UK £2 Issue 245, Year 5 February 23, 2020 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Germany’s Interview Algeria’s xenophobia Amr Moussa ‘Hirak’ enters problem second year

Pages 4,6 Page 13 Page 3 Tunisia forms Hardliners lead in Iran’s a cabinet under ‘sham’ vote Thomas Seibert shadow of Istanbul

ardliners were heading for a major victory against power struggle reformists as early results H from Iran’s parliamentary Lamine Ghanmi pointees include legal expert Imed elections signalled a possible nation- Hazgui, a former head of the national wide landslide for conservatives. institution ensuring open access to In a development that could fur- Tunis information, as defence minister; ther rattle the legitimacy of the and Hichem Mechichi, a former legal regime, turnout was estimated at unisian Prime Minister-desig- adviser to the president, as interior much lower than the more than nate Elyes Fakhfakh has an- minister. Noureddine Erray, Tunisian 60% of 2016 when reformists won nounced a coalition govern- ambassador to Muscat, was named all 30 seats for Tehran, their biggest T ment, averting the risk of early foreign minister. stronghold. elections, four months after a long cy- Abdellatif Mekki, Ghannouchi’s This time a list of candidates af- cle of presidential and parliamentary most critical figure inside Ennahda, filiated with Iran’s Islamic Revolu- polls. was named public health minister. tionary Guard Corps was leading the The government lineup is expected Lotfi Zitoun, a former Ghannouchi ad- race for seats representing the capital to be approved by the parliament dur- viser, was selected to be minister of lo- in the 290-member assembly, Fars ing a confidence vote February 26. cal government. Two party-affiliated news agency reported February 22. Bargaining about the government figures, Anouar Maarouf (Ennahda) An unofficial nationwide tally lineup involved four weeks of political and Mohamed Abbou (Democratic said 183 seats had been decided, horse-trading in which political par- Current), are to be in charge of, respec- with 135 conservative candidates ties appeared more interested in the tively, transport and public service. winning office. Fars put the number number of cabinet seats they could Fakhfakh dismissed most of Ennah- of reformists to claim seats at 20 and clinch than in boosting the govern- da’s demands, including a larger share independents at 28. In the clear. Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Ilyes Fakhfakh (L) ment’s ability to address pressing pri- in the cabinet and its insistence on The United States imposed sanc- presents his cabinet list to Tunisian President Kais Saied on orities. including Qalb Tounes, parliament’s tions on two senior officials of the February 19, at Carthage Palace. (AFP) Even more striking was the deep- second-largest party, in the govern- Guardian Council, the body of cler- running power struggle between Tu- ment lineup. ics and judges that decides which nisian President Kais Saied and parlia- “We do not want early elections,” Fakhfakh, who virtually received by those who have opened fatwa candidates may run in elections. ment Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, said Abdelkarim Harouni, the head no votes in presidential and legisla- houses.” The council banned many reform- who is also president of the Islamist of Ennahda’s policy-making Shura tive elections, latched onto the elec- Analysts said the Islamists had a ist candidates from standing in the Ennahda Movement. Council. His admission was a break toral legitimacy of Saied, who won the sense of a solid front against them elections, which apparently gave from the repeated statements by Is- presidential race with more than 70% in recent weeks after most political hardliners a strong advantage and lamists that they were ready for snap of the vote. groups in parliament rejected a gov- triggered calls by opposition activ- Experts said there is a risk elections. Ennahda took seriously Saied’s ernment proposed by Prime Minister- ists for an election boycott. of Fakhfakh’s government Ennahda, more than any other par- threat to dissolve parliament and designate Habib Jemli, who had been US Secretary of State Mike being toppled in a year or so ty, did not want to see Saied rule by floated a plan to topple the caretaker nominated by Ennahda. Pompeo criticised the election as a if the power struggle decree during the period parliament cabinet and replace it by a govern- Ennahda has been suspicious of “sham” and a vote that “is not free between Ghannouchi and would be dissolved pending new elec- ment formed by a figure of its choos- Saied’s expressed wish to change the or fair.” Saied continued. tions, if the cabinet did not obtain par- ing as an alternative to Fakhfakh’s Tunisian political system into a more On February 21, the Financial Ac- liamentary approval. cabinet. Saied dismissed Ennahda’s presidential regime. Saied has also tion Task Force, the world agency Despite being the party with the The proposed government will plan and some parliament members called for amending election laws that monitoring terrorism funding, an- most seats (54) in the 217-member likely win a confidence vote in par- assailed Ghannouchi for the ploy. underpin Ennahda’s dominance of nounced tough new financial scru- parliament, Ennahda found itself in- liament but experts still saw a risk of Ghannouchi’s efforts to block the Tunisian politics. tiny of Iran, after Tehran’s failure to creasingly isolated and at risk of being Fakhfakh’s government being toppled formation of the Fakhfakh-led gov- Saied has no political party and no introduce reforms. sidelined by smaller political parties in in a year or so if the power struggle ernment, despite Saied’s support, lost particular support base in parliament The election took place under the the government formation process. between Ghannouchi and Saied con- steam February 18 when Saied chas- but analysts said his supporters are shadow of a growing spread of the After a minor reshuffle of the cabi- tinued. tised Ghannouchi openly about his working to create a political party that new coronavirus. Iran confirmed net by Fakhfakh, however, Ennahda In its initial opposition to Fakh- attempt to reinterpret constitutional would allow him to convert his high ten new cases February 22, putting said it would participate in the govern- fakh’s cabinet, Ennahda’s leaders provisions in order to topple the care- public opinion ratings into a political its total at 28. Five people have died ment and vote for it in parliament. En- cited a commitment to include Qalb taker government. mobilisation platform. because of the virus. nahda is to have six of the 32 govern- Tounes, a party the Islamists previ- “The text of the constitution is ment portfolios as 17 were assigned to ously described as “corrupt” and tried clear,” Saied said. “Only the consti- Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly “independent” figures. to bar from fielding a candidate in the tution text is the final arbiter in our correspondent in Tunis. correspondent. The proposed government’s ap- presidential elections. differences, not its interpretation P20 P2, 17 Viewpoint Women making inroads in GCC’s political, fiscal environments

percentage of those cabinet makeups cabinet as minister of social affairs and through reforms that encouraged more UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and typically are assigned portfolios minister of state for economic affairs. A inflows of foreign funds. and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed considered traditionally acceptable for second female cabinet member, Rana The success of the Saudi Aramco bin Rashid al-Maktoum created two Jareer Elass women by Arabian Gulf norms, such al-Fares, was named minister of public share flotation lifted the Tadawul to ministries headed by women: Sara al- as overseeing education, health and works and state minister for housing ninth globally in market capitalisation. Amiri was appointed minister of state culture sectors. affairs in December. In 2004, Nada Abbas Haffadh was for advanced sciences and Mariam he appointment of Kuwait’s This makes the naming of Aqeel as named Bahraini health minister and AlMheiri was named minister of state first female finance minis- Kuwait’s first female finance minister all Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al-Qasimi for food security. ter and the reappointment the more significant. Not only was she The positioning of became the first woman to join the Bahrain, which had three female of the first woman to lead the first woman to hold that position in UAE cabinet as minister of economy ministers in its cabinet six years ago, the Saudi stock exchange the Kuwaiti cabinet, she was the first women in GCC and planning. In June 2005, Massouma currently has one: Faeqa bint Saeed are noteworthy milestones female finance minister within the GCC. cabinets and heading al-Mubarak became Kuwait’s first al-Saleh, who oversees the Health Tfor women attaining high-profile posi- Aqeel previously served as Kuwait’s female minister, overseeing the plan- Ministry. financial institutions tions in the traditionally male-domi- state minister for economic affairs and ning and administrative development The positioning of women in GCC nated political and fiscal cultures of the acting minister of finance. In a new is a relatively young portfolios. cabinets and heading financial institu- Gulf Cooperation Council. government formed December 17, process. Female representation in the UAE tions is a relatively young process, While Mariam al-Aqeel’s tenure as she was appointed Kuwait’s finance government is an anomaly compared though one can argue that progress is Kuwaiti finance minister was short- minister and acting state minister for In Saudi Arabia, Sarah al-Suhaimi with the lesser number of women being made by the mere existence of lived — she served in her post for two economic affairs. was recently appointed chairwoman that serve in other GCC cabinets. female ministers and a woman manag- months before a cabinet reshuffle Feb- As finance minister, Aqeel oversaw of the Saudi domestic stock exchange, The United Arab Emirates has nine ing a domestic stock exchange. ruary 16 — she remains in the Kuwaiti the Kuwait Investment Authority — the the Tadawul, for a second 3-year term. female ministers — 29% of the cabinet cabinet with two key portfolios. world’s fifth-largest sovereign wealth Suhaimi is CEO and board director of makeup. Jareer Elass reports from Washington Female ministers began being intro- fund with estimated assets of more NCB Capital, the kingdom’s largest as- Those women oversee a range of on energy issues for The Arab Weekly. duced into Gulf Cooperation Council than $592 billion. Though she was set management bank. portfolios, from public education and (GCC) cabinets more than 15 years ago replaced as finance minister in the re- In overseeing the Saudi exchange international cooperation to cultural Full version of this article appears on but women generally constitute a small shuffle, Aqeel stayed on in the Kuwaiti since 2017, Suhaimi helped push and knowledge development. In 2017, www.thearabweekly.com 2 February 23, 2020 Top news Iranian regime faces crisis of legitimacy after election’s low turnout, likely hardliners’ win

Thomas Seibert Corps, who served as mayor of Tehran for 12 years, is a strong con- tender for parliamentary speaker Istanbul after the election. Arash Azizi, a doctoral candidate ollowing the violent sup- in history at New York University, pression of countrywide said the Iranian election was “the protests and an attempt to beginning of a new phase for the F cover up the downing of a Islamic Republic — one in which passenger plane by the Islamic Rev- the reformist forces are effective- olutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s gov- ly eliminated from the political ernment is facing a potential crisis scene.” of legitimacy in its parliamentary He said Iranian President Hassan elections as first results pointed to Rohani, a moderate whose term a low voter turnout, which could ends next year, was likely to face a deny the leadership a much-sought hostile parliament for the rest of his sign of popular support. tenure. “The Rohani government is Tensions between Iran and the very unpopular and in its last year United States are likely to con- and a half it has to live with a con- tinue after the vote because Teh- servative parliament that will an- ran is waiting to see whether US tagonise it,” Azizi said via e-mail. President Donald Trump, who has With Iran facing growing interna- waged a “maximum pressure” tional isolation and threats of con- campaign against Tehran, wins re- flict over its nuclear standoff with election in November. Washington amid rising discontent Turnout was estimated at 40% at home, turnout is seen as a refer- nationwide and 30% in Tehran at endum on the establishment. the scheduled close of polls Feb- “We anticipate 50% of people will ruary 21, the Fars news agency re- participate in the election,” Guard- ported. Unconfirmed reports by ian Council spokesman Abbas-Ali Iranian opposition activists said Kadkhodaei said at a televised Mired in uncertainty. An Iranian woman and a child walk past electoral posters in Tehran, many voters stayed away from news conference February 19. February 18. (AFP) polling stations but authorities ex- Turnout was 62% in the 2016 tended polling for six hours to al- parliamentary vote, while 66% low as many people as possible to of those eligible voted in 2012. demonstrations are no longer being ises of greater freedoms are forgot- were seeking to consolidate nation- vote. About 58 million Iranians are eli- authorised. ten,” she told Agence France-Presse al sentiment following the US assas- gible to vote. On February 18, Ira- “We need to rise up in the most from New York. sination of top commander Major- nian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali civilised way and launch a strong “The candidates are preselected, General Qassem Soleimani. With Iran facing growing Khamenei said voting was “a reli- boycott campaign to respond to the no opposition views are tolerated The Iranian parliament does not international isolation, gious duty.” repressive policies of the govern- and even the turnout is stage-man- play a major foreign policy role in turnout is seen as a “Khamenei’s quandary is that he ment,” wrote Mohammadi, who is aged,” she said, adding that, instead the country’s political system. Azizi referendum on the wants his hardliners to win with serving a 10-year sentence for “form- of voting, people should demand said Khamenei, 80, would continue establishment. a big turnout,” Bobby Ghosh, a ing and managing an illegal group.” a UN investigation into protests in to set the guidelines of how Tehran Bloomberg News columnist, wrote Masih Alinejad, a former journal- November that were triggered by a deals with the United States and the The elections were overshad- on February 20. ist who left the country and leads a sharp rise of petrol prices. rest of the outside world. owed by disqualifications of more Activists and opposition groups campaign against the enforced Is- Amnesty International con- “Whatever strategy he decides for than 7,000 mainly moderate and called for a boycott of the election, lamic headscarf for women, issued firmed the death of 300 people in talks with the US will be followed, reformist candidates by the Guard- distributing the Twitter hashtags a video on social media warning the crackdown that followed the regardless of noises that might be ian Council oversight body. The #BoycottIranShamElections and that voting overlooks the memory protests and some estimates of the made from the parliamentary floor council threw out more candidates #VOTENoVote widely on social of those killed in anti-government number killed are far higher. Iran for or against,” Azizi said. than it allowed in, including most media. protests. rejects the reports but has not given “In the less than nine months left incumbent MPs. In a message from her jail cell, While officials tell everyone to its own figures. to the US elections, Khamenei and As a result, observers expect a posted on her husband’s Facebook vote for the sake of the country, Tehran’s admission that it ac- Trump will have to continue their clear victory for Iranian hardliners. page, Iranian rights activist Narg- “the day after the election, it’s back cidentally shot down a Ukrainian game of brinksmanship and po- Security hawk Mohammad Baqer es Mohammadi said a boycott of to normal — the establishment airliner in January, killing all 176 on litical chess, a process in which the Qalibaf, a former commander of the elections was the only peace- claims the votes gave the Islamic board, sparked more protests at the Iranian parliament will have a little the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ful means of protest left now that regime legitimacy and all prom- very moment when the authorities role.” Iraqi PM-designate struggles to form new cabinet as violence against protesters continues

The Arab Weekly staff system. Delegations from Iraq’s crackdown against persistent pro- Sunni, Shia and Kurdish parties testers appeared to escalate, in- met at the home of parliamentary cluding reports that security forc- London Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi es used hunting rifles to disperse on February 18 to try to resolve the protesters. raqi Prime Minister-designate impasse. Video from Baghdad’s Khilani Mohammed Allawi is moving Addressing Iraq’s protesters, Square on February 19 purport- towards a parliamentary vote who have occupied city squares edly showed security forces firing I to approve his proposed new across the country for months de- tear gas to disperse crowds and cabinet as violence around nation- manding reform, Allawi promised gunshots were reported. The head wide protests increases. to “turn a new page” and re-estab- of the UN Assistance Mission for Allawi called for an “extraordi- lish trust between the government Iraq (UNAMI) called on security nary meeting” of parliament to and the public. forces to stop using hunting rifles approve the cabinet after outgoing and said approximately 50 pro- Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi testers were injured from Febru- said Iraq’s political parties should The government ary 14-16. move ahead with the formation crackdown against “The continued pattern of the of a new government by March 2 persistent protesters use of excessive force, with am- deadline or he would intervene. appeared to escalate, biguously identified armed groups Dead end? Volunteers prepare free food next to a poster of Iraq’s In a video message February 19, including reports that and unclear loyalties, is a grave se- Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi with Arabic Allawi said his proposed govern- security forces used curity concern that must be tack- that reads, “Rejected by the people” during an anti-government protest in Tahrir Square, February 20. (AP) ment would be “the first inde- hunting rifles to disperse led urgently and decisively. Peace- pendent” cabinet in Iraq “without protesters. ful protesters should be protected the participation of the candidates at all times,” UNAMI Special Rep- The Iraqi High Commission for iar with #humanrights instead of of political parties.” “All of what has been achieved resentative Jeanine Hennis-Plass- Human Rights (IHCHR) said 528 relying on #security leaders only Allawi pledged to have early is a result of your sacrifices and chaert said. protesters had been killed and while dealing with the #protests, elections free from “the influence steadfastness, so congratulations Iraqis launched an English- and 24,000 injured since anti-govern- the file that were the #worse from of money, weapons and foreign on this massive honour that the Arabic-language hashtag seek- ment protests began October 1. human rights aspects in the last interference,” although he did not people and history will remem- ing international intervention to IHCHR said 2,800 people had been few months,” IHCHR Commission- say when they would take place. ber, congratulations on this val- end rifle use against protesters. detained for protesting. A total of er Ali al-Bayati said on Twitter. The formation of a new govern- iant glory and this courage for you The hashtag #StopHuntingUs saw 17 security personnel have been IHCHR is funded by the govern- ment was delayed by wrangling have laid the foundations for a Iraqis post pictures and X-ray im- killed. ment but operates independently. over posts by rival groups in Iraq’s new era in Iraq’s history,” he said. ages of bullet wounds reportedly “We hope #PM #designate will The latest figures were the first complex confessional political Despite this, the government caused with hunting rifles. depend on some #advisers famil- published since December. February 23, 2020 3 Top news Algerian president praises pro-democracy protest movement, warns against ‘infiltration’

Lamine Ghanmi “The state was about to collapse completely as was the case of some countries that are today seeking Tunis foreign mediations to solve their problems,” Tebboune said Febru- lgerian President Abdelm- ary 20, referring to conflicts in Lib- adjid Tebboune lauded the ya, Syria and Yemen. country’s protest move- “The collapse of the state means A ment, which is entering the collapse of all the state institu- its second year, as “a foundation tions. All evidence pointed to such for democracy” but warned that a scenario in Algeria. Thank God, hostile forces were attempting to the people foiled this plot. They infiltrate it. have achieved many of their claims Algerian government leaders and thanks to their maturity,” he said. the opposition hailed the pro-de- Asked whether he would support mocracy movement, known as Hi- continuing protests, Tebboune rak, as a milestone in the country’s said: “It is a right for the people to social and political transformation. participate in the Hirak. It is a foun- Tebboune declared February 22 a dation for democracy, all the more “national day of brotherhood and when the people protest in an or- cohesion between the people and ganised manner without destruc- its army for democracy.” tion and trouble.” However, he warned against the movement being “infiltrated” Abdelmadjid by hostile actors from Algeria or Tebboune abroad. “I urge my sons who march Fri- day to be vigilant against the infil- “I’m personally committed to tration of their movement because achieving all demands of the there are signals of infiltration both Hirak.” from inside and outside Algeria,” he said. He promised to satisfy all the Soul-searching. Algerian protesters shout slogans during an anti-government demonstration in The peaceful movement has seen protesters’ demands and transform Algiers, February 21. (AFP) Algerians from across the country Algeria into “a new state of democ- take to the streets in huge numbers racy.” since February 22, 2019, when they “We are focusing on that task time to subvert the movement and and activists. that it would be difficult to end mobilised to oppose long-time because I’m personally commit- rebuild the regime. Some analysts said Tebboune it even through brutal force President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s ted to achieving all demands of the “On the eve of the celebrations of needs the protests to overcome or “manipulation.” bid to seek a fifth term in office. Hirak,” Tebboune said, citing plans the [anniversary] of the revolution “resistance” from inside the re- “The high level of mobilisation Bouteflika was ousted in April but to amend the constitution, change of February 22, the de facto author- gime. and the political maturity of the protesters’ demands grew to in- electoral laws and reorganise state ities multiplied the acts of repres- Many Algerians are proud that movement make it impossible to clude broad reforms of the mili- institutions. sion against the population,” said the Hirak has shown a new, pro- use violence against the Hirak,” tary-dominated government. Tebboune’s embrace of the pro- the Democratic Alternative Pact, an gressive vision of society that re- he said. “It is no longer possible to Months of protests yielded re- democracy movement and the alliance of major secularist opposi- spects women and tolerates politi- ignore the Hirak, which is continu- sults and many figures in Boutef- peaceful nature of the protests tion groups. It said police blocked cal and identity differences. ally strengthened by the national lika’s regime once believed to be largely set Algeria’s transformative people from outside Algiers from “The massive participation of contractions that find their solu- untouchable were jailed. However, events apart from the “Arab spring” reaching the capital, engaged in a women cemented the unity and tions in the movement. For exam- efforts to stop presidential elec- protests of 2010-11, which included crackdown on striking workers and the peacefulness of the protesters,” ple, feminists, communists and tions were unsuccessful and Teb- bloodshed and destruction in many sanctioned judges for throwing out said Abderrahmane Arar from the Islamists march together with no boune, a former prime minister, countries where Islamists played a protesters’ sentences. Civic Forum. “Do not forget that problem.” was elected in December role in the upheavals with the sup- “The illegitimacy of the regime Algiers was off-limits to protests “The Hirak becomes a revolu- Tebboune, who briefly served port of foreign powers. remains whole,” said the coalition, during 20 years. The Hirak changed tionary force even when only the under Bouteflika, has reached out Not all parties in Algeria are im- which called for more protests. it and gained the rights of the pop- word ‘Hirak’ is used. The Hirak to protesters, praising the move- pressed by the government’s public The coalition includes the Cul- ulation to protest freely.” means a movement but that does ment as “democratic” and giving support for the movement. Secular ture and Democracy Party, the Former Algerian central bank not say where it goes. This is its them some concessions. He recent- opposition parties at the forefront Socialist Forces Front and the Governor Abderrahmane Hadj force and such movement will ly said: “The blessed Hirak saved of the protests dismissed Teb- Workers’ Party, which provide Nacer said the pro-democracy push for change without violence,” the country from a total collapse.” boune’s outreach as a ploy to gain the Hirak with its main organisers movement had become so strong Hadj Nacer said. Lebanese government faced with ‘difficult decisions’ amid ongoing protests, dire economic situation

Samar Kadi eting prices and protect consumers from September 2019-February Strategic Affairs. “More important everywhere in the world. Lebanon from “greedy” merchants. 2020. is to have a serious and feasible won’t be able to borrow from inter- The unemployment rate in Leba- Lebanese Former Minister of So- government plan for reforms and a national markets in the future and Beirut non hit dangerous levels, reaching cial Affairs Richard Kouyoumjian timetable for implementation. it would be most damaging for the an unprecedented 40% within a said: “Two million Lebanese will “Based on that, you can tell your banking system and people’s de- he Lebanese government is period of four months, a study by live below the poverty line in 2020 bond holders, I am very serious posits,” he said. undecided whether to de- Infopro Centre for Economic Infor- if the new government does not about my reforms, look at my road “Honouring the debt at the ex- fault on a Eurobond debt mation stated. give special attention to this issue. map, I started with the priorities pense of paying for basic food im- T payment for the first time “It is estimated that from Octo- The situation has reached unprec- such as electricity and we need to ports is also a big problem but, if to preserve declining foreign cur- ber 17, 2019, until the end of Janu- edented dangerous levels.” reschedule the debt… the government starts introducing rency reserves amid growing pop- ary 2020, more than 220,000 jobs Lebanon has been suffering from meaningful reforms, then it will ular uproar against uncontrolled have been temporarily or perma- slow growth, high unemployment convince the bond holders to ne- increases in prices of basic con- nently lost, a 38% increase from rates and decades of widespread Lebanese protesters gotiate the rescheduling of the pay- sumer goods. a survey in November,” Infopro corruption and mismanagement demonstrated outside the ment and will show that we are on Lebanon asked seven firms and Founder Ramzi el-Hafez said. that triggered nationwide protests Ministry of Economy and the right track,” Nader added. the International Monetary Fund The study said that during that against the political elite since mid- Trade in Beirut calling for The United States and the Eu- for advice on dealing with the coun- period, of 300 surveyed compa- October. tighter measures to ropean Union have said financial try’s worst economic and financial nies, 12% had ceased or suspended The Lebanese pound has lost monitor rocketing prices. assistance to Lebanon depends on crisis in decades, including options operations, a 20% increase since nearly 60% of its value on the black the government’s commitment to regarding its 2020 Eurobond ma- November. market. Lebanon also has a mas- “I think no bond holder will re- implement reforms and to fight en- turities. The first Eurobond, worth “The fragility of the private sec- sive debt, standing at $87 billion — fuse to reschedule in that case be- demic corruption. $1.2 billion, matures March 9. tor had started since the beginning 150% more than the country’s GDP. cause it is in their interest to see A senior US State Department of- of 2019, with companies reduc- The most pressing issue the new the bonds, which have lost 40% of ficial quoted by Al Arabiya on con- ing their overhead and number of Hezbollah-backed government of their value, improve. If the govern- dition of anonymity said: “They Weighing the pros and employees and lowering salaries,” Prime Minister Hassan Diab faces is ment is able to start big significant (Lebanese officials) know how to cons of paying maturing Hafez said. “By October 17, most the looming Eurobond maturity in reforms immediately, that would introduce genuine reforms which, bonds, Nader said both companies had already depleted March. Parliament Speaker Nabih be a game-changer,” Nader said. if implemented, will open the defaulting or paying will their reserves and many had lost Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, called Weighing the pros and cons of doors wide for international, US have dire consequences. their ability to resist the crisis.” for restructuring the debt in a first paying maturing bonds, Nader said and EU investors in Lebanon but Tony Ramy, president of the Syn- public comment on the issue by a both defaulting or paying will have first the Lebanese government has Lebanese protesters demonstrat- dicate of Owners of Restaurants, senior official. dire consequences. to make some difficult decisions.” ed outside the Ministry of Econo- Cafes, Night-clubs and Pastries “The core issue is not whether “Negotiating after defaulting is my and Trade in Beirut calling for in Lebanon, said 785 institutions we pay or not,” said Sami Nader, a problem. Creditors can hold all Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly tighter measures to monitor rock- dealing with food and drink closed director of the Levant Institute for the assets of the Lebanese republic Travel and Society section editor. 4 February 23, 2020 Top news More evidence of Iran’s arming of Houthi militias in Yemen

