. The ject. “We will work to transfer this economic reform plan backed by To encourage investments in the Renewable energy is empowering country produced less than 30,000 expertise to other African coun- the package from Saudi Arabia, the renewable energy sector, Egypt has members of the general public who megawatts of electricity annually in tries, either through the transfer of United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. enacted laws to allow the sale of can provide the national network 2014, which was far from enough to power or constructing renewable The plan, Bahrain says, was de- electricity by individuals and com- with electricity instead of waiting satisfy national consumption. energy plants in these countries.” signed to save $2.1 billion annually as the kingdom looks to curb its debt after years of low oil prices. The reform programme includes Investing in aromatic cutting public expenditure and government waste, voluntary re- tirements for government workers and “redirecting” state subsidies. roses in Morocco The authorities said they are look- ing to increase non-oil revenues, Mohamed Alaoui has the potential of becoming a con- to drive economic growth, diver- vergence point for all professionals sify government income streams interested in perfume roses. and align non-oil revenue with Rabat Official data stated that there are positive economic growth. about 880 hectares dedicated to igures indicate that Moroc- growing aromatic roses in Morocco, (Agence France-Presse) co’s rose-growing industry with an estimated production of is reaping the benefits of the 3,200 tonnes of roses last year, which F country’s Green Plan. Pro- puts Morocco in third worldwide, af- Lebanon’s Central duction and prices paid to produc- ter Bulgaria and Turkey, in rose pro- ers have increased in recent years duction. Booming business. A Moroccan woman harvests Damask roses in Bank workers and are expected to grow further this For the current season, the indus- Kalaat M’Gouna at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. (AFP) season. try said it expects to produce about suspend strike The figures were revealed during 3,900 tonnes, the highest production for 3 days the International Salon for Aromatic level in Moroccan history. The foundation, which established Green Plan. Roses in Morocco, which met in Ka- In the last three years, about 6,300 at a cost of $827,000, was entrusted Akhannouch stressed the need to Employees at the Central Bank of laat M’Gouna. tonnes of roses were exported, gen- with laying the groundwork for make more investments in remote Lebanon have suspended an open- The production of aromatic roses erating approximately $157 million in grouping the rose production chain, areas where economies are based on ended strike, saying they hope their rose from 2,500 tonnes annually be- revenues for the state. establishing an exchange for roses local products. From 2008-18, the wages and benefits will not be cut. fore the introduction of the Green Specialists at the National Office and their derivatives by setting a Moroccan government invested $6.7 The strike began May 3 and raised Plan in 2007 to about 3,350 tonnes a for Health Safety of Food Products reference price and coordinating the million in the rose production chain. concerns it could paralyse the coun- year the past three years. Moroccan said a production chain of aromatic designation of origin for roses and The International Rose Salon is an try’s banking sector, which relies on specialists attribute the production roses contributes to the overall de- their derivatives. annual event highlighting the cul- the Central Bank for transactions increase to the programme signed velopment of Morocco. They said The foundation is to also ensure tivation of the aromatic roses that and liquidity. between the government and the in- economic institutions and coopera- that quality is respected in rose pro- characterises Kalaat M’Gouna and Thousands of Lebanese public dustry’s workers in 2012. tives interested in regional products duction based on traceability and contributes to regional development employees went on strike amid The Ministry of Agriculture said should pay great attention to health genus while providing marketing the through revitalising its economy and fears their salaries and benefits Morocco’s Green Plan gives great safety to enhance their products. flowers, as well as organising aware- highlighting its agricultural poten- could be cut as part of austerity importance to rehabilitating and de- During the international salon at ness and training programmes for tial. measures to reduce a ballooning veloping local products. The minis- Kalaat M’Gouna, the Dar al-Ward rose growers. The Moroccan Interprofessional budget deficit and massive national try pointed out that the production al-Otri Foundation (Aromatic Rose The rose sector in Morocco in- Federation of the Perfume Rose has debt. chain of aromatic roses experienced Foundation) was inaugurated to cludes three large industrial trans- streamlined the aromatic rose pro- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad a remarkable transition because contribute to the structuring of the formational units in addition to 18 lo- duction chain. The federation brings Hariri’s government is debating an of its structuring and organisation production chain and helping estab- cal traditional facilities, including 15 together growers, industrialists and austerity budget and key reforms through the Moroccan Interprofes- lish partnerships in the sector and distillation units distributed as part traders. with the aim of unlocking billions sional Federation of the Perfume enhancing the industry’s negotiating of the roses project. Data indicate The price of aromatic roses has in- of dollars in pledged foreign as- Rose. capabilities. that more than 1,000 tonnes of fresh creased from 7 dirhams (US 70 cents) sistance. Moroccan Minister of Agriculture Akhannouch said: “The aromatic roses have been distilled up to now. per kilogram before the Green Plan The employees said they will Aziz Akhannouch said during the rose is one of the major products of The Ministry of Agriculture made was introduced to 25 dirhams ($2.50) meet to decide on whether to re- salon that there was a need to make the region and the headquarters of significant efforts in the Ouarzazate, per kilogram in 2018. sume or end the strike. important investments in expanding the Aromatic Rose Foundation in Ka- Zakoura and Tinghir areas in south- the area dedicated to rose growing laat M’Gouna is a beautiful reflection eastern Morocco by investing about Mohamed Alaoui is a Moroccan (The Associated Press) in the region. He said that the region of this local product.” $207 million through Morocco’s writer. May 12, 2019 19 Economy Ramadan Economics Food consumption soars but economic activity slows in Morocco during Ramadan

