Roufan Nahhas, Rashmee Roshan Lall, Iman Zayat, Gareth Smyth, Jareer Elass, Stephen Quillen, Mamoon Alabbasi , Yavuz Baydar, Rami Rayess

Issue 111, Year 3 www.thearabweekly.com UK £2/ EU €2.50 June 18, 2017 The Middle Saif al-Islam’s East’s smoking release and the problem future of Libya P4 P22 P10 Facing radical Islam P18 As it sides with Qatar, Turkey tries to pre-empt own isolation

Mohammed Alkhereiji Saud — “the elder statesman of the 150 additional Turkish troops in Gulf” — should resolve the matter. Doha. There was also a pledge by He needed to maintain a margin of members of the Qatari royal family London manoeuvre to keep his meditation for more investments in Turkey. posture and forestall the risk of An- Galip Dalay, research director at Al s it makes statements kara’s own isolation. Sharq Forum, a Turkish research or- that give the impression Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut ganisation, told the New York Times of a position of mediation Cavusoglu, who met with King Sal- that Turkey was “transitioning from in the Gulf crisis, Turkey man in Mecca on June 16, spoke in neutral mediator to the role of firm- is working to make sure it similarly vague terms. ly supporting the side of Qatar” by isA not the next Muslim Brotherhood- “Although the kingdom is a party voting to send troops to Qatar. affiliated country to face regional in this crisis, we know that King Sal- The Turkish position was in line isolation. man is a party in resolving it,” Cavu- with Ankara’s common affinities A lot has happened since 2015 soglu said at a Doha stopover prior with Doha as another country fac- when Turkish President Recep to his Mecca meeting. “We want ing increased isolation because of Tayyip Erdogan visited Riyadh to to hear the views of Saudi Arabia its Muslim Brotherhood alliances show support for the Sunni bloc regarding possible solutions and and Islamist policies in the region. represented by the Saudi-led coali- will share with them our views in a Analysts said the shift is reflective tion against terrorism. In fact, until transparent way… We pay a great at- of an apprehension that Turkey last February, during another visit tention to our relations with them.” would eventually face the same fate to Saudi Arabia, the Turkish leader as Doha. was sticking to Sunni solidarity and Turkey is likely to recognise the expressing wariness about “Persian Turkey fears being looming risk as it sees its influence nationalism.” in the region ebbing and notes in- However, since the Qatar crisis the next Muslim dications that political Islam in the erupted June 5, Ankara has been co- Brotherhood- region is facing strong headwind. ordinating with Tehran and Erdogan “Should Qatar be taken out of the distanced himself from Saudi Arabia affiliated country picture when it comes to regional and the Sunni bloc. to face trouble. matters, [that] could isolate Turkey Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- and perhaps this is why Turkey does mad Javad Zarif was received by Er- not want to lose Qatar,” Turkish aca- dogan when he travelled to Turkey Ankara’s alignment with Qatar, demic Serhat Erkmen told Deutsche on June 7. Ankara said the visit al- however, has been clear from the Welle. lowed an “exchange of views, first start of the crisis. Erdogan rejected Erdogan’s rhetoric “will not alter Syria and bilateral relations.” It was allegations that Doha financed ter- the balance of power in the Gulf,” obvious, however, that Qatar was rorist groups. “They [countries iso- diplomats said. It can, however, give on the minds of Iranian and Turkish lating Qatar] declare foundations the Turkish president the impres- leaders. established to provide different sion of being shielded from pres- Erdogan has strongly shown his services as terror organisations,” sures that could threaten his pro- support for Qatar, calling Doha’s Erdogan said June 9. “Something Brotherhood policies and Turkey’s growing isolation “inhumane” like this should not happen. I know stability. and comparing the restrictions to those foundations. Until today I a “death sentence.” The Turkish have not witnessed Qatar give sup- Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf leader refrained, however, from port to terror.” section editor of The Arab Weekly. Common risks ahead. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad criticising Saudi Arabia, saying Further siding with Doha, the al-Thani (R) stands with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Turkish parliament voted to deploy P12-13 in Doha, last February. (AP) Doha’s miscalculations at the core of Gulf crisis

Viewpoint he crisis pitting Qatar rati islands since 1971. the 2013 coup against the Muslim end of 2015. The true significance against Saudi-led Gulf Under the reign of Qatari Emir Brotherhood and Muhammad Morsi Qatar did of this deal is not clear but it is countries and Egypt is Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in Egypt. The second was when obvious that it makes it possible the result of Doha’s Doha has failed to provide ap- Operation Decisive Storm began in a lot to for Iranian sectarian militias and miscalculations and propriate rationale for its Iranian Yemen despite American objections. weaken al-Qaeda spin-off organisations to missteps. policy. In the face of Iran’s obvious The aim was to put an end to Iran’s the Gulf dispose of huge amounts of Qatari TQatar did a lot to weaken the Gulf animosity towards Saudi Arabia and expansionist plan in the region. money. Cooperation Cooperation Council (GCC) by en- the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Qatar was a partner in Operation Qatar’s essential problem is with gaging in an odd competition with Tamim could have used phrases Decisive Storm but only nominally. Council by its Arab environment. Qatar simply Khairallah Saudi Arabia. Even though it did not such as “We’re all in the same boat.” This third Arab initiative came engaging needs to change its behaviour. It always see eye to eye with Tehran, By “all,” he would have meant the within the context of favourable in an odd must cease its fruitless manoeu- Khairallah Qatar’s policy of going against Saudi Gulf states. He didn’t. conditions in the United States but vring. This kind of behaviour Arabia served the interests of Iran, Sheik Tamim inherited from his is definitely not a US-backed initia- competition serves only Turkish and Iranian in- which has sought to undermine father, former Emir Sheikh Hamad tive. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain with Saudi terests. The regime in Iran is always GCC countries. bin Khalifa al-Thani, many prob- and Egypt took a stand against Arabia. on the hunt for any point of entry, Qatar is different from Oman. The lems, among them dwindling oil Qatar that is not necessarily shared especially for possible breaches in sultanate is a special case because revenues and skyrocketing con- by Washington. It was an independ- neighbouring countries and even in it might have had no choice but to struction costs of 2022 World Cup ent Arab stand dictated by common faraway countries, such as Leba- cooperate with Iran, considering facilities. He could not envisage a Gulf interests. non. the countries’ shared borders and particular policy that would show Qatar once could have easily Ending the reign of the Muslim control of the Strait of Hormuz. that he was aware of the dangers of swayed the US government’s stand Brotherhood in Egypt was achieved For the Less understandable is Qatar’s remaining prisoner of his father’s with the lucrative purchase of US- despite US objections. The current third time cooperation with Tehran. policy choices and of the influence made F-15 warplanes but not this boycott of Qatar is not necessarily Qatar’s argument that sharing of the Muslim Brotherhood. He time. The time for paradoxes and and entirely blessed by the US. We in four a major natural gas field with could not get out unscathed from contradictions is over. are probably witnessing a change. years, a Iran makes cooperation with the dilemmas created by his close Qatar may not have had problems The Trump administration does Tehran a necessity is weak. Doha cooperation with Iran in Lebanon dealing with Washington but it has not object to bold initiatives taken Gulf may choose to work with Iran in a and his support for Syrian President been mistaken to think having a US by those who are wise enough to initiative specific sector but not necessarily Bashar Assad just because the latter military base on its soil provides self-reliantly protect their own in everything. After all, Iran has has fallen into Saudi disgrace. sufficient cover for Doha to engage interests. takes the always worked against the inter- For the third time in four years, in all kinds of policies and practices, United ests of the other Gulf countries and a Gulf initiative takes the United including shadowy deals with Iran Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese especially those of Saudi Arabia. It States by surprise. The first time and its proxies in Syria under the writer based in London. States by ignited sectarian strife in Bahrain was when Saudi Arabia, the United guise of ransoming a party of Qatari surprise. and has been occupying three Emi- Arab Emirates and Kuwait backed hunters kidnapped in Iraq at the P2-7 2 June 18, 2017

Cover Story Qatar crisis Gulf crisis continues as Doha refuses to address issues of contention

Crisis days. A view of the Abu Samra border crossing to Saudi Arabia from Qatar, on June 12. (Reuters)

Mohammed Alkhereiji eral Presidency for the Affairs of said: “It is a striking and dangerous fering in its neighbours’ internal af- statement saying the decision to the Great Mosque and the Prophet’s contradiction: Qatar invests billions fairs and end its media incitement cut ties with Qatar was a “sovereign Mosque said: “Our dear Qatari pil- of dollars in the US and Europe and and radicalisation.” right of the states concerned and London grims reside in the hearts of their then recycles the profits to support Early in the conflict, Saudi Ara- aim to protect their national secu- Saudi brothers from the moment Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood bia, Bahrain and the UAE ordered rity from the dangers of terrorism audi Arabia, the United they enter the kingdom until they and groups linked to al-Qaeda.” all Qatari nationals to leave their and extremism,” adding that the Arab Emirates and Bahrain leave,” and added that 1,633 Qatari Otaiba also said Doha “must take countries within 14 days and for decision came after exhausting all continued their isolation of umrah pilgrims were admitted to decisive action to deal once and for their citizens based in Qatar to re- possible means. Qatar, with prospects for a the country from June 4-11. all with its extremist problem — to turn home in that same period. The The statement also mentioned swift resolution appearing Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al- shut down this funding, stop inter- initial announcement did not take Qatar’s failure to comply with the Sout of reach in one of the biggest Jubeir, reacting to comments by into consideration cases involv- Riyadh Agreement for the Return diplomatic crises to hit the Gulf Co- Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh ing mixed marriages. However, the of Ambassadors and its Supple- operation Council (GCC) in years. Mohammed bin Abdurrahman al- governments of Saudi Arabia, the mentary Agreement of 2014, by its Doha’s attitude towards the cri- Thani, dismissed the notion of a UAE and Bahrain announced meas- “continued support, funding and sis has shifted between a victim’s blockade against Qatar. ures that consider humanitarian hosting of terrorist, extremist and mentality to brazen, unapologetic “There is no blockade of Qatar. circumstances of citizens married sectarian organisations.” rhetoric and the publication of false Qatar is free to go. The ports are to Qatari nationals. The crisis erupted after state- stories in the media, including a open. The airports are open,” Jubeir Another minor adjustment was ments attributed to Qatari Emir report in the Doha-based Al Sharq said June 13 in Washington after made with regards to airspace re- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani newspaper that claimed Qatari na- meeting with US Secretary of State strictions. Officials said flights by criticising US foreign policy and tionals were stopped by Saudi au- Rex Tillerson. “What we have done foreign operators to Qatar can use praising Iran were carried by the thorities from entering Mecca. is we have denied them use of our the airspace of Saudi Arabia, the official Qatari News Agency and re- The allegation was quickly dis- airspace and this is our sovereign Doha must take UAE and Bahrain under certain ported by Qatari media less than a missed by Saudi officials. Mecca right,” Jubeir said. decisive action to conditions, provided they submit week after the Arab Islamic Ameri- Governor Prince Khalid al-Faisal He said that if Qatar needed food deal once and for a request 24 hours in advance and can summit. Saudi Arabia, the UAE said the kingdom never prevent- and medical supplies, the kingdom all with its give aviation authorities the names and Bahrain severed diplomatic ed any Muslim from entering the would provide its needs through and nationalities of passengers and ties with Doha on June 5, saying Grand Mosque, adding that Saudi the King Salman Centre for Relief extremist crew, as well as a detailed list of that it continued to interfere in Arabia would provide all services and Humanitarian Aid. problem. cargo on board. their countries’ internal affairs and and facilities needed for those vis- UAE Ambassador to the United The permanent missions for supports radical groups such as Ha- iting the mosque. States Yousef al-Otaiba, in an opin- UAE Ambassador to” the Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain mas, the Taliban and the Muslim A statement from The Saudi Gen- ion piece in the Wall Street Journal, United States Yousef al-Otaiba at the United Nations issued a joint Brotherhood. Qatar’s attitude threatens security in the Gulf

Viewpoint hile the other nity and discord among them. the chance to blow the Qatari cri- We certainly do not wish to Gulf countries Qatar maintains highly suspi- sis out of proportion and to loudly True to its see any foreign power play havoc are doing their cious relations with Hezbollah. trumpet its support for Doha. with Qatar’s security and econo- best to prevent This relationship was born in evil There is nothing new here and the opportunis- my. We certainly do not wish to Persian hegem- intentions right from the begin- evil mullahs are, as usual, fishing tic nature, see our brothers in Qatar pile up ony, through ning in 2006 and started spraying in murky waters. the Iranian in shops in search of food. Wwhat is known in Shia Islam as its poison through a web of con- Struck with the fever of gran- There are reports of Iranians regime did the Governance of the Jurist, spiracies. Qatar has been weaving deur induced by praise from Iran, rejoicing at delivering hundreds from reaching the Arab nation in these conspiracies and funding the emir of tiny Qatar warned eve- not miss of tonnes of food supplies to Qa- general and Arab Shias in particu- them generously. A particular rybody that Iran was a regional the chance tar. They seem to have forgotten Abdullah lar, Qatar is doing its best to seek instance of Qatar’s shadowy deals powerhouse and that it would be to blow the that 40% of the Iranian popula- al-Alami Persian protection and conspire was the recent Qatar-brokered unwise to escalate the confronta- tion struggles to secure their with Tehran’s mullahs against the Kefraya and al-Foua agreements. tion with it. Tehran had put in Qatari crisis daily food rations. It is very ironic people and governments of the It turned out that part of the deal motion a grandiose plan to save out of pro- indeed that the bankrupt state of Gulf union. was the liberation of a party of 26 Qatar. The Iranian Ministry of For- portion. Iran can quickly find funds to give A good number of Muslim Qatari hunters that included mem- eign Affairs declared pompously charity to the Qatari regime. countries are supporting Saudi bers of the country’s royal family. through spokesman Bahram Qas- UAE Minister of State for Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United The Gulf countries could no semi that “the embargo imposed Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash Arab Emirates and Yemen in their longer afford to close their eyes by some Gulf countries and Egypt described Qatar’s reliance on stance against Qatari-sponsored on Qatar’s misconduct in the against Qatar is rejected.” There political and military protection terrorism. Iran and Turkey, howev- region. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, was also talk of Iran sending a from Iran and Turkey as “a new er, have chosen an opposite path Bahrain and Egypt declared their contingent of the Islamic Revolu- tragicomic episode” in Doha’s for their own narrow interests. renewed commitment to security tionary Guards Corps to protect frantic efforts to escalate the One of the reasons behind and stability in the region. They the royal palace in Doha. crisis. He pointed out that both Qatar’s schizophrenia is its sterile took the initiative of making It is obvious that Qatar does not countries are non-Arab. foreign policy, which is based on public a list of 59 individuals and realise the dangers of consorting While the Gulf countries are an inflated view of Iran’s power 12 organisations based in Qatar with Iran, Hezbollah and the Hou- waging war on terrorism and its and role in the region. Yes, the accused of sponsoring terrorism this. Perhaps our Qatari brothers sources, Iran continues to scheme Gulf countries share with Qatar in the region. will wisely not repeat Lebanon’s for a new map and balance of geography, history and family ties Iran reacted quickly and vio- fateful error. Because of the power in the Gulf. For their part, but Qatar found nothing better to lently. Iranian Supreme Leader suspicious 2008 Doha Agree- the Qatari authorities continue to do than to plant the seeds of disu- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered ment, which has given Hezbollah refuse to honour the agreements his country’s poets to compose guardianship rights of Lebanese they had signed. Their obvious poems lampooning Saudi Arabia. institutions, the country’s fertile lack of strategic foresight and a While the Gulf countries are Qatar’s mercenary media outlets valleys and its beautiful beaches clear identity can only help Iran’s waging war on terrorism and its will certainly not fail to broadcast have virtually become colonies expansionist plans. these poetic jousts. of the Hezbollah militia. Qatar’s sources, Iran continues to True to its opportunistic nature, role in that agreement was highly Abdullah al-Alami is a member of scheme for a new map. the Iranian regime did not miss suspicious. the Saudi Economic Association. June 18, 2017 3

Cover Story Qatar crisis Qatar’s Iran connection a factor in the Gulf crisis

Sami Moubayed which often leaks news through Okaz, a reliable newspaper in Saudi Arabia. Beirut Sharing its maritime border with Iran, Qatar has always been friends heikh Tamim bin Hamad with Tehran, even before the Irani- al-Thani, the 37-year-old an Revolution of 1979. The Qataris emir of Qatar, is no fool. stood neutral during the Iran-Iraq He realises that neither war of 1980-88, refusing to side his country’s size nor its with Iraq’s Saddam Hussein in his Sgeography will allow it to win any deadly conflict with Tehran. economic or political wars with When Iraq attacked Iranian oil Saudi Arabia. With that in mind, fields in 1983, coming dangerous- observers expected him to climb ly close to the Qatari coast, Doha down three weeks ago, long before erected barriers to avoid getting the present crisis climaxed with Ri- dragged into the conflict and did yadh. not say a word that was critical of Instead, Sheikh Tamim buckled Tehran. After the war ended, the up to the Saudis, speaking politely Iranians stood up for Qatar during yet defiantly, refusing to abide by an island dispute with Bahrain and, their long list of demands, which more recently, Doha refrained from include severing relations with accusing Iran of interfering in Bah- the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran raini domestic affairs and encour- while closing Doha’s television aging a Shia uprising against Saudi- channel Al Jazeera. backed rulers in January 2011. The bilateral relationship has always been motivated by com- Clearly, Iranian mon economic interests, such as joint ownership of the largest inde- Foreign pendent gas reservoir in the world, Minister which since the early 1990s has made Qatar one of the richest coun- Mohammad tries on the planet. Qatar owns 13% of the world’s proven natural gas An Iranian man walks past a Qatar Airways branch in Tehran, on June 6. (AFP) Javad Zarif reserves and, from its section of Common interests. wanted to the field, produces 650 million cu- bic metres of gas per day, while Iran tion of Hezbollah’s ally at the time, permanent; geography cannot be Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). position cranks out 575 million cubic metres General Michel Suleiman, to the changed. Coercion is never a solu- The more Qatar is lectured on himself as a per day from the same gas field. Lebanese presidency. tion. Dialogue is imperative, espe- what to do with its foreign and do- That in itself is enough to prevent Qatar also pledged to rebuild cially during blessed Ramadan.” mestic affairs and the more GCC guardian of the Qataris from picking a fight four Hezbollah-controlled Leba- Clearly, he wanted to position countries impose sanctions and with Iran to please Saudi Arabia. nese towns destroyed by the Is- himself as a guardian of Qatari in- blockades on its borders, flights Qatari interests. Qatar’s former Emir Hamad bin raelis in 2006, prompting the mili- terests while lecturing Saudi Ara- and shipping, the closer Doha will Khalifa al-Thani made Tehran his tary group to raise signs that read: bia on “good neighbour” politics cuddle up to the Iranians. Someone is apparently whisper- first foreign visit destination af- “Thank you, Qatar.” — words that enraged the rulers of Iran has sent 600 tonnes of food ing into Sheikh Tamim’s ear, telling ter assuming power in a bloodless In the summer of 2010, Sheikh Riyadh. Adding insult to injury, Ira- to Qatar, aimed at defying a block- him to stand up to the Saudis, while coup in 1995. Since its inception Hamad visited southern Lebanon, nian media trumpeted a telephone ade imposed by Saudi Arabia on giving assurances that he will nei- in the mid-1990s, Al Jazeera has a Hezbollah stronghold, and was call between Sheikh Hamad and its land borders and its maritime ther be toppled nor defeated. The never been critical of Iran’s foreign greeted and escorted with grand Iranian President Hassan Rohani, one ordered by the United Arab Jeddah-based daily Okaz reported policy or human rights record and festivity by Hezbollah MPs and congratulating the latter on his re- Emirates and Bahrain. Politically that someone is General Qassem it has never meddled with Iranian cabinet ministers. That same year, cent re-election. this means a return to the pre- Soleimani, commander of al-Quds domestic affairs. Qatar and Iran signed agreements Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz 2011 status of Qatar, firmly allied Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Before the outbreak of the Syria on intelligence sharing, security Al Saud had proposed an “Islamic with Iran and Syria and with non- Guards Corps (IRGC). war in 2011, Sheikh Hamad had cooperation and joint training NATO,” which was supposed to see state players such as Hamas and Soleimani met with Qatari For- been exceptionally close to Iran’s fields for their armies. the light after the Riyadh Summit. Hezbollah, desperately trying to eign Minister Mohammad bin Ab- Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. When For obvious reasons, the Irani- It was aimed at isolating Iran in carve out a role for itself within the dulrahman al-Thani in Baghdad violence erupted in Beirut in May ans are getting a good laugh out of the Arab and Muslim worlds but it Persian Gulf. hours after US President Donald 2008, he played the arbitrator, in- the Saudi-Qatari rift, with Iranian is now dead. The Iranians are fan- Trump wrapped up a visit to Saudi viting all Lebanese factions to sign Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja- ning conflict and sowing discord to Sami Moubayed is a Syrian Arabia. The story was probably the Doha Agreement, ending the vad Zarif condescendingly tweet- deepen tension between Qatar and historian and author of “Under the a tip-off from Saudi intelligence, gridlock and facilitating the elec- ing on June 5: “Neighbours are Saudi Arabia and within the entire Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). The sands of the Gulf are shifting under Qatar

Viewpoint oha is calling the creation of the Doha Centre for produced quite a sizeable collec- for soft extremism. boycott against it a Media Freedom. tion of intellectual and cultural A few years As soon as the Qatari soft blockade. The Through careful manipulation works and pushed other Arab cap- power machinery revealed its purpose of this of these four components, Qatar itals to set up their own networks ago, Qatar true destructive nature, public semantic game is to has become a destination of choice of strategic thinking and cultural was the opinion in Arab countries shifted reap the benefits of for intellectuals seeking funds production. The benefits, how- master of considerably. Al Jazeera lost mil- DQatar’s soft power in the Arab for their ideological or cultural ever, remain marginal because the lions of followers who switched to the game of world. Since Sheikh Hamad bin projects, for disciples of various core of the system had ulterior Lebanese channels with a focus on Khalifa al-Thani’s coup against religious tendencies, especially motives: To wait for the state in- open skies. protecting country and human- his father in 1995, the Qatari fundamentalist tendencies, and stitutions of several powerful Arab Those days ity. Many intellectuals, political Amine Ben regime has been trying diligently for journalists in search of a countries to fall apart and pounce are over. pundits, activists and reformists Messaoud to construct in the popular Arab unique media experience. on the local power apparatus. turned their backs on the Qatari imagination a picture of Qatar as During these foundational Doha is frantically looking for machinery. Many journalists and a symbolic powerhouse and an years, Qatar has attracted a supporters but all it can find are media people who had sincerely exceptional emirate in the Gulf paradoxical political mix. There pseudo-Islamist figures more con- believed in the Qatari project and region. were leftists, Arab nationalists and cerned about their own fate than who had taken an active part in its During the first decade of this Islamists such as Osama bin Laden that of Qatar. inception resigned when the mask century, Doha laid the groundwork and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There During the “Arab spring,” pow- had fallen. for a soft power system based on were people proclaiming all sorts erful circles in Doha thought the In the game of nations, Qatar four essential components: The Al of contradictory ideologies, from time had come for their true allies suddenly realises that its soft Jazeera channel with its deceitful the disintegration of the geo- in major Arab countries to take power base has failed miserably. doublespeak; research and study graphical state to the importance over. It was time to hire the ser- It has decided to turn to Tehran centres manned by Azmi Bishara of centralised power. There were vices of the quartet of the intellec- and Moscow for support, which and his cohorts that reshaped the post-liberalism defenders and tual, the mufti, the news channel contradicts its former media and Arab consciousness of regional moral police defenders. and civil society. political choices and strategies. and international causes through As some confused minds and As events unfolded in Tunisia, Qatar finds itself appealing for Qatari lenses; a religious platform politically perplexed souls flocked Libya, Egypt and Syria, Bishara help from two regional powers headed by Yusuf al-Qaradawi to to Qatar for money and recogni- was selling his view that peaceful it vilified during the years of the provide religious legitimacy to tion, the country invested in the political reform in those countries “Arab spring,” especially in the Doha’s policy choices; and a cal- moral weight and symbolic added was impossible and that transition context of what was happening in culated openness on human rights value of every principled intellec- through violence was inevitable. Syria and Iraq. through support of a number of tual and uncommitted politician. A doctrinal platform for religious A few years ago, Qatar was the civil society organisations and the The aim was to constitute a strate- edicts, led by Qaradawi, served as master of the game of open skies gic stock of vassals with symbolic an exponent for Doha’s political and had easily won the hearts and power who would eventually be proclivities.Al Jazeera streamed minds of oppressed Arab popula- Doha is frantically looking for used to destabilise countries and daily reports focusing on the tions everywhere. Those days are supporters but all it can find are hand them over to the Muslim degradation of state institutions over and the sands are shifting Brotherhood. and the gradual destruction of in the Gulf region and the Arab pseudo-Islamist figures more We must admit that the Qa- national resources. Finally, Qatari world. concerned about their own fate taris’ design of the quartet — the charities flocked in numbers un- intellectual, the mufti, the news der the guise of humanitarian aid Amine Ben Messaoud is a Tunisian than that of Qatar. channel and civil society — has while, in fact, they were channels writer and political analyst. 4 June 18, 2017

