UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com Issue 166, Year 4 July 22, 2018 EU €2.50 The Asilah Chinese drones in the Moussem’s debates Middle East Page 22 Page 17 Leaked messages point to big Qatari ransom payouts to terrorist groups ► The ransom amount of $1 billion is likely to be the highest paid to terrorist groups.

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

rivate correspondence be- tween top Qatari officials indicates that Qatar paid P more than $1 billion to ter- ror groups to release 26 people kidnapped in Iraq. The ransom amount is likely to be the highest ever paid to terrorist groups. Text and voice messages ob- tained by the BBC purportedly Dangerous bribes. Members of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades carry flags during a ceremony in Baghdad, last June. (AFP) show Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- man bin Jassim al-Thani and Qa- Lebanese pro-Iranian Hezbollah Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, ana- Qatar has denied funding extrem- In addition to detailing recent tari Ambassador to Iraq Zayed al- militia and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a lysts said. ist groups and said the presumed ransom payments, the leaked re- Khayareen engaged in drawn-out renamed al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, “The payment of the largest ran- hostage payments were made to cordings hint at a longstanding pat- negotiations involving large sums as well as individuals acting as me- som sum to terrorist groups took the Iraqi state but the BBC report tern of Qatari support for terror. of money with designated ter- diators. place about a month and a half be- contradicts that stance. In one voicemail for a Kata’ib ror groups to secure the release of It was also revealed that Qatar fore Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain In one leaked message, Khaya- Hezbollah leader, Khayareen refer- prominent Qatari hostages. helped facilitate a deadly “four- and Egypt severed their ties with reen points out specific terror ences a payment to the terror group The hostages, including mem- towns deal” in Syria, mediated Qatar,” wrote Saudi commenta- groups that expected payment: signed off by the country’s former bers of the Qatari royal family, were by Iranian Major-General Qassem tor Salman al-Dossary in Asharq “The Syrian, Hezbollah Lebanon emir: “You should trust Qatar, you kidnapped by Kata’ib Hezbollah, Soleimani, who was a central play- Al-Awsat. “The ransom deal could and Kata’ib Hezbollah Iraq all want know what Qatar did, what His an Iraqi Shia paramilitary group er in the hostage negotiations. That have been the straw that broke the money and this is their chance,” the Highness the Emir’s father did,” supported by Iran, during a fal- arrangement saw thousands of Syr- camel’s back.” ambassador texted the foreign min- Khayareen said. “He did many conry excursion in southern Iraq in ian citizens forcibly uprooted and “Members of the Saudi-led quar- ister. things, this and that, and paid 50 December 2015. resettled as part of an Iranian plan tet have waited for too long and “Soleimani met with the kidnap- million and provided infrastructure The messages suggest Qatar paid to shift the country’s demograph- tried to change the behaviour of pers yesterday and pressured them for the south.” more than $1 billion, plus $150 mil- ics. Qatar but to no avail. Blatantly fi- to take the $1b[illion],” the ambas- lion in kickbacks, to various terror The ransom deal, and Qatar’s nancing terrorist groups, however, sador said in another message. Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf groups to have the hostages re- suspicious dealings with Soleima- sent a clear message to the four “They didn’t respond because of section editor of The Arab Weekly. leased. The recipients of the pay- ni, widened the rift between Qatar countries that Qatar will not end its their financial condition… Soleim- ments included Kata’ib Hezbollah, and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab destructive behaviour,” he wrote. ani will go back.” P2 Iraq protests rattle politicians but fail to bring any big change

Mamoon Alabbasi ment buildings and ransacking of of- opposed protests,” he said. “On the fices of dominant political parties. contrary, I consider them beneficial Rights groups said the response by as they energise politicians… and London security forces was heavy-handed pressure them to work but when even when demonstrations were [protests] turn violent, then we re- rotests across southern Iraq peaceful. ject that. It would be counterpro- rattled the country’s po- “We are closely monitoring the ductive and destroy what has been litical class, prompting the escalating situation across south- built.” P government to promise to ern Iraq and are extremely worried Observers say, however, that meet some of the demonstrators’ by reports that security forces are shortages in jobs and basic services demands, while security forces beating, arbitrarily detaining and are among the symptoms of much cracked down on riots. However, even opening fire on peaceful pro- deeper problems in Iraq. observers say little change in condi- testers,” said Lynn Maalouf, Am- “No real or significant changes tions is expected soon. nesty International’s deputy direc- can be made unless the constitu- tor for the Middle East and North tion changes to cancel the items Africa. that provide the required umbrella Suadad al-Salhy, “Deliberately disabling the inter- for the sectarian and ethnic powers an Iraqi journalist in Baghdad net is a sinister restriction to the sharing system,” said Suadad al-Sal- right to freedom of expression and hy, an Iraqi journalist in Baghdad. strongly indicates that the authori- “The root of all Iraq’s problems The root of all Iraq’s ties have something to hide. We is the financial and administrative problems is the financial and fear this blackout is deliberately de- Lights off. An Iraqi man holds up a gas lamp as he takes part in a corruption… rampant in all the administrative corruption… signed to give carte blanche to the demonstration against hikes in fuel prices in Najaf, on July 13. (AFP) state’s departments, including the rampant in all the state’s security forces to repress peaceful judiciary.” departments, including the activists without being recorded ers’ demands and promised Basra people’s urgent needs despite mass “This corruption is legalised and judiciary. and held accountable.” residents 10,000 jobs, in addition protests from 2011 till today. protected by the constitution so all Basra’s residents have frequently to spending $3 billion on electricity The protests received vocal sup- attempts that have been achieved complained they see little benefits and water projects. Media reports port from Grand Ayatollah Ali al- or will be achieved to counter it will Demonstrations demanding jobs of the oil their part of the country said Basra’s residents submitted Sistani and influential Shia cleric fail and all that will result in bring- and better services began in the oil- produces. They claim members of more than 60,000 applications for Muqtada al-Sadr, whose political ing temporary solutions for perma- rich city of Basra on July 8 but soon the country’s political parties and those 10,000 promised jobs. bloc won the most seats in May’s nent problems,” she added. spread to other cities in predomi- Shia militias, as well as foreign “The protests will continue but national elections. nately Shia southern Iraq. companies, enjoy special privileges in a more organised manner,” Mo- Even Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy Some of the protests were violent in the city. hamed al-Salami, an Iraqi activist, al-Abadi said he welcomed the pro- Managing Editor and Online Editor — at least nine people were killed The government formed a com- told Sharqiya TV. He accused suc- tests. — and there was damage to govern- mittee to investigate the protest- cessive governments of ignoring “I encourage protests. I’ve never P3,7 2 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Qatar Billion-dollar payoff raises questions about Qatar’s ties to terrorist groups

Mohammed Alkhereiji misleading impression.” “Hezbollah Lebanon and Kata’ib Hezbollah Iraq, all want money and London this is their chance,” read a message from Qatari Ambassador to Iraq ext messages released Zayed al-Khayareen to Qatari For- by the BBC suggest Doha eign Minister Sheikh Mohammed paid more than $1 bil- bin Abdulrahman al-Thani lion to designated terror “They are using this situation to groups to secure the re- benefit… All of them are thieves,” Tlease of dozens of wealthy Qatari the message said. falconers abducted in southern Iraq In addition to money, the kidnap- between December 2015 and April pers demanded Qatar leave the Sau- 2017. di-led coalition fighting Shia rebels The exchanges raise questions in Yemen and help win the release about the nature of Doha’s ties to of Iranian soldiers held prisoner by certain extremist groups and ter- rebels in Syria, the BBC reported. rorist organisations in the Middle Qatar was also pushed to arrange East, analysts say. a strategic population transfer be- Those presumed payments and tween Shia/Sunni towns on con- the political scheming they reveal flicting sides of the Syrian war. support concerns voiced by Saudi That “four towns agreement,” Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, brokered by Iranian Major-General Bahrain and Egypt about Doha’s Qassem Soleimani, leader of the Is- suspected support for extremism lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ and ties to Iran. al-Quds force, “was a controversial Qatar received word on December and ambitious scheme, with dark 16, 2015, that 26 members of a hunt- overtones of ethnic cleansing,” the ing party, including members of the New York Times reported in March, royal family, had been kidnapped “but if it worked, it could entrench by Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia Iranian influence in Syria for the paramilitary group backed by Iran. long term.” Razor edge deal. A 2017 file picture shows Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (2nd-L) Over the next 16 months, Qatari The plan, which removed thou- receiving released kidnapped members of Qatar’s ruling family at Doha International Airport. (AP) officials scrambled to secure their sands of people from their homes, release, paying more than $1 billion turned deadly when a suicide to various terror groups and me- bomber targeted a bus carrying piece for Asharq Al-Awsat. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain the hostages. “Jassim is my cousin diators and helping Iran’s agenda in Shia civilians, killing 125. “The revelations show that in Qa- and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and Khaled is my aunt’s husband,” the region. Qatar’s willingness to support tar there is no difference between in June 2017, citing its alleged sup- Sheikh Mohammed told Khaya- Qatar is thought to have paid Iran’s aims in Syria, paying terror intelligence services, ministry of port for extremist groups and Iran, reen. “May God protect you: once bribes to Kata’ib Hezbollah; Leba- groups hundreds of millions of dol- foreign affairs, charitable organisa- which officials said the BBC report you receive any news, update me nese Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian mili- lars in the process, points to the tions, civil aviation and the emir of provided backing for. immediately.” tia; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former country’s engagement with Teh- the land,” Dossary added. “In the Saudi terror analyst Mashari Al- Dossary wrote: “It is inconceiv- al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria; and pos- ran and extremist groups hostile to final analysis, all state institutions thayd said the BBC revealed a re- able and deplorable for Qatar’s for- sibly Ahrar al-Sham, a coalition of Gulf Arab interests, analysts said. are put to task and work to achieve gional terror network that includes eign minister — the country’s top Syrian jihadist groups. They also raise questions, ac- higher objectives of the state even Qatar. “It’s all linked together, Iran, diplomat — to go into negotiations Qatar also allocated about $150 cording to the analysts, about the if they are illegitimate or related to Qatar, al-Qaeda, the Popular Mobi- with terrorist groups.” million in payments to Iraqi offi- contribution of such payoffs to the terrorism.” lisation Forces, Hezbollah and the The regional implications of Do- cials and paramilitary leaders, Ira- fueling of the Middle East’s twin Houthis,” said Althayd. ha’s ransom politics are more com- nian officials and other negotiators scourges of terrorism and war. Qatar is thought to have Qatar acknowledged sending plex than the role of its top diplo- to secure the deals, the text mes- “Openly and persistently financ- paid bribes to Kata’ib large amounts of money to the Iraqi mat. sages indicate. ing terror groups, in the same light Hezbollah; Lebanese government but said no payments Robert Worth, writing last March The BBC said the messages were of the region being embroiled in a Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian were made to terror groups. The in the New York Times, noted that “obtained by a government hostile fight against terrorism, delivers a material released by the BBC and the overall picture “entails a ran- to Qatar” and given to the news clear message on Qatar’s unyielding militia; Hayat Tahrir Qatar’s record of funding extrem- som deal of staggering size and organisation. A BCC report stated: desire to pursue subversive behav- al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda ism suggest a different picture, ana- complexity in which the Qataris “Qatari officials accept that the iour so long it still enjoys the perks affiliate in Syria; and lysts say. paid vast sums to terrorists on both texts and voicemails are genuine, and support that comes along with possibly Ahrar al-Sham, a Sheikh Mohammed was quoted sides of the Middle East’s sectarian though they believe they have been being an Arab Gulf State,” wrote coalition of Syrian jihadist in the messages as pointing out divide, fuelling the region’s spiral- edited ‘very selectively’ to give a Salman al-Dossary in an opinion groups. that he had family ties to two of ling civil wars.” Viewpoint Extremists involved in Qatar’s ransom politics serve goals in the region discussing deal with Qatar:

backed Houthi rebels and radical wants to give. Simon Speakman Cordall instrumental in allowing civilians to Shia militias to purportedly release In May 2016, the then chairman evacuate from Fua and Kefraya. hostages, paying untold millions of the US Senate Banking Commit- Tunis Iman Zayat in the process. tee’s Subcommittee on National Qassem Soleimani In 2014, Qatar “mediated” the Security and International Trade Kata’ib Hezbollah Major-General Qassem Soleimani release of 13 nuns who disap- and Finance, Mark Kirk, said ter- Formed after the US-led inva- has been the commander of Iran’s peared from their monastery ror financiers subject to US and sion of Iraq in 2003, the Shia group al-Quds Force, the external wing in the Syrian Christian town of UN sanctions continued to enjoy Kata’ib Hezbollah came to promi- of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Maaloula. While it is unclear how impunity in Qatar. nence in 2007 when it attacked US- Corps (IRGC), since 1998 and has urther evidence of Qa- much Qatar paid Syrian rebels for Qatar’s ties with extremist led coalition forces. Trained and proven instrumental in developing tar’s $1 billion ransom the women’s freedom, the amount groups and its financial support of funded by Iran’s al-Quds force, the IRGC proxy groups throughout the payment to terrorist is thought to be in the tens of their activities in the region serve group is thought to be supplied with region. groups to free hostages millions of dollars. At the time, one of the Doha regime’s main additional weapons and training by Solemani has been especially ac- in Iraq has been re- two rebel leaders from Yabroud, objectives: destabilising regional Lebanon’s Hezbollah. tive in Iraq, where he led al-Quds vealed by British broad- Syria, said Qatar offered to pay $4 powerhouse Saudi Arabia while Kata’ib Hezbollah is accused of Force operations across the country, Fcaster BBC. Revelations about the million but that al-Nusra Front, inflating its own role. It hopes to generating revenue through kidnap- overseeing the deployment of about deal were reported by the Wash- then an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, create the impression of being the pings and ransom payments across 100,000 Iraqi Shia fighters, includ- ington Post in April but the new demanded $50 million. regional power that pulls all the Iraq and Syria. ing members of Kata’ib Hezbollah, report sheds light on how senior Again in 2014, Qatar took centre strings. and establishing six Iranian training Qatari officials used their positions stage to secure the release of Troublingly, Qatar’s two-faced Jabhat al-Nusra camps, US military estimates stated. and access to government funds to American photojournalist Peter foreign policy has allowed it to Jabhat al-Nusra, known as Hayat support dangerous misadventures Theo Curtis, who was being held secure protection from West- Tahrir al-Sham, was an al-Qaeda- Lebanese Hezbollah in the region. by fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra — ern countries even as it seeks to affiliated Sunni jihadist group lay- Founded in 1983, Hezbollah has The involvement of Qatari lead- another name for al-Nusra Front. destabilise them through terror ing siege to the Syrian Shia majority established itself as the pre-eminent ers in this goes high up. In a leaked No official explanation was given financing. towns of Fua and Kefraya in Syria’s pro-Iranian proxy in the region. voicemail to the Kata’ib Hezbollah as to why it decided to release All the means of the small Gulf Idlib province at the time of the four Hezbollah has deployed extensively leader, Qatari Ambassador to Iraq Curtis, only that his freedom was state are put at the service of towns deal. in Iraq and Syria. Zayed al-Khayareen reveals there brokered by Qatar. its mischievous politics. Hid- Founded in January 2012, Jabhat At the time of the deal, Hezbollah were previous payments to terror A year before, a Swiss teacher ing behind the presence of a US al-Nusra pledged allegiance to al- was taking control of two Sunni- groups that were approved by the held hostage for nearly a year in military base on its soil and the Qaeda in April 2013. dominated towns near the Lebanese country’s former emir. Yemen was freed and flown to contrived free-speech narrative of border. In return for supporting Combining money and reckless- Doha following Qatari “media- Al Jazeera, it thinks it can get away Ahrar al-Sham the deal, Hezbollah is said to have ness, Qatar put in place a ransom tion.” with all its dangerous practices. One of Jabhat al-Nusra’s principal agreed to halt the siege and allow payment machine, connecting it to In the final analysis, the long Beyond the $1 billion already jihadist rivals, Ahrar al-Sham had inhabitants to leave. extremist groups throughout the record of securing hostage releases spent, this is likely to prove a established militia units by the time region. In Yemen, Syria and Iraq, means regular payment of huge costly proposition. of the Syrian uprising in March 2011. Simon Speakman Cordall is Syria/ it helped open channels of com- ransom fees to terrorist groups. Its Jockeying for control of Idlib at the Lebanon section editor with The munication with groups such as financing of such groups eclipses Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor time of the deal, Ahrar al-Sham was Arab Weekly. al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, Iran- the Good Samaritan illusion it of The Arab Weekly. July 22, 2018 3 News & Analysis Iraq Unrest in Iraq continues despite government assurances, crackdown

The Arab Weekly staff tors. It maintains that the protest- ers’ demands are legitimate but says infiltrators and saboteurs were London behind the violence that, the Health Ministry said, left at least nine peo- raq’s government is seeking to ple dead and nearly 60 injured. end protests in the country’s For decades, the residents of Bas- oil-rich south with promises ra have complained that they did of jobs and better services but not get their fair share of the natu- the root causes of the unrest ral resources of their province. Out of control. An Iraqi policeman arrests a demonstrator during a protest at the main entrance to the Iremain almost intact. Basra has also suffered from a (Reuters) giant Zubair oilfield near Basra, on July 17. Coupled with promises to im- cutoff of the funds it once received prove conditions, Iraqi authorities from oil and gas sales. Previously, deployed security forces backed by Baghdad accorded a specific share the parties and their affiliated mi- Just a few months after Iraqi for Basra province and pledged armour and arrested hundreds of to Basra and other oil-producing litias control business and vital Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi additional spending on housing, protesters in the southern city of provinces as compensation for en- government facilities, such as the declared victory over ISIS, social schools and services. Basra, the epicentre of the demon- vironmental damage from the in- key oil port of Um Qasr and border grievances that once simmered on It is “likely that the Iraqi political strations that began July 8. dustry and to boost local budgets. crossings with Iran and Kuwait. the back burner have boiled over in classes will bunker down and wait The arrests reduced the size of Basra was getting $1 for each barrel Politicians distribute jobs among the protests. for the storm to pass while offering protests in Basra but what has hap- of oil produced or refined and for supporters and collect “taxes” and cosmetic concessions and promises pened there has shown that the every 150 cubic metres of gas pro- commissions on goods at ports. of reform,” said Haddad. Shia government is not immune duced, along with 5% of taxes col- Residents say security suffered Many in Basra have long However, the problems facing to opposition among its primary lected at border crossings and sea in Basra after the government re- considered their political the country are long-term ones constituency — the Shia south — ports. deployed forces from the province elite centred in the religious “that require far more than Iraq’s and exposed the frustration felt by That arrangement was removed to the front lines in the 3-year fight Shia parties as corrupt and self-interested political classes are Iraqis who have not seen real im- from the budget in 2014 when the against ISIS, which ended last year. unfit to govern. likely to be able to offer,” he said. provement in their lives in the 15 Iraqi economy was shaken by plum- This, they argue, allowed drug traf- Iraq is the second-largest oil pro- years since the US-led invasion rid meting oil prices and the urgent ficking and other crimes to flour- The protests represent “an explo- ducer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia. them of Saddam Hussein. need to finance the war against the ish and allowed local tribes to gain sion of rage at an entire system that “We the people of Basra hear “The protesters are not con- Islamic State (ISIS). That translated strength and influence outside the has brazenly robbed Iraqis of the about the Iraqi oil and its huge vinced that the government prom- into a loss of millions for Basra. government’s reach. chance for a better life,” Iraq expert revenues but we never enjoy its ises can be met but they are waiting Last month, an average of 3.5 mil- It is unlikely the government will Fanar Haddad told Agence France- benefits,” 24-year-old unemployed to see how serious the government lion barrels a day were exported fulfil its promises to Basra residents Presse. protester Esam Jabbar told Reu- is in addressing these problems. from the province, with less than or elsewhere in the south in the With ISIS in retreat, “the failings ters. “Strangers have decent jobs at The situation could blow up again,” 500,000 barrels from oilfields else- short term given that the present of the Iraqi political classes in all as- our oilfields and we don’t have the activist Laith Hussein told the As- where in the country. government is a caretaker admin- pects of governance and economic money to pay for a cigarette. That’s sociated Press. Many in Basra have long consid- istration and a new one is months management come into sharper re- wrong and must be stopped.” The government sought to play ered their political elite centred in away following parliamentary elec- lief,” added Haddad. down the protests and cast doubt the religious Shia parties as corrupt tions in May whose results have To restore calm, Abadi an- (The Arab Weekly staff and news on the motives of the demonstra- and unfit to govern. They complain been legally questioned. nounced investments of $3 billion agencies.) Viewpoint Iraq protests reveal an inconvenient truth about sectarian politics

raqis took to the streets of invasion. the oil-rich south, calling When predominantly Sunni Tallha on the government to end Arab protesters demonstrated Abdulrazaq corruption, institute effec- peacefully against Nuri al- tive policies to ensure Iraqis Maliki’s hyper-sectarian regime had gainful employment in 2012-13, many media outlets Iand end foreign interference, worked overtime to adopt the primarily from Iraq’s ever-trou- Green Zone’s rhetoric and paint blesome neighbour to the east, the protesters as fundamental- Iran. ists. They did so, despite reports In response, protesters faced from Amnesty International, Hu- police brutality and abduction by man Rights Watch and others on pro-Iran Shia jihadists who have human rights violations perpe- a vested interest in crippling Iraq trated by the government against and making sure that it contin- the Sunni Arabs. ues to be a gangland they can Now, however, they have been milk dry. struck dumb and are unable to Although popular unrest is articulate what is happening in nothing unusual in Iraq, one Iraq because it is Shia Arabs lead- key factor that has emerged is ing the call for change. that all Iraqis have the same Iraqis are beginning to work concerns, irrespective of their together at a grass-roots level to ethno-sectarian background. reforge their national identity This fact could be a reason why Across the divide. Iraqis shout slogans and raise national flags away from the sectarian poli- the mainstream media have at- during a protest in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. (AFP) tics of the Green Zone elite who tempted to sidestep the protests have profited handsomely from and failed to give the demonstra- Western journalists, analysts Iran’s founder, Ayatollah the pillage of Iraq since 2003. tions the attention they deserve and policymakers who long as- Ruhollah Khomeini, made the The more this national unity is because they prove that Iraqis sumed that, because Iraq is held same costly mistake during the consolidated among Iraqis of all are sick and tired of the sectarian under the thumb of pro-Iran Shia 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Khomeini backgrounds, the less likely it is nightmare that Iran exported to fundamentalists and jihadists, thought that all he need do was that the corrupt political process their country. all Iraqi Shias must be broadly on antagonise Iraq into war with will survive. Iraqis are beginning Whether Sunni, Shia or Chris- the same page. Iran and the Shias of Iraq would This is why the government to work together at a tian, Iraqis have had enough What they failed to under- stand with him against their stood back as extreme violence of the militia violence and the stand is that the lack of security, own country, due to his religious was unleashed against the grass-roots level to complete subservience of their economic opportunity, devel- credentials and the authority he protesters and this is also why, reforge their political class, which has failed opment, education and health wielded. ultimately, the regime will fail in national identity them for 15 years, to the whims care are issues that all Iraqis He was catastrophically stifling Iraqis’ desires for sover- of religious fanatics in Iran. feel acutely. They also failed to wrong: Hundreds of thousands eignty and national unity. away from the The Iraqis who have bravely understand there is an enormous of patriotic Iraqi Shias gave their sectarian politics of expressed their outrage against difference between fundamen- lives to prevent the exporta- Tallha Abdulrazaq is a a regime and system that takes talist Shia Islamists and Iran- tion of Khomeini’s radical Shia researcher at the University of the Green Zone orders from Tehran are mostly backed jihadist movements and jihadist ideology and to protect Exeter’s Strategy and Security elite. Shias. That fact gobsmacks most the Shia Iraqis themselves. their homeland from an Iranian Institute in England. 4 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf Yemen Saudi Arabia pushes for haj season void of politics