Saad Guerraoui

Casablanca

he commercial district of Derb Omar in Casablanca witnessed much more traffic T than usual during Ramadan. Illegally parked trucks and noisy tri- cycles unload merchandise on the packed road. Customers and merchants from around the country flock to Derb Omar, the economic hub of the me- tropolis, to shop. From dry fruit and spices to kitchenware, customers fill the district with street vendors, who occupy both the pavement and the roadside, loudly calling to get buy- ers’ attention. “Ten dirhams. Ten dirhams. It’s cheap!” shouted Abdel Kader, a street vendor who sells plastic con- tainers. “Ramadan is one of the best peri- ods of the year to do business. Cus- tomers tend to spend more in this holy month than any other month of the year,” he said. Dates are the most common ingre- dient on Moroccans’ iftar table. They A peaking demand. People tour the dry fruit market in Derb Omar. (Saad Guerraoui) are first thing they break their fast with as Prophet Mohammad used to do. protect consumers through control lion eggs in other months. ference countries. ally all coffee shops and restaurants “Demand for dates reaches its operations and law enforcement to Noureddine Boutayeb, minister “Productivity declines in many are closed during the fasting period, peak in Ramadan. We offer a variety ensure regular monitoring of the delegate to the interior minister, said sectors under the pretext of the except fast-food franchises such as of both local and imported dates to markets. the Moroccan market would not suf- physical strain of fasting. Hence, the McDonald’s, which remain open to our customers and prices vary ac- Economic expert El Mehdi Fakir fer from a lack of provisions during economic output decreases in Rama- non-Muslim customers. cording to their quality,” said Mo- said Ramadan is a month in which Ramadan. dan,” said Fakir. Travel agencies witness a business hammad, a dry fruit seller. consumption reaches its climax. Ramadan, which is a month of Worshippers fill mosques dur- boom thanks to demand for umrah A few hundred metres from Derb “Moroccans buy more food than piety, generosity and forgiveness, is ing Ramadan for Taraweeh prayers. packages to Saudi Arabia. Omar, Triq Mediouna is also busy. they consume during Ramadan, also a period of economic slowdown Some neighbourhoods provide “I’m going to spend the whole “I came here to get a blender for which is supposed to be a month of because working hours are reduced makeshift prayer areas in empty month with my wife in Saudi Arabia. juices and other stuff for my kitch- reduced food intake,” said Fakir. and absenteeism in public adminis- shops and tents to address the large The Ramadan atmosphere in Mecca en,” said Saliha Benaser, a mother of Egg consumption by Moroccans tration soars. number of worshippers. is beyond description, although it’s three. “My iftar table has to look nice during Ramadan doubles, the inter- A survey by growth strategy firm Clocks are set back one hour be- costly,” said Haj Sefiani, a retired and adorned with food and drinks professional association of the poul- Dinar Standard in 2011 suggested hind British Summer Time during businessman. for my family.” try sector stated. Some 840 million that the working day is, on average, Ramadan to make it easier for Mus- Some merchants hike food prices eggs are traded annually during the reduced by two hours during Rama- lims to observe the fast. Saad Guerraoui is a contributor to but the government mobilises to holy month, compared to 420 mil- dan in Organisation of Islamic Con- Tourist activity is affected as virtu- The Arab Weekly on Maghreb issues. Nearly expired food is an inexpensive alternative for Jordanians in Ramadan

Roufan Nahhas are in excellent condition,” said the pecially when it comes to expiry owner of a convenience store in Am- dates because many have been poi- man, who asked to be identified as soned due to consuming expired Amman Abu Mohammed. products.” “The expiry date does not mean In 2007, 193 people were sickened uring the Muslim fasting much as it says it is better to be con- and one died after eating expired month of Ramadan, de- sumed before a certain date but it shawarma meat or doner kebab. mand for food increases, does not say eating this product is This led to the closure of the shop. D prices skyrocket and mar- dangerous to health,” Abu Moham- In another incident, 500 kilograms kets thrive across the Arab world. In med said. of recycled yogurt were found at a Amman, a special market flourishes shop. The owner had bought expired because it sells products nearing yogurt, repackaged it and sold it as expiry at less than half the original Despite poor storage fresh. price. conditions, the market “I always come here for shopping. Special treats and diverse dishes has many customers It is often a bargain and too good to are prepared for iftar, the even- happy to pay lower prices, be true. I cannot afford a bar of choc- ing meal with which Muslims end especially for imported olate for $7 in the supermarket while their day-long Ramadan fast. The goods. I can buy it here for $1, even though economic recession in Jordan, com- it says it will expire in 5 days,” said pounded with an increase in taxes, “There are some products that Mohammed El Khalil, a nightshift has driven Jordanians to look for some people cannot afford to buy guard. “There are many products cheaper products despite govern- because of their high price, especial- that carry expired dates but still are ment efforts to increase food safety ly imported food items. Here, they in good shape.” and awareness. can buy them for much less. I am “Some traders tamper with the “There is no doubt that demand sure they look at the expiry date but, expiry dates and even malls place for food products rises during Rama- at the end, it is their decision.” stickers with a new expiry date to dan and expenditure on food and The issue of the expiry date is like take advantage of the high demand drinks almost doubles, creating ad- the “5-second rule,” a cultural food during Ramadan but the shop I buy ditional financial burdens on fami- hygiene concept that suggests there from does not and it is up to us to lies who see their spending grow to is a defined period during which it is buy or not,” he added. an average of $850,” said economist permissible to pick up the product. Another consumer, Ahmed Husam Ayesh Global studies have underlined the Qahwaji, a taxi driver, said the con- The Jordanian Department of Sta- difference between “best before” venience shops make it possible for tistics said 17% of Jordanian house- and “expiry dates” because they car- poor people to fill their iftar tables. Affordable alternative. Food products nearing expiry on display holds earn less than $585 per month. ry different meanings. “These shops have a variety of at a market in Amman. (Roufan Nahhas) Products available at the con- “Consumers should understand products, such as canned food, venience market are mostly 2-5 days that ‘expiry date’ means the last day sweets and drinks that I can buy ten from the expiry date. On some items, a product is safe to consume while bottles of juice for $1.40 (normal the date is erased. Despite poor stor- ‘best before’ means that the food is price $1.40 per bottle), eight pieces “Death is all in God’s hand! We will prices for those who can afford them age conditions, the market has many no longer in its perfect shape from of Turkish chocolate for $1.40 (regu- not die from what we buy cheaply. If but for those who cannot often the customers happy to pay lower pric- that date, which means it might lose lar price $1 per piece) and 12 packed it looks good and smells good, then it only way option is to visit conveni- es, especially for imported goods. its taste, nutrients and freshness but juices for the children for school for is edible,” he added. ence markets. “We buy products from malls and it can be still consumed,” said nutri- $1.40 (real price $5 per 12). Do you Weeks before Ramadan starts, traders with dates nearing expiry tionist Ghadir Hourani. see why we come here?” Qahwaji Jordanian markets are stocked with Roufan Nahhas is a journalist based and sell them to customers and they “People should not take risks es- said. products that are sold at competitive in Jordan. 20 May 12, 2019 Society Technology Technology redefining MENA’s travel industry