Cover Story Qatar crisis

We are fighting Qatar-backed militias: Libyan National Army

Hassan Abdel Zaher

Cairo

he Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Mar- shal Khalifa Haftar, is working to eradicate Is- lamist militias, includ- Ting groups supported by Doha in the restive North African country, spokesman Colonel Ahmed al-Mes- mari said. “Qatar has been heavily involved in the destruction of our country since the downfall of the Muammar Qaddafi regime in 2011,” Mesmari said in a telephone conversation from Benghazi after several Arab governments cut diplomatic ties with Doha. Haftar’s LNA, which supports the eastern-based government in To- bruk against the rival UN-backed government in Tripoli, has said that its priority was combating Islamist militias, a position that has won the support of neighbouring Cairo. “We have been trying to convince the world of the negative role Qatar played in our country but nobody listened to us in the past,” he said. Mesmari, at a news conference June 7 in Benghazi, said Libya Fallouts. Colonel Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesman of the Libyan National Army, speaks during a news conference, on June 2. (AFP) planned to file a complaint against Qatar at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of a series He added that Qatar facilitated Mesmari said that Qatar’s objec- possible to tarnish the reputation of Qatar, the army is denied access of assassinations. He said Qatar was the travel of ISIS military com- tive in backing non-government the Egyptian Army. It must know to arms,” said Abu Salah Shalabi, a behind the killing of Qaddafi defec- manders from Syria and Iraq to militias was to destabilise nation- that we will not let it succeed.” member of Libya’s Tobruk-based tor Major-General Abdul Fatah You- Libya, which they intend to use as al institutions, particularly the The LNA, which has a strong parliament. nis and an assassination attempt a base for terrorist operations in military. presence in eastern Libya but lit- Mesmari talked about his army against Haftar. neighbouring countries and poten- tle elsewhere, faces a very difficult having footage and proof of arms Mesmari presented documents tially Europe. mission to establish control over and supplies being airdropped to and videos that he said confirmed “We have proof of what we say If the terrorists all Libya. Apart from the extremely al-Qaeda and ISIS. He said his forc- Qatar’s support for radical Islam- and we will do everything we can to prevail in Libya complicated nature of the conflict es were badly in need of arms and ist militias. Among the papers was sabotage Qatari plans in our coun- today, they will be in Libya and the presence of a large that they wished the international a letter purportedly from Moham- try,” Mesmari said. “Doha spon- in Europe number of militias, the LNA has lit- community would understand they ed Hamad al-Hajri, acting chargé sors a large number of the militias tle support from the wider interna- were fighting terrorists on behalf of d’affaires at the Qatari Embassy in we are fighting now, sending huge tomorrow. tional community. the whole world. Libya that Mesmari said proved that amounts of money to them.” Colonel Ahmed al-Mesmari,” So far, Mesmari said, the only “If the terrorists prevail in Libya Doha had deployed units to Libya in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Libyan National Army country backing the LNA is Egypt, today, they will be in Europe tomor- 2012. Arab Emirates, Egypt, Yemen and spokesman which has offered training to its row,” Mesmari said. “The interna- In the interview, Mesmari assert- Libya’s eastern-based government officers and pilots. However, the tional community needs to realise ed that Qatar was funding several cut ties with Qatar in early June, biggest problem facing the army, this and not leave us alone in this Islamist militias in Libya, including citing Doha’s alleged financing of “It backs militias in our country observers said, is a UN embargo on fight.” some linked to al-Qaeda and the extremist and terrorist groups. US with the only goal of destroying the arms supplies. Islamic State (ISIS). “They [the mili- President Donald Trump has ex- LNA,” Mesmari said. “This is also “While terrorists and militias Hassan Abdel Zaher tias] have direct ties to a Qatari liai- plicitly denounced Doha funding why it backs the Muslim Brother- have unfettered access to arms from is a Cairo-based contributor son office based in Tunisia,” he said. terrorism at a “very high level.” hood in Egypt and does everything countries backing them, including to The Arab Weekly. Even with Israel, old amity is eroding

Viewpoint srael has joined the coordi- Jazeera has reported extensively Arab countries, apart from Qatar, links remained open between Tel nated and tight blockade of on Israeli affairs, accusing the are largely in the same boat with Israel was Aviv and Doha, which the Qataris Qatar, taking sides with Jewish state of committing us since we all see nuclear Iran as hoped to tap into now, as all Gulf Saudi Arabia and other atrocities against Palestinians. the number one threat against all always a markets have been sealed off by countries in the Gulf that Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor of us.” reserve the Saudi blockade. have accused Doha of being Lieberman has compared Al The Israeli position has friend for When it was announced that Ipro-Iranian and of backing the Jazeera to the propaganda taken Qatar by surprise. Doha Doha would host the 2022 FIFA Qatar — a outlawed Muslim Brotherhood apparatus of Nazi Germany, was expecting silence and World Cup, Qatari officials said and its Palestinian branch Hamas, saying: “Al Jazeera is not media. neutrality. The two countries country Israeli athletes would be allowed which Israel considers a terrorist It’s an incitement machine. It is have historically maintained that it to participate “if they qualified.” Sami organisation. pure propaganda of the worst cordial relations, after all, with could A stadium was named after Moubayed The Israeli daily Yedioth variety, in the style of Nazi former Israeli leader Shimon Peres Doha in the Israeli Arab city of Ahronoth reported that Israeli Germany or Soviet Russia.” travelling to Doha twice. The first always use. Sakhnin in the Galilee, established Prime Minister Binyamin The Iranians, of course, are time was in 1996 when, as deputy by the Qatar National Olympic Netanyahu was considering milking the story to death, prime minister, he inaugurated Committee. closing Al Jazeera’s television accusing Saudi Arabia of Israel’s trade mission to Qatar. He In 2013, Qatar helped transport bureau in Jerusalem. In doing cooperating with Israel in the went again in early 2007, before a group of 60 Yemeni Jews to so, he would be echoing recent “slaughter” of Qatar. becoming Israeli president, to Israel, at the request of the Israeli actions by the governments of After wrapping up a recent visit appear on the popular Al Jazeera government, giving them a Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and to Riyadh, US President Donald show “Doha Debates.” connecting flight in Doha. In 2015, Egypt. Trump headed to Israel, reportedly Former Israeli Foreign Minister the Qataris hosted talks between Since it first aired in the mid- carrying a message of goodwill Tzipi Livni visited Doha in 2008, Israel and Hamas in Doha, aimed 1990s, Al Jazeera has been very from Saudi King Salman bin meeting with Emir Sheikh Hamad at reaching a ceasefire. critical of Israel, especially during Abdulaziz Al Saud to Netanyahu, bin Khalifa al-Thani, the father Israel was always a reserve the second intifada and the 2001- also making the first direct flight of the current emir. In January friend for Qatar — a country that it 04 siege of former Palestinian from Riyadh to Tel Aviv. 2008, Israeli Defence Minister could always use, when needed, to President Yasser Arafat’s In January 2016, Netanyahu told Ehud Barak met with former trigger conflict in the Middle East compound in Ramallah. During CNN that Israel and Saudi Arabia Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah or to mediate with on behalf of its live coverage of Arafat’s illness had become “allies” because of bin Khalifa al-Thani at the World non-state players such as Hamas and death at a Paris hospital in their common enmity for Iran. Economic Forum in Switzerland. and Hezbollah. When it appealed November 2004, the Qatari station Israeli historian and Deputy Prime Qatar unilaterally closed the to the Israelis, Doha knew that top hinted at Tel Aviv complicity Minister Michael Oren recently Israeli Trade Mission in Doha in officials would listen, thanks to its in killing the former chairman tweeted: “New line drawn in the 2000, during the highest violence coffers that were gushing with gas of the Palestinian Liberation Middle Eastern sands; no longer of the second intifada. Ten years money. Organisation, then said it bluntly Israel against Arabs but Israel later, it twice offered to restore Ideally, a friendship with Israel in a 2013 documentary. and Arabs against Qatar-financed relations but only if Israel allowed could have come into tremendous For more than two decades, Al terror.” it to send construction material use in today’s conflict with the Chagai Tzuriel of the Israeli to besieged Gaza and if Israeli Gulf but, to the surprise of Sheikh Intelligence Ministry recently told leaders made a public statement Hamad, that door is slowly being The Israeli position has taken the Times of Israel that Qatar was a expressing appreciation for Qatar’s shut by Tel Aviv, which seemingly “pain in the ass” to Arab countries role — two concessions Israel sees more of a bad brand name Qatar by surprise. Doha was and former Defence Minister refused to make. than a potential ally in the Gulf expecting silence and neutrality. Moshe Yaalon added: “The Sunni Despite that, low-profile trade region. June 18, 2017 5

Cover Story Qatar crisis

Qatar hires US lobbyists to curtail fallout from terrorism financing accusations

The Arab Weekly staff ing US military assets out of Al Udeid Airbase. “Suspending sales of US weap- Washington ons to Qatar until the state deports all members of the Muslim Broth- atar has hired a team of erhood, Hamas, Taliban and Al- lobbyists, headed by a Shabab in Qatar and stops all finan- former US attorney gen- cial and material support to these eral, to represent it in and other terrorist organisations. Washington to counter “Suspending import and export Qaccusations of financing terrorism bank financing of all Qatar’s state- and to prevent possible sanctions. owned businesses.” Qatar paid $2.5 million to the law Bloomberg News reported that firm of John Ashcroft, who served other registered lobbyists for Qa- as attorney general under former tar include Christopher Peele, a President George W. Bush, was a former special trial attorney in the The one in the middle decides. US President Donald Trump (C), US Defence Secretary James Mattis US senator and was governor of fraud section of the US Department (R) and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attend a meeting in Brussels, in May. (AP) Missouri, to vouch for its efforts at of Justice, and Michael Sullivan, a curtailing terrorism funding at the former director of the US Bureau same time it helps it rebut accusa- of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and tions by US President Donald Trump Explosives. Amid conflicting signals, that it financed terrorist activities. Qatar’s choice of Ashcroft, who was attorney general during the The hiring of September 11, 2001, attacks and Trump shows ‘who’s the boss’ helped push through the anti-ter- Ashcroft’s firm rorism Patriot Act, appeared aimed shows Qatar Thomas Seibert US Defence Secretary James Mat- said, but that was not the case with at appeasing the Washington estab- tis told a congressional committee Trump. lishment. “certainly on June 12 that Qatar, branded a re- With Tillerson’s mediation ini- The contract between Ashcroft’s Washington gional terror sponsor by Trump, was tiative showing no progress, Daniels firm and Qatar says “the firm under- dropped moving in the right direction. Mattis said the solution to the Qatar crisis stands the urgency of this matter the ball” in month after US President and his Qatari counterpart Khalid must come from the Gulf coun- and the need to communicate ac- Donald Trump embarked bin Mohammad al-Attiyah finalised tries themselves. The United States curate information to both a broad recognising on his first trip to the the sale of up to 36 F-15 jets from the would probably be able to play a constituency and certain domestic that opinion Middle East to reassure United States to Qatar for about $12 role in bringing the adversaries’ po- agencies and leaders.” allies there about Amer- billion. Tillerson had been trying to sitions closer by persuading them to Bloomberg News reported that in Washington ica’sA reliability, the government in get top officials from Saudi Arabia, tone down their demands, he said, the contract “doesn’t specify any Washington is leaving everybody in the United Arab Emirates and Qa- adding: “It will be a facilitating role.” US legislation, executive orders or had swung away the region guessing about its posi- tar to travel to Washington for talks Mack said the “institutional rela- policy it will try to change.” Rather, from it. tion on the Qatar crisis. about ways to end the rift. tionship” between the United States the goal appears to be to prevent Trump overrode conciliatory These actions by Mattis and Till- and Gulf countries based on com- legislation or executive orders det- The lump sum upfront payment statements by US Secretary of State erson stood in stark contrast to mon long-term economic and mili- rimental to Qatar. of $2.5 million is rare for such lob- Rex Tillerson by putting the United Trump’s stated position. He said tary interests was unaffected by the Qatar has been the subject in bying efforts, likely signalling the States firmly on the side of Saudi he was involved in the decision by political disagreements and would recent months of criticism in the urgency Qatar felt in getting its Arabia in the spat with Qatar in a Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others ultimately help to resolve the cri- US Congress over its ties to Islam- message heard in Washington as statement delivered June 9. As Till- to isolate Qatar, which he described sis. “But it might take a year to get ist groups Hamas and the Muslim accusations and criticism mount. erson and other officials have taken as a move to bring pressure on the things back on track,” he said. Brotherhood. While US Secretary of State Rex a much more nuanced position in government in Doha to stop funding Writing in the American news Tillerson has urged Gulf countries face of the crisis, there is confusion radical groups. In a sign of tension magazine Newsweek, Muhammad not to escalate the crisis, Trump about what the United States is try- within the US government, US Am- As a result of Fraser-Rahim, executive North has sided with Saudi Arabia and its ing to achieve. bassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith America director for Quilliam In- allies. resigned from her post. The ambas- this lack of ternational, and former US policy Speaking June 9 from the White Former envoy recalls sador was among US officials who predictability, adviser Mohamed A. Fatah called House Rose Garden, Trump said previously commended Qatar for on Congress to “pressure Qatar to Qatar “has historically been a quiet US diplomacy making process in curbing the flow all eyes turn to change course and abandon Hamas funder of terrorism at a very high in earlier GCC crises of money to radical groups. Donald Trump and the Muslim Brotherhood” by level.” Observers said the disarray is a taking steps, including: More recently, Trump sounded The rift between Qatar and consequence of the inner dynamics because he has “Starting the process of relocat- even more aggressive about halting Saudi Arabia as well as other in the administration under Trump. terrorism financing by Qatar. “We Gulf countries is not the first Owen Daniels, a Middle East analyst the last word. are stopping the funding of terror- time that tensions have risen at the Atlantic Council in Washing- ism,” he said on June 12. “We are among members of the Gulf Co- ton, said Trump undermined Tiller- As the Trump administration going to starve the beast.” operation Council but it is differ- son, Mattis and others by highlight- tries to find its footing, Qatar’s op- The United Arab Emirates, Saudi ent from other quarrels in that it ing his own position as president. ponents are increasing their lobby- Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt released is being played out in full view “He is reminding them who’s boss,” ing efforts in Washington. Yousef a “terror list” that named 12 organi- of the public. Daniel said. Actions by other players al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to sations and 59 individuals affiliated David Mack, a former US am- in the government could be swept the United States, said Washington with Qatar who allegedly have ter- bassador to the United Arab away “like a house of cards,” he said. should abandon the Al Udeid base rorist ties. The fact that Qatar hosts Emirates and high-ranking State Some observers said the fact that south of Doha. The base, the United about 10,000 US troops, as well as Department official, talked Trump’s foreign policy is highly per- States’ largest in the Middle East, is the forward headquarters of the US about how a border dispute be- sonalised gives outside players a po- home to a forward headquarters of Central Command, creates a par- tween Doha and Riyadh was dis- tentially big influence on Washing- the US Central Command. It is an ul- adox for Washington as it is the creetly solved in 1992. ton’s stance. Speaking on condition tra-modern command centre with first time that a military ally is Based in Washington as a dep- of anonymity during a visit to Wash- 10,000 US troops and conducts op- accused of funding terrorism. uty assistant secretary of state ington after the start of the Qatar cri- erations in the Middle East, North The administration has not at the time, Mack was about to sis, a high-ranking Western official Africa and Central Asia, includ- clarified how it intends to deal leave the office one afternoon speculated that Saudi Arabia had ing air strikes in Syria and other with this paradox. The situa- when he received a call from the steered Trump towards taking a po- places. tion has fuelled speculation Qatari foreign minister. Several sition that was in line with Riyadh’s Otaiba said the United States about whether the United people on the Qatari-Saudi bor- wishes. Trump was “erratic ,” the of- should pull its soldiers and States should move its base der had been killed and Qatar ficial added. “You really can’t talk equipment out of Qatar. “Maybe from Qatar. was concerned that Saudi Arabia about a reliable US foreign policy.” someone in Congress should The hiring of Ashcroft’s might mount an invasion. Mack Considering this lack of predicta- have a hearing and just say, firm shows Qatar “certainly worked the telephone through bility, all eyes turn to Trump because you know, ‘Should we consid- dropped the ball” in rec- the night as he tried, with US he has the last word. “If people are er moving it?’” he was quoted ognising that government diplomats in the Middle East taking different public positions on in news reports as saying. opinion in Washington had and his interlocutors in Qatar big issues, then the world will begin Analysts said the UAE swung away from it, said and Saudi Arabia, to keep the to tune out everyone but the presi- would be happy to provide Christopher Davidson, a pro- crisis from escalating. dent, who ultimately makes the de- a new home for the US base. fessor of Middle East politics “We managed to patch it up cisions,” Jonathan Finer, a chief of Ed Royce, chairman of the at Durham University in the even though blood had been staff of former US Secretary of State Foreign Affairs Committee United Kingdom. “That’s de- spilled,” Mack said. “It never John Kerry, told the Washington in the House of Representa- spite Qatar funding think-tanks, got into the newspapers at the Post. tives, said in May that Con- university programmes and the time.” “This is not normal,” said David gress was ready to consider Doha-based Al Jazeera satellite The former diplomat added Mack, a former US ambassador to moving the base to another news network,” he told the Asso- that one of the challenges facing the United Arab Emirates who now site in the Middle East if Doha ciated Press. his colleagues today is the vora- works for the Middle East Institute did not change its ways. cious appetite for content by the in Washington. The US president Guns for hire. Former US “24/7 media.” was supposed to be supportive of Thomas Seibert is a Washington Attorney General John Ashcroft members of his own cabinet, he correspondent for The Arab Weekly. in Washington. (Reuters) 6 June 18, 2017 Opinion

Editorial Dealing with the Gulf crisis

early a fortnight after the crisis over Qatar’s maverick policies began there is little sign Doha is interested in any meaningful de-escalation. The gas-rich Gulf state refuses to admit to being wrong about its dangerous foreign policy choices, preferring to defend them instead as “independ- ent” and “sovereign.” It continues to demonstrate Na stubborn unwillingness to take on board the concerns raised by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Qatar is pretty much isolated by air, land and sea — and the crisis will not go away by Doha claiming it is business as usual. Qatar needs to realise its limits. It cannot refuse to recognise the regional anxieties caused by its support for Islamist radicals. For years, Hamas and Taliban activists, as well as leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, have found shelter and aid on Qatari soil. Embold- ened by their host’s political and monetary support, radical Islamists of various stripes set about interfering in the domestic politics of sovereign Gulf states. Is it any wonder Qatar’s neigh- bours finally said enough is enough? What happens next depends on Qatar. The other Gulf states have responsibly signalled they are not contemplating military action or any move that could hinder the smooth operations of the US airbase in Qatar. A possible endgame is clear. UAE Minister of State for Foreign © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Affairs Anwar Gargash has explicitly stated that the showdown was not about regime change but about “a change of policy, change of approach.” Senior officials of the Gulf Arab states have emphasised Qatar must accept its their commitment to the traditional ties that bind the people of the region. Saudi Arabia has even expressed its willingness to provide food aid to Qatar. It is clear the Gulf countries realise that all place and size in the Gulf political conflicts eventually end but that neighbours will always be neighbours. or many, the Qatari meantime, Sunni factions born in Does Qatar have the same responsible understanding of what it crisis and the unprec- Iraq spread their wings over Syria, means to live in a region and how to deal with neighbours? edented harsh meas- Egypt and Libya. The ball is in Doha’s court. Disparate attempts at honest media- ures taken by Gulf In Syria, for example, many tion are under way, not least by the emir of Kuwait. German nations against the prisoner and hostage swaps inside Chancellor Angela Merkel has telephoned Qatar’s emir and country were not all battle zones were completed stressed the need to resolve the situation through dialogue. Fthat unexpected. They did not through Qatari mediation. Qatari France’s new president, Emmanuel Macron, has talked with the Majed Sameraei arise from a vacuum but were an official bodies usually announced emirs of Kuwait and Qatar, the kings of Saudi Arabia and Morocco important side effect of the May these swaps with great pride as and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. British Prime Minister Theresa Riyadh summit. if to show off their capacity to May spoke to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. Before then, the cards were shuf- influence extremist factions such There are those, however, such as Turkey, which claim to be fled and Iran’s game plan had a as al-Nusra Front. There was also impartial mediators but are burdened by an ideological bias. The good chance of succeeding inside the scandal in Iraq involving the Turkish foreign minister has been to the Gulf region but Ankara’s the Gulf. By spreading its wings liberation of kidnapped Qatari over the United States’ oil and game hunters. An official Qatari alignment with Muslim Brotherhood positions must give pause for gas supply zones, Tehran would plane had been used to deliver the thought when it comes to any role as bridge-builder. Iran’s actions indeed have had an important $1 billion ransom demanded by the throughout this crisis only reaffirm that it is part of the problem. It leverage in its negotiations with kidnappers after it had landed at is hard to see it becoming part of the solution. Washington. The sanctions against Baghdad Airport. In the final analysis, Doha must provide honest answers to its Qatar imposed by Saudi Arabia and With their impressive record of neighbours’ questions and concerns. It must cease and desist from the other Gulf countries will lead political and security blunders in actions that imperil regional stability. It must address the accusa- to a different game plan. the region, Qatari authorities must tions levelled at it, not least by US President Donald Trump, of Qatar has the infamous repu- nevertheless be daring enough to funding terrorism. The endgame is not about the subjugation of tation of leading the support accept a complete review of their Qatar but the end of a policy of unbridled overreach, which does network for most terrorist organi- policies for the sake of national nobody any good. sations active in Iraq, Syria and security imperatives of all the Gulf Libya. countries. This is not the time for These days, all parties with further blaming games or unnec- vested interests and power are on essary stubbornness. According full alert. At stake are complex and to the wishes of Saudi Arabia, the Published by Al Arab Publishing House intertwined political and military United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, projects and agreements. They any resolution to their disagree- Publisher Contact editor at: have been gestating for quite some ment with Qatar must address the and Group Executive Editor [email protected] time and might constitute the an- following security concerns.

Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD swer to the crises in the region. First, Qatar must stop provid- Qatar must proceed with a seri- ing a haven for extremist Islamist Editor-in-Chief ous overhaul of its policies that leaders or even to those pretending Oussama Romdhani have proven to be detrimental to to be moderate. The time has come the interests of the Qataris them- for Doha to start extraditing them Senior Editor selves and to those of the Gulf and and stop funding them from inside John Hendel Arab countries. This policy review or outside of Qatar. Qatar must Subscription & Advertising: cannot be limited to just the few also extradite all Hamas members, Chief Copy Editors [email protected] previous years and the birth of the freeze their assets and forbid any Jonathan Hemming Tel 020 3667 7249 Islamic State (ISIS) but must ex- dealings with them. It must also and Richard Pretorius tend to the painful heritage of the arrest members of the Muslim Analysis Section Editor Mohamed Al Mufti past 15 years. We all know Qatar’s Brotherhood on its territory and Ed Blanche Marketing & Advertising role in facilitating the US occupa- hand them over to Egypt. Manager tion of Iraq in March 2003 and the Second, Iran-backed sectar- East/West Section Editor dire consequences of that occupa- ian clashes are threatening the Mark Habeeb Tel (Main) +44 20 7602 3999 Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 tion on the Iraqi people. national security of Saudi Arabia, Gulf Section Editor www.alarab.co.uk Qatari rulers might argue that the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Ku- they were not alone in facilitating wait. Qataris are also not immune Mohammed Alkhereiji Qatar must the US invasion of Iraq. Be that as to these tensions. The media war Society and Travel Sections Editor proceed it may, it does not remove their between Iran and its allies on one Samar Kadi with a responsibility towards the Iraqi side and the Gulf countries on the people. other side could easily spark armed Contributing Editors serious In Iraq, Qatar had played a dou- conflicts. Mamoon Alabbasi US Publisher: Ibrahim Zobeidi ble game. On the one hand, it fi- Third, the smear campaign di- Rashmee Roshan Lall overhaul of (248) 803 1946 nanced Sunni Arab politicians and rected at Saudi Arabia in particular Iman Zayat its policies pushed them into the elections and Gulf and Arab populations in Senior Correspondents that have under the banner of defending general through incendiary pro- Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Sunni rights. On the other, Qatari grammes on Al Jazeera must stop. Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) proven to funds propped up organisations, In other words, Qatar needs to give such as the Association of Muslim up or close its media project. Regular Columnist Al Arab Publishing House be Scholars, that are totally opposed For the Qatari regime, the path Claude Salhani Quadrant Building 177-179 Hammersmith detrimental to elections and the political pro- to safety and stability is clear. Correspondents Road to the cess in Iraq. Qatar needs to accept its place and Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) London W6 8BS Political circles in Iraq have size and stop imagining itself a gi- Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) interests of unveiled and denounced Qatar’s ant among giants. Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 the Qataris involvement in undermining the Thomas Seibert (Washington) Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 political process in the country Majed Sameraei is an themselves. but Qatar did not care. In the Iraqi writer. June 18, 2017 7 Opinion

Why is Saudi Arabia so infuriated by Qatar?

hat was Qatar’s mullahs’ regime. closed down and their leaders are Iran’s expansionist plan, Iraq and crime that so Saudi Arabia has always been put to a stop. Afterward, the Arab Turkey are useful tools against ticked off Saudi a peaceful country and now it is world will regain its stability. everything Arab. Arabia? The fact surrounded by an environment The masks are off. By running Iraq is a member of the Arab is that Saudi poisoned by Muslim Brotherhood to Iran and Turkish President League but is, in fact, a planted Arabia sits ideology. The Sunni bloc is Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Iranian proxy in the service of Wsmack in the middle of an showing cracks. The Saudi protection, Qatar has reneged Iran’s nationalistic plans. At As’ad al-Basri immense ocean of Sunni Arab kingdom is fundamentally on its Arab character. Doha will some point, it had accused Qatar countries. These countries are conservative and rejects change never be the same. Seeking of sponsoring sectarian strife by nature closer to Saudi Arabia through revolt and chaos. It Erdogan’s help was a mistake. and acts of terrorism against it and have nothing in common prefers careful peaceful reforms. Look at what he has done with but now Iraq is rushing to the with Iran. Qatar, on the other Saudi Arabia prefers to appeal to Syria. This Muslim Brotherhood- defence of Qatar and the Muslim hand, has spent billions of international legitimacy. affiliated hardliner claims to Brotherhood. dollars to poison this Sunni Arab Sunni societies have tended be concerned with protecting The mask has also fallen off well and turn it into antagonistic to be conservative and peace- Qatar, its partner in crime. How Al Jazeera. It had always given a political parties. loving until Qatari money, many times has he promised the voice to terrorists left and right. Saudi authorities find it the Muslim Brotherhood and Syrians the same thing only to Through this channel, al-Qaeda, difficult to distinguish between the Al Jazeera news channel betray them? Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab regular Sunnis, the Muslim came to the fore. This dubious The Muslim Brotherhood al-Zarqawi reached millions of Brotherhood and Islamic State combination injected religious and Iran want to destroy Saudi Arabs, inciting them to start a (ISIS) sympathisers. The influence thinking into ideologies that Arabia. Their strategy was to jihad in Saudi Arabia. peddling did not stop at the area lend themselves to political and confuse Saudi authorities on Erdogan made liberal use surrounding vital Saudi space but social chaos. Religion has become whom to target. Should it be the of Al Jazeera to increase his has seeped inside the kingdom. synonymous with revolution and Salafists, the Shias or the Muslim popularity in the Arab world. Adherents of the Sururist sect, the “Arab spring” was corrupted Brotherhood? Turkey pretends to be a strong an Islamist trend that combines by sectarian and political strife. The Obama administration also defender of Sunni Islam. This is teachings of the Muslim Money and weapons flowed from played its part in the conspiracy another major lie by the Muslim Brotherhood with puritanical Doha. Sunni Islam has become against Saudi Arabia. It allowed Brotherhood. Salafism, were successful in polluted by politics, just like Shia the infamous Justice Against Turkey is after its own narrow creating a Salafist cell in Saudi Islam. Sponsors of Terrorism Act national interests. It wants to Arabia holding extremist The Muslim Brotherhood’s plan (JASTA) to become law and chose join the European Union and has The Saudi ideologies. was to eliminate Saudi Arabia and to play lovey-dovey with Iran. joined hands with Iran and Russia kingdom is Wherever the Muslim cause the disintegration of the Riyadh waited patiently for a to decide the fate of the Arab Brotherhood goes, religious Arabian Peninsula. Some might new president to enter the White population in Syria, a country fundamentally disputes, political animosity and criticise Riyadh for trying to wipe House and then took the first real that these three outsiders reduced conservative treason follow. The best example out the Muslim Brotherhood. step to bring hope back to the to rubble. Their scheme to share of this is the Tehran-backed They say that the Brotherhood is region. their Arab spoils would have and rejects Hamas movement. To spite a century-old organisation and Qatar has always played a nearly succeeded if not for King change Saudi Arabia, Qatar is planning carries an ideology. Ideologies are double game. It encouraged Syria Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. to transfer more Hamas leaders difficult to wipe out but Muslim to fight Iran and now it turns out through revolt to Iran and give further proof Brothers will disappear once the that the tiny emirate is Iran’s As’ad al-Basri is an Iraqi and chaos. of its strategic alliance with the money stops flowing, Al Jazeera is ally. The same applies to Iraq. In writer. MENA’s poor showing on Global Peace Index is hardly surprising

ven before the crisis over Qatar and the attack by a white American man who opposed US President Donald Trump’s Epolitics, it was clear the Middle Rashmee Roshan Lall East and North America were in a dangerously febrile state. The turmoil in those regions is not comparable in any way except for its deeply destabilising potential. Strangely enough, this is what the Global Peace Index 2017 said, much before the Qatar row began and before the incident in Virginia, in which a 66-year-old man shot at politicians belonging to Trump’s Republican Party. The ranking of 163 independent countries and territories — including 99.7% of the world’s population — was made public a couple of weeks ago but it has only just been officially released and its pronouncements are worrying. It said the Middle East and North Africa remained “the least peaceful region in the world,” its Vicious cycle. A Kurdish fighter from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) fires a 120mm mortar round score having worsened slightly on in Raqqa, on June 15. (Reuters) last year because of conflicts in Syria and Yemen. That said, it is important to country. How does this get any index looked at a smorgasbord of And of Trump’s America, keep facts in perspective. North better? Afghanistan, Iraq, South factors, including arms purchases, the index offered this dolorous America is still the second most Sudan and Yemen followed close homicide rates and political comment. The United States peaceful region overall, behind behind Syria and that was not just repression. What prospect for dragged down the overall score Europe. Yet it is dangerously because of ongoing conflicts. The positive change in any of the four of the North America region unquiet as is obvious from the countries? offsetting Canada’s improved poisonous rhetoric after the How does the United States rank. North America has the Virginia shooting. Its populist Winners and losers manage the dangerous levels of dubious distinction of having politics has left the world’s most from the Index political polarisation that opened suffered “the largest regional powerful country more roiled around and by candidate Trump deterioration” in peacefulness and riled up, forcing its citizens The Zen-like state of Iceland, from 2015? As president, he has in the world. This happened, the to navigate an increasingly which was in its ninth year as taken his brawler instincts and index said, because the United bewildering post-truth reality the most peaceful country in the habits into the august reaches of States was faced with “deepening sans a shared core of agreed-to world the White House, further dividing political polarisation that peaked facts. New Zealand, Portugal, Austria his country and unsettling the during the 2016 presidential Anything could happen and and Denmark also made it to the global order. election.” The United States also no index, not even one so well- top Despite the gloom that lies displayed a marked deterioration respected and rigorous as this, At the bottom were clustered heavy over the index, in one This is the in “intensity of organised internal can offer a snapshot of the future. the usual suspects: Syria was the respect it was strangely soothing. conflict and the level of perceived The assessments offered by the world’s least peaceful country. In the past year, it said, 93 fifth criminality in society.” index merely stand like doomsday Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan countries became more peaceful successive The MENA region’s poor prophecies, heavily shadowed and Yemen were a bit better but and only 68 countries are less showing on the Global Peace by each new crisis. It does not barely so peaceful than last year. year MENA Index is hardly surprising. This offer guidance on the issues that The MENA region was the This is just an infinitesimal has been is the fifth successive year it preoccupy us. world’s least peaceful region for change — a 0.28% improvement in has been graded the world’s What happens next in the the fifth successive year peacefulness — but when it comes graded the least peaceful region. What is a Middle East if the argument with Saudi Arabia, followed by Libya, to peace, every little bit helps. world’s shock (though it should not be, Qatar intensifies and goes beyond recorded the largest deterioration five months after so ignorant sabre-rattling? What if the Turks in ranking in the MENA region Rashmee Roshan Lall is a least and vainglorious a demagogue send more troops to provide moral North America recorded the columnist for The Arab Weekly. peaceful as Trump became president) is and military support to Doha? For largest regional deterioration in Her blog can be found at North America’s massive drop in the fifth year running, Syria was peacefulness. www.rashmee.com and she is region. peacefulness. ranked the world’s least peaceful on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 June 18, 2017 News & Analysis Iraq Iraqi government forces repel multiple ISIS attacks

Mamoon Alabbasi tions,” an unnamed Iraqi federal police officer told Reuters. ISIS claimed in a statement that it London killed 40 federal police officers but security officials told the Associat- raqi government forces and ed Press (AP) that 11 federal police Kurdish peshmerga fighters officers and four civilians had been said they had repelled attacks killed. from Islamic State (ISIS) forces The latest ISIS attack was one day in several areas in northern after Iraqi forces announced the IIraq as the militants slowly lose capture of Zanjili district, north of control of their stronghold in Mo- the Old City, where some 200,000 sul. civilians remain. The first attack, June 10 in Many civilians have been killed Shirqat, south of Mosul, led to the in the crossfire during fighting for death of 24 ISIS militants and 14 control of Mosul. Although ISIS members of the Iraqi armed forces, members are known to fire at peo- Sunni tribal fighters as well as ci- ple trying to escape, civilians have vilians, Iraqi security sources told also been killed because Iraqi and Reuters. allied forces have been relying on Peshmerga forces said they re- the use of heavy weapons, human pelled an ISIS attack on the night rights groups warned. of June 13 in Tuz Khurmatu, 75km The US military said it increased south of Kirkuk. Two peshmerga the number of investigators look- fighters were killed during that at- ing into reports of civilian casual- tack, peshmerga commander Ab- ties in anti-ISIS coalition strikes in dullah Bor told the media outlet Iraq and Syria. Rudaw. Bor said ISIS militants had Human Rights Watch (HRW) said also targeted the Iraqi Army and the use of artillery-delivered white militiamen from the predominate- phosphorous by the US-led coali- ly Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces tion in Iraq and Syria was endan- (PMF) in the area. gering civilians. “No matter how white phospho- rus is used, it poses a high risk of More than 750 horrific and long-lasting harm in displaced residents crowded cities like Raqqa and Mo- Pushback. A member of the Iraqi forces fighting ISIS inside a building in Mosul’s western al-Shifa sul and any other areas with con- district, on June 12. (AFP) of Mosul suffered centrations of civilians,” said Ste- food poisoning, with phen Goose, arms director at HRW. “US-led forces should take all fea- Amnesty International repeated mous Kurdistan Regional Govern- the other. Any decision on this is- hundreds hospitalised. sible precautions to minimise civil- its call for Iraqi authorities to find ment (KRG) in Erbil. sue must be taken in consultation ian harm when using white phos- the whereabouts of at least 643 Hoshiyar Zebari, senior adviser with other parties and safeguard Earlier that day, the PMF an- phorus in Iraq and Syria.” men and boys, reportedly abduct- to Kurdistan Regional Government national consensus,” Iraqi govern- nounced retaking all areas west of HRW said: “White phosphorus ed by PMF militias last year from (KRG) President Masoud Barzani, ment spokesman Saad al-Hadithi Mosul from ISIS except the town of fragments can exacerbate wounds Saqlawiya in Anbar province. told Reuters that “there is no going told the AP. Tal Afar, 50km west of Mosul, near even after treatment and can enter “The abductions happened dur- back” on a decision to have a refer- Neighbouring Turkey, which nor- the Syrian border. the bloodstream and cause multi- ing military operations to retake endum in September on the seces- mally enjoys good relations with On June 14, Iraqi forces repelled ple organ failure. Already-dressed Falluja and surrounding areas from sion of the region from the rest of Barzani, also criticised the KRG’s an attack by more than 100 mili- wounds can reignite when dress- the control of the armed group call- Iraq. decision about the referendum. tants, many of whom wore suicide ings are removed and they are re- ing itself the Islamic State. Their The Iraqi central government, “There are sufficient problem vests, in Danadan district south of exposed to oxygen.” families have lived in agony ever however, insists such a decision areas in our region and we don’t the Old City of Mosul. Adding to the long list of miser- since, uncertain whether their should involve all Iraqis and not think it is right to create new prob- “Terrorists came from the Old ies those fleeing Mosul are facing, loved ones are safe or even still just those in the Kurdish-majority lem areas,” Turkish Prime Minister City and attacked our forces using more than 750 displaced residents alive,” Amnesty International said region. Binali Yildirim said. mortars and sniper shots. They suffered food poisoning — with in a statement. “All Iraqis must have a say in de- managed to temporarily seize hundreds hospitalised — following A political battle is brewing be- fining the future of their nation. Mamoon Alabbasi is an Arab some buildings but we forced them iftar at the Hassan Sham U2 camp, tween Iraq’s central government No single party can determine the Weekly contributing editor in to retreat after shelling their posi- about 20km east of the city. in Baghdad and the semi-autono- future of Iraq in isolation from London. The Iraqi Shia jihadist threat on Saudi Arabia’s doorstep

Viewpoint n Iranian-backed but despite providing no evidence. highly plausible that the Iranians Syria but it is brazenly threatening Iraqi-sponsored The threat to Saudi Arabia, and would be seeking to provoke Muhandis Riyadh with violence. This could extremist Shia Riyadh in particular, is no idle talk threats in areas other than Saudi easily materialise into low-level military organisation, but represents a clear danger to Arabia’s southern borders. Iranian and his threats emanating from Iraq that the Popular Mobilisa- the kingdom. After all, Muhandis support for the uprising in Bahrain organisation, could escalate over time, espe- tion Forces (PMF), made direct reference to the posed a direct threat to Saudi Kata’ib cially if Iran is successful in releasedA a video of its fighters Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have Arabia’s Eastern Province, risking propping up the regime of Syrian reaching the Iraqi-Syrian border been responsible for thousands of of sectarian strife — something Hezbollah, President Bashar Assad. after having taken the small town civilian deaths and who have which Iran has been keen on have been Saudi Arabia must robustly deal of al-Ba’aj in north-western Iraq. attacked Saudi Arabian territory, stoking to sunder its regional rival. with this new danger. It cannot Tallha In the video, a direct threat to even firing missiles towards Therefore, having a serious formally afford to ignore the threat the PMF Abdulrazaq Saudi Arabia was made by one of Mecca. As Saudi citizens in the threat come from a senior com- blacklisted and its subordinated militias pose, the PMF’s senior commanders and south of the kingdom know well, mander within the PMF shows particularly as it has a deadly one of the Middle East’s most the threat of Shia jihadists backed that Saudi Arabia may be facing by the US Houthi threat to deal with far to dangerous terrorists. by Iran is all too real. increasing threats to its northern as the south. A gleeful Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, While both the Houthis and the border with Iraq. Not only is the designated Riyadh must also consider better known by his nom de guerre PMF have solid ties to the IRGC PMF assisting Iranian strategic holding the Iraqi government to Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, could be and Iran’s theocratic regime, objectives of linking a chain from terrorists. account for these threats. After all, heard saying that not only had the Riyadh must bear in mind that it is Iran to Lebanon through Iraq and Baghdad has formally recognised PMF reached the Syria border but the PMF as a separate arm of the it would continue to press forward Iraqi armed forces. As such, into Syria proper and would Muhandis’s threats are not solely advance until the Saudi Arabian those of a terrorist commander but capital of Riyadh. emanate from an official institu- He also expressed his wish that tion within the Iraqi military his “brothers” in the Shia Yemeni under the authority of its com- Houthi militia could join him in his mander-in-chief, Iraqi Prime conquest of the Sunni Arab Minister Haider al-Abadi. heartlands. While Iran links Saudi Arabia to Muhandis and his organisation, terrorists in Iran without provid- Kata’ib Hezbollah, have been ing evidence, Saudi Arabia can formally blacklisted by the US easily make links between government as designated terrorists like Muhandis, the Iraqi terrorists and he has extensive ties government and, more insidiously, to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary the Iranian regime. Riyadh must Guards Corps (IRGC), which act on these threats to its national recently accused Saudi Arabia of security, before it faces a two-front involvement in the Islamic State war with IRGC-backed Shia (ISIS) terror attacks in Tehran, terrorists both on its northern and southern boundaries.

The threat to Saudi Arabia is no Hostile agendas. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (C) walks Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (L), the deputy commander of the at the University of Exeter’s idle talk but represents a clear Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), during his visit to Mosul, last Strategy and Security Institute danger to the kingdom. May. (Reuters) in England. June 18, 2017 9 News & Analysis Syria

Fighting around Tanf a critical flashpoint in Syria’s war

Nicholas Blanford

Beirut

remote tract of desert along the Syrian and Ira- qi border has become a critical flashpoint in Syr- ia’s bloody war with US specialA forces troops and their Free Syrian Army (FSA) allies in a tense stand-off with the Syrian Army and Iran-backed militias. The struggle centres on Tanf, the location of a small military garrison on the Damascus-Baghdad highway, 17km north of the border with Iraq. The FSA captured the post from the Islamic State (ISIS) in March 2016 and since then it has been used by US, British and Norwegian special forces to train vetted Syrian fighters for the campaign against ISIS. The Tanf base is a launch pad for eventual advances east across the desert to the ISIS stronghold at Bu- kamal on the Euphrates River. In May, Syrian troops along with fighters from Hezbollah and the Imam Ali Battalions, an Iraqi militia linked to the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-sanctioned anti-ISIS coalition, began to as- semble at the Zaza Junction, 75km north-west of Tanf. The goal was to seize the garrison and reach the Iraqi border. For Iran, Tanf represents the last link to the creation of a long-desired While the Sunnis of Anbar prov- On June 9, pro-Syrian regime me- mitted to establish unmolested its options to make life difficult for the land corridor that stretches from ince are not well disposed towards dia reported that Syrian troops and land bridge across the heart of the United States beyond the immedi- Iran to Lebanon. A land corridor Iran, they are not in a position to their militia allies had reached the Middle East, Washington will be ate environs of south-east Syria if would provide an alternative route mount attacks against Iranian con- border with Iraq north-east of Tanf deafened by the howls of protest American forces attempt to remove to the well-established air links to voys. The convoys would probably and linked up with the PMF operat- from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Is- the Syrian military alliance from the Damascus to convey more weapon- be protected by the PMF and they ing on the other side of the frontier. rael. border. For a start, there are 5,000 ry to Hezbollah and to deploy fight- would have a civilian, rather than Instead of forcing a confrontation US service personnel in Iraq who ers to Syrian battlefronts. military, appearance making it dif- with the United States at Tanf, the For Iran, Tanf could be vulnerable to blowback by ficult for potential insurgents to Syrian military alliance had simply represents the last Iranian allies. identify them separately from com- swung through the desert east of The United States has said it does The United States link to the creation of has said it does not mercial trucks. the garrison and the new FOB, by- not wish to engage with Syrian and The US forces in Tanf have a passing the US forces and their FSA a long-desired land allied forces and that its goal is to wish to engage with corridor that stretches Syrian and allied deconfliction zone around the allies. defeat ISIS but a statement from the garrison of about 30km. US jets How the situation develops de- from Iran to Lebanon. US-led anti-ISIS coalition on June 11 forces and that its staged attacks on May 18 and June pends on the priorities of the vari- noted: “As long as pro-regime forces goal is to defeat ISIS. 7 against small militia convoys ous parties. Syria and Iran likely are oriented towards coalition and that were heading towards Tanf wish to end the US presence in The United States enjoys the mili- partnered forces, the potential for Previously, it was believed that in breach of the zone. On June 8, a south-east Syria and wipe out the tary edge in the area and potentially conflict is escalated.” Iran sought a route across northern US aircraft shot down a suspected US-backed FSA militias operating in can exploit its airpower to drive The collision of separate interests Iraq through territory controlled by Iranian Shahed 129 combat drone the area. That would restore a large back the Syrian military alliance and priorities among a multitude of the Kurds. However, Iran may have in the desert close to where the US tract of southern Syria to Damas- but it is unclear how Russia would international players in this remote opted for a more direct southerly forces have established a forward cus’s control and allow the Syrian react to such a scenario. On June 10, stony desert landscape makes for a corridor via the Diyala and Anbar operating base (FOB) beside a salt military alliance to press on to Bu- in a phone call with US Secretary of very combustible mix. provinces before entering Syria near pan 65km north-east of Tanf. kamal and attack ISIS. State Rex Tillerson, Russian Foreign Tanf. This route is less convoluted In response to the air strikes, Hez- However, it is difficult to see the Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed Nicholas Blanford is the author than the northern passage and Iran bollah warned that it had the capa- United States simply retreating Moscow’s “categorical disagree- of “Warriors of God: Inside would not have to rely on potential- bility to attack US forces in the area with their FSA allies back to Jordan, ment” with US forces attacking Syr- Hezbollah’s Thirty-Year Struggle ly unreliable Kurds for permission if the Americans were to cross the leaving the region to Damascus and ian troops. Against Israel” (Random House to pass through their areas. “red line” again. Tehran. Furthermore, if Iran is per- Furthermore, Iran has a host of 2011). He lives in Beirut. Both sides in Syrian civil war are breaking the rules

Viewpoint uman rights groups screens to shield advancing United States have been accused tides of this destructive conflict. have accused Syrian infantry and armour, they are of using white phosphorus White First, Tehran stepped in and opposition groups also highly effective as incendi- artillery shells to produce smoke dispatched several thousand foot supported by the ary weapons. When a white but the terrible effect on humans phosphorous soldiers to help the bewildered United States in phosphorus shell explodes, the concerns outside observers. munitions government troops. Next, the Syria of having used chemical inside reacts with the With that in mind, it would are highly ayatollahs in Iran asked the Hwhite phosphorus-loaded air, creating a thick white cloud. appear that there really are no Lebanese Hezbollah to assist munitions in what is appearing to When it contacts a person, it can good guys in the Syrian war. effective as Damascus and several thousands be the final push on the Islamic maim and kill by burning to the There are simply bad guys and incendiary of highly trained and well- State’s capital of Raqqa. bone as the phosphorous digs some who are a little bit or even a equipped Lebanese Shias were Claude Salhani Videos posted online appear to under the skin. whole lot worse. Most of the time weapons. sent in to help. Iran finances and show and human rights groups White phosphorus is also used what one side accuses the other trains Hezbollah’s fighters. have claimed that white phos- in tracers, illumination rounds of doing is being done by both. The big kicker to the opposition phorous munitions were and incendiary munitions. The accusers are often just as and what saved the regime was deployed at least twice in densely Sometimes referred to as WP and guilty as the accused. Moscow jumping into the fray populated areas of Mosul and the slang term “Willie Pete” or Government forces loyal to with the Russian Air Force Raqqa. “Willie Peter,” it is a favourite Syrian President Bashar Assad beginning its air offensive. Use of white phosphorus among the military in the field. and the rebels have both Lastly, the Damascus regime munitions is common in Western The term is derived from William deployed weapons banned — or at began using chemical agents, militaries, according to military Peter, the second world war least frowned upon — by the something Damascus continues sources, though controversial. phonetic alphabet for “WP.” As an international community. Both to deny but which Western White phosphorous shells were incendiary weapon, white sides have tortured captives and intelligence agencies say they used extensively by the Israeli phosphorus is self-igniting, burns both sides have no respect for the have proof of. Additionally, military during the Lebanon inva- fiercely and can set fire to cloth, Geneva Conventions. Damascus used barrel bombs. sion in 1982. fuel, ammunition and other Treatment of civilians caught Though not in the same Used primarily to create smoke combustibles. in the crossfire leaves much to be destructive and deadly category In addition to its offensive desired. The opposition is as biological or chemical weap- capabilities, white phosphorus is disunited and some groups are ons, white phosphorous is There really are no good guys a highly efficient smoke-produc- proving to be as ruthless as the denounced by human rights ing agent, which burns quickly government forces. groups, which would like to see it in the Syrian war. There are and produces an immediate The Assad regime at one point banned as a weapon. Don’t hold simply bad guys and some blanket of smoke. in the conflict was out-manned, your breath. As the final assault on the city out-gunned and seriously on the who are a little bit or even a of Raqqa begins, Syrian opposi- brink of collapse but then several Claude Salhani is a regular whole lot worse. tion groups supported by the things happened reversing the columnist for The Arab Weekly. 10 June 18, 2017 News & Analysis Maghreb Mixed reactions at the release of Qaddafi’s son

Lamine Ghanmi Libya’s political order, which has caused some to long for the days of Muammar Qaddafi. Tunis “Some voices of reason are only asking why Saif would be released aif al-Islam Qaddafi, once now,” said Libyan journalist Ab- hailed as the successor to delkader Assad. “Why would he be his father, Libyan dicta- freed and why is he now secured tor Muammar Qaddafi, has somewhere in Libya? Is there any- reportedly been released body playing a new card in Libya Sfrom prison where he had been held that involves the return of the old for nearly six years by militias from regime with Qaddafi’s son on top of Zintan. the list?” The reported release was met with Abid al Raguig, a Libyan political mixed public reaction, with some analyst, said: “The announcement flooding the streets in celebration of Saif’s release by the armed group and others firing guns in protest. that captured him was the result of The International Criminal Court, political and social changes at home where Qaddafi, 44, is wanted for that coincided with new regional crimes against humanity, called for and international circumstances. his immediate arrest and surrender. “Libyans who see Saif as part of The news added a layer of con- the problem and as a pillar of the troversy to the conflict in Libya. old regime, now hope he can be part Some Libyans expressed shock at of the solution. They have lowered Qaddafi’s release while saying they their expectations from changing hoped that the conflict had gone the regime to… (ensuring) security full circle and one of Muammar and achieving minimal standards of Qaddafi’s eight sons would emerge living.” as the country’s deliverer. Raguig faulted Islamists and their international backers for failing to Is there anybody safeguard the country, which he playing a new card said has caused Libyans to yearn for ‘Bitter harvests.’ Journalists watching as the judges (unseen) question Saif al-Islam Qaddafi during a Qaddafi’s regime. session broadcast live from the western Libyan city of Zintan in 2014. (AP) in Libya that “Radical Islamists were pushed involves the return into the front with the direct assis- of the old regime tance of foreigners to take control “The bitter harvests of the past that Qaddafi must be released due “To have an influence Saif must of the main bodies of the state,” seven years and the stability and to an amnesty law voted in last year settle his case with the International with Qaddafi’s son Raguig said. “They wreaked havoc safety needed by Libyans caused the by the Tobruk-based House of Rep- Criminal Court. This should be his on top of the list? and anarchy as they have no skills number of those backing Qaddafi’s resentatives. Qaddafi’s critics disa- first step and I expect that he will Libyan journalist ” or expertise to run the state affairs. regime to increase sharply and their greed, arguing his release was “ille- be declared innocent in accordance Abdelkader Assad As a result, the demands and expec- voices to become louder,” said Mifti, gal” and “a betrayal of the ideals of with the local law of general am- tations of the Libyans shrank to the who spent 11 years in jail. the February revolution.” nesty that set him free and with the Libyan analysts, however, said basics like security and order and a Videos showed Saif al-Islam “The release of Saif in such a backing of some influential foreign the impetus for Qaddafi’s release minimum level of decent living. Qaddafi’s supporters celebrating manner will further disturb the po- states with stakes in Libya,” said was a recent shift in the Arab world’s “A majority of the Libyans are his release with cheers and gunfire litical scene and derail the political Reguig. political climate that had put the now backing Saif as they compare in cities such as Jufra, Sabha, Ubari, process because he is able to rally “He must take notice that, at this once-powerful Islamists on the de- where Libya stands with where the Beni Walid in the south and west of around him the backers of the old stage, he does not own a military fensive. This shift is evidenced by country was before.” Libya as well as some areas in east- regime whose voices have become force or anyone with the keys of the sanctions imposed on Qatar by Mohamed al-Mifti, one of the ern Libya where the powerful Field louder in all towns as they are at- authority and power in the coun- Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Coopera- scores of prominent Libyan intel- Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s military tempting to underline the failure try… There are political currents tion Council (GCC) neighbours over lectuals jailed by Muammar Qaddafi spokesman, Ahmed al-Mesmari, of the revolution,” said parliament that have on the ground sources of Doha’s alleged links with Islamists during his decades-long purge of welcomed Qaddafi’s release. member Omar Gueith. power and authority.” in Libya and elsewhere, they said. political opponents, said that “des- The head of Abu Bakir al-Siddiq It is unlikely Qaddafi will immedi- Qaddafi’s release coincides with tiny appears to have made Saif an Brigade, al Ajmi al Atibi, who guard- ately battle for control amid Libya’s Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly growing disillusionment over indispensable leader.” ed Qaddafi since his capture, argued chaos. correspondent in Tunis. Libya is in dire need of a national reconciliation effort

