Interview Iraq’s multiple Ashraf Mansour: Liberating religion from challenges religious institutions erupting Page 14 Page 9

July 15, 2018 Issue 165, Year 4

UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com EU €2.50 US Congress debates the Muslim Brotherhood’s ‘global threat’

Thomas Frank

Washington

he Muslim Brotherhood has come again under attack from conservative US law- T makers who want the entire group designated by the US govern- ment as a terrorist organisation. At a July 11 hearing titled “The Muslim Brotherhood’s Global Threat,” US Republican congress- man Ron DeSantis cited the Muslim Brotherhood’s “jihadist ideology” when he suggested the US State De- partment should label the entire or- ganisation a foreign terrorist group and subject it to sanctions. “The Muslim Brotherhood has been militant from its very begin- ning,” DeSantis said, recalling the organisation’s founding in Egypt in 1928, expansion into 70 coun- tries and its leaders’ calls for jihad, support of sharia and suspected in- Iran factor. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the Kremlin volvement in terrorism. “It is clear in Moscow, on July 11. (AFP) that the Brotherhood constitutes a real threat to the US and its national security interests.” DeSantis is among 76 Republican House members sponsoring “The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Des- Israel, US offer Russia a ignation Act,” which urges the US State Department to expand its list of foreign terrorist organisations to include the entire brotherhood. An ‘grand bargain’ on Syria identical bill in the Senate has four Republican sponsors. The State Department designates only some Muslim Brotherhood af- filiates, such as Hamas, as terrorist including Iranian withdrawal groups. With both the House and Senate bills stalled since they were introduced in early 2017, DeSan- necting a planned withdrawal of the the reports say. tis convened experts who warned ► “Our opinion is that Iran approximately 2,000 US personnel The issue of a “grand bargain” about the Brotherhood. from Syria with a removal of Iranian on Syria could be raised during “No group embodies the threat of should leave Syria. This is forces from the country. Quoting un- the meeting of US President Don- radical Islam more than the Muslim named diplomatic sources, CNN re- ald Trump and Russian President Brotherhood,” said M. Zuhdi Jasser, not something new to you,” ported that getting Iran to leave Syria Vladimir Putin in Finland. president of the American Islamic was a “key part” of the president’s The New Yorker reported that Is- Forum for Democracy. “Making the Netanyahu is said to have told plan to pull US forces out of Syria. rael, Saudi Arabia and the United Muslim Brotherhood radioactive US troops are deployed in northern Arab Emirates had repeatedly asked would allow the light to shine upon Putin on July 11. and eastern Syria, where they sup- Washington to consider the idea of their most potent antagonists in port Kurdish-led forces in the fight ending the Ukraine sanctions in re- Muslim communities.” Thomas Seibert freedom of action against anyone against the Islamic State. Their with- turn for Russian help to push Iran who acts against us, and the removal drawal would strengthen Russia’s out of Syria. of the Iranians from Syrian territory,” role in the country. Dan Shapiro, a former US ambas- US Congressman Istanbul Netanyahu said a day after meeting Putin met with Ali Akbar Velayati, sador to Israel, told the Los Angeles Ron DeSantis with Putin. a top adviser to Iranian Supreme Times such an understanding would srael and the United States are A senior Israeli official told Reu- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a be “strategic madness” because it offering political and military ters that Israel would not try to bring day after Netanyahu met with Putin. would give Russia a “free hand” in “It is clear that the concessions to Moscow if the down the Assad government but ex- “I told the Russian officials: Now the Europe “but we can’t deny the possi- Brotherhood constitutes a real I Russians can pressure Iran to pected Russia to act on the Iranian Americans are telling you that the bility that Trump is entertaining this threat to the US and its national withdraw from Syria but there are role in Syria. “They (Russia) have Iranians must leave Syria and tomor- as a real plan.” security interests.” doubts that Russia can deliver. an active interest in seeing a stable row they will ask you what you are While discussions about the Reports indicated that Israeli Assad regime and we in getting the doing in Syria,” Velayati said on July “grand bargain” continue, observ- The effort to label the Brother- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Iranians out. These can clash or it 13. “They are trying to split our alli- ers said they doubt whether Russia hood a terrorist group drew oppo- discussed a possible deal during his can align,” the official was quoted as ance.” would have enough instruments at sition from a Democratic leader at July 11 meeting with Russian Presi- saying. But Velayati left the door open its disposal to push Iran out of Syria. the hearing and a counterterror- dent Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Pro-government forces in Syria for Iranian withdrawal from Syria. “The big question is: Can Russia ism adviser to former US President “Our opinion is that Iran should have been attacking rebel positions “Iran and Russia’s presence in Syria deliver?” said Alex Vatanka, an Iran Barack Obama. Daniel Benjamin leave Syria. This is not something close to the Golan Heights. In a sign will continue to protect the coun- analyst at the Middle East Institute in said Brotherhood affiliates are le- new to you,” Netanyahu told Putin, of the volatility of the situation along try against terrorist groups and Washington. Iran was aware that its gitimate political organisations in reports said. In return for Russian ac- the border, Israel attacked Syrian America’s aggression … We will im- alliance with Moscow to support As- countries such as Jordan, Tunisia tion to push Iran out of Syria, Israel is Army positions on July 12 after a Syr- mediately leave if Iraqi and Syrian sad was a “marriage of convenience” and Morocco. ready to work with Syrian President ian drone entered Israeli airspace. governments want it, not because and that Russia could strike a deal at In clear departure from the atti- Bashar Assad, the reports said. Israel is not the only player send- of Israel and America’s pressure,” he Tehran’s expense if it suited its own tude of the Obama administration, Many Western countries have ing signals to Moscow. US national said. strategic objectives, he said. figures in the Trump White House, called for Assad to be removed from security adviser John Bolton indi- There has been speculation that Vatanka said it was unclear what supported by conservatives in Con- power because of atrocities commit- cated during an interview with CBS Syrian troops could replace Iranian Moscow could do to remove Iranian gress, have been very critical of the ted during the 7-year-old civil war in News on July 1 that Washington no forces and their proxy Hezbollah forces from Syria. Even with a deal in Muslim Brotherhood. The resump- Syria. longer sees Assad’s removal as a pri- near the Golan Heights. Media re- place, an Iranian withdrawal would tion of the congressional debate “We never had a problem with the ority. “I don’t think Assad is the stra- ports in Israel and the United States only come over time, Vatanka said, about banning the movement is Assad regime. For 40 years (after the tegic issue. I think Iran is the strate- suggested the bargain to convince adding: “It will not happen anytime expected to have ripple effects in 1973 Middle East war), not one bul- gic issue,” Bolton said. “There are Russia to lean on Iran could be even soon.” North Africa and the Middle East. let was fired on the Golan Heights,” possibilities for doing a larger negoti- more comprehensive. The agree- which are claimed by Israel, a re- ation on helping to get Iranian forces ment could include a US commit- Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly porter for Israel’s Haaretz newspaper out of Syria and back into Iran, which ment to ease sanctions on Moscow in correspondent. correspondent in Washington. quoted Netanyahu as saying. “The would be a significant step forward.” response to the Russian annexation heart of the matter is retaining our CNN reported that Trump was con- of the Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, P2-3, 6-7 P4-5, 14 2 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis Syria Iran’s forces inch deeper into south-western Syria

Mona Alami

Beirut

oscow and Damascus ap- pear to be aiming for a swift conclusion in the M battle for southern Syr- ia, spearheaded by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad. To ensure victory, Russia has a divide- and-conquer strategy regarding the rebels and is ignoring the return of pro-Iran militia, reinforcements necessary to bolster the thinned capabilities of the Syrian Army. Pro-regime forces, backed by Russian air support, pushed fur- ther into southern Syria. Pro-Syr- ian Army forces gained control of Al-Mseifra and Saida in southern Syria. In the central city of Daraa, the cradle of Syria’s revolution, re- bel forces handed their armament to the Syrian Army in a reconcilia- tion deal. In addition, pro-regime website Al-Masdar news reported that in recent days more than 27 settle- ments in Quneitra, Sweida and Daraa governorates had reconciled with the regime. Before the southern offensive, Russia engaged with opposition forces to discuss “reconciliation” efforts. Early in June, Syria expert Sinan Hatahet from Turkish think- tank Omran Dirasat said seven local councils had shown a willingness to enter a reconciliation process For all to see. A Syrian boy holds the Iranian flag as a truck carrying aid provided by Iran arrives in the eastern city of Deir Ez-Zor, last with the regime. September. (AFP) Though the negotiations with Russian advisers appear to be struggling, the waves of reconcili- sia ignored the creeping entry of Syrian Army and are deployed all A video circulated by Iranian par- or that Moscow is facing difficulty ation deals left the opposition di- pro-Iranian forces into regime over Syria, with a focus on north amilitaries on social media showed in reining in Iranian proxies. vided. Some opposition military ranks, despite a deal allegedly and west of Aleppo, Idlib, Hasakah, Maher Ajeeb Jazza, the commander Russia’s dual strategy will be suc- leaders seem inclined to cut their reached with Israel designed to Deir ez-Zor and more recently of the Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigade, a cessful in the short term. The op- losses, in the absence of regional keep Iran away from southern Syr- Daraa,” a source within the brigade movement logistically tied to Iran, position, beleaguered by internal and international support, and en- ia. In the last few weeks, several said on condition of anonymity as touring villages in Daraa province. divisions and surrender, cannot gage with the regime Al-Masdar pro-Iran militias have been spotted part of research for UAE think-tank In addition, the Zulfiqar Brigade resist the massive onslaught. Pro- news reported. in the area. Trends Research. militia said on its Facebook page Iran militias are playing a key role A US statement in June advised That includes the Shia loyalist that it was deployed alongside the in the offensive but might prove dif- Syrian rebel factions not to expect militia Liwa al-Baqir. Its Facebook Syrian Army in Tafs and Da’el in ficult to rein in if they remain in a military support against the Rus- page stated that the militia is de- Though the negotiations southern Syria. region recognised a potentially le- sia-backed offensive in southern ployed in the Lajat area south-east with Russian advisers That Russia has allowed the en- thal flashpoint. Syria. Jordan, the southern rebels’ of Damascus. Members there re- try of pro-Iran militias in the fray, closest ally, has closed its borders ceived training from Iran’s Islamic appear to be struggling, despite concerns of Moscow’s Is- Mona Alami is a French-Lebanese and refrained from intervening, ex- Revolutionary Guard Corps, the the waves of raeli ally, indicates that the Syrian analyst and a fellow at the Rafik cept diplomatically. website claimed. reconciliation deals left Army is either too weak to conduct Hariri Centre for the Middle East at As the advance continued, Rus- “We are an auxiliary force to the the opposition divided. a large-scale operation on its own the Atlantic Council. Viewpoint Daraa could mark the Syrian regime’s ability to act with impunity

hat is happening millions of displaced Syrians — ci- to Syria gives vilians transported to the province little reason by regime forces as part of cease- James Snell for optimism. fire deals — defending Idlib, with What positivity them in it, is politically expedient there is must be and morally right. Wextracted from adverse events and The situation in Daraa is de- present events are adverse. plorable and allowing the regime The regime of Syrian President to conquer that city will prove Bashar Assad and its allies are disastrous. This has been the result engaged in an offensive on the re- of standing by while the regime maining rebel pockets in southern and its allies pursue a strategy of Syria. The offensive has taken on domination across Syria. Those a brutal character and, while the effects are barbaric and will be felt battle is not over, its likely result is for decades. known. Daraa’s fall, however, may serve Daraa, absent international ac- as an end to this campaign of tion to restrict the regime’s war domination. effort, appears to have fallen. This Smoke signals. Smoke rises above rebel-held areas of Daraa Any restraint imposed on the will occasion a new humanitarian during reported air strikes by Syrian regime forces, on July 8. (AFP) regime’s ability to be aggressive is crisis and the surrender of Daraa, to be welcomed. If these red lines where the Syrian revolution began, drawn around northern Syria are will be its own tragedy. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), artillery, killing hundreds of fight- enforced — and sadly, the interna- One grain of optimism is that the the favoured proxy of the United ers aligned with the regime. Any tional record on this front is hardly conclusion of the Daraa offensive States and the coalition fighting new attacks across the river by consistent — at least part of the may mark the end of something. It the Islamic State (ISIS). the regime coalition would be met country will be spared that aggres- could be the moment the regime’s The SDF is more a brand than with the same firmness. sion. ability to act with aggression and a unified political project but the North-western Syria also enjoys If this proves correct and the impunity expires. United States and the coalition protection as part of a foreign regime’s war machine halts its Those areas of Syria outside the have helped it capture large sec- sphere of influence. In this case, advance on civilians protected by regime’s control are so well pro- tions of Syria, including Raqqa, the protecting power is Turkey. foreign powers, there are reasons tected as to be unworthy of attack- ISIS’s self-proclaimed capital. Ankara has said openly that the to be thankful. However, that ing. They are not just defended by Coalition countries have been integrity of Idlib is a red line. Turk- happy eventuality would prompt The situation in their inhabitants. They are guarded willing to defend SDF areas from ish forces are in operation in Idlib its own unhappy questions. Daraa is deplorable by greater, external powers. Any Assad, both rhetorically and and in two neighbouring regions, How many more could have regime attack would not only be re- with force. When a large pro- which were captured by Free Syr- been saved from regime violence and allowing the pulsed; it would be punished, with regime host attempted to cross ian Army factions with Turkish had other countries more seriously regime to conquer consequences greater than Assad the Euphrates and attack an SDF support. asserted their ability and willing- would rationally accept. headquarters and US special forces This is motivated by Turkey’s ness to protect Syrian lives? that city will prove That applies to north-western personnel in February, the United pursuit of its own interests. How- disastrous. Syria, which is the domain of the States retaliated with aircraft and ever, given that Idlib is home to James Snell is a British journalist. July 15, 2018 3 News & Analysis Syria Israel’s looming war with Iran in southern Syria

Ed Blanche military influence. With a military leader such as Soleimani, the eminence grise be- Beirut hind Iran’s expansionist campaign, as president of Iran, the hardliners t first glance, Iran’s threat would control the centres of power to close the Strait of Hor- and the prospect of war with arch- muz, the strategic gateway enemy Israel would most probably A to the Arabian Gulf, in re- be greatly enhanced. taliation for US President Donald The Iranians pretty much control Trump’s expanding confrontation the ground war in Syria, while Rus- with the Islamic Republic, does not sia’s military power is limited to the seem to have a direct bearing on air, where the major threat to Irani- Israel’s highly combustible face- an and allied forces is the Israeli Air off with the Islamic Revolutionary Force, which has been hammering Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Shia al- Iran’s Syria-backed arms supplies lies in Syria. for Hezbollah in Lebanon, particu- However, it would be a serious larly advanced missile systems that mistake to separate the two, for are considered “game changers.” they are the catalysts for a conflict The Israelis carried out more than that has been decades in the mak- 100 air strikes against arms convoys ing — ever since the CIA and Brit- and Syrian depots even before they ain’s Secret Intelligence Service escalated their air campaign in Feb- engineered a Tehran coup that top- ruary. pled popular, freely elected Prime The first known raid was carried Minister Mohammad Mossadeq in out as early as January 30, 2013, 1953 and restored the young shah, when Israeli jets blasted a truck Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to power, convoy reportedly carrying sophis- who then gave the West free rein ticated anti-aircraft missiles that the with Iran’s oil wealth. Israelis claimed would have allowed With Iran currently convulsed by Hezbollah to challenge Israel’s long- Waiting game. Israeli soldiers look at the Syrian side of the border on the Israeli-occupied Golan street protests over an economic held air supremacy. Heights, on July 7. (Reuters) crisis that is going to get worse as The shadowy conflict between Trump tightens the US grip on sanc- Israel and IRGC proxies, primarily Golan Heights, captured in the 1967 the Golan. these interests above any others.” tions, it would make sense for Iran Lebanon’s Hezbollah, moved closer war. The Israelis have strengthened Assad has vowed to recapture to avoid a war with Israel. to open conflict after al-Quds Force Assad launched a major offensive their forces, particularly artillery, ar- “every inch” of Syria taken by rebel Conversely, Iran’s economic woes sent an explosives-packed aerial against rebel forces in the south- mour and air-defence missile units, forces since the war began and his are likely to encourage the Jewish drone into Israeli airspace in Febru- west on June 19 with Russian air along the 1973 war ceasefire line focus now is on the strategic south- state to hang tough and keep prod- ary. support, violating a ceasefire nego- across the Golan that is now their west, where the civil war intersects ding Iranian forces and their Shia al- An Israeli AH-64 Apache gun- tiated by the Russians themselves northern border in a war that could with the confrontation between Is- lies in Syria as they seek to establish ship shot it down and the Jewish with the United States and Jordan in draw Saudi Arabia, Iran’s long-time rael and Iran. military bases on the disputed Go- state’s military chiefs began limited July 2017. Gulf rival and Israel’s new-found There have been reports that Hez- lan Heights, the current flashpoint air strikes against targets identified Assad’s forces have overwhelmed ally against an Islamic Republic bollah and other Shia militias were in the Iran-Israel stand-off. as military bases the IRGC and its several rebel-held towns, driving seeking to become a regional super- deploying there in large numbers, Firas Elias, an analyst at the Anka- proxy Shia militias were establish- some 270,000 civilians towards Is- power. either openly or embedded with ra Centre for Crisis and Policy Stud- ing in south-western Syria, often in rael and Jordan for refuge. Israel has warned that it would Syrian regime forces. ies, observed that “the international Syrian Army facilities. For Assad, retaking Daraa prov- not tolerate Iranian forces or their Haidar al-Jubouri, leader of the and regional situation today has After an Israeli F-16 was shot ince would be a major and highly allies on its northern border. Russia, Iraqi Liwa Zulfiqar, is reported to become more conducive to a war down by Syria in February, the Is- symbolic victory as it was the cradle a key Assad ally that wants to keep have been seen in a Syria command against Iran’s legions in the Levant. raeli Air Force mounted its biggest of the uprising against his regime in him in power as a surrogate and has post attached to the Syrian Army’s “Relevant factors include US-Brit- operation since the 1973 Middle East March 2011 that ignited the civil war little liking for its Iranian partners in crack 4th Division in Daraa, which ish-French alignment on contain- war and knocked out a dozen “Ira- and the tangle of lesser conflicts that Syria, has failed to prevent an Ira- borders Israel and Jordan. ing Iran’s regional adventurism, the nian” bases, including a warehouse have killed an estimated 400,000 nian thrust southward. These forces, including Hezbol- growing Israeli appetite for a war in containing some 200 missiles of people and left most of the country “Though Russia seems eager to lah’s elite Radwan Division, are con- Syria against Iran and Saudi Arabia’s various types. in ruins. drive a wedge between Assad and centrated around the cities of Daraa, increasingly activist foreign and se- The Israeli-Iranian shoot-out has Reclaiming Daraa would also his Iranian partners, the Kremlin has the provincial capital, the Druze curity policies.” eased since then but IRGC elements mean Assad’s power is secure, for shown itself either unwilling or una- city of Sweida and Quneitra, for- Elias argues that an Iran-Israel and sizeable numbers of Shia mi- the time being at least, all the more ble to effectively control the regime mer capital of the Golan region and showdown is all but inevitable and litiamen — including fighters from so since the Americans appear to in Damascus,” observed US military largely deserted since 1973. Daraa is that, as unrest in Iran swells, this Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, led have resigned themselves to his analyst Joseph Trevithick. 16km from the Jordanian border and could prompt regime hardliners, by Hezbollah — have been reported continued rule, albeit under the “Russian President Vladimir Putin 45km from the Golan. led by the IRGC, to seize power and moving south with Syrian Presi- thumbs of Moscow and Tehran. has very clear designs on expanding The Washington Institute for Near appoint a new supreme leader to dent Bashar Assad’s forces towards While US power in the entire re- Russian influence in Syria, the Mid- East Policy, a pro-Israeli US think- replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. the 1973 ceasefire line where Israeli gion is unmistakably in retreat, Isra- dle East as a whole, and elsewhere, tank, stated that Hezbollah forces He has come under mounting per- forces are arrayed on the strategic el is likely to make a fight of it across and is pursuing policies that support have advanced south with Syria’s sonal criticism since public unrest crack Republican Guard and the 4th over the sagging economy erupted Division. in December 2017 and ended only In a complex war, a new twist “What we’re seeing in Syria is not after a massive security crackdown separate Shia militias fighting on the in which two dozen protesters were Ed Blanche agreement between Russia and Is- tent or another, in a demographic Assad regime’s behalf but parts of a killed. rael is hardly surprising. reordering that echoes some of the structured army commanded by the The economic slump is the con- “In the long run, Iran poses a deadly anomalies created by the IRGC’s al-Quds Force, with Hezbol- sequence of the clerical regime’s Beirut threat to Russia’s military and po- British and the French, the Euro- lah as its right hand,” observed Leb- failures as much as US sabotage litical intentions in Syria: whereas pean colonial powers that carved anese analyst Hanin Ghaddar of the aimed at undermining an economy olitically, the 7-year-old Moscow would prefer Syria to be up the Middle East after their vic- Washington Institute. steadily corroded by corruption and conflict in Syria is becoming a secular and federal state able to tory in the first world war. “Whether openly or in disguise, ineptitude since the shah was over- increasingly complex, even maintain its coastal military bases, Overall, this is part and parcel of Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies thrown in January 1979 in Ayatollah P for a war that has been so Tehran is interested in expanding Tehran’s grand strategy of creat- are deploying in the south in large Ruhollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revo- convoluted with competing global its regional influence through a ing a multistate, Shia-controlled numbers, greatly increasing the po- lution. and regional powers, constant fac- sectarian state controlled by Iran’s bloc from the Caspian Sea and the tential for cross-border escalation,” Elias warns that time may be tional fighting between supposed ideological counterparts.” Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean Ghaddar and the institute’s Phillip running short for Iran and even allies and the Western US-led war In that regard, the Islamic Re- along with a military juggernaut Smyth noted in recent assessment. for Khamenei, who took over from against jihadist organisations that public has been stepping up its largely made up of Shia militias Hezbollah units are said to be in- Khomeini when he died in 1989. left vast urban destruction in its drive to systematically reorder the from Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan tegrating with Syria’s 4th Division Elias quoted the Iranian news- wake. demographic make-up of Sunni- and Pakistan. and the Republican Guard. paper Shargh, which is close to To illustrate the constant and majority Syria by planting or ex- Although Moscow is not likely to Liwa Fatemiyoun, an Iraqi Shia President Hassan Rohani’s reformist frequently byzantine shifts in this panding Shia communities to re- forcibly remove the Iranians and militia, has attached itself to an- movement, as reporting “that politi- murky conflagration, Israel, under place Sunnis who fled their homes. their proxies, Alradad observed “it other crack Syrian formation, the Ti- cal arrangements have been under a recent agreement with Russia, The main targets of this effort to is likely to try to curtail the latter’s ger Forces led by the regime’s most way behind the scenes to make early can launch air strikes against Ira- fundamentally alter Syria’s social influence in Syria. influential combat commander, preparations for the post-Khamenei nian bases in Syria so long as the landscape in Iran’s favour centres “Thus, Russian forces have 48-year-old General Suheil al-Has- stage, whereby the Revolutionary Syrian Army is not targeted. particularly on Damascus, the stopped responding to Israeli san, who has achieved a cult-like Guard will swoop into power in or- Omar Alradad, a former briga- capital, and in the west to main- raids, thereby sending the mes- status with a string of victories since der to maintain its authority by ap- dier-general in Jordan’s General tain the land link with Hezbollah sage to Tehran that, without Rus- 2012 and has been dubbed the “Ti- pointing a new supreme leader sub- Intelligence Directorate and now in Lebanon. sian backing, it is at risk of being g e r.” ject to its orders.” a lecturer on regional security is- With its long-sought land cor- targeted — an escalation of the The ferocious artillery bombard- Shargh reported that “conserva- sues, observed: “Since Russia has ridor between Iran and Syria still current conflict that would thrust ments and air strikes the Syrians are tive movement leaders in Iran, few allies in the region and as Ira- not fully established across Iraq, it into a whole new and extremely employing are his trademark. along with the pillars of the Deep nian forces have helped Russia’s despite its Shia majority, Iran is dangerous dimension,” he said. The presence of such elite Syrian State, have become convinced that military establish its presence in implanting Shia fighters and their “Assad’s ability to take ac- formations in the south suggests if internal and external affairs con- Syria, many analysts believe that a families in the “useful” parts of tion against Tehran’s interests is that Assad is prepared to slug it out tinue on their current track, the next rift with Iran would be deleterious Syria. Assad and his inner circle largely constrained by the latter’s with the Israelis, probably using the president of the republic must be a for Russian interests. — largely Alawites, a Muslim off- military and economic leverage Shia militias, more expendable than military figure.” “Nonetheless, in the context of shoot akin to Shiism — deem this in Syria: Since the beginning of his crack units, as the spearhead of The list of possible candidates Russia’s goals in Syria” — to pre- essential for the state that will the crisis, Iranian militias fighting an assault on Daraa. includes Major-General Qassem serve the minority regime of Syr- emerge when the fighting eventu- in Syria have become an integral Soleimani, commander of the ian President Bashar Assad and ally ends. part of the Syrian Army through Ed Blanche is a regular contributor IRGC’s elite al-Quds Force, which secure a Middle East foothold to More and more, it is looking like mergers carried out under Iranian to The Arab Weekly. He has has been fighting in Syria for six challenge the United States — “the Syria will be partitioned to one ex- direction.” reported on the Middle East years and which wields immense since 1967. 4 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis The West and Political Islam US Republicans move to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation

Thomas Frank Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia and the United Arab Emirates have designated the Muslim Brother- Washington hood a terrorist organisation. US Representative Stephen onservatives in the US Con- Lynch, a Massachusetts Democrat, gress are pushing to have called the Brotherhood a “multina- the Muslim Brotherhood tional religious, political and social C designated a terrorist or- organisation” that has “manifested ganisation and reverse longstand- itself globally in varied forms, rang- ing US policy that targeted Brother- ing from nonviolent political actors hood-affiliated groups that espouse to groups that have resorted to ter- terrorism while accepting factions rorism.” that operate within their countries’ He said a “wholesale designation” political systems. of the Brotherhood as a terrorist or- Republicans in Congress are try- ganisation “would severely compli- ing to jump-start stalled legislation cate our relationship with regional that would require the US State De- security partners, including Jordan, partment to designate the entire Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey and Ku- Muslim Brotherhood and its inter- wait, where the Muslim Brother- national branches a foreign terror- hood functions within mainstream ist group and subject it to sanctions government and society.” that would bar Americans from giv- The different views in the debate ing it support or resources. reflect the Brotherhood’s multi- “The Muslim Brotherhood is a faceted activities and its varying militant Islamist organisation with goals. It is a political and social affiliates in over 70 countries, in- organisation with a vast grass- cluding groups designated as ter- roots network and whose central rorist organisations by the US,” US operation has formally renounced Representative Ron DeSantis said at violence but, in many countries, it the start of a congressional hearing is an icon of radical Islam and an Clear departure. US Representative Ron DeSantis, a Republican from Florida, speaks during a hearing on July 11. advocate for sharia. Some of its af- before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington. (AFP) DeSantis, one of 76 Republican filiated branches, notably Hamas, House members sponsoring legisla- have been designated terrorist tion to designate the Brotherhood groups by the United States. Other speakers denounced the Brotherhood “vilifies secular de- Harakat Sawa’d Misr — as Specially as a terrorist organisation, said the “There is no singular, mono- Brotherhood. mocracy” and that its branches dif- Designated Global Terrorists. Both group “preached hatred towards lithic Muslim Brotherhood,” Dan- “No group embodies the threat of fer only in their tactics. “Some of groups operate in Egypt, where the Jews, denied the Holocaust and iel Benjamin, a State Department radical Islam more than the Muslim its branches are violent and some Brotherhood was founded in 1928, called for Israel’s destruction.” counterterrorism adviser under Brotherhood,” said M. Zuhdi Jasser, are not,” Schanzer said, encour- and claimed responsibility for as- Democrats in Congress oppose former President Barack Obama, president of the American Islamic aging Congress to designate “the sassinations of Egyptian officials in the proposal, saying the Muslim said at the hearing. “Most of the Forum for Democracy, a US group worst factions of the Brotherhood” 2015 and 2016. Brotherhood is a vast international groups that are said to be Muslim that advocates for human rights in as terrorist groups. The designation aims to deny the organisation with chapters that Brotherhood affiliates or franchises the Muslim world. Trump considered designating groups “the resources they need to are part of the governments of support democracy and abjure vio- Jasser urged the United States to the Brotherhood a terrorist group plan and carry out further terrorist US allies such as Jordan, Morocco lence.” designate the Brotherhood in Egypt shortly after he took office in early attacks,” the US State Department and Tunisia. Former US President Benjamin downplayed ties be- a terrorist organisation and then 2017 but decided to focus on indi- said. Barack Obama resisted calls to ask tween the Brotherhood and Hamas, look at the group in other coun- vidual groups tied to the organisa- The United States has desig- the US State Department to desig- saying Hamas “has its own charter tries, such as Libya, Syria, Kuwait, tion. nated 65 groups as foreign terror- nate the Brotherhood a terrorist or- and a history of foreign relations, Jordan, Iraq and Yemen. In January 2018, the Trump ad- ist organisations, including Islamic ganisation but US President Donald including with Iran, that no other Jonathan Schanzer, a former ministration listed two groups State affiliates in Bangladesh, the Trump has considered supporting brotherhood group would sanc- counterterrorism analyst for the previously associated with the Philippines, western Africa and the the move. tion.” US Treasury Department, said the Brotherhood — Liwa al Thawra and greater Sahara. France sees threat in Salafism, Muslim fundamentalism

Mahmud el-Shafey banning Salafist Islam completely. An Elabe survey said 80% of those asked backed the expulsion of for- London eign nationals with radical beliefs and more than 50% said Macron French senators’ report ac- was not doing enough to counter cused authorities of “cul- terrorism. pable inaction” on terror- Macron has said that he intended A ism and specifically called to “reorganise” Islam in France, re- for a crackdown on Salafism, a hard- drawing the relationship between line school of Islam. France’s Muslim community and The report examined the threat of the secular French state. While suc- terrorism following the downfall of cessive French governments have the Islamic State (ISIS). There have sought to promote a liberal “Is- been several terrorist attacks in lam of France,” Macron’s attempts France in recent years, with ques- have included a de-radicalisation tions asked about how the govern- programme, tighter regulation of ment was dealing with radicalisa- Islamic private schools and the ex- tion and terrorism each time. pulsion of preachers suspected of The report, compiled by French promoting hate speech. Senators Francois Grosdidier and The government announced 32 Michel Boutant, described “Salafism new measures, including beefing up and Muslim fundamentalism” as counterterrorism powers and the an “internal threat” to France and creation of bodies to track radical- criticised French authorities’ “lack Stronger focus. French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in Paris as part of an ised inmates and identify extrem- of courage” to address it. international conference discussing cutting funding to terrorist groups, last April. (Reuters) ists at risk of turning to violence. The report was commissioned “The threat has evolved. We need after a series of suicides among se- to adapt ourselves,” French Prime curity forces in the autumn of 2017. 50 recommendations, including for naud Beltrame, who had exchanged which indoctrinates on our soil and Minister Edouard Philippe said. Some analysts blamed the trend on French governments to take a long- himself for a hostage. corrupts daily. … [This is an] insidi- In a policy address to the French stress caused by a lack of funding term approach to counterterrorism “It is not only the terrorist or- ous enemy that requires every citi- parliament, Macron promised for France’s police forces despite and policing. ganisations, the armies of [ISIS], the zen to be vigilant and civic-mind- stronger focus on the reorganisa- increased pressure, particularly due “In our report, we recommend imams of hate and death that we ed.” tion of France’s relationship with to terrorism. the drafting of a white paper on are fighting against,” French Presi- However, Macron has faced criti- Islam. “Starting in the autumn, we “We are on the verge of implo- homeland security, as is done for dent Emmanuel Macron said at Bel- cism for a perceived lack of action will clarify this situation by giving sion. The police and the gendar- the army, that would allow us to re- trame’s funeral. to address radical Islamic views, Islam a framework and rules guar- merie have never been in such a think and evolve certain approach- “What we are fighting against is including Salafism. While he has anteeing that it will be practised dire state,” warned Grosdidier in es to security as well as increase the also this underground Islamism, talked tough about cracking down everywhere in accordance with the an interview with France 24, point- budget,” he said. The report also on Salafism, critics say the rhetoric laws of the republic,” he said. ing to a chronic shortage of funding said there should be an increase of French President has not developed into action de- and equipment, as well as understaff- investment of $2.3 billion-$3.5 bil- Emmanuel Macron spite popular support for the idea. Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab ing. lion over five years. An Odoxa poll published after Weekly correspondent in London. “We are running the risk of see- There was a public outcry in “It is not only the terrorist the Carcassonne and Trebes attacks organisations, the armies ing the security services becoming France against Salafism after the indicated that 87% of respondents Political Islam in inoperable. Many of them are at the attacks in Carcassonne and Trebes of [ISIS], the imams of said they wanted people suspected breaking point,” he added. in March in which five people were hate and death that we are of religious radicalisation to be for- the Arab world The report included more than killed, including police officer Ar- fighting against.” cibly detained and 88% favoured P14 July 15, 2018 5 News & Analysis Egypt New Egyptian political bloc vows to take on Muslim Brotherhood remnants

Ahmed Megahid ingness to castigate Sisi or offer a rival vision for governance. Until he announced his last-minute can- Cairo didacy, Moussa had backed Sisi’s re-election. After the election, he new opposition coali- was quoted by local media as say- tion has been formed in ing that even his wife, another Sisi Egypt by political parties backer, chided him because people A that say it will bring life to voted for him instead of Sisi. what they describe as the country’s Moussa’s coalition might be stir- “stagnant” political waters. The ring up a hornet’s nest among po- Egyptian National Opposition Coa- litical observers following the slow lition, which will be formally un- death of the influence of Egypt’s veiled this month, contains dozens political parties. of political parties and will include Although there are more than lawmakers and political activists. 100 of them in Egypt, just nine The leaders of the coalition say it are represented in parliament and is not being formed to oppose the most lack any political presence government of Egyptian President among the Egyptian electorate. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi but rather to There are more independent MPs contest what it sees as foreign-sup- in Egypt’s legislature than those af- ported opposition. filiated with political parties. Leading the group is Moussa Mo- “Most of the parties [in Egypt] stafa Moussa, the head of the cen- are family businesses that have no trist al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Party and presence on the streets or broader Sisi’s only rival in the presidential political vision,” said Tarek Fahmi, elections earlier this year. a political science professor at Cai- ro University. “Few of these parties play any role in the life of people on Although the the streets.” Brotherhood is for all Despite Sisi calling for Egypt’s practical purposes political parties to form coalitions politically dead on the and alliances, questions are being A man with a mission. Moussa Mostafa Moussa, the head of the centrist al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Party, Egyptian street, its asked whether coalitions can pre- arrives for a news conference in Cairo, last March. (AFP) supportive media have sent an effective opposition. an outsized influence in The Egyptian National Opposi- tion Coalition is the second political tivists say. reforms. He is a potential target challenge these figures and high- Egypt. coalition formed in recent months. “There is a package of ready- for Moussa’s coalition, which will light national achievements. A new version of the Nation’s Fu- made accusations for everybody include in its list of targeted group “Brotherhood remnants and “We will create this new political ture Party, following a merger with who has a different point of view,” the Muslim Brotherhood. some political forces are present group to defend the government the For the Sake of Egypt bloc, said Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist Although the Brotherhood is for every day and night to claim that against political forces paid by for- resulted in a mega-party in June politician and a two-time presiden- all practical purposes politically everything in Egypt is bad,” Mous- eign governments to destabilise claiming more than 265 seats of tial candidate. “Those who dare dead on the Egyptian street, its sa said. “We will challenge all these our country,” Moussa said. “These Egypt’s 596-seat parliament. Both to challenge the president or the supportive media — operating from people and show them that there is forces only want to hamper the coalitions are broadly pro-Sisi. government are given a very hard Qatar and Turkey — have an out- an opposition in this country that progress Egypt is making on all The issue is less about the for- time.” sized influence in Egypt by focus- can expose their fake slogans to the fronts.” mation of new coalitions and more Like other opposition figures, ing on issues such as austerity and public.” Moussa, who received less than about the emergence of a political Sabahi has been berated in the pro- rising commodity prices. 3% of the vote in the March elec- culture that has seen opposition to government media for criticising The Egyptian National Opposi- Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian tions, was criticised for his unwill- the president dwindle, political ac- Sisi’s policies, including economic tion Coalition said it intended to reporter in Cairo. Viewpoint Cairo’s change of attitude towards the Sudanese opposition

he Sudanese regime Sudan and the region, the Suda- 30 years, since the days when the Egypt. Cairo wants to hamper any has doggedly asked nese regime had taken measures Sudanese Tajammu’ Party was development in Sudan’s relations Mohamad Egyptian authorities to to reduce the presence of Islamist stationed in Cairo. Following an with Qatar and Turkey. A deeper Abou el-Fadel restrict the activities of movements in government and the assassination attempt in 1995 in reading of the developments in the Sudanese opposi- ruling party. Addis Ababa on former Egyptian Cairo’s attitude towards the Suda- tion in Egypt but Cairo Cairo has always wished for President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt nese opposition in Egypt indicates Thad always found excuses for not cordial relations with Sudan and accused Sudan of sponsoring the that Cairo expects Khartoum to doing so by invoking the historical given at least the impression of attempt and allowed the Sudanese deliver Egyptian Islamist lead- ties and peaceful borders with Su- some sort of common grounds in opposition much leeway in Egypt. ers allegedly involved in terrorist dan. Khartoum was not convinced both countries’ positions regard- During those days, it was easy to activities in Egypt and who live in and remained bitter about it, ing issues such as Ethiopia’s Grand meet in Cairo with Mahdi, Moham- Sudan under “official” fake identi- which might explain why it offered Renaissance Dam and their border ed Osman al-Mirghani, Mubarak ties. a haven to members of the Muslim dispute in Halayeb and Shalateen. al-Fadil al-Mahdi, Farouq Abou Egyptian authorities might not Brotherhood wanted by courts in By reversing its policy regard- Issa and many other opposition be dreaming. Two factors argue Cairo. ing the Sudanese opposition, figures. Today, those people are in favour of the success of their Cairo’s hesitancy is probably Cairo was hoping to encourage gone or no longer available, either endeavour. First, al-Bashir is on its way out because Egyptian Khartoum to deliver Brother- because they switched allegiances beginning to find those Egyptian authorities have recently refused hood members suspected of being or because Cairo wants to please guests burdensome. He is irked by to receive Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of involved in terrorist attacks in Khartoum. some Sudanese Islamist leaders the National Umma Party and head Egypt. Khartoum is proud of having who want to reduce Sudan’s rela- of the new opposition “Sudan Call” Until now, the Sudanese regime brushed off some of the political tions with Egypt to just being a Coalition. It represented a signifi- had removed all Islamist move- dust surrounding Cairo’s relations thorn in Egypt’s flank. Second, al- cant turn of events, long-awaited ments in Sudan from sight — politi- with the Sudanese opposition and Bashir had previously handed over by Khartoum. cally and in terms of security. The scored a moral victory over the op- wanted figures as part of political It was even more significant move was part of internal politics position and even over Cairo itself. deals. He booted al-Qaeda leader because Khartoum has made to pave the way for a new presi- Cairo had hesitated to take such a Osama bin Laden out of Sudan to significant inroads regarding the dential term by Sudanese Presi- step because it had thought that please the Americans and handed Sudanese opposition with Chad dent Omar al-Bashir. the opposition card might come over Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, also and Ethiopia and is working to Khartoum did not go as far as in handy. Besides, Khartoum had known as Carlos the Jackal, to the achieve similar goals with Eritrea asking Cairo to deliver Sudanese always wanted to be treated by French. and South Sudan. It looks like the opposition leaders. Restricting Egypt as an equal. Egypt has had an open attitude proxy wars between Sudan and its their movements and their ac- Observers of Egyptian-Sudanese about harbouring opposition fig- neighbours through the opposition tions was enough. Most of them, relations can tell that Egypt is ures from all over the Arab world. have outlived their usefulness. including Mahdi, were free to enter trying to please Sudan as if Cairo It welcomed them and, rather than Khartoum was pleased with and exit Sudan and leaders of the wants to appease the ghosts of use them as a bargaining chip, Khartoum is proud Cairo’s snubbing of Mahdi. It was armed opposition stopped going to some historical fears and misgiv- Cairo usually mediated between even more pleased when Cairo Egypt some time ago. ings. Egyptian authorities gave them and their regimes. However, of having brushed instructed Egyptian embassies The Egyptian measures pleased clear instructions to be very civil Cairo’s change of attitude towards off some of the worldwide to deal only with the Khartoum because they symbolise with the Sudanese residents in the Sudanese opposition sends political dust government in Khartoum or its Sudan’s success in closing all out- Egypt and forbade the official me- a warning to opposition figures representatives. lets for the opposition to express dia from criticising the Sudanese from other Arab countries: “Cau- surrounding Cairo’s Cairo took these steps after itself. A silent opposition is a non- regime. tion. Position may change to suit relations with the Khartoum told members of the existing opposition. What is aimed at with this good- Egypt’s political interests.” Muslim Brotherhood in its borders Egypt has often been a refuge neighbour attention is to give the Sudanese to refrain from political action. for the Sudanese opposition. Sudanese regime no excuse for Mohamad Abou el-Fadel is an opposition. Mindful of the balance of power in Some leaders have been there for reneging on its commitments to Egyptian writer. 6 July 15, 2018 Opinion

Editorial The interconnected terrorist threats in North Africa and the Sahel he activities of resurgent al-Qaeda- and Islamic State-affiliated groups in North Africa and the Sahel region should be a cause for concern. The so-called Uqba Ibn Nafi brigade, a terrorist group linked with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Tclaimed responsibility for the July 8 attack on Tunisian security forces on the Tunisian-Algeria border. Six national guards were killed in the ambush. The week before, Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaeda-linked extremist group in Mali, claimed responsibility for attacks on French troops in the northern Malian town of Gao. The Gao attacks, right about the time of an African summit in Mauritania with French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance, were meant to send a message of defiance to African leaders fighting Islamic extremism, more particu- larly, the G5 Sahel regional force made up of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania. The G5 force receives funding from France and the United States as well as from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly The African Sahel, one of the world’s poorest regions, faces a jihadist threat from groups including Mali-based extremists and other formations such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram move- Assad’s gift to Netanyahu ment. Terrorist activities in North Africa and the Sahel are not unconnected. The large swaths of sand of Ali al-Amin the Sahara are not an impenetrable barrier. Armed militancy in Mali was fuelled by the The Mumana’a paradigm has triumphed in Syria, as return of Tuareg fighters from Libya after Muam- mar Qaddafi’s 2011 fall. The porous state of Libya’s have its morals and tyrannical paradigm. southern borders and the absence of a strong central government have encouraged human traffickers as well as extremist elements to cross he most important Putin “Abu Ali Putin.” embodied in the strange concept the desert to the North African littoral. triumph being boasted They turned a blind eye to the of “Assad’s Syria,” a horrendous The trial of 29 terrorism suspects in Senegal about by the sup- deep alliance between Russia and slogan that ravages the soul of revealed that Boko Haram-trained extremists had porters of Mumana’a Israel, failing to call out Israeli air the Syrian people. What is being ties to terrorist groups in Libya and Mali. forces, or the anti-im- strikes on Iranian positions and celebrated is the victory of the val- The Washington Post reported that Senegalese perialist Axis of Resist- affiliated militias in Syria as Rus- ues, morals and governance style authorities began to investigate after a 2015 Tance, in Syria is President Bashar sian connivance with Israel. When of the Mumana’a model. Facebook post showed images of Senegal fighters Assad’s survival at the head of the Israel coordinated with Russia The Mumana’a forces got what killed in Libya. regime. This is followed by the its operations in Syrian air space, they wanted. Assad stays on and Poverty and the lack of economic opportunity in regime’s victory over what it has the naysayers were unmoved. the road to Jerusalem is sealed West Africa are crucial factors in the recruitment labelled as “terrorism.” Instead, they kept singing the shut. It is closed due to mainte- drive by Sahel extremist groups. During a meeting The “terrorist” descriptor is same tired and cheap tune of nance work servicing the pillars of in Niger on July 10, agriculture ministers from the clearing out a “road to Jerusalem” West African Economic and Monetary Union slapped on all those who revolted the Syrian throne. Whoever tries warned that approximately 3.5 million people in against the Assad regime, from through Aleppo, Homs, Daraa and to reach over the Golan Heights Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal face a civilians to those who defected Palmyra. will have his arm cut off by the serious problem of “food insecurity.” from the Syrian Army, as well as Victory means Assad staying on Mumana’a sword. Such dire economic conditions are a catalyst for organisations designated as ter- at the helm of the regime, the dis- Russia is overindulging Is- illegal migration to Europe and pose a grave threat rorists by the United Nations. placement of close to 10 million rael’s security needs. Beyond the to the interconnected security of West and North The near future will reveal not Syrians, the killing of as many as guarantees that were promised Africa. only the way these organisations 500,000 more and the destruction behind the scenes, a few others formed and developed but how of cities with Mumana’a weap- have shamelessly become clear. they were obedient pawns of ons and missiles, whether those The Mumana’a forces, who have Tehran’s rearguard the Assad regime and its allies, fired by Russian pilots or those allowed the spilling of Syrian especially in view of their role in that were said to be reserved for blood, would not dare lift a finger battles against youth suppressing the Syrian opposi- Jerusalem. against Israel’s brazen security he regime in Tehran is waging tion in territories outside of the For Syrians, the naked bloodi- demands of cordoning off dozens another rearguard battle, this time control of the regime. As terror- ness and deadly reality of those of kilometres along its northern against its own youth. istic as these organisations might weapons were exposed. We have borders, not even in the media. Shaparak Shajarizadeh, a young have been, they will never match never witnessed such Iranian What’s more, assurances not to Iranian woman who had removed the the terror inflicted by the Syrian generosity except in the case of harm Israeli interests are covertly mullah-imposed hijab and waved “a regime nor the number of civilian Syria. Not one of their rockets fell being offered through coordina- white flag of peace in the street” victims it killed and displaced. on an Israeli settlement. Israeli tion efforts with Russia and other Tduring protests last December, was sentenced to Victory here means the sur- blood was never shed, not even in parties. 20 years in jail. It’s quite an excessive punishment vival of Assad and his regime, Iranian war songs. The Mumana’a paradigm has by any standard or legal provision. which, of course, was bolstered Victory here then means triumphed in Syria, as have its News reports said no fewer than 29 other by Russia’s intervention. It was, triumph for a regime that used morals and tyrannical paradigm. Iranian women were arrested in February for as usual, the helpless civilian chemical weapons and barrel Its missiles have defeated those removing their headscarves. More recently, there has been much ferment on social media over the populations all over Syria that had bombs like no one before it. Had who’ve yearned for freedom arrest of 18-year-old gymnast Maedeh Hojabri for to pay the bloody tribute of that it had access to nuclear weapons, and the right to a decent life. Its 300 videos on Instagram of her dancing without a intervention. The usual naysayers it likely would have used them destructive project has won out in hijab. Her arrest provoked a wave of protest on applauded Assad’s enduring rule against its own people — but not the end and so did the emblematic social media with Iranians using the hashtag and constant killing and proudly against Israel. tale of sacrificing millions for the #Dancingisnotacrime to offer commentary. called Russian President Vladimir The naysayers’ victory is sake of the Syrian president. Hojabri was subjected to public shaming, As for the Palestinians and including an appearance on Iranian state TV to the myth of liberating Jerusa- make an emotional admission that she had broken lem, many have bought such “moral norms.” fantasies but today, with what The way Hojabri and other young women have the Mumana’a front perpetrated been treated has intensified the discontent among against the Syrian people, I can ordinary Iranians. They were already resentful affirm that the Syrian nakba is the about Tehran’s domestic and regional policies, best gift to Israel. which lie at the root of increasingly difficult living The Syrian nakba exceeded the conditions. Palestinian one to the point that Iranians are bound to seek an outlet for what they feel for all that the authorities block access to one hears Syrians wishing that social media networks. Instagram could be next, their regime and its prisons, at now that Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the the hands of which they suffered Telegram messaging application are unavailable. death and destruction, were more Despite the draconian interdiction, 47 million like the Israeli jails for Palestinian Iranians are estimated to use social media resistance fighters in the Palestin- networks, mostly through proxies and virtual ian territories. private networks. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin The crackdown on social media, another Netanyahu could not hope for a rearguard Iranian battle, has intensified over the better gift from Assad. No, I’m not years. In 2014, a group of young Iranians were talking about the Golan Heights; arrested for posting videos dancing to Pharrell I’m talking about the Mumana’a Williams’ song “Happy.” paradigm Assad-style and Iranian The regime seems oblivious to the growing Major-General Islamic Qassem unhappiness of its people and how its repressive Soleimani-style. policies are making that unhappiness escalate to A lump in the throat. A Syrian man cries as people look for survivors at the open revolt in the streets. site of Syrian regime strikes in Douma, last February. (AFP) Ali al-Amin is a Lebanese writer. July 15, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] Syria, Iran, unicorns and rainbows: www.thearabweekly.com The Trump-Putin tryst Published by Al Arab Publishing House Rashmee Roshan Lall By all accounts, Trump stands ready and eager to give up Syria to Putin in the same Publisher way Mikhail Gorbachev left Iraq to President George H.W. Bush in 1990. and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD S President be coming out of Syria like very Bush in 1990. But hasn’t the comments on the urgent need Editor-in-Chief Donald Trump soon. Let the other people take United States already pretty to leave Syria, the Russians are may not think it care of it now. We are going to much ceded authority to Russia those “other people.” Oussama Romdhani worthwhile to get back to our country where in Syria? Trump in June again What of the unwelcome other consult Dennis we belong, where we want to raised the idea of pulling the people in Syria? What of Iran Managing Editor Ross on Russia in be.” United States out of Syria, this and any attempt by the Trump Iman Zayat Uthe Middle East but the veteran That bullish assurance, time in a private conversation at administration to push Russia US diplomat’s reading of the apropos nothing discernibly the White House with Jordanian to serve as guarantor of Iranian Deputy Managing Editor situation as it pertains today is different or game-changing on King Abdullah II. good behaviour? and Online Editor spot on. the ground in Syria, came just The eagerness to make for Putin is unlikely to be any Mamoon Alabbasi The United States has not hours after the Pentagon high- the exits is too transparent to more specific than the 391-word wanted to be part of a solu- lighted the need for US troops count for anything other than vague aspiration to denuclear- Senior Editor tion in Syria and it is not, Ross to remain in the country for the the Trump administration’s ise elicited by Trump’s summit John Hendel recently said. True. immediate future. usual order of business. In 18 in Singapore with North Korean Russia runs the show in It didn’t add up then, still less months, it appears to have leader Kim Jong-un. Chief Copy Editor Syria and its unwillingness to now. However, if Trump were fixed on three clear goals in the In Russia’s case, this won’t Richard Pretorius consider such matters as war listening to Ross, he could do Middle East: crush ISIS, push just be unwillingness but inabil- crimes, militarily depopulating the following in Helsinki: back Iran in rude, crude and ity. For all that it is newly domi- Copy Editor whole areas, blocking aid and so • Reiterate that the United strategically limited fashion and nant in Syria, Russia cannot Stephen Quillen on have horrific humanitarian States’ primary interest in Syria reduce America’s involvement simply force Iran out. Pro-Iran consequences. True, again. was to destroy ISIS, which is on to negotiations in gilded rooms militants are active in many Analysis Section Editor In the circumstances, what the run. with princes and potentates for parts of Syria, not least Aleppo, Ed Blanche might Trump realistically say • Insist that Iran limit its role the “deal of the century.” Deir ez-Zor and Hezbollah-con- to his Russian counterpart, in Syria or face a war with Israel, How might that three-point trolled areas near the Lebanese East/West Section Editor Vladimir Putin, when they meet one in which the United States agenda play with Putin in Hel- border. Quite apart from that, Mark Habeeb in Helsinki on July 16? will strongly back Israel. sinki? It’s worth remembering Russia’s relationship with Iran With a diplomat’s cunning, • Suggest the Russians de- that in September 2015, the very is multilayered and mutually Gulf Section Editor Ross, formerly President Bill velop a set of red lines between month Putin’s Russia entered beneficial in parts of the world Mohammed Alkhereiji Clinton’s Middle East coordina- the Israelis and Iranians in Syria the Syrian war in its first inter- that American influence cannot tor, has suggested making “a and possibly serve as a back vention in the Middle East in reach. Society and Travel virtue of necessity.” That is to channel between the United decades, the Russian president Russia, as someone said, is a Sections Editor say for Trump to repeat to Putin States and Iran. delivered an unambiguous weak country that’s strongly led Samar Kadi his earlier claims on Syria, slow- This makes sense in terms of message to the UN General and the United States is a strong ly and deliberately. In so doing, realpolitik but neither sense nor Assembly. Russia, Putin said, is country that’s weakly led. Syria and Lebanon the US president could pretend realpolitik is a guarantee events indispensable to solving global The tragedy is that Syria is Section Editor he had previously spoken with can or will take their desired problems, whether the West caught in the middle. Simon Speakman Cordall good sense, great judgment and course. likes it or not. some grounding in the facts. By all accounts, Trump In Ohio in March, Trump Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Contributing Editor In March, Trump told a stands ready and eager to give appeared to agree with the columnist for The Arab Weekly. Rashmee Roshan Lall campaign-style rally in Ohio: up Syria to Putin in the same analysis. “Let the other people Her blog can be found at Senior Correspondents “We’re knocking the hell out of way Mikhail Gorbachev left take care of it (Syria) now,” he www.rashmee.com and she is [the Islamic State] ISIS. We’ll Iraq to President George H.W. said. Going by Trump’s repeated on Twitter: @rashmeerl. Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis)