N.P. Krishna Kumar penetration globally, with 33% of bookings made online in 2018. However, “Middle East Online Dubai Travel Overview,” a study co-spon- sored by Amadeus and conducted an you imagine the sight of by Phocuswright, a global travel robots checking travellers market research company, stated onto flights and transport- that the MENA region was expect- C ing their luggage? Welcome ed to have a fast-growing online to the brave new world of travel travel market. technology. “The report reveals that the The recent Arabian Travel Mar- region is especially receptive to ket (ATM) 2019 stressed the effects growth in the online travel sector, of new technologies on the tour- with an increase of 14% expected ism industry, expected to save bil- year-on-year, which would make lions of dollars using the internet the MENA region the second fast- of things, robotics, artificial intelli- est growing online travel market gence, virtual reality and wearable in the world. The study highlights technology. that, by 2022, 44% of all activ- The money being invested in IT ity will be conducted online, com- systems at airports will be offset pared to 33% in 2018,” Medawar from savings in fuel cost over the said. next 15 years by using the internet “Young people travel more. They of things, data published by Col- are interested in the experience liers International indicated. rather than the destination,” he added. Ben Moss, director of Travel ATM 2019 stressed the Platform Technology at T2RL, said: effects of new technologies “[The Gulf Cooperation Council] on the tourism industry, and MENA region is very imma- expected to save billions of ture when compared to Europe, dollars using the internet of which is the world’s dominant in things, robotics, artificial travel technology, but the region Evolving industry. Visitors attend a panel at the Travel Tech Show at the Arabian Travel Market. intelligence, virtual reality is poised for growth, with travel (ATM) and wearable technology. receiving a boost as a result of an increase in flights, opening up of “Technology and the use of more payment facilities, relaxed digital media. It aims at shifting phone usage and has given way to ‘Bespoke’ delivery of goods and technology is evolving every day. visa regimes and hosting of major from generic promotions to mar- immense travel-related searches services. The tourism industry is at the very sports events. There is now an ap- ket specific promotional plans and and bookings via mobile phones.” “Technology integration helps forefront of tech innovation with petite for more online travel agen- content creation,” he said. During the event, representa- to enhance the experiences for companies investing huge sums cies in the region.” India is a major player in the tives from St Petersburg, Russia, bespoke packages and promotes of money to improve the customer He said travel and tourism op- travel and tourism sector in the introduced a targeted campaign tourism at a very different level. journey and experience,” said Dan- erators, as well as hotels, need to Gulf and the Middle East because focused on the Middle East mar- It helps you create your own pack- ielle Curtis, ATM exhibition direc- be open to changing their online of its burgeoning trade and historic ket, using technology to generate ages at the click of a button.” tor Middle East. content, instead of providing ge- links to the region. larger travel to the Russian city. Given this environment, Singh Some 45 international exhibi- neric fare. They should be more “Over the last few years, we “Technology is a language that said: “We have been instrumental tors participated in ATM’s Travel sensitive to cultural traditions in have been witnessing many new people understand well in today’s in creating a St Petersburg experi- Tech Show. Discussions revolved this part of the world. and advanced innovations and we connected world. It delivers con- ential lounge in Dubai. It will help around digital disruption and the Vibhava Tripathi, of the Indian are engaging these tools to under- venience and adds many facets to travellers experience the sights emergence of technologies that Ministry of Tourism, shared India’s stand traveller motivation,” Trip- travel,” said Harmeek Singh, chair- and sounds of the city and will be could fundamentally alter the way experience in tech travel. athi said. man of Visit St Petersburg. instrumental in their decision mak- in which the hospitality industry “The Incredible India 2.0 cam- “Another area in which we see “Sometimes while a physical ex- ing, whether it is the weather, thea- operates. paign launched by the Ministry of increasing tourist arrivals from perience is not possible, a virtual tre, museums, dining, et cetera.” Antoine Medawar, SVP Middle Tourism has paid attention to de- the Middle East is the online travel experience makes it possible to East & Africa, Amadeus, said the veloping technology trends and industry. This can be attributed get a feel of the place. Something N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab Middle East has the lowest online has laid strong focus on social and to the growing adoption of smart- else that is gaining speed is the Weekly contributor in Dubai. Beirut-based technology initiative propping future generations

shops. Already 12 private schools Samar Kadi A place to and ten public schools in Lebanon learn. have introduced the programme, A student Beirut giving their students 1 hour of ro- takes part in botics instruction per week. a workshop at nvesting in young minds and “The programme covers all The Little helping shape future genera- grades from the first year to high Engineer tions to keep up with internet school. It covers a different topic in centre in and technology evolution are each grade so students are exposed I Beirut. at the core of “The Little Engineer.” to the various STEM fields and (The Little The award-winning initiative is would have a learning objective be- Engineer) a unique platform that aims to un- fore joining university,” Chmaitelly leash young people’s full potential said. in science, technology, engineering She devised a special STEM pro- and mathematics (STEM) through gramme for Syrian refugees under engaging, hands-on activities. which Syrian teachers were trained “As we are heading to the fourth and provided with the tools to industrial revolution, we need to transfer technological knowledge prepare our students to be part of to their students. it. Otherwise they will not be able “So far, 850 refugees have joined to integrate in the workforce of the programme, each getting 20 the future,” said Rana Chmaitelly, hours of tech learning to improve a Lebanese mechanical engineer their refugee conditions, like how and founder of The Little Engineer to make tents fireproof and how to (TLE). filter rainwater to become potable,” Since its inception in 2009, TLE Chmaitelly said. has transformed from an after- Through customising her pro- school activity centre into a scien- gramme to different contexts with tific institution aiming to orient, different needs, Chmaitelly ex- empower and encourage learners “Then I decided that youngsters sage saying: ‘My son is today in a most popular has students build panded to countries in Africa and to enter the fields of engineering, today need a place where they can robotics academy in England and and operate a robot. the Middle East. robotics, renewable energy, me- learn and engage in more practical it was thanks to you’,” Chmaitelly ‘It can be anything from a car to She also worked with Airbus chatronics, the internet of things, activities.” said. a plane, a washing machine or con- Foundation forming the Technol- coding, civil engineer, 3D model- Students attending workshops “In fact, TLE helped shape their veyor belt. We provide them with ogy and Livelihood Education pro- ling and engineering management. and lessons at TLE attain basic en- life through introducing them to the tools and the knowledge and gramme in Africa and the Middle After a career providing mainte- gineering skills before moving into the world of electronics and tech- then they have to produce some- East. The programme has been run- nance and repair services for digital higher education. “That would nology. You create in them the pas- thing,” she said. ning since 2012 and aims to inspire photography machines, Chmaitel- help them discover their talents, sion for a certain subject and then Chmaitelly said that under exist- youth across the two regions to fo- ly, an instructor of robotics in the whether they have a passion for they will themselves do their own ing curricula, theory is dominant cus on STEM studies, notably avia- Faculty of Engineering and Archi- STEM subjects and want to go into research to learn more about it. while practical experience and ap- tion and space engineering. tecture at the American University engineering fields or not,” Chmai- “Instead of spending hours play- plied initiation are lacking. “For in- Chmaitelly’s innovative business of Beirut, said the idea of TLE was telly said. ing games, they would employ their stance, mechanical engineers have has been recognised with several spurred by her then 7-year-old son. She quoted one student who was time in a more constructive and in- a big gap. We graduate with lots of international awards, including the “I brought a robot home one day among the winners of the Hult Prize structive manner,” she added. theory but we are not exactly ready Massachusetts Institute of Technol- and to my surprise, my son, who competition saying: “Miss Rana do Working with a team of engi- for the labour market,” she said. ogy and the Cartier Women Initia- was totally addicted to electronic you remember me? I was a member neers, Chmaitelly developed a Turning theory into practice, tive. games and social media, dropped of The Little Engineer and it was series of hands-on edutainment Chmaitelly devised a curriculum for everything and came to explore the you who inspired me to get there.” courses that are fun but also en- STEM education along with activi- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly robot with me,” Chmaitelly said. “One mother also sent me a mes- courage critical thinking. One of the ties and space and aviation work- Travel and Society section editor. May 12, 2019 21 Society