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

ith Saudi Arabia al- ready welcoming the first pilgrims ahead of W the estimated August 19 official start, this year’s haj sea- son has begun. Coordinating a religious gather- ing in which millions of Muslims from around the world assemble in Mecca to perform one of the five pillars of Islam is a daunting task with year-round preparations to ensure that infrastructure, organi- sation and safety requirements are in place. Riyadh has often wrestled with issues beyond organisational prep- arations of the haj, including the politicising of the event. That has often been attempted by Iran and, if the rhetoric coming from Tehran is an indication, this haj season will not be any different. The “haj is the best opportunity to display that religion and politics cannot be separated… the real haj is a combination of unity and seek- ing deliverance from infidels,” Ira- nian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview tel- evised July 16. Khamenei also dis- puted Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty with regards to the holy cities. Iran and Saudi Arabia are on op- Beyond politics. Muslim worshippers gather at the Grand Mosque in Islam’s holiest city of Mecca, on June 14. (AFP) posite sides of proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon and Tehran is facing turbulent nei blamed Saudi Arabia and ing hundreds of Iranians. Tehran cised the haj is Qatar. In June 2017, due to the “lack of response and times domestically, both political- stoked the fires of sectarianism. blamed the incident on Saudi au- Saudi Arabia and three regional cooperation” from the Qatari Min- ly and economically. Conflicts between the two coun- thorities and banned its citizens Arab allies severed ties with Doha istry of Religious Endowments, Al tries date to the days of the shah from the 2016 haj. over its connections with radical Arabiya news channel in Dubai re- Arab League spokesman but ties then were comparatively An agreement between the two Islamic groups and Iran. ported. Mahmoud Afifi cordial. Relations worsened after countries the following year al- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz “The government of the King- the 1979 Islamic Revolution and lowed Iranians’ participation in Al Saud issued directives to open dom of Saudi Arabia, under the the start of the Iran-Iraq war in the pilgrimage. the kingdom’s border crossing instructions of the Custodian of 1980, in which Saudi Arabia and Iran’s ally Syria, for a seventh with Qatar to allow pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, welcomes “There is no precedent that the the United States backed Iraqi dic- consecutive year, is claiming that reach Mecca by land. Riyadh also all Muslims who come for haj and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has tator Saddam Hussein. Saudi Arabia is blocking Syrians offered to send aeroplanes to umrah,” the ministry said in its politicised haj or prevented a In 1987, hostilities escalated dur- from performing the haj. Arab transport Qatari pilgrims to the haj statement. Muslim from performing it.” ing the haj when Iranians in Mecca League spokesman Mahmoud Afifi at the king’s expense but the Qatari “The kingdom’s stance on haj staged a political demonstration dismissed the claim by the Syr- government would not allow the and pilgrims as a rite that has noth- Iran has seen the United States and clashed with Saudi riot police. ian government, saying: “There is planes to land. ing to do with politics is unwaver- withdraw from its nuclear deal, More than 400 people died in the no precedent that the Kingdom of After what Saudi authorities ing,” Saudi Shura Council member threatening the collapse of the en- incident and mobs attacked the Saudi Arabia has politicised haj or viewed as a lack of engagement and Chairman of the Foreign Af- tire agreement and the introduc- missions of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, prevented a Muslim from perform- from Qatar’s Ministry of Religious fairs Committee Zuhair al-Harthy tion of sanctions. Deteriorating Iraq and France. Diplomatic ties ing it.” Endowments concerning this told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspa- economic conditions, including were cut in 1988 but were restored Afifi stressed the importance of year’s haj, the Saudi Ministry of per in London. the plummeting of the rial, have two years later. dismissing anonymous sources Haj and Umrah initiated a website “Saudi Arabia has a great reli- led to mass protests in Iran, which Conflicts have erupted sporadi- pushing political agendas. He said designed for Qatari nationals to gious responsibility and it strives continue despite a government cally but tensions were highest Saudi Arabia was preparing to re- register for the pilgrimage. to facilitate access to the people crackdown. in 2015 after a stampede during ceive approximately 18,000 Syr- The ministry said the decision of Qatar to perform this ritual in With Tehran looking for a scape- the haj resulted in the death of ians at this year’s haj. was to provide more facility and all ways and means possible,” he goat for its domestic woes, Khame- more than 2,000 pilgrims, includ- Another country that has politi- convenience to Qatari pilgrims said. Yemeni government insists on full rebel withdrawal from Hodeidah before talks

Saleh Baidhani provided the Saudi-led coalition stops its military offensive. “We told the UN envoy, Martin Sana’a Griffiths, that we are not rejecting the role of supervision and logistics N Special Envoy to Yemen that the United Nations wants to Martin Griffiths has been hold in the port but on the condi- unable to bring the warring tion that the aggression against Ho- Beyond Hodeidah. A Yemeni pro-government fighter looks through binoculars as Saudi-supported U political factions closer to deidah stops,” Houthi leader Abdel- forces take over Houthi bases on the front line of Kirsh in south-western Yemen. (AFP) a peaceful solution to the more than malek al-Houthi told Le Figaro in an 3-year conflict, although reports interview published July 17. suggest the Houthis may cede con- The proposal would have the Pro-Yemeni government forces fensive June 12 hoping for a swift As the United Nations tries to find trol of Hodeidah port if the Arab co- Houthis give up control of the port, deployed military reinforcements, operation. However, landmines and a political solution, fighting contin- alition halts its offensive in the city. which it has held since 2014, to UN backed by UAE troops, as they snipers slowed progress. ues beyond Hodeidah. Saudi-led The committee responsible for supervisors. However, the Houthis moved closer to entering the city The drive to liberate Hodeidah is forces have stepped up offensives dealing with proposals from Grif- would still control the city. of Hodeidah. A Facebook post July being managed by UAE forces, who in the rebel stronghold of Saada. fiths compiled draft responses to Sources said the Yemeni govern- 19 by the media wing of the pro- are working with Emirati-trained The coalition intensified air and his suggestions and are to give them ment would extend its sovereignty Yemeni government Giants Brigade Yemeni brigades. Coalition forces missile strikes in Saada, where the to the envoy during his next visit to over the Red Sea, Hodeidah, Sa- said: “Big reinforcements are being have pledged to wrestle control of Yemeni Army claimed success after Riyadh, a source in the internation- lif and Ras Issa as a precondition deployed to bring a decisive end to the port from the Houthi militia. In- a recent offensive, media reports ally recognised Yemeni government for stopping military operations the Hodeidah battle.” telligence reports indicate that the said. There have been reports of told The Arab Weekly. and participating in talks. Najeeb The post said forces were on the rebels generate up to $40 million casualties and damage to residen- A report in French media asserted Ghallab, Yemen’s deputy informa- outskirts of the coastal cornice road a month from Hodeidah, which is tial areas in the Houthi heartland. that the Iran-allied Houthi rebels tion minister, said no solutions on the south-western edge of the suspected of being their main point would surrender control of the port would be accepted outside the pre- city. for receiving weapons and funds Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly of Hodeidah to the United Nations conditions. Coalition forces launched the of- from Iran, in violation of a UN ban. contributor in Sana’a July 22, 2018 5 News & Analysis Syria Against conflicted alliances, Russia maintains its diplomatic balancing act

Simon Speakman Cordall third largest population of Russian speakers outside the former Soviet Union; Moscow is host to a signifi- Tunis cant number of Israeli citizens. There are also Russia’s military s the Syrian Army and its and financial interests in Israel, allies continue towards which is a substantial importer of the Golan Heights, scores Russian crude oil. But Moscow’s A of refugees have arrived ability to influence events in Syria at the Israeli border, pleading for is questionable. sanctuary from a country they had “Russia has a poor record of re- been told was their sworn enemy. straining Syria or Iran and there are The Israeli border remains legitimate questions of whether closed, however, with Tel Aviv in- Russia seriously wants to,” James creasingly wary of Iran-aligned mi- Jeffrey, senior fellow at the Wash- litia members lurking among the ington Institute for Near East Poli- refugees. cy, said in e-mailed comments. Tel Aviv spared little effort in “Russia and Syria have no real in- clearing the diplomatic ground terest in restraining their ally Iran ahead of any Iranian encroach- and will not have such an interest ment. Israeli Prime Minister Biny- until it is clear that an outside pow- amin Netanyahu visited the United er — US or Israel will put the Assad States and Russia to secure support regime — technically and legally for stopping the Iranian advance responsible for Iran’s activities in- and ensuring that Israel’s security side its border — at risk if Assad was included on the agenda of the (and Moscow) do not act to restrain July 16 meeting between US Presi- Iran,” he said. dent Donald Trump and Russian How far Russia and by extension President Vladimir Putin. the Assad regime can go in restrain- That Netanyahu was sure of US ing Iran, a power they have come to support was never in doubt. That depend on, is unclear. Before the Russia would work to contain its advance in south-western Syria, Iranian ally in Syria was less certain. Desperate measures. Displaced Syrians climb fences and hold signs during a protest in front of a UN base Russia stressed it had an agree- “Trump’s plan is to enable the Is- in the province of Quneitra near the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, on July 4. (AFP) ment with Damascus and Tehran raelis to confront Iran in Syria but that only regime forces would get not do the job for them.” Nicholas within 40km of the Israeli border. Heras, a fellow at the Centre for a Iran in Syria.” allows Russia to continue towards might act to diminish Iran in Syria, Iran-aligned forces are regularly re- New American Secu­rity, said after Though troop numbers are im- its principal war aim: preserving if only the Americans and Israelis ported to be operating there. the leaders’ summit in Finland. possible to verify, there is con- the regime. will re-legitimise Assad, is a valu- “Until the Israelis threaten to in- “Trump has not done anything sensus that Iran’s and its militias’ “Iran’s efforts in Syria have not able chip for the Russians.” flict real pain on the Russians, such groundbreaking at Helsinki but it commitment to supporting Syrian cost the Russians much at all and While Iran’s presence in Syria as by striking Russia’s Hmeimim was important for him to send the President Bashar Assad far eclipses Iranian activities in Syria have al- may work towards Russia’s ends, airbase, all this talk is just fun and same message as Netanyahu to Pu- that of Russia, which has largely lowed the Russians to maintain a Moscow must balance the gains games for Putin,” Heras said. tin. The jury is still out on whether been limited to air power. relatively light footprint in their against its alliance with Tel Aviv “Trump and Netanyahu are will- all this talking will actually moti- Given Damascus’s limited man- operations,” Heras said. “Even bet- than spans political and national ing participants in Putin’s dog-and- vate Putin to lift a finger against power, Iran’s presence within Syria ter for Putin, the prospect that he interests. Israel is home to the pony show in Syria.”

Viewpoint After the Helsinki summit, the starting point must be Syria

he 2018 FIFA World the Helsinki summit was a test for Cup showed that both Putin and Trump. In Syria, Khairallah Russia has everything Putin will have to play a proactive Khairallah needed to be consid- role to keep up with Russia’s other ered among the most successes, such as organising the developed countries World Cup. If Putin drives Iran Tand can play a positive role inter- out of Syria, he will confirm his nationally, provided it gets rid of image as a capable leader, a man its major power complex. for impossible jobs and not just The day after the World Cup the president of a country with a final, Russian President Vladimir destructive air force. Putin travelled to Helsinki to meet In Trump’s case, the Syrian test with US President Donald Trump. will reveal whether he is bet- The latter was on a European tour ter than his predecessor or just and had left some damage in his another puppet in Putin’s hands. wake. It is apparent this US admin- About this time of the year in 2013, istration has a different approach Putin convinced Obama to close to dealing with European and his eyes to Assad’s use of chemical NATO allies. Indeed, Trump seems weapons in the latter’s raging war convinced that his NATO part- on the Syrian people. ners are not contributing enough Most important, the aftermath towards the creation of a joint Reality on the ground. Syrian government supporters wave of the Helsinki summit will reveal military force worthy of today’s Syrian, Iranian and Russian flags as they chant slogans against US whether Trump has a compre- challenges. President Trump in Damascus, last April. (AP) hensive approach to Iran and the Putin scored very well in the Syrian crisis. He has stopped at World Cup test. Can he repeat the Soviet Union and the United States The proposal relies on maintain- withdrawing his country from the same success in political manoeu- against each other. Neither was the ing Bashar Assad and his regime nuclear deal with Iran and has vrings outside Russia? main player in Syria. in Damascus in exchange for the acted as if that step was an urgent We must admit that Putin has Bashar Assad opted for a policy quiet withdrawal of Iran from Da- necessity. So, what’s next? the United States in a defensive different from his father’s. He mascus and southern Syria. Putin The next step by the Trump stance. He knew how to use the chose to go all the way in his had discussed it with Israeli Prime administration is crucial. It will weaknesses of the US foreign alliance with Iran. He admired Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and confirm whether this adminis- policies under the Obama admin- Hezbollah and its handy work in the Americans. tration is serious or just another istration to Russia’s advantage. Lebanon. Iran paid him back by Had there not been common version of Obama’s administration Obama was obsessed with Iran and saving him and his regime during agreement points with the Trump with a loud mouth. The logical seemed scared that Tehran would the popular uprisings of March administration regarding Syria, continuation of the path against walk out of negotiations on its nu- 2011. sometimes via Israel, the United Iran is through Syria. Either Iran If Putin drives Iran clear programme. Everything else However, the real turning point States would not have taken the withdraws from Syria or it does took a backstage position. in Syria happened towards the end position it took when pro-Assad not; the rest are details and, in out of Syria, he will Putin saw an opening and of 2015 when Iran invited Russia to forces moved towards Daraa and case it does not, Putin and Trump confirm his image as he took it. Russia sneaked into intervene directly on behalf of the the Jordanian border. would have failed the test. a capable leader, a Syria and became the prime player Syrian regime. The Russian cavalry Many will record how serious If Russia and the United States there. Putin achieved a long-held arrived in the nick of time. Damas- Putin is in executing Israeli and US are serious about fighting terror- man for impossible dream by Russian leaders — a cus and the Syrian coast, includ- demands in Syria. Still, we wonder ism and extremism — both the jobs and not just the strong foothold on the Mediter- ing the Alawite strongholds, were if he would be able to guarantee Sunni and Shia versions — in the ranean coast. It’s true that Russia about to fall to opposition forces. their wishes. Deciding Bashar region and if they wish to cut president of a had access to Tartus port and its Can Putin score another strate- Assad’s fate is not as important as Iran’s tentacles, the starting point country with a facilities during the days of the gic breakthrough from the Helsinki driving Iran out of Syria. Will he be must be Syria. destructive air Soviet Union but it’s true also summit? able to do it and confirm that Rus- that former Syrian dictator Hafez Putin had already laid the foun- sia is the main player in Syria? Khairallah Khairallah force. Assad knew how to play both the dations for such a breakthrough. It will become apparent that is a Lebanese writer. 6 July 22, 2018 Opinion

Editorial Mandela’s message

n July 18, the world celebrated Nelson Mandela’s legacy on the centenary of his birth. There are lessons still to be drawn by the Arab world from the life and vision of the South African icon. Mandela’s message Oof freedom and equality reverberates in this region and beyond. His legacy was celebrated the same week that Israel adopted a controversial law consecrating the second-class status of its Arab citizens. Mandela, a strong advocate of Palestinian self-determination, would have denounced Israel’s discriminatory move. The South African leader is also remembered for his advocacy of peaceful reconciliation. His magnanimity towards his former jailers offers a template for many in this part of the world who hold age-old grudges and give in to vindictive reflexes. After years of war and bloodshed, it will not come easy for certain groups in the region to live by Mandela’s example. It won’t be easy to open a new chapter, one that goes beyond sectarian, tribal and ideological divides and is not formed by memories of past oppression. But the bitterness of the past does not have to © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly preclude possibilities for the future. Mandela has shown it can be done. However, reconciliation is a prerequisite for conflict resolution, political transition and Israel’s new law is an elegy reconstruction. The “Towards National Recon- ciliation in Libya” project is an example of a UN-sponsored programme struggling to gain for Palestinian rights traction because of the lack of national cohesion among Libyans and of central authority. Rashmee Roshan Lall A well laid-out reconciliation process could The new Basic Law means there will be one state eventually ensure the stability necessary to allow for the electoral process. Counting on elections to be but it will belong to only its Jewish citizens. carried out in an orderly manner despite simmering feuds is unrealistic at best and he howls of protest secret of his ambition to succeed establish a binational state here.” probably counterproductive, too. An election in from Israeli Arabs, Netanyahu, though in March he Consider what was happening an unreconciled country could lead to further cold denunciation by graciously suggested the job up- with the moribund peace process instability and unrest. prominent Palestin- grade was meant for “after the era when Dichter was writing that bill Beyond elections and political transitions is ians and polite mur- of Netanyahu.” and seeking to block Israeli Arabs that greater challenge of social and economic murs of discomfort In the circumstances, it’s right from their political and civil rights development. The failure to achieve progress on Tfrom the European Union don’t to see the passage of Israel’s new in a binational state: In December that front is fuelling unrest in the Arab world. fully explain the significance of Basic Law as political planning 2010, a frustrated United States Mandela’s South Africa still needs to address the Jewish Nation-State law. by Netanyahu, a belt-and-braces had abandoned efforts to per- the issue. The legislation — Israel’s latest measure against a man who suade Israel it should halt recently As the South Africa Reconciliation Barometer Basic Law, which is tantamount recently said “in Israel, I compete restarted settlements construc- survey found over the years since the country’s to a constitutional amendment with Netanyahu. During the elec- tion. In 2011, then Israeli President first non-racial elections, South Africans are — means that not only is the two- tions, it’s a zero-sum game. You Shimon Peres conducted top- acutely aware of the socio-economic divide even state solution dead, the chance of vote for him or for me.” secret peace negotiations with though Apartheid is gone. Last year’s survey a one-state, rights-based resolu- It would be foolish to let the Palestinian President Mahmoud indicated that 61% of South Africans asked said tion of the Palestinian-Israeli short-term political impera- Abbas on Netanyahu’s behalf but they agreed that “reconciliation is impossible as issue is as good as buried. tives of the new law obscure its found the prime minister’s com- long as people who were disadvantaged under After the law was passed, those longer-term implications. Too mitment wavering. Palestinians apartheid continue to be poor.” who care about Israel’s good little attention has been paid to were increasingly talking about And they are. name and those who say it has the self-satisfied comment offered pressing for a UN Security Council Data from 2017 show that approximately 95% none to protect focused on the after the legislation passed by vote to recognise a Palestinian of South Africa’s wealth is in the hands of 10% of inequalities enshrined in it, the the man who might be called the state based on pre-1967 borders. the population. For those born in poverty, the majoritarianism it celebrates and father of the latest Basic law. By 2016, a report from the Office chances of growing up to be poor are about 90%. the discrimination it portends. That would be Knesset mem- of the UN Special Coordinator for Only 4% of children in school can hope to receive All of this is true, as is the ber Avi Dichter, who said the law the Middle East Peace Process pro- a university degree. And so it goes on. South reality the new law makes, in would “prevent even the slight- nounced on the increasingly dole- Africa still needs to bring about socio-economic the words of Hassan Jabareen of est thought, let alone attempt, to ful prospects for a two-state solu- reconciliation. So too do many parts of the Arab the legal rights centre Adalah, transform Israel to a country of all tion. It highlighted the increase in world. “discrimination a constitutional its citizen [sic].” settlement activities and further Unrest in the Middle East and North Africa value” in Israel. After all, it priori- Dichter said something along consolidation of Israeli control region shows the extent of social, economic and tises Jewish-only communities, the same lines seven years ago over the West Bank. It pointed out gender disparities, which breed frustration downgrades the status of Arabic when he helped draft the bill the problem posed by the lack of among the marginalised. The latest eruptions in Israel and defines the right to that, with some changes, became Palestinian unity, the failure to have been in Iraq’s eastern and southern self-determination as only meant law. Now with Likud, Dichter was form a national unity government provinces. Suffering the extreme heat of for Jews. part of the Kadima party when he and have elections. summer, electricity cuts made life particularly There has been mention of sponsored the bill. In August 2011, The UN report confirmed what unbearable in the past few weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin he spelt out its rationale in unam- was already known: There was Whether in Iraq or in other parts of the Arab Netanyahu’s base political mo- biguous terms. “With the Basic a near total collapse of belief — world, the root cause of discontent goes much tives ahead of elections, possibly Law we can finally denote Israel among Israelis and Palestinians deeper than soaring summer temperatures. this year. With the law, Netanyahu as the nation-state of the Jewish alike — in a two-state solution. There is a new generation in the Middle East is supposedly seeking to bolster people and not need the Palestin- The Oslo process, which was sup- and North Africa, one that is not willing to his Likud party by cutting off the ians’ favours and recognition of posed to have reached final status accept anything less than real, measurable electoral appeal of those further us as a Jewish state,” he said. agreement by 1998, was nearly a improvement of their lives. They require this of to the right. He added and this must be decade past that aspirational end their leaders. More than ever, they will protest if That would chiefly be Jewish recognised as remarkably, if point. Experts talked about mov- their demands are not met. Home, Likud’s partner in the frighteningly, far-sighted: The law ing on to a different paradigm, a In Iraq, where 60% of the population is under governing coalition. It is led by “will enable us to deal with the rights-based rather than territorial 24, too many young people are disheartened by the brash education minister, aspirations of radicals from both resolution of the conflict. the way things are. Too many young Iraqis are Naftali Bennett, who has made no sides of the political spectrum to Last year, when US President disillusioned about the future. That’s because Political Donald Trump unilaterally rec- Iraq presents a particularly striking paradox. Oil, calculations. ognised Jerusalem as the capital which provides 89% of state earnings and 99% of Israeli Prime of Israel, Palestinians started to export revenues, accounts for just 1% of jobs. Minister speak a lot louder about pivot- For years, young Iraqis expressed scepticism Binyamin ing to a different goal — a single, about politicians’ ability to solve their problems. Netanyahu binational state, with comfort in Earlier this year, many abstained from voting in attends the numbers and assured rights in an the general election. Knesset Israel that prided itself on being As in other parts of the region, Iraqi leaders Plenary Hall the region’s only democracy. have been promising state cash to extinguish the session ahead The new Basic Law means there fires of protest. Such promises won’t appease of the vote on will be one state eventually but Iraq’s disgruntled youth; nor will police arrests the National it will belong to only its Jewish or internet disruptions by the state. Law, on citizens. Far more palatable would be an inclusive July 18. (AFP) vision that guarantees socio-economic opportu- Rashmee Roshan Lall is a nities to all. That would be the most crucial columnist for The Arab Weekly. lesson for the MENA region from Mandela’s Her blog can be found at extraordinary life and message. www.rashmee.com and she is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. July 22, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] The heavy price of Hezbollah’s meddling in Yemen www.thearabweekly.com Hani Salem Masshour Published by Al Arab An ironic aspect of the Houthis’ replication of Hezbollah’s methods and strategies is Publishing House how they left garbage in the streets of Sana’a in 2016. Publisher and Group Executive Editor s Lebanon experi- tape found by Yemeni security ganisations from providing any have greatly damaged the Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD ences the political forces at a location liberated military support to the Houthi Lebanese state. Hezbollah was vacuum produced from Houthi militia purport- militias. involved in terrorist attacks Editor-in-Chief by the May elec- edly confirmed the involve- Hezbollah’s violation of the targeting Saudi Arabia and tions, Hezbollah ment of Lebanese Hezbollah article qualifies as a crime made incursions in Bahrain, Oussama Romdhani Secretary-General militia in supporting the rebels against Yemen and the entire Syria and Iraq. HassanA Nasrallah publicly and plotting terrorist attacks in region and places the perpetra- It has constantly meddled Managing Editor acknowledged his party’s back- Saudi territory. tor among the rogue organisa- in Lebanon’s internal poli- Iman Zayat ing of the Houthi militias in The video supposedly tions and parties seeking to tics trying to push an Iranian Yemen and reaffirmed his ab- showed a Hezbollah field com- aggravate the crisis in Yemen. agenda. Because of its actions, Deputy Managing Editor solute support for the Houthi mander with a group of armed An ironic aspect of the Hou- the Lebanese state was unable and Online Editor leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi. men during a training session this’ replication of Hezbollah’s to pursue developmental and Mamoon Alabbasi Nasrallah’s speech came and announcing prepara- methods and strategies is how economic projects. The party two days after Colonel Turki tions for a “special” operation they left garbage in the streets refuses to abide by Lebanon’s Senior Editor al-Maliki, spokesman for the targeting Riyadh. In December of Sana’a in 2016, creating a commitment to a non-interfer- John Hendel Saudi-led coalition supporting 2017, it was reported that three scene reminiscent of the tons ence policy. the internationally recognised Lebanese Hezbollah operatives of rubbish in the streets of In Yemen, the price of Hez- Chief Copy Editor Yemeni government, an- were killed in Hajjah province Beirut because of Hezbollah bollah’s policies is being paid Richard Pretorius nounced that coalition forces in western Yemen. tactics in Lebanon. Except that for by the helpless Yemeni destroyed a major communi- Hezbollah was one of the this time, the garbage crisis population. It’s a heavy tribute Copy Editor cations system in the Houthi major parties behind the coup in Yemen had more horrific of greater poverty, hunger Stephen Quillen stronghold of Saada province against legitimacy in Yemen. consequences. Cholera broke and disease. Since the Houthi in northern Yemen. It played an even greater role out in 18 Yemeni provinces and coup, thousands have been Analysis Section Editor The operation yielded intel- from September 2014-March hundreds of citizens died. killed and more than 3 million Ed Blanche ligence indicating the involve- 2015 when Tehran established The Houthis became experts people displaced. These scary ment of Hezbollah in setting a direct air link with Sana’a at aping Hezbollah. Even al- statistics are the direct results East/West Section Editor up, running and managing that was used to strengthen Houthi strives to reproduce of Houthi policies with foreign Mark Habeeb communications systems in the military capabilities of the Nasrallah’s oratory style support. five locations across Yemen. the Houthi militias. This was and mannerisms. He would try Fortunately, the relationship Gulf Section Editor This may explain the formal confirmed by leading military to best himself in finding the between Lebanon and Yemen Mohammed Alkhereiji complaint made by Yemeni figures in the Yemeni Presi- harshest anti-American rheto- is different. Lebanon is one of Foreign Minister Khaled al- dential Guard, who, after the ric but secretly seeks Uncle the few countries to grant Society and Travel Yamani to the UN Security assassination of former Yemeni Sam’s satisfaction. Everybody unconditional access to Sections Editor Council. President Ali Abdullah Saleh remembers how the Obama In Yemen, Yemenis. It hosts thousands Samar Kadi Hezbollah has been support- last December, spoke of receiv- administration facilitated the the price of of Yemeni students, workers ing the Houthi insurgents both ing military training from growth of Iran’s tentacular and political refugees. For Syria and Lebanon logistically and militarily since Hezbollah agents. organisations’ apparent anti- Hezbollah’s Yemen, Lebanon is an Arab Section Editor the beginning of their coup Nasrallah’s admission of sup- American stance. policies is brother country that shares its Simon Speakman Cordall in September 2014. It trains porting the Houthis represents All the patriotic political being paid pains and burdens despite the Houthi fighters in sabotage and a stark violation of UN Secu- forces in Lebanon are engaged for by the distance. Contributing Editor subversion operations against rity Council Resolution 2216, in a sustained struggle against helpless Rashmee Roshan Lall the elected authorities. specifically Article 13, which the policies of Hezbollah, Yemeni Hani Salem Masshour is a Senior Correspondents In February 2016, a video- prohibits countries and or- whose foreign interventions population. Yemeni writer. Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis)

