UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com Issue 169, Year 4 August 12, 2018 EU €2.50 Palestinian American to be first Start of haj Muslim woman in US Congress season Pages 6,17 Page 18 Climate change takes its toll on Lebanon’s millennium cedars Samar Kadi

Beirut

hey have capped Lebanon’s mountaintops for thou- sands of years. The Phoe- T nicians used their wood to build merchant ships and Egyp- tians used their resin to mummify the dead. Now the emblematic ce- dars of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani) are facing their biggest challenge — cli- mate change. Cedar forests covered 5,000 sq.km of Lebanon’s highlands in ancient times. They have outlived invaders, empires and modern wars but centuries of deforestation have reduced the forests to 20 sq.km. The trees, some 3,000 years old, Displaced Syrians queue to receive Russian aid in the northern Syrian town of Tal Rifaat. As the Syrian war Deep roots. Colombian singer thrive on moisture and cool tem- draws to a close with signs of a government offensive in Idlib on the Turkish border, the last province held by Shakira plants a tree in the peratures and their seeds need a rebel forces, the plight of the more than 11 million refugees — half of whom left Syria and fled to Turkey, Jordan, Cedar Reserve, last July. (AP) Lebanon and other countries — is back on the international agenda. UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator minimum amount of snow and rain Panos Moumtzis said that Idlib’s entire population of 2.5 million people could be displaced and moved towards for regeneration. However, with the Turkish border if there was a major battle. climate change, winters are shorter years ago envisioned the planting and there is less snow, a change of 30 million trees, including ce- that affects the cedar forests’ eco- dars, to increase the area of the for- system. ests in Lebanon from 13% to 20% of “The effect of climate change is the country’s area by 2020. there,” said Nizar Hani, director of “The strategy is primarily fo- Iran playing for time as the Cedar Biosphere in the Chouf cused on reforestation but the so- Mountains. lution is not by replanting trees,” “The seedlings, which normally Nemer said. “First, we need to take should stay buried in the snow for care of the health of the ecosystem US sanctions start to bite two to three months, are germi- in which the cedar trees and other nating in February instead of April trees are living.” Sanctions that went into effect August 7 target US dollar because the snow is melting very In the 1960s and 1970s, Lebanon ► early. That early germination puts had a Green Plan that replanted financial transactions, Iran’s automotive sector and the them at a very high risk of dying in many cedars but the plan was for- cold snaps,” Hani said. gotten during the 15-year civil war. purchase of commercial planes and metals, including gold. Because of climate change, ce- Cedars grow slowly, bearing no dar forests, which now are at a cones until they are 40-50 years Thomas Seibert A321 had been delivered, plus two itself or the missile programme.” minimum of 1,200 metres above old. When they are young by ce- A330s that were sold to a company Preparations for possible talks sea level, would be found at higher dar standards, they look much like that leased them to an Iranian cus- and the negotiations themselves altitudes and more suitable condi- other conifers but, after about 100 Istanbul tomer. would be a drawn-out process, tions, Hani said. years, they develop their distinc- Swiss railway company Stadler Zimmt added. Tehran would look The most lethal enemy of the ce- tive shape with branches stretching s US sanctions designed Rail said that its plans to deliver at the US presidential election dars are insects that were already parallel to the ground. to cripple Iran’s economy 960 subway cars were “frozen.” A in two years, hoping that Trump present in the forests’ ecosystem The majestic tree that is embla- take hold and additional spokesman for French automaker would not be re-elected. but have been developing at an zoned on Lebanon’s national flag, A ones are on the horizon, Renault confirmed that “it’s likely Before that, sanctions would hit increased rate because of climate currency and national airline is Iran is likely to play for time and that our development would be put harder, however. “November is change, said Nabil Nemer, of the seen as a unifying emblem by the avoid addressing core issues in on hold.” when the hammer drops: A serious agricultural sciences department at Lebanese and a reflection of their possible talks with Washington. Publicly, Iranian leaders put on a chunk of oil export revenue will the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. country’s resilience to the mishaps Tehran has yet to give a definite brave face. Supreme Leader Ayatol- evaporate and Iranian banks will The Tannourine Cedar Forest of ancient and modern history. answer to US President Donald lah Ali Khamenei said there was no likely find themselves cut loose Natural Reserve has lost tens of Trump’s offer for negotiations. In reason for concern. “Nobody can from much of the international trees to insect infestations un- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly May, Trump took the United States do anything,” Khamenei said on his banking system,” said Henry Rome known before the 1990s. Travel and Society section editor. out of the 2015 international nu- website. of the Eurasia Group in a briefing A national strategy for the pres- clear agreement, arguing that the On the streets of Iranian cit- note. ervation of green areas begun four P21 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- ies, which have been rocked for Talks between the United States tion (JCPOA) gave Iran too many months by demonstrations against and North Korea had demonstrated loopholes to continue its nuclear rising inflation, corruption and a to the Iranians that negotiations programme, its ballistic missile dramatic drop of the value of the with Washington did not mean that development and its aggressive Iranian currency, some greeted steps had to be taken immediately. policies in the Middle East. The US the new sanctions with dismay. Tehran would try to set limits president said he is willing to ham- “The situation is not good right for US-Iranian talks. In any talks mer out a new deal in talks with now; nothing is clear,” carpenter with Trump’s administration, “the Tehran. Ebrahim Gholamnejad, 41, told the Iranian government will want to Iranian President Hassan Rohani Associated Press in Tehran. “The make sure its regional and defence has not ruled out meeting with US economy is turning into a jungle.” policies, including its support for officials, provided sanctions are There have been rumours that regional militias such as Hezbollah, lifted first. Trump and Rohani could meet in are off limits,” US intelligence plat- US sanctions that went into ef- September on the sidelines of the form Stratfor said in an analysis. fect August 7 target US dollar fi- UN General Assembly in New York. “Tehran managed to get assuranc- nancial transactions, Iran’s auto- Raz Zimmt, a research fellow and es from Washington during discus- motive sector and the purchase Iran expert at the Institute for Na- sions over the JCPOA between 2013 of commercial planes and metals, tional Security Studies at Tel Aviv and 2015 that the United States including gold. Many Iranians say University, said, while the pres- would not pursue regime change their leaders will need to “drink the sure of the US sanctions might con- in Iran.” poison cup” and negotiate with the vince Tehran to seek talks with the Critics say regime change is the United States eventually, Stronger Trump administration, Iran’s main real aim of US policies towards Iran measures against Iran’s oil sector focus in any negotiations would be but there is no momentum to that and central bank, suspended under to gain time and shield core issues end in the streets of Iran. Most pro- he heated rhetoric and the As Turkish authorities continue the JCPOA, are to be reimposed in from being placed on the table. testers are keen on keeping their spiral of reactions escalated to detain American pastor Andrew November. “They might be ready to negoti- demands economic, knowing the between Turkish President Brunson over accusations of in- German car and truck maker ate or renegotiate certain aspects ruthlessness of possible govern- T Recep Tayyip Erdogan and volvement in a coup attempt, rela- Daimler AG said it was withdraw- like the range of missiles or the time ment repression. “The security US President Donald Trump, with tions seem to be deteriorating fur- ing from Iran. European companies limits for nuclear activities” laid forces are brutal, efficient and loy- Washington doubling the steel and ther with Erdogan threatening to had known since Trump’s decision down in the JCPOA, Zimmt said in al,” said Rome. aluminium tariffs on Turkey and “start looking for new friends and in May that sanctions were return- an interview, “but they won’t talk the Turkish currency falling to un- allies” and Trump considering ad- ing. European plane-maker Airbus about issues considered to be an Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly precedented lows. ditional economic measures. at that time suspended deliver- insurance for the survival of the re- correspondent. ies to Iran; of 98 orders, only one gime, like the nuclear programme P2-3 P14 2 August 12, 2018 Cover Story US-Iran Tensions US-Iran talks at UN in doubt while sabre-rattling continues Thomas Frank Iran Initiative. “I would imagine the Iranians are putting out feel- ers, maybe through Omanis, to see Washington if there is anything to talk about to stave off the oil sanctions.” he recent reinstatement The Jerusalem Post reported that of US sanctions on Iran is a high-level meeting between Iran ratcheting up pressure for and the United States may take T the two countries to reach place on the sidelines of the Gen- an agreement to avoid economic eral Assembly. An unidentified UN action against Iranian oil and natu- official told the Post: “We think ral gas that could cause internation- it’s worth making the effort to take al disruptions and deeper damage this opportunity to push towards a to Iran’s economy. meeting.” As US President Donald Trump In a New York Times article July reinstated sanctions August 7 on 18, a top aide to Iranian President some sectors of the Iranian econ- Hassan Rohani said Trump asked omy, he and his top advisers said for a meeting with Rohani eight they were willing to meet Iran’s times at last year’s General Assem- leaders without preconditions. Ira- bly but Iran rejected the requests. nian officials publicly dismissed After the US reinstated sanctions, Trump’s outreach and minimised leaders of both countries contin- the effect of the sanctions but left ued sabre-rattling. Iranian Supreme the door open to conversations Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said with US diplomats. in a message to Iranians: “With regard to our situation, do not be Barbara Slavin, worried at all. Nobody can do any- head of the Atlantic thing.” Council’s Future of Iran Trump wrote on Twitter: “Any- Initiative one doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the “I would imagine the Iranians United States.” Embattled diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a meeting in Moscow, are putting out feelers, maybe The sanctions reinstated by last April. (AFP) through Omanis, to see if there Trump prohibit Iran from using US is anything to talk about to dollars, which are the main cur- ballistic missiles, support for terror- toughest times they’ve faced. I Turkey is heavily dependent on stave off the oil sanctions.” rency for oil sales and international ists and other “malign activities.” don’t see regime change but ordi- natural gas from Iran and indicated financial transactions, and bar pur- “The results of Washington’s sig- nary people are going to suffer and it would continue imports after the The posturing generated specula- chases of Iranian-made automo- nificant economic pressure on Teh- they’re going to blame both the US United States reinstates sanctions. tion that US and Iranian diplomats biles and Iranian graphite, alumini- ran are showing,” Vali Nasr, an Ira- and the Iranian leadership.” US officials continued to duck might meet at the UN General As- um, steel, coal and software used in nian-American analyst wrote in the The reinstatement of oil sanc- questions about possible waivers. sembly next month. Private discus- industrial processes. Atlantic. “Iran’s currency has lost tions, scheduled for November A senior Trump administration of- sions between Iranian Foreign Min- The sanctions had been waived two-thirds of its value and short- 5, will cause much more damage ficial discussing the sanctions was ister Mohammad Javad Zarif and under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal ages have caused rampant inflation to Iran’s economy and will pose a asked whether any waiver had been US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed by then US President Barack and unemployment. This, in turn, deeper diplomatic challenge for the approved and if a decision had are more likely than a head-of- Obama. has stoked popular frustration and United States as it fields requests been made on Japan’s request to state meeting, such as Trump has Iran’s economy has suffered since despair, fuelling ongoing protests from allies such as Turkey, Japan continue importing Iranian oil. “We had with the leaders of Russia and Trump announced in May that he across the country.” and South Korea seeking permis- are not looking to grant exemptions North Korea, analysts said. would withdraw the United States Nasr said that, although the dem- sion to continue importing Iranian or waivers,” the official replied, “I don’t think there’s going to from the nuclear agreement. US of- onstrations do not threaten to force oil and natural gas. “but we do and are glad to discuss be a summit but if there were con- ficials said they hope the reinstated the ouster of the Iranian leader- Turkish Energy Minister Fatih requests and look at requests on a tacts at the UN between Zarif and sanctions will pressure Iran to ne- ship, “they could further embolden Donmez on August 8 said a Turk- case-by-case basis.” Pompeo, that would be very posi- gotiate a comprehensive deal that Washington and further weaken ish delegation was in the United tive,” said Barbara Slavin, director addresses its nuclear programme Iran’s hand in negotiations.” States negotiating “a series of mat- Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly of the Atlantic Council’s Future of and issues such as development of Slavin said: “This is one of the ters, including the sanctions issue.” correspondent in Washington. Despite bravado, Iran knows its naval forces are no match for US power

officials watched the manoeuvres The United States responded by have come dangerously close to closely to gauge Iran’s capabilities. destroying two Iranian offshore oil Iranian leaders US vessels in the Gulf as part of Gregory US Army General Joseph Votel, head platforms.” want to avoid a a harassment campaign but they Aftandilian of USCENTCOM, stated on August In April 1988, there were further humiliating have almost always backed off prior to an actual confrontation. 8: “We’re extraordinarily vigilant clashes. When a US naval ship in military defeat and watching for changes in the the Gulf struck a mine that caused So, despite the bravado of the environment.” injuries to ten crewmen, the United at a time of Iranian leaders, they know very he war of words between However, if there were actual States sank or damaged three economic well that if they confronted the US Washington and Tehran clashes between the US and Iranian Iranian ships, destroyed two Iranian stress. military in the Gulf or attempted may soon be played out in military forces in the Gulf, it is oil platforms and attacked several to close the Strait of Hormuz, they the Gulf. highly unlikely Iran would prevail. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would be met with overwhelming Iran began naval ex- In this regard, it is important to (IRGC) speedboats. force. So why make the threats? Tercises August 2 near the Strait of look at recent history. During the Although Iran’s naval capabilities First, with the Iranian Hormuz, the vital and narrow choke last years of the Iran-Iraq war, there have probably improved since the regime facing mounting point through which some 18.5 mil- were several clashes between Iran late 1980s, it is highly doubtful that economic difficulties, including lion barrels of oil per day pass, the and the United States and Iran did it can take on the US Navy. Over the demonstrations from the US Energy Department says. These not fare very well. Indeed, it was a past several years, IRGC speedboats important bazaari merchant class, exercises involve about 100 vessels, lopsided affair. authorities need to show the US officials said, most of which are Gregory Gause, professor of Iranian people, most of whom are small craft. International Affairs at Texas A&M very nationalistic, they won’t be Iran usually has an annual University, said the episode began intimidated by the United States. military exercise in the Gulf when the United States agreed to Second, they may want to warn during the fall but this year it was Kuwait’s request to reflag Kuwaiti Gulf Arab countries that any apparently moved up in response oil tankers in 1987 to protect attempt to aid the United States to US President Donald Trump’s against Iranian attacks when with military support, if there warning of severe consequences Washington was tilting towards were to be US-Iran clashes, would if Iran were to go through with its Iraq. result in serious damage to their threats against the United States, In his book “The International economic interests. such as Tehran’s warning of the Relations of the Persian Gulf,” However, because the Iranians “mother of all wars” and thinly Gause wrote: “With this indirect have a realistic assessment of their veiled threat to close the Strait of American protection, Iraq military capabilities compared to Hormuz. accelerated its air campaign against those of the United States, they This is not the first time Iran Iran’s oil exports. Iran responded are unlikely to initiate a military threatened to close the strait; it has by laying mines. In September confrontation. The 1987-88 period repeated this warning periodically 1987, US forces attacked an Iranian is probably fresh in their minds for 35 years. Nonetheless, US ship laying mines, killing five crew and a humiliating military defeat members and seizing the ship. Iran at a time of economic stress is continued its attacks on shipping, something the Iranian authorities Although Iran’s naval with [Islamic] Revolutionary keenly want to avoid. Guard [Corps] forces using small capabilities have probably speedboats in a version of guerrilla Far more superior. The US Navy Arleigh Burke-class Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer in improved since the late 1980s, it warfare at sea. In October 1987, guided-missile destroyer USS Porter and the Blue the Pardee School of Global Studies is highly doubtful that it can take an Iranian missile launched from Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount at Boston University and a former al-Faw struck one of the reflagged Whitney sail in formation during maritime exercise US State Department Middle East on the US Navy. tankers approaching Kuwait. in the Black Sea, on July 13. (Reuters) analyst. August 12, 2018 3 Cover Story US-Iran Tensions

Trump needs a regional policy beyond sanctions to check Iran’s designs

that Iran could boast through its al- Quds Force Major-General Qassem Khairallah Soleimani that Tehran controls a Khairallah comfortable majority in the Leba- nese parliament. Soleimani claimed that 74 out of the 128 representatives in the parlia- hat US President Donald ment were loyal to Iran. None of Trump reintroduced those individuals dared contradict economic sanctions on him and Iran continues to block the Iran should be consid- process of forming a new govern- ered a turning point on ment. So, considering the economic regional and internation- crisis choking the country, is Leba- Tal levels. What’s more important, non doomed? however, is for Trump to synthesise Lebanon is not alone in suffering a comprehensive US approach to the from Iranian hegemony. Iraq has entire region. seen worse. Nobody knows how Trump has taken the right step, long Iraq will last without a govern- especially if it turns out that it ment. There, too, the Iranians were wasn’t an isolated move focusing on given a free hand by the Americans just the situation inside Iran and not who pulled out militarily from the taking into account Iran’s expan- country in 2010. At that time, US sionist project. We should keep in President Barack Obama was ob- mind that this project is part of Aya- sessed with accomodating Iran. tollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s original Everywhere in the Middle East, Shia plan for the entire region and the Americans backed down to particularly for Iraq. Khomeini masterplan. Iranians walk by a mural painting of the founder of the Islamic Republic Iranian hegemony so Iran decided If regime change in Iran has Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran. (AFP) to reach all the way to Yemen. Its become an urgent necessity for the proxy agents there, the Houthis, are Iranians themselves, it is even more threatening international sea lanes urgent to change Iran’s policies in broadcasts from Beirut. Iranian borders. through Bab el Mandeb Strait. the region. When Trump invited the What is required of Iran is neces- There is a need for a compre- If regime The Americans also backed down Iranian regime to bilateral negotia- sarily to change its state regime. hensive American approach to the change in Iran in Syria and allowed pro-Iranian mi- tions without preconditions, it was To conclude that there are positive problems in the region stretching has become an litias to come and go as they wished. a smart move. Tehran could only signs from Tehran, all Iran has to do from Bab el Mandeb Strait north to urgent Nobody really knows if Iran will give refuse the offer because it realised is become a “normal” state con- Iraq and east to the Gulf region. To necessity for in to the Russian-Israeli demand to it had two conditions of its own for cerned with its internal affairs and understand how the United States keep 100km off the Golan Heights. any dialogue with the United States. leave those of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon had come to giving Iran leeway in the Iranians The US sanctions on Iran will have The first such condition is related to and Yemen alone. the region, return to the periods themselves, it is an effect but when? As everybody Hezbollah, which Iran considers its What we’re talking about rep- of US Presidents Jimmy Carter and even more awaits regime change in Iran, which best achievement since 1979. resents the challenge facing the Ronald Reagan. urgent to will come sooner or later, more Hezbollah is not just another po- Trump administration. Trump The United States stood helpless change Iran’s damage will be inflicted on Leba- litical party in Lebanon. It is also a should have gone beyond economic when the Iranian revolution held policies in the non, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. self-contained standing army in the sanctions and pressured Iran into its diplomats hostage for 444 days region. As a superpower, the United service of Iran. Hezbollah made Bei- changing its policies on the regional starting in November 1979. Iran’s States will eventually beat Iran at rut an Iranian media base. Most of level. appetite for more American shame this waiting game but there will the satellite channels used by Iran to Some in Washington might say grew out of proportion and led to a always be this nagging question: pursue its objective of destabilising that there is no need to waste effort series of suicide bombings of US fa- Why doesn’t the United States have the region broadcast from Beirut. to counter Iranian influence outside cilities in Lebanon. The US Embassy a comprehensive approach to the One example is Al Masirah, which Iran itself and that it is better to in Beirut was bombed in April 1983 Middle East and its repetitive crises belongs to the Houthis in Yemen but choke it from inside. They say there and the US Marines’ headquarters and to its confrontation with Iran? will be no need for further steps on near Beirut’s International Airport A comprehensive approach to the the regional level since Iran is going was hit in November that year. Bat- problems of the Middle East would As everybody awaits regime to be kept busy limiting damage tered and bruised, the Americans spare the local populations many a caused by the sanctions. withdrew their troops from Beirut hardship, especially in Syria where change in Iran, which will come Such a view belittles the Iranian and Iran had a field day in Lebanon. Iranian hatred to everything that is sooner or later, more damage will regime’s capacity to resist and Since that fateful year, Iran has Arab is destroying the country. counterattack. For that regime, the been chipping away at Lebanon, its be inflicted on Lebanon, Syria, first line of defence in ensuring its people and its institutions. We have Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese Iraq and Yemen. survival is to foray head first outside reached conditions in Lebanon such writer. A Trump-Rohani summit could be a disaster but odds for talks are remote

Consider his meeting in June In response to Trump’s offer, Ro- That’s not what Trump said but with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. hani said: “I have no preconditions it’s probably a better expression The main issue on the agenda was for talks with the US government. of US policy. The Iranians under- Mark Habeeb Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons If it is ready to negotiate paying stand this. As Baffa said: “The US programme. Trump hailed the compensation to the Iranian na- demands are high…These are con- summit but US intelligence agen- tion… we are ready to find out how ditions Iran is unlikely to accept s a professor of cies have since presented evi- the United States is going to do so barring a real crisis at home.” conflict resolution, dence that North Korea’s nuclear and in how many instalments.” As A “real crisis at home” is what I favour dialogue weapons and missile programmes long as the United States admits US sanctions against Tehran are between enemies. As remain intact. Kim, however, that it has been 100% wrong, intended to produce to force Iran Winston Churchill achieved his main objective: US Tehran has no preconditions for to the negotiating table. While said, “To jaw-jaw is acknowledgement of his regime’s negotiations. Baffa agrees that the economy is alwaysA better than to war-war.” legitimacy. The animosity that Iranians feel Iran’s Achilles heel, he also said But US President Donald As for Trump’s summit with towards the United States is deep that “up to now, the pain [of sanc- Trump’s stated willingness to Russian President Vladimir Putin, (although Iranian citizens usually tions] has not been severe enough meet with Iranian President Has- it is uncertain what the two leaders point out that the animosity is for Iran to come back to the table.” san Rohani “without precondi- agreed to in their private 2-hour towards the US government, not Even if sanctions become more tions” is a frightening possibility. meeting. All we can say for sure is its people). severe, as they likely will in No- The author of “The Art of the that Putin seemed pretty satisfied Richard C. Baffa, senior inter- vember, Baffa said that “given our Deal” has been a terrible negotia- afterward. national policy researcher at the demands, it is not clear that they tor since assuming the presidency. Based on these examples, Ro- RAND Corporation, said: “I think it ever will [come to the table].” Trump views summits as reality hani should be eager to meet with is highly unlikely that the Iranian There is dialogue short of presi- television: It’s about the show, not Trump. As long as the optics are leadership will accept an invitation dential summits. US-Iran negotia- the substance. By all accounts, good and Trump feels sufficiently to meet with President Trump. I tions under Obama started as a he has high-level talks without honoured, serious differences think there is just too much en- secretive “back channel” in Oman. adequate preparation — Trump fa- would likely fall by the wayside. mity, too little trust and a deeply Similar talks could take place in mously believes in the rightness of Perhaps Rohani would invite ingrained anti-US worldview in the future — or may even be hap- his instincts — and without clearly Trump to the Throne Hall at Perse- Tehran. Anti-Americanism is just pening now. There is the possibil- defined agendas or objectives. polis and let him pretend to be the too integral to the identity of the ity that Trump and Rohani will Trump considers a summit to Shah of Shahs. Whatever works. Islamic Republic.” meet in New York in September be successful if the “chemistry” Such a circus would be a disaster Moreover, Trump often does not during the UN General Assembly is good — meaning if the other for the region: Trump would tout it even speak for his own administra- session. leader praises Trump and extols as a great success even if it did not tion, which includes prominent Neither of these options offers his greatness. alter Iran’s ambitions or its hostile anti-Iran hawks. US Secretary of the kind of drama that Trump relations with its neighbours. State Mike Pompeo, for example, craves, however. Unless Tehran Which is why it is a relief that the clarified Trump’s offer to meet Ro- approaches them on bended knee, “Anti-Americanism is just too odds of it happening are remote. hani: “If the Iranians demonstrate no members of Trump’s foreign integral to the identity of the Unlike Kim, Iran’s leaders are a commitment to make fundamen- policy team would advocate for Islamic Republic.” not seeking America’s stamp tal changes in how they treat their direct dialogue. of legitimacy. Even during the own people, reduce their malign negotiations over the Iran nuclear behaviour, can agree that it’s Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor Richard C. Baffa, senior international deal, there was no Obama-Rohani worthwhile to enter into a nuclear of The Arab Weekly and adjunct summit. Tehran wanted a deal, not agreement that actually prevents professor of Global Politics and policy researcher at the RAND a photo op with the leader of the proliferation, then the president is Security at Georgetown University Corporation Great Satan. prepared to sit down with them.” in Washington. 4 August 12, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf Saudi-Canadian relations take a tumble

Fast escalation. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir speaks during a news conference in Riyadh, on August 8. (Reuters)

