UK £2 Issue 184, Year 4 December 2, 2018 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Arab Wither Erdogan-Tamim heritage goes Arab summit in normalisation in Malta with Israel? Istanbul Page 23 Pages 12-13 Page 4 Saudi effort to restore international stature culminates at G20 summit ► Crown Prince Mohammed’s participation at the G20 was closely watched by international media.

Mahmud el-Shafey ing terrorism and confronting Iran. The crown prince also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The London Saudi Foreign Ministry published a photograph of the two men shaking audi Crown Prince Mo- hands and smiling broadly. hammed bin Salman bin “China firmly supports Saudi Abdulaziz returned to the Arabia in its drive for economic di- S international stage at the versification and social reform and Group of 20 summit in Argentina. will continue to stick together with The reception he received in Bue- Saudi Arabia on issues involving nos Aires seemed to vindicate his their core interests,” China’s state- bet on international outreach to owned Xinhua News Agency quot- overcome the reputational damage ed Xi as saying. that Riyadh had to deal with since There had been fears that world the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal leaders would distance themselves Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate from Crown Prince Mohammed fol- in Istanbul last October. lowing the furore over Khashoggi’s The 33-year-old heir to Saudi King death by what Riyadh claims was a Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met rogue operation involving officials with world leaders, including US who exceeded orders to question President Donald Trump, Russian the journalist. Investigations into President Vladimir Putin, French Khashoggi’s killing continue and President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor British Prime Minister Theresa May, has charged 11 people in relation to On the world stage. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (L) speaks with Russian while at the G20. the death. President Vladimir Putin during the opening of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, November 30. (Reuters) Putin greeted Crown Prince Mo- Crown Prince Mohammed flew to hammed warmly and the two men Buenos Aires following a whistle- were seen laughing and joking dur- stop regional tour that took him to tries on the way there, [Crown ing place each year since the 2008 Macri opened the summit with a ing the opening leaders’ session. the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Prince Mohammed] has neutralised global financial crisis. The group call for world leaders to work to- Video of the initial hearty hand- Egypt and Tunisia, where he re- the designs of Saudi Arabia’s en- was founded in 1999 by the Group gether. “The essence of the G20 is shake between Putin and the crown ceived warm welcomes. There were emies. He has not withdrawn from of Seven with the aim of providing to foster dialogue while respecting prince went viral on social media. protests in Tunis about the crown public life or avoided confronting developing countries with a voice differences and we hope to lay the A White House statement said prince’s visit but they were over- the challenges he faces,” said Saudi regarding the global economy and foundation for consensus for the Trump “exchanged pleasantries” shadowed by the warm reception columnist and former general man- to coordinate and prioritise global next 10 years,” he said. with Crown Prince Mohammed at extended by Tunisian President ager of Al Arabiya news channel Ab- financial stability. “Many people look at us and have the same meeting. Saudi state me- Beji Caid Essebsi. dulrahman al-Rashed. The summit in Buenos Aires was doubts regarding these summits dia described interactions between Khashoggi’s death has become Crown Prince Mohammed’s par- an optimal setting for the Saudi and what they’re good for. It is our the two as “friendly.” the centrepiece in a regional tug of ticipation at the G20 — his first in- crown prince to return to the inter- duty to show to the world that to- Trump has repeatedly highlight- war between Saudi Arabia and its ternational appearance outside the national scene, especially with Chi- day global challenges require global ed the importance of US-Saudi re- allies and rivals Qatar and Turkey, Middle East since October — was na-US trade tensions dominating responses,” he added. lations, pointing to a $110 billion which have exploited the killing closely watched by international the meeting. Issues such as migra- arms deal with the kingdom and Ri- in an attempt to turn global public media. tion and climate change were also Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab yadh’s important role in advancing opinion against Riyadh. The G20 summit is a meeting of on the agenda at a particularly frac- Weekly correspondent in London. Washington’s policies in the Middle “No one can deny that, by visit- representatives of the world’s larg- tious time in global politics. East, particularly through counter- ing Argentina and four other coun- est economies that has been tak- Argentinian President Mauricio P 2-3 Viewpoint Lebanese women still struggle with inequitable system

here are a few tragic country. Most of the well-known fe- major parliamentary bloc to the However, those Lebanese legisla- situations that test the male politicians only played a lead- bill submitted by a member of the tors and the political elite have yet limits of humanity and ing role due to their family feudal Progressive Socialist Party. to address those more pressing Makram Rabah shake one to the core. status or other subjective reasons While women wait for the legisla- matters because the so-called elite Chief among them, the that moved them to the forefront. tors to fulfil their empty promise, has been unable to moderate their sight of a child force- As it stands, six women have their children suffer from a state differences. This has led to the Tfully and unjustly removed from seats in the 128-member Lebanese bureaucracy and regulations, which collapse of the state and an ever- the bosom of his or her mother over parliament, most of whom were goes out of its way to make the menacing economic catastrophe an ugly custody battle. picked by their respective govern- non-Lebanese, especially Palestin- looming. The Lebanese recently witnessed ments to portray an image of ians and Syrians, feel unwelcome. Rather than merely empathising incidents involving two mothers modernity. Many children of Lebanese women with Lebanese mothers and their who were forced to hand over their Just like their male colleagues, married to foreigners must leave uphill battle with the custody laws, child or risk incarceration. In one female parliamentarians are pawns Lebanon after they become adults the Lebanese should acknowledge case, police stormed the house of to their sectarian parties. Be that because they are barred from cer- that the system they so fondly vote the mother and handed the 2-year- as it may, the overhaul of the tain professions. for every few years disenfranchises old boy to his father, a high-ranking Lebanese political system is not An equally important legal not only women but most of the security official. the hindrance to women achieving demand that women have yet to at- population. The crux of this predicament their political and social rights but tain is the criminalisation of sexual Despite the legal battles won does not dwell on the fact that the rather the fact that their legitimate harassment, which is not clearly over time, ultimately the difficul- personal status laws of Lebanon demands have been sidelined by stipulated under the Lebanese ties facing women in Lebanon are merely empower women but rather the ruling establishment for lacking penal code. reminders that, contrary to what that the legal and political system is urgency. In the previous parliament in the Lebanese propagate, their The difficulties facing rooted on a paternal male chauvin- Perhaps topping these women’s 2014, former MP Ghassan Mouk- country’s laws remain far behind women in Lebanon ism that promises, yet never deliv- rights demands is the campaign to heiber, a renowned legal and civic in being ers any kind of, reform. grant Lebanese women married to activist, proposed a law that would equitable to women and there is are reminders that, Activists have rigorously cam- foreigners the right to pass on their punish all forms of sexual harass- little chance of reform. contrary to what the paigned for women to achieve some nationality to their children, which ment, including the despicable act Lebanese propagate, parity in the sectarian Lebanese current law prohibits, citing the of cat-calling. Shamefully, many of Makram Rabah is a lecturer at political system. Despite their huge naturalisation of Palestinian refu- his lawmaker colleagues ridiculed the American University of Beirut their country’s laws efforts, only limited changes have gees and the delicate demographic this proposal as being a waste of the and author of “A Campus at War: remain far behind in been made balance as its weak pretext. assembly’s resources, which should Student Politics at the American Despite attaining suffrage in 1953, Despite their palpable complaints be used to attend to more pressing University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” being equitable to Lebanese women have played little and lobbying, female activists are matters such as the economy and women. or no role in the political life of their yet to get the endorsement of any political stability. P 21 2 December 2, 2018 Cover Story Saudi Arabia Saudi leader works Arab region in drive to reinstate standing Lamine Ghanmi here say you do not welcome loved ones who are at home,” Caid Essebsi said. Tunis Caid Essebsi’s welcome overshad- owed protests by activists and NGOs audi Crown Prince Moham- in Tunis over the killing of Saudi med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the was warmly greeted, despite Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Oc- S some protests in Tunis, as he tober and the role of Saudi Arabia in toured Arab countries ahead of his the Yemen war. closely watched participation at the Algerian Energy Minister Musta- Group of 20 summit in Argentina. pha Guitouni said Crown Prince Mo- His multi-country trip through the hammed’s expected trip to Algiers Arab region was considered part of after the G20 meetings “is a friendly a Saudi diplomatic offensive aimed and brotherly visit with no link to the at fending off the influence of a de oil prices on the world markets.” facto alliance that includes Muslim “As Saudi Crown Prince Moham- Brotherhood-affiliated groups as med bin Salman tours friendly well as the pro-Islamist governments Arab nations in advance of the G20 of Qatar and Turkey. summit, Saudi diplomacy aims to Crown Prince Mohammed re- achieve two goals: put the killing of ceived an intense welcome when he journalist Jamal Khashoggi behind it arrived in the United Arab Emirates and thwart Qatari efforts to benefit on November 22, the first leg of his from the kingdom’s predicament,” six-country Arab tour. said James M. Dorsey, a senior fellow “We are proud of our deep-rooted at the S. Rajaratnam School of Inter- ties. Close cooperation and a fruitful national Studies at Singapore’s Nan- partnership lie in store for our coun- yang Technological University. tries. The UAE will always be a loving The two faces of Tunisia’s reac- and supportive home for our broth- tions to the crown prince’s visit il- ers in Saudi Arabia,” said Abu Dhabi lustrate the diplomatic and political Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed face-off in the Arab world between al-Nahyan. Saudi-led bloc hostile to the Muslim Brotherhood and another bloc in- cluding Brotherhood backers, Qatar Relations between and Turkey, and Riyadh’s nemesis Tunisia and Saudi Arabia Iran. have improved since Muslim Brotherhood affiliates and Caid Essebsi became their allies, as well as Turkey, Qatar president, leading to and Iran, found in the Khashoggi Closer ties. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (R) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin increased economic and killing an opportunity to undermine Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Carthage Palace, November 27. (SPA) diplomatic contacts by the image and credibility of the officials from both Saudi crown prince, even though US operation between Tunisia and Qatar country at Tunisia’s 2020 investment ists. [The crown prince’s] rise in pow- countries. President Donald Trump softened and Turkey expanded across various forum in 2016. Last October, Saudi er in Saudi Arabia is seen in Algeria as such efforts by reiterating the United fields, including the military. warplanes joined Tunisian jets in an a break with the traditional support Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al- States’ firm commitment to Saudi During that time, Tunisia’s re- air force drill over Tunisian airspace. from the Gulf region to the Islam- Khalifa offered the crown prince red- Arabia. lations with its traditional Arab After Crown Prince Mohammed ists,” he added. carpet treatment at al-Sakhir Palace In addition to meeting with Caid partners, such as the United Arab left Tunisia, sources told Reuters Crown Prince Mohammed’s tour in Manama, two days later. Essebsi, Crown Prince Mohammed Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, that Saudi Arabia would lend Tunisia through the Maghreb epitomises the Hundreds raised the Saudi and also met with Tunisian Prime Min- grew cold and tense. Relations were $500 million at favourable interest fight for influence in the Arab world Egyptian flags in Cairo in a show of ister Youssef Chahed, who heads a particularly strained with the UAE, rates and will finance two projects between Saudi-led bloc and Turkey- support for Crown Prince Moham- government coalition that includes which had been Tunisia’s second- worth $140 million each. Qatar-Muslim Brotherhood alliance med as his motorcade travelled to Islamists, while in Tunis. largest trading partner in the Arab Algeria’s leaders, who had some- in the region, experts said. a meeting with Egyptian President Relations between Tunisia and world after Libya, with most Emi- times been at odds with Saudi Arabia “Crown Prince Mohammed is in- Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on November 27. Saudi Arabia have improved since rati investment projects frozen after over oil policy and regional issues in tent on warding off Ankara-Doha The same day, Crown Prince Mo- Caid Essebsi became president, re- 2011. The diplomatic rift peaked in the Arab world, said they would wel- axis. He is aware that the two coun- hammed was warmly welcomed by placing Moncef Marzouki in Decem- September 2013, when the Emirati come Crown Prince Mohammed as a tries are striving to grab more influ- Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, ber 2014, leading to increased eco- ambassador was withdrawn. young leader opposed to the role of ence. That is why the importance for 92, who, in a symbolic gesture of es- nomic and diplomatic contacts by Caid Essebsi returned to Tunisia’s Muslim Brotherhood and political Is- Saudi Arabia to recover the ground,” teem, braved the cold and wind to officials from both countries. traditional diplomatic approach, pri- lam in general. said Francois Aissa Touazi, of the greet the crown prince as he stepped Under Marzouki’s rule, marked by oritising relations with all Arab states “[Crown Prince Mohammed] will Cap Mena think-tank. from his plane at Tunis-Carthage In- an alliance with the Islamist Ennah- to serve the country’s economic and get an ardent open arms welcome in “Turkey is one of the main eco- ternational Airport. He later awarded da Movement, Tunisia moved closer diplomatic interests. Algeria mainly because of his anti- nomic partners of Algeria and Tuni- the Crown Prince Mohammed Tu- to Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, then led Ties warmed between Tunisia and Islamist broad vision,” said Algerian sia and Qatar had invested a lot in the nisia’s highest national medal — the by Islamist President Muhammad Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir- political writer Zine Cherfaoui. Maghreb.” Order of the Republic. Morsi. ates and Kuwait under Caid Essebsi, “Algeria had suffered from the fi- “You are welcome in your country Under the rule of the Islamist led- with Saudi Arabia pledging $850 mil- nancial and ideological support from Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly Tunisia even when our traditions coalition in Tunisia from 2011-13, co- lion in investments and aid to the the Gulf area to the extremist Islam- correspondent in Tunis. Saudi crown prince gets assurances of Egypt’s full support

was behind the death of Khashoggi, tion between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Muhammad Morsi in 2013. wider context of the regional situa- Amr Emam who was killed October 2 in the Saudi The Egyptian-Saudi Business Council Sisi, the army chief then, led the tion. Consulate in Istanbul. convened during the visit, allowing army in backing a popular uprising In Egypt’s state-owned Al-Ahram Cairo The crown prince earlier visited for discussions about industrial inte- against Morsi, who had failed to de- newspaper, Ahmed Abdel Tawab Bahrain and the United Arab Emir- gration, cooperation in services and liver on economic and political elec- said Qatar and Turkey were exploit- gypt’s show of support for ates and stopped in Tunisia after the electrical interconnectivity. tion promises after a year in office. ing Khashoggi’s killing for political Saudi Crown Prince Moham- Egyptian visit before heading to Ar- Saudi Arabia has invested approxi- The move produced an international ends. Salah Montasser, in the same med bin Salman bin Ab- gentina for the Group of 20 summit. mately $27 billion in Egypt and nearly outcry, especially in Washington and publication, praised US President E dulaziz during a visit to Cairo In Cairo, Crown Prince Mohammed 5,000 Saudi companies operate in European capitals. Donald Trump for sticking with Ri- represents a strong blow to regional received clear assurances of support the Egyptian market. In 2016, Saudi “Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia was yadh, saying that countries needed powers trying to tarnish Saudi Ara- from Egyptian President Abdel Fat- Arabia pledged $2.5 billion for the de- there to clarify the situation in Egypt to put their own interests first. bia’s image against the backdrop of tah al-Sisi at a time when Egyptian- velopment of Sinai. to world leaders, especially the ad- Egypt’s foreign policy vision to- the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Saudi ties are closer than ever. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh ministration of former US President wards Qatar and Turkey, which sup- Khashoggi, analysts said. Sisi, who met with the crown Shoukry visited Riyadh following Barack Obama,” Zayat said. port the banned Muslim Brother- “Here is the most populous and the prince twice during his stay in Cairo, Khashoggi’s death to deliver a mes- Saudi-Egyptian relations go far be- hood, as well as concern towards most militarily powerful Arab state highlighted the strength of Egypt’s sage from Sisi to Saudi King Salman yond trading favours and are based Iran’s destabilising regional policies, making it clear that Saudi security alliance with Saudi Arabia. bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Local media on mutual interests, analysts said, falls in line with Saudi Arabia’s for- and stability are issues of extreme reported that the message included particularly concerns about regional eign policy priorities. importance to it,” said Egyptian po- assurances that Cairo would not rivals Iran, Qatar and Turkey. “This is a strong reason why litical analyst Mohamed Megahid al- Saudi Arabia invests abandon its closest ally. Statements from Saudi Arabia and [Crown Prince Mohammed] is keen Zayat, an adviser to Egypt’s Regional approximately $27 Shoukry’s visit occurred a few days Egypt during Crown Prince Moham- to get Cairo’s political blessing,” said Centre for Strategic Studies. “This is billion in Egypt. after Sisi said Egypt would not hesi- med’s visit highlighted the position Hassan Nafaa, a professor of political very important as the map of regional tate to send its army outside national of the Arab Quartet — Saudi Arabia, science at Cairo University. “This is alliances braces for change.” “Saudi Arabia’s security and sta- borders to defend Gulf Arab nations. Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab also true of most of the other coun- Crown Prince Mohammed visited bility are inseparable from those of Egypt’s support for Saudi Arabia at Emirates — particularly towards Qa- tries he visited during his regional Cairo November 26-27 as part of a Egypt,” Sisi said, the Egyptian presi- this time, analysts said, can be seen tar. tour before travelling to Argentina.” tour of Arab countries to burnish his dential office reported in a release. as returning the favour for Riyadh’s Opinion writers in Egypt’s news- image following allegations — denied The Cairo stop included consulta- backing following the political crisis papers were clear to view the outcry Amr Emam is a Cairo-based by the Saudis — that the crown prince tions regarding economic coopera- after the ouster of Islamist President over Khashoggi’s death within the contributor to The Arab Weekly. December 2, 2018 3 Cover Story Saudi Arabia Trump administration tries to defend its Saudi policy in face of congressional opposition

Thomas Seibert support for Riyadh. “We want to keep Saudi Arabia in America’s column be- cause the alternative is co-optation Istanbul by China and Russia,” he said, adding that US arms sales to Riyadh played efending Saudi Arabia and an important role as well. “Support- Saudi Crown Prince Mo- ing Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend hammed bin Salman bin itself and contribute to Middle East D Abdulaziz despite grow- stability is central to US interests and ing dissent in the US Senate, sen- those of our allies around the world,” ior Trump administration officials he said. pointed to Riyadh’s strategic impor- Writing in the Wall Street Journal tance in a region unsettled by Iranian before briefing the Senate, Pompeo aggression. highlighted what he said were dan- Outlining a policy that puts the gers posed by Iran. Saudi Arabia perceived threat by Iran in the cen- “recognises the immense threat the tre of deliberations, US Secretary of Islamic Republic of Iran poses to the State Mike Pompeo and Secretary world,” he wrote. of Defence James Mattis, appearing “Modern-day Iran is, in Henry before senators November 28, said Kissinger’s term, a cause, not a na- downgrading ties between the Unit- tion. Its objectives are to spread the ed States and Saudi Arabia would run Islamic revolution from Tehran to counter to the United States’ security Damascus, to destroy Israel and to interests. subjugate anyone who refuses to “Degrading ties with Saudi Arabia submit, starting with the Iranian would be a grave mistake for US na- people. An emboldened Iran would tional security, and that of our allies,” spread even more death and de- Pompeo told senators in prepared struction in the Middle East, spark a remarks. “The kingdom is a power- regional nuclear-arms race, threaten ful force for stability in an otherwise trade routes and foment terrorism fraught Middle East. around the world.” Mattis made it clear in the meet- Standing firm. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters after a closed-door meeting ing with senators that accusations Pompeo pointed to the with senators about Saudi Arabia, November 28. (AP) risk that Russian and against Crown Prince Mohammed in Chinese influence could connection with the death of journal- grow if the United States ist Jamal Khashoggi should not cool geography and the Iranian threat, is would be misguided on the eve of justifying the administration’s policy relations between Washington and fundamental to maintaining regional the promising initial negotiations,” vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia were not suffi- withdrew support for Riyadh. and Israeli security and to our inter- Mattis said. cient to sway the Senate, which later Riyadh. “Our security interests cannot be est in Mideast stability.” “We cannot be deflected from us- that day voted 63-37 with rare bipar- “Saudi Arabia is working to sta- dismissed, even as we seek account- Mattis conceded “the difficulty in ing all our influence to end this war tisan support to advance legislation bilise Iraq’s fragile democracy and ability for what President [Donald] reconciling human aspirations with [in Yemen] for the good of innocent calling for an end to US involvement keep Baghdad tethered to Western Trump described as the ‘unaccep- war’s grim reality” but he warned people in trouble and ultimately the in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The interests, not Tehran. Riyadh has table and horrible crime’ of Jamal that the chances for success of peace safety of our own people and this in- result opens the way for the Senate helped manage the flood of refugees Khashoggi’s murder,” he said at a talks for Yemen this month in Swe- cludes our military engagement.” to pass Joint Resolution 54, which fleeing Syria’s civil war by working Pentagon news briefing. den would not be increased by “dis- Mattis insisted that there was “no would direct “the removal of United closely with host countries, cooper- “We must maintain our twin re- engaging” from Saudi Arabia’s war in smoking gun” tying Crown Prince States Armed Forces from hostilities ates closely with our ally Egypt and quirements of holding those respon- Yemen. Mohammed to Khashoggi’s death. in the Republic of Yemen that have is establishing closer ties with Israel.” sible for the murder to account while “Pulling back our limited US mili- He said the United States was “sel- not been authorised by Congress.” Pompeo pointed to the risk that recognising the reality of Saudi Ara- tary support, our weapons sales to dom free to work with unblemished Russian and Chinese influence could bia as a necessary strategic partner,” our partners and our protection of partners.” Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly grow if the United States withdrew Mattis added. “Saudi Arabia, due to the Saudi and Emirati populations Pompeo’s and Mattis’s statements correspondent.

