Issue 137, Year 3 www.thearabweekly.com UK £2/ EU €2.50 December 24, 2017 The influence Bidding farewell to Christmas of social in the media 2017Middle East Page 21 Pages 6, 10, 16 Pages 12-13 Iran further escalates tensions with Saudi Arabia through Yemen proxies

Mohammed Alkhereiji efforts of the Islamic Revolution en- emies,” Jafari said. “We need to con- solidate and expand such victories.” London Despite statements by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi threat- or the third time in two ening Saudi Arabia with more mis- months, the Iran-allied sile attacks and boasts that the range Houthi rebels launched a of his group’s rockets was expand- ballistic missile targeting ing, the Saudi-led coalition opened Riyadh, an attack a senior the Yemeni port of Hudaydah for FUS official said bore the hallmarks of humanitarian aid and announced Tehran. that commercial ships, including Saudi air defences intercepted a those carrying food and fuel, would ballistic missile fired December 19 be allowed to enter for 30 days. by the Houthis, an official statement from Riyadh said. The weapon was Tehran has denied said to have targeted residential involvement with the areas. Houthis but boastful The statement said the attack proved the continued involvement statements from of Iran in supporting the Houthis Iranian officials “with advanced capabilities in clear indicated otherwise. and stark defiance and breach of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216 Saudi officials said that since the and 2231.” missile attack on Riyadh on No- The December 19 assault was vember 4, the Arab coalition had preceded by a missile attack delivered 435,067 tonnes of food December 1 and an attempt target- supplies, 396 tonnes of medical sup- ing Riyadh’s King Khalid Interna- plies and 332,988 tonnes of miscel- tional Airport on November 4. laneous humanitarian aid. US Ambassador to the United Na- The conflict in Yemen began when tions Nikki Haley, also on December Extreme vigilance. Saudi border guards keep watch along the border with Yemen in al-Khubah area Shia Houthis and forces loyal­ to for- 19, told the Security Council that in the southern Jizan province. (AFP) mer President Ali Abdullah Saleh evidence concerning Iran arming overran Sana’a in September 2014 the Houthi militia was mounting and seized most of the country. A and those actions violated the 2015 Saudi-led Arab coalition forces in Russian President Vladimir Putin ending the war. Saudi-led Arab coalition, supported nuclear agreement between Iran Yemen, said during a December were among the many world leaders Tehran has denied involvement by the United States and the United and China, France, Russia, the Unit- 20 news conference: “The Houthi- who condemned the Houthi missile with the Houthis but boastful state- Kingdom, began an air campaign ed Kingdom, the United States and Iranian militias targeted the Saudi attack. ments from Iranian officials indicat- against the rebels in March 2015. Germany. kingdom with 83 ballistic missiles,” During a phone call December 20, ed otherwise. Saleh was killed December 4 by “This is the secretary-general’s adding that the Arab coalition had Trump and Saudi King Salman bin At a mid-December conference in the Houthis in an attack on his mo- fourth report on the Iranian regime’s destroyed the rebels’ ballistic mis- Abdulaziz Al Saud “discussed the Tehran, Iran’s Islamic Revolution- torcade two days after he said that lack of full compliance with Resolu- sile launch pads. importance of engaging the United ary Guard Corps (IRGC) command- he was willing to “turn a new page” tion 2231,” Haley said, “and it is the To pre-empt additional Houthi Nations to hold Iran accountable er, Major-Gen­eral Mohammad Ali with the Saudi-led coalition. most damning report yet. This re- provocations, Saudi border troops for its repeated violations of inter- Jafari, said he expected victory in port makes the case that Iran is ille- were monitoring the kingdom’s bor- national law,” a White House state- Yemen soon. Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf gally transferring weapons.” der crossing with Yemen. ment said. They were also said to “Over the past two years, we have section editor of The Arab Weekly. Saudi Colonel Turki bin Saleh al- US President Donald Trump, Brit- have agreed on the necessity of re- been witnessing constant victories Maliki, official spokesman for the ish Prime Minister Theresa May and viving the political process towards in Yemen as well as the defeat of the P6 For Syrian refugees, a dire predicament unlikely to improve in the coming year

Samar Kadi 600,000 Syrians returned home in Syrians. The rest included Iraqis and the first seven months of 2017; nearly Sudanese.” all of whom were displaced within Canada, the United States, Aus- Beirut Syria. The rest, more than 31,000, tralia and Germany have been the returned from Turkey, Lebanon, Jor- main recipients of asylum seekers he intensity of the war in dan and Iraq. although “new countries, mainly in Syria may have subsided in However, the rate of dis- Latin America, have come forward 2017 with the near defeat placement in 2017 was high- like Chile,” al-Iraqi added. Unlikely odds. A Syrian refugee boy stands in front of his family tent of the Islamic State (ISIS) er than the rate of returnees. The resettlement process can take at a makeshift camp for refugees and migrants on the island of Lesbos and agreement to establish More than 800,000 people were up to two years to be completed, in Greece, on November 30. (Reuters) T“de-escalation zones” in parts of the displaced during the first seven except for in severe “humanitarian country. However, a sustainable po- months — many for the second or third cases.” than 3 million Syrian refugees. “Any political process in Syria has litical settlement seems out of reach time — and more than 6 million are In 2016, the IOM resettled 25,000 Refugees overstaying and the pres- to include a solution for the refugees. for now. displaced within the country. Syrian refugees from the Middle East sure they place on public services, We cannot have peace in Syria with- That means not much has changed The number of asylum seekers and Africa to Canada. An additional infrastructure and the job market out bringing back between 5 million for millions of Syrians who have hoping to be resettled permanently 1,000 Syrians from Jordan were re- have sparked calls in Lebanon for to 7 million refugees scattered around lived in dire conditions in refugee in third countries has generally been settled in Europe and 600 — 47% of them to be repatriated. Acknowledg- the world,” Hariri said at a conference camps in neighbouring countries, in- increasing, indicating that many ref- them children — from Egypt to Can- ing the implications of the refugee hosted by the Carnegie Middle East cluding Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, ugees have little hope of returning to ada. crisis, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Centre. since the onset of the conflict nearly Syria safely anytime soon. Jordan is host to approximately Hariri called on the international With no sustainable political set- seven years ago. Though some refu- “The caseload is on the increasing 657,000 registered Syrian refugees, community to ensure their secure tlement in sight, the refugees’ suffer- gees returned to Syria this year, most side, though it has decreased slightly the highest per person after Leba- and voluntary return. ing is not expected to end soon. have not budged as they await a final in the second half of 2017,” said Ah- non, which is home to 1.1 million Lebanon hosts about 450,000 Pal- peace settlement that ensures their mad al-Iraqi, IOM’s communication registered refugees. In addition to estinian refugees who are registered Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly safe and sustainable repatriation. officer in Beirut. “IOM has resettled the Syrians, Jordan has 450,000- with the United Nations. They began Travel and Society section editor. International Organisation for Mi- 80,000 refugees in Lebanon in the 500,000 Iraqi refugees. Turkey re- flowing into the country more than Roufan Nahhas in Amman gration (IOM) said approximately past three years, with 95% [of them] mains the largest recipient with more 60 years ago. contributed to this report. 2 December 24, 2017 News & Analysis Gulf 2017, the year Saudi Arabia tackled reform head on

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

017 will be remembered as a milestone year for Saudi Arabia, a year the kingdom’s populace saw the beginning of a so- 2cial revolution set to transform how they live. At the heart of the push for change was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. “If he did not exist, the Saudi system would have had to invent him,” New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote about At work. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed. Crown Prince What took many pundits by sur- Mohammed prise is that, in a region known for bin Salman its slow pace of change and half- bin Abdulaziz. hearted attempts at reform, Saudi (SPA) Arabia within the last year has ad- dressed long-standing issues that many people felt would never be seriously tackled. Crown Prince Mohammed is the architect of Saudi Vision 2030, an economic reform plan with social dimensions designed to wean the kingdom’s economy off oil dependency while creating jobs, stimulating the private sec- tor and modernising the country. Pushing that loaded agenda for- ward required dealing with lin- gering issues, one of the most prominent of which was the fight against corruption. Consequently, Riyadh launched a kingdom-wide anti-corruption and lack of discrimination of the The Saudi crown prince was ref- destroy them today and immedi- to increase Saudi women’s roles crackdown, attempting to hold kingdom’s anti-corruption drive. erencing major regional events in ately.” in society and the labour market. both average citizens and royalty He said previous attempts to crack 1979 — the Islamic Revolution in The kingdom inaugurated the The lifting of the ban was pre- accountable. King Salman bin down on corruption were ineffec- Iran and the siege of Mecca by ter- King Salman Complex for the ceded by easing aspects of the Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal tive because investigations start- rorists that inspired a generation Prophet’s Tradition, with head- kingdom’s male guardianship sys- decree in November forming an ed from the bottom up but that of militants such as al-Qaeda’s quarters in Medina. An official tem, granting women independ- anti-corruption task force to be changed when his father, King Osama bin Laden. statement said the plan would ent access to government ser- overseen by Crown Prince Mo- Salman, came to power. “We are returning to what we “eliminate fake and extremist vices, jobs, education and health hammed with a mandate to “in- “My father saw that there is no were before, a country of mod- texts and any texts that contradict care, without the need for prior vestigate, issue arrest warrants, way we can stay in the G20 and erate Islam that is open to all the teachings of Islam and justify consent. travel bans and freeze accounts grow with this level of corruption. religions, traditions and peo- the committing of crimes, mur- For the first time in decades, and portfolios,” a statement car- In early 2015, one of his first orders ple around the globe,” he said. ders and terrorist acts.” the kingdom’s General Entertain- ried by the official Saudi Press to his team was to collect all the “Frankly speaking, we cannot Perhaps the most historic re- ment Authority is championing Agency said. information about corruption — at spend 30 years of our lives deal- form initiative of this year was the public forms of entertainment, This led to the arrest of promi- the top,” the crown prince said. ing with extremist ideas. We will relaxing of restrictions on Saudi with 2017 seeing music concerts nent members of Saudi society, Also considered a paradigm women, capped with a reversal of and international sports events in including those of the royal fam- shift was Crown Prince Moham- the female driving ban. Saudi Arabia. Cinemas are to open ily, former ministers and high- med’s vow to move the kingdom “King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the near future and a Six Flags profile businessmen. The public away from extremism and return Al Saud has issued a decree au- theme park outside Riyadh is to prosecutor said more than $100 it to “moderate Islam.” thorising the issuance of driver’s be built by 2021. billion had been misappropriated “Saudi Arabia was not like this licences for women in the king- “We are a G20 country. One in recent decades and that more before 1979. Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabia within the dom,” Saudi state TV said Sep- of the biggest world economies. than 200 individuals had been entire region saw the prolifera­ last year has addressed tember 26, sending shock waves We’re in the middle of three con- questioned, as part of a 3-year in- tion of Al-Sahwa [awakening] long-standing issues across Saudi Arabia. tinents. Changing Saudi Arabia vestigation. project after 1979 for many rea- The new law is to take effect in for the better means helping the In an interview with the New sons,” he said at the Future In- that many people felt June 2018 and is significant on region and changing the world,” York Times, Crown Prince Mo- vestment Initiative conference in would never be many levels, particularly as it per- Crown Prince Mohammed told hammed emphasised the urgency Riyadh in October. seriously tackled. tains to Vision 2030, which looks the Guardian newspaper. Will the GCC survive 2018?

The Arab Weekly staff directly or indirectly by Qatar. Dubai-based Al Arabiya reported Another effect of the dispute Doha refused. that, during the meeting, Sheikh with Qatar and a point factoring The dispute dragged on de- Sultan stressed that Qatar heavily into the GCC’s future, was London spite efforts from media- would return to its Arab the formation of a political-military tors such as the United roots and that “soon we and economic alliance between the fter a turbulent 2017 for States and GCC mem- will celebrate with our United Arab Emirates and Saudi the Gulf Cooperation ber Kuwait. The dis- family in Doha.” Arabia. Council (GCC), defined pute was in full view Those at the meet- The alliance, according to a reso- mostly by the dispute at December’s an- ing rejected the lution issued by UAE President with Qatar, indicators nual GCC summit, crackdown by the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahy- pointA to a continuation of the cri- which was sched- government in an, would be a “joint cooperation sis, with questions arising about uled for two days Doha on tribal committee” coordinating “all mili- the 36-year-old organisation’s lon- but ended after leaders, particu- tary, political, economic, trade and gevity. only a couple of larly the revoca- cultural fields.” The dispute with Qatar erupted hours. tion of citizen- Such an undertaking between June 5 when Saudi Arabia, the One of the ship, which had the GCC’s main economic pow- United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and major side ef- left affected Qa- erhouses is in line with the two GCC-ally Egypt severed ties with fects of the taris stateless. countries’ domestic and regional and imposed economic sanctions conflict was the Sheikh Sul- polices, particularly as it relates to on Doha. The moves came over empowerment of tan’s home in security issues, such as the war in what was described as Qatar’s in- the opposition on Doha was raided Yemen and the Iranian threat. It in- terference in the four countries’ Doha, even within this year after he cludes economic cooperation that internal affairs and support for members of its royal publicly criticised would aid in both countries’ ambi- radical groups, such as the Muslim family. In September, government policies, tious reform initiatives. Brotherhood. Qatar’s opposition-in- accusing it of leading If the alliance proves fruitful for The quartet of countries issued exile met under one roof the country to “the brink Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, what would 13 demands that Doha needed to for the first time during a of catastrophe.” that mean for the GCC? Analysts comply with for sanctions to be lift- conference in London. In September, French mag- said Bahrain could be a third mem- ed. The list included Doha ending On December 18, coinciding azine Le Point, quoting an in- ber but questions exist with regards ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, with Qatar’s National Day celebra- carcerated French businessman in to Kuwait and Oman, particularly downgrading its relations with tions, 20 members of the ruling Doha, said approximately 20 mem- the latter, which has been neutral Iran and closing Al Jazeera media al-Thani family, hosted by Sheikh their ranks against Qatari Emir bers of the royal family had been with regards to the crisis with Doha network and what were deemed Sultan bin Suhaim al-Thani, met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad arrested on charges ranging from and in the GCC dispute with Iran, other hostile media out­lets funded at an undisclosed location to unify al-Thani’s policies. issuing bad cheques to drug use. the bloc’s chief antagonist. December 24, 2017 3 News & Analysis Gulf Sahel force funding shows Saudi serious on terrorism fight

Daphne Benoit sion in November in the volatile announced December 13 following in some kind of multilateral coop- since 9/11 and since al-Qaeda start- border zone linking Burkina Faso, a summit hosted by French Presi- eration and that suspicion will be ed to attack Saudi Arabia in 2003,” Mali and Niger. dent Emmanuel Macron. lifted,’” the source said. Kinninmont said. Paris The Saudi contribution is “very “The Saudis have always been Riyadh had accusations that it ex- Diplomatic interests are at play, important,” said a source close to suspected of financing terrorism. ports a radical form of Sunni Islam, too, in yielding to French pressure audi Arabia’s hefty dona- the talks where the donations were We’ve said to them: ‘Take part Wahhabism, by funding Quranic to join the project, Kinninmont tion to a new anti-terror schools, mosques and charity said. force in West Africa’s Sahel groups around the world. “France’s ties with the Gulf have region is a conspicuous at- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed been growing for years and as the tempt by Riyadh to show it bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, howev- UK prepares to leave the EU, France Sis serious about fighting extremism, er, is seeking to rein in the influence is likely to become the new best analysts said. of religious ultra-conservatives in friend of the Gulf states within the The G5 Sahel force pools troops the kingdom, which has been hit by EU,” she said. from Burkina Faso, Mali, Maurita- multiple attacks blamed on extrem- Florent Geel, Africa director at nia and Niger in an area of desert ists. the International Federation for the size of Europe where extremist Crown Prince Mohammed has Human Rights, said the Saudis, like groups have been thriving. presented himself as a champion Qatar, “have been investing a lot Money had been a major obsta- of moderate Islam as he seeks in the Sahel for ten to 15 years — in cle to getting it off the ground, to modernise Saudi Arabia. In mosques, in social projects.” meaning Riyadh’s pledge of November, he inaugurated He asserted this was a form of $118 million is a relief for for- a military coalition of 40 “Wahhabist expansionism to coun- mer colonial power France, Muslim countries, vowing ter Sufism,” the mystic form of Is- which has spearheaded the to “pursue terrorists until lam widespread in the Sahel, saying project. they are wiped from the the Saudis had “financed a form of Saudi watchers say getting face of the Earth.” radicalisation.” involved serves twin pur- Riyadh is also a mem- Nicolas Desgrais, a researcher at poses for Riyadh: countering ber of the US-led anti-ji- the University of Kent in England accusations that it finances hadist coalition fighting who specialises in military coop- extremism and consolidating in Iraq and Syria. eration in the Sahel, said Riyadh influence in a region where it “Saudi Arabia has had been cultivating influence in has invested for years. an interest both in Burkina Faso for years. “Fighting terrorism and combating violent ji- “In Burkina, the Saudis have extremism with zero toler- hadi movements and been involved for many years via ance is our priority,” Saudi in being seen to do associations, free clinics, Quranic Foreign Minister Adel al- so,” said Jane Kin- schools — to the point of replacing Jubeir told Le Monde news- ninmont, a senior public policy,” he said. paper on December 14. research fellow at Burkinabe authorities have been The United Arab Emirates, British think-tank trying to crack down on Saudi influ- also keen to demonstrate its Chatham House. ence, he added, but the kingdom’s commitment to fighting ex- “This isn’t entirely involvement in the Sahel force may tremism, has offered an ad- new under [Crown provide fresh opportunities to in- ditional $35 million to the Prince Moham- crease its clout. fledgling force. med].” “This financial contribution from The cash puts total fund- “Saudi leaders Riyadh to the G5 Sahel force could ing past the initial nearly have been aware of the perhaps reopen doors that were $300 million needed to get French connection. Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Adel al-Jubeir (L) and French risks of transnational vio- closing,” he said. the force up and running Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian ahead of the G5 Sahel Anti-Terror lent Islamist movements following its maiden mis- Coalition Summit in Paris, on December 13. (AFP) for a long time — especially (Agence France-Presse) Viewpoint The Saudi-Iranian cold war risks turning hot

continue to compete; they just do it battle-tested and have not looked borders both antagonists. Syria and who prefer a more gradual ap- through proxies — states or that convincing in Yemen. The Lebanon are in the neighbourhood proach to Iranian hegemony. groups — by intimidating Saudis are trying to attract billions and have long and complicated ties Cold wars are better than hot Mark Habeeb behaviour, threatening rhetoric, of dollars in investment to propel with both Riyadh and Tehran. wars — except for the unfortunate is East-West Editor of The Arab espionage and economic warfare. their ambitious economic reform Another factor increasing the people living in areas where proxy Weekly and adjunct professor of “Moscow and Washington re- programme; international capital possibility of a hot war is Iran’s battles are being fought — and Global Politics and Security at frained from direct warfare with usually avoids war zones. reckless behaviour. While in both some, like the US-Soviet cold war, Georgetown University each other,” Seth Jones, director Like cold warriors throughout countries there may be voices urg- last for decades. The danger of in Washington. of the International Security and history, the Saudis and Iranians ing confrontation, those elements nuclear holocaust kept Moscow Defence Policy Centre at the RAND have found other stages for their in Tehran appear to be stronger and and Washington mutually cau- Corporation, said. “They did, how- hostile competition. “Riyadh and certainly louder. The missile that tious, however, especially after ever, engage in proxy wars in Latin Tehran continue to engage in proxy Yemen’s Houthi forces — Tehran’s the near-miss of the Cuban Missile America, Asia and Africa.” wars in such countries as Yemen, proxies in that conflict — fired at Ri- Crisis. Ultimately, the two devised Troops from the competing Syria and Lebanon,” Jones said. “In yadh’s airport appears to have been mechanisms, such as arms control countries may get involved in addition, both sides have provided supplied by Tehran. Bahrain says agreements and the Organisation proxy wars but not against one assistance and training to foreign Iran was directly involved in an oil for Security and Cooperation in Eu- another: The United States fought fighters.” pipeline explosion near Manama. rope (OSCE) to manage and temper in Vietnam and the Soviet Union in Although Iran predictably denied their competition. Afghanistan. involvement in both incidents, the Could such mechanisms prevent The current cold war with the hard-line Tehran daily Kayhan, the Saudi-Iranian cold war from old wars have greatest threat of getting hot in- Iran’s actions may featured a headline on November 6 becoming hot? been waged for a volves Saudi Arabia and Iran. Like following the Houthi missile attack Daniel Serwer, director of the long time. The one all cold wars, neither side seems reflect an internal saying: “Ansarullah Launches Mis- Conflict Management Programme between Sparta to want a direct confrontation, struggle inside the sile against Riyadh. Next Target: at the Johns Hopkins School of and Athens eventu- although there may be elements country between Dubai!” The United Arab Emirates Advanced International Studies, ally became hot. The in both Riyadh and Tehran that is a major Saudi ally and a mis- said that “a regional structure is the US-Soviet cold war desire this. Since neither country hawks and more sile aimed at Dubai from Yemen ultimate solution but it will take Cthat dominated global politics possesses nuclear weapons, the cautious officials. would fly over the kingdom. years to get one in place and years for nearly five decades never did. consequences of a direct Saudi- It also appears that Tehran is more to make it effective… The cur- Israel and Syria were in a cold war Iranian confrontation would not Saudi Arabia and Iran also have determined to achieve its main rent situation is urgent and won’t from 1973 until the Syrian state be cataclysmic but would still be relied on other cold war tactics: regional objective: A ground link wait for OSCE molasses.” effectively collapsed in 2011. India significant. Economic pressure, intimidating between Iran and Lebanon, a coun- Jones concurred, saying: “I don’t and Pakistan have been in a cold For Iran, it would mean a de facto rhetoric and espionage. try that, along with Syria, it hopes think some type of multilateral war since partition with periodic war with the entire Sunni Arab Even if you believe that neither to dominate. While Iran’s leaders institution is likely to minimise hot spells. world as well as with the United country truly wants a hot war, the most likely prefer avoiding a direct Saudi-Iranian security competi- A cold war is a conflict in which States, which strongly backs Ri- Saudi-Iranian confrontation has a confrontation with Saudi forces, tion.” Cooperation between the great efforts are made to avoid di- yadh and whose current adminis- very real chance of becoming one. they seem willing to risk it if neces- United States and Russia, Jones rect battlefield confrontation, usu- tration is influenced by people itch- The two countries are geographi- sary to achieve this goal. Tehran’s said, “could be helpful in prevent- ally because the consequences of ing for a showdown with Tehran. cally close — unlike the United recent provocative actions could ing direct conflict between Iran and fighting are not desired by either Iran could also say goodbye to the States and the Soviet Union which be designed to intimidate Riyadh. Saudi Arabia.” side. Those of a US-Soviet hot war Western investment that was sup- are separated by vast distances, Even in a cold war, you want the He added, however, that this could have been thermonuclear posed to flow in after the nuclear except for the very tip of Alaska, other side to believe that you are “would require greater collabora- in nature and, thus, bad for the deal was signed in 2015. which is close to Siberia. willing and capable of fighting. tion between Washington and entire planet. India and Pakistan Riyadh would also find the con- Also close by are the proxy wars Iran’s actions also may reflect an Moscow… Whether [US President also have nuclear warheads, mak- sequences of a direct confrontation Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged internal struggle inside the country Donald] Trump and [Russian ing the desire to keep their war on unpleasant. Although possessing in — Yemen, where Iran and its between hawks associated with the President Vladimir] Putin are will- ice very strong. much more advanced weaponry ally Hezbollah are supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ing and able to cooperate is the Countries involved in cold wars than Iran, the Saudis are not as Houthis, borders Saudi Arabia. Iraq (IRGC) and more cautious officials $64,000 question.” 4 December 24, 2017 News & Analysis Iraq Role of Iraq’s militias Viewpoint