Regular Columnists Southern Iraq faces a genuine popular uprising Claude Salhani Yavuz Baydar Correspondents Majid al-Samarrai Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) A security-based solution will have dangerous consequences, especially in Baghdad and Roua Khlifi (Tunis) especially if the Popular Mobilisation Forces’ militias are called in to safeguard public order. Thomas Seibert (Washington) Chief Designer he angry demon- only interested in fattening policies in Iraq. He was unable they supported the demonstra- Marwen el-Hmedi strations in cen- their own pockets and vy- to confront its leaders who tions. As the saying goes, the tral and southern ing for more power. To cover were encrusted in the state and killer walks in the funeral of Designers Iraq are not, as their dictatorial practices, they its institutions. Nor was he able the victim. Ibrahim Ben Bechir some would like resorted to making up conveni- to confront other Shia leaders What is happening in central Hanen Jebali to dismiss them, a ent enemies. At times, it was who built family empires and and southern Iraq is a genuine Tseasonal phenomenon caused the remnants of the Ba’ath have their own armed militias popular uprising. The demon- by the excessive summer heat Party; at other times, it was for protection. Some of them strations and sit-ins are spon- Al Arab Publishing House or demands for electricity and terrorism or the Islamic State even enjoy Iran’s powerful taneous and not manipulated. Quadrant Building potable water. Rather, they (ISIS). protection and support. Martyrs have fallen. 177-179 Hammersmith Road represent a peaceful popular Iraqi Shias, however, have Iran, of course, was happy So how do Abadi, his govern- London W6 8BS uprising rejecting the gov- had it with this charade and, to see that everything was ment and the ruling parties Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 ernment’s policies and the when they realised that elec- going according to its plan for react? Fax: (+44) 20 8846 9520 corruption structures that have tions were just a means for destroying Iraq. No, Abadi does not tender his gripped Iraqi governments for extending the status quo, they Those who rose up and government’s resignation. No, 12 years. boycotted the vote; only 20% demonstrated in central and he doesn’t dismiss the minis- It is an uprising against those showed up at the polls. southern Iraq, are they not ters responsible for electricity Contributions who have looted the people’s Since 2013, the masses have university graduates who and water. No, the government and Editorial Queries wealth and against the ruling expressed their anger and were unable to find employ- does not admit its failure. [email protected] parties that have turned Iraq demanded change and radi- ment? Are they not the same Instead, authorities harass into one of the world’s poor- cal political reforms through young people who once voiced the demonstrators and cut est countries, thinking that, demonstrations in Baghdad support for the Hakim family, off the internet. Non-genuine despite how much they suffer, and other cities. for Muqtada al-Sadr or other promises are made and $3 bil- Tunis Office the Iraqis would bow their However, Iraqi Prime Minis- leaders in whom they had high lion quickly earmarked for re- Tel: (+ 216) 71 669 174 heads and capitulate. ter Haider al-Abadi, who rose expectations? building Basra, as if the money Tel: (+216) 71 669 175 Iraq’s ruling parties are to power in 2014 after those This is why this revolution- could not be found before this under the illusion that they demonstrations, was unable ary reaction is borne by these moment of reckoning. can manipulate the people and to dismantle the complex cor- frustrated young people and A security-based solution keep them hostages of mount- ruption networks. Instead, he the families of the martyrs who will have dangerous conse- ing despair and frustration. used the war against ISIS as sacrificed their children for quences, especially in Baghdad The religious and sectarian a catchall pretext not to act, their country and were never and especially if the Popular slogans they’ve abused to ma- as if publicly exposing cor- compensated. It was the Shias Mobilisation Forces’ militias US Publisher: nipulate people were gone the rupt officials, bringing them to of southern and central Iraq are called in to safeguard pub- Ibrahim Zobeidi minute the parties’ leaderships justice and legally recovering who are revolting and not the lic order for the benefit of the abandoned human rights. All the embezzled fortunes were cities of Anbar, Saladin and dominant parties. (248) 803 1946 Iraqi citizens — Shia, Sunni or incompatible with the war on Mosul, which were pacified Since Abadi’s government is a Kurdish — want what they were terror. and co-opted by the authori- caretaker one, the best solution promised: respect for their Abadi kept repeating that ties after destroying them and would be for it to resign and humanity and the right to a de- the war on terror and the war dismissing their legitimate clear the way for an emergency cent life in an oil-rich country. on corruption were two faces pre-2014 demands as acts of Iraqi Shias government led by a select The corrupt party leadership of the same coin. Apparently, terrorism. realised group of patriotic officers, most Subscription & Advertising: Now that the Shia popula- has always appealed to Shia they were not. The war on that of whom have campaigned Mohamed Al Mufti religious institutions in Najaf terror was not even the key to tions in Najaf, Basra, Nasiriya against ISIS. Only they can re- [email protected] for protection. However, those solving the festering problems and Amara have said “enough,” elections store order in the country and Tel: (+44) 20 8742 9262 institutions have abandoned in the sectors of electricity, can any one of the corrupt were just a call for early elections under them and are siding with the water and public health. Shia leaders dare accuse them means for UN supervision. common people. Abadi’s handicap was that of terrorism? The Shia leaders extending Arrogant and self-centred he belonged to the Dawa Party, were indeed in a pickle and this the status Majid al-Samarrai is an Iraqi leaders of the ruling party were the godfather of all oppressive is why they rushed to pretend quo. writer. 8 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Maghreb Tunisia engages in diplomatic push to end Libyan crisis

Lamine Ghanmi said. “We in Tunisia are pushing for the progress and success of this approach. We want the dates and Tunis deadlines to be designed by the Libyans themselves without the unisia has been lobbying interference of foreigners.” Libya’s main political and Tunisia, Algeria and Libya have military officials to agree been pushing for a solution to Lib- T to UN-backed elections in ya’s crisis. Tunis, whose economy December to help end the coun- and stability are especially threat- try’s 7-year-old conflict. ened by the conflict, has taken the Tunisian Foreign Minister Khe- lead role in the process. maies Jhinaoui wrapped up a However, Jhinaoui emphasised series of meetings July 16 with that Libyans, not foreign powers, top Libyan leaders, including should be the ones to decide how Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the the country moves forward. country’s eastern strongman, and “It is crucial that the Libyans are Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in control of the political process New push. Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-backed government in Tripoli (R), head of the UN-backed govern- and come together to advance a meets with Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui in Tripoli. (AFP) ment in Tripoli. peaceful solution,” he said. “Tu- Jhinaoui’s diplomatic push, nisia sticks to the positive neutral- which came during a lull in Lib- ity with various Libyan parties. mentation of the electoral agenda polls, “a handful of people defy Department official who worked ya’s violence, was aimed at keep- Its positive neutrality is aimed at in Libya.” this popular desire.” under former US President Barack ing hopes alive for UN-backed helping Libyans forge a Libyan Jhinaoui said his encounter with “The few who benefit from the Obama, warned that worsening elections by December, which solution between Libyans that Haftar “was an opportunity to con- status quo will, if left unchecked, instability could cause Libya to top leaders, including Haftar and brings Libyans into unity around gratulate him for his successes to do whatever they can to hinder become a “second Syria” in the Sarraj, agreed to during a May 28 a solution that enable Libyans to win over terrorism in Derna and in elections,” he said. “Unfortunate- Maghreb. meeting in Paris. Other interna- move their country out of its cri- the oil crescent recently when the ly, they can do much, especially Jhinaoui’s talks with Haftar in tional organisations and countries, sis.” national army seized back control as they hold crucial and too often Benghazi were preceded by meet- including Italy, Turkey, the United Jhinaoui spoke highly of Haftar, of the area.” lucrative official positions… With- ings with Sarraj and other top offi- Arab Emirates, Qatar and Libya’s who recently consolidated power “We talked about the terrorism out clear and strong messaging to cials in Tripoli, as well as meetings neighbours, also attended. in the eastern city of Derna, saying issue and cooperation in fighting those who would attempt to stall with rivals in the eastern city of Jhinaoui, speaking after his re- Haftar had affirmed his commit- it. This is a danger that is threaten- or disrupt these elections, the con- Tobruk, which seats the interna- cent sessions with top Libyan lead- ment to a “political solution.” ing both Tunisia and Libya,” added ditions will not be met.” tionally backed House of Repre- ers, said his mediation effort was “I found in the field-marshal a Jhinaoui. Jeffrey Stacey, a former US State sentatives (parliament) headed by part of a diplomatic push by Tuni- commitment to the political solu- Despite Tunisia’s push for a po- Aguila Saleh. sian President Beji Caid Essebsi. tion because of his nationalist con- litical solution, experts say wors- Jhinaoui is also to meet with “As you know a meeting took viction and beliefs and because of ening conditions could increase in- French Foreign Minister Jean Yves place in Paris on May 29 ending his role and that of the national stability and that elections would Jhinaoui emphasised Le Drian in Tunis for talks focused with (the) Paris declaration to or- army as unifying forces,” said Jhi- be hard to pull off by December. that Libyans, not foreign on Libya, local media reported. ganise parliamentary and presi- naoui. “He said he is willing to uni- UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Sala- powers, should be the dential elections in Libya before fy the Libyans and he is committed me said that, while most Libyans ones to decide how the Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly the end of this year,” Jhinaoui and eager to accelerate the imple- are enthusiastic about going to the country moves forward. correspondent in Tunis. Salame expresses pessimism about Libya’s election prospects

Michel Cousins can to hinder elections. Unfortu- had made his decision. He did not nately, they can do much, espe- say he approved the action but that Tunis cially as they hold crucial, and too this was what the attackers appar- often lucrative, official positions,” ently decided he meant. very three months or so, he added. In his televised resignation UN Special Envoy to Libya Salame’s assessment contained speech, Majbri said the militias Ghassan Salame gives the barely disguised criticism of the controlled Tripoli, that the Presi- E UN Security Council an up- determined opponents of the in- dency Council was dependent on date on the situation in Libya. The ternationally recognised Presiden- them and that there was no hope latest, in a video linkup from Trip- cy Council government in Tripoli, of it having a security force of its oli, was his most pessimistic. The Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar and own. He called on the Government situation had deteriorated, he said. Ageela Saleh, the president of the of National Accord minister of fi- He pointed out elections House of Representatives. nance to follow his example and planned for December 10 could not Salame’s exasperation was evi- quit the government. take place in the current circum- dent after a brief meeting with In response, Presidency Council stances: Libya was on the verge Saleh. head Fayez al-Sarraj suspended of economic collapse; public ser- “He promised a vote on a law for Majbri but the affair massively vices were on the brink of break- the referendum of the constitution damaged the council, now down down; terrorists were “lurking”; within the next two weeks and to four members. Although its the number of foreign mercenaries that electoral legislation would be leadership was already very much was growing; human trafficking voted upon immediately after. I in the hands of just two — Sarraj continued, as were human rights truly hope this pledge is kept, this (from Tripoli) and Ahmed Maiteeg abuses; the plight of refugees and time,” Salame said. (from Misrata) — Majbri’s resigna- asylum seekers was dire; the pros- The use of the words “this time” tion made it apparent that the east pect was for more frequent and was telling and spoke of a lack of no longer has any role in the coun- more bitter outbreaks of violence. confidence. cil. There was criticism of the vari- Majbri’s departure is bound to ous countries that have their own reinforce the view in the east that Payments to the militias agendas in Libya. the council is controlled by the by the authorities in Salame said Haftar’s decision to west of the country, by militias and Tripoli and the milking of hand the eastern oil terminals to the Muslim Brotherhood. As such Growing frustration. UN Special Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame the country’s riches by the parallel Benghazi national oil it deepens the separation of Libya. gives a news conference in Farnesina palace in Rome, on July 9. corporation, since reversed, was a Payments to the militias by the officials were broadly (AFP) condemned as being at political watershed for Libya. It re- authorities in Tripoli and the milk- the heart of Libya’s crisis sulted in the resignation of the last ing of the country’s riches by offi- well before Haftar active member of the Presidency cials were broadly condemned as something must change. Imme- the Security Council will respond being at the heart of Libya’s crisis diately after the eastern oil termi- positively to Sarraj’s request, there decided to act. Council from the east whom the east accepts as being from the re- well before Haftar decided to act. nals were handed back, the head is little conviction among the Liby- gion. In his Security Council report, of the official National Oil Com- an public, though, that much will Elections, which the interna- Fathi Majbri, from Ajdabiya and Salame made clear that “frustra- pany, Mustafa Sanalla, called for change. tional community sees as a step to once a lecturer in engineering at tions with regards to the distribu- a fair distribution of oil revenues In Tripoli, the militias rule the a more stable Libya, were wanted Glasgow University, oversaw the tion of wealth and the endemic and Sarraj wrote to the Security roost and are most unlikely to give by most Libyans, Salame said, but Presidency Council’s economic plundering of resources” were the Council asking for help to review up their lucrative position without they were jeopardised because of policies. He quit after his home in underlying issues plaguing Libya. the operations of the Central Bank a fight. the actions of a “few.” Tripoli was attacked by a militia. Despite suspending Majbri, the and ensure transparency on where “The few who benefit from the It followed a comment he made Presidency Council and other au- money was going. Michel Cousins is a contributor to status quo will… do whatever they about understanding why Haftar thorities in Tripoli accept that Despite the high probability that The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. July 22, 2018 9 News & Analysis Egypt Sinai’s development gains momentum with greater involvement by Arab countries

Ahmed Megahid including $2 billion for develop- ment projects, many of which were in Sinai. Cairo Such support, analysts said, was necessary if Egypt wants to ensure uwait has donated $165 security and stability across the Si- million to support the de- nai Peninsula. velopment of Egypt’s Sinai Egypt’s development programme K Peninsula. The Kuwaiti for Sinai requires $15 billion; $9.7 government earlier gave $1.5 billion billion has been raised so far, mostly towards Sinai development, funds in donations from other Arab coun- Egypt desperately needs to bridge tries. a funding gap in the national pro- Egypt’s plans for Sinai Peninsula gramme to develop the peninsula. development come amid growing The $165 million donation, an- Arab fears that unrest in the area nounced July 16, will be used to could affect navigation in the Suez initiate projects, including improve- Canal and the Red Sea, important ment of water quality, Egyptian passageways for petroleum from Minister of Investment and Interna- the Gulf to international markets, tional Cooperation Sahar Nasr said. analysts said. “It will also be used in making the “The situation in Sinai always af- necessary infrastructure for a num- fects navigation in the canal,” said ber of important projects in Sinai,” retired army General Gamal Ed- Nasr said. dine Mazloum. “Unrest in Sinai Kuwait is the latest Arab Gulf can hamper navigation in the ca- country to contribute to Sinai devel- nal, a doomsday scenario for Egypt opment. In March 2016, Saudi Ara- and countries whose trade passes bia donated $1.5 billion for Sinai de- through the canal.” velopment. The following month, Egypt is focusing on Sinai devel- the United Arab Emirates offered $4 opment while the Egyptian Army is billion in financial support to Egypt, fighting to uproot extremism in the restive area. Egypt began Operation Sinai in February to defeat the Is- Funds donated lamic State (ISIS). Cairo said the operation has crip- Ambitious plans. An Egyptian labourer walks at construction site. (AFP) by Arab countries pled ISIS’s combat ability and re- duced its numbers. Analysts specu- since March 2016: late ISIS found it easy to operate out Some of Sinai’s residents com- gramme aims to assist military ef- ble weapon against terrorism,” Nasr of the Sinai Peninsula because of plained about discrimination in forts to eradicate terrorism and said. “You cannot eradicate terror- ► Saudi Arabia: a lack of development and disen- public-sector jobs and the ability to extremism from the Egyptian pen- ism in an area that suffers depriva- $1.5 billion chantment of the local community. enter military and police colleges. insula. The plan includes construc- tion.” Sinai remained without develop- Such tough conditions gave ji- tion of a huge number of flats, the “Development is at the heart of ment since its liberation from Israeli hadist movements an opportunity cultivation of massive land areas this aspired stability,” said Saad al- ► The United Arab occupation in the 1973 Yom Kippur to win Sinai residents to their side, and the completion of infrastruc- Zunt, the head of the Strategic Stud- Emirates: War. Mainly inhabited by nomadic security analysts said. ture projects. ies Centre, a local think-tank. “This Bedouins, the north-eastern terri- Attacks by terrorist groups turned The Ministry of Investment and stability is also paramount for secu- $4 billion tory — almost two times the sizes of some areas of North Sinai into for- International Cooperation is negoti- rity in the Suez Canal and the Red Israel, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and bidden territory for Christians and ating with the World Bank for fund- Sea.” ► Kuwait: the occupied West Bank combined those linked to the army or state in- ing for the Sinai development plan, $165 million — lacked many basic services for its stitutions. Nasr said. Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian 400,000 residents. The Sinai development pro- “Development is an indispensa- reporter in Cairo. In Sisi’s Egypt, army plays major role across society

Ibrahim Ouf time Egypt suffers tough economic all these battles, with the military conditions and the government is establishment losing dozens of of- applying austerity measures on the ficers and hundreds of troops in Cairo public. battles against terrorist groups. Egypt’s more than 6 million civil It was the military that prevented he army and the people servants had been fighting for a Egypt’s polarisation and a potential are one hand,” Egyp- raise to cope with surges in food civil war before and after Morsi’s “ tians chanted during the prices. Despite this, there has been ouster. With conscription in Egypt Touster in 2011 of Hosni no corresponding rise in civil serv- still in force, the military remains Mubarak and again in 2013 when ants’ salaries, even though the gov- very popular, with almost all peo- Muslim Brotherhood President ernment has been careful to incor- ple having some ties to the army. Muhammad Morsi was removed porate bonuses and other financial However, with many ordinary from office. The army has always measures with austerity reforms. Egyptians suffering under a harsh enjoyed a unique position in Egypt Egypt’s pensioners are also find- austerity programme, questions but it is a role that has steadily in- ing that their pensions are far from are being asked about why army creased under Egyptian President sufficient to meet commodity price officers are being granted even Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. rises, even as Egypt’s military en- greater privileges. Military factories that had been tered the pharmaceutical industry The Egyptian Army has become dedicated to military industries are to ensure cheaper prices for vital an intrinsic part of all economic ac- focusing on a broad range of prod- medicines. tivities in Egypt. Critics complain ucts for civilian consumption — “The government keeps asking that the private sector is unable to the people to economise on their compete. Sisi said in March that the from refrigerators to cookers, solar Increasing role. A file picture shows Egyptian Army officers spending but it keeps favouring military economy amounted to less panel cells to air conditioners. The walking in front of a huge screen during the opening ceremony of army officers by giving them un- than 4% of Egypt’s GDP. However, Egyptian military has also taken a a waterway at the Suez Canal in Ismailia. (AFP) leading role in overseeing of new paralleled benefits,” said Mohamed with Egypt’s military budget and national projects initiated under Anwar al-Sadat, a former member revenues shrouded in secrecy, few Sisi, including the Suez Canal ex- ther the constitution or the law,” minister but also Major-General of parliament who was sacked in can be certain about the total mon- pansion and the construction of said Hassan Nafaa, a political sci- Mahmoud Tawfik being appointed February 2017 for — among other etary value of Egypt’s military. the new administrative capital. ence professor at Cairo University. interior minister and Major-Gen- things — inquiring about the sala- Egyptian Assistant Defence Min- Questions about the increasing “There is no legal or constitutional eral Mahmoud Sayed Abdel Hamid ries of army officers. “This is why ister Mamdouh Shahin said the role that Egypt’s military is play- justification to give the generals all Shaarawi being appointed minister everybody is angry.” new bill contained no preferential ing comes as parliament approved these privileges.” of local development. In Egypt, army officers get flats treatment for the army generals. a bill granting senior army officers Army officers, and particularly and cars at subsidised prices. They Other segments of society, Shahin generals, have always been a fa- have their own hotels, restaurants, said, were honoured before in rec- rare privileges, including effective- In Egypt, army officers ly guaranteeing them immunity voured elite of Egypt’s presidents, clubs and beaches. ognition for the sacrifices they of- from prosecution. get flats and cars at from Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Sisi, political analysts said, was fered their country. The bill does not allow court tri- subsidised prices. They army officer who led the Free Offic- keen to ensure the loyalty of the “Recognition of the sacrifices als for generals unless approved by have their own hotels, ers Movement that overthrew the generals during difficult times. Sisi made by army generals is tanta- the Supreme Council of the Armed restaurants, clubs and monarchy in 1952 and established himself had previously served as mount to recognition of the sacri- Forces, the decision-making organ beaches. the modern Egyptian republic, to army chief of staff. fices made by the armed forces as of the Egyptian armed services. Mubarak but privileges recently Egypt has been fighting a branch a whole,” Shahin said, “but in this, The measure grants army gener- Sisi’s latest cabinet, announced given to army officers have been of the Islamic State in Sinai for sev- the generals should not be seen by als financial benefits that had only in June, saw the appointment of unprecedented, analysts said. eral years. It has been struggling anybody as a preferred segment of been enjoyed by cabinet ministers. an unprecedented number of min- The salaries and the pensions to finish off terrorist organisations society.” “The impression such a bill gives isters from military backgrounds, of army officers have been raised affiliated with the Muslim Brother- is that those ruling our country not just General Mohamed Ahmed numerous times in the past five hood. Ibrahim Ouf is an Egyptian have no respect whatsoever to ei- Zaki being appointed defence years. The raises are coming at a The army has been at the heart of journalist in Cairo. 10 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Lebanon Growing tension in Lebanon’s Bekaa fuels conflict within Shia bloc

Sami Moubayed and water. He described the Bekaa as a “time bomb” and said the govern- ment should not ignore the concerns Beirut of the Bekaa, “You have given a lot to the south racks are emerging within (where Berri reigns). It is now time the Hezbollah-led March 8 to pay attention to the Bekaa before Alliance and, more specifi- you lose it,” Sayyed said. Control of the Bekaa. A campaign poster for Jamil al-Sayyed at Dahr al-Baidar area in Lebanon’s C cally, the Shia community Sayyed has refused to criticise eastern Bekaa Valley, on April 25. (AFP) within it. Berri in person but said the speaker’s A war of words is under way be- top aides were corrupt. Berri sup- which Berri has occupied since 1992. pected to use that frustration before the presidency, talk started about tween recently elected MP Jamil porters accused Sayyed of being a Sayyed’s immediate chances to a conference of Berri’s Amal Move- replacing Nabih Berri with a new al-Sayyed, a former security chief, thief and liar. become speaker are low because ment in September to erode Berri’s speaker of parliament, which coin- and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Lebanese Agriculture Minister the Saudi-backed March 14 Alliance leadership among Shias. cided with reports of ‘Syrian anger’ Both are Shias who are exception- Ghazi Zueiter, a Berri protege and will not support him. Berri, 80 and Surprisingly, Hezbollah, the Irani- from Amal Movement’s refusal to ally close to Damascus, Tehran and member of Amal, replied via Twitter, reportedly in declining health, has ans and the Syrians have been silent join the Syrian war, in support of the Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan that the Shias were one camp and been re-elected to another term, about the feud between its two al- Syrian regime,” said Lebanese ana- Nasrallah. all belonged to the resistance. Their which ends in 2022, but has named lies. lyst Ghassan Habbal. Sayyed, who is from the Bekaa mistake, he added, was allowing no successor. Sayyed, then, has four Such Shia rivalries are not new but This has shown in the campaign Valley, a Hezbollah incubator, re- Sayyed to run for parliament with years to gather support for a run at they have been muted for nearly 20 against Berri by Sayyed, which, Hab- cently posted a tweet saying the the backing of Hezbollah and Amal. the speakership. years. Within the Shia camp, one no- bal said, has been “adopted indirect- Shias of Lebanon were divided be- Berri supporters reminded Sayyed An ambitious man, Sayyed said table voice is still being heard — Sub- ly by President Aoun and more di- tween those in government and that, while he was detained from he was not properly compensated hi al-Tufayli, the founding secretary- rectly by Gebran Bassil,” Lebanon’s those in “the resistance.” Berri sup- 2005-09 for suspected involvement for his years of detention and that general of Hezbollah, who left office foreign minister. porters saw the comment as an effort in the assassination of former Prime the MP post is too limited. He is not in 1984 and has been a vocal critic of Berri, Habbal said, was unhappy to distance Berri from the resistance, Minister Rafik Hariri, Berri worked entitled to a cabinet post, however, the party’s links to Iran and of chron- with Aoun’s nomination as president although it was from his Amal Move- for his release from prison. because only heads of blocs will be ic poverty and neglect in Shia dis- in 2016 “and the battle goes on, in all ment that Hezbollah was formed in Sayyed is apparently trying to po- represented in the upcoming cabi- tricts. Tufayli remains on relatively of its Lebanese and Syrian dimen- 1982. sition himself as a spokesman for the net, with one seat for every four good terms with Amal and Berri. sions, and it is one of the obstacles Sayyed, at a news conference, said Shia poor on par with Nasrallah and members in parliament, and Sayyed Sayyed seems to be creating an- facing formation of the Lebanese grievances were high in the Bekaa Berri, who have been the only Shia doesn’t qualify. other camp in the Shia community, cabinet.” Valley due to soaring unemploy- voices for two decades. Sources in Sayyed has pointed out rising dis- insisting on excellent relations with ment, government neglect, corrup- Lebanon said Sayyed has his eyes on content in the Bekaa Valley, includ- Nasrallah but positioning himself as Sami Moubayed is a Syrian historian tion, security breakdown and lack of a pan-Shia leadership and, eventual- ing his native Baalbek-Hermel, a a possible successor to Berri. and author of “Under the Black proper services, such as electricity ly, the speakers’ post in parliament, predominately Shia district. He is ex- “Since Michel Aoun’s ascent to Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015).