The Arab Weekly staff There have been reports of pos- sible Saudi-Iranian rapprochement with the Saudi side looking for se- London curity guarantees while Iran wanted help in lifting US sanctions; how- onfirming what Arab Gulf ever, Saudi officials dismissed such and Western countries and speculation. the United Nations long sus- “There is no back channel with C pected, Iran, through its al- Iran because our position with re- Quds Force, has been arming Yem- gards to Iran is very clear. I just said en’s Houthi militias in violation of it to you publicly. What we want Iran international resolutions. to abide by the rules,” Saudi Minis- The US Navy said, for the second ter of State for Foreign Affairs Adel time in less than three months, it in- al-Jubeir said at a news conference tercepted Iranian arms on small ves- February 19 with Norwegian Foreign sels en route to rebels in Yemen. Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide. “The seizure is consistent with a “We want Iran to respect interna- historical pattern of Iranian smug- tional law. We want Iran to respect gling of advanced weapons to the the sovereignty of other countries,” Houthis in Yemen,” said US Navy he added. Captain Bill Urban of US Central Yemen’s internationally recog- Command, which is responsible for nised government, whose forces US forces in the Middle East, during a are fighting the Houthis with the briefing February 19 at the Pentagon. support of a Saudi-led coalition, A Central Command statement welcomed news of the intercepted said a team from the Navy cruiser weapons shipments. USS Normandy, on “routine mari- Yemeni Information Minister time security operations” in the Muammar al-Eryani has called on Arabian Sea, boarded a dhow and the UN Security Council to impose discovered Iran-made weapons “that “deterrent sanctions” on Tehran. we assess were intended for delivery Eryani, in a statement to the pro- to the Houthis in Yemen.” government Saba news agency Feb- Interceptions November 25 and ruary 14, said the alleged export by Serious concern. Police officers escort a man, believed to be one of the 12 men arrested during a February 9 involved dhows sailing Tehran of the weapons was a “bla- nationwide investigation into an extreme-right terror network, at the Federal Supreme Court in without a flag, the Navy said. tant violation” of the Security Coun- Karlsruhe, southern Germany, February 15. (AFP) The latest seizure included 150 cil resolution banning Iran from sup- Dehlavieh anti-tank missiles, which plying weapons to the Houthi rebels. are an Iran-made version of the Rus- Eryani said Iran should be pres- sian Kornet anti-tank missiles; three surised into stopping its “smug- Iranian-made surface-to-air missiles; gling of weapons and experts” to the Incidents spark new thermal-imaging weapon scopes; Houthis, which he said was “blatant and components for manned and un- interference in Yemeni affairs and a manned aerial and surface vessels. violation of the principle of sover- eignty, international law and Secu- rity Council resolutions relating to fears of anti-Muslim A report by Conflict the Yemen crisis.” Armament Research, whose Claims of Iran arming the Houthis findings were similar to a UN are not new. A 2015 UN report stated report, said it discovered that Iran’s providing weapons to re- sentiment in Germany “gyroscopes” that have only bels in Yemen dated to 2009, the ear- been found in drones ly years of the insurgency. The report manufactured by Iran. included findings of an investigation into the 2013 seizure by Yemeni au- Mahmud el-Shafey edly got to know each other via many’s Muslim community and mi- Last September, a drone and cruise thorities of an Iranian ship found WhatsApp, raising questions about norities, not to mention defamatory missile attack on state-owned Saudi carrying weapons. the ease of far-right radicalisation. media reports about Islam and mi- Aramco oil processing facilities at In 2017, Saudi Arabia demanded London “It’s shocking what has come to grants,” he said. Abqaiq and Khurais in eastern Saudi the international community hold light here and that there are cells “I call on the authorities, once Arabia led to the shutdown of the Iran accountable for its hostile ac- ears of anti-Muslim senti- which appear to have become radi- again, to protect — visibly and seri- facilities, which affected overall pro- tions after the United States pre- ment in Germany spiked fol- calised in a very short length of ously protect — our places of wor- duction. sented evidence at the UN Security lowing a far-right terrorist time,” German Interior Ministry ship and representatives. This is the It has been revealed that an instru- Council of “irrefutable proof” Iran F attack on two shisha cafes in spokesman Bjorn Grunewalder said. only way to restore trust in the Ger- ment inside the drones that targeted was supplying weapons to the Hou- western Germany in which at least Aiman Mazyek, chairman of the man state.” Aramco and those in the arsenal of this. nine people were killed. Central Council of Muslims in Ger- German politician Konstantin Houthis match components recov- It was revealed recently that the Tobias Rathjen, 43, a bank clerk, many, said Muslims were afraid and von Notz, who sits on the panel that ered in downed Iranian drones in Af- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ on February 19 attacked people in called on the German government oversees Germany’s intelligence ghanistan and Iraq, two reports said. point man in Yemen is still at large cafes frequented by immigrants in to do more to protect them. services, acknowledged that anti- A report by Conflict Armament Re- despite an attempt by the US mili- Hanau, near Frankfurt. His body “The mood is not good,” he told immigration sentiment was becom- search, whose findings were similar tary to kill him the same day it con- was later discovered at his home, the German newspaper Allgemeine ing more mainstream, explicitly to a UN report, said it discovered “gy- ducted an operation that killed Irani- along with the body of his mother, Zeitung. “German Muslims are very pointing to the rise of the far-right roscopes” that have only been found an Major-General Qassem Soleimani in what police said was murder-su- unsettled and feel that not enough Alternative for Germany (AfD) par- in drones manufactured by Iran. in Iraq. icide. is being done to protect them given ty, which became the second-larg- “This gyroscope… we’ve seen it A report in the Washington Post Before the attack, Rathjen up- the rapid increase in anti-Muslim est party in Germany last year. now enough times in Iranian-manu- said a top-secret operation was loaded a 24-page text to his per- racism in the country. “It is clear that the agitation factured material to be able to confi- meant to kill Abdul Reza Shahlai, sonal website in which he espoused “It seems that, almost every other against migrants, the use of anti-Se- dently say that the presence of it in a described by the newspaper as “a far-right conspiracy theories and day, a mosque or Muslim commu- mitic narratives and the contempt Houthi-produced item suggests that financier and key commander in xenophobia. He called for the “com- nity group or representative is at- for the state and the media, as has the material was supplied from Iran,” Iran’s elite al-Quds Force who has plete annihilation” of certain ethnic tacked.” been systematically practised by Jonah Leff of Conflict Armament Re- been active in Yemen.” However, the minorities, including those from the AfD for years, have fatal conse- search told the Associated Press. operation was unsuccessful. Asia, Africa and the Middle East. quences,” he said. “If there was a button available Aiman Mazyek “This poisoned social climate is that would make this become a re- the breeding ground for the right- ality, I would press it in a flash,” he wing terrorist structures, murder- wrote. ing individuals and terrorist attacks German Chancellor Angela Mer- “German Muslims are very such as those in Halle, Kassel and kel said the shooting exposed the unsettled and feel that not now Hanau.” “poison” of racism in German so- enough is being done to protect Von Notz was referring to far- ciety and pledged to take stronger them.” right terrorist attacks over the past action to clamp down on far-right year — the killing of a pro-migrant extremism. Christian Democratic Union politi- “There is much to indicate that After the Hanau attack, Mazyek cian Walter Luebcke in June by a the perpetrator acted out of far- said Germany’s Muslims would neo-Nazi extremist and an attack right extremist, racist motives. Out have to be more vigilant and proac- on a synagogue in Halle in October of hatred for people with other ori- tive in their own protection. “The by far-right extremists armed with gins, other faiths or a different ap- Hanau terrorist may have acted rifles and explosives. pearance,” Merkel said. alone but his murderous, racist ide- German police recorded an in- Far-right terrorism has become an ology is by no means an isolated crease in hate crimes from 7,913 increasing threat in Germany. The case,” Mazyek said in a statement, in 2017 to 8,113 in 2018, the major- Hanau attack was one week after warning that failure to identify the ity attributed to the far right. In German authorities said they foiled attack explicitly as far-right, anti- the first half of 2019, police regis- a far-right terror plot targeting at Muslim terrorism would encourage tered 8,605 right-wing extremist least ten mosques. They arrested 12 further attacks. offences, an increase of 900 over men and seized automatic weapons. “Unfortunately, far-right terror- the same period in 2018. The men, aged between 20-50, ists are encouraged by decades of More weapons, more violence. A gyroscope recovered from a named their group “Der harte Kern” inactivity from the political and Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab Qasef-1 drone on display in Abu Dhabi. (AP) (“The Hard Core”) and had report- security authorities to protect Ger- Weekly correspondent in London. February 23, 2020 5 Top news Battle for Idlib heats up as Turkey rejects Russian plan and sends more troops

Thomas Seibert of civilians fleeing the fighting. Analysts said Turkey is not seek- ing a military victory in Idlib but is Istanbul trying to make sure it has a foot in the door when decisions are taken fresh military escalation about the future of the province or in Syria’s Idlib province Syria as a whole. heightened the risk of all- “Ankara’s priority in Syria and A out war as Turkish forces elsewhere is not necessarily to clashed with Syrian troops and back a winner,” said Simon Wald- Turkish President Recep Tayyip man, an associate fellow at the Erdogan repeated his warning that Henry Jackson Society think-tank. the Turkish Army could go on the “Its aim is to carve a stake in its offensive “any time.” near abroad and to ensure that Talks between Turkey, a sup- other powers sufficiently recog- porter of rebels fighting the Syrian nize Turkish interests.” government, and Russia, the Syr- Erdogan repeated Febraury 19 ian government’s main backer, to that he had given Syrian forces resolve the impasse in Syria’s last until the end of the month to with- rebel-held region failed. draw to positions beyond Turkish In a telephone call February 21 military posts in Idlib, some of with Erdogan, Russian President which have been surrounded by Vladimir Putin said he was “seri- Syrian forces. ously concerned” by the “aggres- “We can go in suddenly one sive actions” of jihadists in Idlib, a night,” Erdogan said on February Kremlin statement said. Erdogan, 19. “The Idlib operation can start however, “stressed that the [Syr- any time.” ian] regime should be restrained One day later, two Turkish sol- in Idlib and that the humanitarian diers died in an air strike in Idlib, crisis must be stopped,” the Turk- putting the Turkish death toll since ish presidency said. Before his call the start of the month at 15. Ankara with Putin, Erdogan said Turkish blamed the attack on the Syrian Air troops would not pull back from Force and not on Russian jets ac- Waiting for green light. A Turkish soldier at a position near the village of al-Nayrab, south-east of the Idlib “unless the regime stops the tive in the region. Russia accused city of Idlib in north-western Syria, February 20. (AFP) persecution of the people of Idlib.” Turkey of providing military sup- port to a rebel counterattack near Idlib. al soldiers and military hardware, ment forces would press onward. sity of Heidelberg in Germany, said More than $336 million Syria’s state news agency SANA including battle tanks. The fighting triggered the biggest Russia had the upper hand over will be needed to support said Turkey supported fighters of Russia warned Turkey against mass displacement in nine years of Turkey in the Idlib crisis. the displaced but relief the former al-Nusra-Front, a group attacking Syrian forces. “If we are conflict in Syria. Approximately “We are not talking about inter- efforts are severely with ties to al-Qaeda, by giving talking about an operation against 900,000 people have been forced dependence here but a depend- underfunded. them armoured vehicles and rock- the legitimate authorities of the from their homes and shelters in ence by Turkey on Russia,” Genc et launchers. SANA published pic- Syrian republic and armed forces less than three months, leaving said by telephone. In a separate telephone call with tures of military being destroyed, of the Syrian republic this would huge numbers to sleep rough in Genc noted that Erdogan was German Chancellor Angela Merkel describing the scenes as Syrian of course be the worst scenario,” the bitter cold. Turkey, which has known for his pragmatism and and French President Emmanuel Army units “eliminating Erdogan’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pesk- already accepted 3.6 million Syrian that the Turkish leader could try Macron the same day, Erdogan al-Nusra mercenaries.” ov said on February 19. refugees, has closed its borders. to repair Turkey’s frayed ties with asked European powers for help. Despite the tension, Ankara was Syrian troops and allied forces “Existing camps are overcrowd- the West if the relationship with Ankara and Moscow did iron out keen to stress it was not seeking a backed by Russia have stepped ed and shelter in existing houses Russia deteriorated. “He can coop- differences elsewhere in Syria in direct confrontation with Russian up their offensive against jihad- is getting scarce, civilians have erate with Russia today and with recent years but the conflict in Idlib forces in Syria. ists and their rebel allies in Idlib no option but to sleep in the open NATO the day after tomorrow,” has strained relations between the “We have no intentions of a face- and the neighbouring province of fields,” said a statement by a group Genc said. two governments. off with Russia,” Turkish Defence Aleppo. In a sign of how big recent of Syrian NGOs, released at a news Turkey said deployment of an US Erdogan rejected a Russian plan Minister Hulusi Akar told CNN gains for Damascus have been, the conference February 19 in Istan- Patriot anti-missile system on the that reports and Syrian activists Turk. airport in Aleppo received its first bul. Russia denied that hundreds border with Idlib would be pos- described as calling for a 6km-wide Erdogan sent troops into Idlib scheduled flight of a passenger of thousands of people were trying sible. “There is the threat of air corridor along Idlib’s border with earlier in February to block the Syr- plane in eight years. to flee to the Turkish border. strikes, missiles against our coun- Turkey that would serve as a “safe ian advance. Since then, Turkey Syrian President Bashar Assad Savas Genc, a political scientist try,” Akar told CNN Turk channel. zone” for hundreds of thousands reinforced its troops with addition- vowed February 13 that govern- and Turkey expert at the Univer- “There could be Patriot support.” Former Turkish foreign minister warns against Ankara’s policies in Libya and Syria

Majed Nehme This is “because of the distance yan conflict turns into a ‘new Syria’.” Even as it is trying to position itself Cyprus MEP Costas Mavrides, chair- (separating Turkey from Libya) and Yakis, who was one of the enthusi- in Libya for energy considerations, man of the European Parliament’s because of the multiplicity of the astic promoters of having his country Turkey is entering a “highly daring Political Committee for the Mediter- Paris forces (involved) on the other. (Lib- join the European Union, said he has bet where the risks of failure are enor- ranean. Mavrides called Erdogan out yan National Army Field-Marshal no illusions about possible Turkish mous,” he said. for what he described as Ankara’s n interviews published by French Khalifa) Haftar controls more than ties to Europe. Yakis was among the speakers at a support for terrorist organisations, newspaper L’Opinion and Belgian three-quarters of Libya and is block- “Erdogan has long lost the trust of conference on “Turkish intervention such as the Islamic State, Jabhat al- daily La Libre Belgique, former ing oil production. Then there is Europeans. There is no shortage of in the Mediterranean” February 18 at Nusra and the Muslim Brotherhood. I Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Egypt, on the eastern border, which subjects of tension between the EU the European parliament where he “Erdogan’s policies threaten the Yakis did not mince words about the can intervene at any time.” and Turkey, such as the question of drew parallels between Ankara’s in- stability of the Mediterranean… and dangers of Turkish President Recep refugees, the future of Cyprus, the tervention in the Eastern Mediterra- there is no role for Turkey in Libya, Tayyip Erdogan’s policies in Syria and accession to the European Union, the nean, specifically gas exploration off therefore its interference will turn in Libya. Yasar Yakis exploitation of hydrocarbons in the the coast of Cyprus, and its military Libya into another Syria,” Mavrides Yakis, who was Erdogan’s minister Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey intervention in Libya. said. of foreign affairs from 2003-04 and is in competition with Greece, Syria He said Ankara signed a military Magnus Norell, a researcher at the one of the founders of the ruling Jus- and Israel. I do not see how relations cooperation agreement with the Washington Institute for Near East tice and Development Party (AKP), “It [Erdogan’s policy in could improve in the near future. Too Tripoli government to gain influence Policy, told the conference that An- accused Erdogan of reneging on his the Eastern Mediterranean] many issues remain unresolved,” he in the Eastern Mediterranean after kara had firmly moved on from its commitments in Syria. makes us ask questions said. it found itself cut out of a lucrative so-called policy of “zero problems “President Erdogan went to the about the dangers besetting Yakis expressed regret about Tur- pipeline agreement between Israel, with neighbours” to a more aggres- Sochi and Astana meetings [with Rus- Turkey through its immersion key’s regional and international isola- Greece and Cyprus. sive and expansionist policy. “These sian and Iranian leaders], which were in Libya.” tion. “The different parties that came Yakis described the Libyan gov- expansionist options are becoming a sanctioned by official statements that from the Muslim Brotherhood ma- ernment as being “controlled by the burden for Turkey and have created confirm the territorial integrity and trix have been rejected by society in Muslim Brotherhood and militias problems for him [Erdogan] with sovereignty of Syria. However, the in- Yakis said: “Most Turks consider many countries such as Egypt. Even linked to terrorist organisations.” countries in the region,” he added. tervention of the Turkish Army in ld- that their army has nothing to do in in Turkey, the AKP is questioned and He said Libya could become a “new Norell called on Europe to do more lib does not match the commitments this conflict as well as in the Syrian gathers less than 50% of the voters. Syria” because Ankara did not have a to intervene to stop arms exports made during these meetings,” Yakis crisis to a lesser extent. In fact, Presi- Not very well seen in the Arab coun- “clear-cut policy” on how to get out to Libya, especially weapons from told the L’Opinion in an interview dent Erdogan is intervening more for tries, the political-religious move- of the conflict. “The unclear Turkish Turkey, warning that the influx of published February 21. political reasons, to support the Mus- ment of the Muslim Brotherhood is foreign policy by Erdogan may put military materiel in the North African Yakis criticised Turkey’s involve- lim Brotherhood in Libya. He takes losing momentum, even if its history Turkey in grave danger due to this country could threaten Mediterrane- ment in Libya. “Turkey wants to ex- the risk of jeopardising his relation- is far from over,” he said. expansion towards Libya,” he added. an countries in the future. pand its influence whenever it has ship with countries like Tunisia and In La Libre Belgique, Yakis stressed Other conference participants the means to do so but its chances of Algeria, hostile to any outside inter- that the Turkey’s approach would questioning Turkey’s foreign policy in Majed Nehme is a Syrian-French success in Libya are slim,” he said. ference. The other risk is that the Lib- accentuate the crises in the region. the Eastern Mediterranean included journalist in Paris. 6 February 23, 2020 Opinion

Editorial Iran’s arms smuggling to proxies espite Tehran’s constant denials, international reports continue to reveal the extent Iran indulges in fuelling tensions in the region. The United States has recently seized two shipments of Iran-made missiles Don their way to Yemen’s Houthis. Recent intercep- tions involved small vessels sailing without a flag on November 25 and February 9. “The seizure is consistent with a historical pattern of Iranian smuggling of advanced weapons to the Houthis in Yemen,” US Navy Captain Bill Urban of US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, said February 19. The US announcement confirms reports by Conflict Armament Research and the United Nations that said unmanned aerial vehicles — drones — and missiles shipped to Yemen’s Houthis originated from Iran. UN experts verified the use of Iran-made devices in drones used in Afghanistan and in a shipment of scores of cruise missiles seized in the Arabian Sea. Iran-manufactured components were found in drones used in a Houthi-claimed aerial attack on Saudi oil installations last September. Similar components were found in debris of Houthi drones used against a military parade near Aden January 2019 as well as in explosives recovered in Bahrain. Iran’s continued support to its proxy militias in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria is a source of © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly legitimate concern for Iran’s neighbours and the international community. At a time when many in the region and the world have sought de-escalation with Tehran, it behoves Erdogan’s scheme in Syria behind Iran’s rulers to steer away from the type of adventurism that has placed their country on the brink. showdown by proxy with Russia

Germany’s Khairallah Khairallah xenophobia problem It is the poor Syrian people who will continue to pay the price of having their country transformed into a quagmire for Russia, Turkey and Iran. ecent incidents and revelations point to a serious problem of violent extremist behaviour in Germany towards ill there be a eration Army — or at least change of its people and for the sake of migrants and Muslims. direct confronta- its name — and contain the Syrian Turkey.” A bloody incident February 19 cost the tion between refugees in areas outside the gov- “We are ready to continue discus- lives of ten people at two shisha bars in Turkey and ernment’s control. Of course, inter- sions with Russia,” he said, “but Rthe Frankfurt suburb of Hanau. German investiga- Russia on Syrian national aid will be sought to help what has been offered at the negoti- tors said they suspected a “xenophobic motive” to soil? the refugees and displaced people, ating table is very far from Turkey’s be behind the attack by an extremist suspect. WIt is highly unlikely but the whose numbers exceed 900,000 demands.” Peter Neumann, a British counterterrorism after displacements from Idlib and expert, revealed the dead suspect left a message confrontation between the Syrian Such a conciliatory tone cannot that contained “mostly extreme right views, with a government, backed by Iranian other regions in its vicinity. hide Turkey’s “determination” in do-it-yourself ideology cobbled together out of militias and the Russian Air Force, Yes, there is a Turkish agenda and Idlib. Erdogan said Damascus and its parts found on the internet.” and the Turkish Army and militias a Russian agenda for Idlib but they supporters did not understand that Many in Germany — and not just Muslims — were affiliated with Ankara will continue, both have weaknesses. “our warnings are the last warnings alarmed by the announcement, February 15, that especially if Turkey’s side insists on The first Turkish weakness is and that there are preparations for 12 men, including a policeman, were arrested on its publicly announced demands. the lack of any long-term strategy a military operation that have been suspicion of involvement in a terrorist plot which, Turkey wants the Syrian Army to in Erdogan’s plan. The man is of a completed and ready for execution.” prosecutors said, was to include “attacks against retreat behind the Turkish observa- nervous nature and reacts before The Turkish president refuses politicians, asylum-seekers and Muslims” with the thinking. In addition, he apparently purpose of “provoking a civil war-like situation.” tion posts before the end of Febru- to admit that his country is in a The suspects planned mass-casualty assaults on ary. This is Turkey’s declared goal believes in his delusion that he dilemma that it cannot get out of, six mosques, similar to the deadly attacks last but it hides others. could be another Ottoman sultan. essentially because of his hesitation. March in Christchurch, New Zealand. Turkey is using Idlib to pressure He forgot that the Ottoman That hesitation left Turkey unable Far-right extremists manifested themselves in the Russians to let Ankara pursue Empire collapsed a century ago and to make a decision in Syria. Turkey’s Germany on at least two previous occasions. Last its agenda in other places, including that the modern world, with all its dilemma is made worse because it June, a neo-Nazi sympathiser killed conservative Libya. Turkish President Recep complexities, is one thing while the must consider Iran as well. Would it politician Walter Luebcke, a pro-refugee advocate. Tayyip Erdogan’s scheme in Libya glories of the past are another. This not have been better for Turkey to In October, an extremist suspect attacked a has been exposed and now Turkey is what caused a large group of his make its move right from the begin- synagogue in Halle on Yom Kippur. The shooting, comrades in the party to drop him. in which two people were killed, was streamed live needs Russian cover. ning in 2011 and make Russia and online. It is clear Turkey wants to act These include Abdullah Gul and Iran face a given reality in Syria? Germany’s security agencies face a multiple as the spearhead of the Muslim Ahmed Davutoglu. The latter spent It is too late for a Turkish settle- challenge as they must deal with extremists on Brotherhood and its ambitions in a long time in pre-revolution Syria. ment. However, that does not mean both sides: jihadist radicals as well as far-right the region. How else can Erdogan’s He knows many well-established that Russia is necessarily in a good militants. The extremist narratives of both sides insult to the Syrian revolution, Syrian families. Davutoglu also tried position in Syria. The problem with feed on each other and are both fuelled with which he claimed to support, be to understand the nature of Syrian Russia is that it wants to have the resources found online. explained? Did he insult it by send- society and its position regarding first and last word in Syria, unlike Historically, the far-right extremist threat has ing more than 2,000 Syrians to fight the minority regime that has placed the Americans who seem happy drawn less attention than jihadist activities but itself at Iran’s service, especially that’s changing fast and not a moment too soon. alongside one side in a war in Libya with a bystander role. Since December, German authorities have that has nothing to do with Syria? after Bashar Assad succeeded his Russia is making the mistake of announced an overhaul of their intelligence and Behind the tragedy at Idlib and father as president in 2000. hanging on to a regime that has no law enforcement effort to combat far-right the surrounding area, there are Over time, Erdogan got rid of legitimacy in Syria. It was found that extremism. Turkish and Russian calculations aides who could have given him all areas recently returned to the Syr- They pledged a new approach that includes a that extend beyond northern Syria. good advice. He lectured the world ian government with the support of “central office for far-right extremists in public Russia will remain supportive of the about changing Syria and promised Iranian militias are, in fact, out of its service” to uncover police, military and civil Syrian government even when it the moon to the Syrians but he control. Events in Daraa and its en- service infiltration by extremists. pushes to end hostilities according never translated any of it on the virons, and even in the countryside Holger Munch, president of the Federal Criminal ground. Police Office, said: “Violence is on the rise, to specific conditions. of Damascus, are the best examples propaganda offences are on the rise.” At the same time, it will negotiate He made many mistakes against of that. Official figures show that 8,605 right-wing to preserve Russian interests in the the Americans and inside Turkey, One wonders how much longer extremist offences were recorded in the first half region. It is likely that there will especially after the failed coup Russia will play the card of the of 2019. German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported be surprises of a military nature, against him in 2016. He found Syrian regime, a regime that cannot that intelligence services estimated the number of such as Turkey’s use of heavy and himself in the Russian bosom and move on the ground without the far-right extremists at 32,200 in 2019, compared to anti-aircraft weapons. Turkey will he started making deals with Rus- help of Iran’s sectarian militias and 24,100 in 2018. target warplanes of the Syrian gov- sian President Vladimir Putin as his without the brutality of the Russian While denying any connection to violent ernment and not Russian aircraft, equal, while blackmailing Europe Air Force, which does not differenti- incidents, Germany’s far-right political parties and the United States. have used xenophobic messages to boost their especially after its acquisition of the ate between a safe house, a hospital, electoral fortunes in parts of Germany. Russian S-400 air defence system Erdogan was defeated in Syria the a school or a military site. Fringe groups across Europe continue to and after the price it paid for down- day he could not transfer his threats It is the poor Syrian people who disseminate messages of incitement and hate ing a Russian warplane in 2015. to actions. He took a long time will continue to pay the price of hav- through the internet. Recent Turkish-Russian meetings to decide and now finds himself ing their country transformed into Germany will be trying to change that. If in Moscow have led to an agree- a prisoner of many restrictions, a quagmire for Russia, Turkey and adopted by parliament, a bill — already endorsed ment. This artificial agreement aims including the weakness of the Turk- Iran. How long will this tragedy last? by the German cabinet — would make it compul- to achieve a kind of truce, with ish economy, his relationship with Nobody can tell if it can end without sory for social media companies to report cases of Turkish observation points remain- Russia and his volatile relationship the fragmentation of a country that hate speech and terrorism incitement to the police. with the United States. A sense of shared responsibility is needed to ing in place surrounded by Syrian was once considered one of the curb the scourge of extremism and terror. The forces backed by Iranian militias Turkey’s weaknesses will not most important in the region. latest attacks should serve as a serious wake-up and both sides conducting joint back up Erdogan’s claims that he call. patrols of the area. will turn Idlib into a “safe area, Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese Turkey is to disband Al-Sham Lib- whatever the price, for the sake writer. February 23, 2020 7 Opinion Libyans should not let mercenaries and foreign fighters destroy their country Published by Al Arab Publishing House Kamal Hudeifa The top priority should be to establish a permanent ceasefire and Publisher and Group Executive Editor from there all should work together to establish the rule of law. Haitham El-Zobaidi, t’s been nine years since at the local level changing at parties, I mean international and dependence on foreign interests PhD the onset of the Febru- every turn: revolutionaries local ones. Such a goal requires that turned them into proxies ary 17 revolution in Libya against supporters of the fallen that the parties and their repre- fighting each other. The Libyan Editor-in-Chief and Libyans have yet to regime, Dawn of Libya against sentatives be identified. Their people should not let mercenar- Oussama Romdhani work their way out of their Al-Karama Brigades, Libyan trust in UN mediation must be ies and foreign fighters destroy crisis and reach peace and National Army forces against the determined, which must rebuild their homeland. Istability. Government of National Accord, trust between the rival parties. Libya’s future unity and Managing Editor Since 2011, the situation has on top of many civil and tribal The divisions within the stability are in jeopardy, unless Iman Zayat been evolving dramatically in conflicts. international community need the three dialogue committees — Libya, despite the issuance of Successive political authori- to be addressed and consensus military 5+5, economic and po- Senior Editor many UN Security Council reso- ties have been unable to curb reached after understanding the litical — make concerted efforts John Hendel lutions, beginning with Resolu- abuses perpetrated by armed underlying problems and ana- to change the situation and tions 1970 and 1971 and until the groups operating outside gov- lysing the conflict, objectively initiate dialogue characterised latest one issued after the recent ernmental control. Libya slipped and impartially. A map needs to by flexibility and goodwill. Chief Copy Editor Berlin conference. towards more chaos, failing to be planned to get Libya out of its Resorting to force and threats Richard Pretorius Since its establishment on establish the rule of law and long and miserable transition. always ends in failure. The best September 16, 2011, which protect the rights of citizens. On the regional and interna- illustration of this is what has Copy Editors coincided with the 80th an- This indicates that we, Libyans, tional levels, Libya’s friends and been seen in all wars in Libya, niversary of the death of Libya’s on our own, have not been able allies, as well as the countries the latest of which is the battle Stephen Quillen great martyr Omar al-Mukhtar, to establish a state, in its mini- that participated in the over- for Tripoli. Kyle Arensdorf the UN Support Mission in Libya mal configuration, as a force throw of the Qaddafi regime, With the Berlin conference has tried to find a mechanism to capable of controlling conflicts share the responsibility of document, Libyans have an reach an inclusive and construc- and rivalries within society. supporting democratic transi- opportunity to mend things that East/West Editor tive dialogue between Libyans. The situation in Libya has tion in Libya. This means they we must not miss at all costs. Mahmud El-Shafey However, the conflict in Libya become unpredictable. Will the must prevent the flow of arms, The National Dialogue Commit- since 2011 has obstructed UN war come to an end or increase ammunition and fighters to tees must make it clear beyond efforts, especially with blatant in violence and intensity? Will Libya and assist in building the doubt that they are capable Gulf Section Editor foreign interference and the the Berlin conference succeed country’s security and economic of bringing about the desired Mohammed Alkhereiji failure to take serious steps to in unifying the vision of the institutions. change and overcome all obsta- bring to justice those involved in countries concerned with the Perhaps the recommendations cles in the way of state-building. Society and Travel or supporting acts that threaten situation in Libya? Can work on by the EU foreign ministers’ They must reject military solu- Sections Editor peace, stability and security in the three tracks — economic, conference to impose control tions and consider a political Samar Kadi Libya or hinder or undermine military and political — achieve over Libya’s land, sea and solution as the only way out of the completion of its political the required progress? airports are steps in the right the crisis. Senior Correspondents transition. In my view, Libyans need to direction. The top priority should be to Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) This was the case despite the work on restoring and maintain- Internally, Libyans need to establish a permanent ceasefire (Istanbul) adoption in August 27, 2014, of ing peace and return to the move from vindictiveness and and from there all should work Thomas Seibert