Regular Columnists Assad is fooling no one Claude Salhani Yavuz Baydar Claude Salhani Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) One reason Assad may want to see large numbers of Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) returnees is to fill large gaps in his military. Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Thomas Seibert (Washington) yrian dictator Bashar the going got tough, you were Assad may succeed on the front lines and they Chief Designer in fooling some into were the ones running away or Marwen el-Hmedi believing that he hiding.” has won the war Her words were intercut with Designers that has ripped his images of the women volun- Ibrahim Ben Bechir Scountry apart and forced nearly teers in combat training, as Hanen Jebali one-third of the Syrian people well as testimonials from the to become refugees. He may women and their mothers. The have even succeeded in fooling underlying message: Shame Al Arab Publishing House himself into believing he will on you men for fleeing military Quadrant Building emerge victorious from the service — a “sacred duty” enu- 177-179 Hammersmith Road nightmarish ordeal through merated in Syria’s constitution. London W6 8BS which he has taken Syria. That comes as British Prime Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 The truth is that Assad is Minister Theresa May defended Fax: (+44) 20 8846 9520 responsible for all the ills that Great Britain’s commitment to affected the country and the list aiding refugees, claiming $3.1 is a long one. billion was being spent on hu- Assad is responsible for the manitarian aid. In Washington, Contributions systematic destruction of cities, US President Donald Trump is and Editorial Queries towns and population centres, deciding whether to escalate [email protected] including the sacking of his- the US military presence in toric and current commercial Protracted war. A Syrian government soldier stands next to a pickup Syria, after another alleged centres, such as Aleppo. Assad truck bearing a poster of President Bashar Assad in the southern province chemical weapons attack on carries the blame for many of Daraa, on July 7. (AFP) civilians was linked to Assad’s Tunis Office atrocities and should face a war forces. Tel: (+ 216) 71 669 174 crimes tribunal but chances are The Syrian refugee crisis is Tel: (+216) 71 669 175 he will not. of refugees’ return and recon- the refugees could return, the largest movement of civil- Supporting him — for their struction and hint at the end of although Syria lacks the infra- ian populations since world own political agendas — are the the war when the root causes structure to handle refugees war two. The peculiarity of Russians and the Iranians, two of the conflict nurtured by the on such a large scale. On the this crisis is, more so than in of the most influential politi- Assad dynasty for decades have other, he does not shy away previous refugee crises, the cal and military powers in the not been addressed? from labelling some refugees as changing trend in the refugees’ region. Assad can still call on Russian “terrorists.” behaviour. They are very likely US Publisher: While the war is far from and Iranian support to quash One reason Assad may want to remain displaced for years Ibrahim Zobeidi over, even though his forces whatever internal dissent to see large numbers of re- instead of being able to return have scored decisive military remains but a real solution for turnees is to fill large gaps in home or be permanently reset- (248) 803 1946 victories over the opposition, Syria requires the Syrians to his military. The civil war has tled in a third country. Assad, forever the optimist, agree among themselves on a consumed thousands of troops While resettlement has is reported to have said that game plan for a new Syria and and Assad badly needs new always been relatively rare, it’s Syrian refugees who fled the that is nowhere in sight. recruits. most likely used in cases where country could return. Assad perhaps believes that The Assad regime released it’s clear that the situation in As many as 5.5 million Syrians he can — with help from Rus- a propaganda video in March the refugees’ home country Subscription & Advertising: were turned into refugees be- sian President Vladimir Putin aimed at the young men of will never get better. There Mohamed Al Mufti cause of the fighting. Many who and Iran’s mullahs — sweep all Syria, the Daily Mail newspa- comes a time when the refugee [email protected] fled did so for political reasons. the atrocities of the past seven per in London reported. In the must stop being a refugee and Tel: (+44) 20 8742 9262 Some will return once the fight- years under the rug, pretend video Asma Assad, the wife become a citizen of his host ing stops and an agreement is nothing has happened and that of Bashar Assad, tells female country. reached. Many will not return. we can all get along. That is not army volunteers: “You are far Given the situation in the going to happen. stronger and more courageous Claude Salhani is a regular country, how can Assad talk On the one hand Assad said than many men because when columnist for The Arab Weekly. 8 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf Gulf Arab states work to contain Iran’s expansionism

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

ulf Arab countries worked to limit Iran’s suspected expansionist regional G agenda while Tehran reels from the collapse of its nuclear deal and dissatisfaction grows among the Iranian populace. During an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on July 10, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington and its regional al- lies intended to show Tehran that its regional activities come with “a real high cost.” “The one that we are most fo- cused on today is… that we deny Iran the financial capacity to con- tinue this bad behaviour,” Pompeo said in an interview with Sky News Arabia. “So it’s… a series of sanctions aimed not at the Iranian people but rather aimed at the single mis- sion of convincing the Iranian re- gime that its malign behaviour is unacceptable and has a real high cost for them.” The United Arab Emirates stated its agreement with Pompeo, par- ticularly regarding the Emirates’ efforts to neutralise “Iran’s malign activity.” “[There is] agreement over all the issues on the table, a historic partnership is becoming deeper,” tweeted UAE State Minister for For- Shared concerns. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on July 10. (AFP) eign Affairs Anwar Gargash. Coinciding with Pompeo’s visit was the US State Department’s des- cious attacks against innocent civil- the Iran-allied Houthi militia. supplies, over US oil sanctions set the systems in command-and-con- ignation of the Bahrain-based, Iran- ians and security personnel, caus- Saudi Ambassador to the United to go into effect in November. trol centres in Saada province, coa- backed al-Ashtar Brigades as a for- ing significant damage to public Nations Abdullah al-Mualami sub- In an interview with the Saudi- lition spokesman Colonel Turki al- eign terrorist organisation, a move and private property.” mitted a memorandum of protest owned Al Arabiya news channel, Maliki told the Saudi Press Agency. welcomed in Bahrain, which has a The efforts by Gulf Arab coun- over what it described as repeated Mualami said Riyadh would con- This was followed by the Yem- long history of Iranian interference tries are in reaction to antagonistic “infringements and violations” of front Hezbollah and expose its eni government filling an official in its domestic affairs. behaviour from Iran, including in Iranian vessels in Saudi territorial practices. complaint with the United Nations The State Department said the Lebanon with Hezbollah and in Iraq waters despite an agreement signed The coalition said it had proof and the Lebanese government over designation was meant to deny al- with al-Hashed al-Shaabi. In Syria in October 1968 by both sides. that Hezbollah instructors have Hezbollah’s support of Houthis. Ashtar resources to plan and carry numerous armed groups sponsored Mualami said the Saudi govern- been training the Houthis on using Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled out terrorist attacks. It said the and trained by Iran are fighting to ment held Iran responsible for any Hussein al-Yamani, in a letter, measure was part of a campaign support President Bashar Assad. damage that may arise because of called on the Lebanese government to deter “Iran’s malign behaviour The Iranian threat to Saudi Ara- the violations. The Iranian threat to to rein in Hezbollah’s activities in and stop its support for terrorists bia not only comes from the Iraqi Iranian President Hassan Ro- Saudi Arabia not only Yemen. around the world.” border but also from neighbouring hani recently threatened to block comes from the Iraqi Bahrain said al-Ashtar Brigades Yemen. Riyadh leads an Arab coa- the Strait of Hormuz, a move that border but also from Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf was responsible for “numerous vi- lition to liberate the country from would disrupt the world’s energy neighbouring Yemen. section editor of The Arab Weekly. UAE rejects Amnesty International report as diplomatic drive stalls in Yemen

Saleh Baidhani The UAE also said it had facili- tated visits to Yemeni prisons in coordination with the Internation- Sana’a al Committee of the Red Cross. The AI report was preceded by he United Arab Emirates a call by Yemeni Interior Minister emphatically rejected an Ahmed al-Maysari for the UAE to Amnesty International re- close or hand over prisons it runs T port accusing Abu Dhabi in the south. of “serious violations” in “secret However, some analysts say prisons” in Yemen. the issue has more to do with the The Amnesty International (AI) UAE’s support for Yemen’s south- report alleges that the UAE, along ern separatists, officially known Crucial role. A member of the UAE Armed Forces prepares to search for landmines in Al-Mocha in (Reuters) with allied Yemeni forces, tortured as Southern Transitional Council Yemen. detainees in prisons in southern (STC), which has a history of being Yemen. AI called for a war crimes hostile to the Yemeni government. ates of former President Ali Ab- Hodeidah. It is also believed to dition of anonymity, said all that investigation. In January, 38 people were killed dullah Saleh. The anti-Saleh sen- be their main point for receiving has been achieved by Griffiths’ “The report is politically moti- in fighting between government timent led to the formation of the weapons and funds from benefac- shuttle diplomacy was European vated to undermine its efforts as forces and the STC in the govern- Southern Mobility Movement in tor Iran, in violation of a UN ban. support for his initiative. The part of the Arab Coalition to sup- ment’s temporary capital of Aden. 2007, which seeks to re-establish Efforts on the diplomatic front Yemeni government, the Arab co- port the Yemeni government,” the Saudi Arabia and the UAE were South Yemen as an independent also do not appear to be moving alition and some influential coun- UAE government said in an official able to establish a shaky truce. state. any faster. UN Special Envoy to tries tied to the dispute were not statement. STC Supreme Commander Aid- The drive by the pro-govern- Yemen Martin Griffiths travelled enthusiastic about the initiative. “The UAE does not manage or arus al-Zubaidi and Yemeni Presi- ment coalition to liberate the port between Riyadh and Aden for talks Consequently, after talking with run prisons in Yemen. Prisons in dent Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi city of Hodeidah from the Iran- with Saudi officials and the Hadi Griffiths on July 10, Hadi ordered Yemen are under Yemeni author- have a history of bad blood be- allied Houthi rebels has stagnated. government a week after meeting a committee, led by Prime Minis- ity and fall under the jurisdiction tween them stemming from Hadi Coalition forces began the offen- with the Houthis in Sana’a. ter Ahmed Obeid bin Dagher, to of the country’s institutions. As removing Zubaidi as Aden gov- sive June 12 but mines and snipers Sources told The Arab Weekly formulate ideas before direct ne- such, the UAE has urged the Yem- ernor in May 2017. Zubaidi then have slowed progress that Griffiths has been unable to gotiations with the Houthis, the eni government to conduct an in- joined forces with the southern Coalition forces pledged to take come up with a comprehensive pro-government Saba news agen- dependent investigation into the separatists. control of the port from the Hou- and implementable road map for cy reported. matter and continues to follow up Many southern Yemenis say this because intelligence reports talks that could be supported by with the Yemeni government on they are exploited by leaders in indicate that the rebels generate all concerned parties. Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly this front,” the statement said. the north, mainly by the associ- up to $40 million a month from The sources, who spoke on con- contributor in Sana’a. July 15, 2018 9 News & Analysis Iraq Iraq vote recount under way amid mounting challenges

Mamoon Alabbasi On the edge. Iraqi protesters London burn tyres and block the road raqi election officials are con- at the entrance ducting a partial manual re- to the city of count of ballots from May’s Basra, national elections following on July 12. I (Reuters) allegations of voting fraud but the process comes at a time of multiple challenges for the country. Recount operations have in- cluded the provinces of Kirkuk, Su- laimaniyah, Maysan, Dhi Qar, Muth- anna, Qadisiyyah, Wasit and Basra. Final results must be ratified be- fore a coalition government can be formed but negotiations among blocs that received the most votes in the first vote count have been on- going. The Marching Towards Reform list, backed by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, secured the larg- est share of the vote, with 54 seats in parliament. It was followed by Conquest Alliance, led by Shia mi- litia leader Hadi al-Amiri, with 47 seats. The Victory Alliance, led by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, was third with 42 seats. Despite announcing political al- liances with both Abadi and Amiri, as well as the leaders of other blocs, al-Sadr has yet to secure an agree- ment on what the next government would look like. “We’re looking at new ways of drawing up coalitions in line with air traffic. Protests also took place in ruption commitment in the coming business of running the country. but meaningful” contribution. our reform plans,” Dia al-Asadi, Nasiriya and Amara. years,” wrote Taylor. There is nothing in the Constitu- It has been one year since Iraqi head of al-Sadr’s political bureau, The Shia cleric had frequently Abadi ordered a ministerial com- tion about this but the government forces dislodged ISIS militants from told Anadolu Agency. called on past governments to im- mittee to investigate into the Basra shouldn’t continue with its full pow- Mosul but residents of the city have While the vote recount and politi- prove basic services for citizens but protesters’ demands but since par- ers in the absence of any checks and yet to see their destroyed homes re- cal negotiations continue, protest- once an al-Sadr-backed government liament was dissolved June 30 and balances from a supervisory author- built, especially in the western side ers took to the streets to demand is formed, he will be under pressure the new one has yet to be sworn in, ity, such as the parliament,” Sabah of the city. jobs and better public services in to deliver. the government is the only author- al-Saidi, who won a parliamentary “More than 380,000 people are the oil-rich southern city of Basra. “If [a future] al-Sadr government ity in charge in the face of public dis- seat with al-Sadr’s alliance, told the still displaced in and around Mosul One person was killed as police dis- fails to improve the provision of content. Niqash.org website. as the city lies in ruins with a stag- persed the demonstrations. electrical power, the former am- The tensions come as Iraq has re- gering 8 million tonnes of debris,” “[They are] youths demanding plifier of protesters may find him- newed its efforts against the Islamic said a report by the Norwegian Refu- solutions to the problem of unem- self the target of demonstrations,” While political negotiations State (ISIS) in Kirkuk and Nineveh gee Council, which said $874 million ployment that has deteriorated be- wrote Andrea Taylor, a non-resident continue, protesters took to provinces, after declaring victory is needed to repair Mosul’s basic in- cause of the inaction of the federal fellow with the Atlantic Council’s the streets to demand jobs against the militants last December. frastructure. government,” Karim Shuak, a mem- Rafik Hariri Centre for the Middle and better public services Canada said it would assume com- Abadi said the government “has ber of Basra’s provincial council, East. in the oil-rich southern mand of a NATO training and capac- allocated a large portion of its budg- told Agence France-Presse. “Iraqi protesters have drawn a city of Basra. ity-building mission in Iraq. Up to et for the reconstruction process” Iraqis have also been protesting link between electricity shortages 250 Canadian troops are expected but called on the international com- power outages, prompting al-Sadr and government corruption. Con- Some politicians expressed con- to head to Iraq before the end of the munity for more aid. to call for resorting to foreign com- sistent with this, electricity provi- cern over the government’s work year. Australia is reportedly sending panies to provide electricity. sion may provide a tangible marker without parliamentary oversight. two military trainers to the NATO Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy Protesters stormed the airport in against which Iraqis will measure “The powers of the government mission in Iraq, in what the Austral- Managing Editor and Online Editor the city of Najaf, briefly disrupting whether al-Sadr fulfils his anti-cor- should be limited to the everyday ian government termed as a “small of The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint Still no justice for Iraqi war victims

he prosecution of Brit- The intended gagging of PIL bay, is gaining traction. is rooted in the same self-righteous ish war crimes in Iraq unfolds, as some Iraqis say, as an The flimsy rationale provided by belief [as Windrush] that they de- has metamorphosed exercise in the reinvention of his- British officials, May and others, fine what justice is, who is entitled Nazli Tarzi into a political saga tory and postponement of justice. does little to rebut Iraqi suspicions to justice and when justice can be with forever shifting Lyndon Mukasa, a writer who of a truth-suppression scheme enacted,” Mukasa said. parameters. specialised in the development that protects occupying countries, The line of Iraqi awaiting justice TNew twists threaten to reinvent of the Caribbean region, likens not the innocent victims whose grows, all the while a conspiracy the story of Britain’s unwelcomed British war crimes in the context lives remain haunted as a result of of silence prevails. Although the occupation of Iraq, beneath claims of Iraq to “the Windrush scandal,” Britain’s hedonism. British military has an image to that “we may never know” the arguing that politics “for too long, Last year’s decision to pull down protect, the very insistence that hands of British personnel are dirty and the UK immigration policy, has the shutters on the Iraq Historic Al- “we may never know” if British with Iraq blood and efforts to block affected the priorities of the state.” legations Team, established under military personnel enacted crimes the involvement of the Interna- Publicised scandals, including the former Labour government, is from 2003-05 will go down in Brit- tional Criminal Court (ICC). Abu Ghraib, barely scratch the further evidence of the postpone- ish history as the biggest miscar- Accusations of wilful killings, surface of war crimes perpetrated ment of justice and demotion of riage of justice. abuse and torture, fended off in against Iraqi civilians and the the rights of occupied people. While all the evidence for a full December by British Prime Minis- parroted argument that Britain’s While the legal investigative investigation exists, justice may ter Theresa May’s official spokes- judicial structures are sufficient body was lauded for its receptiv- superficially surface in a decade man, drew muted outrage owing to enough to produce a meaningful ity to international law standards, or few. As Britain’s leading mili- the publicised witch hunt against “apolitical” verdict draws attention particularly in the Baha Mousa tary institutions refuse to admit lawyers shunned by May as “activ- to the greater bid to ward off ICC inquiry settlement, the same can liability, the vestiges of its presence ist and left-wing.” prosecution. no longer apply. The family of in Iraq remain visible, particularly A growing number of Queen’s More than juridical tools and Mousa, a 26-year-old Iraqi civil- after Islamic State’s conquest of Counsels and lawyers, handling domestic mechanisms, politics is ian hotel receptionist from Basra, Mosul led to the return of British legacy investigations in the past what defines the fate of offend- tortured to death while in the personnel to the country, this time decade, are being dismissed on ers. The claims presented by PIL custody of British soldiers in 2003, in response to an official invitation. allegations of professional miscon- head, solicitor Phil Shiner, and the received a $4 million payout while The Iraqi community — Mukasa duct. The most famous involved potential for ICC involvement were the trial proceedings cost six times advised applying lessons from the closure of the Birmingham- quashed and, with that, the re- the amount. Windrush — must campaign to based Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) maining hope to see the glass wall, Acceptance of blame was a keep this injustice in the public Publicised scandals, firm in August 2016, representing behind which heads of government tough destination that ministers consciousness if there is a chance including Abu complainants in the $40 million and disgraced British soldiers hide stammered and floundered before of upending the postponement Ghraib, barely price tag — Al-Sweady enquiry behind, shatter. arriving at. Of seven defendants, of justice by the British establish- case. The closure was justified Evidence introduced by Shiner, only one admitted wrongdoing, ment. scratch the surface on grounds of deceit and selec- endorsed in a report written by ICC becoming the first British soldier of war crimes tive fact-finding after some of the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, before convicted of a war crime. Nazli Tarzi is an independent people killed by British soldiers he was struck off, is considered “The refusal of leading British journalist whose writings and films perpetrated against were found to be members of the defunct. The “No grounds” argu- institutions to concede responsibil- focus on Iraq’s ancient history and Iraqi civilians. paramilitary Mehdi army group. ment, helping to keep the ICC at ity in the case of war crimes in Iraq contemporary political scene. 10 July 15, 2018 Debate Lebanon