Tallha Abdulrazaq unclear despite state is a researcher at the University of Exeter’s Strategy and Security Institute in England. integration plans After ‘victory’ over ISIS, Iraq slips further into sectarianism

n a grandiose speech, Iraqi children as young as 13 are being Prime Minister Haider al- put on trial. Abadi declared victory over In a pattern that should be clear the Islamic State (ISIS), osten- to all, most of the people affected sibly ending years of almost by these human rights abuses are constant warfare. Sunni Arabs. It is bizarre that Abadi IThe Baghdad government talks of unity and winning back marked the occasion with a large Iraq from the hands of extremists military parade, which only state when he has relied on a veritable media were invited to cover, even army of pro-Iran Shia jihadists who as the head of the US-led coalition, have perpetrated grave sectarian US Army Lieutenant-General Paul atrocities against large segments of E. Funk II, warned that the fight his own people. was far from over. It is also a concern that Sunni This and ISIS’s continuing attacks participation in Iraq’s alleged have led to suspicions that Abadi’s democracy is not deemed impor- grand tant, as internally displaced people declara- will be more concerned with tion was day-to-day survival than meant perusing the manifestos of for public political parties. consump- If the Iraqi authori- tion ahead ties do not learn from of elections the mistakes of the past, in 2018. they will be doomed The war to repeat them. It is no against ISIS good complaining about began in 2013 radicalisation and ex- as Abadi’s tremism when the state Post-ISIS dilemma. Members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) flash the victory sign with ultra-hard-line has institutionalised an portraits of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani (R) and PMF Chairman Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Basra, on Shia Islamist Iranian brand of sectari- December 10. (AFP) predecessor, anism that allows Shia Nuri al-Maliki, extremists to literally opened the door get away with murder, Mamoon Alabbasi “It is necessary to protect this militia Harakat Hezbollah al-Nuja- to the militant while persecuting in- high status and not to exploit it ba, led by Akram al-Kaabi, vowed group’s extremist nocents for the crimes to achieve political goals that will to hand over its heavy weapons to designs by un- of Sunni extremists London eventually lead this sacred title to the army only once ISIS was de- leashing the Iraqi such as ISIS simply have the same fate as other such feated. security forces because they profess he role of Iraq’s pre- respected titles,” Sistani said. It is also unclear how much of a against largely the same faith. dominately Shia militias Although many of Iraq’s post- dissociation there will be between Sunni Arab peace- Abadi needs to remains unclear despite 2003 political parties had armed the fighters and the parties they ful protesters. The stop his political plans by the government wings, it was Sistani’s fatwa in belonged to. Will fighters belong- protesters, who stunts designed to of Iraqi Prime Minister 2014 for volunteers to take arms ing to one faction be grouped to- had been demon- win votes in the THaider al-Abadi to integrate the against the threat of the Islamic gether in their new role? strating for more next election and fighters into the country’s security State (ISIS) that led to the forma- than a year, said focus on building apparatus. tion of the PMF. the government real unity within Abadi’s plan received the back- The PMF reportedly has more was marginalising Iraq. He can do ing of the country’s most revered than 40 factions with an estimated and discriminat- that by hold- Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali 60,000-140,000 fighters. Many It remains to be seen ing against them ing extremists al-Sistani, who said the militias’ of the militias expressed loyalty whether all the militias because of their within the se- weapons must be subjected to to Iran, which trained them, and will join the country’s religious beliefs. curity forces to account state control. Sistani opposed dis- some have been accused of sectar- army and other After almost four for war crimes and by banding the militias, something ian-motivated human rights viola- security bodies or years of constant fight- purging state institutions of that many from Iraq’s non-Shia tions, sparking international calls ing against ISIS, these con- any extremists. communities had hoped he would for their disbanding. some remain in their ditions appear unchanged However, it is clear he is call for. “Sistani wanted the volunteer paramilitary form. and may have worsened, powerless to do anything corps to come under the control even as Abadi hailed Iraqi of the sort without Teh- of the government and the Iraqi “unity” as a primary factor ran’s approval, so the bloody Army,” Jabr al-Mohammeda- behind ISIS’s defeat. business of sectarianism will wi, a cleric who teaches theol- The Sunni Arabs are massively continue to thrive. Baghdad ogy in Najaf, told the website A law was passed by the Iraqi underrepresented in all major will only have itself to blame It is unclear how much Niqash.com, “but the chaotic state parliament last year to put the PMF government and state institutions, when a new threat emerges, of a dissociation there of the government after the col- under the command of the prime including the military and security perhaps far worse than ISIS will be between the lapse of the army [after the ISIS minister, who is the commander- forces. Entire cities lie in ruins. ever was. fighters and attack] allowed the formation of in-chief of the armed forces, but Refugee camps housing internally independent factions.” that did not stop the fighters from displaced people are bursting at the parties they The head of the Iran-backed taking direct orders from their own the seams with more than 3 million belonged to. Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, Qais al- militia leaders. registered people needing urgent Khazali, said more than 7,500 PMF For now, the government seems aid and resettlement back to their militiamen have been killed fight- to be postponing those issues until devastated towns and cities, which ing ISIS. it can offer the fighters an alterna- need to be rebuilt. Khazali is among the militia tive. Human Rights Watch released a leaders who announced they “Given the estimated 100,000 76-page report saying that 20,000 “The victory over [the Islamic would relinquish control of their fighters who have steady jobs in a Iraqis accused of being ISIS sup- State] doesn’t mean the end of the forces, to come under the com- form of law enforcement during an porters were languishing in “inhu- battle with terrorism,” Sistani said mand of the national army. Hadi economic crisis, it’s going to be a mane” prison facilities and being in a statement read by his repre- al-Ameri, commander of the Iran- financial problem for the ordinary held incommunicado without sentative, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi backed Badr Organisation, said his Iraqi men who form the corps to access to attorneys or due process. al-Karbalai, on December 15. “It is fighters would cut their ties with disband,” wrote Mustafa Habib in In a single bloody day — Decem- necessary to continue to use the the group’s political wing. Niqash.com. ber 14 — Iraqi authorities executed service of [the militias] within the Influential Shia cleric Muqtada “They would in effect be resign- 38 prisoners accused of terrorism. legal framework that exclusively al-Sadr called on his forces, the ing from possibly the only job they Iraq’s justice system is notorious puts the arm under the command Peace Companies, to hand over ter- can get right now. This is part of for handing out death sentences of the state.” ritory they control to Iraqi security the reason why the Iraqi govern- on non-specific charges, preferring Abadi called on the commanders forces, keeping a few of his forces ment is also insisting that the mi- to try suspects without providing of the militias, grouped under the to guard a Shia shrine in Samarra. litias remain part of the country’s effective opportunities for them to Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), It remains to be seen whether all fighting force, one way or another.” defend themselves and accusing to resign if they wish to take part in the militias will join the country’s them of terrorism by association. the elections scheduled for May 12. army and other security bodies or Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy This means even doctors who That call appears to have received if some will remain in their para- Managing Editor and Online worked under duress in ISIS-con- Sistani’s backing. military form. For example, the Editor of The Arab Weekly. trolled areas can be executed and December 24, 2017 5 News & Analysis Syria Assad’s spat with Macron reveals much of Syria’s tortuous endgame

Simon Speakman Cordall its ambiguous conclusion and Syria’s reconstruction moves from the theoretical to the practical, London the wisdom of alienating a major European power is dubious. rench President Emma- “This is where Assad’s rhetoric nuel Macron is the latest could backfire,” Heras said, “He victim of Syrian President needs a quiet Europe, one that can Bashar Assad’s growing provide assistance and even funds bullishness. Respond- to Syria. He needs to remember Fing to criticism from the French this when he blocks the humani- president, Assad harnessed the tarian routes into Ghouta or when bullhorn of state media to bol- he bombs his own civilians.” ster support at home while try- ing to avoid inflaming still further hostility towards his regime abroad. As the war inches Responding to criticism from towards its the French President, where he ambiguous had accused the Assad regime of conclusion, the contributing nothing to the Gene- wisdom of alienating va peace talks while orchestrating the deaths of thousands within a major European the so called ‘de escalation’ zone power is dubious. in eastern Ghouta, Assad’s venom was tangible. “France spearheaded support In the face of likely sanctions, for terrorism and its hands are not least from the United States, soaked in Syrian blood from the on a post-conflict Syria, Assad is first days and we do not see the sorely in need of whatever allies French have changed their stance he can muster. fundamentally,” Assad said on De- Assad’s assumption that his fate cember 18. “Those who support Short-term gains. Syrian President Bashar Assad (L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and is on an upswing may prove well- terrorism have no right to talk Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, on December 11. (AP) founded. He looks likely to sur- about peace.” vive the six savage years of con- The accuracy of Macron’s flict that have seen him unleash criticism is hard to deny. The Ghouta,” Sara Kayyali, Syria re- Assad’s ends. “On the one hand, it imperial power. For Assad, who the worst of modern warfare on Syrian delegation in Geneva searcher at Human Rights Watch, was surprising it was Macron that is looking to shore up support at his own people, a campaign that demonstrated scant interest in the wrote via e-mail. Assad picked a fight with,” Heras home and within his own deep continues in Ghouta. However, process or compromises involved From the public row with Ma- said. “He’s almost like Trump on state, the shadow of France’s his- that he would sacrifice a poten- in progressing it. Within Eastern cron to the unflinching attitude Syria. He just wants the war over. toric dominance over Syria is a tial long-term gain on the altar of Ghouta, the slaughter continues towards the “traitors” of the US- To that end, he’s willing to engage populist ghost worth invoking, short-term popularity may limit unabated. Since mid-November, backed and Kurdish-dominated with the Russians. He’s ready to even if it comes at the expense how far his star can rise. the besieged population of 400,000 Syrian Defence Forces, Assad ap- engage with Assad on reconstruc- of the country’s deconstruction “Sure, Assad may seek to pre- has endured Syrian and Russian pears confident his star is rising. tion. He just wants the conflict goals. sent himself as the unbowed lead- bombardments, with schools, mar- “Everything since Aleppo — the over and the refugee flow halted.” “He needs to be seen to be er of a proud Arab nation, one that kets and residential areas attacked de-escalation zones, Astana, the Beyond Macron the individual, standing up to the French state. has resisted empires and the greed to wipe out the last holdout of op- slaughter in Eastern Ghouta, all however, is France the former It’s not just emblematic of the of foreign conquerors,” Heras said, position near Damascus. of it — points to the fact that As- West; it’s the former imperial “but that’s missing the point. He “In a cruel tactic that belongs sad knows he can’t now be forced French President power. There’s a historical reso- isn’t. He’s a small-time Mafiosi to the Middle Ages, the Syrian out,” Nicholas Heras, a fellow at Emmanuel Macron is nance here that goes beyond the chief sitting atop a crumbling and government is placing hundreds the Centre for a New American the latest victim of present.” Heras said. corrupt statelet.” of thousands of its own people at Security in Washington, said by Beyond bolstering Assad’s risk of death, bombing civilians telephone. Syrian President short-term popularity, the strat- Simon Speakman Cordall is Syria/ indiscriminately while refusing to The diplomatic brawl with Ma- Bashar Assad’s egy is likely to carry long-term Lebanon section editor with The allow life-saving aid into Eastern cron both plays to and against growing bullishness. risks. As the war inches towards Arab Weekly. Viewpoint UN talks on Syria fail unmourned in Geneva

he eighth round rorism, along with provisions to lift produces an agreement, tailor- achieved in all territory east of the of Geneva talks sanctions imposed on Syria in 2011, made to fit Putin’s vision of how Euphrates River) and clipping the concluded in mid- and halt the flow of arms from the Syrian endgame should look. wings of Iran and Hezbollah in the Sami Moubayed December with no Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It Its clauses would then be taken to Syrian battlefield, in anticipation breakthroughs and, failed to discuss power-sharing, the next round of Geneva talks — of ejecting them completely. is a Syrian historian and seemingly, no tears as parliamentary elections or joint as yet unscheduled — for authenti- During his meeting with Putin author of “Under the Black well. measures in counterterrorism. cation by the United Nations. last November, Trump agreed to Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). TOther than UN Special Envoy The two sides did agree, how- Geneva would international- let Sochi happen — or at least he Staffan de Mistura, who was obvi- ever, to set up a constitutional ise the Sochi outcomes, making promised not to obstruct it — if the ously frustrated by the total lack of commission to debate a Russian- them legally binding for all sides, Russians promised that Iran would progress, neither the government proposed charter and to attend a through the UN framework. Rather only attend as an observer, with no delegation nor that of the opposi- Russia-sponsored “national dia- than dropping Geneva, Putin hopes decision-making authority. tion seemed worried about the logue conference” at Sochi, Russia, to control its outcome, doing away Whether the process leads to As- fate of the peace discussions. Both pencilled in for early 2018. with all talk of Transitional Gov- sad’s departure or not is no longer seemed to agree that the negotia- The initiative, the brainchild of ernment Body (TGB), which was of interest for Trump. He has tions were leading nowhere but Russian President Vladimir Putin, agreed upon by the international seemingly surrendered completely remain committed to them — on hopes to assemble more than 1,000 community in 2012. to the Russians, letting them paper at least — so as not to be ac- Syrians of all stripes and colours, Russian lawmakers claim the hammer out an endgame that is cused of obstructing UN Security mandated to sign off on an agree- TGB is history, arguing that times credible, sustainable and one that Council Resolution 2254. ment reached on their behalf by have changed profoundly since it can sell in the international com- The latest round of talks, which Russia, the United States, Saudi was agreed upon almost six years munity. took place November 28-Decem- Arabia, Iran and Turkey. ago. Back then, there were no Whether it is achieved in Geneva ber 14, failed to bring about direct At best it would lead to the draft- Russian boots on the ground, no or Sochi — or through both — does talks between the two Syrian ing of a constitution in 2018, fol- Islamic State (ISIS) and no Donald not make a difference for Trump. delegations. Both de Mistura and lowed by parliamentary elections. Trump in the White House. What he cares about is seeing the the opposition delegation submit- That is what Resolution 2254 says, Trump, who seemingly is no Russians apply real pressure on ted a 12-point road map for the after all, stressing “elections” with- longer interested in regime change Damascus to comply with a serious future, which included giving out saying whether they would be in Damascus, has priorities that are process. So far, the Syrians loyal greater autonomy to the Kurds and presidential or parliamentary. very different from those of Barack to Assad have shown high resist- reforming the security and military Moscow and Damascus insist Obama, his predecessor who ance, arguing they will only start apparatus. that presidential elections won’t funded, armed and trained thou- a transition when full sovereignty The government delegation happen before 2021, which is when sands of Syrian fighters through has been restored and all terrorist refused to present any document, Syrian President Bashar Assad’s the CIA. Trump has discontinued groups are eradicated, something Whether the asking the United Nations to dig third term ends. They also insist the programme, writing it off as that can take years. process leads to into its archives and find a paper it that Assad be allowed to run for costly and ineffective. Even then, their interpretation had submitted four years ago to de a fourth term and that anybody His three-point agenda for Syria of the transition is one that takes Assad’s departure Mistura’s predecessor Lakhdar Bra- in the opposition can run against focuses on eradicating ISIS, which the country from war to peace and or not is no longer himi. It made no reference to the him, promising that the race will is expected to be finished com- from one constitution to another, political process, calling instead be “democratic, free and moni- pletely by February, French Presi- rather than replacing one govern- of interest for for support of the Syrian Army tored by the United Nations.” dent Emmanuel Macron has said, ment in Damascus with another, Trump. “and its allies” in their war on ter- The Kremlin hopes that Sochi empowering the Kurds (already led fully by the Syrian opposition. 6 December 24, 2017 Opinion

Editorial Bidding farewell to the year 2017 017 was again a year of war in the Middle East but it was also the year when the Islamic State (ISIS) was defeated in Iraq and nearly chased out of Syria. ISIS lost its two main bas- tions, Raqqa and Mosul but not without a high civilian casualty toll. 2The Associated Press estimated that, just in the battle for Mosul, 9,000-11,000 people were killed. The fighting worsened the ongoing humanitar- ian crisis. More than 3 million Iraqis and 11 million Syrians have been displaced. In both countries, it remains difficult to see the end of the tunnel. Syria struggles with a negotia- tion process that reflects divisions in the opposi- tion ranks. The opposition has less influence than the Russian-supported regime and seems unable to envision a future for Syria without Iran’s troops and proxies. Tehran’s presence compli- cates the situation in Iraq, too, as the clout of sectarian armed militias seems to have grown since the fall of ISIS. Tense relations between Baghdad and Erbil added to Iraq’s woes. Masoud Barzani’s decision to have a referendum on Kurdish independence in September was opposed by Baghdad as well as by regional and international powers. The initiative ignited separatist fears in a region suffering from acute ethnic and sectarian © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly divisions. Barzani’s move proved to be a terrible miscal- culation as it allowed the federal government to seize oil-rich areas from the Kurds and triggered The Houthis have deadly clashes that threaten to destabilise the Kurdish region. Intervention in Syria allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to save Syrian President Bashar nothing to offer Assad’s regime from near defeat. By flexing military muscle, Putin restored Moscow’s prestige in the Middle East for the first time in decades and can pursue even wider influence in in Yemen Khairallah Khairallah the region. is a Lebanese writer. Moscow’s policies were encouraged by the Trump factor. 2017 was the year US President The legitimate camp in Yemen must understand that Donald Trump assumed office. The Republican president continued the disengagement policies a new opportunity is dawning. of his predecessors, paving the way for greater Russian intervention in the Middle East. he firing of a ballistic from sources outside of Yemeni how the Muslim Brothers did not While he firmly opposed Iranian expansionism, missile by Houthi heritage and history. When there is understand the threat that the Trump has projected the image of a US president rebels on December “The Muslim Brothers in the no possibility Houthis posed. They closed their who too often treats Muslims as suspects and 19 reveals the real opposition, however, saw it as eyes to the Houthi insurrection underestimates the importance of the Palestinian situation of the Shia an anti-government movement of uprooting and let it play out for the sake of issue. group in Yemen. and did not realise, or should the Houthis, overthrowing Saleh’s govern- He has, nonetheless, fostered closer ties with TThe Houthis have reached an we say that some of them ment. Well, Saleh stepped down we can Riyadh in meeting the Iranian challenge even as impasse at all levels, especially didn’t want to realise, that it is in February 2012 and was the Saudi leadership advocated a more assertive in dealing with the people of a movement that is being kiss Yemen assassinated in December 2017. foreign policy. Sana’a and its residents and directed against Yemen’s long goodbye. Have the Houthis changed their New Saudi policies, at home and abroad, took with the rest of Yemen’s institu- Islamic history and against the behaviour at all? concrete form after Crown Prince Mohammed bin tions. republic whose protection, Saleh is gone and 2017 is Salman bin Abdulaziz became heir to the throne The political bankruptcy of freedoms and democracy are nearing its end. The legitimate on June 21. Even well before his appointment, the Houthis has pushed them sought after by all opposition camp in Yemen must understand MBS, as he is widely known, was the main to adopt desperate measures in parties in Yemen.” that a new opportunity is architect of a new Saudi reality. This included the desperate times such as the Iryani died in November dawning. Those who thought it economic blueprint called Vision 2030, which is recent firing of missiles 2015. At that time, he was on was possible to negotiate with intended to make his country less dependent on towards Saudi Arabia, as if such unfriendly terms with Saleh, the Houthis and find common oil, spur business growth and create jobs. missiles would dissuade the who was maintaining close ground with them were chasing Other reforms aim to modernise the educa- Arab coalition or tilt the relations with the Houthis. a mirage. tional system, boost women’s participation in balance in favour of the Nevertheless, Saleh did his Those among the Muslim society and the workplace and open the country Houthis best to have Iryani buried in Brothers who thought that they to entertainment and tourism. In fact, since the December 4 Yemen. It was a time when could reach an agreement with MBS’s influence marked Saudi Arabia’s more assassination of Ali Abdullah morals and decency still the Houthis because they were assertive approach to fighting corruption as well Saleh by the Houthis nothing existed between all Yemenis an Islamist bloc were making the as its stance towards Iran and Qatar. has changed in Yemen other and Sana’a’s inhabitants in same mistake as Yemeni Presi- Despite its retreat in the Levant, ISIS remains a than the Houthis being exposed particular. dent Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. threat to the rest of the Arab world and beyond. and the legitimate government It’s all the more reason for all In July 2014, Hadi visited Amran It’s feared that its militants could flow east to failing to bank on the murder. parties in Yemen not to stay governorate to discuss rebuilding Egypt and Libya and head north to Europe. The Houthis have nothing to prisoners of personal squab- state institutions with the Libya, an oil-rich Maghreb state, is in the throes offer in Yemen — no political bles. The years 2011 and 2012 Houthis. Ironically, he did that of chaos. As long as lawlessness rules the land, vision, no economic project, no were marked by endless just after the Houthis’ military illegal migration off Libyan shores will endure. cultural dimension. Their squabbles that paved the way campaign to capture Sana’a. Europeans are tempted by the short-term project is to seize power in for the Houthis to lay their When there is no possibility of solution of maritime interdiction of migrant ships Sana’a and its surroundings. hands on Sana’a in 2014. uprooting the Houthis and without being able to stem the flow of migrants They are an armed group loyal reducing them to their true size from sub-Saharan Africa or the Maghreb. At the time, Saleh thought he For domestic strife in Libya itself, there is no to Iran that thinks it is possible could tame the Houthis but by pushing them back to their end in sight despite efforts by the United Nations to revive the Imamate regime in when they took over Sana’a and original fiefdom in Saada, we can and regional powers. Insecurity in the North Yemen. The Houthis claimed besieged his neighbourhood, kiss Yemen goodbye. Iryani was African country is also of concern to its neigh- power in Yemen in 2014. They he realised he had become their right about them. The Houthis bours, especially Egypt and Tunisia. They are have the Muslim Brotherhood hostage. He tried several times could not care less about break- wary of jihadist elements finding a safe haven in to thank for their rising influ- to escape but Houthi leader ing Yemen up as long as they Libya from where to plan attacks against their ence as the latter overthrew Abdelmalik al-Houthi’s thirst have their own zone with Sana’a home countries. Saleh in 2011. for revenge was stronger. as their capital. Europe also fears returning jihadists. Hundreds Abdul Karim al-Iryani saw Al-Houthi had been impatiently In the name of revolutionary of its citizens could leave the killing fields as ISIS through the Houthis right away. waiting for the chance to legitimacy, the Houthis are fighters head home. Europe must cope not only Some years ago, Iryani, a pounce on the former president rewriting Yemen’s history. The with the very real threat of terror but also with former Yemeni prime minister, and avenge the death of his unavoidable reality is that Sana’a the attempts by the xenophobic far right to said: “The (Houthi) rebellion in brother, who was killed in has become an Iranian city. exploit fear of Muslims and migrants. Saada does not concord in any September 2004 in a battle Should the Arabian Peninsula Despite the wars and woes, the world should way with the history of the between the Houthis and tolerate this reality or can the not however equate the Arab region with vio- Republic of Yemen and the government forces. deed be undone? The truth is lence and extremism. history of Yemen. Overall, this During the interview men- that a lot will depend on a There is more to the Arab world than that. rebellion has no connection tioned above, Iryani spoke of legitimate government capable There is reason to hope that 2018 could mark a with the social fabric in Yemen, the opposition in Yemen at of understanding the gravity of more promising phase for a region yearning for nor with Yemen’s cultural, length. That opposition had what is happening in Yemen, peace and the opportunity to rebuild. political and religious heritage. one goal: bringing down Saleh. where al-Houthi is dreaming of It’s a weed sucking its water Iryani could not understand becoming Yemen’s new imam. December 24, 2017 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] Egypt and Russia, not Published by Al Arab quite a strategic alliance Publishing House Publisher Mohamad Abou el-Fadel and Group Executive Editor is an Egyptian writer. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Trust obviously is not flourishing and there is a long way Editor-in-Chief to go before Russian tourists return to Egypt. Oussama Romdhani

onsidering their evolu- Managing Editor tion during the last few Iman Zayat years and agreements announced during Rus- Deputy Managing Editor sian President Vladimir and Online Editor Putin’s recent visit Mamoon Alabbasi Cto Cairo, there has been specula- tion about whether ties between Senior Editor Moscow and Cairo have attained the John Hendel level of a “strategic relationship.” During recent years, Egyptian- Chief Copy Editor Russian relations did not seem to Richard Pretorius reach the level of a strategic alliance but they didn’t die either. Copy Editor The relations received a shot in Stephen Quillen the arm with Putin’s December visit to Cairo. Putin’s trip ended Analysis Section Editor the debate surrounding the fate of Ed Blanche El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and East/West Section Editor fixed details for its financing and construction. It also heralded the Mark Habeeb return of Russian tourists to Egypt, Gulf Section Editor launched a new stage in Russian- Questions linger. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (back-R) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Mohammed Alkhereiji Egyptian anti-terrorism coopera- Putin (back-L) applaud as Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker (R) shakes tion and reinforced bilateral hands with the Director-General of Russia’s Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexey Likhachev, on Society and Travel understanding about political December 11. (AFP) Sections Editor solutions for the crises in Syria, Samar Kadi Libya and the Palestinian territo- cally mention a date for the return bilateral sharing of airspace and air signs that bilateral relations ries. of Russian tourists. The Russians bases, there was a talk of a “strate- between Egypt and Russia are shy Syria and Lebanon Because of disappointments in insisted on having their own gic alliance” between the two of reaching the level of a strategic Section Editor US policies, whether under Barack security inspectors in Egyptian countries. Pro-alliance pundits alliance. That Egypt insists on Simon Speakman Cordall Obama or Donald Trump, Cairo is airports and the Egyptians coun- seem to have forgotten it is mutual terms belies misgivings betting more and more on Russia. tered with a similar condition. common practice to share access to from the Egyptian side about Contributing Editor Cairo still has several reservations Trust obviously is not flourish- airspace and facilities in special Russian intentions. Rashmee Roshan Lall about Russia, which make labelling ing and there is a long way to go circumstances and under special When tremendous quantities of the state of Russian-Egyptian before Russian tourists return to conditions. During the first Gulf natural gas were discovered off the Senior Correspondents relations as the expression of a Egypt. War, Egypt authorised the United Mediterranean coast of Egypt, Mahmud el-Shafey (London) “strategic alliance” not the most The decision to resume flights States to use its bases. Moscow fretted until Russian Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) accurate. between the countries seems to be The pundits also forgot that energy giant Gazprom secured a Cairo was counting on a Putin congruent with two factors. With Egypt refused to have a Russian 30% stake in the supergiant Zohr Regular Columnists decision to lift the ban on Russian construction on El Dabaa plant to military base on its territory. The field. Let’s not also forget the Claude Salhani tourists to Egypt but instead got a start soon, Moscow needs direct same pundits seem to have wheat crisis between Russia and Yavuz Baydar promise towards that goal. Russian flights to Egypt to ferry its engi- overlooked the importance of the Egypt in 2016. Cairo refused a tourists accounted for up to 40% of neers and experts. Similarly, Egypt words “bilateral” or “mutual.” If shipment of Russian wheat Correspondents the total revenues from tourism in has qualified for the FIFA World Russia has major interests in the because of high levels of ergot Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Egypt until the bombing of a Cup finals in Russia. So there is a Middle East that might push it to fungi infection. Moscow Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Russian jetliner over Sinai in 2015. need for direct flights to Moscow seek using Egyptian military bases, responded by threatening to ban Roua Khlifi (Tunis) That attack led to a ban on Russian for the team and fans. Russia is what would be Egypt’s need for citrus imports from Egypt. Thomas Seibert (Washington) flights to and from Egypt. banking on the World Cup to boost Russian bases? Washing dirty linen in public and The Russian side has promised to its tourism. Posting security inspectors in handling issues by scoring points Chief Designer resume flights to Egyptian airports When it was announced that each other’s airports and giving off each other could hardly be Marwen el-Hmedi by February but did not specifi- Russia and Egypt agreed on access to each other’s bases are signs of a “strategic alliance.” Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir Trump’s security plan Hanen Jebali Subscription & Advertising: [email protected] sees Middle East as dark, Tel 020 3667 7249 Rashmee Roshan Lall dangerous place Mohamed Al Mufti is a columnist for The Arab Weekly. Her blog can be found at www.rashmee.com and she is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. Marketing & Advertising Manager The Middle East’s only importance to Trump’s America is its continued and future contribution “to a stable global energy market.” Tel (Main) +44 20 7602 3999 Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 www.alarab.co.uk