Viewpoint eports have circulated The ICC has called for his imme- Qaddafi years could bolster Saif following the overthrow of the that the son of former diate arrest and surrender. Qaddafi’s credentials. In the unpopular Muslim Brotherhood Libyan dictator Yet there are indications that He could also seek to ally with government in 2013. However, Muammar Qaddafi, Qaddafi, whose location is eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, current Sisi’s rule has brought more, not who had been unknown, could insert himself who opposes the UN-backed context, less, repression to Egypt and the detained by a military into Libya’s political conflict. He GNA. Clashes between Haftar’s Libya’s country faces serious security Rbrigade in the city of Zintan since has significant support in Libyan National Army (LNA) and and economic threats that imperil conflicting 2011, has been released from southern and western Libya and GNA-aligned militias escalated its stability. custody. is popular among the Warfalla, following an attack on LNA forces parties Tunisia offers lessons in the Prior to the revolution, Saif Libya’s largest tribe. at the Brak al-Shati airbase in are more fraught but necessary nature of Elissa Miller al-Islam Qaddafi was thought to Indeed, many of those in key southern Libya. After the attack, likely to reconciliation efforts. Tunisia’s be his father’s heir apparent and cities, such as Bani Walid and Haftar’s forces pushed towards Truth and Dignity Commission, played a major role in the coun- Sirte, that rallied behind Muam- Tripoli and are seeking to gain continue to begun in 2014, has been ham- try’s rapprochement with the mar Qaddafi during the 2011 civil legitimacy in areas in where Saif capitalise on pered significantly by vested international community in the war and who were marginalised Qaddafi enjoys support. the divisive state interests, although it 2000s. His reported release adds following his overthrow maintain Zintani forces opposed to the nature of remains critical for the country’s a layer to the conflict in Libya and support for Saif Qaddafi. They GNA may aim to establish closer transition. Protests erupted in the some wonder what role the may view him as the necessary relations with Haftar following grievances. country this spring when Tuni- former dictator’s son may play figure to remedy their post-revo- Qaddafi’s release. An alliance of sian President Beji Caid Essebsi moving forward. lution grievances, particularly convenience could emerge reintroduced a bill that could Saif Qaddafi faces many considering the country’s between the two men; interest by grant amnesty to corrupt busi- challenges. He was freed on the increasingly polarised political Qaddafi in counterterror efforts nessmen and bureaucrats from grounds of a 2015 amnesty law environment. and instituting security would the Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali era. passed by Libya’s eastern parlia- Qaddafi’s lawyer asserted that certainly find common ground Libya is in dire need of a ment, which granted amnesty to the former dictator’s son draws with Haftar’s self-defined national reconciliation effort. Muammar Qaddafi-era figures. authority from the “will of the mission against extremists and Any attempt by Haftar to ally with However, that same year, the people” and “is protected by the terrorism. Haftar may believe an Qaddafi and expand support for self-proclaimed government in Libyan tribes.” He added that alliance with Qaddafi would help his military campaign would Tripoli sentenced Saif Qaddafi to Qaddafi followed developments him with support from western deepen divisions within Libya death in absentia for war crimes, in the country while held in tribes against the GNA and and move the country further including for his role in killing Zintan and that, now free, he Tripoli-based militias. from reconciliation. Any recon- protesters during the 2011 aims to focus on reconciliation However, the assertion that ciliation effort will need to revolution. efforts, combating terrorism and Qaddafi could, by joining with address crimes committed by all He is wanted by officials in returning security to Libyans’ Haftar, bring peace and stability sides, including those committed Tripoli, where the UN-backed daily life. to Libya is false and nostalgia for by the son of the former dictator, Government of National Accord Considering the escalation in the Muammar Qaddafi-era is whatever popular support he may (GNA) sits. He is wanted by the Libya’s conflict and the inability misplaced. A return to authorita- enjoy. International Criminal Court of the UN-backed government to tive rule in Libya, while under- Yet, in the current context, (ICC) for alleged war crimes establish authority over the standably attractive to some in Libya’s conflicting parties are committed during the revolution. country and deliver stability, the current context, would paper more likely to continue to some may view Qaddafi as an over the crimes that occurred capitalise on the divisive nature alternative to the current political during and after the revolution of grievances built up since the stalemate. In addition to the and betray the goals of the revolution. Zintani forces opposed to the grievances of powerful tribes revolution. GNA may aim to establish closer since the revolution, nostalgia The case of Egypt is instructive. Elissa Miller is an assistant among some Libyans for what Many Egyptians rallied behind director at the Atlantic Council’s relations with Haftar following appears in hindsight to be President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, at Rafik Hariri Centre for the Qaddafi’s release. stability during the Muammar the time minister of defence, Middle East. June 18, 2017 11 News & Analysis Egypt Despite parliamentary vote, Red Sea islands saga set to continue

Amr Emam gered opponents of the agreement. “By approving the deal, the parlia- ment is overlooking the views of the Cairo vast majority of the public, which is totally against it,” said Khalid Ali, a he saga over Egypt’s trans- lawyer who has been party to a legal fer of the uninhabited Red battle against the sovereignty trans- Sea islands of Tiran and fer. Sanafir to Saudi Arabia is “This deal is catastrophic and ap- set to continue following proving it will weaken public confi- Tan Egyptian parliamentary vote and dence in the president, the parlia- constitutional panel report. ment and the government.” Egyptian parliamentarians on Egyptian Parliamentary Speaker June 14 approved a controversial Ali Abdel Aal described the vote as maritime demarcation agreement “final approval” of the deal and told after a tense 3-day session. The MPs that court rulings that annulled Strategic location. The Red Sea’s Tiran (foreground) and Sanafir (background) islands in the Strait of next day, however, a senior consti- the agreement ultimately had no ju- Tiran between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia. (AFP) tutional panel concluded that two risdiction. courts, which ruled to annul the Egypt’s Higher Administrative agreement, had acted within their Court, which rules on legal disputes For many Egyptians, attachment for the deal, non-implementation ing Sinai with the western side of jurisdiction, contrary to govern- between citizens and the state, re- to the two islands is a sentimental of which has placed Sisi in an awk- Saudi Arabia, passing over the two ment claims. voked the deal on January 16. How- connection to Egypt’s past and any ward position in front of Gulf allies. islands. ever, an April decision by the Cairo move to cede sovereignty comes at “Egypt cannot maintain control In Egypt, deal advocates said Cairo hopes that Tiran Court for Urgent Matters ruled that the expense of Egyptian patriotism. on islands that belong to another the causeway would revolutionise and Sanafir will be at administrative courts have no ju- Opponents of the deal submit- country,” Kamal Amer, the head of trade between Gulf countries and the centre of future risdiction over issues relating to ted documents and maps they said the Defence and National Security Egypt but protests at the Journal- economic cooperation national borders. It is up to Egypt’s prove the islands were Egyptian. Committee said in parliament. “All ists’ Syndicate and outside parlia- Supreme Constitutional Court to However, government lawyers documents prove the islands to be ment showed the scale of public between Egypt and decide. submitted documents and maps Saudi.” discontent towards the deal. Saudi Arabia. The islands, at the entrance to that showed that, while the islands In April 2016, Sisi said defining Ali said he would maintain his le- the Gulf of Aqaba and on the mari- were under Egyptian administra- maritime borders with Saudi Arabia gal battle against the deal and that Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional time border between Egypt’s Sinai tion, they remained under Saudi would enable Egypt to explore min- he and like-minded activists would Court is to start hearings July 30 Peninsula and Saudi Arabia, are of sovereignty. eral deposits in its territorial Red not allow the islands’ handover. on whether the courts acted within extreme strategic importance to There was strong opposition to Sea waters. Egypt’s Constitution bans abdica- their jurisdiction to annul the deal. Egypt’s presence in the Red Sea. the deal even inside parliament. In 2015, Egypt signed a maritime tion of national territories. Ali said The panel’s report, issued June 15, is Egypt took over administrative “Those who had voted for the boundary demarcation deal with he could seek to take parliament’s a guideline for the Supreme Consti- control of Tiran and Sanafir in 1950, agreement should be ashamed of Greece and Cyprus. A year later, decision to court. tutional Court. with approval from Saudi Arabia, to themselves because for the first Egypt made a huge natural gas find “Our battle against the handover The transfer of sovereignty of the prevent Israel from controlling the time in this country’s history some off its Mediterranean coast. of the islands has not come to an strategic Red Sea islands has been a islands. people are willingly giving up na- Cairo hopes that Tiran and Sana- end,” he said. “We cannot fall silent heated topic in both Egypt and Sau- Egypt oversaw the closure of the tional territory to another country,” fir will be at the centre of future while a piece of our country is given di Arabia since it was announced Strait of Tiran in 1967, which led said MP Diaa Dawoud, who voted economic cooperation between to another country.” during King Salman bin Abdulaziz to the Six-Day War, and the two against the agreement. Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The coun- Al Saud’s April 2016 visit to Cairo. islands were included as part of Many MPs supporting Egyptian tries declared a plan in April 2016 Amr Emam is a Cairo-based The latest legislative action an- the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi voted to construct a causeway connect- contributor to The Arab Weekly. Egypt raises state of alert, wary of Qatar crisis backlash

Ahmed Megahid fears that unspecified terrorist groups could seek to use “regional developments” to launch attacks in Cairo Egypt. Egypt’s Interior Ministry raised gypt is preparing for back- the level of alert around the coun- lash over its decision to try, including beefing up secu- cut diplomatic ties with rity near likely targets, such as Doha in response to Qa- police stations, banks, embassies tar’s alleged financing of and places of worship, especially Eterrorist groups, raising the state of churches and monasteries. alert and beefing up security across The ministry said there would be the country. increased security at railway and “There are expectations that the bus stations, as well as at the Suez pace of terrorist operations will Canal, Nile High Dam, seaports and accelerate after Egypt cut its dip- border crossings. lomatic ties with Qatar,” said Mo- Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority hamed Bilal, former Egyptian Army has been the target of several ter- deputy chief of staff. rorist operations in recent months. Cairo accused Doha of supporting Islamic State (ISIS) militants on the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, May 26 killed 29 Christian pilgrims which it has designated as a ter- travelling to a monastery in Egypt’s rorist organisation. Several Broth- central Minya province. erhood figures, including many “Regional developments make convicted in absentia of terrorism- it necessary for security agencies related offences, sought refuge in to take measures to prevent ex- Qatar. pected retaliation,” said retired po- lice General Mamdouh al-Kidawni. With Doha’s back “Egypt is hitting Qatar hard by di- On highest alert. A member of the special police forces stands guard in Cairo. (Reuters) against the wall, Egypt vulging its links to terrorism in a is concerned about number of countries but Doha will prominent figures such as Muslim June 12, Sisi highlighted the need in the region,” he said. possible repercussions. not stand idly by.” Brotherhood ideologue Sheikh Yu- for greater international resolve to With Doha facing increasing re- Although Egypt followed Saudi suf al-Qaradawi and Islamist mili- confront countries that fund and gional isolation and its back against Arabia, Bahrain and the United tant figure Tarek al-Zumar. support terrorism. the wall, however, Egypt is con- Arab Emirates in severing diplo- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Gehad Abdel Malik, professor of cerned about possible repercus- “Qatar is directly involved in matic ties with Qatar on June 5, al-Sisi made his position on Qatar political science at Egypt’s Helwan sions. funding terrorist operations in Cairo had consistently complained an essential topic of discussion in University, said Cairo likely want- “Security agencies now have the Egypt and I think the authorities about Doha’s links to terrorism and his meetings and conversations ed to take stronger action against additional challenge of ensuring will come up with proof of this in biased coverage of Egyptian affairs with world leaders. During a tele- Doha for years but had been sty- that their plans can cope with this the coming days,” said Bilal, who by Qatari-backed media. phone conversation with US Presi- mied by external pressures. threat,” Bilal said. “The problem is was commander of Egypt’s forces Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and dent Donald Trump, both leaders “Egypt’s chance to take this that you never know where the ter- during the 1991 Gulf War. Bahrain issued a list of 59 people stressed the importance of com- action came only when Gulf rorists will hit next.” A senior security official -in and 12 entities believed to be tied to bating terrorism financing. During states reached the same con- formed Egypt’s state-run Middle terrorism financing. The list includ- a meeting with German Chancel- clusion, namely that Qatar had Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian East News Agency of government ed 26 Egyptian nationals, including lor Angela Merkel in Germany on turned into a destabilising factor reporter in Cairo. 12 June 18, 2017

Special Focus Turkish role in Gulf crisis Turkey’s Qatar stance is rooted in Erdogan’s Islamist foreign policy

Thomas Seibert (ISIS). Erdogan added that the government in Doha was ruling a country “that has been able to dis- Washington play an independent approach.” The Turkish president often prais- hen Turkish Presi- es the independent course of his dent Recep Tayyip own country in similar words. Erdogan used a The move against Qatar that speech in Ankara started June 5 triggered specula- to denounce the tion in Turkey that Ankara could Wblockade by Gulf countries against be the next target of governments Qatar as “neither humanitarian in Riyadh, Cairo and elsewhere. nor Islamic,” he was not just blast- “Apart from Qatar, Gulf nations are ing a position by Saudi Arabia and not very fond of Turkey,” journal- others that he finds ill-advised. He ist Fatih Altayli wrote in the Haber- was expressing a foreign policy turk newspaper. principle that has guided Turkey’s Turkey’s policies in recent years approach in the Middle East for are one reason for that lack of en- years. thusiasm. Starting in the early Erdogan, 63, is among the most 2000s, Ahmet Davutoglu, a politi- vocal critics of the decision by cal science professor who became several countries in the region to Erdogan’s foreign minister and isolate Qatar over what they see as prime minister, propagated a vi- Doha’s support for radical groups. sion of Turkey as a regional power Like Qatar, Turkey has been a ma- in the Middle East. Davutoglu’s jor supporter of the Muslim Broth- model has been called “neo-Otto- erhood, an organisation seen as man”, in reference to the Ottoman a terrorist outfit by Saudi Arabia, Empire that ruled the Middle East Egypt and others. for centuries. In 2010, Davutoglu, who was for- eign minister at the time, declared The Qatar that “not even a leaf can stir in the Middle East without us knowing crisis has about it.” Leaders in Ankara were deepened confident that Turkey’s economic and political power would make Turkey’s the country the most important isolation in player in the region. Support for the Muslim Brotherhood and other the region and Sunni Islamist groups was one of the instruments the Turkish gov- internationally. ernment employed. Davutoglu and Erdogan saw the “Turkey and Qatar are the lead- “Arab spring” uprisings and the ing patrons of the Muslim Brother- role played by Islamist groups af- hood and Hamas,” Aykan Erdemir, ter the 2011 upheaval as a sign that a former Turkish lawmaker who a “new Middle East” was being works for the Foundation for De- born. “The future does not lie in fense of Democracies (FDD), a archaic regimes, it lies in the will Washington think-tank, said via of the people,” Davutoglu said in began to suffer. Still, Erdogan with Saudi Arabia have been diffi- Later that day, the government e-mail. “Erdogan, therefore, has a 2012. “We as Turkey will lead the stayed the course. Ibrahim Kalin, a cult for years. Ties with Egypt nev- announced that Turkish Foreign strong ideological commitment to big wave of change in the Middle top Erdogan adviser who serves as er recovered following the remov- Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu would his Qatari partners.” East.” the president’s spokesman, coined al of President Muhammad Morsi, travel to Qatar. In a speech June 13, Erdogan de- With some capitals unnerved by the phrase “meritorious isolation” a Turkish protégé and member of Even before dispatching his top cried what he called a “death pen- the series of revolts and by Turkey’s of Turkey, as Ankara insisted that the Muslim Brotherhood, from diplomat to Doha, Erdogan sent alty” against Qatar. Turkey and support for the Muslim Brother- its approach was based on “demo- power by President Abdel Fattah clear signals of support for Qa- Qatar, he said, were the two coun- hood, a group seen as a threat by cratic values” and not just because al-Sisi in 2013. tar. The parliament in Ankara ap- tries with the “most determined several governments in the region, of its commitment to Islamists. In his speech on June 13, Er- proved the deployment of up to stance” against the Islamic State Ankara’s ties with other countries As a result, Turkey’s relations dogan called Sisi a “putschist.” 3,000 Turkish troops to the Gulf Taking sides with Qatar could adversely affect Turkey’s interests

Constanze Letsch The Turkish parliament fast- Fehim Tastekin wrote in Al-Mon- tracked legislation allowing the itor. “All the reasons cited by the deployment of Turkish troops to Saudi king and the US president to Istanbul Qatar, where it has a military base declare Qatar a ‘supporter of terror’ and approximately 150 soldiers. could easily be applied to Turkey.” he dramatic political crisis The law permits the Turkish Army Qatar and Turkey have long unfolding between Qatar to conduct joint military exercises shared similar views and strate- and several other Arab with Qatari troops and foresees the gies on regional issues and both states might have nega- provision of military training to the have backed the same actors in tive implications for Tur- Qatari gendarmerie. Egypt and Syria. Both countries are Tkey, the small Gulf state’s staunch- Turkey has also sent food and known to be staunch supporters of est supporter, analysts said. water supplies to Qatar after other the Muslim Brotherhood and both “We will continue to support Qa- Arab countries imposed economic have granted refuge to Egyptian tar in every possible way,” Turkish sanctions, closed their airspace and members of the group after they President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shut all land borders with the small were ousted from power by Egyp- told members of his Justice and Gulf country. tian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Development Party (AKP) during Turkey faces increasing isolation in 2013. This support for the Muslim iftar June 9 in Istanbul. “We will in the region and has seen its influ- Brotherhood has long strained their continue to take the side of the op- ence waning over the conflicts in relationship with Saudi Arabia and pressed.” Syria and in Iraq. Some were puz- the United Arab Emirates. He added that the embargo im- zled that Ankara threw all its sup- Turkey and Qatar have long posed on Qatar “should be lifted port behind Qatar, risking alienat- worked on expanding bilateral ties. completely because such things ing Saudi Arabia. It appears that the In December 2014, Turkey and Qatar should not happen between broth- AKP government chose to interpret signed a memorandum to establish ers.” the actions against Qatar as a hostile a “High Level Strategic Committee” He later told Bahrain’s foreign act against Turkey. with the aim of forging agreements minister that the dispute between “It didn’t take Ankara long to concerning the joint development Qatar and its Arab adversaries reach the conclusion that, after Qa- of science and technology, the de- should be settled by the end of tar, Turkey is the likely next target,” fence industry, military training and Ramadan, Turkish media reported. the deployment of Turkish military Several Turkish analysts said that forces in Qatar. Since then Turkish Erdogan’s chances of brokering an and Qatari leaders have conducted agreement were slim, however. Turkey faces regular meetings. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab increasing Now analysts warn Turkey’s un- Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yem- questioning support for Qatar might en severed diplomatic ties with isolation in the have serious repercussions. Qatar on June 5. Other countries “If this crisis gets worse and ends soon followed. They accuse Qatar of region and has with the disintegration of Qatar, supporting Islamist groups, includ- seen its influence Turkey, as its ally, might find itself ing the Muslim Brotherhood, and in a tight spot,” journalist Rusen of entertaining an inappropriately waning over the Cakir said. He cited the diplomatic Tight spot. People shout slogans as they hold Turkish and close relationship with Iran. Qatar conflicts in Syria rift following the military coup in Qatari flags during a demonstration in favour of Qatar in central dismissed the allegations as “base- Egypt, during which most coun- Istanbul, on June 7. (Reuters) less” and “slanderous.” and in Iraq. tries, with the exception of Turkey June 18, 2017 13

Special Focus Turkish role in Gulf crisis Turkey’s Qatar stance is rooted in Erdogan’s Islamist foreign policy Qatari crisis, Turkish paralysis