UN Security Council Resolution negotiation table and make the hatred to forgiveness, clemency together to establish the rule of Regular Columnists 2174, which expanded existing best use of the Geneva talks. and generosity. Libyans must law and institutions in which international sanctions on Libya It will not be possible to im- start by forgetting the bitter past peace, security and develop- Rashmee Roshan Lall before the intensification of the plement these courses of action and move on to restore confi- ment prevail. Claude Salhani conflict. unless Libyans find common dence in themselves. Yavuz Baydar The conflict in Libya has ground in which the various Libyans must liberate them- Kamal Hudeifa is president of taken several turns with rivals parties find their interest. By selves from a reprehensible Libyan Technocrats. Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Erdogan’s bullying at home Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) and abroad Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Chief Designer Claude Salhani Marwen el-Hmedi

Authoritarian minds do not see the world as it is. It is all centred on them Designers and geared to obstructing the path of the righteous sultan. Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali hy is Turk- three traditional guardrails that ish President kept Turkish politics in check — Recep Tayyip the United States, the European Erdogan Union and Russia — are occupied Contact editor at: behaving like elsewhere. a bully? The US President Donald Trump [email protected] Wshort answer is because he be- is trying to get re-elected and lieves he can get away with it. tending to his personal and per- Erdogan apparently thinks he sonnel problems. The European has no real challenger at home Union is kept busy by the follies or abroad and so he can push the of Brexit which kept it focused Al Arab Publishing House envelope to his advantage and on the saga going on between Quadrant Building get away with it. London and Brussels. 177-179 Hammersmith Road The bullying starts at home The third major player in London W6 8BS where Erdogan sees plots and this equation, Russia, where coups everywhere. When it President Vladimir Putin is into is not his US-based arch-rival his own ego trip and engaged Fethullah Gulen orchestrating in Syria where Russians have Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 coups against him, it is George become deeply involved in the Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 Soros who is seeking to under- country’s civil war. mine his government. In the Arab world, Erdogan ap- “There are Soros-like people parently thinks there is no figure behind the curtains who seek to strong enough to oppose the US Publisher: stir up things by provoking re- man who believes he is the new War proclivities. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is depicted volt in some countries,” Erdogan sultan. Furthermore, his presci- on a tank in a carnival float in Cologne, February 18. (Reuters) The Arab Weekly USA LLC. said February 19 in a speech to ence counts on the help of the [email protected] Muslim Brotherhood to secure tion that the EU does not have fellow party members. jihadists. [email protected] Even Turkish courts have got his leadership of the Islamic the right to make any decision Countries in North Africa and it wrong when they “dared” to world. At least, so he thinks. concerning Libya,” Erdogan said. the Middle East are showing Tel: 248-679-6624 free civil society figure Osman So the bully bullies on. “The EU is trying to take charge signs of wariness about his Kavala and other defendants After dispatching thousands of the situation and interfere.” behaviour. in the trial of the 2013 Gezi of mercenaries and extremists “You have no such authority,” It is time that the Russians, the protests. Those protests were a from the Syrian battlefield to Erdogan clamoured. Europeans and the Americans “despicable attack just like mili- fight in Libya, he denounced He is strangely posturing as if wake up to the mounting threat tary coups,” Erdogan said. “They European peace efforts as undue Libya was once again part of the at the crossroads of the Middle were not innocent riots.” interference in the oil-rich North Ottoman Empire with himself as East and Europe. Subscription & Advertising: On Planet Erdogan, judges African country. He is so blinded grand vizier. He applauded the There are reports of a push- [email protected] can send people to jail the same by his own ego that he fails to decision of his Libyan protege, back by countries of the region Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 day courts acquit them, as they realise his brazen interference in Government of National Accord being coordinated by Egypt. did in the case of Kavala and Libyan affairs. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, Many other countries are also company. Erdogan criticised the Euro- to withdraw from Libyan peace concerned by his bullying and Mohamed Al Mufti Authoritarian minds do not pean Union’s decision to launch talks in Geneva. with good reason. Marketing & Advertising a maritime effort focused on Erdogan does not hide his see the world as it is. It is all Manager centred on them and geared enforcing the UN arms em- proclivities to war and military Claude Salhani is a regular to obstructing the path of the bargo around Libya, accusing force, anywhere. In Syria, he columnist for The Arab Weekly Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 righteous sultan. European countries involved of betrays the same disposition in and a senior fellow at the www.alarab.co.uk Internationally, Ankara’s bul- “interfering.” his showdown with Russia and Institute of World Affairs in lying goes full throttle, too. The “I want to specifically men- his support to terror-inclined Washington. 8 February 23, 2020 News & Analysis Syria How Turkey took Syria’s civil war to Libya

Sami Moubayed ma in the Damascus countryside. Fifty of them signed 3-month con- tracts and are to receive $800 per Beirut month. Those Syrians will be exempted hen Syrian fighters from mandatory military service were recruited to fight back home, given that they are Libya in late 2019, mostly former opposition fighters W many eagerly signed who reconciled with the Russian up, thinking this was going to be a and Syrian armies two years ago. quick 3-month adventure that paid They, of course, will be fighting fel- good money. low Syrians in Libya. They were recruited by Turkey to fight alongside the forces of Lib- The Douma factor yan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, No breakdown is available as engaged in an uphill battle against to who the Syrian fighters are nor the Libyan National Army of Field- what cities or towns they originate Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is from. However, Douma is a former backed by Russia, Saudi Arabia and hub for the Syrian opposition and the United Arab Emirates. its sons are fighting on two sides The Syrian Organisation for Hu- of the Libyan conflict, shooting at man Rights (SOHR) said Turkey each other outside of Tripoli. This was paying recruits up to $2,000 will have ripple effects on Douma, per month to save Tripoli from a which has not recovered from the Haftar takeover. The number of trauma of war, nor has it been re- Syrian fighters crossed the 1,000- constructed. man mark in October and at least “Sending them to Libya — a bat- one Syrian has been killed in the tlefield to which they have no Libyan battlefield, SOHR said. connection whatsoever — will un- doubtedly reflect negatively on their home communities” said “I want my son back. I don’t Amer Elias, a political analyst in want him to be killed and Damascus. “It will reduce their don’t want him to kill popularity because people will Syrians. We have had accuse them of abandoning both enough bloodshed,” said their cause and community.” the mother of one Syrian Maher, a Syrian barber from East Ghouta, whose cousin is fighting in From one war to another. Turkey-backed fighters from al-Mutassim Brigade take part in a training at fighter in Libya. (AFP) Libya, told The Arab Weekly: “We a camp near Marea in northern Syria, last September. Five months later, none has re- are not happy with his decision but turned to Syria and more are being we cannot blame him. He is doing “When all of this started, we took from the Sham Legion. The fourth bels in the Libyan war makes no shipped off to Libya, only this time it only for the money.” up arms to defend our homes and are Russia-paid mercenaries fight- sense to Syrians or Libyans,” said to fight alongside Haftar against “He was uprooted from his children, not to fight for [Turkish ing in Libya for purely financial Hassan Hassan, director of the their fellow Syrians, creating a home, which was demolished, and President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan. reasons. Non-State Actors Programme at mini Syrian civil war on Libyan ter- sent to live in Jarabulus (a Turkish- “Halfway through the war, we the Centre for Global Policy in the ritory. occupied city in northern Syria). realised that Erdogan was using No sense at all United States. “Turkey did great He cannot find a job and needs to us and willing to trade us for any “My son went to Libya,” said damage to both causes by sending Two sides of the Libya war feed his four little children,” Maher deal that satisfied his ambitions. Um Ubada, a Palestinian-Syrian mercenaries to Libya, especially at “We have entered a new stage in said. “When you are sinking, you He doesn’t care about the people housewife from the demolished a time when northern Syria was be- the Syrian conflict,” said Ibrahim take anything that is offered to you of Syria. Anybody who still takes Yarmouk Refugee Camp in Da- ing attacked by the Syrian regime Hamidi, senior diplomatic editor — even if it’s a straw.” money from him is a traitor to the mascus. “He was told he was go- and when Turkey failed to force at Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, “a Maher insisted that his cousin blood of Syrians.” ing to fight someone called Khalifa Russia to abide by its promises of stage where Syrians are fighting went to Libya “so that he can live The Syrian fighters sent to Libya Haftar. I don’t know who Haftar de-escalation. the war of others in faraway plac- and make money. He sought mar- can be broken down into four main is and I don’t care. I want my son “It also remains unclear why Lib- es. With no doubt, this will add to tyrdom in Syria but he doesn’t groups. Two are mercenaries from back. yans need a few hundred fighters existing complications in the Syr- want to die in Libya.” the Al-Mutassim and Sultan Murad “I don’t want him to be killed from Syria. The whole thing makes ian national patchwork.” Abu Nader, a former member Divisions who are in Libya out of and don’t want him to kill Syrians. no sense and is greatly damaging.” A recent report in Asharq Al- of the armed opposition in Homs, obedience to Erdogan. The third We have had enough bloodshed. Awsat stated that additional Syrian now reconciled with the govern- group is engaged in Libya because He didn’t go there to fight Syrians Sami Moubayed is a Syrian fighters arrived in Libya in Febru- ment, disagreed. Working as a they are ideologically commit- but to fight Libyans.” historian and author of “Under ary, recruited by Russia from Dou- taxi driver in Damascus, he said: ted to jihad, mainly being fighters “The recruitment of Syrian re- the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). Viewpoint Israel’s new type of war means Iran will never achieve its goals in Syria

President Bashar Assad is pow- ranean network Hezbollah built tary means and various other ranean digging. erless to prevent the attacks or over the decades in south- approaches” and that “you What can Iran ever hope to the repeated breach of its ter- ern Lebanon, some of which (Iran) have no business being gain in Syria with Israel con- Stephen Starr ritorial sovereignty, despite that extended into Israeli territory. in Syria and, so long as you stantly on its back? Very little, it casts itself as the protector Israel said last year it found continue to build terrorist bases it seems. of the Syrian people. However, and destroyed all tunnels that there, we will continue to hurt Almost every time it attempts n the eight years since there’s nothing new about that. impinged on its territory but you even further.” to move weapons into or across Iran embarked on an What is telling is that Assad’s Reuters reported that some of Days previously, Israeli Prime Syria, often using commercial embedding process to government is penniless; it has those tunnels went 22 storeys — Minister Binyamin Netanyahu planes to disguise the cargo, establish a permanent little to no material way of pay- 80 metres — deep. warned: “I’ll tell you what else Israel attacks, lives are lost and presence in Syria, Israel ing Iran back for the multitude As Hamas did in Gaza in 2014, (Iran is) failing at: in transfer- further infrastructural dam- has struck Iranian targets of ways Tehran has helped Hezbollah was expected to use ring weapons to Syria and Leba- age is visited on the country’s Ihundreds of times but in recent throughout the conflict. tunnels to fire rockets from non because we are operating main airport. Israel targeted months there has been a steep There is one important way, inside Israel proper, before their there all the time, including at the Imam Ali base with missile uptick in those attacks. however, Damascus can repay discovery. this time.” In this, Israel basi- strikes in September and again Ten Syrians and foreign fight- the debt: allow Iran free rein to Iran’s plan in Syria looks very cally admitted it had spies on in January. ers — almost always Iranian — use Syria to get at Israel. similar, indeed. That would the ground in Syria. It’s becoming increasingly were killed in Quneitra last June As a result, Iran has turned its explain why most of the Iranian This helps paint a larger pic- clear that Iran is deploying and 11 more in November. On focus to long-term, strategic ad- activity — and Israeli attacks ture of how advanced Israel’s 20th-century weapons — spies, February 13, Damascus Interna- vantages it hopes can strength- — have been concentrated in intelligence and security activi- boots on the ground and under- tional Airport was struck for the en its influence in the Syria/ Syria’s southern regions close ties are and how we can expect ground tunnels in Syria — in an umpteenth time, when Israeli Lebanon territorial sphere. It to Israel, such as Daraa and it to always be one step ahead attempt to win a 21st-century missiles killed seven fighters is thought to command tens of Quneitra. of Iran. war in which cybersecurity, believed to have been involved thousands of militia members Tehran probably hopes to That’s because an incredible unmanned drones and satel- in a weapons delivery that had across Syria but more important one day connect Hezbollah’s 20% of global venture capital- lite technology will decide the just arrived from Iran. are its attempts to establish a infrastructure in Lebanon with ist investment in cybersecurity outcome. The Syrian government under web of covert operations. a similar underground system is made in Israeli companies. As a result, however much In December, a Fox News close to the illegally occupied Israel’s drone technology de- time, effort and expense Ira- report claimed Iran was build- Syrian Golan Heights. It’s likely velopment industry puts it in nian officials put into carving Iran has turned its ing underground tunnels — it, too, has hopes of tunnelling the top two or three countries out a long-term presence in large enough to pass vehicles into the Golan Heights proper. in the world. Iran, by contrast, Syria, their dream of operating focus to long-term, through — on the Syrian-Iraqi Israel, of course, knows this. is struggling with mass public freely over an open, border- strategic advantages border at its Imam Ali base, On February 11, Israeli Defence unrest. less landmass from Tehran to it hopes can close to Albukamal. The im- Minister Naftali Bennett told a In January, it was reported the Mediterranean will remain plication is that Tehran’s big memorial gathering that “we that Israel had begun building exactly just that. strengthen its picture plan is to link Iran all are now engaged in a continued an “anti-tunnel sensor” along influence in the the way to Lebanon through a effort to weaken the Iranian its border with Lebanon. The Stephen Starr is the author of series of cross-border tunnels. octopus through economic, system apparently uses cutting- “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to Syria/Lebanon It’s likely Iran is attempting diplomatic and intelligence edge acoustic and seismic the Uprising” and has lived in territorial sphere. to replicate the kind of subter- measures, as well as with mili- measurements to detect subter- Syria and Turkey since 2007. February 23, 2020 9 News & Analysis Iraq Iraqi students back up anti-government protests through ‘White Shirt Revolution’

Oumayma Omar He said students set up commit- tees to coordinate mobilisation efforts and organise the partici- Baghdad pants in protests in Baghdad and southern Iraq. “We have created a ressed in the white shirts union for faculty students compris- of their school and faculty ing 66 faculties. The continuously uniforms, students have growing number of participants is D been swelling the ranks a show of determination that there of anti-government protesters in will be no stepping back,” Moham- Baghdad and southern Iraq in defi- mad said. ance of school administrations and Demonstrators in Iraq have de- the Iraqi Ministry of Education. manded more job opportunities, Shouting “Peaceful and void of better public services, an end to harms, students are seeking free- corruption and the overhaul of the dom,” the young people have gath- political system imposed after the ered in large numbers on Sundays 2003 US-led invasion. in what they dubbed the “White Protests forced the resignation of Shirt Revolution” to support the former Prime Minister Adel Abdul- protests that have gripped Iraq Mahdi in December. Mohammed since October. Allawi, a former communications “The white shirt is part of the minister, was appointed prime school and university uniforms that minister-designate, but he has been distinguishes us from the rest of the rejected by the protest movement, crowd,” said Ayed Mohammad, 20, which sees him as part of the rul- a student at the faculty of economy. ing elite they want removed from power. Sama Tawfik, 19, a student at the The “white shirts” have Medical Technical Academy, held a become a distinctive feature banner that read “Give us a Nation.” of the protests in an “We want a civil state that se- unprecedented show of cures people’s rights regardless of students’ solidarity. their political and sectarian affilia- tions. Iraq is for all its citizens with- “We believe that student partici- out any preference or bias. We have pation has given momentum to the all been suffering equally for dec- protests and conveyed a clear mes- ades,” Tawfik said. sage that we want peace and that “After 2003, Iraq has lost its pres- Unbreakable resolve. Iraqi university students take part in an anti-government demonstration in the (AFP) the government should heed our tige and status. Today, government city of Najaf, December 29. demands and stop using violence.” incompetence and conflict have Mohammad has missed classes destroyed what used to be the best His schoolmate Ammar Tohme testers’ demands are met, there strike “out of concern for the stu- since the start of the protests, sit- education system in the region. We showed a stronger commitment, was little point returning to school. dents’ academic future” but does ting instead in his faculty’s tent in want to have a better life and stop stressing that “students should Iraq’s Teachers’ Union observed not oppose students’ participation Tahrir Square, the focal point of an- being vassals to countries that took escalate their action and go on an a 4-day general strike in December in peaceful protests outside class ti-government protests in Baghdad. us backward many years,” she add- open-ended strike to pressure the in support of the protesters. “It was hours. “We are here as students as well ed. government to fulfil the people’s a national decision to pressure the The UN Children’s Fund said in as revolutionaries sharing in the The “white shirts” have become demands.” authorities to listen to the people’s some areas of Iraq that have wit- collective national responsibility. I a distinctive feature of the protests Tohme said the “White Shirt legitimate demands,” said union nessed conflict, more than 90% of will not leave the square until de- in an unprecedented show of stu- Revolution” derives support from President Abbas al-Sudani. children are not in school, schools mands have been met, even if I dents’ solidarity. the presence, activism and volun- “The educational system suffers across the country are physically have to lose the academic year,” he “I could not participate right teerism of students who erected from many problems that led to the crumbling and the education sector said. from the beginning because my hundreds of tents in protest hubs decline in the level of education. is underfunded. “The voice of the students who family was totally opposed, fearing representing various departments These include outdated curricu- constitute an educated and alert I would be hurt or punished by the of universities. lum, obsolete teaching techniques Oumayma Omar, who reports bracket of the society cannot be ig- school but I insisted on joining my Striking students have defied and unsuitable and crowded school from Baghdad, is a contributor to nored, especially their demands for peers in the popular movement and government orders to return to buildings,” Sudani said. the Culture and Society section of better education.” here I am,” said Ammar Salah, 16. classrooms, saying that, until pro- He said the union ended the The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint US-Iranian competition over Iraq at dead end

raq’s political arena the UN mission for Iraq, which opposition to its prolonged stay Mohammed al-Halbousi, “who brought Washington and called the persistent pattern in Iraq grows. Iran, on the other happened to be there,” Schen- Tehran into agreement of excessive violence “a grave hand, is mobilising its allies, as ker said. Nazli Tarzi over a political system security concern that must be the official spokesman for the Iraq, however, finds itself in which Shia political tackled urgently and decisively.” Kata’ib Hezbollah militia con- squeezed between the compet- parties have held the Determined use of violence firmed. Jaafar al-Husseini said ing demands of its surrogates, Ilargest sway for 17 years. Their by militias and paramilitaries in an interview with Mayadeen which want Baghdad to hold the constituents, from the south to loyal to Iran more accurately re- TV that militias allied to Iran other to account. Baghdad, are not only demand- flects the lack of decisive action were coalescing, contrary to the “The government of Iraq ing change but also the removal by a government that changed United States’ allegations that must hold… Iran-aligned prox- of leaders rubber-stamped by hands from Adel Abdul-Mahdi groups in the Popular Mobilisa- ies accountable,” Schenker said, the United States and later by to Mohammed Allawi on Febru- tion Forces, aligned to the late while the same proxies, which Iran. ary 1. Soleimani, would splinter and provide lungs to Iran’s foreign Cogs in the machine of change Since then, Iran has continued discontent among their ranks policy in Iraq, have called for will require consensus of an to house the meetings between would rise. the exit of US forces since the “Iraq first” strategy that encour- Iraq’s self-prescribed “resist- “We are coordinating with our mobbing of its US Embassy that ages the departure of both sides ance factions” that lobbied par- allies,” Husseini said and “sur- culminated in the prompt assas- and recalibrated relations. liament to advance legislation veying our strategic options… sination of Soleimani — leading Tensions that came to a that calls on all foreign troops to to respond to the assassination executioner of Iran’s policy boil after US President Donald depart from the security-fragile of Soleimani and [Abu Mahdi] designs in Iraq, in January. Trump ordered Iranian Major- country. al-Muhandis.” Navel-gazing by these play- General Qassem Soleimani’s The law that parliament Whether militia posturing ers does little to overcome the assassination have abated passed days after Soleimani’s translates into a face-saving political dead end they have between Tehran and Washing- death has not been enacted gimmick or military prepar- arrived at, while the bloodiest ton but the two find themselves under Allawi but Iran-allied par- edness, no equivalent con- chapter of Iraqi history since the up against a brick wall, as Iraqi liamentary blocs Sairoun and stituency that views the United conquest of the Islamic State protesters strip away consensus Fatah, which together repre- States favourably can carry out writes itself. — demanding an end to interfer- sent a political component that Washington’s bidding despite As Tehran and Washing- ence from both sides in matters includes half of parliament’s reporting that frames Sunnis as ton continue to scupper each that concern Iraqi sovereignty. 329 seats, lie in wait for Allawi that. other’s ambitions, crimes Nationwide pushback privi- to initiate a withdrawal plan. Washington has continued to against innocent youth persist, As Tehran and leges no actor and neither the This is likely to be reserved for talk with government figures by as do militia threats against the Washington United States nor Iran have closed-door negotiations. way of US Assistant Secretary United States’ and Baghdad’s continue to scupper heeded protesters’ requests for As parties jockey for power for Near Eastern Affairs David protection of Iranian interests an equitable system and an end ahead of the announcement of a Schenker. Leaders of the Iraqi against popular demands. Dead each other’s to profiteering elites and the hit- new cabinet, Iraq appears to be Kurdistan region sat down with end after dead end, for now, has ambitions, crimes men they hire. back at square zero and its allies Schenker in February and, persisted. The use of hunting rifles load- still at a dead end. during a visit to the United against innocent ed with birdshot that pierce the The United States’ remedial Arab Emirates, the US official Nazli Tarzi is an Arab Weekly youth persist. skin drew condemnation from options are running low as vocal saw Iraqi parliament Speaker correspondent in London. 10 February 23, 2020 News & Analysis Gulf Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Ankara’s regional, international pursuits through diplomacy