he starkest of the many asserted but Iran is a “malign “designated countries” and the in Trump’s NSS. The recognition surprises in US Presi- influence” and must be “neutral- problem-ridden Middle East. that jihadists use various means dent Donald Trump’s ised.” The tone of overweening to “radicalise isolated individu- National Security Strat- It says something about arrogance would be upsetting if it als” and the pious hope for a egy (NSS) is its unremit- Trump’s transactional, zero-sum weren’t so absurd. Trump’s NSS “strong and integrated Gulf tingly bleak, unseeing view of the world and of the declares “the whole world is lifted Cooperation Council.” Tview of the Middle East. It’s a Middle East that he sees every- by America’s renewal and the The first suggests the Trump surprise only because one might thing only in terms of US inter- re-emergence of American administration is at least aware of US Publisher: have thought nearly a year as US ests. For all that it repeats the leadership.” The NSS was pub- the lone-wolf phenomenon even president might have recalibrated “America First” mantra over and lished on December 18, the same as it more generally demonises Ibrahim Zobeidi Trump’s worldview. It hasn’t. over, the NSS is really about “Only day as the entire UN Security people of the Muslim faith. The (248) 803 1946 Throughout the 55-page America,” an ugly, fractious fight Council — except for the United second indicates that even so document, the Middle East is to the finish between countries States — backed a resolution polarising a US presidency depicted as a “safe haven or breed- and peoples. A fight that militarily calling for withdrawal of Trump’s recognises there are limits to ing ground for jihadist terrorists,” powerful America must win, unilateral recognition of Jerusa- playing divisive politics among an area rife with “problems” about Trump claims. lem as Israel’s capital. It was a the Gulf countries. which the United States must be Going by Trump’s NSS, there is stark rebuke to Trump’s America Ultimately though, Trump’s NSS “realistic” in its “expectations.” nothing generous, open-spirited and his envoy to the UN, Nikki closed out a year that was much The Middle East’s only impor- nor uplifting about America in Haley, recognised it as such with a like the document he released — tance to Trump’s America is its 2017 and on the cusp of a new furious, undiplomatic denuncia- chaotic, churlish, callous and continued and future contribution year. There is nothing admirable tion of world opinion. conceited. It almost exactly “to a stable global energy market.” either about the America that Then again, the day after the reversed his Republican predeces- Al Arab Publishing House The United States, the docu- Trump grandly vows to protect. NSS, China announced the launch sor George W. Bush’s 54-page NSS, Quadrant Building ment noted, has learnt from He portrays the “Land of the Free of the world’s largest carbon which linked America’s security 177-179 Hammersmith Road experience that “neither aspira- and the Home of the Brave” as a market. Bigger than Europe’s, the to the global spread of democracy London W6 8BS tions for democratic transforma- country that fears almost every- Chinese marketplace for the and economic freedoms. It cast tion nor disengagement” can one and everything in “an trading of carbon emissions the United States in the image of inoculate against the many viruses extraordinarily dangerous world” would allow Beijing to take Trump — angry, crass and offen- — violence, jihadism, illiberalism but especially China, Russia, leadership that might have been sive. Unfortunately, in the very Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 — that spread from the Middle North Korea, Iran, “radical Islamic American. worst summing up of a security Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 East. “Israel is not the cause of the terror groups,” US-based students That said, there are two margin- plan, it may make America less, region’s problems,” it blithely of science and engineering from ally hopeful acknowledgements not more secure. 8 December 24, 2017 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Why Palestinian Christians reject Trump’s Jerusalem move

Razan Shamallakh against Trump’s decision,” Fatah said in a statement. “We will not receive Mr Pence London here,” said Saleh Bandak, a Bethle- hem-born Christian politician, at a S President Donald sit-in outside the Church of the Na- Trump’s decision to rec- tivity in Bethlehem. Christmas tree ognise Jerusalem as the lights outside the historic church capital of Israel generated were switched off shortly after angry and despairing re- Trump’s announcement. Uactions in the Palestinian territories “Trump’s move has prompted us to and from global leaders who warned connect with churches and political it destroys the prospect of peace and parties around the world to explain places the United States squarely on to them the catastrophe that Donald the side of lawlessness and illegality. Trump has caused,” Diliani said. Trump defied global opposition “Now Israel feels that it has the with his announcement the United support of the United States in all States would recognise Jerusalem as its illegal settlement building in oc- Israel’s capital and move the US Em- cupied Jerusalem in addition to the bassy to the city from Tel Aviv. process of Judaisation of Jerusalem “I have determined that it is time which includes ethnic cleansing as to officially recognise Jerusalem as part of it.” the capital of Israel,” Trump said. “Our oppressors have decided Critical juncture. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) receives Palestinian President Mahmoud “This is nothing more or less than a to deprive us of the joy of Christ- Abbas in Riyadh, on December 20. (Al-Ekhbariya) recognition of reality. It is also the mas,” Patriarch Michel Sabbah right thing to do. It’s something that told a crowd at Beit Sahour in has to be done.” the Israeli-occupied West Bank. President of the National Christian “Mr Trump told us clearly Jerusalem Coalition in the Holy Land Dimi- is not yours.” Trump’s Jerusalem move tri Diliani said Trump’s announce- In a recent interview, senior mem- ment looms large during Christ- ber of the Palestinian Liberation mas this year in the Palestinian Organisation (PLO) Hanan Ashrawi territories where Christmas lights said the United States has made puts Abbas in tough spot have been taken down, parties have any peace talks between Israelis been cancelled and Christmas mar- and Palestinians “irrelevant and kets closed. superfluous.” The Arab Weekly staff Ashrawi, a senior Palestine Libera- the US recognition of Jerusalem as “All the festivities will be lim- “The US administration has totally tion Organisation official told the -As Israel’s capital. Such sentiments ap- ited to religious ones,” Diliani said. ripped apart the very legal founda- sociated Press. “The peace process is pear to be shared across the Arab and “People are not in a festive mood at tion for peace in the region with their London finished.” Muslim worlds, where many took to all. If you walk in Jerusalem tonight, latest recognition of Jerusalem as Is- Abbas warned in the past that fail- the streets to protest Trump’s deci- you will find that many people have rael’s capital,” she said. espite a symbolic UN Gen- ure to achieve a two-state solution sion, which was rejected by much of taken down their decorations. There Palestinian Christians are not eral Assembly vote declar- could prompt Palestinians to pursue the international community. was no official decision, people made swayed by the attitude of evangelical ing US President Donald a single state for two peoples, a pros- Even if there is no way forward in that decision.” Trump supporters who despite the Trump’s announcement pect most Israelis reject. The Pales- the peace process for Abbas with the Trump’s move is a disaster for Pal- backlash have expressed praise for recognising Jerusalem as tinians could also press prosecutors United States as a mediator, he may estinians — Muslims and Christians the decision. Dthe capital of Israel “null and void,” at the International Criminal Court look to the United Nations for a solu- alike, Diliani noted. “We and the millions of Christians Palestinian President Mahmoud Ab- to charge Israeli leaders with war tion. However, Abbas is aware that “Trump’s decision is a tremendous we represent will never forget your bas remains in a tough spot. Many crimes, including over settlement UN expressions of support have de- blow to the rights of the Palestinian courageous act,” Christians United question his credibility at a time building, observers said. Abbas has clarative value only. people to self-determination. Here for Israel said in a full-page ad in the when there is little prospect to restart refrained from such a step, under UN Secretary-General Antonio Gu- in [the Palestinian territories], there Washington Post, praising Trump’s peace talks and the Palestinian leader apparent US pressure, and for fear of terres said the Jerusalem issue must is no such thing as a Christian com- decision. seems to have few alternatives. provoking an Israeli backlash. be resolved through direct nego- munity and a separate Muslim com- In a widely circulated video, The General Assembly voted 128-9 Abbas has explicitly stated that he tiations between the Israelis and the munity. We are Palestinians and we Ashrawi responded to Pence’s bibli- in passing a non-binding resolution will seek to secure full state mem- Palestinians and warned that “uni- responded to Trump’s decision as cal defence of Jerusalem as Israel’s rejecting Trump’s decree, despite bership for the Palestinians at the lateral measures” could jeopardise Palestinians,” said Diliani. capital. the American president’s threat that United Nations but that tactic faces prospects for peace. Palestinian Christian leaders said “Mike Pence has been talking Washington could cut off aid to coun- major hurdles without US consent. The Palestinians are increasingly they would not receive US Vice-Presi- about God’s will, he’s not talking pol- tries that voted for the censure. With its veto at the Security Council looking to Europe for help, encour- dent Mike Pence, a staunch evangeli- itics. He’s talking biblical dogma and The General Assembly vote came and threats to cut off aid to anyone aged by harsh criticism of Trump’s cal who called Jerusalem “the eter- exegesis. God did not tell me what after the United States vetoed a UN who voted for the resolution at the Jerusalem policy by European lead- nal, undivided capital of the Jewish his God tells him. I belong to the old- Security Council resolution rejecting general assembly, Washington has ers. European countries had been people,” on a visit that has since been est Christian tradition in the world, Washington’s decision to recognise demonstrated that it is prepared to relegated by Washington to the role postponed. and I don’t believe that God ordained Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and play diplomatic hardball. of paymaster, sending hundreds of Others called for protests. that the world has to be unjust to the relocate its embassy there. millions of dollars in aid to support “We call for angry protests at the Palestinians,” she said. It was that move that ensured that Many question the Palestinian self-rule government entrances to Jerusalem and in its Old The Palestinian Health Ministry the United States, viewed as siding and help manage the long-running City to coincide with the visit of US said at least eight Palestinians had with Israel, is no longer seen as a vi- Abbas’s credibility at conflict. President Mike Pence and to protest died in protests and violence and ar- able mediator for peace by the Pales- a time when there is European countries often take rests continue since Trump’s Jerusa- tinians. little prospect to a more critical view of Israeli poli- lem announcement. The United States is “no longer an restart peace talks. cies, especially on settlements, than “The situation is extremely tense honest mediator in the peace pro- the United States but have not chal- in Jerusalem,” said Diliani. “There cess,” Abbas told a press conference “We will go once again and many lenged Washington’s monopoly as has been a deployment of occupation in Paris, on December 22. times to get full membership. We are mediator. forces around almost every Palestin- “We will not accept any plan from a state and an authority and we have Despite improving Russian-Israeli ian neighbourhood in occupied East the United States of America because borders and we have the right to get ties over Syria, it is unlikely Tel Aviv I belong to the oldest Jerusalem, there have been restric- of its bias and violation of the inter- the world’s recognition of us,” Abbas would accept Moscow as a replace- Christian tradition in the tions on movement in many places, national law,” he added. was quoted as saying by the official ment for Washington as a mediator there have been even more restric- Abbas had derived political legiti- Palestinian news agency Wafa. with the Palestinians because Israel world, and I don’t believe tions in other parts of the West Bank macy from the peace process, po- Locally, where the public was en- cannot rely on Russian backing being that God ordained that inbound Jerusalem.” sitioning himself as the only leader raged by Trump’s announcement, as reliable as the strong support from The international and Arab back- capable of delivering statehood. Abbas is likely to fear being upstaged the United States. the world has to be unjust lash against Trump’s decision has However, more than two decades by Hamas, which called for another Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Palestinians. been strong. since the Oslo process was launched, Palestinian uprising. Regionally, Ab- criticised the Trump administration Diliani said: “The reaction around he does not have much to show. bas may fear being overshadowed by on the Jerusalem issue, saying the the world and in the Arab world spe- The crisis over Jerusalem may push Iran or Turkey even if he knows their move “doesn’t help the Mideast set- cifically has given the Palestinian Abbas, the most steadfast Palestin- pro-Palestinian posturing is essen- tlement and, just the opposite, desta- people a push and has given us hope ian champion of seeking statehood tially self-serving. bilises the already difficult situation that people still hold the Palestinian through negotiations, to a point he Abbas had met with leaders in in the region.” cause dear to their hearts and this is has avoided for so long — acknowl- Saudi Arabia to obtain assurances of Abbas faces two problems: By what has driven many people to go edgement that the peace process support and assistance with Wash- shunning the United States, he out to the streets — something peo- isn’t working. ington. Riyadh reiterated its backing would find himself in uncharted ter- ple stopped doing many years ago.” Those close to Abbas reportedly for the right of Palestinians to an in- ritory and would fail to find an alter- agreed it was time to look for alterna- dependent state with East Jerusalem native mediator that Israel is willing Razan Shamallakh is a master’s tives. as its capital. to accept. Worse, he may not find an degree candidate in Conflict Any talks with US officials are “su- A Palestinian opinion poll indi- alternative in which he can play a Leading PLO member Resolution in Divided Societies at perfluous and irrelevant,” Hanan cated overwhelming opposition to credible role. Hanan Ashrawi King’s College London. December 24, 2017 9 News & Analysis Lebanon Killing of British diplomat exposes fragility of Lebanon’s civil peace

Makram Rabah diplomatic community that the streets of Beirut are safe for their nationals, it is equally keen to re- Beirut assure foreign donors that money spent on the ISF has been well used. ebanon and its capital, Bei- In this case, sources close to the in- rut, at least to some West- vestigation told The Arab Weekly erners, are synonymous that the Lebanese state had been es- with war, destruction and pecially concerned about seeking a the senseless killing of in- speedy resolution to Dykes’s killing Lnocents due to the nebulous under- to waylay fears the British may have standing of sectarian differences. entertained over their competence. While this might apply to wartime Official propaganda notwith- Lebanon, this Levantine republic, standing, it can’t be denied that the with its traffic jams, power and -wa ISF’s solid performance in arrest- ter cuts, primordial internet service ing a suspect in Dykes’s killing so and all that comes with it, remains quickly will bolster the country’s home to numerous foreigners. standing going into the fundraising Among them was Rebecca Dykes, conference for Lebanon in Rome a 30-year-old British national who in early 2018, aimed at attracting worked as a programme and policy exactly the kind of support for the manager for the Department for Lebanese Army and security forces International Development at the that this case has highlighted. British Embassy in Beirut. Dykes, While much emphasis has been who enjoyed the streets of Beirut given to the army, the real under- as an avid jogger, had no trouble dog, the ISF, has proven itself wor- fitting in, nor did she feel under thy of support, especially in coun- threat either as a woman alone in terterrorism and domestic security. a foreign city or as a diplomat in a The ISF, contrary to the Lebanese complicated and occasionally con- armed forces, has been relatively tradictory meeting place of nations immune to Hezbollah’s influence and religions. and foreign investment in its de- This sense of security was shat- Tragic fate. An undated family photo shows Rebecca Dykes, a British staffer at the British Embassy in velopment would likely prove safe tered when Dykes’s body was dis- Lebanon, who was found strangled by the side of the road east of Beirut, on December 16. from the sticky fingers of the Party covered December 16 a few kilo- (Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office) of God. metres from Beirut on a relatively While Dykes’s friends and family secluded motorway, with indica- speak for anyone but myself but I In reality, it tells us that, in some Yet for many, the debate sparked must inevitably take time to mourn tions she was the victim of a vi- think many of us believe she was respects, the Lebanese state is by Dykes’s death is not so much their tragedy, for Lebanon the sorry cious sexual assault. simply in the wrong place and [at] quite strong. Despite the many about the civil and political impli- affair raised and resolved a variety Within Beirut’s expatriate com- the wrong time.” challenges Lebanon’s Internal Se- cations of the tragedy as it is the is- of questions. The speed in which munity, Dykes’s killing unleashed D’Arc agreed that “women are curity Forces (ISF) encounter be- sues raised over corporate respon- an arrest was made demonstrated fears that it was its members who murdered every day in cities all cause of the political, sectarian and sibility. that the security of Beirut’s foreign had been the target of the attack. over the world and those of us who tribal make-up of the country, what Jasmine el-Gamal, an Ameri- guests will always take precedence However, within 24 hours of her live in Beirut are lucky enough to can’t be disputed is that they exhib- can-Egyptian who recently made over its native population — and body’s discovery, it was clear that usually feel safe working and so- ited remarkable skill in reconstruct- Beirut her home, said she is more that way ahead of Lebanon’s Syrian many of the implications of her cialising and going from place to ing the events after Dykes left a bar concerned about the lack of re- refugees. death started and ended within place. I’ve found that women in in east Beirut and making an arrest sponsibility shown by Uber in hir- Critically, while the state has the forensic detritus of the crime Beirut are coming together in new in the case within 24 hours. ing an ex-con apparently without been quick to brag about the speed scene. The others, from the alacri- ways to be supportive of each other properly vetting him. in which this matter was resolved, ty with which the police reacted, to and share their experiences with “All I can say is that given the it has highlighted the limits of its the negligence of the taxi company, sexual harassment and assault, level of safety I’ve felt here — com- authority beyond the safe streets Uber, entrusted with driving her which is probably as commonplace parable to living in Washington, of Beirut, to areas where drug king- home, will endure for some time. in Beirut as it is in other cities I’ve DC — I was shocked and outraged pins and car thieves do not hide “Becky’s death has been a shock lived in.” at Uber for risking the safety of its behind the wheel of an Uber and to everyone in my community,” Reading beyond the tragedy and Within Beirut’s riders in such a way.” Gamal, a stra- where they are not afraid to show said Stephanie d’Arc Taylor, an the immediate arrest of Dykes’s al- expatriate community, tegic communications adviser, said their faces. American journalist and social leged killer — an Uber driver and Dykes’s killing that “if anything this entire inci- entrepreneur who has lived in ex-con, who reportedly confessed unleashed fears that it dent says more to me about Uber, Makram Rabah is a lecturer at Lebanon since 2012. D’Arc, who to the crime — is the endless de- which I will not be using again, the American University of Beirut cofounded Jaleesa.co, which bate over how this may affect the was its members who than the Lebanese state.” and author of “A Campus at War: connects families with trusted Lebanese state and what this had been the target of While the Lebanese government Student Politics at the American child-care providers, said: “I can’t tragedy tells us about it. the attack. works diligently in reassuring the University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” Viewpoint Lebanon’s parliamentary elections offer promise and risk

he Lebanese people focused on the increase in the Saad Hariri. At that time, Lebanese mark a volte-face in the distribu- will make it to the number of wards available and President Michel Aoun exploited tion of power throughout the polls May 6 after the reduced number of religions suspicions that Hariri’s allies, the country. Rami Rayess seven long years of living within them. For instance, Lebanese Forces, had betrayed The five parties could direct the electoral delay and under the previous system, a Shia him to his Saudi allies to bring legislative path of the parliament is a Lebanese writer. political paralysis. seeking election would have had him closer to his own axis, thus and would exert significant influ- Follow him on Twitter: However, the new to secure a significant number of strengthening his own coalition. ence over the executive branch. @RamiRayess. Tsystem of proportional represen- votes from the Sunni and Christian In the short term, this may have Critically, the concentration of tation that forms the basis of the population living in the candidate’s been political opportunism. How- power in one grand bloc would new elections stands to affect not ward. True, many wards tended to ever, its implications have been essentially suck much of the air out just how Lebanon’s politicians are vote exclusively with one faction. far-reaching. of the rooms occupied by Leba- elected but also how they govern. However, to some, the principle of For much of the Lebanese non’s smaller parties. It is hard to overstate the scale cross-confessional appeal has been political class, Hariri’s resignation For some, that kind of pluralism of the change next year’s elections reduced. proved a watershed moment. Prior may seem beneficial. However, for will mark. Since gaining independ- Civil society has also proven to his announcement, much of the Lebanon, choked by endemic cor- ence in 1943, Lebanon has been less than impressed with the new discussion focused on efforts to ruption and bureaucratic inertia, governed by a majoritarian system. system. The absence of any elec- build coalitions among Lebanon’s the delays involved in the rule by The new system of proportional toral monitor, no quotas for female various political parties. That such a coalition could prove hard representation marks a break with candidates and ambiguous rules changed with Hariri’s notional to predict. the old one and a new direction for over campaign financing have cast departure and his subsequent Within that bloc, Hezbollah Lebanon and, hopefully, its histori- doubt on its legitimacy. “It’s akin alignment with Aoun. would almost certainly exert the cally dysfunctional parliament. to putting new tyres on an old car,” Since that point, discussion has most power but the diversification The difference between the two a long-time observer of Lebanese focused almost exclusively on the of interests would also serve as a systems is stark. The majoritarian elections told the New Yorker likelihood of rule by a grand coali- likely check on the Party of God’s system is based upon a concept of in June. “New tyres are useful tion of the big five parties: the Fu- ambitions. winner-take-all in which whoever when it’s a beloved classic car that ture Movement (headed by Hariri), Next year’s elections stand to wins more than half the votes is speeds along but essentially point- the Free Patriotic Movement mark a paradigm shift for the awarded all the seats. However, less when the car is a dysfunctional (Aoun’s party), Hezbollah, Amal Lebanese political class. A new Whether the the proportional system provides old banger.” Movement (headed by Speaker coalition, one able to pass legisla- process leads to voters with competing lists of The changes to Lebanon’s elec- Nabih Berri) and the Progressive tion quickly and effectively, would candidates and parties, allocated toral law have dominated every Socialist Party (headed by Walid benefit all. However, a coalition Assad’s departure through Lebanon’s confessional aspect of the country’s political life Jumblatt). dominated by Hezbollah and the or not is no longer system, from which they select a — from the day-to-day operations If such a grand coalition were needs of external parties operating candidate. of parliament, to the recent crises achievable — and discipline within to agendas of their own risks not of interest for Predictably, criticism has been sparked by the shock resignation it maintainable — it could redraw just imperilling Lebanese democ- Trump. quick in coming. Much of it has announcement of Prime Minister the entire parliamentary map and racy but potentially Lebanon, too. 10 December 24, 2017 News & Analysis Egypt Despite this year’s troubles, Egypt could face tougher security challenges in 2018

Ahmed Megahid Syrian dialect of Arabic. “Put side by side, this informa- tion and these developments at- Cairo test to one thing: Egypt has be- come an important destination for he shelling of a military ISIS terrorists,” said Samir Ghattas, airport in Sinai’s El Arish head of the local think-tank, Middle during a visit by Egypt’s East Forum for Strategic Studies. defence and interior min- “This shows that the battle against isters signified a new chal- terrorism in 2018 will be far from Tlenge in the country’s war on terror- easy.” ism. There are no official estimates of Viewed with other developments the number of Egyptians fighting regarding Egypt’s security in the within the ranks of ISIS in Iraq and last weeks of 2017, the December 19 Syria but independent estimates attack reaffirms that the country’s put them in the hundreds. security agencies have their work Hardened by years of fighting in cut out for them next year, security Iraq and Syria, experts warned that experts said. those militants would likely operate “It takes a lot of military sophis- on a much more advanced level and tication and preparation for such represent a greater challenge to the a missile to be fired with such a Egyptian army and police if they re- degree of precision,” said Khaled turn to the country. Okasha, a retired police lieutenant- Jordan is not the only route general who is a member of Egypt’s through which ISIS fighters sneak Supreme National Anti-Terrorism into Egypt, the experts said. Mili- Council, an advisory body to the tants also enter Egypt through Egyptian president. “It promulgates Libya, which has been engulfed in a qualitative development in the ca- violence since the downfall of the pabilities of the terrorists in Sinai.” Muammar Qaddafi regime in 2011. Ministerial visits to the restive Si- Egypt shares a 1,200km bor- nai Peninsula, scene of a more than der with Libya and mountainous 5-year war against al-Qaeda and the Likely turbulence. Military forces secure an area in North Sinai. (Reuters) areas in that region provide hard- Islamic State (ISIS), are shrouded in to-police routes into western Egypt secrecy. The visit by Interior Min- heavy security in the area, the mis- That militants firing the missile ISIS is in retreat in Iraq and Syria where the vast expanse of desert ister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar and De- sile must have been fired from at were aware of the timing of the of- but experts warned of the return of has been used by the groups for fence Minister Sedki Sobhi was less least 15km away, security experts ficials’ visit indicates they had battle-hardened veteran jihadists training and hiding. than a month after Egyptian Presi- said. advanced intelligence-gathering to Egypt. A local newspaper quoted “This evolving situation makes dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave the capabilities, experts warned. “This unidentified Syrian sources as say- it necessary for us to move quickly military three months to restore se- shows that we are on the threshold ing that ISIS terrorists leaving Syria before things get out of control,” curity and stability to the Sinai. of a totally new phase in the fight infiltrated Sinai via Jordan. said retired army General Sameh That declaration was just a few against terrorism,” Okasha said. In early December, Turkish Presi- Abu Hashima. “We can eradicate days after the worst terrorist attack With Egypt reeling from the attack dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned terrorism in Sinai altogether dur- in the country’s modern history on al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, that ISIS leaders had left Syria af- ing the first quarter of 2018, as the left more than 300 people dead in a The December 19 Egypt’s security agencies braced for ter the collapse of their self-styled president ordered the army, but we bomb-and-gun attack on a mosque attack reaffirms that more attacks from Sinai-based ter- caliphate in Raqqa to Sinai. That need to acknowledge that the ter- in Bir al-Abed, not far from El Arish. the country’s security rorist groups. Several militant groups supported accounts of survivors of rorists are continually developing The ministers were unharmed have been operating in the Sinai Pen- the attack near El Arish on Novem- their capabilities.” in the December 19 attack but an agencies have their insula in recent years, from older ber 24 who said the attackers wore Egyptian military officer was killed work cut out for them home-grown groups to newer ones army uniforms and masks, waved Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian and two other people injured. Given next year. with ties to al-Qaeda or ISIS. the black flag of ISIS and spoke a reporter in Cairo. How powerful is Egypt’s military?