Mohammed Alkhereiji terfere in Canada’s internal affairs.” Jubeir said the arrests that Twitter users forwarding lists of The European Union issued a Riyadh expelled Canada’s ambas- prompted the dispute were not tied Canadian businesses and products statement of solidarity with Cana- sador to Saudi Arabia and recalled to activism. to avoid. da, as did Yemen’s Iran-supported London its envoy from Ottawa. Saudi Ara- “The issue has nothing to do Regional and Arab players, in- Houthi rebels, who are fighting a bia suspended Saudi flights to and with women’s rights but they were cluding the Arab League, expressed Saudi-led coalition. social media post from from Canada and any new trade. involved with foreign elements in support for Saudi Arabia but Qatar, It appeared Canada may be sof- Canada’s Foreign Ministry Saudi students on scholarship in threatening people and that it was a Gulf Cooperation Council mem- tening its stance. led to the biggest diplo- Canada must relocate to other des- leaking information about the king- ber involved in a year-old dispute “We don’t want to have poor rela- A matic spat in Saudi-Cana- tinations, such as the United States dom to others. Some of those who with a group of Arab countries led tions with Saudi Arabia. It is a coun- dian relations. and the United Kingdom. were found to be not guilty were by Saudi Arabia, issued a statement try that has great significance in the Reacting to a call by Canadian Riyadh said government-spon- considered innocent, others were saying Riyadh’s position “does not world, that is making progress in Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland sored medical treatment pro- not,” he said. represent” Doha’s. the area of human rights,” Canadian for the release of jailed Saudi activ- grammes in Canada were being dis- Russia’s statement on the dispute Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said ists, the Saudi government issued a continued and that Saudi citizens said human rights issues should not August 8, adding that his govern- statement August 6 rejecting “a bla- in Canada for treatment would be Behind the scenes, the be politicised and needed to be ad- ment would always promote Ca- tant interference in the kingdom’s moved to other countries. Canadian government dressed with respect and the cus- nadian values and that diplomatic domestic affairs, against basic in- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al- has been consulting with toms and traditions of the country talks between the two countries ternational norms and all interna- Jubeir, at a news conference August Germany and Sweden on in question in mind. would continue. tional protocols.” 8, said the kingdom was consider- how to resolve the “We have always said that the Behind the scenes, the Canadian “It is a major, unacceptable af- ing further action and dismissed dispute. politicisation of human rights government has been consulting front to the kingdom’s laws and reports that the United Arab Emir- matters is unacceptable,” Russian with Germany and Sweden, two judicial process, as well as a viola- ates had been asked to help defuse Anti-Canada posts were in abun- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman countries that have had similar dis- tion of the kingdom’s sovereignty,” tensions. dance on social media with the Maria Zakharova said. “What one putes with Riyadh, on how to re- the statement said, while warning “There is nothing to mediate,” hashtag “Saudi Arabia expels Can- probably needs in this situation is solve the dispute. that “any other attempt to interfere Jubeir said. “Canada made a big ada’s ambassador” trending. The constructive advice and assistance with our internal affairs from Cana- mistake… and a mistake should be hashtag “BoycottCanada” also be- rather than criticism from a ‘moral Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf da means that we are allowed to in- corrected.” gan trending, with Saudi and UAE superior’.” section editor of The Arab Weekly. Coalition dismisses report of secret deals with al-Qaeda in Yemen

The Arab Weekly staff tion before publication,” Malki said creased financial resources.” The in a statement, adding that the AP report added that, despite losing a writer did not contact the coalition number of senior leaders, AQAP in- London for clarification. creased its recruiting and expanded Malki said the coalition was not its safe areas in Yemen. he anti-Houthi coalition only fighting the Houthis and AQAP The port of Mukalla at one point dismissed a report claiming but also the Islamic State (ISIS). generated as much as $5 million that it cut secret deals with The AP report claimed the US gov- in revenue a day for AQAP, mainly T al-Qaeda in the Arabian Pen- ernment was aware of the arrange- from customs duties and smuggled insula (AQAP), the deadliest branch ments and quoted a US-based aca- fuel. In April 2016, Yemeni troops of the terror group behind the Sep- demic calling successful anti-terror loyal to the internationally recog- tember 11, 2001, terror attacks in the operations by the United Arab Emir- nised government, coupled with United States. ates a “farce.” UAE and Saudi air strikes, captured An investigative report by the The US Defence Department de- the city of Mukalla from AQAP and Associated Press claimed many of nied any complicity with regards to seized the city’s large seaport and the victories in recent years against AQAP. “Since the beginning of 2017, airport. AQAP claimed by a Saudi-led coali- we have conducted more than 140 Saudi-led operations in recent By the rules. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Colonel Turki tion have been a result of backdoor strikes to remove key AQAP lead- years have resulted in the killing Malki speaks during a news conference in Khobar. (Reuters) deals with the terror group, in effect ers and disrupt its ability to use or capture of many AQAP mem- paying its fighters to leave key cities ungoverned spaces to recruit, train bers and leaders. In 2017 the Unit- and towns. and plan operations against the US ed States conducted 75 air strikes had safe havens, access to funding the operations. Coalition spokesman Colonel and our partners across the region,” against the terror group, killing hun- or the ability to recruit from the lo- The Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda Turki Malki said the allegations Pentagon spokesman US Navy Com- dreds of militants. cal population. has been linked to many high-pro- were “unfounded” and there were mander Sean Robertson said. UAE Minister of State for For- “Local Yemeni forces [are] now file international terrorist opera- “no tangible evidence or convincing A Defence Department report in eign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in leading [on the] effort with sup- tions, including the November 2009 facts” to back them up. 2015 stated: “AQAP expanded its a tweet that the counterterrorism port from [the] UAE, [the] US and Fort Hood, Texas, shooting and the “The writer should have followed safe haven by seizing several towns, strategy was working in Yemen and others, who have all lost troops in January 2015 attack on the offices of the professional ethics of journal- including the port city of Mukalla, that AQAP was at its weakest since the fight,” Gargash wrote, empha- satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in ism and fact-checked such informa- which has given it access to in- 2012. He said the group no longer sising the human sacrifice tied to Paris. August 12, 2018 5 News & Analysis Egypt Abu Dhabi crown prince discusses Red Sea security in Cairo talks

Amr Emam support to Yemen’s Houthi mili- tia,” said Tarek Fahmi, a political science professor at Cairo Univer- Cairo sity. “This makes it necessary for Arab states to join hands and take bu Dhabi Crown Prince action.” Sheikh Mohammed bin This was Crown Prince Moham- Zayed al-Nahyan trav- med’s second visit to Cairo this A elled to Cairo for an un- year and his ninth since Sisi be- announced visit that included came president of Egypt four years talks with Egyptian officials before ago. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah The United Arab Emirates re- al-Sisi met with the crown prince cently completed naval drills in the for longer discussions. Red Sea with Egypt, Saudi Arabia Talks between the two leaders and the United States. The exercis- focused on bilateral ties, Egyptian es included counterterrorism and Presidency spokesman Bassam reconnaissance operations, dem- Radi said. onstrating preparedness on the “Egyptian-UAE relations have part of Arab countries for emergen- had their special relations for cies in the Red Sea region. decades,” he said in a statement. “Such drills show that relations “Egypt is always keen on pushing between some Arab countries, spe- cooperation with the UAE in all cifically Egypt, the UAE and Saudi fields forward.” Arabia, are becoming more than just ordinary relations between sister countries,” said Egyptian po- The timing of Crown Prince litical analyst Abdel Monem Saeed. Mohammed’s visit to Cairo “These relations are becoming is very telling and reflects a strategic in every aspect.” growing Arab concern over Statements by Crown Prince Mo- developments in other hammed after meeting with Sisi clearly expressed that. The United parts of the region, Arab Emirates and Egypt, he wrote including Yemen. on Twitter, are united by a long- standing historical relationship Radi said the two leaders dis- that is growing ever stronger. cussed the situation in Yemen, “We stand together firmly developments in Libya, threats to against all attempts to interfere in security in the Red Sea and UAE the affairs of the Arab region or to peacemaking efforts between Ethi- undermine its security and stabil- opia and Eritrea. ity,” he said. The United Arab Emirates was The crown prince’s visit to Cai- instrumental in helping Addis Aba- ro was just weeks after the Iran- ba and Asmara end their decades- backed Houthi militia fired a mis- old hostilities, a development that sile at two Saudi oil tankers off could have far-reaching repercus- the coast of Yemen, causing some sions for security in the Horn of Af- damage to one vessel. The at- rica region and the Red Sea. tack led to a suspension of Saudi Timely visit. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (2nd R) walks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince The timing of Crown Prince Mo- oil shipments through the Bab el Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on his arrival at Cairo’s airport, on August 7. hammed’s visit to Cairo, analysts Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal. (Egyptian Presidency) said, was very telling and reflected Those shipments have resumed. a growing Arab concern over de- A sizeable portion of the canal’s International Airport, the United fired at Saudi cities. Following national security,” said Emirati po- velopments in other parts of the traffic includes tankers from oil- States had just started applying the the attack on the Saudi oil tanker, litical analyst Mohamed al-Ham- region, including Yemen with Ira- producing nations in the Gulf and first stage of tough economic sanc- the leadership of the Houthi mi- madi. “Egypt, the UAE and Saudi nian interference threatening oil a suspension of shipments through tions against Iran. There are hopes litia said it was capable of attack- Arabia have whatever it takes to supplies from wells in the Arabian the strait-Suez Canal route would the sanctions will make Tehran ing other Arab countries, not only counter Iranian threats to the se- Gulf. significantly harm Egypt’s eco- less capable of interfering in Arab Saudi Arabia. curity of this region.” “Iran insists [putting] Arab po- nomic interests. affairs. “These developments make it litical and economic security at When Crown Prince Moham- Iran is accused of supplying the necessary for Arab states to further Amr Emam is a Cairo-based risk, especially by maintaining its med’s plane touched down at Cairo Houthis with missiles they have their cooperation to protect their contributor to The Arab Weekly. New opposition party to give voice to young Egyptians

Ahmed Gamal 2011 but who now live outside not have ideas that are attractive Egypt. to the public. Those who led the Marzouk said he would not re- Egyptian revolution experienced Cairo veal the names of the party’s lead- similar problems. An-Naas Ad-Di- ership because of “the crackdown mocrati has supported goals that iscussions have begun on freedoms (in Egypt), which leftist movements in Egypt adopt- among Egyptian opposi- makes it difficult for the opposition ed for some time but were impos- tion figures about creat- to take public actions and places its sible to implement. D ing a political party to give emblematic figures under a lot of voice to young people who took police harassment.” part in the January 2011 uprising. Marzouk blamed the govern- Marzouk pointed out The leadership of the An-Naas ment for the poor state of political that the party wants to Ad-Dimocrati (People’s Demo- life in Egypt. He said Egyptian au- communicate with cratic Party) said popular opposi- thorities refuse to give approval to young Egyptians who are tion to the Egyptian government’s public meetings and conventions opposed to the Sisi economic policies and the dete- and continue to abuse the protest government but have rioration of living conditions in the laws, making it difficult to have country are leading to a revolution- street demonstrations. become a silent majority. ary era and its slogan of “life, lib- Marzouk said the opposition in erty and human justice.” Egypt represents a threat to the Said added that An-Naas Ad- Maasoum Marzouk, spokesman Sisi government so the new party Dimocrati “espouses ideas that for the founders of An-Naas Ad-Di- Walking away. A man in Cairo passes a mural that reads “Egypt would try to revive political life in might convince a great number of mocrati, said such a party is “criti- deep in our hearts.” (Reuters) Egypt with An-Naas Ad-Dimocrati citizens to join them in creating a cally” necessary because “these seeking a cure for “revolution fa- strong coalition that can become [political youth] currents have lost tigue.” critical amidst the current (politi- faith in the existing parties due porter of Egyptian President Abdel themselves from recent political Marzouk said he was focusing on cal) void.” to their weakness and their rap- Fattah al-Sisi. events, including elections, and the failure of government econom- He pointed out that the crisis of prochement with the government.” Marzouk said An-Naas Ad-Di- refused to participate in youth fo- ic reforms because many Egyptians the political parties relates to clas- Marzouk, a former ambassador mocrati’s first general convention rums convened under the auspices are feeling the effects of the new sifications applied to the political and an activist in the Civilian Dem- would be soon. He said the party of the presidency. conditions and “it is up to the sin- currents, such that there will be ocratic Movement, said the idea of will inspire political life in Egypt Marzouk pointed out that the cere political forces to regain the a balance between all forces. To- a new party looks to bring togeth- because most political parties have party wants to communicate with public’s trust in their capacity to day, political forces are isolated er young people from across the chosen to stay on the Egyptian young Egyptians who are opposed bring about change.” into small entities unable to form Egyptian political spectrum, in- government’s good side and the to the Sisi government but have be- Abdel Monem Said, former di- a united bloc that can stand up to cluding the Muslim Brotherhood, few opposition parties do not have come a silent majority. He hinted rector of the Centre for Political the government, Said said. even though Marzouk used to be a significant effect. the party had reached out to im- and Strategic Studies at Al Ahram vehemently opposed to the Mus- An-Naas Ad-Dimocrati is seeking portant figures of the movement Foundation, said political parties’ Ahmed Gamal is an Egyptian lim Brotherhood and a fervent sup- youth groups that have removed behind the revolution of January problem in Egypt is that they do journalist. 6 August 12, 2018 Opinion

Editorial The victory of Rashida Tlaib in the Detroit primary ashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Arab-Ameri- can activist, has won the Democratic Party primary in Detroit, Michigan, for a seat in the US House of Representatives. She should clinch that seat in the RNovember midterm elections because she is running virtually unchallenged. Regardless of the candidate’s political leanings, Tlaib’s win is a source of pride for Americans of Arab origin. More specifically, it is a source of encouragement to the scores of Arab-American and Muslim-American candidates running for office in the United States this year. At a time of Islamophobic tensions, Tlaib’s election win is a reassuring sign for Arab Americans and Muslim Americans. They can aspire to being accepted as full-fledged members of American society as well as legitimate players in its demo- cratic system. Sally Howell, director of the Centre for Arab American Studies at the University of Michigan- Dearborn, told Agence France-Presse: “She was not running as a Muslim per se but as someone from south-west Detroit… who happens to be a Muslim. But her campaign was definitely picked up and championed by the Muslim community, which feels greatly maligned.” Tlaib’s personal and political background © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly projects an image of computability between the Muslim faith and modernity contrary to all the misleading stereotypes. Her victory is also a source of pride in the Misreading Lebanon’s future Palestinian territories from where her family hails. The Arab America website, which specialises in Arab-American issues, stated: “Tlaib’s strength and Mohamad Kawas passion come from her strong connection with her family background. Specifically, her mother is from Some Lebanese leaders naively rush to Damascus without Beit Ur al-Fauqa, right outside Ramallah, and her father from Beit Hanina, a Palestinian neighbour- regard for the prevailing international mood or direction. hood in East Jerusalem.” Her election can send a positive signal to the f it is clear that external adopted, with full backing from prevailing international mood or Arab world about US politics at a time of widely forces are casting a heavy Aoun, suggests that adhering to direction. shared misgivings about Washington’s Middle East shadow on negotiations for a Soleimani’s reading is the cipher Those counting on changes policies. new government in Lebanon, to the terms and conditions against Iran are relying on Trump’s it doesn’t necessarily mean imposed on Hariri in exchange for hawkish policies, which would Security concerns those forces are directly in- supporting his suggested cabinet severely punish Iran. At the same Itervening in the discussions about formations. time, the US president surprised the quota system being used in the Aoun and Bassil are demand- the world with his willingness to over drones same way Damascus did when it ing a reduction of the ministe- engage in a no-strings-attached he reported use of drones carrying had a grip on Lebanon. rial portfolios allocated to the meeting with Iranian President explosives against Venezuelan President Politicians in Lebanon practise Lebanese Forces, preventing Hassan Rohani. Nicolas Maduro on August 4 was the first Druze leader Walid Jumblatt alleged assassination attempt against a politics according to what they However, Trump’s decisions head of state by drone. make out of the developments from assuming exclusive rep- to withdraw from the nuclear TIt is unlikely to be the last use of new technolo- in the region and internationally. resentation of the Druze in the agreement with Iran and to reim- gies to wreak havoc and destruction. Their understanding, however, is new government and infiltrating pose sanctions were motivated Such technologies can be lethal in the hands of often clouded with wishful think- the Sunni ministerial quota with entirely by American interests. terrorists and criminal groups intent on using ing that produces ready-made pro-Hezbollah Sunni ministers. Accordingly, any new agreement low-cost innovations to carry out their evil designs. recipes they try to impose on this These demands reflect Soleima- with Tehran would consider US Drones — unmanned aerial vehicles — have been side or the other. ni’s readings and aim at making interests first and Israeli interests used in the war waged by governments against In the end, Prime Minister- Lebanon part of Tehran’s sphere second as they relate to Syria. terrorism but they have also been used by terrorists designate Saad Hariri gets mixed of influence. Lebanese interests are the least of in the Middle East. In 2016-17, the Islamic State views containing judicious and To get an idea of how anxious their concerns. (ISIS) intensively deployed armed drones in Iraq intemperate aspects. This is es- the March 8 Alliance camp, led It was the interests of Washing- and Syria. At times, there were scores of its “killer sentially why it is impossible for by Hezbollah, is to take shortcuts ton and Israel that gave the green bees” in the air in any 24-hour period. ISIS even him to form a government in the and quickly impose a de facto light to the late Syrian President released a propaganda video on its use of drones. reality on the March 14 Alliance In a recent report, the Combating Terrorism present circumstances. Hafez Assad to invade Lebanon Centre at West Point pointed out that ISIS’s ability Hariri’s “steadfastness” in camp, all one has to do is look at in 1976. So, the famous Syrian to deploy drones is “degraded” but it remains the the face of pressure appears to the feverish campaign by Hezbol- “guardianship” over Lebanon case that “the group could serve as an inspiration be based on his awareness that lah to have Lebanon normalise began when Washington deemed for other terrorists.” the local political factors are af- relations with Damascus. it fit and ended when it saw oth- The report said: “We should expect: Drones fected by external developments, The impending political dead- erwise. similar to the Islamic State’s bomb-drop capable whether close by and in the short lock is justified by two contradic- Still, the firm belief in “major ones to be used in different theatres and by term in Syria or in Iran. tory readings. The first reading forthcoming changes” in the different types of groups.” Some in Lebanon say US Presi- sees Trump as a harbinger of a region is based on the illusion that This is a frightening prospect, especially because dent Donald Trump’s withdrawal new Middle East that would undo the United States would be keen to drones are commercially available almost every- from the Iran nuclear deal has Iranian influence in Syria, Iraq give Lebanon special attention and where and can easily be weaponised. revamped the Middle East, and Yemen. consider it as one of the corner- With the fraying of the state and continuation of overturning the model prevailing The second sees in Russian stones of American interests in the violent conflict in many parts of the Middle East in the region since the founding President Vladimir Putin the sign region. and North Africa since the 2011 uprisings, no degree of government regulation can offer suffi- of the Islamic Republic of Iran in of Syria’s impending fall within The Pentagon is still provid- cient protection. 1979. the Russian sphere of influence, ing the Lebanese military with As a region plagued by war, the Middle East has For them, the United States’ im- an event that would rehabilitate armament, despite reports, mainly been at the receiving end of destructive techno- position of sanctions on Iran will Syrian President Bashar Assad Israeli, of Hezbollah’s infiltration logical warfare. Some experts claim that global change the latter’s role in Middle and his regime and transform of the Lebanese military. The fact powers have been using the region as a testing Eastern countries. Therefore, the Lebanon into a Moscow satellite. that the world agreed during the ground for new weapons. process of forming a government This scenario feeds a nostalgic recent Rome conference to sup- Virtually all foreign military campaigns in the in Lebanon should consider the yearning in Lebanon for a re- port the Lebanese Army reflects region have been premised on minimising the need debilitation of Iranian influence newed Damascene patronage over the international community’s for foreign armies to dispatch troops and incur in the Middle East and that the Beirut with solid connections belief in the importance of the role human casualties. Air wars have cut foreign troop pro-Iranian coalition in decision- inside Lebanon. of the Lebanese state and its army losses but obviously not those among the indig- making circles will not make up The first predicament in Leba- following the waning of Iranian enous populations on ground zero. There is now for this loss. non is that this small country is influence in the region. the spectre of “autonomous weapons systems,” with computers essentially replacing humans in This is not mere conjecture. attempting to anticipate out- Hezbollah sees this as well and the selection and attack of military targets. Iranian Major-General Qassem comes that even the big boys have is working along two parallel In July, more than 2,400 researchers from 170 Soleimani had given some time not reached. The problem relates lines: not to publicly obstruct the organisations called for a global ban on such ago his take on the results of the to the fact that the Lebanese re- government’s formation but hide weapons systems, which they say pose a grave Lebanese legislative elections, gard themselves as a mainstay in behind its allies working to that threat to humanity and should have no place in the stating that Hezbollah and its international politics. They refuse end. Simultaneously, it is endeav- world. allies had secured 74 out of 128 to accept they have no weight or ouring to secure a comfortable “The decision to take a human life should never seats of the Lebanese parliament. effect in the greater picture. share for itself and its allies in the be delegated to a machine,” the letter said. Soleimani’s reading suggests Even though Washington and next cabinet and relieve itself of Obviously, drones, 3D printing, robots and other that Lebanese President Michel the European Union do not admit the heavy burden of liberating the technological innovations can and will change Aoun’s parliamentary bloc, led by any political reality in Syria as Palestinian territories and slaying most people’s lives for the better. However, they Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, valid without attaining an inter- the Great Satan. can also constitute a security threat to people should be seen as part of Hezbol- national consensus first, some everywhere, starting with the conflict-plagued Lebanese leaders naively rush to populations of the Middle East. lah’s overall legislative share. The Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese line of conduct that Bassil has Damascus without regard for the writer. August 12, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] Europe’s second Syrian migrant crisis www.thearabweekly.com could be coming Published by Al Arab Stephen Starr Publishing House While the Syrian regime is focused on military campaigns in southern Syria, it is expected to soon turn its attention to Idlib. Publisher and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD he violent course of in Idlib, Reuters reported, has the Syrian conflict largely shut down, in anticipa- Editor-in-Chief may soon unleash a tion of a government offensive. new wave of refugees “With this escalation, with this Oussama Romdhani on Europe’s doorstep. deterioration, we worry about This has enormous seeing two-and-a-half million Managing Editor Timplications considering the people becoming displaced more Iman Zayat deep divisions among and within and more towards the border of European countries fuelled by Turkey if this is to continue,” Pa- Deputy Managing Editor the 2015 migrant crisis. nos Moumtzis, of the UN Office and Online Editor Right-wing, anti-migrant for the Coordination of Humani- Mamoon Alabbasi populists are now mainstream tarian Affairs, said in June. “We political players in Europe. The see that more than 80% of the Senior Editor unity that forged the 7-decades- population of Idlib really is in an John Hendel old European project is under extremely vulnerable situation.” threat. In the past, the international Chief Copy Editor While the Syrian regime is community has shown it won’t Richard Pretorius focused on military campaigns stand in the way when the Syrian in southern Syria, it is expected regime goes to war in opposi- Copy Editor to soon turn its attention to Idlib, tion-held areas — eastern Aleppo, Stephen Quillen the only province outside its Darayya, Ghouta and Daraa, to control. Idlib is the final frontier name a few. Little more than Analysis Section Editor in the regime’s campaign to handwringing can be expected Ed Blanche stamp out the embers of the Syr- when the battle for Idlib comes Where to go? A Syrian man evacuated from the area of Fuaa and Kafraya ian revolution. It is also a hotbed to pass. East/West Section Editor in the Idlib province, waits outside a bus at al-Eis crossing south of for extremists who have terror- Idlib, however, is different Aleppo, on July 19. (AFP) Mark Habeeb ised the local population. from other formerly rebel-held “Now Idlib is our goal but regions. It borders Turkey, mean- Gulf Section Editor not just Idlib,” Syrian President ing that Ankara can’t possibly For Europe, the stakes in Idlib Astana process. Damascus, too, Mohammed Alkhereiji Bashar Assad told Russian media keep its border closed if a surge are higher than at any time is aware that in Idlib it faces a in July. “The military — and it is of refugees fleeing the Assad during the Syria war since 2015. very different prospect than Society and Travel at their discretion — will decide forces’ assault unfolds. Turkey Its internal brittleness means it in Ghouta or Daraa because of Sections Editor priorities and Idlib is one of these has robust border defences, can’t afford to ignore events in Turkey’s deeply embedded pres- Samar Kadi priorities.” including a several-hundred- Syria as it has previously done. ence. Syria’s representative to the kilometres-long wall, but the The fate of Idlib is different for Even so, the prospect of an Syria and Lebanon United Nations added to the political capital Ankara has built Europe because a mass move- agreement that pleases arch foes Section Editor sense of coming catastrophe among millions of Sunni and ment of refugees into Turkey Syria and Ankara is inconceiv- Simon Speakman Cordall by saying there would be no anti-Assad Syrians since 2011 and on to Europe could see able under the status quo. compromise in returning Idlib to would be lost should it refuse to thousands of former al-Qaeda From 2011, Europe has mostly Contributing Editor regime hands. open the border to refugees flee- jihadists — many bearing Eu- ignored the day-to-day tragedy Rashmee Roshan Lall As many as 2.5 million people, ing a regime offensive. ropean passports — end up in and slaughter visited on Syria Senior Correspondents many of whom are internally That, combined with increas- Europe. but what happens in Idlib will displaced, are thought to be ing hostility towards Syrians in Reports suggest Turkey may force it to confront new dilem- Mahmud el-Shafey (London) holed up in Idlib province. The Turkey and the increasingly frail not readily give up Idlib. It has a mas. Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) overwhelming majority have nature of the Ankara-Brussels large military presence, includ- virulently anti-government relationship, means Turkey ing 12 observation posts, in the Stephen Starr is the author of Regular Columnists views and are unwilling to ac- would allow refugees fleeing any area. There are signs of a possible “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to Claude Salhani cept living under the control of assault on Idlib to move onward political settlement with Russia the Uprising” and has lived in Yavuz Baydar Damascus. The local economy to Greece and Bulgaria. and Iran vis-a-vis the so-called Syria and Turkey since 2007. Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Egypt urgently needs reforms Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Thomas Seibert (Washington) Hatem al-Jawhari Chief Designer Pushing forward with economic reforms from the angle of relieving the Marwen el-Hmedi