Viewpoint What lies behind Tunisian protests against Saudi crown prince? urprisingly to some and of the public relying on agenda-driv- Victory to Islam.” level, convincing only hundreds to expectedly to others, the en news sources for information. The This troubling scene raises ques- turn up for the highly publicised visit of Saudi Crown Prince post-2011 upheaval has intensified tions over who supplied such banners demonstration. Iman Zayat Mohammed bin Salman our focus on local issues. and helped mobilise the crowd. If we However, if there is a point on bin Abdulaziz to Tunis un- The public, however, is not to trust reports by Western correspond- which I agree with the Western derscored many neglected blame for switching at times to ents in Tunis or Al Jazeera journalists, reporters in my country, it is on the Srealities in the Arab Maghreb region, channels such as the pro-Iranian al the “spontaneous” protests are to beauty of free expression in Tunisia particularly Tunisia. Mayadeen or Qatar-funded Al Ja- have been organised by civil society without fear of retribution, a rare Since the “Arab spring” uprisings in zeera, subscribing to YouTube chan- groups, notably the Tunisian Journal- sight in the Arab world. Still, I remain 2011, three dangerous developments nels managed by so-called experts or ists’ Syndicate, against “war crimes fearful of my country’s possible de- have put North Africa at risk: An as- having public discussions with those in Yemen.” scent into mobocracy, a phenomenon sertive Iranian foreign policy, a peren- who have a covert agenda in mind. Yes, the same Journalists’ Syndi- that would jeopardise the founda- nial, yet muted, de facto alliance Much of the blame instead falls cate some of whose members have tions of our diplomacy and our between the Muslim Brotherhood on local media, which have usually been supportive of the Syrian regime positive ties with countries around and Tehran and the proliferation of focused their reporting on immediate of Bashar Assad, which stands ac- the region. political Islam in Maghreb socie- developments, local politics and the cused of repeatedly using chemical Certainly, the hundreds who ties via politics, the media and civil dynamics between the country and weapons and killing hundreds of turned out on Tunis’s Habib Bour- society groups. the West, mainly Europe and specifi- thousands of its own people. Isn’t guiba avenue are free to speak their As Iranian influence increased and cally France. that ironic. mind. Certainly, some of them were money flowed from Tehran and Qa- Concerning the Arab Gulf region, Here in Tunisia, I saw protests honest about their outcry. Those tar, some voicing concerns about this let’s be even more daring and call a being organised immediately after hundreds, however, should not com- trend were quickly intimidated into spade a spade: We in the Maghreb are Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit was promise the tenets of our diplomacy. silence. Threats against critics were very badly informed and know very announced. Calls for demonstra- Tunisia’s relations with Saudi Arabia made regularly, the appeal of political little about the Gulf. Too often, we fail tions were put out on social media, were and will remain as strong as Islam grew and North African coun- to critically examine our sources of particularly Facebook pages known ever and are needed to promote sta- tries plunged into economic, political information, leading to the prolifera- for their sympathy with the Muslim bility and security in the region. and social malaise. tion of fake news and wild conspira- Brotherhood. Then, the clamour Hopefully for Tunisia, President More than seven years after the up- cies. grew louder, with activists and some Beji Caid Essebsi, with more than risings, such political forces are still at The misinformed views driving politicians joining in. What began as seven decades of political experience, play. This was evident during protests much of the protests against the a slow mobilisation turned into a race demonstrated once again his shrewd against Crown Prince Mohammed in Saudi crown prince exposed this bit- to see who could grab the reins of a understanding of complex regional Tunis, where banners of the Iran- ter truth. Indeed, most of the young movement that would surely capture politics, sending the right message to backed Houthis were seen amid the protesters I spoke with could not international media attention. Saudi Arabia by warmly welcoming crowd. answer even simple questions on the Unfortunately, in Tunisia, follow- the crown prince and awarding him As I saw this scene, words of topics that we are speaking out on, ing the clamour and confusion sur- the Order of the Republic medal. political science professor Jonathan such as: How did the war in Yemen rounding the “Arab spring,” people Yes, Tunisians may not be after Laurence in his 2017 commentary begin? Who are the Houthis? Who is have grown disillusioned with and benevolence and financial assistance, for Reuters rang fresh in my ears: “In Jamal Khashoggi? distrustful of politicians and activists as the hundreds shouted during their Sunni North Africa, fears of Iran’s Some of them responded simply across the political spectrum. To grab protest. They do, however, need Tunisia’s relations Shia shadow.” by regurgitating hollow slogans. their attention, therefore, leaders national and regional stability and with Saudi Arabia That Tunisia’s democratic rights One protester, proudly hoisting the have resorted to fiery speeches, pop- should resist any form of foreign were and will remain could be exploited by foreign powers banner of the Houthi militia, was not ulist views and played off immediate meddling in their national politics with a nefarious agenda might be even able to identify the group or the controversies. that could harm their solid ties with as strong as ever and difficult to fathom for those who hold nature of its connection with Tehran. It is true that politicians and activ- the kingdom and historic bonds with are needed to the Maghrebi mind in great esteem. In the end, he simply said he agreed ists who joined the protests against the Saudi people. However, the truth needs to be told: with the slogan, which read: “Allah Crown Prince Mohammed were well promote stability and In North Africa, our grasp of regional is great. Death to America. Death to served by foreign media. Still, they Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor of security in the region. politics has been limited, with much Israel. Curse the Jews. failed to score big on the national The Arab Weekly. 4 December 2, 2018 News & Analysis Qatar Erdogan-Tamim summit sets common agenda for Turkey, Qatar The Arab Weekly staff government media in both countries to destabilise Saudi Arabia and weak- en the hold on power of Saudi Crown Ankara Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. urkish President Recep Tayy- Part of the Istanbul talks, the sourc- ip Erdogan and Qatari Emir es said, focused on countering the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad United Arab Emirates’ influence and T al-Thani reached agreements “keeping Abu Dhabi away from key on a wide range of issues, including circles of influence in Saudi Arabia.” security and military areas of coop- A common policy of not getting in- eration, during meetings establishing volved in policies that support Iran’s a common Turkish-Qatari agenda, destabilising agenda for the region Turkish sources said on condition of and greater coordination in dealing anonymity. with Yemeni and Libyan issues was Sheikh Tamim was in Istanbul for also agreed to by the two countries, the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Com- the sources said. mittee meeting, marking the 45th Diplomatic circles see Qatar and year of bilateral ties. Turkey as suspicious of Iran’s designs Turkish sources, who spoke to in the region, despite Doha’s alliance members of the government del- with Tehran after Saudi Arabia and egations, said the agreements would three other Arab countries severed provide for more Turkish military diplomatic and economic ties be- supplies to Qatar’s military, the inte- cause of Qatar’s alleged support for gration of Turkish and Qatari security terrorism and meddling in other na- efforts during FIFA World Cup 2022 in tions’ affairs. Qatar and the building of an interna- The Istanbul meetings adopted a tional communication and public re- cautious stand towards Tehran’s poli- lations partnership between the two cies in the region so as “to avoid get- countries. ting involved in any Iranian agenda Common goals. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin The sources said Ankara and Doha that might harm the security of the Hamad al-Thani ahead of their talks in Istanbul, November 26. (Turkish Presidential Palace) will seek to “avoid a political escala- region,” the sources said. tion with Saudi Arabia and endeavour This Turkish-Qatari position re- instead to invest in opportunities of flected common wariness about direct dialogue between the US ad- direct involvement of Turkish train- and international public, Qatar-based dialogue with the kingdom,” in ad- Washington’s growing resentment of ministration and the Muslim Brother- ers is likely to affect the military doc- Al Jazeera and the English-language dition to emphasising the two coun- the development of closer relations hood branches in Egypt, Yemen, Syria trine of the Qatari Army and give the Turkish TRT Channel will be tasked tries’ keenness on Saudi security and between Qatar and Iran as well as of and Libya.” Turkish army a foothold near the wa- with developing a vision through stability. Erdogan’s attempts to resist the sanc- Doha and Ankara see this dialogue ters of the Arabian Gulf for decades to which the two countries can influ- tions imposed by the Trump adminis- as a means to “counter accusations of come. In return, Qatar will increase ence the world’s public opinion in its investments in Turkey’s military pursuit of “the interests of both coun- Part of the Istanbul talks tration on Tehran. terrorism levied against the branches The two sides contended that “the of the organisation by Egypt, the UAE industry. tries.” focused on countering boycott of Qatar did not achieve its in- and Saudi Arabia,” as well as a way “to Since the boycott imposed by Turkish sources said the future the United Arab tended goals but made Qatar, instead, formulate a new vision for future co- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab common agenda will also include Emirates’ influence and more open to the world,” added the operation between Washington and Emirates and Bahrain in June 2017, close coordination of joint moves re- “keeping Abu Dhabi sources. the organisation,” the sources said. Qatar has sought Turkey’s security garding the war in Yemen. Qatar has away from key circles of The Turkish sources said the Turk- A Turkish source said the creation and military assistance. Qatar has been for months exerting diplomatic influence in Saudi ish and Qatari leaders see a need to of a joint security operations com- also focused on countering the UAE, efforts to bring about a change in the Arabia.” approach the Trump administration mand in Doha to oversee the security which it sees as a major obstacle to US administration’s position, which is regarding its stance towards the Mus- of the World Cup games was also dis- the expansion of any Islamic project supportive of the Saudi-led coalition Such potential cooperation be- lim Brotherhood. cussed. between Ankara and Doha, inspired and the Yemeni government headed tween Turkey and Qatar regarding Both Doha and Ankara, which are This move is expected to strength- by their common ties to the Muslim by President Abd Rabbo Mansour Saudi Arabia contrasts sharply with closely connected to the Muslim en Turkey’s military and security in- Brotherhood. Hadi. a leak campaign targeting the Saudi Brotherhood, are interested in con- fluence in Qatar, given the presence The sources said Erdogan and Turkey and Qatar also agreed to leadership in the killing of journal- vincing the US administration to be there already of a Turkish military Sheikh Tamim recommended that “a contribute to the reconstruction ist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi more accommodating towards the base tasked with providing direct dialogue be engaged directly with the of Yemen. They will “support the Consulate in Istanbul in October. Islamist organisation, despite calls in protection for Qatari state institutions emirate of Dubai and the emirate of reconciliation process in Libya and The new approach, if pursued, could the US Congress to consider it a ter- and securing the safety of the ruling Sharjah, based on direct political and support international efforts aimed be a game changer for regional poli- rorist group. family in the event of unrest. economic cooperation with them.” at reaching a peaceful political solu- tics. According to the Turkish sources, The Qatari Army will also be receiv- As part of the coordinated com- tion,” based on disarming all militias Analysts have painted the the Turkish-Qatari leaderships were ing more Turkish weapons, which munication and public relations part- in Libya, starting with Libyan Field- Khashoggi-related campaign as an ef- said to be gratified by the “significant means that Turkish experts will likely nership which the two countries will Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s militias, said fort by intelligence services and pro- progress achieved in the course of be sent to Qatar to train soldiers. The pursue in order to influence regional the sources.

Viewpoint Qatar’s unfriendly skies

espite US sanctions lems regarding the tournament. mullah-dominated dictatorships morph into a kiss of death, Doha on Iran, Qatar Air- These include the suspected use of suspected of hatching terror plots. is flaunting even closer ties to ways announced it is questionable propaganda methods Simple as that. Tehran. Claude Salhani boosting its connec- to tarnish the reputation of rivals Whatever the commercial im- Its recent moves will predictably tions to Iranian cities to host the games and accusations peratives, Qatar would be helping be perceived by its neighbours as it will initiate new of illegal practices. Iran break out of its US-imposed as blatant provocations because Dflights to Isfahan in February and Qatar dismissed the criticism as isolation by intensifying airline Iran has never stopped its display expanding flights to Shiraz and false allegations and sour grapes. connections. Washington is un- of aggressive designs, directly or Tehran in January. The idea of co-hosting the World likely to be amused nor will Iran’s through regional proxies. Heeding US warnings to cease Cup was naturally welcomed by Gulf neighbours. There is no rationale for Doha’s doing business in Iran, many major Iranian officials, who see it as an The moves will intensify ac- accumulation of what seem like airlines, including Air France, KLM opportunity to break out of their rimony between Qatar and the its self-inflicted wounds, except and British Airways, suspended dire isolation. Iranian Minister of four Arab countries that imposed maybe hubris. Qatar seems to flights to the country. Not Qatar’s Youth Affairs and Sports Masoud sweeping diplomatic sanctions arrogantly believe that, with national carrier. Soltanifar was quoted as saying and a travel ban against Qatar in US-Turkish military protection, it The irony is that Qatar, which Tehran could put whole islands at June 2017. The three Gulf countries does not need to care about how has been accused by Saudi Arabia World Cup organisers’ disposal. and Egypt accused Qatar of sup- its neighbours feel about regional and three Arab allies of maintain- “We can assist with training porting radical Islamist groups and peace and security. Obviously not worried ing too close ties to Iran, is doing facilities before the World Cup, maintaining close ties to Tehran. Qatar’s odd alliance with Iran that its strange exactly that. Doha, which shares especially with areas that provide Qatar denied the charges, alleg- will breed more tensions in the re- embrace of Iran could the exploitation of a gas field with similar climates to that of Qatar,” ing that the so-called Arab Quartet gion. It might prove to be a short- Iran, is multiplying initiatives in he said in an interview on state TV. is seeking regime change in Doha. sighted investment in turbulent morph into a kiss of the direction of Tehran. Let’s call it as it is. Having the As if to vindicate its critics, the politics when it should have been death, Doha is Qatar said it was considering privilege of hosting the World Qatari leadership is considering investing in friendlier skies. co-hosting some of the FIFA World Cup, the largest and most popular playing footsie with Iran. flaunting even closer Cup teams with Iran and has sporting event in the world, should Obviously not worried that its Claude Salhani is a regular ties to Tehran. endured an abundance of prob- not go, directly or indirectly, to strange embrace of Iran could columnist for The Arab Weekly. December 2, 2018 5 News & Analysis Iraq Journalism under threat in Iraq’s south

Azhar al-Rubaie against journalists instead of doing their patriotic duty to solve the prob- lems in Basra.” Basra Iraq ranked 160th out of 180 coun- tries listed in the 2018 “Press Free- ournalists in Iraq’s Shia-dom- dom Index” and freedom of speech inated southern governorates campaigners said there was a trend in are complaining that local au- threats against journalists. J thorities are intimidating them “Many consider migrating outside to prevent them from doing their job. Iraq if threats continue,” said Muntad- They say they have been targeted her al-Karkoshi, the representative of by gunmen who belong to pro-gov- the Journalistic Freedoms Observa- ernment militias and militant groups tory, an Iraqi NGO that defends jour- opposed to the government. Report- nalists. “I condemned the violation ers Without Borders said journalists against journalists and Kitan should in Basra have been assaulted by se- apologise for his actions.” curity forces and pro-governmental Ali al-Yousif, head of the media de- parties. partment at the Basra governorate’s Al-Amal Radio’s Safaa al-Furaiji council, did not respond to requests was reportedly hit in the chest No- for comment. vember 20 during a conference in the Working for a media outlet that is governorate building. The alleged at- owned by a militia does not guarantee tacker was Waleed Kitan, the head of safety in Iraq, either, because threats the Basra’s governorate council. could come from rival militias. Furaiji posted a video on Face- “I was threatened by the Mahdi book denouncing the alleged assault. Army, Muqtada al-Sadr’s armed “I did not carry a knife or weapon. I group, after Asaib Ahl al-Haq split was only carrying an audio recording from the Mahdi Army,” said Safaa device and a pen. Would you accept Wahim al-Ogaili, a news presenter in that?” he said. Baghdad who worked in 2011 with Al Ahad TV, which is owned by Asaib Ahl Iraq ranked 160th out of al-Haq militia leader Qais al-Khazali. 180 countries listed in Al-Sadr has since disbanded the Mahdi Army. In harm’s way. Iraqi journalist Karrar Habeeb (R) while reporting in the southern city of Basra. (Azhar al-Rubaie) the 2018 “Press Freedom “As an independent journalist, I Index” and freedom of work from everywhere, regardless speech campaigners said who I work for, but militias don’t un- body,” Qahtan said. my style to be ‘more Islamic’ and stop “When a journalist writes about there was a trend in derstand the concept,” Ogaili said. Iltifat Nadhem Hamodi, 27, is from wearing modern outfits when I was in corruption within a ministry, the threats against “I am disappointed and depressed. Basra but has fled to Canada. “Basra one of the main streets in Basra to re- person will face attacks either by the journalists. There is no journalistic freedom in remains a conservative province port,” he said. minister, his security guards or by Iraq. I want to flee Iraq and look for a where being a woman journalist is “Here in Sweden I feel comfortable members of his clan. We have docu- Basra journalist Mohammed al- place with better press environment.” socially unacceptable. I faced harass- to wear what I like,” Habeeb said via mented many cases,” Sarraj said. Jabri, who reports for Al-Taghier TV, Yaarub Qahtan, 27, a Bagdad-based ment and that is the reason why I de- WhatsApp. The problem persists even when a Sunni-oriented broadcaster, said he journalist, said: “Iraq is a fertile en- cided to flee Iraq,” Hamodi said in an An annual report for the Iraqi Jour- it reaches the courts. “The judiciary was the victim of verbal abuse by Ki- vironment for journalism because it interview via Skype. nalists Rights Defence Association always closes the file,” said Abbas al- tan before allegedly being beaten and is rich in news events but there are “I feel sad because I could not (IJRDA) said more than 200 journal- Faiadh, head of the journalists’ syndi- kicked out of the conference hall by many daily challenges, in particular, complete what I started in Basra in ists were exposed to violence in 2017. cate in Basra. Kitan’s security guards. the difficulty to obtain information terms of journalism. I encountered The alleged abuses included threats, “Previously, one Basra journalist “Safaa and I were prevented from from relevant authorities to write a objections from women because of detention without trial, attacks faced threats from militias. We knew entering the Basra governmental report. Sometimes we have to use ignorance, customs and traditions,” against media offices, assassinations who threatened him, so we tried to council after I revealed corrupt prac- phone’s cameras or secret cameras Hamodi said. and killings. solve the problem peacefully because tices and misuse of public water sys- to video reports because authorities Karrar Habeeb, 29, a journalist and IJRDA Director Ibrahim al-Sarraj we knew that if we do not solve it, tem at fish plants backed by politi- prevent us.” fashion model in Basra, fled to Swe- said “most attacks against journalists they would kill him,” Faiadh added. cians active in the local government,” “The journalists’ syndicate does den after being threatened by Iran- are committed by state officials, mili- he said. not play any role for journalists. It is backed militias in 2015. “One of the tary or police forces or armed groups Azhar al-Rubaie is an Iraqi journalist “Politicians used their power politicised and has become a partisan militia members asked me to change outside the umbrella of the state.” based in Basra.

Viewpoint The tortured ‘truth’ of the Iraq war keeps surfacing

ore than 15 years showing images of supposed after arguably the portable Iraqi chemical weapons Tallha most terrible crime facilities at the United Nations? Abdulrazaq of the 21st century Or intelligence sources from Iraq was inflicted on who had an axe to grind with no the Iraqi people, credibility in the intelligence com- Mwho continue to suffer from its munity but who were listened to results, the events surrounding the simply because the case for war in invasion of Iraq remain mired in Iraq needed to be concocted? The secrecy. list of lies is gargantuan. However, yet another revelation The Iraq war is the war crime has surfaced from the evil depths scandal that just keeps on giv- of the lies, deceit and murderous ing, yet its primary architects and desire to destroy an entire country perpetrators remain free. Despite and people. In former British Prime the Iraq Inquiry, led by Sir John Minister Tony Blair’s rush to aid Chilcot, in the United Kingdom, and abet his friend, then-US Presi- these revelations show that we dent George W. Bush, he and his have not even scratched the sur- intelligence services used so-called face of the disgusting deceit that intelligence linking Saddam Hus- led to a decade-and-a-half of suf- sein to al-Qaeda that they knew fering in Iraq and the rise of some had been extracted under torture. of the worst terrorist organisations The British secret service, known in memory, including the Islamic as MI6, knew that Ibn al-Sheikh State and several dozens Iran- al-Libi, whose real name is Ali sponsored Shia groups. If there is a Muhammad Abdul Aziz al-Fakheri, ground zero for the most pressing was tortured and failed to blow the problems in the Middle East today, whistle despite saying the agency it is Iraq. had been “tempted to speak out.” Iraqis have yet to find peace in MI6 officers witnessed Libi being their homeland and it is unlikely sealed alive in a coffin before being Himalayan blunders. A general view showing the MI6 building in they will see justice meted out loaded onto a military plane bound London. (AP) against Bush and Blair for destroy- for Egypt where he was tortured. ing what semblance of a life they Despite this knowledge, MI6 sent had. Future generations of Iraqis questions to be posed to Libi by his he is sealed in a claustrophobic mass destruction (WMD) pro- will take decades to shake off the torturers and received regular up- environment such as a coffin, sub- gramme but that it was linked to yoke of Iran-backed sectarianism dates on what he was saying. One jected to electrocution, beatings hardened terrorists who had killed and to begin the process of rebuild- The Iraq war is the of his tips was that al-Qaeda was and many other forms of torture. nearly 3,000 people in the 9/11 ing what was destroyed by the lies war crime scandal linked to Saddam’s alleged nuclear Libi later told the CIA, after he was attacks. of two men who will never stand that just keeps on weapons programme and three transferred to its custody, that he This was not the only example of trial but who stood in judgment terrorists had been sent to Iraq for lied about the intelligence just to false intelligence. Who can forget over others. giving, yet its primary training. make the torture stop. the dodgy dossier that the Blair architects and As it turned out, the intelligence Nevertheless, the faulty intel- government produced, fancifully Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher turned up by Libi’s interrogators ligence was used to sex up the case claiming that Iraq could deploy a at the University of Exeter’s perpetrators remain was bogus. Oddly enough, a man for war by falsely claiming that WMD within 45 minutes? Or US Strategy and Security Institute in free. will say almost anything when Saddam not only had a weapons of Secretary of State Colin Powell England. 6 December 2, 2018 Opinion

Editorial Hypocrisy in the Yemen war

he Houthis, Iran’s proxies in Yemen, are implausibly posturing themselves as proponents of peace ahead of talks this week in Sweden. At a time when the international community was trying to de-escalate Tthe conflict in Yemen, the Houthis were, however, seeking further escalation, hence boasting on November 29 of having fired a ballistic missile towards the Saudi border province of Najran. Despite their braggadocious proclamations, the Houthis have been clearly losing ground, whether it is around the port of Hodeidah, which is of vital importance to their Iranian supplies, or in their main turf in the province of Saada, where the coalition has been quickly advancing and provoking divisions and desertions within Houthi ranks. Tehran’s leaders have been also expressing grief over the civilian toll of the war, ignoring their destructive role at the core of Yemen’s plight. Iran has financed and armed the Houthi militias that usurped power in Sana’a in 2015. Using the tragic humanitarian consequences of Yemen’s war today to create a false parity between Saudi Arabia and Iran should fool no one. In a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo compared the records of both countries in Yemen. “Iran has no © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly interest in easing Yemeni suffering; the mullahs don’t even care for ordinary Iranians. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested billions to relieve suffering in Yemen. Iran has invested What are Yemen’s Houthis zero,” Pompeo wrote. Peace talks are likely to take place in Stockholm in the coming days. Despite Houthi provocations, preparing for Griffiths? Saudi Arabia agreed in November to allow the Khairallah Khairallah evacuation of some Houthi fighters as a confi- dence-building measure. What is certain is that an independent Houthi entity in Yemen Experts are sceptical about the intent of the Houthis and their Iranian patrons in Yemen, even would amount to an invitation to more wars. when they claim to be supportive of peace efforts. Countries of the region will not be convinced by ctions and move- Hodeidah, an important port on a place for themselves in a possible the hypocrisy of either. Short of Iran abandoning ments by UN Special the Red Sea, fall under the control settlement formula that gives the its expansionist designs and its use of its Houthi Envoy to Yemen of a specific superpower. Houthis an independent territory. proxies to carry out its destabilising plans, Yemen’s tragedy could unfortunately continue. Martin Griffiths What is certain is that the UN Where are Griffiths’ efforts lead- suggest there are envoy has served — knowingly ing? If the plan is to reach a formu- signs of a possible or unknowingly — the Houthis’ la that would lead to the establish- settlement.A Griffiths was in Sana’a interests. The Houthis know that ment of a Houthi entity controlled Helping refugee lately and talked via closed-circuit extracting Hodeidah from them by Iran, like the Gaza Strip, then television with Abdelmalik al- will have very important implica- the road map that he has adopted children cope with Houthi, leader of the Houthi rebel tions for whatever formula is used will lead to that outcome. group. in a political settlement in Yemen. Every day that passes, we see It is no secret that al-Houthi Indeed, there is a big difference Griffiths giving the Houthis more a harsh winter belongs to a doctrinal and sectar- between negotiations taking favours, as if Hodeidah must come he UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has ian school known for its reliance place while the Houthis control under the umbrella of the United sounded the alarm over a funding on duplicitous tactics in negotia- Hodeidah and the same talks with Nations and other forces that deficit it warns will have tremendous tions. So what could he be prepar- Hodeidah outside their control. want the city’s port to end up in a consequences for more than 1 million ing for Griffiths, especially after Why does Griffiths insist on pro- situation like the port of Djibouti, children in the Middle East and North the latter pressured the Arab coa- viding what the Houthis, who are where there is a military presence Africa. The children need that vital lition to stop a military campaign betting on gaining precious time of several forces, led by the United Tassistance as winter settles in. for the liberation of Hodeidah? before anything else, demand? States and France. The warning, issued by UNICEF Regional The fact is that the Houthis The answer may be that he wishes We have said it again and again. Director Geert Cappelaere, underlined the high once again benefited from the to bring the situation in Yemen The Houthis do not represent the risks facing children who have no permanent semi-truce in Hodeidah. They re- to a stage that it is partitioned entire north of Yemen. No one can shelter. inforced their troops and infiltrat- into several zones of influence, ignore their presence. They are “Years of conflict, displacement and unem- ed the city’s neighbourhoods to with one of them coming under part of the Yemeni fabric. They suf- ployment have reduced families’ financial resources to almost nothing. Staying warm has transform the battle of Hodeidah the direct control of the Houthis, fered from injustice and depriva- simply become unaffordable,” Cappelaere said. into a guerrilla war and make it similar to the situation in the Gaza tion in the past. However, limiting “With cold and rainy weather sweeping across difficult for Arab coalition planes Strip, where Hamas has estab- the representation of North Yemen the Middle East and North Africa, nearly 1 to bombard their positions. lished its own emirate. to them will only lead to more million children affected by crises in the region Griffiths also visited Hodeidah What is happening in Yemen is complications. risk being left out in the cold,” he added. before travelling to Riyadh to the retreat of the Iranian project. Evidence of this can be found in The UN agency complains of a $33 million meet with representatives of the When the Houthis seized Sana’a that the tribes of northern Yemen funding gap — two-thirds of its total budget — legitimate Yemeni government, in September 2014, they spread are becoming uncomfortable with and fears it would be unable to carry out its which is headed by Abd Rabbo in all directions until they were the Houthis. That includes the mission. UNICEF normally helps 1.3 million Mansour Hadi. stopped and kicked out of Aden Tawq tribes who had helped the refugee and displaced children in Syria, Iraq, Judging by his declarations and from Mocha Port on Bab el Houthis encircle former Yemeni Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt, providing them with warm clothes and the basic amenities and actions and by those of his Mandeb Strait. Now the same President Ali Abdullah Saleh in of life, in winter. entourage, Griffiths is seeking to forces that drove them back have Sana’a before his assassination last However, the number of children affected by place Hodeidah under UN control. brought the battle to the port of December. the precarious conditions created by displace- That would be congruent with Hodeidah. What is certain is that an inde- ment is much higher. UNHCR, the UN refugee his desire to facilitate the transit Unfortunately, the situation pendent Houthi entity in Yemen agency, said there are more than 5.6 million of humanitarian aid through the in Taiz has been stagnating for would amount to an invitation Syrian refugees, including 2.6 million children city’s port and avoid — for now more than four years. This may be to more wars in a country where displaced across the region as a result of the — addressing the fundamental because the Muslim Brotherhood, the sectarian, tribal and regional Syrian war, now in its eighth year. problem of the role of the Houthis which still carries weight in the instincts have been aroused and Available figures show that the overwhelming in the future. city and its surroundings, might consolidated in the past few years, majority of refugee families in the Middle East Some observers said Griffiths is have concluded an undeclared al- since the Muslim Brotherhood live in dire poverty. Between 68-85% of refugee pursuing a private agenda to have liance with the Houthis to ensure sought to topple Saleh’s regime in families in Lebanon and Jordan live below the poverty level. 2011. The predicament of Syria’s children is made Before 2011, it was difficult to more dire by the consequences of war. A recent distinguish between a Zaydi and UN report on children and armed conflict in a Shafi’i in Yemen. Now, it has Syria, for the period November 2013-June 2018, become commonplace to distin- shows hundreds killed and maimed. guish between a pro-Houthi Zaydi Virginia Gamba, the special representative of and one who is committed to the the UN secretary-general for children and armed original doctrine of his sect. conflict, said “the protection of children must be The Houthis must be an integral included in future peace negotiations and part of the solution for Yemen but stabilisation efforts.” this solution should not be to do In Lebanon, of the 1 million refugees regis- tered with UNHCR, an estimated 250,000 everything possible in order to Syrians live in tent camps across the country for give them an independent political the seventh year in a row. entity, in return for abandoning Last year, at least 12 Syrians, including two Hodeidah to the United Nations children, froze to death during a storm in eastern or to an international supervision Lebanon after crossing the border while fleeing that is unclear whether it would be Syria’s protracted civil war. Precarious task. UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths (C) international or not. Children refugees in the MENA region, walks after meeting with Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, head of the especially those in Syria and neighbouring Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee in Sana’a, November 24. Khairallah Khairallah is a Leba- countries, deserve urgent attention. (Reuters) nese writer. December 2, 2018 7 Opinion