Hezbollah’s military power cannot give the Lebanese Christians their rights

otic Movement (FPM) considers Risky itself among the 74 parliamentar- manoeuvring. Khairallah ians whom Iranian Major-General Lebanese Khairallah Qassem Soleimani of the Islamic Foreign Revolutionary Guard Corps consid- Minister ers as representing Tehran in the Gebran Lebanese parliament. Bassil pauses The FPM and its president, during a news hy is Hezbollah Gebran Bassil, have not indicated conference in insisting on a that they do. Bassil’s manoeuvrings Arsal near the new Lebanese indicate he is not far from doing so, border with government however. He acts as if he wants to Syria, last made to its meas- settle old scores with Samir Geagea June. (AP) ure? Is it because on the one hand and get out of the Wit is misreading the balance of Taif Agreement on the other. He power in the region or perhaps Iran has shown oversensitivity towards wants to emphatically demonstrate the Sunni community and its that Lebanon is just a card in its weight at the national and regional hand? levels. For Iran to feel the need to make It is not in the interest of Leba- such a demonstration is a sign of non to get involved into an adven- weakness rather than strength. ture of this kind. Hariri will be Iran could play the card of southern asked to form a government and he Lebanon if it wants to but for what? will refuse to head a government tarian pro-Iranian militia. sentiments are running high in Everybody knows that a war with dictated by Hezbollah. Whoever thinks that Hezbol- Iraq, even among the Shia com- Israel in southern Lebanon would In Lebanon, every child would lah has a civilisational project for munity. In Iraq, a popular leader, lead to an outcome quite differ- know that there is a pressing need Lebanon is in for a big surprise. Muqtada al-Sadr, is elected; so Iran ent from the war of the summer for all parties to maintain the Taif The party is simply in the service hurries to undo the election results. of 2006 when Israel — for strictly Agreement and not to undermine of Iran and will do everything to So, how do we bring harmony self-serving reasons — let Hezbol- them with talk about the “strong patch any damages done to its to Lebanon? First, we need to lah score a victory over Lebanon pact.” master. The Iranian regime has no agree that Hezbollah’s military and the Lebanese. When all factions of Lebanese civilisational model to offer. How power cannot give the Lebanese Hezbollah is indirectly behind society stand behind any pact, it can we explain that more than half Christians their rights, that is in the tug of war on the composition will become strong. Any pact can of the citizens of this rich country case their rights have indeed been of the new Lebanese government. become strong when you have a live below the poverty line? The spoiled. No Lebanese should claim There are many questions raised strong balanced government capa- Iranian regime knows only how to his or her rights by resorting to il- by this insistence that Lebanese ble of draining Arab and interna- rule with an iron fist and spread legitimate forces. Prime Minister Saad Hariri accept tional aid. misery and backwardness. Second, we need to agree that the what he could never accept — form It would be better to make sure These efforts to impose a govern- Taif Agreement, despite shortcom- a faulty government — if he were that the foundations of authority ment composition in Lebanon that ings, guarantees the rights of all to go along with the pressure to and the constitution are respected would be subservient to Hezbollah Lebanese. This frivolous talk about marginalise the Future Movement, instead of blabbering about regain- are part of Iran’s “my way or the abandoning the Taif Agreement is the Lebanese Forces and Druze ing the rights of the Christians highway” strategy. What the re- dangerous and aims at dragging leader Walid Jumblatt’s Progressive or about sending Syrian refugees gime in Tehran is interested in is to everybody towards a “constitu- Socialist Party. home regardless of their safety or prove to the Iranians that it really tional congress” that Hezbollah The composition of the newly of what the UN refugee agencies does control Beirut, in addition to Secretary-General Hassan Nasral- elected parliament does not show think. Baghdad, Damascus and Sana’a. lah called for a few years back. It a clear majority or a clear minority; Above all, however, it is not right Regardless of whether Iran’s represents the shortest way to a unless of course, the Free Patri- to have any faction in Lebanon expansionist project is progressing triangle of power among the Shias, wave Hezbollah’s illegitimate or waning, it would be unnatural the Sunnis and the Christians weapons in the face of other Leba- for Lebanon to have an unnatural rather than equal power sharing No Lebanese should claim his nese. No Lebanese in general and government. We know that Iran’s between Muslims and Christians. Christian Lebanese, in particular, project is waning. Iran is on the or her rights by resorting to can score victories by relying on run. The new US sanctions are kill- Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese illegitimate forces. the illegitimate weapons of a sec- ing its oil exports and anti-Iranian writer. Refugee crisis in Lebanon: Collision with the international community

[talk].” The Lebanese General Security Kabbara denied allegations that There are fears that racist speech agency has been planning for There has been the United Nations had been at- against the refugees increases the return of Syrian refugees and heated debate tempting to settle Syrian refugees Rami Rayess animosity among the Lebanese, repatriated several hundred. How- whether Bassil’s in Lebanon. who are trying to deal with an eco- ever, it was not certain whether policies, “UNHCR has consistently nomic crisis caused by corruption those refugees had returned especially with reaffirmed that it respects the and political stagnation. willingly although media reports, government of Lebanon’s policy Aoun, who pledged to combat including interviews with return- international that integration is not an option for ebanon’s economy has corruption, failed to initiate poli- ees, conveyed their readiness and agencies, will refugees in Lebanon and recog- been under enormous cies to do that. Rather, he provided enthusiasm to go home. fail to lead to nised that the stay of refugees is pressure because of the cover for more suspicious dealings, Khaled Kabbara, spokesman for returning temporary,” he said. “This was influx of Syrian refu- not least some connected with the UN High Commissioner for refugees to committed to in a number of inter- gees. An estimated 1.5 Lebanon’s power production facili- Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, Syria. national texts and, most recently, million people have fled ties, widely supposed to be riddled said: “Over the decades, the partnership paper prepared LSyria since 2011 when a peaceful with corruption. UNHCR has helped some 40 jointly by Lebanon and its interna- revolution turned into widespread There has been heated debate million refugees return home to dif- tional partners for the Brussels II armed conflict. In addition to whether Bassil’s policies, especial- ferent countries in the world and Conference.” Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey re- ly with international agencies, will some returned before conditions “UNHCR was indeed notified ceived refugees numbering in the fail to lead to returning refugees to on the ground allowed UNHCR to by the general security of these millions. Syria. Any dispute with the inter- organise the return. The goal is al- returns,” Kabbara added, yet he The bitter political dispute in national community will aggravate ways to find sustainable solutions admitted that UNHCR played no Lebanon regarding the refugees’ issues, PSP said in a position taken to the temporary situation of a role in carrying them out. future began with the 2016 election after Bassil’s actions with interna- refugee. In the context of Lebanon, “UNHCR has always been work- of Michel Aoun as president. His tional agencies. There are certain the solutions pursued are repa- ing with the Lebanese government party, the Free Patriotic Move- international laws that Lebanon triation in line with international and its authorities to help refugees ment, has consistently attacked should abide by regarding the safe standards and resettlement to and the Lebanese people deal with the refugees’ presence in Lebanon. return of refugees, PSP said. third countries.” the enormous challenges resulting Just a few weeks ago, caretaker from the Syrian crisis and will con- Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil tinue doing so,” Kabbara said of proclaimed that, because of the relations between UNHCR and the refugees, the Lebanese economy Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Af- was on the verge of collapse. fairs, which had become strained Such assertions didn’t go unchal- to the point that the ministry lenged. Progressive Socialist Party declined to renew UNHCR staff (PSP) Chairman Walid Jumblatt members’ Beirut residencies. said: “Enough fooling the people The refugee crisis is undoubted- that the Lebanese economy is on ly one of the most pressing issues the verge of collapse because of facing the Lebanese government. the Syrians. Stop that cheap, racist It needs to be addressed immedi- ately. However, if the international community fails to fully support If the international community the Lebanese government, it risks Lebanon taking arbitrary action fails to fully support the that will ill serve both the refugees Lebanese government, it risks and themselves. Lebanon taking arbitrary action Rami Rayess is a Lebanese writer. that will ill serve both the Political pawns. A Syrian child sits on a truck before leaving a refugee Follow him on Twitter: refugees and themselves. camp in Arsal towards Syria’s Qalamoun region, on July 7. (AFP) @RamiRayess. July 15, 2018 11 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Israeli ‘nation state’ bill faces fierce criticism

Mamoon Alabbasi “A constitution is supposed to guarantee a state for all its citizens. It must not explicitly exclude the London Palestinian citizens, non-immi- grant homeland minorities, who legislative measure that make up 20% of Israel’s popula- aims to enshrine into law tion,” Hassan Jabareen, general di- Israel as “the nation-state rector of rights group Adalah, said. A of the Jewish people” has Secular and liberal Israelis were met fierce criticism, not just from alarmed by the section of the leg- the country’s citizens of Palestin- islation that would instruct judges ian origin but also from Jewish Is- to look for precedents from Jewish raelis. legal rulings in cases that Israeli The bill, which has passed one of law does not offer guidance. There its three parliamentary readings, is are fears the bill would favour proposed to be part of the “Basic some Jewish traditions over oth- Laws” that enjoy constitution-like ers. status in Israel’s legal system. The measure drew sharp criti- After failing to pass a version cism from Israeli President Reu- of the bill in 2014, Israeli Prime ven Rivlin, whose post is ceremo- Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is nial. He warned of the damage pushing to have a vote on the new such a law would do to Israel’s rep- draft in parliament before the end utation. “[The bill] could harm the of the current session but there are Jewish people and Jews around disagreements on the final draft the world and in Israel and could among members of his ruling coa- even be used by our enemies as a lition. weapon,” Rivlin said in an open letter. “[It] would essentially allow any There are fears the bill community to establish residen- would favour some Jewish tial communities that exclude Se- traditions over others. phardic Jews, ultra-Orthodox peo- ple, Druze, LGBT people. Is that “Just as there are laws impor- what the Zionist vision means?” tant to you, I respect this and you Supporters of the bill in the Li- Legalising discrimination. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the Knesset in Jerusalem, should also respect that this law is kud party said the Israeli president last March. (Reuters) very important to us,” Netanyahu should not be involved in politics told his coalition partners. and accused him of being moti- The measure declares that “the vated by personal dislike for the news website. will become a leader among na- Burston said the bill was a “giant state can allow a community prime minister. Rivlin’s position was supported tionalist countries like Poland and step” towards fascism. composed of people of the same “The nation-state bill is one of by the office of Israel’s attorney Hungary, to which it has drawn “As its name suggests, the pro- faith or nationality to maintain the most important bills that we general, Avichai Mendelblit. closer recently while distancing posed law has everything to do an exclusive community.” The bill [the Likud] have promoted in the “This is blatant discrimination itself from properly run West- with extreme nationalism and would make Hebrew the only offi- last ten years and it ensures the this means that the residents’ se- ern countries,” wrote Mordechai with the exercise of raw, explicitly cial language of the state, reducing Jewish people’s principled hold lection committee can hang up Kremnitzer in Haaretz. unequal power. It has nothing to Arabic to a “special” language. on their land. I regret that Presi- a sign saying: ‘No entry to non- “Israel wants to be ‘darkness do with what we used to know as Such suggestions have raised dent Rivlin elects time and again Jews’,” said Eyal Zandberg of the unto the nations’ — to remove the Judaism,” he wrote. concerns of discrimination among to attack the basic values of the attorney general’s office. mask so as to reveal the ugly face Some of Netanyahu’s coalition Israel’s non-Jewish citizens, most right-wing government and Prime Israeli commentators did not of ultranationalist Israel in all its partners warned they would not notably those of Palestinian origin Minister Netanyahu,” parliament hold back their criticism, either. repugnance.” support the bill if a watered-down and whose first language is Arabic. member Miki Zohar told the Walla “If this basic law passes, Israel Also writing in Haaretz, Bradley version was tabled.

Viewpoint Fatah and Hamas or the hypocrisy of crying over spilt milk

oth sides of the Pales- ger, poverty, unemployment, mili- tinian family feud in tary siege and the absence of basic Ramallah and Gaza are services. The cause of the century will become nothing more than a Adli Sadeq feeling the first winds of the impending regional topic for poetic sagas and dramas. and international politi- A Fatah spokesman recently Bcal storm carrying Israel’s plans for warned against “any talks or ne- a settlement with the Palestinians. gotiations about the humanitarian For years, both sides of the Pal- situation in Gaza” because such estinian feud have been acting as if negotiations constitute “attempts they were not concerned with the to drown the national (Palestinian) threat and preferred to spend time cause in favour of the deal of the and energy on the smaller details century.” of deciding who should be boss and Unfortunately, this same spokes- how. man omitted to ask himself about Before the storm kicked off, the the causes behind the human dra- biggest issue for the Palestinians ma in Gaza. He forgot to mention was the so-called reconciliation. It that it was this same Palestinian was urgent to restore unity to the Authority that encouraged Israel to Palestinian political entity based on cut power in Gaza and encouraged respect of the constitutional rules Blamestorming. Hamas security forces arrest a member of the Egypt to close Gaza’s only land ac- (Reuters) and a commonsensical, balanced Fatah movement (2nd L) during clashes in Gaza. cess to the world. and clear national political vision. Hamas has felt the imminent It was also urgent to break with only now that they cannot afford to keeping it alive. Then Gaza will be threat. A Hamas leader reacted by the practice of restricting the deci- keep the status quo. enticed with specially tailored solu- insisting that “Gaza will not be a sion-making process to a handful The most skilful side will be tions that the beleaguered Gazans party to projects aiming at liquidat- of people and the inner circle of the the one that forms a consensus will find hard to resist. Of course, ing the Palestinian cause because president’s advisers. There was a government with full powers, then talk about the unity of the Palestin- the unity of the Palestinian people need for setting clear and transpar- organise fully democratic and open ian state and the integrity of its ter- and of the Palestinian territory in ent frameworks for policies and for elections, without exclusionary ritories will continue but will have the West Bank and Gaza District following political guidelines set by preconditions. The practices of no concrete effect. cannot be torn asunder.” What he the relevant institutions. manoeuvring the electoral process The second phase of the plan should have added is that this kind Finally, it was urgent that Hamas in favour of one side or the other involves a virtual gutting of the of talk makes sense only if Hamas stop contradicting the national have been shown to be futile. The Palestinian national project. The changes its behaviour. policy and give up relying on wild Palestinian people have rebuked fundamental facts and political The situation with Hamas is promises to the beleaguered Pales- their political elite whether from arguments supporting this project surreal. It is as if those wishing to tinian population in Gaza. Fatah, Hamas or any other political will be removed. Hamas and Fatah liquidate the Palestinian cause are Both sides of the feud are guilty entity. can find all the excuses they want engaged in an oratory joust with of driving the Palestinian cause to Undeclared Egyptian efforts are for their previous disastrous politi- Hamas and Hamas is acting as if the ground and of creating condi- taking place to pre-empt projects cal and social policies. The coming it had nothing to do with causing tions of desperation among the for a solution based on definitively winds of change, however, say dif- Gaza’s misery. Palestinians. All the Americans separating Gaza and the West Bank ferently and point them out as the The fact remains, however, that and Israelis had to do was jump on being advanced under the guise direct cause for the emergence of Hamas failed miserably in offering these conditions and turn them of saving Gaza from its misery. these plans aimed at liquidating the the Palestinian people the right Hamas’s experience into the Palestinian cause itself, Indeed, short-sighted solutions will Palestinian cause. model for a fair national rule. Its the central issue of sorts that bears be reaching Gaza soon. Indeed, the just Palestinian cause experience of ruling Gaza is proof of ruling Gaza is proof potentially dangerous repercus- By examining the latest missions is the least of everybody’s con- that Islamists are incompetent to that Islamists are sions for the Palestinians and for of US envoys, it looks like the “deal cerns. The urgency has shifted to rule wherever they are. the region. The leadership of the of the century” will take place how to keep life going as naturally incompetent to rule Palestinian Authority in Ramallah in two phases. The first involves as possible in Gaza so people stay Adli Sadeq is a Palestinian writer wherever they are. and that of Hamas in Gaza discover spinning the problem of Gaza and and do not migrate to escape hun- and political analyst. 12 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis Tunisia Al-Qaeda ambush shows Tunisia’s ‘vulnerabilities’

Lamine Ghanmi rior for more than one month. This shows the low we are in because of weakness and political nonsense Tunis of the elites here,” he said. Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef unisia vowed to stamp out Chahed fired Interior Minister Lotfi terrorist hideouts after Brahem on June 6 after a boat car- the worst attack on gov- rying some 180 migrants sank off T ernment forces in nearly Tunisia’s coast. An estimated 100 two years. However, analysts said people drowned. Tunisian officials have yet to cure Brahem’s supporters alleged his the country’s weaknesses amid a sacking was a settlement of politi- democratic transition crisis that is cal scores between ruling political diverting the attention of the gov- factions. ernment. Six members of Tunisia’s Nation- “The attack showed that Tunisia al Guard were killed July 8 in the has yet to rid the state of its vulner- north-west province of Jendouba, abilities. It is a repeat of the same near the Algerian border. In the situations since 2013, then in 2015 attack, claimed by an al-Qaeda af- Severe blow. Police officers accompany a vehicle carrying the coffin of a Tunisian security forces (Reuters) and now,” said Jalel Harchaoui, a filiate, gunmen ambushed a regu- member who was killed in an ambush in north-western Tunisia, on July 9. security expert at the French Insti- lar patrol unit outside the village tute of Geopolitics, referring to the of Ain Soltane, the Tunisian Press ing among rival factions within the idea that the terrorists were “Tunisia is still focusing more assassination of two opposition Agency reported. the ruling parties and opposition there by chance and no informa- on addressing a number of finan- leaders and attacks in a museum It was the bloodiest attack since groups outside the government to tion had reached them about the cial and social problems such as and a tourist resort. March 2016 when approximately a new level. Some politicians sug- presence of the patrol at this time the budget deficit and weakening “The attack highlights al-Qae- 100 Islamic State fighters attempt- gested that “inside sources” tipped and place.” currency. There is no big push for da’s change over the past 18 years. ed to seize the Tunisian town of the jihadists to the patrol; others Harchaoui, however, said al- spending more on the fight against It calibrates its message to the po- Ben Guerdane, on the Tunisian- blamed the government for fail- Qaeda was “always there” looking jihadists.” litical circumstances to reflect the Libyan border, killing 13 security ing to properly equip and train the for military opportunities. “Another difference with frustrations of the local popula- forces and seven civilians before force. “It is more important to under- Algeria is that [Algerian President tion,” Harchaoui said. being repelled. “Ain Soltane attack unveiled the stand the shift in strategy of al- Abdelaziz] Bouteflika had stayed Moncef Ouannes, director-gen- The Tunisian branch of al-Qaeda weakness of the whole elites. We Qaeda in the recent years. Besides about 20 years in power while Tu- eral of the state-run think-tank in the Islamic Maghreb, the Uqba are all responsible for this failure its military operations, it seeks nisia has changed several govern- Centre for Economic and Social ibn Nafi battalion, claimed respon- as politicians, intellectuals and to be seen as the defender of the ments in six years. It is sad to say Studies and Research, said the at- sibility for the July 8 ambush, giv- journalists,” said Zied Krichen, an Islamic causes and its messages that democracy does not make it tack displayed divisions among the ing a higher death toll and claiming expert on Islamism in Tunisia. “It suggest that the jihadist group is easy to fight terrorism,” he added. country’s elites. to have seized weapons from slain showed that we lacked a collective listening to the sufferings of the “We will avenge our martyrs and “It is sad to see that there is a National Guard members. national project to bring us togeth- population,” he said. we will relentlessly hunt down the gap between the elites’ mindset The group warned that its “war” er with each faction and profes- “For al-Qaeda, the government terrorists into their hideouts,” said and the need for right conditions in Tunisia would continue until it sional group giving priority to their is ephemeral and the group has the interim Interior Minister Ghazi to pursue a successful strategy to established a fundamentalist Is- own interests.” time and the patience to carry out Jribi, adding that “the Tunisian fight terror,” he said. “The attack lamic state and restored “the rights Political writer Synda Tajine said its strategy to replace the state by a people will win the battle against suggests that there is an assess- and natural resources to our peo- “attacking a patrol transporting fundamentalist rule.” terrorism.” ment of the situation by the ter- ple of Kairouan.” weapons in a high-security area Comparing Tunisia’s strategy Tunisian President Beji Caid Es- rorists or by those behind them to Kairouan, the spiritual capital of cannot be a stroke of luck for the to Algeria’s, he said: “Algeria has sebsi vowed to unveil the “whole exploit such divisions.” Tunisia, is used by radical Islamists terrorists. shown it is able to quickly remedy truth” about the attack. “Name me a country where a to refer to the early era of Islamic “There is a failure somewhere in its vulnerabilities after a big at- state in a war with terrorism, which rule in the North African country. the system or a betrayal. This is a tack by adding more resources and Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly remains without a minister of inte- The attack pushed the infight- fact. We must be naive to accept more forces against the jihadists. correspondent in Tunis. Viewpoint Nidaa Tounes faces Beji Caid Essebsi could be risk of yet another split

the only one capable of saving Jemai Guesmi tion that seemed to echo that of its Islamist rival Ennahda Move- ment and contradict that of Tunis Nidaa Tounes, which led by the Nidaa Tounes from its divisions president’s son, Hafedh Caid Es- frenzy of meetings sebsi, who has been opposed to dissatisfaction movement has the ing near and it has become doubtful gripped the Nidaa keeping Prime Minister Youssef signs of a collective grumble and whether Nidaa Tounes can repeat Tounes political party Chahed and his government. Amine involves leading party figures. its clear electoral victories of 2014. A in Tunisia, including Other party members — 11 Ben Messaoud The camp behind Nidaa Tounes Part of the party’s internal feuds intercessions by Tunisian Presi- members of the 31-person Nidaa Executive Director Hafedh Caid centres on the fate of the current dent Beji Caid Essebsi to help Tounes political bureau — is- Essebsi — the son of Tunisian Presi- governmental team and Prime the party to avoid a fifth crisis sued a statement July 11 saying idaa Tounes is dent Beji Caid Essebsi, who had Minister Youssef Chahed. However, since it was founded in 2012. the “political bureau is the only undergoing a war founded the party — has described the biggest bone of contention has Nidaa Tounes has seen a se- executive instance that is re- of declarations and dissatisfied members of the politi- always been the leadership of the ries of resignations that resulted sponsible for managing party af- counterpunches cal bureau as a putschist minority party itself. in four parties — the Tunis Pro- fairs collectively until the date with allegations of and stripped them of the right to One camp wants to see Hafedh ject Movement, led by Mohsen of the party’s congress,” which political treason and speak for the party or make deci- Caid Essebsi removed so new life Marzouk; the Tunisia First they set for September. Nprofound irregularities. The party is sions in its name. can be breathed in the party. The Movement, led by Ridha Belhaj; Those party members were obviously unable to manage its in- That, however, does not change other camp wants to maintain the Beni Watani Party, led by Said described as Chahed support- ternal debate, let alone control and the fact that the party is going founder’s son at the helm of the Aidi; and the Future Party, led ers. Thei rivals claimed they patch up the divergence of opinions through a deep crisis. Since the party, even though there is no com- by Tahar Ben Hassine — splinter were Ennahda agents inside at its core. departure of Beji Caid Essebsi (after parison between father and son in off since the elections of 2014 Nidaa Tounes. The declaration by party mem- he was elected president), the party terms of experience, leadership and put it in power. Hafedh Caid Essebsi pointed bers dissatisfied with Hafedh Caid has not found a leader who can charisma. out that the meeting “was at- Essebsi’s leadership and with the create the needed consensus and Nidaa Tounes was the party that tended by a minority from the party’s public discourse is serious harmony inside it. brought balance to the Tunisian It is unclear whether the political bureau” and accused political statement challenging It is true that Nidaa Tounes has political scene and, yet, it is failing party’s situation will them of pursuing “an agenda what remains of the Nidaa Tounes been in a feverish state since the to bring its various wings together. change the political that seeks to split the party and party structure. 2014 elections. The party’s leader- It was the party that drove Ennahda path in Tunisia. weaken its weight on the politi- Not only was it made by found- ship had to deal with managing the out of power and made it pledge cal scene.” ing and central figures of the party party’s alliance with its Islamist allegiance to Tunisia first but it is To avoid a fifth split, Caid Es- It is unclear whether the but it stripped the party leadership adversary Ennahda Movement, currently giving the Islamist move- sebsi on July 12 met with Nidaa party’s situation will alter the of its legitimacy, returning it to the settling internal party conflicts and ment fodder to build an advantage Tounes members in the Tuni- political path in Tunisia set in party’s political bureau. The state- playing an active role in governing in the 2019 elections. sian parliament to ease tensions August 2013 with an agreement ment set a date for the next party the country in extremely challeng- Nidaa Tounes desperately needs caused by statements and accu- between Beji Caid Essebsi and congress and appointed as a new ing conditions. to find the right person to re-estab- sations between feuding camps Ennahda leader Rached Ghan- party spokeswoman. With each issue, the divergence lish the party’s internal cohesion in the party. nouchi. There are indications of a pro- of opinion and orientation sapped and plan for its next congress. The Several members of Nidaa But changes could be in the off- found split inside Nidaa Tounes. the party’s synergy. only person capable of doing that is Tounes’s political bureau issued ing. While the party has previously The party progressed to a stage of Beji Caid Essebsi himself. a statement emphasising the im- seen the wilful departure of leading self-doubt coupled with misgivings portance of preserving “the sta- Jemai Guesmi is a Tunisian members (Mohsen Marzouk, Ridha about how it is being run. Presiden- Amine Ben Messaoud is a Tunisian bility of the government,” a posi- writer. Belhaj and Said Aidi), the current tial and general elections are draw- writer and political analyst. July 15, 2018 13 News & Analysis Libya Interview Libyans are disillusioned but cling to hope