state from its duties towards citizens is probably suicidal. Designers video clip of a young and changed their lives for the social justice and social concord. state from its responsibilities Ibrahim Ben Bechir Egyptian man worse. Egyptian society has reached towards the citizens and without Hanen Jebali standing his ground Marriage is no longer affordable alarming levels of social tension. providing alternatives for them is during an interview and many Egyptian families had As to why things have come to probably suicidal. People still har- with a journalist to give up basic perks, such as this sad result, the obvious answer bour great expectations from the Al Arab Publishing House went viral recently family outings and vacationing, is bad advisers and opportun- revolution and we must be careful Quadrant Building inA Egypt. The arrested man sold and necessities, such as dental, ists at the top echelons of public not to destroy them. Egypt cannot 177-179 Hammersmith Road clothes that had been smuggled eye care and certain regular health affairs. Polarisation and social afford another power struggle of London W6 8BS through the customs facilities of checkups. tensions work to their advantage the type that took place between Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 Port Said on the Mediterranean The debate touched on the ab- because they can further serve the politically naive Muslim Fax: (+44) 20 8846 9520 coast. sence of political reforms and the their interests by consolidating Brothers and the deep structures When the journalist chided him staggering inequity in the salaries power in their hands. of the political institution in about his occupation, the man ac- of public officials. People have There are urgent files in need Egypt with their typical advisers cused her of being ignorant of and criticised the official discrimina- of fundamental reform. The who are more Catholic than the Contributions indifferent about the living condi- tory policies in favour of admin- health sector is at the top of those pope. and Editorial Queries tions of the poor. He accused istrators in justice, the army, the priorities. Egyptians are silently In the end, it is always the aver- [email protected] authorities of closing their eyes to police and top state officials. witnessing the painful shrinking age citizen with his revolutionary activities of millionaire smugglers They raged against rampant of public health-care coverage dreams who will be footing the in the country and shamelessly corruption, especially at the and services. People are literally bill for that struggle. pursuing the little guy who is try- higher echelons of the administra- dying because they can’t find It is during these critical mo- Tunis Office ing to eke out a living for himself tion and decried the widespread public care or afford private care. ments that voices of wisdom Tel: (+ 216) 71 669 174 and his family. mediocrity of appointed heads of Food and water must also be dealt from the administration should Tel: (+216) 71 669 175 Egyptian President Abdel Fat- state institutions and agencies. with urgently. Pollution levels and dare speak out in favour of more tah al-Sisi instructed the prime Even carelessness in the manage- cancer and kidney failure rates are humane policies and decisions. minister to order an official inves- ment of archaeological sites and at all-time highs. There is no point in denying tigation about the clip. Port Said museums was discussed. Social housing programmes the existence of social inequity, Governor Adel Mohamed Ibrahim It was interesting to notice the have come to a halt and prices incompetence and opportun- apologised to young men arrested existence of voices who accept the of decent housing have risen to ism in the society at large and in on smuggling charges and a current political management of phenomenal levels, very much be- the structures of the state itself. US Publisher: well-known businessman opened the country as the best possible yond the reach of most Egyptians. Ignoring all of this and preferring Ibrahim Zobeidi employment opportunities in his under the circumstances. They Finally, it is urgent to rethink to further deepen the polarisation companies. argue that it was the previous the question of subsidising sala- in the country can only serve the (248) 803 1946 The incident has started a political polarisation of Egypt ries and energy. narrow and selfish interests of debate about how serious and that brought the current admin- The urgencies listed above a minority at the expense of the effective economic reforms in istration to power. They argue touch the daily lives of Egyptian country’s future. Egypt are and about daily living that the current administration citizens. There are even more We hope that the video clip conditions of average Egyptians. cannot really undertake profound important issues to be tackled. It that started the debate will trig- The main economic reforms political and bureaucratic reforms is of top importance for example ger real reforms in the political Subscription & Advertising: centred on withdrawing state because it risks losing the support to open social debate about a management of the country. The Mohamed Al Mufti subsidies for electricity and fuel, of its traditional backers and will consensual vision of the country’s administration needs fundamen- [email protected] deregulating the prices of the US be facing insurmountable public future, its fundamental values tal reforms and must appeal to Tel: (+44) 20 8742 9262 dollar in local markets and raising demands and unrest. and the mechanisms for managing talented people with real exper- the price of state-built housing It is possible for political au- social polarisation. tise and wisdom in all domains. units. Those reforms had a tre- thorities to surmount polarised In the current context, pushing mendously negative effect on the debates and initiate policies for forward with economic reforms Hatem al-Jawhari is an Egyptian buying power of most Egyptians achieving a minimal degree of from the angle of relieving the writer. 8 August 12, 2018 News & Analysis Iraq Questions over Baghdad’s ability to abide by renewed US sanctions against Iran

Mamoon Alabbasi interest of Iraqis to harm?” Abadi asked. London Iraq reportedly bought approxi- mately $6.6 billion worth of goods raqi Prime Minister Haider al- from Iran in 2017. Many of those Abadi said he would comply products are cheaper and easier to with renewed US sanctions import from Iran than from else- I on Iran, despite having reser- where. vations. However, it is unknown Iraq would stand to lose revenue whether Baghdad can abide by from Iranians visiting Shia holy sites such measures when many of Iraq’s in Karbala and Najaf, among others. top politicians and militiamen are “The 2 [million] or 3 million Ira- loyal to Tehran. nian pilgrims who come each year Abadi said that, while he opposed represent a major economic activity sanctions and viewed them as un- that Iraq could now be deprived of,” just in general, he would adhere to Muzhar Mohammed Salah, an eco- the US move against Iran because nomic adviser to Abadi, told Agence it would not be in Iraq’s interest to France-Presse. challenge Washington in the mat- Observers said, however, that ter. trade will continue in the black mar- “In principle, we are totally ket because smugglers easily cross against sanctions. Iraq has paid the many points along the 1,000km bor- biggest price for sanctions that it der between the two countries. unjustly endured for 13 years. The It also should be noted that Aba- sanctions were meant to weaken di may not be prime minister once the former regime (of Saddam Hus- a new coalition government is sein) but they resulted in weaken- formed. ing our people and tearing the fab- A recount of votes in May’s na- ric of our society,” Abadi said. tional elections, after allegations of “We are not happy (with the sanc- fraud, showed that influential Shia Bargain hunting. An Iraqi man looks at an Iranian-made washing machine at a store in Baghdad. (AFP) tions against Iran) but we will abide cleric Muqtada al-Sadr retained his by them… to protect our people.” lead in the number of parliamentary “As a government, we are primar- seats. Abadi was third in the race, government not to be party to these freedom-loving peoples… to resist Iraqi President Fuad Masum ac- ily responsible for our people. Yes, following a political alliance repre- sanctions.” (the sanctions).” knowledged that it would be dif- we do not attack or oppress others, senting pro-Iran militias. Negotia- Iraq’s Dawa Party, which both Hard-line pro-Iran Shia groups ficult for Baghdad to adhere to US especially neighbouring states, but tions over who will lead the country Abadi and Maliki are members of, joined in the chorus of condemna- sanctions against Iran. we have a moral and legal responsi- continue among the major parties. denounced the sanctions. tion and threatened to break the “The circumstances of Iraq and bility towards our people,” he said. Many senior Iraqi politicians have “The party calls on all free gov- sanctions against Tehran. the nature of its relationship, in ad- Abadi criticised Iraqi politicians openly called for breaking the US ernments in the world, especially “The statement of the Iraqi prime dition to the many mutual interests, who wanted Baghdad to defy the sanctions against Iran. the Islamic ones, to reject these minister does not show loyalty to will make it difficult for Iraq to com- US sanctions against Iran. “US sanctions against neigh- unjust sanctions which contradict the honourable stance of the Is- ply with such a decision,” Masum “Some want the interest of others bouring Iran are a blatant violation the most basic principles of human lamic Republic of Iran, especially told Alhurra TV. to be above the interest of our peo- of international law,” Iraqi Vice- rights that prohibits the starvation the blood of their martyred (mili- “My view regarding current con- ple… is it permissible for me as the President Nuri al-Maliki said in a of people,” Dawa said in a state- tary) advisers,” read a statement by flicts is that we should not support prime minister of Iraq to expose the statement. “We call on the Iraqi ment. The party also “called on all Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia. one side against another, because “The interest of Iraq lies in not subjecting Iran to a huge pressure falling into America’s arms and might prompt an Iranian reaction Iraq’s al-Sadr retains election victory after vote recount following their wishes which are which affects the situation in Iraq,” hostile to peoples,” the statement said the Iraqi president, who is a added. Kurd. The Arab Weekly staff where ballot boxes were stored. The results could be contested by The As’aib Ahl al-Haq militia said Kurdistan Regional Government The results of the recount gener- parties and they need to be ratified in a statement the US sanctions Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani ally matched the initial results from by the Federal Supreme Court of against Iran were “a violation of hu- said he would deal with the US London 13 of Iraq’s 18 provinces, the IHEC Iraq before they become final. manitarian principles and customs” sanctions on Iran within the frame- said. Once the results are ratified, par- and expressed disappointment in work of the central government in raq’s Independent High Elec- Al-Sadr retained his 54 seats in the ties have 90 days to form a coalition Abadi’s stance on the issue. Baghdad. tion Commission (IHEC) said 329-seat parliament. Hadi al-Amiri, government. Lawmakers must first The calls have not stopped with “Until now, the sanctions are not the result of its recount of bal- who leads a bloc that includes Shia gather to elect a speaker. After that, hardliners. Ammar al-Hakim, leader clear for us in the Kurdistan region. I lots from May’s parliamentary militia leaders, remained in second the president is elected in parlia- of the Iraqi National Wisdom Move- I believe they are not clear to them elections did not alter the overall place, gaining one seat to have 48. ment, and finally, the major parties ment, which considers itself a mod- yet either but, certainly, the Kurdis- outcome of the vote, which means Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Ab- would have to agree on naming a erate party, urged aiding Iran in the tan region’s steps will be within the the bloc of Shia cleric Muqtada al- adi’s bloc, with 42 seats, remained prime minister. face of US pressure. policies and position of Iraq,” Bar- Sadr retains its lead. third. Although it’s not written in the “The Islamic Republic of Iran zani told Kurdistan 24. The recount, which was ordered Abadi, who is heading a caretak- constitution, it has become a cus- is under pressure and sanctions, “We have asked the United States by parliament following wide- er government until a new one is tom in Iraqi politics to reserve the which have targeted its economic and Baghdad to give us more clari- spread allegations of fraud and ir- formed, is participating in negotia- position of speaker for a Sunni Arab, and political establishment,” Hakim fications about that,” said Barzani. regularities, did not include votes tions with the major political blocs the presidency for a Kurd and the was quoted as saying. “I call on eve- from eastern Baghdad that had to form the next governing coali- powerful prime ministry for a Shia ryone to stand by the Islamic Re- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy been burned in a fire at a warehouse tion. Arab. public of Iran during this crisis and Managing Editor and Online help this country.” Editor of The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint ISIS may be gone but the smell of death lingers over Mosul

bout a year ago, Iraqi their way into the city. The militias photojournalist who was embedded nightmare every time the wind Prime Minister Haider worked side-by-side with regular with Iraqi forces. Arkady docu- wafts death over them. al-Abadi stood proudly Iraqi forces and called down air mented how detainees, accused If federal authorities cannot bring amid the rubble of strikes from the world’s pre-emi- without proof of being ISIS mili- themselves to put aside sectarian Tallha Abdulrazaq central Mosul. With nent superpower, the United States, tants, were tortured and executed prejudices and help the people of the shattered ruins and its Western allies. by Iraqi forces. The soldiers encour- Mosul, Ramadi, Tikrit and scores ofA the once great city smouldering Imagine that — a sectarian force, aged the journalist to participate in of other destroyed cities rebuild as a backdrop for his camera mo- fighting against a tyrannical terror- the torture, knowing he was there their lives, they will have handed ment, Abadi stood in solemn black ist organisation, with the battle- to document the fighting. ISIS a victory. The radicals and the military fatigues. Flanked by his ground being an ancient Sunni Arab Is it any surprise then that the extremists can claim they were jus- most senior security and military city. One would have to be daft to rubble that covers Mosul like a tified in perpetrating such violence officials, he declared that Mosul think that any of the combatants shroud to this day still has bloating and they were deserving of the had been liberated from the Islamic would care much for the city or, corpses underneath? The dead bod- people’s loyalty in fighting a hate- State (ISIS). more importantly, its inhabitants. ies that litter Mosul are spreading filled regime that cares only for its If there ever were a scene that Government forces became toxins through the air, especially as self-enrichment at the expense of depicted victory, it was not the embroiled in atrocities that should they are exposed to scorching Iraqi the common people. one Abadi was having broadcast have sent the international commu- summer heat. If ISIS and others form and hone the world over to demonstrate his nity reeling in disgust had the ene- Volunteers have tried to unearth that message in an environment “strong” leadership. The defeat of my not been ISIS. Footage emerged the corpses in a city where Kurdish where Iraqis are being abandoned If federal ISIS came at such a terrible price, it of children being beaten and killed intelligence officials, cited by Pat- because of their ethno-sectarian authorities cannot could hardly be celebrated by any- by sledgehammer-wielding Iraqi rick Cockburn, say 40,000 people background, we will find ourselves bring themselves to one with a humanitarian spirit. soldiers and, as the carnage reached died in the worst urban fighting in a position far worse than in 2014 Despite repeated assurances that the city, accounts of human rights since the second world war. when the ISIS menace really took help people rebuild he would not allow them to partici- violations emerged. The smell of death lingers, thick hold. their lives, they will pate in the operation that began in The German magazine Der in the air, as people try to move late 2016, Abadi was powerless to Spiegel published a harrowing ac- on with their lives and forget the Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher at have handed ISIS a prevent Iran-linked sectarian Shia count complete with photographs horrors of the very recent past but the University of Exeter’s Strategy victory. jihadist militants from slaughtering taken by Ali Arkady, a Kurdish are reminded they are in a waking and Security Institute in England. August 12, 2018 9 News & Analysis Syria Russia takes the initiative at Astana talks in Sochi

Sami Moubayed a single US diplomat was present to upcoming battle for Idlib in north- object because the Trump adminis- western Syria, which is scheduled tration is apparently uninterested for September. They were also un- Beirut in what happens in Syria at a micro- able to talk the government del- level, surrendering, it seems, to Pu- egation into confidence-building he tenth round of the tin’s version of an endgame. measures, such as a general pardon. Astana talks have wrapped Also interesting was the composi- What they did discuss, albeit up, this time in the Black tion of the opposition delegation at indirectly through UN personnel, T Sea resort of Sochi rather Astana 10. During previous rounds, were two lists submitted for a com- than in the capital of Kazakhstan. only military figures attended, cre- mittee charged with reviewing the Saturated with the Syrian conflict, ating a major fissure between the Syrian Constitution. No agreement international and regional media political movements that boycotted was reached on when it would start did not pay much attention, al- the talks and the armed opposition work, how long it would take to though several developments hap- that attended. finish or where its meetings would pened, making Astana 10 different This time, both camps were pre- take place. — symbolically and substantially — sent, through low-grade figures Additionally, the two sides did from previous rounds of the Syrian who were largely unknown but who not decide on whether to amend peace process. had no previous stances that would the present constitution or write a The choice of venue was note- limit their bargaining options. That new document and no agreement worthy. When the process began means none of them had climbed was reached on who would create in 2017, the Russians insisted on the ladder too high with aggressive this committee — Syrian President neutral territory — not in Russia, statements about the regime, mak- Bashar Assad, the United Nations Turkey, Iran or Syria. That seem- ing it easier for them to sign any or the Sochi conference. ingly has vanished, with the Rus- agreement that would have been Only names were discussed at sians no longer claiming impartial- too difficult for men like Moham- Astana 10, given that both sides had ity and setting the talks at Russian mad Alloush of the Islamic Army or forwarded lists of 50 candidates President Vladimir Putin’s favour- Khaled Khoja of the Syrian National for the committee, although the ite meeting spot, a decision marked Coalition. It occurred against the panel itself was fixed at 50. Half the with high symbolism. backdrop of thundering setbacks names must be crossed off before for the armed opposition, both in progress is made and Damascus in- The Russian strategy for East Ghouta and throughout south- sists that it gets majority represen- returning refugees took ern Syria. tation on the committee. It is un- Six representatives of the armed likely the committee will convene up the largest portion of opposition attended the talks in before 2019. the talks, given that Sochi, along with four from the Na- The Russian strategy for return- Moscow hopes to tional Coalition, which had previ- ing refugees took up the largest por- repatriate approximately ously shunned such gatherings and tion of the talks, given that Moscow 2 million refugees by the demonised attendees as traitors. hopes to repatriate approximately 2 end of the year. The new head of the National million refugees by the end of the Coalition, Abdul Rahman Mustafa, year and re-establish regime legiti- Second, Astana 10 ended all a Turkish protege, was absent but macy in the process. Syria’s endgame. A Syrian woman talks on a mobile phone next wishful thinking about the Rus- representing him quietly was his Putin is serious about being re- to a poster of President Bashar Assad with Arabic that reads, sians applying pressure on Damas- special envoy, Mohammad Salim membered as the person who “Assad has Triumphed,” in Damascus. (AP) cus to democratise and hand power al-Khatib, along with coalition solved what has been described as to the opposition. The political pro- members who are all part of the the worst humanitarian disaster cess has morphed from creating a Saudi-backed camp. This means since the second world war. The re- through dropping arrest warrants constituency into going home or, at “Transitional Government Body” Saudi Arabia’s position on the peace turn of refugees would help attract and postponing conscription into a minimum, not preventing them with “full-executive powers” (as process has softened and that, even foreign aid, much needed in Da- the armed forces, along with pro- from doing so. stated at Geneva I in 2012) into “dis- if unwilling to join it, Riyadh is not mascus to feed, school and house viding basic services and construc- cussing the constitutional commit- going to bring it down. the returning citizens. tion material to rebuild homes. Sami Moubayed is a Syrian tee” and the return of refugees. The opposition delegation failed Moscow talked its Syrian allies Russia is asking the opposition to historian and author of “Under the Both are Russian projects and not to secure a postponement of the into facilitating the comeback, cooperate as well, either to talk its Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). Scientist’s death highlights Israel’s Syria dilemma

Simon Speakman Cordall gramme. That made him a potential aims. The more hawkish in Tel Aviv target for an Israeli strike.” argue that Iran is so entrenched with The debate over Asbar’s death Syria that its influence pervades Tunis goes beyond the fate of an individual Damascus. Russia’s willingness and Syrian scientist, cutting to the heart ability to restrain Tehran, as high- uring the night of August of the dilemma over how far Israel, lighted by Moscow’s apparent weak- 4, in the Syrian town of and by extension the United States, ness in the face of the regime’s push Masyaf, high-level Syr- can rely on Damascus’s principal into south-western Syria, are also D ian scientist Aziz Asbar was ally, Russia, to constrain Iran within subject to doubt. killed in a car bombing. All fingers Syria. The implications of Asbar’s kill- point to Israel as being responsible The Israeli national security ap- ing carry beyond Tel Aviv. “This re- for the attack. paratus is said to be split. Some say ally is the first significant test of the The T4 weapons development Iran is an intractable part of Damas- [United States’] ‘America first pol- factory in Masyaf has been the tar- cus’s security apparatus. Others, icy’,” Heras said. “It puts the ques- get of repeated air strikes and mis- including Israeli Defence Minister tion squarely in front of the Trump sile attacks for much of Syria’s civil Avigdor Lieberman, who was born administration: To what degree can war, with scientists at the facility in the Soviet Union, look to Russia to you influence events in western Syr- suspected by Israeli intelligence of serve as a bulwark against Iran. ia without deploying any significant developing weapons capable of “Asbar’s assassination has really assets there? And again that ques- striking at enemies both at home brought all of this into the open,” tion leads the US back to the Rus- and abroad. said Nicholas Heras, Middle East se- sians.” In February, Israeli jets struck at curity fellow at the Centre for a New At least for the short term, Mos- the plant after an alleged Iranian American Securi­ ty. “Assuming it was cow’s value as a check against Iran is drone, launched from the site, en- the Israelis, Asbar’s killing highlights open to question. In terms of man- tered Israeli airspace. In April, Is- the gulf between those who are power, Tehran’s commitment to the raeli missiles struck the plant after ready to go after a high-value target Syrian conflict far eclipses that of a chemical attack on the Damascus’s in Syria they suspect of working with Moscow. While Tehran might not suburb of Ghouta. Throughout, the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary feature prominently in Moscow’s Iran’s and its proxies’ presences at Guard Corps) and those that would long-term plans for Syria, those the base are said to have been ubiq- look to Russia to counter that.” plans remain far distant from a tu- uitous. Irrespective of any short-term ac- multuous present. Any question “Israel’s red lines have to do with tion Israel might consider in Syria, over the degree of threat Tel Aviv is the range, precision and survivabili- Russia is wedded to the country’s willing to accept from within Syria ty of systems.” Jeffrey Martini, a sen- long-term future, not least through was answered unambiguously in ior Middle East analyst at the RAND its naval base at Tartus and the air- Masyaf: very little. Corporation, said via e-mail. “What field at Latakia. For Russia to fulfil little we know about Mr Asbar sug- its policy goals in Syria, the country Simon Speakman Cordall is Syria/ gests he was working on improving must be stabilised and Iranian influ- Lebanon section editor with The these aspects of Syria’s missile pro- ence nullified, which are also Israeli Arab Weekly. 10 August 12, 2018 News & Analysis Libya Haftar heads to Niger for talks, control of southern Libya at stake