and replaced by personal (Erdogan and his close circle) and institu- tional (the AKP and its emerging oligarchic structures) interests. It is clear Erdogan has tied much of his hope for political survival to Qatari capital. Qatar is Turkey’s Yavuz Baydar seventh biggest direct investor, Deutsche Welle said. The amount of trade — $710 mil- lion — is not impressive but Qatar is the second largest investor after Russia in Turkey’s newly estab- Turkey and lished sovereign wealth fund, which has assets worth $40 billion. Qatar’s good Erdogan is doing his best to gain relations rest on as big a stake in Qatar’s investment portfolios, which amount to more two foundations: than $335 billion worldwide, as Military possible. Qatar owns 49% of BMC, a Turkish military vehicle producer. cooperation It has two Turkish banks, one of which ranks as eighth biggest in and financial Turkey. More than one-third of the investment. foreign currency inflow to Tur- key over the past year ($11 billion) originated in Qatar. For Turkish construction firms, Qatar is an oasis: They have so far taken over projects oon after the Qatar valued at nearly $14 billion. crisis erupted, worries So, the economic dimension is not started mounting in insignificant but it is certainly not Ankara. Given the what is driving the AKP’s paranoia. message sent by Gulf Erdogan and his team read the crisis Arab countries leading as an attempt to redefine alliances efforts to isolate Qatar, and what they see as murky scenar- TurkishS President Recep Tayyip ios. The looming threat to Ankara, Erdogan and his ruling Justice and therefore, is that its dual alliance Marching to the same tunes. Emir of Qatar Development Party (AKP) were forged by an ideology, based on Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) walks concerned that Turkey would be the relations with the Muslim Brother- with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next target. hood and staunch logistical support (C) during a welcome ceremony in Doha, last What was behind such a percep- for jihadist groups in Libya and February. (AP) tion? Fundamentally, it is ideologi- in Syria, will be targeted. Such is cal closeness. ”In recent years, the Erdogan’s reading of the two items two countries have developed an in the Riyadh declaration, which ideological affinity that has, in turn, talks about a) solidarity, b) a military country and Turkish cargo planes Turkey and Qatar are close eco- region and internationally, there spurred military and commercial alliance against terrorism — a Sunni delivered food supplies to Qatar. nomic partners, which could be are no signs that Erdogan could ties between Ankara and Doha,” Islam Front against the so-called Iran has also sent help to Qatar. another reason for Erdogan to change course anytime soon. “Er- Middle East analyst Steven Cook at Shia Belt. Ankara, which has maintained stand by Doha. Erdemir pointed dogan is aware that Turkey’s sup- the Council on Foreign Relations It is a kerfuffle, no doubt. Among close ties to Islamist groups sup- out that Qatar had “sizeable in- port for Qatar alongside Iran will wrote for Salon. the known knowns though, is the ported and at times hosted by vestments in critical sectors” such further undermine Turkey’s tar- At first sight, pundits were busy fact that, after the eruption of the Doha, has insisted in recent days it as finance, media and defence in nished image globally,” Erdemir examining three areas: Turkey’s na- Arab uprising, Erdogan and the AKP saw no evidence of Qatar’s support Turkey. said. “He has, however, little room tional political interests, economic saw an opportunity to emerge as a of extremist and terrorist groups. Although the Qatar crisis had to manoeuvre and will have to suf- relations and ideological dimen- leading force in uniting and steer- Besides being political allies, deepened Turkey’s isolation in the fer the consequences.” sions. ing the Islamic world. It did this There is not much to consider by endorsing Muslim Brotherhood about the first. There is a widely movements across the region and shared consensus among interna- beyond — all the way to Myanmar. tional experts as well as well-in- Merged with a neo-Ottoman Taking sides with Qatar could adversely affect Turkey’s interests formed domestic opposition circles dream, driven by Turkey’s urge for that Turkey’s foreign policy contin- regime change in Syria, this discreet ues to follow its course on a down- pro-jihadist stance continued, many and Tunisia, supported Sisi against Egypt and the UAE, accusing ward spiral because of Ankara’s per- pundits argue, until it faded after the ousted president Muhammad a dozen charity organisations sistent erratic decisions. Turkey’s Russia’s intervention in the Syr- Morsi. “Turkey is still dealing with and 59 individuals in Qatar of once-famous “zero problems with ian conflict. By that time, Ankara’s the regional, economic, but fore- links to “terrorism,” Erdogan neighbourhoods” foreign policy active interventionism had become most strategic problems resulting said: “There is no such doctrine has long been buried. On visible to the whole world. from this.” thing. I know those the contrary, Turkey under the AKP Therefore, argues Bereket Kar, He added that the AKP-govern- foundations. I have faces even deeper conflict with its an expert on Turkey-Middle East ment will face difficulties trying to not witnessed Qatar entire neighbourhood. relations in Turkey, a breakdown of rally support among their support- supporting terrorism.” Qatar is likely to be the the dual alliance would cause huge ers who, like most of the Turkish Turkish opposition exception. Turkey and Qa- losses for Ankara. “Because,” he public, see Qatar as a rich country parties urged Erdog- tar’s good relations rest on said in an interview with the news and not an oppressed victim. an to remain neutral two foundations: Military site Duvar, the “two countries have and “stay out of the cooperation and financial acted like twins while the AKP is Gulf quagmire.” Oguz investment. in power. Qatar was acting like a Analysts Kaan Salici, an Istan- On the first dimension, bank for the forces that made the bul MP for the main two accords were fast- backbone of jihadists. This meant warn Turkey’s opposition Repub- tracked through parlia- not only support for those but also unquestioning lican People’s Party ment. As pointed out by those placed in Turkey. criticised the rushed Turkish reporter Fehim “It seems unlikely that Turkey support for parliamentary vote Tastekin, the first accord, will let Qatar down but, if it stands on the bill allowing which will be valid for ten against Saudi Arabia, it will then Qatar might for Turkish troop de- years and can be extended face the entire Gulf as a foe. It will have serious ployment in Qatar. It was, for 5-year periods, out- mean a collapse of their invest- he said, “a sign that Tur- lines a Qatar-Turkey Tacti- ments. So Turkey cannot afford to repercussions. key tries to take sides.” cal Division Headquarters choose a side. We have a hugely pro- Ziya Pir of the pro- to be commanded by a found problem here and Turkey has “It is impossible to turn this into Kurdish Peoples’ Dem- Qatari major-general, assisted by neither a perspective nor a regime a struggle resembling the struggle ocratic Party said the a Turkish brigadier-general. Some character to act as an intermediary,” for Palestine,” Cakir said. “People allegations against 500-600 soldiers will be based at he said. might form an opinion by looking Doha made Turkey’s the headquarters. There are now In the broader context, beyond to President Erdogan but there is no uncritical stance to- 95 Turkish troops in Qatar. An the combat against jihadism, the real desire to become defenders of wards Qatar very explosives demolition team with Qatari crisis will inevitably target Qatar.” problematic. “Tur- 25-30 members will also be going. whatever is left politically of the Despite Erdogan’s staunch sup- key takes the po- The second accord will enable Muslim Brotherhood across the port for Qatar, his tone towards sition of Qatar,” Turkey to train about 4,000 Qatari region, with far-reaching conse- the bloc around Saudi Arabia has he said. “There gendarmerie personnel. quences. Erdogan knows that if the been unusually mild. Calling on the are allegations that Qatar funnels The military cooperation ap- AKP is perceived as part of the Mus- Saudi leadership to take the lead in money and weapons to the Muslim pears not to be crucial to Qatar’s lim Brotherhood, it is the only one reconciliation efforts in the Gulf, Brotherhood, to al-Nusra and to present foes, the United States or holding power, thus the paranoia he warned that there “would be no [the Islamic State]. This agreement Iran. Observers shrug, hinting that and panic. winners in a war among brothers.” should not have been made now.” Common cause. A file photo it will add to Turkey’s troubles rath- However, the rhetoric might well shows Ahrar al-Sham Islamic er than have a role of deterrence. Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journalist start to heat up. In reply to a state- Constanze Letsch is a contributor fighters in the southern Idlib Many argued that Turkey’s na- and occasional contributor to The ment by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, to The Arab Weekly in Istanbul. countryside. (Reuters) tional interests have been redefined Arab Weekly. 14 June 18, 2017 News & Analysis Jordan

Prince Zeid at odds with own country over human rights criticism

Aaron Magid days at home since assuming his small human rights community, post at the United Nations given his some Jordanians said Prince Zeid’s strained relationship with the Jor- blunt style is inappropriate. Musa Washington danian government. Shteiwi, director of the Univer- “It pains me, because it’s a coun- sity of Jordan’s Centre for Strate- rince Zeid bin Ra’ad al- try that I love and that I represent- gic Studies, said Prince Zeid was Hussein was a rising star ed with pride for many years — not “working as a civil society organi- in Jordan’s diplomatic that it’s a country that has a perfect sation or as an advocate to criticise corps. He was an officer in human rights record, clearly not, things beyond [what] his mandate the Hashemite kingdom’s but it’s a country that I have an at- is supposed to be.” Pmilitary before being appointed tachment for but now the relation- Shteiwi contended that Prince Jordan’s ambassador to the United ship is quite cool,” he said. Zeid adopting a more diplomatic States from 2007-10. Prince Zeid approach would be more effective. was then Jordan’s ambassador to Outside of Jordan’s While Jordanian government the United Nations until July 2014. relatively small human circles do not appreciate Prince However, with his appointment rights community, Zeid’s forthright attacks on human as UN high commissioner for hu- some Jordanians say rights in the Hashemite kingdom or man rights in September 2014, he that Prince Zeid’s blunt among allied countries, their views adopted a more critical approach to style is inappropriate. are hardly consistent. The govern- his native country. ment’s Petra News extensively cites After Amman reinstituted the the former US ambassador’s harsh death penalty and executed 11 men Some Jordanian human rights ac- criticism of Israeli settlements and in 2014, Prince Zeid criticised Jor- tivists and former top officials said house demolitions. Unyielding. Jordan’s Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad al-Hussein, UN High dan for ending the 8-year morato- they appreciate Prince Zeid’s activ- “If he criticised human rights in Commissioner for Human Rights, at a news briefing at the UN rium, noting the “tragic frequen- ism. “Zeid is a man of integrity. He Iran, we would praise him,” said Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) conference centre in cies” of executed detainees later said even if my country makes a Oraib Rantawi, director of the Addis Ababa, last May. (AFP) proven innocent. When King Ab- mistake, I won’t pull my punches,” Amman-based Quds Centre for Po- dullah II in March welcomed Suda- said Adnan Abu Odeh, former Royal litical Studies, noting longstanding nese President Omar al-Bashir, who Court chief. tensions between Jordan and Teh- “In some cases, like in Egypt, you is an attempt to use this position to faces an arrest warrant from the Nadine Nimri, senior reporter for ran. need to analyse the overall condi- achieve some political purposes for International Criminal Court (ICC) Al-Ghad newspaper and winner of However, the Hashemite king- tions and what leads to violence some Arab countries but it doesn’t on genocide charges, Prince Zeid the Jordanian Media Institute’s Hu- dom is far less welcoming to Prince and terrorism. It looks sometimes work by the way,” Rantawi said. said Jordan was “failing the ICC man Rights reporting award, said Zeid’s human rights criticism when as if he (Prince Zeid) is saying unin- Noting his difficult relationship and weakening the global struggle she appreciates Prince Zeid’s work. aimed at the Jordanian government tentionally that he is justifying ter- with the Jordanian government and against impunity and for justice.” “He’s not in Geneva to just give or its strategic partner, Saudi Ara- ror attacks referring them to human fellow Arab regimes, Prince Zeid Jordanian Foreign Minister mujamalat, or compliments, to the bia. rights violations,” he said. told Foreign Policy: “They look at Nasser Judeh rejected Prince Zeid’s Jordanian government or the Saudi “It is a double standard when it Although Prince Zeid is the first me in disbelief, believing in a very claim, blasting Saudi Arabia for hu- regime. Zeid’s a UN commissioner comes to human rights,” Rantawi Jordanian to serve in such a high- tribal sense that as an Arab, my job man rights violations in its war in and is supposed to be defending said. “We are against human rights ranking international post, this is is not to disclose the dirty laundry Yemen. Riyadh is one of Jordan’s human rights,” Nimri noted. violations in some countries but we not the first time that an Arab has of Arab governments. I don’t re- closest allies and it publicly backed She said that if he were not pre- give a blind eye to the same viola- assumed a top-level UN responsibil- spond well to pressure from any the Saudi military campaign in pared to address the human rights tions or even more in other coun- ity. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a former government.” Yemen despite the humanitarian violations across the Arab world be- tries based on our political relation- Egyptian diplomat, was the sixth crisis. cause of political sensitivities, then ships with those regimes.” UN secretary-general from 1992-96. Aaron Magid is a Washington- In an interview with Foreign Poli- Prince Zeid wouldn’t be “qualified Zeid’s criticism of Jordan’s stra- “When there is an Arab representa- based journalist reporting on the cy magazine, Prince Zeid expressed to handle his position.” tegic Arab allies can play a destruc- tive in those high-ranking positions Middle East. He can be followed on regret that he has only spent three Outside of Jordan’s relatively tive role in the region, Shteiwi said. in the United Nations, always there Twitter: @AaronMagid. Jordan’s increased involvement in Syria

Viewpoint ordan, one of the few forces, has been conducting a the border region has seen a as well as influence Iranian remaining stable coun- simultaneous campaign against remarkable escalation. That was Recent mili- behaviour in Syria. tries in the Middle East, is nationalist-oriented rebels in essentially caused by the Irani- It remains uncertain exactly likely to increase its Daraa governorate in southern ans, who seem to view the tary deve- what Moscow’s position is on Iran military involvement in Syria. The level of participation southern and south-eastern lopments projecting influence in the south neighbouring Syria as the by Iranian-backed forces in this sections of Syria as strategically in southern and south-eastern regions. While Jwar flares closer to its northern campaign is unprecedented and significant for their agenda it is not in Russia’s interest per se Syria are border. is combined with increasing (linking Tehran with the Mediter- that Iran is advancing in such a The Jordanian national security rhetoric against Amman by the ranean via a passage through particularly manner, having a British-US- equation is directly connected to Assad regime and Hezbollah. Iraq, Syria and Lebanon). alarming to Jordanian build-up in the Syrian Abdulrahman the security of its borders with Third, the ISIS-affiliate Khalid This escalation in an area that Amman’s desert would probably jeopardise al-Masri war-torn Syria and Iraq. Ibn al-Walid Brigade in the is designed for a ceasefire is Putin’s interests in Syria. Jordan has been undertaking a Yarmouk Basin presents a perhaps related to the fact that national Either way, Amman must be minor role in the Syrian conflict, challenge to Jordan, as the Salafi the United States was not part of security. hard-headed and proactive. one that has enabled Amman to jihadist force has been attacking the initial deal. Though the kingdom may not maintain a semblance of security multiple points along the border, Amman is exhausting all have the capability to make a and stability along its 375km killing border guards and diplomatic channels with Russia military incursion into Syria, like border with Syria. However, as displaced civilians. with the aim of reaching an that made by Turkey in the north, the international struggle for There is a high likelihood that agreement that could prevent the Jordan has to reinforce and influence in the region mounts, it Sunni extremist activities in the advances of Iranian-linked strengthen its military positions seems that the Jordanian south would intensify following militias further south. The Wall on the border. strategy is no longer applicable. the ISIS defeat in Raqqa and Street Journal reported that the At the same time, Amman must Recent military developments retreat south. This defeat also United States and Russia are mobilise Western allies — notably in southern Syria are particularly rings alarms for Jordan at home, having secret talks in Jordan the United States and Britain — to alarming for Amman’s national where the country is facing an aimed at setting up a de-conflic- prepare for the worst-case security. internal struggle with Islamist tion zone for southern Syria. scenario, while considering steps First, the regime of Syrian extremists. The Amman factor in connect- towards rallying regional part- President Bashar Assad is making These mounting challenges to ing the Russians and the Ameri- ners to establish the military worrying advances in south- Jordan’s security are likely to push cans is not only about having the alliance (an Arab NATO) to eastern Syria, reaching towards the kingdom to increase its two superpowers reach a consen- counter Sunni extremism and al-Tanf garrison near the Jorda- involvement in Syria’s crisis to sus on how things should go in Iranian expansionist influence, nian and Iraqi triangle border protect its interests. Jordan’s the troubled region but also which was discussed in Saudi point, where US and British security objectives are associated about the security of northern Arabia during US President special forces are stationed with its ability to project influence Jordan. Amman has a pragmatic Donald Trump’s visit. alongside a tribal rebel force among rebels in southern Syria relationship with Moscow; they Jordan is ultimately being countering the Islamic State and with ensuring there are no have worked together on issues forced to increase involvement (ISIS) in Deir ez-Zor governorate. Sunni extremists nor Iran-backed related to Syria. Amman is also a in Syria. Although the war next This development prompted the Shia militants in this region. staunch ally of the United States. door is complex and multi-lay- United States to take precautions, While Jordanian authorities do This unique position could allow ered, Amman must be equipped including targeting Assad troops not seem to have issues with Jordan to facilitate productive to face these developing chal- as they neared the area. These Assad forces being in control of discussions between Washington lenges. concerns are amplified given the the border region, they are and Moscow, especially consider- Showing strength and readi- apparent involvement of Iranian- concerned about Hezbollah and ing the apparent willingness to ness are the kingdom’s best funded, sectarian militias among other Shia militias, whose cooperate from both sides. propositions, while diplomacy the regime’s crowds. presence in southern Syria could While Russian President may not be as efficient. Showing Second, the Assad regime, destabilise the area. Such a Vladimir Putin wants to maintain strength also involves increasing backed by Iranian and Hezbollah presence would pose a direct strategic relations with the weapons support for the indig- threat to the national security of Jordanians and the Israelis, thus enous, nationalist-oriented two of the United States’ most furthering cooperation with the rebels who can curb progress in Jordanian authorities are valuable allies in the Middle Americans, it remains unclear Daraa and the Yarmouk Basin. East: Jordan and Israel. whether Moscow can pressure concerned about Hezbollah and While the de-escalation zones the Iranians into changing their Abdulrahman al-Masri reports other Shia militias, whose agreement reached in May course of action in the south. In on politics and news in the between Russia, Iran and Turkey many instances, Russia failed to Middle East and Syria in presence in southern Syria could has designated an area for restrain Assad forces from particular. He can be followed on destabilise the border region. southern Syria, the situation in breaching ceasefire agreements Twitter: @AbdulrhmanMasri. June 18, 2017 15 News & Analysis Lebanon

Consensus inevitable as Lebanon’s political map is redrawn

Rami Rayess competing closed lists, with par- liament’s structure decided on the proportion of overall votes won. Beirut The new system looks set to not only redraw Lebanon’s political ebanon’s protracted politi- map but to pave the way for new cal crisis seems to be com- factions to enter parliament, some ing to an end. After many for the first time. Civil society ac- troubled months, indica- tivists, long excluded from direct tors point to consensus participation in the mechanics of Lhas been reached over a new elec- government, may be able to enter toral law with fresh alliances are parliament and the traditional coa- forming ahead of the introduction litions built after the 2005 assas- of a new voting system. sination of former Prime Minister The most recent Lebanese elec- Rafik Hariri also look set to be re- tions were in June 2009. Since visited. then, parliament extended its term twice, both times under the pretext The apparent of security. With the current par- rapprochement liament’s mandate to expire June 20, a third extension looks almost between Lebanon’s inevitable before elections, set for two largest Christian May 2018, take place under the new parties appears to be system. undergoing change. Historically, every Lebanese elec- tion since 1943 has been the spur for a staggering amount of political Moreover, the country’s tra- debate over the best electoral sys- ditional coalitions, the March 8 tem under which to have the vote. grouping (made up of Syria’s al- These debates produced only ad- lies, Hezbollah and the Free Patri- justments to a system weighted for otic Movement) and the March 14 the benefit of whatever ruling fac- coalition (made up of current Prime tion is in power. For instance, under Minister Saad Hariri, the Christian Syrian tutelage, the law was adapt- Lebanese Forces and leader of the ed according to the best interests of Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Syria’s allies with minimal possibil- Jumblatt, before his withdrawal Drastic shift. Lebanese President Michel Aoun (C-back) and Prime Minister Saad Hariri (C-L) attend a ity of protest for their opponents. in 2009) all look to end with the cabinet meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda, on June 14. (AFP) replacement of the current voting Civil society activists, system. long excluded from Furthermore, the apparent rap- nistic to the Lebanese Forces, is there are few surprises anticipated slenderest of margins. In Tripoli, direct participation in prochement between Lebanon’s a serious question. Furthermore, as the consistently successful al- Lebanon’s second largest city and the mechanics of two largest Christian parties ap- whether FPM’s alliance with LF liance between Parliamentary one with a sweeping Sunni major- government, may be pears to be undergoing change. will survive amid fierce competi- Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah, ity, Hariri’s list fell short of winning. able to enter Following decades of differences, tion over parliamentary seats in the which has held since 1992, looks set That the Lebanese political map struggle and even military con- so-called Christian provinces is also to continue unchallenged. is to be redrawn along new lines ap- parliament. flict, the détente between the Free questionable. However, the question remains pears inevitable. However, regard- Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the LF leader Samir Geagea started as to how other electoral alliances, less of whatever weight any party However, rather than simply an Lebanese Forces (LF) seems to be nominating his candidates for sev- such as those between Jumblatt’s or faction might hold, Lebanon’s adjustment in favour of the coun- experiencing a period of flux, as the eral of electoral districts before the Progressive Socialist Party and history has provided ample proof try’s competing elites, the new law longstanding alliance between the agreement on the new electoral law Hariri, or that between Berri and time and time again that, without marks a drastic shift in how votes FPM and Hezbollah continues to was reached. More than anything, FPM and others may fare. consensus, politics in this country are measured and what govern- draw the FPM closer into the Army it is a clear signal to its rivals that The Sunni street seems quite up- rarely works. ments are appointed. It is a shift of God’s orbit. the LF is intent on getting what it set with several policies pursued by from the majoritarian voting sys- Whether the FPM will be able to clearly regards as its due share of Hariri. For evidence, look at Beirut’s Rami Rayess is a Lebanese writer tem of winner-take-all to the pro- compromise its old alliance with the electoral cake. municipal elections, during which and journalist. Follow him on portional representative system of Hezbollah, which is highly antago- In southern and Beqaa districts, Hariri’s list managed victory by the Twitter: @RamiRayess Crime and punishment and the Lebanese paradox

Viewpoint single death is a principal causes behind Leba- failure to follow through on many these young men to attack the tragedy; a million non’s rising tide of violence. That of the crimes perpetrated over Rights government of Fouad al-Saniora, deaths is a statistic. is, the monopoly of force the years, crimes that are ulti- groups have in what was known as the May 7 Soviet dictator required to police any population mately brushed under the rug. incident. This message, by Joseph Stalin was is not enjoyed by the Lebanese The causes for this range been keen to necessity, has become ever more certainly not government. Rather, it is shared between the country’s corrupt stay the exe- pronounced as Hezbollah has thinkingA of Lebanon when he with an armed militia that owes judiciary and political hopes of become ever more enmeshed cutioner’s uttered those words. Neverthe- its ultimate fealty, not to lawmak- preserving our illusive national within the Syrian quagmire. less, the killing of 24-year-old ers in Beirut so much as to their unity. This discredits state hand, citing Be that as it may, the clamour Roy Hamoush and the subse- counterparts in Tehran, under- agencies and shows them as little capital pu- for the return of capital punish- Makram Rabah quent uproar are probably best mining the legitimacy of govern- more than pawns in the Lebanese nishment’s ment will not bring back the understood within this cold ment and eroding the rule of law. sectarian system. ineffec- reverence of the Lebanese state paradigm. Populist voices among both the Contrary to most international nor will it put an end to these What began as a simple fender- public and the political have norms, Lebanon shares, or rather tiveness as a brutal killings. On occasions in bender between Hamoush, a called for the return of capital concedes, power to other more deterrent. which the Lebanese judiciary newly graduated engineer, and a punishment. However, Jean- powerful and armed sectarian implemented capital punish- recently released convict esca- Pierre Katrib, a member of the entities — mainly Hezbollah — ment, it has done so while lated to a brutal death and Foundation for Human and which provide safe havens for respecting the sectarian balance, countrywide calls for an end to Humanitarian Rights, said: lawbreakers. This might explain lynching Christians, Muslims and Lebanon’s moratorium on capital “Extensive studies in the field why people have lost faith in the Druze on a strictly proportional punishment. Many of the have categorically negated the state and its ability to protect basis. proponents of public executions correlation between administer- them. Before any of the Lebanese have found succour among ing capital punishment and a However, none of the activists designate themselves as hang- Lebanon’s populist politicians, decline in crime.” who are demanding capital men, they need to understand who have been keen to assure the Katrib also outlined how capital punishment have hinted that this that the rule of law is a holistic wider public that the state will punishment contradicts the lawlessness might stem from the process and does not come show zero tolerance towards concepts of human dignity as laid repeated showdown between simply from hanging a few bad those who commit such heinous out in the Universal Declaration Hezbollah and the Lebanese apples. acts. of Human Rights. He also said government, during which the Rather, it comes from allowing However, rights groups and that “modern tenants of punish- latter was bullied or simply the Lebanese state and its international observers have all ments adopt a corrective empha- outmanoeuvred by an armed judiciary to implement the law been keen to stay the execution- sis as opposed to a cruel, degrad- sectarian group with open equally to all and irrespective of er’s hand, citing capital punish- ing and humane sentencing and allegiances to a country not its sectarian concerns. It comes from ment’s ineffectiveness as a ultimately from a functional side, own. creating a set of circumstances in deterrent. taking one life does not bring While criminal activity cannot which no criminal is allowed to While much of what they say is back the other.” be solely credited to one sect, the hide behind his sect nor pass off likely correct, many overlook the In Lebanon, however, the role that Hezbollah has played straightforward brigandage as an debate transcends the age-old over recent years has greatly act of resistance. Only then will argument over the specific value contributed in the rise of lawless- we get justice for Roy Hamoush While criminal activity of capital punishment. Rather, it ness within the Shia community. and the many souls we simply cannot be solely credited to lies primarily in Lebanon’s status Mustafa Fahs, a political analyst choose to forget. as a failed state. The Lebanese and commentator, said: “Hezbol- one sect, the role of Hezbollah state cannot project power lah’s mobilisation of the Shia Makram Rabah is a lecturer at the has greatly contributed in the because essentially all the against an imagined internal and American University of Beirut Lebanese people, whether external foe has directly led to and author of “A Campus at War: rise of lawlessness within the law-abiding or criminal, have the current state we are in.” Student Politics at the American Shia community. born witness to its repeated In 2008, Hezbollah needed University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” 16 June 18, 2017 News & Analysis Palestine Israel

Qatari crisis could spell new trouble for embattled Hamas

Fares Akram

Gaza Strip

atar, one of the few for- eign backers of Hamas, faces massive pressure from its Gulf neighbours to cut ties with the Islam- Qic militant group. If it does, the result could be disastrous for Hamas-ruled Gaza. Qatar has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in roads, hous- ing and a major hospital in Gaza. Its infrastructure projects are one of the few job-creators in a devastated economy. Gaza already suffers from an Is- raeli-Egyptian blockade, widespread destruction from a string of Israel- Hamas wars, economic misery and chronic electricity shortages. For Ha- mas, Qatar’s injection of funds into the Gaza economy is a vital lifeline bolstering its rule. Qatar appears to be weighing its options but the mere prospect of los- ing Qatari support prompted Hamas to issue rare criticism of Saudi Ara- bia, which has been leading the cam- A blow for Hamas? A 2016 file picture shows posters depicting Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (R) and Emir of paign against its tiny Gulf neighbour. Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on a building as people attend the opening ceremony of Qatari-funded construction project “Hamad Hamas official Mushir al-Masri City” in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. (Reuters) said the Saudi call for Qatar to cut ties with the Palestinian group is “regrettable” and contradicts tradi- In 2012, Qatar’s then emir, Hamad States Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani ergy to Gaza for what it says are hu- Egypt, which has had cool relations tional Arab support for the Palestin- bin Khalifa al-Thani, visited Gaza, said his country’s work in Gaza was manitarian reasons. However, in an with Hamas. “If these talks don’t ian cause. the first and only head of state to do “purely humanitarian.” ominous sign for Hamas, Qatar has lead to new understandings getting Saudi Arabia and three other Arab so since Hamas seized control of the “All our contacts are very trans- stopped the energy payments for Hamas out of its difficult political countries cut ties with Qatar, accus- territory from Palestinian President parent and they are clear, in coor- the past two months. It is unclear situation, I think there will be more ing it of supporting violent Islamist Mahmoud Abbas ten years ago. The dination with the US and the Pal- whether the payments were halted crises,” he said. groups across the region, including emir announced a grant of $407 mil- estinians and the Israelis. We don’t under Arab pressure. One person who could benefit Hamas. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel lion for humanitarian projects. understand where the problem is,” As the Islamic group marks its from Hamas’s troubles is Abbas, al-Jubeir said Qatar must sever its The grant is being used to build he said. tenth anniversary in power, the sit- who has repeatedly failed in talks ties with Hamas. a housing complex of 3,000 units. uation is grim. The territory suffers with Hamas to regain control of Qatar has denied the allegations Two phases of the Hamad Resi- Qatar has invested from rolling power cuts, with just Gaza. but its small size and reliance on dential City have been completed hundreds of millions four hours of electricity at a time, Abbas recently reduced the sala- food imports from Saudi Arabia and families moved into their new followed by 14-18 hours of outages. ries of his former employees in Gaza could make it susceptible to the houses in the southern Gaza town of dollars in Gaza. Tap water is undrinkable. Youth un- and threatened to scale back pay- pressure. of Khan Yunis. employment is estimated at 60%. ments for Gaza’s electricity — at- This could spell trouble for Ha- Palestinian contractors and Qatari Thousands wait for a rare chance to tempts to pressure Hamas. Abbas’s mas. The group is considered a ter- envoys signed deals in May to start Following a 50-day war between exit the blockaded territory. government, which maintains good rorist group by Israel and its Western the third and final phase of Hamad Israel and Hamas in 2014, Qatar was Unable to offer a remedy, Hamas ties with Qatar, has not commented allies. Israel and Hamas have fought City. Those deals could now be in the largest single donor for the re- has jailed people who dare to criti- on the latest crisis. three cross-border wars that caused question. construction of Gaza, pledging $1 cise it. Chagai Tzuriel, the director gen- large-scale damage in Gaza. Using that grant, Qatar also built billion at a Cairo-hosted interna- Mkhaimar Abusada, an inde- eral of Israel’s Intelligence Ministry, Qatar does not support Hamas a specialist prosthetic centre, the tional conference. Qatar has deliv- pendent Gaza political analyst, said said Hamas’s many troubles have directly but its large-scale projects first of its kind in Gaza. Qatar paved ered $50 million of this pledge for Qatari pressure could increase Ha- put it in a “strategic bind.” have significantly eased the burden roads, repaired or rebuilt mosques building 1,000 houses. mas’s political and financial isola- “I think they are under greater on Hamas authorities and given it and oversaw dozens of other infra- Qatar also helped pay for fuel de- tion. pressure now than before,” he said. some credit for bringing this money structure projects. liveries from Israel, which, despite A high-level Hamas delegation to Gaza. Qatari Ambassador to the United its enmity to Hamas, supplies en- was summoned to neighbouring (The Associated Press) Gaza marks ten years of conflict, misery under Hamas rule