Arab youth survey reflects ‘need for new social contract’

N.P. Krishna Kumar bring this up because there were not many places where people could re- ceive support and treatment. “It is Dubai also an opportunity for the private sector to step in,” he said. eyond headlines about con- The survey revealed that mental flict and violence, the Mid- health was not an issue on the mar- dle East and North Africa gins. Nearly one-in-three (31%) re- B region is a young one, with spondents said they knew someone about 65% of the population under suffering mental health issues. the age of 30. Justin Thomas, a Chartered The annual Arab Youth Survey, Health psychologist, in an article which provides insights into the in the White Paper, commented: attitudes of the region’s youth and “Focus [on mental health issues] their opinions on political, eco- is timely because, despite remain- nomic, social and cultural issues, is ing widely underreported, men- of paramount importance for gov- tal health problems have reached ernments and businesses. epidemic proportions in many na- This year’s survey data were tions.” compiled through 3,300 face-to- Thomas noted that the cost as- face interviews across 15 countries, sociated with mental illness is the split equally between males and fe- largest of any health issue, project- males. ed to reach $6 trillion per year by Sunil John, president of ASDA’A 2030. “Problems that have an early BCW, which began the survey more age of onset and a chronic course than a decade ago, said the study are particularly burdensome from evolved from its original aim to an economic standpoint. In short, provide data about the region’s depression costs way more than youth “to a platform and important diabetes.” barometer of how this important Jihad Azour, director of the Inter- demographic looks at their past, national Monetary Fund’s Middle present and future.” East and Central Asia Department, “Young Arabs who have grown said in a keynote speech following up against a backdrop of extremism the release of the survey, that three and geopolitical conflicts are tired words came to his mind when he of the region being defined by war read through the findings: “matu- and conflict,” John said. rity, commitment and modernity.” “It shows that the Arab youth be- lieve in their institutions,” he said. This year’s survey data were “They want governments to be compiled through 3,300 accountable and provide employ- face-to-face interviews ment and economic growth. They across 15 countries, split care about the situation, aspire to equally between males and peace and an end to conflict, show- ing great aspirations to the future.” females. Azour said governments in MENA “must do more to provide opportu- “They want their leaders to focus nities to the youth,” stressing that Expert insight. (L-R) Broadcast Journalist May Bin Khadra, Vice-President of EMEA, PSB Rob Vance, on the economy and provide bet- “our biggest hope is within the re- Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund Jihad (Courtesy of Arab Youth Survey) ter services such as quality educa- gion.” Azour and President of ASDA’A BCW Sunil John. tion and health care. Respondents, Unlike elsewhere in the world, particularly in North Africa and the where economic challenges have new social contract that sees the people joining the workforce each “This pact could become the base Levant, expect their governments often led youth to look inward state create an environment that year over the next decade,” Azour of a new social contract and would to do much more to address these and lose trust in government, this unleashes your potential and al- said. ensure greater dialogue and ac- core concerns.” year’s survey shows that you (Arab lows you to thrive.” He warned youth to limit their countability between governments John said new issues that were youth) look to the state to facilitate The survey indicates growing expectations as to what govern- and citizens,” he said. formulated this year, such as drug solutions. You are not disengaging. frustrations among young people. ments can do to solve these prob- “The contract would see govern- use and mental health, need to be You want governments that are ac- More than half of respondents list- lems. “Nowhere in the world can ment enable the private sector to urgently addressed. countable, efficient and provide ed rising costs of living as their top governments provide everything to leverage trade and technology to Respondents said drug use was you with opportunities for prosper- concern, followed by unemploy- all but the good news is there is a dif- grow and create jobs. Last, but not on the rise and drugs easy to obtain. ity,” Azour said. ment. ferent way,” he said. least, the contract envisages an e- The problem was particularly prev- “You embrace technology and “Reforms are under way but they He said the International Mone- government that leverages technol- alent in the Levant (76%) and North you have strong aspirations for a take time to bear fruit. Faster pro- tary Fund last year set out the poli- ogy to deliver public services more Africa (59%). better future for the region. Your gress is needed to create the jobs cies that would comprise a “pact for broadly and cost-effectively,” Azour John said it was important to concerns and demands call for a for the estimated 2.8 million young a better future.” added. Morocco uses legal and executive arsenal to combat violence against women