Viewpoint Hezbollah leaves Lebanon in murky waters

ebanon’s primary export sions for security and stability in should be prosperity the region,” Aoun wrote on Twitter and neutrality, as had on July 16, his first public comment Claude Salhani long been the case. The on the accord. “Switzerland of the Mid- “Lebanon considered (the deal) dle East,” they used to a cornerstone for stability in the Lsay. Ah, but those days of political region, helping make it an area free insouciance when the Lebanese of weapons of mass destruction,” would steer clear of regional poli- Aoun’s office said in a statement tics are long gone. summarising a meeting between The days when ousted prime the president and Iranian Foreign ministers from neighbouring coun- Ministry official Hossein Jaberi tries could find safety and refuge Ansari. in Beirut no longer hold. Lebanon’s Aoun said he welcomed the involvement in cut-throat regional commitment of other countries to politics has left the country in continue with the deal. murky waters. In Lebanon’s May elections, Just as Gulf countries rely on oil Hezbollah — along with groups and and natural gas for prosperity, so individuals politically aligned to Lebanon relied on peace to sell its it — won more than half of the seats major source of revenue: hospi- in parliament, boosting the group tality. Lebanon’s major industry Stuck in traffic. A man gestures as he drives a car with the picture politically. Militarily, its combat- was tourism; an industry in which of Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Bint Jbeil in tested militia, which experienced peace and serenity are prerequi- southern Lebanon. (Reuters) some of Syria’s toughest battles in sites. Lebanon’s tourism was an supporting Syrian President Bashar industry that employed thousands Assad in that country’s civil war, of people and had a positive effect gatherings of political and social site tracks and never the two shall is more powerful than Lebanon’s on the country’s economy. misfits in the greater Middle East meet, at least not in their current army. Lebanon’s tourist industry kept can be found in Lebanon, where political incarnations. Lebanon’s Under the 2015 accord, Iran won the country’s many hotels, restau- most of its members have no Christians have praised Hezbollah a lifting of international sanctions rants and nightclubs — along with a qualms in placing the interests of for its success in pushing Israel out in return for verifiable curbs on slew of not-so-kosher industries — their political or financial support- of southern Lebanon, giving the its disputed uranium enrichment busy but that served their purpose. ers ahead of the interests of the Arab world its first major military programme. US President Donald They depended on a peaceful country. victory over Israel. Yet the Leba- Trump withdrew Washington from spring and summer to make up for It does not help Lebanon that its nese Christians also avoided any the deal in May, calling it deeply the rest of the year. leader is fully aligned with Iran. political alignment with Hezbollah. flawed and has reimposed stringent Alas, it is practically impossible Lebanon, like all small countries in As most Lebanese Christian US sanctions, heaping pressure on to promote tourism when terror- the region, bases its stability and leaders distanced themselves other signatories, including major ism is knocking at your door. prosperity on neutrality in regional from Hezbollah, one leader — the European allies, to follow suit. Add to that the fact that Leba- conflicts. Lebanon and Iran are not country’s president — did exactly European powers have reaf- nese politicians are their own politically compatible. They stand the opposite. Michel Aoun wanted firmed their commitment to the worst enemies and have yet to at opposing ends of the political to be president so badly that he accord and said they would do While Iran beats its draw lessons from the mistakes spectrum. was ready to sign on with the devil more to encourage their businesses of their fathers and grandfathers. Much as Lebanon needs peace so he went into a memorandum of to stay engaged with Iran, though chest and “owns” a Despite a 19-year civil war that and stability to thrive, Iran, by the understanding with Hezbollah. many firms have said they plan to large segment of the achieved nothing memorable, very nature of its constitution, With tensions in the region pull out to avoid US penalties. the country’s leaders continue is constantly looking to expand mounting, this could mean agitated While Iran beats its chest and Lebanese political to bicker, picking up where their and export its Islamic revolution. waters lie ahead for Lebanon. “owns” a large segment of the Leb- scene thanks to fathers left off. For the revolution to survive and Aoun is preaching on behalf of anese political scene thanks to its Hezbollah, Lebanon If “the more things change, to thrive, Iran needs continued Hezbollah, telling the Americans proxy militia Hezbollah, Lebanon the more they stay the same” is turmoil. Much as the residents of that pulling out from the 2015 and the Lebanese are left holding is left holding the applicable to anywhere in the Lebanon enjoy their individual nuclear deal was wrong and will the broken pieces of the Lebanese broken pieces of the region, a quick glance at Lebanon’s freedom, Iranians under the diktat negatively affect the Middle East. political jigsaw puzzle. parliament should underline the of the mullahs have their basic “The unilateral US withdrawal political jigsaw point I am trying to make. Indeed, rights denied. from the nuclear agreement (in Claude Salhani is a regular puzzle. that collection of one of the largest The two countries run on oppo- May) will have negative repercus- columnist for The Arab Weekly. July 22, 2018 11 Spotlight US and Iran’s expansionism Iran’s expansionist designs meet US intrigue

Ed Blanche A history of US Beirut covert action he leader of Kata’ib Sayyid al Shuhada (KSS), an Iraqi Ed Blanche Shia militia that is closely T linked to Iran’s Islamic Rev- olutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), says Beirut he’s ready to send fighters to sup- port Houthi rebels battling Saudi he West’s problems with Arabia and its allies in Yemen Iran began on August 19, KSS Secretary-General Abu Waala 1953, when the US Central al-Wa’eli proclaimed: “I declare I T Intelligence Agency and am a soldier standing at the signal Britain’s Special Intelligence Ser- of Sayyid Abdelmalik al-Houthi,” vice staged a coup that brought the leader of the Iran-backed Shia down the government of the pop- tribal rebels known as Ansar Allah. ular and democratically elected It is fighting the Saudi-backed Yem- Prime Minister Mohammad Mos- en government forces in Yemen’s sadegh. 3-year-old civil war. The coup, one of many such “I announce that Kata’ib Sayyid plots devised by the CIA, restored al Shuhada is a faction among your to power Iran’s monarch, Shah factions, O Ansar Allah,” Wa’eli said. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a weak His offer testifies to how Shia- and vacillating ruler who had fled majority Iran is increasingly wield- to Rome when Mossadegh was ing an army of militias across the elected. largely Sunni Muslim Middle East The objective of the coup was to advance its strategic objective of control of Iran’s vast oil wealth dominating the region and, for the and keeping the Soviet Union at most part, getting away with it. bay. This growing network, which in- Alarming trend. Members of Shia group Asaib Ahl al-Haq march during the Quds Day gathering in Until Mossadegh nationalised cludes Pakistani and Afghan Shia Baghdad, last July. (AP) Iran’s oil, it had been controlled groups, could help establish Iranian by the British, while the Ameri- footholds in South Asia, particular- like KSS, are veterans of the wars been on autopilot.” tration — that has been made more cans overlorded Saudi Arabia’s. ly Afghanistan and Pakistan. in Iraq and Syria, with battle-hard- One of the most serious differ- miserable by a severe drought. As Britain’s post-war power In that regard, Tajikistan’s top ened leaders who, gathered under ences between Iran and the United There is no hard evidence that waned, the United States eventu- clerical body, the Council of Ulema, the aegis of Qassem Soleimani, the States is Tehran’s long-honed abil- these protests, met with consider- ally controlled Iran’s as well. accused Tehran in May of desta- charismatic Iranian commander of ity to exploit the internal political able force by the Tehran regime, are Operation Ajax caused intense bilising the Central Asian state, the IRGC’s elite al-Quds Force, have dynamics of the countries it has the work of US-backed agitators. outrage in Iran among hardliners which in 2017 closed the Iranian become Tehran’s shock troops in its targeted, an area where the Ameri- However, Pompeo and other Trump and liberals alike because Mos- Embassy’s cultural office. quest for regional supremacy. cans and their allies have failed to hawks, including national security sadegh was considered a symbol It’s the same in the Maghreb, Pro-Iranian militias have prolifer- achieve decisive influence while adviser John Bolton, said such ac- of democracy who had defied the where there are few Shias. In May, ated in Syria since 2012 and emerged avoiding military entanglement. tions will help foster a revolution Western powers. Morocco severed diplomatic ties as a vital component of the military “Russia’s support has ensured in Iran to end the Islamic regime That outrage came home to with Iran for supporting the Polisa- forces supporting the Assad regime the survival of Bashar Assad in Syr- that overthrew the Western-backed haunt the Americans in January rio Front, a separatist group in West- but with Bashar Assad’s dictator- ia and enabled Iranian and foreign Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979 when the US-backed shah ern Sahara, and claimed Tehran had ship firmly back on top in the Syrian Shia fighters to embed in the coun- January 1979, 25 years after he had was toppled in the Islamic Revo- sent arms to the group. war, these groups are increasingly try,” Leaf observed. been restored to power in a CIA- lution, whipped up by Ayatollah The Iranians denied that but the pursuing Iranian objectives. Meanwhile, “Hezbollah deployed backed coup. Ruhollah Khomeini, and the Is- split underlined growing alarm in “Iranian influence on the ground to Syria and won resoundingly at Some observers see a more Mach- lamic Republic that resulted en- the Arab world about the stead- in Syria is rapidly outstripping that the ballot box in Lebanon,” she iavellian objective. dures to this day. ily spreading influence of hard-line, of the Assad regime and Russia,” ob- added. “Iran is also flooding Bagh- The danger, as US-based Iranian Ousting Mossadegh was the Tehran-controlled Shia organisa- served Phillip Smyth of the Wash- dad with money and currying influ- analyst Trita Parsi sees things, is CIA’s first successful overthrow of tions across the region. ington Institute for Near East Policy. ence to ensure its partners form the that “if Iran becomes a success- a foreign government and was the US analyst Michael Knights, who “Damascus has few options for next government.” ful democracy” through regime precursor of other US-inspired recently visited Iraq, has long main- reversing this trend given its minor- Time is not on the Trump admin- change, “Iran’s power will likely regime changes during the Cold tained that the Houthis and other ity Alawite support base. As a re- istration’s side in terms of overcom- grow significantly.” War. Iraqi Shia proxies of Iran “actively sult, the forces gaining ascendancy ing or even just slowing, Iran’s drive So, the US goal as propounded by The CIA consistently denied seek to adopt the Iranian system of in regime-controlled areas will be to become the region’s superpower. right-wing hawks, inside and out- involvement in the Mossadegh clerical rule in Iraq, sweeping away more prone to supporting Tehran’s Plotting a long game is part of side of the administration, “appears affair until June 2017 when se- the old religious establishment foreign policy agenda instead of As- the Iranians’ DNA, a throwback to be regime collapse and prolonged cret papers concerning Operation in favour of a hierarchy led from sad’s. to the days of the ancient Persian chaos and instability in Iran. Short Ajax, masterminded by Kermit Qom,” the heart of Iranian Shiism. “This agenda may include fight- empires, generically alien to the of war, only that would shift the bal- “Kim” Roosevelt, a grandson of With the war in Syria seemingly ing US forces in southern and east- impulsive and reactionary Trump ance of power in the region toward US President Theodore Roosevelt winding down, Iraqi Shia militia ern Syria or attacking Israel via the administration. Israel.” and a distant cousin of President leaders have recently been in Leb- Golan.” In Yemen, Iran has “built a small There has also been an upswing in Franklin Roosevelt, were declas- anon discussing an alliance with Iran’s influence in the Middle but hardy train-and-equip pro- violent incidents on Iran’s borders sified. Hezbollah, which, with its allies, East has grown alarmingly over the gramme for the Houthis, partially where Kurdish and Baluchi mili- On November 4, 1979, Khomei- dominates the government in Bei- last year or two — witness events in contracted out to Hezbollah,” Leaf tants have battled for years seeking ni militants stormed the US Em- rut, to fight Israel on the disputed Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen — and noted. to end Shia rule of their Sunni prov- bassy in Tehran and held diplo- Golan Heights of Syria. this is causing growing alarm if it “With advanced missile-tech- inces. mats (and at least one CIA agent In December, Qais Khaza- continues to expand at its current nology transfers, Iran has enabled Again, there’s no solid evidence they didn’t know about) in cap- li of Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), a rate. the Houthis to strike deep into that such attacks have been stepped tivity for 444 days. 3,000-strong organisation heavily Saudi territory and threatened in- up due to CIA agitation or funding, The shah died of cancer in exile engaged in Syria, toured southern ternational shipping in the Bab although hardliners in Washington in Cairo on July 27, 1980, aged 60. Lebanon, where Hezbollah faces Is- A growing network, el Mandeb (Strait)” in the southern make little effort to hide their wish rael, to discuss possible joint opera- which includes Pakistani Red Sea. to bring about the regime’s collapse that’s why before 2019 we here will tions against the Jewish state amid and Afghan Shia groups, “Iran’s investment is modest and through economic pain and vio- celebrate in Tehran!” escalating tensions between Israel could help establish the returns spectacular.” lence in the streets. A year later, Trump confidant There is little reasonable expec- and Iran in Syria. Iranian footholds in The Americans are steadily leav- Rudy Giuliani told a similar gather- In February, Khazali was followed ing their regional allies, such as tation that the CIA’s new offensive ing of the National Council of Re- by Akram al-Kaabi, commander South Asia, particularly the often-betrayed Kurds, in the will bring down a highly organised sistance, the MEK’s political front, of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Afghanistan and lurch when the going gets rough, clerical regime capable of defend- that the Trump administration was which has operated in Syria along- Pakistan. to a large extent because there is no ing itself with the utmost ruthless- committed to “bring down the Ira- side Hezbollah since 2013. The Nu- coherent policy on countering Iran ness, from within and without. nian regime” and that “the collapse jaba group recently announced the Now, short of all-out war, there on the ground beyond squeezing it The Trump administration seems of the Islamic Republic of Iran is formation of a multiparty “Golan does not seem to be anything to economically. to be relying to some extent on an around the corner.” Brigade” to liberate the Israeli-oc- impede what is becoming known In 2017, the CIA, while under the Iraqi emigre group known as the The US-based global intelligence cupied Golan Heights in Syria. as “Iran’s Foreign Legion” spread- direction of Mike Pompeo before Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), to stir consultancy Stratfor noted recently Kaabi once famously declared he ing its tentacles and extending Teh- Trump appointed him secretary of up trouble at home for the Tehran that the punitive initiatives de- would topple the Baghdad govern- ran’s influence by high-powered in- state in April, established an Iran regime. The MEK may have had its signed to stir up popular protests ment if ordered to by Iranian Su- trigue and skilfully managed brute Mission Centre to coordinate and uses in the past but it has been dis- against the Tehran regime have re- preme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- force. concentrate the agency’s capabili- credited as little more than a cult sulted in “a rare display of unity… nei. Barbara A. Leaf, US ambassador ties to bring about regime change in and is believed to have little actual between moderates like (President Hezbollah, Iran’s first and most to the United Arab Emirates from Iran, deepening the destabilisation support inside Iran. Hassan) Rohani and the conserva- prized revolutionary Shia proxy, is 2014-18, observed in June: “The that already affects a region in dire Tehran insists that the street pro- tive” IRGC. reported to be fighting in Yemen Trump administration entered of- disarray. tests have been stirred up from the That, it postulated, could lead to alongside the Houthis, a branch of fice with a stated commitment to To head it, Pompeo appointed a outside as the US intensifies its eco- a “rebranding of their image among Shia Islam. The Saudi-led coalition knitting up frayed relations with hard-charging CIA veteran named nomic pressure on Iran in a bid to voters… and if the United States is in Yemen claimed in June that eight the Gulf and focusing on (counter- Michael D’Andrea, who had earlier force it to abandon its expansionist not careful, its efforts to isolate the Hezbollah fighters had been killed ing) destabilising activities across masterminded the agency’s drone objectives. powerful military branch will only in combat. Hezbollah denies it has the region. strikes that decimated al-Qaeda’s On July 1, 2017, Bolton addressed succeed in banding Iran’s political a presence in Yemen, although it “Yet ironically, that never trans- leadership cadres. a large gathering of MEK support- factions together against it.” was deeply involved in Iraq when lated into a senior-level focus on Since D’Andrea took charge there ers in Paris and declared: “The be- Iran-backed groups were fighting Yemen, where those strands come has been a marked rise in street haviour and the objectives of the Ed Blanche is a regular contributor the Americans following the March tightly together,” she noted. “In protests in Iran against a deepen- regime are not going to change to The Arab Weekly. He has 2003 invasion. fact, US support for the (Saudi-led) ing economic crisis — much of it and, therefore, the only solution reported on the Middle East Most of the Shia groups in Iraq, coalition’s campaign has largely engineered by the Trump adminis- is to change the regime itself. And since 1967. 12 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Palestinians ‘angry but not surprised’ by adoption of Israeli nation-state law

Mamoon Alabbasi

London

alestinians denounced the passing of legislation that says Jews have a “unique” P right to self-determination in Israel, which the measure de- fined as the nation-state of the Jewish people. The law, passed by parliament July 19, declared Hebrew as the country’s only official language and demoted Arabic to a “special status.” The measure states that a “unit- ed Jerusalem” is the capital of Is- rael and that “the state sees the development of Jewish settlement as a national value and will act to encourage and promote its estab- lishment and consolidation.” The move has negative implica- tions for Israeli citizens of Palestin- ian origin as well as Palestinians in the occupied territories. Most Pal- estinian citizens of Israel are either Muslim or Christian whose first language is Arabic. “We are angry but not surprised. Arabs not welcome. Israeli-Arab lawmaker Ahmed Tibi (front row-R) attends with fellow deputies the Knesset Plenary Hall session We suffer from discrimination and ahead of the vote on the National Law, on July 18. (AFP) racism by Israel on a daily basis. We witness that when we are denied country, the language, the anthem language, which remains a mother a legal centre that campaigns for of the Palestine Liberation Organi- employment or building permits,” and flag,” he said. tongue for 1.5 million of Israel’s Arab minority rights in Israel. sation. said Khoulod Abu Ahmed, an Is- Arab members of Israel’s parlia- citizens,” said Dichter before the Adalah General Director Hassan Ben White, a British journalist raeli citizen of a Palestinian origin. ment tore copies of the bill in pro- vote. Jabareen said the law “is not only and author of “Cracks in the Wall: “The law only confirms what test. Ayman Odeh, who heads the Dichter’s remarks were echoed immoral but also absolutely pro- Beyond Apartheid in Palestine/ we already know: That we are not Arab Joint List alliance, pulled out by Netanyahu, who insisted that hibited under international law.” Israel,” said the bill would harm welcome in our own land and that a black flag during his speech in Israel “honours the individual He warned that “by defining sover- Palestinians on both sides of the Israel wants to drive the rest of us parliament. “This is an evil law… a rights of all its citizens.” eignty and democratic self-rule as Green Line. out. Our language and culture have black flag hovers over it,” he said. Rights activists, however, were belonging solely to the Jewish peo- “With this new Basic Law, Israeli always been a target. The law will “This is the end of our democracy.” not convinced. ple — wherever they live around the authorities are doubling down allow discrimination to continue The bill was sponsored by parlia- “The Basic Law suspends the world — Israel has made discrimi- on the long-standing discrimina- under a legal cover.” ment member Avi Dichter, who re- two systems of law that are per- nation a constitutional value.” tion faced by Palestinian citizens Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin jected allegations that the bill was ceived as legitimate under inter- The bill drew criticism from 14 (of Israel) and indeed giving such Netanyahu hailed the passing of discriminatory against minorities. national law: The first system is progressive American-Jewish or- discrimination constitutional sup- the law. “Unlike the disinformation and the state’s domestic legal system, ganisations, which warned that port,” White said. “This is our country, the Jewish fake news that were tossed around which should be based on equality the bill endangered Israel’s future “With the annexation of all or state. In recent years there have [regarding the bill], this basic law before the law and the rule of law. as a democratic state. parts of the West Bank on the po- been those who have tried to un- doesn’t hurt the culture of minori- The second system is that of inter- The bill, which supports Israeli litical agenda, this law should also dermine that and question the ties living in Israel, doesn’t hurt national humanitarian law, which sovereignty over occupied territo- be seen in the context of Israel principles of our existence. Today their sabbaticals and holidays and is applicable to an occupied terri- ries, was branded as “dangerous” consolidating an apartheid, single we made it into law: This is the certainly doesn’t hurt the Arabic tory,” read a statement by Adalah, by Saeb Erekat, secretary-general state.”