current crisis, which arose from in- ing countries and its stability has a fighting among the “revolutionar- huge effect on the stability of the ies” early in the “revolution.” The whole region.” Lamine Ghanmi conflict between liberals and Is- He cited UN envoy to Libya lamists evolved during the period Ghassan Salame to explain why of the General National Congress, “Libya is rich in oil and other re- Tunis with each faction forming military sources but Libyans are feeling the forces, which hindered the transi- crunch of an economic crisis.” isillusioned with tion to a stable state, he added. Libyan Field-Marshall Khalifa politics and bereft Enattah blamed “external par- Haftar, whose Libyan National of any illusions, ties” for extending the crisis and Army and security forces control Libyans have lowered making it more complex because the eastern region of Libya, faces their expectations to each foreign influence has its own off with an array of political fac- “bread and security,” agenda and interests and backs tions and militias in control of Dsaid Tripoli University President a particular faction to further its Tripoli and other western regions. Nabil Enattah, who, however, said aims. “The immediate effect of this he sees hope in Libya’s strong divide is an economic stagnation social fabric. with a liquidity crisis, a depreciat- Libya plunged into chaos fol- “The European ed dinar and higher prices stifling lowing a 2011 NATO-backed revolt the livelihood of most Libyans,” that toppled long-time dictator Union has a said Enattah. “The Libyan crisis is Muammar Qaddafi. Since 2014, the responsibility to help becoming an economic crisis and country has been split between that adds to the misery of Liby- rival governments and parliaments Libyans move ans.” in Tripoli and in the eastern region towards a peaceful “Salame has an assessment that of Bayda. shows how difficult the situa- “Libyans are finding it increas- solution.” tion is getting. He described the ingly difficult to have bread. They Tripoli University political crisis spawning a perverse are fed up with politics and politi- economic model based on corrup- cal infighting. They are yearning President Nabil tion and trafficking in people and for bread and security,” Enattah Enattah goods,” added Enattah. told The Arab Weekly in an inter- He said Libya has no direct role view. “Economic interests of major in the migration crisis with which He said the role of Libya’s elites companies, different policies of the European Union is struggling, Seeing hope. Tripoli University President Nabil Enattah. is the main cause of — and the key global and regional powers have adding: “It is a problem imposed (Libya’s Biotechnology Research Centre) to solving — the conflict. acted as an amplifier of the crisis,” on us by the vacuum of power and “The revolution took the elites Enattah said. “Poor people from the interests of human traffickers.” off-guard. They were not pre- neighbouring countries flooded Asked whether elections could are central to a plan presented by Libya’s resilience as a state and the pared to build the institutions southern regions where adventur- break the impasse in Libya, Enat- Salame to the UN General Assem- relatively strong fabric of society and rebuild the state and pave the ous armed groups, who looked for tah said: “As a tool of democracy, bly in September 2017 but Libya to weather the crisis. way for stability, democracy and money from smuggling and other elections are necessary to decide experts are increasingly sceptical “Libya has been a state for sev- prosperity,” said Enattah on the trafficking practices, have added to between opposite interests and that free and fair elections could eral centuries. It had resisted and sidelines of a conference in Tunis the problems of the country.” contradictory ideologies and take place this year. survived many daunting difficul- about the Libyan conflict. “France shoulders more respon- political orientations but elections The 2014 election was followed ties and ordeals in the past. It will “The truth is that Libyan society sibility in Libya and should help could make the conflict worse. Be- by a civil war that caused more po- do the same this time,” he said. had been deprived of political Libya restore peace and stability. cause who can impose respect for litical atomisation with the emer- “Despite the criminal gangs and experience under Qaddafi’s rule The European Union has a re- the outcome of the polls if there no gence of informal mechanisms for other militias, Libyans in many as well as under the previous sponsibility to help Libyans move army, no strong police and no un- amassing economic wealth and parts of Libya are able to invent regime,” he said. towards a peaceful solution,” said derstanding between rivals before grabbing political power by rival ways to survive and live together Enattah argued that the former Enattah. “Libya is a pivotal state in the vote?” militias and warlords. without losing sight of their values regime could not be blamed for the the region. It has eight neighbour- Elections before the end of 2018 Enattah, however, pins hope on and strong bonds.”

Viewpoint Libyan oil terminals back under NOC control

Or rather re-seized them. From as well. After the first decision, 2013-16, Jadhran had held them they went up on the expectation but kept them closed, crippling that some 800,000 bpd of Libyan Michel Cousins Libyan exports and oil income. In oil would no longer be available September 2016, Haftar’s Libyan on the international market. That National Army (LNA) took them suited many producers, including from Jadhran and Haftar handed Russia. ibyan Field-Marshal them to the official NOC in Tripoli. Handing the terminals back to Khalifa Haftar is not It was a move that gained him the official NOC had an instant known for making ma- international and national kudos. opposite effect, with prices fall- jor U-turns but he has However, on June 25, three days ing steeply. The day the NOC found himself having after the LNA ended Jadhran’s announced the hand-back, the to publicly back down occupation of the terminals, it was price of benchmark Brent crude Lover plans to sell oil from the east to the Benghazi body that Haftar dropped almost 7%, its biggest fall of the country on the international gave control of the terminals along in more than two years. market. with the other three facilities in The saga has been a serious Some two weeks after he hand- eastern Libya. misadventure for Haftar. Interna- ed the country’s eastern oil export His argument was that income tionally, his credibility suffered terminals to the oil corporation set from the NOC sales was being from the first announcement. Not up in Benghazi by the internation- used to pay militias such as the only was it bitterly opposed, it ally spurned administration in the BDB. He reckoned that the NOC was seen by his allies as a seri- east, he was forced to return them in Benghazi could sell the oil with ous political misjudgment. While to the internationally recognised the income used to fund the LNA the change of mind will ease the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and civil administration in areas foreign pressure, the reasons for it in Tripoli, which is linked to the under LNA control. are likely to be resented in Libya. rival administration led by Fayez Many Libyans liked the idea, U-turn. A Libyan soldier walks next to damaged tanks and pipe- One of the big complaints in al-Sarraj. agreeing that the funding of the lines at the oil port of Ras Lanuf, on July 10. (Reuters) Libya is that foreign governments Forces led by former oil block- militias needed to stop, but they, are dictating what should hap- ader Ibrahim Jadhran, supported along with Haftar and the LNA, pen in the country and doing so by the Islamist Benghazi Defence made that determination without intercepted stopped tanker own- less than 250,000 bpd by the end in their own interests. Any Libyan Brigades (BDB), seized the Ras taking into account the United ers from allowing their vessels to of the month. The NOC estimated figure seen as following foreign Lanuf and Sidra oil terminals on Nations or key international play- be used to ship oil from eastern the country was losing $67.4 mil- diktats is regarded with dislike. June 14. ers such as the Americans and the Libya. Eastern hopes that coun- lion a day in sales. The one person who comes out Europeans. tries such as Egypt and Russia Haftar handed the terminals to of this on top is the head of the The United Nations insisted the would ignore the UN ban and buy the Tripoli NOC on July 11. The de- official NOC, Mustafa Sanalla. It One of the big terminals be returned to the of- oil proved to be a fantasy. cision was announced by the NOC was significant, moreover, that in ficial NOC. The United States, the Although nothing official has and only the following day did the the NOC’s statement announcing complaints in Libya is United Kingdom, France and Italy been said, there were reports that LNA confirm it. the terminal hand-back and force that foreign fired off similar demands, noting the Americans and French pres- Not everyone is happy about majeure lifted, there were thanks governments are that any attempt to sell Libyan oil sured Haftar behind the scenes to it. People in Benghazi spoke of to the LNA for recapturing Ras without the NOC’s approval would reverse his decision. their deep disappointment. “We Lanuf and Sidra and commisera- dictating what should be a breach of UN Security Council With no one buying, the result all thought it [the initial decision] tion at the number of soldiers who happen in the country resolutions. The European Union of Haftar’s handover was that was a good idea. The US forced died in the incident. threatened action against any Libyan oil sales — approximately 1 him to change,” said one local and doing so in their tankers taking Libyan oil. million barrels per day (bpd) at the journalist. Michel Cousins is a contributor to own interests. The threat of oil tankers being beginning of June — plummeted to The issue has affected oil prices The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. 14 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis Political Islam in the Arab World Interview Ashraf Mansour: Religious reform requires liberating religion from the religious establishment

He is best known for his compara- nated in June 1992. tive study between the interpre- Mansour said the first step in tive approaches adopted by Aver- reforming religion was to protect Mustafa Abid roes, Maimonides and Spinoza and intellectuals and creative thinkers for his encyclopaedia on the new by criminalising the act of accus- liberalism. ing people of apostasy. He said a Cairo Mansour ascribes the spread of charge of apostasy carries a death extremism in Arab societies to the sentence and this can be all it shraf Mansour, an “defective historical evolution” of takes to “motivate” some zealot to Egyptian academic those societies because the Arab “carry out that sentence.” who advocates lib- region has been subjected to dif- Criminalising accusations of eration of the Muslim ferent forms of colonialism and apostasy, however, is not enough. mind, is predictably occupation, first by the Ottomans, Mansour said that “in the ab- one of the many Arab then Western Europe, then the sence of the culture of intellectual intellectualsA under attack from United States. pluralism and dialogue, chaos will Salafists. Mansour said: “Rising extrem- prevail.” Mansour says religious reform ism can only be fought by reviving He said there was a need to requires the liberation of religion Islamic philosophy and modernist vanquish Salafist mentality, which from the hegemony of the reli- thinking.” Mansour compares to a closed gious establishment. “If we want “Every religious institution box full of old texts turned sacred to improve the current conditions will strive to deform the image over time. Confronting Salafist of Muslims, we must first liberate of religion,” he said. “This is not thinking “requires freeing oneself them from the men of religion,” true of Islam only but of Judaism from these texts by deconstruct- Gripping viewpoint. Egyptian academic Ashraf Mansour. he said. and Christianity, also. Religion, in ing them.” Only critical thinking (Courtesy of Ashraf Mansour) Mansour said that “the intellec- itself, does not require an institu- can help. “We need the intellect of tual, social and political context is tion, for it is a very personal rela- secularism to stop Salafism in its affected by the deep impregnation tion between man and God.” tracks,” Mansour said. enlightenment efforts because people are still “dominated by the of societies by Salafist currents Mansour explained the rise of Mansour said he agreed that they secretly work hand in hand present religious currents.” which have succeeded, even par- religious institutions as: “With lasting change must start with with religious movements.” Mansour spoke of the future of tially, to suppress the recourse to societal support religion expands changing the material bases of He said there were many enlight- religious movements in the Arab common sense and dialogue.” and takes the shape of a religious reality and that, in the Muslim ened philosophical and theological world, saying they will continue Mansour says the concept of the institution that starts control- world, there is an urgent need for schools of thought, such as Sufism to gain momentum because the caliphate does not exist in Islam ling people in the name of God. secular thinking and the culture of and the Mu’tazila, that ought to Arab regimes do not seem enthu- but is an invention of the religious This institution soon turns into a openness and co-existence with be brought back to life but the siastic about seriously combating establishment within a specific guardian and caretaker of religion. the other. For him, the Clash of problem is to get enlightened ideas extremism. They repeat the same historical context so should not be Its power and momentum in- Civilisations theory is fantasy. to the general public since most mistakes that had helped extrem- considered one of the foundations crease with alliances with political “Civilisations are not clashing ism grow by restricting freedoms of Islam. authority and soon evolves into but competing,” he said. “Each and democracy and mismanaging Mansour is a professor of philos- a religious police whose aim is to civilisation is trying to offer in- Mansour ascribes the the economic crisis. ophy at the University of Alexan- monitor people’s consciences and novative solutions to the current “This reality will lead to the dria and has produced unique and intentions.” social and human crises.” spread of extremism return of extremist currents and interesting research in philosophy There has been move of Arab Mansour said “the structuring of in Arab societies to we have no other way of getting and epistemology. He specialises intellectuals and philosophers the Arab society produces dictator- rid of terrorism except through in critical theory, German idealism rejecting that hegemony, including ship and that political autocracy is the “defective enlightenment and secularism,” and phenomenology. Egyptian intellectual Farag Foda, the ultimate outcome of that struc- historical evolution” Mansour said. He has written many works on who debated figures of religious ture and extremist Salafist culture political Islam, political theory and intellectualism. He was charged is part of this autocracy… So, these of those societies. Mustafa Abid is an Egyptian writer economy and sociology of religion. with apostasy and was assassi- Arab regimes cannot really support and journalist.

Viewpoint Why al-Azhar is unable to weed out extremist thought

rand Mufti of Egypt Ahmed Salem, professor of phi- wider audience. Shawki Allam rejected losophy at Tanta University, said the The problem is compounded a dissertation present- main obstacle stopping weeding out by laws against deriding religions Ahmed Gamal ed at al-Azhar Univer- extremist references is the refusal of voted on recently by the Egyptian sity because it relied religious institutions to respond to parliament. In addition to restrict- heavily on extremist governmental initiatives. Revising ing freedom of expression, they do Greferences. Islamic jurisprudence and develop- not encourage critical evaluation Allam, who was a member of the ing new doctrines are impossible and revision of religious heritage dissertation jury, objected to the as long as al-Azhar’s scholars are for fear of being accused of disre- inclusion of the writings of Sayyid convinced that classic references are specting religions. Qutb, the leading theorist of Muslim red lines. The issue is part of the political Brotherhood extremist thought. Salem said the main handicap is game between the state and the Allam said that referencing extrem- tied up in al-Azhar’s synergy with religious institutions. There are ist sources in research “destroys the the works of its old thinkers and mutual interests between the two correct vision of Islamic faith and scholars, some of whom paved the sides. In times of crises, the gov- encourages extremist thinking.” way for the creation of extremist ernment needs the support of the The mufti, however, stopped at organisations. Those references religious institutions and the latter criticising the researcher’s work and continue to be offered as canonical receives financial support that did not present a clear dissenting jurisprudential assets that students exceeds that given to educational view. His attitude is representa- must learn. Government institutions institutions. Some experts say al- tive of the incomplete approach must exercise a supervisory role Azhar won’t touch its intellectual of Egypt’s religious institutions in to weed out references that una- and religious heritage unless the dealing with extremist ideas. They Ongoing problem. A man reads bashedly promote terrorism before government withdraws financial address the problem superficially outside a bookshop that sells engaging in a scholarly revision of support. and formalistically, rather than sub- Islamic and reference books for traditional texts. Abdel Ghani Hindi, a member stantially intervening to eradicate it. al-Azhar students near the The result is that the task of revis- of the Higher Council for Islamic This incident was not the only one al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. (AP) ing Islamic heritage in al-Azhar has Affairs said the problem was not of its kind in Egypt recently. Minis- not moved one step forward. The restricted to deciding whether to ter of Awqaf (Endowments) Mo- incitement to kill and other crimes. question remains controversial and give students and researchers ac- hamed Mokhtar Gomaa expressed Political Islam experts point out casts doubts on al-Azhar’s willing- cess to old sources but was also tied anger at another researcher’s that the Brotherhood and Salafist ness to fulfil its role in combating to identifying erroneous ideas that referencing of opinions encouraging movements draw extremist ideolo- extremism. had seeped into the Islamic intel- extremist thought. The researcher gies from the ample supply of old This obvious failure in revising lectual heritage through the writ- had stressed a source saying that and modern sources on Islamic ju- traditional texts raises questions ings of scholars that coincided with “the idea of the nation-state leads to risprudence and theology available about who should impose measures the beginnings of political Islam a atheism and destroys monotheistic at al-Azhar. Some of those sources to counter extremist ideologies few decades ago. religions.” stress blind loyalty and make and puts into question the ability Hindi said the inclusion of Another researcher defended a permission for excommunication of intellectual elites and enlighten- extremist sources among tradi- master’s thesis in which he praised as well as for killing non-Muslims. ment advocates to provide a critical tional Islamic references was made “the proselytising ideology of Ali Islamist political groups have used review of canonical sources. possible by the strong presence of Jirisha,” a prominent pro-violence these ideas to push their agendas. Al-Azhar is reluctant to touch extremist Islamist organisations figure in the Muslim Brotherhood. Each time the issue of revising the sources, the state’s institutions inside al-Azhar University. As long The task of revising Al-Azhar University rejected a thesis Egypt’s Islamic heritage is brought are focusing on security issues and as elements of extremist organisa- that discussed the poetry of Yusuf up, al-Azhar skirts the issue by solutions and progressive elites do tions remain in al-Azhar, it will not Islamic heritage in al-Qaradawi, the Egyptian-born forming a committee to review the not have adequate responses. Some be possible to weed out from the al-Azhar has not head of the Doha-based Interna- curricula and purge them of extrem- intellectuals also blame the weak- library those works that use juris- tional Union of Muslim Scholars. An ist idea but thousands of extremist ness of the administrative machine. prudence to justify taking power. moved one step Egyptian court in January sentenced references at al-Azhar’s research Al-Azhar does not have the capacity forward. him in absentia to life in prison for library remain untouched. to produce digital content to reach a Ahmed Gamal is an Egyptian writer. July 15, 2018 15 News & Analysis Turkey Erdogan moves closer to Russia, at least for now

Thomas Seibert Tactical cooperation. Turkish Istanbul President Recep Tayyip s Turkish President Recep Erdogan (L) Tayyip Erdogan sets out to and Alexander translate newly gained ex- Lavrentiev, A ecutive powers into policy special envoy decisions, his view of his country’s of Russian national interests and his instinct President for power are likely to strengthen Vladimir cooperation with Russia in the Putin on Syrian conflict. Syria, during In Turkey’s new presidential sys- a meeting in tem, Erdogan is the head of state, Ankara, last commander-in-chief of the armed May. forces and the leader of the govern- (Turkish ment who can hire and fire min- Presidential Press isters without parliamentary ap- Service) proval. Erdogan’s new cabinet, which took office July 10, includes diehard loyalists such as his son-in-law Be- rat Albayrak as finance minister; Erdogan’s family doctor, Fahrettin Koca, as minister of health; and former military chief Hulusi Akar, a confidant of the president, as de- fence minister. Mevlut Cavusoglu remains foreign minister, a post he has had since 2015. “This is quintessential Erdogan,” said Selim Sazak, a US-based Tur- key analyst, referring to the Turkish leader’s decision to staff his council of ministers with people he feels close to. “He is like [US President] Donald Trump: The only thing he came apparent during the NATO ity, said about Idlib, where refu- “Idlib is the most important thing stone, however. Erdogan has values is loyalty.” summit in Brussels on July 11, when gees and rebel fighters defeated by for Turkey at the moment,” said shown he is capable of abrupt pol- In his inauguration address after pro-government television present- Syrian government troops in other Magdalena Kirchner, a senior ana- icy changes if he believed a new being sworn in for a 5-year term on ers in Turkey criticised US weapons parts of the country have been shel- lyst at Conias Risk Intelligence, a direction suits him better. In Syria, July 9, Erdogan said the presiden- deliveries to the Syrian Kurds as tering in a so-called de-escalation German think-tank. he took an anti-Russian stance after tial system marked a “new start” Erdogan was sitting down for talks zone. Differences between Turkey and a Turkish fighter plane shot down for the country. “We will strength- with Trump and other leaders of The Syrian opposition Smart Russia over Syria have remained in a Russian jet in 2015, only to re- en Turkey on every field, from the the Western alliance. news agency reported a new offen- the background. Turkey is calling pair ties with Russia a year later. In defence industry to border secu- While problems in its relation- sive on rebel positions in Idlib could for Assad’s resignation while Rus- Turkey itself, Erdogan began peace rity,” Erdogan said. ship with the United States are start in September. sia’s military intervention in 2015 talks with Turkey’s Kurds to end a Erdogan has aligned Turkey likely to remain acute, Turkey’s ties For Ankara, cooperation with saved the Assad regime from de- long-running conflict but switched closely with Russia in Syria, where with Russia are set to become even Russia, the most important ally feat. Kirchner said Erdogan has no to a Turkish-nationalist line when Ankara has a deep conflict of in- closer. At a time when Ankara is of Syrian President Bashar Assad, reason to push for Assad’s ouster he saw his support on the right terest with the United States over looking for ways to send more than is essential to make sure the situ- at the moment. “A collapse of the dwindle. Washington’s support for a Kurdish 3 million refugees in Turkey home ation in Idlib does not trigger an- regime is not in Turkey’s interest,” “Erdogan is all about power,” militia seen as a terrorist group by to Syria, its immediate concern is other mass movement of people she said. Sazak said. The Turkish leader Turkey. a possible new refugee wave from into Turkey. “We are talking to the The Syrian war has also pushed could change his country’s policy Tensions with the United States the northern Syria province of Idlib. Russians,” the Turkish official said. Turkey closer to its eastern neigh- if he concluded that Ankara’s inter- are also growing over Turkey’s de- Erdogan’s government says bour Iran, the regional nemesis ests were served better with other cision to buy the S-400 missile de- 450,000 people have crossed the of the United States and its allies partners than with Russia, he add- southern border to return to Syria in the Gulf. “The Saudis and the ed. For now, however, Turkey could fence system from Russia, angering For Ankara, cooperation other NATO countries. Cavusoglu but the possibility of a new influx Emiratis are gravitating more to be expected to stick with its close said the first batteries would be de- has policymakers in Ankara wor- with Russia is essential to the United States because of what ties with Moscow. “It is unlikely livered to Turkey by the end of next ried. make sure the situation in they see as the threat posed by Iran, that he will derive more power by year. “Three million people could Idlib does not trigger while Turkey is gravitating away being close to the United States and The level of mistrust between come over,” a Turkish official, another mass movement of from the West,” Sazak said. Europe than by being close to Rus- Turkey and the United States be- speaking on condition of anonym- people into Turkey. Turkey’s course is not set in sia,” Sazak said. Viewpoint Erdogan’s rise, Turkey’s fall

