UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com Issue 155, Year 4 May 6, 2018 EU €2.50 The temptation of ‘illiberal politics’ Palestinian- Israeli conflict, 70 years on Page 5 Page 9 Abadi’s fortunes in Iraqi elections up in face of Iran-backed rivals Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani asked voters not to cast their ballots for politicians “who are corrupt and those who have failed” in their posts.

Mamoon Alabbasi candidates, mainly those who held voters to vote for non-Shia candi- official positions,” said Abadi in an dates, although it may be too soon indirect reference to Maliki. to expect that to become a trend. London Sistani said he was keeping an In a bid to distance themselves “equal distance” from all candidates from Sistani’s criticism of corrupt he fortunes of Iraqi Prime and warned against using his name politicians, many electoral lists, in- Minister Haider al-Abadi “or any other name that has a spe- cluding Maliki’s, praised the speech in the upcoming elections cial place in the hearts of Iraqis to of Iraq’s top cleric. T may have increased after make electoral gains.” “According to observers, all the the country’s top Shia cleric, Grand That comment was understood political lists are trying to inter- Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, advised to be a reference to using the fight pret the speech by suggesting that voters to refrain from casting bal- against ISIS by the Popular Mobi- it does not go against their politi- lots for politicians “who are corrupt lisation Forces (PMF) for election cal directions,” said Ibrahim Saleh, and those who have failed” in their purposes. The Conquest Alliance, France 24 Arabic correspondent in posts. a list that includes top militia lead- Baghdad. Sistani’s reference was widely un- ers and presents itself as the voice “The known and clear aim for this derstood to be directed at, among of the PMF, is considered to be the is to avoid losing votes, because in others, former Prime Minister Nuri party to which Sistani was referring. the event that Iraqi voters imple- al-Maliki. Sistani’s speech is likely to have ment all that has been mentioned in Maliki, who heads the State of irked both the Conquest Alliance, the speech then maybe only a few Law coalition and is campaigning to led by Hadi al-Amiri, and Maliki’s candidates and electoral lists would return to power in the May 12 elec- State of Law coalition. The two Shia be exempt (from criticism).” tions, has been scolded by critics as lists, which are staunchly backed by It may prove difficult to be sure of being responsible for losing a signifi- Iran, are Abadi’s most serious com- who is not corrupt in a country that cant part of the country to the Islam- petitors. is ranked the 12th most corrupt by ic State (ISIS) in 2014, primarily due Sistani’s views carry great weight Transparency International. Only to sectarian policies and corruption. among Iraq’s Shia voters and are of- 20% of candidates are newcomers, The collapse of the Iraqi Army in ten treated with public respect by Iraq’s Independent High Electoral front of ISIS’s advance in Mosul and members of other communities. His Commission said. elsewhere at the time was partly at- latest speech seems to give Abadi Iraqi commentator Ghalib al- tributed to it having some 50,000 a better standing in the face of his Shahbandar said he expected “ghost soldiers” who received sala- Iran-backed rivals. a “partial” implementation of ries but were not physically present Ahead of Sistani’s speech, Abadi Sistani’s recommendations by vot- to defend the country. vowed to investigate corruption al- ers and politicians but it would have Abadi is running an anti-corrup- legations within the PMF after the wider repercussions in future elec- tion election campaign that boasts assassination of Qassim al-Zubaidi, tions. of defeating ISIS and preserving the who oversaw the finances in the mi- “We expect [its effect on the] po- country’s territorial integrity. He litia’s umbrella group. litical process to be accumulative,” named his list the Victory Alliance. Sistani called on voters to support he told Alhurra Iraq TV. (AFP) The Iraqi prime minister wel- candidates they think have “the comed Sistani’s speech. “We note ability to implement a realistic pro- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy in particular (Sistani’s) call for the gramme” to resolve the country’s Managing Editor and Online Editor Better odds. widest participation in the elec- crises and not cast ballots based on of The Arab Weekly. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi talks during a campaign tion and making the correct choice tribal or sectarian affiliations. rally in Najaf, on May 3. after reviewing the past record of This opens the door for Shia P2-3,6 ISIS threat Regional tensions do not preclude in North and Jewish festival in Tunisia’s Djerba West Africa Page 13 Simon Speakman Cordall est religion in our country and the country that attendants said they Ghriba is very important,” Tunisian could recall. Approximately 30 del- Minister of Tourism Salma Elloumi egates from as far as Moscow and Djerba Rekik said. “Tunisian Muslims and Luxembourg added weight to Tuni- Jews (have been) living together for sia’s efforts to ensure security was ore than 3,000 Jews, in- more than 2,000 years, so I think the maintained. cluding about 400 Israe- Ghriba is an occasion to be together. “I think it’s very good the confer- lis, made their way to the “Statistically, it’s not important ence has come here,” Tunisian Chief M Tunisian island of Djerba how many people come for the Ghri- Rabbi Haim Bitan said. “There are this year to celebrate the Jewish fes- ba, it’s a positive signal for the start- a lot of merits to receiving so many tival of Lag BaOmer. ing of the tourist season.” rabbis from all over the world.” The two days of festivities at El In 1948, about 100,000 Jews lived However, with the Muslim world Ghriba Synagogue, the oldest in Afri- in Tunisia, with extensive settle- marking 70 years since the Nakba ca, passed without incident, though ments on Djerba and along the Tu- and tensions between Israel and Iran security was heavy. nisian coastline. However, those increasing, security across Djerba Lag BaOmer has been celebrated numbers have dwindled to approxi- was tight. “It is very important the in Tunisia since Roman times. Pil- mately 1,500, the bulk of whom re- government supports the Ghriba,” grims travel to the island from Israel, side on Djerba. Bitan said. “It’s important for me the United States and Europe to pray, The European Council of Rabbis that the government provides secu- sing in Hebrew, light candles and met on the sidelines of the festival, rity the whole year round.” place votive eggs in a cave below the the first such gathering in a Muslim The festival takes place on the synagogue. 33rd day of the Omer, the 49 days As in previous years, the support Tunisian Minister that separate the Jewish festivals of (Reuters) of Tourism of the Tunisian government was Passover and Shavuot and one that is A call for peace. apparent throughout the festival. Salma Elloumi Rekik celebrated across the Jewish world. Leaders, including Tunisian Prime A Jewish woman prays at the Minister Youssef Chahed, visited “The Jewish religion is the Simon Speakman Cordall Ghriba Synagogue in Djerba, during Lag BaOmer. oldest religion in our country is Syria/Lebanon section editor on May 2. “The Jewish religion is the old- and the Ghriba is very important.” with The Arab Weekly. 2 May 6, 2018 Cover Story