Algeria clings to the past Published by Al Arab Idris al-Kanbouri Publishing House The existence in power of two different generations in the two countries may have Publisher contributed to the continuation of the rift, given the difference in political culture. and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD s much as geog- Divided by of the crisis between Algeria and Editor-in-Chief raphy and history politics. Morocco because of Algeria’s bring neighbours Moroccan traditional pro-Polisario Front po- Oussama Romdhani Morocco and Alge- and Algerian sition in the question of Western ria together, they flags in Saidia Sahara. Managing Editor at the border are just as divided The biggest problem standing Iman Zayat byA politics. between the between Morocco and Algeria For more than three decades, two countries. might go beyond politics and take Deputy Managing Editor (AFP) relations between the two coun- psychological dimensions. The and Online Editor tries have ebbed and flowed, complications in the relationship never settling. However, since between both countries are not Mamoon Alabbasi the first half of the 1990s, the recent. They are deeply rooted in Senior Editor diplomatic crisis between the modern history. John Hendel two countries has been unprec- This is what prompted King edentedly stable. In 1994, Algeria Mohammed VI to propose a Chief Copy Editor closed its side of the border and joint mechanism to deal with Richard Pretorius relations between Algiers and a joint political mechanism to terested in this union, especially the hanging issues and not just Rabat seemed to have frozen enable dialogue between the two since the king’s pronouncement the opening of the border, as he Copy Editor since. countries, with the aim of open- was made at a meeting of the has been doing for more than a Stephen Quillen Morocco has wanted to break ing the border and clearing the African Union, in which Morocco decade. the ice and restore ties. Since atmosphere. regained its seat after an absence Perhaps the existence in power East/West Section Editor his coronation in 1999, Moroc- After two weeks of stalling, Al- of almost 40 years. This means of two different generations Mark Habeeb can King Mohammed VI has not geria, through its Foreign Minis- Rabat has disengaged from the in the two countries may have hesitated to send Algeria many try, called for a Maghreb summit Maghreb Union and replaced contributed to the continuation Gulf Section Editor messages of reconciliation. “as soon as possible,” bringing it with the African Union. of the rift, given the difference in Mohammed Alkhereiji King Mohammed VI realised together the foreign ministers Morocco’s invitation to form a political culture. While King Mo- that the border closure hap- of the five Maghreb countries — consultative mechanism with hammed VI belongs to the gen- Society and Travel pened in a different era, one in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya Algeria came out of an interest in eration of the 1970s and keen on Sections Editor which he was not head of state. and Mauritania. This was an normalising bilateral relations, breathing new life into bilateral Samar Kadi He believed then and still says unexpected response on many without regard to the expired relations with Algeria, Algerian now that the 1990s and their levels. union. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Contributing Editor legacy belong to the past and a The Moroccan initiative did Algeria’s call for a Maghreb belongs to the generation of the Rashmee Roshan Lall new page must be opened with not intend to create a push for summit seems like a forward 1940s and is still steeped in a Algeria. dialogue between Algeria and escape from its responsibility in more traditional political culture. Contributing Analyst The Algerian regime, how- Morocco in the context of the severing ties with Morocco. What We should not also forget that Ed Blanche ever, maintained a cold attitude Maghreb Union for the obvious complicates matters is that Alge- Bouteflika was one of the makers towards the king’s initiatives as reason that this union has been ria’s decision to close the border of the current political situation Senior Correspondents if nothing had changed. King dormant for years. in 1994 was unilateral and not between Morocco and Algeria Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Mohammed VI’s positions and Last January, King Moham- even proposed for discussion at a because he was minister of Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) actions towards Algeria stemmed med VI said at the 28th African Maghreb Union summit. foreign affairs in former Algerian Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) from his principled position on Summit that “the flame of the During the few summits that President Houari Boumediene’s Thomas Frank (Washington) the importance of activating the Arab Maghreb Union has been occurred since then, the ques- government. That was the same Maghreb Union and increasing extinguished,” adding that “the tion of the closed border was period when the Polisario Front Regular Columnists regional cooperation. Maghreb dream, fought for by never raised during multilat- emerged and the Western Sahara Claude Salhani In a speech marking the the generation of pioneers in the eral discussions among the five crisis began. Yavuz Baydar November 6 anniversary of the 1950s, is being betrayed today.” Maghreb countries. The other Green March, King Mohammed This was an explicit message three countries in the Maghreb Idris al-Kanbouri is a Moroccan Correspondents VI called on Algeria to establish that Morocco was no longer in- Union are aware of the gravity writer. Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Secrets and lies about scholars and spies Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi Rashmee Roshan Lall Spy agencies in the United Kingdom have long Designers recruited from Oxbridge students. Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali he saga of Matthew CIA, there are others who would dialogue between intelligence United Kingdom’s domestic Hedges, the British fret about it. I make no bones agencies and universities. The counter-intelligence agency, doctoral researcher about it to my colleagues. If it UK body was meant to bring to- began inviting applications Contact editor at: accused by the sticks in their craw, it’s their gether representatives from the from Cambridge more openly [email protected] United Arab Emir- tough luck. I am an American umbrella organisation Universi- than before, mainly in hopes ates of being a spy, citizen. I feel I should proffer ties UK and senior members of of widening the pool to people Tsentenced to life in prison but the best possible advice to my the security services. of Middle Eastern and Chinese then pardoned, raises several government.” Some British academics cried backgrounds. MI6, the more interesting issues. But that is if That does not make Ganguly a foul but powerful voices in covert and more appropri- you eschew the usual, some- spy. Far from it, considering he’s the research community have ately named Secret Intelligence Al Arab Publishing House what exaggerated, definitions of manifestly unwilling to be reti- spoken out in favour of helping Service, has been rather more Quadrant Building what espionage is, who does it cent about his views. However, intelligence services without mysterious about how it spots 177-179 Hammersmith Road and how it really works. his remarks point to something compromising academic inde- and signs on talent. London W6 8BS Despite the glamorous popu- that has been whispered about pendence or rigorousness. It’s reasonable to assume MI6 lar images of dead drops, car for years. Golden calls it the Earlier this year, Anthony does at least as much, if not chases, ejector seats, pop-out “tenuous alliance of spies and Glees, director of the Centre for more, than rival foreign agen- gun barrels and high-stakes scholars,” especially in post-9/11 Security and Intelligence Stud- cies. It would be overly credu- Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 attempts to steal state secrets, America. ies at the University of Bucking- lous to believe that only the Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 spies are rarely so colourful nor In the United Kingdom and ham, argued that it was right Chinese, the Russians and some are their lives as exciting as that other European countries, too, and proper for an academic to other alleged bad actors send of 007. fears about jihadist terrorism “help one’s own country” by spies masquerading as trainee Sometimes it’s not even pos- and the often-advertised Chi- responding to security services’ academics to the United States sible to define who is a spy. Is it nese threat to sensitive research request to be put in contact and other Western countries. someone who formally works intellectual property have made with students with the particu- In 2011, the US Department US Publisher: for a country’s intelligence some academics more amena- lar kinds of expertise. He meant of Defence issued a report that The Arab Weekly USA LLC. service? What about academics ble to sharing news and views international students, people noted attempts by East Asian who know that their research with security agencies. who, Glees said, “came from a countries, including China, to [email protected] and analysis and any papers There is a basic logic in this country with an odious regime obtain classified or proprietary [email protected] they present at conferences will and it lies in the perception of and who really wanted to come information by “academic indirectly help their country’s social good, especially in an age and live in the UK permanently solicitation,” such as requests Tel: 248-679-6624 intelligence agency? that lacks the supposed moral or who wanted to overthrow the to review academic papers or In his 2017 book “Spy Schools: certainties of the Cold War. It odious regime.” study with professors. It said How the CIA, FBI, and Foreign can be hard for an academic to In any case, spy agencies that such requests had jumped Intelligence Secretly Exploit turn down an invitation to help in the United Kingdom have eightfold in 2010 from a year America’s Universities,” Daniel national interest when all it long recruited from Oxbridge earlier. It added that similar re- Golden quotes Indiana Univer- takes is the simple act of vouch- students. Oxbridge looms large quests from the Middle East had sity political scientist Sumit safing an informed opinion in fictional spy stories too. John doubled in the same period. Subscription & Advertising: Ganguly on engaging with US about a region, culture or trend Le Carre’s fictional MI5 chief Intelligence agencies around [email protected] government agencies. Ganguly they have studied for years. George Smiley is a bookish, the world play much the same Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 describes his willingness to This is the context of develop- decidedly not dashing man with games, some with rather more attend conferences organised ments of the past two decades an interest in baroque German finesse than others at certain by Centra, which in spy termi- when jihadist radicalisation literature and an Oxford degree. times. Mohamed Al Mufti nology would be called a CIA began to be perceived as a threat One theory posits that Smiley Marketing & Advertising “cutout” or intermediary. on British campuses. Some was based on an eccentric Ox- Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Manager “Anybody who works with years ago, Britain decided to set ford don named Vivian Green, columnist for The Arab Weekly. Centra knows they’re in effect up the equivalent of the US Na- who wrote a bestselling text- Her blog can be found at Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 working for the US govern- tional Security Higher Education book on European history. www.rashmee.com and she is www.alarab.co.uk ment,” Ganguly said. “If it said Advisory Board, which fosters Nearly a decade ago, MI5, the on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 December 2, 2018 News & Analysis Syria Astana conference fails to make headway on new Syria constitution

Thomas Seibert the committee “seems unrealistic at least until the newly appointed UN special envoy for Syria creates Istanbul his own team,” Has wrote in an e- mailed response to questions. ussia, Turkey and Iran Russia, the main military power failed to initiate talks in Syria that enabled Syrian Presi- about a new constitution dent Bashar Assad to win back R for war-torn Syria amid substantial parts of territory lost to differences about the format of various rebel factions since 2015, is negotiations and tensions around eager to end the war to secure its the disputed province of Idlib. newly won position as a Middle A two-day conference in Astana, East power broker. the 11th such meeting under the As the fighting winds down with joint leadership of Moscow, An- Assad’s military victory all but kara and Tehran, ended November assured after almost eight years 29 without consensus on the 150 of war that has killed more than members of a planned constitu- 360,000 people, the Kremlin is try- Fragile process. Russia’s Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev (2nd L) speaks with Syria’s UN tional committee for Syria. ing to get a political process for a Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari (2nd R) during Syria peace talks in Astana, November 29. (Reuters) The next meeting of the so- post-war Syria going. called Astana process, which has In January, a Russia-sponsored overshadowed UN peace efforts for conference on Syria decided to cre- from the question of how central- respect to the committee. lowing the deployment of Turkish Syria, is scheduled for early Febru- ate a committee of 50 representa- ised a new Syrian state should be Despite Lavrentiev’s expressions troops in the northern Syrian re- ary, a statement published by Ka- tives of the government, 50 oppo- to how to deal with Kurdish de- of optimism, the Astana meeting gions of Jarabulus and Afrin. Syria zakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said. sition supporters and 50 envoys mands for regional autonomy or saw new political tensions be- was facing “an aggression and a “This was the last occasion of an from civil society to write a new with the presence of foreign troops tween the Syrian government and clear occupation carried out by the Astana meeting in 2018 and has, constitution. However, repeated in the country. Turkey, a sponsor of anti-Assad Turkish regime,” the Syrian diplo- sadly for the Syrian people, been attempts have failed to forge a While Turkey would like to see a forces, following renewed fighting mat said. a missed opportunity to acceler- consensus about who should be al- new constitution, “revising the ex- around Idlib province, the last op- Russia also showed signs of ate the establishment of a credible, lowed to sit on the panel. isting one would be Russia’s priori- position stronghold in Syria. Under growing impatience with insur- balanced and inclusive, Syrian- A few days before the Astana ty in today’s conditions,” he wrote. an agreement hammered out by gents in Idlib and with Turkey, owned, Syrian-led, UN-facilitated meeting, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Turkey and Russia in September, which promised Moscow to rein in constitutional committee,” the of- stressed it agreed with the United a planned government assault to rebels in the area with the help of fice of outgoing UN Syria Special Nations on “the importance of the The next meeting of the win back Idlib for Assad was put local proxies. Lavrentiev said more Envoy Staffan de Mistura said. soonest formation and convoca- so-called Astana process, on hold but the recent fighting and than 15,000 Jabhat al-Nusra mili- “There was no tangible progress tion of the constitutional commit- which has overshadowed UN accusations by Damascus that re- tants remained in Idlib. in overcoming the 10-month stale- tee in Geneva before the end of the peace efforts for Syria, is to bels used chemical weapons have “We very much hope that the mate on the composition of the year.” The lack of progress at the take place in February. called the ceasefire into question. moderate opposition’s armed units constitutional committee.” latest Astana talks suggested that “The chemical weapons that will manage to resolve the situa- De Mistura, who announced his the deadline will be missed. Russia, Turkey and Iran said in have been delivered to terrorists tion in this troubled area and es- resignation in October, capped his There was disagreement about their statement that they would in Idlib and those who allow them tablish order themselves,” he said term as peace envoy by attending the committee’s task. The Syr- “intensify” consultations to es- to use such weapons against civil- in a TASS news agency report “If the talks in the Kazakh capital. ian opposition says Syria needs a tablish the committee as soon as ians in Aleppo raise many ques- needed, we are ready to provide Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen completely new basic law but the possible and Moscow remained tions and we consider the Turk- all possible help, including the as- is to take over from de Mistura in Assad government argues that the upbeat despite the deadlock. ish regime a first suspect,” SANA sistance of the Syrian government January. committee should only “discuss “The Russian side views the out- quoted Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria’s forces.” Kerim Has, a Moscow-based the current constitution,” as the of- come of the conference as posi- UN ambassador and head of the Has commented that the Astana foreign policy analyst and expert ficial news agency SANA put it in a tive,” Russia’s Syria envoy Alex- Damascus delegation in Astana, as meeting had shaken the agreement on Russian-Turkish relations, said report from Astana. ander Lavrentiev said. “I want saying. on Idlib. “The already fragile Idlib progress was unlikely before Ped- Has said there were numerous to say that we are sufficiently Jaafari accused Turkey of turn- deal became just more fragile,” he ersen starts work. The creation of other problems as well, ranging close to our cherished goal” with ing into an occupation force fol- wrote. US faces strategic challenges in eastern Syria

James Snell by Turkey, whose sporadic military strategies since 2007.” operations against those it deems “In this case,” Whiteside said, Kurdish terrorists prompted the SDF “peeling the Sunni tribes away from Cambridge to suspend its advance against ISIS the Kurds/Americans is a key pre- targets. The offensive has since re- condition for survival in Eastern he Islamic State (ISIS) no sumed. Syria.” longer holds sway over great Ryan O’Farrell, an analyst, said: Fighting of the sort seen in recent stretches of Iraq and Syria “The [People’s Protection Units, a weeks, resulting in a large number T but its capacity for violence Kurdish militia] YPG is definitely of civilian casualties, could prove remains. Fighting continues around hesitant about sending their top instrumental to increasing local ISIS’s base at Hajin, in Syria’s east- units all the way to the Iraqi border Sunni tribal distrust of SDF forces ern desert near the Iraqi border. so the coalition is basically trying to purportedly guarding them from Monitors, including the Syrian juggle keeping the peace with Tur- ISIS incursion. Similarly, a sustained Observatory for Human Rights, sug- key and mounting this operation. mission in which the United States gest that hundreds of combatants “So long as those tensions flair, brings rhetoric and arms to bear and civilians have likely been killed the YPG will always view Turkey against ISIS but fails to halt its ter- in fighting since November 23, with as the more pressing threat, so the Tough balance. A US soldier sits on an armoured vehicle on a position ror campaign could undermine local ISIS inflicting heavy casualties on coalition will be stuck with lower- near the front line between US-backed Syrian Manbij Military Council confidence in their protectors and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), quality units that hamper offensive and the Turkey-backed fighters in Manbij, last April. (AP) undercut US credibility. Kurdish-led fighters who serve as capabilities.” Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow the boots on the ground of the glob- The US military’s Operation In- at the Foundation for the Defense al coalition fighting ISIS. herent Resolve on November 25 “Their posture,” he said, “is still gency after the effective defeat of its of Democracies, said: “Operation This comes amid questions raised announced that it would be “em- inherently defensive and reliant predecessor organisation, al-Qaeda Roundup has made progress but it of Operation Roundup, aimed at ploying combined fires, including upon opportunistic attacks, such as in Iraq, a decade ago. isn’t going as smoothly or quickly as mopping up remnants of ISIS’s indirect fire and close air support” those done under the cover of sand- Craig Whiteside, an associate pro- the US and its partner forces hoped. claimed caliphate, after it was re- to counter increased ISIS activity storms.” fessor at the US Naval War College The Islamic State’s recent offensive vealed that US military bodies have around Hajin. Nonetheless, though ISIS can- Monterey, noted that ISIS’s strategy, in eastern Syria demonstrates that varying estimates of how many ISIS John Arterbury, an analyst in not continue to hold territory in understood to include cycles of re- the group still has significant opera- fighters remain in Syria. Washington, said: “The Hajin perpetuity, it remains dangerous. treat and advance, remains unclear. tional capacity and it is likely that US efforts are backed with rhe- pocket is the apex of ISIS’s remain- “[E]ven after losing Hajin, which is He suggested that ISIS’s presence the Islamic State has thousands of torical firmness and the prospect ing capabilities in Syria. The group inevitable, the group will retain a in Hajin could be “stronger than we loyalists elsewhere in Syria. of real force. US bases dot the area likely has several hundred fighters limited ability in eastern Syria’s de- think they are [or]… feel like they “The US doesn’t really know how and American special forces are fre- remaining in the area who are still sert regions, although we will likely absolutely have to own some terri- many fighters are left but they re- quently embedded with the SDF, able to deploy in platoon-sized ele- witness the group revert to a more tory somewhere or risk losing sup- main prolific,” Joscelyn said. “Over whose fighters have worked closely ments outfitted with technicals and classic underground insurgency in port among global supporters.” the past two months the Islamic with the United States in defeating light arms.” coming months as they mimic their Whiteside also put forth a third State has claimed more than 265 op- ISIS. This explains ISIS’s capacity for counterparts in neighbouring Iraq,” option in which ISIS’s strategy is erations in Syria and another 363 in Managing the global coalition inflicting damage and continuing to Arterbury said. “to put pressure on the SDF and Iraq. Therefore, the fight is far from against ISIS provides its own chal- hold out in Hajin. This is underpinned by ISIS’s try to encourage it to break the over.” lenges. The United States’ Kurdish Arterbury, however, cautioned long-term strategic planning, which link between Kurd and local Sun- allies are perceived to be a threat against overrating ISIS’s strength. owes much to its periods of insur- nis, which has been a staple of their James Snell is a British journalist. December 2, 2018 9 News & Analysis Lebanon Israel ponders response to Hezbollah’s missile capabilities

Nicholas Blanford A year later, Israeli officials grum- bled that Hezbollah had amassed 8,000-9,000 rockets, some capable Beirut of reaching Haifa, 40km south of the border. There were numerous ormer Israeli cabinet min- reports that Israel was planning to ister Gideon Sa’ar recently attack Hezbollah’s missile storage called for a pre-emptive facilities in the Bekaa Valley but F strike against suspected nothing happened. Hezbollah facilities for precision- By the outbreak of war in July guided missiles, warning that any 2006, Israel assessed Hezbollah delay would allow the Iran-backed had acquired some 14,000 rock- group to wreak greater destruction ets, including the Iranian Zelzal-2, against the Jewish state in a future an unguided system that carries a war. 500-kilogram warhead a distance of While acknowledging that an at- 200km. tack against Hezbollah in Lebanon From 2006, Hezbollah’s arsenal would risk a strong response, Sa’ar expanded massively, jumping to argued that “we will pay a much estimates of 70,000 by 2014, then heavier price in the next round claims of 100,000 and today up to of confrontation if we will not act 150,000, Israeli officials say. [now].” In 2009, Hezbollah was report- Sa’ar’s call for action lies at the ed to have acquired the M600, a heart of a dilemma that has plagued Syrian-engineered version of Iran’s Israel since 2000 after it withdrew Fateh-110 family of missiles that its forces from southern Lebanon would land within 500 metres of its and Hezbollah began a process of target. acquiring new weapons at an ac- A year later, Israel claimed Hez- celerated rate: Should Israel carry bollah had received several Scud-D out a pre-emptive strike against ballistic missiles. While the op- Hezbollah to degrade its military tion of a pre-emptive strike was capabilities at the risk of provok- regularly mooted, successive Israeli ing a war or should Israel enjoy the governments instead chose to use Dark clouds. Israeli air defence systems on display at the Hatzor Airbase. (AP) calm along its northern border even diplomacy to curb Hezbollah’s ever- though that means Hezbollah grows expanding arsenal. the existence of what he said were in light of recent speculation that warn Israel that if it was thinking of stronger? Today, Hezbollah’s focus is less on missile plants at three locations the Israelis may stage a pre-emptive changing the “rules of the game,” the acquisition of new rockets and south of Beirut near Rafik Hariri In- strike. He reminded Israel that the “we will inevitably respond to any The “rules of the game” missiles and more on upgrading the ternational Airport. one occasion since 2006 when Is- attack on Lebanon, any air strike on permit Israel to attack capabilities of its existing stock by The disclosure was followed by a rael carried out an air raid inside Lebanon, any bombing on Lebanon. improving accuracy and increasing WhatsApp message sent by Israel to Lebanon — a strike in February It will not be accepted that the en- targets in Syria linked to range. residents of the Hadath area south 2014 against a building in a Hezbol- emy return to violate Lebanon as it Hezbollah with limited A Western intelligence source of Beirut showing a satellite im- lah military zone near Janta in the did in the past decades.” chance of a backlash. who is an expert on missiles said age of a residential building with a eastern Bekaa Valley — Hezbollah If Gideon Sa’ar had made his call However, attacks on that since 2016 Hezbollah has been warning that Hezbollah used it to had retaliated “and the enemy was for a pre-emptive strike 16 or 17 Lebanese soil risk working on the guidance systems stash missiles. made to understand that any ag- years ago, the worst Israel would retaliation. of its Fateh-110 missiles to improve The Israelis have used diplomats gression will inevitably be followed have faced in retaliation was parts their accuracy to within 10 metres visiting Beirut to convey messages by a response.” of northern Israel being peppered The first test came in October of their target and extend the range to Lebanese officials demanding Hezbollah’s retaliation consisted with unguided short-range Grad 2000, five months after Israel’s to 300 metres. Additionally, inertial that missile facilities be shut down. of several attacks, all unclaimed at rockets. withdrawal from Lebanon, when guidance systems are being fitted to However, Lebanese authorities are the time, against the Israeli mili- Today, however, Hezbollah can Hezbollah abducted three soldiers Syrian-made unguided M302 rock- powerless to intervene in Hezbol- tary. All but one emanated from the strike specific targets, such as the from the Israeli-occupied Shebaa ets to give a similar accuracy of 10 lah’s military agenda, which raises northern Golan Heights, which was Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, and Farms district. metres or less. the question of whether the Israelis then under the party’s control. One shut down Israel in its entirety for The Israeli military pressed for a The source said Hezbollah was will this time apply force when di- of the attacks left four Israeli sol- the duration of the conflict. That forceful response, concerned that producing upgraded missiles at a plomacy fails. diers wounded. represents a huge gamble for the tra- inaction would encourage further rate of two a week. The work, which The “rules of the game” between It was the first time Nasrallah ditionally cautious Netanyahu if he attacks by Hezbollah but Israeli consists mainly of altering elec- Hezbollah and Israel permit the publicly admitted that Hezbollah is seriously contemplating attacking Prime Minister Ehud Barak stayed tronic circuitry and adjusting fins, Jewish state to attack targets in Syria staged the retaliation nearly five Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon. his hand, fearful that a heavy repris- is carried out in facilities in Lebanon linked to the Lebanese group or its years ago, although the Israeli mili- al would elicit rocket barrages into but does not require specially con- Iranian patron with limited chance tary at the time immediately under- Nicholas Blanford is the author northern Israel and provide fuel for structed factories and sophisticated of a backlash. However, attacks on stood the message and has refrained of “Warriors of God: Inside critics who maintained that Israel equipment, the source said. Lebanese soil risk retaliation. from overtly attacking Hezbollah in Hezbollah’s Thirty-Year should not have left Lebanon in the In September, Israeli Prime Min- Hezbollah Secretary-General Has- Lebanon since. Struggle Against Israel” first place. ister Binyamin Netanyahu revealed san Nasrallah reiterated that point Nasrallah used his speech to (Random House 2011). Viewpoint Carlos Ghosn versus the Lebanese people