have absolutely no can, at will, micromanage every As Burhanettin Duran, general recruited by him. He can issue de- concerns at all. All those aspect of life in Turkey. director of the Turkish government- crees, declare a state of emergency institutions and boards The purge is comparable in funded think-tank Foundation and martial law. He will enjoy near operate now under me.” magnitude only to the ones during for Political, Economic and Social total impunity and immunity and Yavuz Baydar “ With those words, Tur- Stalin’s rule. It continues deep into Research, wrote: “Under this new be impossible to impeach. key’s newly re-elected the security structures of the state, model… the Turkish government Parliamentary control over the super-president,I Recep Tayyip with the focus on the dismissal can focus on strategic planning and political executive will be null and Erdogan, sounded more confident of nearly 20,000 police and army coordination. It can promote an void, as the presidential palace has than ever when questioned about officers by seemingly irreversible active, effective and risk-taking ap- the leverage to control the legis- any possible clash of power centres decrees. proach among senior leadership.” lature. He will appoint almost all in the country. By and large, one could argue, “Transforming the notion of the top judiciary and the board of He is right. Reaffirming the no- the elections and their aftershocks, government, not just its structure, judges and prosecutors. His control tion of a deeply rooted paternalistic with all the allegations of vote- can be on the nation’s agenda. of the media will be near absolute. political culture in Turkey, Erdogan rigging and systemic manipulation, Provided that the new system high- In a nutshell, Erdogan will be has assembled almost every author- amount to a civil coup or, at least, lights competition between various Turkey’s head of state, head of gov- ity possible within his person. He a revolution aimed at a full-scale players in the policy development ernment, head of the ruling party, has gained a kind of omnipotence power grab. process, it could transform Turkey’s head of the judiciary and the chief comparable perhaps only with In a way, Erdogan showed the static, slow and guardianship-prone arbiter of media freedom. bygone Ba’athist leaders or, better world it was possible to do what, bureaucracy based on performance Given the temperamental and still, those who rule with an iron fist once upon a time, Alberto Fujimori and merit,” Duran added. vengeful nature of Turkey’s new in Central Asian republics. in Peru failed to manage. In the “Now is the time to develop com- supreme leader and the country’s Erdogan was sworn-in at a process, he set precedents for his prehensive policies to build a better polarisation, it is foolish to expect ceremony that left the remain- admirers, such as Nicolas Maduro future and prevent turmoil.” the regime to soften. ing believers of the ultra-secular in Venezuela or Viktor Orban in For the cool-headed, the extreme That said, despite Erdogan’s polit- Given the Kemalist doctrine in shock and awe Hungary. accumulation of power simply ical victory, the declining economy temperamental and — there was Quranic recitation and By the time Erdogan had declared means disaster for socially complex poses a threat to his power. There ritual reminiscent of the Ottomans. to the world that a new era in the Turkey. Since the late 1940s, Turkey is always the possibility of social vengeful nature of After that, Erdogan wasted no time Turkish republic had begun, his has had the habit of free elections unrest gaining strength. Turkey’s new in asserting his authority. The bar- staunchly loyal followers were high and reasonable faith in the rule of Now, Erdogan faces the greatest rage of decrees was dazzling even on the president’s self-confidence. law. Against such a background, of all adversaries: himself. If Turkey supreme leader and to those who had some idea of what In the Erdogan camp, there isn’t a what Erdogan will do causes deep soon becomes ungovernable, there the country’s to expect. shred of doubt that the new repub- concern. is no one to blame but him. polarisation, it is The decrees abolished adminis- lic, under the authority of a single In practice, he can appoint and trative structures nearly 100 years man, would be fit to implement dismiss the executive officers of Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journalist foolish to expect the old and transferred immense power policies decided solely by him and the state. In his absence, he will and regular columnist for The Arab regime to soften. to the super-president. Erdogan questioned by absolutely nobody. be represented by a vice-president Weekly. 16 July 15, 2018 News & Analysis Iran Pressure increasing on Iran after Paris bomb plot revelations

Mahmud el-Shafey manded Assadi, stripped by Aus- tria of his diplomatic immunity, in custody on July 11 and it is believed London he will be extradited to Belgium to face charges. ressure is increasing on The furore over the alleged plot Tehran after Germany of- came as Iranian President Hassan ficially charged Iranian Rohani visited European capitals P diplomat Assadollah Assadi seeking support for the Iran nu- with activity as a foreign agent and clear deal following Washington’s conspiracy to commit murder. withdrawal. Assadi, who has been a Vienna- At a key meeting with the re- based diplomat for Iran since 2014, maining signatories of the Joint is suspected of being at the heart Comprehensive Plan of Action of a complex terrorist plot to target (JCPOA), British, French, German, an Iranian opposition rally organ- Chinese, Russian and EU officials ised by the National Council of Re- agreed to continue to talk on how sistance of Iran on the outskirts of to save the deal but came up with Paris on June 30. no concrete measures. The Iranian diplomat is accused The United States sought to use of commissioning an Antwerp- the suspected bomb plot to justify based couple of Iranian descent to its withdrawal from the JCPOA. A attack the rally, including provid- US State Department official said ing them with explosives. The hus- the Paris bomb plot “exemplified” band-and-wife team was arrested the threat represented by Tehran. in Brussels on the day of the rally “The United States is urging all by Belgian security services in pos- nations to carefully examine dip- session of 500 grams of a home- lomats in Iranian embassies to en- made explosive and a detonation sure their countries’ own security,” device. the unidentified senior US State Department official said July 10 Tehran attempting such an following a meeting with Saudi of- ficials to coordinate plans on how outlandish terrorist plot on Turning the heat up. Activists of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) protest to call for Riyadh and Washington could in- the extradition of Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi to Belgium in Berlin, on July 11. (AFP) foreign soil could indicate crease pressure on Iran. that the stress is beginning “If Iran can plot bomb attacks to tell on the Iranian regime. in Paris, [it] can plot attacks any- said. “So it’s a broad range, a se- tion to Belgium as soon as possible. that talk among dissidents is actu- where in the world and we urge all ries of sanctions aimed not at the Observers said that Tehran at- ally dangerous to their otherwise A fourth suspect, arrested in nations to be vigilant about Iran. Iranian people but rather aimed at tempting such an outlandish ter- precarious position,” former US Paris as an alleged accomplice of The most recent plot… is another the single mission of convincing rorist plot on foreign soil at the Representative Michael Flanagan the Iranian couple, has been extra- chapter in a long history that dates the Iranian regime that its malign time it was seeking to convince Eu- wrote for Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya dited to Belgium where authorities back to 1984,” the official added. behaviour is unacceptable and has ropean allies to support the JCPOA website. are leading the investigation into US Secretary of State Mike a real high cost for them.” could indicate that the stress is MEP Anders Vistisen, a repre- the Paris bomb plot. Pompeo, known as a hardliner Following the revelation of the beginning to tell on the Iranian re- sentative of the Danish People’s German prosecutors accuse As- on Iran, also referenced the Paris suspected Paris bomb plot, the gime. Party, also spoke out against Teh- sadi of being a member of the Ira- bomb plot during a visit to the hashtag #ExpelIranDiplomatTer- “Such a desperate act may point ran, posting on Twitter: “Iran’s nian Ministry of Intelligence and United Arab Emirates. rorists trended on Twitter and to a greater weakness in the hold behaviour and support for terror- Security whose tasks include “the “The one [subject] that we are demonstrators gathered in front of that the regime has on power than ism is unacceptable. EU needs to intensive observation and com- most focused on today is… that we the German Federal Foreign Office we otherwise understand. It is end appeasement policy: Iran is a bating of opposition groups inside deny Iran the financial capacity to in Berlin, calling on the govern- possible that the regime is more threat to EU and Mideast stability and outside of Iran.” Germany re- continue this bad behaviour,” he ment to authorise Assadi’s extradi- brittle than we understand and and security.”

Viewpoint Though unrealistic, Iran’s Hormuz threats are a cause for concern

ran has recently threatened to their interests, a military escala- Tehran and Beijing had doubled By the end of 2016, the two coun- block crude shipment in the tion would further damage Iran’s to $28 billion since 2006, with the tries’ total available crude oil pipe- Arab Gulf, increasing risks foundering economy and fuel biggest chunk of Iran’s oil exports line capacity was an estimated 6.6 Iman Zayat of inflaming tensions that popular discontent. — some $11 billion a year — going million barrels per day (bpd), with could send shockwaves as Such threats by Iran are not new. to China. In June, Iran exported some 3.9 million bpd of unused far as Asia and the Americas. Since 2008, the IRGC has continu- some 560,000 barrels of crude oil bypass capacity. IHowever, given the economic and ally threatened to shut down the and gas condensates to India and Saudi Arabia has the nearly military risks involved — and Iran’s Strait of Hormuz without ever fol- China, TankerTrackers.com said. 1,230km Petroline, also known history of empty threats — such a lowing through. Iran blocking the Strait of Hor- as the East-West Pipeline, which manoeuvre is unlikely. In June 2008, Jafari said that if muz would jeopardise the econom- runs from the Abqaiq complex Angered by US sanctions on either Israel or the United States ic interests of Arab Gulf countries, to the Red Sea. With the system his country’s oil exports, Iranian attacked Iran, it would seal off including Saudi Arabia and the operating at full capacity, Saudi President Hassan Rohani threat- the Strait of Hormuz. In 2016, Iran United Arab Emirates, which are Arabia’s spare oil pipeline capacity ened to block the strategic Strait again tried to use its hold on the already at loggerheads with Tehran. is increased from 1 million bpd to of Hormuz, saying no one would key choke point to pressure Wash- Qatar, which exports about 3.7 bil- 2.8 million bpd. Saudi Arabia also benefit from the United States’ ington, with Brigadier-General lion cubic feet of liquefied natural operates the Abqaiq-Yanbu Natural decision to pull out of the Iran Hossein Salami, deputy command- gas per year through the strait, Gas Liquids pipeline, which has a nuclear accord. er of the IRGC, vowing to close the would also be hit hard, imperilling capacity of 290,000 bpd. Major-General Mohammad Ali passageway to any “threatening” its warming ties with Tehran. The UAE operates the Abu Dhabi Jafari, commander of Iran’s Islamic ships, such as US Navy vessels. Kuwait would have the greatest Crude Oil Pipeline (1.5 million Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), What this trend shows is that cause for concern. With the Strait bpd), which runs from Habshan to echoed the president’s remarks, Tehran’s continued threats are un- of Hormuz its only passageway for the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of saying his forces that patrol the likely to provoke a military clash. oil exports — 2 million barrels of Oman, allowing crude oil ship- Strait of Hormuz were ready to put However, they do run the risk of which are exported per day — the ments to circumvent the Strait of those threats into action. spooking oil markets. country risks being hit hardest by Hormuz. Abu Dhabi is planning to The Iranian threats produced Indeed, with 20-30% of global the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. increase that pipeline’s capacity to a chain reaction, with US Central crude exports passing through the For Kuwait, one possible solu- 1.8 million bpd. Command spokesman US Navy Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s threats tion would be to export oil through Though some Gulf countries Captain Bill Urban saying Washing- cannot be taken lightly. In the Oman using pipelines or via Saudi have readied themselves to deal ton and its allies were prepared to unlikely event the Islamic Republic Arabia through the Red Sea. As for with Iranian aggression, tension in defend the strait and defence ex- does act on its ill-advised threats, Qatar, whose borders are closed the region risks increasing. While perts and energy analysts explored oil prices would see an unprec- and that has no access to neigh- it is true that Tehran has lost cred- the implications of Iran’s threats. edented hike — perhaps to $300 bouring airspace, the matter would ibility repeatedly giving out empty Though some Gulf While they seem harrowing, the per barrel. be much more complex. threats, Arab Gulf countries should countries have threats are nothing but hot air. This, however, would come with Some Arab countries have continue to find ways to bypass readied themselves Iran well knows that any military many negative consequences for attempted to find alternative the Strait of Hormuz. Only then confrontation with the United Iran, including turning key part- shipping routes. Saudi Arabia and can Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric to deal with Iranian States, whose capabilities are far ners that rely heavily on Iranian the UAE have pipelines that can be ignored for what it is: toothless aggression, tension superior to Tehran’s, would be crude, such as China, India and ship crude oil outside of the Arab and irrelevant. an irreversible mistake. Not only Turkey, against it. Gulf and have additional pipeline in the region risks are global powers more likely to A recent report by Bloomberg capacity to circumvent the Strait of Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor increasing. ally with Washington to protect News stated that trade between Hormuz. of The Arab Weekly. July 15, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West Arab opinion survey shows negative views of US foreign policy, scepticism about local governments

Thomas Frank

Washington

he “Arab Opinion Index,” a poll of nearly 19,000 re- spondents across the Arab T world, indicates increas- ingly negative views of US foreign policy. They seem to be driven in part by US President Donald Trump’s support of Israel, criticism of Pal- estinian leaders and the decision to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. An unprece- dented 79% of respondents stated negative views of US foreign policy, up from 49% in 2014. “We had in the past said over the years, it can’t get any worse and it does get worse. It’s really quite stunning,” said Shibley Telhami, a former US State Department ad- viser and an expert on US foreign policy in the Middle East. The survey, released by the Arab Centre Washington, was conduct- ed in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Ara- bia, Sudan and Tunisia. Opinions of US foreign policy have declined each year since 2014, a consequence of the Arab world’s Only 8% of those asked expressed at the Arab Centre in Doha, said. tion is, is it a priority enough to mat- has become the norm,” the report’s growing disenchantment with for- support for such recognition in “People may think because they ter? Will people act on it? We don’t executive summary added, noting mer US President Barack Obama 2017-18, virtually unchanged since protest, they have more freedom have an answer,” Telhami said. that 69% of the people surveyed as he “lost interest in the Middle 2011. of expression but people can’t criti- Domestically, Arabs have an said they were not concerned with East,” said Tamara Kharroub, the The survey showed wide varia- cise the government freely.” overwhelmingly low opinion of politics and only 12% participated assistant executive director of the tions of opinion in the 11 countries Arabs expressed broad support their governments and say they in a political party. Arab Centre Washington. Arabs on issues ranging from freedom of for the Palestinian cause and said do not represent popular inter- “Part of the reason so many peo- also lost hope for the Obama ad- speech to support for the Palestin- it concerns all Arabs, not just Pal- ests. From Mauritania to Iraq, ple in the Arab world are not inter- ministration after his “new begin- ians. estinians. In Jordan, home to ap- people told pollsters that their ested in public affairs is they don’t ning” speech in Cairo in 2009 in While 81% of respondents in Tu- proximately 370,000 Palestinian governments were ineffective and feel their participation will make a which he vowed to improve US re- nisia said they felt free to criticise refugees, 90% of respondents said increasingly uninterested in politi- difference,” said Kharroub. “That lations with the Arab world. their government without fear they believed the Palestinian cause cal affairs. explains the astonishingly low “Under the Trump administra- of retribution, only 26% of those is important to all Arabs. The place “There is a clear consensus turnout levels in recent elections.” tion, the opinion is becoming even asked in Sudan said the same. Re- in which the fewest people said among the Arab public that cor- The study touted itself as the more negative,” Kharroub said. spondents in Lebanon, Jordan and that was the case was the Palestin- ruption is widespread across their largest public opinion survey in the The United States and Israel are Iraq also stated they could criticise ian territories, where 64% of those countries,” the Arab Opinion In- Arab world and aimed to reveal at- overwhelmingly viewed as the their leaders but Palestinians and asked said they felt their cause is dex stated. The survey indicated titudes of ordinary Arabs, which leading foreign threats, a view that Saudis expressed constraint. an overall Arab concern. that 76% of Arab people asked said were often overshadowed by the has held steady over the years. “Palestinians are feeling a lot “I don’t think anyone disputes corruption was prevalent in their views and policies of political lead- There has been little change in pub- more repressed than they ever the fact that Palestine remains a home country. ers. The Arab Centre has conducted lic opposition to recognising Israel. have,” Dana el-Kurd, a researcher part of Arab identity. The real ques- “Political apathy increasingly the survey annually since 2011. Viewpoint With no clear global or regional strategy, Trump slams NATO before summit with Putin S President Donald intervention in the Middle East in neighbouring countries and able future — and in part a test of Trump slammed today given there is virtually no Kurdish empowerment in Syria Putin’s willingness to use his influ- America’s NATO consensus among NATO members and Iraq. ence over both Assad and Iran to Mark Habeeb partners at the alli- on whether or how to act in the While US allies may agree to create a less dangerous situation in ance’s annual sum- region. Trump appears to have no increase spending on defence, de- the region. If Russia is willing and mit in Brussels over appetite for increased US military fence against whom is not so clear. able to bring about a curtailment of Utheir failure to reach the target for intervention in the Middle East. In After a brief stop in the United Iran’s presence in Syria, Tehran’s defence spending that they had fact, he has spoken of withdraw- Kingdom — where he undermined goal of a land bridge to the Medi- previously agreed to — 2% of GDP. ing the remaining US forces in the British Prime Minister Theresa terranean will be blunted. While Trump did not directly region. If he does conclude that US May by telling London’s the Sun: Several questions, however, threaten to pull the United States military intervention in the region “I actually told Theresa May how remain: Will Putin demand some- out of NATO — the alliance that has is necessary, he is far more likely to [negotiate Brexit] but she didn’t thing in return, such as a loosen- been the cornerstone of Western to act unilaterally, not as part of agree. She didn’t listen to me” and ing or elimination of US sanctions security for nearly seven decades NATO. saying that her nemesis, former on Moscow over its annexation — he strongly suggested that the This is especially true in the case Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, of Crimea? Will Putin agree to do alliance’s European members have of Iran, where many of Washing- would make a great prime minis- something that sours his blos- taken advantage of the United ton’s fellow NATO members do not ter — Trump flew to Helsinki for soming relationship with Iran? States, which spends roughly 4% share the Trump administration’s a summit with Russian President Will Damascus agree to the deal, of its GDP on defence. Trump said confrontational approach and are Vladimir Putin on July 16. turning on its long-time Iranian the United States may have to “go doing all they can to maintain ties Two issues are expected to ally? Will Gulf Cooperation Council it alone” if its allies do not meet his to Tehran. In a news conference dominate the Trump-Putin agenda states enter the game by signalling demands. July 12 in Brussels, Trump said (although with Trump, agendas to Assad that desperately needed Trump never made clear why “there might be an escalation be- are never set in stone): Nuclear funds for Syria’s redevelopment NATO members should spend more tween us and the Iranians.” If this arms control and Syria. On Syria, would be available if he ejects the on defence and he has refused to unspecified escalation includes Trump will have a message similar Iranians? explicitly acknowledge that Russia military action, it almost certainly to that of Israeli Prime Minister One thing is certain: Trump will poses a military danger to Europe. will not be a NATO operation. Binyamin Netanyahu, who met return to Washington claiming Nor did he advocate for a larger The debate over NATO’s mission with Putin in Moscow on July 11. that he achieved near-miraculous out-of-region role for NATO, a role predates Trump. The collapse of Essentially, the message is this: success on his journey and that the alliance played in Afghanistan the Soviet Union in 1991 ostensi- We accept Russia’s dominant role the world is more secure because and the Middle East following bly removed the West’s common in Syria and are willing to live with of it. Both claims are unproven, While US allies may the September 11, 2001, terror- enemy but the alliance responded the Bashar Assad regime but on especially in the absence of a clear agree to increase ist attacks on the United States, by expanding its membership. To- condition that Iranian influence in US global or regional strategy. subsequent attacks in Madrid and day, there is no consensus among Syria is greatly curtailed. spending on London and in 2011 when a NATO- NATO members on what exactly This joint US-Israeli request is Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor defence, defence led coalition intervened in Libya are the security threats facing in part an acceptance of reality — of The Arab Weekly and adjunct during the uprising against former the alliance: For Baltic states, it Moscow already is the dominant professor of Global Politics and against whom is not strongman Muammar Qaddafi. remains Moscow; for Italy, it is mi- outside power in Syria and that is Security at Georgetown University so clear. It is hard to imagine a NATO gration; for Turkey, it is instability not going to change in the foresee- in Washington. 18 July 15, 2018 Economy

Tunisia receives crucial backing Briefs Tunisia tourism from IMF with third loan instalment revenues jump as Europeans return