Iraqi Kurds appear more divided than ever ahead of elections

Mamoon Alabbasi of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which was called by the KDP-led KRG but branded illegal by Baghdad, the London rift between Kurdish politicians widened. urdish politicians appear Kurdish parties were unhappy more divided ahead of this with what they said was the KDP’s round of Iraq’s national hijacking of the referendum for K elections than in previous political gains. They grudgingly polls, amid reported voter apathy backed the referendum, which se- in areas under the control of the cured a majority of votes, but later Kurdistan Regional Government sided with the central government (KRG). for fear of being under the mercy of The KRG’s loss of disputed ar- what they saw as a corrupt and au- eas, notably Kirkuk, to the control thoritarian KDP. of central government means the The KDP accused its rivals, most Political cacophony. Vehicles drive under campaign posters ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary election in number of seats for Kurdish mem- notably the PUK, of betraying the Erbil, on April 15. (Reuters) bers of parliament in Baghdad will Kurdish cause by siding with Bagh- be reduced but the bigger challenge dad. is not their number but disunity. A united Kurdish bloc in parlia- in lists headed by Arabs inside [KRG] is more and more coming to ernment parties because of the ment seems unlikely, although the KRG region. The most promi- resemble the old [Ba’athist] Iraq, a undignified way [citizens] were three Kurdish parties — the CDJ, nent Arab Shia lists competing for one-party totalitarian state ruled treated during the protests,” Kurd- Unlike in previous Gorran and Komal — formed a coa- Kurdish voters are the Victory Al- by terror,” Hoshang Waziri, a Kurd- ish political scientist Shivan Fazil elections, Kurdish lition called Nishtiman for the elec- liance, headed by Prime Minister ish researcher, wrote in the New told Al Monitor website. candidates are running tions. Haider al-Abadi, and the National York Review of Books. The fear is the KDP and PUK, the in lists headed by Arabs “Analysts believe Kurdish politi- Wisdom Movement, headed by Bamo Nouri, a research associ- only Kurdish parties that have their inside the KRG region. cal parties could lose ten or more Ammar al-Hakim. ate at the University of London, own militias, will continue to hold seats in the coming Iraqi election,” It remains unknown how many warned: “If the crisis isn’t imme- on to power. Despite their bitter rivalry, the Agence France-Presse reported. Kurds will vote for Arab-led lists in diately addressed, then a full-scale “Regardless of the number of region’s main two parties — the The trend of losing Kurdish seats the KRG despite their lack of trust revolution could be on the cards.” seats we win, whether one or 100, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the Iraqi parliament is not new. in the KDP or PUK. we will continue to be the PUK… and the Patriotic Union of Kurdis- “The number of seats that Iraqi Kurdish politicians appear to we have weapons and nobody can tan (PUK) — had usually presented Kurdish politicians have managed have failed to carry out previous The trend of losing take them from us,” senior PUK a united front in the Iraqi parlia- to gain in parliament in Baghdad campaign promises. Only 50% of Kurdish seats in the Iraqi member Mullah Bakhtiar report- ment. There is a separate house of has been decreasing for the last few eligible voters in the KRG region parliament is not new. edly said in January, causing an representatives for the KRG, where elections,” wrote Hayman Hassan are expected to take part in the uproar. Kurdish politicians are more open for the website Niqash.org elections, Shams Network for Mon- “With two failed ruling parties, Observers said the international about their differences. “In 2005, Iraqi Kurdish MPs had itoring Elections said. violent repression of dissent, no community, which has armed the Beside the KDP and PUK, power- 77 out of 275 seats and in 2010 that Many Kurdish voters are un- democracy or justice, and a redun- KRG’s peshmerga, has a responsi- ful political parties include the Gor- number fell to 57. This was despite happy with the heavy-handed dant constitution, it’s no wonder bility to help. ran (Change) Movement and Kurd- the fact the number of seats in par- approach of the KRG’s security the Kurdish region’s residents are “A good start would be a clear call istan Islamic Group (Komal). In liament increased to 325. During the forces. In March, anti-corruption up in arms,” he wrote for the web- by the international community to addition, new parties came to ex- 2014 elections, the Kurds managed protesters were beaten, detained site the Conversation UK. the KDP and PUK to abstain from istence: the New Generation Move- to get 62 seats but the proportions and some reportedly threatened The crackdown, which drew using Kurdish internal security and ment, led by businessman Shaswar were not in their favour then either with rape. Such actions are not un- condemnations by Amnesty Inter- peshmerga forces to influence the Abdulwahid; and the Coalition for because, once again, the number of common. national and raised concern in the results of the upcoming Iraqi par- Democracy and Justice (CDJ), led seats in parliament increased, this “Today, the Kurds’ oppressors United Nations, will likely affect liamentary elections,” said Feike by veteran politician Barham Salih. time to 328,” he added. are themselves Kurdish — the two support for the KDP and PUK. Fliervoet in a report for the Neth- Following a referendum last Unlike in previous elections, ruling families, Barzani and Tala- “People will have second erlands Institute of International September on the independence Kurdish candidates are running bani. And so that new ‘Other Iraq’ thoughts about voting for the gov- Relations.