Viewpoint Cairo needs Hamas’s cooperation to block the ‘deal of the century’

he recent Middle a biased deal down everybody’s Salem Crossing. misery in Gaza. Eastern trip made by throat by taking advantage of the It’s up to Cairo to find an ap- Many hurdles stand in the way US President Donald deteriorating social and economic propriate solution to the crisis in of Cairo’s strategies. Palestinian Mohamad conditions in Gaza as well as of Gaza. The problem with that is President Mahmoud Abbas and Abou el-Fadel Trump’s Senior Advis- er Jared Kushner and the rift between the Palestinian that it relieves Israel of its respon- the Palestinian Authority are re- Special Representative Authority and Hamas, plus the sibilities as an occupying force luctant to coordinate their efforts Tfor International Negotiations latter’s readiness to escalate ten- and gives credibility to claims with Hamas and claim Egypt Jason Greenblatt has shown that sion with Israel to stay in com- that Egypt could have helped was bypassing them because the “deal of the century” will mand in Gaza. Gaza by breaking its siege before its direct interests are at stake. prove to be a hard pill to swallow Aware of the stakes involved, it became too late. Such an attitude casts doubts on because of its Israel bias and its Cairo blocked the path for a deal Such claims were made by Qa- the impartiality of the Egyptian opportunistic exploitation of the that purports to be the only solu- tar and Turkey, which preferred side in brokering the Palestinian deteriorating Arab and Palestin- tion available to the Palestinian to ignore the fact that Gaza had reconciliation. Fatah also cannot ian situations. question. It moved on several become a gathering point for ex- understand why all this bending The Arab position can be ex- fronts so it does not end up being tremists who sneaked into Sinai backward to please Hamas and treme at times but rejects the deal cornered into accepting a deal through tunnels. They also forgot that makes it weary of making as it stands. Even the “take what that works against its strategic that Gaza’s economy boomed concessions in Gaza. you can get then demand more” interests. once the tunnels were destroyed, Hamas has reacted rather approach and manoeuvring On one front, Cairo is trying to security agreements with Hamas favourably to Cairo’s efforts on around the deal are not options relieve the economic pressure negotiated and terrorists driven the economic front, the reconcili- this time because any apparent in Gaza and stop the political out of Sinai. ation front and the de-escalation endorsement for the deal will be auctioning of the human tragedy Egypt moved on the front of a front but nothing is guaranteed taken as full approval. Since the there. Palestinian reconciliation. Cairo with Hamas. It can easily with- Palestinian cause is a matter of Many other countries have hosted a meeting between Fatah draw from the process once it lays regional security, such approval jumped on the opportunity. Qatar and Hamas but nothing came of its hands on more cards or finds a can cause embarrassment for the tried to open a channel for negoti- it. The visit of the two delega- partner that allows it to maintain involved parties. ations between Israel and Hamas. tions, however, left the impres- its authority in Gaza. Egypt is at the forefront of Turkey extended a helping hand sion that the Palestinians want a Cairo is going to find it difficult countries that expressed refusal to its brethren in Gaza and Iran national reconciliation and that a to stop the deal of the century of the deal. Of course, it hasn’t of- inflated its anti-Israel rhetoric. political process towards that end unless it guarantees Hamas’s ficially informed Washington for Egypt was the first to see that could be started. The Egyptians unwavering support. Observers diplomatic reasons but the reser- Gaza’s misery is one back path were convinced that Palestinian are not banking on it given the vations expressed to Kushner and for sneaking in the deal of the reconciliation is the best shield movement’s experiences. Unless De-escalation Greenblatt in Cairo undermine century. The economic approach against the defective deal of the all Palestinian factions realise between the the deal’s political aspects, which to the Palestinian question saw century. that agreement and concessions crucially rely on Egypt’s support. the light when the countries men- De-escalation between the among them are crucial, Cairo’s Palestinian resistance Those who cooked up the deal tioned above began a political Palestinian resistance and Israel efforts to block the deal of the and Israel is a key must have been amateurs. They feeding frenzy on Gaza’s misery. is a key element in the Egyptian century will remain in limbo. must have been unfamiliar with To increase the human pressure strategy. The last thing Cairo element in the the historical dimension and and gauge its effect on morale in wants to offer the deal of the Mohamad Abou el-Fadel is an Egyptian strategy. naively thought they could shove Gaza, Israel closed the Karm Abu century is more destruction and Egyptian writer. July 22, 2018 13 Spotlight US, Israel and Palestinians Controversial move in US Congress to push for recognition of Israeli control of the Golan

Thomas Frank ferring to “growing threats” from run into opposition in Washington Syria and Iran. “Bolstering Israel’s among some respected authorities. sovereignty over the Golan by Daniel Kurtzer, the US ambassador Washington conferring formal US recognition to Israel under President George clearly serves US national security W. Bush, said at the hearing the onservative members of interests,” he said. United States could cause damage the US Congress and Mid- Michael Doran, who was a senior by changing its longstanding policy dle East experts are push- director in the National Security on Golan. C ing for the United States to Council under US President George “Today Israel is on the high recognise Israel’s sovereignty over W. Bush, said recognition “would ground both physically and dip- the Golan Heights, a controversial send a message to all parties, in- lomatically and morally,” Kurtzer move that could cause problems cluding the Russians and the Irani- said, referring to the Golan’s stra- for the United States’ Arab allies. ans, about what the US expects the tegic plateau from which Israeli The effort comes as Israeli offi- new Syria to look like. forces monitor Syrian movements. cials stepped up their campaign “The Russians and Iranians are Israel has gained support in the to get US President Donald Trump working to create a Syria that will Middle East as a bulwark against to provide such recognition as a be a Russian and Iranian base of Iran but “recognising Israeli sov- follow-up to his decision to move operations throughout the region,” ereignty over the Golan Heights the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to he said. “This is a way we can state when it’s not part of the discourse Jerusalem. powerfully to them that we don’t or diplomacy would force Arab Israel has controlled the Golan accept that.” states to distance themselves from Heights since the 1967 Six-Day Several former Israeli officials US leadership, which is critical at War, taking it from Damascus, have called for US recognition of this point,” Kurtzer said. which had ruled Golan since Syria Israeli’s control over the Golan, fol- US Representative Stephen “This idea that military con- DeSantis’s proposal to approve a was carved out of French territory lowing up on a request in February Lynch, a Massachusetts Democrat, flict transfers rights of ownership symbolic measure expressing sup- in 1944. Israel annexed the terri- 2017 by Israeli Prime Minister Biny- said: “My worry is that instead of means that whoever wins the last port for recognition. tory in 1981 but the international amin Netanyahu. the happy status quo, recognition war has the right to that territory. “I think it’s a matter of just con- community, including the United On July 1, centrist Israeli politi- would change the narrative away In the Middle East, that’s a danger- tinuing to build the public case,” States, regards the Golan as occu- cian Yair Lapid and former Defence from one of Israel’s defence to one ous, dangerous proposition and I DeSantis said in an interview after pied. Minister Moshe Ya’alon wrote in of we, the US, are overreaching.” don’t think it leads to a safe, secure his hearing. “If you were to con- During a hearing July 17 in the US the Times of Israel that “it’s time and peaceful Middle East or a safe template relinquishing the Golan House of Representatives, witness- to get off the fence” and recognise and secure Israel,” Lynch added. Heights, you are relinquishing it to es argued the move would safe- Israeli control over the Golan. “It is Israel annexed the Republican Representative Ron terrorist groups and Iranian prox- guard Israel against Syrian forces historically just, it is strategically territory in 1981 but the DeSantis, who is running for gov- ies, which is not good for American as Syrian President Bashar Assad smart and it will allow the United ernor in Florida, which has a large security in the region. We want to consolidates control of the country. States to extract a price from Assad international Jewish population, said he con- fight back against Iranian influ- “Now is the perfect time to do for his despicable behaviour with- community, including vened the hearing to build sup- ence.” this,” said Morton Klein, presi- out putting boots on the ground in the United States, port for US recognition of Israel’s dent of the Zionist Organisation Syria,” they wrote. regards the Golan as control over the Golan. In May, the Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly of America, a pro-Israel group, re- The push for recognition has occupied. House of Representatives shelved correspondent in Washington.

Viewpoint Peaceful resistance is the Palestinian answer to Trump’s ‘deal of the century’

nternational law states that a Who can forget the image of Whether Khan al-Ahmar is keeping the cause alive and visible people under occupation are Israeli troops attempting to break demolished or not, the planned to the international community. entitled to use all means of the bones of young Palestinian demolition and the popular resist- The Palestinians can make this Kamel Hawwash resistance — including armed protesters with rocks? ance that brought Palestinians more effective. For that to happen, resistance — to end the oc- The second intifada started in to the village to stand up to the a national Palestinian strategy is cupation. In their quest for September 2000, triggered by visit bulldozers elevated the issue on needed, one that shows the Pales- Ifreedom, justice and equality, to al-Aqsa Mosque by former Is- the international agenda, bring- tinians have learned from previ- the Palestinian people have used raeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. ing enough pressure on Israel to ous attempts and build on this. a multitude of forms, including It was much more violent, result- postpone the demolition. It must be designed to raise the armed resistance and continue to ing in heavy casualties on both British Middle East Minister cost of the occupation on Israel keep their options open. sides. This brought less sympathy Alistair Burt recorded a video both financially and politically. However, facing an Israeli for Palestinians and Israel used message from the village in The Palestinian Authority and propaganda machine, which has the death of civilians to demonise which he appealed to Israel not to all Palestinian factions must seize largely succeeded in characteris- Palestinians as a violent people. demolish it and that if it moved this opportunity, harness the suc- ing both military and non-military In a variation on peaceful its residents elsewhere it could be cesses and empower the people to Palestinian resistance as “ter- resistance, Palestinian activists considered forcible transfer and escalate it. Let it focus on disrupt- rorism,” the Palestinians have established villages on strategi- thus a possible war crime. ing the lives of the settlers in the explored other means that may cally located, privately owned Strong words indeed. West Bank through protests and bring greater support internation- Palestinian land in defiance of the The United Kingdom was not blockades that stop them moving ally and embarrass Israel when it escalation of illegal settlement alone. All but the most ardent around freely. Alerts about po- deals violently and disproportion- construction. Israel demolished state supporters of Israel — such tential demolitions should bring ately with Palestinians. them and evicted the activists. as the United States — tried to hundreds — if not thousands — to The first intifada was a case in This included Bab al-Shams, convince it that this was a step the site to force the occupiers to point. It started in 1987 and was which was established and demol- too far. stop. peaceful. However, Israel dealt ished days later in 2013. Perhaps the Great Return March While some Palestinians see the harshly with protesters, who were The summer of 2017 saw Israel and the Palestinians’ demand to Palestinian Authority and Hamas unarmed, at most throwing stones seal al-Aqsa Mosque following an return to the homes from which as part of the problem, a unified or Molotov cocktails at Israeli attack on troops and the subse- they were expelled, starting in strategy combined with sup- forces operating in their illegally quent stand-off between the state 1948, played a role in delaying porting the Boycott, Divest and occupied areas. Israeli troops and Palestinians who refused to the release of the ultimate deal. Sanctions movement and ending killed more than 1,000 Palestini- go through electronic gates it in- The scenes at Khan al-Ahmar may the security cooperation with ans during the intifada and images stalled to “enhance security.” The have played a part in reminding Israel could give them hope that of Israeli brutality were flashed on peaceful protests succeeded in the foreign diplomats that the Pales- their leadership is moving closer Israel meets even TV screens across the world. gates being removed. tinians are not going anywhere to supporting them in their daily The uprising introduced the The recent Great Return March soon. peaceful struggle. peaceful Palestinian word “intifada” into dictionaries and the protests to save Khan al- It is true to say that Israel meets The Palestinians may well find resistance with brutal but importantly led to the Madrid Ahmar, a Bedouin village due for even peaceful Palestinian resist- that as the growing support for force and any wins for conference in 1991 and the start demolition by Israel, have shown ance with brutal force and that their struggle escalates, the more of the peace process between Pal- that peaceful popular resistance any wins for Palestinians carry peaceful their resistance and the Palestinians carry estinians and Israelis, which led can cause Israel great embarrass- with them a heavy cost in lives more brutal Israel’s response. with them a heavy to the Oslo Accords. The peaceful ment and put a spanner in the and injuries. However, lacking nature of the uprising brought works of the US plan to settle the military power to evict Israel from Kamel Hawwash is a Britain-based cost in lives and great sympathy for the Palestin- conflict through the “deal of the the occupied territories, peaceful Palestinian university professor injuries. ian cause from across the world. century.” popular resistance has its place in and writer. 14 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Turkey seen as reintroducing state of emergency through ‘back door’

Thomas Seibert ment and Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system. However, Turkish President Re- Istanbul cep Tayyip Erdogan, bolstered by an election victory last month that decision to keep a US pas- gave him additional powers under tor in detention despite a new presidential system, showed high-level pleas from no inclination of freeing Brunson, A Washington for his free- who has been described as a dan- dom and new security measures gerous enemy of Turkey by the pro- blasted as unconstitutional by crit- government media, or of ending ics are signals that Turkey is keep- a clampdown on other suspected ing up the pressure on suspected enemies that has alarmed Ankara’s foes despite formally ending a state Western allies and the United Na- of emergency two years after a tions. coup attempt. In response to Trump’s criticism, Ignoring appeals from US Presi- the Turkish Foreign Ministry point- dent Donald Trump and leading ed to the trial against Brunson. members of the US Congress, a “Turkey is a country with the rule court in western Turkey ruled on of law,” spokesman Hami Aksoy July 18 to keep US clergyman An- said. drew Brunson in custody at least Erdogan allowed the state of until the next court hearing on Oc- emergency, introduced a few days tober 12. Brunson was detained in after the failed coup on July 15, October 2016 on terrorism and spy- 2016, to run out. The step was in ing charges. He could be sentenced part a response to calls by the Eu- to 35 years in prison if convicted. ropean Union and business lead- The Brunson case could have ers and investors who demanded far-reaching consequences for US- a return to normalcy because of Turkish relations. In a tweet July mounting difficulties for the Turk- 19, Trump called Brunson’s deten- ish economy. tion “a total disgrace” and accused As emergency rule wound down, Turkey of holding the pastor to Ankara moved to change antiterror Keeping up the pressure. A Turkish soldier stands guard in front of the Aliaga Prison and Courthouse extract concessions: “He has been laws to give security forces powers complex in Izmir, on July 18. (Reuters) held hostage far too long.” resembling those under emergency law. The opposition says the new laws are designed to reintroduce dreds of thousands of people.” to bar entry into certain regions for ways to suppress dissent. “They are The new laws, to be in the state of emergency through the The European Union, which Tur- up to 15 days. Open-air demonstra- bringing to parliament new legis- force for three years, back door. key wants to join, welcomed the tions would be restricted to day- lation that is aimed at making the would allow governors to Speaking before hundreds of end of the state of emergency but light hours. A vote in the general as- state of emergency permanent,” thousands of supporters on the said “concrete and lasting improve- sembly in Ankara, where Erdogan’s opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaro- bar entry into certain anniversary of the coup attempt, ments in the area of rule of law and party and a right-wing ally have a glu said of the anti-terror laws. regions for up to 15 days. Erdogan said the threat to the state fundamental freedoms” were es- clear majority, could be called soon. Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey “does not end.” He said all “cells” sential to improve relations. Metin Feyzioglu, the chairman director of Human Rights Watch, It was unclear whether Trump of Gulen supporters would be de- Critics say the very opposite is of Turkey’s Bar Association, said said the anti-terror bill contained was referring to Ankara’s call for the stroyed by Turkey’s security forces. happening. Following seven renew- some of the new measures violated “many concerning provisions.” United States to extradite Fethul- Under the state of emergency, als since 2016, the state of emergen- the constitution. The European Un- She, in an interview, said she was lah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living approximately 150,000 civil serv- cy officially ended at midnight July ion said the adoption of the pack- especially worried about a rule in Pennsylvania who is accused by ants, soldiers and policemen were 18 but the government introduced age would “dampen any positive that allowed the government to fire Turkey to have organised the coup sacked from their posts and almost a bill in parliament that hardens effect” of the end of the emergency judges arbitrarily, a step that would attempt of July 2016. 160,000 people were arrested on the country’s antiterror laws. If ap- rule. further erode the independence of Trump’s criticism reflects grow- charges of belonging to the Gulen proved by parliament, the package Ankara argues the anti-terror the judiciary. “That’s like a Damo- ing irritation among US policymak- network, the United Nations said. would allow authorities to press measures are necessary because cles sword hanging over them,” she ers over Turkey’s course. The US Hundreds of associations and me- ahead with mass dismissals of civil the country is under threat from said about the effect of the rule on Senate passed a measure in June dia outlets were shut down. A UN servants and hold some suspects in several groups, including the Gulen judges. that would prohibit Turkey from report in March said the state of custody for up to 12 days. movement, Kurdish militants and buying Lockheed Martin F-35 jets emergency led to “profound hu- The new laws, to be in force for the Islamic State but the opposition Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly because of Brunson’s imprison- man rights violations against hun- three years, would allow governors says the government is looking for correspondent. Viewpoint Turkish opposition has hard time adjusting to Erdogan’s authoritarian politics

etropoll, one of parochial.” mering response as it resorted to Strangely, a sizeable portion of Turkey’s few It is important to keep in remarkably erratic behaviour. the opposition seems to have not independent and mind the significant numbers One of the CHP’s leading properly taken in the fact that Yavuz Baydar reliable private of secular Turks, some of them figures, Ilhan Kesici, praised Erdogan has united previously pollsters, said cultural Muslims and all of them the election result. He visited separate powers in his person. new figures on soft nationalists, and it is impor- Erdogan in his grand palace and A parliament that has become MPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s tant to remember that Turkey painted a rosy picture afterward, a rubber stamp is arguably the job approval indicate a rise in the has a sharply politicised Kurdish as if everything were normal. strongest sign that Turkey has president’s popularity — a healthy community. Representatives of Other leading CHP figures, such almost completed its transforma- 7.3 percentage point increase to the secular Turks and the Kurds as Erdogan Toprak, projected the tion into a Central Asian republic. 53.1%. occupy approximately one-third illusion that parliament would be The inevitability of authoritarian More telling is that the level of of the seats in parliament. Their an efficient force even though it is logic means that remaining pock- disapproval was down 11.1 per- vote share was slightly higher. now no more than a bare meeting ets of opposition will be gobbled centage points to 38.2%. What will deputies of these hall, stripped of power to hold up, too. The numbers illustrate that parties — the secular-Kemalist the executive to account. It is not as if the CHP and HDP the masses bought the notion Republican People’s Party (CHP) Then, CHP leader Kemal have given up altogether. Closed- of a radical shift to one-man and pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Demo- Kilicdaroglu roared in a TV ap- door meetings are taking place in rule. Like the many examples cratic Party (HDP) — do? pearance that the elections were Ankara and Istanbul to discuss throughout history of the rise of That is probably the biggest “illicit” and suggested the results what to do. authoritarian rule, the myopia of question about the future of were null and void. This prompt- The decree regime means the the masses can prevent a proper Turkey. Is there any democratic ed disappointed CHP voters to opposition’s chance to be effec- understanding of political tec- brake, anything to slow down Er- ask on social media: “If so, Mr tive in the legislature is practi- tonic shifts. dogan’s consolidation of authori- Chairman, why do you not resign cally nil. It can’t bring a vote of As Cengiz Aktar wrote for Ah- tarian rule? from parliament en masse?” confidence either. Under these val Online: “Political Islam syner- The bitter truth is that parlia- The question was left unan- conditions, some argue, all that gised with its masses through the ment now has almost nothing swered, leading many to suspect the opposition can do is to filibus- rebirth of Turkish Sunnism and to do. The post-election set-up that the CHP, which has 147 of ter. That is all it can do. Unless the totalitarian tendencies that transferred full executive power parliament’s 600 seats, will the opposition turns to sheer were deeply buried.” to the president. Erdogan has continue to mumble and grum- resistance and the approximately Aktar’s essay “‘Collective issued decrees from day one. Off ble in a simulation of effective 200 deputies of both parties all A sizeable portion of Decay’ and Lessons for Turkey’s to a resounding start, he seems opposition. It’s worth noting that resign, sparking a crisis. the opposition seems Opposition” made an important bent on showing his determina- parliamentary deputies enjoy Perhaps, however, they hope to have not properly point: “We must pay particular tion to bypass the legislative and high salaries. the real opposition to Erdogan attention to this vast and never- take control, decree by decree, of The CHP was a disappoint- — the declining economy — will taken in the fact that to-be ignored mob that feeds every aspect of public life. ment in the elections and, if its take its toll over time. Erdogan has united itself with second-hand knowl- It induced the more strategic incoherent response to political edge of Sunnism turned Salafist part of the opposition, the HDP, developments is seen as tempo- Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish previously separate and that is amnesiac, revanchist, to retreat to a remarkable silence. rising, voters may be alienated journalist and regular columnist powers in his person. nasty, resentful and proudly The CHP was reduced to a stam- next time around. for The Arab Weekly. July 22, 2018 15 Debate Iran

Iran’s IRGC plays Palestinian tunes but only provides threadbare propaganda

the infanticidal Zionist regime” and “the valiant Yemeni nation, which for years has resisted the Ali Alfoneh savagery of the United States and the Saudi regime.” He said: “The dream of the Zionist regime [to establish a country] ‘from the Nile to the Euphrates’ has become here was a time that a bitter nightmare: We see that political leaders — the Gazan youth is bereaving the secular and Islamist Zionists and its allied evil Saudi alike — championed regime of sleep.” the Palestinians’ He described Trump as a cause. It was con- person with “no human virtues. Tsidered a basic requirement for From him, we have only seen in- leaders in the Arab or Muslim fidelity and, today, Muslims and world. non-Muslims, all oppose him… Over the years, Iran has tried We are sorry for the American hard to stay in the game. At nation for having such an artless times, it has been more Palestin- president.” ian than the Palestinians, even It is not known if live transmis- attacking Palestinian officials sion of the speech to Gaza was who negotiate with Israel to im- cut short by Israel. However, prove the lot of their people. with such formulaic content, one Such behaviour by the Irani- wonders why Iran even bothers ans is hardly surprising: Tehran, to arrange such an event and why after all, is more interested in the Israel would engage in efforts propaganda value of symbolic to cut it short. Perhaps, Tehran causes than in the lives of the wanted to demonstrate its ability Palestinians. to engage in live transmissions to The regime’s latest “Wet Gun- Gaza and perhaps Israel desired powder International Festival” to demonstrate its ability to pre- attests to its approach to the vent Tehran from doing what it Palestinians. The festival, which said it would. began in 2012, identifies “the At any rate, television viewers most despised personality of the in Gaza probably changed chan- year.” For the second time, it has nels long before the transmission awarded the “most despised face was cut. The Palestinian audi- of arrogance” prize to Donald ence is probably tired of Iranians Trump. The US president beat who claim to be more Palestinian competition from Israeli Prime Same old show. Iranians take part in an anti-US and anti-Israeli demonstration in Tehran, last May. (AFP) than the Palestinians. Gazan TV Minister Binyamin Netan- viewers, like those elsewhere, yahu and US Ambassador to the posed to address the festival. deliver the promised address. probably welcome entertainment United Nations Nikki Haley. The address by the chief com- Brigadier-General Gholamhos- Tehran, after but, just like television audiences This year’s festival coincided mander of al-Quds Force would sein Gheibparvar, chief com- all, is more around the world, they should with the biggest Israeli attacks be in Arabic and transmitted mander of the IRGC’s Basij interested in not be taken as undiscerning. against Hamas targets in Gaza live to Gaza, festival organisers Force, was the stand-in. The TV the propaganda Gazans probably demand higher since the 2014 war. Accordingly, assured. transmission of Gheibparvar’s value of quality entertainment than pro- Major-General Qassem Soleimani Things did not go as planned. speech was inaudible because of vided by Iran. of the Islamic Revolutionary The Times of Israel reported that technical problems and had to be symbolic causes If Tehran wants to engage in a Guard Corps (IRGC) was sup- several prominent Hamas lead- cut short. Gazan viewers did not than in the lives propaganda war, it needs a bigger ers, including Yahya Sinwar and miss much because Gheibpar- of the star than Gheibparvar. A little If Tehran wants to engage in a Mahmoud al-Zahar, did not at- var’s speech was a repetition of Palestinians. music and dance would also help. tend the live transmission. Their Iran’s threadbare propaganda. Perhaps one of the Instagram propaganda war, it needs a absence was allegedly at the Gheibparvar started by sending videos of Maedeh Hojabri? bigger star than the chief behest of the Egyptian govern- greetings to “the Muslim nations, ment, which is wary of Tehran’s which have gathered in a special Ali Alfoneh is a visiting scholar commander of the IRGC’s Basij influence. front against oppressors,” to “the at the Arab Gulf States Institute Force. Ultimately, Soleimani did not people of Gaza who are resisting in Washington. Will Iran be hit hard by new US sanctions? It remains to be seen

wishes — albeit reluctantly and a joint venture in Iran. Moscow signalled very clearly — slowly — but Iran’s two biggest In upstream energy, there is lit- Russia and just before US President Donald customers are China and India, tle expectation that Total will re- China have a Trump’s summit with Russian Gareth Smyth which in April took 671,000 and ceive a US waiver for its $5 billion high level of President Vladimir Putin in Hel- 604,000 bpd, respectively. agreement for Phase 11 of Iran’s state sinki — that energy deals will go China has made clear it will South Pars gas field, the biggest coordination ahead. defy the United States. Beijing since multilateral sanctions eased and ownership All in all, the “strongest sanc- recently introduced oil futures in 2016. European memoranda of that means tions in history” will fall short of he first US deadline priced in yuan and wants its understandings (MoUs) are un- the 2012-16 sanctions coordinated for countries to end currency used in international likely to bear fruit. These include companies with among the United States, the business with Iran is in trading, including oil. India has Shell’s for the South Azadegan less US European Union and the United August. This will give allowed Iran’s Pasargad Bank to and Yadavaran oil fields and for exposure will be Nations that halved Iran’s oil an indication of how open in Mumbai to facilitate en- the Kish gas field, as well as MoUs the ones exports and ended foreign invest- much bite what US ergy payments and said it would held by Norway’s DNO, Austria’s expanding ment. The remaining six signa- TSecretary of State Mike Pompeo seek waivers over oil imports and OMV and Schlumberger, an en- business in Iran. tories to the Iranian nuclear deal called “the strongest sanctions in in developing Chabahar Port in ergy services company. met in Beijing and stressed the history” will carry. Iran, which it sees as a trade life- Iran will look even more to practical strength as well as legal The Trump administration is line to Afghanistan and central Russian and Chinese companies. force of multilateralism. no stranger to hyperbole but two Asia. Tehran has given Total until Iran’s leaders are aware that weeks after the State Depart- The European Commission August to gain a US waiver or lose oil prices have risen since Trump ment said the United States would proposed using a 1996 blocking out to the China National Petro- announced withdrawal from the reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, statute, which protected Euro- leum Company. Russian compa- nuclear agreement, with Brent up Pompeo announced that waivers pean companies that had been nies Lukoil, Gazprom and Tatneft from $72 to $77 a barrel. Declining might be granted for countries or trading with Cuba despite a US will move ahead on MoUs, adding exports from Libya and Venezuela companies buying Iranian oil. trade embargo. European national to Zarubezhneft’s $742 million may lead the price to rise further. In April, Iran reported oil ex- leaders, however, are reticent. agreement for the Aban and West Reducing Iran’s oil exports by 1.2 ports of 2.6 million barrels per day Given the importance of the US Paidar fields, while Iran talks million bpd would cost Tehran (bpd), one-third of which went to market and of the dollar, they are with Gazprom and Rosneft over $33 billion a year at $75 a barrel Europe and two-thirds to Asia. struggling to respond to Tehran’s other fields. but every extra dollar on oil adds European companies are already demand it be compensated for Like Europe, China and Russia nearly $1 billion a year to Iran’s cutting back. Total and Shell are new US sanctions. have more business with the Unit- income at current volumes. ending purchases and Maersk an- EU trade with the United States ed States than with Iran. Beijing Political tensions spook mar- nounced it would no longer carry was $718 billion in 2017, dwarf- had $636 billion trade with the kets. The reminder from Iranian Iranian shipments. ing its $21 billion trade with United States in 2017 compared to President Hassan Rohani on July In Asia, South Korea and Japan Iran. French President Emma- $38 billion with Iran; Russia $27 4 that Iran could close the Strait are likely to comply with US nuel Macron said France will not billion with America compared to of Hormuz in response to the counter-sanction US companies. $10 billion with Iran. United States was as much an at- German Chancellor Angela Merkel However, Russia and China also tempt to put upward pressure on Reducing Iran’s oil exports by 1.2 has envisaged “certain relief” for have a high level of state coordi- oil prices as to remind America, million bpd would cost Tehran smaller companies while warning nation and ownership that means Israel and Saudi Arabia that Teh- against “illusions” over “compen- companies with less US exposure ran also has military options. $33 billion a year at $75 a barrel sating all businesses.” Renault, will be the ones expanding busi- but every extra dollar on oil adds which does not sell vehicles in the ness in Iran. Hence, while there Gareth Smyth is a regular United States, has said it would have been reports that Russian contributor to The Arab Weekly. nearly $1 billion a year to Iran’s downsize but would remain in steelmakers Severstal and MMK He has reported from the Middle income at current volumes. Iran. Peugeot-Citroen suspended were scaling back sales to Iran, East since 1992. 16 July 22, 2018 News & Analysis East West US-Russia deal could force Iranians out of southern Syria