Michel Cousins locations in the region, notably the main airbases apart from the airport in Sabha. Tunis For Haftar, support from Niger to prevent militants, mercenaries and n the acrimonious political rival- smugglers crossing into Libya or us- ries that plague Libya, the man ing Niger to retreat to is crucial. The who is the real power in the east, fact that Niamey officially recog- I Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar, nises the rival Presidency Council of had concentrated foreign outreach Fayez al-Sarraj is secondary. efforts on countries — Egypt, Saudi That someone controls southern Arabia, Russia and, to a lesser ex- Libya — Fezzan as it is usually known tent, France — that could give him — is very much in the interests of Ni- practical support or those of poten- ger. Since the 2011 revolution, the re- tial major significance, such as the gion has descended into anarchy. In United States. the absence of any strong authority, Although some foreign govern- there have been regular outbreaks of ments and the United Nations have violence between various tribes and tried to keep a door open to him, communities, crime has soared and Haftar has largely ignored them the region has become a haven for mainly because they recognise and terrorists and the centre of smug- support the rival Presidency Council gling operations of people, arms and in Tripoli. drugs. It has become a crucible of in- That has been especially so with stability for the entire Sahel region. countries south of the Sahara. Last In 2013, following a suicide bomb- September, he was the only major ing in the Nigerien town of Agadez, Libyan player who refused to attend in which 19 people died, and an at- an African Union summit on Libya. tack on a uranium mine further Haftar, however, recently visited north, Issoufou claimed that Fezzan Libya’s south-western neighbour was the base for terrorist operations Looking south. Fighters from the Libyan National Army (LNA) stand guard next to Sidra oil port in Niger at the invitation of Nigerien in his country. A few months later, Ras Lanuf. (Reuters) President Mahamadou Issoufou for Nigerien Foreign Minister Massou- talks on “issues of common strate- dou Hassoumi demanded that the gic interest,” reports said. Also at- international community, having ger, however, wanted to know his In the rivalry for influence in Lib- trolling military power throughout tending were senior members of the helped overthrow the Qaddafi re- plans. ya between France and Italy, Haf- Fezzan. For that to happen, Haftar Libyan National Army (LNA) as well gime, intervene in Fezzan, which he There has been deep hostility tar and Niger are opposed to Italy. needs to ensure that the militants as the leaders of the Nigerien Army. described as an “incubator for ter- between Haftar and Sudan almost Plans by the Italians to send troops and the mercenaries cannot escape The logic behind the visit was sim- rorist groups.” since the start of his operation in to Niger to deter migrants heading across the Niger border when the ple: With the LNA’s capture in June Securing Fezzan and Libya’s 2014 to rid Benghazi of Islamist mili- to Libya were angrily rejected by the LNA strikes. of Derna, the last Islamist bastion in southern border is also in the inter- tants, with accusations that Khar- Nigeriens. France is a prime ally of It is unclear when Haftar would the east, Haftar turned his attention ests of Chad and Sudan, which have toum was supporting them. The Niger and maintains a strong mili- begin his operation but his support- to southern Libya, convinced he can suffered the fallout from the chaos Sudanese claimed Haftar was using tary presence there. For much of the ers promise it will be soon. establish control there. there. Darfuri rebels to fight for him. past seven years, Paris’s prime inter- As to whether it will succeed, giv- He attempted that earlier this It was no coincidence that Haf- LNA relations are strained with est regarding Libya was to ensure en the complex dynamics of south- year, hoping to take advantage of tar’s visit to Niamey came a day be- Chad, again with accusations of that chaos in the country does not ern Libya, that is another matter. clashes in the main regional city, fore the governments of the three Chadians — Tebus and Chadian op- infect Niger and other Sahel states. There is a view that the region will Sabha, between the Tebu commu- southern neighbours plus Sarraj’s position fighters willing to fight for With the battle against the Islamic remain chaotic and divided as long nity and the once-dominant Awlad Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala anyone who pays them — fighting in State and other jihadists moving as northern Libya — Tripolitania Suleiman tribe. It did not work. met in Khartoum to discuss border Libya. into the Sahel, the United States, and Cyrenaica — remains divided Now, though, apart from some security, human smuggling and oth- The potential for closer relations which Haftar sees as a potential ally, and there is no united government pockets of resistance, the battle in er problems resulting from the lack between Niger and Haftar based on has a growing military presence in to impose its will throughout the Derna is over and reports indicate of security and stability in Libya. mutual interest is boosted by their Niger, deploying a drone force there. country. Haftar is gathering forces in the Haftar was not invited. The neigh- international relationships and As such, it would be very much in south for a major operation. The bouring states do not officially rec- views on the human smuggling trail Paris’s and Washington’s interests Michel Cousins is a contributor to LNA and its allies control important ognise him as a political player. Ni- from Agadez into Libya. to see the LNA emerge as the con- The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Viewpoint Foreign powers should keep their hands off Libya

he argument between of vital zones in Libya. With Haf- and mend social cleavages. Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and France and Italy over tar’s troops in the oil crescent, it is a The path to reconciliation Qatar, have some effect but cannot Mohamed whether to give priority matter of time before he eliminates requires wisdom, which seems to decide the outcome without the Abu al-Fadl in Libya to elections the pockets of resistance in the area be lacking in Libya. None of the blessing of foreign powers. or reconciliation may and reveals their links to Western leaderships floating on the surface Internally, the crisis is worsened appear virtuous but is powers. is ready for genuine reconciliation. by the endless struggles for power Tfar from it. Let us suppose that France is ear- The situation is no different on the by warring factions. The players Both parties are locked in a con- nest about Libyan having elections tribal front and none of the propo- in the Libyan crisis are addicted flict about what to do first in Libya. December 10. How would France nents of the reconciliation has done to this local game. They also find France wants to start with elections guarantee the right conditions for a thing to prepare for it. it quite lucrative. All of this goes a in the December. Italy insists on elections? Given this background, the inevi- long way in explaining the fast- reconciliation first. Would it disarm and disband the table result is the status quo. Italy changing alliances in Libya and Both approaches are removed militias protecting certain official wouldn’t mind such a situation be- the difficulty of coming up with a from reality. The complexity of the institutions in Libya? Would France cause it would allow it to widen its definitive picture of who does what situation in Libya leaves no room guarantee the implementation influence in Libya while claiming to and with whom in the country. for top-down solutions or execut- of election results, which would be doing the right thing. For Rome, This tragic situation is one of ing foreign agendas. The Libyan reveal the true weight of each fac- reconciliation is a cover for a strong the results of foreign meddling conflict has reached a dead end and tion in Libya? What if the losing Italian presence in Libya. We know in Libya. The local factions have such solutions won’t work. factions simply refuse to lay down and, above all, Rome knows that found that the contradictory for- France, in May, had backed their arms? reconciliation necessitates that all eign agendas in Libya work to their Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar and France cannot give guarantees parties, including Italy, make major benefit. Therefore, the first step his Libyan National Army troops and the crisis in Libya would go on concessions, something that isn’t on the path to a political solution during the battle of Derna. France, unabated. There may be a new gov- likely. What Italy needs to do is to in Libya should be to keep foreign however, was not interested in ernment and even new leadership keep off Libyan affairs for a while. hands off Libya. eliminating the Derna mujahideen but that won’t make a difference. Rome’s meddling in Libyan The debate about elections or as much as it was in eliminat- Such a situation would be fine affairs is as dangerous as that of reconciliation first might have ing elements that had engaged in with France though, because it Paris or Washington or London or started with noble objectives but terrorist activities against French would give it the right conditions any other power. Each is pursu- has gone astray. What the different citizens and interests in Mali, Chad, and leeway to manoeuvre accord- ing its own strategic goals without sides are pursuing is to continue Niger and other places. France’s ing to its interests in Libya, which paying consideration to what is the dramatic status quo. There may message to terrorist organisations are not necessarily the interests of required for a political settlement be some well-intentioned people in Libya was clear: Do not even the Libyan people. in the country. The first thing that on both sides of the debate but The debate about think of touching French citizens or The approach of beginning with is required is to stop foreign med- they are no longer effective. elections or interests. the reconciliation process, might dling in Libya. As long as the keys to a solution reconciliation first Italy backed Ibrahim Jardhan’s appear to be common sense and It is unreasonable to expect elec- remain beyond the hands of the le- militias and enabled it to control attractive because it is the best tions or reconciliations in the politi- gitimate authorities in Libya, more might have started the oil crescent region in July. Ita- path for a permanent solution. It is, cally complex context of contradic- dramatic developments are to be with noble ly’s interest was not in supporting however, tough to achieve. Time tory agendas and policies. Even the expected in the Libyan saga. the Libyan government of Prime is required to unify the military Arab initiatives for Libya, whether objectives but has Minister Fayez al-Sarraj as much as forces, disarm the militias, struc- from neighbouring Egypt, Tunisia Mohamed Abu al-Fadl is an gone astray. it was in containing Haftar’s control ture the security and police forces and Algeria or from the United Arab Egyptian writer. August 12, 2018 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Showdown over women’s rights presents Caid Essebsi with legacy challenge

Lamine Ghanmi protests. Tunisia had similarly heated bat- tles over rights issues, including Heated debate. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (C) meets with a delegation from the Individual Tunis women’s rights, in 1956, when the Freedoms and Equality Commission, headed by feminist lawyer and parliament member Bochra newly independent country was Belhaj Hmida (L), at the Presidential Palace in Carthage. (Tunisian Presidency) unisian President Beji Caid jolted by the showdown between Essebsi is facing one of the the nation’s modern founder Habib stitute survey indicated that 67% of another person.” and he succeeded by using his intel- most challenging tasks in Bourguiba against Islamic scholars of Tunisians, including 52% of women, The report focused on segments of lectual and leadership skills. They T his 60-year political career the powerful Zitouna establishment, polled said they opposed the equal the constitution, including Article 2, want Caid Essebsi to do the same. in a showdown that pits progressive the country’s revered institution of inheritance proposal. Nearly three- which states: “Tunisia is a state of a “What would be the state of the elites against Islamists and their non- Islamic teaching, which was backed quarters of respondents, including civil character based on citizenship, nation today if Bourguiba had lis- Islamist conservative allies — a battle by dominant traditionalist forces in 65% of women, said they opposed the will of the people and the rule of tened to the views of conservative that could reverberate throughout a society plagued with illiteracy and lifting the ban on women marrying law.” However, the commission ap- scholars of the Zitouna and waited the Middle East. economic and social backwardness. non-Muslim men. peared to shy away from an article for the Tunisian people to be more Caid Essebsi, 91, prompted wide- The new battle has wider impli- The ban has effectively been lifted that affirms the state is the guardian mature to accept the changes?” spread anger among Islamist leaders cations regarding the future of the through an administrative decision of the faith. asked secularist parliament member and conservative segments of the de facto alliance between Rached although some public notaries are The report’s release was followed Sahbi Ben Fredj. population and invited threats from Ghannouchi, the leader of the main said to refuse to comply with the by a heated campaign in mosques Secularists have exhorted Caid jihadist groups last year when he pro- Islamist Ennahda Movement, and provision. and other venues by imams, other Essebsi to demonstrate his loyalty posed changes to inheritance laws to Caid Essebsi. Their ties had been Wider resistance to the proposals religious figures and Islamist and to Bourguiba — his spiritual father — expand human rights and bring laws aimed at maintaining the country’s across Tunisian society motivates conservative politicians alleging that and make good on promises to main- concerning women’s rights and indi- precarious stability amid its fragile Islamist groups to press ahead even the commission seeks to “change the tain Tunisia’s stature as the pioneer vidual freedoms in conformity with transition to democracy. further with their campaign against Islamic religion” in Tunisia. of women’s rights in the region. Tunisia’s constitution. Contrary to publicity efforts, En- the proposals. Ennahda is likely to Ghannouchi submitted his party’s “Go for it Mr President and have nahda has shed its veneer of “Mus- see electoral dividends for opposing response in a document to Caid Es- the drive to enter in the history lim democracy” to effectively lead the reforms. Progressive secularists sebsi without revealing what the books,” Abdelaziz Kacem, a state tel- Secularists have exhorted the opposition to the presidential seem less concerned about the elec- reaction was. Other Islamists, how- evision senior manager at the time of Caid Essebsi to make good commission’s conclusions. toral implications of the reforms. ever, vowed to stop any legislative Bourguiba, urged Caid Essebsi. on promises to maintain Ennahda, the political party with A leading Ennahda figure, Abdel- initiative based on the commission’s Bourguiba, however, was backed Tunisia’s stature as the the most seats in the parliament, hamid Jelassi, said the party was in proposals. by progressive elites and a loyal gov- pioneer of women’s rights has threatened to kill any presiden- “a very easy situation with 80% of Mohamed Ben Salem, a senior ernment in contrast to the current in the region. tial legislative initiative on gender the people thought to be against the Ennahda official, said: “The presi- context in which almost all known equality in terms of inheritance. commission’s proposals.” He did not dent has provoked a false problem secularist and leftist progressive fig- His other concern was not to be Caid Essebsi is in a bind. Were he say where he got his data, however. because it is not what the people ures and parties are on the sidelines considered insensitive to the wishes to fail in his initiatives or back down The commission recommended demand at a time when the country while the Islamists and their allies of a Muslim majority in many ways on his promises, he risks being con- changing all laws that do not protect suffers from economic problems. It work to derail the new rights blue- bound by strong conservative lean- sidered a lame duck for the remain- citizens equally, regardless of reli- is not the time for such issues.” print. ings. der of his 5-year term, which ends gion, social status, gender or sexual Ben Salem put the issue in a Secularists do not want to gratify The proposals were made by a spe- next year. orientation. Among the proposed broader context of the antagonisms Islamists with a win in what seems cial commission Caid Essebsi tasked His credibility is sorely needed to reforms are equal inheritance rights between Islamists and their allies in like a drive to settle old scores with to develop reforms to advance wom- ease infighting among rivals in his for women, decriminalising homo- the traditionalist camp against the Bourguiba’s secularist legacy but en’s rights. The commission, headed secularist camp, conflicts that could sexuality and abolishing the death once-powerful secularists. they are advancing in divided ranks, by feminist lawyer and parliament paralyse the government and com- penalty. “The mindset of the secularists if at all. member Bochra Belhaj Hmida, is- pound the country’s economic and The commission’s proposals are who believe that they are above all “The leftists are on holiday and sued a 200-page report in June. social crises ahead of next year’s predicated on the belief that indi- other persons who do not share their rights activists are also silent be- Its key points were met with un- presidential and parliamentary elec- vidual rights and freedoms should views are at the root cause of all this cause they seem not to have re- precedented attacks from Islamists tions. be “absolutely unfettered. “The in- chaos in which the country is suffer- ceived the right calls to act from the as well as objections from main- However, if he goes along with the dividual freedom is a right of the ing now,” he argued. rights groups in Europe and the Unit- stream traditionalists. Belhaj Hmida commission’s proposals, Caid Esseb- individual per se,” said the commis- Secularists and proponents of the ed States,” said writer Synda Tajine. was the target of fiery mosque ser- si could alienate conservative con- sion’s report. “That means the right expansion of women and individual mons, disparaging campaigns on so- stituencies in the secularist camp. enjoyed by the individual to express rights argue Bourguiba was chal- Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly cial media and name-calling in street A 2017 International Republic In- his singularity without resorting to lenged by even tougher resistance correspondent in Tunis.

Interview Moroccan MP expects initiative to ‘build new reality based on reconciliation’

said there is a significant differ- regions is not repeated. aspirations of citizens. “The king Moroccans and led to their ence despite recent protests in the In his Throne Day address, King wants Morocco to be among the reluctance to engage in public country. Mohammed VI focused on social developed countries,” Azzaoui affairs. Mohamed Alaoui “Social demands are legitimate issues and introduced the “Unified said. She called for injecting the demands but we must not forget Social Register” project. It aims to Observers noted that King country’s talented youth into that Morocco has achieved a consolidate social and economic Mohammed VI’s speech included public service. “Parties should Rabat qualitative leap politically, legally data for all citizens to identify the reassuring messages insisting on develop their discourse and their and economically. The kingdom neediest classes and determine national unity and solidarity means of communication with ing Mohammed VI’s has developed and become a role who qualifies for state welfare among all components of Moroc- constituents so that they can gain speech on the 19th model for both Africa and the Arab funds. can society and warning against their trust,” she said. anniversary of his world,” Azzaoui said. Azzaoui said Morocco has segregation and separation. Azzaoui pointed out that unrest accession to the She called on political and civil achieved remarkable development Azzaoui said King Mohammed in the Rif region revealed that all throne was seen by actors to stand behind reconcilia- on several levels. What is notewor- VI also warned against compro- Moroccan parties had failed to Morocco’s political tion initiatives for the Rif region thy are the king’s efforts regarding mising the kingdom’s security, contain social demands and ease Kclass as offering new prospects. and to proactively seek solutions a social climate of stability based especially in the context of the war tensions. The weak presence of Ibtissam Azzaoui, a member of to appease tensions. Azzaoui on reconciliation as well as caring on terrorism. It requires constant political parties during the Rif parliament from the Authenticity pointed out that any initiative for all segments of Moroccan vigilance. This is still the case crisis demonstrates the need for and Modernity Party (PAM), said pertaining to the detainees of the society, including the Amazigh despite the proactive security new mediation mechanisms. that the king’s Throne Day speech Al Hoceima protests must allow culture. policy the kingdom follows, Azzaoui said Moroccan parties delivered in Al Hoceima, in legal proceedings to take their Azzaoui said the Family Code enabled by the improvement of suffer significant problems. They addition to King Mohammed VI’s course. developed by King Mohammed VI the internationally praised have remained hostage to their old meeting with Aicha al-Khattabi, “After the trial is over, we will for the protection of women is Moroccan security forces. ideologies, even though Morocco daughter of Moroccan anti-colo- work on a unified initiative to proof of the kingdom’s progress. Azzaoui added that the kingdom has, since King Mohammed IV’s nial leader Abd El Krim al-Khat- establish a new reality based on Despite the gains, however, was facing security challenges accession to the throne, inaugu- tabi, known as the “Hero of the reconciliation,” Azzaoui said. Azzaoui said she does not deny following the return of Moroccans rated an era of openness and social Rif,” sends positive signals regard- She added there was a need to that the kingdom needs to do more who had joined extremist organi- solidarity. Azzaoui noted that “the ing issues in the Rif region. She find solutions for the social and to promote women’s affairs and to sations in areas such as the buffer PAM, under its new leadership, is did not rule out a general pardon economic conditions in the Rif make economic progress by zone with Polisario Front rebels in aware of the challenges. There is a of those detained during protests region and in other marginalised attracting investment and services the Moroccan Sahara. profound political debate within in the region. cities suffering unemployment and developing infrastructure, Azzaoui stressed that parties the party aiming to enable it to Azzaoui refused to compare and poverty. The demands of including roads, ports and must communicate seriously with play an advanced role on the Morocco’s current state with the young people dissatisfied with the airports. citizens and reinvent their rhetoric political level in the future.” crises that the country experi- lack of employment opportunities Morocco is working to provide as well as their ways of doing enced in the Years of Lead from must be heard so what had an attractive environment for things instead of relying on tired Mohamed Alaoui is a Moroccan the 1960s through the 1980s. She happened in the Rif and other foreign investment to meet the language that has alienated young writer. 12 August 12, 2018 Debate Lebanon Fraying of the state threatens Lebanon with chaos

economic collapse. to be behind blocking the return of the situation. The social situation is no better the electricity monopoly to Leba- As the battle Lebanon has depended for so and some parties have suggested non Electricity. for the long on aid from the Gulf and Eu- Ali al-Amin legalising growing hemp for me- The extent of corruption and composition rope to cover losses due to corrup- dicinal purposes. Such a suggestion malfeasance in this sector is mind- of the new tion. Now, that aid is either very reflects an escapist attitude in the boggling. Subsidised fuel and diesel government limited or has completely disap- painful absence of any develop- meant for Lebanon Electricity were peared. With the absence of fresh ment plans. sold cheaply to the private electric- rages, foreign investment, the Lebanese inancial and economic Such plans would require the ity producers. Some public power corruption Treasury has become strained to a crises have been piling state to take a firm stand about cer- plants were shut off illegally so fuel scandals keep breaking point while the greed of up in Lebanon without tain priorities, including the need could be dispersed in this manner. popping up. some political forces for more pro- signs of the political for the Lebanese state to have its The state and its institutions jects to siphon off public funds has authorities planning official and legitimate institutions have been weakened and fail to reached alarming proportions. to face them. On the and agencies take control of every end the robberies in broad day- The necessity of change in Fcontrary, there is an unreasonable inch of Lebanese territory and light. The judiciary has become Lebanon is no longer a debatable stubbornness to follow the same end the shameful sharing of state either prisoner of the political issue; it has become a vital ques- path that led to the state’s failure to authority with militias. authority or unable to carry out tion for the state. Either implement ensure even the minimum of its re- There is no mystery about it. its mission. Things have fallen so changes to stop the looting of the sponsibilities towards its citizens. Economic recovery requires invest- low in the management of public public treasury and economy or Not even the results of the elec- ments. To attract them, there is a affairs in Lebanon that nothing the whole edifice will crumble. tions three months ago were incen- need for a minimal level of security short of a total revolution in the As long as strategic decisions tive enough to implement a new and political stability in addition to way political authority deals with in Lebanon remain hijacked by model for managing public affairs. clearly showing who’s in control. public administration can remedy foreign influence through Hezbol- The only outcome has been the The freedom of transferring funds lah, there is no hope for Lebanon insistence by all parties to maintain must be guaranteed. However, to escape the spiral created by the the corruption-infested quota sys- Lebanon’s banking system is fac- evil quota system except by plac- tem of power sharing. It is foolish ing US sanctions because the US ing Lebanon under international to expect the spiral of corruption to Treasury is convinced Hezbollah stewardship. This type of oversight stop by resorting to the same tool has been using Lebanon’s banking is not possible now and, above all, that had created it. system for illegal operations. it is not what Lebanon wants. That political equation that en- As the battle for the composition Lebanon is increasingly depend- couraged the policy of looting the of the new government rages, cor- ent on foreign support to fix its public treasury and the economy ruption scandals keep popping up. public finances and its infrastruc- cannot produce anything different. That includes Lebanon’s electricity ture but it seems the country’s Let’s not forget that the political public works, which has revealed capacity to support the right chan- authority in Lebanon passed an how deeply involved certain par- nels is contingent on the availabil- election law tailor-made to the ties are in siphoning off public ity of a strong political authority, narrow interests of the country’s funds. It is known that the electric- which does not exist. political components. So, elections ity sector is subjected to a complex Given current conditions and are just one carefully designed quota scheme designed to drive regardless of whether the support instrument to reproduce the same the electricity public works to the in question will be made available, corrupt system — with slight modi- ground for the benefit of certain the country will be engulfed in fications — that will never change political parties. chaos that Hezbollah’s weapons things for the better. Producing and distributing elec- will not be able to control. Lebanon is suffering a haemor- tricity in Lebanon is the monopoly We are witnessing signs of rhage that portends financial and of Lebanon Electricity, a public that chaos in more than one area agency. In recent years, however, in Lebanon and particularly in a parallel sector of private electric- Hezbollah’s fiefdom in the Bekaa Given current conditions, ity generators has been slowly put Valley, where even promises to Lebanon will be engulfed in in place at the tune of $1 billion. legalise hemp were not enough to This sector is the monopoly and On the brink. A Lebanese protester holds a placard lower public anger and frustration. chaos that Hezbollah’s weapons cash cow of certain political forces. during a demonstration against corruption in Beirut. will not be able to control. These same forces were revealed (AP) Ali al-Amin is a Lebanese writer. Lebanon’s electricity crisis fuelled by decades of mismanagement

Abi Khalil used as a pretext to attack Berri and accuse him of protecting the country’s electricity cartel. Makram Rabah The issue goes beyond merely a corrupt ship deal or a standoff with greedy generator owners. It is remarkable how all sides in this confrontation — including Berri and uring Lebanon’s 15 Aoun — portray themselves as vic- years of civil war, no Chronic tims of the elite while demonising person was perhaps scandal. An their opponents as corrupt enemies more despised than electricity- of fair energy provision and the dis- Mosbah Natour. generating ship tribution of other basic services. Natour was neither an from Turkey Contrary to what the political Dinfamous warlord nor was he re- class tries to uphold, members of docks at the sponsible for the death or physical this so-called generator cartel are harm of any of his fellow Lebanese. port of Jiyeh in not extraterrestrials nor are they No, Natour was the director-general southern separate from the corrupt political of Lebanon Electricity (EDL), which Beirut. junta that has run the country for the Lebanese, mostly unfairly, held (Reuters) two decades. None of these genera- responsible for repeated and crip- tor owners would dare cross the pling power cuts that plagued the which, alarmingly, has shown itself that was rejected by many in the state or even contemplate holding country throughout the war. capable of blocking any plan for government on the grounds of the people hostage had they not Twenty-eight years have elapsed the country’s long-term electricity transparency and, above all, its risk first been endorsed and protected since the end of the civil war and supply. of adding to the sector’s inefficien- by sectarian leaders. the Lebanese still struggle with This electricity cartel recently cies. The sectarian leaders are the basic utilities. Many regions experi- refused to recognise the measures Abi Khalil, who belongs to same ones who have held the port- ence power rationing, which, dur- imposed on it by the Ministry of President Michel Aoun’s parlia- folio of power and energy or similar ing the peak of summer, can stretch Energy and Water and the Ministry mentary bloc, furiously defended ministries and squandered away to 20 hours a day. Despite investing of the Economy, requiring con- his party’s choices, characterising $36 billion of taxpayers’ money more than $36 billion since 1992, sumers pay a standard tariff and the decision to lease more ships as while failing to provide the country the Lebanese state has failed to providers install metres to measure giving the state breathing room to with electricity. reform or improve the electricity consumption. Audaciously, the construct power plants. Abi Khalil’s The Lebanese state, as it crum- sector, which costs taxpayers $1.2 providers, knowing the sway they illogical plan, however, is riddled bles today, is becoming a confed- billion annually. hold over the public, threatened to with inconsistencies, because the eration of cartels that, with the As a result, the Lebanese have cut the supply if the measures were $800 million allocated to leasing blessing and endorsement of the looked towards non-state suppli- forced on them. the ships could be diverted to more Lebanese themselves, have hi- ers for their electricity needs and The mutiny of the generator sustainable projects, such as repair- jacked the country and its resources have consequently fallen prey owners was exacerbated by the fact ing or enhancing the country’s and taken the state and its economy to the machinations of private that the state’s alternative, the EDL, distribution network. down a fathomless pit. generator providers. The own- has been struggling to consistently The primary opponent to the Blaming anyone else for this ers of neighbourhood generators provide power, with the country’s ship deal is Speaker of the House predicament and any economic col- have coalesced into a cartel, which plants lying in ruin after years of and leader of the Shia Amal Move- lapse is as deceptive as blaming the nets $2 billion a year in profits and corrupt maintenance contracts ment Nabih Berri, who recently hapless Mosbah Natour for crimes went largely ignored. refused to allow a third genera- he did not commit. Subsequent power shortages tor ship to dock in the southern The Lebanese state is have led the Minister of Energy and seaport of the Zahrani power plant. Makram Rabah is a lecturer at becoming a confederation of Water Cesar Abi Khalil to expand on Amal’s refusal to integrate the ship the American University of Beirut his plan of leasing Turkish power- into the plant’s network deprived and author of “A Campus at War: cartels that have hijacked the generating ships to compensate the area of much-needed hours of Student Politics at the American country and its resources. for the electricity shortage, a deal additional electricity, something University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” August 12, 2018 13 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Palestinians double down on right of return for refugees