Viewpoint US pins hopes on Abadi in Iraq’s election

lthough the United was a capital offence. Abadi, how- perspective. His main Shia chal- hoping to capitalise on the fact States has avoided ever, was seen as more moderate lengers are: Maliki, who lost cred- that he successfully led the fight Gregory publicly taking sides than Maliki, more urbane, having ibility with US officials but still re- against ISIS. He bolstered his Aftandilian in Iraq’s May 12 par- received a doctorate while in exile tains a substantial following; Hadi nationalist credentials with both liamentary elections, in Britain, and more willing to al-Amiri, who is from the Badr Arab Shias and Sunnis last Octo- Washington clearly reach out to Sunnis. Brigade, which split from the Is- ber by moving against Kurdish- hopesA that Prime Minister Haider He also worked well with US lamic Supreme Council in Iraq, and controlled areas, such as Kirkuk, al-Abadi will prevail. Abadi has diplomatic and military officials in is a leader in the PMF that fought that were outside of the recog- worked closely with US forces in the fight against ISIS and reached against ISIS and is close to Iran; nised boundaries of the Kurdish helping to defeat the Islamic State out to Arab Sunni countries, such Ammar al-Hakim, who also split Regional Government. His Victory (ISIS) and is seen as the best hope as Saudi Arabia, that had been from the Islamic Supreme Council Alliance is contesting seats in all of among Shia politicians of keeping wary of developing close ties with and has formed the Hikma Current Iraq’s electoral districts. Iran’s influence at a minimum. a Shia-led Iraq. to attract a younger generation However, Abadi is still wary Every Iraqi prime minister since Perhaps more important from of Shias; and Muqtada al-Sadr, a of Maliki’s influence. In recent the 2003 US-led invasion has been Washington’s perspective, Abadi firebrand cleric whose militia once speeches, he reminded audiences a Shia. These prime ministers have says that Iraq should have bal- fought US forces in Iraq. Although that Maliki lost one-third of Iraq’s often tried to refashion them- ance in its foreign policy. In other al-Sadr was an Iran ally, he has territory to ISIS in 2014 and squan- selves into political figures who go words, it should have good rela- soured on Tehran and is in alliance dered much of Iraq’s finances. beyond their sectarian base. For tions with both the United States with the Iraqi Communist Party — Maliki keenly wants his old job example, former Prime Minister and Iran, as well as with other a very strange coalition indeed. back and has been taking a more Nuri al-Maliki tried to create the neighbouring countries. US officials remain concerned moderate position on Kurdish persona of an Iraqi nationalist with US officials, including President about Iran’s influence in Iraq. In issues to gain traction outside of his State of Law coalition. Shias Donald Trump and his advisers, mid-March, US Defence Secretary traditional Shia areas. and non-Shias alike have regarded see Abadi as a strong ally who is James Mattis stated publicly: “We Even considering Abadi’s popu- them essentially as Shia politi- in a predicament because of Iraq’s have worrisome evidence that larity, the Shia vote is likely to be cians. geography and its demographics. Iran is trying to influence — us- fractured, which means there One of Maliki’s chief problems They understand he must main- ing money — the [upcoming] Iraqi likely will be considerable inter- was that he so alienated and tain a relationship with Iran but elections. That money is being sectarian and inter-ethnic political marginalised the Sunnis that many hope he will limit the influence used to sway candidates, to sway jockeying following the election. of them grew susceptible to the of and perhaps one day disband votes.” US officials hope that Abadi will entreaties of ISIS, which helped it the Popular Mobilisation Forces He added that the money come out on top, as the other Shia Other Shia seize large parts of Iraq in the sum- (PMF), which is mostly made up of was significant and was “highly leaders are seen as either pro-Iran leaders are seen mer of 2014. The success of ISIS Shia militias, to reduce Iran’s role unhelpful.” Although Mattis did or anti-United States or both but as either pro-Iran that summer led to Maliki’s politi- in Iraq. In 2017, Abadi was one of not mention which candidates nothing is guaranteed. cal demise — at least temporarily. the first foreign leaders to visit the are being swayed, Amiri, Maliki or anti-United Abadi, Maliki’s successor, hails Trump White House. and maybe Hakim, because of old Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer States or both from the same Shia Dawa party, When looking at the range of family ties to Iran, could be on in the Pardee School of Global which was a clandestine Islamist Shia politicians and factions, Abadi Tehran’s payment list. Studies at Boston University and but nothing is party during the rule of Saddam looks like the most attractive Abadi has created a faction a former US State Department guaranteed. Hussein when membership in it candidate from Washington’s called the Victory Alliance and is Middle East analyst. May 6, 2018 3 Iraq