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

n late January, all eyes in Anka- ra were on Riyadh when Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al I Saud met with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, whose visit took place amid re- newed tensions with arch-rival Turkey. Cyprus accused Turkey of ignor- ing international law by sending oil-and-gas drilling ships to waters off southern Cyprus where Greek Cypriot authorities had awarded hydrocarbon exploration rights to France’s Total and Italy’s Eni. Ankara’s fears materialised after Saudi Arabia expressed full support for the Cyprus side. “The kingdom is following with great interest the current develop- ments in the Eastern Mediterra- nean region, is showing its concern for security and stability there and stresses its full support for the sov- ereignty of Cyprus over its territo- ries,” Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said. Saudi Arabia “calls on all parties to abide by and adhere to [UN] Se- curity Council resolutions to re- solve disputes, to avoid escalation, to respect the rules of international law and not to interfere in the in- ternal affairs of states or attempts to impose the status quo by force, as that does not serve international peace, security and stability in this region.” A Saudi statement also said the Turkish parliament’s approval of sending forces to Libya breached Shared concerns. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (L) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the Security Council resolutions Riyadh, February 3. (Reuters) and created an obstacle to interna- tional efforts to resolve the Libyan United Arab Emirates supported mal Khashoggi in 2018, allegedly Saudi owners of properties are be- Eve 2017. crisis. popular protests and a military by rogue Saudi operatives, did not ing prevented from entering their Saudi social media users have Riyadh’s support for Cyprus and coup that resulted in the removal of sit well with Saudi officials, who homes and deprived of ownership also called for a boycott of Turkish its condemnation of Ankara’s incur- a Muslim Brotherhood-controlled viewed Ankara’s display of concern deeds. There is no intervention on products. sion in Libya are the latest chapters government in Egypt in 2013, Tur- as disingenuous and opportunistic, the part of the authorities to put an Recently a video showing a Turk- in a dispute between Ankara and key was on the other side of the based on its record of mistreating end to such harassment cases.” ish man harassing a Saudi family Gulf countries that accuse Turkey issue journalists. The geopolitical climate has also went viral, renewing calls to avoid of supporting the Muslim Brother- Matters escalated in 2017 after The deteriorating relations trick- affected tourism in Turkey. the country. hood, meddling in regional Arab af- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and led down to aspects of Saudi-Turk- Last summer, the Saudi Foreign In February, the Greek govern- fairs and backing extremists. Egypt — the Arab Quartet — severed ish ties that once thrived — invest- Ministry warned citizens travel- ment said it would be sending air ties with Turkey’s ally Qatar over ments and tourism. ling to Turkey to take extra pre- defence systems to Saudi Arabia what they described as support Last May, Riyadh Chamber of cautions, particularly from scam to protect Saudi oil installations, The deteriorating relations for terrorism and banned Islamic Commerce and Industry (RCCI) artists targeting tourists. Sky News news likely to displease Turkey. trickled down to aspects of groups, such as the Muslim Broth- Chairman Ajlan Al-Ajlan warned Arabia reported that this was the Foreign ministers of Saudi Ara- Saudi-Turkish ties that erhood, as well as its ties with Iran. against investments in Turkey be- fifth travel warning regarding Tur- bia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Yem- once thrived — Many countries with ties to both cause of Ankara’s declining eco- key issued by the Saudi govern- en, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti investments and tourism. the Arab Quartet countries and Qa- nomic circumstances. ment in the last year. signed a charter founding the tar took a neutral stance. However, “The RCCI has received several Additionally, Saudi media have Council of Arab and African Coastal Saudi Arabia and Turkey once Ankara set up a military base in complaints from Saudi investors in been discouraging tourism to Tur- States of the Red Sea and the Gulf had affable relations, particularly Qatar, which was interpreted as a Turkey who faced problems threat- key, with reports suggesting it is of Aden, a move that emphasises during what has been described threat by some Gulf countries. ening their investments,” Ajlan was a dangerous holiday destination. that Riyadh has options. as Turkish President Recep Tayyip The perceived political exploita- quoted as saying by the Saudi Ga- Saudi social media users refer- Erdogan’s “moderate phase.” How- tion by the Turkish government of zette. enced the killing of seven Saudi Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf ever, when Saudi Arabia and the the killing of Saudi journalist Ja- “There are instances in which nationals in Istanbul on New Year’s section editor of The Arab Weekly. Countering Iran tops agenda of Pompeo in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Alkhereiji US State Department spokeswoman “Pompeo’s visit to Prince Sultan Last September, a drone and more than 400 Iran-made missiles Morgan Ortagus said. Airbase and a nearby US Patriot cruise missile attack on Saudi that targeted Saudi Arabia from Pompeo also met with Crown battery highlights the longstand- Aramco oil processing facilities Yemen, the Saudis asked for sup- London Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin ing US-Saudi security relationship at Abqaiq and Khurais, in eastern port. Abdulaziz and Foreign Minister and reaffirms America’s determina- Saudi Arabia, compromised oil pro- “So, they naturally turned to us ith countering Iran on Faisal bin Farhan. tion to stand with Saudi Arabia in duction for the kingdom. Although for support, and our support has top of the agenda, US “Crown Prince Mohammed bin the face of Iranian malign behav- Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed been defensive. They’ve never Secretary of State Mike Salman Al Saud and I discussed the iour,” the State Department said in responsibility, forensic evidence asked for offensive support,” Abi- W Pompeo concluded a ongoing threat posed by the Iranian a statement. pointed towards the attack origi- zaid said. 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where regime,” Pompeo wrote on Twitter. nating from Iran. Pompeo said the Trump admin- he had high-level meetings with “We also discussed the situations The visit by Pompeo comes at istration’s approach to countering Saudi officials and met with mem- in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a time of heightened tensions in Iran differs dramatically from the bers of the US military stationed in need for a united Gulf Cooperation the region, particularly after a US previous US administration. the kingdom. Council. We stand together with drone strike killed the commander “They’re not going to get nuclear Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saudi Arabia in addressing these re- “Crown Prince Mohammed of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary weapons. We’re going to prevent Al Saud received Pompeo on Feb- gional security challenges.” bin Salman Al Saud and Guard Corps al-Quds Force, Qas- that,” Pompeo pledged, stressing ruary 20 in Riyadh, Saudi media Pompeo met with US military I discussed the ongoing sem Soleimani, in Baghdad January that the Obama administration had reported, where the two discussed commanders at a Saudi airbase threat posed by the Iranian 3. Iran vowed retaliation. taken a very different approach. regional and international develop- where approximately 2,500 US regime.” Pompeo and US Ambassador to “They underwrote these very ca- ments. troops are stationed. Saudi Arabia John Abizaid were pabilities, right? The very missile “The secretary and the king dis- US Air Force F-15E jet fighters fly asked to shed light on conversa- systems that are being launched cussed bilateral issues, including daily missions from the base over It said the US deployment of mis- tions with Saudi officials regarding today were funded by the plan that countering the malign influence of Iraq and Syria. There are also two sile defence systems and jets was the deployment of US troops in the the previous administration had the Iranian regime, as well as the Patriot missile air defence batteries part of “a defensive mission to de- kingdom. put in place, supplying hundreds need for cooperation on regional to guard against attacks on Saudi ter and protect against any future Abizaid said, with the ships at- of billions of dollars to the Islamic conflicts such as Syria and Yemen,” Arabia. attacks,” the statement added. tacked in the Arabian Gulf and the Republic… to the regime,” he said. February 23, 2020 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Despite talks, more fighting likely in Libya

Michel Cousins

Tunis

he sight of some 3,000 cam- els being evacuated from Tripoli port and herded along T the main road towards Zawia, 40km away, was unusual, even in an overcrowded city that has become used to the unusual while under siege for the past 10 months. Traffic was halted February 20 as police blocked roads to ensure the safe and steady progress of the camels. Camels used to be a common enough sight in and around Tripoli but that was long ago and even then not 3,000 at one go. The camels arrived in Tripoli port February 17, the ninth anniversary of the Libyan revolution and the day be- fore the Libyan National Army (LNA) attacked the port. The LNA said it hit a Turkish vessel carrying weapons to the Government of National Accord (GNA). After port officials said that no vessel had been hit but that a warehouse had, the LNA said that it had carried out a “defen- sive operation,” targeting a building used to store arms and equipment that had recently arrived on a Turkish ship. Turkish officials were quoted as say- ing the LNA targeted a Turkish vessel but missed. Turkish ships have continued to deliver arms and equipment to Tripoli the past five weeks despite promises January 19 at the Berlin Conference on Libya by Turkey and other countries Escalation. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with Libya’s Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in (AFP) not to do so. Istanbul. That resulted in the scathing com- ment from UN Deputy Special Rep- said Turkey would be an important Italian authorities halted a cargo However, the disconnect between in- and Turks, which had established the resentative Stephanie Williams at a partner in turning the truce into “a ship in Genoa at the beginning of Feb- ternational efforts for peace and what now vanishing Tripoli truce, suggest- Berlin follow-up meeting February 16 permanent and effective ceasefire.” ruary following allegations by a crew the two sides and their respective ing there needed to be more of the in Munich that “the arms embargo has The sanctions busters were given member that the vessel had been used backers do on the ground in Libya has same. become a joke.” the unmistakable message that noth- to smuggle tanks and military vehicles become wider. In an interview in Russia’s Sputnik ing meaningful would be done to stop from Turkey to Libya but the ship was Responding to the announcement News, while he was in Moscow, Haftar said he was losing patience with the Ratcheting up the tension, them from flooding Libya with weap- already in an Italian port and its cur- of the EU arms monitoring plans, ons. rent ownership is Lebanese. Detaining Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- GNA and that it was using the truce as Erdogan said Turkey would It was left to EU foreign ministers a ship on the high seas would be a very dogan accused the European Union of cover to transfer Syrian mercenaries, continue to back Sarraj and meeting February 17 to come up with different matter. “interfering in the region.” It did not Turkish soldiers as well as terrorists the GNA until it gained full plans to monitor possible arms ship- Unlike the Munich talks, the Tripoli have the right to make any decision and weapons to Tripoli. In doing so, control of all Libya. ments to Libya. To satisfy Austria, port attack has changed a great deal. concerning Libya, he insisted. the GNA was violating the ceasefire, which threatened to veto the idea be- Not only did it expose the truce as a Erdogan also said Turkey would he claimed, not the LNA in hitting out Like Berlin, the Munich meeting cause migrants would head straight sham, it threatened to unravel the in- continue to back Sarraj and the GNA at the violations. was little more than a talking shop towards European navy vessels so as ternational community’s diplomatic until it gained full control of all Libya. The Russians indicated that they even though German Foreign Minister to be rescued and taken to Europe’s efforts to end the Libyan conflict. That is significant. Previously the may try for another attempt to bring Heiko Maas told his counterparts from shores, it was decided to mount the The GNA responded by pulling out Turkish promise was to ensure full the two sides together. 11 countries that “words agreed in Ber- new operation at arms’ length. Moni- of the second round of 5+5 military GNA control of the greater Tripoli area. The same day as the Tripoli port at- lin now must be followed by deeds” toring is to be done at least 100km talks, which had begun in Geneva the The stage appears set for more bitter tack, Russian and Italian foreign and and that violations of the arms em- from the Libyan coast, which raises same day as the attack. There were conflict. Sarraj was in Istanbul Febru- defence officials were in Rome talking bargo had to stop. There were no hard- the likelihood it would be ineffective also threats that members of the Trip- ary 20 to coordinate with Erdogan, about Libya. Russian Foreign Minister hitting deeds, just more words. because sanctions busters may be able oli-based High Council of State would just hours after Libyan National Army Sergei Lavrov announced that the two There was an unwillingness on to sail around monitoring vessels. pull out of UN-mentored political talks Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar was in countries would have further “special Maas’s part and that of most others Questions were also asked whether starting February 26 in Geneva. Moscow to coordinate with Russian consultations” on a possible solution to condemn Turkey and the other the European Union would challenge After what was believed to have Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu. to the Libyan crisis. violators or take measures against and board ships suspected of taking been outside significant pressure on The Russians said Shoigu and Haftar them. The sanctions busters were not arms to Libya, especially if those ves- Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, stressed the importance of the talks in Michel Cousins is a contributor to The brought to heel. On the contrary, Maas sels are Turkish. the GNA recommitted to dialogue. January, mentored by the Russians Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Algeria expels manager of Qatar-owned telecom company

Saber Blidi channels for news related to the Local media said Tebboune’s de- president’s activities.” cision to expel Bikers was based Local media reported that Sheikh on a complaint by the trade union Algiers Tamim was to soon arrive in Algeria branch of Ooredoo. The union said but the Algerian presidency’s reac- the company planned to lay off 900 lgerian President Abdel- tion suggested that relations be- of its employees in Algeria, even madjid Tebboune ordered tween the two countries had gone though it was making a good profit the deportation of the cold. The expulsion of Bikers appar- every year. A general manager of the ently confirmed that relations were Public Security Forces Authority Ooredoo branch in Algeria after the strained. officials on February 19 took Bikers Qatari-owned telecommunications Indications of weakening ties from his office to the airport for de- company’s plan to lay off 900 work- began with the vagueness sur- portation, the reports said. ers was made public. rounding Sheikh Tamim’s ex- There were no statements from pected visit, which was described Ooredoo. by some as “a disturbance to the Ooredoo has become one of the Ooredoo has become one of Algerian-Gulf rapprochement of tools used by Qatar to pressure gov- the tools used by Qatar to recent months,” a reference to a re- ernments in countries where the pressure governments in cent exchange of diplomatic visits company operates. In 2014, Oore- countries where the between Algeria, the United Arab doo Algeria broke diplomatic norms company operates. Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Ri- when it transformed its funding of yadh invited Tebboune to visit the the Algerian Football Association in The decision to deport Ooredoo kingdom. a way to impose oversight over the manager Nikolai Bikers was a sur- Algerian analysts said that, since Algerian national team. Drawing the line. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune prise but it carried signs of a loom- his election to the presidency, Teb- At the time, Ooredoo announced speaks at a news conference in Algiers, last December. (Reuters) ing crisis with Qatar. The Algerian boune has shown a desire to change that the national team was go- presidency had chided local media the direction of Algerian diplomacy ing to be hosted in Qatar by the After that, the Algerian Foot- influence also shrunk despite its at- for reporting about a forthcom- to express independence of foreign Qatari channel beIN Sports after ball Federation removed Ooredoo tempts to keep pace with the wave ing visit to Algeria by Qatari Emir influences, and especially to dispel its participation in the 2014 FIFA as a sponsor in favour of the Alge- supporting the regime of former Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Tha- the image that Algeria was part of World Cup but Algerian authori- rian state-owned company Mobilis. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. ni. The presidency stressed in a an alliance that includes Turkey and ties only allowed three players Ooredoo’s position in Algeria start- statement “the need to tap official Qatar. to make the trip to Doha. ed to decline and Doha’s diplomatic Saber Blidi is an Algerian writer. 12 February 23, 2020 News & Analysis Egypt Egypt calls for wider representation of African continent at UN Security Council

Ahmed Megahid trial partnerships that allow for the transfer of technologies and the lo- calisation of modern industries. Cairo The African Union and its sub- sidiary institutions are turning gypt is campaigning on be- into effective tools for conflict-res- half of Africa for reforming olution. Whether in Sudan, South the UN Security Council to Sudan, Libya or Central African E allow for African represen- Republic, the African Union has tation in the council. Africa, Egypt proved capable to resolve problems said, deserves to have a voice in the in Africa without foreign interfer- international body with two perma- ence. nent seats on an enlarged Security This is why Africa is asserting it- Council. self at the international level, ana- “The African permanent mem- lysts said. bership in the council must enjoy “This is especially true in the veto power,” said Egypt’s Perma- presence of a lack of understanding nent Representative at the Security among the five permanent mem- Council Mohamed Idriss. bers of the council of the prob- The Egyptian campaign coincid- lems of the continent,” said Heba ed with debates on expanding and al-Beshbeshi, an African affairs re- reforming the council. searcher at Cairo University. “Africa is badly in need of two seats that represent the different economic, Talks on reforming the geographic and political blocs in it.” council come at a time of The continent is under intense what can be termed as pressure to act collectively to pro- African reawakening and tect its security while some parts unprecedented challenges of it have turned into hotspots of for the continent. terrorism and extremism, including the Sahel and the Sahara. “These occasions require the Weak security systems in coun- members of the international com- tries in those areas, rampant pov- munity to stand up for the principle erty and corruption are turning the of justice,” Idriss said in a state- region into fertile soil for terrorists ment. “They need to address im- fleeing the battlefields in Syria and Iraq. There are fears that the threat balances in the work of the Security Bigger ambition. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C), the outgoing chairman of the African of terrorism in the region would Council by giving Africa a say in in- Union, arrives for the opening session of the 33rd AU Summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, move into other countries. ternational decision-making.” February 9. (AP) Whether the enlargement of the These threats are an additional 15-member Security Council will reason Africa needs permanent make it more effective in address- Security Council representation, Fattah al-Sisi led the continent into diplomatic expertise,” said Hassan five permanent council members ing world problems is debatable. which would allow Africa to steer more interaction with the world, Wagih, professor of international — China, France, Great Britain, Rus- Talks on reforming the coun- international decision-making in a including with China, Russia, the relations at al-Azhar University. sia and the United States — to allow cil come at a time of what can be way that helps it protect its security United Kingdom and Germany. He However, Egypt does not stand more international decision-mak- termed as African reawakening and and prevent interference from out- proposed an initiative for ending uncontested in seeking permanent ing sharing, analysts said. unprecedented challenges for the side powers, analysts said. conflicts in Africa, along with an- Security Council membership. Its “The five permanent members continent. Deep under Egypt’s drive for an other for revamping infrastructure undeclared bid for a seat must have of the council will surely feel re- Some African economies have Africa voice in the council is Cairo’s in African states. endorsement from African Union luctant to allow in more members,” been steadily growing, outpacing ambition to be a permanent Secu- A permanent Security Coun- members. This can be a daunting said Ayman Shabana, a political sci- many international ones. Those rity Council member. Egypt is try- cil seat, analysts said, would help mission for Cairo, especially if oth- ence professor at the Institute for economies have turned into strong ing to regain its status as a political Egypt serve the causes of the con- er African countries seek the same African Studies at Cairo University. international investment magnets. powerhouse in Africa — and the tinent. goal. “They are comfortable manipulat- Whether it is in Egypt, Algeria, world — as it becomes more politi- “Egypt will be able to clarify the The African bid for permanent ing world decision-making.” Morocco or South Africa, industri- cally and economically stable. problems and the needs of the con- Security Council representation as alisation is gaining momentum and As chairman of the African Union tinent to the world, thanks to its a whole faces challenges, includ- Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian those countries are seeking indus- in 2019, Egyptian President Abdel good international contacts and ing possible reluctance from the reporter in Cairo. Egypt rights advocates raise alarm over violations of privacy

Special correspondent the street following the protests. es of cell phones violate the privacy The searches were carried out with- of citizens, whose protection is guar- out warrants and those who refused anteed by the Egyptian constitution, Cairo to allow their phones to be checked rights advocates said. Article 57 of were arrested. the constitution stipulates the pro- gyptian rights advocates ex- People with even the slightest po- tection of this privacy and bans the pressed alarm at the rate of litical message on their phone were seizure or search of communication arbitrary arrests and search- taken to police stations for further tools without warrants. E es, especially enforced ex- interrogation. Most were impris- The searches and arrests reflect aminations of ordinary people’s cell oned for days. growing fear inside government of phones, which, they said, go against On October 20, a woman was se- any opposition to Sisi or the free ex- the Egyptian Constitution and law verely beaten by plainclothes police pression of such opposition on the and jeopardise personal freedoms. in the Nile Delta province of Moufia street, the advocates said. “This is a violation of the personal and her cell phone destroyed when Egypt paid dearly in economic, freedoms of citizens,” said human she refused to hand it over. political and security terms for the rights advocate Negad el-Borai. The enforced searches of cell 2011 protests that led to ousting “State authorities need to reconsid- phones became a common practice long-time President Hosni Mubarak. er these practices altogether.” on the streets, especially ahead and Sisi vowed several times that the after protests. Policemen would protests would not happen in Egypt force passers-by to queue up, hand again. The searches and arrests over identification cards and cell To avoid a repetition of the 2011 reflect growing fear inside phones and wait until the phones Under watch. An Egyptian man carries his son as he walks past a scenario, Sisi allowed police unprec- government of any were searched. police car in Cairo. (Reuters) edented powers. Egypt’s emergency opposition to Sisi or the free A political comment on Facebook, law, in effect since April 2017, gives expression of such an e-mail from a friend complaining the initiative said in a report Febru- sometimes must take exceptional police exceptional authority. The opposition on the street. about commodity prices, a Twitter ary 13. measures, especially considering law was renewed October 27, 2019, comment critical of Sisi would be On October 3, the National Coun- the threat of terrorism. for three months. Egyptian law also There was a surge in searches of enough to arrest the phone’s owner. cil for Human Rights, the semi- “They take these exceptional bans protests without government cell phones on the street following From September 20-October 31, official rights watchdog, lashed out measures to protect national securi- authorisation. limited protests last September and 3,000 people were forced to give at the searches and arrests. It criti- ty,” said retired police General Mam- However, Sisi’s desire to protect the checks have continued. over their phones for examination cised police for not allowing those douh al-Kidwani. “Cell phones have Egyptian security has come at a cost Protests, largely backed by the and arrested, local rights group searched or arrested to communi- become instrumental in spreading of citizens’ freedoms and privacy, Muslim Brotherhood, erupted after Egyptian Initiative for Personal cate with relatives. false information, recording nega- rights activists said. a construction contractor accused Rights said. Of those arrested, most The Egyptian Interior Ministry ac- tive videos or calling for protests.” “There is a lack of respect inside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah were released within days without cused the council of depending on Egypt has been cracking down state institutions for the law and the al-Sisi and the army of corruption. being referred to trial. However, 950 wrong information that was meant on extremist groups, including a constitution,” said Khaled Emam, Small numbers of people partici- people remain in police custody, the to spread fear among citizens. The branch of the Islamic State in Sinai. executive manager of local NGO pated in the protests in several cities initiative said. arrests, it said, were carried out It has been battling a campaign of Arab Programme for Human Rights but authorities’ reaction, observers “The repetition of such incidents within the framework of the law that disinformation, supposedly direct- Activists. “The same institutions are said, was exaggerated. proves that these practices have be- gives police the right to arrest people ed by the Muslim Brotherhood in crossing all red lines as far as per- That reaction included the search- come a habit of security agencies in the act of breaking this law. Qatar and Turkey. sonal freedoms and the privacy of es of the cell phones of people on ahead of or after demonstrations,” Security analysts said police Nevertheless, the enforced search- citizens are concerned.” February 23, 2020 13 Interview Arab Region Amr Moussa: Iranian and Turkish interventionism fuels tensions, conflicts

