6 November 19, 2017 Opinion

Editorial Progress in the fight against online radicalisation ouTube, the world’s most popular video site, is limiting its archive of propaganda material recorded by known extremists. This does not appear to be a complete purge, however. As of November 16, a search of YYouTube showed 63,700 results for videos on the life and controversial death by US drone strike of the Yemeni-American radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. The extremist preacher is said to have substantially influenced major terrorist incidents in the United States and in Europe, including those that caused multiple deaths. Another search of YouTube turned up 1,940 results for sermons and recitations by Sheikh Abdallah Muhammad al-Muhaysini, the al-Qaeda-linked Saudi cleric considered one of the most influential jihadist ideologues in Syria. Like Awlaki before his death, Muhaysini figures on the US government’s list of desig- nated terrorists. Clearly, YouTube has a long way to go in the task it has set for itself. And yet, the fact that it has begun to take down even non-graphic content by listed extremists is encouraging. For all too long, social media companies have dissembled about the extent of their responsibility in serving as distribution channels for extremist groups. YouTube, © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Twitter, Facebook and Google have all simplistically questioned the rights and wrongs of regulating content, claiming that they don’t create such content but merely make it available. Will listen These companies sorely missed the point. The violent videos posted by extremists on social media glorified terrorism and encour- aged copycat activities by would-be jihadists. to Saad Hariri? While the companies argued and flip- flopped, jihadist content — overt or covert, Khairallah Khairallah incendiary or merely insidious — proliferated. is a Lebanese writer. Awlaki is a case in point, which is probably Hariri has shocked the world twice, once by his resignation and why YouTube has focused on removing his recordings. His videos have left a trail of the second time with his interview. terrorist radicalisation around the world and the narrative of his alleged martyrdom in he recent television and the second time with his in another. Lebanon will be Yemen at the hands of the Americans could interview given by interview. When he announced Saad Hariri doomed if it remains a hostage only stoke anger. Lebanese Prime his resignation, he spoke of the cannot be a of the “playground” idea. YouTube is said to be relying on govern- Minister Saad Hariri causes hampering political and witness to Should this idea remain in place, ment lists of terrorists and terrorist groups to put to rest specula- economic life in Lebanon. He the Lebanese people, especially check its offerings. This is a start but the tion that he was hinted at the dangers awaiting acts that are Christians, will have no choice attempt to remove content from the internet being held against Lebanon and its people when insulting but to leave the country. must be followed by further action. By itself, This will in . terms of the presidential The presidential agreement Those rumours were ridicu- agreement were not observed. to Lebanon was based on the idea of breath- this long-overdue move cannot win the war lous because, in , Hariri So, why was the interview and its ing life into state institutions. against a perverted ideology that celebrates was home among family and Hariri gave a few days after his The agreement is useless if death and violence. It can, however, make it friends, friends who are keen on resignation announcement also people and its leaders do not that much harder to pass around and pros- protecting Lebanon, definitely a shock? It is because he used and to realise that their militia’s elytise. not like those who wish to turn calm discourse to insist that everything victories in Syria are victories Lebanon into a missile-launch- Lebanon has two choices: Either over those Lebanese who ing base and serve ’s go back to the terms of the presi- in the believe in their country. Hezbol- A World Cup like no other destructive agenda. dential agreement or face region that lah and its leaders must get rid There was nothing in Hariri’s serious dangers. of their fantasy that launching a It is fair to say that the 2018 FIFA World Cup words to indicate he would What Hariri did not say was is Arab and missile attack on Riyadh from will be the most Arab ever. Four Arab coun- withdraw his resignation. His that among those dangers is an not act. Yemen represents a victory for tries — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and resignation announcement eventual Arab boycott. Nearly them. Morocco — will compete alongside 28 other included a full condemnation of 90% of Lebanon’s agricultural The is on the brink nations in Russia. Iran and its role in Lebanon’s products are exported to the six of momentous events. If Leba- Their qualification is reason for pride and a tragic situation. In the inter- Gulf countries. Also, thousands non wishes to protect itself, it rare moment of joy for everyone — but view, Hariri admitted that he of Lebanese citizens are must follow a “dissociation must indeed return to Lebanon employed in the Gulf countries policy.” The expression “disso- especially for young people — across the Arab and follow proper procedures and they support thousands of ciation policy” was repeated world. It lightens and lifts the mood away for resigning. Lebanese families. several times during Hariri’s TV from anxiety over the woes of the present or What this means is that the He said the gates of the Gulf interview. If Hariri decides to the risks that may loom. ball is in the camp of those who countries, starting with Saudi return to Lebanon, it will be to There were moments of high drama in the refuse to accept and observe the Arabia, remain open to Leba- protect it while others are doing qualifying matches of the Middle East and terms agreed upon during nese competencies. Saudi their best to mire it in a destruc- North African teams. As never before, negotiations that put Michel Crown Prince Mohammed bin tive project. Whatever is left of football brought together factions in bitterly Aoun into the presidency in Salman bin Abdulaziz has the country’s institutions and divided Syria, even though it did not ulti- Lebanon. offered to employ young economy is at stake. mately qualify for Russia 2018. Hariri insisted that he refused Lebanese in the NEOM project. Will Lebanon get caught in a to accept to turn Lebanon into a NEOM is no ordinary project. vicious cycle or will there be Now, the focus shifts to next summer. The “playground.” It is perfectly It calls for the construction of a people who really understand showdowns between the four Arab teams and normal for a Lebanese prime futuristic city covering 26,000 Hariri’s words? That is what we other major footballing countries are much minister who is always repeat- sq.km in an area close to Egypt will soon find out. Getting anticipated. The spotlight will be on Arab ing “Lebanon first” to lay a and Jordan. This city will take caught in a vicious circle starts athletic performance. Sports enthusiasts minimum of conditions to the Saudi kingdom to a world with asking pointless questions across the Arab world will be hoping the four ensure that his own country is seeped in the culture of open- such as whether Hariri was being teams turn in performances in this World Cup not against him. ness and moderation and free of held against his will in Saudi that improve on results of the past. In other words, Saad Hariri cultural complexes. It is a world Arabia, instead of going straight The Arab teams will be under scrutiny for cannot be a witness to acts that of modern technology and care to the heart of the problem. reasons that go beyond their talent and are insulting to Lebanon and its for the environment. The heart of the problem people and to everything in the Above all, the project will reduces to one question: Is ability to win. The players’ conduct and that region that is Arab and not act. provide a unique frame for the Lebanon a sovereign Arab state of their travelling fans will be important, as it Such acts include waging war on development of Saudi human interested in safeguarding its always is in the international arena. It is the Syrian people or using resources. interest and its future and where important to remember the world is watch- Yemen to launch missiles on The main problem in the the only legitimate weapons are ing. Considering the level of global media Saudi Arabia or planting terror- Lebanese crisis is that Hariri has those of its army and security attention, Russia 2018 may shape the world’s ist cells in Kuwait and . positioned himself in one spot forces or is it a “playground” for image of the Arabs for years to come. Hariri has shocked the world while those who were party to Iran and its expansionist twice, once by his resignation the presidential agreement are project?