Anti-war activists seek to save Iraqi cause from oblivion

Nazli Tarzi don is overwhelmingly male. Although the tone of the event was generally more sober than cel- London ebratory, it generated both tears and laughter. The overriding sen- raq is often seen as a failed timent, however, was the sense of state or yesterday’s news — betrayal that Iraqis still feel. There stereotypes that a solidarity was the claim that Iraq remains I movement in London is hoping subject to the whims of overseas to challenge. advice and foreign interference; Born under the banner “Iraq Soli- “not quite the freedom Iraq was darity Month” (ISM), members of promised” an audience member London’s Iraqi community, friends quipped. and Tadhamun, an Iraqi women’s ISM is, in many ways, the first of organisation, inaugurated the ef- future solidarity acts. The aim is to fort April 26. revive, re-mobilise and re-energise The cross-platform and global the largest anti-war movement in movement wants to place the suf- which millions stood up to contest fering of Iraq’s mosaic communi- the war on Iraq, despite having ties and rich heritage on the global stood down in subsequent years. map through collective action. “Yesterday’s carnage and massa- Global civil society, speakers said, cre,” as Aisha Maniar from London was the strongest dissenting voice Guantanamo Campaign wrote, “are in opposing the war on Iraq while quickly consigned to oblivion in the many Iraqis feel the world has cho- waste bin of history as the convey- sen to look away. or belt moves on.” She emphasised As depicted in Amir Amirani’s the need for rituals of solidarity and documentary film “We Are Many,” the passage of time to heal wounds. solidarity has been a major social The road towards recovery will and political force that raised the undoubtedly be steep in the face of world’s biggest protest movement. the steady fragmentation of Iraqi Years later, much of what was set in identity and a country that, Zanga- Saving the cause. Participants attend the “Iraq Solidarity Month” in London, on April 26. (Jehan Alfarra) motion has fizzled. na says, “is almost forgotten.” A Alongside the pursuit of solidar- turning point is long overdue to ity there were calls to keep memo- the crimes that are being commit- many in attendance belong to, successes by Iraqi civil society in resuscitate a collective, anti-war ries — however bitter — alive. The ted against the people of Iraq?” the diaspora, underscoring the homeland politics. consciousness but concrete ideas, list the speakers communicated Dirk Adriaensen of the Univer- successes of under-sourced and What quickly emerged was a cross-platform collaboration and was long: lies sold across the globe, sity of Antwerp spoke on the right underfunded groups such as Tad- timeline of Iraq’s torments, as far political consciousness are needed cooked intelligence, the systematic to resist, a subject Western media hamun and how the momentum back as the first Gulf War and up if the movement is to achieve its dehumanisation of Iraqi society outlets have avoided. Tadhamun’s was renewable. Algerian activist until the liberation of Mosul and objectives. and its demonisation and “a long Zainab Khan played an audio col- Hamza Hamouchene delivered a surrounding territories. In their absence, solidarity is at history of false flags” that former lage with slides animating the hor- message full of hope and humour From start to finish, Iraqi voices risk and difficult to sustain in the UN Assistant Secretary-General rors that befell Falluja — the hotbed about his first-hand encounters spoke alongside sister organisa- face of unending tragedies. Denis Halliday discussed in depth. of Iraqi resistance — 15 years ago. with Iraqi civil society during a trip tions that have shown varying de- As the world moves on, Iraqis Wen-chin Ouyang, professor of Iraqi architect and expert in several years ago. British-Iraqi rap- grees of solidarity: World Tribunal cannot, battling a situation that de- Arabic Literature at SOAS Universi- heritage conservation Ihsan Fethi per Lowkey catalogued a trilogy of on Iraq, BRussells Tribunal, Iraq nies society the chance to recover. ty of London, mourned the erosion showcased solidarity from abroad, Occupation Focus, Lindsey Ger- Solidarity, ISM organisers said, can of intellectual life and a disturbing submitting a letter about recon- man from Stop the War — UK and change that. educational decline, particularly struction opportunities and the The road towards recovery the Guardian’s former associate for Iraqi girls. Assistant Professor need to protect Mosul’s unique his- will undoubtedly be steep in foreign editor, Victoria Brittain. Nazli Tarzi is an independent in Human Rights at the London torical fabric. the face of the steady The voices were predominately fe- journalist whose writings and films School of Economics Ayca Cubuk- ISM co-founder Haifa Zangana fragmentation of Iraqi male, a rare spectacle amid a politi- focus on Iraq’s ancient history and cu asked: “How can we document spoke of the demographic that identity. cal activist landscape that in Lon- contemporary political scene. Viewpoint Why do Shia Islamists fear Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement?