Heba Yassine are the main and direct causes of the chaos in Libya. He said Libya should be a coun- Cairo try that embraces all and includes all its citizens. This is why the tug he Arab Weekly met with of war between Tripoli and Beng- Amr Moussa, former hazi must end, for some of the Egyptian minister of For- parties in the conflict are acting T eign Affairs, former sec- on instructions they receive from retary-general of the Arab League outside of Libya and not out of and current head of the Panel of consideration for the national in- the Wise at the African Union. terest, he said. Moussa presented his take on developments in the region and Iran’s hegemony how to deal with them. Moussa said Iran has been pur- He also spoke of the curse that suing a regional policy that pre- has dogged him — the accusation sented many challenges to Arabs. that he had approved NATO-led Tehran’s boasting that it was in campaign in Libya, even though control of four Arab capitals did he said he strenuously disavowed not sit well with large segments it. of the population of Arab coun- Moussa said the Arab League, tries and was taken as an insult while he was secretary-general, that shows an obvious lack of did not give NATO forces legal judgment and political wisdom. cover to enter Libya after the fall “Tehran’s meddling in the in- of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime in ternal affairs of Arab countries February 2011. He said Qaddafi’s has shaken the pillars of stabil- supporters made the accusation. ity in them, spoiled their present “The Arab League did not al- and threatened their future,” he low this and did not ask NATO to said. intervene. It does not have the Moussa expressed hope for an legal authority to give legitimacy end to the crisis in Syria through Key insight. Egyptian writer Heba Yassine (L) talks with former Secretary-General of the Arab League for any foreign alliance to occupy a settlement that would restore Amr Moussa. (Al Arab) any state,” explained Moussa. stability to the country. He said such a settlement must include all Syrians but, for that to hap- “I think Iraqi President Bar- “The Lebanese youth are talk- backed by the Arab side, would Moussa said if there is an pen, regional policies aimed at ham Salih is a very sensible man ing about their rights as citizens take to the negotiations table the opportunity to negotiate, controlling Syrians, whether who feels that Iraq is part of the and not from the premise that Arab peace initiative, which bal- the US proposal should not from Turkey or Iran, must cease Arab world and I would like to this one is a Christian and the oth- ances the obligations and rights of be considered a final and there should be a concerted salute him here,” Moussa said. er one is a Shia or Sunni Muslim,” the Palestinians and those of their position but just an international consensus about “I recently saw him at the Davos he said. “The old distinctions are Israeli counterparts and from that American-Israeli opinion. Syria forum and have seen how he met outdated. Reactionary ideas that moment the Trump plan would not Turning to the question of guar- with US President Donald Trump invest in ignorance and the igno- be the only document present at the Moussa said the Arab League anteeing the security of the Gulf and others to defend his country rant will become obsolete within negotiations table,” said Moussa. requested “the protection of ci- states, Moussa said Gulf regional and efficiently explain the situa- a few years. Moussa said if there is an op- vilians in Libya based on a deci- security is “not the responsibility tion in Iraq.” He added, “were it not for these portunity to negotiate, the US sion by the Arab Ministers Coun- of the Gulf countries alone but is Moussa said the situation in protests, the loud voices calling proposal should not be consid- cil, plus a ban on military aviation also an Arab, regional and, with- Lebanon has deteriorated be- for the end of sectarianism and ered a final position but just an of the Qaddafi regime, which had out a doubt, a global one, consid- yond what was expected and communitarianism would not American-Israeli opinion, coming begun air strikes against civilians. ering the economic stakes related that the country is in an econom- have been heard, and this is a against an option represented by “What we had asked for was to oil and gas are tremendous for ically and politically critical situ- very important matter.” the Arab initiative and the deci- protection,” Moussa continued, many countries. ation. Various parties in Lebanon sions of international legitimacy. “but the Security Council and the “Any gambling with the wealth accuse each other of causing the Urgent Arab moves Such negotiations should take superpowers took advantage of of the region is always fraught crisis and it was unfortunate that The Palestinian cause has been place under the auspices of the this request and misrepresented with huge risks and requires the massive numbers of young peo- the central issue of the Arabs for five major powers and the inter- its goals.” protection of the Gulf countries. ple elected to leave the country. decades but, considering the re- national quartet and Egypt and Not all attempts to dispel accu- So, Iran cannot be allowed to at- However, the demonstrations cent regional conflicts and the Jordan must be present. sations against Moussa succeed- tack them or harm them in any are in line with the spirit of the war on terrorism, its urgency re- ed. Many Libyans consider the way, just as Saddam Hussein’s 21st century. ceded significantly. Moussa said, NATO attacks as a major calamity Iraq had been prevented from do- however, he believes such a re- Moussa pointed out that the that have befallen the country. ing so.” treat was “temporary.” Turkish intervention and NATO forces left without an exit At the time, the threat to the “The war on extremist organi- support for the GNA was strategy, which made the process Gulf was from Iraq but now it is “Any gambling with sations will take the time it needs dubious and intriguing. of settling the crisis in Libya ex- Iran that has regional ambitions the wealth of the and then end,” he said, “while the tremely difficult. that present enormous risks to region is always Palestinian cause has been weak- “The positions of the successive the Gulf countries and that makes ened by divisions but even these American administrations, even Libyan crisis endures it imperative to move to counter fraught with huge are also a phenomenon that will the administration of George W. The Libyan crisis rages on to- these risks, he said. risks.” not last.” Bush, were that they were trying day, made worse by Turkey’s Moussa asserted that “whether Moussa indicated that the US not to come to an agreement that intervention in support of the we like or not, Iran and Turkey peace plan for the Palestinian is- carries a complete bias towards Government of National Accord are part of the region and there- Amr Moussa, former sue “does not constitute a deal Israel but rather have most of it (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sar- fore the matter of coexistence be- secretary-general of because the other side was not in favour of Israel and they were raj. Turkey sent thousands of tween Arabs, Iranians and Turks the Arab League represented and the official Arab keen to achieve even a little bal- militants, mercenaries, terrorists should be approached positively. position is clear and was ex- ance,” Moussa said. and military equipment to Libya, These two countries have no right pressed at the foreign ministers He sees a different situation which rekindled the conflict and to control the Arabs nor should meeting at the Arab League head- now. “It is clear that under Trump, complicated efforts at political we be looking for enmity with quarters in February.” there is unity in the American-Is- settlement. them. They have to reconsider He suggested there should be raeli position,” continued Mous- Moussa pointed out that the their regional policies.” pragmatic thinking of what Arabs sa, “and this makes it difficult for Turkish intervention and support He added: “The time has come are to do. Perhaps the Palestin- America to mediate because it has for the GNA was dubious and in- for Iran and Turkey to ians and their Israeli rivals become a non-neutral party after triguing. realise that a quiet will turn their taking its position on Jerusalem “It’s a huge strategic move,” he existence in the fu- backs on each and recognising the annexation said, “and I don’t think that Tur- ture will bring them other and that by Israel of Palestinian lands oc- key did it without the knowledge many benefits. That would be the sig- cupied in 1967. With this attitude, and support of some major pow- future requires them nal for Tel Aviv it becomes difficult for the US to ers. Certainly, these countries to reach under- to do whatever carry out any mediation.” have not directly given Ankara standings with the it wants in the About the overall situation in the green light to intervene but Arab world and not Palestinian terri- the Arab region, Moussa said: they have turned a blind eye at confront it or occupy tories, being as- “The Arabs are lost and confused. what Turkey is doing and looked its lands or insult its sured of Ameri- They don’t know what they’re the other way.” populations. can support, he doing. I believe the absence of He said it is necessary for said. That means Egypt led the Arabs to this result Libya’s neighbours, the African From Baghdad to all Palestinian because Egypt can lead the Arabs Union, the Arab League and the Beirut lands would be and manage a large number of European Union — not a specific In Iraq and transformed their affairs in mutual, regional European country or NATO — to Lebanon, people into Israeli set- or international relations.” contribute to a solution to the have taken to tlements, end- He said Egypt’s return to a lead- Libyan crisis. It is possible to the streets ing any chance ership role is “inescapable,” even suggest a political solution that to demand for dialogue. if there exist powerful forces reassures the Libyans and stops political “It is urgent to working to ensure that it does foreign intervention that allowed rights and start immediate not. the Islamic State and other ex- call for an negotiations in tremist elements into Libya and end to sec- which the Pales- Heba Yassine is an Egyptian armed them. Those interventions tarianism. tinian side, writer. 14 February 23, 2020 Viewpoint Lebanon

Lebanon’s dangerous descent into Iran’s sphere of influence

2016. The current cabinet has been opposed by four major parties and supported by Hezbollah and a few Rami Rayess other allies. The first foreign guest Diab received was Iranian parliament ebanon’s new cabinet, Speaker Ali Larijani. Lebanese For- which only passed a eign Minister Nassif Hitti, though parliamentary vote of hosting ambassadors daily, has not confidence by a slight received any requests for meetings majority, has yet to from the ambassadors of Saudi introduce its economic Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, Lreform plan and has not received reports in Beirut stated. However, signals from the West or Arab the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon countries regarding much-needed has been to visit Hitti. financial support to confront the In the face of Arab seclusion country’s rising challenges. from Lebanon, Larijani expressed Except for Kuwait, Lebanese Iran’s willingness to extend aid Prime Minister Hassan Diab has not to Lebanon in various economic received any congratulatory let- spheres, although people in Iran ters from Gulf countries and, very are protesting the deteriorating noticeably, not from Saudi Arabia local economy and international or the United Arab Emirates. sanctions on Tehran are on the Lebanon’s relations with the rise. This was an offer that was not Arab world have severely dete- dearly welcomed in Beirut, espe- riorated. Traditionally, this small cially from opposition parties that country relied on Arab tourists and failed to offer any official response. funds from Arab governments to The first impression a visitor to Backyard for tensions. A Hezbollah supporter uses her mobile phone to take a picture of photo of finance public projects and support Lebanon receives is that he is in slain Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Major-General Qassem Soleimani during a ceremony in the its financial situation, which is on a country that is highly affected southern suburb of Beirut, February 16. (AP) the verge of collapse. Hundreds by Tehran. The highway from the of thousands of Lebanese citizens airport to Beirut is called Imam laboration with the new cabinet, ket in light of the issue of supply disassociation policy has temporar- work in the Gulf and support their Khomeini Boulevard and it is including from opposition parties, and demand. ily preserved the country’s fragile families in Lebanon through regu- adjacent to the Southern Suburbs, to save Lebanon’s economy. Therefore, politically, cultur- stability. lar money transfers. an area that hosts Hezbollah’s Just a few months ago, after the ally and economically, Lebanon The Bashar Assad regime is Much of this can be attributed headquarters, its TV station and its eruption of mass anti-corruption is transcending slowly into the regaining power in Syria after years to Hezbollah’s grip on power in various social institutions. protests in Lebanon and calls for Iranian sphere of influence. It has of turmoil and war while Hezbol- Lebanon, along with its strongest On February 16, Hezbollah drastic changes to the country’s not officially joined the so-called lah is preserving its strength in the ally, the Free Patriotic Movement proudly inaugurated a grand statue political class, Nasrallah boasted axis of resistance but its isolation local Lebanese scene because of (FPM), which culminated with the of the late Iranian Major-General that Hezbollah could hold on is contributing to this proposi- Iranian support. At the same time, election of the FPM leader, Michel Qassem Soleimani in the southern regardless of the expected financial tion. If the new cabinet does not Arabs are steering away from their Aoun, as president in October town of Maroun al-Ras, directly collapse. distance itself from this axis it will historical presence in Lebanon. facing the occupied Palestinian Nasrallah was making insinu- suffer economically and financially Given this, Lebanon is on its territories. The statue depicts ations regarding the millions of because many international and way to finding itself in a position Soleimani pointing a finger to- dollars Hezbollah receives each regional donors might abstain from like Iran’s: sanctions on Hezbol- Except for Kuwait, wards those lands. month from Tehran to support its extending aid to Lebanon. lah, limited international relations, Lebanese Prime Although the president of Hez- fighters in Lebanon and Syria and Lebanese foreign policy has confiscated foreign policy and an bollah’s parliamentary bloc, Mo- to fund its social institutions. Nu- traditionally attempted to balance economy on the verge of collapse. Minister Hassan Diab hammad Raad, has bluntly said the merous reports in Beirut attributed between the contending regional Where do we go from here? has not received any Diab government does not resem- Lebanon’s dollar crisis and the lack powers to avoid turning Lebanon, ble his party, Hezbollah Secretary- of liquidity to Hezbollah, given its once again, into a battlefield of Rami Rayess is a Lebanese writer. congratulatory letters General Hassan Nasrallah publicly capacity to control the proportion- proxy wars or the backyard for Follow him on Twitter: from Gulf countries. called for an all-encompassing col- ally small Lebanese currency mar- regional tensions. This famous @RamiRayess. Larijani’s visit accelerates Lebanon’s downfall

with Nasrallah’s speech, reveals aid and has nothing to offer the a threat, that Hezbollah was the Lebanese and the international the game Iran and its subsidiaries Lebanese except the possibility of true asset of Lebanon and that community. They want the are playing. more sanctions. without the group, Israel would Lebanese to accept the idea that Makram Rabah Nasrallah’s speech February 16 This was underscored by Lari- have overrun Lebanon. their poverty and their wretched went through an inflated extol- jani, who reminded the Lebanese, Nasrallah and Larijani were economic reality have nothing ling of the Iranian axis and its especially those who see Iran as delivering a message to the to do with Iran and Hezbollah’s ranian parliament Speaker many martyrs, culminating with regional involvement and thus Ali Larijani’s visit to Lebanon Soleimani, before it shifted to they need to live with the fact that marked the first time a high- talking about Lebanon’s abysmal being poor is part of their role in ranking foreign dignitary predicament. fighting Israel. travelled to the country since Naturally, Nasrallah framed Equally, Iran is sending a mes- the cabinet of Lebanese the whole Lebanese crisis as be- sage to the European community, IPrime Minister Hassan Diab won ing brought about by the United and maybe to the United States, its parliamentary vote of confi- State’s targeting of the so-called that they need to encourage dence. Axis of Resistance, stressing that international donor agencies, However, Larijani’s visit was not the Lebanese are paying the price particularly the World Bank and congratulatory in nature nor was for their refusal of the preposter- the International Monetary Fund, it in line with diplomatic norms, ous US-sponsored Deal of the to assist Lebanon or risk it further rather it served as a message to Century proposed for the Israelis slipping under Iranian control. the international community re- and the Palestinians. However Iran and its allies garding Iran’s hegemony over the Nasrallah warned the Lebanese wish to portray Larijani’s visit region and especially Lebanon. not to discredit Diab’s cabinet to Lebanon, it was no different The timing of Larijani’s trip was and not to accept attacks on it as than the visit of Iranian Foreign of great importance because it a creation of Hezbollah before Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif coincided with the end of the 40- he requested that the Lebanese paid to Beirut exactly one year day mourning period for Iranian people respond to US sanctions ago. At that time, Zarif promised Major-General Qassem Soleimani. against Hezbollah by boycotting paradise to the Lebanese but only This event was marked by Hezbol- American products. delivered hell, keeping none of his lah with the unveiling of a statue Alarmingly, Nasrallah was dead imperial promises of protecting of Soleimani on the Lebanese serious in his suggestion, even if Lebanon and its people from the border and a speech by Hezbollah his comments were received by regional tensions. Secretary-General Hassan Nasral- the Lebanese, including members Larijani might have visited lah reminding everyone involved of his own community, as if they Lebanon as Iran’s high commis- what is at stake. were flippant. Such comments sioner but he left with the stark Larijani’s visit stirred contro- are part of a line of thinking that reminder that the game of nations versy in Lebanon because it fur- Nasrallah promoted in speeches is played using many weapons, ther exposed and endangered its since the outbreak of the Leba- the most important of which is crumbling economy to more US nese revolution October 17, which economic might. This is something sanctions and, more important, calls for Lebanon to rely more on Iran lacks and ultimately makes its increases Lebanon’s alienation non-Western economic resources, regional acquisitions in Iraq, Syria from Gulf Arab countries. such as China, Russia and — natu- and Lebanon a curse and a burden On the outside, Iran sending rally — Iran. Tehran simply cannot make others the head of its legislative branch Larijani picked up on Nasral- clean up or pay for. to meet with Lebanese officials lah’s proposal and declared Iran’s seems kosher. However, Larijani willingness to “help improve the Makram Rabah is a lecturer at is no mere lawmaker but rather economic situation in Lebanon,” the American University of Beirut a hawkish conservative and a something that was received by and author of “Conflict on Mount former officer in Iran’s Islamic the wider Lebanese public with Marking territory. Lebanese President Michel Aoun (R) meets Lebanon: The Druze, the Maron- Revolutionary Guard Corps and a grain of salt because Iran itself with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani at the presidential ites and Collective Memory” his statement, when combined is in urgent need of economic palace in Baabda, February 17. (AFP) (Edinburgh University Press). February 23, 2020 15 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Interview Former Israeli government adviser says US peace plan meant ‘to create conditions for annexation’

document that basically says: has been at an impasse, had no ‘Here’s a conflict. In this conflict, strategy for quite some time and at there are good guys who have this important moment remains Sharmila Devi historical claims, who have very ill-equipped to drive an aspirations that need to be fulfilled, international response. The people who’ve done wonderful things and who have to lead the pushback, the aniel Levy is an they should get everything and then current Palestinian body politic, Israeli analyst and there are these dreadful miscreants was uniquely ill-placed to do so diplomat whose who are portrayed in the most because of its own internal work focuses on demeaning, subhuman of terms, problems. the Israeli-Pales- who have no justified claims or “Number two, we’re at a moment tinian conflict. aspirations whatsoever.’ when virtually every country has an From 1999-2001, “If you’re going to write a important bilateral relationship Levy served as an surrender document, you don’t with America because we’re still in a Dadviser to the Israeli government even write that in these terms, let time when America is the pre- led by Prime Minister Ehud Barak. alone something that purports to be eminent global power, of course. In 2001, he was a member of the a peace proposal where literally it’s “And this is an administration Israeli delegation at Taba peace an exercise in kicking the that is highly unpredictable and talks. Palestinians rhetorically on every disposed to bullying on everything. Levy worked as senior fellow and page. With this administration, there is director of the New America “I think that was missed in the clear signalling to the world that you A sceptical take. Israeli analyst and diplomat Daniel Levy. Foundation’s Middle East task force reporting of the Trump plan, mostly will be quite seriously judged on (Courtesy of Daniel Levy) in Washington and later as director because, understandably, most this issue and you better understand of the Middle East and North Africa people didn’t sit down and read that bashing the Palestinians is a despite probably in many instances “The second thing it was designed at the European Council on Foreign these 55 pages of text and those who real win for you. their desire not to do so, we found to do was to create the conditions in Relations. did were perhaps not familiar “The third element to this is that ourselves with a strong Arab League which Israel could annex territory. It Levy heads the US/Middle East enough with the conflict. Israel has quite effectively deployed statement and actually America has was intended to generate Project, which aims to advance “What I saw was a text that was and leveraged not only this unique no endorsement.” Palestinian rejection and it was Israeli-Palestinian peace through copied and pasted from previous moment in its relationship with TAW: “Is the Trump plan dead on intended to not only pave the way analysis and policy options. He drafts and then put through this America and with the Trump White arrival?” after that for Israeli annexation but, spoke with The Arab Weekly via hate grinder when it came to the House but also its own capacities for DL: “It depends on what one even more than that, to entrap the telephone two weeks after the Palestinians. This was written by being helpful to countries in ways thinks it was designed to do. If one Israeli opposition leader [Benny] Trump administration unveiled its Israelis and by the most hard-line of that one shouldn’t underestimate. If thinks it was designed to kick-start Gantz in the elections environment peace plan. Israelis. you’re a conservative, peace or kick-start negotiations, that this was released. [Israeli The Arab Weekly (TAW): “Why “If you read the text of a authoritarian-leaning regime, Israel then you haven’t been paying elections are March 2.] did you describe the Trump plan as Colombian peace deal or an Irish can be helpful in your relationship attention because that’s not what “Gantz did two things. He a ‘hate letter’?” peace deal or a Balkans peace deal, with the US. it’s about. endorsed and embraced the plan Daniel Levy (DL): “The plan is 181 there is no text comparable to this “The last point I would make is, “The first thing it was designed to and he said it should be pages, the first 55 of which is the in terms of its exclusive embrace of having said all of the above and do was to create a new reference implemented as part of a regional political plan, the remainder fleshes one side’s priorities and slap in the point in the future. This was the real consensus, which you won’t get, but out a little more the economic plan. face to the other side.” goal of the settler right in Israel and it also did make things much more What most struck me — and hence I TAW: “Why was the international their friends in the US difficult between his party and the think the correct designation is a response fairly muted in its “This was written by administration who want to [Joint List] party representing Arab 181-page hate letter and not love criticism of the Trump plan?” Israelis and by the fundamentally reframe two states Palestinian citizens of Israel [which letter from the Americans and, by DL: “On one level, which at the from being something that on a endorsed Gantz], which also extension, the Israelis to the very least is not helpful, is that the most hardline of good day might look like two states probably was premeditated by the Palestinians — is that the text itself, Palestinian body politic has been in Israelis.” to something that is not two states architects of this peace plan.” the way it’s written is the absolute a deep malaise for some time. at all, it’s basically a Greater Israel antithesis of any document that is “There is a divided Palestinian and a Palestinian Bantustan Sharmila Devi is a former British trying to advance peace that anyone political house that has not gone Israeli analyst and [territory that was set aside as a correspondent in the Middle East would have read ever. back to its own public to seek a diplomat David Levy black homeland in southern Africa and writes on political and social “I would go that far because it’s a renewed democratic mandate, that under apartheid]. issues in the region. Gantz ditches Israeli Arab parties in courtship of the secular right

Things came to a head in mid- tion is a big challenge for Gantz. Arab List, he is strongly opposed he is hoping for an acquittal or for February when the Israeli Arab Polls indicate that, even if Blue and to ultra-orthodox religious par- the trial dragging out for months, Gregory parties said any electoral alliance White wins 36 seats compared with ties, which he sees as having had allowing him to form a governing with Blue and White would be con- Netanyahu’s Likud party winning too much sway over Israeli society. coalition. Aftandilian tingent on Gantz not endorsing the 33 seats, Gantz may have an uphill Those parties have usually allied If, for some reason, Netanyahu Trump plan. battle. with Likud and pledged their sup- does step down soon after the Weighing his options and influ- If he added the Labour-Gesher port to Netanyahu once again. March 2 elections, Blue and White, ith Israeli elec- enced in large part by polls indicat- (centre-left parties that could pos- Meanwhile, Netanyahu charged plus Likud, would likely have tions a short ing that most Israeli Jews favour sibly win ten seats), plus Lieber- that Gantz’s disavowal of the Arab enough seats to form a govern- time away, the the Trump peace plan, Gantz said man’s party, which could possibly List is a ruse, claiming that the Blue ment. Without the ultra-orthodox main challenger he would not invite the Arab List win eight seats, he would still come and White alliance cannot afford to parties, Lieberman could join such a to Israeli Prime to any government he would form up short. govern without the Israeli Arab par- governing coalition because he has Minister Biny- and, on February 17, formally en- With eight seats, Lieberman is ties. Netanyahu is playing a subtle said he would not be averse to mak- Wamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz of dorsed the peace plan. considered the kingmaker. Once an game here — raising the spectre of ing an alliance with Likud again, the Blue and White alliance, has However, getting to the magic ally of Netanyahu, he has broken Israeli Arabs entering government provided Netanyahu is no longer decided to court the secular right. number of 61 Knesset seats without from the prime minister. Not only without being so blatant about its party leader. His on-again, off-again flirtation the Arab List, which could win 14 does Lieberman not want to be in “ramifications” as he has in previ- Netanyahu, however, still enjoys with the Israeli-Arab electorate, seats, to form a governing coali- any government that includes the ous elections. considerable support as the leader represented by the Joint Arab List, Given the math, Gantz seems to of Israel, helped in part by his is off again. have a Plan B. He has not ruled out friendship with US President Don- Prior to Gantz formally endorsing a coalition government with Likud ald Trump, who has provided him the Trump peace plan, several dov- provided Netanyahu steps down. with many political favours. Polls ish members of the Blue and White With Netanyahu’s corruption on the question of who is more alliance, understanding the concern trial scheduled for March 17 — 15 suited to be prime minister showed that many Israeli Arabs have of the days after the elections — Gantz is that 45% of respondents answered proposal, including the suggestion hoping that the trial will be such an Netanyahu, compared with 33% of joining an imagined Palestinian embarrassment for Netanyahu that who chose Gantz. statelet, said to the residents of the he will be persuaded by his fellow Those results highlight Gantz’s so-allied Arab triangle in northern party members — and much of the problem. The further right he goes Israel: “You are definitely Israeli Israeli electorate — to resign during does not necessarily translate into citizens and we have no intention of the post-election political manoeu- the electorate seeing him as a bet- renouncing you.” vring period. ter alternative. After all, the Israeli This strategy ran into other prob- That scenario seems to be wishful right already has a prime minister lems for Gantz. He wanted to reach thinking. Late last year, Netanyahu and so, in their minds, why go with out to former Defence Minister fended off an internal leadership someone who is drifting right and Avigdor Lieberman, whose ultra- challenge in Likud and has consist- is a relative novice in the political nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party ently avowed his innocence of all arena? has a considerable following among charges the state prosecutor has Israeli Jews from the former Soviet brought against him. Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer in Union and wants no ties to the Joint Widening chasm. People walk by an election campaign billboard It seems clear he is going to fight the Pardee School of Global Studies Arab List. The Israeli Arab parties for the Blue and White alliance, the opposition party led by the charges to the bitter end. Only at Boston University and a former have called Lieberman a “racist” for Benny Gantz (L) in Ramat Gan, Israel. Prime Minister Binyamin if he is convicted would he be US State Department Middle East describing them as a “fifth column.” Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured on the right. (AP) forced to step down. Undoubtedly, analyst. 16 February 23, 2020 News & Analysis Turkey Crisis with Russia seen behind acquittals in Turkish trial of leading rights activists