Thomas Frank as an ally. Trump has shown him- self to be so beholden to Putin for whatever reasons that it is nearly Washington impossible to imagine him assert- ing a separate US policy on Syria,” S President Donald Daniel Shapiro, the US ambassador Trump and his Russian to Israel under President Barack counterpart Vladimir Obama, wrote in Haaretz, a liberal U Putin signalled that they Israeli newspaper. may have reached an agreement to Alina Polyakova, a senior analyst force Iranian militias out of south- at the Brookings Institution think- ern Syria near the Israeli border as tank, wrote in a blog post that part of a resolution of the Syrian Putin’s aims to have Russia lead a civil war. coalition to secure the Syria-Israel Although Israeli Prime Minister border and assist Syrian refugees Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed “would help solidify Russia’s role comments by Trump and Putin as the great power in the Middle supporting Israel’s security, mem- East.” bers of the US Congress and ana- Trump and Putin did not an- lysts said the July 16 Trump-Putin nounce any deal on Syria at their summit may damage Israel by mak- news conference after their 2-hour ing Russia the Middle East power one-on-one meeting in Helsinki broker instead of the United States. but Putin spoke of “crushing ter- A deal also could cement Syrian rorists” in south-western Syria — President Bashar Assad’s control near the Israeli border — and bring- of his country after seven years of ing peace to the Golan Heights by civil war and as many as 500,000 separating Israeli and Syrian forces. deaths. In a subsequent interview with Russia’s Channel One, Putin said he and Trump agreed on some is- US Senator sues “in particular on questions Lindsey Graham about the settlement in Syria, in- US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a joint cluding the southern de-escala- news conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, on July 16. (AP) tion zone in the area of the Golan “It is imperative that Congress Heights.” hold hearings on the extent Putin appeared to indicate that tin appeared to be referring to him- and US Representative Eliot Engel to push Iranians to pull back from and scope of any cooperation Syria’s civil war was effectively self and Trump. said in a statement. The two Demo- southern Syria. with Russia in Syria regarding over and that the remaining issue Putin’s comments “smell like a cratic lawmakers, who have senior “The problem is, I don’t think Iran’s presence.” was returning millions of refu- pre-cooked international proposal positions on committees oversee- the Russians actually have the gees. “The Syrian Army officially if not a finalised deal,” Matthew ing US foreign policy, said: “The weight with the Iranians to make Members of Congress, outraged controls territory that is inhabited Rojansky, a Russia expert and for- war in Syria will only end with an that happen,” Jeffrey Edmonds, at Trump’s denial in Helsinki that by 90% of the total population of mer US diplomat in Ukraine, said inclusive political settlement.” a former Russia director at the US Russia interfered in the 2016 US Syria,” Putin said in a comment in a conference call July 17. Rojan- US Senator Lindsey Graham, a National Security Council, said on presidential election, vowed to that some analysts interpreted as sky added that such a deal “is basi- Republican on the Senate Armed a conference call. “It’s not that they scrutinise Trump’s discussions urging the international commu- cally about recognising that Assad Services Committee, said on Twit- don’t have a good relationship but, with Putin and any deal regarding nity to accept Assad’s control over is in control” of Syria. ter: “It is imperative that Congress I think when you boil it down, the Syria. Some warned about Trump’s Syria. That condition drew protest from hold hearings on the extent and Iranian concern over Israel out- seeming deference to Putin on Syr- Putin spoke of the need to “cre- senior members of Congress who scope of any cooperation with Rus- weighs its concern over its relation- ia and Iran. ate conditions” for the return of have urged a harder line with As- sia in Syria regarding Iran’s pres- ship with Russia… It’s not as if the “Israel must adjust to the real- refugees — providing water, elec- sad. “If Assad remains in Syria, the ence.” Russians are going to in some way ity that Russia alone is calling the tricity and sanitation — and said: fight against [the Islamic State] and Russia’s ability to convince Iran downgrade their relationship with shots [in the Middle East] and the “That is why we agreed to act in other extremist groups will never to pull back from southern Syria Iran because they’re not going to United States looks diminished more resolute and joint ways.” Pu- end,” US Senator Robert Menendez is unclear as is Putin’s eagerness pull back these militias.”

Viewpoint Do all roads now lead to Moscow?

he American era in the Moscow to confer with Russian which was triggered by the US-led adroitly playing a mediocre hand. Middle East is over. President Vladimir Putin. US invasion in 2003. Americans like Russia has the 11th largest GDP in Some termed this era President Donald Trump con- short wars and long victory pa- the world — ranking behind India, Mark Habeeb “Pax Americana” but firmed at his own tete-a-tete with rades, such as the lightning-fast Brazil, Italy and Canada and that is not appropri- Putin in Helsinki what has been 1991 Gulf War. the US state of Texas, were it an ate since “pax” means plainly clear for some time: Rus- The current isolationist period independent country. It accounts T“peace” and the past six decades sia is calling the shots in Syria. coincided with the election of for less than 2% of the world’s in the region have been anything Putin has established good a president who is perhaps the output, compared to more than but peaceful. working relationships with the most ill-prepared person to hold 23% for the United States. Rather, the American era in leaders of the Gulf Cooperation the office and a polarisation in US Putin is riding the wave of US the Middle East, which followed Council states, Israel, Egypt, Iran political dialogue that has ren- isolationism. Like the martial Britain’s withdrawal from the re- and Turkey. dered intelligent debate a quaint artist that he is, Putin is exploit- gion, designates a period in which Israel dislikes the Iranian pres- remnant of the past. However, it ing every situation and weaken- Washington was the dominant ence in Syria. To whom does it must not be forgotten that it was ing his foes with the leverage he outside player in a tumultuous complain? Putin. former President Barack Obama has (such as using cyberwar to environment. The Palestinians dislike the who advocated a pivot away from discombobulate Western democ- The Soviet Union had its Middle direction the so-called peace pro- the Middle East and watched as racies). In the process, he is help- Eastern allies and clients during cess is taking. With whom do they Russia established itself in Syria. ing the Russian people lick the the Cold War but the resource- confer? Putin. While all roads may seem to collective ego wound suffered by rich Gulf region was an American Egypt wants to diversify its lead to Moscow, delving deeper the fall of the Soviet Union. redoubt and Israel, the most source of arms. From whom does reveals a more complex picture. However, Russia’s direct influ- militarily advanced country and it buy? Putin. The United States maintains ence in the Middle East is limited. only nuclear-armed power in Iran wants partners that will close ties with Gulf Cooperation Combined with US isolationism, the region, was a virtual 51st US ignore US sanctions and offer Council countries and Israel. Its this means that region’s countries state. Moscow lost its largest and Tehran an economic lifeline. With ties with Egypt are frayed but have unprecedented independ- most powerful regional ally when whom does it do business? Putin. strong at the military-to-military ence in pursuing their goals, forg- Egypt’s Anwar Sadat changed Where all roads once led across level. The United States contin- ing alliances and seeking outside sides in 1972. the Atlantic to Washington, they ues to dominate the Middle East support from a range of states The United States suffered a have veered northward across arms bazaar and the regional with which they have mutual major blow in 1979 when the shah Eurasia to Moscow. presence of US firms and financial interests. of Iran was ousted by anti-West- This redirection has been institutions far outweighs that of Neither Putin nor Trump will be The United States ern mullahs but the revolutionar- long in the making and is not Moscow. in office forever. The United States continues to ies in Tehran were equally hostile solely the result of the election Consider the projection of may at some point choose to re- to the Soviets. Even Moscow’s of Trump in 2016, although his military force: Russia has air and engage. In the meantime, howev- dominate the Middle most steadfast ally, Syria’s Hafez actions are facilitating it. The naval bases in Syria. The United er, Middle Eastern countries have East arms bazaar and Assad, looked to the United States United States has historically States is in Kuwait, Afghanistan, an opportunity to develop their to mediate with Israel. And virtu- gone through cycles of isolation- Bahrain, Djibouti, Qatar and Tur- own “pax.” the regional presence ally every Middle Eastern country ism and engagement and is in a key. US Special Operations Forces, of US firms and craved Western investment and robust isolationist period. such as the US Navy SEALs, oper- Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor financial institutions consumer goods. Such periods often come on the ate in 133 countries worldwide, of The Arab Weekly and adjunct My, how things have changed. heels of foreign calamities — such including many in the MENA professor of Global Politics and far outweighs that of In the past few weeks a parade of as the Vietnam War and the US region. Security at Georgetown University Moscow. Middle Eastern leaders has visited involvement in Iraq’s civil war, Putin has been cleverly and in Washington. July 22, 2018 17 Debate East West Chinese commercial drones bring new uncertainties to old conflicts

propaganda purposes by filming black-clad caliphate fighters in Alessandro action. Arduino Many are familiar with the costly, highly efficient unmanned US Predator and Reaper drones that cost $4 million-$16 million per unit but the narrative is changing. he United States and The ability to weaponise inexpen- its allies appear to have sive commercial drones is gaining taken the venerable momentum. expression “don’t bring Most important, the efficiency of a knife to a gun fight” the commercial drones versus mili- very seriously. Last tary defensive capabilities poses Tyear, the Patriot air defence system a disadvantage for the defender. was used by Saudi forces in Yemen The new cycle in remote-controlled to shoot down a re-engineered warfare is shifting from military- Houthi aerial drone but using a grade drones in favour of relatively sledgehammer to swat a fly was cheap, off-the-shelf hobby toys that hardly efficient: It cost $3.4 million can be weaponised for pennies on for one Patriot missile to shoot the dollar. down a drone worth a few hundred While the Chinese military in- dollars. dustrial complex races to bridge the Considering this unsustainable technological gap with its US and financial imbalance, counterter- Israeli counterparts, the civilian rorism structures are scrambling to sector is at the forefront of com- find a cost-efficient solution to -com mercial drone production. DJI is the bat remote-controlled threats. Not leader in aerial drone photography Monopolistic hold. A Chinese commercial drone is seen during a news conference in only do re-engineered commercial and companies such as Walkera are Shanghai, last May. (Reuters) drones pose a new threat, the use producing high-grade, low-cost rac- of the data acquired by them could ing drones that can be controlled its opposition to using drones market. Terrorist acquisition is not generate serious security breaches. with first-person view goggles. for targeted killings, countries Compared to US easily traceable as the spending Following the boom in com- Industry analysts forecast that by that acquire Chinese drones may patterns of drone racers, amateur mercial aerial drones for amateur 2020 China will export more than not share that concern. Plans firms, Chinese enthusiasts and aerial photography photography and filming, Chinese 5.5 million drones, compared to just announced by the Chinese to drone enthusiasts are not easily differen- companies such as DJI have gained a few hundred thousand in 2015. manufacture the CH-4 in Saudi manufacturers tiated from those of criminals or a near monopolistic hold on the Footage released at the end of Arabia will inevitably increase the face fewer and terrorists. Chinese counterterror- drone market. 2015 by the Iraqi armed forces number of Chinese-made armed weaker export ism analysts say several thousand Since 1991, drones have become showed a Chinese-built armed drones in the Middle East. restrictions. Chinese-made commercial aerial increasingly recognised as a game drone Caihong CH-4 during an at- Chinese drone sales in the drones are deployed in Syria. These changer on the battlefield as well tack on the ISIS stronghold of Ram- Middle East should be seen in a drones can be tracked via their as in the struggle against terrorism. adi. Western experts dismissed broader political-military context. unique serial number linked with The table, however, has turned. The the Caihong 4 as a cheap knock-off Increased drone sales imply bet- their GPS/BeiDou navigation upper hand once held by national of the US Reaper. Nonetheless, it ter economic deals as well as an system. armies has been reversed in favour represents the first confirmed kill expanded diplomatic toolkit that The growing number of drones is of insurgents. by a Chinese-made drone. is being used to build new security challenging the strategic, security Both Hezbollah and the Islamic In addition, a video released by relationships. and legal status quo in the Middle State (ISIS) have taken advantage of the Nigerian Army documents an At the same time, however, East and presents an array of prob- asymmetric drone warfare. Com- attack by its Chinese-made drone Beijing has started to closely lems that require urgent solutions. mercial drones have been reconfig- on a Boko Haram munitions stor- scrutinise the sale of high-grade While the line between man and ured as flying bombs and used for age facility. Previous models, such commercial drones in the region. machine interface is progressively surveillance. ISIS used professional as the Caihong 3, have been sold In August 2015, Chinese custom blurred, the next generation of photographic aerial drones for to Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia authorities promulgated a new drones controlled by artificial intel- and the United Arab Emirates. regulation restricting the export of ligence will further the moral and The main selling point of Chinese high-grade commercial drones that ethical challenges. The growing number of drones is their affordability. can fly continuously for more than drones is challenging the Compared to US firms, Chinese one hour and in adverse weather Alessandro Arduino is the author drone manufacturers face fewer conditions. of “China’s Private Army. Protecting strategic, security and legal and weaker export restrictions. Despite this, most commercial the New Silk Road,” Palgrave- status quo in the Middle East. While China has officially stated drones are available in the open Macmillan, 2018. AU summit reflects fractured state of Africa

Macron visited Mauritania during money from the continent every acknowledge the full nature of its the summit but his focus was on year and the fact that migrants are The French at mission in the Sahel, it is impossi- meeting the heads of state of coun- not the poorest of Africans, rather least have ble to piece together the full extent Francis Ghilès tries that belong to G5 Sahel group, those who are educated and seek- known the of US involvement. The annual which, together with France, has ing greener pastures. Sahel region for funding for these programmes committed troops and money to The United States’ secret wars in more than a in Africa is $100 million. The US Congress has reauthorised tempo- improve security in the Sahel. Africa simply figure nowhere yet century, the A suicide attack against the they pose questions: Is the answer rary authority every year until last f the success of a summit was headquarters of the G5 force in to Africa’s woes simply to “fight United States year when the lawmakers made it measured by the number of Mali before the summit reminded terrorism” or should more effort not. permanent. police and army of the host delegates that the security of the and money not be put into eco- Though US commanders try country deployed to guard Saharan belt has not improved nomic development and consoli- to keep American troops out of the visiting heads of state despite considerable French- dating the rule of law? How can direct combat if possible, US policy from a score of African coun- led military efforts to roll back a continent develop if it loses an illustrates the murky nature of Itries, the 31st Africa Union summit attacks. The flaring of violence estimated quarter of the wealth it who is assisting whom in Africa, in Mauritania must be deemed a in Libya and Tunisia can only com- creates annually to investment by say former Pentagon officials who success. fort the view from further afield its elites in other continents? oversaw counterterrorism policy in A new and very costly confer- that north-west Africa is in a sorry Secret programmes in Wash- north-west Africa. ence centre, endless four-wheel state. ington allow US troops to direct The fractured state of Africa, drive vehicles buzzing around Macron’s visit was motivated by combat raids in Somalia, Kenya, the fact that many conflicts are a town and a very busy agenda and a further consideration — trying to Niger and other African countries. complex overlay of tribal/politics weighty subjects — the creation convince Africans to stay home. The Trump administration — as did fights going back decades, smug- of a free trade zone officially Despite the drop in numbers Barack Obama’s — has allowed the gling of weapons, cigarettes and launched in March, debates about of Africans trying to cross the US military to rely on partners in cocaine, as well as disputes arising corruption, the financial inde- Mediterranean to Europe, the very African countries to carry out mis- from every greater drought hardly pendence of the African Union question of African migrants to Eu- sions against suspected terrorists, suggest this is an easy fight to win. — suggest an important meeting. rope has produced a perfect storm to avoid casualties after years of What it does suggest, however, is Yet the absence of many important in Europe and is the number one massive direct involvement in Iraq a huge morass of overlapping and heads of state — from Egypt, South question on the minds of French and Afghanistan. not always well-informed deci- Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and and Italian electors. The failure of What happens essentially is sions. Angola — adds a note of caution. the European Union to find a com- that African governments loan out The French at least have known French President Emmanuel mon policy on migration fuelled units of their militaries for US com- the Sahel region for more than a the rise of populist parties across mando teams to use as surrogates century, the United States not. The Europe that are happy to mix ter- to hunt militants identified as impression some observers of the Though US commanders try to rorism, immigration — illegal or potential threats to US citizens and region have is of a fuite en avant not — and a whiff of racism in their interests. That is instead of having with no exit strategy. Only time keep American troops out of direct attempt to close the door on Africa. the US commandoes help the Af- will tell. combat if possible, US policy Some issues, however, are too rican troops accomplish their own delicate it seems for an African objectives, as other US specials Francis Ghilès is an associate illustrates the murky nature of summit to address: corruption, operation teams do in Africa. fellow at the Barcelona Centre for who is assisting whom in Africa. which sucks away huge sums of As the Pentagon refuses to International Affairs. 18 July 22, 2018 EconomyEconomy Energy

Tunisia-EU ‘open skies’ agreement in limbo Briefs

Stephen Quillen millions of dollars into Tunisia’s Iraq’s southern oil economy by making the country exports averaged a more affordable destination for Tunis predominantly European tourists. 3.566 million bpd However, it has fuelled concern Tunisia-EU “open skies” from the country’s national air car- in July agreement signed in De- rier, Tunisair, which fears it would cember is expected to open be unable to keep pace with the new Iraq exported an average of 3.566 A Tunisia’s airspace to low- competition. million barrels of oil per day from cost flights from European airlines, “The agreement is a catastrophe. its southern oilfields so far in July, boosting tourism numbers for the Tunisair is not ready yet for com- oil officials said. North African country. However, it petition,” Elyes Ben Miled, general The officials said nine days of remains unclear when the accord secretary of the Tunisair union, told protests regarding basic services will take effect because it has not Reuters in March. “We are ready for that swept southern cities have been ratified by either side. everything and we may go on na- not affected production or export “The ratification and signature tional strike at all Tunisian airports.” operations in Iraq. procedures are now ongoing on both Tunisair, which employs 8,000 sides,” EU sources told The Arab people and controls more than (Reuters) Weekly, “but since the procedure 40% of the country’s air market, is fairly long on the EU side, it was has been dogged by criticism over Major concerns. A plane of the Tunisian airline company Tunisair agreed to provisionally apply the poor service, long delays and lost prepares to land at Tunis International Airport. (Reuters) agreement once the ratification by luggage. While the airline increased Egypt passes Tunisia is completed.” revenue 29% last year, its punctual- ity rate continued to drop. ing industries at the conclusion of levels 800,000 in five years. sovereign wealth Tunisair CEO Ilyes Mnakbi ac- the Free Trade Agreement for man- “Open skies are important for knowledged in an interview with ufactured products,” Mnakbi said. tour operators because they will fund with $11 Elyes Ben Miled, L’Economiste Maghrebin in April Many of Tunisair’s major con- have their own aircraft and it will be general secretary of billion capital that the national airline needed cerns, he added, could be addressed cheaper for them [to fly to Tunisia],” the Tunisair union support to compete with budget Eu- by upgrading the company’s equip- Tunisian Tourism Minister Salma Egypt is setting up a sovereign “Tunisair is not ready yet ropean airlines that are cheaper and ment and aircraft, which require Elloumi Rekik told TTG media last wealth fund with a capital of 200 for competition.” more reliable. frequent inspections. He noted the November. “It will also make Tuni- billion Egyptian pounds ($11.2 bil- “My belief is that Tunisair cannot airline planned to introduce new sia more attractive to low-cost car- lion), the state news agency said. accept to integrate into a competi- routes in Africa and possibly New riers.” Former Public Enterprise Min- A representative for Tunisia’s tive world with tools far inferior to York ahead of the “open skies” ac- “This far-reaching aviation agree- ister Khaled Badawi said in March Ministry of Transportation said they those of powerful competing com- cord. ment will improve market access that Egypt was discussing setting were unable to provide a time frame panies that have huge opportu- However, detractors say Tunisair, and contribute to the highest safety, up a sovereign wealth fund to for the agreement’s ratification. nities,” said Mnakbi, adding that which has lost some $240 million security and environmental stand- manage state companies it plans to Once implemented, “open skies” support from the European Union since 2011, requires a more radical ards,” said EU Transport Commis- list on the stock exchange. would lift restrictions on direct would be required for the company overhaul to be competitive. sioner Violeta Bulc in December, The agency, MENA, did not spe- flights between EU and Tunisian air- to modernise its aircraft and capa- Tourism officials, encouraged by when the agreement was signed. cifically mention the privatisation ports, with the exception of Tunis- bilities. the success of a similar agreement “This is great news for tourism, pas- programme but said: “The fund Carthage, where restrictions would “We do not fear the ‘open skies’ signed by Morocco and the Europe- sengers and businesses.” aims to contribute to sustainable be lifted at the end of a 5-year transi- too much if the European Union an Union in 2006, say the Tunisia- economic development through tion period. agrees to upgrade us, as it did in EU accord could expand Tunisia’s Stephen Quillen is an Arab Weekly management of its funds and as- The model is expected to pump 1995, for the Tunisian manufactur- GDP by 2.7% and raise passenger correspondent in Tunis. sets.” Algeria’s Sonatrach chief receives expanded (Reuters) Libya state oil powers, weathers attacks from opponents company shuts terminal after Lamine Ghanmi workers in a petrochemical com- plex in Skikda on June 30. attack “I’m fed up reading more and Tunis more e-mails from workers com- Libya’s state oil company said plaining about being mistreated it had halted crude exports at its lgerian President Ab- and deprived of their rights,” he Zawiya terminal due to falling pro- delaziz Bouteflika ex- said. duction after an attack in which panded the power of the During a visit to Hassi Messaoud, four workers were kidnapped. A country’s oil chief, who site of the largest southern oil-field, “National Oil Corporation has has been under fire for looking to he told employees: “I hope that you declared force majeure on crude partner with US businesses. are feeling that there is a change, oil loadings at Zawiya port,” the Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, perhaps not a big change, but a new company said in a statement. appointed CEO of state-owned en- dynamic.” ergy monopoly Sonatrach in March Ould Kaddour’s vision is not uni- (Agence France-Presse) 2017, has sought to overhaul the versally welcome, with nationalists country’s oil and gas industry by and other opponents pushing for expanding ties with foreign part- him to be fired. ners. However, his vision and con- “Algeria had been the Mecca of China, UAE nections with US firms made him the revolutionaries. Now it is the unpopular with nationalists wary den and nook of the corrupt and announce new of US influence in the energy sector. A focus on the future. Sonatrach’s CEO Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour traitors,” wrote Tayeb Belgiche in Ould Kaddour jokingly said: “I attends the strategic plan presentation of Sonatrach at the company’s Algeria’s influential El Watan daily. trade zone ahead have been told that we have in Al- headquarters, last April. (AFP) “Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour is of Xi visit geria 40 million experts in football part of this group of people. A man but now I found out that we also “The members of the executive five biggest companies by the end who should have spent a long time China and the United Arab Emir- have 40 million Algerians expert in committee, (exempting) the dep- of 2030. For that aim we must learn in prison for espionage for the Unit- ates signed an agreement to build oil and gas.” uty-presidents, are named by the how to be patient and excellent,” he ed States, walked out of jail (after) a trade zone in Dubai, the Emir- He said his goal was to increase CEO and chairman of Sonatrach,” said. passing 24 months,” he wrote. “To ates’ state-owned port operator Sonatrach’s earnings from oil and Bouteflika’s executive order stated. Red tape and a lack of transpar- cap it all off, he was appointed as said ahead of Chinese President Xi gas exports by $30 billion, making it The decree increases the number ency have led some of Sonatrach’s head of the most strategic company Jinping arriving in Abu Dhabi. “one of the five biggest companies of Sonatrach’s executive commit- most skilled workers to join foreign of the country.” The UAE’s DP World announced in the world by the end of 2030.” tee members from four to eight and oil firms, which Ould Kaddour said Hocine Nasser Bouabsa argued the deal with the Zhejiang China Ould Kaddour received pub- gives them a greater role in deci- was a “huge loss.” in a widely shared article that Commodities City Group to build a lic backing from Interior Minister sion-making processes. “Around 7,000 employees had “Sonatrach is like a vessel that is “traders’ market” at Dubai’s Jebel Noureddine Bedoui, who recently Previous executive committee left the company. Our success about to capsize if the situation is Ali free zone. accompanied him on a tour of oil members were charged only with comes from our staff,” he said, not urgently addressed.” facilities in the southern region of overseeing the company’s basic ac- adding that “mistreatment” of em- “The first salutary measure is (Agence France-Presse) Alrar, near the Libyan border. tivities of drilling, production and ployees and a lack of transparency to sack the current Sonatrach CEO “Sonatrach is a red line,” Bedoui transport of oil and gas. Now they over how workers and managers and replace him with a collegial said during the tour. “Those who are in charge of financing, busi- advance in their careers are major crisis management team,” Bouabsa Abu Dhabi awards attempt to create division to use ness development and strategy, the problems. added, citing the oil chief’s “lack of it as a political wedge must know president’s order stated. competence” and “baggage.” $1.6 billion survey that Sonatrach is the current and Algerian energy experts said the Bouteflika’s executive order In 2007, Ould Kaddour was sen- future beating heart of the national move was an attempt to bolster tenced to two years in prison for be- project to China’s economy. Ould Kaddour’s power within the increases the number of traying Algeria’s economic secrets “All people must help this new company as he weathers attacks Sonatrach’s executive to foreign powers while working CNPC strategy with foresight and respon- from nationalists. committee members from at a joint US-Algerian engineering The Abu Dhabi National Oil sibility to help the country face fu- “His main challenge is how four to eight and gives them venture co-owned by oil services Company says it has awarded con- ture challenges.” to energise the enthusiasm of a greater role in firm Halliburton. tracts worth $1.6 billion to China’s Bedoui’s display of support for Sonatrach’s workers to support his decision-making processes. Analysts said Bouteflikalargest state-owned oil company to Ould Kaddour came a week after strategy,” said Algerian energy ex- appointed Ould Kaddour Sonatrach conduct what it says is the world’s Bouteflika issued an executive or- pert Reghis Rabah. “All this has to change. I count on CEO in the hope that he could largest continuous 3D offshore and der vesting more power in the oil Ould Kaddour has promised to you to turn Sonatrach into the big- leverage his ties with US companies onshore seismic survey. chief, giving him the authority to revamp the company’s culture and gest, smartest and nicest company to secure needed investment and select most members of the com- human resources’ management. in the world,” Ould Kaddour was technology to develop the country’s (The Associated Press) pany’s executive committee. “Sonatrach will be among the quoted by local media as telling energy sector. July 22, 2018 19 Debate Economy Do or die for Lebanon’s failing economy