he office of Iraqi The sectarian Prime Minister Haider bent. Supporters Tallha al-Abadi circulated of Iraqi Abdulrazaq rumours in March that Hezbollah Saudi Crown Prince protest against Mohammed bin Salman a rumoured Tbin Abdulaziz would soon make a visit by Saudi visit to Baghdad. Crown Prince The rumours claimed the crown Mohammed prince would meet with Iraqi lead- bin Salman bin ers, discuss bilateral cooperation Abdulaziz in on issues such as security, counter- Baghdad, on terrorism and the economy of both March 30. (Reuters) countries and try to repair ties that have been badly frayed since Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. Surely, this is good news. After all, it was only very recently that Iraq and some sponsors, includ- ing Kuwait, attended a conference to raise funds for reconstruction and redevelopment following the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS). One of the countries that pledged donations and invest- ments was Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Outlets such as Iran’s Press tant, images from the “protests” visit by the Saudi crown prince? pledged $1.5 billion and was joined TV peddled misinformation and clearly show that the only people They regularly claim they want by other countries and institutions pushed the story that “thousands demonstrating against a visit by closer ties with their Arab brothers, in raising a total of $30 billion — far of Iraqis” were protesting the Crown Prince Mohammed were yet, when such visits are rumoured short of what Baghdad hoped to crown prince’s visit. With all the pro-Iran militant Khomeinists, and not even confirmed, they lose raise. media attention regarding the who have made Iraq the living their minds. The answer, as is usu- Still, Saudi Arabia’s willingness rumours, and protests, one would hell that it is today and are a direct ally the case in modern Iraq, lies to to engage with Iraq and invest in be forgiven for believing that most cause behind the rise of ISIS. the east and in the Iranian capital, its future should have been viewed Iraqis are fervently against their Images from the protest show Tehran. positively. Unfortunately for those Saudi neighbours and want noth- the demonstration site decked with Simply put, the Iranians never hoping to see closer cooperation ing to do with them. flags and banners of the hard-core want to lose influence in Iraq be- between the region’s countries It did not take long, however, militant Shia Islamist group Kata’ib cause, if they do, they would and therefore a greater chance for for Iraq watchers to debunk the Hezbollah, an Iraqi offshoot of the lose the linchpin to their regional Closer bonds peace, prosperity and security, this myth that the protests were organ- Lebanese Hezbollah, yet another expansionist agenda. Closer bonds between Arabs was not the case. ised by average Iraqis, so much as Iranian proxy. Both militant outfits between Arabs pose a threat to pose a threat to When word of Crown Prince Mo- they were orchestrated by pro-Iran are tightly intertwined with Iran’s Iranian imperialism and that the hammed’s visit to Iraq was leaked, Shia Islamists with a rabidly sectar- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Iranians simply cannot abide. Iranian imperialism segments of the media reported ian bent. and are responsible for numerous and that the that Iraqis were massing on the First, and contrary to what Press vicious sectarian attacks against Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher streets of Baghdad to oppose any TV reported, there were hundreds civilians. at the University of Exeter’s Iranians simply visit by the crown prince, a man of demonstrators and not thou- So why are Iran-linked extrem- Strategy and Security Institute cannot abide. they dubbed a “war criminal.” sands. Second, and more impor- ists so bent out of shape over any in England. 4 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf All eyes in GCC set on Washington as nuclear deal recertification date nears

Mohammed Alkhereiji the kingdom believed additional sanctions should be imposed on Iran for its violation of “interna- London tional resolutions regarding ballistic missiles and for supporting terror- ith the May 12 dead- ism and intervening in the affairs of line looming, Arab Gulf the courtiers of the region.” countries and Saudi “Iran destabilises this entire re- W Arabia in particular wait gion,” Pompeo said. “It supports with anticipation and concern for US proxy militias and terrorist groups. President Donald Trump’s decision It arms — it is an arms dealer to the on whether to scrap the 2015 Iran Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iran nuclear deal. conducts cyber-hacking campaigns. US Secretary of State Mike It supports the murderous Assad re- Tougher line. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pompeo reportedly saw eye to eye gime as well.” Riyadh. (Saudi Royal Palace) with Saudi interlocutors on Iran’s “We will not neglect the vast regional ambitions when he visited scope of Iran’s terrorism. It is indeed former US President Barack Obama, missiles at Saudi Arabia. The United In an interview with the Wall Riyadh during his first foreign trip in the greatest sponsor of terrorism in as having empowered the regime in States and other Western experts Street Journal, Saudi Crown Prince office. the world and we are determined to Tehran, which has increased its ex- said evidence suggests the missiles Mohammed bin Salman bin Ab- Pompeo and John Bolton, Trump’s make sure it never possesses a nu- pansionist activities in the region. were provided by Iran. dulaziz called on the international national security adviser, are per- clear weapon,” Pompeo said, stress- Iran supports the Houthi rebels Not only is Iran’s support for the community to increase economic ceived as hawks on Iran, a point not ing that the Iran deal does not pro- fighting in Yemen’s civil war, as well Houthis empowering the militia, ex- and political pressure on Iran with lost on the Saudis. vide that assurance. as proxy groups in Lebanon, Syria perts said, it is hindering chances of regards to the nuclear deal, warning “Our viewpoints were identical. “We will continue to work with and Iraq. a political resolution to the