The Arab Weekly staff Gazans used for smuggling to and as showering or running a wash- from the Sinai Peninsula. ing machine are done at odd hours, Israel withdrew its settlers and when power is on. London soldiers from Gaza in 2005, argu- Gaza’s sole power plant stopped ing that this ended its military oc- working in April after it ran out of t has been ten years since the cupation of the territory despite its fuel that had partially been paid Palestinian movement Hamas continued control over the region’s for by Qatar and Turkey, one-time took power in the Gaza Strip, land, sea and air links to the outside regional backers whose support ap- which continues to face con- world. pears to have cooled. flict, frequent electricity black- The international community, Concerns have been raised for Iouts, poverty and Israel’s blockade. however, has a different view. The hospitals and infrastructure such as The Gaza Strip came under Ha- United Nations considers the lands water treatment facilities — already mas control on June 15, 2007, after Israel captured in 1967 — the West at risk. its militants drove out forces loyal Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem — as The International Committee of to Palestinian President Mahmoud a single unit and holds Israel, as the the Red Cross warned of a “system- Abbas’s Fatah faction following a occupier, responsible for the wel- ic collapse.” dispute over parliamentary elec- fare of all Palestinians living there. Young people protested against tions won by the Islamist move- The World Bank said Gaza’s GDP electricity shortages in January ment. losses caused by the blockade are when thousands in northern Gaza estimated at more than 50%. Un- marched to the local headquarters The strip, which is employment stands at 45% and of the electricity company. Hamas home to about 2 more than two-thirds of the popu- Dark days. Palestinian children at home reading books by candle security forces fired warning shots million Palestinians, lation depends on humanitarian light due to electricity shortages in Gaza City. (AFP) and made arrests as they dispersed is also subject to a aid. the protesters. Further protests strict Israeli blockade. The Gaza Strip has almost no in- were prevented by a show of force dustry and suffers from a chronic only 70% of the monthly cost of France-Presse. from Hamas security services and lack of water and fuel. Its problems electricity that the Israel Electric Hamas said the cut was made jailed demonstrators were later re- Divisions remain deep between are expected to increase after Israel Corporation supplies to the Gaza on Abbas’s orders and termed it “a leased. Hamas and Fatah, based in the oc- announced it would reduce elec- Strip. catastrophe.” “This decision ag- Whether the tensions will lead to cupied West Bank, with reconcilia- tricity supplies to the Gaza Strip af- The West Bank-based Palestin- gravates the situation and risks an another escalation between Hamas tion between the two rivals seem- ter the Palestinian Authority limit- ian Authority blamed the reduced explosion in the Gaza Strip,” the and Israel is a question constantly ingly a long way off. The power ed its pay for power to the enclave. power supply on Hamas’s failure to group said in a statement. being posed. struggle casts its shadow on the The decision by Israel’s secu- reimburse it for the electricity. The Gaza’s residents have adapted to While UN officials have called for poverty-stricken and overcrowded rity cabinet is expected to further Palestinian Authority had previous- worsening hardships with ingenu- Israel to lift its blockade, citing de- coastal enclave. shorten Gaza’s daily power input, ly cut the salaries of its employees ity and stoicism. teriorating conditions, Israel said it The strip, which is home to about which averages around four hours, in Gaza. In some apartment buildings, is needed to stop Hamas from ob- 2 million Palestinians, is also sub- by 45 minutes. Gaza’s residents re- “To resolve the crisis Hamas residents have pooled resources to taining weapons or materials used ject to a strict Israeli blockade and ceive power from an electricity grid must respond to Mahmoud Abbas’s buy communal generators. Most to make them. its border with Egypt has largely dependent on Israeli supplies. offer to end the political divisions,” Gazans buy food daily because they remained closed in recent years. The Palestinian Authority in- Palestinian Authority spokes- can no longer use refrigerators. The Arab Weekly staff and news Egypt has destroyed many tunnels formed Israel that it would cover man Tareq Rashmawi told Agence Formerly routine activities such agencies. June 18, 2017 17 News & Analysis Iran

Election may have lessened Raeisi’s chances to succeed Khamenei

Gareth Smyth stay, enabling Rohani to improve — even if he himself preferred finer relations with Russia and the Euro- music! pean Union and further isolate his Rohani’s win affects calculations Washington domestic principlist critics, who over the succession. The constitu- talk of establishing a shadow gov- tion stipulates that in any interreg- ohammad Bagher ernment under former top security num after a leader’s demise his vast Ghalibaf’s third tilt at official Saeed Jalili. powers be exercised by a three-man the Iranian presiden- Perhaps the most intriguing con- council comprising the president, cy ended in failure. sequences of the 2017 presidential the judiciary chief and a member Not only did he with- election lie in the contest to succeed of the Experts Assembly chosen by Mdraw rather than face another de- Khamenei, over which speculation the Expedien­cy Council chairman, feat, the swing against him in local has been building since Iranian me- currently Khamenei’s­ ally Ayatollah elections the same day means he dia publicised Khamenei’s prostate Mohammad Movahedi-Kermani. will no longer be mayor of Tehran. operation in 2014. With the leader Should the succession occur during For Ebrahim Raeisi, who won 38% turning 78 next month, his mortal- Rohani’s second term, two of these of the votes against 57% for re-elect- ity will again be raised. Khamenei’s three (Rohani and Larijani, him- ed President Hassan Rohani, the appointment of Raeisi to lead the self a likely leadership­ contender) picture is more complex. The for- Imam Reza foundation in 2016 was would not support Raeisi as leader. mer prosecutor-general, appointed widely seen as a sign that Khamenei This suggests Raeisi supporters last year by Iranian Supreme Leader favoured him as successor ahead of could make a pre-emptive move Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to lead the Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi and within the Experts Assembly, Saeid influential Imam Reza shrine in Sadegh Larijani, the judiciary chief. Golkar, lecturer at Northwestern Mashhad, was a surprise candidate. The choice, when it comes, will University and senior fellow at the It was widely assumed he was a be made by the 88 clerics of the Chicago Council on Global possible successor to Khamenei and Experts Assembly, currently in an Affairs, said: would keep his powder dry for the 8-year term that began after an elec- “Based on greater challenge. tion last year, although they will be the num- influenced by various stakeholders bers and Khamenei remains including senior clerics and leaders because Ro- crucial in shaping the of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards hani is presi- succession and his Corps (IRGC). dent, I think legacy. Farideh Farhi, of the University of the hardlin- Hawaii, said Raeisi may have been ers may try weakened by the 2017 presidential to select Raeisi based his campaign on election. the succes- an egalitarian message, including “His performance and the people sor of Aya- higher subsidies for less well-off he chose to run his campaign may tollah Khamenei Iranians, but this was not enough have undermined his chances for before his death, to counter Rohani’s calls for im- the position of leader,” she said. “At to prevent, even in proving the economy through for- the end of the campaign, I suppose the short term, any eign investment and a calmer re- to counter the support Rohani was transfer of power to lationship with the outside world. getting from artists and entertain- a council.” Reformists were galvanised to back ers, Raeisi met with Amir Tataloo, Khamenei re- Rohani partly because of Raeisi’s the tattoo-covered underground mains crucial in shaping the suc- role in a wave of state-sanctioned rap singer, who has even spent cession and his legacy. The 2017 Out but not down. A supporter of Iranian cleric Ebrahim Raeisi prisoner executions in 1988. some time in prison. election has shown him as a neu- holds his poster in downtown Tehran, on May 17. (AP) With continuing support from “This was a sight to relish given tral figure, an arbiter in disputes conservatives like parliamentary that, in the past year, the city of among Iran’s political class. While Speaker Ali Larijani, Rohani is Mashhad, under the tutelage of Khamenei has sometimes taken adapt and make compromises. leader and prompt Khamenei and likely to make steady progress in Raeisi’s father-in-law [Ayatollah Ah- tough decisions — as in backing the This is where the 2017 election other stakeholders to look else- economic reform and in attract- mad Alamolhoda, Mashhad Friday crackdown on unrest after the dis- leaves lingering questions. Could where? ing investment, even with hostil- prayer leader], has prevented mu- puted 2005 presidential election, Raeisi play the same role of leader- ity from the Trump administration sic concerts. The meeting shocked prompting protesters to call him as-arbiter or has he lowered him- Gareth Smyth is a regular in the United States. The 2015 nu- conservatives and led Rohani to say, a dictator — he has enhanced the self clumsily and inescapably into contributor to The Arab Weekly. clear agreement, the centre-piece with a definite smirk on his face, durability of the Islamic Republic the day-to-day political fray? Might He was chief correspondent in Iran of Rohani’s first term, seems set to that he was glad music was now OK through knowing when and how to this make him a divisive choice as for the Financial Times in 2003-07. ISIS a new challenge for Iran as ‘caliphate’ crumbles

Viewpoint ran claims to have rounded the widest impact from the has been directed at Baluchis, in between Kurds and the Islamic up the Islamic State (ISIS) simplest actions. south-eastern Iran, another The choice Revolutionary Guards Corps group behind the June 7 The choice of targets for June 7 Sunni nationality but one that (IRGC) after the 1979 revolution. attacks in Tehran that killed resembled the London attacks of has produced Islamist groups of targets By contrast, many Kurds allege 17 people. Arrests just west March 22 and June 3. Just as the such as Jaish ul-Adl. for June 7 that discrimination and high of the capital and in Lar- Westminster parliament and One June 7 attacker, Serias resembled youth unemployment in Kurdish Iestan, a mainly Sunni region in London Bridge are part of the Sadeghi, was named by the KDPI areas could favour ISIS recruit- the London southern Iran, were followed by national psyche, so Iran’s in 2014 as an ISIS recruiter in ment just as it does among young arrests in Hormozgan province parliament building and the Kurdish Iran. Failure to arrest attacks of Muslims in parts of Europe. also in the south. shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah him suggests complacency in March 22 Iran officially celebrates ethnic Gareth Smyth Four alleged ISIS operatives Khomeini symbolise the coun- Iranian security. and June 3. diversity going back to ancient were killed in Hormozgan and try’s long struggle for democracy The bigger issue is the relation- times. Reliefs at the Persepolis Intelligence Minister Mahmoud and its 1979 revolution. The ship between the Sunnis — at Palace of Darius the Great, ruler Alavi announced Iranian security attacks on London and Tehran least 10% of Iranians — and the from 552-486BC, famously show forces had “sent to hell” the differed in the weapons used and mainly Shia wider population. differently clad nationalities “mastermind” behind the attacks in the levels of sophistication Many Iranians see the Kurds as bringing tributes to the king. in a neighbouring country, and training but both sought to wild, even relaying stories of But the Islamic Republic has presumably Iraqi Kurdistan. create shock and fear. beheadings during clashes strengthened the Shia nature of And that is the end of that. Or is British politicians, police and the state to the disquiet of Sunni it? intelligence all show understand- minorities. The reaction now of True, Iran has much experi- ing of ISIS intentions. They have Sunnis will depend in part on ence with armed opposition rejected calls for internment, how the authorities behave. groups, including the Mujahi- which proved disastrous with the Since elected in 2013, President deen-e Khalq, allied with Provisional Irish Republican Hassan Rohani has talked of Saddam Hussein during and after Army (IRA) in the 1970s, and improving the rights of ethnic the 1980-88 war, Baluchi mili- refused to demonise Muslims. and religious minorities, who tants in the south-east and, in The reaction from Iran’s make up about 50% of the the west, the Kurdistan Demo- political class has been mixed. population, and bringing new cratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and Amid strong words, Ayatollah Ali investment to poorer regions others. Khamenei, the supreme leader, such as Kurdistan and Balu- ISIS, however, is a new chal- said the attacks would increase chistan. lenge, especially as its caliphate hatred for Saudi Arabia and the Rohani’s principlist opponents crumbles and the group goes United States. Officials have have been sceptical or opposed. underground. Its virulent stressed unity between Sunnis While several newspapers after anti-Shiism may find little and Shias, with some pointing to June 7 ran headlines such as resonance in Iran’s mainly Shia the 20 Sunnis in parliament and “United We Stand,” the hard-line population but, like 19th-century five in the Assembly of Experts, Javan splashed “They will be terrorists in Europe, their aim is the clerical body that chooses the Eliminated,” words from Khame- not to engage security forces but supreme leader. nei and stressed an IRGC state- to terrorise and divide. They seek At one level, the fact that at ment promising “revenge.” least some of the ISIS operatives Pressure will increase for of June 7 were Kurdish came as a tougher security, especially in The Islamic Republic has surprise. In general, the mainly Kurdistan, probably for arrests strengthened the Shia Sunni Kurds, among whom Sufi and even executions. Plans to orders are strong, have not Under attack. Members of Iranian forces improve opportunities for Sunnis nature of the state to the proved fertile territory for take cover during an attack on the Iranian may be shelved. This is exactly disquiet of Sunni minorities. al-Qaeda or ISIS; more suspicion parliament in central Tehran, on June 7. (Reuters) what ISIS wants. 18 June 18, 2017 Special Focus Radical Islam

Radical Islamist group pushes limits of free expression

Stephen Quillen a political activist and member of Tunisia’s main Islamist Ennahda party. “Democracy is one of the Tunis pillars of Ennahda and we strongly believe in it.” izb ut-Tahrir, a hard- “Hizb ut-Tahrir is entirely discon- line Islamist group that nected from the political scene,” wants to unite Muslims said Ayoub, a university student in in a global caliphate, Sfax, 270km south-east of Tunis. was suspended for Hone month in Tunisia after issuing Polling indicates the statements calling for an end to party’s hope of democracy and urging the army to ridding the country disobey state directives. of democracy is out “Democracy no longer attracts of step with anyone,” Hizb ut-Tahrir politburo mainstream society. chief Abderraouf Amri said in April. “It is time to announce its death and work to bury it.” “They do not believe in democracy The position drew a harsh rebuke and they’re still unable to assume in Tunisia, a young democracy in that their project is inconsistent which members of the public, both with the current political orienta- secularist and Islamist, derided the tion of the country.” comments as “ridiculous,” “back- “The question of whether people ward” and “delusional.” want democracy or autocracy is Hizb ut-Tahrir caused further simply irrelevant,” he said. controversy May 12 with a state- Hizb ut-Tahrir is a pan-Islamic ment encouraging “officers and Salafist party that wants to “resume soldiers of the army of Tunisia” to the Islamic way of life” and imple- resist orders to protect energy fa- ment Islamic sharia. It is active in cilities in southern Tunisia, days more than 50 countries — including after Tunisian President Beji Caid Western ones — but is banned in the Essebsi deployed the army to those majority of Arab countries because A file picture shows supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir waving flags during a rally at central areas. of its extremist views. The group Out of step. Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis. (Reuters) About 1,000 protesters demand- was banned in Tunisia until 2012 ing better access to employment and is closely monitored by the and a share of the government’s government. young Arab fighters joining jihadist “moderate party” that supported had been distorted and that its energy revenue had disrupted pro- A party representative, in an e- groups in the area. Tunisia’s quest for “freedom and members had frequently been duction in southern Tunisia for mail exchange, refused to backtrack “If we were to enumerate the democracy.” victims of police harassment and more than a month, Caid Essebsi from the group’s anti-democratic ways in which democratic princi- While Hizb ut-Tahrir has repeat- abuse. said. stance, saying that supporters of ples have corrupted people’s lives edly disavowed violence and even It is unclear how much support democracy should “reconsider (in every democratic state), large spoken out against terrorism, some Hizb ut-Tahrir has in Tunisia but it Democracy no themselves.” volumes of books wouldn’t be argued that its continued contempt remains socially and politically ac- longer attracts “We renew our call to every hon- enough,” Chouikha said. for the state was dangerous, even tive, frequently issuing statements est democrat to stop the sanctifica- While most Tunisians dismiss bordering on sedition. against the government and having anyone. tion of democracy,” said Mohamed Hizb ut-Tahrir as a fringe network In 2016, Hizb ut-Tahrir was pre- regular gatherings and workshops Hizb ut-Tahrir politburo” chief Ennaceur Chouikha, a member of religious purists, some Ennahda vented from having its annual news in its headquarters in Soukra, near Abderraouf Amri of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s administrative members were careful not to alien- conference at Palais des Congrès in Tunis. board. “Has democracy solved one ate the group. Tunis after it was accused of dis- Polling indicates the party’s hope problem since its implementation “Personally, I respect (Hizb ut- turbing the public. Caid Essebsi of ridding the country of democ- The statement renewed scrutiny in 2011? Or has it made the colon- Tahrir) opinion,” said Zohra Smida, said the organisation’s “arrogance racy is out of step with mainstream of Hizb ut-Tahrir and raised ques- iser control us more?” a lawmaker from Ennahda repre- towards the state undermines its society. In May 2016, a poll by Tu- tions about the limits of freedom Chouikha argued that demo- senting Gabes, “and we in Ennahda authority.” nis-based One to One for Research of expression in a society trying to cratic policies were responsible for support intellectual and cultural dif- Later that year, reports alleging and Polling found 86% of respond- balance civil liberties and security political and economic corruption ference as it is necessary to make the group had threatened to “cut ents said they valued democracy as concerns. and the country’s increasing debt. people think.” the heads and hands” off the state the best form of governance. “I am radically against Hizb ut- He said the failure of Arab armies Smida said Ennahda and Hizb ut- circulated in the media, leading to Tahrir’s statement (against democ- to protect the Syrian people was Tahrir shared Islam as a reference renewed calls for it to be banned. Stephen Quillen is an Arab Weekly racy),” said Mohamed Ali Azaiez, partly responsible for the stream of point but stressed Ennahda was a Hizb ut-Tahrir said its comments correspondent in Tunis. Stopping radicalisation online

Viewpoint re we doing enough radicalisation happens in the concrete economic, social and were moved to share their to stop radicalisa- average British mosque? political reforms deflated the Sometimes, thoughts and hopes of success in tion? Like many The groups involved are usually youthful sense of optimism. For building civil society. The Muslims, I returned physically on the fringes of some, it began to seem as if the countering networks have the potential to home from taraweeh mainstream society. It is in the possibilities of all non-violent Islamist grow and spread further their prayers June 3 and online world that instructions for avenues of change had been extremism message of positivity over hate. wasA confronted with the images engaging in jihadist madness are exhausted. At a time when many claim that is not just of yet another act of terror. This published and it is there that a In this environment, violent the only voices chosen to repre- time it took place at a location I recruit is more likely to be extremist organisations, ranging about sent young Muslims are negative, had been to a few days earlier. groomed. from ISIS to local groups, faith and this was a clear example of the Aaqil Ahmed Moments like this lead us to When I say groomed I am not extended their operational and scripture. alternative narrative. Sometimes, ask: Why do they do this and how talking about an extremist with communications reach. For some countering Islamist extremism is do we stop them? The media go long-held radical views. Mostly, I young people, such groups offer not just about faith and scripture. into overdrive, politicians issue am referring to someone who has the only credible vehicle for The online influencer does not statements and the terrorists’ gone on a very quick online change and one in which they can take away the need to challenge supporters, I suppose, sit back journey from inquisitive and take part. Such groups give the perversions of theology or for the and enjoy the chaos. On social mildly opinionated to locked-in youth a sense of urgency and authorities to monitor online media the good, the bad and the zealot. We have seen this often. agency. grooming and hate. However, it very ugly come out. Sometimes Young, talented people drop “Where do we start?” devel- does offer something concrete the incident unites but very often everything after online flirtation oped a campaign to offer those and hopeful to the young seeker, it is used to score points. with radicalism and set off to join people an alternative. It is a something that can divert him People rightly say that some- the death cult of the Islamic State positive, practical and meaning- from the path of death and thing needs to be done but what is (ISIS). ful way to enable young Arabs to destruction. that something? Questions are So, if we are to engage online, help change their worlds, both on This campaign may not have inevitably asked about how much how is this to be done? How does the micro and macro level. The swayed the killers in Manchester other Muslims or the security one reach the young Muslim who campaign curated and amplified a and London, for they were too far services knew. Could this have is clearly searching for something network of activists across the gone with their hatred, but an been stopped on the night? Are but has not signed up to the MENA region, including Ahmed extremist is not born that way. He we doing enough to stop this ideology of hate? Naguib, founder of the Egyptian embarks on a journey that could radicalisation in Britain’s One approach I recently came NGO Schools Without Walls, and have many entry and exit points, mosques and online? across was a campaign aimed at Shyrine Ziadeh, founder of the many different twists and turns. We already know that at least people aged 15 to 25 in Morocco Ramallah Ballet Centre. Some young people respond one of the killers was confronted and the wider MENA region. This The campaign helped the well to a simple message of hope, by his community and reported to online campaign — called “Where output from six online influenc- one that says violence is not the the authorities for his danger- do we start?” — was a reaction to a ers reach 4 million users and only way to change the world and ously extreme views. Where and very particular demographic — achieve more than 1 million views that, most importantly, you are how did this happen? How much disaffected young Arabs living in on Facebook and YouTube. About not alone. the aftermath of the “Arab spring” 90% of those who saw the content revolts of 2011. were in the target age range. Aaqil Ahmed, the former head of For some young people, During the uprisings, a genera- Early results have been encour- Religion and Ethics for the BBC, is extremist groups offer the tion of young people used aging. For many, connecting with a professor of media at Bolton non-violent protest to become inspirational role models led University and a consultant in only credible vehicle for agents of change but their them to create a network of digital media, broadcasting and change. governments’ failure to deliver like-minded young people. They leadership. June 18, 2017 19 News & Analysis FightingEconomy ISIS In tactical shift, US announces intent to ‘annihilate’ ISIS