had been stable against the dollar, Pegged. trading at around 3 pounds. How- Lebanese ever, the crash saw it reach 2,825 pound Makram Rabah pounds to the dollar in 1992. The banknotes Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) inter- on display vened by fixing the exchange rate, a at a money measure that remains in effect. exchange shop While pegging the currency to in Beirut. ith the FIFA the dollar might work as a protec- (Reuters) World Cup over tive measure, it is not without and French vic- constraints, hindering growth and tory secured, placing an additional burden on people can go Lebanese state coffers. back to discuss- “The main problem today is that Wing the mundane topics of weather fiscal policy is almost non-existent, and other worldly affairs. For the which forced the BDL to go beyond Lebanese, this means a return its mandate of monetary policy and to politics and, principally, the do things it should never do,” said economy, which, many observers Walid Marrouch, associate profes- say, stands on the point of crashing. sor of economics at the Lebanese Not one usually wary of accusa- American University tions of scaremongering, Gebran Marrouch said approximately Bassil, caretaker foreign minister 80% of Lebanon’s budget goes to and son-in-law of Lebanese Presi- public sector salaries and benefits, current crisis. banking sector provides cause for dent Michel Aoun, said: “Lebanon’s plus the cost of servicing the debt. Despite the alarming symptoms Lebanon’s qualified optimism. It plays a vital economy was on the verge of col- The remaining 20% is allocated for of Lebanon’s deteriorating econ- public debt is role in maintaining the economy lapsing.” fiscal policy. However, “the corrup- omy, the ruling elite has shown $80 billion, the and is sure to be critical to any While Bassil’s economic prophe- tion of the ruling elite is making neither vigour nor foresight in ad- resurgence. cies are largely more to do with his this meagre 20% smaller and their dressing the challenges. Instead, it third highest The Lebanese have always strategy of demonising Lebanon’s refusal to pass policy reforms draws has continued its game of thrones. globally as a gambled that, whatever dark po- Syrian refugees and blaming them the fiscal crisis even closer,” he Caretaker Prime Minister Saad percentage of litical and economic clouds gather for the country’s problems, the said. Hariri, selected to form a new cabi- GDP (150%). overhead, they will be blown away fear of an economic failure is not Only recently did the effects of net, has failed to put forth a lineup by the winds of regional political unfounded the government’s persistent failure that would be instrumental for change. Such gambles have borne As it stands, Lebanon’s public reach the housing sector when the adopting promised reforms. out, with Lebanon’s central role debt is $80 billion, the third highest government suspended subsidies The $11 billion grant and loan within the Middle East ensuring a globally as a percentage of GDP on housing loans, which will cause package, which the international reliable supply of Gulf funds. (150%) with more than one-third dire repercussions for first-time community earmarked at the Unfortunately, those days are of the annual budget dedicated to homeowners. CEDRE conference in April to help gone. The Lebanese failed to capi- servicing the country’s debt, mak- However, the true tragedy of the Lebanon overhaul its infrastruc- talise on any lifeline extended to ing — without significant change — housing crisis is beyond straight- ture, hinges on Hariri’s ability to them, betting on a fairy-tale ending economic recovery impossible. forward economics and speaks to form a cabinet, a process that seems to grim economic times without Discussion of potential collapse the years of corruption and abuse to have become bogged down by undertaking fundamental reform. brings back memories of the 1986 of the real estate market, because internal bickering and corruption. The Lebanese are becoming crash, which saw the value of the politicians and lawmakers manipu- Though the auguries appear increasingly apprehensive about Lebanese pound plummet, leading lated circumstances to keep prices grim, there may be hope. A capital losing their savings and their liveli- to inflation and resulting in the loss artificially high. market expert, speaking on condi- hoods. However, they only received of savings for most Lebanese. Many of those responsible tion of anonymity, said: “A lot of what they voted for, a valuable les- Despite the civil war, the pound for the country’s government are alarmism exists now in Lebanon, son to not be forgotten. developers or heavily invested in some based on inaccurate eco- real estate projects. As such, they nomic numbers. Nevertheless, the Makram Rabah is a lecturer at Lebanon’s ruling elite has shown have gone out of their way to thwart economic environment is worrying the American University of Beirut taxes or legal measures that would and if the trends continue, (it) will and author of “A Campus at War: neither vigour nor foresight in benefit rentals at the expense of be alarmingly so.” Student Politics at the American addressing the challenges. the housing market, leading to the Despite this, he said Lebanon’s University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” Arab start-ups upcycle to reclaim waste — and the future

physical properties of the waste creatively reusing unwanted or natural colours, to offer something items,” said Yomna Seoudi, found- waste products. Almost anything Many upcycling unique to our clients that they Khadija er of CAN Interiors, a start-up in can be made into something new. — creative actually want to acquire.” Hamouchi Cairo that transforms material Entrepreneurs say it’s about mak- recycling Upcycling start-ups often stress from the garbage dump into furni- ing artistic products while raising — start-ups in the social good that comes of ture. It uses wood and cardboard awareness about waste. the region are in supporting them. FabricAID from to make divans. The Brainstormers CAN Interiors makes products Lebanon, which upcycles second- Wall, which retails for about $20, is but also provides workshops on Egypt but there hand clothing into hip affordable necdotally, Arab a whiteboard made from electronic waste management for children are initiatives outfits, started out of founder cities are among the waste. It can be used with erasable and young adults. So does Zia- across the Omar Itani’s realisation that “less dirtiest in the world. markers, Seoudi said, adding that dat4Recycling, in Amman, which Maghreb, than 5% of clothes are being Residents and visi- Brainstormers sells very well. has the motto: “We love furniture Lebanon, collected (in Lebanon). Yet 2.5 mil- tors know the streets Fadwa Moussaif, co-founder of and we hate garbage, so what’s the Jordan and Gulf lion people can’t afford first-hand of Beirut, Riyadh, IDYR in Casablanca, said its focus outcome?” Cooperation clothes.” CairoA and Algiers are strewn with is on cotton waste. Its popular The start-up, which lists the Council Philipp Harnik, FabricAID’s trash and that inadequate garbage clutch bags and keychains are a material — barrels, bicycles, doors, countries. development officer, says its collection can be part of a persis- sidebar to the fashion industry, glass, metal, pallets, paper, pipes, “products are in high demand tent problem. she said, because IDYR uses textile plastic, tiles, tyres, wood — it uses due to their extremely affordable EcoMENA, the volunteer-driven waste to make high-quality prod- to upcycle, is trying to spread prices and good quality. Within initiative creating environmental ucts. the word about recycling. Project the last two months, FabricAID awareness in the Middle East and Both start-ups were founded manager Marianne Sievers said sold 16,000 clothing items to North Africa, says urban waste within the past three years. Seoudi the company “first installed a 3,000 beneficiaries for an average generation from countries in the said the idea came to her when recycling box in a public space in price of [$0.90] per item through region is more than 150 million she saw mountains of trash in Jabal Al-Weibdeh but moved it to its pop-up markets and perma- tonnes a year. Cairo, her hometown. “Back at our workshop because people did nent second-hand clothing shops The Arab Forum for Environ- university, we were taught to think not know how to properly use it across Lebanon.” ment and Development, a regional of design as having minimum but it did help people know that it The social enterprise in Beirut NGO, predicted that the amount negative effect — whether on the is possible to recycle.” is planning to upscale its opera- of “municipal solid waste” — a environment or user experience. Waste Studio, a Lebanese acces- tions throughout the MENA region long way of saying everyday trash I saw Cairo’s mega trash as a chal- sory brand, uses advertising ban- “where 75 million people rely on or rubbish — generated in Arab lenge,” she said. ners, tyre innertubes and seatbelts affordable second-hand clothing,” countries will exceed 200 million Moussaif said IDYR was born out to make stylish bags. Managing Harnik said. tonnes per year by 2020. The good of a chance encounter with women Director Marc Metni said: “We are Governments across the Arab news is that close to 80% of it can weavers. striving to create employment op- world could help in small but decompose or be recycled. “As part of a local social entre- portunities and raise environmen- significant ways. Yara Yassin, Entrepreneurs have taken note. preneur programme, we were tal awareness, and this is much founder and product designer of Many upcycling — creative recy- requested to prospect for local needed and a breath of fresh air.” Up-fuse, a start-up in Cairo that cling — start-ups in the region are problems and needs,” she said. How easy is it to sell upcycled sells upcycled bags, says a govern- in Egypt but there are initiatives “We came across a group of products when they can cost a ment tax on single-use products across the Maghreb, Lebanon, Jor- women weavers and seamstresses minimum of five times more than would be helpful. dan and Gulf Cooperation Council who shared with us an ancestral mass-produced ones? Until then, upcycling start-ups countries. technique called ‘boucharouite.’ Moussaif said customers must are doing their best to reclaim “We work creatively around the We discovered the technique had be persuaded to think about the waste and the region’s future. social and environmental value “perfect finish” of their wares. and the idea came to leave the Omar Moneim of Jereeda, in Khadija Hamouchi is a Upcycling start-ups often stress value untouched but to modernise Cairo, said: “We work with the Belgian-Moroccan social it for wider consumption.” best designers in Egypt and work entrepreneur and founder of the social good that comes of CAN Interiors and IDYR are part around the property of each upcy- SEJAAL, an initiative that is supporting them. of a trend to upcycle, which means cled material, texture and variant building an app for young people. 20 July 22, 2018 Society Media IT UAE tops Smart City rankings in the Middle East

N.P. Krishna Kumar

Dubai

he United Arab Emirates has the smartest cities in the MENA region, as stated T by a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, which examined the comprehensiveness of the tech- nology base in 50 cities around the world. “Smart Cities: Digital Solutions for a More Livable Future” analysed each city’s layers of “smartness” in technology base, applications intro- duced and public adoption. The in- tention, the study’s authors said, “is not to crown the world’s smartest city but to show the full sweep of ac- tivity underway around the globe.” A Smart City could score as many as 37 points. Abu Dhabi (18.4 points) and Dubai (17.3) were in the first two positions in the MENA region. This compares with New York (24.4) and San Francisco (20.9) in North Amer- ica; Stockholm (24.0) and Amster- dam (22.3) in Europe; and Singapore (25.0) and Seoul (24.3) in the Asia- Pacific. High hopes. A computer-generated image shows architect Santiago Calatrava’s design for the UAE Pavilion for Dubai World Expo 2020. (WAM) The McKinsey Global Institute looked at the number of Smart City applications. This aspect of innovation and culture of forward- ing director in the UAE of Dimension noting that Abu Dhabi and Dubai transportation systems, by deploy- the study carried a maximum of 55 thinking.” Data, a tech company with opera- were deploying more than 5,000 ing traffic sensors, launching mo- points across the applications cen- “Our experience with Smart City tions in 47 countries, said making WI-FI hotspots to offer free internet. bile traffic apps and looking at the tred on mobility, security, utilities, projects globally is that the best innovation a national priority has “The country has also announced introduction of driverless vehicles. health care, economic develop- approach is to define which major created an ecosystem of advance- plans to develop 3D printing, which Visitors are expected to be surprised ment, housing and community. challenges a city wishes to address ment in the UAE and is driving the could have a significant impact on with the level of automation and Dubai led in the MENA region first and then create solutions to growth of its economy. costs in the construction industry, digitisation, including tech-enabled with 30.5 points and Abu Dhabi was those challenges by fostering inno- while the government’s autono- volunteers, smart food ordering and second (28.0). New York, Los Ange- vation and leveraging its ecosystem mous transportation strategy is tar- crowd management, among others les and London were each credited of organisations that can help — be it Abu Dhabi (18.4 points) and geting 25% of all trips inside Dubai high-tech offerings. with 34.5, Seoul 33 and Singapore with smart transportation and road- Dubai (17.3) were in the first to be driverless by 2030,” du Plessis “Expo 2020 Dubai is using smart 32.0 ways, smart lighting, municipality two positions in the MENA said. solutions to create one of the most The study surveyed residents services, public safety or else,” Lee region. Dubai’s Road and Transport Au- efficient and engaging events in the about the Smart applications im- said. thority has deployed sensors for its world,” du Plessis said. plemented in the cities. Carrying a Technology is a key part of the Smart Pedestrian Signals Project to Lee said she has high hopes for maximum of 30 points, it combined UAE Vision 2021, which plans to di- “It also plays a pivotal role in im- allow safe pedestrian crossings and Expo 2020, which she sees as a awareness, usage and satisfaction versify the economy and create a proving the livability and happiness Smart Parking Project, which pro- “unique opportunity for the Emir- scores. Dubai attained 16.6 points, sustainable economic future. Lee experiences for citizens, residents vides real-time parking information. ates to realise its vision of how a city while Abu Dhabi scored 10.5. Inter- said city leaders from around the and visitors. Furthermore, innova- The Dubai Electricity and Water of the future could look like.” nationally, Beijing scored 24.2 and world have listed infrastructure, tion and digital transformation is Authority has been successful in “Expo 2020 in many ways will San Francisco 20.7 economic growth, rolling out Smart supporting the UAE’s Smart City installing more than 200,000 smart function like a city as well: serving Victoria Lee, the Transforma- City deployments, environmental initiatives,” du Plessis said. “Both metres and grids and expects to in- tens of thousands of people every tional and Strategic Projects Lead sustainability, social cohesion and Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at the fore- stall more than 1 million smart me- day,” she said. in the UAE for Cisco, said: “The UAE heritage preservation among their front of providing smart mobile us- tres by 2020. has made digitisation a national top concerns. ers with applications that enhance With Expo 2020 Dubai, the emir- N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab priority, fostering an ecosystem of Michelle Buys du Plessis, manag- their everyday lives,” she added, ate is investing heavily on smart Weekly contributor in Dubai. More media choice promised by Jordan’s new Al Mamlaka TV channel

Roufan Nahhas state broadcaster that was formed in 1985 from the merger of Jordan Radio and Television, the private Amman Ro’ya TV, which was launched in 2011 to establish a quality media ollowing Saudi Arabia’s platform with modern content that Al Arabiya TV and other pan- lives up to the expectations of Arab Arab television stations, Jor- audience in the 21st century, and F dan is to operate its first 24/7 the controversial online stream tel- TV satellite channel with a promise evision JOSAT, famous for its talk broad-based news coverage and in- shows, in addition to several non- depth analysis. active channels. Al Mamlaka (“the kingdom”) A 2017 report by the Jordan Me- television, with a budget of $28 dia Commission, which oversees million and some 300 employees, licensing and regulating the media launched officially in July despite sector, said Jordan has 49 TV chan- criticism over its high cost in a nels, 42 radio channels, nine dailies, country facing huge economic chal- 11 weeklies, one annual newspaper lenges and 187 news websites licensed un- The channel will replace govern- der the Press and Publications Law, ment plans to open a channel affili- in addition to 300 websites regis- ated with the Jordan Radio and Tel- tered as specialised platforms. evision Corporation. A focus on local news. An announcement for the TV programme “Sawt Al Mamlaka” (The Voice of the As the first 24-hour news channel (Al Mamlaka TV) “The new channel will carry a Kingdom) on Al Mamlaka TV. in Jordan, with five fully equipped heavy focus on local news, in ad- bureaus in governorates across the dition to regional and international nomic, sport and cultural news and ous partnerships with media insti- “We need a news channel that country as well as a network of re- coverage and will create a closer the issues Jordanians care about. In tutions in Jordan, including Jordan will make a big difference and speak porters in different capitals of the bond with Jordanian citizens by addition, there will be talk shows Radio and Television Corporation openly about many aspects of life in world, Al Mamlaka TV is set to play providing a forum for all voices to and reality programming that cen- and Jordan’s News Agency (Petra),” the kingdom and this can be done if a major role in shaping the Jordani- be heard,” said Al Mamlaka CEO tre on the transfer of knowledge she said. “We expect also to cooper- there is more freedom to cover and an media scene, Suyyagh said. Dana Suyyagh. and experience.” ate with other TV channels and me- send the correct messages to the AlBaladnews.net, a news website “The channel will be geared to dia institutions. The channel will citizens who would wake up on its in Jordan, was critical of the time it the local audience first and fore- operate according to the Jordanian news and go to bed hearing the lat- took for the channel to begin broad- most but also the Arab and global Al Mamlaka will join other laws and regulations.” est news,” said Ayman Khateeb, a casting and the amount of money audiences who want to know more channels to establish a With a large contingent of journal- journalist with Al Ghad newspaper. spent on salaries and preparations. about what is happening in Jordan.” quality media platform with ists and experienced staff, the chan- “So far we believe that the new- “How will a normal citizen benefit She added: “It is a news channel modern content that lives up nel is expected to make a difference comer might have a solid approach from delaying the opening of an- with a strong newsgathering team to the expectations of Arab but many say that, for a news chan- to the art of covering local news other channel?” AlBaladnews.net of dedicated journalists and that audience in the 21st century. nel to be a success, it needs a greater but we have to wait and see… from asked. is what sets it apart from existing margin of freedom. what we saw so far I think there is Al Mamlaka TV will broadcast on: channels in the kingdom that pro- Suyyagh said that, although it is Al Mamlaka said its mandate a place for a new channel in Jordan Nilesat H (HD) 11958 (SD) 12304 H, vide a variety of programmes with state-funded, Al Mamlaka is admin- includes fostering Jordanian pro- like Al Mamlaka.” Arabsat (HD) 12054 V and OSN 454. little focus on news. istratively independent. duction and journalistic talents in Al Mamlaka will join other chan- “It will broadcast news 24/7 with “Being a public service broadcast- addition to attracting Jordanian nels, led by Jordan Radio and Tel- Roufan Nahhas is a journalist based a special focus on political, eco- er, Al Mamlaka TV has built numer- professionals from abroad. evision Corporation (JRTV), the in Jordan. July 22, 2018 21 Society After the World Cup World Cup is over but not the row over Turkish-German football star

Thomas Seibert who also met Erdogan, declared publicly that he did not intend to boost Erdogan politically. Ozil has Istanbul not commented on the meeting. The controversial pictures set the ccusations by politicians, stage for a wave of criticism levelled media commentators and against Ozil following Germany’s football officials target- early departure from Russia. Oliver A ing Mesut Ozil, a German Bierhoff, manager of the national national player of Turkish descent, squad, said Germany’s Football As- making him the scapegoat for Ger- sociation (DFB) had not succeeded many’s weak performance at the in convincing Ozil to distance him- FIFA World Cup in Russia is a wor- self from the photo op with the rying sign of growing racism in a Turkish leader. country facing a surge of anti-im- “And that is why one should have migrant populism, critics said. thought about dropping him” from Ozil’s case highlights the prob- the squad in Russia, Bierhoff said. lems some European national DFB President Reinhard Grindel teams are struggling with as play- said Ozil owed Germany’s fans an ers of diverse ethnic, cultural and explanation. Lothar Matthaus, a religious backgrounds advance former German team captain, told a through the ranks. Critics say play- TV interviewer Ozil looked like “he ers such as Ozil are feted as heroes doesn’t feel comfortable wearing when times are good but singled the DFB shirt.” out as whipping boys when results The row comes at a time when are bad. the anti-immigrant Alternative “If I score, I am French,” news for Germany party (AfD) is surg- reports quoted Karim Benzema, a ing in the polls. One recent survey former French national player of had the party at 15%, its strongest Algerian heritage, as saying a few showing. Anti-Turkish and anti-Is- years ago. “If I don’t, I am an Arab.” lam rhetoric are part of the party’s Germany, the 2014 World Cup trademark. Alexander Gauland, an Scapegoat for World Cup exit. Germany’s midfielder Mesut Ozil reacts at the end of the Russia 2018 champion, crashed out of this AfD leader, has suggested that the World Cup Group F football match between South Korea and Germany, on June 27. (AFP) year’s tournament in Russia in the 3 million people of Turkish descent group stage, a humiliating defeat living in Germany should move to keenly felt by millions of fans in the Turkey. his son should consider resigning pected the player of “disloyalty against Ozil has triggered a counter- country. During the World Cup, the AfD from the national team. “There towards Germany, of being not Ger- movement. The country’s Central spokesman on sports, Jorn Konig, used to be a saying: if we win, we man enough.” Council of Muslims called for the said the German squad lacked team win together,” Mustafa Ozil said. Ten or even five years ago, the resignation of Bierhoff and Grindel. Players such as Ozil are spirit because of Gundogan and “But if we lose, we lose because of current Ozil debate “would have Jerome Boateng, a teammate of Ozil feted as heroes when Ozil. He called for the dismissal of Ozil?” been unthinkable,” Sinanoglu said. who is of Ghanaian descent, told times are good but the two players because they “re- Cihan Sinanoglu, a spokesman “It shows that the AfD message has the Welt am Sonntag weekly it was singled out as whipping vere the Turkish president more for the Turkish Community in Ger- an effect at the core of society.” Dis- unfair to make Ozil a scapegoat. boys when results are than the German homeland.” many, an association representing cussing the reasons for Germany’s “The whole load of criticism must bad. Ozil has hinted that he sees the members of the Turkish minor- early exit from the World Cup, DFB not be directed against one guy; the debate as fuelled by racism. Writing ity, said a line had been crossed in officials “could have picked 20 oth- whole team is responsible,” he said. Even before the team travelled to on his Instagram account, he said the Ozil debate. Speaking in a tele- er players,” Sinanoglu added. Even the government in Berlin Russia, Ozil, 29, a midfielder who the early exit from the World Cup phone interview from Berlin, Sina- He pointed to Sweden’s handling felt the need to weigh in. In remarks plays for Arsenal London, was in had hurt him. “I’ll need some time noglu said criticism of Ozil’s meet- of racial attacks against one of their seen as directed against Bierhoff trouble because he had his picture to get over it,” he wrote in a com- ing with Erdogan was legitimate. national players, Turkish-born Jim- and Grindel, Annette Widmann- taken with Turkish President Recep ment next to a picture showing him “But the problem begins when the my Durmaz. In a video, the Swedish Mauz, a junior minister in charge Tayyip Erdogan, a politician seen as marching off the field. Ozil added discussion turns to the question team stood behind Durmaz while of integration of minorities, told in an autocrat by many in Germany. the hashtag #SayNoToRacism. of belonging” to Germany. “That’s he read a statement. Players then the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspa- Ilkay Gundogan, another German His father, Mustafa Ozil, told the where racism starts.” shouted “F..k racism.” per that people should “talk to each national player of Turkish descent German Bild am Sonntag weekly Sinanoglu said Ozil’s critics sus- In Germany, the wave of criticism other, not about one another.”