Thomas Seibert minister at the time. Erdogan has called Kavala an agent of US finan- cier George Soros, whose efforts Istanbul to promote progressive causes around the world have made him a he surprise acquittal and target of authoritarian leaders. subsequent rearrest of a Kavala, who spent more than leading civil society figure 800 days in pretrial detention and T in Turkey is fanning de- faced a life-in-prison sentence if bate about government pressure convicted, became a symbol of on the Turkish judiciary, cited by what critics say is a crackdown on the European Union as one of the Turkey’s civil society under Erdog- country’s most serious democracy an. Kavala was a frequent partner deficits. of European institutions in projects In one of the most closely in Turkey. watched political trials in Turkey Erdogan, speaking February 19, in recent years, a court in Istanbul renewed his criticism of Kavala. He acquitted activist Osman Kavala emphasised Kavala’s links to Soros, over the anti-government “Gezi suggesting this proved Kavala was Park” protests of 2013. However, seeking to undermine the govern- hours later, Kavala was detained, ment. “There are Soros-like people this time because of accusations of behind the curtains who seek to involvement in the 2016 coup at- stir up things by provoking revolt tempt against the government of in some countries,” Erdogan said in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. a speech addressing lawmakers of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “The Turkey branch of Opposition lawmakers this was in prison but they dared to said the new arrest acquit him.” warrant sought by Shortly after Erdogan’s speech, prosecutors suggested judicial authorities announced that the acquittal had they were investigating the three judges who acquitted Kavala. ‘Mockery.’ A 2014 file picture of Osman Kavala, Turkish philanthropist, entrepreneur and rights been controversial inside The development threw a spot- defender, speaking at a news conference at the EU parliament in Brussels. (DPA) the government. light on the relationship between the government and the judiciary was also the one who ordered Kav- ephone. “The acquittals are a sign ment of another trial involving “I can’t believe that Kavala has in Turkey. The European Union ala’s rearrest. of the Erdogan government’s prag- prominent activists. been rearrested,” Nacho Sanchez criticised Turkey for “serious back- Opposition lawmakers said the matism. It wants to turn towards The case against Amnesty In- Amor, the Turkey rapporteur of the sliding” in the area of judicial inde- new arrest warrant sought by pros- Europe again because of the crises ternational’s former Turkey hon- EU Parliament, wrote on Twitter. pendence in its latest report on the ecutors suggested that the acquittal in relations with Russia.” ourary chairman Taner Kilic and “Back again in dark period.” candidate country last year. had been controversial inside the Ties between Ankara and Mos- ten other activists heightened con- The decision, announced Feb- “Concerns on the independence government. cow have come under strain be- cerns about Turkey’s treatment of ruary 18, to free nine defendants, of the Turkish judiciary following, “The acquittal and the new arrest cause of the situation in the Syrian human rights defenders and helped including Kavala, was a surprise. “I among other issues, the dismiss- both were political decision,” Garo province of Idlib, where thousands sour Turkey’s relations with Euro- don’t know what to say,” said Can al and forced removal of 30% of Paylan, an opposition MP, told a tel- of Turkish troops are holding ter- pean countries, notably Germany. Atalay, one of the accused. “We judges and prosecutors following evision interviewer. Mithat Sancar, ritory to block an advance by the Ten activists, including Amnesty never expected this.” the 2016 attempted coup remain,” deputy speaker of Turkey’s parlia- Syrian Army, which is supported by International Turkey director Idil The presiding judge said there the report said. “No measures were ment said there was a “severe and Russia. Eser, German citizen Peter Steudt- was “not enough concrete evi- taken to restore legal guarantees to very open power struggle” within If there was any effort to improve ner and Swede Ali Gharavi, were dence” that Kavala sought to over- ensure the independence of the ju- the state. relations with Europe by acquitting detained in a police raid in July throw the government by organis- diciary from the executive.” Savas Genc, a political scientist Kavala, it was crippled by the swift 2017, while attending a digital secu- ing the Gezi protests, sparked in Analysts said the treatment of and Turkey expert at the University rearrest. The German Foreign Min- rity training workshop on Buyuka- May 2013 by a government decision Kavala was a case in point. of Heidelberg in Germany, agreed istry said on Twitter it was “con- da island, off Istanbul. Kilic was de- to build a shopping mall in Gezi “The acquittals would not have that the Turkish government was sternated” over the rearrest and tained separately a month earlier. Park, one of the last green patches been possible against Erdogan’s sending signals to the judiciary. called for a swift investigation “re- All the defendants have since in central Istanbul. will,” journalist Rusen Cakir, an ex- “No judge in Turkey can jail or specting all rule-of-law standards been released pending a trial ver- The Gezi demonstrations spi- pert on the AKP, said in an analysis free a prominent defendant with- that Turkey has signed up to.” dict, which had been expected Feb- ralled into broader demonstrations on the internet TV channel Me- out receiving a wink from the [pres- Political considerations could ruary 19 but the court said it would against Erdogan, who was prime dyascope. He added that Erdogan idential] palace,” Genc said by tel- have been behind the postpone- announce its decision in April. Viewpoint Will the Gezi trial serve as a wake-up call for the EU? Kafka, was over and done. Kavala case showed, once more, However, a few hours later, the how helpless and weary some nightmare was back — a trademark human rights institutions in the Yavuz Baydar pattern of Erdogan’s rule. Kavala West are and how indifferent and was charged anew just as he was even cynical some EU politicians hoping to leave prison. He has have become about developments vents in Turkey, been held behind bars since his in Turkey. which is convulsing arrest October 18, 2017. This time, When I visited Brussels in in its most profound Kavala was accused of master- February for a panel on the state crisis in more than five minding the attempted coup on of Turkish government’s human years, are such that July 15, 2016. rights abuses, the rock bottom any flicker of hope in Law experts and NGO observers cases and sham trials, this percep- Ejustice that appears on the horizon said there was no doubt the order tion was inescapable. quickly ends in harmful disap- to keep Kavala in prison came The key issue for the European pointment. directly from Erdogan himself. Union and Turkey’s Western al- The last nail in the coffin of Erdogan’s announcement, which lies is the trap of pretending that rule of law was the announce- came the day after the chaotic if a single sham trial ends in an ment by Turkish President Recep yo-yo game in the case, was proof acquittal, then all will be back to Tayyip Erdogan regarding what of that. The acquittal of Kavala, he “normal.” In fact, Kavala, a brave many viewed as the “final farce” said, was part of a conspiracy to and honest man who hoped for a — the so-called Gezi Trial and the topple his government. humane state in Turkey, is one of resultant carousel of acquittal and “They hatched a scheme to have A never-ending nightmare. Supporters of Osman Kavala wait for nearly 50,000 political prisoners rearrest of businessman and civil him acquitted,” he said. his release from prison at a roadside cafe in Silivri, near Istanbul, in Turkey, a figure documented society activist Osman Kavala. By this time, even the highest February 18. (Reuters) by the 2019 Human Rights Watch Kavala faced an aggravated life- placed observers in the interna- report. in-prison sentence on terrorism tional community had to face the No improvement in a single case charges for attempting to ”over- fact that they had been thrown All such commentary quickly et cetera — thousands of them will hide that normality in Turkey throw” the Erdogan government another nasty curveball by Tur- found itself in the wastebasket in long detention — are nothing will only return through the adop- by allegedly mobilising a rebellion key’s apparently under-pressure after Kavala’s rearrest. more than politicised sham trials. tion of a new democratic constitu- in June 2013 against the develop- strongman. That many people in and out- Whether they end up in sentenc- tion, fundamental judicial reform ment of a shopping mall in Gezi Naively, many of them had be- side Turkey expect an end to such ing or acquittal does not change and a general amnesty that will Park, one of Istanbul’s few green lieved that the acquittals showed injustice and cruel treatment of the fact that they are political and leave no single political prisoner spaces. a new “softer” Erdogan, pushed human beings is understandable have nothing to do with the rule of behind bars. Until then, Erdogan At a court hearing February 18, into a corner due to economic and but the reality requires clearer law but rather are an ugly power will be able to play a yo-yo game he and eight others were acquitted foreign policy crises. Some human optics. game choreographed by Erdogan. with the rotten justice system. in the case, to the joy of the Turk- rights officials in the European Almost all court cases against The cruelty and suffering staged ish opposition and international Union, such as new Turkey rap- dissidents, journalists, academ- in today’s oppressed Turkey are Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish community. The case, which was porteur Sanchez Amor, even spoke ics, civil rights defenders, Kurdish major reasons to be severely pes- journalist and regular columnist beyond even the imagination of about a “return to normality.” elected mayors, political activists, simistic but not the only ones. The for The Arab Weekly. February 23, 2020 17 News & Analysis Iran New signs of Iran’s defiance in post-JCPOA phase

Sabahat Khan of which it put into orbit in 2009. Since then, it has added another three. Washington has been critical Dubai of Iran’s missile programme at large as well as its efforts at develop- n February 9, Iran launched ing a full-fledged indigenous space a satellite called Zafar to an launch capability. altitude of 540km but it Since the 1980s, Iran’s defence O failed to achieve the low- strategy has been characterised by Earth orbit it was aiming for. its “asymmetric” approach to war- Ultimately, the launch was re- fare and centred on its missile ca- corded as a failure but it delivered pabilities that have been advancing strong elements of progress for in significant ways over the years Iran’s space programme and con- in terms of range, accuracy, pay- tained important lessons for future load, manoeuvrability and speed improvements. but also how and where they can be The Zafar — “Victory” in Farsi — launched and production capacity. satellite is said to be designed for Iran has also been forthcoming remote sensing, primarily for sur- with technology transfers and as- veying oil fields, and communica- sistance as well as complete missile tions but the launch garnered more systems to regional allies and prox- attention for the Simorgh space ve- ies, including in Lebanon, the Pal- hicle used in the attempt to place estinian territories, Iraq, Syria and the satellite in low-Earth orbit. Yemen. The Simorgh space launch vehicle Together with Europe, the Unit- is essentially an advanced rocket be- ed States tried to link the nuclear lieved to have a three-stage engine, accord with Iran, known as the although some analysis speculated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- it may have a four-stage engine. tion (JCPOA), which explicitly con- Rockets and missiles with multiple tained restrictions on Iran pursuing stage engines are designed to attain development of delivery systems high speeds, high altitudes or both for nuclear weapons, to Iran’s mis- New focus point. The Zafar rocket during the launch at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan by firing in quick succession but the sile programme but those attempts province, February 9. (AFP) engineering complexity increases were largely unsuccessful. greatly with each stage added and Having withdrawn from the multistage engines typically experi- JCPOA, the United States has taken such as intercontinental ballistic exaggerated. uses an advanced engine design ence high failure rates. a more pointed focus on Iran’s mis- missiles (ICBMs) more easily. Yet, at a time when the mili- developed as a result of its space sile programme and will attempt to “The technologies used to launch tary’s dependence on space assets launch vehicle research activities tie that to any new “nuclear-plus satellites into orbit are virtually is growing around the world for and represents an important tech- The launch of a satellite deal” that could replace the JCPOA. identical and interchangeable with almost all major powers, the emer- nological step forward. called Zafar was recorded Iran’s missile programme is con- those used in longer-range systems, gence of a viable space launch vehi- As Iran moves towards the post- as a failure but it delivered trolled by the powerful Islamic including intercontinental ballistic cle capability for Iran could create a Soleimani, post-JCPOA political strong elements of Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose missiles,” said US Secretary of State new dimension for its asymmetric phase, it is likely that its missile progress for Iran’s space most important figure, Major-Gen- Mike Pompeo, in reaction to Iran’s strategy and competition vis-a-vis programme and capabilities could programme. eral Qassem Soleimani, was killed recent launch. the United States. become a new focus point in its in a US drone strike in January. Iran It is true that there is strong Washington would likely want to standoff with the United States. The Simorgh rocket is believed says it maintains a self-imposed crossover between long-range limit or at least slow Iran’s emerg- For Washington it potentially offers to have failed at the critical up- range limit of 2,000km for its mis- missile weapons such as ICBMs ing space capabilities in the years a way to increase pressure and for per stage when the vehicle could siles, a move it says is designed to and the technology used in space ahead, particularly if the growing Tehran it provides a way to demon- not reach the velocity required to ensure minimum deterrence with- launch vehicles, such as powerful animosity between the two sides strate its resolve and defiance or to achieve planetary orbit, after which out threatening or alarming coun- multistage engines and associated stays unresolved. even deflect attention from the nu- the rocket and the satellite would tries further away — particularly in mechanisms for stage and payload Meanwhile, Iran announced a clear file. have separated. Europe. separation, airframe and materials, successful test for a new ballis- Parliamentary elections in Iran This is reported to be the third Hawks and hardliners in Iran as well as navigation and electronic tic missile with a range of 500km and a presidential election in the consecutive failure of the Simorgh have, however, called for policies systems. called Raad-500, meaning “Thun- United States this year will effec- rocket but each attempt yielded im- limiting its missile ranges to be However, ICBMs are a different der” in Farsi. tively set out the future strategy for portant incremental progress. Giv- abandoned, most recently again af- beast altogether and far more com- The new missile has a range both sides. en the results of Iran’s latest launch, ter Soleimani’s death. plex to develop and test. So, while of some 200km more than the a successful orbital placement of a The United States is concerned experience with space launch vehi- Fateh-110, an existing short-range Sabahat Khan maintains a cross- satellite may not be far away. that Iran’s activities in building a cles may prove useful in knowing ballistic missile made and operated disciplinary focus in international Iran has had success launch- space launch capability could help how to develop long-range ballistic by Iran, but is only half its weight. security, defence policy and ing miniature satellites, the first it to develop longer-range missiles missiles, the significance may be Iranian officials said the Raad-500 strategic issues.

Viewpoint Iran’s ‘warriors without borders’

used in legal proceedings against ries,” such as the rise of Hezbollah Tehran? What does the official as a major political and military fac- historiography tell us about al-Quds tor in Lebanon and the survival of Ali Alfoneh Force? Syrian President Bashar Assad’s re- The answer to the first question gime, Basirat and other websites fail is straightforward: Under extreme to mention fundamental failures. or a special operations pressure of US economic sanctions, In Bosnia, al-Quds Force was military organisation the regime in Tehran feels it needs kicked out as soon as the United working in the shadows, to remind the world of its ability States intervened to protect the Iran’s extraterritorial to strike back and the historical Muslim population and has since operations al-Quds Force overview is meant to demonstrate been unsuccessful in establishing a is surprisingly interested al-Quds Force’s victorious record. bridgehead to Europe. In Afghani- Fin publicity: Major-General Qassem By this narrative, Iranian Su- stan, al-Quds Force initially in- Soleimani who served as al-Quds preme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- vested all its capital on “empower- Force commander from 1997 until nei’s first public mention of al-Quds ing” the Persian-speaking but Sunni his assassination in Iraq January 3, Force on November 20, 1989, is also Tajiks and the Shia Hazara and it was a celebrity in his own right. the official birthdate of the organi- was only after the US-led invasion Now, Iranian media and in sation. On that occasion, Khamenei that the Taliban were defeated. particular the semi-official Ba- said: “Our noble Imam [Ruhollah Just as remarkably, al-Quds Force sirat website, a mouthpiece of the Khomeini] hoped for the establish- is now aligned with the Taliban. In Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, ment of popular Hezbollah cells all Limited power. Iranian al-Quds Force members parade as crowds Iraq, and to some extent Syria, al- are publishing historical overviews over the world… We are not saying raise flags to pay homage to slain Iranian military commander Quds Force and its Iraqi Shia militia of the activities of al-Quds Force, or that we will start wars or intervene Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, January 6. (AFP) allies contributed to the marginali- “warriors without borders.” in the affairs of others. sation of a Sunni population, parts Why admit engagement in mili- “What we are saying is that in the of which aligned with extremist tary operations that may later be first country, which has emerged early 1990s and goes on to the war stealth operations outside of Iran. groups to counter the pressure from from an Islamic revolution, a disci- against the Afghan Taliban in the Iranian revolutionaries profes- Iran. Today, in Iraq and in Lebanon, plined revolutionary military force late 1990s, engagement in Iraq after sionalised their effort. At least since it is in part the “victory” of al-Quds has taken shape. Clearly, it is not 2003, the 2006 war in Lebanon and 1964, they received paramilitary Force that is provoking the people Iranian without responsibility with regards the 2012 war in Gaza and the war in training in Egypt and later in Alge- to take their protests to the streets. revolutionaries to armed Hezbollah cells all over the Syria. ria, Libya, Syria and Lebanon as a With its reporting, Basirat website world. But how that responsibility In reality, one can trace the his- part of preparations for overthrow- may desire to remind the public professionalised their [must be addressed] is something torical roots of Iranian government ing the shah’s regime. After the of the power of al-Quds Force but effort. At least since which will be decided upon with re- organisations operating beyond victory of the revolution in 1979, all involuntarily the website may be 1964, they received gard to the necessities and require- Iran’s international borders to the united in what later became known demonstrating the limits to the ments.” late 1950s: The Imperial Army’s 23rd as al-Quds Force. power of Iran’s warriors without paramilitary training This is why the official histori- Airborne Special Forces Brigade, The official history, of course, borders. in Egypt and later in ography of al-Quds Force begins also known as the Green Berets, does not credit the pre-revolution with Iran’s assistance to Bosnian established in 1954, and Iran’s pre- organisations or the first decade in Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at Algeria, Libya, Syria Muslims in the civil war that rav- revolution secret service SAVAK the history of al-Quds Force from the Arab Gulf States Institute in and Lebanon. aged the former Yugoslavia in the established in 1957, both engaged in 1979-89 but, in its review of “victo- Washington. 18 February 23, 2020 News & Analysis East West On eve of elections, Macron seeks ‘Republican Reconquest’ to counter ‘Islamist separatism’

Majed Nehme Macron’s visit was a few weeks name the currents responsible French state chose to capitulate payers do not speak a word of before municipal elections sched- for these abuses because it often to them and even enter into covert French. uled for March 15 and 22, which turns out that those currents are deals with these Islamists, whom “The problem we have today Paris promise to be disastrous for the publicly supported by foreign it is claiming to fight today. with this system is that we have president’s party, La Republique countries. The latest of these Another inconsistency, revealed more and more teachers who do rench President Emma- en Marche. sponsors of obscurantism and by Macron in Mulhouse, concerns not speak French… and that we nuel Macron went to the The president’s crude electoral “separatism” in France is Turkey. the teaching of languages and cul- have more and more teachers who Alsatian city of Mulhouse calculations partly explain most As indicated by Alexandre del tures of the countries of origin, are outside the control of the Na- F on February 18 with the of the indignant reactions of the Valle and Emmanuel Razavi in otherwise known in France as tional Education,” Macron said. announced objective of the fight French political class to this dec- their book “The Project,” “the ELCO. against “Islamist separatism” and laration of war against communi- most successful model” of these Nine countries — Algeria, Croa- the start of the “Republican Re- tarianism, even if this war seems Islamist currents is embodied tia, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Portu- Macron’s campaign comes conquest.” amply justified given the de fac- by the Justice and Development gal, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey conveniently on eve of Macron spoke in the Bourt- to control exercised by Islamist Party of Turkish President Recep — have been granted these privi- elections. zwiller district, considered one movements in these districts. Tayyip Erdogan, a great protector leges, implemented through bi- of France’s 80 priority security Bernard Rougier, professor at of the Muslim Brotherhood and lateral agreements. The problem The president promised to re- zones. It was also declared one of New Sorbonne University Paris nostalgic for the Ottoman Cali- with ELCO is that it was intended move this inadequate system by 47 neighbourhoods slated for the 3 and director of the Centre for phate. to provide migrant children the next September but to replace it “Republican Reconquest” pro- Arab and Oriental Studies, did Del Valle and Razavi claim, opportunity to learn their native with what? New agreements have gramme set up by French Interior not hesitate to describe, in a work with supporting evidence, that language with the prospect that been established with Morocco, Minister Christophe Castaner at published by the Presses Universi- the Muslim Brothers, protected they would be returning to their Algeria and Tunisia. Only Turkey the beginning of 2018 and sadly taires de France, these marginal- and funded by Qatar and Turkey, native countries. is resisting. However, it has no reminiscent of the Spanish far ised areas in France as “territories “have openly established ELCO is no longer relevant in choice, Macron insists, because he right’s anti-migrant plank of “La conquered by Islamism.” themselves in Europe, the present context because “will not let any foreign country Reconquista.” Macron contented himself with France and everywhere now the goal of national nourish, on the soil of the repub- lightly borrowing ideas contained in Western societies, education in France is lic, some form of separatism, be it in these kinds of writings in a typi- of which they are, integration and not religious, political or identity.” Re- While taking precautions cally populist fashion to appeal to however, the worst preparing children for ally now? not to confuse radical public opinion just before impor- civilisational ene- a hypothetical return Islamism with Islam and tant elections. He rejected insular- mies.” In some cases, home. From apartheid to separatism Islamists with Muslims, ity and separatism in the name of they receive public Another oddity of It’s not just ELCO that nurtures Macron was pursuing the religion. subsidies. this system is that a “separatism.” After all, this sys- same failed strategy of his “One can be attached to a re- The authors con- good number of for- tem remains marginal and con- predecessors. ligion, have foreign origins that cluded that this inco- eign teachers work- cerns 80,000 students and not he holds on to and still be fully herence is because the ing in France within the necessarily from immigrant back- Bourtzwiller is also one of the French,” the French president Muslim Brothers passed framework of ELCO and grounds. 17 target areas in the fight against said. “The problem is when, in themselves off as “mod- paid by French tax- In addition to measures banning radicalisation. Cells have been set the name of a religion or in the erate Islamists” and the Muslim Brotherhood, it is in up to counter Islamism and com- name of belonging to some because the France’s interest to introduce a munity withdrawal, terms that community, one wants to Marshall Plan to recover lost ter- Macron seems to have abandoned separate from the republic ritories of the republic, not only in for the sake of a new concept — and therefore one threat- terms of security but especially in “Islamist separatism.” ens the possibility of liv- terms of social, economic, cultur- ing together.” al and civil deficits in those areas. A semantic shift While taking precautions Manuel Valls, the former Social- Did Macron choose the right not to confuse radical Islam- ist prime minister, once shocked words to name the radical politi- ism with Islam and Islamists the public by describing such ter- cal Islamism plaguing France dur- with Muslims, Macron was ritories as “ghettos” governed by ing his trip to Mulhouse? Was it pursuing the same failed strat- a system of social and economic well inspired of him to pronounce egy of his predecessors. “apartheid.” his crusade against Islamism near The secular school, the Macron preferred the term “sep- the gigantic building site of the cornerstone of the republi- aratism” to speak of communi- Mosque al-Nour, the very sym- can edifice, is more deprived tarianism and Islamism. If the bol of separatism that Macron than ever of means to com- terminology has changed, the is claiming to fight and which is bat the scourge of “separa- situation of those territories managed by the Association of the tism” and that allows the conquered by radical Islam- Muslims of Alsace, which is close most obscurantist and close- ism, which Islam specialist to the Qatar-sponsored Muslim minded currents of all kinds Gilles Kepel in 1987 described Brotherhood? to try to fill the void. as “suburbs of Islam,” has Half of the funds for the con- Islamist Turkey, the Trojan hardly changed. It even got worse, struction of this huge mosque, horse of “separatism” Political correctness. French President Emmanuel Macron considering the lack of audacity about $15 million, came from the Successive administrations in delivers a speech at the Dollar gymnasium in Mulhouse, France, and vision on the part of French Qatari NGO Qatar Charity. France have been reluctant to February 18. (AFP) authorities. Reforming Islamic institutions to appease secularist France

to counter “political Islam” and a We cannot accept de-scholarisation closure of his ideas for combating if free of past or present radicalism. perceived threat posed by Islamist [the removal of Muslim children radicalisation. Without the make-believe prior radicals promoting separatism in from conventional schools]. As France awaits concrete vetting, however, something simi- Colin Randall disadvantaged areas. Certificates of virginity cannot be proposals on the organisation of lar has been seriously mooted in For those who believe French required to marry. We must never Islam, Macron has been saying a the protracted discussion on how Muslims need reassurance that accept that the laws of religion lot less about what may be on his — if at all — Macron should presume hen historians there is no official desire to stig- can be superior to the laws of the mind. When first outlining his to shape a religion that is not his. assess French matise or alienate them, the worry republic. It’s as simple as that.” plans in February 2018, he ap- Even before a footnote declaring President Emma- is that Macron may be tempted by Little of that would have peared to make structural reform the “presidential declaration” to be nuel Macron’s at- political expediency to reach out to sounded out of place on the lips of his priority. He wanted to “lay the a spoof, there were clues to its du- tempts to reform right-wing voters ahead of munici- Macron’s principal rival, Marine Le groundwork” for the path of an bious authenticity, including plans Islam in France, pal elections in March. Pen, leader of the far-right, anti- Islam compatible with secularism, for referendums on legislation Whome to Europe’s largest Muslim Visiting the eastern city of Islam National Rally. The centrist though he also promised to consult on secularism and outlawing the population, they are unlikely to Mulhouse on February 18, Macron president’s strident tone reflected widely and avoid “cutting corners, Muslim Brotherhood and Salafism accuse him of making a rush to said political Islam had no place in his wariness of Le Pen’s populist putting everyone in the same bag.” and mandatory community service judgment. France. He duly acknowledged that appeal. It is as if he wishes to be seen as in targeted areas for young people Promised for the first half of any “plan against Islam” would National Rally candidates took the president for all seasons, cling- not in employment or education. 2018, the initiative has been be a serious mistake but spoke of the largest share of French votes ing to the support of the liberal All the same, much of the text was repeatedly postponed. Reports in phasing out the use of imams from in last year’s European elections. or left-leaning chattering classes, uncomfortably plausible. France suggest Macron is putting abroad — notably Turkey, Alge- As a measure of Le Pen’s strength making the right noises for moder- Hazardous territory clearly lies finishing touches on his proposals, ria and Morocco, between them in some areas, polling indicated ate Muslim ears but also seem- ahead. Perhaps the best that can having revealed parallel measures accounting for about 300 imams that David Rachline, a rising figure ing tough enough on Islamism to be hoped for is that Macron truly preaching in French mosques — in the party, could win an outright appease those conservative voters remains attached to a principle and denying entry to the same first-round majority in the Riviera repelled by the extreme right. evoked in a recent comment at- number of foreign Quranic chanters resort of Frejus in March. An elaborate parody in the online tributed to an unnamed source: As France awaits who traditionally spend Ramadan The visit to Mulhouse was the magazine L’Opinion, running to “The outlook is complicated but a in France. first of a number of “field trips” more than 7,000 words, imagined republican dialogue with Islam in concrete proposals Denouncing separatism as “our in which Macron will strive to Macron announcing such sweeping France will allow us to be stronger on the organisation enemy,” Macron listed practices he shrug off the persistent charge of changes as abolishing the French against Islamism.” of Islam, Macron described as at odds with French distance and arrogance by showing Muslim Council, which has strug- republican values. “In the republic, interest in everyday preoccupa- gled against factional in-fighting Colin Randall, a journalist based has been saying a we cannot accept that we refuse to tions. since its establishment by Nicolas in London and France, was chief lot less about what shake hands with a woman because These excursions are expected to Sarkozy, then interior minister and reporter, executive news editor and she is a woman,” he said. “We can- occur at intervals in the run-up to later president, in 2003. It would be Paris bureau chief of the Daily Tel- may be on his not accept that someone refuses to the elections and probably beyond, replaced by a Consistory of Islam, egraph and executive editor of the mind. be treated or educated by someone. accompanied by piecemeal dis- candidates eligible for election only National at its launch in 2008. February 23, 2020 19 Viewpoint East West Washington plays a losing hand in Syria