here are many indica- emigrant, surplus, brilliant busi- of his Lebanese compatriots, fell assume that Lebanon’s judiciary Makram Rabah tors to measure fame nessman, known for his great victim to the US sanctions be- is the epitome of justice and and success in Leba- qualities.” cause he refused to abide by the integrity and that the sacred con- non, among them Despite having no insight into Trump administration requests cept of the separation of power is getting one’s name the allegations or the Japanese to shut down Renault’s operation fully espoused in Lebanon. The and face commemo- indictment, the petition and its in Iran. While this might be the reality is extremely bleak as the Trated on a postage stamp. promoters dismissed all charges case, another probable scenario Lebanese judiciary is merely an In Lebanon, very few individu- against Ghosn, framing his arrest is that Ghosn’s ego and greed led extension of the decrepit corrupt als outside the realm of deceased as part of a bigger conspiracy to him to believe he was immune government that has failed re- politicians can claim this honour defame Lebanon’s long-lost son. to prosecution and so it was peatedly to protect its citizens. but among them is Carlos Ghosn, This populist undertone was permissible to not fully or ac- These Lebanese and their a Brazilian-born businessman of equally adopted by the Lebanese curately disclose his income and ambitious foreign minister oddly Lebanese descent who achieved state, which through Foreign profits. stayed silent on the matter of phenomenal fame for salvaging Minister Gebran Bassil issued While many countries consider Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese busi- the French and Japanese auto- strict instructions to the Leba- tax fraud as a felony deserving of nessman who has been accused mobile industries. nese ambassador in Tokyo to a prison sentence, the Lebanese of espionage and held captive Ghosn’s arrest in Tokyo on alle- “stand by [Ghosn] in his adver- consider tax evasion as a sign since 2015 by Iranian authori- gations of tax fraud and financial sity to ensure he gets a fair trial.” of wit and resourcefulness or ties. Zakka might not be as ac- misconduct shocked the public, Amusingly, Bassil leaked to the perhaps a national sport. complished or wealthy as Ghosn especially the Lebanese, who re- media that the Lebanese ambas- Regrettably, in Lebanon it is but, theoretically, both deserve fused to believe that one of their sador went out of his way to common, not to say expected, justice, a right Zakka was cer- finest was a common criminal. purchase a mattress for Ghosn, for tax evaders to receive praise tainly deprived off when he was Naturally, the Lebanese refusal who was forced by his Japanese from their peers for devising sentenced by a kangaroo court to accept Ghosn’s possible guilt jailers to sleep on the floor. ways to undercut the govern- and is rotting in an Iranian jail. stems from the fact that he es- Be that as it may, the Ghosn ment and avoid paying taxes. If the Lebanese truly want to sentially serves as poster child affair, with its many rumours This is mostly the case because, show their solidarity with Ghosn, for the Lebanese national myth and conspiracy theories, reveals shockingly, the Lebanese at large they should start by paying taxes and embodies the proud and several realities about the Leba- say it is a victimless crime but — and demand their politicians While many countries accomplished Lebanese who, nese and how they look towards it is a dangerous offence that do so as well — and demand an despite all odds, achieved riches. justice and accountability. collectively and indiscriminately immediate reform of their judici- consider tax fraud as a Lebanese public support for Ghosn’s arrest certainly tran- harms citizens. ary. felony deserving of a Ghosn took on different forms, scends a simple bookkeeping Another alarming aspect of Certainly, Carlos Ghosn’s legal prison sentence, the which included an online peti- error as people of such financial the Lebanese zealots’ support predicament and status remain tion — with more than 20,000 calibre have quasi-immunity of Ghosn is that they genuinely unaffected by the commo- Lebanese consider tax signatures — demanding “a high- and the decision to hold them believe the Japanese judiciary tion of his supposed Lebanese evasion as a sign of level official delegation travel accountable is a political rather is skewed and incapable of con- nationals, unlike the Lebanese to Japan as soon as possible to than a purely judicial matter. ducting a fair and transparent in- socio-economic predicament wit or perhaps a learn about the conditions of Perhaps, as it is rumoured, vestigation. Such criticism from and the country that is rapidly national sport. detention of a Lebanese citizen Ghosn, just like the future fate the Lebanese would lead one to deteriorating. 10 December 2, 2018 News & Analysis Maghreb Khartoum meeting discusses Libya’s border security

Michel Cousins Tunisia started building a 459km barrier along the Libyan border fol- lowing the June 2015 Sousse mas- Tunis sacre. On November 28, it was an- nounced that Algeria was building ince 2012, Libya’s six neigh- a massive security barrier along its bouring counties have met entire 6,334km land border. with increasing regularity to Egypt has relied on its armed S assess the situation there. forces to secure the border, al- Ministers from the six met in Nia- though it has not prevented terror- mey last April and are to meet there ists or smugglers getting through. in December for a scheduled up- It has put aside differences with date on the subject. Sudan for the sake of security, However, a November 29 regional particularly the danger of terrorist meeting in Khartoum had a more infiltration from Libya. On Novem- specific aim. Foreign ministers ber 25, it was announced that both from Libya, Sudan and Egypt and countries agreed to set up joint mil- UN Special Envoy Ghassan Salame, itary border patrols. as well as junior foreign ministers For Chad and Niger, securing the of Tunisia and Algeria, attended Libyan frontier has been impossi- the meeting. Also present were rep- ble. Without the means, they have Challenging task. Libyan fighters from Kufra stand next to an Egypt sign at the Libyan-Egyptian border. resentatives from Chad, the Arab been dependent on French and in- (Reuters) League, the European Union and creasingly US and Italian support. the African Union. In the case of Chad — and Sudan, vast and largely empty areas west, down the militants and killed 18 of will be no peace in the region until All were in the Sudanese capital too — the open border has allowed south and south-east of the town, them. This was amended to one there is a single, effective govern- to make serious decisions about se- armed government opponents to changing their tactics to hit-and- alleged militant being captured in ment in the north. curing Libya’s frontiers in the fight use Libya as a base for operations. run operations. the area. The need for a regional border against cross-border movement of Certainly, none of its neighbours Last April, Misratan forces under Locals warned there will be fur- force is clearly understood by Haf- terrorists, arms, illegal migrants can depend on Libya to secure its the Presidency Council launched ther attacks. tar. He was in Niger in August for and drugs. Sudan wants a regional 4,350km of land borders from the an offensive against ISIS west and The ability of ISIS to operate security talks and twice in Chad in border force. inside. Authorities are powerless, south-west of Sirte, leading the freely is not the only issue in the October for talks on border security The presence of militants in other than on the Musaid-Salloum group to focus its attacks on the south. The general lawlessness al- and even reportedly suggested that Libya’s border areas was high- crossing on the Egyptian-Libyan area further south and to the south- lows fighters from Chad and Su- Libya join G5 Sahel. lighted the same day as the confer- border and at two crossings — Ras east. In July, it attacked the Great dan to roam the area, stealing and Despite the logic for such a force ence when ten gunmen, said to be Jedir and Wazin-Dahiba — at the Man-Made River control station, kidnapping to sustain themselves. given Libya’s inability to secure the members of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Tunisian-Libyan frontier. Rampant 50km east of Tazirbu. On October General crime ­— killings, theft, at- border, the Khartoum gathering Maghreb, were killed in an air strike lawlessness in southern Libya has 28, there was an attack on Fugha, tacks — continues to soar. Rising turned out to be, like Palermo, little near Ghat on the Libyan border made border control impossible. in central Libya’s Jufra district. prices in the shops and the lack of more than a talking shop. It ended with Algeria. That lawlessness was demon- Like Jufra, the remote area south fuel and so many goods because of with nothing more than a declara- The need for a mechanism to strated on November 23 when the of Ajdabiya not far north of Kufra, transportation dangers have added tion of support for the Presidency secure Libya’s borders has been Islamic State (ISIS) attacked a po- in which Tazirbu lies, is supposedly to people’s misery. Council, an acceptance of the need voiced almost since the 2011 revolu- lice station in the remote south- under the control of the eastern- There is an angry sense through- to pay “the greatest attention” to tion. Prior to the collapse of the cen- eastern oasis town of Tazirbu, based Libyan National Army (LNA) out the south that the politicians developments in southern Libya, tral government in Libya in 2014, 800km south of Benghazi, killing of Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar. and the military leaders on the the hope that there could be great- there were agreements between nine people, five of them police- However, there is no LNA pres- coast, whether in Tripoli, Misrata, er coordination in the fight against Libya and individual neighbouring men. Several others were injured ence in the area south beyond ir- Benghazi or Tobruk, are not inter- terrorism and violence. The only countries setting up joint forces to and 11 kidnapped. regular patrols. Security is left ested in the south’s sufferings, that commitment was to meet again in secure various areas of the border There was an inevitability to the to local forces allied to the LNA, it is being left to rot. six months’ time. but these came to nothing. It has incident. After the capture by Mis- which are coping as best they can. In a belated response, the Presi- been left to individual neighbours ratan-led pro-Presidency Council As a result, ISIS fighters can strike dency Council created a commis- Michel Cousins is a contributor to to protect their own side and pre- forces of the central coastal town at will. In the case of the latest sion for the crisis in the south but The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. vent militants, weapons, illegal im- of Sirte in December 2016, 400- Tazirbu incident, it was initially an- this is seen as no more than lip Jamal Adel in south-eastern Libya migrants and drugs crossing over. 700 ISIS fighters escaped to the nounced that the LNA had tracked service. There is a sense that there contributed to this report. Deregulation of fuel prices backfires on Moroccan government

Saad Guerraoui However, the government’s ap- al-Amoudi. proach revealed shortcomings that “The government cannot, under have prevented consumers from any circumstances, intervene to Casablanca taking advantage of the benefits of save La Samir,” Morocco’s Minister liberalisation. of Energy, Mines and Sustainable he deregulation of fuel The timing of the government’s Development Aziz Rebbah told the costs backfired on the Mo- decision coincided with financial House of Councillors, insisting that A little off-track. A view of a petrol station in Sidi Allal roccan government amid problems at the country’s sole oil the refinery was not a state prop- El Bahraoui in Morocco. (Reuters) T falling oil prices in the in- refinery, La Samir, forcing it to cease erty anymore after its privatisation. ternational market. Moroccans operations in August 2015. La Samir To quell Moroccans’ anger, Daou- that competition would be fiercer each month of Internal Consump- have been venting their anger as produced about 200,000 barrels di explained that the General Af- after the introduction of nine fuel tion Tax on fuel, figures released by the cost of filling up a car tank has per day, two-thirds of Mo­rocco’s oil fairs and Governance Department distribution companies in the mar- the treasury last year state, besides risen despite the price of a barrel of consumption, the equivalent of 60 does not exclude caps on margins, ket. the value added tax on imports that oil dropping approximately around days of stock. without setting a deadline despite Abourizk, however, said that, oil companies pay to customs at 30% since October. Financial expert Lotfi Abourizk the Federation of Service Station despite these new companies, the the time of importing fuel, which is Transportation workers went on said the risk of stock shortage in Managers warning that the return risk of an implicit or explicit agree- passed on through the pump price. strike to protest soaring fuel prices, the winter due to the bad weather to the former system would lead ment between them is not excluded “In the absence of a real reform of which disrupted fruit and vegeta- could be even greater, which would to half of the country’s service sta- because freedom has been given to the taxation of petroleum products, ble supplies, forcing an increase in encourage speculation and drive tions closing. fuel distribution companies to set the liberalisation will never give the food prices. prices higher. prices according to the costs in- expected effects because fuel prices The Moroccan government liber- “To successfully liberalise prices curred and their marketing strat- depend on 90% of the price of the alised fuel prices in December 2015, for the benefit of consumers, the Transportation workers egy. oil barrel and taxes,” said Abourizk. leaving them to be determined by government must find a solution went on strike to protest “The possibility of not capping Jamal Zrikom, president of the market forces. to the refinery problem as soon as soaring fuel prices, margins without setting a deadline Federation of Service Station Man- “The liberalisation of fuel prices possible,” said Abourizk. which disrupted fruit does not seem to be a solution to agers, said fuel prices would drop has had effects contrary to what However, the government was and vegetable supplies, the problem,” he said. 50-55 Moroccan centimes ($0.053- the government sought. It allowed adamant to let La Samir go into forcing an increase in Distributors argue that the price $0.058). some companies to reap more prof- liquidation. The Commercial Court food prices. at the pump would have dropped “This drop will benefit consum- its and double their profit mar- of Casablanca ruled in favour of significantly if taxes were lower. ers,” he said. gins,” Moroccan Minister of Gen- extending the liquidation process “If necessary, I will implement it Taxes represent around 46% of the eral Affairs and Governance Lahcen of the refinery to the property of immediately. It is just a circular to final price of the litre of fuel in Mo- Saad Guerraoui is a contributor Daoudi told the ruling Islamist par- several executives, including its sign and not a decree of the head of rocco. to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb ty’s news website PJD.ma. CEO Sheikh Mohammed Hussein government,” said Daoudi, adding The state collects $130 million issues. December 2, 2018 11 News & Analysis Egypt Egyptian government and al-Azhar face off over training of imams

Nader Aboul Foutouh Ministry of Awqaf Academy, for ed to the board of trustees of the example, as interference by non- ministry’s academy members of specialised bodies in religious af- al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Schol- Cairo fairs. ars who disagree with Tayeb’s line Some al-Azhar sheikhs con- of conduct with a view to thwart- ithin the context of sider it a violation of Article 7 of ing al-Azhar’s efforts to block the the Egyptian govern- the Egyptian Constitution, which ministry’s initiative. ment’s policy to reform states that “Al-Azhar is the primary Thus, the academy’s board of W religious discourse, a reference in religious sciences and trustees includes al-Azhar’s senior new face-off has arisen between Islamic affairs. It is responsible for scholars, such as Nasr Wasel and al-Azhar and the Ministry of da’wa and dissemination of reli- Ali Gomaa, former muftis of Egypt; Awqaf (religious endowments) re- gious instruction and of Arabic in Ahmad Omar Hashim, member of garding Egyptian President Abdel Egypt and the world. The state is the Council of Senior Scholars; in Fattah al-Sisi’s recommendation committed to provide sufficient addition to Shawki Allam, the cur- to include imams in training by the financial resources to Al-Azhar to rent mufti; Osama el-Abd, head National Academy for Youth Reha- achieve its mission.” of the religious affairs committee bilitation, which is attached to the of the Egyptian Parliament; and presidency. At the heart of the problem Emna Naseer, a member of parlia- Many officials had, in the past, with revising and ment. criticised training programmes modernising religious The Egyptian government has that al-Azhar designed for imams discourse is the religious decided to rely on the minister of Dead end. A 2015 file picture shows Egyptian al-Azhar students and dispensed for scores of years. Awqaf rather than on al-Azhar to waiting for grand imam Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb to deliver a They said that limiting the imams’ establishment’s reluctance introduce reforms without opposi- speech at Cairo University. (AP) training to religious sciences was to let other parties interfere tion. The minister is seen as a flex- not sufficient to prepare them to with its efforts. ible executive tool while Tayeb is be capable of enlightened under- Sources close to the government perceived as standing in the way of duced results. attending an international confer- standing. Hence the recommenda- said the conflict between al-Azhar Sisi’s reformist wishes. Scholars at the Awqaf Ministry ence on Awqaf January 20. tion to have future imams of the and the Ministry of Awqaf will The government, however, still said the government has won the Abdel Hamid al-Atrash, former Ministry of Awqaf trained at the not end as long as al-Azhar’s cur- must solve the dilemma of re- battle of training imams. Training president of the Fatwa Commit- National Academy to expand their rent grand imam, Sheikh Ahmed moving Tayeb, who represents a curricula are ready and training tee in al-Azhar, said the concept of knowledge of various fields and el-Tayeb, remains in his position. chronic headache to it because his will effectively start by the end of the academy is not new. For dec- sciences. The sources confirmed that many position is protected by the consti- January at the National Academy. ades, there has been cooperation This move by the presidency re- institutions of the state back the tution. The solution, for now, is to The training curriculum will not between Egypt and many other veals a further widening of the gap initiatives taken by the minister of marginalise the sheikh’s role and be limited to religious sciences but countries in training imams. How- between it and al-Azhar. The ri- Awqaf, whom they consider as the powers. will include courses from fields ever, the establishment of a formal valry between the two institutions spearhead in confronting Salafist The presidency’s National Acad- such as law, politics, sociology and academy will facilitate hosting and is intensifying as al-Azhar refuses and extremist groups. emy was put in place to counter al- psychology. training imams from all over the the government’s interference in The Egyptian government has Azhar Academy. The latter was set The scholars said the aim of es- Muslim world. its prerogatives and the govern- resorted to using the minister of up three years ago and supported tablishing the academy was to Atrash said that, to succeed, the ment accuses al-Azhar of being Awqaf on several occasions in by the government. However, the work with the social environment academy needs to dispense spe- either lazy or reluctant to proceed functions that are usually consid- government abandoned al-Azhar and the outside world, especially cialised training at the hands of with the urgently required task of ered the preserve of al-Azhar. The Academy as a message of protest at in the case of terrorism. This is why specialised scholars in different reforming religious discourse and latest such occasion was when al-Azhar’s lukewarm performance. the academy is supported by major branches of religious sciences and heritage. the minister gave a sermon in al- Observers said state institutions ministries and state institutions not just in public speaking and ser- At the heart of the problem with Rawda mosque in northern Sinai, in Egypt support the ministry’s and is seen by the government as monising, in addition to training revising and modernising religious which was the scene last year of an plans for combating extremism an instrument of soft power. on spotting and responding to ex- discourse is the religious estab- attack by Islamic State militants in and hold al-Azhar responsible Also scheduled for the academy tremist ideas on social media. lishment’s reluctance to let other which more than 300 people were for failing to reform religious dis- are visits by ministers of religious parties interfere with its efforts. killed. course, which explains why al- affairs, muftis and Muslim scholars Nader Aboul Foutouh is an Al-Azhar considers the idea of ​​the The Ministry of Awqaf nominat- Azhar’s initiatives have not pro- from outside Egypt, who will be Egyptian writer. Life returning to Sinai’s al-Rawda, a year after ISIS attack

Amr Emam number of army troops and police- rebuilt or repaired. The five schools The life of al-Rawda’s residents is Gomaa said. “We insist to fight those men dead and injured. of the village and its nursery were simple. Some residents work in agri- who get off the true track of this Nevertheless, the army is report- upgraded. Local electricity and wa- culture and others in livestock pro- great religion.” Cairo ing major successes against ISIS. It ter networks were renewed. duction. A fish farm was established The reconstruction of began a comprehensive operation Homes handed over to the resi- in the village along with honey and al-Rawda, security analysts said, ife is returning to normal to a in February, which is said to have re- dents, some of whom had been liv- livestock production projects. shows Egypt’s defiance in the face of North Sinai village a year af- duced the militants’ capabilities and ing in tents since the attack, were Many government officials trav- terrorism and its insistence to keep ter about half of its residents scared them out of Sinai. totally furnished. elled to the village on November 23 fighting until the end. L were killed and many of its Egyptian government institutions, “Life came to a standstill in the vil- to celebrate its reconstruction. “It also reflects the presence of a homes destroyed by Islamic State the civil society and the local busi- lage before the reconstruction,” said Addressing people attending the strong will on the part of the people (ISIS) militants. ness community are left with the Ahmed Hassan, the North Sinai rep- weekly Friday prayer at the local to defeat this terrorism,” said secu- Hundreds of homes in al-Rawda mission of bringing areas ravaged by resentative of Orman, Egypt’s largest mosque, Egyptian Endowments rity expert Khaled Okasha. “At the have been rebuilt by the Egyptian the war against ISIS back to life. charity organisation and a main con- Minister Mukhtar Gomaa said Egypt end, the will of the people will pre- government in cooperation with civ- Approximately $9 million was in- tributor to the reconstruction of the would win the fight against the ter- vail over the will of the terrorists.” il society and local businesses. vested in the reconstruction of al- village. “The attack left the village in rorists, either sooner or later. Nevertheless, the attack left an “The reconstruction of the vil- Rawda. The village’s 792 homes were a very bad condition.” “Islam calls for life, not for death,” indelible mark on the residents of al- lage is having a huge positive effect Rawda. Some suffer post-traumatic on us,” Suleiman Salem, a village disorders. Some are afraid to pray at resident in his early 50s, said in a the mosque that was attacked. Oth- telephone interview. “Some people ers are afraid even to pass by the were just about to leave after losing mosque. hope that al-Rawda can be inhabited The mosque was refurbished as again.” part of the village reconstruction. More than 300 residents were Its walls were given new paint and killed and about 120 others were blood-stained carpets were replaced injured November 24, 2017, when with new colourful ones. dozens of ISIS militants attacked the Salem, a school teacher, was one village mosque and homes during of few village men who survived the Friday prayers. Only a few people attack. However, his 20-year-old son in the mosque were able to escape and a younger brother were killed when they hid in toilets or among in the attack. Both were praying at the dead. the mosque when it was assaulted. The militants then went to village Salem was home, preparing to leave homes and shot whomever they met for the mosque when the militants on the road. attacked. Most shocking was that the attack He said he looks to the future with took place in a mosque, which con- a hope that there will not be a repeti- tradicted ISIS’s rhetoric about de- tion of the attack or the human loss fending Islam and Muslims. he and fellow village residents sus- The Egyptian Army has been fight- tained. ing ISIS Sinai for several years. At- “We will never be scared by the tacks by militants, most of them in Life trumps death. Residents and visitors of al-Rawda village celebrate the completion of its terrorists,” Salem said. “Their ideol- North Sinai, have resulted in a large reconstruction, November 23. (Ahmed Megahid) ogy is death but ours is life. 12 December 2, 2018 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Netanyahu wins Israel’s political battle but peace with region still elusive

Manuel Langendorf tion, saying: “I will not say this the government’s security policy evening when we will act and how. since leaving office, arguing that I have a clear plan. I know what to Hamas was stronger than it was London do and when to do it and we will before the war between Israel and do it.” Hamas in 2014. “We’re buying ovember was a tumultu- Netanyahu began a “scare cam- short-term quiet with money and ous month in Israeli poli- paign on the right,” said Neri harming our long-term security,” tics. The largest escala- Zilber, an adjunct fellow at the he said at a conference. N tion in violence between Washington Institute for Near East The internal power struggle Israel and Hamas in years dashed Policy. comes at a time when Israel is hopes for a long-term ceasefire As a result, Bennett did not, as forging ties with the Arab world that had been in the making since many expected, resign and with- and Muslim-majority countries in summer. draw his party from the coalition. Africa. Netanyahu made a surprise After two days of intense fight- He voiced criticism but said his trip to Oman in October, followed ing, including more than 100 Is- party was withdrawing its political by ministerial visits to other Gulf raeli air strikes and hundreds of demands and would stand with Arab states. rockets fired into Israel, Hamas the prime minister. After a visit by Chadian Presi- and other Palestinian factions With Lieberman’s Yisrael Be- dent Idriss Deby to Jerusalem, announced that they accepted a iteinu party out of government, Israel is to formally re-establish return to the ceasefire that had Netanyahu’s ruling coalition com- diplomatic ties with N’Djamena, started to be implemented before mands a razor-thin majority of 61 which were severed in 1972. Israeli November 11. Israel subsequently out of 120 seats in the Knesset. Is- Foreign Ministry officials quoted stopped its air campaign. rael is scheduled to go to the polls by Israel’s Channel 10 said Deby This violent episode had a large next November but many observ- presented a “very extensive” list effect on Israeli politics. Israeli De- ers see early elections as likely. of demands, including weapons fence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, “It’s very clear, Netanyahu is the sales, for ties to be re-established. a right-wing member of Israeli big winner,” said Zilber, adding Deby said the diplomatic opening Prime Minister Binyamin Netan- that the prime minister fended off “is not something that can make yahu’s government, resigned from the challenge from the right and the Palestinian issue disappear.” his position, saying the ceasefire re-established his power position. There has been speculation was a way of “surrendering to ter- By delaying snap elections, Zil- about the release date of a peace r o r.” ber said, Netanyahu regained con- plan by the Trump administration. trol over when elections would The issue became front and cen- be called and what issues would tre again as the possibility of early With Lieberman’s Yisrael dominate the campaign. He did elections in Israel was raised. Beiteinu party out of not want the ceasefire with Ha- Israeli Ambassador to the Unit- government, Netanyahu’s mas, which earned him criticism ed Nations Danny Danon said the ruling coalition commands a from different quarters, to be the plan was completed. Regarding its razor-thin majority of 61 out defining issue. release date, he said, “they speak of 120 seats in the Knesset. Zilber said Bennett was the with us about the beginning of “clear loser.” Having issued an ul- ‘19.” Danon added that presenting The spectre of early elections timatum on which he backtracked, a peace plan during an election was raised when members of Ne- Bennett “is not a real challenger ei- would be “horrendous.” US Am- tanyahu’s coalition called for snap ther nationally or on the right wing bassador to Israel David Friedman polls. Education Minister Naftali to Netanyahu,” Zilber said. said the plan would be shared “at Bennett made a bid to take over When it comes to Lieberman, the appropriate time.” the defence portfolio but was re- much will depend on how effec- “Netanyahu seems keen to post- Political survivor. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu buffed by Netanyahu, who took tively he can campaign for the pone the publication of the US during the dedication of Czech House in Jerusalem, November 27. over the position himself. next election. During his tenure peace plan so that it does not be- (AFP) Behind the scenes and publicly, as defence minister, Lieberman’s come central in Israeli elections,” the prime minister carried out a popularity took a hit, Zilber said, said Ofer Zalzberg, Crisis Group’s Israelis the sense that Israeli-Arab matic Arab states absent of any real campaign to avert the fall of his due to the gap between his rheto- senior analyst for Israel/Palestine. normalisation does not depend on progress on the peace process.” coalition. Speaking on television, ric before entering office and the Zalzberg said the diplomatic resolving the Israeli-Palestinian “The big thing is when Netan- Netanyahu said he told the coali- actual defence policy the govern- push abroad is connected to per- conflict,” he said. yahu chooses to go to early elec- tion not to bring down this gov- ment was implementing. “Now he ceptions of the need for peace. However, Zilber warned that Is- tions,” Zilber concluded. ernment “at this security-sensitive is trying to re-establish his public “The high-profile visits of Netan- rael will “hit a ceiling in terms of time.” persona as a hardliner,” Zilber said. yahu and Israeli ministers to Gulf the progress [it] can make diplo- Manuel Langendorf is a writer He hinted at future military ac- Lieberman has heavily criticised states have strengthened among matically with the so-called prag- focusing on the MENA region.