Sabahat Khan It is only since the overthrow back as a military force. battle tanks — the US Army and Ma- can: Cairo will procure at least 500 of the Qaddafi regime that Egypt With 240 F-16 Fighting Falcon rine Corps’ tank of choice — which units of the highly capable T-90 has made tactical interventions fighter aircraft, 46 AH-64D Apache has been produced locally under li- main battle tanks from Russia. Dubai into Libya to shape the outcome of attack helicopters, 30 C-130 Her- cence since 2005. The Egyptian Navy has been un- that country’s civil war. Addition- cules, nine E2C Hawkeye 2000 air- dergoing significant equipment ith its sheer size, ally, the emergence of the Islamic borne early warning and control The nature of warfare modernisation. In 2014, the Egyp- Egypt is the behe- State (ISIS), evidenced not least by aircraft, the Egyptian Air Force is tian Navy inducted four US-made moth of Arab coun- the devastating attack on the Sinai comparable in size and strength to has evolved and, while Ambassador MK III fast missile tries and regarded mosque on November 24, stirred the Turkish Air Force, one of NATO’s numbers still matter, craft and ordered four 2,500-tonne by its peers as a nat- the Egyptian military into greater most potent. quality — of French-made Gowind-class cor- Wural leader in Arab affairs. However, activity. Possessing quantity and qual- vettes with an option for two more. equipment, training, after years of lagging, there is every Since the 1970s, Egypt has been ity, the Egyptian Air Force presents logistics and so on — In 2015, the Egyptian Army re- sign that Egypt’s giant military is the largest recipient of military aid a formidable force with a growing ceived a Russian-made P-32 Molni- determined to close the technologi- from the United States after Israel, punch. It is acquiring two squadrons matters significantly ya-class missile craft, one French- cal gap between it and its regional representing nearly 25% of Egypt’s of the latest French-made Rafale more. made FREMM multi-purpose frigate rivals. approximately $5.5 billion annual multirole fighter and will receive 50 and two Mistral-class amphibious Egypt has a population more defence expenditure. As a result, MiG-29 fighters from Russia by 2020. Egypt also operates more than assault ship paid for by Saudi Arabia than two-and-a-half times the Arab Egypt has maintained the Mid- For its air defence, Egypt has the 1,700 M60 Patton and 500 T-62 main that will be equipped with Russian- world’s next most populous coun- dle East’s largest standing force of Russian S-300 system in service battle tanks and is acquiring almost made Ka-52 Alligator helicopters. try, Algeria. To put Egypt’s popula- about 450,000, though, important- and may procure the more capable 800 Caiman mine-resistant ambush This year, the Egyptian Navy induct- tion into perspective, if Saudi Ara- ly, approximately two-thirds of that Russian-made Antey-2500 ballistic protection (MRAP) vehicles, as well ed into service two of four German- bia, Iraq, Jordan and Syria were one number is conscripts. missile defence system. as 800 RG-33 MRAPs from the Unit- made diesel-electric attack subma- country, there would still be more Egypt has traditionally relied The Egyptian Army remains one ed States. rines based on the Type-209 design. Egyptians. With a GDP of $330 bil- on strength from brute numbers of the world’s largest. It operates However, like with its air power, With these acquisitions Egypt has lion, the Egyptian economy is sec- to project military power and its more than 1,100 M1 Abrams main Egypt is not staying totally Ameri- been modernising its forces with an ond only to the $620 billion GDP of leadership credentials, in particu- approach that has clearly looked to Saudi Arabia. lar with ground forces. The nature new suppliers, notably Russia, but Unsurprisingly, the Egyptian mili- of warfare has evolved and, while also France and Germany, to meet tary has historically been regarded numbers still matter, quality — of future capability requirements. as the strongest among Arab coun- equipment, training, logistics and With its involvement in Libya and tries since the 1952 revolution that so on — matters significantly more. growing alignment with the Saudi- established Egypt as a republic. Until a few years ago, defence ana- led bloc, despite its decision to not Through the 1950s and 1970s, the lysts would have viewed large parts deploy ground troops to Yemen, Egyptian military remained firmly of the Egyptian military’s Egypt may take on more responsi- in the lead in various coalitions of equipment inventory bilities and more visible roles in coa- Arab countries in fighting against as redundant lition operations. Israel until the 1973 Arab–Israeli War and Soviet-era. When it does so, it will become culminated in the Camp David Ac- Whereas the progress easier to judge how far the Egyptian cords and the Egyptian-Israeli Peace of, for example, the Chinese, Emi- military has evolved, not just with Treaty. rati or Australian militaries over the equipment but also with doctrine, From 1962-65, Egypt was heavily past three decades has been self- concepts and operational delivery. involved in the ill-fated North Yem- evident in terms of their modernisa- en Civil War and in 1977 in a short tion and competencies, it has been Sabahat Khan is based in Dubai and border war with Libya but has since less easy to gauge the evolution of Growing punch. A file picture shows an Egyptian Air Force fighter maintains a cross-disciplinary focus remained largely out of the war- Egypt’s military power. Egypt, how- jet landing at an undisclosed location in Egypt following air in international security, defence fighting business. ever, may be staging a quiet come- strikes in Libya. (AFP) policy and strategic issues. December 24, 2017 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Misrata mayor killed as tensions cloud Libya’s future Libya since death of Qaddafi: A chronology

Tripoli The country found itself with two governments and two par- ibya, where rival au- liaments. thorities and numerous ISIS profits from chaos militias are vying for The Islamic State (ISIS) power, fell into chaos claimed its first attack in Libya after the fall of strong- in December 2014. The fol- Lman Muammar Qaddafi in Octo- lowing June, ISIS seized Sirte, ber 2011. 450km east of Tripoli, but was Qaddafi killed driven out of the coastal town in Qaddafi, who ruled Libya for December 2016. 42 years, was killed on October Skhirat accord 20, 2011, as he tried to flee his On December 17, 2015, after hometown Sirte. months of negotiations, accords Three days later, the former signed under UN supervision in rebel National Transitional Skhirat, Morocco, designate a Council (NTC) declared Libya’s UN-backed Government of Na- “total liberation” after a NATO- tional Accord (GNA) as the “only backed uprising that began in legitimate government of Libya” February. in the eyes of the international On August 8, 2012, the NTC community. Wild card. Libya’s eastern-based commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar (2nd L) attends a general handed over power to the tran- On December 23, the UN Se- security conference in Benghazi, last October. (Reuters) sitional General National Con- curity Council endorsed the ac- gress elected a month earlier. cord. Lamine Ghanmi not expired because it has not been legal framework for Libya but sig- Rise of radical groups On March 12, 2016, the GNA officially approved by the Tobruk- nificant work remains to be done. US Ambassador J. Christopher took up office in Tripoli headed based House of Representatives. In September, the organisation re- Stevens and three other Ameri- by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sar- Tunis The Islamist Nawasi militia, al- launched talks between rival fac- can staff members were killed raj, who arrived in late March by lied with Prime Minister Fayez al- tions to prepare for parliamentary in a September 11, 2012, attack sea from Tunis. wo years after Libya’s UN- Sarraj, said Haftar was launching a and presidential polls before the on the US consulate in Benghazi. The GNA was opposed by the backed unity deal was “coup against the democratic pro- end of 2018. The jihadist group Ansar al-Shar- rival administration in eastern signed, fears are growing cess.” Analysts said, however, the ia, linked to al-Qaeda, is accused Libya, backed by Haftar, and by that a new wave of vio- On the same day, thousands of drawn-out process could leave ex- of being behind the attack. the parliament elected in 2014. lence could break out in Haftar’s supporters took to the tremists with an opportunity to On April 23, 2013, a car bomb On December 14, 2017, despite Tthe war-torn country. streets of eastern Libya. The Nawa- fill the power void and calls for UN attack targeted France’s em- the failure of attempts to amend Misrata Mayor Mohamed Eshte- si militia fired shots to break up a envoy Ghassan Salame to expedite bassy in Tripoli, injuring two the accord, the United Nations wi was assassinated when he re- demonstration by about 150 people the election process are growing. French guards. said the Skhirat accord was the turned December 17 from Turkey. in Tripoli. “They (Libyans) see the political Violence is widespread. Libya only viable framework for end- Officials have not publicly identi- Tensions increased following the process as the only path to the sta- plunged further into chaos with ing Libya’s political crisis. fied any suspects, but Eshtewi, a killing of Esthewi, who is believed bility and the unity of their coun- foreign delegations pulling out On December 17, on its sec- political moderate, had clashed to have been targeted for his sup- try. Thus, I urge all parties to heed of the country. ond anniversary, Haftar said the with the Misrata Military Council, port for the UN-backed process and their voices and refrain from any Rival governments mandate of the GNA has run out a coalition of Islamists in the city. willingness to engage in talks with actions that could undermine the Military strongman Khalifa after what he claimed was the The Islamic State (ISIS) has also representatives of the east. political process,” Salame said in a Haftar launched an offensive expiry of the Skhirat accord. carried out attacks in the area. Akram Galioune, an official at statement on December 17. in May 2014 against Islamist On December 18, the mayor of Eshtewi’s killing came amid Misrata’s hospital said Esthewi was Libya has been mired in civil groups in Benghazi. Several mil- Libya’s third-largest city Misrata growing tension over the 2015 shot in the feet and hit on the head conflict since 2011 when a NATO- itary officers, including from the was abducted and killed by uni- Libyan Political Agreement. Libyan “with a sharp tool” before his body backed uprising led to the over- air force, join his paramilitary dentified assailants. Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has was dumped outside a private clin- throw of former dictator Muammar Libyan National Army. Illegal migration said the deal has run its course. ic in Misrata. Qaddafi. More than six years later, In June 2014, following legis- Amid insecurity and politi- Haftar, who commands Libya’s Misrata, a relatively safe area the country has three rival govern- lative elections, the General Na- cal chaos, Libya became a ma- eastern forces, threatened to ex- where foreign businessmen live ments and many militias vying for tional Congress was replaced by jor transit hub for hundreds of pand his rule over Tripoli after the and work, is considered one of the power. a parliament dominated by anti- thousands of African migrants December 17 deadline on the agree- few beacons of stability in Libya. It The UN-backed government in Islamists. trying to reach Europe by sea. ment expired. has lent critical military and dip- Tripoli, led by Sarraj, controls areas In August 2014, after weeks The international community In a televised speech that day, lomatic support to the UN-backed of western Libya, Haftar controls of deadly clashes, Islamist-led reacted in horror over reports Haftar called the UN-backed gov- government in Tripoli and its mili- most areas of the east and Derna is militias grouped under the “Fajr of migrants detained in Libyan ernment “obsolete,” saying that tia played a pivotal role in driving a stronghold of radical Islamists. Libya” (Libya Dawn) banner camps in horrendous conditions dialogue between rival political ISIS from Sirte last year. Libya has also become a transit storm Tripoli and set up a “na- and Amnesty International ac- factions had resulted in stale “slo- This made the brazen attack on point for thousands of migrants, tional salvation” government. cused European powers of being gans” and “ink on paper.” He hint- the city’s mayor all the more trou- mostly from sub-Saharan coun- The government of Abdul- at least partly responsible for the ed at his intention to run for presi- bling and raised questions about tries, who are frequently subjected lah al-Thani and the parliament migrants’ ordeal. dent in the coming year. the prospect of violent outbursts to abuse at overcrowded camps. elected in June, the only ones Supporters of the UN-backed elsewhere. recognised internationally, took Agence France-Presse with government in Tripoli, however, The United Nations has attempt- Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly refuge in eastern Libya. The Arab Weekly staff. say the agreement’s mandate has ed to move forward with a new correspondent in Tunis. Tunisian by-election upset could signal trouble for ruling elite

Lamine Ghanmi thoritarian regime of former ruler The election results seem also to faced,” saying the party’s official in an opinion piece. Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and the “Arab widen suspicions between Nidaa stance is often at odds with some Ennahda previously worked with spring” uprisings. Tounes and its Islamists coalition members. Marzouki, who served as president Tunis Ayari, a self-declared independ- partners. Some Ennahda figures “Many voices inside Nidaa from 2011-14 and is now with the ent candidate, is a divisive figure blamed the defeat on the disillusion- (Tounes) believe the party’s relation- Harak al Iradaa (Movement of Good- he surprise victory of a po- whose sympathies for radical Islam ment of the Islamist grass-roots sup- ship with Ennahda damages the rep- will). litical outsider in Tunisia’s have been under scrutiny. Follow- porters about their party’s coalition utation of Nidaa, its agenda and its “Ayari’s victory is a great victory parliamentary by-elections ing the revolution, he was criticised with Nidaa Tounes, which is per- appeal. That explains the outcome for the revolutionary forces in the an- alarmed the country’s rul- for posting a picture with a black flag ceived by many Islamists as increas- of the election,” said Nidaa Tounes niversary of the uprising of Decem- ing parties and signalled associated with Jabhat al-Nusra and ingly critical of their party. spokesman Borhane Bessaies. ber 17. It signals changes in the future Tpopular disapproval of the governing other radical Salafist groups. After Asked about Ayari’s surprise vic- In an official statement, Nidaa in the political landscape in Tunisia,” elite. the vote, Ayari said his loyalties were tory, Mohamed Ben Salem, a leading Tounes said it would “undertake the Harak MP Imed Daimi said. Yassine Ayari, a controversial with former President Moncef Mar- member of Ennahda, reiterated that courageous and necessary decisions Populist groups such as Harak have blogger and activist with alleged ex- zouki, who has been trying to make a “Ennahda’s leadership expressed regarding its relationship with some sought to capitalise on the people’s tremist affinities, defeated 25 other comeback on the political scene. support for Nidaa’s candidate” but of the political parties” at a meeting frustrations in the country, which is candidates for a seat in the Tunisian Ayari, himself, was astounded that “Ennahda’s voters are free in of its top leaders. struggling to rebound from years of Assembly. The election, overseas for by his win. “I beat Ennahda, Nidaa, their choices when Ennahda is not Some analysts contended, how- economic hardship. Tunisian expatriates in Germany, at- Democratic Current, Al Joumhouri, fielding its own candidate.” ever, that there is a dangerously A December survey by Sigma poll- tracted little interest among eligible the Popular Front and Machrou “It is not the fault of Ennahda’s radical Islamist subcurrent that car- ing company said that more than voters; only 5% of the 26,000 regis- Tounes parties,” Ayari wrote on his voters if Nidaa (Tounes) lost the ries certain appeal with disgruntled 80% of Tunisians respondents said tered voted. blog. “I do not understand how I vote,” Ben Salem added. segments of the population and that they were unhappy with the coun- The outcome was a blow to Tuni- pulled this victory.” Others in the secularist party does not bode well for the country’s try’s economic and social situation. sia’s main ruling parties, the secu- Most analysts see the vote as a con- blamed Ennahda for being “two- political stability. They argued that Nearly two-thirds of respondents larist Nidaa Tounes and Islamist firmation of the lingering distrust by the organisation remains a conserva- said their families’ financial circum- Ennahda and indicated growing voters, especially younger ones, of tive Islamist group that is incompat- stances were getting worse. disillusionment with mainstream the political class. Indicators show Populist groups have ible with a pluralistic democracy. The by-election triggered alarm politics. It coincided with the an- the distrust translating to indiffer- sought to capitalise on “Until there is evidence to the con- with the political class about the risk niversary of the death of Mohamed ence to elections but the rate of par- trary, Ennahda’s voters will always that disillusioned voters would shun Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor ticipation in Germany’s by-election the people’s remain obscurantist until we force municipal elections scheduled for whose self-immolation in 2011 set takes that level of indifference to an frustrations in the them by law to respect democracy,” next May and the general elections off the events that toppled the au- unprecedented low. country. said former diplomat Farhat Othman planned for 2019. 12 December 24, 2017 Special focus Christmas in the Middle East Christmas spirit In UAE, Christmas is about building bridges

Michael Jabri-Pickett survives in Middle Abu Dhabi he streets of the United Arab Emirates are deco- rated with so many lights in December that the cit- ies’ neighbourhoods take East despite all odds Ton the festive look of communities preparing for Christmas. December 2 in the UAE is National outlets and patisserie shops, while Samar Kadi vided. It is only the politicians who Day, an occasion that has taken on have differences,” Kalot said, add- restaurants and nightclubs offer greater significance in recent years. ing that the association’s chorus shows by famous belly dancers Decorations in public spaces cel- Beirut has been taking part in Christmas and singers. ebrate the day and remain through- celebrations and singing carols in “Nobody will intimidate us. out the Christmas season, which is hristmas In Action,” churches. Christians are threatened by the why the country takes on its very “Christmas at Saifi In Beirut’s old train station in terrorists as much as Muslims but festive look. Village” and “Christ- Mar Mikhael neighbourhood, these humanity-haters will not Official figures state that 100% “ mas at the Villa” are Christmas carols blared from scare us,” said Catholic priest Rafik of UAE citizens are Muslim, which among many Christ- loudspeakers as shoppers moved Griesh. means celebrating Christmas is not mas Cbazaars taking place during around the “Christmas In Action Christmas this year also repre- their norm. In the UAE, where less the holiday season in Lebanon. bazaar.” Some 85 Lebanese design- sents much-needed business for than 15% of the population is Emira- In no other place in the Arab ers participated in the 6-day event, hotels and restaurants, said Ehab ti, the country is arguably one of the world is Christmas spirit and cel- which included a food court, chil- Shukri from the Federation of most tolerant in the world. The last ebration more prominent than in dren’s area and entertainment by Tourist Chambers. six weeks of 2017 says everything Lebanon, where Christians consti- young singers and artists. “Hotel occupancy is near full na- you need to know about the truth tute approximately 40% of its es- tionwide. Weather conditions and behind this statement. timated 4.3 million citizens. Glit- In Egypt, Christmas security measures encouraged for- UAE Prime Minister and Dubai tering lights and Christmas trees shoppers are eigners to come and Egyptians to Emir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid illuminate streets and squares; travel inside the country,” Shukri al-Maktoum has announced that the malls and shops are decorated swarming food said. pedestrian bridge over the recently and festive seasonal food is on the markets, clothing While only around 12% of Egypt’s built Dubai Canal had been named menu. outlets and population of 96 million, Egyptian “Tolerance Bridge.” With more than Christmas bazaars, organised by patisserie shops. Christians are the biggest Christian 30 churches in all seven emirates, Christian and Muslim charities and minority in the Arab world. the UAE practises the meaning be- civil society organisations, are a “It is the sixth edition of ‘Christ- The announcement of the Is- hind the name of the bridge. main attraction. mas In Action’ and all the revenues lamic State’s defeat in Iraq brought “Love and tolerance are bridges “We regularly have two fairs per this year go to the Children’s Can- relief to all Iraqis, particularly Iraqi of communication and a universal year, one for Christmas and one cer Centre of Lebanon,” said the Christians who were systemati- language, binding humanity across in the spring during Easter time,” fair’s organiser Cynthia Bou Khat- cally persecuted by the jihadists. different languages, religions and Celebrating tolerance. A man dressed as Santa Claus waves at a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, on December 16. (Reuters) said Lubna Kalot, from the Imam er. “Christmas this year would be dif- cultures,” said an Arabic video that Sadr Association, a Tyre-based “It is warm and jolly and you ferent from previous years. Our Sheikh Mohammed tweeted on No- charity founded by Lebanese-Ira- can feel the Christmas spirit all fears have somehow receded after vember 15. “These are the founda- Islamic scholars and intellectuals nian Shia Imam Musa al-Sadr, who over the place. Artisans are very the elimination of this murderous tions of the Emirates.” [aimed] to promote the culture of went missing in 1978. happy to participate knowing that group,” said Hiba Salem, a Chris- The 2016 US Report on Interna- tolerance and peace and to break “It is an occasion for many a percentage of their sales will go tian government employee. tional Religious Freedom said the the vicious cycles of suspicion, fear associations to participate to a charitable association,” Bou Assyrian priest Father Touma UAE government continues to pro- and intimidation against Muslims in our Festive Fair to raise Khater said. Hermez said ecclesiastical authori- vide land for Christian churches (as around the world,” reported WAM, awareness about their ac- For Egypt’s minority Cop- ties hope to have Christmas mass- well as Sikh and Hindu temples). the official news agency of the UAE. tivities and raise funds. tic Christians, who celebrate es in all the churches that were de- The UAE also provides land for non- The country’s constitution guar- They come from all Jesus’s birth on January 7, the stroyed by the jihadists. “We want Islamic cemeteries and cremation antees freedom of religious wor- parts of Lebanon and buildup to Christmas Day in- prayers and calls for peace and co- facilities for the country’s large Hin- ship and prohibits discrimination from different sects and cludes fasting and major masses. existence to rise again from these du community. on grounds of religious belief. The religions,” Kalot said. While Christmas last year was churches and urge on the govern- Dig a little deeper, however, and UAE’s Anti-Discrimination Law, Stands offer a variety overshadowed by the bombing ment to speed up the reconstruc- there is considerably more to dis- which became official in July 2015, of products, including of a church in Cairo, the ter- tion of Christian villages to secure cover. states that any form of discrimina- Christmas chocolate ror threat in Egypt is still the return of their displaced inhab- On December 5, and running for tion against people and religion is arrangements, eminent following the itants,” he said. three days, Abu Dhabi was host outlawed. handmade crafts, November 24 attack on a In the United Arab Emirates, for the fourth Forum for Promot- The country appointed the world’s jewellery and Sufi mosque that killed churches are gearing up for com- ing Peace in Muslim Societies. This first Minister of Tolerance in Febru- clothes. more than 300 wor- munity events and Christmas mass year’s theme was “World Peace and ary 2016 and this individual was, “Christmas is shippers. with separate services to cater for Islamophobia.” “The gathering of naturally, a woman: Sheikha Lubna for all the people Nonetheless, various language groups and na- to enjoy. You find preparations to tionalities. Viewpoint Christmas trees celebrate the holy The festive spirit is alive with the in many Mus- occasion continue. sights and sounds of Christmas in Christmas as usual in Nazareth despite Trump’s Jerusalem decision lim homes. Christmas shopping malls, hotels, resorts and The people shoppers are theme parks, beautifully decorat- explore the historic Church of are not dif- swarming food ed with Christmas trees. The shops the Annunciation and browse the ferent markets, are brimming with newly arrived city’s famed Christmas market. or di- clothing products, with everyone making a Rami Ayyub The rush of tourism shuts down beeline for gifts for family, friends the already-congested old city, is a political consultant and foreign and colleagues. packing hotels, guesthouses and policy analyst in Jerusalem. cafes with local and international In Iraq, ecclesiastical tourists. It is an annual and pre- authorities hope to dictable economic stimulus for a town known as Israel’s “Arab have Christmas masses capital” and the childhood home in all the churches that of Jesus. were destroyed by the That’s why, when reports jihadists. surfaced that Nazareth Mayor Ali Salam planned to “cancel Christ- Nasif Kayed, the founder of The mas” in response to US President Arab Culturalist, an organisation Donald Trump’s designation that aims to connect the East and of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, West through cultural consultancy n Nazareth, one-way signs residents questioned the validity programmes, said Christmas was are suggestions, not require- of the reporting. celebrated in the UAE like in the ments. A ride through the “Christmas is extremely impor- West, reflecting the Arab tradition town’s older neighbour- tant to Nazareth. It is an eco- of tolerance, hospitality and gener- hoods reveals a maze of nomic lifeline for the city,” said osity to guests and fellow citizens. narrow streets and twisted Bassam Hakim, operation man- “It is not surprising that many alleyways, each accommo- ager of the Hakim Guest House, in Muslim families in the UAE deco- Idating two- and sometimes three- the heart of the old city. “People rate and light up Christmas trees way traffic. Motorists squeeze come from all across Israel, Eu- and exchange gifts because their past each other, their vehicles rope and the United States to ex- children are living in a multicultur- grazing centuries-old stone re- perience the holiday here. Rooms al environment and they want to taining walls. all around town are booked three inculcate the spirit of good cheer, Like most places in Israel and months in advance. They can’t celebration and get them engaged the Palestinian territories, Naza- just ‘cancel’ Christmas.” in the festive spirit,” he said. reth traffic is a complex system Cancelling Christmas would but it usually gets the traveller to have thrown a wrench in the Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly the intended destination. That is, plans of thousands of tourists Travel and Society section editor. until the arrival of the holidays and strip local shopkeepers of a Amr Emam in Cairo, Oumayma and particularly Christmas. much-needed boost in retail sales. Omar in Baghdad and N.P. Krishna Each Christmas season in this Seeking to avoid being portrayed Joyous season. Iraqis shop for Christmas paraphernalia in the Kumar in Dubai contributed biblical, storied village brings a as a Grinch who stole Christmas, capital Baghdad, on December 16. (AFP) to this report. new round of visitors, eager to Salam had a news conference to December 24, 2017 13 Special focus Christmas in the Middle East In UAE, Christmas is about building bridges Viewpoint

the Vatican and the UAE. In June 2017, the Sheikh Moham- Dunia El-Zobaidi med bin Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a regular Arab Weekly contributor in London. was renamed the Mariam, Umm Eisa mosque, which translates from Ara- bic as “Mary, Mother of Jesus.” WAM reported that members of the Chris- tian community in the UAE said the Celebrating Christmas renaming of the mosque was “an example of mutual tolerance and peaceful coexistence” between reli- means different things gions.