Lamine Ghanmi Tunisia’s tourism revenues grew 40% in the first half of 2018 com- pared to the same period last year, Tunis the government said, driven by a strong return of European tourists he International Monetary three years after they had been Fund (IMF) allocated a $249 targeted in militant attacks. million loan instalment to After shunning Tunisia in the T Tunisia after endorsing its wake of 2015 attacks on a beach in progress in implementing difficult Sousse that killed 39 tourists and economic reforms. The approved one at the Bardo National Mu- payment is the fourth tranche of seum in Tunis that killed 21, major a 4-year, $2.8 billion loan tied to European tour operators started to sweeping changes aimed at keeping return this year. Tunisia’s deficit under control. The Tunisian economy took a hit (Reuters) following the 2011 ouster of former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, which led to widespread social un- Dubai-based online rest, particularly in rural and inte- retailer noon.com rior areas. Since then, eight different govern- expands to China ments have been unable to cut the country’s budget deficit or address Middle East online retail upstart key social concerns, such as unem- noon.com said it was expanding ployment, inflation and a weakened into China, seeking partners in the currency. The governments have country’s flourishing e-commerce struggled to balance budgetary con- industry to help it compete with A squeeze on consumers. Tunisians walk at a vegetables and fruit market in Tunis. (AFP) cerns with demands from the main Amazon in its home markets. trade union, which says wage hikes The $1 billion internet retailer are needed to offset price increases. economic adjustment.” Bank Governor Marouane El Abassi, cial support and capacity building said it has begun Asia operations This year alone, Tunisia needs at “The success of the authorities’ who pledged after his appointment to help ensure a successful transi- with entities in mainland China least $3 billion in foreign loans to fi- programme depends on sustained was approved by parliament in Feb- tion to an economy that fosters in- and Hong Kong. nance its budget. efforts to reduce macroeconomic ruary to take “extraordinary meas- clusive growth with the private sec- The IMF’s executive board vulnerabilities, ensure adequate ures” to end the country’s econom- tor as its main engine,” it added. (Agence France-Presse) wrapped up its third review of Tuni- social protection and foster job ic crisis and reduce inflation. The IMF’s recent loan approval is sia’s economic reform programme creation,” it added, noting that this The interest rate hike came after crucial for Tunisian officials, send- on July 6, approving a $249 million year’s policy priorities would be the country’s annual inflation rate ing positive signals to the country’s Iran abandons instalment for the country, bring- “stronger revenue collection, en- shot to 7.1% in February from 6.9% economic partners and lenders. effort to set single ing its total disbursement to $1.14 ergy price adjustments to limit the in January, its highest level in nearly “The disbursement of the fourth billion. The IMF said in a statement impact of international oil prices on 28 years, official figures indicated. instalment of the IMF loan is not FX rate as rial sags that “growth picked up in early 2018 the budget, voluntary separations The Central Bank raised its key important by itself but it is signifi- and confidence has improved,” but for civil servants, the absence of interest rate from 4.75% to 5% in cant as it sends a message to reas- Iran formally opened a sec- “macroeconomic imbalances per- new wage increases, unless growth May 2017 to protect the country’s sure lenders and investors about ondary market for hard cur- sist.” surprises on the upside, and pen- faltering dinar, which has hit his- the economic recovery,” Abassi said rency, abandoning after just three “Unemployment has dropped sion reform.” toric lows against the euro and the on July 12. “We expect Tunisia’s months an effort to dictate a single only marginally, inflation is high, “The recent significant hike in the US dollar. economy to grow by 3% for the third exchange rate for the rial against the budget and current account def- policy interest rate demonstrates “Exchange rate flexibility, sup- quarter of this year. the US dollar as the threat of US icits are large, and international re- the central bank’s strong commit- ported by more competitive central “The important aspect of this sanctions pressures the Iranian serves are below the recommended ment to price stability. Further rate bank foreign exchange auctions, is growth is that the increase is com- currency. level,” the IMF said. hikes may be needed if inflation critical to help improve the current ing from productive sectors mainly The new market will cater Inflation rose to 7.8% at the end does not decelerate, especially as account position and rebuild inter- phosphate and manufacturing in- to small exporters and import- of June, up from 7.7% in May and key interest rates remain negative national reserves,” the IMF said in dustries as well as revival of the ers from the private sector, the April, the government-run National in real terms,” the IMF said. its review. tourism business.” Tasnim and Fars news agencies Institute of Statistics said. The Central Bank of Tunisia “Strong implementation of the Officials from eight banks and fi- reported. Fars said the first trans- “Policy and reform implementa- raised its key interest rate to 5.75% authorities’ programme is essential nancial institution accompanying action exchanged rials for United tion has improved markedly since from 5% in March to rein in infla- to mitigate economic, social and po- an EU delegation visiting Tunisia on Arab Emirates dirhams, at a rate the second review,” the IMF said. tion, which was at its highest level litical risks. Building on the strong July 12 pledged $6.4 billion in loans equivalent to 75,000 rials to the US “The Tunisian authorities remain since 1990. partnership with the international and grants, $2.9 billion of which dollar. firmly committed to a socially-bal- That was the first increase ap- donor community, it will be impor- is to be disbursed in the next two anced, gradual approach to macro- proved by the country’s Central tant to sustain strong donor finan- years, Tunisian officials said. (Reuters) Viewpoint Turkish lira hits record low after Erdogan interest Driven by pressing needs, Tunisia and rate comments Turkey’s lira touched a record Libya bet on new partnership model low July 11, reflecting deepening investor concern about monetary policy and economic manage- see Libya as merely a borderland to Libya in large numbers for work unrest in Libya. Tunisia closed its ment after President Recep Tayyip that attracts labourers, absorb- but that has stopped because of de- trade crossing points with Libya Erdogan appointed his son-in-law ing the unemployment that has teriorating security conditions. in Ras Jedir and Dhehiba and both as finance minister. Riadh Bouazza plagued Tunisia, especially since Libya and Tunisia are also bet- countries’ economies have suffered The currency has lost more than the 2011 collapse of the Qaddafi ting on other partnerships, ranging greatly as a result. one-fifth of its value against the regime in Libya and the Ben Ali from expanding trade and develop- Official reports have shown that US dollar this year, pushing infla- regime in Tunisia. In turn, Libyans ing the health sector to collabora- smuggling between Tunisia and tion to its highest in 14 years and would stop viewing their smaller tion on major construction and Libya since 2011 has caused great squeezing dollar-indebted compa- neighbour as only a destination for infrastructure projects in Libya. damage to both economies. The nies across the economy. tourism and medical treatment. However, cooperation in the Tunisian government is crack- There are indications of a grow- health sector will be deferred until ing down on smuggling activities (Reuters) unisian and Libyan ing awareness to support bilateral bills owed by Libyan citizens are with Libya but the Libyan side, politicians have belat- business and trade and to strength- settled. The Libyan Presidential represented by the internationally edly understood they en the tourism sector. Within a few Council in June pledged to pay recognised government, still has a Dubai warns of are running out of time weeks, talks seem to have moved $77.8 million owed to Tunisian long way to go to show control of action against to save their countries’ towards implementation of deci- health-care institutions that has the situation. emaciated economies. sions. been outstanding for five years, Increased security restrictions China on trade zone TThe economic crisis affecting the The resumption of flights by estimates by the Tunisian Chamber after 2015 terrorist incidents in daily lives of Tunisian and Libyan Tunisia’s national carrier, Tuni- of Private Clinics stated. Tunisia made informal trade much Dubai threatened legal action citizens compelled authorities of sair, to Libyan destinations would Libyan oil exports to Tunisia are more difficult. against China for building an inter- the two countries to adopt a stra- be key to boosting economic ties at the heart of the new partnership. The cooperation model that national free trade zone in Djibouti tegic partnership model to emerge and tourism activities. The state- Libya is seeking to boost revenues Tunisia and Libya are seeking is on a terminal disputed with the from the challenges they face and owned carrier suspended flights to by increasing oil exports and Tu- contingent on activating previous strategic Horn of Africa nation. prevent further deterioration of Libya in 2014 because of escalating nisia has a huge energy deficit and bilateral agreements. There are The warning came after Djibouti living conditions. violence in the country. might have to raise energy prices to about 80 agreements that form the initiated the first phase of Africa’s The idea took shape with the cre- Official Tunisian statistics indi- shore up its finances. foundation for all new cooperation biggest free trade zone, developed ation of the Tunisian-Libyan Busi- cate that before 2011, more than Some Libyan-Tunisian trade frameworks. The two countries by China, months after scrapping a ness Council, an economic forum 1.5 million Libyans a year used to is formal but a good part of it is have been pursuing the goal of concession agreement with Dubai’s set up in April in Tripoli to develop travel to Tunisia for tourism or transborder smuggling. Traffick- complementary economies but are global port operator DP World. a plan to help the economies. medical treatment. Those numbers ing in all sorts of goods has been far from achieving it. Within the framework of the declined significantly in the past apparent along the Tunisian- (Agence France-Presse) partnership, Tunisians would not three years. Tunisians used to go Libyan border since the start of the Riadh Bouazza is a Tunisian writer. July 15, 2018 19 Economy Saudi Arabia sees drop in expatriate workforce as unemployment rises

The Arab Weekly staff

London

conomic growing pains are being felt in Saudi Arabia with a substantial drop in E its expatriate workforce in the first quarter of 2018, a result of measures introduced by the king- dom to reduce local unemploy- ment. However, young Saudis are not flocking to the newly available job opportunities. Figures released by the Saudi General Authority of Statistics in- dicate that the first three months of 2018 saw a 6% drop in the Saudi expatriate workforce when an esti- mated 234,000 foreign workers left the kingdom. The unemployment rate also rose in the first quarter of 2018. The Saudi government intro- duced an expat levy in January. Companies in which foreign work- ers outnumber Saudis must pay a monthly fee of approximately $107 per expat employee. Firms that em- ploy equal number of Saudi and ex- pat employees must pay a monthly rate of $80 per expat, a statement by the Saudi Labour Ministry said. The Wall Street Journal reported that labour-intensive jobs that were usually done by expatriate workers from countries such as India or the Philippines were being shunned by Saudis, leaving companies in a predicament because the govern- ment was stepping up inspections Off-limits to expatriates. A Saudi jeweller attends to a client in a shop in the Tiba gold market in Riyadh. (AFP) of businesses to check on Saudisa- tion quotas. In an opinion piece in the Jed- Some employers claim young Street Journal said, “employers can goes into effect in September, will Ministry of Labour and Social De- dah-based Saudi Gazette, Moham- Saudis are lazy and are not interest- get credit for having a Saudi em- see expats no longer working in velopment is studying a proposal med Bassnawi said: “The real prob- ed in working and accuse them of ployee by sending the government 12 retail jobs, including in watch to reduce the Saudisation targets lem lies in the practices of some preferring to stay at home “rather cash similar to what the Saudi shops, medical equipment stores in some retail sectors from 100% to companies, which have led to the than to take a low-paying job that worker would earn if there really and pastry venues. 70% emergence of fake Saudisation. We does not befit the social status of a were one. The employer, instead of However, with many Saudi busi- The jobs that would be excluded must combat and curb these prac- Saudi job-seeker,” Bassnawi added. hiring a fake Saudi, hires a virtual ness owners complaining, reports from full Saudisation are those that tices. However, we first have to To remedy some of these is- one.” in the Saudi media indicate the require specialised skills and tech- admit that we have a problem and sues, the Saudi government intro- The kingdom announced that government might adjust some nical knowledge, such as mainte- that this problem requires drastic duced a Parallel Nationalisation some jobs would be off-limits to targets. A report in the Okaz daily nance technicians, opticians, tai- solutions.” Programme, in which, the Wall expatriates. The decision, which newspaper stated that the Saudi lors and chefs. Egypt’s subsidy cuts take their toll on housing costs

Amr Emam ing them. Egypt’s National Housing Project, begun almost four years ago, seeks Cairo to meet the needs of people who live in sprawling slums. Tens of thou- gypt’s economic reforms are sands of flats have been constructed raising commodity prices within the project. across the board and the ef- “It has contributed a lot to re- E fect of the reforms has been ducing the intensity of the housing very noticeable in the construction crisis,” said housing expert Abdel and real estate sectors, where there Meguid Gado. “You have to imagine has been an unprecedented rise in how the situation would have be- construction material prices and, come difficult if this project had not consequently, the cost of housing. been launched.” The subsidy cuts are part of a gov- The Ministry of Housing is making ernment programme to bring down deals with the private sector to con- Egypt’s debts, reduce the budget struct flats to satisfy demand from deficit and support the national cur- middle-class and lower-middle-class rency. This has included the slashing people, such as Hussein. of energy, electricity and water sub- However, the housing crisis is sidies, which is causing an increase more about prices than about avail- in operating costs for construction ability. There is a sufficient number material factories. of real estate properties in Egypt ly- “The factories now pay more for ing empty but prices remain high. fuel, electricity, water and trans- There are approximately 5 million port,” said Kamal el-Dessouki, the Stubborn challenges. Construction workers are seen on the outskirts of Cairo. (Reuters) unoccupied apartments nationwide, deputy head of the Building Mate- the national Central Agency for Pub- rials Chamber at the Federation of lic Mobilisation and Statistics said. Industries, the national union of $36 a year ago. The price of wood, increased prices. Among them is Ahmed Hussein, These are apartments that are ei- Egypt’s manufacturers. “This is re- bricks, glass, aluminium and almost Real estate prices are up more than a photographer in his mid-20s, who ther too expensive to be sold or ones flecting on the final prices of the con- all other construction materials have 30% in the last year. Some home- has been struggling to find an afford- that have already been purchased struction materials.” risen over the past year. owners are exaggerating the prices able flat for months. Rising house and their owners are waiting before Construction material prices have This is proving devastating for of flats but the prices of other flats, prices have a side detrimental effect using or selling them. risen by 30% compared to last year, real estate contractors and their cli- especially ones built in the last two in Egypt where the issue is linked The affordable housing crisis has data from the Building Materials ents. Some contractors are failing years, reflect the sharp rises in con- directly with marriage because pro- forced many people into a life in the Chamber indicate. The price of con- to complete projects and others are struction costs. spective grooms are expected to streets, specialists warned. struction materials was particularly operating at a loss due to the cost of bring a house or apartment to the “Some people have to live on the affected by the most recent electric- materials. Some contractors have an- marriage. streets and it is all because of the rise ity subsidy cuts, with prices increas- nounced they are leaving the indus- Construction material “I feel really tired,” Hussein said. in housing prices,” said Saeed Sadek, ing almost 11% in the last month, the try because of business conditions. prices have risen by 30% “Buying a flat is becoming a dream a political sociology professor at the chamber said. These developments are rais- compared to last year. impossible to realise.” American University in Cairo. “This A tonne of construction steel that ing the prices of houses and apart- Most of the suffering caused by is very dangerous.” costs $719 in 2018 carried a price of ments dramatically. Many would-be The trends mean many people housing prices is felt by Egypt’s mid- $504 a tonne in 2017. A tonne of ce- home buyers have abstained from who wanted to own a home will see dle class. Poor Egyptians cannot Amr Emam is a Cairo-based ment now sells for $50.50, up from buying because few can afford the those dreams unfulfilled. dream of renting flats, let alone buy- contributor to The Arab Weekly. 20 July 15, 2018 Society Education A university diploma is no longer a source of pride in the Maghreb

Samah Ben Abada and they have an awareness that a university degree is not the best way to a decent living. ropout rates in most Arab Omar Belhedi, a professor at the countries, including Tu- Faculty of Human and Social Sci- nisia, are increasing. One ences of Tunis, said education is no D possible explanation sticks longer a distinguished and guaran- out: Young people today do not teed step up the social ladder as it give much importance to obtaining was in the recent past, except for a university diploma because they the few who bolster their employ- know that they will end up unem- ment chances through nepotistic ployed like many other university practices. Since the early 1970s, graduates. there has been a growing gap be- Were you to ask Tunisian youth tween education and employment. why they dropped out of school, “How do you expect youth to the answer would be nearly identi- believe in university degrees when cal. They would wonder what good they see thousands of those who a diploma does because it does not graduated before them wallowing guarantee a job that is compatible in endless unemployment and des- with their ambitions and dreams peration?” wondered Belhedi. that would justify the years spent In the absence of a coherent in its pursuit. system that prepares young peo- ple to adapt to evolving social and economic conditions, in addition Young people in Morocco to coping with the enormous gap Sceptical about diplomas. A Tunisian student takes the high school graduation exam in Tunis. (AFP) have lost confidence in their they feel exists between expecta- diplomas because university tions and reality, young Tunisians curricula rely on rote are caught in a spiral of failures and Maghreb. Young people in Algeria schools, as the only way to build the because university curricula in learning and have little contradictions. suffer the same fate. new generation. It has now become Morocco rely on rote learning and room for creativity and Universities in Tunisia keep Rabeh el-Aska, professor of peda- the least of its members’ concerns. have little room for creativity, ini- gogy at Algiers School of Education, In Morocco, young people hold initiative. churning out huge numbers of po- tiative, critical thinking and leader- tential job-seekers way beyond the said a university degree has lost its similar perceptions of university ship. Naturally, they do not foster employment capacities of the Tuni- lustre in the eyes of much of the degrees. Abdessalam Khanchoufi, the spirit of entrepreneurship and Data for 2017 released by Tuni- sian labour market. population. A crisis in the system of a professor at Sidi Mohamed Ben self-employment. sia’s National Institute of Statistics Nadim Rehaimi, a recent univer- societal values and concepts placed Abdellah University in Fez, said Khanchoufi concluded that the state there were 612,000 people sity graduate, said that “a univer- material possessions and financial university degrees in Morocco no situation of young graduates re- unemployed in Tunisia; 250,000 sity degree is no longer the key to privileges at the top of the scale. longer guarantee socio-economic quires dialogue and cooperation of these were university graduates. success in life.” He explained that So the new generation has different mobility and integration. He said between stakeholders in educa- The unemployment rate for holders most of the specialities taught at ambitions, which do not necessar- education has ceased to be tied to tion, training and scientific re- of higher degrees stands at 32% but universities are not in demand in ily include obtaining a university the rapidly evolving necessities of search in Morocco who must look the rate for those who did not earn the labour market. degree. the labour market. beyond the narrow confines of a degree is lower than the national “It seems to me that the solution Aska argued that socio-economic Khanchoufi added that the cur- their sector. average. lies in reforming the education sys- conditions, the frequent economic riculum offered at universities do The educational sector is highly Hence this puzzling paradox: tem by relying on vocational train- crises and the decreasing standards not equip young people with fun- strategic and must be subjected to The higher the education level, the ing and investing in it, as in West- of living in Algerian society have damental professional knowledge, higher standards of quality, good harder it becomes to secure em- ern countries, as well as motivating contributed to the deterioration of the kind of skills and competencies governance and productivity. Its ployment. young people to initiate private the value system and the shift in needed for local and international funding also must be increased. Young Tunisians know the latest projects,” he said. concepts. A university degree used labour markets. political and economic develop- Youth unemployment in Tuni- to be a project tended to by the Young people in Morocco have Samah Ben Abada is a Tunisian ments in post-revolution Tunisia sia is not an isolated case in the whole family and implemented in lost confidence in their diplomas journalist. Babil collective seeking female empowerment through literacy

Nazli Tarzi “but our civic culture is centuries multigenerational group of female old and something our society volunteers, who established a femi- London takes seriously.” nist cultural collective that embod- In the West, Babil is widely as- ies Mirdan’s three objectives. They he Ishtar Cultural Associa- sociated with the Babylonian Ham- took the name of the Babylonian tion for Reading, anchored murabi code, born in Hilla, but as Goddess Ishtar — the source of all in the Iraqi southern city Mirdan cautioned “these univer- life, as she is fabled. T of Hilla, is Babil province’s sally important local histories must The aim behind the association first feminist and activist collective be acknowledged to be protected.” in Iraq is to inculcate in adults and working to unfasten the cultural Education, after all, starts at home. children the habit of reading books shackles that inhibit women in so- A broad coalition of local civil so- as remedial solutions to self-cen- ciety. ciety activists and organisations — sorship and female disempower- The story began in March with Iraqi Democratic Youth Federation, ment. the launch of Ishtar Reads, a read- an Iraqi union of writers among oth- Every month, members select ing festival “unlike past initiatives,” ers — pooled their fund to finance a book that they discuss in a book Dhafer Mirdan, the civil society ac- the literacy campaign, assuming a club format. The group’s personal tivist behind the initiative, said in a role local officials had shown little Facebook community page serves phone interview. interest in. Books were donated to as a promotional tool and advertis- “What was different this time the festival to promote reading by ing platform for selected book titles was the purpose,” Mirdan said, adults and children. distributed among a wider pool listing three objectives: awaken- The turnout was the largest for of web users, for the inclusion of ing public interest in reading at a such an event in the ancient city those unable to attend. time when web literacy overshad- of almost 2 million inhabitants and ows reading activities, followed by coincided with International Wom- female empowerment through lit- en’s Day. Ishtar Reads was not met eracy initiatives. The final objective Hundreds of people from neigh- with objections typically “is to establish an annual reading bouring governorates visited and voiced by religious factions festival whose educational mission the festival attracted a crowd of against cultural activities. is to steal back Babil’s ancient lime- 1,500. “We were taken aback,” light by educating people about the Huda Karim al Jlaihawi said of the city’s dynastic heritage,” Mirdan turnout and positive responses to Both the festival and its newly said. the poetry recitals, spoken word, established sister association reject The march towards a literate and artistic workshops for children and the endorsement of sectarian mind- book-loving society was married to musical performances. sets that destroy instead of building the wider trend of reviving inter- The gender balance, Mirdan ex- a healthy collective consciousness est in Babil’s unique heritage and pressed, tipped in the favour of that recognises the worth of every status, one in a handful of ancient men but he commended the female Iraqi woman. cities Iraq boasts. turnout. Babil’s female literati were “This is a new idea in Babil that Ishtar Reads was not met with out in force, as was Hilla’s outspo- offers to every woman the opportu- objections typically voiced by reli- ken teenage activist Rawan Salem nity to express and prove her exist- gious factions against cultural ac- Hussein who rose to fame challeng- ence,” attendee Safa Mukhlid told tivities they deem forbidden under ing Hilla’s governor to a television NRT TV. Islam. debate for having fallen short of Mirdan said he hopes that the “Our city’s historic character his duties to the city. Writer Wiam successes this year will be replicat- has long cherished secularism and Mousawi signed copies of her latest ed annually. “Whether under the civil rights,” Mirdan said. Islam oc- poetry collection. same name or a new theme, we will cupies its own place in the hearts Large turnout. Visitors at the “Ishtar Reads” festival in the The festival’s founding objectives continue to host annual festivals,” and minds of the people, he added, southern city of Hilla, last March. (Ishtar Reads) were taken one step further by a he said. July 15, 2018 21 Society Child Labour

Conflict and poverty forcing more children into labour market

Roufan Nahhas

Amman

NICEF marked World Day against Child Labour by revealing gruesome fig- U ures that put the global number of working children aged 5-17 at 218 million, including 73 million engaged in hazardous jobs. Protracted conflicts, notably wars in the MENA region, pro- duced large numbers of displaced people with most refugee children having to work to help their fami- lies survive. In Jordan, the number of work- ing children almost doubled since 2007, a figure that swelled signifi- cantly with the deterioration of economic conditions in the coun- try and the influx of Syrian refu- gees in 2011. Miraj Pradhan, head of com- munications at UNICEF’s regional office in Amman said there were nearly 76,000 “economically ac- tive children in Jordan, including 44,000 employed in hazardous jobs.” “Most child workers are em- ployed in the wholesale and retail trades, as well as the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. On average they work more than 33 (Reuters) hours a week. They are exposed Narrowing horizons. A boy sells second-hand items in Amman, on June 7. to a number of hazards, including dust fumes and exposure to physi- as he explained the products made people from whom to borrow. All crowdedness and the distance to children risk being questioned at cal and psychological abuse,” Prad- by his mother to feed the family. they had, they have spent. Desper- school,” Pradhan added. checkpoints while going to exams. han said. “I am not begging, I am selling,” ate for survival, thousands of fami- UNICEF, in collaboration with The 7-year-long war has forced 2.1 He pointed out that 88.3% of child Bassel said. “My father was killed lies are adopting negative coping the International Labour Organisa- million children out of school. In labourers in Jordan were boys; 80% in Harasta (a north-eastern suburb mechanisms — cutting on meals, tion, has been working with gov- Yemen about 20% of schools can are Jordanians and 14.6% are Syri- of Damascus) and we had to escape eating poor quality food, dropping ernments to enhance protection no longer be used because they ans. The largest number of working to Jordan with my mother and five their children from school to work/ for children, both at policy and are damaged, sheltering displaced children are in Amman, (27,651 chil- sisters. My mother works to pro- beg and marrying their children institutional level. It is focusing on families or used for military pur- dren) followed by Irbid in northern duce these items. Sometimes I sell early,” he said. beefing up the capacity of relevant poses. In Iraq, half of the schools Jordan (13,899), Zarqa (9,523) and them all and other times nothing at ministries (Ministry of Labour, need rehabilitation after years of Balqa (1,952). all.” Ministry of Education and Ministry fighting and violence. Jordanian law states that it is ille- Bassel insisted he is “not too of Social Development) in support- In the Palestinian territories, gal to hire children younger than 16. young” to work. “We need to live 88.3% ing vulnerable children affected by more than 8,000 children and 400 Business owners are liable to pay fi- and survive and this is the only child labour, Pradhan noted. teachers need protection to safely nancial penalties if they are found way,” he said. of child labourers UNICEF’s Hajati programme reach schools in some areas of the to be employing children. Bassel is just one among the in Jordan are boys; is supporting the most vulner- West Bank. In Sudan, students Bassel — not his real name — 12, many children forced to enter the 80% are Jordanians able 55,000 Syrian refugee chil- must travel long distances to reach wanders around the parking lot of a labour market out of poverty. and 14.6% are dren with $28 per child per month, schools. In Lebanon, more than mall in Amman selling homemade There are many reasons why which is helping families keep their half of all Syrian refugee children Syrian makdous, a healthy Mediter- families might allow their children Syrians. children in school. However, with do not go to school and are forced ranean vegan experience made of to work but for most Syrians in Jor- massive funding shortfall in 2018, to work. In Libya, about 260,000 eggplant stuffed with walnuts and dan the reason is that they have run “For most children, 93%, the eco- UNICEF is finding it increasingly students have been affected by dipped in olive oil and Syrian-style out of everything, Pradhan said. nomic situation of their families is challenging to continue its support. conflict. labneh (spiced yogurt cheese). “After more than seven years liv- the main reason for working. Other One-in-five children across the His tired innocent face says it all ing as refugees, Syrians have run reasons included dropping out of region lives in conflict-affected Roufan Nahhas is a journalist but his marketing skills are obvious out of their own money and even school due to violence and over countries, UNICEF said. In Syria, based in Jordan. Egypt moves against worst forms of child labour, measures not enough