Viewpoint Crowds instead of ballot boxes in Gaza he largest squares screens. Just because Dahlan was crepancy between the fact that it Dahlan reminded Abbas that in Gaza and the long invited to the festival, a shadowy was possible to have hundreds of exclusion and other practices that streets leading to them army of paid henchmen and min- thousands celebrate in Gaza and the weaken the national movement Adli Sadeq have been filled with ions were ordered to orchestrate a fact that the same was not possible would not yield the desired results Palestinians since the cyber-campaign against him. in the West Bank? After all, the man and would reinforce nihilistic morning of November The logic underlying attempts being remembered and celebrated trends and the logic of unrealistic T27. The occasion was the com- to undermine the Gaza festival in is the same. slogans. This would come at a memoration of the death of Yasser remembrance of Arafat and his Palestinians are fed up with time when the Palestinians need Arafat, the founder of the contem- virtues lacked a minimum of objec- division and they know that the more than ever to hold on to the porary Palestinian national move- tivity and political intelligence. divisions are caused by two factions fundamental principles of their ment. It is as if besieged Gaza, the target jockeying for power through secu- cause without ignoring reality and The crowd’s size and momen- of exclusionary measures that seek ritisation, the exclusion of popular the political factors that encourage tum should be viewed in several to starve and strangle its patriots will and imposing people into the world to sympathise with the contexts beyond the immediate and their families, has nothing to power without delegation. Since Palestinian people and support comparison between the intimate say about its sufferance. It is as the two warring parties are afraid their legitimate demands. and sensitive relationship be- though the overall Palestinian sta- of the results of the ballot box, they The message has been delivered tween Arafat and the Palestinian tus quo could offer any justification have done all they can to block the from Gaza to all those concerned masses and the current relationship for the people’s obedience to Abbas, democratic process. with Palestinian militancy, includ- between Palestinian Authority whether those justifications would In such circumstances, people ing Fatah’s divided popular base. President Mahmoud Abbas and the be at the level of popular legitimacy can only gather in public squares At the peak of its eloquence, the Palestinian people. for his reign or in the fairness of his during anniversaries and memorial message stressed that the attempts The first relationship inspired approach to governing by relying days. Many popular events and at exclusion had failed miserably nostalgia among Palestinians; the on fait accompli politics or at the mobilisations in the West Bank and that those who were irked by second relationship’s shortcomings level of his political discourse and have demonstrated the region’s po- Dahlan and the Gazan national were reflected in the people’s eager- his consideration and kindness to tential for popular explosion. Most cadre would eventually become ness for the festival. citizens. The man has no alternative recently, there were protests against much more irked with the Fatah The popular position manifested other than demonising others so he provisions of the Social Security militants who oppose them. itself contrary to Abbas’s wishes. can come out like an angel. Law, an insignificant issue relative As long as the latter clamours He, along with his cronies, frus- However, ordinary folks, in their to the question of self-determina- for Palestinian unity, the cessation trated people when recalling the reticence to him, asked him a fit- tion. of monopolised power and the hazardous claims made against tingly simple question: Why does In his speech to those gathered in implementation of the constitution, Palestinian MP and elected member he not, at least within the perimeter Gaza, delivered through video con- no amount of virulent language, lies Palestinians are fed of the Central Committee Moham- of his presidential headquarters in ference, Dahlan called on Abbas to and persecution shall succeed in up with division and med Dahlan. Ramallah, convene an assembly of go to Gaza and form a government isolating them. The claims were rejected by just 200 people, not the 200,000 of of national consensus. He pointed In Gaza, there has been a referen- they know that the courts affiliated with Abbas, despite Gaza, to commemorate Arafat and out that an exclusionary approach dum with crowds in squares replac- divisions are caused the seriousness of the charges. If suggest measures to save his people is destroying the Palestinian cause ing ballot boxes! there were any truth to them, they from the bottleneck they are stuck and that it is the masses that consti- by two factions should be conferred to the courts in? tute the natural incubator for him Adli Sadeq is a Palestinian writer jockeying for power. and not to telephone and computer How can he explain the dis- and for others. and political analyst. December 2, 2018 13 Spotlight Normalisation with Israel Will Sudan normalise relations with Israel?

The Arab Weekly staff Risky politics. Sudanese Cairo President Omar fforts are under way to es- al-Bashir in tablish relations between Khartoum, Israel and Sudan, Israeli me- last E dia sources reported. There September. was speculation that, after his visit (AFP) to Oman in October, the next Arab destination for Israeli Prime Minis- ter Binyamin Netanyahu would be Khartoum. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation cited sources in Je- rusalem saying Netanyahu would visit Sudan soon but did not give a date. “Israeli teams are working on building relations with this African republic,” it said. There have been signs of a change in Sudan’s foreign policy in recent years and Sudanese officials have expressed a desire to normalise re- lations with Israel. On August 20, 2017, Minister of Investment Mubarak al-Fadil al- Mahdi publicly supported doing so on Sudanese TV Channel 24. “The Palestinians themselves have nor- malised relations with Israel and even Hamas is talking to Israel,” Mahdi said. Former Sudanese Foreign Min- ister Ibrahim Ghandour offered in January 2016 to normalise relations with Israel if the US government lifted economic sanctions. The Sudanese diplomatic effort comes when Netanyahu has said Is- rael was seeking “to reach the heart of Africa,” referring to improved re- lations between African countries and Israel. The Israeli prime minister made al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in to encounter great difficulties in rorism, combat illegal immigration though it is difficult to determine that statement at a news conference the early 1990s before forcing him dealing with the economic crisis be- and help resolve conflicts, especial- how much progress has been made with Chadian President Idriss Deby to leave under pressure from Ameri- cause of being blacklisted as a state ly those in its vicinity, including in and whether the discussions will in Tel Aviv. Deby was on his first can sanctions. sponsor of terrorism. South Sudan. lead to normalisation of relations visit to Israel in November after a The strong relationship between The Israeli newspaper Haaretz between the two sides. break in relations between the two Sudan and Iran was also a reason for pointed out that, against the back- Observers point out that the countries that had lasted for more international discontent with Khar- There have been signs of a ground of Khartoum’s decision on Sudanese regime is known for its than 46 years. toum, especially because Tehran change in Sudan’s foreign its relations with Iran, Israel urged pragmatism and that it would not Netanyahu welcomed Deby’s was using it as a conduit for sending policy in recent years and the United States and other coun- be surprising if steps were taken visit as an “additional diplomatic weapons to organisations loyal to it, Sudanese officials have tries to improve ties with Sudan. towards normalisation with Israel, achievement.” such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad in expressed a desire to Washington lifted economic despite the public refusal of Abdel- The international community the Gaza Strip. normalise relations with sanctions against Sudan in 2017 but Saki Abbas, a leading figure in al- has long regarded Sudan as a rogue The al-Bashir regime’s policies Israel. it did not remove the Sudanese re- Bashir’s ruling National Congress state in view of the policies pursued have cost Sudan much because of gime from its blacklist. party. He said Netanyahu “cannot by Sudanese President Omar al-Ba- the resulting international isolation Sudan severed ties with Iran in Observers said indicators suggest visit Sudan and (that) what was shir, including supporting extrem- and economic deterioration. The 2015, expressing a desire to contrib- informal channels of communica- announced on the Israeli radio ist Islamist groups and embracing Sudanese government continues ute to the international war on ter- tion between Sudan and Israel, al- is baseless.” Viewpoint The divide over normalisation with Israel henever an Is- to normalise relations with Arab Arab world must bow and accept that it must heed the popular raeli official steps countries such as Egypt and Israeli occupation of Arab lands or refusal to have anything to do with Mohamed off the plane in Jordan, which have signed peace give in to its political, economic Israel. Abu al-Fadl an Arab coun- agreements with it. Israel has and cultural demands. Rather, it is Israel faces a big problem in that try, the topic of achieved relative success, at least important to be pragmatic and deal context. By deliberately bringing normalisation at the official level, which enabled with the situation realistically. up progress in its relations with the Wwith his country flares up and of- it to maintain a degree of political If all else fails, there is always the Arab world, Israel provokes many ficial propaganda machines start warmth by having all sides observe popular resistance card that can be social sectors and reignites feelings promoting the collapse of the taboo diplomatic norms and traditions. relied upon to push for an accept- of rejection in Arab societies. In wall with Israel. Israel, however, has failed to able settlement of the Palestinian Egypt, the Journalists Syndicate, The Israeli Public Broadcasting achieve any breakthrough at the question. This card is expected to known for its tough positions on Corporation reported that Israeli grass-roots level. Anti-normalisa- face more challenges in coming Israel, began to revive the so-called Prime Minister Binyamin Netan- tion sentiment and voices rule the stages. Egyptian Committee to Combat yahu intended to pay an official day in most Arab capitals, with The Arab street might seem Normalisation. Some members visit to Sudan and that there were Cairo and Amman topping the list. oblivious to what is happening on of the committee were collecting state officials working to build rela- Recent developments in conflicts the Palestinian front and might not signatures for an assembly at the tions with Khartoum. Observers in the Middle East have played be paying much attention to inter- earliest opportunity. quickly pointed out the remarkable in favour of Israel, however, so nal squabbles among Palestinians. The Egyptian government ig- developments in official relations much so that even the forces that Still, many sectors of Arab societies nored the move, even though it has between Israel and other Arab raised the banner of ending Israeli draw a red line on dealing with harsh stands towards all attempts countries. statehood, such as Iran, Hezbollah, Israel. People’s expectations might to gather or demonstrate. In this Sudanese authorities formally Hamas and various Islamic groups, have fallen but their aversion to- case, however, it found it fitting to denied the news but that does not found it necessary to deal with the wards Israel remains, as evidenced convey a message indicating that mean the normalisation train is country indirectly to resolve some in occasional political trials. its position on normalising rela- going to remain stalled at the Khar- crises. Overall, people could not care tions with Israel has not changed: toum station or any other Arab sta- Iran and Hezbollah have delegat- less about Israel’s ambitions to It accepts it openly but rejects it tion. The sheer size and importance ed Russia as an intermediary with open up to Arab countries but in secret. The government is also of changes in the region and the Israel on their behalf to address the general pathos in Arab socie- implying that it can control the interests and advantages that can some problems in the Syrian arena. ties refuses to respond to Israeli situation so it does not turn into a The Arab street might be reaped from relations with Israel Extremist Islamic groups had no advances. That is why many Arab hot domestic issue. seem oblivious to might impose some to accept what qualms about cooperating with capitals, which have been forced Some Arab governments consider had been taboo. Israel or getting aid from it. Even to open political doors with Tel preserving the card of popular what is happening on Israel is presenting itself as a Hamas has used the Egyptian, Qa- Aviv under harsh regional circum- rejection of Israel to be of great im- the Palestinian front safety valve in the confrontation tari and UN channels to negotiate stances, use popular opposition to portance. They find it difficult to let and might not be with Iran and that might open with Israel to end the siege of Gaza Israel as justification for not giving go of it because it is the last weapon doors to it in the Arab world, and implement a truce there. in to US and Israeli enticements to neutralise political ambitions paying much especially now that the Palestinian Talking loud and big is no longer and pressure to develop relations with Israel amid the blatant imbal- attention to internal cause has become desperately com- useful in the current context in the any further with Israel. ance in regional power balances. plicated and has been receding in Middle East because the balance of Cairo, for example, has long squabbles among priority for many countries. power is on the side of Israel. This, resisted US and Israeli temptations Mohamed Abu al-Fadl is an Palestinians. Israel has made great efforts however, does not mean that the and pressures under the pretext Egyptian writer. 14 December 2, 2018 Debate Turkey

Will local elections be a referendum on Erdogan’s regime?

of the massive nationalist wave sweeping through Turkey, which will help authoritarianism even if Yavuz Baydar Erdogan is no longer in power. “The result of the local elections is very important for the establish- ment and implementation of the here are four months presidential regime,” Bahceli said a until local elections while ago. but Turkish politics is “So are the (elections in) three big already in campaign cities. The opposition parties may mode. The parties have win there and, if so, they can start secured alliances and to question the legitimacy of the Tare nominating candidates for may- (presidential) system. It will mean ors as well manoeuvring either to that the transition period will be consolidate power around Turkish turned upside down. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or “Also, the votes in the (mainly to weaken him. Kurdish) south-eastern cities are After three elections and a key very important, too. Government referendum that changed the char- appointed 101 trustees in those acter of the regime in Turkey, the municipalities. If that party (HDP) local polls are considered by those wins there again, it will be horrible, fighting Erdogan’s autocratic rule as because then they can present the the final battle. The March 31, 2019, results as a plebiscite.” elections are regarded the last exit All of this is telling in terms of before the country enters the tunnel In campaign mode. Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a how tough and acrimonious the lo- of darkness with respect to democ- meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party to announce candidates for the cal elections will be. racy. There are no other elections local elections, November 24. (Reuters) Ozkiraz said the AKP-MHP alli- scheduled until 2023. ance’s vote share is down 5 percent- Optimists in the opposition say Party (MHP) may be occasionally has ever produced. age points to 47%. He added that the early parliamentary elections could wobbly but the Turco-Islamist stra- Although Bahceli has zigzagged AKP’s popularity is as low as 33%. be called if Erdogan’s Justice and tegic formation still holds. in his support for Erdogan, it seems Although it is too early to take the Development Party (AKP) loses With Turkey hit by economic that his threats to pull out of the pulse of popular opinion, Erdogan’s major cities, such as Istanbul and decline in the past year, Erdogan alliance were merely tactical. As he struggle to find viable candidates Ankara, in March. This may be a is aware that support among his watches the AKP grow weaker, Bah- for Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara dream too far, especially because of party’s loyalists has weakened and celi enhances his influence to the indicates a sense of despair. He has suspicions of vote-rigging in other that he needs the MHP as a walking point of holding Erdogan hostage. been trying — without success — to elections. stick. This suits Bahceli, a political Apparently, it was with these persuade one of his most devoted Erdogan’s aim is to keep a firm veteran directly linked to what thoughts that Bahceli recently supporters, Binali Yildirim, now grip on power, no matter how and some call the deep state. agreed that his voters would sup- parliamentary speaker to be a may- with whom he must align himself. Both men, who de facto share port the AKP’s mayoral candidates oral candidate for Greater Istanbul Machiavellian instincts led Erdogan power in Ankara, are agreed on in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. His municipality. to keep his ultra-nationalist rival making it impossible to reverse reasoning appeared to be prevent- That said, let us be cautious. close. The AKP’s alliance with Dev- Turkey’s “super-presidency.” They ing Erdogan from losing Istanbul or Erdogan is a formidable political let Bahceli’s Nationalist Movement are united in a desire to make it Ankara. As Kemal Ozkiraz, director survivor. This time, too, he may impossible for the Kurdish political of the Eurasia Public Opinion Re- surprise everyone by pulling sev- movement to pursue its aims. An search Centre, astutely put it: “The eral rabbits out of his hat. Four full Erdogan’s struggle to find indication of this is Erdogan’s defi- state seems to be between the lips months give him time to strategise. viable candidates for ant refusal to release from prison of Erdogan but, in reality, Erdogan Selahattin Demirtas, the most is stuck between the lips of Bahceli.” Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara popular figure the pro-Kurdish For Bahceli, preservation of the journalist and regular columnist for indicates a sense of despair. People’s Democracy Party (HDP) new regime matters. He is aware The Arab Weekly. Turkey’s ruling party rekindles electoral alliance with far right

On the same day Bahceli lambast- be in the cards, contact between ing for the opposition to make a ed his alliance partners, Turkish the CHP and pro-Kurdish opposi- move and present its candidates President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tion Peoples’ Democratic Party for these cities before choosing the Zulfikar Dogan said there would be no release of (HDP) has continued, with the CHP best names to counter them. what he called the MHP’s drug looking to secure the support of Despite the MHP’s support, the barons, before accusing Bahceli of Kurdish voters in Turkey’s major choice of candidates will be an racism for his views on the student municipalities, including Ankara, important factor for the ruling oath. Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Mersin and party. It will be difficult for an AKP evlet Bahceli, the Oh, how times change. One Antalya. candidate to win the full support chairman of Turkey’s month after what looked very The nationalists at the Iyi Party of MHP voters in the three biggest far-right National- much like the end of the alliance, would not countenance the HDP cities. This explains why Erdogan ist Movement Party all has apparently been forgiven. formally joining the alliance but appears in the hunt for candidates (MHP), declared in Oc- Erdogan and Bahceli met re- HDP Co-Chairman Sezai Temelli likely to attract votes from other tober that there could cently and declared a renewal of indicated his party would assess social groups. The loss of Ankara or Dbe no repeat of his electoral pact the electoral deal. Days later, as the CHP’s mayoral candidate for Istan- Istanbul could lead to shock waves with the Islamist ruling Justice and AKP announced 40 mayoral candi- bul and might refrain from running across Turkish politics, particularly Development Party (AKP) in next dates, Bahceli said his party would in the election to avoid splitting the within the AKP, bringing to light year’s local elections. However, a not run candidates for mayor in An- opposition vote in the country’s internal disputes and schisms. month later, Bahceli performed a kara, Istanbul or Izmir and would most important municipality. Bahceli, too, is reportedly under 180-degree turn and the alliance is throw its weight behind the AKP. Meanwhile, HDP Co-Chairwom- pressure from his party and voter back on. What caused the U-turn? Talk in an Pervin Buldan, speaking at an base, having taken a risk by defer- Speaking to his party in October, political circles suggests the sud- event for the International Day for ring to Erdogan and refraining Bahceli was scathing in his as- den change was spurred by polling the Elimination of Violence against from running candidates in the sessment of the AKP, which the results. The steep decline in AKP Women, described the 2019 local three largest cities, after similarly MHP helped win a parliamentary support could threaten the party’s elections as having the significance stepping aside in the June elec- majority and the presidential vote hold over the key municipalities of of a referendum on the rule of the tions. last June. Istanbul and Ankara. AKP — a party, she said, under If after a move that can be The MHP, said Bahceli, had had As for the MHP, although the whose watch 5,000 HDP members considered withdrawing from the enough of the AKP’s patronising party seems to have maintained had been jailed. elections, the opposition has suc- behaviour and dishonesty and the 11% it received in the general Buldan called on the HDP to cess in those cities, which account was prepared to “cut the umbilical elections, surveys confirmed that it persevere in the face of severe for one-third of Turkish voters, cord” tying the parties together and was unlikely to win any municipal repression and said the party was Bahceli’s position as MHP leader is run its own candidates under its elections, even in constituencies it ready to cooperate with parties in likely to be attacked from within own banner in local elections. holds, such as the cities of Adana, south-eastern Turkey’s Kurdish the party. One sticking point, he said, was Mersin, Manisa and Isparta. regions and in its western regions The same may be true for CHP the AKP’s refusal to accept MHP’s Thus, one month after their to stand against the AKP and MHP. Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who proposal for a general amnesty, acrimonious split, the two parties It is possible to read her comments reportedly beat back a party rebel- which would see the release of ul- found they have no choice but to as a declaration of support for the lion after the party’s forgettable tranationalists with links to organ- remain together. They realised that alliance formed by the CHP, Iyi and performance in the parliamentary ised crime. Another issue was the facing voters alone could result in Saadet. elections. For many, the vote next AKP’s resistance to a ruling by the losses significant enough to desta- These seem to be positive March is Kilicdaroglu’s last chance. Council of State that called for the bilise the government. developments for the CHP but, if reinstatement of the student oath, The AKP’s and MHP’s sense that it is to turn them into a decisive Zulfikar Dogan was one of the a pledge expressing key tenets of their falling out had been a mistake advantage, it will have to choose founders and one-time president Turkish nationalism that the ruling was likely sharpened when they candidates that all those parties’ of the Economy Reporters’ party took out of schools in 2013. saw how opposition parties react- voters can get behind. Association. He has been awarded ed. The secularist main opposition The AKP revealed a slew of may- journalist of the year by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) oral candidates after exhaustive Turkish Journalists’ Association, Despite the MHP’s support, the began talks with the nationalist Iyi surveying but Erdogan at the last the Contemporary Journalists’ choice of candidates will be Party and Islamist Saadet Party to minute pulled the three big-name Association and MUSIAD. This repeat the alliance they had formed candidates he had reportedly lined article originally appeared on an important factor for the in the 2018 elections. up for Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. ahvalnews.com and is reprinted ruling party. While a formal alliance may not The president could well be wait- with permission. December 2, 2018 15 Debate Iran