The UAE’s constitution to different people guarantees freedom of religious worship and hristmas means are on this Earth. We have to think prohibits different things to about the homeless in the cold discrimination on different people. For and how they are going to survive. grounds of religious some it is a chance It’s fine for it to be commercial but belief. to spend time with only to a point, it shouldn’t take family and exchange over the greater meaning.” For UAE residents who pay little gifts; for others, it is “‘In Iraq, we never sent people attention to the news, there are the Ca religious reminder. Some do not cards because they weren’t avail- bright lights of Christmas to remind mark the holiday at all. able in the shops,” Saridar said. them of the tolerance in the Arabian Christians around the world cel- “The children received one small Peninsula. ebrate the birth of Jesus on either gift. Christmas food was not avail- As December 25 approaches, re- December 25 or, for the Eastern able in the shops, so we would tail outlets throughout the UAE Orthodox, January 7. It is not a celebrate with Arabic food. We sell Christmas decorations as well religious occasion for Muslims but would buy ourselves a new outfit as Christmas trees — from artificial many choose to mark the holiday but in England, a lot of people ones to fir, spruce and pine trees. for other reasons. don’t bother.” Uber will even deliver a newly pur- A young man in his 20s ex- “On Christmas Eve, I would chased tree to your door. Santas plained why he does not celebrate go to the Latin Mass and other are aplenty in the malls and dozens Christmas. His father is a Muslim families would go to the Arabic of tree-lighting ceremonies occur Arab and his mother is a British Mass in the morning then visit across the country. Of course, Abu convert to Islam. our Christian neighbours to wish Dhabi is home to the world’s most “I have never celebrated Christ- them ‘Merry Christmas’ and our expensive Christmas tree, which mas but my mother’s side of the Muslim neighbours would do the was unveiled for the first time in family still sends Christmas gifts same for us. Lunchtime is just for Celebrating tolerance. A man dressed as Santa Claus waves at a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, on December 16. (Reuters) 2010 at Emirates Palace. Guinness to my mother to keep the tradi- the family and the grandfather World Records made it official in tion,” said the man, who asked would give the children money. May 2011, when it valued the Christ- that his name not be used. “They It had more of the truer mean- bint Khalid bin Sultan al-Qasimi. The and accepting of others.” mas tree at $11.5 million. (It was so know it is not personal towards ing than commercial meaning,” person who currently has the posi- The UAE government’s rela- expensive because of the jewellery them that we don’t celebrate Saridar said. tion is Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak tionship with the Roman Catholic used to decorate the tree that came Christmas with them but a matter Dalia Dergham, an Iraqi Muslim al-Nahyan. Church is deepening. from the hotel’s gift shop.) of principle. It is important to be with three young children said On November 21, Lebanese lawyer In June 2016, Sheikha Lubna met When announcing the naming of consistent with your principle, so she enjoys the commercial side of Samir Salloum and his son Ziad were with Pope Francis and formally de- Tolerance Bridge, Sheikh Moham- people see you genuinely believe Christmas. knighted by the Vatican. Bishop Paul livered an invitation for him to visit med said in another tweet: “Toler- in what you are doing.” “We celebrate Christmas by put- Hinder, the apostolic vicar for South- the UAE, the National Catholic Reg- ance is synonymous with the UAE. Even though Muslims believe ting up a tree, making Christmas ern Arabia, honoured the two men, ister reported. Tolerance is an obligation as all peo- Jesus was a prophet, this young lunch and donating to charity,” who are lawyers in the UAE, at St Jo- Also that month, the UAE cabinet ple are created equal by God, wheth- man said he does not believe in she said. “We do more for Christ- seph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi. In at- approved a national programme er they are Muslim or not. People celebrating any prophet’s birth- mas than Eid because it’s a long tendance for the ceremony was — of for tolerance. At the meeting, as re- from more than 200 nationalities day, not even the Prophet Mo- holiday so it’s a chance to cele- course — Sheikh Nahyan. ported by WAM, Sheikh Mohammed live in the UAE in harmony, working hammad’s. brate properly and lots of com- The two Lebanese men were laud- said: “Tolerance is a key value of our together without racism discrimina- “Prophet Mohammad never panies give bonuses just before ed for helping the church and its pa- ancestors and our founding fathers.” tion or intolerance.” celebrated his birthday so cel- Christmas.” rishioners. Samir Salloum was quot- In September 2016, Sheikh Mo- In the UAE, the country’s leader- ebrating it is an innovation in the “I don’t tend to think about the ed by local media as saying: “The hammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, ship practises what it preaches. religion that people have intro- religious aspect to Christmas. It’s church itself is proof that the UAE, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, met duced,” he said. “There have been more the fact I am part of a com- since inception, has been a tolerant with the pope to discuss enhanc- Michael Jabri-Pickett is an Arab many warnings about changing munity. The same way people put country, accepting of other religions ing and developing ties between Weekly contributor in Abu Dhabi. or adding things to religion and up a British flag to show support introducing new practices that for the English football team, I put are not actually part of Islam. up the tree,” Dergham said’ We have two Eids and are told to “The belief that Christmas is Christmas as usual in Nazareth despite Trump’s Jerusalem decision celebrate these each year.” pagan does cross my mind but it doesn’t stop me from celebrating assure the public that festivities following Trump’s Jerusalem region. Actors ranging from politi- it,” she said. “I want my children would proceed largely as planned. designation. In a statement, Assaf cians to NGO directors and militia to enjoy Christmas and not to feel “Reports that Christmas events explained the move was taken leaders seized on the news, using Christmas is not left out. It’s easier not to celebrate would be cancelled this year are “in solidarity with the Palestin- the issue of Jerusalem to further Halloween as it is not as widely incorrect,” Salam said in a state- ian people” adding that he would their own political and economic a religious celebrated as Christmas is. If you ment. “Just like every year, the “use his voice to defend the rights agendas or demonstrate sympa- occasion for decide not to search for Hal- city is decorated for the holiday of Palestinians in Jerusalem.” thy for the Palestinian cause. loween, it will feel like a normal and we look forward to welcom- Trump’s decision on Jerusalem In Nazareth, though, the Jeru- Muslims but night. However, Christmas comes ing tens of thousands of visitors.” inspired protests, pontification salem designation has not had a many choose to to you through the radio and TV. Salam’s clarification runs coun- and politicisation across the meaningful effect on Christmas mark the Also, Halloween is not a holiday ter to a previous statement, first festivities. but Christmas is.” reported by the Times of Israel, “People aren’t really talking holiday for Dergham is married to a Leba- in which he proclaimed: “Our much about [Jerusalem],” said other reasons. nese man and has spent Christmas identity and faith are not up for Bassam. “Part of the reason this in Lebanon. debate. The decision [on Jerusa- whole issue is on the radar is “Growing up in Iraq, the only lem] has taken away the joy of the because an election is coming up The man said: “I believe thing we did do for Christmas was holiday and we will thus cancel and individuals try to take advan- Christmas is a pagan celebration put up a tree,” she said. the festivities this year.” tage of the currents.” so I think it is inappropriate for “There were no presents ex- Why the about-face? Municipal elections in Israel Muslims to take part. Also, Christ- changed or Christmas lunch. In “This is all a misunderstand- are to take place in 2018 but it mas carols say Jesus is the son of Lebanon. It’s different as there ing,” explained Sharif Safadi, wouldn’t necessarily be fair to ac- God, which contradicts Islam’s are so many more Christians and director-general of the Nazareth cuse Salam of politicising the Je- fundamental principles.” you are almost guaranteed a white municipality. “What the mayor rusalem designation for his own Nadia Saridar, a half-Iraqi, half- Christmas in parts of Lebanon. All meant to say was that the ends. After all, the cancellations British Catholic mother, explained the shops have Christmas trees singers and performances that have taken place, includ- the religious meaning behind and the products in stores are would be cancelled but the ing by Assaf, were done by the Christmas to her and described Christmas themed. In the parts main events — the parade, artists and were largely out of how Christians in Iraq celebrate that are majority Christmas, there the Christmas market, the mayor’s hands. Christmas. is a more religious atmosphere to the lighting of the All of this bodes well for “Christmas for me is more it than commercial. tree — would all go as Salam, who can enjoy the about religion, it’s not commer- “Also, there is more freedom of planned.” political benefits of his al- cial,” she said. “For me, it’s about speech in Lebanon compared to Indeed, a handful of leged cancellation without the birth of Christianity. Christ Iraq and you are encouraged to major singers, includ- sacrificing the economic for me is a symbol of rebirth celebrate your religious holiday. ing Palestinian singer boost that Christmas and faith. Although it’s nice to A lot of Muslims light a candle and “Arab Idol” win- tourism means to the have presents and parties, life is for mass in churches or donate ner Mohammed Assaf, city. In that sense, he becoming more commercial and money in the church box. In Iraq, scheduled to perform can have it both ways. we are going away from the true it is not as easy to find a church in Nazareth’s Christmas In Nazareth, there meaning of Christmas. but in Lebanon there is a church Eve festival cancelled are no one-way “We should think about what it on almost every street so it’s their appearances streets. means to be a human and why we easier for Muslims to take part.” 14 December 24, 2017 News & Analysis Turkey Turkey’s Middle East policy still driven by Ottoman hang-ups

Thomas Seibert

Washington

ess than a week after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assumed the role of unofficial spokesman of the Islamic Lworld to protest US plans for Jeru- salem, his spokesman lashed out at the United Arab Emirates, betray- ing an impulse of “Ottoman Islam- ism” still driving Turkish policy in the Middle East. The new argument comes as Ankara claims a place among pow- ers shaping the fate of the region. Modern Turkey is heir to the Otto- man Empire, whose sultans ruled the Middle East for centuries and carried the religious title of “ca- liph.” Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman and close adviser to Erdogan, used his Twitter account on December 19 to respond to a retweet by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan that said the Ottomans had stolen money and manuscripts in Medina during the first world war. Turkey feels a strong bond with its Ottoman heritage. The coun- try’s leaders often claim the Mid- dle East was better off and more peaceful under the Ottoman rule that collapsed a century ago than it is today. Justifying contradictions. A 2016 file picture shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and his wife Emine Erdogan greeting In a speech about Jerusalem in supporters during a rally to mark the 563rd anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul by Ottoman Turks. (Reuters) July, Erdogan said “our ancestors had acted with such great delicate touch and sensitivity that it is im- key’s Middle East policy, she wrote the United States was planning to sociate professor at St Lawrence show how ill-advised some Turk- possible not to remember them via e-mail. move its embassy in Israel from Tel University in the United States and ish forays into the Middle East with gratitude and longing given “I believe Ottoman Islamism still Aviv to Jerusalem. In response, the non-resident senior fellow at the have been. “Turkey’s decision to today’s cruelty.” Ottomans “never best describes the set of beliefs Istanbul summit followed Erdog- Project on Middle East Democracy embroil itself so directly in the spat thought of denying other religions that underpins Erdogan’s approach an’s call to declare East Jerusalem in Washington. between Qatar and the other Gulf the right to life throughout their to the Middle East and domes- the capital of Palestinians. Several “I think the problem with the states is an example of the ways rule of the city for 400 years,” he tic and foreign policy in general,” days later, Erdogan announced AKP’s ambitions is that they have Turkish policy in the Middle East said. Hintz wrote. She described Otto- that Turkey would open an embas- proposed Turkey as a model or has been overly ideological and Two years ago, Ahmet Davutog- man Islamism as “a perception of sy in the eastern part of Jerusalem, leader for the Middle East, which personalised,” he wrote. lu, Erdogan’s prime minister at the Turkish national identity rooted in although he did not spell out when is an entirely more ambitious — Hintz said Turkish-Ottoman na- time, promised to bring the “order Sunni Islam that understands Tur- that would happen. and given the divides within the tionalism was a useful concept al- and justice of the Ottomans” to to- key’s role in the region through a Turkish ambitions for a larger Middle East — unrealistic goal,” lowing Ankara to justify different day’s world. He also famously de- lens of former imperial might and role in the Middle East are much Eissenstat wrote in e-mailed re- courses of action. Close ties with clared that “not a leaf” could stir religious legitimacy as the former older than the 15-year rule of Er- marks. Israel could serve as an example in the Middle East without Turkey home of the sultanate and the ca- dogan’s Justice and Development When an open confrontation be- of Ottoman-inspired “harmony knowing it. liphate.” Party, said Howard Eissenstat, as- tween Qatar and four neighbouring among religious groups” in the re- Turkey’s relationships with Hosting an emergency summit countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, gion, while differences with Israel countries in the region have fluctu- of the Organisation of Islamic Co- Bahrain and Egypt — erupted last could show “Turkey as the Sunni ated with “pendulum-like swings” operation (OIC) in Istanbul on De- Close ties with Israel June, Erdogan took Doha’s side. brother defending the protection in recent years, said Lisel Hintz, an cember 13, Erdogan assumed the can be portrayed by Turkey has helped Qatar overcome of Palestinians,” she wrote. “Iran assistant professor of international role of spokesman for Muslims Ankara as an example problems caused by the ensuing can be a Muslim ally or a Persian relations and European studies everywhere and declared that ac- of Ottoman-inspired economic blockade and the pro- Shia rival.” at Johns Hopkins University in ceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s government media in Turkey have the United States. Through all the capital by US President Donald “harmony among accused the UAE of supporting an- Thomas Seibert is a Washington changes, “Ottoman Islamism” has Trump was a “red line.” religious groups” in ti-Erdogan coup plotters. correspondent for The Arab emerged as a strong theme in Tur- Trump said on December 6 that the region. Eissenstat said moves like that Weekly. Viewpoint Will Erdogan and Assad work together to block the Kurds?

urkish President Re- president. Commentators offered for the Russian-sponsored Syr- sage to Turkey and Iran implying cep Tayyip Erdogan a positive response as well. ian National Dialogue Congress that he is on their side,” Muslim has added an ex- It was proof, if any were planned for early 2018. It wants told Ahval English. “Syria, Turkey Yavuz Baydar traordinarily punchy needed, of how militant Turkey’s the Democratic Union Party and Iran have frequently acted is a Turkish journalist and regular and quarrelsome nationalist mood has become. (PYD) and its military wing, the in unison against the Kurds. By columnist for The Arab Weekly. nationalism to his What’s also becoming clear is People’s Protection Units (YPG), calling the Kurds traitors, Assad generally combative that Erdogan intends to project to be excluded, saying they are is sending the message to these Tforeign policy postures. himself as a new Mustafa Kemal terrorist groups linked to the powers that they share a mutual By leading the debate over Ataturk and heir to the man who Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). objective of opposing the gains the status of Jerusalem and founded the republic in 1923. After the defeat of the Islamic that Kurds have made.” challenging Greece about a By defending Fahreddin Pasha, State (ISIS), the PYD and YPG Only the naive would believe nearly 100-year-old peace treaty, Erdogan implied that the Otto- control nearly one-fourth of Syr- Erdogan interpreted Assad’s re- Erdogan is presenting himself man period and modern Turkey’s ian territory. marks differently. In the post-ISIS as Turkey’s great protector and history as a republic were one In this context, it’s worth not- era, there has been speculation guarantor of its leadership of the and the same thing. By this logic, ing remarks by Syrian President about Damascus’s and Ankara’s Muslim world. Ottoman Turkey and the modern Bashar Assad. He said, Agence interests converging more rapidly He responded angrily to UAE republic are a continuity, not a France-Presse reported, that than expected. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah disruption, and Neo-Ottomanism “Kurds who work on behalf of Where does the United States bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who had and Kemalism are merged. other countries (are) traitors.” stand on this and to what extent Erdogan is retweeted a claim that Fahred- Will it work for Erdogan? Might this signal a shift in alli- will Russian President Vladimir presenting himself as din Pasha, commander of the The “strong-and-stable” nar- ances of self-interest with Turkey Putin see the Damascus-Ankara Turkey’s great Ottoman army and governor of rative is affected somewhat by a joining forces with Iran and Syria convergence as a risk to his stra- Medina from 1916-19, had looted weakening economy and al- to block Syrian Kurds’ aspirations tegic vision? It’s hardly a secret protector and relics from the holy city. legations of corruption but the to a federal model of government that Turkey is at odds with Russia guarantor of its Erdogan got the response defining factor may ultimately be or any other form of self-rule? with respect to the status of he wanted. Turkey’s pro- external — Kurdish advances in Yes, said Salih Muslim, a prom- Kurds in Syria. leadership of the government and nationalist Syria. inent PYD member. “It is Bashar The regional puzzle is becom- Muslim world. media lined up to agree with the Turkey has various conditions Assad’s intention to send a mes- ing ever more complex. December 24, 2017 15 Debate Iran

Unsafe streets. A file picture shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C) surrounded by military commanders while visiting the Aerospace Force Exhibition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. (AFP) Many reasons why IRGC is reviving street patrols in Tehran ranian Brigadier-General thing has happened in the coun- earlier era must be seen as a part corruption. Former President Mohammad Reza Yazdi , try and the Law Enforcement of its threat perception and self- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his the deputy commander of Forces are incapable of securing interest. cronies incite their proletarian Ali Alfoneh the Islamic Revolutionary law and order. Otherwise, what On the surface, Iran appears to supporters against the entire is a non-resident senior fellow at Guard Corps (IRGC), made need is there for the authorities to have escaped the tumult of the establishment, whom they accuse Rafik Hariri Centre for the Middle the surprising announce- establish [IRGC] street patrols?” “Arab spring.” However, public of stealing Iran’s wealth. The dor- East at the Atlantic Council. ment that he was reviving Ahmadi said. dissatisfaction with the perfor- mant Green Movement (as well as IIRGC street patrols that had been It stands to reason. The prob- mance of the regime remains a anarchists and political opportun- routine during the revolution and lems cited as the reason to put serious threat. So does the fac- ists) is waiting for a pretext to in wartime. They would be back, the IRGC on the streets cannot tional struggle for power among take to the streets. he said, “to fight thugs and theft.” be solved by increased patrols. the elites as each tries to draw the In the circumstances, the IRGC The announcement set off a Narcotics addiction, divorce and public to their cause. perceives itself as the defender public debate about public safety poverty are not so easily dealt The president mobilises the of order. In the process, it may be and the IRGC’s role in Iran. Is the with. Perhaps the IRGC’s plans public against the clerical es- politically opportune to use street country so unsafe that it needs to revive street patrols from an tablishment in his fight against patrols to tackle political rivals. armed IRGC soldiers to roam the streets? If it is so unsafe, why were police doing nothing to address the problem? Might the The plight of Iranian Sunnis IRGC street patrol be another example of its rivalry with other government entities? risks creating tomorrow’s radicals Yazdi appeared to suggest not. In his address to the Tehran City Ali Alfoneh expectations from him, which he ism and takfiri movements” in the Council, he likened narcotic must address. In particular, the past three years. Therefore, it is tell- addiction, as well as “poverty, demands of the Sunnis and Sunni- ing that Iran’s leading Sunni cleric divorce and other social ills” to ranian leaders habitually criti- populated areas, which experi- brought Shirazi into his conversa- “earthquakes shaking Tehran cise Arab Sunni governments ence discrimination and manifold tion with Ebtekar. every single day and ruining for mistreating their Shia problems.” “Some time ago, it was reported homes and families.” The IRGC populations but the Islamic He pointed out: “Our Sunni to Ayatollah [Naser] Makarem street patrols would counter Republic has a poor record brethren are absent in [govern- Shirazi that the Sunnis are buying these threats, he said. regarding its Sunni minority. ment] bureaucracy and, if they are Shia homes and they even tried There is no indication the Worse, the plight of Iranian represented, they are very few.” to [relate the Sunnis] to Israel IRGC decision was authorised by ISunnis risks creating radicals. This, Ismaeelzahi complained about and the Jews but we visited him higher authorities, such as the Su- at the very time the regime in Teh- restrictions faced by Sunnis on and explained there is no such a preme National Security Council. ran has declared victory over the matters of faith. There are, he said, thing… We are not proselytising Nor does it appear to have been Islamic State (ISIS). “problems teaching the Quran to in Mashhad [in Razavi Khorasan coordinated with the police. That was the message conveyed our children and, in certain places, province]… and we are not trying Interior Ministry spokesman by Iran’s most prominent Sunni organising prayer.” to reach majority by increasing the Salman Samani said the police cleric, Mawlana Abdolhamid Ismae- He noted restrictions on his number of our children.” or, as he put it, the “Greater elzahi. In the December 2 edition of movement, both within Iran and Significantly, Ismaeelzahi made a Tehran Law Enforcement Forces the reformist Ebtekar newspaper, abroad. “I do not have any prob- forceful response on the fundamen- [have] not asked any institution Ismaeelzahi warned against ignor- lems in Tehran, Sistan-Baluchestan tal question of Iranian Sunnis’ core for assistance.” Interior Minister ing the root causes of radicalism. and Qom but in other provinces identity. “We are Iranians and, as Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said: “I, too, am happy to hear this there are certain restrictions,” he such, members of the same family,” “We do have laws and regula- news,” Ismaeelzahi said of ISIS’s said. “For example, some time ago he said. “What is the problem of tions for such things and the clear defeat. However, he warned: “We I wanted to visit Khorasan to take having multiple [religious] inclina- principle is that the Law Enforce- must think of future vulnerabilities part in a funeral service but certain tions within the same family? In- ment Forces are entrusted with so radicalism does not raise its head individuals contacted me and asked dividual [religious] inclination is a the responsibility of securing elsewhere… Let us remember that me not to participate. This problem matter between the individual and law and order in cities and in the injustice, discrimination, poverty exists in other provinces and I hope God and one must not discriminate countryside.” and penury are social problems responsible authorities solve this between members of the same fam- Parliamentary supporters of resulting in radicalism.” problem so my freedom of move- ily, which is the Iranian nation.” the IRGC rushed to its defence. When asked if he thought ISIS ment, regardless of being a Shia or Overall, there is much that is Ala al-Din Boroujerdi, chairman had been defeated forever, Ismae- Sunni, is not restricted.” cheering about Ismaeelzahi’s com- of parliament’s National Security elzahi said countering radical- He added that “certain govern- ments. First, it is a healthy sign that and Foreign Policy Committee, ism requires more than security ment agencies” bar his participa- he was allowed to give an interview insisted that the IRGC’s street pa- measures and military solutions. tion in international conferences. in which he complains of the plight trol scheme is “coordinated with “Negotiation and dialogue [are] Ismaeelzahi referred subtly to of Iran’s largest religious minority. the Law Enforcement Forces” and needed,” he said. “The root causes accusations made against Iran’s Second, Iran is fortunate to have “the people feel calmer” with the behind [radicalism] must be identi- Sunnis, specifically to Grand a religious leader with the stature Iran needs to address IRGC roaming the streets. fied and we should deal with those Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, and vision of Ismaeelzahi. He is a the problems cited by It may be a hard sell in some causes.” a senior religious leader. Shirazi, moderating force for Iranian quarters. Nemat Ahmadi, a Ismaeelzahi offered telling ob- who is 91 and played a role in writ- Sunnis. moderate leaders or prominent lawyer, said that servations about the state of affairs ing post-Islamic revolution Iran’s In the final analysis, Iran needs it may have to deal “rather than making the public in Iran. “I supported Mr [Hassan] first constitution, has organised to address the problems cited by feel calm, it reinforces a sense of Rohani [in his bid for presidency],” two international conferences on moderate leaders or it may have to with radicals insecurity.” he said, “the people have certain Islamic scholars’ view of “extrem- deal with radicals tomorrow. tomorrow. “Public opinion thinks some- 16 December 24, 2017 Spotlight Year in review Viewpoint 2017, the year the

Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor of The Arab Weekly. ‘caliphate’ collapsed Wrapping up a year of ups and downs in the Gulf region

he Arab Gulf region November that the Arab quartet received unprec- would not resort to military force edented media over the conflict, as it is a “very attention in 2017 as it small problem.” Jubeir’s statement introduced landmark was an indication the diplomatic reforms and suffered crisis was likely to continue into a series of conflicts, 2018. Tcrises and disputes. Arab countries set their sights To put it plainly, 2017 was a roll- on more pressing crises, such as er-coaster year for the Gulf region, terrorism, Syria’s reconstruction, full of ups and downs that are sure the conflict in Libya, Iran’s threat to have far-reaching implications. to regional security, stability in Among the year’s most signifi- Yemen and the implementation of cant developments were the war financial and social reforms. in Yemen where rivalries led to the Despite the numerous conflicts assassination of former Yemeni and disputes, the Gulf achieved President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Iran’s cultural and economic break- meddling in Middle East conflicts throughs in 2017, as well as a wave and a rift between Qatar and its of key reforms in the UAE and Gulf Arab neighbours that isolated Saudi Arabia. Doha diplomatically and economi- The UAE, in particular, made cally. serious progress throughout the Saudi Arabia, the region’s main year. In line with its vision 2021, power, tried to cautiously navigate the country pressed ahead with those turbulent events with the far-reaching economic and social aim of maintaining its status as a development projects, inaugurated leading actor in the Gulf and coun- the Louvre Abu Dhabi — a stunning terbalancing Iran’s ambitions. museum of the world’s cultural The Saudis have taken a legiti- history — and sought to play a mate approach given Iran’s expan- more prominent role in regional sionist designs, which are masked policy. In doing so, the Emirati by a constellation of proxies. To government remained focused Extensive destruction. Iraqi children pose amid the rubble of a street in Mosul’s Nablus understand the danger they pose, on achieving its declared goal of neighbourhood in front of a billboard bearing the logo of ISIS. (AFP) it is important to examine their making the UAE one of the best underlying ideology: Most are Shia countries in the world by 2021, the militias that adhere to the con- country’s 50th Jean Marc Mojon that had a major role in the war. Kurds pushing for more auton- cept of absolute wilayat al-faqih anniversary. The status of the PMF, which is omy and supported by the United (Guardianship of the Jurist). It Rapid changes were introduced dominated by Shia militia groups States control a large area of the maintains that all issues, including in Saudi Arabia, particularly after Baghdad whose loyalty is more to Tehran country, a stand-off with Damas- state affairs, must be governed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman than Baghdad, will be one of the cus that risks sparking renewed the Jurisprudent Ruler, a leading bin Abdulaziz was named crown 017 will be remembered as greatest challenges ahead for Iraq. fighting. Islamic jurist who provides politi- prince last June. He has overseen the year the Islamic State’s The country will also have to Indeed, Assad has referred to the cal guardianship over the people a comprehensive modernisa- ultra-violent statehood inject life into Sunni cities that Kurdish fighters who battled ISIS and nation. tion drive to open the country’s experiment was termi- have been extensively destroyed, as “traitors.” Of the Iranian proxies, the economy, reduce its dependence nated but Iraq and Syria including the second city Mosul, “A big problem might be if a new Houthi rebels have made the most on oil and relax the country’s con- 2are left staring at ruined cities and Baiji, Ramadi, Sinjar and Falluja. security vacuum emerges, for ex- noise in the Arabian Peninsula. On servative social strictures. daunting challenges. Failure to do so quickly, observ- ample, if the regime and the (Kurd- December 19, they fired a ballistic This progressive vision has led The Islamic State (ISIS) lost its ers say, would give the remnants ish-dominated) Syrian Democratic missile towards Riyadh for the to several landmark reforms. On two main hubs — Mosul in Iraq of ISIS — or its next incarnation — a Forces go to war against each oth- third time in two months, remind- September 26, a royal decree was and Raqqa in Syria — this year chance to emerge from the desert er,” said Syria analyst Aymenn al- ing the world that Iran’s aggression issued lifting the country’s ban and is clinging to the dregs of canyons where they are hiding and Tamimi. has in no way diminished. on women driving, effective next a “caliphate” that, three years thrive on the back of renewed sec- Since the end of the 9-month Washington, which has directly June. This was followed by the ago, spanned territory the size of tarian discord. operation to retake Mosul — the accused Tehran of supplying abolition of a 35-year ban on cin- Britain. Syrian cities such as Aleppo, largest urban battle since World Houthi rebels with weapons in emas on December 11. The proto-state shrank all year as Raqqa, Homs and others also need War II — and the assault to wrest Yemen, shares Saudi Arabia’s con- Crown Prince Mohammed also air strikes conducted by Iraq with extensive reconstruction. back Raqqa that ended in October, cerns and has pushed for an anti- spearheaded an anti-corruption its US-led allies and Syria with its Syrian President Bashar Assad the scale of the fighting has tailed Iran alliance in the Middle East drive that saw dozens of high-level main Russian backer paved the is much less palatable to the inter- off. that could include Saudi Arabia officials and members of the royal way for an inexorable territorial national community than Abadi, 2018 could be the year Syria’s and Israel. family detained. The goal was to reconquest. Iraqi Prime Minister who enjoys good relations with the deadly conflict is declared over but The effects of the diplomatic rid Saudi society of a scourge that Haider al-Abadi has announced West as well as with Iran and other the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and crisis that has undermined its progress and that, for the first time in four years, neighbours. Syria festers, prompting record ap- broke June development for decades. ISIS controlled no significant terri- peals for aid. 5 between Going forward, Gulf countries tory in Iraq. Iraq will have to Approximately 3 million Iraqis Qatar and Saudi must build on their achievements In Syria, work remains to be are displaced and half of Syria’s Arabia, the Unit- in 2017 and work towards ensuring done but ISIS holds only scattered inject life into Sunni 22 million inhabitants have been ed Arab Emir- security and stability in a troubled and isolated pockets. cities that have been forced from their homes by the ates, Egypt and part of the world. Saudi Arabia, in In Iraq, the West threw its weight extensively conflict. Bahrain might be particular, is expected to continue behind Abadi, who defied the odds destroyed, including A growing number of Syrians less serious than taking the lead in combating two to keep his seat and gain internal the second city are returning home but “while Iran’s nefarious activi- of the world’s credibility as he steered the coun- some areas have become safer ties. Still, the showdown most serious try through three years of anti-ISIS Mosul, Baiji, this year, fighting has erupted in continues without Doha threats: Iranian war. Ramadi, Sinjar and other places causing huge waves showing serious signs of re- expansion and The costly military fight was also Falluja. of displacement,” said Ingy Sedky, examining its policies. global a chance to rebuild an army whose ICRC spokeswoman for Syria, add- The four Arab countries terrorism. collapse in Mosul played a large During 2017, a peacetime feel re- ing that 1 million people were dis- severed ties with Doha over part in the lightning expansion of turned to parts of Damascus and placed this year. its alleged support for the ISIS caliphate in 2014. areas elsewhere in the country In Iraq, 11 million people require extremist groups, such The US-led coalition has trained where fighting ended two or three humanitarian assistance and co- as the Muslim Brother- 125,000 members of the security years ago. While ISIS’s military de- lossal reconstruction needs are not hood, and ties to Tehran, forces since then and the country’s feat in Syria is in no doubt, the war the only challenges. with which it shares elite counterterrorism units that is not over and large-scale military “Thousands are in detention fol- the world’s largest gas spearheaded the fight against ISIS operations against anti-regime lowing these rounds of conflict,” field. Nearly seven are arguably the world’s most bat- forces are under way. said Patrick Hamilton, ICRC depu- months later, Qatar tle-hardened regular force. Several “de-escalation zones” ty regional director of the Near and refused to comply “[ISIS] is finished from a military across the country yielded mixed Middle East. “How they are treated with the quartet’s point of view but not as a terrorist results and successive rounds and how justice is carried out will demands and has organisation… We must remain in of international negotiations to have a critical impact on creating a carried on with an ag- a permanent state of alert,” said end a conflict in which approxi- sustainable peace or gestating the gressive foreign policy. Dangerous proxy. A Houthi rebel holds Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for mately 350,000 people have died next round of violence.” Saudi Foreign Minister his weapon as he chants slogans during the Popular Mobilisation Forces in less than seven years have Adel al-Jubeir said in a gathering in Sana’a. (AP) (PMF) paramilitary organisation yet to bear fruit. (Agence France-Presse) December 24, 2017 17 News & Analysis East West Trump puts fight against Viewpoint

Iran in front and centre of Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer in the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and a former US State Department Middle East analyst. his strategy in Middle East Tensions mount between

Thomas Seibert Tally Helfont, director of the pro- “There has been an understand- gramme on the Middle East at the ing within the region for some time Middle Eastern Christians Foreign Policy Research Institute now that citizens from Rabat to Washington think-tank in Philadelphia, said Sana’a have real problems of their and American evangelicals despite all the rhetoric, Trump’s own and their leader’s ability to orget the Israeli-Palestin- approach in the Middle East shows dangle the Palestinian cause in ian conflict, the Syrian some continuity from the later their faces as a distraction ceased he denunciations by right to the Holy Land and have war or the confrontation years of the Obama administra- following the Arab uprisings,” Hel- leaders of Middle East- little sympathy for Palestinian between Arab neigh- tion. font wrote. ern Christian churches rights. Thus, evangelicals were very bours on the Gulf. When “There is one major departure of US President Donald pleased when Trump announced Fit comes to the Middle East, fight- and it relates to Iran,” she said via Trump’s announce- on December 6, with Pence stand- ing Iran’s influence is US President e-mail, pointing to Trump’s de- Shifting from ment to recognise ing behind him, that the United Donald Trump’s top priority, a nouncement of the international Jerusalem as Israel’s States was recognising Jerusalem as newly released security document nuclear deal with Iran that was the ‘Arab spring’ Tcapital underscore sharp differenc- Israel’s capital. stated. concluded under Obama in 2015. es between those denominations Middle Eastern Christians, who Trump’s National Security Strat- The Trump administration has and the American evangelical com- represent many Christian denomi- egy, unveiled December 18, says spent much time and energy in its paradigm munity, which sees Vice-President nations, however, do not believe Iran is a growing threat to the re- first months in office reassuring Mike Pence as its champion. that Israel has an exclusive right to gion and the wider world. “The regional partners, especially Saudi The Arab Weekly staff Although Pence grew up in an the Holy Land, especially Jeru- Iranian regime sponsors terrorism Arabia, that it stands by them in Irish-American Roman Catholic salem, which is holy to all three around the world. It is develop- their confrontation with Iran. The family, he became an evangeli- monotheistic faiths — Christianity, ing more capable ballistic missiles president refused to certify Teh- Washington cal while in college and has been Judaism and Islam. They generally and has the potential to resume ran’s compliance with the 2015 nu- outspoken about his faith since do not take a literal interpretation its work on nuclear weapons that clear agreement and said it is pos- he new National Secu- then. Pence played a crucial role in of the scriptures. could threaten the United States sible Washington will walk away rity Strategy reflects persuading the evangelical com- Hence, they find the evangelical and our partners,” the document from the accord. the Trump administra- munity to back Trump for president belief of a gathering of Jews into the says. “We will work with partners Helfont stressed that Trump was tion’s ideologically in- in 2016 (Trump received 81% of the Holy Land for mass conversion to to deny the Iranian regime all paths returning to the “axis of evil” rhet- fluenced approach to evangelical vote) despite misgivings Christianity to be absurd. Instead, to a nuclear weapon and neutralise oric against Iran used by former Tdealing with the new shifts cre- over Trump’s personal behaviour. they see the Israeli-Palestinian Iranian malign influence.” President George W. Bush. How- ated by the 2011 “Arab spring” Pence told a “In Defence of Chris- conflict in political terms, a conflict In Trump’s view, the Israeli-Pal- ever, the Trump strategy paper did uprisings. tians” conference in October in that needs to be rectified through a estinian stand-off is no longer the not back up that rhetoric with con- Although there is lip service Washington that the Trump admin- political settlement. centre of concern for the United crete plans, she added. “How he paid to the defence of freedom istration would focus on protecting One Palestinian Lutheran min- States. The long-running conflict plans to confront Iran… remains as an “American value,” the con- Christians in the Middle East as part ister recently told the Washington has, in effect, been redefined as an unclear and the 2017 National Se- clusion reflected by the report is of its national security priorities. Post: “The Bible originated in issue to be solved in the service of curity Strategy does nothing to il- that the promotion of democ- “Christianity is under unprec- Palestine, not in the Bible Belt [of the fight against extremism and of luminate his playbook,” Helfont racy, as advocated by Presidents edented assault in those ancient America], but people in the Bible getting to a bigger prize — a broad wrote about the current president. George W. Bush and Barack lands where it first grew,” Pence Belt read the Bible in a way that alliance against Iran. Administration officials have Obama, has been no guarantor said. “Across the wider Middle East, makes our lives difficult.” said they want to bring Arabs, led of US security interests. we can now see a future in many The fears of Middle Eastern The Trump by Saudi Arabia, and Israel closer “We are not going to impose areas without a Christian faith but Christians are not only that Islamist together. Trump’s son-in-law and our values on others,” the report tonight, I came to tell you: Help is extremists such as ISIS but also administration has Middle East envoy Jared Kushner stated. “Our alliance, partner- on the way.” more mainstream Islamist groups spent much time and said he is working on a comprehen- ships and coalitions are built on He said the United States would will use the evangelicals’ uncritical energy in its first sive plan for the region. Few details free will and shared interests.” “hunt down and destroy” the Is- support of Israel to tarnish the im- months in office of the plan are known but a broad In a sharp departure from the lamic State (ISIS), which has carried age of Christians as a whole. reassuring regional alliance against Tehran is under- Obama administration’s sup- out atrocities against both Middle Over the past several decades in stood to be one of its main pillars. port for the “Arab spring” upris- Eastern Christians and Muslims. the Middle East, because of wars, partners, especially Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ings, the focus is instead on “se- While such anti-ISIS rhetoric terrorism and instability, many Saudi Arabia, that it bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who has curity through stability” and on and the highlighting of the terror Christians have left the region, stands by them in their developed a close working rela- encouraging “gradual reforms,” group’s persecution of Christians having been targeted or fearing for confrontation with tionship with Kushner, reportedly not revolutions. are generally welcomed by Middle their future. At least two-thirds of Iran. visited Israel in September and the Strong countries are preferred Eastern Christians, other aspects of Iraqi Christians have left Iraq in the Israeli government said it has ex- to fraying states that in some the Trump administration’s agenda post-2003 period. Christians who “For generations, the conflict be- tended another invitation. cases inherited the post-“Arab are not. This includes the Jerusalem remain in the region do not want tween Israel and the Palestinians Developments like those are in- spring” order. Trump’s own decision. the evangelicals, and by extension, has been understood as the prime dications that the Trump admin- convictions are that strongmen American evangelicals have a the Trump administration, making irritant preventing peace and pros- istration is trying to make use of could be better equipped to cur- very different view of Israel and their situation worse. perity in the region,” the strategy opportunities in the region. “The tail the ambitions of America’s the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than Hence, not only have such paper says. “Today, the threats Saudis, for their part, have been enemies, be they Iran, the Is- Middle Eastern Christian com- Christians denounced the Trump from jihadist terrorist organisa- quite clear that if the Israelis re- lamic State or others, who could munities do. Many, if not most, position on Jerusalem, they have tions and the threat from Iran are solve their conflict with the Pal- be tempted to fill “vacuums cre- evangelicals believe in a literal stated loudly that they would not creating the realisation that Israel estinians, a working relationship ated by state collapse and pro- interpretation of the Bible. In their meet with Pence when he visits the is not the cause of the region’s with many of the countries in the longed regional conflict.” understanding, the second coming region. Coptic Pope Tawadros II, problems. States have increasingly region will ensue,” Helfont wrote. “Transnational threat organi- of Christ can only take place after for example, said the US decision found common interests with Isra- Such a rapprochement is not as sations, such as jihadist terror- all Jews have gathered in the Holy on Jerusalem came “without the el in confronting common threats.” improbable as it would have been ists and organised crime, of- Land where they would undergo consideration for the feelings of Trump’s strategy replaces a se- ten or 20 years ago. The relatively ten operate freely from fragile a mass conversion to Christianity millions of Arab people.” curity playbook issued by former muted response after Trump’s rec- states and undermine sovereign before Armageddon. The White House announced on US President Barack Obama in ognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s governments. Failing states can These beliefs led many evangeli- December 18 that Pence’s trip to the 2015. Much of the new document capital on December 6 has shown destabilise entire regions,” em- cals to wholeheartedly favour Israel Middle East had been postponed to deals with global challenges posed a degree of fatigue concerning the phasised the report. and be uncritical of its policies. the week of January 14, ostensibly by Russia, China and North Korea, Palestinian issue in the Arab world. They say Israel has an exclusive because his presence was required homeland security and with inter- in Washington for the passage of a national economic policy. The new tax bill. National Security Strategy defines In reality, the schedule change US interests in the Middle East with was because so many political a vision of a region “that is not a leaders such as Palestinian Author- safe haven or breeding ground for ity President Mahmoud Abbas and jihadist terrorists, not dominated Christian and Muslim leaders in by any power hostile to the United Jerusalem and elsewhere in the States and that contributes to a sta- Middle East said they would not ble global energy market.” meet with him. The White House In the document, Trump gives may be hoping a delay will allow himself credit for military advanc- feelings to cool down. es against the Islamic State in Syria That is wishful thinking. That and Iraq in recent months. “We Trump is indicating he wants to crushed Islamic State of Iraq and punish all the countries on the UN Syria (ISIS) terrorists on the bat- Security Council who voted on tlefields of Syria and Iraq and will December 18 for a resolution reject- continue pursuing them until they ing the US decision on Jerusalem are destroyed,” Trump says in a does not bode well for a cooling of foreword to his strategy paper. tensions. It does nothing to support The administration said the Pence’s claim that the administra- president’s decision to give US tion is giving priority to protecting commanders in Iraq and Syria Christians. In fact, it has put them more leeway contributed to mili- more in jeopardy. As the saying tary victories there, even if Trump With friends like these? Faith leaders place their hands on the shoulders of US President Donald Trump goes, with friends like these — evan- inherited US involvement in the re- as he takes part in a prayer for those affected by Hurricane Harvey at the White House in Washington, last gelicals and Trump officials — who gion from his predecessors. September. (Reuters) needs enemies? 18 December 24, 2017 Economy

Riyadh puts brakes on austerity as it Briefs Eastern Libyan unveils largest-ever government budget parliament

Jareer Elass the first Gulf Cooperation Council approves new country to introduce a “sin” tax, doubling the cost of tobacco and central bank Washington energy drinks and raising the price of soft drinks 50%. governor he Saudi government un- More controversial is the Saudi veiled a record-breaking government’s implementation of Libya’s eastern-based parliament budget for 2018, signal- the wide-ranging 5% value added has approved a new central bank ling its intention to boost tax (VAT) on goods and services governor, deputies said, cementing spending to resuscitate an that goes into effect January 1 but financial divisions as the country Tanaemic economy and putting the the government took the time and battles political turmoil and eco- brakes for the time being on eco- resources to educate its citizenry on nomic crisis. nomic reforms that could further hit the tax and no one expects a huge The House of Representatives in Saudi citizens in their pocketbooks. outcry when it goes into effect. The Tobruk approved Mohamed Ab- Riyadh is heeding advice from the Saudi government expects to earn delsalam al-Shukri as central bank International Monetary Fund (IMF) as much as $6 billion from the VAT governor by a vote of 54 of 107 MPs by delaying balancing its budget in 2018. attending, deputies said. Shukri is a until 2023. The “sin” tax and the VAT appear veteran central banker who served In its 2018 budget, the govern- to be the last major austerity moves in the central bank under Muammar ment of Saudi King Salman bin the Saudi government intends to Qaddafi. Abdulaziz Al Saud announced its implement for the time being as Libya, an oil producer, has two largest level of annual spending it looks towards an expansionary governments — a UN-backed one in ever — $261 billion — up from $247 budget with greater spending to Tripoli and an eastern-based admin- billion in 2017. Another $30 billion stimulate the economy. It is again istration allied to the House of Rep- of spending is to come from the Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan takes part in a news listening to the IMF, which warned resentatives — because of a power kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund conference during which officials announced the state budget for 2018 Riyadh that pushing too many eco- struggle waged since the toppling of and national development fund, in Riyadh, on December 19. (AFP) nomic reforms too quickly could Qaddafi in 2011. for total expected expenditures of have a disastrous effect on its econ- The Tripoli-based central bank more than $290 billion. as it dealt with sustained low oil deficit of $52.8 billion. omy. rejected the move by the eastern- Much of the budgeted spending prices. Riyadh is betting that the Over the past several years, the Some observers view 2018 as a based parliament. reportedly will go towards infra- large spending focused particularly Saudi government has been test- make-or-break year for the Saudi structure projects to benefit private on the private sector will prompt ing the temperature of its citizenry Vision 2030 programme, which is (Reuters) companies. The government has the Saudi economy to grow 2.7% in for accepting austerity measures still in its infancy and not a lot of budgeted $8.5 billion for a cash- 2018. that have included reduced energy- substantive successes to show so transfer programme to protect mid- King Salman’s government an- related subsidies and benefits and far. Much is, of course, riding on the dle- and lower-class Saudi families ticipates a 2018 budget deficit of new taxes. In April, facing a public highly anticipated initial public of- from the effects of increased ener- $52 billion — 7.3% of GDP — with backlash, the Saudi monarch re- fering (IPO) of an up to 5% stake in Christmas market gy-related prices. $209 billion expected in revenues. stored allowances and bonuses for state oil giant Saudi Aramco that the The massive spending is Riyadh’s Oil income is predicted to account state employees that had been cut Saudis have insisted will go forward opens in Algerian effort to pull out of the recession for $131 billion of state earnings, up the previous September. Similarly, in the latter part of 2018. it dipped into this year, when the from $117 billion in 2017 because of the Saudi public protested huge The IPO is critical to Vision 2030 capital economy contracted 0.5%, as well higher oil prices, while the Saudi increases in water bills that took ef- as the government is relying on pro- as to make good on its pledge to di- government anticipates non-oil in- fect in late 2015, resulting in the fir- ceeds from the sale to fund strategic A small Christmas market opened versify the economy from depend- come to rise to $77.6 billion from ing of the minister of electricity and investments to build up the king- in Algiers, catering to a rising num- ency on oil-derived income as part $68 billion. water in April 2016 and improved dom’s private sector and develop ber of Christian African migrants as of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Saudi Finance Minister Moham- water pricing. new industries in a drive to create well as diplomats and locals in the Salman bin Abdulaziz’s major fis- med al-Jadaan said Riyadh fore- Other measures, including in- non-government jobs and reduce overwhelmingly Muslim country. cal overhaul programme known as casts its non-oil income to double creased petrol and electricity dependency on oil income. Approximately 99% of Algeria’s Saudi Vision 2030. the 2017 rate by growing “north prices, have stuck. The once un- population is Sunni Muslim but the It is a departure from the past of 3%,” in 2018. The Saudi budget heard-of idea of taxes is also no Jareer Elass reports from number of Christians has been ris- two years of austerity budgets the deficit in 2017 totalled $61 billion — longer just a consideration. In June, Washington on energy issues for ing due to an influx of migrants from kingdom was forced to implement 8.9% of GDP — up from a forecasted for example, Saudi Arabia was The Arab Weekly. sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Egypt to bet on tourism, energy sectors in 2018 (Reuters)