a disturbing metaphor for the noose that is slowly tightening around the US deployment in Syria. Geoffrey Aronson Washington has all but lost control over events in the dynamic north- eastern region formerly controlled t a forlorn informal by the SDF, which commands less checkpoint in the vil- than one-third of the territory it lage of Khirbet Amo ruled before the US retreat last outside Qamishli, a October. beleaguered US con- Even in that zone, despite a re- voy recently suffered sidual American presence, number- aA humiliating introduction to the ing a few hundred, the Syrian Army new Syria created in the wake of US and its Russian and Iranian allies President Donald Trump’s irreso- are ascendant, with mechanisms — lute retreat. including the dialogue between the A small convoy of outsized Amer- Kurds and the Syrian government ican vehicles, one of which was — established in areas that have stuck in the mud, was besieged by been reclaimed by the government a motley mob of curious, angry vil- to facilitate the return of central lagers and informal armed forces. authority. The oversized Stars and Stripes Another kind of power is at work that marked the vehicle as Ameri- in the ever-shrinking US zone of can flew parallel to the Syrian flags operations, symbolised by the adorning the checkpoint. This angry Syrian who, after snatching disconcerting juxtaposition has an American flag from the convoy, become far more common since demanded to know from an impas- the partial US withdrawal and the sive US soldier: “What do you want Ill-equipped for new challenges. People and soldiers gather next to an American military convoy entry late last year of Russian and here in my country?” stuck in the village of Khirbet Amo, east of Qamishli city, Syria, February 12. (AP) Syrian forces to the area, particu- The Americans serving in Syria larly along shared roads and patrol are ill-equipped for the new chal- routes. lenges they are facing. The grand attacks as far afield as the oil refin- main route to Iraq and beyond. the country and, barring a complete Stones and at least one Molotov US strategic objective consists of ery at Homs. West of the Euphrates, Syria, collapse of the Turkey-supported cocktail were thrown at the convoy enabling the SDF to sell oil to the In the past few months, 20,000 with Russian and Iranian military forces in Idlib, it looks like this before solitary irregulars fired at government. Washington’s Syria refugees from the Rukban camp support, registered important strategy aiming at the evolution- the trucks. One Syrian was killed. policy is reduced to the hope that, nearby have been escorted to achievements on this score, open- ary if inexorable increase in state At one point an F-15 flew overhead, as a consequence of its slim efforts regime areas, leaving an equal ing both the M4 and M5 highways. authority will continue. a menacing if ineffective demon- in the country, opponents and number resident. Trump and NATO offer condo- Washington insists that war- stration of the power the United erstwhile allies will find themselves The US deployment at Al-Tanf is a lences to Turkey’s “martyrs” who ring parties adopt its strategy of States is still able to mobilise. engaged in forever and fruitless sideshow to the overall US deploy- died in support of the shrinking freezing the conflict but no one is When the US patrol found itself military and equally debilitating ment in Syria. Overwhelmed by the jihadist-run enclave in Idlib. They listening. disabled and besieged by angry political, administrative and dip- looming humanitarian catastrophe offer words of support but nothing The United States has turned Syrians, it was not the F15s flying lomatic battles that will sap their in Idlib, it has all but disappeared else for Turkish President Recep irrevocably away from Syria to above that ended the confronta- energy and prohibit Syria from from international political and Tayyip Erdogan and his unrealistic focus on other challenges. Its tion but the mediation of Russian enjoying the fruits of its military humanitarian concerns. aspirations to compel a Syrian re- increasingly isolated and territori- and Syrian Democratic Forces victory. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei treat around Idlib to the territorial ally squeezed contingents in the (SDF) that extricated the convoy, What good is the oil that Trump Lavrov has not forgotten it. Nor status quo. north-east and south-east offer enabling it to proceed. covets when territory and control have the Jordanians, who watch Russia and Syria have long a practical demonstration of the The events at Khirbet Amo are are inexorably returning to govern- nervously just across the border. rejected the American strategy of growing irrelevance of the Ameri- ment control and when Washing- Moscow and Damascus are deter- running in place — an all-but-irrele- can presence. ton’s erstwhile allies are tightening mined to re-establish government vant policy suggestion when Syrian Indeed, if one listed the rela- their political and security relations control over the main transit routes troops and their Iranian allies are tive attributes of the Russian and Washington insists with Damascus as the conflict with within and on Syria’s borders. Con- on the move and Turkey prepares American deployments, who would that warring parties Turkey expands? flicts east and west of the Euphra- to defend its shrinking territorial suggest that Washington and its Elsewhere in Syria, the Ameri- tes focus on this contest, essential foothold in Idlib. diminishing roster of allies are adopt its strategy of cans are hanging onto an ever- to any hope of Syria’s rehabilita- In contrast to Washington, Rus- playing the winning hand? freezing the conflict diminishing anchor in the south- tion. Lavrov recently talked with sian strategy is a dynamic effort to eastern base at Al-Tanf, where Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman concentrate and diminish rebel au- Geoffrey Aronson is a non-resident but no one is Washington, the Assad government Safadi to press for a US retreat from thority. This is the formula that has scholar at the Middle East Institute listening. said, uses the base to mount drone Al-Tanf, astride the now-blocked been used successfully throughout in Washington. Why the Atlantic alliance is wary of Trump’s call for expanding military role to the Middle East

That response amounts to a re- as Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, was brushed off when she made allies to the brink. shuffle — or, if you prefer, window are keener on dialogue with NATO her first call to the White House The fear in NATO is that war dressing — but the conundrum than Algeria but the Western effort after the poisoning of Russian spy might start by accident as Turkish Francis Ghilès remains. It is fast becoming a case is across the board and extends to Sergei Skripal — allegedly by the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is study of how to handle a president the Sahel and into Gulf countries. Russian government. She was told something of an impulsive gambler who delights in stoking tensions in The wider geopolitical context to turn to the European Union for and Russian President Vladimir here will US an alliance he famously branded as to any further extension of NATO’s help. When the Europeans acted, Putin will be happy to oblige by ad- President Donald obsolete two years ago. activities in the Middle East and pushed by his staff, Trump vancing Russian interests wherever Trump’s request Trump’s push for greater NATO context is not helped by Trump’s agreed to act. he can spot a crack in the Western to NATO that involvement in the Middle East erratic style of diplomacy and the Today, Johnson does not even alliance. In the worsening Libya it expands its highlights a dilemma that has be- price every other Western country have the consolation of turning crisis, the United States is conspic- footprint in the come familiar since he resorted to is paying for it. to Brussels because the United uous by its absence. WMiddle East end up? the bully pulpit to lambast fellow Trump’s foreign policy is often Kingdom is leaving the European Uncertainty is all the greater as A month after it was made, we NATO members to spend more on referred to as “transactional” but Union. Trump has a habit of bad-mouth- are not the wiser. After contact- defence. The Germans scrambled “egotistical” and “unreliable” are How all this plays up if a crisis ing those he does not appreciate, ing NATO’s 29 members, NATO to satisfy the United States but words that might be closer to the blows up over Libya or Turkey’s which further coarsens the atmos- Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg not so much that it distracts from truth. Sometimes it is downright assertive behaviour in the Middle phere of diplomatic relations. offered to rebrand international the alliance’s core focus, which re- abusive. The United States’ closest East is anybody’s guess. Kim Darroch, who was forced troops who train anti-Islamic State mains countering Russian military allies do not trust the president Trump is tearing up a form of out of his job as UK ambassador forces in Iraq as NATO soldiers, resurgence. and his recent betrayal of the Kurds American hegemony that was to Washington, is well apprised of with the prospect of further region- Rebadging anti-Islamic State on the battlefield or description exercised by consent. Today that these methods and Merkel has had al initiatives to follow. trainers would be a change but of Mexicans as “rapists” carry the consent is evaporating as any num- her fair share of insults. at least it would not increase the inevitable consequence that the ber of speeches by French Presi- Trump’s bad-mouthing meets number of troops, which no NATO more difficult a foreign policy deci- dent Emmanuel Macron or German its match in the Middle East where member is keen on. Europeans fear sion is, the more likely its allies do Chancellor Angela Merkel attest to. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Trump’s push for any kind of troop deployment that not follow Washington. If your trusted hegemon walks Netanyahu is a rough-and-ready could end up with their personnel Britain, which prides itself on you to the brink every time, you customer, always ready to wave greater NATO being sucked in while enabling the being Washington’s closest ally, has are no longer listened to. US brink- an anti-Semitic plot in the face of involvement in the United States to exit Iraq. experienced more than one wake- manship was already difficult for European critics of Israeli policy. Middle East highlights The much more favoured option up call in recent years. British NATO allies to cope with in more Both leaders upend traditional is to increase political dialogue, Prime Minister Boris Johnson just settled times, such as the invasion diplomacy. a dilemma that has military advice and logistical work had a row with Trump following of Iraq in 2003. The world today Trump’s behaviour has gener- become familiar since in Gulf and Mediterranean states. the United Kingdom’s decision to has become far more unpredictable ated an atmosphere that suggests Naples, where NATO’s Allied allow Huawei, a Chinese company, than in 2003. that, more than ever before in he resorted to the Forces Southern Europe has head- to help build Britain’s 5G telecoms Where the Middle East is modern history, everything is up bully pulpit to quarters, hosts hundreds of officers network. As a result, the prime concerned, no one knows after for grabs. lambast fellow NATO engaged in political and security minister postponed a trip to the Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds and analysis and exchanges with south- United States. the US killing of Iranian Major- Francis Ghilès is an associate members to spend ern rim Mediterranean and Arab Two years ago, lest we forget, General Qassem Soleimani when fellow at the Barcelona Centre for more on defence. countries. Some countries, such then-Prime Minister Theresa May and where Trump might push his International Affairs. 20 February 23, 2020 Economy

‘Consensus politics’ could stand in the Briefs Saudi Aramco way of Tunisia’s economic recovery shares shed post-IPO gains as oil dives Lamine Ghanmi Tahya Tounes proposed Fakh- fakh as prime minister after intense Saudi Aramco shares have lost negotiations with five of the coun- most of the gains they made since Tunis try’s main political parties, which listing in December in a landmark together control 121 deputies in the first offering, as oil prices drop ith a young, highly 217-member parliament — 12 votes amid alarm over the coronavirus qualified workforcemore than needed to win a vote of outbreak. and the most diversi- confidence. China’s energy demand sagged W fied economy in the If approved, the government’s im- as authorities locked down mil- Maghreb, Tunisia should be in mediate challenge will be to stabilise lions of people to prevent the good shape to jump-start economic public finances and nurture good spread of the disease, with major growth but government instability ties with the International Monetary knock-on effects for a global and poor planning have the country Fund (IMF) to keep capital markets economy dependent on Beijing. in dire need of reforms to realise its open. The slump, which has slashed potential. Tunisia’s economic indicators main oil contracts by up to 20% The task of rebuilding the coun- are mixed. While the budget deficit since the virus panic began, try’s shaky economy will likely fall is down slightly and inflation has threatens to undercut Gulf econo- to Tunisian Prime Minister-desig- slowed, unemployment, especially mies that have been battling low nate Elyes Fakhfakh, who recently among young people, remains high prices and low demand for energy announced the formation of a coali- and foreign borrowing continues to exports. tion government. undermine the budget. Reforms needed. A vendor at a market in downtown Tunis. (Reuters) Fakhfakh, a former tourism and Official figures show Tunisia’s (Agence France-Presse) finance minister, outlined an agen- budget deficit improved from 4.6% da to energise growth and alleviate in 2018 to 3.9% in 2019 but the cur- out figures indicating public debt They said widespread corruption poverty in the short term while pro- rent account deficit — 10% of GDP exploded from 40% of GDP in 2010 and an unchecked informal econ- Kuwait, Saudi posing bold reforms to integrate Tu- in 2019 — is projected to remain ap- to 73% last year. As the budget defi- omy harmed the business climate nisia into the global economy. proximately the same this year. cit widened, the balance of payment and blamed government’s efforts to Arabia start trial Tunisia’s diverse industries, in- Inflation is projected to slow from deficits increased, they said, push- preserve political consensus instead cluding aeronautics, chemicals 7.1% in 2019 to 6.7% this year and ing the country to rely even more on of pushing for wide-ranging reforms oil pumping from and textiles, key natural resources, 6.1% in 2021 despite the Central foreign debt. for prolonging the problem. divided zone such as phosphates, oil and gas, and Bank of Tunisia’s policy since 2017 Looking ahead, economists said booming tourism sector are causes of tightened monetary policy with the need to maintain political con- Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will for hope that progress can be made. rising interest rates. Inflation is projected to slow sensus and an aversion to painful start trial oil production from the However, experts said Fakhfakh The unemployment rate is an- from 7.1% in 2019 to 6.7% reforms are major constraints for jointly operated Wafra and Khafji faces a difficult task in seeing his other concern, hovering at 15% in this year and 6.1% in 2021. Fakhfakh, amid a power struggle be- oilfields, Kuwaiti Oil Minister agenda through as he struggles to 2019 and reaching 34% for Tunisian tween Tunisian President Kais Saied Khaled al-Fadhel said. hold together a fragile coalition gov- youth. and parliament Speaker Rached Fadhel said that trial production ernment that includes partners with Real GDP was at a low of 1% in If those trends continue, debt re- Ghannouchi, who is also president from the two fields in the Neutral disparate economic visions. The Is- 2019 but was expected to rebound to payment will overtake spending on of Ennahda. Zone would increase gradually un- lamist Ennahda Movement, for in- 2.1% in 2020 and 2.6% in 2021. How- public investment, services and so- Economist Belarbi Ezzedine said til it reached normal levels, Kuwait stance, a major part of the proposed ever, recovery could be slowed if a cial programmes, while the risk of one solution could be constitutional state news agency KUNA cited him government, supports economic looming drought does negatively af- currency devaluation and rocketing revisions that allow a new ruling as saying. liberalism, while the nationalist fect agriculture and social unrest in inflation would hurt already dete- system greater authority to imple- Fadhel said he expects oil Echaab Movement advocates state the phosphates-producing region of riorating living conditions of many ment bold initiatives and reforms. production from the Neutral economic command policies. Gafsa cuts output. Tunisians. “Two exceptional circumstances Zone to total 550,000 barrels per Mustapha Ben Ahmed, of the Public spending has soared since Foreign capital markets could could set off the acceleration of day before the end of the year. liberal Tahya Tounes party led by 2011, with priorities on consump- pressure Tunisia into painful reform the current transition: revising the The production from the zone is outgoing Prime Minister Youssef tion rather than investment or capi- measures, including budget-cutting principles of the constitution and divided between Kuwait and Saudi Chahed, said he was not optimistic tal expenditures. The spending has measures, experts argue. the implementation of structural Arabia. about the government’s prospects. mainly been financed by foreign Economists said Tunisia’s debt reforms that require the urgency of “As it is stands now, the cabinet is borrowing, causing the country to level coupled with an expansionary the macroeconomic stabilisation (Reuters) a coalition of personalities with dif- pile up debt. monetary policy did not spur strong and the safeguard of good relations ferent visions and agendas with no Economists said tackling the debt growth rates even during the 2017- with the IMF and the World Bank as substantial programmes and clear issue is an urgent matter because 19 period when the country enjoyed well as other financial and technical Turkish lira of the risks it entails. They pointed relatively stable security. partners,” said Ezzedine. vision for the government,” he said. weakest since May Viewpoint Turkey’s lira weakened against the dollar to its lowest point in regular trading since last May, Lebanon faces rewards, obstacles with export strategy as a central bank policy decision loomed and investors fretted over to attract diaspora deposits and help fermentation tanks, crushers, de- The real obstacles, however, are tensions in Syria’s Idlib province, finance the government deficit. stemmers, barrels and the like are fundamental. “The three pillars to where Ankara is bulking up its Export potential is vast. Govern- imported. take us out of this crisis are fiscal military. Gareth Smyth ment figures put the 2019 trade “On the upside, though, wineries action, judicial reform and curbing Turkey’s central bank, which balance deficit at $15.5 billion, with with a presence in export markets corruption. The first step has to be slashed its policy rate 1,275 basis $19.2 billion imports and $3.7 billion are redoubling their efforts, for elections, which direct the energy points since July, is expected to he International Mon- exports. The World Bank forecast a example, in the UK, Germany and of the people on the street, and then lower its policy rate by a further 50 etary Fund released a balance of payments deficit in 2020 northern Europe, Dubai and New getting a parliament with 25-30% basis points to 10.75%, a Reuters statement on its 2019 of 21.4% of GDP. York, to generate much-needed hard independent reformists. In the cor- poll indicated. Article IV consulta- Lebanon’s biggest export market, currency.” porate world, if a third of your board Investors say too much mon- tions with Lebanon on by government figures, in 2019 was Yasser Akkaoui, editor-in-chief of is independent you have oversight etary easing could leave the cur- October 17, the same day Switzerland (28%), followed by the the business magazine and website that can be trusted,” Akkaoui said. rency vulnerable, given inflation Tprotests erupted in what became United Arab Emirates (12%) and the Executive, argued Lebanese busi- For Lebanese businesses and has risen in recent months. known as al-thawra — “The Revolu- European Union (11%). Easily the nesses were ill-placed to exploit exporters, such a break from past The Turkish lira has weakened tion.” biggest exports are jewellery, gems lower interest rates and a competi- practice is just as important as the approximately 2% this year against The statement called for fiscal and precious metals, with agribusi- tive lira. government quickly implementing the dollar, in addition to a 36% adjustment to reduce a government ness very undeveloped. “Lebanon isn’t a big exporter of a short-term survival package, with slide that began during a currency deficit and $88 billion public debt, Exporters face significant short- anything,” Akkaoui said. “Agricul- or without direct IMF involvement. crisis in 2018. at around 150% of GDP, the world’s term challenges. The Lebanese ture hasn’t developed. We were Fundamental structural reform, as third-largest. economy will contract 5% in 2020, never able to revive industry: land, the IMF argues, is just as pressing (Reuters) The International Monetary Fund consultants Capital Economics electricity, everything is so ex- as Lebanon deciding whether to (IMF) advised “fundamental struc- said. Exporters also can expect pensive. With tourism, we haven’t repay the $1.2 billion Eurobond due tural reforms,” including reducing rising costs. It’s not just the jewel- managed our regional relationships March 9 (trading recently at under “vulnerability to corruption.” Both lery industry, which brings in gold so the [visitors from the] Gulf states 60 cents) and the $700 million and Jordan aviation the outgoing government led by and stones priced in dollars, that aren’t coming. $600 million bonds due in April and Saad Hariri, who left office Janu- imports components. “Our apples are so filled with pes- June. conference ary 21, and the new administration “We’re selling globally through ticides that they’re forbidden world- “The independence of the judici- under Hassan Diab have taken only our website,” said Rima Nazer, of wide, so only Mozambique imports ary is vital not just to reassure the delayed short-term measures. These have Jardins D’EDEN, a brand developing them. We have failed to fix a very Lebanese citizen but to convince seen the Lebanese lira fall against traditional olive-oil soap for bath manageable fungus in our potatoes. the international community that in An aviation conference set for the US dollar and banks impose de and face treatments. “While we use Our wheat isn’t up to standard. We any dealings with Lebanon, includ- Jordan in March has been delayed facto capital controls limiting cus- local Lebanese ingredients, we im- grow it, then throw in the garbage ing investment, their rights will be because of the coronavirus out- tomer access to accounts, especially port essential oils, argan oil, rosehip and import wheat.” preserved,” said Akkaoui. “Without break, the organiser said. in dollars. oil and shea butter. Perishable goods are tricky to the three pillars, even the world’s The Middle East and Africa A 33% drop in the lira — analysts “We’ve been having problems export, Akkaoui added. “To be best economic plan will not mean Aviation Summit, organised by said they expect the slide will con- with the banks but we do have an competitive in Europe, you have not Lebanon will pick up. Whether we industry intelligence firm CAPA tinue — should stimulate exports. account in the UK (that) enables just to factor in transport costs, you default in March or not isn’t the real — Centre for Aviation, was to be Lebanese businesses should also us to pay in pounds sterling for must also meet European standards. issue.” March 2-3 in Jordan. It was not benefit, at least in the medium term, imported ingredients.” Without a competitive advantage, clear when the conference would from lower borrowing rates. The pri- “Apart from grapes, wine produc- you need good marketing. Even so, Gareth Smyth is a regular be rescheduled. vate sector has been squeezed since ers have to buy raw materials in the artisanal, high-end market is contributor to The Arab Weekly. He the 1990s by a dollar peg of 1,500 euros,” said wine writer Michael small, even if we can specialise in was chief correspondent in Iran for Reuters) lira and high-interest rates designed Karam. “Bottles, corks, foil, labels, design agriculture,” he said. the Financial Times in 2003-07. February 23, 2020 21 Economy

Saudi Arabia embraces a different future with NEOM

Mohammed Alkhereiji Saudi Arabia has gone through in re- cent years. Those changes included Riyadh, London for the most part, defanging the Committee of Promotion of Virtue escribed as one of the most and Prevention of Vice — the “reli- ambitious development gious police.” New guidelines were projects in recent times, issued stating that the committee D Saudi Arabia is to begin would not be allowed to pursue peo- construction of its city of the future ple, demand to see identification or — NEOM — this year, said the pro- make arrests. ject’s CEO, Nadhmi al-Nasr. Saudi social reforms focused ex- To be built in the Tabuk region of tensively on improving the status north-western Saudi Arabia on the of women, who no longer need a Red Sea in an area nearly the size guardian’s permission to go to col- of Belgium, the $500 billion NEOM lege, find a job, start a business or project is expected to be a cross be- travel. In June 2018, the long-stand- tween Silicon Valley, Dubai and Sey- ing ban on women driving was lifted. chelles. The World Bank’s Women, Business NEOM officials said the project and the Law report recently ranked will have more than 1 million people Saudi Arabia as “Top Reformer.” from around the world working and Among fiscal reforms, the gov- residing there. It is to include towns, ernment cut energy and water sub- ports, research centres, sports and sidies, introduced a “sin tax” on entertainment venues. tobacco products and sugary drinks Like the Saudi Aramco initial pub- and a 5% value added tax. To pro- lic offering in December, NEOM is a mote a domestic tourism industry Land of the future. The site of NEOM in Tabuk province in north-western Saudi Arabia. (NEOM SAUDI) cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambi- and to generate local and interna- tious Vision 2030, an economic and tional investment, officials estab- social reform plan introduced in lished the Qiddiya entertainment but the Wall Street Journal said in- val, the event featured EDM super- projects offer executives the oppor- April 2016 to wean the kingdom off megaproject in Riyadh in 2018. ternational law firm Latham and stars such as David Guetta, Martin tunity to work on highly ambitious, of its dependence on the energy sec- NEOM, however, is the most am- Watkins, hired as a consultant on Garrix and Tiesto. cutting-edge developments in tor while diversifying its economy, bitious project. the project, said Saudi Arabia’s “reli- “MDL Beast is more than just a fes- greenfield locations with huge nat- promoting private sector growth “NEOM will focus on nine special- gious-based justice system present- tival,” said Saudi DJ, Ahmad Alam- ural beauty. It is giving people the and supporting entrepreneurship. ised investment sectors and living ed red flags” to foreign investors. mary, a member of the festival team, opportunity to be involved in some- conditions that will drive the future Documents seen by the Journal it is “a platform with multiple objec- thing that will leave a significant The vision of human civilisation, energy and indicated that the legal structure in tives including ongoing seasonal lo- legacy.” The Wall Street Journal reported water, mobility, biotech, food, tech- NEOM would see judges appointed cal and global events, online and ra- The Michael Page statement said that when Saudi Crown Prince Mo- nological and digital sciences, ad- by and reporting to the king and dio channels, recording studios and that in Saudi Arabia there are early- hammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, vanced manufacturing, media and NEOM law would be based on best a non-profit foundation promoting stage projects, including the coun- chairman of the Public Investment entertainment with liveability as its practices in economic and business music education and therapy.” try’s eastern coast, which is start- Fund, visited the area where NEOM foundation,” Crown Prince Moham- law, as well as feedback from poten- Commenting on the event to his ing to utilise the natural beauty of is to be built a few years ago, he said med said in announcing the project. tial investors and residents. 1.2 million followers, Hammer said: the Red Sea and capitalise on the he saw potential for a futuristic loca- “NEOM will be constructed from “What I just witnessed was truly tourism potential. Riyadh, through tion to attract the “world’s greatest the ground up, on greenfield sites, Creating a buzz special. It felt like a cultural shift. Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate and the King minds and best talents to the world’s allowing it a unique opportunity to The $500 billion price tag, to be A change. Like Woodstock in the Abdullah Financial District, ensure best-paying jobs in the world’s most be distinguished from all other plac- covered by the Saudi Public Invest- 1960s.” a stream of opportunities for ex- liveable city.” es that have been developed and ment Fund, will not be enough for pats to join early-stage development Settling on the name NEOM, constructed over hundreds of years the 26,500 sq.km of the NEOM pro- Saudi Arabia is the next big thing teams, the statement claimed. which is a combination of the Greek and we will use this opportunity to ject to be completed. Saudi officials Global employment agencies have With regards to the overall Gulf word for “new” and “mustaqbal,” build a new way of life with excel- are looking for the remainder of noticed a surge in executives, par- Cooperation Council (GCC), there the Arabic word for “future,” the lent economic prospects,” he added. the funding through foreign invest- ticularly from the property industry, are many interesting projects on project was announced. However, ment. looking to relocate to Saudi Arabia. the horizon, including in the United speculation about its scope and Social challenges To generate buzz around the Tom Watson, a partner at the in- Arab Emirates where “major devel- goals, which included technology Despite rapid changes in the project, Riyadh has been hosting ternational employment agency opers deliver high-quality develop- yet to be developed, soon followed. country, Saudi Arabia is still a con- members of the international me- Michael Page Middle East, and Chris ments in the residential, retail and servative society with some Saudis dia, high-level executives from the Rea, the firm’s Technology, Strategy mixed-use space and, of course, More than science fiction expressing an aversion to change. international business community manager for Saudi Arabia, said that there is the extremely exciting and Reporting about the project cen- A Wall Street Journal report in 2019 and social media influencers at the was the case. unique proposition of Expo 2020,” tred on robotic dinosaurs, artificial stated that many issues plaguing the NEOM site. “The surge we are seeing with real Watson and Rea said. intelligence domestic help, glow-in- country before its reform drive were Last December, the Saudi enter- estate executives entering the king- “The combination of continued the-dark beaches and a giant artifi- so entrenched in Saudi society that tainment authority hosted a 3-day dom is due to the numerous giga- high-profile developments in the cial moon. However, what is at stake, Crown Prince Mohammed said it music festival that included Hol- projects that form part of the wider UAE and the rise of an exciting range as far as the kingdom is concerned, would be easier to build a new city lywood actors Armie Hammer and Vision 2030,” they said in a state- of developments being launched is more than novelty attractions be- rather than to change existing ones. Ryan Phillippe and supermodels ment. across Saudi Arabia bodes very well cause the megaproject is in line with Whether NEOM would have sepa- Alessandra Ambrosio and Irina “Candidates are very much buy- for the GCC region as a whole,” the the spirit of wide-ranging reforms rate rules and regulations is unclear Shayk. Dubbed the MDL Beast Festi- ing into Vision 2030 and the giga- statement added. Letswork redefines concept of co-working space in the UAE