‘Islamic Unity’ conference in Tehran was neither Islamic nor seeking unity

Ali Alfoneh

either holy, nor Roman, nor an empire,” French philoso- “ pher Voltaire sardonically said ofN the Holy Roman Empire, a complex of principalities formed in central Europe during the early Middle Ages and that met its end during the Napoleonic wars. The same might be said for the 32nd “Islamic Unity Conference” November 24-26 in Iran. It was neither Islamic, nor did it reflect unity and it did not have the genuine dialogue that would make it worthy of the word “conference.” If anything, monologues offered by Iranian leaders only deepened the divides among Islamic countries. The conference was organised by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, a forum established in October 1990 by an order of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The forum was meant to reconcile dif- ferent Islamic schools of thought and branches. This year’s conference, however, Torch bearer of division. (L-R) Iranian President Hassan Rohani speaks as former President of Afghanistan Hamid was overshadowed by Iran’s lead- Karzai and Deputy Chief of Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem listen during the 32nd annual Islamic Unity Conference in ership’s verbal attacks on Saudi Tehran, November 24. (Iranian Presidency) Arabia. The tone of the conference was set by Iranian Supreme Leader insult to Muslim nations.” as the war in Yemen. This despite Turning to the prayer ritual at the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who Turning to regional politics, he presided over Iran’s highest conference, a columnist with the began his speech by “advising the Khamenei claimed the rulers of national security decision-making daily Jomhouri-ye Eslami released rulers of Islamic states” to “return Saudi Arabia have “wounded the body in the 1990s when the re- photos that showed separate lines to the guardianship of Islam and region” by endorsing the United gime’s opponents were regularly for Sunni and Shia participants and God” and warned: “Submission States’ recognition of Jerusalem as killed. asked if separate sectarian prayer to the guardianship of the United the capital of the Jewish state and Rohani said at the Tehran confer- did not “question the fundamental States and taghout [Satan] will not with the war in Yemen. ence: “I wish the Istanbul incident principle of unity”? help you!” Iranian President Hassan Rohani had not taken place and a human Rasa News, source of the pho- Khamenei railed against the continued in the same vein, say- being had not been dismembered. tos, did not address the issue of House of Saud: “Everyone has ing: “They gave $450 billion away This is shameful for us Muslims separate prayer lines. Instead, it heard the palaver of the American in gifts and procured arms exceed- that you bomb the innocent people explained that the “photos were president, who compares the rul- ing $100 billion to secure American of Yemen every single day.” taken for the classified section of ers of Saudi Arabia to a milk cow. guarantees for their security. While Iranian commentators did the agency of use for decision- This is an insult… If the House of Those who plundered them overtly not dare criticise Khamenei’s crass makers involved in the programme Saud does not mind being insulted, said: ‘We are milking the cow! You words, Iranian academic Sadeq Zi- and were mistakenly released to to hell with it, but this is an insult wouldn’t last two weeks without bakalam used his Twitter account the general public.” to the people of the region and an US!’ At the very least ask your mas- to question the wisdom of Rohani’s Perhaps. But how about the ter to keep up appearances and do verbal attacks. railing of Khamenei and Rohani not tolerate constant insults from Zibakalam said: “His Excellency against a fellow Islamic state? That, Turning to the prayer ritual at your master.” Mr Rohani, speaking within the too, at a conference held under the the conference, a columnist with Then Rohani asked: “What framework of unity and solidarity banner of “Islamic Unity”? Were do you need America for since between the Shias and Sunnis, those statements also delivered by the daily Jomhouri-ye Eslami you shower them with your re- addressed the Saudis with such mistake? released photos that showed sources?” sarcasm and contempt. I wonder Rohani criticised the killing of what words and expressions he Ali Alfoneh is a visiting scholar at separate lines for Sunni and Shia journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the would have used if he intended to the Arab Gulf States Institute in participants. Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as well insult them!” Washington. Rohani does not see the disasters in Iran’s foreign interference

countries cited by the Iranian no problem supplying militias with Iranians would find themselves in president led to nothing but dis- missiles to bomb the Saudi people the same state as the examples of asters that turned them into more (who, ironically, Rohani said he the people having received Iranian Ali al-Sarraf like places hit by a magnitude 9 wanted to support), it didn’t bother support cited in Rohani’s speech. earthquake. to send food and medicine to help The Iranians are on the brink of One was tempted to believe the the stricken Yemeni people. Tehran an economic abyss and are going man was practising self-derision knows only how to supply weap- to tumble into collapse and bank- ranian President Hassan but, no, he was serious. Obviously, ons and gangs of foreign terrorists ruptcy anyway. Rohani is not known for his Rohani hasn’t seen data showing to shore up the rebels against their Rohani closed his speech with a sense of humour but hearing that Iraq is in economic collapse, own people. lofty sentence. Without breaking his speech at the International political disarray and social rupture. The real humour in some “anti- into even the tiniest smile, he said Islamic Unity Conference Failure is everywhere in Iraq. Iraqis jokes” can be appreciated only that “relying on foreigners is one of hosted by Tehran makes one can’t even find drinking water, let if they are turned upside down. the biggest mistakes in history.” Idoubt that understanding. alone medicine, food or shelter. Let’s rewind Rohani’s speech and What a piece of historical wis- In his speech, Rohani stated with As to Syria, dozens of cities and turn it around and we will discover dom. It was as if Rohani’s militias a straight face: “We are prepared villages have been reduced to that the man really has a sense of in Iraq had not relied on the Ameri- to do everything possible to rubble and 12 million Syrians have humour and, yes, he reads data. cans when they invaded Iraq or as protect the interests of the Saudi been forced to migrate. Terrorism Suppose Rohani said: “We are if his Islamic Revolutionary Guard people against terrorism and the is master of the land. Whatever is prepared to do everything pos- Corps did not rely on the Russians superpowers… as we have done left of Iraq and Syria is being eaten sible to protect the interests of the to destroy what remained of Syria. to support the cause of the people away by the virus of corruption. Saudi people against terrorism It was as if Afghani President Ha- in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and In the case of Afghanistan, and and the superpowers… as we have mid Karzai, who was sitting next Yemen.” as you can see, Mr President, but of done to support the peoples of to Rohani, did not rely on NATO no Not a single Saudi would be course you can’t see, it has become Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and less and as if the Iranians in Yemen willing to accept Rohani’s offer a country at war with itself, its Denmark.” Wouldn’t that be a real were not foreigners in that country. because “Iranian support” to the neighbours and the whole world. joke? Rohani, of course, can never No one can claim that Rohani Afghanistan itself does not know dare give examples of that nature has no sense of humour. In fact, how Afghanis live nor does it know so he resorted to catastrophic I wanted to ask him: “Was there Let’s rewind Rohani’s speech and where they’re going or what kind examples only. Let’s skip the rest some hidden irony in your men- of future awaits them. of the speech. tion of ‘Iranian support’ or are you turn it around and we will In Yemen, Iran has supported The ones who deserve Rohani’s seriously ignorant of what has hap- discover that the man really has a militias to carry out a coup, seize diligence and generosity are the pened to the peoples of Iraq, Syria, power and drive tens of millions of Iranian people but my fear is that if Afghanistan and Yemen?” sense of humour and, yes, he its people to the shores of famine the support came from the govern- reads data. and epidemics. While Tehran has ment of the wilayat al-faqih, the Ali al-Sarraf is an Iraqi writer. 16 December 2, 2018 News & Analysis East West

Viewpoint Iran sanctions are testing US relations with Iraq

Iran. Iraqi President Barham Salih travelled to Tehran in November Gregory for high-level meetings. Salih and Aftandilian Iranian leaders pledged to boost economic ties despite the US sanc- tions. he Trump administra- Shortly after Salih’s visit, Iraqi tion has generally been Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi cautious in criticising said Baghdad would not respect Iraqi officials largely the US sanctions on Iran, which he because, after so much described as an American “diktat,” blood and treasure has not an international decision that Tbeen spent there, it wants Iraq to has UN approval. be in the US orbit. Interestingly, the United States It also wants to continue its has not openly criticised those training mission with the Iraqi statements by Iraqi leaders but is Army, which proved very impor- clearly worried about Iraq’s ties to tant in the defeat of the Islamic Iran, particularly in the military State. A stable, friendly Iraq is a sphere. One of the demands on clear US goal. Iran that US Secretary of State Mike However, the administration’s Pompeo enunciated in May, when Iran sanctions policy is severely the United States pulled out of the testing the US-Iraqi relationship. nuclear deal, was for Tehran to US national security adviser not hinder the “disarming, demo- John Bolton’s comment that the bilisation and reintegration of the administration wants to “squeeze Shia militias,” also known as the Vulnerability risks. US Secretary of Defence James Mattis speaks with troops at Base Camp Donna in them [the Iranians] until the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), Texas, November 14. (AFP) pips squeak” runs counter to the in Iraq. strong economic and cultural ties The PMF played a crucial role in between Iraq and Iran that have defending Baghdad in the summer developed since the toppling of of 2014 when the Islamic State was Implications of Washington’s Saddam Hussein. on the march and helped to defeat Even though it has substantial the jihadist group. Although the oil resources, Iraq is dependent on PMF includes Shia factions with Iran for a significant portion of its varying loyalties, a significant part ‘diminishing superiority’ energy needs; natural gas from Iran of its forces is under the sway of accounts for 45% of Iraq’s electric- pro-Iran factions. Iran’s al-Quds ity consumption, the Wall Street force, the intelligence arm of the Is- Journal reported. lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in the Middle East The United States granted Bagh- has been instrumental in training dad a 45-day waiver from its most the PMF. recent sanctions against Iran but US State Department spokes- Sabahat Khan panel mandated by the US Con- they ever have. US energy officials acknowledged woman Heather Nauert has reiter- gress, endorsed the vision laid out However, the Middle East’s dy- that it will take Iraq much longer to ated that Tehran “must respect the in US President Donald Trump’s namics within are becoming more develop alternatives to importing sovereignty of the Iraqi govern- Dubai National Defence Strategy. How- complex and so, too, are the dis- energy from Iran. ment and permit the disarming, ever, it raised serious questions tinctions between geopolitical The United States is pursuing demobilisation and reintegration of report issued by the Na- about how that vision could be re- interests, geostrategic interests a two-pronged approach. It is Shia militias.” In response, the Iraqi tional Defence Strategy alised and identified resourcing as and geo-economic interests for encouraging US energy companies Foreign Ministry rejected what it Commission provided a strategic challenge. regional stakeholders. to sign deals with Iraq to capture said was US “interference” in Iraq’s A a sombre assessment Trump this year approved a China and Russia do not repre- natural gas from some of its oil internal affairs and Abdul-Mahdi about the trajectory of US mili- budget of $700 billion for the US sent military threats for the Mid- fields to be used to produce elec- pledged to continue to support the tary power. The United States’ Department of Defence, a figure dle East in the way the Americans tricity. It is also pushing the Saudis PMF. global primacy has rested on its that is more than four times that view them, for instance. A conflict to invest in energy and electricity It is not just the Trump ad- unmatched military power but no of China’s and more than ten involving Middle Eastern coun- projects in southern Iraq, an area ministration that opposes the more, so it appears. times Russia’s annual defence tries against China or Russia is that faced severe electricity short- PMF and wants its disarming and Long and expensive wars in Af- spending, figures from the Inter- highly improbable. ages over the summer that led to demobilisation. The US Congress ghanistan and Iraq have allowed national Institute for Strategic widespread protests. has become involved through the United States’ adversaries to Studies indicate. Outside of the energy sector, bipartisan legislation in the House make up ground by exploiting However, Eric Edelman, chair- For fiscal reasons but also there is much trade between Iran of Representatives, called the vulnerabilities those conflicts ex- man of the commission, said the technical ones, the United and Iraq. From March through Oc- Iranian Proxies Terrorist Sanctions posed. This while the US military Defence Department needed as States and its Middle East tober, for example, Iraq imported Act, that would sanction several remained too distracted by the much as a 50% growth in funding partners will need to deepen about $6 billion in non-crude Irani- groups within the PMF. Prominent “low-end” of the threat spectrum, over the next ten years to regain cooperation as they move an goods. In addition, Iran has de- members of Congress have pressed such as terrorists and insurgents. ground against adversaries and towards enhanced “burden- veloped medical facilities along the the Trump administration on why Technological advances — ac- stay ahead of threats. sharing.” Iran-Iraq border to attract medical it has not designated such groups celerating in computing, cyber-at- Within such a backdrop, the im- tourism from Iraq and has invested as terrorist organisations, given tack capabilities, artificial intelli- plications for American security Cooperation between the US in infrastructure in Shia holy cities their close ties to Iran. gence and robotics — are changing partners around the world will military and its partners in the in southern Iraq. Tens of thousands Despite its efforts, the Trump the dynamics of military competi- be significant, particularly in the Middle East will thus deepen most of Iranian religious pilgrims visit team’s policy of trying to nudge tion and what future conflicts will Middle East, where the United around focused regional peace those sites every year, which helps Iraq away from Iran through a entail, the report stated. States has played the crucial role and stability enablers such as to shore up Iraq’s economy. carrots-and-sticks approach is The report — “Providing for the of regional security guarantor. counterterrorism, missile defence In short, it would be difficult for unlikely to succeed because Iraq’s Common Defence” — declared in Logically, defence trade stands and cyberspace. Iraq to substantially diminish its leaders see merit in maintaining bold terms that, with its military to benefit. US-manufactured de- Much of the success of those economic links to Iran. multifaceted ties to Iran. superiority “eroded to a dangerous fence systems bought by partners goals hinges on the extent to Politically, Iraqi leaders want to degree,” the United States is facing assures greater interoperability which the US military can sup- show that, despite their country’s Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer a “crisis of national security.” with US and NATO militaries, po- port partner capacity-building and strategic ties to the United States, in the Pardee School of Global Highlighting that the US mili- tentially reduces per unit lifecycle capability development but the they will pursue an independent Studies at Boston University and tary’s “margin of superiority is costs for American users, rein- diminishing superiority of the US foreign policy, which includes a former US State Department profoundly diminished in key ar- forces the strength of political ties military will likely refocus atten- maintaining friendly relations with Middle East analyst. eas,” citing near peer competitors and, of course, creates and sus- tion towards American political like China and Russia, the report tains employment. power to dispense its future role suggested the United States “might However, the emerging envi- as a regional security guarantor. struggle to win or perhaps lose” a ronment emphasises partnership Palestinian statehood, Israel’s military conflict against either. simply beyond business. recognition by Arab countries and The report sounded the alarm For fiscal reasons but also tech- Iran’s regional role are complex regarding scenarios in which the nical ones, the United States and and loosely interlinked regional United States could find itself its Middle East partners will need dilemmas on which the United fighting simultaneously on two to deepen cooperation as they States has been unable to demon- or more fronts, which it would be move towards enhanced “burden- strate decisive leadership. unable to do and where it “could sharing.” If American leadership contin- suffer unacceptably high casual- Threats such as terrorism will ues to shy away from taking bold ties and loss of major capital as- necessitate more intelligence- steps, then unprecedented crises sets.” sharing, ballistic missile defence lie in wait — crises that may expose Such dramatic admissions re- will demand more operational precisely the vulnerability risks flect a fast-changing world and integration, maritime security op- that the National Defence Strategy great uncertainty about what the erations will need more resource Commission pointed out. future holds among the world’s pooling and so on. great powers. It presents a less- In short, the security archi- Sabahat Khan is based in Dubai than-assuring global backdrop for tecture will need to become and maintains a a region like the Middle East al- “smarter” to become optimised cross-disciplinary focus in ready in turmoil. and partners will need to work international security, defence Tug of war. An Iraqi vendor sells Iranian currency in a street in The commission, a bipartisan more closely together than policy and strategic issues. Najaf. (AFP) December 2, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West UK court rejects ‘politically motivated’ Turkish extradition request of businessman The Arab Weekly staff quest is politically motivated,” Zani said in his ruling. “I am entirely satisfied that, by London reason of their actual or perceived political views, coupled with the British court has rejected assertion by the Turkish authori- an extradition request ties that they are part of the hier- from Ankara for exiled archy of the Gulenist movement, A businessman Akin Ipek, each defendant before this court who is facing charges of terrorism runs a real risk of Article 3 (of the funding in Turkey. A judge said the Human Rights Act) breaches.” application was “politically moti- Article 3 of the Human Rights Act vated” and that Ipek faced a risk is the only absolute act in the 1998 of mistreatment should he be re- legislation and deals specifically turned. with the prohibition of torture. “No John Zani, district judge at Lon- one shall be subjected to torture don’s Westminster Magistrates’ or to inhuman or degrading treat- Court, declined Turkey’s request, ment or punishment,” the British expressing “serious reservations act says. about the current state of the rule Ipek, who was in court to hear the of law in Turkey.” decision, said he was “very thank- Ipek is wanted in Turkey, along ful” that the extradition request with Ali Celik and Talip Buyuk had been refused. He accused the on charges of terrorism-funding, Turkish government of waging a fraud and membership of the so- “campaign of intimidation” against called Fethullah Gulen Terrorist him for his anti-government views. Organisation (FETO). Ipek’s lawyer, Michael Drury, The decision was a serious set- praised the court’s decision, say- back for Ankara’s efforts to have ing: “Seldom can there have been suspected FETO members in other a clearer case of a nation-state per- countries returned to Turkey. An- secuting three obviously innocent kara has been lobbying Washing- men on perverse grounds.” Thankful. Turkish businessman Akin Ipek (C) speaks to reporters as he leaves after appearing at ton to extradite Gulen, who lives in Ipek made a multibillion-dollar Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, September 25. (AFP) Pennsylvania, and senior members fortune in Turkey based mainly of his movement but US officials around gold mining. He was chair- say Turkey’s evidence against the man of the Koza-Ipek Group, which relations between the government coup attempt and has carried out a ain,” Gul said. “Our struggle will accused is not strong enough to includes a variety of operations and Gulen’s followers soured. widespread crackdown against the continue until the members of the stand up to scrutiny in US courts. outside of mining, including media Ankara accuses the Gulen move- group, including formally desig- terrorist organisation are brought A least 80 suspected Gulen sup- outlets. Turkey formally seized the ment of being behind a 2016 failed nating it as a terrorist organisation to Turkish justice.” porters have been arrested by Koza-Ipek Group in 2015, including in May 2016 — two months before The Turkish Foreign Ministry Turkish intelligence agents in Afri- its media outlets, citing financial ir- the coup attempt. said Ankara expressed disappoint- ca, Asia and Europe, in what critics regularities. John Zani, district judge at Turkish Justice Minister Abdul- ment to the UK government. “It termed illegal renditions. Ipek was a known supporter of London’s Westminster hamit Gul said the extradition at- was strongly emphasised to the Although Zani said he believed the Gulen movement, which had, Magistrates’ Court, declined tempt not over and the Turkish British authorities that the deci- the three men would receive a until recent years, been part of an government was expected to ap- sion of the Westminster court, fair trial in Turkey, he rejected the alliance with the ruling Justice and Turkey’s request, peal the decision in the High Court. which refused the extradition of extradition request saying the de- Development Party, which is led by expressing “serious “It is an unacceptable ruling that the accused to our country, was fendants risked ill-treatment. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- reservations about the our extradition request for FETO unacceptable and deeply disap- “I am persuaded… that there is dogan. current state of the rule of fugitives Akin Ipek, Ali Celik and pointing,” the ministry said in a substantial evidence that this re- Ipek fled Turkey in 2015 when law in Turkey.” Talip Buyuk was rejected by Brit- statement. Viewpoint The importance of defining Islamophobia in the UK here is an old English mentary group spent months talk- hateful rhetoric of nationalist politi- the United Kingdom. phrase that goes like ing to people and collating data on cians and a media that regularly dis- My take is that the media obses- this: You wait ages for the rise of physical attacks against seminate negative Muslim-related sion with Muslims means there are Aaqil Ahmed a bus and along come Muslims. Sadly, the growth is a stories. many who think they are every- three at the same time. worldwide trend. The Mend survey also said 60% where. Recently, reports and We can have a conversation about of respondents, particularly those Of course, I could just be using Tsurveys on Islamophobia have been non-Muslim anger relating to ter- aged 18-34, blamed the media for this data to further an agenda of sti- a bit like buses. rorism or to migration but a rise in the rise in Islamophobia. Once this fling legitimate criticism but what if In the last few weeks, two reports the number of attacks against Mus- was a fringe opinion but millenni- I am not? have moved on what is often a lims has to prompt the following als must see the constant stream A few weeks ago, I visited the divisive conversation. They’ve question: How is this anger being of anti-Muslim stories in certain Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration asked serious questions about the fuelled and channelled? newspapers. They must question camp for the first time and had an growth of anti-Muslim hatred. On That’s where the recent survey the stories, too, because young interesting conversation with a November 27, a cross-party group from the Muslim organisation Britons are more likely to have been young Polish student named Jacob. of British members of parliament Mend comes in. More than 2,000 in contact with Muslims at work or He questioned the rhetoric of politi- issued a report on the growth of Is- members of the British public were school, and not recognise all that cians in his home country about lamophobia in the United Kingdom. surveyed about Islamophobia and they read. migrants and Muslims and asked Nothing unusual about that except their answers should worry us all For me, however, the most where they want all this to end. that it defined “Islamophobia.” about the direction in which many interesting thing to come out of the He suggested those who use and The report said: “Islamophobia societies are headed. survey was something linked to the print hateful speech need to visit is rooted in racism and is a type of Worryingly, just less than half of media obsession with Muslims. The the camp and see where it could all racism that targets expressions of those surveyed said they felt it was number of Muslims in the United end. Muslimness or perceived Muslim- difficult to be a Muslim today and Kingdom is around 5% of the popu- Some may feel this is an exag- ness.” that Britain was becoming less tol- lation, yet just more than 20% of geration but for hatred to make the That definition is important. It erant of Muslims. There are many those surveyed said they thought leap to something so horrific it has roots Islamophobia in a framework who blame that on increasingly Muslims composed about 20% of to start somewhere. People have to of racism rather than letting it drift, be drip-fed hatred, something that as it has over the past few years. is easy when we have poor literacy The drift has made for a conversa- worldwide about the religion and tion with which many on the far beliefs of others. right of politics have disagreed. It Jacob clearly felt this was hap- has led to accusations that Muslims pening again in his own backyard had invented a word to stifle “legiti- in Poland. That’s why a definition mate” criticism of their faith or the of “Islamophobia” is important. It actions of their co-religionists. is not made up and it’s not about With attacks against Muslims stifling criticism of Islam. It is about increasing across many Western understanding the fact that hatred countries, whether in print or phys- of Muslims is a form of racism and ically on the streets, the attempt should not only be tackled and to diminish what is happening has legislated as such but should lead Worryingly, just under disheartened many Muslims. They people to question what exactly is half of those surveyed have questioned why other groups the end point of such hatred. felt it was difficult to can be protected but not Muslims when a violent attempt to pull off Aaqil Ahmed, the former head of be a Muslim today and the hijab of a woman on the street Religion and Ethics for the BBC, that Britain was is obviously an attack on who they is a professor of media at Bolton are rather than some legitimate University and a consultant in becoming less criticism of the Muslim faith. Words matter. A protester participates in an anti-Islamophobia digital media, broadcasting and tolerant of Muslims. The British cross-party parlia- demonstration in London. (AFP) leadership. 18 December 2, 2018 Economy

Egypt prepares for elimination Briefs UAE seeks rich, educated of customs on European cars foreigners with