Amr Emam cerns, particularly following Rus- pressure on the national budget,” Egypt possesses multibillion-dol- sia’s decision to halt flights. said Osama Kamal, Egypt’s former lar refining facilities that it wants to Egypt lost approximately $10 bil- petroleum minister. “More impor- use to process oil and gas produced Egypt’s Zohr Cairo lion in tourism revenues over the tantly, it will be a step on the road to in the region for markets in Europe next two years as travellers shunned achieving self-sufficiency in natural and Asia. gas field starts evelopments at the end it for regional rivals Turkey, Greece gas.” Saudi Arabia and Iraq had agreed of 2017 indicate Egypt and Israel, Zayat said. Egypt expects to achieve self-suf- to send part of their oil production production could face much rosier “This exposed the vulnerabilities ficiency in 2019 when the second to Egypt for refining and export to economic prospects in of the economy and deprived it of phase of the development of the international markets. Greece and Egypt’s Zohr natural gas field, the 2018 than had been ex- an important source of income,” he field is to be completed with pro- Cyprus will also send production largest in the Mediterranean, has Dpected, economists said. said. duction reaching 2.7 billion cubic from recently discovered gas fields begun production with an initial 350 The signing of a protocol for secu- The drop in tourism revenues was feet per day. off the Mediterranean coasts for million cubic feet a day, the Egyp- rity cooperation between Egypt and accompanied by a decline in remit- That would allow Cairo to start processing in Egypt and export to tian Oil Ministry said in a statement. Russia heralds the resumption of di- tances from millions of Egyptians exporting natural gas and secure a Europe. The field, operated by the Italian rect flights from Russia to Egypt, an working in other countries. Cairo new and important income stream. “This opens up new vistas for the ENI company, is estimated to con- important milestone as Cairo seeks borrowed $12 billion from the In- This comes as part of a broader plan Egyptian economy, ones in which tain 850 billion cubic metres of gas. to restore the country’s flailing tour- ternational Monetary Fund (IMF), to transform Egypt into a regional new revenues from gas exports and ism industry. a loan that came with strict restric- energy hub. refining can propel national devel- (Agence France-Presse) “This would be a huge develop- tions that led to Cairo cutting sub- opment,” Kamal said. ment for the recovery of the na- sidies and enforcing a controversial Possible positive effects from the tional tourism sector,” said Elhami currency flotation that resulted in tourism sector revival and produc- al-Zayat, the former head of the a huge devaluation of the Egyptian tion from Zohr coincide with im- Federation of the Chambers of Tour- pound. proving economic indicators at the Indonesia to ism, the national guild of tourism in- Egypt also went on an interna- end of 2017, which will potentially vestors and workers. “The return of tional borrowing spree that raised affect the performance of the econ- allow tariff-free Russian tourists will help the sector its foreign debts dramatically over These improvements omy in 2018. import of some pick up, which will positively affect the past two years. They rose to $79 will be felt by the Additionally, Egypt’s annual ur- economic conditions in general.” billion by the end of 2017 from $48 ban consumer price inflation fell Palestinian goods Russia suspended direct flights to billion two years earlier. majority of the to 26% in November from 30.8% in Egypt following the bombing of one Potentially driving the economic population as October, to the Central Agency for Indonesia will allow tariff-free im- of its passenger planes over Sinai in growth in 2018 will be the energy Public Mobilisation and Statistics ports and give direct market access 2015. Several other Western coun- sector, which witnessed a major commodity prices (CAPMAS) said. to some Palestinian goods begin- tries, including Italy, the United development before the end of stop rising and start Core inflation eased to 25.5% in ning in 2018, the Indonesian trade Kingdom and Germany, followed 2017 with production from Egypt’s going down. November, compared to 30.5% a minister said. suit. largest Mediterranean natural gas month earlier, Egypt’s Central Bank Palestinian goods enter Indonesia The resumption of direct flights field, Zohr, coming online. said. through Jordan but as of January 1 between Russia and Egypt is expect- The field produces 350 million cu- “The good thing about these in- some Palestinian products will be ed by February. bic feet of gas every day. While this dicators is that they portend strong shipped directly to Indonesia, said Egypt had seen a dramatic drop is only a fraction of Egypt’s daily improvements in the economic per- Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita. in foreign visitors since 2010, when consumption of 5.9 billion cubic feet formance in the coming months,” “We’re opening market access 14.7 million tourists visited the a day, it is an important addition to said Fakhry Elfiky, an econom- for dates and olive oil. This is as country, bringing in around $12.5 the country’s total daily production ics professor at Cairo University. requested by [the Palestinians],” billion in revenue. More than 10% of 5.2 billion cubic feet. “These improvements will be felt Lukita said after a meeting with his of Egypt’s workforce is estimated The field’s production, experts by the majority of the population Palestinian counterpart at a World to work in the country’s tourism in- said, would help Egypt save $750 as commodity prices stop rising and Trade Organisation meeting in Bue- dustry. million a year, money that would Fakhry Elfiky, start going down, albeit gradually.” nos Aires Egypt saw a decline in tourism fol- have gone to outsourcing Egypt’s lowing the 2011 revolution, a drop energy requirements. economics professor at Amr Emam is a Cairo-based (Reuters) exacerbated amid security con- “This will automatically reduce Cairo University contributor to The Arab Weekly. December 24, 2017 19 Economy

Viewpoint Tunisia is not a tax haven ters responsible for the decision to and the United Kingdom — ap- have thought that Europe would and support a democratic experi- Francis Ghilès include Tunisia on the list was the pears to have forgotten that it was do all it could to help Tunisia grow ment that lest we forget is unique result of a misunderstanding. NATO’s use of force, at their and democratic roots. in southern rim Mediterranean The decision is most unwel- America’s initiative, that led to re- In no way does that suggest countries. come because Tunisia has faced gime change and the disintegration the European Union should not The European Union seems to down the threat of jihadi terrorism of Libya. It was both countries’ dis- criticise Tunisia, express concern have lost any sense of proportion, two-and-a-half years after attacks regard for the warnings of Algeria at the “democratisation” of corrup- timing of geopolitical nous. The on the Bardo National Museum that resulted in the near collapse of tion or argue that the government sooner its finance ministers take in Tunis and the beachside resort Mali in 2012 and the unprecedent- should be bolder in its reforms. Tunisia off the list, the better. of Sousse led to a huge drop in ed attack on the Algerian gas field However, lobbing a grenade across Instead of tossing unwelcome the number of European tourists of In Amenas in 2013. the Mediterranean just before the grenades across the sea, it could visiting the country. This damaged When Tunisia faced the threat of Christmas season is hardly an act do worse than increase its financial export earnings and employment jihadi groups in 2012-14, it was the of charity. Indeed, it would ap- support for Tunisia. This would in a sector that is an important Algerian Army that, at the request pear to seasoned observers to be hardly be expensive considering engine of growth. of the Tunisian government, lent foolhardy. Tunisia’s size — a population of The lesser jihadi terrorist threat support to the budding democracy. The stability of Tunisia mat- 11.4 million. today is a key reason tourists are It was not France, which had initi- ters to the European Union. With As he prepares to pay a state magine the surprise when returning and foreign investors ated the push to get rid of Libyan Libya in turmoil and unlikely to be visit to Tunisia in February, French those who know Tunisia well are, once more, looking at the strongman Muammar Qaddafi stabilised soon, a functioning state President Emmanuel Macron discovered that EU finance country. or the European Union. Algeria to the west is essential. should consider encouraging his ministers blacklisted North The wave of moralisation against extended greater financial aid to Consolidating democracy in the European peers to repair the dam- Africa’s smallest country as tax havens is well and good but Tunisia in 2012 than the EU. country will take time, healing the age done by a bunch of technocrats one of 17 tax havens. punishing countries such as Context matters and the Euro- large regional economic and social in Brussels. Such a gesture would Whatever its faults and Tunisia hardly speaks of a well- pean Union gives the impression disparities between the coast and comfort his policy of fighting Ithe corruption that, as in many thought-out neighbourhood policy of being tone deaf. Having not the hinterland require patience jihadist terrorism across the Sahel Mediterranean countries, needs in Brussels. much to show for its endeavours and political skill. Creating jobs and containing the situation in to be reined in, Tunisia never has At a time when the EU Commis- in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is tough but essential if Libya, both of which lie in Tuni- been a fiscal paradise nor is it one sion is trying to craft a common having been wrong-footed by younger Tunisians sia’s deep hinterland and whose today. This is the case despite the approach to the African immi- Russia in Syria, having cheered are going to be stability matters to this budding bumpy political ride the country grants flooding across the Medi- the demise of Qaddafi, one might bothered to vote democracy. has experienced since its autocratic terranean from Libya to Italy, one Two lessons can be drawn from ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was might have thought that European this sorry episode. Tunisia must toppled nearly seven years ago. leaders had the common sense to count more on its own resources The reasons given for including avoid throwing a grenade in the and stop pretending that being a Tunisia on the blacklist are very direction of Tunisia. budding democracy earns it kudos technical and the ministers sug- The turmoil in Libya is costing The wave of moralisation in Brussels or Washington. It no gested that its name could be taken Tunisia two percentage points of against tax havens is well and longer does. Its leaders must off soon. Whatever the ins and outs lost GDP growth every year — this stop short-sighted politi- of the technical reasons adduced year it will grow at 1.3% — which good but punishing countries cal infighting for including Tunisia, the country’s is considerable. Indeed, were the such as Tunisia hardly and be much more reputation as a safe place for for- economy able to grow at 3.3% speaks of a well-thought-out hard-headed in de- eign investors has been damaged annually, the room to enact bold fending the coun- when it was least needed. economic reforms would be that neighbourhood policy try’s One can only assume the techni- much greater. in Brussels. interests interna- cal report to the EU finance minis- Europe — in particular, France tionally. Jordan seeks to revive its slowing economy Roufan Nahhas tourism sector and reinforcing the in a meeting with Jordanian busi- Egypt in the last three years, at- Jordanian garment imports technology sector. nessmen heading to Tanzania, tracted by better opportunities for from Egypt increased 50% in the “According to this year’s ‘Ease Kenya and Ethiopia. investors. last three years. In the last eight Amman of Doing Business’ report by the Tax increases of up to 16% on “This is not the first time some- months, the bill totalled $226.8 World Bank, Jordan has jumped many commodities, including thing like this takes place,” said million. ordan has been battered by 15 places to reach 103rd position, dairy products, and the removal Asad Qawasmi, who represents Fashion is not a priority for the economic and social woes which is a positive indicator that of the state subsidy on bread is se- the clothes and garment industry average Jordanian, however. Fi- caused by tax increases, the reflects an improvement in the verely affecting the daily life of the in the chamber. “Real estate com- nancial burdens and increased rise of commodity prices, investment environment in the poor and middle class. panies did the same by choosing prices led to a drop in purchasing the heavy toll of hosting kingdom,” Shehadeh said. The state of the economy has Egypt, which offers many advan- power to a point that some fami- Jrefugees and higher government Jordan is also eyeing new mar- forced many businesses to be tages, including tax exemption, lies just manage with what they expenditures. kets for Jordanian exports in Af- shuttered. one window system and cheap have or seek second-hand clothes. The 2018 draft budget previews rica. The Jordan Chamber of Com- labour.” “We have absolutely no choice. a cash subsidy of $241 million to “We have an opportunity to en- merce said approximately 70 “Jordan ended up importing The second-hand markets provide compensate for the rise in the cost ter these markets and attract in- clothes factories, including ten goods produced by these factories better prices and sell important of living caused by the govern- vestments that will help create job Jordanian establishments, aban- while it was better and easier to brands so you buy a brand for less ment’s decision to lift subsidies on opportunities,” Shehadeh added doned the Jordanian market for keep them here,” he said. and this is an excellent way to save several basic commodities. some money,” said Khalil, a buyer. The cash subsidy is destined “Today, buying clothes is con- to Jordanian families with to- sidered a luxury. I have four chil- tal annual income not exceeding dren who go to school so you can $17,000 and individuals with an- imagine the cost of raising and nual income less than $8,000. feeding them and with the in- Beneficiaries should not own land crease in prices things become a or real estate valued at more than We have an heavy burden on any employee.” $423,000 and more than one vehi- opportunity Jordan has been reeling under cle. to enter [new] the burden of hosting Syrian refu- More than 5 million Jordanians gees for the past six years. The UN are expected to benefit from the markets and attract Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said subsidy, the government said. investments that Jordan is the second largest refu- Despite official expectations for will help create job gee-hosting country in the world a better economy in 2018 support- relative to its population. There ed by a strategy to expand to new opportunities. are 657,000 Syrian refugees regis- markets, Jordanians are feeling tered with the UNHCR but the ac- the brunt of stagnation. The hike tual number is believed to be more in prices compounded with an un- than 1 million. employment rate of 18.2% in the “It is like rubbing salt in the first quarter of 2017 — the highest wound,” said journalist Ziad in 25 years — reduced purchasing Momani, describing the refugee power considerably. situation. “Since the war (in Syria) Muhannad Shehadeh, minis- started, hosting refugees has cost ter of State for Investment Affairs us more than $10 billion covering and president of the Investment health care, education, employ- Commission, said the panel was ment and other services. I know working on a new strategy aimed it is part of a humanitarian action at attracting investment and iden- but still, it has had a very negative tifying the opportunities and ad- effect on the society and the coun- vantages that Jordan offers to local t r y.” and foreign investors. The International Monetary The strategy would seek to es- Fund said Jordanian government tablish Jordan as a centre for the expenditures were estimated to provision of services for regional reach $12.3 billion by the end of and international businesses and Muhannad Shehadeh, 2017, compared to $11.2 billion in a hub for reconstruction of Syria. 2016. It previews strengthening exports, minister of State for Lingering woes. Money-changer exchanges currency for custo- opening new markets for Jorda- Investment Affairs mers at the main market at al-Zaatari refugee camp in the city of Roufan Nahhas is a journalist nian products, developing the Mafraq. (Reuters) based in Jordan. 20 December 24, 2017 Society Tales in two cities Storytelling takes on a new look in Beirut

Samar Kadi

Beirut

t is not about telling the epics of ancient heroes or old tales and fables anymore but the sharing of personal experi- ences and life-changing sto- Iries. The tradition of the hakawati — “storyteller” — once the most popular form of entertainment in Arab countries, is taking a contem- porary shape in Lebanon. “Times have changed. Right now people don’t want to hear about heroes and myths but want to hear about each other. We are all heroes in our way,” said Dima Matta, an English-language university lec- turer, actor and storyteller who reintroduced the art form in 2014 in Lebanon by establishing a story- telling group, the Cliffhangers. “Storytelling has become a form of activism,” Matta said. “In one in- stance, the theme was about gen- der-based violence against wom- en. Stories revolved around abuse, harassment and sexual violence against females, a very heavy top- ic in which a lot of people shared very personal experiences.” Cliffhangers’ storytelling events are once a month at various ven- ues, tackling a particular theme each time. Topics range from se- rious stories — social and sexual oppression and gender-based vio- lence of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) com- Healing atmosphere. Audience at a storytelling event organised by Cliffhangers. (Photo courtesy of Dima Matta.) munity — to lighter subjects such as childhood recollections of fun times, old houses and dreams. is, you will not be judged, you will and fables. He was at the same icles of legendary Arab heroes or made it into the paper because of The events consist of two parts. not be insulted but you will be ac- time a performer who earned his stories from Holy Scriptures were deadlines and word-count limita- Four storytellers are featured in cepted and understood.” living by captivating an audience the most common tales. By work- tions. There are such powerful ex- the first and the second is open Matta recalled a young woman with his tales. Each village had its ing with accent, tone and pitch, amples of humanity and kindness to audience members who wish who shared her experience of be- own hakawati but the great ones the storyteller could mimic many and lessons learned which went to share their own stories. Story- ing sexually assaulted and later travelled around the country tell- characters in his stories. untold,” Abushakra added. tellers choose whatever language writing that the Cliffhangers meet- ing their tales. The re-emergence of hakawati At Hakaya events, the stories they are most comfortable in, usu- ing was the only safe place she Traditional stories such as “One is one of various story-telling ini- are as diverse as the storytellers. ally Arabic, English or sometimes a felt she could share her story. She Thousand and One Nights,” chron- tiatives gaining popularity in Leba- They include people of all ages, typically Lebanese amalgam of the thanked Matta for providing the non, following the success of the backgrounds and nationalities. two. opportunity. Moth, a US-based storytelling or- An elderly mother told the heart- Matta, who grew up listening In another instance, a young ganisation. breaking story of losing her son in to her father’s tales of Sinbad and man talked about suffering from “Unlike the (folkloric) hakawa- the fighting in Tripoli in northern then stories about the Lebanese anxiety, despite the stigma around tis who told historical and fiction Lebanon; Syrian refugee children civil war, said she considered the mental health that exists in Leba- stories, these are true stories. The talked about experiences of war. new storytelling events to be a sort non. “At that point, a young wom- persons who have experienced There are also uplifting stories, of therapy in which strangers share an spoke out and said, ‘I have anxi- the story and tell it themselves such as the one about a young man personal experiences without fear ety too. It is really good to listen to can give you better details and who overcome the odds and be- of being judged or criticised. you speak because now I know that Topics range from can bring you into the moment in came an opera singer. “There is a healing atmosphere I am not alone…,’” Matta said. “So serious stories to a different way than (for instance) “Storytelling has made a come- about these events because it takes there is a sort of comforting feeling lighter subjects journalists who tell it on their be- back worldwide,” said Matta. a lot of courage to share personal about listening to another person’s such as childhood half,” said Rima Abushakra, a for- “However, in Lebanon, it took a stories,” Matta said. “I feel it is my experience and then relating to it.” recollections of mer journalist who founded Ha- while to revive it because nobody duty to offer safe space for people Hakawati musings used to be the kaya, another storytelling group, really thought about it but once and this is something I have estab- most popular form of entertain- fun times, old in 2016 with three friends. you offer something to people they lished from day one. When you ment in the Middle East. A haka- houses and “As a journalist, I felt like the did not know they missed, they re- enter the space, no matter where it wati was a teller of tales, legends dreams. best stories I came across never alise that they miss it.” Women’s issues focus of Egypt’s storytelling group

Marwa al-A’sar Abouzeid said. Sami, a storyteller and regular par- thoughts in an artistic manner and “Also my strong belief in the “In our workshops, we deal with ticipant in the workshops who en- that people could listen to what I group’s cause and principles made particular themes. They could be rolled in the group four years ago. have to say and react to it,” she said. me join their workshops. The dis- Cairo general topics or ones deriving “However, once they find out that Ana al-Hekaya has attracted men cussions and the brainstorming at from the works of renowned writ- the stories are told from a feminist as well as women, an unusual oc- every workshop benefited me a lot n male-dominated societies ers such as [Nobel Prize Laureate] viewpoint, they get the message currence in a mainly Muslim Arab and opened new horizons for writ- of the Middle East, written or Naguib Mahfouz and Ihsan Ab- and react to it, especially when it country where males are domi- ing.” narrated stories usually re- del Quddous. We tackle the texts is about women’s education or em- nant. “I am a strong defender of wom- volve around a male protago- from a feminist perception and powerment.” Reda Zaki, an advocate of gender en’s rights, which are inherent in nist but Egypt’s Ana al-Hekaya write new ones inspired by them,” Sami said her experience with equality who has worked with the human rights in general… Women I(I’m the Story) attempts to change Abouzeid explained. Ana al-Hekaya was a kind of thera- group for several years, recalled represent an integral part of the that perspective. The stories are told by the py because she had felt trapped in his beginnings as a feminist story- society.” The self-funded feminist story- group’s 15 storytellers, who come her own thoughts. teller. Ana al-Hekaya’s storytelling telling group was formed in 2009 from different backgrounds and “With the group, I got to know “My experience with Ana al- events at cultural centres and thea- by four female academics and professions. They are produced at that there is a way to release those Hekaya entailed some contradic- tres across Egypt are usually fully writers who decided to a set up a the workshops and cover a variety tion being a man among all those booked, attracting large crowds of forum distinct from an Egyptian of social issues related to women, women,” he said. “At first, I felt es- both sexes. storytelling project affiliated with including female genital mutila- tranged and anxious, telling stories “Our purpose is to raise aware- the Women and Memory Forum. tion, early marriages, school drop- from a feminist perspective. Then ness about women’s rights and is- The group involves activists deal- outs of girls and discrimination the audiences’ positive feedback sues,” Abouzeid said. “Feminism ing with the negative representa- against women in the workplace. made these feelings fade away. is not at all about tough women tion and perception of Arab wom- Subjects are highlighted in the “After all, the problems over merely fighting against male domi- en in the cultural sphere. stories in a creative and sometimes which the stories are shedding nance but about gaining lawful “At first, we were interested in funny manner. Storytelling events the light are real. I wouldn’t have rights.” rewriting and narrating folk stories are accompanied by light music Ana al-Hekaya joined the group had I not believed The group recently produced a and the tales of ‘One Thousand and songs that relate to the tale’s storytelling covers in what they advocate.” book titled “Ana al-Hekaya,” which and One Nights’ from a feminist subject. women’s issues, Ahmed Hamdy, another male is a compilation of stories pro- point of view. Then we developed “Once we announce our story- including gender member, first participated in Ana duced by participants in the writ- our own vision to narrate con- telling events many people express al-Hekaya’s storytelling events as a ing workshops. temporary stories written in the interest. They may not be inter- discrimination, female listener before joining the writing monthly workshops that we hold,” ested in feminist issues but they genital mutilation and workshops almost two years ago. Marwa al-A’sar is a Cairo-based Ana al-Hekaya co-founder Amani just want to hear tales,” said Aya early marriages. “I mainly like writing,” he said. journalist. December 24, 2017 21 Debate Social media Army of bots power anti-Muslim activists

hen is a viru- amplify their hate-filled messages. Muslim Twitter accounts in Britain the message is real or from a bot. lent, hateful, When those messages are retweet- and the United States, there was It is not perfect, and the devel- anti-Muslim ed by powerful people, such as US a 117% growth in followers from opers constantly work to improve Tom Regan activist not President Donald Trump as hap- March through November. It also it but, in a sense, it follows the is a regular contributor to The a virulent, pened recently, it increases their reported that its researchers had familiar story of hackers always Arab Weekly and a columnist at hateful, anti- ability to influence public opinion. found about 102 bots that were one step ahead of those trying to factsandopinion.com. Muslim activ- Geller and Fransen count on automatically retweeting Geller. track them down. Wist? When the virulent, hateful, people’s willingness to accept Each bot is given a fake identity There are also tricks to deter- anti-Muslim activist is a bot — a whatever they see on Twitter or to make it seem like a real person mine whether a Twitter account computer programme designed to on the internet at face value. This is retweeting Geller’s message. is a bot. If suspicious, check the retweet messages from virulent, allows them to manipulate stories, The idea is to trick legitimate Twitter account’s profile page hateful, anti-Muslim activists. images or videos to paint Mus- Twitter account holders into to see when it was created and Not that there is much differ- lims as anti-Western and violent. thinking Geller, Fransen or other how often it posts tweets. If the ence as the message is the same. Again, we must point to Trump as bigots enjoy enormous support account is posting more than 100 In fact, it’s exactly the same. It’s a the most recent example. Trump among the general public when in times a day only a few days after sort of a sleight of hand designed retweeted three videos previously fact they don’t. it was created, there is reason for to trick people into believing that posted by Fransen. One proved Bots are also extensively used caution. (Some Kremlin-based ac- this virulent, hateful, anti-Muslim to be completely wrong and the by Russian provocateurs who seek counts have been known to tweet activist has many more followers other two lacked context and to drive anti-Islamic feelings in 750 times a day.) These accounts (or believers) than he or she does meaning, allowing Fransen — and the West as both a way to increase will often have very few, if any, in reality, thus encouraging real Trump — to use them as anti- tensions and undermine democ- original posts but many retweets people to accept the message. Islamic propaganda. racy. and likes. There is very little infor- In a sampling of Bots that retweet these bigoted There are also so-called news So how do you spot when a mes- mation about the account’s owner. anti-Muslim Twitter messages are not to be ignored. websites such as Bannon’s Breit- sage is coming from a real human Yet these rules only work for They have become a real source of bart, WorldNetDaily and countless as opposed to a bot? Bots tend to people who want to learn the accounts in Britain hatred and anti-Islamic rhetoric others promoting every anti- express exactly the same message truth. Sadly, Islamophobes such as and the United that Islamophobic activists are in- Islamic story they can get their with exactly the same links, at ex- Geller and Fransen aren’t inter- States, there was a creasingly using to woo the public hands on. Again, they often lack actly the same time. Programmes ested in people who want to know to support their message. context or are fake news invented such as Botometer, designed the truth. They are basically inter- 117% growth in Anti-Islamic campaigners such to stir up hatred against Muslims. by Northeastern University and ested in sheep who can be easily followers from as Americans Pamela Geller and This is not a small problem. A Indiana University in the United convinced. These days there tend Stephen Bannon or Brits Tommy recent report by the British anti- States, use an algorithm based on to be an increasing number of March through Robinson and Jayda Fransen use racist organisation HOPE not Hate more than 1,000 factors that de- sheep on Twitter and the internet November. the internet and social media to said that, in a sampling of anti- termine a score that tells whether rather than truth seekers. Social media augur a bumpy ride and the Middle East is no exception

ean Parker, Facebook’s Twitter told a British parlia- founding president, ex- mentary committee it suspended plained at a conference 2,752 accounts tweeting on the US Gareth Smyth in Philadelphia how presidential election controlled is a regular contributor to The the company set out from Russia. A US congressional Arab Weekly. He was chief to create an addiction. investigation said that from June correspondent in Iran for the Facebook’s first cal- 2015-August 2017, 126 million Financial Times in 2003-07. Sculations on how to suck in users Americans probably saw material looked at dopamine, the chemical from Facebook accounts associ- released when users click “like.” ated with Russia’s IRA. “It literally changes your rela- Even as politicians and policy tionship with society, with each advisers in Britain and the United other,” Parker said. “God only States wake up to social media’s knows what it’s doing to our chil- immense influence, Facebook’s dren’s brains.” active users worldwide increased Separately, at the Rolling Sun from 360 million in 2009 to Book Festival in Westport on the 2.1 billion today. Atlantic coast of Ireland, Aine Kerr Social media’s popularity is and Mark Little offered insights on growing especially fast in the Mid- how much and how fast the social dle East and Africa, where 58% of media giants were changing the the population is expected to be world. using the internet next year, up Kerr previously led global jour- from 41.9% in 2013. The United nalism partnerships at Facebook, Arab Emirates has 8.7 million which involved her persuading Facebook users, Saudi Arabia traditional media newsrooms to 17 million and Egypt 35 million. train journalists in using Face- Of 800 million Instagram users book. If you can’t beat them, worldwide, 63 million are in the join them. As Kerr said, 44% of Middle East. Americans get their news from That’s a lot of dopamine. Jona- Facebook. than Labin, Facebook’s Middle Little, who has been a foreign East managing director, recently correspondent for Irish national called Facebook “one of the best broadcaster RTE and vice- lead generation platforms in president of Twitter’s European the region.” In plain words, that media partnerships, said a heavy means it’s one of the best ways to smartphone user checks in 5,000 influence people’s behaviour. times a day. The dopamine hit, he As elsewhere, that can be in half-joked, can bring “misinforma- shopping or politics. The Middle tion on steroids.” East has its share of tech business If that sounds overly omi- conferences, especially those that nous, remember the plaudits for extol start-ups. It also has its share Facebook in the “Arab spring”? of political extremists. Remember how, just a few years Its leaders have offered piece- ago, social media were supposed meal responses to the great poten- to herald a new age of citizen tial — and peril — of social media. journalism? At a recent meeting of the UAE In practice, the technology has Federal National Council, Saeed empowered corporate giants. al-Remeithi of Abu Dhabi urged Billions of people cheerfully sur- Bumpy ride. A Facebook logo on display in front of an escalator in Awqaf, the Authority of Islamic Af- render personal data and infor- Dubai. (Reuters) fairs and Endowments, to counter mation. They leave trails of their extremists active on social media. Social media’s online behaviour. The results are Northwestern University in analysed and monetised, enabling political manipulators. This has The aim seems to be fostering Qatar’s fifth annual “Media Use in popularity is Facebook and Google, which owns Western countries worried, espe- divisions. One IRA Twitter ac- the Middle East” survey, pub- growing especially YouTube, to take half of world- cially about Russia. In November, count posted a picture showing a lished in September, said Arabs wide online advertising revenue. British Prime Minister Theresa Muslim woman ignoring victims were more likely than Americans fast in the Middle It’s made them rich. Facebook May accused Moscow of trying to of the March attacks on Westmin- to get news from social media. It East and Africa, recently announced quarterly prof- “weaponise information.” ster Bridge with a caption saying also said that younger Arabs were where 58% of the its of $4.7 billion, up 79% year-on- Researchers at Edinburgh she revealed sympathy for the more likely to trust social media year. Overall, tech giants Apple, University said Russia’s Internet Islamic State (ISIS). It was widely than their elders. population is Google’s parent Alphabet, Face- Research Agency (IRA) has run 419 circulated on social media and Should the Arab League emu- expected to be book, Amazon and Microsoft have Twitter accounts for British poli- published in traditional outlets, late the European Union and at $560.1 billion in cash reserves. tics. Many encouraged Brexit. although the photographer later least investigate? This is a bumpy using the internet Social media do more than just IRA is based in St Petersburg explained the woman was as terri- ride and it’s only just beginning. next year. empower salesmen. They energise and employs hundreds of trolls. fied as everyone else. Should its only fuel be dopamine? 22 December 24, 2017 Culture