Viewpoint France World Cup victory shows power of immigration

rance has lifted the rigid in society. Nowhere is this “There may be players who at a time of massive migration World Cup for a second more evident than within Pogba’s come from different origins but into Europe and rising populism Mahmud time, thanks, again, to family. we do have the same state of across the continent. Le Pen was el-Shafey a team that was largely His older twin brothers, Mathias mind. We all play for the same roundly defeated by Emmanuel composed of sons of and Florentin, play for the coun- jersey… for our country, we give Macron, who was in the stands of immigrants. At a time try of their birth, Guinea. Paul, everything we have. As soon as the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow Fwhen ethno-nationalism is rising born in the Lagny-sur-Marne com- you wear the jersey, we do every- to celebrate the French victory. across Europe, France’s World mune of Paris after the family left thing for each other,” Griezmann Celebrating with the team Cup victory sends a powerful Guinea for France, plays for the said. afterward, Macron was recorded message about the positives of French national team. France’s African contingent is in the French changing room with immigration. The team is well aware of made up not just by the sons of an arm around Pogba. “Vive La The 23-man French squad that the unique place it holds in the immigrants but includes first- France,” he said. “Vive La Repub- won the World Cup on July 15 hearts of a country that has seen generation immigrants as well. lique,” Pogba replied. with an electrifying 4-2 decision sentiment against migrants with Defender Samuel Umtiti was born France’s other World Cup win over Croatia featured 15 players African roots rise and fall and rise in Cameroon and immigrated was in 1998, with a similarly with African roots, including goal again, depending on domestic and to France as a child. The same diverse squad, featuring midfield scorers Paul Pogba (born in Paris external political considerations. goes for reserve goalkeeper Steve maestro Zinedine Zidane (born to Guinean parents) and player-of- “The diversity of the squad Mandanda, who was born in the in France to Algerian parents) the-tournament Kylian Mbappe is in the image of this beauti- Democratic Republic of Congo. and defender Marcel Desailly (born in Paris to a Cameroonian ful country that is France,” said Like the Pogbas, the Mandanda (immigrated to France from father and Algerian mother). French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, family demonstrates the fluid- Ghana as a child). That team was As France celebrated its victory, who was born in Toulouse to an ity of national identity. Steve nicknamed the black-blanc-beur social and political activists took Angolan father and a Congolese Mandada’s two younger brothers (black-white-Arab) and there were to the airwaves and social media mother, before the World Cup — also goalkeepers — play for the hopes that its victory could heal to extol a more inclusive and final. Democratic Republic of Congo entrenching division in French cohesive social vision. “For us, it’s superb. We are national squad. Unlike their elder society. “Dear France, congratulations proud to represent this beauti- brother, they were born in France. That failed to materialise and on winning the #WorldCup. 80% ful jersey and I think the people There is hope that the French France is arguably just as divided of your team is African, cut out are also proud to have a national squad, national heroes after they now as ever before. There is hope that the the racism and xenophobia. 50% team like that,” Matuidi added. claimed the World Cup’s Jules Does sport have the power to of your team are Muslims, cut out “This is the France that we Rimet Trophy, could serve as a heal social divisions? Only time French squad could the Islamophobia. Africans and love,” said forward Antoine shining example to a country will tell. serve as a shining Muslims delivered you a second Griezmann after France’s victory where discussions regarding What is certain is that the example to a country World Cup, now deliver them against Croatia. “It’s beautiful to migration have become increas- ethnically diverse French team justice,” tweeted University of De- see it.” Griezmann represents a ingly toxic. that lifted the World Cup can only where discussions troit Mercy School of Law Profes- different less controversial immi- Presidential elections last year help the cause of liberte, egalite, regarding migration sor Khaled Beydoun. gration — his father’s family origi- saw a far-right anti-immigrant fraternite. National identity has become nates in Germany and his mother candidate — Marine Le Pen — have become increasingly fluid in football, as is a second-generation immigrant make it to the second round, Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab increasingly toxic. it has become more and more of Portuguese descent. with real fears that she could win Weekly correspondent in London. 22 July 22, 2018 Spotlight Asilah Moussem Forum experts say terrorism can be fought through education, better use of technology

Saad Guerraoui terrorism. “Terrorism cannot oc- cur without fanaticism. Terror- ism strikes randomly to create fear Asilah among people and societies for po- litical goals,” he said. errorism in Muslim socie- No international agreement has ties can be confronted by clearly defined terrorism because overhauling religious edu- of political differences on its con- T cation curricula, better use text, Shaban said. of media and digital technology to He emphasised two dangerous spread an Islam of tolerance and a international resolutions after the deeper understanding of the Quran, September 11, 2001, attacks on the international experts said. United States that gave the great Secretary-General of the Asilah powers the right to intervene in Forum Foundation Mohamed Be- other countries under the umbrella naissa, opening a symposium on threat of terror. religious thought and its relation He explained that Arab coun- to terrorism, said the most horrific tries had been victims of terror- crimes had been perpetrated in the ism while, at the same time, were name of religions that have been accused of practising it. He called victims of distortion and manipula- for a unified strategy to fight that tion. scourge. “It is in the name of religion that Abdallah Yusuf al-Ghanim, di- devastating wars have bloodied the rector of the Centre for Research world, whole nations and peoples and Studies of Kuwait, said the have suffered from genocide and strengthening of religious law oppositions have been gagged. It is based on peace and diversity can be not the fault of religion but of the achieved through reformed educa- way in which it is explained and un- tion and sound upbringing based derstood,” said Benaissa. on co-existence and respect. Radwan el-Sayed, professor of Is- Ghanim stressed the necessity to lamic studies at the Lebanese Uni- train teachers to create a new gen- A call for a new approach. Haitham El-Zobaidi, the publisher of The Arab Weekly, speaks during the versity in Beirut, said Islamists who eration that supports dialogue and Asilah symposium on religious thought and its relation to terrorism. (Saad Guerraoui) were oppressed in Arab prisons, es- tolerance of others, no matter their pecially in Egypt, were divided into background or religious affiliations. two currents: one for using violence He suggested an educational aspect of social interaction,” said created religious speech that incites on religion that boosted extremism. to establish a state based on sharia programme dedicated to raising Zobaidi. “Imagine if Europe had hatred, violence and terrorism. “When you call for change, you and one that opted for political de- awareness among students about continued in the religious debate Benamer denied that a lack of find a fierce opposition from both bate, as happened in Tunisia and the dangers of terror groups’ and to this day, it wouldn’t be what it is a proper education was a driving the radical movements and people Morocco after the “Arab spring.” preachers’ ideologies on social net- n o w.” force behind acts of terror, refer- as generations have been educated Sayed said the violent current works. He called for a halt to the circle ring to statistics that showed many on these curricula,” said Rafiqi. that emerged in the 1970s in Egypt Rachida Benmassaoud, a profes- of discussing the various extremist terrorists have scientific university “The result is that they will accuse and Syria found support from the sor at Mohammed V University of currents while civil society needs degrees. you of infidelity.” United States, which used it in Af- Agdal in Rabat, echoed Ghanim’s new ideas to shape its ethics. He urged a courageous approach ghanistan against the Soviet Union, remarks, saying the culture of Abdulaziz al-Sabeel, secretary- Haitham El-Zobaidi, to any attempt to change curricula and from the middle class, which peace, tolerance and difference general of the King Faisal Interna- the publisher of The Arab Weekly in religious education to be com- was against the Egyptian military- must be bolstered in Arab societies tional Prize, said brainwashed Arab mensurate with other educational led regime. to thwart the culture of violence youth cannot be blamed for watch- subjects. He noted that out of the violent and terrorism. ing extremist preachers who tell “We have to think of an He also suggested the formation Islamist current evolved the Islamic Haitham El-Zobaidi, the pub- them that “the way between you intellectual and cultural speech of a new jurisprudence, the dis- State (ISIS). lisher of The Arab Weekly, said the and the virgins in Paradise is the as a substitute speech.” semination of revolutionary ideas Mohamed Ghanem Rumaihi, pro- advent of social media had acceler- suicide belt.” among young people and raising fessor of political and social scienc- ated the pace of extremist religious Sabeel said young people were Mohamed Abdelwahab Rafiqi, them up on the right way of deal- es in Kuwait, said the Muslim world speech, which classic media outlets being influenced by the most a researcher in Islamic studies in ing with Quranic texts that have needed a modern matrix of juris- were late to counter. sought hashtags and fake accounts Morocco, said he could not agree been misinterpreted and exploited prudence to fight extremist ideolo- “We have to think of an intellec- created by extremist groups and in- more, citing the example of al-Qae- by fundamentalists to commit vio- gies and keep up with international tual and cultural speech as a substi- dividuals on social media. da leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who lence. developments. tute speech. I think we should learn Fadwa Benamer, a columnist for is a doctor. Hussain Shaban, an Iraqi writer, from Europe where societies have Al-Wasat newspaper in Bahrain, Rafiqi mentioned the case of Mo- Saad Guerraoui is a contributor said the world was suffering from dissociated themselves from the said religious media with chaotic rocco, which decided in 2016 to re- to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb fanaticism, fundamentalism and Church and focused on the ethical fatwas and threatening language view the contents of school books issues. Experts debate globalisation at Asilah Moussem

Saad Guerraoui Benaissa said the world had ex- resistance,” said Alterman, citing perienced its most difficult period the example of the Islamic State in economic, cultural and politi- (ISIS). Asilah cal developments since the second “Daesh (the Arabic acronym for world war. ISIS) is the group that thrives on the he world is going through “This particular era is character- instant communication of messag- changes that require inten- ised by a large tendency of some es. What would Daesh be if people sified efforts to build a bet- political leaders and even thinkers were literate?” he asked. T ter one that responds to the in the West towards a populist po- Mohammed Benhamou, presi- aspirations of humanity for peace- litical system,” said Benaissa, refer- dent of the Moroccan Centre for ful coexistence and does not allow ring to Trump. Strategic Studies, said globalisation the expansion of separatist thought Former Spanish Foreign Minister had undermined principles such as that has soared since Donald Trump Miguel Angel Moratinos said the sovereignty, territoriality, authority has become the US president, said world has changed since the terror and borders, creating unrest and experts and politicians at the 40th attacks in the United States in 2001. uncertainty. Cultural Moussem of Asilah. “The US military response to the Former Peruvian Defence Min- 9/11 attacks was not the right one,” ister Rafael Rey pointed out that Mohamed Benaissa, he said, adding that it had “com- globalisation could not solve all secretary-general of the Asilah Forum pletely subverted the international the problems of the world. Rey said Foundation security system.” globalisation was even responsible Moratinos insisted that it “is us for some problems, adding that it “This particular era is citizens who can decide the future. must be used to promote peace and characterised by a large We must not let ourselves be led by In-depth look. Mohamed Benaissa, secretary-general of the social justice through an integral tendency of some political the new technology, which is nec- Asilah Forum Foundation and a former Moroccan foreign education. leaders and even thinkers in essary and useful but does not de- minister, speaks at the opening of the “Post-globalisation: What Indian journalist Rudroneel the West towards a populist cide on our behalf.” Perspectives?” symposium. (Asilah Forum Foundation) Ghosh noted that emerging coun- political system.” Former Austrian Foreign Minis- tries, such as China, India and Tur- ter Benita Ferrero-Waldner empha- key, were closing the gap with the sised the fear factor of globalisation anymore,” said Ferrero-Waldner. more easily.” West, which has long dominated Mohamed Benaissa, secretary- because many people do not take “We have to help those who are los- He said people were healthier globalisation. “This change in the general of the Asilah Forum Foun- advantage of its benefits, exac- ing out. Otherwise we will have a and more educated thanks to glo- balance of power impacts even the dation and a former Moroccan erbating protectionism. She said huge migration problem.” balisation, which has dramatically mentalities of the populations,” foreign minister, speaking at the information technology was hav- Jon B. Alterman, of the Centre for improved standards of living. How- said Ghosh. opening of the “Post-globalisation: ing both negative and positive ef- Strategic and International Studies ever, a side effect of globalisation French diplomat Guy de la Chev- What Perspectives?” symposium, fects on the global job market but in Washington, said: “Globalisa- was people perceiving themselves alerie said the people who change warned that globalisation had a warned against social inequalities tion has been accelerating as travel to be relatively worse off. the world are the artists, referring negative effect on value systems that were dividing societies. becomes easier, as trade increases “What globalisation has done is to the music industry that has in- and national identities. “There are no social equalities and as people can communicate that it has created an audience for fluenced many countries. July 22, 2018 23 Culture

Well-preserved items. An old letter box on diplay at A journey back in time. Miniature statues of postal workers on display at the Postal Museum in Cairo. the Postal Museum in Cairo. (Postal Museum) (Postal Museum) In Cairo’s Postal Museum, a long history told on small stamps

Muhamad Abdul Hadi The stamp collection hall has in 1840 bearing an engraving of a bringing stamp making to Egypt. Of- lated to the Egyptian people’s oc- been preserved as it was since young Queen Victoria. There is also ficially, the first Egyptian postage cupations. The first such stamp King Farouk I reopened the mu- a rare photo of Sir Rowland Hill, the stamp dates to the time of Khedive represented an Egyptian farmer, Cairo seum that his father King Fuad I first postmaster general of the Brit- Isma’il Pasha (1830-95). a hoe on his shoulder, with palm had founded in 1934. A huge mar- ish postal services. The first Egyptian postage trees and rural dwellings in the he quaint Postal Museum ble slab at the museum entrance Museum curator Mohamad Bikri stamps were printed in Genoa, background. The second showed in central Cairo is the de- indicates that it was renovated in said the Postal Museum is a magnet Italy, in 1866 when Egypt was an an Egyptian soldier shouldering finitive destination and ref- the 1990s. The beechwood displays for stamp collectors who have large Ottoman province. A year later, a his weapon. Finally, the third batch T erence for stamp collectors however remained untouched. collections of their own. stamp-making facility was estab- depicted a rural woman holding a in Egypt. The stamp collection room is Egyptian stamps remained rath- lished in Egypt. cotton branch with sunlight burst- The museum is not noted on tour the most appealing. The other er formal until 1926 when the first When the Free Officers Move- ing from its flower. maps and only diehard collectors nine sections of the museum offer stamps celebrating King Farouk’s ment overthrew King Farouk in The Postal Museum houses the know of its existence. It includes glimpses into the history of postal birthday came out. 1952, they kept King Farouk stamps copper plates used in stamp mak- hundreds of thousands of stamps, services in Egypt and displays of The Boy Scouts first day covers in circulation for a year but they de- ing in Egypt along with original some of which date back 150 years, postal uniforms, equipment, mod- of 1956 remain at the top of the faced them with three black stripes postal seals. plus detailed models and diora- els of post office buildings, maps, hottest-selling items issued by the over the king’s face. Bikri said the latest series of mas illustrating documentation, land transport vehicles and those Egyptian Postal Services. Their Bikri said the defaced stamps postage stamps in Egypt was is- writing and postal services history used for airmail. There are models prices range $834-$1,111. Next were the most sought after and sued in remembrance of Egyptian since the days of the pharaohs. of postal aeroplanes and the first comes the Arabic Collection of King not for political reasons. Stamp actors, including Mahmoud Abdel Inside the perfectly preserved airmail letter that was sent from Farouk Stamps, which appeared in aficionados know that “defective” Aziz and Nour el-Sherif. There is royal hall, visitors can journey back Cairo to Karachi before Indo-Paki- 1923. It is a collection of 12 stamps stamps are special and fetch top a special stamp commemorating in time through a vast collection of stani secession. sold for $1,666. dollar — the bigger the defect, the Egypt’s participation in the recent small and rare postage stamps and In the stamp collection room, Bikri said the large number of higher the price, he said. FIFA World Cup. the large portraits of Egypt’s mod- visitors will find a rare photo of stamps commemorating Muham- At the beginning of the new so- ern rulers from the Mohammad Ali the first adhesive postage stamp in mad Ali dynasty at the museum cialist republic in Egypt, stamps Muhamad Abdul Hadi is an dynasty hanging on the walls. the world, the Penny Black, issued reflects the role played by it in were adorned with engravings re- Egyptian writer. BOOK REVIEW ‘Tunsiya/Amrikiya,’ an anthology by poet Leila Chatti

n her anthology “Tunsiya/ mother with vibrant detail. lieves the ones she likes. My “21 years he bowed before the Amrikiya,” poet Leila However, it is her mockery of her mother stays wary of magic, bed, us children in a row behind Chatti explores the mother’s mentality that is most forbade me late-night Ouija con- him crushing our foreheads ear- Dunia El-Zobaidi nuances of multicultural amusing. In “My Mother Makes versations (with spirits) but once nestly to the floor.” identity, the need for a Religion,” Chatti makes fun of paid $30 for a psychic to summon She lost contact with God, say- family and the permanent her mother’s belief in horoscopes, her (dead) sister, then cried.” ing she “can’t remember the last search for belonging. She fortune cookies and magic. Chatti admires her mother for time (she) clasped (her) hands Idelves deeper into the psyche of “She follows horoscopes like being trustworthy and noble. above (her) breast and yearned women belonging to different commandments, tells me Leila, “Anything she tells me, still and for God in that formal way.” Later, worlds and different cultures, you’ll be lucky in love this month radiant as a painting of a saint… Chatti needs God again, pleading: dissecting, comparing and at but watch out for the eyes of my mother the miracle that will “God, I want so badly to speak times mocking some of what she strangers, whatever that means,” save herself,” she writes. with you — not for aid or for proof considers to be irrational Chatti writes. “She insists on In “Muslim Girlhood,” Chatti of my goodness but to feel again traditions and beliefs. fortune cookies but only be- describes her sheltered life your presence in my life, undeni- Chatti’s anthology provides a growing up in America. In the ably there like my father’s hand unique and personal investigation evenings, she “watched TV like on mine in this still and inscruta- of the perpetual exile that comes a religion” and “watched to see ble dark.” with being separated from an es- how the others lived, not know- Other subjects of her poems sential part of oneself. ing I was the Other.” Her sense include the discipline of fasting, Powerful and well-crafted, of “Otherness,” she said, was felt memories of summers spent with Chatti’s work tackles the duality when she took tests “in which cousins, religious hypocrisy and of being a Tunsiya — the Arabic Jane and William had so many Tunisia’s summer heat. She dedi- Subjects of Chatti’s world for a Tunisian woman — apples but never a friend named cates poems to political issues, poems include the and Amrikiya — Arabic for Ameri- Khadija.” such as the refugee crisis, the can woman. Other dualities are Chatti describes her relation- Orlando, Florida, shooting and US discipline of fasting, explored throughout the punchy ship with God in “When I Tell President Donald Trump. memories of anthology, including the contrast My Father I Might Begin to Pray However, it is her admiration and connection between south Again.” Her father, she says, of the women in her family and summers spent with and north, male and female and raised her to be religious and for the love for her brother and father cousins, religious religiosity and loss of faith. that convey the depth of her kind- hypocrisy and In her poems, Chatti describes Personal investigation. ness and bring her words to life. what it is like to be a Tunisian Cover of poet Leila Chatti’s Tunisia’s summer woman by depicting the attrib- “Tunsiya/Amrikiya.” Dunia El-Zobaidi is a regular Arab heat. utes of her mother and grand- Weekly contributor in London. 24 July 22, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Jerash: Through August 3

The Annual Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, first organ- ised in 1980, takes place in the ancient Jordanian city of Jerash and showcases folklore troupes, concerts, poetry readings, bal- let performances, symphony orchestras and other events. Handicrafts, food, art and book exhibitions will also be offered.

Beiteddine: Through August 15

Beiteddine Art Festival, in the picturesque Chouf Mountains, includes a variety of perfor- mances from opera to theatre and art exhibitions. The festival welcomes more than 50,000 visitors, as well as numerous star performers. Ziad Rahbani, Carla Bruni and Kadim Al Sahir are to perform at this year’s festival.

Carthage: Through August 15

The Carthage Festival is one of the oldest arts and cultural events in North Africa, drawing a mix of local and international performers to Tunisia over sev- eral weeks. Performances take place at the Amphitheatre of A group of adventurers battle raging waters at Wadi Mujib. (Wild Jordan) Carthage. Hammamet: Through August 26

Hammamet, a Tunisian town on Jordan’s Wadi the northern shore of the Gulf of Hammamet, is the site of the 54th Hammamet International Festival. Concerts and plays Mujib crossing are scheduled for more than a month.

Cairo: offers gratifying August 29-September 9 Organised by the Cairo Op- era House, the annual Citadel Festival for Music and Singing is experience for set for the Saladin Citadel and the Opera House over nearly two weeks. The festival includes concerts of classical Arab music thrill-seekers in addition to contemporary A view of Wadi Mujib in Jordan. (Wild Jordan) performances.

Roufan Nahhas Nadeen Salameh, marketing and course of the river between tow- easy short walks or long more diffi- Byblos: sales coordinator at Wild Jordan ering sandstone cliffs to the base cult guided tours the thrill is there. September 5-10 Adventures, part of the Royal Soci- of a large waterfall. Depending I love climbing using ropes, sliding Wadi Mujib ety for the Conservation of Nature on seasonal rain levels, the gorge over the slippery rocks, falling in The Lebanon Latin Festival (RSCN), said the challenging trail may contain pools deep enough for the cold refreshing water and then takes place every year in Edde Abseiling, canyoning, and water crossing at Wadi Mujib swimming. This is an ideal walk to just laying down on the edge and Sands with artists from around trekking and swimming cannot be compared to anywhere take slowly and enjoy the cool wa- simply listening to the sounds of the world. Dance workshops are among the thrilling else. ter and shade, especially in the heat nature,” he added. are scheduled in Salsa, Bachata, A options available to the Established in 1987, Mujib Bio- of the summer. Despite the physical challenge it Kizomba, cha cha cha, hip-hop, toughest adventure seekers at Jor- sphere Reserve covers 212 sq.km “It is definitely unique,” Salameh poses, the crossing of Wadi Mujib is Samba, Lambada, Oriental, dan’s Wadi Mujib, the lowest — 420 bordering the Dead Sea and sur- said. “The steep mountain slopes one of the most popular adventures Dabke and Afro-Cubano, in addi- metres below sea level — nature re- rounding Wadi Mujib, a deep and support several highly adapted for thrill-seeking visitors. All hik- tion to shows and performances. serve in the world. majestic canyon that cuts through mammals, including the rock hy- ers need to make it are good hiking Declared a biosphere reserve by the rugged highlands and drains rax, the Eurasian badger and, most shoes, sunblock, engagement with Dubai: UNESCO in 2011, the Mujib Nature into the Dead Sea. importantly, the Nubian ibex, a the local community, tasting local September 6-8 Reserve hosts more than 300 spe- The RSCN, an independent or- large mountain goat.” food and experiencing rock climb- cies of plants, of which some are ganisation devoted to the conserva- “Today, only a small number of ing and zip-lining at the Adventure Written by French composer considered rare, ten species of car- tion of Jordan’s natural resources, ibexes remain in the wild due to Centre. Georges Bizet, and first staged in nivores such as the Syrian wolf, the manages the trail. widespread illegal hunting. To save 1875, the opera “Carmen” will be caracal (also known as the moun- Wadi Mujib Siq trail starts at this animal from extinction, RSCN Declared a biosphere performed at the Dubai Opera by tain cat) and the very rare Arabian the visitor’s centre near the Mujib finished a 10-year reintroduction the Armenian National Academic leopard in addition to the variety of Bridge with a cantilevered walkway programme for the ibex in the re- reserve by UNESCO in 2011, Theatre Opera and Orchestra. birds. over the dam. The path follows the serve, where the captive-bred ani- the Mujib Nature Reserve mals are kept,” she said. hosts more than 300 species Tangier: Osama Aboud, a self-employed of plants, of which some are September 20-23 Jordanian with a passion for adven- considered rare. ture described crossing Wadi Mujib The 19th Tangier’s Jazz Festival “a true experience.” A visit to Mujib Adventure Centre will feature international and “You cannot find an adventure as any day from 8am-3pm can prepare local jazz artists. Over four days, unique as walking the trail, crossing visitors for an experience of a life- visitors can enjoy free street per- the water and climbing the rocks, time, Wild Jordan says. Weekends formances, free dance courses then relaxing next to a 20-metre- are very busy and it is advised to ar- and jazz concerts. This year’s high waterfall. rive before 9am. Those under 18 are festival will host performers Flo “It is not an easy thing to do at not allowed on such an excursion. Bauer, Michael Lauren, Mat- all. You need to prepare yourself to Jordanian Minister of Tourism thieu Bore and United Colors of cross a river using a rope and how and Antiquities Lina Annab said the Mediterranee. to handle yourself while the person country has had a surge in activities in front of you or the one behind since the beginning of 2018. you slips taking you under the wa- “An unprecedented rise of 27% We welcome submissions of ter with him. It is truly a course in was registered in tourist expendi- calendar items related to surviving, especially when the river tures for June 2018 compared to cultural events of interest to becomes your only path,” Aboud 2017. For January-June 2018, tour- travellers in the Middle East said. ists’ spending reached $2.416 bil- and North Africa. “Most of the visitors enjoy the lion and the total number of visitors variety of activities they find in the increased 8.1% reaching 2.3 mil- Please send tips to: same place like hiking, canyoning lion,” Annab wrote on her Twitter [email protected] Siq trail in Wadi Mujib. (Wild Jordan) and climbing. Whether you select account.