N.P. Krishna Kumar “Letswork was launched because quickly after its app was released in around 12,500 registered users, with a marketing director in a FMCG (fast- it was tough for people to find afford- February 2019. around 600-700 daily active users moving consumer goods) company, able and flexible space to work, espe- “It is very easy to navigate the app. across our 43 locations in the UAE,” left the corporate world to get into Dubai cially for small start-ups; the rent and When you open it, you see the map Khan said. entrepreneurship. A lot of hard work operational costs can be prohibitive,” showing all our spaces and it also The co-founders said Letswork dif- went into launching her So Salad! he digitalisation of the econo- Khan said. shows you the closest one. From the ferentiates itself from other co-work- concept — a destination for healthy my has changed the nature of “Working from home or a coffee app itself you can check in. You get ing spaces through its pricing and and tasty food. Her next focus was on work in the United Arab Emir- shop was also not an ideal solution, the Wi-Fi password and get to see flexibility. how to expand her business. T ates, giving rise to services while Dubai had many beautiful ven- how many other members are actu- “Instead of an individual or team on demand, a gig economy and a co- ues spread across the city that were ally using the space. Meeting rooms working from a Costa Coffee outlet working community that embraces sitting empty during the day. can be booked directly through the or from home or from an office, they Letswork, with young and old entrepreneurs. “So, instead of us spending mil- app, too. It is as easy as booking a ta- can join us,” Khan said. “They can headquarters in Dubai, is Letswork, with headquarters lions of dirhams building a new place, ble at a restaurant,” Mheiri said. sign up for daily, weekly, monthly or the largest network of in Dubai, is the largest network we thought why not make the most of “What sets us quarterly memberships and can enjoy co-working spaces across of co-working spaces across the all these existing venues and activate apart is that we working across the host of more than the Emirates and has Emirates and has helped start-ups them as workspaces during the have a strong 43 locations in the UAE with benefits helped start-ups and and entrepreneurs to “rethink their day? We basically con- commu- like unlimited tea, coffee, water, free entrepreneurs to “rethink workspace.” nect people who are nity of high-speed internet, 20% reduction their workspace.” It was founded by Omar al-Mheiri looking for workspace in food, free parking and access to and Hamza Khan and was the first with these hospitality meeting rooms.” “I needed a flexible space that start-up rolled out by the E25 incuba- spaces.” Mheiri said: “Our pricing is ex- could fit with my crazy week sched- tor programme, introduced two years The Letswork tremely affordable. We wanted to ule split between the restaurant and ago by Dubai’s developer Emaar Prop- network make it cheaper than a coffee a day for my laptop,” Habes said. “This is when erties. spread it to be cost-effective for people who Letswork came into my life. The cher- “Emaar’s chairman, Mohamed Al- usually work from a coffee shop.” ry on top was I got to meet and mingle abbar, wanted to invest in start-ups A day pass is 39 dirhams ($10.62), with amazing people and profession- and have people under 25 come up the week pass is $57 for seven check- als.” with new ideas that synergise with ins and the monthly package, which It has been only one year since the the core concepts of Emaar — hospi- Mheiri said was the most popular, is app has been released and Mheiri tality, entertainment, real estate and $134 with unlimited check-ins at all and Khan are planning to revamp commercial leasing,” said Mheiri, Letswork spaces. the app’s features and plan to expand who has a degree in electrical engi- The feedback from Letswork mem- their network, including to Saudi Ara- neering. bers has been enthusiastic and daily bia and Bahrain. Mheiri joined E25 after university interactions help Mheiri, Khan and where he met Khan, a British-Paki- their team to constantly fine tune N.P. Krishna Kumar is a stani corporate lawyer and graduate Chasing ideal solutions. Co-founders of Dubai-based Letswork Omar their services. Dubai-based contributor to of the London School of Economics. al-Mheiri (L) and Hamza Khan. (Letswork) Letswork member Kahina Habes, The Arab Weekly. 22 February 23, 2020 Society Health Iran reports 5 deaths among 28 cases of coronavirus, Lebanon its first case

News agencies

Tehran

ranian health authorities report- ed five deaths from the corona- virus that emerged in China and I said the fatalities were among ten new confirmed cases of infec- tion in Iran. Two were in Tehran and eight were in Qom. So far, 28 coro- navirus cases have been confirmed in Iran. Iranian Health Ministry spokes- man Kianoush Jahanpour said the latest detected cases were linked to Qom, where two elderly patients died February 19. Jahanpour said, among the new cases, four patients were hospitalised in Tehran and two in the northern province of Gilan. Minoo Mohraz, an Iranian Health Ministry official, said the virus “pos- sibly came from Chinese workers who work in Qom and travelled to China.” A Chinese company has been building a solar power plant in Qom. In Lebanon, Health Minister Ham- ad Hassan reported the country’s first case of the virus February 21. He said the patient was a 45-year-old woman who arrived on a flight from Qom. He said the woman was in “good health” and the ministry was following up on cases of two other people suspected of having the ill- ness. The woman and two other sus- pected victims were quarantined at a hospital in Beirut. Until further notice. A medical team checks travellers at the Shalamjah border crossing, south-east of Basra, Iraq, upon their return Concerns over the spread of the vi- from Iran, February 21. (AFP) rus prompted Iranian authorities to close schools and Shia seminaries in China — Iran has not imposed such ple have been infected globally, in Chinese nationals, one a Filipino said February 21. Qom, about 130km south of Tehran. measures. However, it suspended as many as 27 countries, with more and another an Indian national. The Israeli cruise ship passengers, Reports said Iran recently evacu- passenger flights with China for the than 2,200 deaths being reported, Iraq, which has reported no cases who had all initially tested negative, ated 60 Iranian students from Wu- past two weeks, allowing only cargo mostly in China. of the virus, took measures to con- arrived on a chartered plane. They han, the Chinese city at the epicentre flights. The virus comes from a large fam- tain it by suspending visas for Ira- were met by medics in protective of the epidemic. The students were Iran’s civil aviation spokesman ily of coronaviruses, some causing nian passport holders and direct suits and taken to a hospital near Tel quarantined when they reached Iran Reza Jafarzadeh said February 20 nothing worse than a cold. It causes flights between the two countries. Aviv, where they were quarantined. but were discharged after 14 days that the “cargo flights, if necessary, cold- and flu-like symptoms, includ- Four other Israelis were hospital- without health problems. are under supervision and controls ing cough and fever, and, in more Reports said Iran recently ised in Japan after testing positive Qom is a popular religious desti- imposed by the Health Ministry are severe cases, shortness of breath. for the virus. Israel cancelled all nation and a centre of learning and carried out.” It can worsen to pneumonia, which evacuated 60 Iranian flights to and from China and is re- religious studies for Shia Muslims. It Turkish Health Minister Fahret- can be fatal. The World Health Or- students from Wuhan, the quiring Israelis returning from Chi- is also known for its cattle farms. tin Koca said officials were screen- ganisation named the illness it caus- Chinese city at the na, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore or Iran once relied heavily on China ing travellers arriving from Iran and es Covid-19, referring to both coro- epicentre of the epidemic. Thailand to be quarantined at home to buy its oil and Chinese compa- were refusing entry to anyone with navirus and its origin year. for two weeks. nies have continued doing business signs of illness. He said Iranians who There have been a few virus cases One of 11 Israelis who returned Hassan said all those on the same with Iran despite US sanctions. Un- had travelled to Qom in the previous noted in the Middle East. Nine cases home after being quarantined on flight had been contacted by health like other countries — such as Saudi 14 days would be refused entry. were confirmed in the United Arab a cruise ship in Japan tested posi- authorities. He said anyone return- Arabia, which barred its citizens The virus emerged in China in Emirates and one in Egypt. Of the tive for the virus, the first case re- ing from Iran would be asked to ob- and residents from travelling to December. More than 76,000 peo- nine in the Emirates, seven were ported in Israel, the Health Ministry serve a 2-week home quarantine.

Viewpoint When China sneezes, the world takes to its sick bed

China’s importance to the world respiratory syndrome (SARS) killed forecast fiscal deficits because of Indian and a Filipino. economy is difficult to overstate. It more than 1,500 people between lower oil prices, more spending However, the deaths in Qom Rashmee is the second-largest economy, an them since 2002. The death rate of and weak growth. S&P Global, the and reports that 25 people were Roshan Lall engine of global economic growth, the China coronavirus, officially New York market intelligence firm, quarantined in the city bring the imports the most crude oil and is called Covid-19, is about 2% but said Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit risk posed by Covid-19 much the biggest buyer of intermediate MERS was 30% and SARS 10%. could hit 7.4% of GDP this year. closer. The region’s health systems he MENA region’s first goods used in the manufacture Even so, the world has moved Regional tourism may also are already overburdened. It is confirmed coronavirus of everything from hair dryers to on a great deal from SARS, the last suffer the debilitating effects of also beset by conflicts that remain deaths —­ two Iranians automobiles. It has become the time a coronavirus spread from Covid-19, which can be passed stubbornly resistant to resolution, in the holy city of Qom hub for producing and exporting China. In the past 17 years, China through the air, has spread further allowing for little bandwidth to — are reminders of a finished goods and components all has become much more closely in nearly three months than SARS deal with the outbreak of a fast- two-pronged reality: over the world. linked to the rest of the world in 2003 and has infected tens of spreading disease. Tthe world is increasingly linked Chinese travellers accounted for economy. Accordingly, there is the thousands. Add to that the anxiety pro- and it has a growing reliance on about 20% of total spending on huge issue of oil prices. There is some suggestion that voked by the Iranian authorities’ China. tourism in 2018, the World Tourism After a volatile 2019, the growth travel restrictions triggered by the first terse comments on the Qom In the 19th century, Metternich, Organisation said. One in every 16 in global oil demand was expected outbreak may affect attendance deaths. By failing to specify the the veteran Austrian diplomat, de- visitors to the United Arab Emir- to fall by at least one-quarter this at Expo 2020, to which Dubai had circumstances in which the de- clared that “when France sneezes, ates is from China. Dubai received year. Bjornar Tonhaugen of Rystad hoped to attract 11 million foreign ceased were infected, the Iranians Europe catches a cold.” The phrase almost 1 million Chinese travellers Energy, the Norwegian research visitors. However, the 6-month- added a worrying element of mys- was adapted in the 20th century last year when it pushed its “China and business intelligence compa- long event doesn’t kick off until tery to the shock of the region’s to the new hegemon, the United ready” strategy, complete with ny, said “the economic shut-down October and the UAE capital must first Covid-19 deaths. States. In the 21st century, it is city-wide Chinese New Year cel- in China will cause the largest hope this particular coronavirus Muslims in China are almost when China sneezes — from coro- ebrations, Mandarin-language res- negative oil demand shock since will by then be a long-forgotten all Sunni and would be unlikely navirus or anything else — that the taurant menus, Mandarin-speaking 2008.” contagion. to visit Qom, which is known for whole world takes to its sick bed. airport staff and collaboration with Tonhaugen added that the In health terms, the MENA its Shia seminaries. This raises Chinese mobile payment giants demand gap exacerbated by the region has been relatively unaf- questions about how the individu- Alipay and WeChat. coronavirus would not be offset by fected by the virus. One positive als in Qom contracted the disease Unsurprisingly, then, the output cuts agreed by OPEC and test result was confirmed in Egypt and whether it points to a broader Regional tourism may coronavirus outbreak is sickening the drop in Libya’s oil production. — the only case in Africa — but the regional vulnerability. prospects for disparate sectors in Economic analysts predicted World Health Organisation said on suffer the debilitating the region. This, despite that two that weaker demand will be a February 19 that the person was Rashmee Roshan Lall is a effects of Covid-19, coronaviruses — they are a family particular worry for Oman, which “no longer carrying the virus.” columnist for The Arab Weekly. which can be passed of virus — proved to be much more sends about 45% of its exports, Nine people tested positive in Her blog can be found at severe. Middle East Respiratory mostly oil, to China. The regional the United Arab Emirates, seven www.rashmee.com and she is on through the air. Syndrome (MERS) and severe acute picture is a worrying one of higher of them Chinese, the others an Twitter: @rashmeerl. February 23, 2020 23 Culture

Cinema festival in Egypt’s Aswan highlights women’s issues

Hassan Abdel Zaher sues and analyse challenges facing and researchers with film-makers them. Some of this year’s entries from around the world. There was told the stories of women that cry also a forum debating themes of Cairo for attention while others high- various participating films and lighted the society’s cruelness to how those themes threw light on he fourth Aswan Inter- women. women’s problems in real life. national Women’s Film “Certified Mail” by Egyptian di- Azza Kamel, an Egyptian wom- Festival featured the inno- rector Hisham Saqr was featured en’s rights advocate who serves as T vative skills of female film- at the festival’s opening Febru- the deputy chairwoman of the fes- makers in addressing the issues, ary 10. It tells the story of Hala, tival’s board of trustees, said the including inequality, domestic a mother and wife who works to discussions “primarily focused on violence and social stigmas, that steer her family towards a safe the challenges facing women.” women face around the world. shore after her husband goes to “We try to invite the attention “It is a unique cinema event jail and her father dies. She is a of film-makers to these challenges because it sheds light on cinema real-life heroine like millions of and discuss how cinema can con- works by women and about wom- women, even as the world does tribute to changing realities in the en,” said Sharif Bendari, a member not give her credit or recognise her lives of women around the world,” of the festival jury. “The works sacrifices. she said. demonstrated the artistry of their Saqr said his film conveys a clear The selection of Aswan, the makers and the depth of the prob- message that “it is about time the southernmost city in Egypt, as the lems facing women, which are world paid attention to the sacri- setting for the festival is daring, almost the same everywhere, fices made by women so that life given the distance — more than whether it is in the Arab region or can go on.” 8,000km — separating it from Cai- elsewhere.” “I think there is more atten- ro, where most Egyptian cultural tion for women in the Arab region events are concentrated. now. This attention is manifest in However, Aswan is becoming The Aswan International the number of cinema works that an epicentre of cultural events Women Film Festival this specify leading roles for women in Egypt. In 2019, it was declared year honoured several and also address women’s issues the Capital of African Youth. Over cinema icons, including and problems,” Saqr said. the past few years, it hosted many Spanish actress Victoria “Aga’s House” won the award conferences, workshops and gath- Abril and Egyptian actresses for Long Feature Films. A joint Ko- erings. Nelly Karim and Ragaa sovan-Croatian-Albanian-French- The Aswan International Wom- El-Giddawy. production directed by Kosovar en Film Festival this year hon- Lendita Zeqiraj, the film tells the oured several international and A total of 31 films, including story of a boy who must learn Ser- Egyptian cinema icons, including two making their world premieres bian to find his missing father. Spanish actress Victoria Abril and and 18 having their debuts in Af- The Chinese-American docu- Egyptian actresses Nelly Karim rica, were entered in the 6-day mentary film “Confucian Dream” and Ragaa El-Giddawy. festival that ended February 15. won the Grand Jury Award. The The jury of the festival consisted The participating films included film tells the story of a mother of international cinema experts, Academy Award nominees “Hon- who tries to find an ideal upbring- including Romanian producer Al- In the limelight. Spanish actress Victoria Abril receives an award at eyland” (Foreign Language Film ing method for her son. exandru Teodorescu, Philippine the opening of fourth Aswan International Women’s Film Festival, and Documentary Feature), “The “The Bombay Rose,” an Indian director and producer Khavn De February 10. (Aswan International Women’s Film Festival) Cave” (Documentary Feature) and animated film written, edited, La Cruz and Dutch director and “Dcera” (“Daughter”) (Animated designed and directed by Gitan- screenwriter Mijke de Jong. “This is one of the few cinema never fails to invite the attention Short Film). jali Rao, won the Best Screenplay The European Union officially gatherings that dedicate them- of cinema specialists.” The festival was designed to award. sponsored the festival this year, selves for women, their cinema make cinema an empowerment Among activities on the sidelines adding to its international scope innovations and problems,” said Hassan Abdel Zaher is a tool for women and a medium to of the festival was a workshop that and inviting attention to it as an Egyptian film critic Samir Saeed. Cairo-based contributor to bring awareness to women’s is- brought together cinema students event. “This is why it is an event that The Arab Weekly. Beirut photo exhibition depicts perils to Lebanese heritage

Samar Kadi phy career in 1978, Kassatly has “It is a fact that the work of this tivism on the part of civil society which has been badly damaged. made it her mission to highlight artist constitutes an essential tes- groups. In addition to photos of the envi- Lebanon’s cultural and environ- timony, on both scientific and “The project on Dalieh is part of ronment from different parts of Beirut mental heritage, both of which artistic levels, a work that deeply the work on Beirut that I started at Lebanon, Kassatly depicted street face constant bullying and degra- questions, challenges and dis- the age of 20,” said Kassatly. “The art filling protest hubs in which lice Mogabgab Gallery in dation. turbs a public, surrendered to the diversity of the place was a great the cedar tree, Lebanon’s national Beirut will mark the cen- “The gallery has accompa- euphoria of reconstruction.” inspiration. symbol, was highlighted. tenary of the creation of nied the artist in her many fights The first exhibition, running “It is about the only public One exhibition featured the A Greater Lebanon through against orchestrated amnesia, through March 21 under the theme coastal stretch in the city that is tragedy of Palestinian and Syrian a series of exhibitions by photo overwhelming and devastating “Dalieh the Threatened Shore,” accessible for free. We find all refugees in their daily life in Leba- artist Houda Kassatly, who docu- corruption, massive destruction depicts the beautiful rocky beach, kinds of people doing different ac- non camps. mented Lebanese heritage, na- of the heritage — all scourges that a prominent landmark on the tivities from yoga in the morning “Each exhibition raises essen- ture and traditions that have been dominated the daily lives of Leba- main coastal promenade of Bei- to fishing, swimming and picnick- tial questions related to Lebanon,” damaged and abused by wars and nese in (the) past three decades, rut, which was threatened by po- ing. All this panoply of people and Kassatly said. “All these questions post-war developments. against which they are revolting tential development plans. The the bustling life around this small are being raised now by the pro- The series “From the End of today,” Mogabgab said. plans were thwarted by strong ac- piece of land was very inspiring.” test movement such as the envi- Civil War till the Hirak; the Abused The area has a considerable nat- ronment, heritage, the fate of the Heritage; Architecture, Environ- ural interest because of its com- refugees et cetera. But the main ment, Refugees” covers 40 years plex shoreline ecosystem, fossil- message that applies to the five of Kassatly’s work through 365 bearing rocks and plant life in a exhibitions is a call to act and to photos spread across five exhibi- city with very little vegetation, change things.” tions. Kassatly said. In exhibitions titled “Tripoli of The works revisit the architec- The works revisit the tural splendours of Beirut and the Orient; Plural City” and “Bei- Tripoli, the ecological wealth of rut the Iconography of an Ab- architectural splendours remote Lebanese regions to the sence,” Kassatly focused on the of Beirut and Tripoli, the rocky beach of Dalieh in Beirut waning architectural and social ecological wealth of and the tragedy of Palestinian and heritage. remote Lebanese regions Syrian refugees in their harrowing “I have been documenting the and the tragedy of daily life in Lebanon camps. old houses in Beirut right from Palestinian and Syrian “I wanted to convey a message the beginning because I could refugees. of hope through Houda’s work,” preview that they would disap- said gallery owner Alice Mogab- pear with all the developments Mogabgab said the unprec- gab. “The photos of old houses taking place or fall into ruins from edented five-part exhibition is and the nature that have been neglect,” she said. “It helped raise meant to show that “the creative damaged from neglect and erratic public awareness and encourage power of art will always triumph development are not meant to people to rediscover the city. over the destructive forces of evil, make people sad but to show the “The work on Tripoli, such a notably politics.” people that we have treasures and diverse and rich city, is meant to “In 2020, the country is far we need to do something about warn against harming the city in away from the initial vision of its preserving them.” the same way Beirut’s old features founding fathers 100 years ago. “It is a wake-up call, in line with were harmed. The old souks of This very sharp contrast, between the national awakening that swept Tripoli and the traditional artisan- today’s grieving reality and cel- Lebanon since mid-October. Hou- ship are still alive. It is about the ebrated past, is feeding the rejec- da has been conveying this mes- only city in Lebanon where you tion by the young generation who sage for the past decades through feel it is the Orient.” are in protest and cross swords her photo exhibitions and the In “Sacred Trees, Sacrificed with the all-powerful coalition books that she has published.” Challenging the public. A photo by artist Houda Kassatly. Trees,” the artist raises the chal- of former militias, in power since Since the start of her photogra- (Alice Mogabgab Gallery) lenges made to the environment, 1990.” 24 February 23, 2020 Mosaic www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Beirut: Through March 22

Al Bustan International Festi- val of Music and the Perform- ing Arts is a musical celebra- tion that takes place at various venues in Beirut and promotes music from all over the world. The festival includes orchestral concerts, choral music, opera and dance performances.

Dubai: Through April 4

Organised by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the tenth Live Our Heritage Festival is based on the theme “An Eye on Emirati Heritage.” The event includes traditional crafts and national folk songs, a heritage workshop and other entertain- ing activities.

Hurghada, Egypt: March 2-9

Egypt Sensual Festival 2020 offers dancing, workshops and performances from artists who will teach and dance with visi- tors. The event features pool A tourist walks past the ancient fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou. (AFP) parties, beach parties, boat parties, workshops, shows and music performances.

El Kef: Morocco fortress village hopes March 14-21

Sicca Jazz, an annual music festival in El Kef, in north- to draw ‘Game of Thrones’ fans western Tunisia, brings musi- cians from all over the world to perform and interact. This Ismail Bellaouali of Arabia” to “The Mummy” have year’s programme includes been filmed there. indoor and street concerts. More recently, scenes from Ait-Ben-Haddou “Game of Thrones” were shot at Ait- Marrakech: Ben-Haddou, with the site standing March 19-22 illions of people world- in for the fictional Yellow City of wide may have seen the Yunkai, which is conquered by Dae- The second Beat Hotel Mar- desert fortress in the nerys Targaryen, a key character in rakech will take place in the M fantasy series “Game of the “Game of Thrones” universe. foothills of the Atlas Moun- Thrones” but few know they can Hammadi, 61, is a privileged wit- tains. The festival features visit the Moroccan village of Ait- ness to the location’s cinematic his- international artists and DJs in Ben-Haddou. tory. addition to global cuisine and The fortified old settlement at the “All of these productions have well-being activities. The event foot of the majestic Atlas Mountains contributed to the reputation of the will take place at Fellah Hotel. enchanted audiences in the HBO region,” he said, grinning widely. series and served as a dusty back- Hammadi himself has appeared Zammour, Tunisia: drop in Ridley Scott’s epic swords- as an extra in several films. Like March 19-22 and-sandals film “Gladiator.” most people, he lives in a more However, unlike other famous modern home in a village on The fourth Zammour Trek- locations from movie and televi- the other side of the valley but king will take place in a Berber sion history, this UNESCO World he returns to Ait-Ben-Haddou village in the Tunisian Sa- Heritage Site has missed out on a to welcome tourists. hara over four days and three mass influx of tourism, something On a wall at the entrance to nights. Visitors can camp in some of its inhabitants are eager to Hammadi’s former home, photos Bedouin tents, trek or bike in change. bear witness to the projects he has the village, visit mountains, at- worked on. One shows him dressed tend folklore parties and enjoy The city of Essaouira also as an ancient Roman with director traditional food. Ridley Scott on the set of “Gladia- formed the backdrop to t o r.” scenes from the series but Cairo: “We have a very rich cinematic March 28-April 20 there, too, Moroccan heritage that we hope to use to tourism promoters are yet attract tourists,” said tour guide Downtown Contemporary Arts to capitalise on the Baabouz, who is 29. Festival is an international connection. However, “nothing indicates that multidisciplinary contempo- ‘Game of Thrones’ was shot here,” rary event that includes local, “Several people have told me he added. regional and international mu- that they came here to see the On Morocco’s Atlantic coast, the sic, theatre, dance, visual arts filming location of ‘Game of city of Essaouira also formed the and films by artists from Egypt, Thrones’,” said Ahmed Baabouz, a backdrop to scenes from the series the Arab world and beyond. local tour guide. “There is tourism but there, too, Moroccan tourism The festival takes place in vari- linked to cinema here but frankly promoters are yet to capitalise on A view of the ancient fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou where scenes ous venues in Cairo. we have not developed it to the the connection. depicting the fictional city of Yunkai from the HBO series “Game extent it could be.” In comparison, Northern Ireland, of Thrones” were filmed. (AFP) Tunis: Ait-Ben-Haddou is southern Mo- Malta and Dubrovnik in Croatia April 2-11 rocco’s most famous fortress. Time have attracted hordes of fans from seems to have stopped at the site around the world, drawn by their The 15th Jazz a Carthage, an overlooking a valley 30km from the links to the “Game of Thrones” annual music festival, brings town of Ouarzazate. franchise. together renowned interna- After passing through the im- To remedy this, Baabouz and tional and local musicians for posing entrance, visitors navigate other young people in the village concerts, gatherings and street a labyrinth of winding alleys that are pooling their limited resources performances. Concerts will lead to a public square where the towards an ambitious project: a take place in Gammarth, Tunis settlement’s inhabitants once gath- museum in the fortress, gathering and Sidi Bou Said. ered. photography from the productions There is a mosque and two cem- filmed here. eteries — one for Muslims and one US channel HBO has commis- We welcome submissions of for Jews. Most inhabitants have sioned a prequel to “Game of calendar items related to long since departed though, with Thrones,” called “House of the cultural events of interest to a few homes converted into stalls Dragon.” George R.R. Martin, the travellers in the Middle East selling handicrafts. author of the books on which the and North Africa. The fortress is an ideal film set- series is based, wrote on his blog ting, located a short distance from that filming would take place in Please send tips to: the studios of Ouarzazate, the Morocco. [email protected] “Mecca” of Moroccan cinema. Pro- A man stands overlooking the ancient fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou. ductions ranging from “Lawrence (Agence France-Presse) (AFP)