Mohamed Alaoui to reinforce provisions of the Law residence or the children, notifying on Combating Violence against the offender that he is forbidden Women by deciding the structure from disposing of joint property Rabat and make-up of counselling cells or funds of the spouses as well as for women victims of violence at criminalising sexual harassment oroccan law defines vio- the various levels of public admin- by co-workers or public security lence against women as istration and government sectors, agents. “any physical or moral as well as defining government rep- Rothna Begum, a researcher for M act or abstention based resentation in primary courts and women’s rights in the Middle East on discrimination on grounds of appellate courts. and North Africa division of Hu- sex, resulting in physical, psycho- The decrees would determine man Rights Watch, said Morocco’s logical, sexual or economic harm to the composition of the national law for combating violence against women.” commission for the care of women women recognises some forms of Women’s rights activists fought victims of violence in addition to abuse faced by women from their to have the law adopted to end vio- appointing representatives of vari- husbands and families but leaves lence against women. Among acts ous government departments at re- loopholes that should be addressed criminalised by the measure are gional and local levels. to protect victims and allow police expulsion from the marital home, The government is asking survi- and courts to do their job. A momentum for change. Moroccan women activists replace the sexual harassment at the workplace vors of violence to sue for protec- Saida Belhadid, president of name of a street in Rabat with that of a famous Moroccan woman, and harassment by security forces. tion but only a few women could do the Women’s Rights Association March 10. (AFP) that. The law does not specify du- of Ouarzazate, said implementa- ties of the police or the public pros- tion of the new law would allevi- Drafting the law to combat ecutor and magistrates in domestic ate blatant discrimination against programme aimed at improving for prevention, protection, care and violence against women violence cases nor does it specify women in Morocco and end viola- women’s conditions in Morocco. empowerment, not just sanctions. was based on the funding for shelters for battered tion of their physical integrity and She said various international Anass Saadoun, a member of constitution, which women. ensure their human rights. She said conventions ratified by Morocco the Judges Club of Morocco, noted prohibits discrimination The Law on Combating Vio- recent statistics indicate a danger- were among references used in that promulgation of the law was, and guarantees the right lence against Women lists specific ous increase in the violence against drafting the law, especially the in itself, a positive step in the fight to physical and moral violations that constitute violence women, making implementation of Convention on the Elimination of against violence, which has escalat- sanctity. against women, such as preventing the law a necessity. All Forms of Discrimination against ed in society in general and against the return of expelled spouse to the Hakkaoui said drafting the law Women and its optional protocol. women in particular. Bassima Hakkaoui, Moroccan family home, forced marriage and to combat violence against wom- The approaches adopted inte- Hakkaoui mentioned gains made minister of family, solidarity, equal- wasting family funds out of spite. It en was based on the constitution, grated a purely legal approach and a in combating violence against ity and social development, hailed provides protective measures, such which prohibits discrimination, collaborative approach, along with women. The government is finalis- the law as “revolutionary” when it as removing an abusive husband guarantees the right to physical and consideration for social cohesion ing a national strategy for combat- was adopted last September. Now, from the home and preventing him moral sanctity, in addition to the based on family cohesion. Hakka- ing violence against women. Seven she is proposing executive decrees from approaching the victim, the social policies of the government’s oui insisted that the law provided laws have been already adopted. 22 May 12, 2019 Culture Foreign Languages Translating books from Portuguese into Arabic builds bridges with Brazil

Mohamed Hemamsi grandfather. Maluf is of Lebanese and Syrian descent. The anthology included a chap- Abu Dhabi ter from a novel by Maria Valeria Rezende, winner of the Casa De las he recent Abu Dhabi Inter- Americas Prize for Best Novel for national Book Fair included 2006, the Premio Jabuti Prize for the introduction and discus- Best Novel in 2015 and the same prize sion of “Min al-Mahjar ila al- for Debut Authors in 2009. Rezende Building bridges. Speakers attend a discussion of “Min al-Mahjar ila al-Watan” (“From the Diaspora T to the Homeland”) in Abu Dhabi. (Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce) Watan” (“From the Diaspora to the has written 20 books. She began her Homeland”), which contains selec- career as a teacher during the 1960s tions from 12 books written by Bra- working in various regions of Bra- migrants, both old and new; yet it is a ney to Brazil full of solitude, pain and literature at the Federal University in zilian authors of Arab origin or influ- zil and other parts of the world. She model of creative coexistence, espe- misery. Rio de Janeiro, is of Italian origin. He enced by Arabic culture. lived in Algeria where she developed cially with the Arabs. “In Brazil, my grandfather met praised the work of Palestinian poet The texts were translated into Ara- close relations with the Arab world. “These Arabs have had a tremen- the daughter of a Syrian immigrant, Mahmoud Darwish and read Dar- bic by Safaa Abu-Shahla Gibran and In her latest novel “Other Songs” dous influence on Brazilian culture married her and had my father and wish’s famous poem “To My Mother.” Mohammed Mustafa al-Jaroush and (2016), she recalled her experiences by adding new vocabulary to it or my uncles. My novel “A Imensidao Lucchesi has won several awards, published by the Kalima Project for in Western Sahara during the 1970s. through their creativity in the arts Intima dos Carneiros,” which was including the Alcio de Amoroso Lima Translation of the Abu Dhabi Depart- The symposium dedicated to “Min and literature. There are important published in 2015, tells the story of Prize in 2008. He received the Marin ment of Culture and Tourism. al-Mahjar ila al-Watan” was moderat- poets of Arab origin who represent my grandfather and of his journey Surescu Award from Romania and an Among the authors featured was ed by Ghaith Hassan and attended by the pride of Brazil. Arab women and and exile.” award from the Italian Ministry of Milton Hatoum, a Brazilian contem- some of the authors — Mirna Queiroz, men in Brazil are known for their “My grandfather died in 1967 and I Culture, in addition to winning the porary writer of Lebanese descent Leonard Tannous, Marco Lucchesi, bravery and daring and there are lots was born in 1974,” continued Maluf. Premio Jabuti Award three times. He who was the recipient of the Portu- Anna Miranda and Maluf — featured of exciting human stories carried by “So, I don’t know him but my parents has translated the Arabic poetry of gal Telecom Prize for Literature and in the anthology. They expressed de- these immigrants.” and my uncles told me stories of his Rumi into Portuguese. a three-time winner of the Premio light at attending the book fair and Maluf told the story of his im- suffering. For me to write about this Said Hamdan al-Taniji, director Jabuti Award for best novel. spoke of the profound influence of migrant ancestry. “If I’m here, it is suffering, I had to live a similar expe- of publishing at the Department of Raduan Nassar, recipient of the Arab culture on themselves and on thanks to my grandfather. I’m the rience as my grandfather’s. I had to Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, Camoes Prize for Portuguese lan- Brazilian and European culture. grandson of Lebanese and Syrian im- live alone, isolated and afraid. praised “Min al-Mahjar ila al-Watan” guage literature, was also included. Miranda, winner of the Jabuti Prize migrants. My grandfather was Leba- “I wrote about my grandfather’s and said Brazilian literature deserves There was also promising writer in 1990 and 2003, has published nese and my grandmother was Syr- painful experience from the moment translation and open bridges to Arab Marcelo Maluf, the 2016 recipient of about 30 books. Her novel “America” ian,” he said. “My grandfather was he boarded the ship to Brazil until culture, a culture that has influenced the Sao Paulo Prize for Literature for is acclaimed as being a reference on As’ad Maalouf, who was compelled his arrival and his meeting with my it and put it in the hearts and minds Best Book of the Year-Debut Author Arab immigration to Brazil during the to leave Lebanon at an early age. grandmother. When the novel won of many of its distinguished literary Over 40 for “A Imensidao Intima dos 19th century. The Ottomans had hanged two of his a major Brazilian award, I felt that I figures. Carneiros” (“The Immense Intimacy “Brazil is a unique country in this brothers so his father decided to save had made my family and ancestry of Sheep”), in which he wrote of the world,” she said. “It is a country with the only child he had left by pushing proud.” Mohamed Hemamsi is an Egyptian personal history of his Lebanese many mosques and many Arab im- him to migrate in 1921 on a long jour- Lucchesi, professor of comparative writer.