Amr Emam long-term visa scheme Cairo The United Arab Emirates will he Egyptian auto market is offer long-term visas to rich prop- bracing for the elimination erty investors, senior scientists of customs duties on vehi- and entrepreneurs to support its T cles imported from the Eu- economy and real estate market, ropean Union as a free trade agree- which have been hurt by low oil ment signed in 2001 enters its final prices. phase. Until now, visas for foreigners The agreement committed the living in the Arab world’s second European Union to eliminating cus- biggest economy were generally toms duties on all goods imported valid for a few years and depended from Egypt from the first day of on the main visa holder in each its implementation while allowing family remaining employed. The Cairo to gradually eliminate duties government said in May it planned on goods from the European Union. to ease that policy. The elimination of customs duties Detailed rules approved by the on vehicles is to go into effect by cabinet offer 5-year residency to January 2019. owners of UAE real estate worth at The agreement is expected to least $1.4 million as long as owner- have far-reaching effects on the do- ship is not based on loans, state mestic auto market, giving hopes to news agency WAM reported. consumers that European vehicles Renewable 10-year visas would will be more affordable. be provided to foreigners with “Theoretically speaking, the elim- Big market. A street vendor sells snacks to drivers stuck in a traffic jam backdropped by advertising investments in the UAE of at least ination of the customs duties should billboards. (Samer Abdallah) $2.7 million, if non-real estate as- bring European car prices down,” sets account for at least 60% of the said Rashad Abdo, an economics have remained static or increased. ble the prices of the same goods European vehicles enter Egypt, col- total. Investors may bring spouses professor at Helwan University in “The prices have actually doubled before the flotation.” lected about $500 million in cus- and children into the country. Cairo, “but it is important to wait in the last two years,” said Shady The reduction of customs duties toms duties. and see how the authorities will deal Rayan, an Egyptian European car on European vehicles was accom- There are 17 car assembly facto- (Reuters) with this in the coming months.” importer. “The consumers need to panied by the introduction of new ries in Egypt that offer thousands There are at least 12 million ve- know that car prices in the market taxes, including a value added tax of direct and indirect jobs to Egyp- hicles on Egypt’s roads, with about are not only about customs duties.” of 14% that went into effect in 2017. tians, all of which operate under 750,000 new cars being sold each Although customs duties on Eu- These factors, economists said, licence from major international year, the Egyptian Interior Minis- ropean vehicles are lower than ever, would deprive Egyptian consumers companies such as BMW, Nissan, try’s Traffic Department said. For- the cost of vehicles — and most of feeling the effect of the elimina- Hyundai and Daewoo. The elimi- eign cars are considered status sym- other consumer goods in Egypt — tion of the customs duties. Howev- nation of customs tariffs could see Iraq’s Basra Gas bols among Egypt’s growing middle remains high following Egypt’s 2016 er, the price savings would certainly plans shift outside of Egypt and to class. Foreign-built cars, especially currency flotation. The move, part be passed on to manufacturers and Europe, even for Asian companies. Co output to reach from Japan, South Korea and China, of a package of economic reforms importers, including Asian compa- There had been plans to increase are competing for supremacy on initiated by Cairo’s monetary plan- nies with factories in Europe. the sector and push for the manu- 1,050 mcf/d by Egypt’s roads and cheaper prices are ners, pushed the exchange rates of facturing of a wholly Egyptian-made giving Chinese vehicles an edge. all foreign currencies dramatically car but that is expected to be deeply end of 2018 The elimination of customs duties up against the Egyptian pound. There are at least 12 affected by the elimination of cus- on European cars should theoreti- An hour before the flotation, the million vehicles on toms on European vehicles. Output from Iraq’s Basra Gas cally make them more competitive exchange rate of the US dollar to Egypt’s roads, with about “This is why we need to reformu- Company (BGC) is expected to in price but many say reductions are the pound stood at $1 to 7.8 Egyp- 750,000 new cars being late the national auto strategy,” said reach 1,050 million standard cubic unlikely to materialise because car tian pounds. One hour after the sold each year. Ashraf Sharbas, deputy head of the feet per day (mcf/d) by the end of manufacturers would raise prices to flotation, the rate stood at $1 to 14 Auto Section at the Federation of 2018, an increase of 150 million ensure competition. pounds, with the current rate at 17.8 Egyptian Chambers of Commerce. mcf/d from current levels, the Oil Egypt has reduced customs duties pounds. Additionally, the national econo- “There will be a huge competition Ministry said in a statement. on European cars by 10% each year “This had its effect on the pric- my is expected to lose a major rev- to cars assembled locally from ones Iraq’s gas development plans since 2004, part of previous phases es of all imported goods,” Abdo enue stream with the elimination of coming from the European Union have long focused on BGC, a $17 of the free trade agreement. Despite said. “It means that the prices of customs duties. In 2017, the Alexan- and this will not be in favour of the billion joint venture between this, the prices of European cars goods are now more than dou- dria Port customs point, from which locally assembled ones in any way.” Royal Dutch Shell, state-run South Gas Company and Mitsubishi. Viewpoint The Basra gas project is seeking to reach a targeted level of captur- ing and processing 2,000 mcf/d, Saudi Aramco aims to surpass Russia as China’s largest oil supplier the statement said. (Reuters) been working with other producers and associated petrochemicals facil- Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser was to adjust output levels to ensure ity that is planned for a June 2019 quoted in a November 26 interview international oil prices don’t collapse start-up. The Saudi state firm has as saying: “Asia is a very important Jareer Elass next year. taken a 9% stake in that project. market to us. We are looking at two The Saudi Aramco crude supply Should Chinese buyers of Saudi potential [joint ventures] for refiner- deals with five Chinese customers crude request full contractual vol- ies in China right now.” fter signing five crude were signed during the first China umes, Saudi Aramco’s market share Exactly how much oil Saudi Saudis will supply agreements International Import Expo in Shang- in China could swell from 11% in Arabia sells to China next year will with Chinese custom- hai in early November. The Saudi 2017 to 17% in 2019. Russia accounts be influenced by the Asian giant’s lend Tunisia ers, Saudi Aramco is on state firm had been ramping up its for about 15% of Chinese oil imports. energy demand. Chinese economic the verge of reclaiming crude sales to Beijing, reporting that China long has been a strategic growth is projected to decline from $500 million and its position as the top in the final quarter of 2018 its oil focus for large oil producers such an estimated 6.6% this year to 6.3% crudeA supplier to Beijing in 2019; the exports to China have reached a new as Saudi Arabia and Russia. In 2017, in 2019. Economic growth of more finance projects top supplier to China for the past two record of 1.6 million-1.7 million bar- China surpassed the United States than 6% appears to support high oil years has been Russia. rels per day (bpd). to become the world’s largest crude import demand as the Asian country Saudi Arabia will lend Tunisia The Saudi state oil and gas con- Saudi Aramco said the deals oil importer. In October, the Asian continues to add refining and petro- $500 million at a favourable inter- glomerate is not being coy about would help the firm achieve a total economic giant imported nearly 10 chemical capacity. est rate and will finance two pro- wanting to recover the status it held 2019 Chinese term supply volume million bpd. OPEC and its independent pro- jects worth $140 million, sources for a decade as China’s largest crude of 1.67 million bpd. The energy firm In the mid-2000s, Riyadh turned ducer allies are eyeing lower global said a day after Saudi Crown supplier, which would make China said that, “The new supply contracts its attention towards Asian markets, demand expectations for 2019, with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Saudi Arabia’s single largest crude make it very likely that Saudi Ara- in particular China, while draw- Saudi Arabia leading a push for uni- Abdulaziz visited Tunis. buyer. mco next year will become China’s ing back its sales to the US market. fied production cuts heading into The crown prince was received Saudi Aramco’s push to boost largest supplier, a position it held However, the kingdom faced grow- next year to help resuscitate fallen by Tunisian President Beji Caid exports to China comes when the from 2006 until 2016.” ing competition from Moscow, with oil prices. If Moscow is not on board Essebsi, who awarded him the company is seeking refining and The agreements are with the Russian crude exports expanding for those reductions, it certainly will republic’s highest official award. petrochemical opportunities in trading arms of Chinese state energy steadily after the first link of the East not be limiting its crude volumes to Tunisia has struggled economi- China and other Asian countries to firms CNPC, Sinochem and CNOOC, Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipe- China. cally and is hungry for foreign secure long-term reliable outlets state defence company NORINCO line became operational in 2011. As for Riyadh coping with produc- funding. for its crude and help diversify the and independent refiner Hengli Even higher flows of Russian oil tion cuts in the coming year, Nasser “Tunisia will announce in a company’s portfolio. Petrochemical. to China became available when ES- hinted at where Riyadh’s supply few days important deals with As Riyadh and Moscow vie to be As part of Saudi Aramco’s goal to PO’s second link opened this year. In priorities lie. In his interview, Nasser Saudi Arabia, including a loan with the largest supplier to the world’s diversify its Chinese customer base, 2016, Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia emphasised that “all markets are low interest rate, agreements on largest oil consuming country, oil it has sought clients outside of state as the largest crude supplier to China important to us,” adding, “Asia is the investment and other important markets wonder whether the contest firms, including Hengli Petrochemi- for the first time on an annual basis, biggest market for sure, then Europe details,” Noureddine Ben Ticha, an will impede continued coopera- cal and Zhejiang Petrochemical. In a position Moscow has held since. and the United States.” adviser to the president, told state tion between Saudi Arabia, the de September, Saudi Aramco signed a Saudi Aramco plans to secure its television. facto leader of OPEC, and Russia, 2019 supply deal with Zhejiang Pet- Chinese oil sales by targeting joint Jareer Elass reports from the leading independent oil pro- rochemical to provide 116,000 bpd ventures, including downstream Washington on energy issues for (Reuters) ducer. Riyadh and Moscow have to the refiner’s 400,000 bpd refinery opportunities in the country. The Arab Weekly. December 2, 2018 19 Economy Algeria’s foreign currency reserves shrink despite rising oil revenues

tors point to the crisis hitting us in Lamine Ghanmi 2019.” Algiers previously maintained Tunis that reserves would not fall be- neath a “floor of $90 billion,” acting lgeria’s foreign currency as a cushion for the country if steep reserves are on a down- declines in oil prices cause foreign ward trajectory that econ- currency earnings to fall. A omists warned could harm However, the country’s reserves the country’s economic stability. steadily declined for years, drop- Despite higher oil earnings from ping from $178 billion in December 2014-18, Algeria’s reserves dropped 2014 to $97.3 billion in December $105 billion during the period, a 2017, official data show. trend that is expected to continue. Algeria replenishes its foreign Algerian Finance Minister Abder- currency reserves from oil and gas rahmane Raouya told parliament exports, which account for 97% of that reserves, which stood at $90 its total sales abroad. However, in- billion in May, would total $62 bil- ternational oil prices plunged 30% lion in 2019, $47.8 billion the fol- since early October, dragged lower lowing year and $33.8 billion in by a broader market sell-off and 2021. growing consensus that supply will Algeria’s Central Bank urged the outpace demand next year. government to “apply the tourni- For Algeria, the decline in oil quet to stop the bleeding” and eco- prices restricts the government’s nomic experts warned of a deepen- ability to preserve foreign currency ing crisis. reserves without tightening the budget and driving social unrest, Algeria replenishes its which it is reluctant to do ahead of presidential elections next year. foreign currency reserves “The $105 billion decline in re- from oil and gas exports, serves is huge but it is especially which account for 97% of worrying for a country in which its total sales abroad. the government fails to bow to the Ongoing erosion. A view of the Bank of Algeria building in Algiers. (Facebook) common sense and economic or- “The government does not know thodoxy repeated by the experts to how to handle the erosion of the cut imports and diversify exports, ful economic policy adjustments tion of the current account bal- ria’s foreign reserves,” a price “no foreign currency reserves,” said which means expanding sales out- failed to take effect with the gov- ance,” Haddouche said. “This year serious expert or world institution Algerian economist Hassan Had- side the oil and gas,” said Iflis. ernment eyeing presidential elec- with an average oil price of $72 the will predict… for a very long time,” douche, adding that the problem is Algeria unveiled a bold plan to tions. barrel, we will have a deficit in the Haddouche said. linked to Algeria’s current account diversify its economy away from oil Algerian economists said the de- current account of $17 billion and That means “a potential eco- deficit. and gas when oil prices slumped in cline of foreign currency reserves is the reserves will fall in the same nomic crisis could come as soon as “All experts agree that we are in a 2014, aiming to cut imports, slash linked to its current account deficit. proportion.” 2019,” warned a recent Internation- crisis despite the huge amounts of subsidies and expand the role of It and the capital account make up a Algerian experts said oil will need al Crisis Group report, “…[and] thus dollars from oil sales,” said political the private sector in the economy. country’s balance of payments. to be “sold at an average of $105 a overlap with tensions surrounding writer Sofiane Ait Iflis. “All indica- However, reforms stalled and pain- “The reserves follow the evolu- barrel next year to stabilise Alge- the presidential election.”

Viewpoint Prospects for Libyan oil improve

ibya’s output of 1.25 mil- Shifting lion barrels per day (bpd) dynamics. of oil is testament to the A general Francis Ghilès resilience of the National view of the Oil Corporation (NOC) Zawiya oil and more broadly the oil installation Lsector. The recovery of production in Libya. this year is proof of the considerable (AFP) wealth of professional expertise that exists in the sector. As major international oil com- panies return to Libya, recovery should gather pace. The return of Schlumberger to work with Sirte Company for Gas and Oil Production, a unit of the NOC; of Winterstall and Gazprom, which have restarted pro- duction from the As Sarah field in the Sirte Basin; of Eni, which has brought new wells online at its Bahr Essalam development and the NOC’s agree- ment with Shell to provide oil for the rest of 2018 have helped stimulate the country enjoys a reserve-to-re- spoke of the high quality of Libyan the black market rate by one-quarter other participants. Total has an- placement ratio of 153 years. Further workers and engineers in the sector. and helped close the gap between the nounced it will buy Marathon’s stake exploration could improve those In the three years that followed black market and the official rate. in Waha and BP and Eni announced statistics. The Sirte Basin may have September 2013, as politics frag- Phasing out fuel subsidies would plans to begin exploration in the been well-explored but the Murzuq, mented and grew more violent, the help reduce the arbitrage that has Ghadames Basin in western Libya. Ghadames and Kufra basins have not. Petroleum Facilities Guard shut the encouraged smuggling between Tu- Libya is back after production The oil and gas sectors account for ports of the Sirte Basin not least nisia and Libya. Improving the living oscillated from 1.6 million bpd before 90% of fiscal revenue and help ex- because they were demanding higher conditions for ordinary people would the revolution to as low as 200,000 plain why local political groups and salaries and improved security. Two reduce opportunities for militia and bpd since then. The country’s advan- their respective militias have fought rival parliaments added to the confu- help Libya’s stability. tages as an oil producer are easy to to control terminals or other oil facili- sion, which meant that production Increasing oil and gas production rehearse: Oil is relatively easy to ex- ties. Greater peace between these over those years was, on average, less thus plays a key role in stabilising the tract, there are no serious geographi- groups is essential and if the political than one-quarter that of 2010. country and helps balance supplies cal obstacles to easy exploration and climate improves, the wealth that ac- As the NOC regained control of the to Europe because of the high quality The oil and gas export. Its quality is very high and crues to the country could help fuel Sirte Basin, production rose despite of Libyan oil. sectors account for Libya quality premium commands reconciliation. disruptions so that by October 2018 A more stable Libya has any a premium in international crude Of course, the sharp ups and production had reached 1.25 million number of advantages beyond the 90% of fiscal markets, it thus has a direct influence downs in international process di- bpd. The prospect of 1.9 million bpd country. As Tunisia and Libya work revenue and help on the top end of the market. rectly affect Libya’s fiscal revenue but for 2019 looks realistic and there is on building close ties of trade, not explain why local Third, it is very close to major con- the population is small in contrast to talk of 2 million bpd by 2022. Steadier least in oil, and as the illegal immigra- sumer centres: Italian ports are two neighbouring oil and gas producers production also means the NOC can tion to Europe is better understood, political groups days sailing, Rotterdam 11 but buyers Algeria and Egypt. charge a higher price for the oil it Libya’s role vis-a-vis Europe will and their as far afield as China and Taiwan are The oil and gas sector went exports. change and the country will, with buying Libyan oil. The Greenstream through three phases after the In the first half of 2018, oil rev- some luck, become a reliable partner respective militias pipeline to Italy has allowed Libya revolution and seems to be starting enues reached $13 billion but the for the European Union and its have fought to to become a major exporter of gas to a fourth one. From 2011-13, relative Libyan people are not seeing this neighbours. control terminals Europe. stability allowed a quick recovery of money. That has enabled a reduction Libya has a further advantage: its production lost during the fighting of the liquidity crisis. The govern- Francis Ghilès is an associate or other oil oil reserves of 48 billion barrels ac- in 2011. Efforts to draft a constitution ment introduced a fee on foreign fellow at the Barcelona Centre for facilities. count for 3% of the world’s total and allowed a recovery in production that currency transactions that reduced International Affairs. 20 December 2, 2018 Society Media IT

Saudi editor criticises ‘dereliction’ of kingdom’s media

The Arab Weekly staff Current Challenges.” Zulfa noted that the field of me- dia “calls for a new dynamic that London involves experts in politics, econ- omy, culture and other sectors so aud al-Rayes, editor-in- as to invigorate the role of Saudi chief of the Saudi and Gulf media outside the kingdom.” editions of Al Hayat news- Khashoggi’s killing has been in S paper, criticised what he the spotlight since early October, said was “dereliction” by the Sau- with Saudi media struggling to fo- di media. He said the media failed cus on the larger picture. However, “to fight off the organised media the shortcomings of Saudi report- campaign Saudi Arabia has suf- ing were manifest as opposed to fered” at the hands of outlets with the performance of foreign media private agendas. outlets with anti-Saudi goals and Rayes, appearing on televi- interests. sion programme “Ma wara’a al- Anthony Cordesman, an expert hadath,” said Saudi media were at the Centre for Strategic and In- “ineffectual” despite its pioneer- ternational Studies in Washington, ing role and that it needs a strat- pointed out Turkey’s exploitation egy to better utilise information of the Khashoggi case, saying: media, particularly in terms of ex- “[Turkish President Recep Tayyip] ternal communication. Erdogan has been quick to seize “The need is more pressing the opportunity and ‘played’ the now that the kingdom is seeking Western media, which relies on to open to the world and reform a flood of instant news with little its image following campaigns perspective… The Saudi side was against it after the killing of Saudi very stupid in the way it conduct- journalist Jamal Khashoggi,” he ed its public relations campaign as said. it practically begged to get nega- tive coverage.” Rayes said Riyadh was working With the escalation in through a policy that seeks to build With a critical eye. Daily Saudi newspapers on display in Riyadh. (AFP) regional crises against the relationships with other countries backdrop of Iranian and does not need to buy votes or moves, Riyadh has been pens to talk about it but this does newspapers have often been influ- search centres and institutions in playing catch-up. not guarantee adequate responses enced by the rhetoric of commen- Saud al-Rayes, the United States. editor-in-chief of to some media campaigns. tators antagonistic to Saudi Ara- the Saudi and Gulf Media attacks, both written and Rayes’s position highlighted “For example, Saudi Arabia has bia. The damage is compounded editions of Al Hayat visual, which have recently inten- similar views suggesting that the no channels that communicate by the lack of a culture of repartee newspaper sified in Western media, revealed shortcomings in the Saudi com- media was the weakest link in Sau- with the external world using for- on the Saudi side. Saudi media are “The need is more pressing munication policy as well as defi- di Arabia’s vision of change. eign languages, notably English. rarely up to date with statements now that the kingdom is ciencies in the work of Saudi pres- “The great unity of this great One cannot really rely on news- from officials about various anti- seeking to open to the world sure groups in the West. country requires efficient me- papers to communicate with the Saudi campaigns,” he added. and reform its image.” dia capable of transcending bor- outside world because they do not Many anti-Saudi campaigns “These shortcomings can only ders,” said former Shura Council reach the wider international pub- emanate from the United States, be remedied by developing Saudi member and researcher in mod- lic and social media remain better the traditional incubator of the in- against the backdrop of Iranian Arabia’s own communication pol- ern history and media Moham- suited for internal consumption,” fluential media lobbies, including moves, Riyadh has been playing icy through a media strategy that med al-Zulfa during a November Rayes said. Israeli and Iranian interests. With catch-up. It has sought to shore can prove competitive within a 22 conference titled “Media and “Western media and major the escalation in regional crises up the Saudi lobby by funding re- hostile environment,” Rayes said. Viewpoint Arab social media influencers come of age

hen make-up the chance to meet one based in YouTuber or Instagram star. mind myself] that whatever I post artist Son- the UK, I thought I could do it Most influencers are conscious or say will have consequences. Khadija dos al-Qattan too. Since the majority of YouTu- of what their popularity means. So, I make sure that it remains Hamouchi criticised a new bers in Algeria are men, I had to “I am very much aware of my honest, transparent, positive and law that gave obviously face the shaming and influence,” said Megharbi, [causes no one any] harm.” She more rights to criticisms of society,” she said. “I usually stop to think and [re- said she checks herself “if I really Wdomestic workers in her native Most countries across the Mid- want to share some religious and Kuwait, the Arab internet flared dle East and North Africa have political opinions. It’s the price up. With 2.4 million Instagram their own influencers because you have to pay to be an influ- followers, her opinions could all that’s needed is a free social encer.” hardly have passed unnoticed. media account, a smartphone, an The upside can be big bucks. Qattan is an influencer. She internet connection and a talent From humble beginnings as a has influence on the way the for holding the attention of a de- beauty blogger, Iraqi-American digital generation thinks, be- manding audience in a competi- Hudan Kattan built a billion- haves and consumes and that’s tive market. dollar company because her 26 either through a combination of Those who do the job say it million followers liked the beauty Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and takes a lot of work, a keen eye for tips and tutorials she provided. Snapchat or simply one of them. detail and knowledge of social Not all influencers seek to cash Influencers are generally millen- media techniques and analytics. in, however. A Kuwaiti technol- nial men and women who inform Kuwaiti lifestyle influencer ogy influencer who posts under and entertain millions of follow- Ansam AlRadwan said flair is the pseudonym “Frankom” said: ers on diverse subjects such as important. “Our [the influenc- “My activities online as an influ- technology, food, health, travel, ers’] visual image is impor- encer have never been and won’t beauty and motivation. Some- tant. Pictures should be clean become my career. My main moti- times, the influencer is influential without overdoing filters, vation remains to express myself because he or she is whimsical. framed right and speak a freely as it is my right.” Consider Amr Maskoun, 20 thousand words. We com- Sawalha said influencers in the from Syria, who started posting municate with our followers Arab world have a more impor- short clips on Instagram after through our style and iden- tant role than those in most the war forced him into exile to tity,” he said. regions. “We work on the social Lyon, France, more than three Yazan Sawalha, a Jorda- identity of our community and years ago. Maskoun has more nian opinion influencer on culture. We hope to change peo- than 1.5 million followers and he Twitter, said it’s important ple’s interactions and behaviours entertains them with wisdom he to be “creative, informa- for the better.” has gained as a young adult. In a tive and credible.” In acknowledgement of in- recent Instagram video, he acted It always helps to fluencers’ potential, the Dubai- out the challenge of overcoming “serve up original based Sadeem group organised insomnia at 2am by dancing to content,” Sawalha a competition last year for Arab different tunes. It was viewed added. social media influencers. The more than 250,000 times and The goal, as finalists attended seminars and All that’s needed is a generated 2,000 comments. Many Sawalha said, is workshops to hone their skills free social media young Arabs relate to Maskoun, to catch people’s and the winner received a large which gives him influence. attention and in- cash prize. account, a So, too, Imene Megharbi, the crease the number The whys and hows of making smartphone, an first female YouTuber from Oran, of followers. How- friends and influencing people internet connection the north-western Algerian city ever, with influence are clearly changing. known for rai music. Megharbi comes responsibili- and a talent for said she decided to become a ty. Online audiences Khadija Hamouchi is a holding the attention “beauty and women’s empow- give their attention Belgian-Moroccan social erment influencer” in Algeria, to someone out of a A power to affect. Kuwaiti entrepreneur and founder of of a demanding having followed YouTubers shared interest. In a way, they put make-up artist Sondos SEJAAL, an initiative that is audience. outside the country. “When I got their trust in the vlogger, blogger, al-Qattan. (Instagram) building an app for young people. December 2, 2018 21 Society Women Tunisia’s cabinet codifies equal inheritance rights in historic first for Muslim world

Lamine Ghanmi families who want to observe sharia- aligned provisions. The legislation is the brainchild of Tunis Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, who said August 13 — Tunisia’s Na- unisia’s cabinet approved a tional Women’s Day — that he sought Major strides. Tunisian women demonstrate for equal rights in Tunis, last August. (AP) draft law establishing equal to “make equal inheritance law… by inheritance rights between modifying the code of personal sta- forces ahead of elections, isolating Tounes party, while largely united monitored abroad. Former Egyp- T men and women, making tus.” Islamists politically and embarrass- on the inheritance issues, is mired tian Mufti Ali Gomaa, a scholar at Tunisia the first Muslim country to “This should have been done in ing them internationally. in an internal party dispute that has al-Azhar, one of the highest Islamic move forward with such a legisla- 1956 but the constitution did not Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef pitted some of its leading figures teaching centres in the Muslim tion. The move drew praise from provide for it then,” Caid Essebsi Chahed and government ministers against each other. Chahed, who is world, spoke out against the Tuni- secularists and rights activists but said. endorsed the draft law November officially a member of the party, is sian initiative. stinging attacks from conservatives Those supporting equal inher- 23, during a meeting led by Beji at odds with Nidaa Tounes’s leader “May God protect us from such a and Islamists, who argue it contra- itance say the legislation would Caid Essebsi in the Presidential Pal- Hafedh Caid Essebsi, who is the law,” he said. dicts Quranic texts. help Tunisia live up to the ideals ace. Chahed’s secularist backers in president’s son. Anti-Islamist Moroccan writer The bill next moves to parliament, enshrined in its 2014 constitution, parliament pledged to approve the In June, Hafedh Caid Essebsi and Said Lakhal praised the measure for where it is unclear whether it will be which states that all citizens — male measure, as did the leftist opposition his allies in Nidaa sought to remove setting an important precedent in supported by the powerful Islamist and female — “are equal before the Popular Front and the Democratic Chahed as head of government. the region on separating religious Ennahda Movement. law without any discrimination.” Is- Current, a secularist group opposed They were blocked from doing so diktats from law. Ennahda, which has portrayed it- lamists say it contradicts the Islamic to Caid Essebsi and Chahed. by Ennahda, which is seen as more “The Tunisian president has based self as a democratic party committed character of the state stipulated by Ennahda, the largest faction closely aligned with Chahed — at his proposed law upon the constitu- to human rights and personal free- the constitution. in parliament with 68 deputies, least for now. tion voted by all the ideological hues doms, faces a dilemma. If its depu- Former Tunisian Presidents Habib voiced opposition to the legislation. Recently, Nidaa Tounes filed a of the Tunisian people to enshrine ties follow their leaders in rejecting Bourguiba and Zine el-Abidine Ben Noureddine Bhiri, Ennahda’s leader lawsuit against Chahed for “plot- that the Tunisian state is a civic one the proposal, the party is likely to Ali pushed for advances in women’s in parliament, slammed the proposal ting a coup” with other powerful fig- with its laws and legislations with lose international legitimacy. If they rights but stopped short of endors- as “un-Islamic, immoral and aimed ures against the president, a charge no role to religious legislations with- back the draft law, however, they ing equality in inheritance due to at sowing division and strife in the Chahed dismissed as a “joke.” in the framework of such a state,” could alienate their conservative religious sensitivities. Among the country.” With such deep divisions, it will Lakhal said. base ahead of next year’s parliamen- reforms introduced under the two Other Islamist members of parlia- be difficult for Beji Caid Essebsi to “If the Islamic states do not decide tary and presidential elections. leaders’ rules were a ban on polyga- ment have been sending conflict- push the legislation through. His to choose between religious and civ- Tunisian law generally provides my, women’s right to vote, equalis- ing signals about the draft law, with backers are confident, however, they il state, the religious Islamic current women with half the inheritance ing divorce procedures and ensuring many supporting the intent to veto can muster a majority of votes. If he will continue to hinder the progress rights of men, in accordance with sh- abortion rights. it while some are keeping quiet does so, it will be a political master- of the Arab and Islamic societies and aria. The proposed legislation would Analysts said Caid Essebsi’s intro- and others saying they will seek to stroke, helping cement his legacy as the possibilities for them to enjoy establish equality of inheritance as duction of equal inheritance rights amend it. a trailblazer for women’s rights. the benefits of the human civilisa- the rule but allow exceptions for is aimed at consolidating secularist Tunisia’s leading secularist Nidaa The draft law is being closely tion,” he added. Arab women take to the ‘death boats’ of illegal migration