Mamoon Alabbasi tion in accordance with the reso- lutions of international law and all United Nations resolutions regard- London ing the Palestinian rights,” said Ahmad Shami, spokesman of Pal- alestinian officials rein- estinian prime minister’s office. forced efforts regarding Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the rights of refugees who Executive Committee of the Pales- P were dispossessed during tine Liberation Organisation, said the creation of Israel in 1948 and in a statement the United States is their descendants will remain on “redefining the status of Palestin- the table in talks with Israel amid ian refugees in order to eradicate reported attempts by the United them as an issue and to destroy States to discard the sensitive is- their rights as stipulated by inter- sue. national law and conventions.” In leaked e-mails published by “Such efforts targeting the Pal- Foreign Policy magazine, US Presi- estinian refugees and disband- dent Donald Trump’s son-in-law ing UNRWA are part of the United and Senior Adviser Jared Kush- States’ systematic campaign to ner advocated disrupting the UN destroy the requirements of peace Relief and Works Agency for Pal- by taking all permanent status is- estine Refugees in the Near East sues off the hypothetical ‘table’ of (UNRWA). negotiations.” “It is important to have an hon- The “right of return” issue is est and sincere effort to disrupt likely to remain a point of disa- UNRWA,” Kushner wrote to sev- greement between Palestinians eral senior US officials. “Our goal and Israelis. can’t be to keep things stable and Palestinians argue that those as they are. … Sometimes you who are still alive from the esti- have to strategically risk breaking mated 700,000 Palestinians who things in order to get there.” had to flee their homes during the Kushner said UNRWA is “cor- creation of Israel, as well as their Lives at risk. Palestinian refugee children hold placards at a school belonging to UNRWA in the rupt, inefficient and doesn’t help descendants, should be given the Lebanese town of Sebline during a protest against US aid cuts to the organisation. (AFP) peace.” He is not the only senior right to return to their home cities, US official to express such senti- towns and villages if they chose ments. to. Otherwise they should be com- mine Jordanian national security have a shared interest: what hurts you can hope for is ruling a small, “UNRWA’s mandate has perpet- pensated by the Israeli state. and stability. us, hurts them and what benefits semi-autonomous area’,” said Mo- uated and exacerbated the refugee Israelis say refugee status should “This is the most sensitive issue us, benefits them.” hamed Masharqa, director of the crisis and must be changed,” an not be given to the descendants in Jordan and one that cuts to our Centre for Arab Progress, a think- unidentified senior Trump admin- of Palestinian refugees and those very national fabric and identity,” tank in London. istration official told Haaretz. who remain alive today from the Oraib Rantawi, director of the Al Palestinian officials argue “What is there left to negotiate Internal e-mails by other US of- 700,000 should be given compen- Quds Centre for Political Stud- that the reported US with the Israelis? Jerusalem is off ficials indicated that Washington sation by Arab countries or the in- ies, told Abu Dhabi’s the National offensive against UNRWA is the table and so is the right of re- was mulling ways to dismantle ternational community, not Israel. newspaper. aimed at ending the refugee turn. Israel has not even defined UNRWA and make it part of the UN The alleged US push to with- “We may reach a point where, if status for millions of its own borders while Palestinians High Commissioner for Refugees. draw the refugee status from more the American administration con- Palestinians, in line with under occupation cannot have ac- Palestinian officials argue that than 5 million Palestinians world- tinues to conduct itself this way, Israel’s wishes. cess to their land,” Masharqa add- the reported US offensive against wide has had the unintended ef- Jordan’s friendship with the US ed. UNRWA is aimed at ending the fect of causing alarm in Jordan, will be much more costly than any Palestinian observers said the “Right-wing politicians in the US refugee status for millions of Pal- which hosts 2.2 million Palestinian other potential benefit,” said Ran- US move against UNRWA is part and Israel are pushing to make the estinians, in line with Israel’s refugees. tawi. of a strategy to end hope for the status quo officially accepted by wishes. Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Af- Palestinian Authority President establishment of an independent Palestinian and Arab leaders but “The (Palestinian) cabinet fairs Ayman Safadi called on the Mahmoud Abbas, after a meeting Palestinian state. that will not happen. Arab states stresses that the refugee issue is a international community to help in Amman with Jordanian King “The United States has effec- know that by signing over Pales- final status issue, which will only UNRWA continue its work. Abdullah II, said: “We and the tively adopted the position of Isra- tinian right to Israel, they would be resolved through negotiations Observers in Jordan said the re- Jordanians are keen to coordinate el’s right-wing government and is be opening up the region to more leading to a just and agreed solu- ported US measures would under- in all matters because we feel we telling the Palestinians: ‘The best chaos.” Viewpoint Ahed Tamimi breaks stereotype of young Muslim Arab women

hed Tamimi, 17, and of resistance and fighting for one’s homage to Gazans for their daily young woman. It is a fact, how- her mother, Nariman, rights. protests for the right to return to ever, that without that clip going have been released When fast-evolving events are their homes and lands and insisted viral, Tamimi would not have Hakim Marzouki after serving eight throwing into confusion concepts that Jerusalem was and still is the turned into an icon. In any case, months in an Israeli and laws they underlie, one must Palestinians’ capital. and whether Tamimi had meant jail for hampering the wonder if human causes have an Is Tamimi a crucial turning point it or not, the event was a media dutiesA of Israeli soldiers. immunity to change and erosion in the path of resistance? triumph for the Palestinian cause. Ahed Tamimi’s case is not the that keeps them alive, immutable Her release from prison received Tamimi is a young woman of first of its kind in the Palestinian and unwavering. Then again, per- media and official attention to her time and her time rewarded territories. It is, however, the first haps technological developments the point that observers warned her by making her a sensation that to benefit from wide media cover- and environmental problems that Tamimi’s individual case was every Arab can be proud of. Her age in Arabic and Hebrew media, need a new type of fighter and a becoming the Palestinian cause in- image was a far cry from the ugly in the rest of the Arab world and legal system in tune with current stead of the Palestinians’ saga with and demeaning image of Arab internationally. This led to a problems. the Israeli occupation. Hers was and Muslim women that terrorist media focus on the Israeli military So, is it time now to say goodbye a passing case after all but, like it organisations such as the Islamic tribunal system and how it is used to the classical icons of human or not, the teenager has become State proudly disseminated. When to oppress Palestinians in the West resistance? a Palestinian icon and risks being Tamimi slapped that Israeli sol- Bank. Can we talk about priorities and caught in the swirl of political dier, she slapped the faces of all After her release July 29, Tamimi preferences in human causes? intrigue. extremist Islamist groups and their said the Palestinian resistance will Or maybe the flame is the same Tamimi was not necessarily followers. go on until the end of Israeli oc- but the arms that carry it are many any braver or spunkier than many By her heroic act, Tamimi joined cupation and praised the bravery and diverse. other Palestinian women who pre- the ranks of other female Palestin- of Palestinian female prisoners in Tamimi’s case focused the ceded her in Israeli — or even Ha- ian heroes but also remained quite prisons. world’s attention on a new breed mas — jails but what has made this different from them. She joins She spoke of the conditions of of freedom fighter, one that should feisty teenager special in the eyes the ranks of the likes of Shadia 29 Palestinian female prisoners have prevailed among the world’s of the media was that she looked Abdessalem, the first Palestinian at Damon prison, where she was young people instead of driving and acted as the perfect product of female military victim after the held. She said she carried three them to metaphysical and extrem- her time. Tamimi broke the stereo- 1967 defeat, of Dalal Mughrabi, messages from them: preserve ist thinking. She is emblematic of typical image of a Muslim Arab girl who in 1978 commandeered a bus Palestinian national unity, support a new generation of enthusiastic in Western media. transporting Israeli soldiers in popular resistance and support people whose eagerness for pro- She does not wear the veil nor the heart of Tel Aviv, and of Leila women prisoners in their fight for gress does not overshadow their does she speak the language of Khaled, who in 1969 hijacked an freedom. keenness on preserving their dig- jihadists and extremists. She is Israeli plane. Tamimi was catapulted to fame nity and national rights. Tamimi a normal emancipated teenager, Each one of those Palestinian after kicking an Israeli soldier said the only thing that caused the kind that you can see in the women belonged to a specific and slapping him in the face last her stress while she was in prison streets of Beirut or Tunis. She did, phase in the Palestinian struggle. December outside her home in the was fear of lagging behind in her however, kick and slap an Israeli Each embodied certain ideas and Ahed Tamimi is a Palestinian village of Nabi Salah. studies. soldier without fear of his weap- slogans that would become irrel- young woman of her For years, villagers there have Despite the obstacles, Tamimi ons because she knew that she had evant through time. All, however, time and her time resisted the spoiling of the land by and other prisoners completed a much more powerful weapon by of them served the Palestinian Israelis. their secondary education and her side, a camera. memory and cause in one way or rewarded her by The case of this Palestinian called themselves “the Defiant When we say that the hero in the another. Tamimi’s experience is no making her a teenager, whose spontaneity, be- Class.” They finished a training video clip of “Ahed and the Israeli different. haviour and appearance resemble session in international law and soldier” was the image itself, the sensation that every other social media-addicted teen- another one in human rights. idea should not be understood as Hakim Marzouki is a Tunisian Arab can be proud of. agers, revolutionised the concepts In her village, Tamimi paid belittling the fighting spirit of the writer. 14 August 12, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Tensions escalate between Ankara and Washington amid sanctions, war of words

Thomas Seibert Way out. Turkish Deputy Istanbul Foreign Minister he economic cost of the Sedat Onal (C) latest row with the United leaves with States is piling up for Tur- his delegation T key and the government in after a Ankara is looking for a face-saving meeting with way out of a crisis described as the US Deputy consequence of a foreign policy mis- Secretary of calculation by the Turks. State John Turkey’s currency, the lira, lost Sullivan in nearly 20% of its value against the Washington, US dollar last week and has sunk on August 8. 40% since the start of the year. (Reuters) The downward trend quickened in August when US President Donald Trump announced additional tar- iffs on Turkish aluminium and steel imports over a dispute with Ankara triggered by the detention of an American pastor in Turkey. “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!” Trump tweeted. Ankara announced that Erdogan talked by phone with Russian Presi- dent Vladimir Putin about economic relations and, writing in the New York Times, Erdogan threatened to “start looking for new friends and allies.” Analysts warn that the falling lira could spell trouble for Turkish com- panies that have to repay foreign not be able to buy the telephone fellow at Istanbul Policy Centre, a lets, most of which are controlled ernment talk loudly about resist- currency debt estimated at more bought in February.” think-tank, said there were signs of by pro-government companies, did ing US sanctions, in reality, they than $200 billion. Because Turkey The lira went into a tailspin against an overreach in the way Turkey’s not report a record drop of the lira’s are very nervous,” Waldman said. must pay in dollars for its energy im- the dollar following the decision by government was dealing with the value on August 6, when the value “They know that this fallout has ports and many consumer products, the United States on August 1 to im- row with Washington. Under Erdog- of the currency fell 5.5% in one day. negative ramifications for both Tur- the dropping value of the lira makes pose sanctions against two Turkish an, Turkey regards itself as a region- “At the moment the economy and key’s economy and security and life difficult for small businesses and cabinet ministers for their role in the al power and independent player the worsening of relations with the Turkish officials will be rushing be- citizens as prices for gas, electricity detention of US clergyman Andrew that follows its own priorities. United States have not been detri- hind the scenes to patch things up and other goods shoot up. Brunson in Turkey. Two days later, In a speech August 4, Turkish mental to his popularity,” Waldman with Washington.” In a small electronics shop in Is- the US Trade Representative said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said about the Turkish leader. Er- Ankara’s goal was to “save face at tanbul, the manager stood in front Washington was reviewing Turkey’s said the days of “a Turkey that ac- dogan’s hint at “conspiratorial in- home,” Waldman added. of half-empty shelves and said he duty-free access to its markets, in a cepts everything that is being said” ternational powers” as well as “a co- The row with the United States stopped offering imported items be- move that could affect $1.7 billion of were over. The new Turkey was tell- opted press and divided opposition” comes when Turkey is not only cause the lira’s fall was so steep that Turkish exports. ing other powers: “I don’t agree, I meant there was not much momen- fighting a weakening lira but also ris- he would have to sell them at a loss. Turkish President Recep Tayyip don’t have to agree with decisions tum against the president’s policies. ing inflation, which stands at almost When asked for a computer power Erdogan blamed his country’s in- that have been taken,” Cavusoglu “However, we are still in early 16%, a big current account deficit cable, he took the one providing creasing economic difficulties on said. days of the economic crisis,” Wald- and increasing doubts among inves- power to his cash register and put an “economic war” being waged However, “it seems that Ankara man added. “If it continues, things tors, who have withdrawn hundreds it on the counter. “I no longer order against Turkey by outside forces. He miscalculated” in the spat with could change.” of billions of dollars from Turkey those cables because I used to sell called on Turks to exchange any US Washington, Waldman said in Ankara sent a delegation to Wash- this year. Markets expected the cen- them for 20 lira ($3.80) but I would dollar savings into lira to strengthen written response to questions. He ington but the consultations failed tral bank to raise interest rates at a have to buy them for much more the local currency. pointed to an evaluation, published to produce immediate results. The meeting in July but the bank did not than that now,” said the man, who “They may have their dollar but by WikiLeaks and written by a dip- United States is calling on Turkey act. did not give his name. we have our people, our right and lomat from the US Embassy in An- to release Brunson and other US Critics say Erdogan, a self-con- The economic crisis is having a our God,” Erdogan said in a speech kara in 2010 that described Turkey’s citizens as well. Media reports state fessed enemy of interest rates hikes, direct effect on consumers. Car sales August 9. “The dollar cannot block foreign policy approach as having that the two sides are trying to reach is pressuring central bankers. Some were down 36% in the year to July. our path. Don’t worry,” Erdogan told “Rolls-Royce ambitions but Rover a deal that would free Brunson and media reports say Turkey might be “At the moment, I would not be able a crowd in the north-eastern city of resources.” other US citizens held in Turkey as forced to seek assistance from the to afford the car that I bought one- Bayburt one day later. Turkey has Despite the mounting difficulties, well as a high-ranking official of a International Monetary Fund. and-a-half years ago,” a 34-year-old announced economic sanctions Turkey has seen no street protests Turkish state bank convicted for Turk wrote on Eksi Sozluk, a popu- against two US cabinet members. or other signs of public unrest. Many violating US sanctions against Iran. Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly lar Turkish chat website. “I would Simon Waldman, a Mercator-IPC of Turkey’s mainstream media out- “Although Erdogan and his gov- correspondent. Viewpoint Turkey is squeezed by US, Russia as crises pile up

as Ankara reached an Kurds and the Assad regime. Assad already in Turkey. diplomatic move. impasse regarding declared in July that the takeover Therefore, the Syrian refugee How will Ankara respond to the its foreign policy? of Idlib was his next objective. issue is back on the international pressures from Russia and Syria as Yavuz Baydar Once, it had a zero- Idlib, with a population of 2.5 agenda. Jan Egeland, adviser to the clock ticks down to a denoue- problems-with-the- million, has become an urgent is- the United Nations’ special envoy ment? Cavusoglu may try to gain neighbours’ policy. sue due to two developments. It is for Syria, warned Turkey to keep time. He could tell Lavrov that HThat has all but collapsed, leaving the last bastion of armed jihadist its borders open in the event of HTS is ripe to be transformed into Turkish President Recep Tayyip groups, such as Hayat Tahrir al- another humanitarian crisis. He a more moderate force. There are Erdogan’s government with zero Sham (HTS) and Jabhat al-Nusra. expressed the hope that Russia, plans to rebrand the group as the options. The overall picture is Many jihadists and their families Iran and Turkey would do “their National Liberation Front, to be of a regional power that’s being are in Idlib and some of the foreign utmost” to avoid a battle in Idlib. used in fights against ISIS. squeezed by the United States, its jihadists are from Russia. This So far, no clear signals from Ankara However, the suggestion may not NATO ally, and Russia. makes Idlib a priority for Moscow confirm Egeland’s statement. be very convincing and the most The rift in US-Turkish relations as what it sees as the restoration of Moscow is keen on upping the that Turkey can expect is to keep over the American Evangelist pas- Syria speeds up. A joint offensive ante against Erdogan. When Rus- its 12 observation posts in Idlib. tor Andrew Brunson triggered a is likely to be under way before sian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Ankara is in a diplomatic cul-de- financial crisis. Now, another crisis winter. visits Ankara on August 13-14, he sac. It is at odds with the United looms and this time it involves Rus- Idlib is important because any may remind his Turkish counter- States in the region and now faces a sia regarding the Syrian enclave of operation there is likely to trigger part, Mevlut Cavusoglu, of the moment of reckoning vis-a-vis Rus- Idlib. The city, close to the Turkish a massive refugee exodus. Both need for Turkey to be part of the sia. Meanwhile, the Kurds remain border, is held by jihadist groups Russia and Syria — and Iran and the Idlib offensive. Indeed, some Arab a reality near and within Turkey’s and is targeted by Syrian President United States, too — see Turkey as sources say that Russia has given borders; a deepening economic Ankara is in a Bashar Assad’s regime and Russia. the refugees’ inevitable destina- Turkey a deadline — September — crisis makes it increasingly vulner- diplomatic cul-de-sac. It was only a matter of time for tion. All of them seem to agree for the disarmament and surrender able and its erratic regional policy It is at odds with the Idlib to be on Moscow’s radar and that this is largely the result of of HTS in Idlib. makes it difficult to pursue any that of its de facto protectorate, the Erdogan government’s erratic Damascus, on the other hand, is dialogue that requires trust and United States in the Syria. The Islamic State (ISIS) has policies, which paved the way for a reported to have made clear that steadfastness. region and now faces a been defeated; there have been de- jihadist presence in Syria in the first it will ask the People’s Protection cisive Syrian advances in Daraa and place. If the refugees start to stream Units Kurdish militia to help if Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journal- moment of reckoning Eastern Ghouta and a rapproche- out of Idlib, they will add to the Ankara doesn’t cooperate militar- ist and regular columnist for The vis-a-vis Russia. ment is under way between Syrian nearly 3.5 million Syrian refugees ily on Idlib. This is a cunning Arab Weekly. August 12, 2018 15 Debate Iran External and internal threats split Tehran regime

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps requisite licence to the protesters. and used connections in the Central (IRGC) and Rohani try to evade The demonstration was technically Both the IRGC Bank to purchase as much gold and responsibility and blame each other illegal but a senior IRGC commander and Rohani try foreign currency as possible. Ali Alfoneh for the economic hardship faced by still turned up. to evade The implications were clear. ordinary Iranians. Hojjat al-Eslam Abdollah Haji- responsibility “Those who took advantage” of his Just as in December 2017, the Sadeqizadeh, the supreme leader’s government’s policy contributed to IRGC has abstained from suppress- representative to the IRGC, wrote an and blame the further collapse of the rial. ing the protests. It is Iran’s law interesting open letter on August 6. each other for Rohani also explained that the here was a time when enforcement forces that have tried He complained of “bad management the economic new policy was to allow the market internal and external to contain the unrest. In an echo of by certain [government] authori- hardship faced to regulate itself, without Central threats used to join the what happened after the last round ties.” He declared the IRGC’s readi- by ordinary Bank or government intervention. ruling elites of Iran in a of protests, IRGC mouthpieces such ness and that of the Basij militia to Iranians. The exceptions to this policy are unified front against the as Javan, Mashreq News and Tasnim “solve current economic problems” basic food, fuel, detergent and other source of the threats. News expressed “sympathy” and and counter “conspiracies of foreign products. These will be subsidised TThat no longer appears to be the “understanding” for the protesters. enemies and domestic ill-wishers.” by the government. case. These news sources also described Rohani and his camp did not But Rohani’s explanations were Facing the dual threat of an the protesters as “desperate victims remain idle as all of this was going not enough for the IRGC and its American economic war and public of the economic policies of the on. On August 6, the day that Haji- allies in parliament. On August 8, a protests, the ruling elites in Tehran government.” Sadeqizadeh released his letter, Ro- parliamentary vote of no confidence are at each other’s throats. This Brigadier-General Yaqoub-Ali Naz- hani offered his first reaction to the for Ali Rabiee ended his tenure at is hardly surprising considering ari, IRGC regional chief commander protests. In a lengthy live interview the ministry of labour and social all that’s at stake: the survival of in Razavi Khorasan province, made on Iranian television, he provided a affairs. Rabiee had warned that 1 President Hassan Rohani’s techno- a more definitive expression of detailed and fairly technical descrip- million Iranians may lose their jobs cratic government in the short term solidarity with the protesters. He tion of his government’s attempts to because of sanctions imposed by and succession after Ayatollah Ali joined the protest rally at the Sho- defend the Iranian currency. the United States. It was a realistic Khamenei in the longer term. hada [Martyrs] Square in Mashhad He said gold and foreign currency assessment but one that was clearly The latest protests in Iran shows on August 2 to “talk to the citizens from the Central Bank’s reserves had not to the liking of the IRGC and its the same pattern as those last about economic problems.” Nazari’s been pumped into the market. With- allies. December and January. Desperate presence was especially significant out directly mentioning the IRGC, But Rabiee was not the real people are seeing their life sav- because local authorities, who Rohani complained about “those target. Not only does the IRGC hold ings vanish as the Iranian currency report to Rohani, had not issued the who took advantage of this policy” Rohani responsible for the country’s depreciates. As soon as they get economic and social problems, they together on the streets, the slogans also accuse him of being too soft on about economic woes turn into the United States. Rohani and his anti-regime chants. These include technocratic elites are the only ob- “death to the dictator,” “death to stacle that stands between the IRGC Khamenei” and “cleric get lost” as and the ultimate prize in Iranian well as chants against Iran’s military Under pressure. politics: controlling the succession intervention in Syria or support to Iran’s Supreme after Ayatollah Khamenei. the Lebanese Hezbollah. Leader Ayatollah That said, if disunity among the The regime’s reaction resembles Ali Khamenei (L) ruling elites continues and if anti- that of six months ago. Both the sits next to Presi- regime protests grow in number dent Hassan and intensity there is no guarantee Rohani (2nd-L) the regime survives the death of If anti-regime protests grow in during a govern- Khamenei. number and intensity there is no ment meeting in guarantee the regime survives Tehran. Ali Alfoneh is a visiting scholar at (Office of Iran’s the Arab Gulf States Institute in the death of Khamenei. Supreme Leader) Washington. Tehran’s ‘proxy model’ faces new constraints

Islamic Revolutionary Guard when compared to the situation in ies are almost solely Shia forces or Mark Habeeb Corps (IRGC). “After 2003,” Va- Iraq, was the need for Iran to bring Outside of at least non-Sunni forces such as tanka writes, “Iran’s IRGC stepped in droves of non-locals — such as on-and-off the Houthis in Yemen. quickly in to identify and cultivate Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis and again support As a result, Iran’s broader revo- what is in Persian referred to as Hezbollah from Lebanon — to fight for Hamas, it is lutionary message has diminished. ver since the Iranian the ‘goro-haaye vije,’ or ‘special under Iranian leadership to keep hard to see Tehran is no longer viewed, for revolution in 1979, Teh- groups’ — Arabs and other non- the Assad regime from collapse,” example, as a key supporter of ran’s leaders have em- Iranians — who would become the he said. how Iran can the Palestinians’ struggle against ployed proxy forces — Islamic Republic’s foot soldiers.” Vatanka suggests that Tehran has retreat from Israel. often insurgent groups When civil war broke out in had a harder time selling to the Ira- the sectarian Vatanka said he does not believe and terrorist organisa- Syria in 2011, Tehran applied the nian people why Syria is a national fight. that Iran purposefully chose to ex- Etions — to advance the Islamic template it developed in Iraq as it security issue, which was a much press its revolutionary fervour in Republic’s regional objectives. “bolstered local non-state mili- easier argument to make when the sectarian terms. Rather, the situa- Initially, the Iranian Revolution tant actors as its foot soldiers in fighting was in neighbouring Iraq. tions in Iraq and Syria, along with advocated “Muslim unity” and the broader fight for influence,” As a result, Iranian leaders have broader instability throughout attempted to position itself as the Vatanka said. In Syria, Tehran also been careful to limit Iranian casual- the region after the “Arab spring,” leader of all Muslims in the anti-US had the advantage of being on the ties and rely even more on proxy created an environment in which and anti-imperialistic struggle. same side as the regime and, later, forces to do the fighting. “Tehran’s reliance on Shia militant However, Alex Vatanka, a senior of Moscow. Because both the Iraqi and Syrian groups is where it has found the fellow at Washington’s Middle East There was one key difference civil wars quickly took on a sectar- most return for its investments.” Institute, said that following the in Iran’s involvement in Syria ian nature, Iran has found itself no Vatanka argues that “Tehran will US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and compared to Iraq, writes Vatanka: longer posing as the revolutionary continue to look for ways to break Iran’s subsequent involvement “The major departure in Syria, vanguard for all Muslims. Its prox- its image as a ‘Shia power,’ which in the civil wars in Iraq and Syria, inherently limits its ability to ma- Tehran increasingly has pursued noeuvre.” However, outside of on- a sectarian agenda by supporting and-off again support for Hamas, it primarily Shia proxies. Vatanka Three questions for Alex Vatanka is hard to see how Iran can retreat details his findings in “The Emer- from the sectarian fight. gence of Iran’s ‘Proxy Model,’” a rethink its overall strategy be- not be heavy-handed.” The forecast, Vatanka said, was study released by the Middle East Mark Habeeb cause of public pressure. The for more of the same: “The proxy Institute. Iranian reaction to [Major- On the nature of Iran’s model approach has overall been Iran’s use of proxy forces since Washington General Qassem] Soleimani’s threat to the Gulf Arab na- successful for Iran. Unless its costs 1979 has not been a consistent bluster was largely negative… tions: outweigh the benefits, no major practice. Vatanka said that after n whether US If that kind of sentiment picks “Since 1979, you have had shift in this policy can be expected the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah President Donald up, the Iranian strategy will a more or less constant line while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, Tehran recon- Trump’s sanctions become unsustainable.” of criticism if not overt attack Ali Khamenei remains the decisive sidered the proxy model and the O on Tehran will im- against the Gulf regimes [by voice in policymaking in Tehran.” 1990s saw an Iranian retrenchment pede its proxy model: On whether Iran is trying Iran]. This is why the [Gulf It is yet to be seen whether the in the region. “We don’t know what Iran to stir up Shia communities Cooperation Council] GCC Trump administration’s resump- Then, in 2003, came the US-led has spent in Syria… There is in the Gulf: [members] provided sup- tion of harsh sanctions on Iran invasion of Iraq and overthrow of speculation but no hard data “It would surprise me port to Saddam Hussein and will put a brake on its ability to Saddam Hussein, which “catalysed but what Iran has done in if the Iranian government why they initially supported conduct war by proxy. a sudden power vacuum in that terms of proxy operations has would be that reckless at any Sunni group in Iraq. The If Vatanka is correct, the sectar- country.” This created a tempting been relatively inexpensive… this point in its history. [Teh- fact is, Iran has given the ian dimension of regional conflicts opportunity, especially for Iran’s I doubt very much of that ran] would not openly or Gulf states good reason to in the region will continue and money alone will be what explicitly sponsor such ac- fear. We can call the Saudis perhaps even grow. In the mean- changes the equation. The tivity in the region but [the and their allies paranoid but time, Vatanka counsels Iran’s Because both the Iraqi and Syrian question is what happens Iranians] are certainly mak- the reality is that this is their Sunni competitors, especially when people in Iran whose ing serious daily accusations perception [and] Iran has not Saudi Arabia and the United Arab civil wars quickly took on a livelihood is impacted by US about the legitimacy of the done enough to try and re- Emirates, “to continue to appeal sectarian nature, Iran has found sanctions begin to question [Sunni] Gulf regimes. Their duce these fears, [which] go to non-Islamist Shia Arabs. The itself no longer posing as the why [Iran is involved in neigh- heart is in it but their brain back to the speeches of [Aya- policy of treating all Shia, regard- bouring countries]. Trump’s tells them to take a more tollah Ruhollah] Khomeini less of their political revolutionary vanguard for all sanctions may force Tehran to cautious approach and to 40 years ago.” persuasions, as Iranian proxies Muslims. badly backfired.” 16 August 12, 2018 News & Analysis East West Egypt and Italy work to mend fences, Libya remains sticking point