Viewpoint Arab writers’ use of foreign languages opens new horizons

t is difficult to talk about one The first Maghrebi texts writ- Arab literature because the ten in French date to the 1930s. differences far exceed com- Abdelkader Chatt’s novel “Mosa- Hassan Ouazzani monalities, both at the level of iques ternies” (“Worn-out Mosa- the language used and themes ics”) first appeared in Paris in 1932, broached by writers across the and Ahmed Sefrioui’s short story IArab world. collection “Le chapelet d’ambre” This differentiation among Arab (“Amber Rosary”) appeared in 1949. writers becomes even more ap- The first texts in French could parent when some of them turn to attempt to introduce the tradi- other languages as their medium of tions and daily life in the Maghreb expression. to French readers. They emulated Lebanese writer Etel Adnan styles and themes of colonial lit- said her choice to write in English erature and were an extension of affords her a freedom not found in the context of the fascination of the French, for example, in which the colonisers with the colonies. slightest linguistic innovation is As decades went by, francophone deemed a sin, given the inflexibility Maghrebi literature broke away that characterises French language from the mould of reporting and usage. describing to establish its own That rigour, however, was not an literary journey, raising its own obstacle for Adnan, who has pub- A voice from the East. Lebanese-French writer and academician interrogations and answering them lished as many works in French as Amin Maalouf speaks during a ceremony at the French Institute in in narratives rooted in shifting so- she has in English. Her latest work Paris. (Reuters) cial contexts and that reflected an in French was “Revenir a Yource- awareness of its own poetry. nar” (“Going back to Yourcenar”), a While written in French, this novel published a year ago in Paris. 200 references on trade between English. The text chronicles a part literature remained true in its In Lebanese literature, the ex- Genoa and Flanders in Belgium, on of his troubled life. Ghali visited linguistic and identity roots. Thus, perience of Amin Maalouf is very the Ottoman Empire during that Israel in 1967 while a reporter for Moroccan poet Abdellatif Laabi different from Adnan’s. Maalouf period and on the Great Fire of the Times in London. was keen on publishing an Arabic began writing in French after a long London. In contrast to Middle East sister edition of his francophone experience of writing in Arabic. Adnan and Maalouf are two countries, printing and publish- magazine Souffles. Both editions He served as editor-in-chief of the Lebanese voices that have received ing infrastructure emerged rather are typical examples of a Moroccan Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar be- more attention at the levels of late in the Maghreb but Maghrebi voice looking for a new horizon for fore moving to Paris, where he built reading, circulation, criticism or literature developed in a range of new poetic and intellectual experi- a career as a great novelist. media exposure. Because of them, European languages, in addition to ences. Many of his works, such as “Leon other writers from the Arab world Arabic and local dialects, including Arab writers do not have to aban- l’Africain” (“Leo Africanus,” 1986) working in foreign languages have Amazigh and Hassani. don writing in their native language or “Les Desorientes” (“The Diso- emerged from Lebanon, Egypt, Maghrebi literature written in and seek expression of their ideas riented,” 2012), achieved interna- Jordan, the Palestinian territories French is a theatre of writing that and art in other languages. It is, tional fame. In 2011, Maalouf was or other Mashreq countries. formulates its own questions and however, a fact that the existence elected to the French Academy. There are writers who published approaches. It created its own of Arab literature written in lan- Maalouf, whom the French media their first work but disappeared space in the Maghreb, France and guages other than Arabic can only prefer to call “Mr Orient,” remains inside a genre characterised by elsewhere. This is reflected by the enrich this literature. Several factors faithful to his historical themes, tough competition or those active fact that four Moroccan authors Arab authors writing in foreign contributed to the with his interest in digging into the in creative areas, such as poetic have won the Goncourt Prize, top languages take Arab literature to success of Maghrebi documentary aspects of his work, prose, that do not get much public prize in francophone literature. Mo- other places and other readers, which requires extensive research. attention. rocco ranks second, after France, in which is essential to break self- literature written in For example, while working on This is the case of Egyptian writer terms of winners of the award. imposed isolation that can kill this French, including the his novel “Le Periple de Baldassare” Waguih Ghali, who published one Several factors contributed to literature and its voices. (“Baldassare’s Odyssey,” 2002), novel — “Beer in the Snooker Club” the success of Maghrebi literature sizeable stock of which takes place in the 17th cen- (1964). He is considered the first written in French, including the Hassan Ouazzani is a Moroccan works published. tury, Maalouf consulted more than Egyptian writer to write a novel in sizeable stock of works published. writer. May 12, 2019 23 Culture How Palestinian art evolved under siege