conflict. that failure to do so would eventu- There was a strong desire to inten- our European allies to fix that deal The conflict in Yemen is a central A recent report by the Washington ally lead to a confrontation. sify the work and mutual efforts in but if a deal cannot be reached, the concern for Saudi Arabia, which is Institute urged the United States to “We have to succeed so as to avoid dealing with all these efforts,” Saudi president has said that he will leave leading a coalition in support of the do more to stop the smuggling of military conflict,” Crown Prince Mo- Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that deal,” Pompeo added. internationally recognised govern- Iranian air-defence systems into hammed said. “If we don’t succeed after meeting with Pompeo. Saudi Arabia sees the 2015 deal, ment led by President Abd Rabbo Yemen and help the coalition “blunt in what we are trying to do, we will “As we mentioned in the past, the brokered by the administration of Mansour Hadi. The coalition is fight- the impact of evolving Houthi SAM likely have war with Iran in 10-15 kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports ing the Iran-allied Houthi militia, (surface-to air-missile) tactics.” years.” President Trump’s policy towards US Secretary of State which recently upgraded its military The report added that, besides Iran has warned that any change Iran and the kingdom of Saudi Ara- Mike Pompeo capabilities courtesy of Tehran. stopping the threat to US allies to the deal would have severe con- bia supports the efforts to enhance Since the start of the conflict Saudi Arabia and the United Arab sequences. Iran’s nuclear deal,” Jubeir said, add- three years ago, the Houthis have Emirates, neutralising the Houthis’ ing that Iran must not be allowed to “We will not neglect the vast enhanced their military capabilities surface-to-air missile systems “may Mohammed Alkhereiji is enrich uranium. scope of Iran’s terrorism.” despite a UN-ordered arms embar- be prerequisites to a settlement” of the Gulf section editor of The Saudi foreign minister said go. The Houthis have fired ballistic the conflict. The Arab Weekly. Fighting intensifies in Yemen Gulf states rally behind despite informal talks in Tunis Morocco against Iran Saad Guerraoui Polisario Front was working “to ex- Saleh Baidhani At least 38 rebels, including the said the informal talks were bro- ecute a wicked combat plan” under Houthis’ second-in-command, kered by UN Special Envoy to Yem- the supervision of Hezbollah mili- Saleh al-Sammad, were killed in en Martin Griffiths to set “a road Casablanca tary experts. Sana’a a coalition air strike in late April. map for the Yemeni state’s future This was not the first time that Houthi Deputy Interior Minister Ab- political environment.” The talks rab Gulf countries rallied Morocco severed its ties with Iran. oth military and diplomatic dulhakim al-Khaywani was injured were considered “consultative,” not behind Morocco’s sever- In 2009, Morocco cut relations with efforts related to the 3-year- in the attack. official negotiations. ing of diplomatic ties with Iran after Rabat claimed that Teh- old war in Yemen are mov- Yemeni sources said increased A Iran, a decision taken after ran was trying to spread Shiism in ing at a significantly fast military action by the coalition is an Rabat accused Tehran of training, the North African country but they B Increased military action pace at a time Iran-allied Houthi attempt to force the Houthis to the funding and arming the Algeria- were gradually restored by 2014. rebels are suffering considerable negotiation table. by the coalition is an backed Polisario Front in Western “Everybody knows that Hez- losses. The sources attempt to force the Sahara. The separatist movement bollah is Iran’s puppet in the Arab Forces fighting for the Saudi-led also said they Houthis to the reportedly sent fighters to UN- world. This is why Morocco, which coalition are reportedly drawing expect the return negotiation table. monitored buffer zones. is defending its territorial integrity, close to the Houthi-controlled Red of US military and Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia took this decision,” said Charles Sea port of Hodeidah. The strategic technical coordina- Authorities in Yemen arrested a and the United Arab Emirates an- Saint-Prot, director of the Obser- location is believed to be the main tion with the coali- person described as a Qatari mili- nounced their support for Morocco vatory for Geopolitical Studies in port used by the rebels to receive tion, which had been tary officer as he was leaving Yem- shortly after Moroccan Foreign Paris. arms from Iran. reduced by the Obama en. He was suspected of providing Minister Nasser Bourita said “a first Rabat annexed Western Sahara Saudi Ambassador to Yem- administra- intelligence support to the Houthi shipment” of weapons was recent- in 1975 and maintains it is an inte- en Mohammed al-Jaber, tion. militia, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV ly sent to the Polisario Front via an gral part of Morocco. The Algeria- speaking May 1 during a Unoffi- reported. “element” at the Iranian Embassy backed Polisario Front began an forum on Yemen in Ri- cial UN-spon- The report quoted sources within in Algiers. armed conflict with Morocco for yadh, said that coalition sored Yemen the internationally recognised gov- Bourita said Morocco had irrefu- an independent state that lasted forces were 70km from peace talks have ernment saying Muhsin al-Karbi table proof, names and specific until the United Nations brokered Hodeidah. begun in Tunis, was arrested in Yemeni territory actions to corroborate complicity a ceasefire in 1991. With the Houthi re- Asharq Al-Awsat on April 21 while trying to “escape” between the Polisario Front and Rabat has proposed a form of bels upgrading their newspaper report- through a cargo port in Mahrah gov- Hezbollah, a Lebanese proxy of autonomy under Moroccan sover- military capabilities ed. ernorate, which links Yemen and Iran’s. eignty for the territory. The pro- despite a UN-man- Representatives Oman. Iran and Hezbollah rejected Ra- posal was rejected by the Polisario dated arms embargo, of various Yemeni The Qatari Foreign Ministry, in a bat’s