Young Egyptian artist draws life, sites on metro tickets

Marwa al-A’sar osseum in Rome, which was met by a huge amount of likes on Face- book,” Ahmed said, noting that the Cairo idea of depicting tourist sites on travel tickets, though just a metro or millions of commuters pass, was extremely appealing. in Cairo, the underground Ahmed said drawing places on metro is the most practi- metro tickets gave him the feeling cal and fastest means of that it’s easy to travel and get to the transportation and its yel- illustrated sites. Flow magnetic tickets end up in the “As a future architect, I also try garbage once used. However, Tarek to incorporate buildings and high- Ahmed, a 21-year-old architecture light their architecture in my draw- student, said he was inspired by ings. However, finding the idea for the tiny ticket to create works of the drawing is much more difficult art. than the actual drawing,” he said. Not many people note the brown “It may take days for an idea to magnetic line separating the two materialise in my mind, while the parts of the yellow ticket familiar process of drawing may take a few to Egyptians. Ahmed did and last hours or even less.” February he created a drawing de- picting a man on one side of the magnetic line and a woman on the Ahmed has other side walking in opposition created about 40 directions. “The drawing represents the drawings on separation that exists between metro tickets, genders and shows that sometimes illustrating Amazing experience. our roads don’t intersect,” Ahmed separated Actor Samer Omrane (L) said. couples, children receives the Best Male “The separating line on the met- Performance Tanit for his role ro ticket was a real challenge for and Egyptian in Jamal Choukair’s “Statico.” me to paint a whole drawing on the tourist sites. (Carthage Theatre Festival) ticket but I used the line sometimes to show contrasts between two ele- ments such as day and night and Ahmed has not been met life and death.” with support from the govern- Carthage Theatre Festival brings Ahmed posted a scan of his first ment. When asked about printing drawing on Facebook and wrote: Ahmed’s drawings on Metro tick- “Just a usual ticket but I added to it ets, Ahmed Abdel-Hady, spokes- some ink and colours. Take a tour man of the Cairo Metro Company, together African and Arab artists so you may fall in love with it like I said it would be better to sell ad did. I wish everybody could see it.” space on the tickets to generate The posting attracted about money instead. the protagonist to consider suicide. government has no control over the 3,800 likes and more than 770 “A person is drawing on metro Roua Khlifi Despite the sombre premise of the theatrical companies. In the past shares in addition to access to Fa- tickets, so what?” he asked. play, Choukair said it gives an opti- editions, there was no interference cebook pages that presented his Ahmed’s ability to draw was ob- Tunis mistic message. from the state in the selection of the artwork. vious at an early age. “My parents “The purpose of the play is to plays as the latter were selected ac- Ahmed later wrote a comment noticed my talent and knack for unisia celebrated the art send a message of hope. Despite cording to the standards of commit- on his first drawing, saying: “I wish drawing and started getting me of theatre with plays from death and other hardships, there tees, which is not always evident in our ways would be the same and sketches and colours to use. My ut- Arab and African coun- are many reasons to live and it is al- the Arab world,” Hajj Ali said. one pavement would gather us.” most interest started when I joined tries at the 19th Carthage ways good to have hope in life, not Both Hajj Ali and Choukair de- “The number of likes and shares the architecture department at the Theatre Festival in De- to give up to despairing. There will fended the festival’s important role motivated me to go on with the faculty of engineering. In fact, I Tcember. always be a bright side to reach out in promoting Arab and African thea- idea of drawing on the metro tick- joined the architecture department Founded in 1983, the Carthage to and strive for. It is always pos- tre, which has limited international ets,” he said. especially because it would allow Theatre Festival showcases Arab sible to restore what has been de- exposure. It takes a true artist to see beauty me to draw,” he said. and African theatre and provides a stroyed,” Choukair said. Hajj Ali reflected on the issues and adventure in a small yellow The biggest challenge facing forum of exchange and a meeting Lebanese actress, director and and the themes that have seemed piece of paper but Ahmed, who Ahmed is funding. “The prices of point for artists. With 100 produc- activist Hanane Hajj Ali’s play also to preoccupy playwrights in recent collects used metro tickets, said he the materials I need are constantly tions, the 2017 edition dedicated explores the dark reality of the re- years and raised the question of the wanted to show his artistic talent increasing but I have been manag- sections to theatrical companies in gion. Her humorous one-woman socially engaged art. in an original way. ing with the support of my family,” Tunisia, Syria, Jordan, Mali, Iraq, show “Jogging” tells the story of a “Looking at the state of Arab thea- “At first, I had no idea what I was he said. Congo and other countries. woman who ponders her life as an tre in the past years, one can clearly going to do with the tickets. Then Ahmed has created about 40 “This edition marks the return of artist, mother and citizen of a war- see the striking difference in qual- I challenged myself by drawing on drawings on metro tickets, illus- the official competition with plays torn country during her morning ity,” she said. “I think this is one of one ticket every day for a whole trating separated couples, children from 11 countries and it will cele- jogging trips. Hajj Ali is no stranger the most pertinent questions. This month. This is how the idea of and Egyptian tourist sites such as brate the heritage of Tunisian thea- to the festival, having participated is one of the concerns of critics. For having sketches on metro tickets the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza tre with ten different experiences in the first edition as a part of “Al- art to be effective, does it require to popped up,” he said. and other famous edifices. He said in parallel sections. What is new in Hakawati,” (“The Storyteller”). be at the service of the people and Afterward, Ahmed drew famous he intends to continue drawing but this edition is the selection of the “Ever since the first time we par- their concerns? Does it require the buildings from around the world within the spectrum of his work as amateur theatre shows, which pro- ticipated, there have been amaz- message to be more important than on the tickets. Tickets fitting next an architect. vide an opportunity for amateur ing and fascinating shows,” Hajj Ali its artistic value or should the artist to each other like a puzzle depict- His drawings can be seen on his artists to acquire expertise,” festi- said. “Today, we can see that there pay more importance to the artis- ed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Disn- Facebook page: https://www.face- val Director Hatem Derbal said at a is also a lot of reflection put also tic and aesthetic value even if that eyland in California or landmark book.com/tarek.Ahmed.sh, or his news conference. on the role of critic as well and not means to distance the work from buildings in Dubai. Instagram account: https://www. “We will honour many other just the artist since they dedicated the current issues?” “I first did a drawing of the Col- instagram.com/__tarekahmed figures of theatre. The idea is to a whole conference for the role of She added: “I think there is a bal- dedicate a section of the festival to theatre critics. I hope that this edi- ance to strike but this will continue commemorate the memory of the tion brings more effort and addi- to be an issue as neither is the right theatre figures who contributed to tion.” alternative. If we feel the urge to the evolution of the theatre world She praised the festival for re- tackle the issues and concerns, then and who will continue to influence maining faithful to its principles of one also should maintain the aes- modern theatre.” artistic freedom as it continued to thetic level. The nature of the issue The 2017 edition marked the welcome shows from all countries itself does not matter as much as comeback of Arabic theatre, nota- without censoring the themes. the way to deal with it.” bly Syrian theatre, which stole the “One of the most important char- Choukair emphasised the fes- show with Jamal Choukair’s play acteristics of the festival is that the tival’s importance in providing a “Statico,” winning awards for best space for hope and artistic creation, script, best female performance and while serving as a counternarrative best male performance. to extremist ideology and terrorism. “This is the first time I’ve partici- “The Carthage festival will re- pated in the festival and this is my With 100 main a sponsor to all the artists of first experience directing a play,” the Arab and African world. This Choukair said. “It was important productions, the festival plays a role in fighting ter- for us to be selected for the compe- 2017 edition rorism, building the civilisation and tition and it was a great honour to dedicated sections to promoting cultural exchange and, receive three awards. Being part of theatrical companies most importantly, knowing the oth- this edition has been an amazing in Tunisia, Syria, ers,” Choukair said. experience.” “Statico” explores political unrest Jordan, Mali, Iraq, Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel in the region and brings up existen- Congo and other and Culture contributor to Original talent. A drawing by Tarek Ahmed on a metro ticket. tial questions, which seem to lead countries. The Arab Weekly. (Tarek Ahmed) December 24, 2017 23 Culture Book Reviews A priest’s personal account of captivity in Baghdad

he Middle East is the mass of injustice and brutal- choice “on how the circumstances continues to face ity, that for the survival of our of birth can deal out impediments affliction and sanity, we must corrode, at least and advantages like playing cards conflict, whether in part, our capacity for empathy,” to people who had no hand in cultural, political he wrote. “For if we were to truly choosing their seats at the card Maria Asaad or, more predomi- mourn for every death, for every table.” is an Egyptian-British writer in nately, religious massacre, from Iraq to Nicaragua The most prevalent theme, London. Tdivides. Roman Catholic Bishop and from Papua New Guinea to however, is the unstirred faith of Saad Sirop Hanna offers an Nigeria, we would grow mad in this devoted priest. In the face of account of his experience as an grief. And yet I cannot but feel unjust and inhumane torture and Iraqi priest abducted and there is a madness in not griev- beatings, through being screamed tortured for his beliefs. ing.” at to abandon his faith to adopt “Abducted in Iraq: A Priest in Amid the his captors’ way of life, this priest Baghdad” is Hanna’s account of unmerciful stood firm with his God and the traumas experienced in the actions of his endured it all with reverence and face of evil and the strength found capturers, thanksgiving. “If this is it, Lord, through faith. Hanna said he then I am ready,” — words of trust This memoir reflects a jour- recalled the and surrender to a higher power ney of endurance and a fight for kindness and in unutterable circumstances. survival. Hanna has a doctorate companionship Through the 28 days in captivity in philosophy, a degree in aero- he experienced and the tight grip of hope expe- nautical engineering, speaks four from one of rienced in every sentence — the languages and has published them. hour-long drives to unknown des- many articles. “Abducted in Iraq,” Abu Hamid tinations to a near escape through a unique and exquisitely written is introduced in treacherous waters, only to be account, however, is among his Chapter 5. He is a caught again — nothing stands greatest works and captures the young man primar- out like the moment Hanna is set attention of the reader from start ily in charge of free. Minutes before that, one of to end. cleaning the guns. his captors asked: “You don’t hate As a young parish priest in Iraq The special rela- us, do you?” after studies in Rome, Hanna was tionship between The unanticipated question was abducted after celebrating mass prisoner and guard answered with: “No, I don’t hate on August 15, 2006, by a militant is not only heart- any person. My faith asks me to group associated with al-Qaeda. warming, as Hanna love all people. Even those who He was held in captivity for 28 said he remembers harm me.” days before his release. the loosening of the The main message from such Hanna’s book touches on cuffs or the extra a wonderfully honest memoir is Hanna’s book many issues society must drinking water pro- the strength found in hope and confront as the result of the vided, it is a reminder faith. When faced with a helpless touches on many evil and unjust actions of a few of how one’s life can predicament and found power- issues society must Islamic radicals, leaving most be predestined with no less with no choice but to turn to confront as the of the world in turmoil. He a higher force, that power will see expresses sadness at the blasé you through. result of the evil Resilience through attitude people feel forced to faith. Cover of Saad “Abducted in Iraq: A Priest in and unjust actions take for the harshness of real- Sirop Hanna’s Baghdad” is a testimony to no of a few Islamic ity not to destroy their soul. “Abducted in Iraq: matter how bleak a situation may “So much wrong fills the A Priest in Baghdad.” be, clinging to love may be the radicals. world we today inhabit, so great only way to hope. Exploring the ‘radical origins’ of Islamic extremism

adical Origins” “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”) is are the catalysts in the spread of by Azeem chanted in the name of death and violent jihad. “ Ibrahim aims to war rather than in the name of What is commonly not under- address why so- peace and enlightenment. stood by the wider world is that ciety is losing the “Radical Origins” explains the “Islam not only offers its own Suddaf Chaudry battle against Is- main challenge the world faces just war tradition. It has much to is a journalist who focuses on the lamic extremism. regarding violent extremism in say about how war and conflict Middle East and South Asia. A loadedR question because there the form of the Islamic State (ISIS), are handled,” Ibrahim writes. He are as many theories about the al-Qaeda and other such terror firmly points out that the conflicts origins of terrorism as there are to groups. Ibrahim’s interpretation involving ISIS or al-Qaeda are expound them. Ibrahim, a research of the challenge faced is found in aligned with Mardin Fatwa, a tool professor at the Strategic Studies the rise of Salafism, which he says, to justify immoral actions. Conse- Institute, US Army War College and threatens the world. quently, he said their actions are a senior fellow at the Centre for He alerts the reader to the outside the mainstream of Islamic Global Policy, states on the book’s potential demise of the religion by jurisprudence. cover that he can educate his read- addressing the threat of pamphlet What are the solutions in the ers on how to turn the tide. Islamism that rejects the intellec- fight against radical Islam? Readers He says the fundamental flaw in tual underpinning of the religion are presented with a factual his- the Western approach to Islamic and discounts liberal Islamic juris- tory of where it all went wrong in extremism is linked to the lack prudence. Radicalising would-be the Islamic world. Unfortunately, of understanding of religious jihadists through online teaching the solutions offered by Ibrahim doctrine. “Most people’s under- methods and funding of clerics are not as well drawn out, which is standing of the history of Islam is have increased the notoriety of the not a surprise given the complexity basically non-existent,” he said. Salafist move- of the subject. Therefore, he provides the ment. Ibrahim divides his solutions on reader with a detailed historical The violent what the counternarrative should account of Islam. Ibrahim draws rejection of the be from what policymakers can do, on the golden age of Islam from Salafist status focusing on education, the role of the pluralistic approach adopted quo needs to be the media, preachers and the influ- by Prophet Muhammad to connect central in the ence of Saudi Arabia. how much Islam has in common counternarra- All are important but the most with Western ideals. Ibrahim tive across the viable solutions stem in Ibrahim’s reinforces the point by telling the globe. Otherwise, focus on education, media and readers the country he thinks best Ibrahim suggests, policy. The number of geopolitical aligns societies in terms of laws, the anti-modernist disputes needs to be reduced be- politics and business to the Quran. tenets of Salafism cause they are considered perfect The answer is not a Muslim nation are responsible for breeding grounds for jihadists, he but Ireland. what is happening argues. Ibrahim’s connecting issues in the Middle East. Regarding education, Ibrahim throughout the book gives audi- Ibrahim’s reflec- states the curriculum on inter- ences not proficient in Islam an tion on the current national history must expand to understanding of the similarities Islamic world is an include the Middle East and Islam. that unite rather than clash. He image of infighting, This solution may work as facts explains how Islam was a leader where theological are needed to reduce division for in science and innovation during compromises have future generations. He says news the Abbasid era (750-1258). The been made leading presenters in the United States Abbasids once dominated global to “watering down must stop projecting the “us culture, characterised as the of the holy text.” He versus them,” “Muslims versus most advanced civilisation in adds those “who have the West” slant. Not an easy task the world. exported Wahhabism with the Trump administration in Readers are That is a stark contrast to throughout the world in power. presented with a the Islamic world at present, the package of Salafism Ibrahim concludes by saying: which the author defines as a manageable guise” “Let the only thing we are intoler- factual history of dangerously regressive, veer- ant about be intolerance itself.” where it all went ing towards the pre-Islamic Must-read. Cover of However, what he has presented in wrong in the Dark Age in Arabia. Ibra- Azeem Ibrahim’s this thoroughly detailed epilogue him makes one significant “Radical Origins.” is that the radical virus remains Islamic world. consternation to explain the shift: unless real reforms are adopted. 24 December 24, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Beirut: Through December 28

Events associated with Sursock Museum Late Nights occur noon-9pm each Thursday at the Sursock Museum. The events include exhibitions, collection displays, late-night talks, performances and screenings.

Dubai: Through December 30

“Amazing Dubai” is a musical that tells the story of Dubai as it grew from a small community of Bedouins and pearl divers to Emirati men take part in a traditional a modern metropolis. Perfor- cane dance at the start of Al Dhafra mances will be at the Jumeirah Festival in Abu Dhabi. Madinat Theatre. (The Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee) Egypt: Through December 31

The Sphinx Festival explores and promotes the cultural arts UAE’s Al Dhafra Festival offers a of Egypt. It includes music, dance and poetry perfor- mances, ethnic costumes, workshops and Egyptian dance classes. The festival takes place unique insight into Bedouin life at various venues, including the ancient Abusir Sun Temple, Cairo and the Egyptian oasis. The Arab Weekly staff features falconry competitions, saluki dog racing, poetry chanting Dubai: and Emirati cooking and dates com- Through April 7 Abu Dhabi petitions. Classic cars and art work- shops inspired by life in the Empty Global Village is a large sea- ith its camel beauty Quarters, handicrafts competitions sonal cultural event that offers pageants, falconry and a traditional market are also on festivals, shopping and enter- competitions, Ara- show. tainment in an open-air theme bian horse races and Since it was first put on in 2008, park. This entertainment and traditional shows, Al Dhafra Festival has had the pur- shopping destination involves WAbu Dhabi’s annual Al Dhafra Fes- pose to preserve, encourage and more than 70 countries with tival is a celebration of United Arab promote Emirati heritage while giv- presentations in more than 36 Emirates’ cultural heritage, offering ing an economic boost to the region. pavilions. Participants can en- visitors a matchless experience of “This is the biggest event in Al joy more than 50 rides and 26 Bedouin life and traditions com- Dhafra region. It celebrates and restaurants offering food from mon to Arab Gulf countries. honours the traditional way of life around the world. Organised by the Cultural Pro- people still cherish in this area,” Ab- grammes and Heritage Festivals dullah Butti al-Qubaisi, director of Doha: Committee, the 2-week festival events and communications of the December 25-April 25 takes place near Madinat Zayed Cultural Programmes and Heritage in Al Dhafra region bordering the Festivals Committee — Abu Dhabi, Souq Waqif Spring Festival Empty Quarter desert. said in a statement. An Emirati man holds a falcon at Al Dhafra Festival in Abu Dhabi. brings together street perform- “Our culture, heritage and tra- (The Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee) ers, puppet and musical shows, ditions are still very much part of along with African circus daily life in Al Dhafra and this fes- performers, magicians and a More than tival gives people an opportunity to handicrafts, for example. They also local desert tradition presentations, range of slightly surreal one-off express, in many different ways and learned how to better care for their a shooting competition and a shal- events, including a human can- through many different traditions, date palm trees or their animals. lah competition. A Nabati form of nonball and bungee jumping. 90,000 their love for their country and their The festival also showed people poetry, shallah is often improvised visitors from the UAE, roots.” new, creative ways of presenting verse, dedicated to beautiful camels Muscat: other Gulf countries The festival attracts participants their heritage, ways that also ensure by their owners or even strangers January 18-February 10 who happen to see them and can’t and elsewhere are and visitors from across the UAE, their legacy is passed on to their Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman to children,” he added. help expressing their admiration. The annual Muscat Festival expected at the celebrate centuries-old desert tradi- The festival has a major effect on Shallah has always been part of Al takes place in Amerat Park festival’s 11th edition. tions passed down through genera- local businesses, Qubaisi said, add- Dhafra Festival, usually involving and Naseem Gardens. The tions. It has given a great boost to ing that “weeks before the festival, men praising the beauty of the win- programme includes poetry the local economy and motivated all hotels in the region are fully ning camels, but was turned into a sessions, lectures, forums, Some 20,000 camels com- product creativity. booked, restaurants and cafes are poetry competition for this year’s concerts, storytelling evenings, pete in 82 contests, including the “For the past decade, Al Dhafra very busy and service and goods’ edition. plays, art exhibitions and other mazaynah (beauty) pageant and the Festival has opened different trade providers flourish.” Other festival favourites are the shows. famous Bayraq competition. Prizes channels, generated incomes and This year’s festival features more Ghanam Al Naim Mazayna (sheep totalling 1 million dinars ($272,000) raised awareness on marketing than 20 competitions, activities and beauty competition), the Purebred Dubai: was at stake for the best-looking tools for the people in the region,” shows. In total, 1,400 competition Arabian Horse Race, the Falcon January 22-February 3 group of 50 camels in golden Asayel Qubaisi noted. winners will walk away with more Mazayna and the Falcon Hunting and black Mujahim camel catego- “Through competitions run at than $10 million in prizes. Competition, the Arabian Saluki “Evita” tells the story of Evita ries. international standards, partici- A new feature of the festival is the Traditional Race and the Arabian Peron, Argentina’s first lady, The festival’s 11th edition also pants learned how to package their daily Bedouin show, with authentic Saluki Beauty Contest, as well as the who dedicated her life to char- Best Dates Competition. ity work and helping the coun- The festival attracted more than try. The musical will feature at 90,000 visitors last year, a number Dubai Opera under the direc- organisers expected to surpass this tion of Bill Kenwright. year. Many visitors prefer to pitch a tent Beirut: on the festival’s desert grounds, February 13-March 21 though a special visitors’ hospitality camp is at their disposal. Organisers Al Bustan International Festival encourage visitors to use the facility of Music and the Performing for safety reasons. Arts is a musical celebration in “Pitching a small tent out there is Beirut. With an emphasis on dangerous,” Qubaisi said. “The de- chamber music, the festival sert is not lit at night and cars driv- promotes and celebrates music ing across it could easily hit small from all over the world and tents. At the committee’s camp, we includes orchestral concerts, have tents available for visitors to choral music, puppets, opera use, where they will be safe.” and dance. Several food outlets set up at the festival and the area’s permanent souk has a small supermarket. Other We welcome submissions of eating options are two cafes at Tilal calendar items related to Liwa Hotel, next to the festival’s cultural events of interest to grounds and cafes and restaurants travellers in the Middle East in Madinat Zayed, about 10km away. and North Africa. Please send tips to: Al Dhafra Festival runs through [email protected] Golden Asayel camels at Al Dhafra Festival in Abu Dhabi. (The Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee) December 28.