Harvey Morris erarchy would be given a freer hand in conducting the campaign. That implied a relaxation of the tight ex- London ecutive control of anti-ISIS opera- tions exercised by the Obama White he Trump administration House. has announced its inten- Second, he revealed, the United tion to “annihilate” the States would seek to annihilate ISIS forces of the Islamic State by surrounding and killing its forc- (ISIS) in what is described es rather than simply chasing them Tas a tactical shift in the campaign to out of territory they control. oust the jihadists from their shrink- The expressed rationale for wip- ing territory in Iraq and Syria. ing out the jihadists was to prevent US Defence Secretary James Mat- the foreign fighters among them es- tis revealed the new policy in mid- caping the battlefield and returning May and spelled it out again ten to their home countries to carry out days later after the Pentagon admit- attacks. ted that more than 100 civilians had The US defence secretary elabo- died in a US air strike on Mosul in rated on the strategy at the end of March. May when he told CBS News’ pro- Mattis said such casualties were gramme “Face the Nation”: “Our Freer hand. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps General Joseph F. Dunford (R), “a fact of life” in such conflicts, intention is that the foreign fighters US Secretary of Defence James Mattis (C) and Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to which will be no consolation to the do not survive the fight to return Counter ISIS Brett McGurk (L) answer questions during a Pentagon briefing, on May 19. (AFP) thousands trapped in the Iraqi city home to North Africa, to Europe, to between its ISIS occupiers and ad- America, to Asia, to Africa. vancing Iraqi government forces. “We’re not going to allow them to US president’s demands that the suaging concerns of alliance mem- number of US and allied soldiers do so,” Mattis said. “We’re going to 28-member alliance should formal- bers about being dragged deeper on the ground, the war in both Iraq Our intention is stop them there and take apart the ly enter the international coalition into the conflict by a newly aggres- and Syria is likely to continue to caliphate.” against ISIS. sive White House. be fought overwhelmingly by local that the foreign Those comments came days after Member countries are individu- Although the United States’ al- forces. fighters do not a suicide bomber killed 22 people at ally part of the coalition but France lies have had to confront the chal- And, despite the more aggressive survive the fight to a concert hall in Manchester, Eng- and Germany were among those lenges of dealing with a new presi- rhetoric coming out of the White land. The bomber was identified as said to be reluctant to see opera- dent who has proved capricious on House and the Pentagon, even return home. a man born in Britain to Libyan par- tions in Syria and Iraq turning into many foreign policy issues, the new “Mad Dog” Mattis — he earned the ” ents and whom British authorities a NATO war. Washington strategy does not auto- nickname as a US Marine Corps US Defence Secretary said may have been in Syria at some The Brussels summit agreed that matically signal a major escalation general — has been cautious about James Mattis stage. ISIS claimed responsibility NATO would become a full mem- in the scale of the anti-ISIS cam- predicting that the new strategy for the attack. ber of the international coalition, paign or the resources dedicated to will bring a speedy end to ISIS. In his formal presentation of the None of the United States’ al- although that announcement was it. He said on “Face the Nation” it new strategy on May 19, Mattis said lies in the Middle East and beyond somewhat eclipsed by Trump’s ha- It was unveiled after the US Con- would be “a long fight” and would US President Donald Trump had would disagree with the ultimate rangue of fellow members for not gress said it would hold up billions involve not only beating the group ordered an accelerated campaign objective of removing the ISIS spending enough on defence. of dollars of supplementary mili- on the ground in Iraq and Syria but against ISIS that would include a scourge but some are resistant to NATO Secretary-General Jens tary spending unless the admin- also defeating what he called the shift in existing tactics. being bulldozed into backing the Stoltenberg stressed that joining istration provided it with a formal “virtual caliphate” existing on the He inevitably raised the question accelerated and more aggressive the coalition did not mean that the strategy to defeat ISIS. internet. of whether the White House was strategy emanating from the Trump alliance would engage in combat Shortly before the strategy was planning to escalate US involve- administration. against ISIS. delivered, Mattis said the admin- Harvey Morris has written ment in the conflict and what the Ahead of a NATO summit attend- He emphasised NATO support in istration planned to focus on de- several books on the Middle East, consequences of such action might ed by Trump in late May, several terms of aerial surveillance, infor- feating ISIS without getting more including “No Friends but the be. European countries were reported mation sharing, intelligence and deeply involved in Syria’s civil war. Mountains: The Tragic History of First, Mattis said, the military hi- to be sceptical about bowing to the training of Iraqi troops, thereby as- Despite an increase in the small the Kurds.” Islamic State has more in common with the West than we think

Viewpoint t may be unthinkable to and its actions — caged drownings, use of modern technology — the Muslim men, some of whom have many but the degrees of decapitations and mass execu- ability to seek out and engage The never traveled to the so-called separation that divide tions — suggest that indeed may be disaffected young Muslims in the caliphate, in their last moments of Western values and Islamic the case. Despite the violence, West — that has made it such a cinematic life who decide to declare alle- State jihadists may not be as however, its real goal, to simply terrible and terribly successful detail of giance to ISIS. A large part of this is dramatic as they are thought endure, can only succeed through force. ISIS shock down to their desire to be remem- Ito be. modern methods of communica- With it on the back foot from bered forever as an affiliate of the Two features made the Islamic tion. Syrian Defence Forces advances in footage group and not be forgotten, cast State (ISIS) stand out when it “There’s nothing medieval Syria and an Iraqi forces’ offensive only tells aside as just another unbalanced appeared in northern Syria four about this mix of ruthless business in Mosul, for it to stay relevant ISIS part of its individual with easy access to Stephen Starr years ago. First, a ruthless sav- enterprise, well-publicised must increasingly turn to modern success powerful weapons. agery saw it purge rival factions savagery and transnational technology. The degree to which it The reality is that due to its from large areas of territory; its organised crime,” writes political will rely on Western-made, story. massive loss of territory in Syria second, more consequential, move philosopher John Gray. “Though 21st-century technology will grow and Iraq, ISIS will increasingly was, remarkably, to market itself they’d hate to hear it, these violent in the coming years through a only really exist as an idea. It will in a way that attracted thousands jihadists owe the way they thoroughly modern form of depend more and more on the of young Muslim men and women organise themselves and their communication that is open and online world, a world built by from around the world to a utopian goals to the modern liberal — not repressive — in Western technologists. As its dilapidated war zone in Syria — an West.” nature. so-called caliphate shrinks, the advertising feat political candi- The cinematic detail of its shock Whether the terrorists who internet will become the only dates and leaders of the capitalist footage only tells part of its committed the massacre at a venue with which to maintain its world would love to duplicate. success story. Testimonies from Florida nightclub last June or in profile, recruit and thus, claim ISIS rose to global notoriety returning foreign ISIS fighters Manchester last month were, in relevance as a terrorist force. because it works hard to place its never reference a desire to take fact, ISIS soldiers — and the The young men and women in shock footage in front of as many part in its violence as the compel- likelihood is that they were not — Silicon Valley responsible for eyeballs as possible. Moved by the ling reason to travel from France is no longer the point. What giving the world Twitter, Kik and grisly and creative nature of its or Britain to Raqqa. It is the smart matters is that there are young Telegram — some of the messaging killings, journalists wanted to applications favoured by jihadists know more about who and what — are individuals whose ideas are this ultraviolent organisation thoroughly at the forefront of stood for to be able to tell the modernity. ISIS is a fundamentally world what the uprising in Syria modern organisation rooted to had spawned. surviving in a 21st century, The idea that modernity and ISIS Western-built online world. share anything may be antitheti- Perhaps the sooner we begin cal. It says it wants to restore a seeing it as less a mindless cult and medieval system of governance more as successful opportunists shaped by our capitalist ideology, the closer we will be to finding The reality is that due to its lasting solutions that bring about massive loss of territory in its demise. Syria and Iraq, ISIS will Stephen Starr is the author of Cinematic detail. An image grab from a 2015 video shows “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to increasingly only really exist Ethiopian Christians captured in Libya kneeling on the ground in the Uprising” and has lived in Syria as an idea. front of masked ISIS militants before their execution. (AFP) and Turkey since 2007. 20 June 18, 2017 Economy

Energy markets remain stable — for now

Jareer Elass dependent upon Qatari LNG sup- plies to meet domestic power con- sumption while also able to affect Washington the flow of Qatari gas and crude ex- ports to the west. il and natural gas mar- European gas traders were kets have been taking alarmed when two tankers carry- the rift between Qatar ing Qatari LNG that were destined and its neighbours in for the United Kingdom suddenly their stride, although shifted course on June 8, divert- Othere have been regional price fluc- ing from the Red Sea and the Suez tuations. Canal to follow a longer course International crude and natural around Africa over concern about gas prices, for the most part, are whether Egypt would deny tank- being influenced by other market ers carrying Qatari LNG or crude factors, after concerns about dis- passage through the Suez Canal, ruptions to Qatar’s liquefied natural even though the Suez Canal Au- gas (LNG) and crude exports eased. thority had stated that passage of That could change, however, if the Qatari ships would not be affected crisis lasts for months or if one of by the diplomatic rift. Under the the players involved forces an esca- 1888 treaty governing transit of the lation in tensions. Suez Canal, Egypt can only use an exemption to the treaty if it is in a Gas traders have state of war. been monitoring Even if Cairo does not block tank- abrupt changes in ers carrying Qatari LNG through the shipping routes for Suez Canal, it can hit Doha finan- tankers carrying cially by reducing the canal-fee dis- count it usually offers LNG tankers, Qatari LNG. making it more expensive and po- tentially uncompetitive for Qatar to ship its European-bound LNG car- What is helping keep energy pric- goes through the canal. This may In the eye of the storm. The Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar’s principal site for production of es in line is the surfeit of crude and explain why those tankers carrying liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, some 80km north of the capital Doha. (AFP) LNG available due to weak global Qatari LNG to the United Kingdom demand and the fact that Qatar’s changed course. LNG and crude exports to its larg- Gas traders watched closely until pledged cut. goes levelled against it — by stop- exports to specific countries by is- est client base — Asia — face no two vessels controlled by Swiss- International oil prices remain at ping supply through the Dolphin suing destination restrictions but shipping obstacles. Tankers head- based trading house Trafigura car- less than $50 a barrel thanks to am- pipeline of some 1.8 billion cubic that would be an extreme move and ing towards Asia from Qatar travel rying Qatari LNG discharged their ple global crude stocks and recently feet per day of Qatari natural gas. would put into question Doha’s re- through Qatari and Omani waters cargoes in Egypt several days af- increased production from OPEC as The UAE is dependent on those sup- liability as a top LNG supplier. and Muscat is not participating in ter the maritime blockade against well as participating and non-par- plies to feed power and water utili- The dispute involving Qatar the blockade against Doha. Doha went into effect, indicating ticipating independent producers. ties and would be forced to scram- could have serious economic impli- However, gas traders have been that Cairo was willing to accept ble to find alternative gas supplies cations for Doha’s long-term LNG monitoring abrupt changes in ship- Qatari LNG supplies delivered by Cairo can hit Doha as peak power demand hits during sales contracts to key Asian cus- ping routes for tankers carrying Qa- tankers that are not owned and op- financially by reducing the summer months. tomers. Japanese utilities locked tari LNG scheduled to pass through erated by the Gulf country. the canal-fee discount Another potential target for Doha into contracts that expire in 2021 the Suez Canal and watching to see As a member of OPEC, Qatar is it usually offers LNG could be Egypt, which has relied may demand more flexible terms whether Egypt would block non- participating in a deal between car- tankers. heavily on Qatari LNG imports over from Qatar and may cut the number Qatari-flagged vessels carrying tel members and independent pro- the last several years to fill the gap of contracts they renew with Doha, Qatari LNG from discharging their ducers to collectively restrain out- left by a shortfall in domestic gas allowing them to turn to more spot cargoes. put by 1.8 million barrels per day production. However, Egyptian market purchases and diversify Egypt, which along with Saudi (bpd) through March 2018. Doha There would be more serious im- purchases of Qatari LNG are not suppliers. Arabia, the United Arab Emirates could decide to withdraw from plications for natural gas markets contracted directly with Doha but and others, severed political, trade the deal but the effects of such a if Doha decided to retaliate against rather through spot purchases pro- Jareer Elass reports on energy and transportation ties with Doha, move on the oil market would be the United Arab Emirates — one of vided largely by Swiss commodity issues for The Arab Weekly. He is is in an awkward position of being insignificant, given its 30,000 bpd the key instigators of the embar- trading houses. Qatar could block based in Washington. Gulf crisis threatens Qatar Airways transit business

Agence France Presse flights daily, increasing Iranian air Qatar Airways, have angered Euro- traffic by 17%. pean and US legacy carriers which “For the future, Qatar flights’ accused them of benefiting from Doha routes and fuel burn will be in- state subsidies to expand into their creased as a result of this,” said avia- traditional markets. atar Airways made Doha tion analyst Kyle Bailey. Emirates and Etihad, as well as a global hub in just a few Longer routes will lower passen- other carriers from countries in- years but barring it from ger numbers, argued Schonland. volved such as the UAE’s flydubai Gulf states’ airspace “Future long-haul reservations and Air Arabia, will also lose out threatens its position as will come down because, even with with the suspension of their Doha Qa major transcontinental carrier, ex- the high service and excellent amen- routes. perts said. ities, who wants to sit for longer on “There can be few winners” from Along with its Gulf peers — Dubai’s an aeroplane?” he said. the ban, the CAPA analysis stated. Emirates Airlines and Abu Dhabi’s Approximately 90% of Qatar Air- Contrary to the argument that Etihad — Qatar’s national carrier has ways traffic through Doha is transit, Emirates and Etihad might boost captured a sizeable portion of tran- a report by CAPA Centre for Aviation their numbers of transit passengers, sit travel, capitalising on the Gulf’s said. CAPA argued that the ban affects the geographic location. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab reputation of Gulf aviation in gen- Political differences between Qa- Emirates represent the two largest eral. tar and neighbouring Saudi Arabia, markets for Qatar Airways, said Bai- the United Arab Emirates and Bah- ley. Losing these “will no doubt be The impact is rain, as well as Egypt, have exploded devastating to the carrier’s financial into a full-blown regional crisis, in- bottom line, wiping out about 30% already bad cluding severing air links. of revenue,” he said. because it has The measures meant cancelling Qatar Airways is also the largest driven up flight dozens of daily flights by Qatar Air- foreign carrier operating in the UAE, ways and carriers from those coun- and the fifth overall after the coun- times and tries. It also forces Qatari aircraft try’s own airlines, the CAPA report therefore costs. to make long diversions, mainly stated. Aviation analyst Addison ” around Bahrain and the vast air- Part of this transit traffic is likely space of Saudi Arabia. to be scooped up by Qatar Airways’ Schonland from US-based “The impact is already bad be- regional competitors Emirates and AirInsight cause it has driven up flight times Etihad, experts said. and therefore costs. As the airspace Air turbulence. Passengers of cancelled flights wait at the Hamad “No question about it. Especially “The nuances of the ban are too tightens, the problem grows much International Airport in Doha. (AP) Emirates because [it has] the A380 particular for the public to under- worse,” said aviation analyst Addi- (superjumbo) capacity to catch the stand but the broader shadow it cre- son Schonland from US-based Air- traffic without even a hiccup,” said ates spreads widely,” it said. “Amid Insight. “Operationally, this is a con- Qatari planes are now instead using travelling over Iran and Turkey to- Schonland. growing security concerns and the straint for the airline that is almost Iran’s airspace to get to Europe and wards the Mediterranean, instead of “There is no doubt that Emirates existing laptop ban, passengers are certainly now seeing its profits cut skirting the south-eastern tip of the flying more directly over Saudi Ara- and Etihad would surely be reaping unlikely to dig in to the reason for deeply.” Arabian Peninsula to avoid Saudi bia and Egypt. the benefits… In the long term, the this ban. Gulf aviation becomes less Qatar is almost completely encir- territory. However, flights to Europe appear increased passenger loads on the attractive for all.” cled by Bahraini airspace that cov- The flight time for a Qatar Airways largely unaffected as they use the other carriers may push up demand The United States and Britain ers a large part of Gulf waters and its trip to Sao Paulo in Brazil, for exam- Iran route, with a just small diver- causing ticket prices to go up on the banned laptop and tablet computers planes usually cross Saudi airspace ple, has increased approximately sion to avoid Bahraini airspace. other carriers,” said Bailey. on flights from certain Middle East- en route to the rest of the Middle two hours, flight detecting websites The Islamic Republic opened its The two UAE carriers have wide ern and Turkish airports in March East, Africa and South America. stated. Flights to North Africa are airspace to around 100 more Qatari global networks and, together with for security reasons. June 18, 2017 21 Economy

Qatar closes helium plants amid Gulf rift Briefs

Stephen Kalin and Tom Finn market were expected to be de- Egypt lifts limit on layed, as consumers use up exist- ing stocks and work out alternative foreign currency Dubai supply options. Shipping by sea di- rectly from Doha or through Oman transfers atar, the world’s second would add complexity, risk and largest helium producer, cost. Egypt has lifted a $100,000 annu- has closed its two he- If the diplomatic dispute lasts al cap for foreign currency transfers lium production plants more than a month, however, Ko- abroad in a move that signals pro- because of the econom- rnbluth predicted there would be gress towards easing a dollar short- Qic boycott imposed by other Arab a global shortage and the last time age and potentially strengthening states, industry sources said. that happened, prices doubled. investor confidence. The helium plants operated by “Helium is the single commodity The decision applies to individual RasGas, a subsidiary of state-owned that is affected most by this block- bank transactions. Qatar Petroleum (QP), were shut af- ade because it’s probably the only Egypt set the cap in early 2011, ter Saudi Arabia closed its border thing where Qatar is a major world after a popular uprising forced long- with Qatar, blocking overland ex- producer and the supply has been time autocrat Hosni Mubarak to step ports of the gas, a QP official said. completely cut off,” he said. down. Years of unrest since then RasGas is 70% owned by QP and US Helium is used to cool super- have crippled the economy, includ- giant Exxon Mobil has 30%. conducting magnets in medical ing the vital tourism sector, and Phil Kornbluth, head of US-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) weakened the Egyptian pound. industry consultancy Kornbluth scanners, as a lifting gas in balloons Egyptian Central Bank Governor Helium Consulting, said his sources and airships, as a gas to breathe in Tarek Amer said in a statement that had confirmed the closure. deep-sea diving and to keep satel- the move, which comes as part of an lite instruments cool. It is derived economic reform plan, would con- The effects on the from natural gas during processing. tribute to attracting foreign invest- global helium The two plants shut by Qatar have ment and increase dollar inflows. market were a combined annual production ca- pacity of approximately 2 billion Shut until further notice. The logo of RasGas is seen on its (The Associated Press) expected to be standard cubic feet of liquid helium building in Doha, Qatar. (Reuters) delayed, as and can meet about 25% of total consumers use up world demand for the gas, RasGas’s US reserves are dwindling due to meeting customers’ requirements existing stocks. website stated. the lack of helium production from via helium sources in Australia, Al- Kornbluth said the helium plants its oil and gas fields, and the coun- geria and the United States. Algeria’s shut down after filling all available try has already had to start import- Air Water, which imports from The closure of the plants is a shipping containers and storage ing helium from Qatar. Other he- Qatar and sells in Japan, shifted its Bouteflika urges sign of how the rift between Qatar tanks. He forecast the closure was lium-producing countries include helium supply automatically to the and Arab powers could affect com- costing RasGas revenue. Algeria, Russia, Canada and China, United States, a spokesman said. spending cuts, modities markets. Saudi Arabia, the Helium, best known as a gas for the US Geological Survey said. A source with direct knowledge United Arab Emirates, Egypt and filling party balloons and making Japan’s Iwatani, which supplies of the matter said South Korea’s im- warns on foreign Bahrain cut diplomatic and trans- the voice squeaky, is difficult to cap- helium to China and South-East porters, which source one-third of port ties June 5, accusing Qatar ture and store. The United States is Asia, said it had a month’s supply in their helium from Qatar, could suf- debt of supporting terrorism, a charge the biggest producer in what is a stock. A spokesman said it was con- fer heavily. Doha denies. $4.7 billion industry, Mordor Intel- sidering exporting on ships from “We might have an indirect im- Algerian President Abdelaziz Qatar’s exports of liquefied natu- ligence said. Demand for the gas, a Qatari port or sourcing from the pact if US helium prices go up,” the Bouteflika ordered the government ral gas at Ras Laffan have been unaf- driven particularly by Asia’s boom- United States. source said. to further reduce imports and ra- fected by the boycott. ing manufacturing industry, is on German industrial gases com- tionalise spending to cope with a The effects on the global helium the rise. pany Linde said it was working on Reuters sharp fall in oil and gas earnings but he warned against turning to foreign debt. Energy earnings of Algeria, an Iran’s economic challenges after election OPEC member, collapsed with the decline in global crude prices and the country has instituted austerity Sabahat Khan try’s international isolation over its Rohani’s domestic economic re- As such, the looming challenge reforms to offset falling revenues nuclear programme was creating form agenda will target the banking for Rohani as he attempts to imple- from energy sales, which account bleak economic prospects — even sector, private sector competitive- ment his reform agenda to recon- for approximately 60% of its budget. Dubai for a “resistance economy” that had ness and infrastructure moderni- figure the national economy ulti- In a statement from the presi- survived economic sanctions for sation. Reforms will aim to bring mately relates to its international dency, Bouteflika urged the newly hen Hassan Ro- decades. Iranian banks in line with Basel standing and ability to remove lin- appointed government to enact hani took office as As the Rohani government got to banking norms, which involve gering uncertainty, especially the budget cuts in a 2017 law but avoid Iranian president work in controlling economic con- stricter transparency and compli- impact of US policy towards Iran. foreign loans, suggesting instead just more than four traction, the collapse of oil prices ance frameworks. Enhancing com- Tehran must find ways to cir- “unconventional” internal funding. years ago, there was in 2014 shocked Iran with a harsh petitiveness will help better regu- cumvent American pressure and Wwidespread sentiment the coun- reality check to remove hopes the late business activity, encouraging influence that is slowing, if not al- (Reuters) try’s economy was heading for the economic situation could be turned entrepreneurship and small- and together scaring away, foreign in- bad times. Firebrand President around quickly. Iran remains a medium-sized enterprise (SME) vestors but there are no straightfor- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had styled country heavily reliant on oil in- growth. Infrastructure modernisa- ward solutions. The United States his time in office with defiance with come, with oil exports representing tion in a post-sanctions period will maintains major concerns with Iran the West and Iran’s internation- about 70% of government revenues. provide economic stimulus and di- on sensitive issues such as Iran’s re- ally sanctioned nuclear programme However, the Rohani government rection as Iran seeks to attract tour- gional footprint, proxy groups and Oil output to combined unhelpfully with a loose successfully cut economic contrac- ism and become a trade gateway to ballistic missile programme. monetary policy to over-stretch the tion to less than 2% in 2014. landlocked Central Asian countries. expand faster Iranian economy. The biggest boost to Iran’s econ- These are all important structural Current growth than demand While Saudi Arabia was hosting omy, however, arrived in 2015 after reforms that the Rohani govern- trajectories do not US President Donald Trump in Ri- Iran successfully negotiated the ment will expect to push through, allow Iran to create in 2018: IEA yadh for the Arab Islamic Ameri- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Agree- especially with its new public man- the jobs it needs for can Summit — during which much ment (JCPOA) with the P5+1. Sanc- date. However, what Iran needs, its labour market Global oil output will expand of the talk centred on the threat tions relief following the JCPOA even more, is foreign direct invest- quickly enough. faster than worldwide demand next from Iran — Rohani was celebrat- made the economic recovery much ment (FDI) and proper reintegra- year, primarily as US producers ing a convincing re-election victory. stronger as Iranian oil output re- tion into the global banking system rack up production, and that could With high voter turnout — 73% — turned to pre-sanctions levels of — both of which have been slow and hamper exporters’ efforts to prop Rohani exceeded expectations with around 4 million barrels a day and uncertain. Iran could offer the US compa- up prices, the International Energy his comfortable margin of victory, Iran’s economy grew about 7%. Per- Though JCPOA lifted more than nies lucrative opportunities as its Agency (IEA) said. securing 57.1% of the vote to decide haps the most important economic 90% of nuclear-related economic economy opens up — the $17 bil- A day after OPEC complained the election without a run-off. achievement of Rohani’s first term sanctions against Iran, unilaterally lion deal with Boeing to acquire that increased output in the United was bringing runaway inflation imposed US non-nuclear sanctions, 80 civilian airliners is an example States was slowing efforts to rebal- It is too early to read down to 9% and stabilising the cur- including banking restrictions, re- of how. However, strategic issues ance supply and demand in the oil what happens next rency. main in place. in Iran are controlled by Supreme market, the IEA suggested that the but it appears Rohani Yet, while Iran’s gradual eco- Uncertainty about US policy and Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dynamism of US producers could and the Iranian nomic recovery has been promising sanctions against Iran has allowed the powerful Islamic Revolutionary prove a headache for exporters. economy have under Rohani it remains a work in the United States to maintain an Guards Corps and both will almost “In 2018, we expect non-OPEC become beholden to progress with much left to do. With indirect but important lever over certainly offer no space to Rohani to production to grow… slightly more issues beyond their oil production close to utilising any Iran’s economy. Foreign investors negotiate. than the expected increase in global control. spare capacity, Iran’s economic have been reluctant to move into The conundrum would have been demand,” the IEA wrote in its June prospects hinge on its non-oil sec- Iran fearing penalties from the US more delicately poised but Trump’s monthly report. tors — with agriculture and services Treasury and, while SWIFT banking visit to Riyadh may have kicked off “Our first look at 2018 suggests Rohani is considered a pragmatist expected to drive growth. services have been restored with a new era of US policy and coopera- that US crude production will grow in Iran’s political arena but his re- While Iran’s economic growth dozens of Iranian banks, the coun- tion with allies in the Gulf. Qatar is year-on-year… but such is the dy- election strengthens a mandate to is stabilising and the World Bank’s try has not fully connected to the feeling the heat but the target is as namism of this extraordinary, very broaden a reform programme that medium-term outlook predicting Western banking system. much Iran. It is too early to read diverse industry it is possible that has promised more freedom for Ira- 4% growth, expansion in its non- Without FDI and proper recon- what happens next but it appears growth will be faster,” the report nians, reintegration with the inter- oil sectors remains subdued over- nection to the international bank- Rohani and the Iranian economy said. national community and, crucially, all. Current growth trajectories do ing system, Iran’s non-oil sector have become beholden to issues “Our first outlook for 2018 makes a structural economic turnaround. not allow Iran to create the jobs it will struggle to meet its growth am- beyond their control and a storm is sobering reading for those produc- When Rohani took office in 2012, needs for its labour market quickly bitions, producing worrying con- forming on the horizon. ers looking to restrain supply,” the inflation was more than 40% and enough, creating its biggest chal- sequences for unemployment and IEA said. threatening the collapse of the Ira- lenge moving forward, especially inflationary risks just as the govern- Sabahat Khan is a senior analyst at nian rial. Iran’s economy had con- given current high levels of youth ment plans further spending cuts to the Institute for Near East and Gulf (Agence France-Presse) tracted 7% in 2012 and the coun- unemployment. balance its books. Military Analysis (INEGMA). 22 June 18, 2017 Health Smoking in the Arab world Little progress curbing smoking in the Arab world