Samar Kadi There was no internet at the time, any art infrastructure or art crit- ics, galleries or museums. It was Beirut an attempt to kill any creative and artistic spirit of Palestinians.” he first intifada was a Palestinian art, like any other turning point in the evo- art, is inspired by its milieu and lution of Palestinian art, entourage. T which had been locked for Anani explained that before decades in traditional practices the Nakba in 1948, artists paint- using invariable narrative and ed landscapes and religious or symbols. Modern Palestinian art historical subjects as icons, the was pioneered by four artists af- Dome of the Rock or Saladin’s ter the uprising, introducing new entry in Jerusalem after defeat- materials and multidisciplinary ing the Crusaders. They also used practices. symbols reflecting opposition to Nabil Anani, Sliman Mansour, colonialism. Vera Tamari and Tayseer Barakat “After 1948, symbols figured reviewed the development of Pal- prominently in Palestinian art,” estinian art at a lecture at Dar el- Anani said. “For instance, many Nimer for Arts and Culture in Bei- artists painted cactuses as a sym- rut in parallel with “Challenges bol of destroyed Palestinian vil- of Identity,” their first collective lages. (The plant was commonly exhibition in Lebanon. used as a fence in the villages). “The Palestinian art movement They painted doves as a symbol of started effectively in 1972. Before peace. Iron fists and barbed wire that date there was no infrastruc- as symbols of imprisonment, an- ture or any framework for art,” ger, steadfastness and resistance Mansour said. to Israeli occupation.” “That year, we had the first ex- “Artists also painted Palestinian hibition in the occupied territo- women wearing the traditional ries, a collective show by artists dress as a symbol of reaffirming based in the West Bank and Gaza. national identity. They drew olive We were about 18 artists. We later trees, which are abundant across Unique insight. “Wedding” by Tayseer Barakat. (El-Nimer Collection) established the League of Pales- Palestinian territories, for their tinian Artists and opened Gallery beauty and deep roots in the land, semblage using materials derived The four artists are among the the works due to Israeli restric- 79, the first art space in the West in addition to the fact that olives from the Palestinian environment founding members of the Pales- tions. The works on display were Bank.” are an important source of reve- to boycott Israeli art suppliers in tinian Association of Contempo- bought some time ago by private nue for the Palestinian economy,” protest of the occupation. rary Art. After the creation of the collectors here,” Sliman said. Anani added. Anani used leathers and dyes Palestinian Authority in the West “They mostly highlight the sym- Palestinian artist The first intifada in the late such as tea, coffee, henna and Bank and Gaza in 1994, they es- bols that we painted to reaffirm Sliman Mansour 1980s was a turning point in the spices, which made up the col- tablished the International Acad- our national identity and fight at- development of Palestinian art, ours for his work on leather. Man- emy of Art Palestine in 2006, tempts to erase it.” “The intifada mainly Barakat said. sour and Tamari worked with which was later integrated into liberated us.” “The art movement shifted to a clay, adding hay to give it more the University of Birzeit as the new and totally different phase in consistency. Barakat chose wood first academy of fine arts in the Nabil Anani, Sliman Many challenges prevented which the symbols were no long- and fire as materials for his art. Palestinian territories. Mansour, Vera Tamari and the development of art, Mansour er that prominent. We wanted to “The intifada mainly liberated Today, fine art students receive Tayseer Barakat reviewed said. relay our message and the Pales- us,” Sliman said. “Our art became contemporary art education with the development of “We were living in a kind of tinian story through modern and more expressive of ourselves and multidisciplinary practice, in- Palestinian art at a lecture cultural ghetto, isolated from contemporary practice, a new more abstract. We were no longer cluding painting, drawing, pho- in parallel with cultural developments. Move- language that communicates with limited to the traditional way of tography, installation, printmak- “Challenges of Identity,” ment was difficult. Many artists the outside world, not only with doing art to please a specific pub- ing, sculpture, video, film, sound their first collective were banned from travelling. Art- the Palestinian public,” Barakat lic. and new media. ists were often arrested and their said. “For example, I began working The parallel exhibition “Chal- exhibition in Lebanon. works confiscated. I, myself, was The four artists founded “New with clay and this made me en- lenges of Identity” featured thrown in jail four or five times,” Visions,” proposing a margin for gage in sculpture. I believe that works by the four artists that were “Challenges of Identity” was he said. more individualised outlets and was the link between traditional drawn from private collections in on display April 30-May 11 at Dar “Universities were also banned experimentation. They turned to and modern art that the younger Lebanon. el-Nimer for Arts and Culture in from establishing art academies. earthwork and mixed media as- generation is producing now.” “It is very difficult to bring out Beirut. Iraq’s ‘latmiyat’ rap has youth appeal but conservatives not amused

Haydar Hamdani Swaying to However, even as they electrify the rhythm. crowds, the raps spark anger among A young clerics, shocked to see traditional Midhatiya performer in psalms so distorted. a black robe Shia Imam Latif al-Amidi, for s the black-clad rapper spat chants as one, is not a fan. lyrics into the microphone Iraqi Shia “Religious deviant movements on stage, the Iraqi boys youth take that have emerged recently have A below beat their chests in part in a taken advantage of weak religious mourning. He was, after all, paying mourning knowledge among young people to homage to venerated slain Shia fig- ceremony at introduce to Islam things that have urehead Hussein. their local nothing to do with religion. These The ear-splitting drum beats re- mosque in movements brought singers, danc- verberated around the hall as Iraqi the town of ing and DJs into Islam, using the teenagers shouted back rhymes Midhatiya, excuse that they want to attract venerating the Prophet Moham- south of youth,” Amidi said. mad’s grandson and other hon- Baghdad. Aside from “anasheeds,” which oured figures in Islam. (AFP) are hymns performed without in- In parts of conservative Iraq, a re- struments, the permissibility of ligious movement within the Shia music in Islamic worship is dis- sect has adapted the traditional puted. Hard-line clerics say Islam “latmiyat” — chanted verses mourn- forbids all music, even in daily life ing Muslim icons — to Western-style outside the mosque; other Muslim rap to keep young people interested movements, including Iraq’s Sufis, in religion. use drums and dance in their wor- It appears to be getting attention ship. but also fuelling controversy. The “latmiyat” predate Islam, In Midhatiya, a town 100km south regularly accused of distorting con- rar al-Bederi, is exactly why this hy- tion but morals as well,” said Bederi. going back 4,000 years to Iraq’s of Baghdad, teens in matching red servative traditions. brid style of worship is necessary. It has also brought social media Babylonian history but have their shirts stood shoulder to shoulder Straining to make himself heard “Young people abandoned religion stardom to some performers, whose own icons, including Bassem al- in their local place of worship as over the loud music, Janahi said his and morality because of backward, modernised “latmiyats” earned Karbalai, in modern-day Iraq. if preparing for prayer but when more traditional counterparts “had classical clerics,” he said. them tens of thousands of online Iraq’s Shia authorities have yet to the speakers crackled to life, they gotten involved in corruption and In comments peppered with views. issue a religious ruling on whether blared a staccato drum beat and politics, so young people began run- Quranic verses, he said the refusal One video published on Facebook the rapped “latmiyat” is accept- the voice of a young performer in ning away from religion.” to meet young Muslims halfway showed a rapper in jeans and a cap, able according to Shia dogma. The a black robe, rhyming with a speed Religion and politics are deeply turned the youth towards “crime, standing in a grassy field featuring a format has never been performed befitting New York’s fiercest under- intertwined in Iraq, where govern- drug use, ignorance and atheism.” tall date palm, Iraq’s national tree. or used as a style of worship in the ground rap battles. ment posts have been allocated ac- To fight this, he and fellow Muslims “My Lord is unrivalled. He taught country’s two main Shia holy cities, Even the elderly religious figures, cording to sect since the US-led in- appropriated rap — usually associat- me to act with respect. I want to Najaf and Karbala. including Sheikh Salem al-Janahi, vasion in 2003. ed with the “invader” United States talk about the cause of our imam,” That has not deterred Bederi, along the back wall swayed to the The country’s 40 million people — to create a religiously focused he sang. however, who argued: “We have rhythm. are mostly Shias, with a burgeoning form of worship. In other footage, men in green to address young people with the Janahi hails from the Mahmoud youth population navigating an in- “It has become one of the impor- appeared to enter a trance, slam- tools they know.” al-Sarkhi movement, which has creasingly Westernised society. tant ways we reach out to youth, to ming their chests faster and faster championed “Husseini” rap and is That, said “Husseini” rapper Kar- spread a message of peace, modera- to an electronic tune. (Agence France-Presse) 24 May 12, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Beirut: Through June 1