Amr Emam anti-child labour campaigner. awareness campaign through con- “Eradicating poverty is the key to ferences, workshops and meetings ending child labour as a phenom- to warn parents against sending Cairo enon.” children to work and stressing the More than one-quarter of Egyp- health and psychological harm gypt is involving govern- tians live below the poverty line caused by child labour. ment institutions, civil and some parents force their chil- “Some of the children,” Saafan society and the business dren to drop out of school and said, “have to spend their most E community in the imple- work to help the family get by. beautiful years in the workplace. mentation of a national plan to Marriage breakups exacerbate the This should not be happening.” eradicate child labour by 2025. problem because children must One of the challenges facing “As a problem, child labour earn a living in the absence of the Labour Ministry is the lack of poses immense challenges for us,” care-providers. Those children funds to economically empower Egyptian Labour Minister Moham- often end up on farms, quarries, poor parents, observers said. Most ed Saafan said while introducing mines or factories, taking on jobs institutions that hire children do the programme. “We all need to far beyond their ages. so in secret to evade oversight by join hands to put an end to this Egypt has struggled to end child authorities, they added. problem.” labour for years but most national Approximately 1.6 million chil- strategies seem to have lacked the dren between the ages of 12-17 are official will to enforce action. Approximately working in Egypt, a 2017 national The Ministry of Labour conduct- survey concluded. Civil society or- ed several studies on child labour 1.6 million ganisations say, however, that the and raided thousands of industrial number of working children could institutions, workshops, farm- children between be much higher because most in- lands and quarries to ensure they the ages of 12-17 are stitutions that employ children do were not hiring children. More working in Egypt. so secretly. than 4,248 institutions were given Most working children are in warnings against employing chil- rural areas, with 63% of working dren and 74 were sued for employ- “These are problems we all children toiling in agriculture, ing children, the ministry said. must put in mind when planning the Ministry of Labour said. Oth- Legal action and financial pen- to eradicate a huge problem like ers work in the mining business, Necessity knows no law. A boy sells vegetables at a market of the alties for institutions that em- this,” said Maged Tobia, a member the construction sector, quarries, town of Shebin Kanater in the area of Qalubiya. (AFP) ploy children will be among the of the Egyptian parliament. “En- brick factories and industrial insti- mechanisms utilised in the plan to forcing the law and bringing those tutions. end child labour. The programme who hire the children to account Those sectors are the worst Marriage breakup, poverty and added. would offer some parents cash are good measures but they will forms of child labour, which is tough economic conditions are “We cannot put an end to child incentives to prevent them from remain ineffective so long as the what the new programme plans to behind most of the cases of child labour without solving these prob- sending their children to work. root causes of the problem are still end, the ministry said. labour and school dropouts, it lems,” said Talaat Abdel Qawi, Cairo is beginning a national unaddressed.” 22 July 15, 2018 Culture Cinema

Viewpoint Needing women’s literature that can be turned into film he depiction of the Arab woman in Arab cinema Haitham is not much different El-Zobaidi from her reality in pub- lic life; she is marginal- ised and erratic. Cinema Tis the visual story of the 20th century and the 20th century is the story of the rise and fall of women in Arab cinema. From its beginnings, those involved in Arab cinema knew the importance of women to the medium. A film would not be com- plete without women. The first wave of Arab films was aristocratic in spirit. These films were meant for the aristocracy and about the aristocracy. They were loaded with women who served as decor for the hero or the heroine and who were typically elegantly dressed in evening gowns, cigarette in hand and sipping champagne. The heroine always played the role of the desired object and the rest of the female cast had no story to tell. From time to time, we would find the stereotypical character of the stern and domineering mother and that would practically round up the Through the eyes of men. An Egyptian man sits in front of a vintage cinema poster in Cairo. (AFP) presence of women in the world of the rich and wealthy. Very quickly, however, the aver- Our heroines were beautiful and And viewers find that normal. to turn that kind of literature into age moviegoer had enough of the free-spirited but remained margin- Censors suddenly discovered that visual drama. world of glamour in films so the alised and materialistic and found they hadn’t censored kissing scenes In general, men write about their film industry injected doses of pov- no problem with being treated as in the films of the 1950s and ‘60s, world but from time to time they erty into their productions. These objects. Films of the period were so they duly cut them out from the write about the world of women. poor characters generally lived on crammed with thinly clad women reruns of these films on satellite They of course end up describing the fringes of the lives of the rich. but were desperately short on channels. Yap! The female body it through their eyes and not as it In a typical film from this period, women’s issues. is once again taboo in films and really is. Arab cinema has always there was a poor girl who would Our journey through history television programmes. emulated Western cinema. The fall madly in love with the hero and finally reaches the gloomy days of In fairness, we must point out problem is that cinema in the West then usually would give him a pain- our period. Women were certainly that the film industry in some Arab describes women who are com- ful lesson in morality, after he had present in the films of the period countries did treat important femi- pletely alien to the East. jilted her of course. that focused on the ideological, nist issues in the Arab world. After The absence of women’s issues in Next came the wave of populist economic and political convulsions pressure from the Egyptian first Arab cinema will persist as long as films of the 1950s and ‘60s. They that rocked Arab societies but these lady, a film came out on the topic Arab women do not take the initia- included plenty of female charac- female characters had minor roles of divorce in Egypt. Furthermore, tive of writing about themselves ters. There was the poor girl who in the changes being depicted. In angry female Arab film-makers first. It is as if Arab women have overcomes her social condition, the fact, female roles regressed from invaded the male-dominated film chosen to drop a literary veil about loving mother and obedient wife the stereotypical roles of the popu- industry and gave us a few revenge their cause similar in many ways who is always cooking for her fam- lar girl or that of the show girl. films. to the real veil that has become an ily, the rural woman victimised by Of course, women were present From time to time, a purely femi- icon of our modern times. Without the male-dominated society of her in greater numbers in public life in nist movie from Tunisia or Syria a written profound story first, there village, et cetera. modern Arab societies and mod- hit the silver screens in the Arab won’t be a film worth watching. Yes, women became more pre- ern Arab cinema reflected that by world but, otherwise, we can safely Defending women’s causes sent but only in a limited number showing more female characters. say that there is no Arab cinema falls first and foremost on female of films and that perhaps reflected The problem, however, is that devoted to women’s issues. True shoulders. Female writers are the Female writers are the the limited female presence at the image of women being shown feminist movies in the Arab world most suited to write about women’s most suited to write the workplace and in positions of reflects the regression towards re- are no more than a handful. reality especially in societies, that responsibility in Arab societies. ligious conservatism and isolation Cinema is always inspired by do not mind regressing to the time about women’s reality With the end of the ‘60s and that afflicted Arab societies. For literature, so let’s ask if there is of harems. especially in societies, beginning of 1970s, a new wave of example, actresses who are veiled a feminist literature in the Arab that do not mind films saw the light in which women insist on keeping their veils even in world. There is, in fact, a lot of liter- Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi is an Iraqi were glamorous and playful. The scenes in which their character is ature celebrating passion and love writer based in London. He is regressing to the time stories took place on the beaches of having a conversation with her hus- but it is all produced by males. A the Executive Editor of Al Arab of harems. Alexandria or the streets of Beirut. band in the intimacy of their home. film-maker can hardly be expected Publishing Group. Egyptian resistance to occupation portrayed in contemporary cinema

Marwa al-A’sar — craftily portrayed by Amir Ka- has been subjected to rape. ing to respond to the pressures of lywood movies, the film is highly rara — is in charge of. Masry insists that the soldier the British governor as well as an praised. Mimi, who also co-wrote The rapist is the nephew of the who committed the rape and an- Egyptian parliament member who the script, took care of the details Cairo British military governor of Al- other soldier who attacked him for is loyal to the British. Masry’s de- of that era, including the clothes exandria, well-played by Fouad refusing to release his colleague cision makes him liable to a court and gear. The story was co-written irected by Egypt’s Peter Sharaf El Den. The governor de- are referred to court. martial and he is declared to be by producer Mohamed el-Sobky. Mimi, “Harb Karmouz” mands that his nephew be set free. A semi-war between British disobedient in the “war.” “I watched 15 hours of docu- (“Karmouz War”) is an Masry firmly rejects the order, es- troops and Egyptian police erupts The MP is well-portrayed by mentary films, I saw 1,200 pictures D Egyptian action movie pecially after he hears the story of and escalates into an implicit re- Bayyumi Fuad, who surprisingly of tanks and armoured trucks and whose plot takes place during the the devastated Egyptian woman sistance war against the occupiers. performed a serious role even clothes and read five books (about British occupation of Egypt prior who happens to be at the police “It seems like a war. Yes, it’s a though he is a comedian. the era),” Mimi wrote on his Face- to 1952. Not many contemporary station after she was arrested for war,” Masry says. The film stars both Egyptian and book page. Egyptian films portray that era, attempting to commit suicide. Among the most prominent roles Western actors, including British “In a nutshell, it’s a well-made which helped make “Harb Kar- in the film is that of the cynical Ez- actor Scott Adkins. commercial film. It depicted the mouz” a hit at Egyptian box of- zat el-Wahsh, played by Mahmood Another well-portrayed role is 1940s, so the director had enough fices. The film stars both Egyptian Hemaidah. Wahsh is a former mili- that of Zauba, played by Ghada freedom to express what he needs “Harb Karmouz” starts with Brit- and Western actors, tary officer who disobeyed orders Abulraziq. She is a prostitute who (without fearing censorship),” said ish soldiers raping a young Egyp- including British actor Scott of the British military and ended visits the police station to get a critic Tarek el-Shenawy. tian woman during a cold night in Adkins. up in prison. He is locked up at stamp on her work permit. Zauba The film was met by viewers’ ap- the poor Karmouz neighbourhood Karmouz police station at the time is no less patriotic than the other praisal as well. — the main setting of the film — in of the confrontation. He is a patriot characters. She promises herself to “I enjoyed the action in the mov- Alexandria. Three Egyptian men The British governor demands who supports Masry in his fight. quit if the ordeal is over. ie and, at some point, it made me rush to the scene after hearing the that the two Egyptians who killed “The whole British Army is out- Mostafa Khater, playing Asfoura feel proud of the strong Egyptian girl’s screams and clash with the the soldier are transferred to the side except for (former British (the Arabic word for a “passerine”) will against the British occupation, soldiers. One soldier and an Egyp- British authorities for trial. Prime Minister Winston Church- acts as comic relief. He is a fun- even though the movie is fiction- tian are killed in the confrontation. The theme of honour crimes ap- ill),” Wahsh says, sarcastically, ny, witty thief, yet a patriot who al,” said Nagwa Fawzy, 28. They end up at Karmouz police pears on the surface in the film as in reference to the forces getting helped with the cause. station, which the protagonist, the woman is afraid of her father ready to attack the station. Given the limited budget of Marwa al-A’sar is a Cairo-based Egyptian officer Youssef el-Masry who may kill her if he knows she Masry does not budge, refus- Egyptian films compared to Hol- journalist. July 15, 2018 23 Culture ‘Visual Sufi master’ Koraichi exhibits artworks in London

Karen Dabrowska which Koraichi explores the ethe- cle is symbolic of the host in real qualities of the colour blue. In the Christian religion and the his book, “Eternity is the Absence of square is symbolic of the Kaaba. London Time,” Koraichi says: “Always con- As well as Arabic calligraphy nected with the heavens, it is the there are symbols, glyphs and ci- lgerian multimedia artist colour of invisibility… a strange no- phers drawn from a wide variety of Rachid Koraichi likens tion — perhaps — but if you look at languages and cultures. Signs and his latest series of work, the sea — it’s blue! Yet, cup a hand- symbols from civilisation’s oldest on display in London’s ful of seawater in your hand and the languages are abstracted and de- October Gallery, to a blue is gone!” constructed to create a new visual dhikrA — a form of devotion in Su- The exhibition consists of 14 vocabulary. fism in which the worshipper is ab- round textile works with white Exhibition curator Rose Issa said Referring sorbed in the rhythmic repetition of and black writing on a blue back- Koraichi worked in different media to his Arabic the name of God and his attributes. ground and as many square ceramic always in collaboration with the writing, which is always in Visual vocabulary. From There are 28 square panels in the plates with blue shapes and letters best artisans and craftsmen in the reverse like a mirror image, Korai- Rachid Koraichi’s series “Les “Masters of Time” exhibition in on a white background. The cir- countries he has visited as well as chi said: “I want to tell you a story osties bleues,” Acrylic on with contemporary poets, “free about a mirror. Rumi [a 13th-cen- canvas, 2018. spirits and liberators of their own tury Persian Muslim poet and Sufi (October Gallery) countries,” such as Palestinian poet mystic] said the truth is like a mir- Mahmoud Darwish. ror that has fallen from the sky and “The works in the exhibition may has broken into small pieces. Every- litical message. I have to allow each be minimalist but they are very re- body who holds a piece thinks they viewer to receive what I have done fined. They may look simple but hold the truth but the truth is multi- in his or her own particular way. they are intricate, sophisticated ple, diverse and scattered.” While each person sees the same and sombre. Rachid is a visual Sufi About his notion of time the art- work they might well have different master, full of a desire to share his ist said: “In the desert they say interpretations of its meaning.” knowledge of the beauty of this Western people have watches. We Born in Ain Beida, Algeria, in world with us,” Issa added. in the desert have time. Eternity is 1947, Koraichi lives in Tunisia and “When I do this work, I am in the absence of time. Different cul- France. In 2011, he won the Jameel a time that does not belong to the tures have different notions of time. Prize at the Victoria and Albert Mu- past or the future,” Koraichi said. “I The Christians have divided time seum, London, exhibiting seven am living in that time itself. Doing into before and after Christ. For the large-scale banners from the “Invis- the work is like being in a church or Arabs there is no such structure of ible Masters” series. a mosque and having prayer beads. time.” His work is represented in ma- Each bead represents a prayer. On whether his work contains a jor public collections, including These works are like those prayers. central message, Koraichi stated in the British Museum; the Herbert F. “I never plan or make a drawing the exhibition’s catalogue: “I think Johnson Museum of Art, New York; of my work. It all starts from a dot it would be pretentious of me to the Newark Museum, New Jersey; and I can’t stop until I finish the claim that I’m trying to transmit the National Museum of Modern work. I am in a state where every- any one particular message. Music, Art in Paris; the Museum of Modern thing comes to me until I finish that a parallel art form, can have great Art, Cairo; the National Museum work and then I stop,” Koraichi said. complexity and beauty without be- Gallery, Amman; the Miami Art Mu- The word hob (“love”) is often ing ‘programmatic’ or containing seum; and the National Museum of seen in the works. “It is written in any specific message. My work evi- African Art, Washington. reverse like a mirror image and re- dently has an aesthetic component “Masters of Time” is on display fers not only to the love of God but and some of the elements I use re- at the October Gallery through also the love of your children and peatedly can be vessels for specific July 28. your family. Love for me represents thoughts or meanings that I wish to Mystical art. From Rachid Koraichi’s series “Les Maîtres du temps” the love of humanity,” Koraichi communicate. But there is nothing Karen Dabrowska is an Arab (Masters of Time), Oxide on white earth, 2018. (October Gallery) explained. like an overriding position or a po- Weekly contributor in London. Tunisian art festival brings heritage sites to life

Roua Khlifi was set on fire by her jealous lover. used photography to refashion ar- We [had] a performance that de- chives into artistic works that help picts the end of her life,” she said. preserve the national memory, he Tunis “This venue depicts the ambiva- said. lence of fire. On the one hand, it “I work on refashioning the Pal- our abandoned sites in Tu- is a place where we print books so estinian memory and organising nis were converted into in- it must not catch fire but, on the the collective memory of Pales- teractive art galleries for a other, it displays works of art that tine,” said Harb. “I want to rewrite F contemporary art festival speak of fire.” the archive from a modern per- dedicated to Tunisian heritage and Sidi Bou Krissen hosted the spective that is different from that patrimony. “Traab” (“earth”) pavilion, under which has been propagated by Jaou Tunis, an annual festival the direction of curator Khadija Zionists who claim that the Pales- bringing together artists, curators Hamdi. A researcher in Islamic art, tinian people have no memory or and international partners recently Hamdi used the exhibition to ex- heritage.” completed its fifth year, displayed plore the religious significance of “I am reimagining archaeology creative works of art in iconic his- the shrine, which she envisioned of Palestine through photography toric landmarks, including Tuni- as an imaginary museum of con- in a place that also speaks of ar- sia’s abandoned shrine of Sidi Bou temporary art. chaeology, which is this imaginary Krissan, the deserted palace of “I wanted to work on the shrine museum. In my opinion, there is Dar Baccouche, the former church as it was the closest to my back- no museum that represents the of L’aouina and the first Tunisian ground and to my inspiration,” said archive and the archaeology of my printing house of Ceres. Hamdi. “Excavations have always country,” he added. The locations were named (in inspired me as they would reveal The “Hwe” pavilion, named after Tunisian Arabic) after the classical the past. To fully know and grasp the element of air, takes visitors elements — water, fire, earth and the past is the best key to under- through one of the oldest palaces air — a play off the festival’s title, stand the future.” of the Medina of Tunis, Dar Bac- Jaou, which means both “atmos- “These artists worked on found couche. phere” and “enjoying one’s time” objects and the idea of revealing “‘Hwe’ invites visitors to consid- in Tunisian Arabic. these objects. We are here at Traab er what is present and absent,” said Festival organiser Lina Lazaar unearthing an old shrine. It ques- curator Aziza Harmel. “The idea is said each location tackled a theme tions the idea of preserving the not related to nationalities but to a connected to its history and ele- patrimony,” she added. common vision. The location and ments of contemporary art. The Algerian artist Yazid Oulab also the palace translated this need for abandoned printing house of participated in the Traab pavilion, a space since I was looking for a do- Ceres, for example, was among the displaying works that incorporate mestic space.” first places to print publications Creative talent. A work by Yesmine Ben Khelil at Dar Baccouche. multiple meanings of the Arabic “Hwe is the air, something that helped shape Tunisia’s postco- (Khaoula Ben Amara) word. that is invisible but also present. lonial identity, she said. “I wanted to investigate the con- There are other things on dis- This printing house was trans- notation of the word ‘traab,’ which play that are both present and formed into the “fire pavilion” dur- which means ‘fire’,” said Ben At- is also about the idea of resistance also refers to ‘mud’,” said Oulab absent,” she added. ing the festival, with curator Amal tia. “It reflects on fire as a sign of through fire.” “This shrine as a religious site Ben Attia overseeing various artis- life. This fire we carry inside us is “The fire pavilion will pay tribute serves to highlight the spiritual Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel tic performances and installations. the passion that could veer unto to the life of Tunisian singer, danc- idea of the earth.” and Culture contributor to “This exhibition is called ‘Naar,’ destruction or tenderness and it er and actress Habiba Msika, who Palestinian artist Hazem Harb The Arab Weekly. 24 July 15, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

El Jem: Through August 11

El Jem Roman Amphitheatre, 160km south of Tunis, hosts classical musicians from all over the world for the International Festival of Symphonic Music of El Jem. In its 33rd year, the festival programme includes symphonic and orchestral music from Spain, Russia, Italy, Austria, South Korea and Tunisia.

Baalbek: Through August 18

Set in the Roman ruins in eastern Lebanon, the Baalbek Interna- tional Festival includes opera, classical music, pop and jazz The labelled village of concerts, modern and classical Douma in the Batroun dance by international and local area in northern Lebanon. performers. This year’s edition (pbvliban) includes Matthieu Chedid, Jahida Wehbe and Ben Harper.

Hammamet: Volunteers work to Through August 26 Hammamet, a Tunisian town on the northern shore of the Gulf of Hammamet, is the site of the 54th save rural heritage Hammamet International Festi- val. Concerts and plays are sched- uled for more than a month. of Lebanon’s ‘most Jerash: July 19-August 3

The Annual Jerash Festival of beautiful villages’ Culture and Arts, first organised in 1980, takes place in the ancient Jordanian city of Jerash and Samar Kadi Inspired by Les Plus Beaux Vil- showcases folklore troupes, con- lages de France, Khoubbieh, her certs, poetry readings, ballet per- husband Albert Kostanian and a formances, symphony orchestras Beirut friend Joy Homsi joined the global and other events. Handicrafts, network, which includes Spain, food, art and book exhibitions larmed by rampant ur- Italy, Quebec, Wallonia and Japan. will also be offered. banisation, which is de- To qualify as “most beautiful” a facing many of Lebanon’s village must meet criteria covering Pbvliban label on display at the entrance of a village in Lebanon. Tabarka: A villages, the founders of architectural, historic, environ- (pbvliban) July 20-28 “Les plus Beaux Villages du Liban” mental and cultural heritage. (pbvliban) — the Most Beautiful Vil- “Every country adopts its own The 13th Tabarka Jazz Festival lages of Lebanon — are helping pre- criteria. We cannot be as strict as village, accommodation facilities, Strict construction rules are ap- in Tunisia features renowned serve what is left of the country’s in France, where they have laws cleanliness et cetera.” plied, Ghosn said. No more than international and local jazz artists rural heritage and its millennia-old to protect heritage though we are Response from municipali- 2- or 3-storey buildings are allowed such as Kid Creole, Nick West culture. quite firm in Lebanese standard,” ties to the initiative was “great,” and 80% of the house structure and Malina Moye. Concerts are The initiative, part of the global Khoubbieh said. Once a village Khoubbieh said. should be in stone and covered scheduled for the new Tabarka “Most Beautiful Villages of the earns the label, it must maintain its “This label will encourage mu- with red-tiled roofs. theatre and there will be free World,” works to safeguard the tra- qualification or the honour would nicipalities and residents to pre- “The challenge is to keep the la- street performances. ditions that have shaped villages be withdrawn. serve their environment, will serve bel by having development geared of Lebanon’s mountains and coast “It is a continuous process and as a rampart against the destruc- towards maintaining the character Cairo: and promoting sustainable tour- follow-up work. Every two-three tion of villages and will materialise of the village. We are preserving August 29-September 9 ism, said Maguy Khoubbieh, pbvli- years the villages are re-evaluated their commitment to their unique our greenery and trying to main- ban president and co-founder. to check if they still deserved the heritage,” she said. tain a healthy environment for our Organised by the Cairo Opera “Today, more than ever, there label or if they are eligible for up- The qualified villages are high- society,” he said. House, the annual Citadel Festi- is a need for such an initiative to grading,” she said. lighted through signs bearing the Historical Hardine in northern val for Music and Singing is set for recognise the value of Lebanese Pbvliban has granted the la- label’s logo and are placed on the Lebanon “deserves” the highest- the Saladin Citadel and the Opera villages and preserve their excep- bel to 63 villages across Lebanon. map of pbvliban’s website with in- graded label bearing three oaks, House over nearly two weeks. tional heritage,” Khoubbieh said. Khoubbieh and her “colleagues” formation on their history, attrac- which it was awarded, said vil- The festival includes concerts of “These villages are threatened by spent two years on the road as- tions and activities. lage Mayor Ramza Assaf. “God has classical Arab music in addition an extensive urbanisation and the sessing the different villages before Charbel Ghosn, mayor of Dlebta, granted us a beautiful nature and to contemporary performances. lack of protection laws and poor drawing the list of those that quali- a labelled village in the Kesrouan we are set on preserving it and collective development initiatives fied. area of Mount Lebanon, said he keeping the village authentic and Dubai: and they might lose their unique- “We checked the number of tra- hopes the qualification would at- virgin.” September 6-8 ness.” ditional red-tiled stone houses, tract more visitors to the village. Founded in 1250BC, Hardine “There is somehow a system- the proportionality and homoge- “We are proud to have this la- boasts archaeological sites, includ- Written by French composer atic destruction of the built her- neity between old and new build- bel, which has a big moral value,” ing a Roman temple that was dam- Georges Bizet, and first brought itage, notably the old traditional ings, the existence of landmark or he said. “Our advantage is that we aged in an earthquake and 30 mon- to the stage in 1875, the opera Lebanese houses. Also, quarries exceptional buildings like ancient are close to big cities like Beirut asteries and caves that served as “Carmen” will be performed at are popping up here and there and churches or palaces, the green ar- and Jounieh and still preserved the refuges for early Christians. the Dubai Opera by the Armenian there is no law to protect all that.” eas, the cultural activities in the character of the village.” “The government has been neg- National Academic Theatre Opera ligent in preserving Hardine. A vil- and Orchestra. lage like this can be easily turned into an open-air museum,” Assaf Tangier: said, adding: “We really deserve September 20-23 the label.” Pbvliban’s volunteers, including The 19th Tangier’s Jazz Festival architects, artists, landscapers and will feature international and tourism experts, are committed to local jazz artists. Over four days, help municipalities appreciate and visitors can enjoy free street highlight their local heritage. performances, free dance courses The self-funded initiative, how- and jazz concerts. This year’s ever, cannot continue without fi- festival will host performers Flo nancial support, Khoubbieh said. Bauer, Michael Lauren, Matthieu “We definitely need sponsors. That Bore and United Colors of is why we are seeking enterprises Mediterranee. and individuals who want to asso- ciate their name to the preserva- tion of our national heritage.” We welcome submissions of “I always tell people around me calendar items related to why you need to travel abroad cultural events of interest to when you can easily travel in your travellers in the Middle East own country which has beauty, his- and North Africa. tory and culture,” she added. Please send tips to: Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly [email protected] The labelled coastal village of Enfeh in the district of Koura in northern Lebanon. (pbvliban) Travel and Society section editor.