Shirine al-Daydamouni tunities at home. must have seemed a “ticket to In Egypt, too, women are taking death.” to the “death boats.” Some are flee- Egyptian government efforts to Cairo ing male domination and attempt stem illegal migration have signifi- the passage alone. Others cross with cantly reduced “death boat” inci- llegal migration is widespread their husbands. There are women dents. Still, illegal migration of fe- but the migrants are generally with young children in their arms or males is expected to continue due male. Despite the perilous expe- babies in their wombs. to economic decline, the reluctance I rience, however, some women Female illegal migration first came of young women to marry and their in Tunisia were not deterred from to light in Egypt in September 2016 resentment of male dominance. getting on the boats. They were flee- when the ship Rasheed sank off the Hana Ashmawi, an Egyptian soci- ing tough living conditions that have coast of Beheira governorate and ologist, said, despite tough measures become even harder since the 2011 more than 200 people died. The bod- provided by Egypt’s Law 82 of 2016 revolution. ies of women in their 20s were recov- against illegal migration and human Due to lax security, illegal migra- ered. Ten women survived. trafficking and the toughening of se- tion became endemic in Tunisia but A similar incident occurred three curity measures, women would con- it was brought under check when au- months earlier when the Egyptian tinue to risk their lives on the vessels. thorities clamped down on traffick- Navy found nine decomposing bod- This will hold true even though cler- ers. Still, the “death boats” of illegal ies, including the body of an Egyp- ics place attempts to cross on “death migration entice young Tunisians, tian woman. Also, a boat bound for boat” on a par with suicide, which is including women. the coast of Europe sunk and the considered a sin in Islam, Ashmawi In 2018, there were at least two Sense of despair. A woman migrant and her child sit at the Tunisian navy rescued 12 people, including said. sinking incidents off the Tunisian port of Ben Guerdane, some 40km west of the Libyan border. (AFP) three women. His view was confirmed by a coast. In June, more than 80 mi- Amal Wajih, a 30-year-old Egyptian young woman from the village of grants drowned near the coast of the woman, lives with her 47-year-old Borg Mghizel in Kafar Sheikh District Tunisian island of Kerkennah and dhani pointed out that “Tunisian Unemployment and marginalisa- husband in Italy after arriving there in northern Egypt. She said: “My eight drowned off the coast of the is- females suffer twice as much than tion that characterise the lives of via illegal immigration channels. The ardent desire to get to the shores of land of Djerba last August. males from unemployment. More some young men and women are not passage to Europe had cost her about Greece and join my sweetheart as Among the victims in the Kerken- than 30% of women complain from the only reasons behind a growing $2,250. Amal said by phone that she soon as the chance presents itself nah tragedy were quite a few wom- the lack of job opportunities and that clandestine immigration in Morocco. chose to get on a “death boat” rather will not be deterred by the dangers en, some of whom were pregnant. leads them to risk a dangerous ad- Many young women are fascinated than to live the bitterness of the con- ahead at sea.” Experts said desperation in their venture.” with Europe and believe it to be the ditions in Egypt. He had been in Greece for four home countries led some of them to Tunisian sociologist Taieb Touili land of their dreams and happiness. Wajih said she was comforted by years but could not save enough to af- seek to have their babies born in Eu- said a Tunisian woman “would not Hossam Hab, deputy head of the the presence of other women on the ford a proper wedding. “Sailing into rope so they can more easily obtain dare to get on board a ‘death boat’ Moroccan Centre for Youth and boat. There were women with their the unknown with a death ticket is residence documents and give their unless she is experiencing a real Democratic Transitions, said illegal husbands. There was a woman who not as painful as feeling estranged in children a chance at a better life. economic or social threat or in case “migration of Moroccan women to was running away from an “obedi- a society that looks at a female only During the first nine months of her family fabric is torn apart by the Europe via ‘death boats’ is not a new ence” sentence and another who had as a body for sexual satisfaction and 2017, Tunisian authorities foiled 164 absence of her husband. There are phenomenon in Morocco. The new served a prison sentence and could for making babies,” the woman said. immigration attempts, 1,300 Tuni- significant numbers of women who phenomenon, however, is the wide no longer stand the mean looks of What these experiences reveal is sians were among them. migrate to join their husbands.” media coverage it is getting because society and what she said was her that more Arab women are willing to In October 2017, the Tunisian Min- Touili said the fluctuation of the of the popularity of social media net- husband’s treachery. take great risks to achieve their am- istry of the Interior said the number proportion of females among illegal works in Morocco.” Wajih said she could not remem- bitions and the migration of women of women attempting to illegally immigrants “should be considered as Hab pointed out the country’s ber how many days she spent on the from countries that fail to provide cross to Europe had risen to 5% of the a real indicator of the gravity of the growing youth population will in- boat because of pain and dizziness decent lives for them to more devel- total from just 1% in 2016. The Tuni- security, economic and social condi- evitably lead to increased demand she suffered during the journey. She oped countries is inevitable. sian Forum on Economic and Social tions in the country.” for services to meet their social, eco- said she remembered howling winds Rights said Tunisian women make Tunisia is not the only country ex- nomic and psychological needs. So, and roaring waves that pounded the Shirine al-Daydamouni is an up 4% of irregular migration from periencing a rise in the illegal migra- there should be an expected increase boat, knocking those on board to the Egyptian journalist. Mohammed bin the country. tion of women. Morocco has seen the in the number of female migrants deck. Mhamed al-Alaoui contributed to Forum President Messaoud Rom- same phenomenon. from Morocco if they see few oppor- For many women, the journey this article. 22 December 2, 2018 Culture

London museum explores lives of immigrants in Britain

Karen Dabrowska place I once called home vanished in a swamp of blood. Art gave me a space to reflect on conflicts bigger London than me, reconcile with red and rec- ognise myself.” ima Karout, a Syrian art- Insightful photographs from Ka- ist and curator of a “Room rout’s “Damascus Wall” images rep- to Breathe” exhibition in resent two visions: those of a Syrian D south London’s Migration traveller and those of a Syrian refu- Museum, explores the experiences gee. She wants so badly to go back. of generations of new arrivals in He, having risked all to escape, can- Britain. not. “Damascus Walls” is a journey Visitors are greeted with a life- into their memories and a look back size print of an African immigrant to Damascus through their eyes, sitting next to a heater. On the walls combining photos and short texts. of the corridor leading to the mu- “Human Bridges” is an art exhi- seum are large colour portraits of bition that assembles ten texts and immigrants, each carrying a brief artworks. It represents the bridges biographical note explaining why built between ten Syrian artists from More than one angle. Part of “Crude” exhibition at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai. (Mohamed Somji) the person went to Britain. different backgrounds who con- Brown boxes of different sizes nected at the Fine Arts University of carry labels: repatriation, British Damascus starting in 2000. Today, Overseas Citizen, unaccompanied they have all lost their home and asylum seeking child and stateless live in ten different cities around Showcasing ‘crude’ in person. The writing on the wall the world but a line of friendship says: “Open the door, put down built through art survived. your suitcase, take off your coat “They are all connected to me by and let the outside world fade away. an art object that they offered me This is where it begins, a room that at a different moment of our story,” Dubai group exhibition you can start to call home — a room Karout said. “These objects are re- to breathe.” lated to our life in Syria, travelled The exhibition is showcased in dif- with me and now landed in London. N.P. Krishna Kumar ferent rooms. The first is a bedroom “When I first started working I in which visitors can relax in an arm dealt with conflict. Now I want to chair and listen to the recorded sto- tell the story of the people who sur- Dubai ries of immigrants. In the kitchen, vived. They are capable of love and jars and food packages tell the sto- creating beautiful things. People he inaugural group exhibi- ries of new arrivals. There is a lunch who create art deal better with con- tion “Crude: Oil as Archive, box from Lebanese-born Naaman flict. All these artists are dispersed Infrastructure and Technol- Azhari. “My mother would try to in different cities. They are trying to T ogy” brought together 18 preserve the Lebanese in me — she produce art and survive. The mes- regional and international artists would not let me have sandwiches sage is art is very important in cop- at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, for lunch and packed bamya (okra) ing with inner conflicts.” showcasing works from the 1940s to and kibbeh (traditional Lebanese the present. meal),” Azhari wrote on the label of The exhibition spread across five one box. Visitors are greeted with a of the ten galleries of the centre Amel from Algeria displays a sil- life-size print of an with its 10,000 sq.metre dedicated ver ornament, which is waiting for African immigrant sitting space. a time to return home. “We moved next to a heater. The history of oil is inextricably here — it was a matter of life and linked to colonial adventures, wars death. The ornament was hidden Karout is working on an instal- and coups and it has been a catalyst in a suitcase on the top shelf of my lation “We are Made of People and for nation-building, modernisation wardrobe. Putting it there was my Places.” She said: “I work a lot with and development and a cause of ter- way of moving on,” Amel wrote. the idea of tracing people and plac- rible ecological disasters. Through the artist’s eyes. An installation at “Crude” exhibition at The creative space is taken up es. Every day I am adding a person US- and UAE-based critic and the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai. (Mohamed Somji) by Karout, the artist-in-residence. and a city to the installation. We are curator Murtaza Vali presented, She is displaying art work from all a combination of the people we through the works of a wide array of series of images of clouds of thick released two-and-a-half decades previous exhibitions, working on met and the places we visited. All artists, material that “lies buried in smoke from oil fires. The images earlier titled “Lessons of Darkness.” a new installation and conducting these cities we visit leave a trace various national, corporate and me- are cut off from their source and While Herzog presented a Western workshops. The introduction to her on our souls and contribute to our dia archives.” context and exude a sense of awe as mood of apocalyptic doom, Qadiri’s studio says: “There is no black and identity. Can we know who we are “This exhibition showcases the well as evoking memories of the oil film conveys a sense of natural mys- white in the Syrian conflict, only when we keep on evolving?” works of contemporary artists that fires in Kuwait during the Iraqi oc- tery and a sense of wonder. shades of grey and too much red.” Every month, until July 2019, a engage with these murky archives cupation. This sense of wonder and dread Karout is a visual artist and edu- different emigre artist will have an and histories, narrating an alternate Waheed in “The ARD: Study for a is amplified in Qadiri’s other works cator, working with mixed media open studio in the creative space. and episodic material history of mo- Portrait 1-28″ uses archives from Ar- at the show — “Flower Drills” and to create images, texts and instal- Karout will curate a final exhibition dernity in the region,” said Vali. amco’s Research Department (ARD) “OR-BIT 1.” “Flower Drill’ — three lations. She grew up in Damascus in the summer of 2019 displaying “The exhibition also includes as a point of departure, combining enlarged drill heads made of fi- and spent the past 15 years travel- the works of all the artists-in-resi- works that reflect on some of the visual and textual clues to provide breglass and coated in automotive ling and working in Leipzig, Paris, dence. specific technologies and materi- an understanding of how such cor- paint, exudes a lustrous sheen and Montreal and London where she “Room to Breathe” is at the Mi- alities that oil has enabled — from porate messaging can shape our un- its shape and size look unnatural has curated art exhibitions, organ- gration Museum in south London drills bits and automobiles to syn- derstanding of history. and alien. “OR-BIT 1″ is a spinning ised cultural events and designed until July 2019. thetic petroleum products — and drill head levitating mysteriously educational art programmes. their longstanding sociological, The exhibition spread a few inches off its plinth, a result In the statement introducing her Karen Dabrowska is a cultural and environmental effects that is mysterious and fascinating. work, Karout says: “In 2011, my London-based contributor to the across the region.” across five of the ten Late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif’s country and I entered a long dark Culture and Society section of Among the earliest works are sev- galleries of the centre “Slippers and Wire” is a colourful tunnel with no visible end. The The Arab Weekly. en black-and-white photos by Latif with its 10,000 sq.metre monument and a critique of ram- al-Ani, known as the “father of Iraqi dedicated space. pant consumerism in Gulf societies, photography.” The photos “capture specifically as a result of oil wealth. the spirit of oil-led modernisation” Ala Younis’s sculpture “Al Ba- “Crude” is an encyclopaedic show and the “aerial perspective shows hithun” (“The Researchers”) inves- that requires multiple viewing. “It Iraq’s changing topography,” Vali tigates the knowledge of oil pro- explores oil as an agent of social, said. duction and the tragic fate of those cultural and economic transfor- Alessandro Balteo-Yazbeck’s involved in the journey to a prom- mation across the Middle East and “Last Oil Barrel (Date postponed)” ised land. North Africa, as well as a driver of is a miniature barrel of oil in limited Rayyane Tabet’s installation “The geopolitical upheaval,” said Jameel edition and can be bought at the Ja- Shortest Distance Between Two Arts Centre Director Antonia Carver. meel Art Centre’s gift shop. Its price Points,” comprising steel rings, ref- “The exhibition… is dynamic and changes according to the daily price erences the specific location of the expansive and offers a diverse array of oil on the American market. It abandoned Trans-Arabian Pipeline, of entry points for conversation and reveals the intricate relationship be- which stretched from Saudi Arabia connection. In ‘Crude,’ you have tween the worlds of finance, petro- to Lebanon. Tabet opens the history thematic of community, economics, leum and contemporary art. of this ambitious project while un- sociology, documentation, archi- Balteo-Yazbeck’s “UNstabile-Mo- earthing the network of oil extrac- tecture, cross-generational society, bile” references American sculptor tion, processing and transportation plus a wide array of mediums and Alexander Calder’s work to unearth before us into the gallery. perspectives.” how the United States used abstract Monira al-Qadiri’s film “Behind “Crude: Oil as Archive, Infrastruc- expressionism to advance its inter- the Sun” is also based on the Ku- ture and Technology” will be on ests during the Cold War and links it waiti oil fires. Video footage by a display at the Jameel Arts Centre in to the Western intervention in Iraq, local journalist is overlaid with Dubai through March 23, 2019. with its major aim being the coun- recitation of Sufi poetry. Qadiri’s try’s oil resources. film references an earlier film by N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab A journey into memories. “Hope,” a photo from the Damascus Hajra Waheed’s “Plume 1-24″ is a Werner Herzog on the same subject Weekly correspondent in Dubai. Wall Exhibition. (Dima Karout) December 2, 2018 23 Culture

Mediterranean hotspot. A view of Saint Julian’s Bay in Malta. (Simon Speakman Codall) Old Arab influences linger in Malta’s present

Simon Speakman Cordall advance and remained so until Gozo are vivid reminders of the Ar- 1090. ab’s occupation. The Maltese lan- The occupying armies have long guage itself, which mixes Arabic Sliema gone but their legacy remains. It with Italian, French and English lives in the language, agriculture to create a unique Mediterranean ew places have been shaped and culture of Malta and its peo- voice, serves as an unmistakable by their history as much as ple. reminder of the Arabs’ presence the Mediterranean island Walking around the island today, on the island. F of Malta. About 500km off little is visible of its Arab occupi- Even today, ghana, the tradition- North Africa, its landscape and ers. However, viewed from above al spontaneous songs of the coun- language stand as testament to the their legacy is more obvious. It tryside, remain popular and can be long and brutal contest for power can be seen in the distinctive ter- difficult to differentiate from the between Ottomans, Arab and Eu- raced fields introduced to the is- zajal of the Greater Syria area. ropean powers that often centred land along with irrigation systems Arabic motivations for conquer- on the island. that still nourish them. Crops such ing Malta did not spring from cul- The Arabs were among Malta’s as cotton and citrus fruit were in- tural concerns. Like the Romans early occupiers. The conquest of troduced along with Arab delica- before them, the Arabs valued 870, during which Arab armies cies such as the almond-flavoured Malta primarily for its strategic sig- swept through North Africa and pastries and spices that can still be nificance on control of sea routes into the seas, changed the region bought on any street corner in Val- from Sicily and dominance of the beyond recognition. In their path letta. Mediterranean. was the small Byzantine-ruled is- Place names such as Marsa, “After the conquest of Sicily, the land of Malta, which fell to their Mgarr, Mqabba, Ghajnsielem and Arabs came from Tunisia. They laid siege to the island between 869 and 870. The Byzantines re- sisted for a long time,” Charles Debono, curator of Malta’s Nation- al War Museum, said at sprawling Fort Saint Elmo, itself the legacy of later conquerors. The island’s Christians have had a mixed experience. They ap- pear to have been left largely free to worship as they chose. Some, however, converted to Islam and historians said many of the is- land’s Christian structures were dismantled and shipped to Tunisia as trophies. “According to one Arab chroni- cler from the 13th century after (the ancient Roman city of) Mdina fell, all the inhabitants were car- ried off to Tunisia to be sold as slaves,” Debono said of how the Arabs established their capital there in the 11th century. Mixed experience. People prepare for the evening in Valletta. Following Mdina’s fall, the Ar- (Simon Speakman Cordall) abs sought to impose their vision. “They made it much smaller be- cause at that time, Mdina incor- tempts to seize control of Tunis porated parts of Rabat (a village and North Africa. The Arabs and The Maltese language about 5km away) to make it more Islam remained in Malta for more itself, which mixes Arabic defendable,” he said. than a century until, as the ancient with Italian, French and Though the Arab occupation of Tunisian historian Ibn Khaldun re- English to create a unique Malta appeared to have been rela- corded, Frederick II “chased out” Mediterranean voice, tively successful — records of large the Muslims who lived in Malta in ships suggest a booming popula- 1249. serves as an unmistakable tion — the strategic significance of Though the precise date is dis- reminder of the Arabs’ the island proved insurmountable. puted, it seems that, as the Arabs presence on the island. In 1091, Count Roger of Normandy fled, their masons and craftsmen landed in Malta and defeated its departed with them. After they on a register of many. However, to Arab defenders, who agreed to rec- left, few freestanding buildings walk the streets of the island, to ognise him as their overlord, give were constructed until European hear the conversations in the cafes up their weapons and pay him an architects arrived some years later. or to smell the baking of the sweet- annual tribute. The centuries since then have breads in the bakeries is to be re- However, Count Roger’s occupa- seen many armies occupy and ex- minded of the enduring legacy of tion did not end the Arab presence ploit Malta’s position. Each sought their presence. on Malta. His visit was little more to project their power over North Stunning architecture. A couple is seen walking in the than a strategic raid designed to Africa and the Mediterranean. Simon Speakman Cordall is a side streets of Valletta. (Simon Speakman Cordall) quieten the island ahead of his at- The Arabs were just one more freelance journalist. 24 December 2, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Marrakech: Through December 29

The 11th Marrakech Sun Festival will host local and international performers in a series of live concerts in alternative, urban, electronic and world music genres in addition to art exhibi- tions, workshops and lectures. Associated events take place at venues throughout the city.

Tozeur: December 5-8

The first Tozeur International Film Festival will take place in the Tunisian Sahara. The programme will include of- ficial film competitions for long movies, short movies and documentaries. Movies from Morocco, France, the United States, Tunisia, Algeria, Leba- non, Norway, Italy, Egypt and Spain have been selected for the competitions.

A general view of the Hibis Temple in Kharga. (Ahmed Megahid) Tunis: December 8-16

Carthage Theatre Days is an annual festival that showcases Hibis Temple: plays from the Maghreb, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. In its 20th edition, the festival has performances in Tunis and A monument to other parts of Tunisia. Dubai: artistic mastery December 12 Pianist Alexandra Dariescu takes her multimedia perfor- mance of “The Nutcracker and in Egyptian desert I” to the Dubai Opera stage. The Nutcracker is brought to life with projected hand-drawn digital animation that follows Ahmed Megahid of the last pharaoh, the Temple of the music and engages with the Hibis demonstrates the deep influ- pianist and a ballerina behind a ences of the political changes dur- see-through gauze screen. Kharga ing and after its construction. “This is why many historians Abu Dhabi: he Temple of Hibis in the consider Hibis Temple to be more Hibis Temple from the inside. (Ahmed Megahid) December 17-January 1 Western Desert is the epit- than just a relic from bygone times,” ome of Egypt’s function said Bahgat Ibrahim, director of the Al Dhafra Festival is a major T through the ages: a melting Western Egypt Section at the Min- Persian King Darius I (550-487BC). completed this year. regional and international event pot of cultural influences. istry of Antiquities. “It is a symbol Drawings depicting Darius I while Kharga Oasis is near the border inspired by the Emirati authen- Situated in Kharga, one of the five of the political change that swept praying in an ancient Egyptian with Libya, 200km west of the Nile tic Bedouin spirit. It features as oases of the Western Desert, the through Egypt at the time.” fashion adorn many walls in more Valley and 550km south of Cairo. It many as 15 heritage activities largest and best preserved temple The Temple of Hibis was dedi- evidence of the amalgamation of is the largest of the five Western De- and competitions, including in the area is a testimony of ancient cated to Amun, the most important Egyptian and Persian cultures and sert Oases. a camel beauty contest, horse Egyptian and Persian artistic mas- ancient Egyptian deity; Mut, the mutual artistic influences. While it is mostly desert and races, a handicrafts competition tery. It shows how civilisations can mother goddess of ancient Egypt; The Persians ruled Egypt during sparsely populated, Kharga con- and traditional tribal chants. meet and leave wonders for prog- and Khonsu, the god of the moon. the sixth and fifth centuries BC. Like tains many sites, which make a day eny, even after a period of conflict However, it became mostly asso- all the civilisations that reached the trip not long enough to explore the Dbayeh: and confrontation. ciated with Amun, who was wor- land of the pharaohs, Persia left its area. December 27-28 The temple was constructed dur- shipped by many of Egypt’s phar- mark and this is shown in the Tem- “Those visiting Hibis Temple ing the Third Intermediate Period aohs. ple of Hibis. have a long list of other must-visit Candy Fest World Tour is an of Egypt, specifically in the sixth The temple’s walls are full of dec- Osiris, the god of the underworld sites in Kharga,” said tourism expert entertainment event in Lebanon century BC, during the reign of orations from classical Theban tra- and the judge of the dead, is in- Adel Abdel Razik. “Although the that will include music per- Nectanebo II, the last pharaoh and ditions. The temples of Karnak and scribed on the walls of the temple journey from Cairo or any other city formances, dance and special native ruler of ancient Egypt. Luxor appear to have left their mark and in ritual scenes. near the Nile to Kharga can be an ar- effects shows, in addition to cir- The reign of Nectanebo II ended or inspired the builders. The temple is full of details and duous one, it is always rewarding.” cus performances and acrobats when the Persians and the Greeks Apart from the ancient Egyptian exquisite artistic mastery. It under- The list of must-see sites in- from around the world. conquered Egypt. Probably the last influences, the temple’s walls show- went a massive $10 million restora- cludes the Necropolis of El Baga- building erected under direction case texts that date to the time of tion that started in 2005 and was wat, among the oldest Christian Muscat: cemeteries; the Temple of Qasr January 10-February 9 Dush, a relic of the Roman era; and Ain Umm el-Dabadib, a large settle- Lasting a month, the annual ment that contains a wide range of Muscat Festival will feature necropolises. nightly fireworks, a replica of an Many travel companies organ- Omani village with halwa-mak- ise more than one-day tours to the ing and craft displays, exhibi- oasis. Packages offered include — tions from regional countries apart from visits to sites — camp- and events such as laser shows ing in the desert because of the lack and traditional dancing. of hotels in the oasis. Visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Tizi Ouzou: Bedouin cuisine. During February “These are some of the features that make the visit to Hibis Tem- The National Amazigh Film ple part of a very rich experience,” Festival in Tizi Ouzou, in north- said Sameh Osman, a tour guide central Algeria, showcases who works in Kharga Oasis. “Those full-length feature films, docu- who come here quickly realise that mentaries, shorts and anima- the long journey to the oasis and tion that celebrate the Amazigh its attractions is always worth the culture in Algeria. travel.” Travel blogger Bernard M. Ad- We welcome submissions of ams described Hibis as “the finest calendar items related to temple from the Persian period cultural events of interest to in Egypt, probably because it was travellers in the Middle East buried in sand until the excavators and North Africa. dug it out early during the 20th cen- tury.” Please send tips to: Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian [email protected] Necropolis of El Bagawat in Kharga. (Ahmed Megahid) reporter based in Cairo.