Ahmed Megahid

Cairo

gypt’s relations with Italy may be returning to their usual track after the govern- E ment in Rome expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Cairo. Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi visited Cairo on August 5, the such trip first by such a high-ranking Italian diplomat since 2016. He met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, For- eign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli. Relations between Cairo and Rome went from full cooperation to common mistrust after an Italian re- searcher was found dead near Cairo in February 2016. Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Cam- bridge University doctoral student who was researching Egypt’s labour unions, had disappeared a few days before his body was found on a road near Cairo. Regeni’s body showed signs of torture. Egyptian authorities blamed the death on a criminal gang whose members were subsequently killed History to the rescue. Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Enzo Milanesi (R) visits the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, on August 5. (AFP) by police. However, many in Italy refused to believe the government line, accusing Egyptian authori- tant trading partner in the European League), which both campaigned In September 2016, about 240 government in Tripoli and opposes ties of a cover-up. Italy recalled its Union, with trade between the two on anti-immigration policies. Egyptian nationals and foreigners — having parliamentary and presiden- ambassador from Cairo and only countries totalling $5.5 billion last “Egypt is, in fact, a cornerstone most of them Africans — drowned in tial elections in Libya before the end allowed him to return after a year- year. Italian investments in Egypt of Europe’s strategy for stemming the Mediterranean as they tried to of the year. Egypt supports the rival and-a-half. amounted to $5 billion. Italian com- the illegal immigration tide,” said cross into Europe from Egypt. government in Tobruk and supports Sisi told Milanesi on August 5 that pany Eni is easily the most impor- Saad al-Zunt, the head of local Italy is also an important tourist the Libyan National Army, which is Cairo was committed to uncover- tant foreign player in Egypt’s energy think-tank Strategic Studies Centre. market for Egypt. Before 2016 about led by Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar. ing the truth behind Regeni’s death. sector because of its involvement “Cairo works hard to curb the flow 2 million Italian tourists visited Libya, analysts said, would con- Egypt’s judiciary, he added, would with the off-shore Zohr gas field. of immigrants on the road to Eu- Egypt’s resorts and tourist destina- tinue to be a contentious issue be- cooperate with Italian authorities to Apart from the case of the Italian rope by tightening supervision on tions every year. tween Cairo and Rome, one that find those responsible for the killing researcher, discussions between its coasts.” Egyptian officials meeting the could even torpedo understandings of the Italian researcher. Milanesi and Egyptian officials Italian foreign minister proposed on other fronts between the two There is a strong desire in both dwelt on illegal immigration, coun- other areas for further cooperation, capitals. Cairo and Rome for relations be- terterrorism and Libya. Behind the renewed desire including education, health and ag- Libyan researcher Sonosi Ismail tween them to return to normal, the Italy is trying to address an un- for a return to normalised riculture. Egypt wants Italy to be a said Egypt and Italy had completely Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. ending flow of illegal immigrants relations are economic, gateway into Europe for its agricul- divergent agendas on Libya. “Both states are important for from the Middle East and North Af- political and strategic tural products. It also wants Rome “Egypt wants to protect its own stability in the Mediterranean re- rica. Unrest in North African coun- interests. to establish branches of its top uni- borders and keep Islamists at bay, gion,” Foreign Ministry spokesman tries, including Libya, exacerbates versities in it. while Italy wants to ensure that en- Ahmed Abu Zeid said. “We have the illegal immigration problem, Cairo and Rome have, however, ergy supplies from Libya will not discussed the expansion of coop- which is why Rome is seeking to in- Cairo is hoping that new develop- divergent views on Libya, a head- be interrupted, regardless of who eration in all fields.” fluence events in a way that serves ment and infrastructure projects, ache for both capitals. is ruling the country,” Ismail said. Behind the renewed desire for a its interests. which will create millions of jobs Italy is leading an international “This is why the two countries can return to normalised relations are The new Italian government is for locals, could ensure that desper- effort to convince other countries never agree [on Libya].” economic, political and strategic in- composed mainly of the populist ate Egyptians will not be tempted to back its view for a settlement in terests, analysts said. Five Star Movement and the far- to make the perilous journey across Libya. Unlike Egypt, France and Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian Italy remains Egypt’s most impor- right League (formerly the Northern the Mediterranean. many Arab states, Italy backs the reporter in Cairo. Germany worried about ‘kindergarten jihadists’

Mahmud el-Shafey nors has been dubbed “kindergar- ten jihadists” in the German media. A BfV report provided to newspa- London pers belonging to Germany’s Funke media group stated there were ap- erman authorities have ex- proximately 300 children being pressed fears of a wave of raised in Germany by parents who jihadism in the country in have Islamist extremist beliefs. G the next decade from chil- Children in some of those fami- dren being radicalised at home. lies are “educated from birth with “The ongoing jihadist radicalisa- an extremist worldview that legiti- tion of children is worrisome and mises violence against others and presents a challenge,” the head of degrades those who aren’t part of Germany’s domestic intelligence their group,” the report said. agency said. The revelations come as politi- Hans-Georg Maassen, head of cians, including some from German the Office for the Protection of the Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Chris- Constitution (BfV), warned that tian Democratic Union, have called children radicalised at home could to drop the age limit for surveillance present a “significant security risk” to under 14. Germany lowered its in the future. age limit for surveillance from 16 to The threat at home. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (R) and President of the domestic This is not the first time Maassen 14 in 2016 but many are saying that intelligence service of the Federal Republic of Germany (BfV) Hans-Georg Maassen give a news (AFP) has warned about the threat posed this is not young enough. conference in Berlin, on July 24. to German national security by mi- “This is not about criminalising nors. German intelligence said chil- people under the age of 14 but about recruits who joined ISIS. some cases forced to participate in Fears of the radicalisation of mi- dren of volunteers who travelled to warding off significant threats to He acknowledged that, while the abuse of prisoners or even the nors rose after a 12-year-old boy, Iraq and Syria to fight for the Islam- our country, like Islamic terrorism, only a small number had returned killing of prisoners.” who had been recruited online by ic State (ISIS) presented a security which also targets children,” CDU to Germany as of January 2018, they “We have to consider that these ISIS, was detained when he tried to risk if they returned to Germany. politician Patrick Sensburg said. still constituted a threat requiring children could be living time bomb a Christmas market in Lud- Maassen said there were increas- Maassen has consistently lobbied police and intelligence services to bombs. There is a danger that these wigshafen in 2016. ing concerns about children who for Germany to repeal laws restrict- be granted expanded surveillance children come back brainwashed With the collapse of ISIS in Iraq have never left the country and ing security surveillance of minors, powers. with a mission to carry out attacks,” and Syria, many Western countries who are being radicalised by their warning that children of Islamist “We see that children who grew he added. are faced with a dilemma regard- parents. fighters returning to Germany pose up with ISIS were brainwashed Maassen said ISIS targeted vul- ing child returnees. Germany’s re- “There are signs minors and a threat. in the schools and the kindergar- nerable young people in Germany sponse could prove to be an impor- young adults are more likely to be Maassen said 290 toddlers and tens of the Islamic State,” he told through the internet and social me- tant test case. radicalised and that it’s happening children left Germany with their Reuters in January. “They were dia and this was another reason for faster and earlier,” he said. parents or were born in Syria and confronted early with the ISIS ide- authorities to expand security sur- Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab The potential risk posed by mi- Iraq to the estimated 1,000 German ology… learnt to fight and were in veillance of minors. Weekly correspondent in London. August 12, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West Palestinian American poised to serve as first Muslim woman in US Congress

Thomas Frank

Washington

he daughter of Palestinian immigrants won an elec- tion August 7 that will al- T low her to become the first Muslim woman to serve in the US Congress. Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old US- born attorney, won a primary elec- tion against five other Democrats to represent a portion of Detroit, Michigan, in the US House of Rep- resentatives. The formal election for the seat is November 6 but, because Tlaib faces no Republi- can opponent, she is effectively guaranteed a place in the House of Representatives for a 2-year term beginning in January. Tlaib staked out a position as a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump and an advocate for liberal policies such as protecting social welfare programmes, promoting labour unions and supporting gay rights. Her election drew more ex- citement from liberal groups than from US Muslims and Arab Ameri- cans. Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore celebrated Tlaib’s victory on Twitter, writing: “She’s a Pal- estinian-American, she’s a Demo- cratic Socialist but most impor- tantly, she has the heart & soul & courage to lead us to a better day.” Although Tlaib spent six years as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, she is per- haps best known for barging into a campaign speech Trump was giv- A win for democracy. A file picture of Rashida Tlaib outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. (AP) ing in Detroit in August 2016 and heckling him along with 12 other women before security removed Tlaib said after the incident. Born and raised in Detroit, Tlaib of any US state. There are 223,000 nent positions in the legislature. her from the hall. “He [Trump] doesn’t love us. He is the oldest of 14 children whose Arab Americans in Michigan, a Keith Ellison, who also grew up A video shows Tlaib standing up doesn’t love Detroit. He don’t love mother was born near Ramallah state of 10 million, with roots in in Detroit, was the first Muslim in at a luncheon of the Detroit Eco- nobody that isn’t Donald Trump, and whose father is from outside Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Congress after he was elected in nomic Club, yelling towards the period.” Jerusalem and who went to the territories, Egypt or Iraq, the Arab 2006. He is now deputy chairman stage where Trump was speaking Interviewed on CNN after win- United States and worked on an American Institute said. of the Democratic National Com- and jabbing her finger at him be- ning the August 7 primary, Tlaib assembly line in an automobile Arab Americans have become mittee. There is one other Muslim fore two men took her by the arms was humble and smiled when plant. increasingly aligned with the — Andre Carson, a Democrat from and pulled her out. asked how it felt to be the first Tlaib served from 2009-14 in the Democratic Party in recent years Indiana — in Congress. “I think that was the most pa- Muslim woman elected to Con- Michigan House of Representa- and overwhelmingly supported There are 59 Arab-American triotic thing you could ever do gress. “It feels like a tonne of tives and then worked as a lawyer Hillary Clinton over Trump in the candidates running for political of- — disrupt somebody that doesn’t bricks,” she said. for a nonprofit agency that gives 2016 presidential election, an in- fice this year in the United States, believe in our Constitution, that Noting the large black popula- free legal representation to work- stitute poll indicated. the institute said. Abdul el-Sayed doesn’t believe that women tion in her district, Tlaib said vot- ers. She and her husband have two Although Tlaib will be the first ran for governor in Michigan — and shouldn’t be sexually harassed in ers “have really truly believed in children. Muslim woman and first Palestin- would have been the first Muslim the workplace, that doesn’t be- what I stand for, which is really Detroit is the largest city in ian-American woman in the US governor in the country — but lost lieve my son as a Muslim could believing that everyone deserves Michigan, which has the highest Congress, Muslim and Palestinian- in the Democratic Party primary be president of the United States,” to live in a just fair society.” concentration of Arab Americans American men have had promi- on August 7. Viewpoint Rashida Tlaib tells a ‘beautiful story of America’ of two and the oldest of 14 children straddling,” meaning an edu- Americans. “My connection, my John Conyers. He is a legendary born to Palestinian immigrants to cated Muslim woman. Mostly, she strong connection [to the Palestin- civil rights activist and proposed Rashmee the United States. describes herself as “American, ian territories], my grandmother measures to provide special pro- Roshan Lall This makes Tlaib’s near-certain parent, Muslim, Arab-American still lives there, will be critical to tection to Muslims from “religious entry into the 116th US Congress and woman.” elevating their voices.” intolerance.” In the way it’s told, much more than a personal tri- This led her, almost exactly two Even so, the “voiceless,” as Tlaib no one can fill Conyers’ shoes. umph. She is, in the words of a US years ago, to heckle then-presiden- repeatedly made clear, are not just However, if anyone can do it, it television news presenter, “the tial candidate Trump at a Detroit in the Palestinian territories. They might be Tlaib. She seems to take beautiful story of America.” public meeting. Tlaib called it an are in the Michigan district she will social justice as an issue that can Is she really? act of Americanism. For, as Trump represent in Congress. and does unite Americans with Yes, in that Tlaib seems to stitch mentioned his proposed Muslim Often, “my families [in Michi- everyone else, especially in the fter Rashida Tlaib together the American story ban, Tlaib demanded to know if he gan]” can’t even pay a water bill, Middle East. She puts paid to the won the Democratic rended by Donald Trump. Where had even read the US Constitution. she said of her constituents and absurd, recurring controversies Party’s nomination this US president pits white Chris- The candidate didn’t respond and they’re struggling with the same in the United States and Europe for the US House of tian Americans against non-white Tlaib was forcibly removed from sort of grinding life issues as about Muslim and Arab capacity Representatives in Americans, as well as against the event. The footage still exists, people in the Middle East. “I am al- to melt into their adopted Western Michigan on August immigrants, Muslims and Arabs, fleshing out an increasingly glori- ways going to come from the lens homes. 7,A three descriptors were used over Tlaib takes up all the strands and ous narrative of moral strength of growing up in Detroit,” Tlaib By sidestepping the froth and over to explain the significance weaves them together. So, when ranged against brutish bigotry. declared, “where every corner is a churned up by issues such as the of the moment: She’s Muslim, she’s she takes her oath for Congress, Born and bred in Michigan’s reminder of the civil rights move- burqa and niqab, Tlaib forces the Palestinian, she’s Arab American. Tlaib will wear “a Palestinian Wayne County, Tlaib is fiercely ment and no one should be consid- United States — and the world — Additionally, the breathless com- thobe that my mother is preparing American even as she proudly ered unequal solely on the basis of to see a high-functioning Arab mentary went, Tlaib is on course to and swear on the Holy Quran.” bears another, more universal their faith or their ethnicity.” Muslim woman for the organic become the first Muslim congress- That doesn’t conflict with Tlaib’s message that comes from her Tlaib does well in applying this reality of her achievements and woman in US history. propensity to use political and Palestinian roots. “There is a hope equalising “lens” to her patch of aspirations. All of this is true. Tlaib is all of social references from US history. that I will bring a voice to people the American Midwest as well as to One would expect nothing less the above and a great deal more. “We’re not divided, just discon- who have really been voiceless the Palestinian territories. Michi- from a composite American. She’s not a hyphenated American nected,” she says of America and and dehumanised in many ways,” gan’s 13th Congressional District so much as a composite one — in, the wider world, adding that she’s she told Stephen Henderson on — so heavily weighted Democratic Rashmee Roshan Lall is a of and for 21st-century America. quoting from a recent sermon by a the “Detroit Today” radio show on that Trump’s Republican Party is columnist for The Arab Weekly. Tlaib is an attorney, an activist local pastor, Steven Bland. August 9, to explain the enthusi- not even running a candidate — Her blog can be found at for equal opportunities, a former Along with the church-going, asm sparked by her political rise was represented in Congress for www.rashmee.com and she is Michigan state legislator, a mother Tlaib is conscious of her “place on the West Bank and among Arab half a century by the formidable on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 18 August 12, 2018 EconomyEconomy Economics of Haj Dream of haj becoming too costly for many Egyptians

Hassan Abdel Zaher

Cairo

erforming the haj pilgrim- age has always been a dream for Hanan Mahmud, P a schoolteacher in her late 40s from Cairo and that dream came close to being realised two months ago after Mahmud’s sav- ings reached 45,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,525). “I was overjoyed that I would finally travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the ritual,” Mahmud said. “It costs a pilgrim almost the same amount of money last year to go to Mecca and Medina for haj.” However, when the time came to apply for her haj visa, Mahmud found that travelling costs to Saudi Arabia had almost doubled. In- stead of needing 45,000 pounds to perform the haj, she needed closer to 90,000, dashing her pilgrimage dreams. Millions of Muslims in Egypt face the same frustration as the annual haj pilgrimage — always during the Eid al-Adha celebration — nears. Due to the decline in the value of the pound, the cost of travel and accommodation has become in- creasingly high for Egyptians. Fees imposed in recent months by Saudi authorities on pilgrims are also A dear wish. Egyptian pilgrims arrive at the Cairo International Airport for departure to the haj in Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. raising the cost. (AFP) The Egyptian pound has depre- ciated significantly in the past few the haj in cooperation with the pri- family, friends or workmates that Performing the haj is a dear wish companies that organise pilgrim- years. Prior to Egypt’s currency vate sector. involves no interest. The plan in- for Muslims across the world. Many age tours in Egypt. flotation in November 2016, the “This is 30% down from the num- volves members paying in an equal older people seek to fulfil their pil- The pilgrimage business was exchange rate was closer to half ber of people who travelled for the share every month, with a different grimage dreams after retirement. very lucrative in Egypt for dec- its current evaluation against the ritual last year,” said Nasser Turki, member receiving a pay-off each The tens of thousands of Egyp- ades. Now the companies are see- Saudi riyal. a member of the committee. “The month until every member has tians who had enough money this ing fewer clients during their peak This means that those who want cost of the haj this year is far higher been paid equally. year for the visa, plane ticket and period and some of the firms are to perform the haj this year will pay than many people can afford.” accommodation in Mecca and under threat of collapse. twice the amount for everything Many Egyptians save for years Medina will start travelling August “This is because the cost of the — travel, accommodation, food — to have enough money to travel to Due to the decline in the 19. Mahmud, however, will not be journey is far higher than most than those who travelled to Saudi Saudi Arabia for the haj — the fifth value of the pound, the cost among them. people can afford,” said Ashraf Arabia for the ritual two years ago. pillar of Islam and which is only ob- of travel and “I had wished to be one of these Shiha, who owns a haj travel com- This has had a very clear year-on- ligatory if they can afford it. accommodation has become people who will be in Mecca and pany. “We have hopes that things year effect on the number of people Mahmud saved about 1,500 increasingly high for Medina for the haj,” she said. “The will improve in the coming years or from Egypt who perform the haj. pounds (around $82) a month for cost of the holy journey will keep the pilgrimage business [in Egypt] Fewer than 70,000 people from 30 months to amass her 45,000 Egyptians. rising in the coming years, which could turn into a dying one.” Egypt will perform the haj this pounds. means that people like me have no year, said the Higher Pilgrimage She did this through an Egyptian Other Egyptians sell land or un- hope of making it.” Hassan Abdel Zaher is a Committee, a Ministry of Tourism saving scheme known as a Gam- inhabited real estate property to This also makes uncertain the Cairo-based contributor to body responsible for organising iya, a circular credit plan among collect money to perform the haj. prospects of the more than 600 The Arab Weekly. Deadlocked talks between Morocco’s airline and pilots take their toll on passengers

Saad Guerraoui as provided for in their monthly flight schedules established by the Royal Air Maroc Company in ac- Casablanca cordance with the laws and regu- lations in force.” orocco’s national air- “The RAM is asking us to scale line Royal Air Maroc revaluations, even for new pilots. (RAM) is bearing the This can create inequality in terms M brunt of a pilots’ strike of salaries,” the pilots said. ahead of the busy haj season. More AMPL is demanding a rise in than 200 flights have been can- wages, increase of monthly holi- celled, raising passengers’ fury. days from four to five days, in line RAM has been going through with foreign pilots working for the turbulent times in its busiest pe- company, and a reduction of flying riod since the strike began July hours. 18. Negotiations between RAM Several pilots posted a message and the Moroccan Association of on their Facebook pages stating Airline Pilots (AMPL) have been that their major demand was the deadlocked since the beginning reopening of the National School of August after months-long talks of Pilots to increase their numbers Passing turbulence. A Royal Air Maroc 787 Dreamliner jet sits on the tarmac. (Reuters) failed to reach an agreement over to an adequate level. They said the the association’s demands. school provided excellent training “free of charge.” and delegated pilot training to the my flight is not cancelled. The lady perform the haj. The national car- “We refuse that the training National School of Civil Aviation in told me not to worry and to take rier will use Moroccan cabin crew RAM hired foreign pilots becomes paid for — more than Toulouse, France. another flight before August 15 to provide services to passengers and rented aircraft for its 1 million dirhams! ($110,000) — Many pilots have been lured free of charge. They’re fooling peo- aboard its chartered aircraft. scheduled 68 flights to carry and is thus accessible only to the by Gulf airline companies’ offers, ple. And the hotels that I booked Local media quoted protesting 16,000 Moroccan pilgrims to wealthy. If that had been the case leaving RAM understaffed. without cancellation who will pay pilots as saying the haj trips will Saudi Arabia. 25 years ago, I would never have The struggling airline is allowing them for me?” wrote Hanane Mej- not affect their protest movement been able to attend it and I would affected passengers to postpone jati on RAM’s Facebook page. against RAM and that “they are RAM CEO Abdelhamid Addou never have become a pilot. I will their trips before August 15 at no Another RAM passenger said he not currently engaged in any strike lamented the lack of willingness to fight with all my strength so that cost or a ticket refund if the flight was at the Rome airport when his action.” reach a compromise, stressing that other bright children without great is cancelled. flight was cancelled and there was Saudi Arabian Airlines has said the strike would have a “devastat- financial means can have the same Flight cancellations sparked nobody to contact for help on the it would fly 16,000 Moroccan pil- ing effect” on the company. luck,” said the message. passengers to take to social media spot. grims to Saudi Arabia. AMPL denied that pilots were on In 2014, the government forced to remark on RAM’s “incompe- RAM hired foreign pilots and strike, saying they “perform their RAM to close the school, which tence.” rented aircraft for its scheduled Saad Guerraoui is a contributor missions, namely their flights as trained 40-60 pilots a year. The na- “Regarding the cancelled flights, 68 flights to carry 16,000 Moroc- to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb well as their penalty payments tional carrier recruited foreigners I called this morning to ensure that can pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to issues. August 12, 2018 19 Economy

Diversification, FDI driving Briefs Egypt’s parliament Sharjah’s economy to new heights passes $11 billion sovereign