accusations, blaming foreign Front, which insists on the right of the Yemeni Army factions, including statement, acknowledged Karbi’s “pressure,” but the Moroccan gov- the Sahrawi people to self-deter- and the Saudi-led the internationally rec- arrest by “Saudi authorities,” how- ernment denied the decision had mination in a UN-monitored vote. coalition targeted ognised government led ever it dismissed that he is a military been directed by “some countries.” Saint-Prot said the Algerian suspected Houthi by President Abd Rabbo officer and said he was in Yemen on The Saudi Foreign Ministry con- “plan” in the conflict zone was fail- smuggling Mansour Hadi; the Gen- a family visit. demned “Iran’s interference in Mo- ing because fewer countries were routes. Hodei- eral People’s Congress Qatar was kicked out of the Sau- rocco’s internal affairs through its backing the Polisario separatists. dah is a main fo- Party, which was head- di-led coalition backing Hadi last tool, Hezbollah’s terrorist militia, “The fact that the Polisario is cus. ed by former President summer after a diplomatic row with which is training the elements of getting Hezbollah’s support… The Hodeidah offen- Ali Abdullah Saleh; other Arab countries, including Sau- the so-called Polisario group.” clearly exposed the hidden agenda sive had been delayed the separatist Southern di Arabia and the United Arab Emir- UAE Minister of State for For- of both Iran and Algeria, which is over UN concerns about Transitional Council; ates, over accusations that Doha eign Affairs Anwar Gargash took to a threat to stability in the region,” humanitarian effects. The the Muslim Brother- supported Islamic groups such as Twitter to express support for Mo- he said. Yemeni government and the hood-affiliated Al-Islah the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as rocco, blasting Iran for interfering coalition have called on the party and the Houthi its ties to Iran. in the Western Sahara conflict. Saad Guerraoui is a contributor port to be put under con- rebels were said to The Algeria Times news web- to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb trol of international moni- have attended. Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly site reported on April 24 that the issues. tors. The publication contributor in Sana’a. May 6, 2018 5 News & Analysis Essay Why the fearful, the vulnerable and the confused are attracted to ‘illiberal’ politics?

A recent poll commissioned by Western public diplomacy after the European Commission stated the fall of the Soviet Union, is Oussama that most of the population in predictably not a priority any- Romdhani Central European countries that more. have witnessed strong populist The elevation of China’s Xi Jin- showings in recent elections have ping to essentially president for hile hopeful voters limited experience with migrants. life and the election of Russia’s headed to the ballot Interestingly enough, the level of Vladimir Putin to another 6-year boxes in a number “comfort” with foreign migrants is term as president hardly provoked W of Arab countries, higher in European countries with any whimpers in the West. Eco- politicians and pundits around more first-hand experience with nomic interests are diluting much the world, especially in the West, migration. of the criticism of Chinese and voiced concern that liberal demo- US President Donald Trump of- Russian politics. cratic ideals are under assault. ten gets attention as an example Consumed by its own internal Alluding to the growing appeal of an authoritarian political per- concerns, the West is much less of populist and nationalist move- sona but his populist message dur- interested in exporting its values ments in Europe, reflected in re- ing and after his election in 2016 than it was a decade ago. Former cent Hungarian and Italian elec- did not come out of a vacuum. US President Barack Obama’s push tions, French President Emmanuel There is a niche for authoritarian- for including Islamist parties in Macron warned European MPs re- ism in the United States. A recent democratically elected govern- cently: “There is a fascination with survey claimed that three out of ments is a thing of the past. For the illiberal and it’s growing all the ten American respondents said many in the United States and time.” they favour a more authoritarian Europe, preserving Western value In Western countries, commit- form of government in the United systems at home comes first. ment to democratic values re- States. Even the US president’s newly mains very strong. There have picked foreign policy hawks are always been authoritarian and no neocons. They are political ul- even fascist niches that expanded Jihadist terrorism, in traconservatives more interested or shrank depending on the mo- particular, can lower in showdowns with America’s en- ment. Across the board, however, citizens’ expectations in emies than in re-engineering them the lessons of pre-second world Western democracies in the West’s image. John Bolton is war Europe remain in force: 93% and make all kinds of no Elliott Abrams and never was a of Germans polled said they op- concessions palatable. member of George W. Bush’s “De- pose any notion of a “strong lead- mocracy Doctrine” crew. er” in power, a late 2017 Pew poll Among supporters of the far There is reason to see the West’s indicated. right in Europe, there is even a change of heart about democracy Economic and security issues constituency for military rule, promotion as a nod, if not a blank can influence the political agenda which reaches 31% among mem- cheque to authoritarian rulers eve- more than the goal of expanding bers of France’s National Front rywhere, but it remains to be seen liberal democracy. Fear, be it relat- and 23% of the United Kingdom’s whether the shift in priorities can Inked choice. A state employee shows her ink-stained finger after ed to insecurity or joblessness, is UK Independence Party, Pew said. be an opportunity for countries casting her vote in Marjayoun in Lebanon, on May 3. (Reuters) too often the driving force behind Pro-authoritarian constituen- outside the West’s zone of influ- “illiberal” thought in the West. cies in the West see “strong men” ence to build their own systems Wariness about