The Laugh Story Comedy Show takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Royal Hotel. The programme features comedians such as Tony Abou Jaoude, Hicham Haddad, Boni- ta Saade and Jad Bou Karam.

Amman: Through June 5

Ramadan at The Boulevard is an event that features artisanal products exhibitions, tradi- tional food, live entertainment, music and children’s work- shops.

Dubai: A local arranges rocks at Jebel Abul Hassan. Through June 8 (www.redseamountaintrail.org) “Whispers from the Past” is a showcase of works by Mohsen Khanji, an Aleppo- born philosopher who brings Arabic letters and subjects to Egypt’s new Red Sea Mountain Trail life before his viewer’s eyes. Using various colours, textures and techniques, Khanji creates pieces full of metaphors and offers glimpse into nomadic heritage symbolism. The exhibition is on display at Le Patio, Habtoor Palace Dubai. Marc Espanol Oman: During June and July Hurghada Taking place annually in Dho- n ancient times, the remote far province, the Salalah Tour- mountainous area on the out- ism Festival hosts street shows, skirts of the Egyptian coastal concerts, games, fireworks, I city of Hurghada, on the Red cultural activities and food Sea, was a busy and dynamic re- stalls for locals and tourists. gion. Especially during the Ptolemaic Rabat: and Roman periods, trade and June 21-29 travel caravans that crossed the ter- ritory towards the Nile intersected The 18th Mawazine Festival with ancient hunting routes. This takes place in Rabat and fea- created a mosaic of lively mountain tures international and local trails that, as people moved out of musical performances. the region, were travelled only by local Bedouins. Beiteddine: Until the 1980s, it was common July 18-August 10 for locals to use camels or walk to get around. Only a handful of The annual Beiteddine Art Bedouins owned pickup trucks Festival, situated in the Chouf and, as a result, the ancient paths mountains, includes a variety remained in good condition but of performances from opera with more widespread motorised Remains of an ancient building in Jebel Um Anab. (www.redseamountaintrail.org) and concerts to theatre and transport, travel changed and the art exhibitions. The festival mountain trails that had once been welcomes more than 50,000 so vital went unused and fell into traditional land that the route runs. hiking hubs connected to various The Red Sea Mountain Trail was visitors as well as numerous ruin. “We are giving people a reason pathways to notable locations such meant to develop a model of grass- star performers. However, the historical network to walk [those paths] again and, as Jebel Shayib el Banat (2,187 me- roots sustainable adventure tour- of trails is being reborn through the by walking through them to revive tres) or Jebel Gattar, regarded as ism in the region. This is to serve Carthage: Red Sea Mountain Trail, a 170km them,” said Ben Hoffler, co-founder one of the most unknown places of as a counterbalance from the mass During July-August 15 route that connects the paths in of the trail. “Nothing teaches the Egypt’s wilderness. tourism industry around resorts, what has become the first long-dis- names and stories of the land, its “Our fathers and grandfathers particularly diving, that has taken The Carthage Festival is one tance hiking trail in Egypt. plants and its animals better than a taught us about these mountains,” over the Red Sea, and which differs of the oldest arts and cultural The trail, which takes approxi- path.” said Mohammed Abu Busha, one from the lifestyle of local Bedouins events in North Africa, drawing mately 10 days to navigate, was “For travellers, a path is almost of the guides on the trail. “We walk to whom that kind of tourism has a mix of local and international designed by the Khushmaan clan, a blood vessel that keeps the place [these paths] behind the camels minimal benefits. performers to Tunisia over who are part of the Maaza, one of and its culture alive,” he said. and the goats,” he explained, evok- “A path like the Red Sea Moun- several weeks. Performances Egypt’s largest Bedouin tribes and Aside from its historical diversity, ing a time when, as a child, he tain Trail creates legitimate eco- take place at the Amphitheatre whose roots trace back to the He- the Red Sea Mountain Trail runs would follow the rains in search of nomic opportunities for [the local of Carthage. jaz region of the Arabian Peninsula. across a wide range of scenery from grazing areas with his family. Bedouins] and it puts them at the In Egypt, the Maaza’s territory lies vast plains to labyrinthine valleys “The more we see the scenery, front line because nobody is more Marrakech: in the northern half of the Red Sea and from circuitous rocky canyons the more we get attached and get to qualified than the Bedouin to work September 13-15 Mountains and it is through their to cool water pools. It includes six know it,” he added. in this field,” said Hoffler, whose focus is exploring ways to combine The Oasis Festival is an event modern tourism and the preserva- that celebrates electronic mu- tion of ancient nomadic heritage. sic. It takes place in Marrakech The Red Sea Mountain Trail was for three days of performances. opened April 12-13 by a group of 19 hikers. Dubai: “It is always adventurous to try a Through December 31 new trail and see some wilderness,” said hiker Rasha Amro. “Long-dis- “La Perle” features 65 artists tance hikes let the Bedouins tell us from 23 countries performing their experiences, their stories, give amazing stunts and aerial antics us their culture and, by doing so, above an on-stage pool filled make us part of it.” with 2.7 million litres of water Moataz Elewa, another hiker, in a state-of-the-art, custom- said the trail offers a unique oppor- built theatre. The show takes tunity to get to know a part of Egypt place at Al Habtoor City. that is often forgotten. “It is important for people in Cairo to understand that Egypt is We welcome submissions of not Cairo,” he said, “but rather that calendar items related to there are a lot of other peoples with cultural events of interest to different backgrounds, history and travellers in the Middle East traditions to respect and to sup- and North Africa. port.” A hiker in Jebel Shayib el Banat. Please send tips to: (www.redseamountaintrail.org) Marc Espanol is a Catalan journalist [email protected] in Egypt.