N.P. Krishna Kumar outward capital across emerging wealth fund markets within Sharjah,” Musharrkh said. Egypt is setting up a sovereign Sharjah He said the contribution of the top wealth fund with a capital of 200 emerging sectors in the emirate’s billion Egyptian pounds ($11 bil- harjah has been moving away GDP as per the 2017 figures includes: lion), the state news agency said. from hydrocarbons towards manufacturing (16%), real estate Former Public Enterprise Min- a diverse economy coupled (12%), wholesale and retail (11%), ister Khaled Badawi said in March S with measures to boost for- financial services (10%), construc- that Egypt was discussing setting eign investment flows and support- tion (7%) and logistics and transport up a sovereign wealth fund to ed by competitive advantages, such (5%).” manage state companies it plans to as strong connectivity and a culture “Sharjah enjoys a healthy growth list on a stock exchange. of entrepreneurship. in FDI with mega real estate, retail, “The Report: Sharjah 2018” by the health care and hospitality projects (Reuters) Oxford Business Group indicates being rolled out, which have already that the emirate’s policy of diversi- begun welcoming a number of new fication and its success in attracting investment prospects, partnerships foreign direct investment are driving and entrepreneurial opportunities the economy towards new heights. across different sectors,” Musharrkh IMF warns Arab Oil and gas contribute less than said. Flexible economy. A view of Khor Fakkan, one of the world’s 6% to the GDP and no individual These indications justify Moody’s leading container transshipment ports strategically located states against sector accounts for more than 20%. and the International Monetary outside the Strait of Hormuz. (Sharjah Ports Authority) Industry and manufacturing in Fund’s predictions that Sharjah’s complacency Sharjah benefit from a low-cost annual growth is expected to rise base, along with a developed infra- to 2.7% in 2018 and 2019, with ex- ing and in-development specialised Sharjah’s credit ratings.” over debt structure and connectivity, the re- pansion driven primarily by trade free zones and industrialised zones, “The emerging mega-real estate port stated. “As a result, Sharjah is and tourism and a more optimistic which act as main industrial bases and commercial projects in Shar- The International Monetary one of the most important industrial growth outlook for its GDP. of the Emirates. The Hamriyah Free jah are attracting global hospitality Fund (IMF) warned Arab countries and manufacturing centres of the Musharrkh pointed to the emir- Zone and the Sharjah Airport Inter- brands as well as leading investment against complacency over a loom- UAE and the wider [Gulf Coopera- ate’s two largest free zones — Ham- national Free Zone offer advantages brands locally and globally.” ing debt crisis, urging continued tion Council] GCC.” riyah Free Zone Authority and such as 100% foreign ownership. He said combining these elements economic reforms despite a rise in Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, ex- Sharjah International Airport Free Sharjah has initiated new free in addition to specialised free zones oil prices. ecutive chairman of the Sharjah Zone — which host more than 13,000 zones with non-industrial focus — would help sustain Sharjah’s flex- Crude prices have rebounded Investment and Development Au- companies and small and medium- Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah Me- ible economy, which meets “the thanks to a deal by producers to thority (Shurooq), said: “In the last sized enterprises from more than dia City, Healthcare City and Sharjah demands of investors worldwide, all trim production but the IMF said few years, Sharjah has undergone 150 countries across many industrial Research, Technology and Innova- operating in a business-friendliest such a change in fortunes should a substantial transformation in its sectors, with expansion projects un- tion Park — to further support the environment in the region.” not get in the way of overhauling economy to servicing the growing der way in both zones. growth and diversification. “Our key economic goal is to state spending. investment opportunities and de- In 2017, he said, the United States “These specialised networks in- strengthen Sharjah’s sustainable mands made by local and interna- and Canada led the increase of stra- fluenced our current expansion economy by promoting existing di- (Agence France-Presse) tional markets.” tegic investments from the Americas processes, creating strong returns versification in capital and share Invest in Sharjah CEO Moham- into Sharjah. From the East, China, on diversified investments across with our global partners new fron- ed Juma al-Musharrkh noted that India and Pakistan were among the eco-tourism, logistics, finance, tiers for profitability and national “Sharjah’s holistic approach to eco- key investors. education, light manufacturing, en- income,” Musharrkh said. nomic growth is primarily focused “From Europe, we continue to trepreneurship and environmental “We will continue to build on our Lebanon to begin on two factors, diversification and witness steady investment growth projects,” Musharrkh said. existing strategy, which is travelling quality.” from nations, as well as strategic “It allowed state entities in Shar- and promoting Sharjah’s invest- offshore energy An important point in the report investments from German, Italian, jah to work together as a strate- ments opportunities in world-lead- is the dramatic increase in foreign French, Dutch and British compa- gic model for increasing invest- ing exhibitions, events, forums and search in block direct investment (FDI) into Shar- nies as well as others across the EU ments from the private sector, discussion panels.” disputed by Israel jah from $808 million in 2016 to $1.6 region. Investments are also coming operating with less dependency billion in 2017. “We enjoy a steady in from Russia,” he said. on government budget, which N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab Lebanon said it signed its first increase in volume of inward and The emirate is home to six exist- substantiated the upgrading on Weekly contributor in Dubai. offshore oil and gas exploration and production agreements for Viewpoint two blocks, including a block dis- puted by neighbouring Israel. Lebanon’s energy minister said Can gas exports boost Egypt’s ties with Israel? the dispute with Israel would not stop Lebanon benefiting from potential undersea reserves in the overshadowed by cost and logistical as Zohr extraction expands and Noor requirements, not least to encourage contentious Block 9. Consortium issues. A proposed pipeline to Turkey output comes on stream. more investment in the Leviathan operator Total said it would not also looks unlikely due to Ankara’s Doubts have also been expressed field, which until the discovery of drill the block’s first well near the Yigal Chazan fraught relations with Jerusalem about the viability of importing and Zohr in 2015 was the biggest in the disputed zone. and the former’s sovereignty dispute then exporting Israeli and Cypriot gas east Mediterranean region. A consortium of France’s Total, with Nicosia over Turkey-occupied competitively at a time of low world The $15 billion gas deal signalled Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek matter of years after northern Cyprus. prices. Israeli energy stocks took a the two countries’ desire to work for signed agreements for the two suffering severe daily Egypt’s exporting ambitions tumble on news of the Noor reserves. mutual economic benefit, although blocks, which are among five power cuts, recent gas moved a step closer this year when Notwithstanding these concerns, there is one matter that will first that Lebanon put up for tender in discoveries look to turn Israel agreed to supply gas from its to be an effective hub in the long require resolution. Just a few years the country’s much-delayed first Egypt into a regional Tamar and Leviathan fields over a 10- term, Egypt will need diverse sources ago, Egypt was exporting cheap gas licensing round. energy exporting hub, year period in a $15 billion deal, with of gas to serve its own rapidly grow- to Israel via a Sinai pipeline that was aA development that may bolster eco- supplies earmarked mostly for export ing consumer market and rising often the target of sabotage by Islam- (Reuters) nomic ties with Israel, which is keen via Egypt’s LNG plants. demand in the Gulf and Asia as well ists. The Egyptians stopped the sup- to tap into its neighbour’s energy Israeli Energy Minister Yuval as Europe, which has seen a decline plies in 2012 after an upsurge in the distribution potential. Steinitz described it as the most in North Sea production and is wary attacks and the gas was diverted to Both countries have expressed significant export agreement with of relying too heavily on Russian domestic markets. An international enthusiasm over prospective energy Cairo since the two sides made peace supplies. arbitration court ruled in 2015 that MENA region cooperation but analysts have point- nearly 40 years ago. Egyptian Presi- For Sisi, the prospect of his country Israel should be compensated. ed out that Egypt’s discovery of ad- dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the deal becoming an energy hub could not The dispute reportedly needs to needs to spend ditional gas reserves raises questions would help fulfil his dream of Egypt have come at a more opportune time, be resolved for the $15 billion Israeli $260 billion on about the extent to which Israel — an becoming an energy hub. as export revenues and anticipated supply deal to proceed. At the time emerging gas producer with few Moves are also afoot to work with foreign investment — Cairo expects the latter was struck, reports sug- power plants export options — might benefit from Cyprus on building a pipeline to some $10 billion of capital inflows gested efforts were under way to set- its neighbour’s ambitions to become transport gas from the island’s Aph- this year and next into the oil and gas tle the arbitration case and another a regional hub. rodite field to Egypt’s liquefaction industry — will bolster his efforts to related to the Sinai pipeline, whose Middle Eastern and North Afri- Egypt could be self-sufficient in facilities. reboot the Egyptian economy. operator is demanding damages for can countries need to spend $260 gas by the end of the year as produc- Egypt is investing in hub infra- In 2014, the country was hit by the cut in supplies. Out of several billion over the next five years for tion from its Zohr field, the largest structure. It has built a wharf on the crippling power cuts due in part to options for exporting Israeli gas to electricity production to meet ris- in the eastern Mediterranean, ramps Gulf of Suez for gas and petroleum dwindling gas production reducing Egypt, the pipeline is seen as the ing demand, a report said. up. That would allow Cairo to start product tankers, refinery capacity supplies to gas-fired plants, Egypt’s most cost-effective. The region, which includes oil exporting early next year through has been expanded, there are new main source of electricity. This, along Egypt’s and Israel’s economic heavyweights Saudi Arabia, Iran liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants at fuelling depots for ships along the with imports of expensive LNG ship- interests clearly coalesce with the and Iraq, must make the invest- Idku and Damietta. Suez Canal as well as additional ments to compensate for domestic emergence of the former as a signifi- ments to add 117 gigawatts of The June discoveries in the Noor oil storage tanks and loading and shortages, exacerbated the country’s cant export hub. Politics could yet power generation by 2022, Arab field should further strengthen offloading facilities. New legislation economic problems. get in the way — the Egyptian public Petroleum Investment Corporation Egypt’s hand as an exporter. allows private firms to make use of Should an energy partnership with remains largely hostile towards Israel said. Egypt’s neighbours, Cyprus and state infrastructure to import and Israel come to fruition, it would add — but, for now, the new willingness The Dammam-based energy Israel, both of which have substan- trade gas. an economic dimension to ties that to cooperate over natural resource development bank said $152 billion tial offshore fields, are keen to send However, given its recent discover- have been primarily security-focused wealth could prove to be the key to is needed for electricity generation their output to Egypt for export ies, some industry analysts ques- since the two countries made peace, better relations. and the rest for transmission and because neither has LNG capac- tioned whether Egypt would need a common goal of countering Islamic distribution projects. ity and plans for a pipeline linking to import gas, arguing that it will extremism, their principal area of co- Yigal Chazan is an associate at Alaco, the region to Greece and Italy to probably have more than enough of operation. The Israelis need a viable a business intelligence consultancy (Agence France-Presse) serve European markets have been its own to service Idku and Diametta way of exporting gas surplus to local in London. 20 August 12, 2018 Society Media IT Platform established in Tunis for visual arts, video gaming

Dynamic scene. Participating speakers at the inauguration of the digital lab and gaming lab in Tunis. (National Centre of Image and Cinema)

Roua Khlifi is a strong Tunisian industry. Why “As gamers, our objective is to the sector of video games in their providers do not give importance to do they have to leave the country organise national competitions youth, a sector that only appeared the quality of connectivity in terms to work while they can do it here? of electronic sport,” said Amine in America in the ‘90s. This discrep- of time response ping and stability.” Tunis I want to protect the value of Tuni- Ghaddab, co-founder of the Asso- ancy between Generation X and the Despite these concerns, the Tuni- sian intelligence and competences ciation of Tunisian Gamers. “Tuni- following generations explains why sian government’s introduction of unisia’s gaming community in gaming development.” sian champions have participated many people don’t understand the gaming labs in the National Centre has struggled to build up an While Tunisia’s gaming indus- in international competitions since sector, including parents and deci- of Image and Cinema was applaud- industry that remains large- try only recently received govern- 2013 and we have organised many sion-makers (politicians, govern- ed by gamers. T ly under the radar but the ment recognition, NGOs have long competitions of electronic sports, mental officials),” he said. “It includes a highly developed creation of a platform could move worked to promote e-sports in the mainly the E-sport Tunisian Cup, He added: “This will disappear laboratory and equipment for game visual arts and video gaming in the country. One of the most influential which helps select players to rep- with time but meanwhile the com- developers,” said Ben Amor. “It will spotlight. associations is the Tunisian Asso- resent Tunisia in the international munity is making more effort to serve as a workshop and a platform Tunisia’s Ministry of Culture has ciation of Game Developers, whose championship. communicate better and explain for ideas and projects for people established a department for visual founder, Houssem Ben Amor, said the economic and political influ- interested in game development. arts and gaming in Tunis’s City of that, despite limited resources, ence that this sector could have on This will be a great place especially Culture, a move seen by gamers as Tunisia has a vibrant gaming scene. Among the obstacles facing the country.” for beginners and novices who do an important sign of support. “As a group of people who were the gaming industry is the Ghaddab said there were finan- not have the means but can work in Chiraz Latiri, general director of interested in the gaming industry social and cultural divide cial, technical and legal issues at the lab.” the National Centre of Image and and developing games, we wanted between generations. play. Ghaddab added that one of the Cinema, said a creative digital lab to start working on creating and or- “It is important for the relations lab’s most important features is the and gaming lab would open for par- ganising events to promote the cul- “It must be noted that Tunisia between sponsor and player, spon- “gaming factory,” which will pro- ticipants to exchange expertise and ture of gaming in Tunisia and to in- was the champion of the world in sor and organiser, as well as be- vide funding for top game develop- training and develop projects and troduce the community,” Ben Amor the strategy game Hearthstone in tween players and organisers to be ers. technical skills. said, adding that the organisation the International e-Sports Federa- formalised like in any other sport,” “The gaming scene in Tunisia is “This is a place that will provide hosted the country’s first interna- tion (IeSF) WC 2014.” he said. “Having a legal framework very dynamic and is evolving,” he a platform for freelancers, start-ups tional gaming event — “the gaming He said: “The Association of Tu- will help the industry evolve and said. “However, it is indispensable and anyone who has a project relat- challenge” and the “Tunisia Game nisian Gamers is focused on restruc- enter the international scene, play- to have a federation to guarantee ing to the artistic digital industry,” Awards.” turing the gaming industry and ers and organisers need finances. the continuity of this evolution and Latiri said. “Students too can de- “Our role is to promote the indus- submitted a request to create a fed- Currently, players are paying for dynamism since there is not always velop their skills using the counsel- try of gaming in Tunisia, to unite eration for electronic sports, which their own logistics (transportation, a legal framework to protect the ling. For me, this centre is not just the community, to create opportu- is being studied by the ministry.” participation fees, et cetera). Or- interests of the different parties in- for cinema but for image too, which nities for the community,” he said. Among the obstacles facing the ganisers too have difficulties col- volved whether they are the organ- could dwell on all including the im- Tunisian gamers also seek to gaming industry is the social and lecting funding to organise compe- isers, the players or the sponsors.” age of the film and the game.” work with developers to build the cultural divide between genera- titions.” “Today, video gaming is the industry and encourage others to tions, Ghaddab said. He added: “Some issues are tech- Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel most consumed cultural product participate in national and interna- “The majority of people over 50 nical. The internet infrastructure in and Culture contributor to in the world,” Latiri said. “There tional tournaments. didn’t live (through) the genesis of Tunisia is improving but internet The Arab Weekly. Egyptian online initiative to encourage book readership

Mustafa Abid activities,” she said. existence and metaphysics. “I also looked at special studies She explains the interest in fic- Cairo by other entities, such as the UN- tion by their tendency to identify ESCO, regarding ratios of reading, with the book’s heroes and their n many Arab cities, programmes education and university degrees.” desire to escape reality. She also are established to encourage Rashed said the reading ratio in pointed out young people were in- culture and reading among chil- the Arab world was less than 2%, terested in books on self-improve- I dren. The plans are popular and indicating a need for initiatives ment, human resources develop- relatively well-received consider- with multiple goals. The first was ment and marketing. ing alarming statistics showing that to motivate young people towards Rashed observed “there were an Arab citizen reads on average 11 reading and nourish their curiosity slight differences in the reading pages per year. to cultivate good taste. The second tastes of audiences from differ- One such effort is the “I-Read” goal was to create channels of com- ent Arab countries and these are initiative begun in Cairo by a young munication between readers and primarily due to differences in po- novelist. It is attracting tens of writers. Unique litical beliefs and social customs.” thousands of followers from vari- Rashed said she determined that approach. She pointed out that social media ous age groups but particularly adults and older people in her sam- Shirine platforms were instrumental in young people seeking cultural op- ple read for about 20 minutes per Rashed, eliminating many barriers between portunities. day, mostly reading the Quran or founder of people and cultures, as if all of hu- Shirine Rashed, who is behind newspapers. Young people report- the “I-Read” manity belonged to one country. the initiative, said she wanted I- ed an average 3 hours a day read- initiative. Rashed said famous works by the Read to become global so readers in ing, although 90% of that time was (Al Arab) literary pioneers did not appeal to the Arab world could connect with reading social media. Rashed said younger readers and older readers people sharing the same passion that led her to focus on how to use from works by famous Arab writers. were sorry to note that. for books in other places around young people’s enthusiasm for so- An example of the potential suc- response was phenomenal. In the Rashed insisted on the need the world. cial media to get them to read in the cess of such endorsement is that Short Novel Competition, more for people to realise that reading Rashed conducted several stud- wider sense of the term. sales of Mark Manson’s book “The than 400 works were submitted. and writing choices and styles are ies about reading in Arab societies Rashed pointed out that digital Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” The best 20 submissions were to be evolving from one generation to and discovered a huge gap between technology was like a hammer; one picked up in Egypt after the publi- published in a collection by Dar Al- the next. She said she expected au- readers and people of culture in the can use it to build or destroy. So, cation of a picture of Egyptian foot- Riwaq Publishers. The stories were dio and digital books to eventually Arab world and their counterparts she used the Facebook platform to ball star Mohamed Salah reading posted on the initiative’s page for supplant printed books. elsewhere. introduce I-Read. the book. its audience of more than 400,000 “The world is moving towards “I measured the degree of peo- She posted video clips of famous Rashed said I-Read received ex- readers. conservation and this means that ple’s interest in reading by looking people in literature, the arts and cellent reactions from Egyptian Rashed’s initiative was meant es- felling trees is going to be stopped. at several factors, the first of which public life talking about how read- cultural circles. Some cultural in- sentially for young readers but old- So, whether we like it or not, the was the percentage of bookshops ing had affected and changed their stitutions wanted to support the er ones were attracted to it and one [printed] book is going to disappear and publishing houses. These are lives. She appealed to personalities, initiative. That included audiobook of them was among the winners in one of these days. Of course, the commercial cultural entities that such as her husband, writer Ahmed platform and “My-book” digital the competition. new generations already prefer to have their own methods for keep- Murad and film stars Asar Yassine, publishers so Rashed put audio and Rashed said young readers tend- get their reading and audio mate- ing track of the types and vol- Marwan Hamed and Majid al-Kad- digital books on the I-Read Face- ed to favour some genres over oth- rial through the internet,” she said. umes of their sales. By studying wani, who are popular with young- book page. ers. They read fiction more than those figures, I identified trends in er audiences. In addition to the She also began literary competi- anything else and preferred works Mustafa Abid is an Egyptian readers’ intellectual leanings and video clips, Rashed posted quotes tions for unpublished writers. The reflecting on the self, the nature of writer. August 12, 2018 21 Society Environment Sea pollution in Lebanon approaching dangerous levels

Samar Kadi were not polluted and suitable for swimming, four were fairly accept- able within the norms of the World Beirut Health Organisation guidelines and five were extremely polluted. ith a 225km coast line The study, which examined the on the Mediterranean, harmful streptococci and coli- the beach is where the forms bacteria, said several popu- W people in Lebanon of- lar beaches, especially in Beirut ten head when the summer heat and Tripoli, were unsafe for swim- intensifies. However, rampant pol- ming. It did not include areas ad- lution from illegal dumpsites near jacent to factories, dump sites and the coast and sewage pipelines sewage pipes. flowing into the sea have deprived “These areas were left out be- many of the relief of dipping into cause it is common knowledge the water. that they are highly polluted,” Reports on social media warned Hamze said. beachgoers that the Lebanese The main sources of bacterial coast was 100% polluted. The com- pollution in Lebanon are organic ments were refuted as “fake news” waste and sewage and the sources and “unjustified exaggeration” by of chemical pollution are facto- the National Council for Scientific ries and power plants adjacent to Research (CNRS) and its affiliated the coast or near rivers into which National Centre for Marine Sci- industrial waste is dumped and ences. much of which ends up in the sea. “Not the whole sea in Lebanon Paul Abi Rached, founder of is polluted. The situation is very TERRE Liban and president of the critical but it is not hopeless,” said Lebanon Eco Movement, said the CNRS Secretary-General Mouin study was incomplete because it Hamze. did not include the polluted areas, especially near dumpsites, which produce leachate, a toxin liquid Several popular beaches, At critical levels. Seagulls search for food near a sewage discharge area next to piles of plastic bottles from decomposed waste that is washed away by the water on the seaside of Ouzai in southern Beirut, on July 19. (AFP) especially in Beirut and 100% more dangerous than the Tripoli, are unsafe for sewers. swimming. “We need to have a comprehen- piled up on the streets of Beirut “I doubt that the whole Leba- Lebanon’s sea create a backlash on sive scanning of the whole coast. and Mount Lebanon had deterio- nese coast is polluted. It is a very the tourism sector, said Jean Bei- “Today, we are at a crossroads. Testing the water in 25 spots is rating effects, leading to hundreds complicated matter that needs a ruti, president of the syndicate of There are areas that are still ac- not sufficient,” Abi Rached said. of illegal dump sites in the country. thorough analysis. What we can seaside resort operators. “We reg- ceptable within the minimum lev- “Besides, it is crucial to examine Effat Idriss, president of Opera- say is that the sea of Lebanon is istered up to 5% cancellations in el and easy to remedy but this does the extent of pollution in the areas tion Big Blue, which aims to clean polluted in certain areas and not recent weeks, notably by Lebanese not mean there are no areas in a where we have sewage pipes and and preserve coastal and marine polluted in other areas.” expatriates living in the United hopeless state. The sea is suffering garbage dumps like Bourj Ham- zones, said there are better meth- Idriss contended that the “so- States and Canada who cancelled and unless it is protected from the moud dumpsite for instance.” ods to test sea pollution. lution is very easy” but it needs a their trips to Lebanon after reading sources of pollution, we will inevi- “The government should allo- “For instance, heavy metals and “political will.” the reports,” Beiruti said. tably reach a disastrous situation,” cate a special budget for regular chemicals in the water can only be “We have 14 wastewater treat- Abi Rached called for declaring a Hamze said as he revealed the re- scanning of the seawater. We can- tested from the sediments at the ment plants but none of them is nationwide “environmental state sults of the latest sea-water moni- not have a study every three years, sea bottom,” she said. “If we re- operating because the garbage of emergency.” toring study by the National Centre especially after the garbage crisis. ally want to have a more accurate is being used for reclaiming land “The sea needs intensive and for Marine Studies. The situation should be updated and detailed analysis of the Leba- and making profit… The source of urgent care, it cannot wait,” he The study selected 25 spots regularly and on a weekly basis. nese seawater, samples should be Lebanon’s pollution and environ- said. “We demand the formation along the coast from which sam- Otherwise the country will be taken three times a day, at different mental problems is the corruption of an environmentalist govern- ples were taken regularly over 30 heading to a slow death,” he added. hours, different depths, taking into of the ruling class more than any- ment where the main criteria for months at depths of 2-50 metres. The 2015 9-month waste cri- consideration the various sea cur- thing else,” she said. ministers should be environment- The results indicated that 16 spots sis involving uncollected rubbish rents. Reports about the pollution of friendly.” 5-year drought raises questions over Israel’s water strategy

Caron Creighton water is suffering from drought and Caspi-Oron. the Sea of Galilee is suffering from There are other reasons not to drought, you need to conserve,” bank on desalination. The plants re- Kfar Yuval said Caspi-Oron. quire immense amounts of energy In the past, Israel imposed taxes and are costly to build and operate. or years, public service an- on water use during droughts and Relying so heavily on desalination nouncements warned Is- promoted the use of water-saving creates a potential security risk, as raelis to save water: Take devices. However, there are no an attack on the plants could po- F shorter showers. Plant resil- plans to pursue such measures this tentially knock out large portions of ient gardens. Conserve. Then Israel time around. the country’s water supply. invested heavily in desalination Desalinated water reaches Israeli technology and professed to have households in the country’s most solved the problem by tapping into populated region along the coast as Approximately the abundant waters of the Medi- well as some inland residents but terranean. The once-ubiquitous in northern Israel residents rely on conservation warnings vanished. rapidly shrinking natural sources. 40% Now, a 5-year drought is chal- So far, their intake has not been lenging that strategy, as farmers limited. of Israel’s drinking- struggle and the country’s most im- Once bubbling brooks in Israel’s quality water comes portant bodies of water shrink. north have been reduced to a trick- It’s a confounding situation for le. Officials at the historic Tel Dan from desalination and a country that places itself on the nature reserve say the springs there is expected to hit 70% forefront of desalination technolo- will be dry within two months, gy in an arid region, where water is which could negatively affect tour- in 2050. a key geostrategic issue that has its Water woes. An Israeli farmer checks soil in his field near ism in the region. own clauses in peace agreements. Kfar Yuval. (AP) Among the first to feel the Still, Israel is keeping the tech- “Nobody expected five years of drought’s sting have been farm- nology a priority. The government drought in a row so, despite our de- to the lowest place on Earth, the in desalination but the tone has ers in Israel’s Galilee region. Israel passed a plan in June to tackle the salination capacity, it’s still a very, Dead Sea. changed and, over the last few has imposed a limit on the amount drought, with its first objective to very grave situation,” said Yuval The biblical bodies of water are months, televised ads again plead of water they can use, which has increase the amount of desalinated Steinitz, Israel’s minister of energy. crucial to the survival and stability with Israelis to save water because threatened an already tenuous live- water. It also called for springs and Some say Israel’s technologi- of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian — rehashing a tagline from previous lihood and forced many to rethink tributaries to be rehabilitated and cal prowess may not be enough to territories but they are increasingly campaigns — “Israel is drying up.” their crops. plans to add desalinated water to overcome the forces of nature. drying up, largely due to climate Critics say water conservation — a Israeli farmer Ofer Moskovitz the Sea of Galilee starting next year, Israel is in one of the driest re- change, growing populations and crucial measure in semi-arid Israel said he could typically grow more despite criticism from some that gions on Earth, traditionally relying the greater use of water for agricul- — has been sidelined in favour of than one crop each year but for the this could disturb the balance of on a short rainy season each winter ture. desalination. first time he has chosen not to plant minerals in the lake. to replenish its limited supplies. In a bid to achieve water secu- “Israel definitely put conserva- wheat and is only growing avoca- Israel is optimistic the drought However, years of decreased rain- rity, Israel has opened five desali- tion on the backburner. As soon as dos. Even that change is proving a can be addressed with a little inge- fall have reduced the Sea of Galilee, nation plants since 2005 and plans desalination plants were up and challenge. nuity. Israel’s main natural water source, to expand that effort in the coming running there was this false sense “If I don’t water the avocado trees The drought “will be solved, to some of its lowest recorded lev- years. Approximately 40% of Is- of security” and water consump- for one day they start getting weak. there is no question,” Steinitz said. els, and Israel has stopped pumping rael’s drinking-quality water comes tion rose, said Sarit Caspi-Oron, If I don’t water them for a year, 20 “This area is not new for us. We water from it to its national system. from desalination and is expected director of the water department at years would go down the drain,” he simply resume our historic tradi- The drought has also dried out to hit 70% in 2050. the Israel Union for Environmental said. tion to focus and find developing tributaries that feed into the Jordan When the drought was in its in- Defence, an advocacy group. The existing infrastructure makes water solutions.” River, which flows south into the fancy, Israel greeted it with a shrug, “Desalination doesn’t make up it impossible to deliver desalinated Sea of Galilee then squiggles 360km pointing to its massive investment for everything, and when ground- water to farmers in the north, said (The Associated Press) 22 August 12, 2018 Culture

Do Maghreb film producers have a language problem in the Arab Middle East?