The Arab Weekly staff governments to intensify their anti- which was launched in 1998 to tobacco use efforts.” focus international attention, re- An estimated 7 million people die sources and action on the tobacco Beirut from tobacco-related causes every epidemic, referred to a rise in the year across the world, including number of adults using tobacco in lthough it is declining 900,000 who die from exposure the Eastern Mediterranean region. worldwide, tobacco to second-hand smoke, WHO said. She said 42% of adults in the re- smoking remains dan- The organisation added that 80% of gion use tobacco and that figure gerously prevalent in tobacco use fatalities occur in low- was expected to reach 62% by 2025. the Middle East and or middle-income countries and “This presents health care in- NorthA Africa where awareness lev- that these countries bear 40% of stitutions in the region with huge els remain low and governments the global economic cost of smok- challenges because an increase in have failed to strictly address the ing from health expenditures and tobacco use means more disease, phenomenon. lost productivity, estimated at more more fatalities and consequently Lax tobacco regulations, the rela- than $1.4 trillion. more expenditure on health care,” tive low cost of cigarettes and the Awa said. prevalence of shisha in Arab coun- When it comes to intense tobacco tries make tobacco consumption Approximately use, Egypt, by far the most popu- No effect. A waitress walks past a No Smoking sign next to an (AFP) a pressing health concern for the lous country in the region, is a case ashtray at a café in Beirut. region. in point. There are no precise figures on 42% Egypt produces 84 billion ciga- are also owned by Egypt. Approxi- Anti-tobacco campaigns produce the number of smokers in the re- of adults in the rettes every year and the tobacco mately 14,000 Egyptians work in little effect. The campaigns include gion but a recent World Health Or- region use tobacco, industry is an important source of tobacco production and selling. television ads and frightening pho- ganisation (WHO) survey revealed income for the Egyptian Treasury, While much of the Arab world tos of people dying of tobacco use that smoking is more prevalent a figure expected said the Tobacco Division at the is plagued by tobacco consump- and anti-tobacco use advice on than ever in the Middle East, with to become 62% by Federation of Egyptian Industries, tion, the problem is especially dire cigarette and tobacco packs. None- shisha smoking part of the daily 2025. the guild of the country’s manu- in North Africa. Tunisia and Egypt theless, tobacco sales never come life for many across gender and age facturers and factory owners. The track well above international aver- down. groups. government earns $2.4 billion from ages with 45.1% and 36.1%, respec- Sahar Labib, the head of the On World No Tobacco Day, Re- WHO called on governments to tobacco sales every year. tively, of their adult male popula- Egyptian Health Ministry’s section gional Director for WHO Eastern raise taxes on tobacco products, “This means that revenues from tions smoking, state statistics from that fights tobacco use at the na- Mediterranean Office Mahmoud ban tobacco advertisements and tobacco sales come in second place the WHO’s Tobacco Atlas, a global tional level, said the fact that laws Fikri raised the alarm on the de- channel tobacco tax money to the after the Suez Canal when it comes database on tobacco consumption. on smoking in public places are structive effects of tobacco use, health and education sectors. It to this country’s largest sources of Citizens of eastern Mediterrane- rarely enforced raises the risk for which he said not only harm human said combating tobacco can con- income,” said Ibrahim el-Embaby, an countries pick up the habit earli- non-smokers. health but have corrosive effects on tribute to reducing poverty and the head of the section. er than any other area of the world, “The law imposes fines on those the environment and the economy. hunger and boosting sustainable The country owns 55% of the with 21.3% of 13-15 year-old males who smoke in public places but “Tobacco use hinders the agriculture and economic develop- Eastern Company, which has a mo- smoking. In Tunisia, 22.2% more this is rarely enforced,” Labib said. achievement of sustainable devel- ment. nopoly over tobacco production in men suffer tobacco-related deaths “This increases exposure to sec- opment,” Fikri said in a statement, Fatma el-Awa, a regional advis- Egypt. The remaining 45% of shares than in average middle-income ond-hand smoke, which exacer- “This is why we renew our call to er of the Tobacco Free Initiative, are owned by national banks, which countries. bates the problem.” The underestimated Jordan embarks on aggressive risks of shisha smoking anti-smoking campaign

Roufan Nahhas smoke cigarettes and 26.7% smoke your body but what to do now that shisha. Overall, 9.3% of all Jorda- I am hooked on it and maybe, and nians smoke shisha. The ministry that is a big maybe, I will stop when Amman said that smoking is blamed for the I grow older,” he added. death of one of every eight Jordani- The ministry said second-hand moking has been linked ans. smoke affects 62% of children aged to thousands of deaths in Emseeh said the anti-smoking 13-15 years. Jordan every year, statis- campaign would not stop young “Smokers still believe that they tics from the Directorate of people from smoking in public cannot hurt people around them Awareness and Health Edu- places even though the ministry and this is a problem,” said Samer Scation at the Ministry of Health, re- had appointed 566 officers to over- Attiyah. “Both my wife and I are leased to coincide with the launch see the implementation of the new- smokers but we smoke outside the of a nationwide anti-smoking cam- ly amended Public Health Law. house. We tried several times to paign, state. stop without success. I think we are The aggressive campaign ban- Jordanians spend too old to stop now.” ning smoking in public places around $650 million The Association Tobacco Free mainly targets young Jordanians on cigarettes every Jordan, a group of Jordanian citi- with a special focus on school and year. zens concerned about the risks of university students, almost 50% of second-hand smoking and tobacco whom are smokers, in a country addiction, said second-hand smoke New addicts. Youths smoke water pipes (shisha) in a coffee shop where 29% of the adult popula- The law, which prohibits smok- is a cause of premature birth and in old Cairo. (Reuters) tion smokes. It is promoted with ing in public and closed places, car- serious cardiovascular and respira- support from the World Health Or- ries penalties up to three months in tory diseases, including coronary Stephen Quillen The practice, which is more com- ganisation (WHO) and civil society prison and a maximum fine of $280. heart disease and lung cancer. mon in the Middle East and North organisations. Selling tobacco to people younger Women in Jordan are hooked Africa than other parts of the world, “Definitely, we need a huge cam- than 18 and allowing smokers to more on smoking shisha, including Tunis comes with severe health risks. paign to deter young people from use public facilities could be pun- taking their own shisha with them One-time use can lead to carbon smoking as this phenomenon is be- ished by up to nine months in pris- everywhere they go. hishas — water pipes — are monoxide poisoning or other dis- coming a true disease affecting the on and fines ranging $1,400-$4,220. “I carry my little shisha when I frequently found at cafés eases, including tuberculosis, her- health of the youth, as young as 14 The amendments, introduced in visit my friends and we have our and social gatherings in the pes, respiratory illnesses including if not younger, and those around line with Jordan’s National Tobacco shisha session. The shisha is a good Arab world, where the prac- the flu, Tracey Barnett, a medical them,” said Dr Saliba Emseeh, a Control Strategy 2016-18, constitut- way to enjoy a gathering more than tice has gained popularity sociologist and assistant professor general practitioner. ed a pivotal shift in Jordan’s efforts cigarettes and it even smells better. Sin recent years. It also created new of social and behavioural sciences to curb smoking. It is supported I don’t think there is a problem with segments of addicts among Arab at the University of Florida in the by WHO and King Hussein Cancer enjoying a shisha twice a week,” women and teenagers. United States told Reuters. “Long- Almost Foundation Centre. said Lubna Abeddayem, 28. The habit is unique in that users term use can lead to heart disease WHO projected the tobacco con- “Of course, there are many fe- inhale vaporised, flavoured tobacco and many cancers,” she said. sumption rate among Jordanians males who smoke publicly and oth- through a hose-like device during “Many waterpipe smokers prac- 50% would reach 50% by 2025. Globally, ers secretly due to society issues. sessions that are generally longer tise the habit in the company of tobacco use will cause nearly 6 mil- Who can forget an incident last and more intensive than other forms friends and family and it is a cen- of under 18 and lion deaths per year. year when a Jordanian husband di- of tobacco inhalation. tral component of social and fam- 29% of the adult Salem (not his real name), 14, vorced his wife because she did not The particular problem of shisha ily gatherings,” a 2015 report by the comes from a family of smokers want to quit shisha? I still think it is smoking is that it is widely mis- World Health Organisation (WHO) population in and he blames his parents for his a personal choice whether to smoke perceived in North Africa and the noted. Jordan are smokers. addiction which he says makes him or not.” Middle East as innocuous and less The habit, which has less of a “look cool.” Jordan’s Anti-Smoking Society hazardous than cigarette smoking. stigma attached to it for women “It breaks my heart when I see “I am already a smoker at home said Jordanians spend around $650 Health experts say otherwise. than smoking cigarettes, is also seen kids as young as 9 or 10 smoking since my parents smoke a lot so it is million a year on cigarettes. During an average shisha ses- as trendy for youth, particularly in cigarettes and youth from both a normal thing that I try it and I like The Jordanian government this sion, which lasts 20-60 minutes, a the Eastern Mediterranean region, sexes sitting at a café enjoying a sh- it,” he said. “Some of my friends year raised the tax on cigarettes person can take 50-200 puffs of to- which includes the Middle East and isha without realising the damage it smoke, too, and at school we sneak by $0.64 to $1.70, a move hailed by bacco. This means during “an hour- North Africa. In this region, chil- causes to their health.” out for a cigarette and it is some anti-tobacco activists but scorned long session a person can inhale the dren 13-15 years old are more likely Ministry of Health statistics, re- kind of bonding among friends. I by smokers. equivalent of 100 to 200 times the to smoke other tobacco products leased in conjunction with World find it very helpful when I need to smoke from a single cigarette,” the (mostly shisha) than cigarettes, the No Tobacco Day, indicate that 11.4% relax.” Roufan Nahhas is a journalist BBC reported. WHO report said. of young people 13-15 years old “I am sure that smoking hurts based in Jordan. June 18, 2017 23 Culture

Tunisia’s Rachidia showcases traditional music

Roua Khlifi

Tunis

uring the long days of Ramadan, the medina of Tunis takes on a serene mood. Movement is lim- ited, alleys and shops Dare quiet and cafés are closed. After sunset, however, the area comes to life, with crowds of Tunisians flock- ing to the old city to enjoy Ramadan rituals. Past the cafés scattered on the sides of the streets and into an old alley, music emanates from the cor- ners of a house, guiding wanderers into the hall of the Rachidia, Tuni- sia’s first musical institution. The Association of the Rachidia Institute of Tunisian Music is one of the medina’s most popular des- tinations during Ramadan, when it hosts daily concerts showcasing traditional Tunisian music. The con- certs are popular with all age groups and provide Tunisians a chance to reconnect with their musical herit- Back to roots. Musicians perform during a show inspired by the music of late composer and cofounder of the Rachidia Institute, Khemais age. Ternan. (Rachidia’s facebook page) Since its creation in 1934, Rachidia has played a crucial role in preserv- through monthly concerts, mu- medina-goers to daily music shows Ramadan. The idea is to revive the was equipped to host modern mu- ing and promoting Tunisian music. sic lessons and daily shows during celebrating refined traditional music old city within the cultural centres sic. “The idea is that these buildings “The Rachidia Institute was Ramadan. during Ramadan. Mouhli also said and outside. We also encourage per- attract young Tunisians. All these founded at a time when the musical “The Rachidia Institute used to Rachidia has taken a pivotal role sonal initiatives from people who corners of the medina have a certain scene was deteriorating,” said Hedi organise monthly concerts for Tu- in reviving interest in the medina, want to introduce the heritage of appeal to them. Tunisians should Mouhli, president of the Association nisian music in addition to provid- which its inhabitants previously their regions.” come and enjoy the medina for what of the Rachidia Institute of Tunisian ing music lessons but in the past deserted for the city’s newer neigh- Hosted in a traditional house in it really is.” Music. “Music back then was con- years, it started developing its own bourhoods. the Medina, the Rachidia is perfect- With gigantic chandeliers hang- trolled by the coloniser. Since music projects to digitalise and document ly positioned to connect with the ing from carved, glass-decorated is a vital component of identity, the Tunisian music. It has also been The Rachidia is medina’s cultural heritage. ceilings and tile-woven floor, the French coloniser attempted to erase working on launching branches in perfectly positioned “The cultural revival of the medi- Rachidia building is a testament to and destroy it so as to erase Tunisian many other cities as the Rachidia to connect with the na helped (the city’s) economic life the wealth and beauty of Tunisian identity.” aims to preserve Tunisian music,” medina’s cultural by bringing energy and vitality to architecture. Mouhli said the institute’s name Mouhli said. “The Rachidia Institute heritage. the old town of Tunis…,” Mouhli “These concerts around here in derives from Mohammed Rachid preserves Tunisian traditional mu- said, “The goal is to safeguard the the medina are unique,” said Mouh- Bey, a member of the Husainid dy- sic but also invites musicians to ex- artistic taste, familiarise the archi- li. “What we have in the medina nasty, who ruled Tunisia from 1756 change Arab and international musi- “It was almost empty,” Mouhli tectural treasures of the old city, im- is not folklore but it is about re- until his death in 1759. “Since many cal heritages,” he added. said, “There was a group of intellec- prove the economy and ultimately turning to our roots and show the opposed the creation of an associa- “Our focus is Malouf music, which tuals who realised that the medina bring back the value of the old city.” real old Tunisian art stripped of tion for Tunisian music, they bor- originated from many styles includ- could only be brought back through The institute hosts hundreds of all the elements that destroyed rowed the name… to protect them- ing Sufi music, Andalusian influ- reviving the cultural life of the city. visitors who sip tea and sing along its authenticity. selves,” Mouhli said. ences and Tunisian soul. The most Only culture can bring back the city to traditional music during Rama- “This is what marks Ramadan The Rachidia Institute has hosted important thing that occupies us is and bring back its visitors and inhab- dan concerts. It is an opportunity for in the medina. What unites peo- many of Tunisia’s top musical icons, how Malouf music can be incorpo- itants.” visitors to enjoy the beauty of the ple here in the medina during the including Khemais Tarnen, Salah El rated in musical shows that can be He added: “The Rachidia Insti- medina and for locals to reconnect month is their love for tradition.” Mahdi, Mohamed Triki, Mohamed appealing to young people.” tute was one of the institutions re- with their heritage Saada, Saliha and Tahar Gharsa. To- While Rachidia entertains fans of sponsible for the cultural revival of “There is always a bridge between Roua Khlifiis a regular Travel and day, the institute promotes Tunisian the Malouf style with monthly con- the town. In this sense, we decided the past and the present,” said Culture contributor to The Arab music, particularly Malouf music, certs throughout the year, it treats to create a special programme for Mouhli, noting that the institution Weekly. She is based in Tunis. In Ramadan TV pranks, petrifying ordeals overshadow positive messages

Iman Zayat participants. The HAICA’s moni- inspiration for producers and actors toring unit confirmed in a report in the Middle East and North Africa. that there was an attempt “to con- Much to the shock and amaze- Tunis fuse the viewers” into thinking the ment of Arab viewers, Galal’s shows scenes were real. involve not only his celebrity friends idden-camera shows Accordingly, the HAICA pushed but also lions, terrorists, machine have become an appeal- the TV channel to broadcast the fol- guns, bats, insects, a mummy ris- ing feature of television lowing content warning “All scenes ing from the dead, a shark-shaped programming during were scripted in agreement with ac- submarine, fake body parts and Ramadan. In Tunisia tors” five seconds before the begin- plane crashes. He has, among his Hand other Arab countries, however, ning of the show. professional credits, eight hidden- nothing seems off-limits with the With candid cameras increasingly camera programmes that have been shows seemingly intent on terroris- turning into a laboratory of social described as dangerous, risky and Off-limits. A video grab shows Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine ing or humiliating their guests. psychology, TV channels across sometimes reckless by a large seg- during his appearance in Ramez Galal’s latest show “Ramez On the Tunisian private chan- the Arab world have resorted to a ment of the audience. Underground.” (MBC Masr) nel Hannibal TV a show titled the reckless reliance on deception and The latest show of Galal’s, “Clinique” (“Private Hospital”) has simulation as means to reveal how “Ramez Underground,” is broadcast sparked controversy since the re- people really react to dramatic, em- daily throughout Ramadan on MBC confirm or reveal the details of their However other shows, namely lease of its teaser. The idea of the barrassing or sometimes chilling television. In it, celebrities are taken deal with Galal. Viewers are thus “The Mask” by Tunisian channel show, as presented initially, was to situations. in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to the left to challenging guesswork. Attessia TV and “Al Sadma” (“The get in touch with a celebrity, then desert. The vehicle becomes stuck In Algeria, a recent programme Shock”) by the MBC Group, have tell him/her that one of his/her Though prank shows in quicksand and starts to sink be- titled “Rana Hakamnek” (“We Got bucked the trend of scary pranks. In friends or relatives was in a criti- have risen in fore Ramez appears, disguised in a You”) earned fierce criticism for line with a traditional approach, the cal condition because of a medical popularity, they are Komodo dragon costume, to scare tricking novelist Rachid Boudjedra two programmes abandoned the mistake. After that, the personal- facing some the guests. into believing he had been arrested idea of petrifying ordeals. ity would be asked to donate blood Many celebrities, notably Leba- for “atheism and espionage.” Staged in different Arab countries, but would instead be anaesthetised indignation for nese singer Wael Kfoury, Tunisian During the episode, fake police of- “Al Sadma” was made to gauge the to wake up to another terrible rev- taking things too far. actor Dhafer L’Abidine, Egyptian ficers forced the 75-year-old writer reaction of people to provocative elation: The face is left seriously actress Nadia El Gendy and Indian to repeat the shahada (Islamic proc- scenarios and the message is clear: disfigured following a gone-wrong movie actor Shah Rukh Khan have lamation of faith). Do not forget your humanity. “The surgery. Generally, the reactions of prank appeared on the show. Following protests, petitions and Mask” follows the same approach The show was attacked by the Na- victims suggest that they were ex- For sharp-eyed viewers who be- a mounting wave of criticism from and exposes participants to uncom- tional Council of the Medical Order posed to some sort of primal fear to lieve that such shows are scripted, civil society, the programme was fortable situations to convey the fol- in Tunisia for trivialising violence the excitement of viewers who fre- a satisfying revelation came when suspended. Boudjedra filed a crimi- lowing message: Be honest. and humiliating all those involved quently criticise pranksters’ prac- Khan’s business manager and assis- nal complaint against Algerian pri- It is unknown whether shows in the health care sector. tices but still watch. tant Pooja Dadlani said Khan was in vate channel Ennahar TV. like “The Mask” and “The Shock” Following an investigation, the Since 2011, Egyptian actor and TV on the prank. Though prank shows have risen mark the end of controversial Tunisian High Independent Author- host Ramez Galal has boosted his Were all the other episodes script- in popularity, they are facing some televised pranks. ity of the Audiovisual Commission career with prank shows that have ed? That is something that will like- indignation for taking things too far (HAICA) revealed that all scenes attracted high viewing rates. Galal ly remain a secret because most of to attract viewers and advertising Iman Zayat is an Arab Weekly were scripted in agreement with has turned into a major source of the involved celebrities would not revenue. contributing editor in Tunis. 24 June 18, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Amman: During June

Starting on the third night of Ramadan, Amman celebrates traditional Arab culture with the Citadel Nights Festival. The city comes to life each night of Ramadan with concerts, recitals of classical Arab music, traditional dishes and authen- tic souks.

Dubai: Through July 27

Modernist Women of Egypt, an exhibit of work by Egyp- tian female artists, takes place at the Green Art Gallery on Palestinian children pose Alserkal Avenue in Dubai. The with a Ramadan lantern works on display date from in front of the Dome of the 1950-70 and show the evolu- Rock at al-Aqsa Mosque tion of styles that shape the compound. (AFP) Egyptian identity of today and reflect the direct and emotion- al effects of political unrest in Egypt and the rest of the world A mystical Ramadan journey to Jerusalem at the time. Jounieh: June 24-August 15 Noreen Sadik It is from this site that the Proph- et Mohammad is said to have tak- The Jounieh Summer Festival, en his Night Journey known as set near Jounieh Bay north of Jerusalem Isra and Mi’raj, when he travelled Beirut, kicks off with spectacu- on the steed Buraq to the farthest lar fireworks on the beach. The he highlight of Ramadan mosque (al-Aqsa). There, legend festival includes performances is my annual visit to Je- has it, he led other prophets in from international artists such rusalem, to al-Haram al- prayer and ascended to the heav- as Michael Bolton. Sharif — the Noble Sanc- ens where he spoke to God. It is Is- tuary — which houses lam’s third most important shrine, Marrakech: Tal-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of following Mecca and Medina. July 1-31 the Rock. Every holy month, visi- Under the ancient arches are tors from near and far make the dark alleys that lead to other parts The Marrakech Festival of journey to the sacred destination. of the Old City. Faint light streams Popular Arts and Folklore The first sight of the Dome of the through them, creating shadows showcases Moroccan tradi- Rock, its golden cupola shining as on the paths. Coloured lights, dec- tions, music, dance and sunset nears, creates a sense of orations for Ramadan, stretch high costumes through the ages. urgency, compelling onlookers to over the cobblestone walkways. There are concerts, exhibitions get as close to it as quickly as pos- It is the people, however, who and Moroccan street troupe sible. After leaving the bus stop, are the life and soul of the Old City. performances. visitors pass through Bab al-Amud, The streets are lively as visitors also known as the Damascus Gate. and locals walk through the mar- Beiteddine: Completed in 1542 by Ottoman ket. The shops, which line each July 1-August 12 Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, side of the pathway, are bustling. it is the arched entrance through Shop owners try to lure those hur- The Beiteddine Art Festival, which visitors enter the Muslim riedly passing by into their shops, in Lebanon’s Chouf Moun- quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. which boast items ranging from tains, includes a variety of clothing, including colourful head performances from opera scarves and prayer clothing, to A Palestinian boy adjusts Ramadan lights in the Old City of and concerts, to theatre and With its gold dome, household items, toys, souvenirs Jerusalem. (AFP) art exhibitions. The festival blue tiles, arches and spices. Between the shops, the welcomes more than 50,000 scent of delicious Palestinian food visitors as well as numer- and verses from the from restaurants and stalls fills the When one enters al-Haram al- ern part of the sanctuary, separat- ous star performers. Majida Quran written in air. Sharif compound, one finds one- ed by a series of arches and stairs. el-Roumi, Pink Martini and Arabic calligraphy, As adhan — the sunset call to self facing the Dome of the Rock. When the time arrived for adhan, Kadim al-Sahir are to perform prayer — approaches and the hours Situated on a raised platform, the worshippers took their seats on the at this year’s festival. the Dome of the Rock of the day-long fast turn to min- shrine was built by the Umayyad cold, hard floor of al-Haram al-Sha- is breathtakingly utes, the tension becomes tangible Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan in rif. Preceded by the loud bang of a Zouk Mikael: and hungry shoppers rush to make the late seventh century. With its cannon, the call to prayer rang out. July 4-6 beautiful. last-minute purchases of falafel, gold dome, blue tiles, arches and As I sat to take my first bite, the freshly squeezed juices and sweets verses from the Quran written in oneness of the thousands of peo- Set in a renovated Lebanese Upon entering the Old City, one covered in syrup, such as kanafeh Arabic calligraphy, it is breathtak- ple gathered there for the same souk 14km north of Beirut, is automatically transported to or katayif. ingly beautiful. Its beauty contin- purpose — to pray — struck me. the Zouk Mikael International a magical place. Steeped in the Suddenly the busy marketplace ues inside with more Quranic vers- How humbled I felt to be part of Summer Festival features Arab charm of history and tradition, the is deserted. Upon reaching the end es written in calligraphy, marble this. How humbled I felt to be in and international artists. quarter’s cobblestoned pathways of the pathway, the market ends pillars and more intricate Islamic this place where the Prophet Mo- lead to al-Haram al-Sharif and the and the spiritual journey for Mus- designs. hammad had once stood, a place Hammamet: holy sites within. lims begins. Al-Aqsa mosque is in the south- where one can only feel awe. July 8-August 26 The heat of the day was replaced by a cool breeze. Women remained Hammamet, a Tunisian town at the Dome of the Rock to pray on the northern edge of the the taraweeh, a prayer reserved for Gulf of Hammamet, hosts the Ramadan, and the men gathered 53rd Hammamet International a few feet away at al-Aqsa. During Festival. Concerts and plays the nightly taraweeh, the Quran is are scheduled for more than a read in its entirety over the course month. of the month. Standing shoulder to shoulder, women repeated the Tabarka: same prayers. July 21-29 The prayers finish late in the night. As worshippers file out of The Tabarka Jazz Festival al-Haram al-Sharif, they re-enter in Tunisia is returning with the market of the Old City. Stalls renowned international and of sweets, toys, juices, corn on the local jazz artists such as Beth cob and Palestinian souvenirs are Hart, Roberto Fonseca, Stanley abundant. The smell of the nargila Jordan and Oum. Concerts take (water pipe) fills the air. place at La Basilique of Tabar- Some stay within the walls to ka but guests also may attend enjoy the rest of the evening and free street performances. others sit on the stairs outside the walls of the ancient Old City. A sense of contentment, power We welcome submissions of and love filled me as I left the holy calendar items related to site that brings so many together as cultural events of interest to one. Until next year. I will be back! travellers in the Middle East and North Africa. Noreen Sadik is a Please send tips to: Palestinian-American journalist [email protected] A Palestinian baker shows traditional date-filled cookies at a bakery in Jerusalem’s Old City. (AFP) based in Israel.