Lama Tayara can dialect. “Despite this, if Moroccan direc- tors are asked to include Arabic sub- ilm producers in Tunisia, titles as a condition for distribution, Algeria and Morocco have they will not refuse,” Sabahi said. “It endeavoured to produce a is true that the Moroccan films are F good number of documen- present in most Arab festivals but taries and feature films, both short we also do not have any commercial and long. However, overlooking presence and that is probably be- Arab and foreign cinema festivals, cause we do not have relations with Maghreb cinema is scarcely present Arab distributors.” as commercial cinematic offerings in Chouikh said: “When we think most Arab countries. about distributing any film, wheth- Most Maghreb film producers and er in Algeria or anywhere else, one directors do not see a convincing must first think about how a film reason for the difficulty of distribu- will be distributed in its own coun- tion of their films. try. Moroccan Raouf Sabahi, a first- “We have a problem of movie time director whose feature film houses in Algeria, where there are “Hayat” toured in dozens of festivals no more than ten theatres in the en- and won many awards, and Algerian tire country, only five of which are director Yasmine Chouikh, whose professional. It is difficult for these Under renewed threat. Algerian girls looks at graphic novels on display during the 10th Algiers “To the End of Time” received an theatres to be able to show commer- International Comic Festival, last October. (AFP) award at the Oran Festival, both said cial films regularly, which would al- Arab Middle East film distributors low moviegoers to create a ritual or should keep an open mind to the a cinematic habit. We as filmmakers marketability of Maghreb films. try even to find a cinema club or a Sabahi said Moroccan cinema cultural body that would allow us to has, since the early 1990s, seen sig- show our films.” Salafists’ rise triggers nificant improvement in quality and As for external distribution, thematic orientation because of a Chouikh said it was a tough prob- new generation of filmmakers. He lem because filmmakers do not said Moroccan cinema still suffers have enough experience in the field. concern in Algeria from some shortcomings, such as Whether in Arab or foreign coun- the lack scripts and visual identity tries, distribution is an independent for Moroccan films. domain. Moroccan cinema’s biggest prob- He said that the Algerian dialect lem, though, he said, is distribu- was cited as a reason for not distrib- over cultural freedom tion. Movie theatres in Morocco are uting films in the Arab world was closing due to piracy, of course, but only a pretext “because we Algeri- Lamine Ghanmi in central towns of Saida and ate through charity associations, also because Moroccan films being ans watch Egyptian and Lebanese Tiaret,” said anti-Islamist writer private schools and businesses as proposed have an inward-looking and other movies in their original M’Hammed Bouzid Mohand. long as they voice support for the character, the type of films labelled dialects. Although we initially did Tunis “That underlined the renewed regime and oppose violence or or- arthouse cinema and, in general, are not understand those dialects, we Islamist menace to the country’s ganised Islamist parties. not meant for a wide audience. gradually came to understand them alafists are gaining traction stability and is more and more Ouyahia, speaking to his Na- “Concerning external distribu- easily.” in Algeria, prompting con- weighing on the country’s political tional Rally for Democracy party, tion,” Sabahi said, “the argument cern among secularist and balance. The mistake is to under- said: “We love Salafism. It is in our that the Moroccan dialect is too dif- Most Maghreb film human rights activists that estimate it.” religion. Let us be Salafists in our ficult to understand, as they say in S producers and directors do tolerance and free expression are Analysts have called for Algerian nationalism.” Arab countries, is no longer convinc- under threat. authorities, including President Analysts warned that mentality ing, in my opinion. not see a convincing reason Salafist groups have mobilised Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to do more was dangerous for a country strug- “It is true the Moroccan dialect is for the difficulty of to impose their views of public to counter the spread of Islamism, gling to ensure political stability. difficult to understand as it contains distribution of their films. morality, including by ending cul- arguing that a policy of appease- “The powerful coming back of elements of Amazigh and French in tural events they deem offensive. ment does not work. fundamentalist Islamists in all cit- the middle and southern parts of the “Before, when I heard the Egyp- The trend reminds many of the They pointed to Islamists’ influ- ies of the county is a sure sign,” country, as well as some Spanish in tian, Gulf or even Syrian dialects, I country’s “Black Decade” of the ence during the tenure of former said writer Karim Belaidi. “As the the north, since we were colonised did not understand a thing but af- 1990s when violent Islamists were Algerian President Chadli Benje- presidential elections of 2019 draw by Spain. On the other hand, the ter being exposed to these dialects a force to be reckoned with. did, when they stormed cultural closer, they aim to occupy the Arab viewer must make a bit of an through film, I learned and started “We (defeated) Islamist terror- events, including wedding, to en- streets and return to the forefront effort and be willing to receive the to understand. If there had been ism militarily in Algeria but the force “moral Islamic values.” Po- of the political scene to take ad- dialect and understand it, especially a tradition of watching Algerian social and economic conditions lice at the time called on firebrand vantage of the political uncertain- since Moroccan cinema uses simple film, it would have facilitated un- fostered the resurgence of the Is- Imam Ali Benhadj, co-founder of ty of this moment.” language that is closer to Arabic.” derstanding the Algerian dialect,” lamists again,” said Sid Ahmed the Islamic Salvation Front, to rein “The Islamists with a different Sabahi pointed out that the Egyp- Chouikh said. Ghozali, who was Algeria’s prime in his followers when they turned veneer and message do not change tian dialect was presented on Mo- “Today most Arab films have Ara- minister in 1991-92. violent. their approach,” he added. “They roccan television, so much so that bic subtitles. I did just that in my The Algerian government fought seek to exploit the anger of the people in their 30s can understand long feature film, ‘To the End of a blistering battle with Islamist ex- citizens about the crisis and build it perfectly. Since Egyptian shows Time,’ when it was shown in Cairo as tremists from 1991-2002, during Secularists and human strength and impose themselves as have been removed from Moroccan part of a women’s film festival,” she which an estimated 200,000 peo- rights activists warned not vital and indispensable force.” TV schedules, younger Moroccans said. ple were killed. That fight turned to “underestimate the Writer Mesloub Khider said Is- could not understand the Egyptian “I think the marginalisation of the Algerian public against any emerging Islamist trend,” lamist movements were gaining dialect. Algerian or Maghrebi cinema un- form of political Islam. which they say could erode traction and have a significant ef- Later, as Syrian dramas flourished der the pretext of the intelligibility However, a brand of Salafism dat- secular values. fect on the country’s cultural on Moroccan TV, people slowly be- of their respective dialects is a big ing from the early 1900s — Salafiya landscape. came used to the Syrian accent and mistake because we speak Arabic ’almia (“scientific Salafism”) — “In times past, terrorist Islamism vernacular. The same could be said and consume films made in the Arab has re-emerged, finding a recep- “Could such nightmarish scenar- turned the majority of Algerians of television and cinema works from East as we have got used to their dia- tive audience in a country dealing io be repeated anew?” wrote col- against Islamism through its own Gulf countries. lects. There must be a mutual effort with lingering social and economic umnist Tayeb Belghiche in El Wa- weapons. Now, most Algerians are In the final analysis, viewers out- from both sides.” problems. tan newspaper. “We had then Ali aligned with the terrorising Islam- side Morocco are either apathetic or The movement, careful to voice Benhadj. We have now [Muham- ism and its rogue and distorted re- too lazy to try to understand Moroc- Lama Tayara is a Syrian writer. support for the government and mad] Ali Ferkous with the same fa- ligious claims,” he said. stating opposition to jihadism, has natical energy,” he said, referenc- “A typical Algerian following spread its message through the in- ing a prominent Salafist leader. this brand of extremism does not ternet and satellite television. “This Ferkous is paid from the tolerate the diversity of opinions, “The Islamists are taking ad- state money as a university teach- cultural plurality, religious plural- vantage of the gap of mistrust and er. He makes his ambition publicly ity, freedom of consciousness, crit- frustrations between the popula- known. He wants to turn Algeria ics of religion, political debate and tion and the government to at- into a Taliban-styled republic. No philosophical controversies. He tempt to impose themselves as the authority bothered him until now does not tolerate the tolerance.” interlocutor of the authorities,” as he and others like him continue Khider and other analysts ar- said Ghozali. to spread their poison deep into gued that the growth of new Islam- While “scientific” Salafists for- society,” Belghiche said, adding ist currents reflects the failure of mally acknowledge the legitimacy that Bouteflika has been too leni- the state and religious institutions of the state, they aim to transform ent on the movement. to address the country’s social and the country’s social and cultural While Religious Affairs Minister economic concerns. spheres. Mohamed Aissa has aggressive- “The outcome is the Algerian Secularists and human rights ly countered Salafists and other republic that claims to have won activists warned not to “underesti- Islamist movements, pushing against terrorism is turning itself mate the emerging Islamist trend,” them out of the country’s 20,000 into a de facto theocracy to please which they say could erode secular mosques, other officials have done these Islamists,” said political ana- values and lead to radicalism. little to challenge them. Even lyst Mustapha Hammouche. “A “Concerts of Rai music were prominent politicians who once republic with no written doctri- blocked by Islamists in the south- fiercely opposed Islamists, such as nal reference to Islamism while it For the love of cinema. Algerian director Yasmine Chouikh (3rd L) ern towns of Ouargla and Bechar Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, brandishes democracy as a win- receives the Golden Dawn prize at the Oran International Arabic in July and other cultural events have given them freedom to oper- dow dressing.” Film Festival. (Oran International Arabic Film Festival) August 12, 2018 23 Culture German translator trying to change Western perception of Arabic literature

Khulud al-Fallah ries, then poetry. “Concerning Arabic literature in general, we can say that European Benghazi readers, critics and publishers lack the right network of references erman translator Sandra and knowledge about it. There is a Hetzel is translating Ara- knowledge void about everything, bic literature into German from topics to genres, to the re- G with the aim of overcom- gion’s literary history, all the way ing misrepresentations of oriental- to names of writers and titles of ism. books,” Hetzel explained. Hetzel, who speaks Arabic with a “In addition to that, there is an- Syrian accent, has begun a project other point which at first sight may she calls “10/11” as a “literary lob- seem intuitive but turns out to be by” to shed light on modern Arabic a real handicap for publishing any literature. The project brings to- literary text: The translation must gether translators, publishers and be started first because, in the cultural activists who want to cre- case of a translation to German, no ate a literary agency in Europe and publisher who might be willing to the United States. publish an Arabic work will accept Hetzel said she wants to dispel to publish the translation before notions about Arab culture. reading at least some chapters of the book. “Every major publishing house German translator in Germany has employees who Changing Sandra Hetzel specialise in the major European perceptions. languages, or at least know these German trans- “Every book that was lator Sandra translated from Arabic and languages. This is not true for Arabic. Consequently, everything Hetzel. published contributes to (Al Arab) spreading Arabic literature comes back to the translator, even since it adds another missing the choice of the original text. The more attention to Arabic literary an art form and a literary transla- presented from what I call the ‘ori- puzzle piece to the knowledge translator must consider whether production. tor is also an artist. An artist is not entalist lens’. I would rather for the void.” it is worth it to invest a lot of time and effort for free on a book that he The second reason for an increas- beholden to neutrality in the same books to be showcased alongside does not know if it will please the ing demand for translations from way as, say, an anthropologist contemporary German literature.” “The prevailing image in Europe publisher or not. This paradox is, of Arabic in Germany was the anxiety whose work requires to be com- Hetzel said: “Publishers in the of this area is that it represents the course, not typical of Arabic litera- about refugees in Germany, with pletely objective.” West often perceive literature in total ‘Other,’ who is completely ture but is true of most of foreign people trying to determine who the “We could say that every book Arabic to be immature and obscure. ‘uncivilised’ and ‘pre-historic’ at literature.” refugees were as a people. It’s not a that was translated from Arabic and When I’m corresponding with a least intellectually,” she said. “As Hetzel said that after the “Arab good thing to reduce literary works published contributes to spreading publisher about some book, I have I am saying this, I had this strong spring” uprisings, culture and arts to just answering that question,” Arabic literature since it adds an- to deal with the preconceptions urge to translate more, it’s as sim- in Europe formed more positive Hetzel said. other missing puzzle piece to the surrounding Arabic literature; that ple as that, and with time this has view towards eastern and southern She said she chooses works to knowledge void,” Hetzel said. it is bypassed by history, very tra- become my profession.” Mediterranean countries. translate based on her literary taste “Out of the seven books I have ditional, romantic, exotic and diffi- Hetzel said a good translation re- It was as if there were a stronger as a reader as well as personal con- translated only one was commis- cult for the layman to relate to, et sulted in a new text that the reader awareness about the Arab person, victions, such as the political slant sioned by a publisher. For the other cetera. My approach with publish- forgets was written in another lan- the one who fought for his rights of the subject matter. six books, I had to look for publish- ers and the wider literary audience guage. and paid dearly for them, she said. “My criteria are highly personal,” ers myself, which takes a while at is deliberate and practical. It leaves She said that in Europe, novels This new consciousness about the she said. “I don’t think it could be times. Sometimes I had to auto- no room for such preset notions.” come first in terms of sales, fol- Arabs motivated international and otherwise. It is the most truthful finance the book’s production. I try lowed by collections of short sto- German cultural institutions to pay way, especially since literature is my best so that the books are not Khulud al-Fallah is a Libyan writer.

Interview Talking with Rania Abouzeid about ‘Loss and Hope in Wartime Syria’

TAW: How did you learn and RA: “There were a lot of maintain your Arabic growing up in difficulties. These were just some of Australia? the people I met in the many years Sharmila Devi that I covered Syria and it was very Rania Abouzeid (RA): “Growing difficult to choose whose stories to up, I was very aware of my tell. It’s all about trust. It’s all about ania Abouzeid was Lebanese heritage, it was a point of sticking with a story and it’s about born in New Zealand to pride for my family but also one of being able to physically get there, Lebanese immigrants, pain because at the time Lebanon which, regarding Syria, became grew up in Australia was in the middle of a civil war. increasingly difficult as anybody and travelled to Beirut We used to come out to Lebanon who’s covered the story or who’s during the civil war for during breaks in the civil war to read about what’s happening in Rfamily holidays. She is a journalist deepen our ties to the land of our Syria knows. It was a very delicate in Beirut. heritage and Arabic was an integral and difficult story to cover.” Abouzeid’s book, “No Turning part of that but it was mainly Back: Life, Loss and Hope in kitchen-table Arabic, speaking TAW: How did you come up with A nostalgia for hope. Wartime Syria,” has won accolades with my grandmother. It certainly the idea of the book? Journalist and writer for its depiction of the Syrian war wasn’t the formal Arabic of news Rania Abouzeid. through the stories of four young broadcasts or anything like that. I RA: “My literary agent had been (Courtesy of Rania people. independently studied that element asking for a proposal for a while and Abouzeid) There is Suleiman, who was a of the language.” it wasn’t something I wanted to do. wealthy manager of an insurance I never covered Syria with the intent office in the city of Hama but TAW: How difficult was it to of turning my reporting into a book. this point. I’m going to let a little any optimism in Syria? faced tragic consequences for access the people you write about in I felt the journalism was enough. bit more time, more space pass. his involvement in the Syrian the book? “But when we read a news story, The book hasn’t been published RA: “That all depends on your uprising. Mohammad, who was you see a person in a moment in in Arabic but I am still in contact political views. People who back sympathetic to radical Islamism time or you see a place in a moment with the people in the book as the Assad government see him after spending years in Syria’s in time or you read about an event. well as other people who aren’t in retaking huge parts of the country jails and torture chambers and I felt that with the book I might the book but they were behind all with the assistance of his foreign became a commander for Jabhat have the ability to present a longer of the words as well, their stories backers. Those who are in the al-Nusra, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. timeframe and I tried to do that, infused my understanding of Syria. rebel camp who are not Kurdish Ruha is a 9-year-old girl whose starting in 2011 and going all the I try to keep in touch just because are obviously dismayed. They see family suffers from bombardment way up to 2016, mid-2017 for some these people are people, they’re not Idlib turning into a holding pen and deprivations. Abu Azzam is storylines. A bomb attack on a quotes. where all of Assad’s enemies have a literature student who ends up village can be horrifying but when “I haven’t been back since the been corralled into. In southern fighting with the Free Syrian Army. you realise it’s happening every few spring of 2016 for a number of Syria, we’re seeing the offensive The Arab Weekly (TAW) spoke days you can perhaps get a greater reasons. Sadly, access to the begin, particularly around Daraa. with Abouzeid via Skype about the sense of the emotional and physical non-Kurdish areas is very difficult Raqqa has been destroyed but book and the situation in Syria: toll that it can take on people.” and, sadly, the level of interest is who is going to rebuild it? It’s a very slim. On my last trip I was very fragmented place with a very From the front lines. Cover TAW: Do you plan to follow in Idlib city, which at the time no different prognosis in every part.” through with what happens to the other journalist had been there and of Rania Abouzeid’s “No book’s characters? this story ended up being spiked by Sharmila Devi is a former British Turning Back: Life, Loss a magazine.” correspondent in the Middle East and Hope in Wartime Syria.” RA: “Perhaps in later editions and writes on political and social I will add an afterword but not at TAW: Are there any grounds for issues in the region. 24 August 12, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Baalbek: Through August 18

Set in the Roman ruins in eastern Lebanon, the Baalbek International Festival includes opera, classical music, pop and jazz concerts, modern and classical dance by international and local performers. This year’s edition includes Matthieu Chedid, Jahida Wehbe and Ben Harper.

Sousse: Through August 19

The International Festival of Sousse celebrates the diversity of Tunisian culture and history, and its relationship to other cultures around the world. It includes performances of local music and theatre as well as a huge carnival.

Hammamet: Through August 26

Hammamet, a Tunisian town The main facade of the Manial Palace. (Wikipedia) on the northern shore of the Gulf of Hammamet, is the site of the 54th Hammamet Inter- national Festival. Concerts and plays are scheduled for more Cairo museum offers insight than a month. Byblos: September 5-10 into Egypt’s history under The Lebanon Latin Festival takes place every year in Edde Sands with artists from around the world. Dance workshops the Mohammad Ali dynasty are scheduled in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, cha cha cha, hip-hop, Samba, Lambada, Oriental, Hassan Abdel Zaher history, namely the era of the Mo- orated with wood Mohammad Ali himself to rule Egypt for many hammad Ali dynasty,” said Nader Tewfik who constructed the palace years. When he built the palace, he Dabke and Afro-Cubano, in Abdeldayem, a professor of modern in 1903, obtained from the Azm Pal- even specified one of the rooms for addition to shows and perfor- Cairo Egyptian history at Ain Shams Uni- ace, an 18th-century Ottoman pal- the throne. mances. versity. “It is a place where members ace in the west-central Syrian city of The oldest emir of the Mohammad he Manial Palace and Muse- of the royal family lived for many Hama. Ali family, Tewfik’s dream of ruling Dubai: um offers visitors a journey years, which gives it authenticity The Levantine Hall, as it is called, the country was dashed when King September 6-8 to pre-1952 Egypt when the and lends it greatness.” opens onto a smaller room with a Fuad’s son, Farouk, was born. Un- country was a khedivate, a The museum, on a Nile River is- floor covered with coloured mar- til then, he had been the presump- Written by French composer T Georges Bizet, and first staged sultanate and then a monarchy, be- land in southern Cairo, contains ble. The smaller room boasts several tive heir. When King Fuad died in fore the Arab Republic of Egypt and many belongings of the Mohammad stained-glass windows, and light 1936, Mohammad Ali Tewfik served in 1875, the opera “Carmen” the revolution. Ali family and relics of the dynasty. entering the room is reflected into a as regent for the 16-year-old crown will be performed at the Dubai It was an era that was overseen It reflects the conditions, artistic harmonious invasion of colours. prince until he ascended to the Opera by the Armenian National by the Mohammad Ali dynasty. The tastes and cultural influences of the Another room boasts a Moroccan throne in July 1937. Academic Theatre Opera and Manial Palace, perhaps more than 19th century and the first half of the style with most of its contents, dec- King Farouk did not have male Orchestra. anywhere else in Cairo, exemplifies 20th century when Egypt was un- orations and tastes taken to Cairo children to succeed him, which kin- an Egypt that no longer exists. der British occupation. The palace from Morocco. dled Tewfik’s dream of ruling Egypt Tangier: The museum, constructed on 6.5 is surrounded by Persian gardens, The ceiling of the room is made of once more. September 20-23 hectares in five buildings, includ- with plants taken to Egypt by the reflective glass protruded by wood- However, in January 1952, ing three palaces, is more than just British who had been introduced to en shapes that look like stars in the Farouk’s wife, Nariman, gave birth The 19th Tangier’s Jazz Fes- a place where relics of bygone them in India. sky. There are two handmade tables to a boy. This ended Tewfik’s dream tival will feature international times are exhibited. It is a pulsat- Almost every part of the mu- in the middle of the room that were of ruling Egypt. However, it was and local jazz artists. Over four ing centre of dynastic Egypt that seum shows an influence from used for serving food and drinks. not just Mohammad Ali Tewfik’s days, visitors can enjoy free was open to foreign influenc- around the world gathered The amount of work into making dreams of ruling Egypt that were street performances, free dance es, especially from Europe, in Egypt during the nu- them manifests itself in the perfect soon dashed but the Mohammad Ali courses and jazz concerts. This where most members merous travels of the nature of the drawings engraved dynasty’s. Six months after the birth year’s festival includes perform- of the royal family members of the into them. There are also wooden of Crown Prince Ahmed Fuad, the ers Flo Bauer, Michael Lauren, were educated. Mohammad Ali arabesque sofas that demonstrate monarchy was overthrown by army Matthieu Bore and United “The museum family. deep Moroccan influences with their officers who declared the modern Colors of Mediterranee. contains relics of One of the embroidered pillows. republic. a very important rooms of the The museum contains the per- El Gouna: phase of Egypt’s museum is dec- sonal belongings of the Mohammad September 20-28 Ali family. One of the rooms is a copy The Manial Palace, perhaps of Tewfik’s mother’s room in France. more than anywhere else in El Gouna, on the Egyptian The emir’s mother did not want to Cairo, exemplifies an Egypt Red Sea coast, will host the go to Egypt so he made an identical that no longer exists. second El Gouna Film Festival. copy of her bedroom in France to A diverse selection of films is convince her to live with him in the Many of those visiting the palace scheduled. The programme in- palace. are not aware of Egypt’s complex cludes documentary, narrative Mohammad Ali Tewfik mixed Eu- dynastic history. The Egypt that is in and short film competitions in ropean, Islamic, Ottoman, Moroccan evidence in the luxurious rooms and addition to the Audience Award. and Persian influences in building halls of the Manial Palace is akin to a the palace. It contains a much of his foreign country. Cairo: personal and his family members’ The museum attracts students September 27-29 art collection, mediaeval manu- studying pre-1952 revolution Egypt scripts and his clothing. and foreign tourists. For tourists, a CairoComix Festival, pro- “Behind every piece of furniture, visit to the palace can include other duced at the American Univer- every item and every corner, there southern Cairo sights, including the sity in Cairo’s Tahrir Square is an extensive story of one of the Saladin Citadel and the ancient Is- Campus, brings together artists, members of the family that ruled lamic prayer houses nearby. publishers, speakers and fans of Egypt for so long,” said museum University student Mohamed Has- comics from around the world Director Walaa Badawi. “This is a san, visiting with a group of friends, for an extensive programme of place so rich that visitors might find strolled through the palace’s halls exhibitions, talks and work- the duration of one visit far from before closing time. He had previ- shops about the comics enough to fathom the things they ously visited the museum as a child industry. see before their eyes.” with his father but he said that he This palace-turned-museum, had a better appreciation of Egypt’s We welcome submissions of which was built in 1903, witnessed complex history on his second visit. calendar items related to the birth and death of Mohammad “I come this time while I am more cultural events of interest to Ali Tewfik’s dream of ruling Egypt. aware of the historical events that travellers in the Middle East He was a son of Khedive Tew- made the lives of the people who and North Africa. fik I, the sixth ruler of Egypt of the lived in this palace,” Hassan said. Mohammad Ali Pasha dynasty, who “This is a proud part of the history Please send tips to: ruled the country from 1879-92. Mo- of Egypt that demonstrates the high [email protected] Clock tower inside the Manial Palace in Cairo. (Wikipedia) hammad Ali Tewfik had prepared tastes of Egypt’s rulers of the time.”