terrorism or illegal as shields against the dual threats and undergo their own transitions misgivings about democracy in ment and fake news are hardly migration tends to fuel support of radical Islam and foreign migra- or if it will lead to more old-style Tunisia are the result of lacklustre synonymous with the construc- for authoritarian politics, even in tion as well as the ultimate solu- illiberal autocracies. economic performance and de- tive and mutually respectful ex- countries with long democratic tion to the overwhelming com- The constituencies for authori- clining standards of living. Com- change of views that a free and traditions. plexities of political gridlock and tarianism are larger than one ex- mitment to freedom, however, democratic debate is supposed to It is therefore not surprising that corrupt special interests that seem pects elsewhere in the world. A remains stronger than ever among promote. populist politicians cynically find to control the countries’ capitals. late 2017 Pew Global survey said Tunisians. It would be wrong to Former UN Secretary-General an opportunity in fear to mobilise Outside such authoritarian con- that 26% of the world’s people presume this commitment is less Kofi Annan noted earlier this year support. stituencies, however, analysts see polled said they would prefer to than irreversible. at the Munich Security Conference a more general risk in the West of be governed by a “strong leader,” There is, however, nostalgia for that “netizens are gradually cor- Substantial percentages willing to a drift away from the liberal status with 48% of Russians and 52% of and reinvention of the past. The ralled into small ideological ‘echo consider non-democratic options quo ante. Indonesians supporting that idea. Pew poll points out that, in coun- chambers,’ exacerbating biases Jihadist terrorism, in particular, One-in-four African and Asian re- tries with a history of military and diminishing opportunities for can lower citizens’ expectations in spondents said they see value in rule, there are likely to remain healthy debate.” Western democracies and make all military rule. more residual constituencies for In the Arab region, already kinds of concessions, even those The debate is pertinent to the autocracy. deeply divided along ideological, at the expense of liberal ideals, Middle East and North Africa re- In times of stress and confusion, sectarian and ethnic lines, social palatable. gion, especially since the “Arab people are tempted by the reas- media are leading to further “ghet- In the wake of the terrorist at- spring” of 2011. During the past suring mystification of the past. toisation” of society. tack in March in Carcassonne in seven years, the Arab world has Data show this tendency tends to For populations used to central- southern France, an opinion poll turned inward, with citizens con- be more prevalent among the less ised power and controlled informa- indicated that 61% of French citi- centrating on trying to survive or educated and the more socio-eco- tion, the spectacle of irreverential zens asked said they were in fa- make ends meet. nomically challenged. discourse towards authority dur- vour of new exceptional measures Even in countries with freer po- Social media, one of the key ven- ing times of democratic transition even if that meant “restricting litical environments today, such as ues of free expression, are increas- can be deeply disconcerting. To their own freedoms.” Tunisia, non-negligible segments ingly seen as posing an additional many, unaccustomed to the sight Varying majorities of French re- of the population see “strong problem for the MENA region and of authority being challenged every spondents approved of the deten- men” as offering a way out of the the rest of the world. minute of the day, a fettered debate tion of all security suspects and uncertainty and anxiety, which Democracy “will continue to with less dissonant voices is ironi- the expulsion of foreign nation- many feel in the face of upheaval. retreat unless rich countries find cally more reassuring. als among them. Almost 90% of The authoritarian construct ways to reduce inequality and In times of pervasive confu- respondents said they supported seems at times to offer an easy an- manage the information revolu- sion and sense of loss of control the proposal of former Prime Min- swer to the messy situations that tion,” Gideon Rose, editor of For- over one’s destiny, the myth of the ister Manuel Valls that Salafism be freedom of political choice and the eign Affairs, wrote recently. strongman as saviour comes alive banned in France, although many exercise of democracy can them- Eroding civility and spreading naturally, even when the roots of of them had no clue if that propos- selves unavoidably create. messages of incite- today’s disarray lie in al could be implemented. This is all the more true when the “good old days” of The traditional liberal establish- a democratic transition is strongmen’s rule. Selec- ment is seen as not being respon- fairly recent. Lebanon has tive memory allows sive to the needs and fears of the the highest favourabil- for the rein- average man in the street. Political ity rating for democ- terpretation correctness is increasingly chal- racy in Arab publics of the past as lenged. polled by Pew (85%). being more Global democracy promotion, The Lebanese seem to stable and se- an activity that consumed much appreciate the peace- cure. ful dividends of dem- Whether ocratic coexistence in the Mid- Widespead support for representative and direct democracy after having gone dle East or but many are also open to non-democratic alternatives through a bloody civ- elsewhere, il war. freedom, with all its Tunisia, which is shortcomings, is likely credited with being to continue constitut- the most successful ing a universal human democratic transi- yearning, even when de- tion in the Arab mocracy as a political sys- world, has the low- tem delivers unsatisfactory est favourability rating results and is put in doubt by for democratic governance the fearful, the vulnerable and (only 53%), the same survey said. the confused. In fact, 39% of Tunisians asked said they perceive democratic rule Oussama Romdhani as “bad.” Many other domestic is Editor-in-Chief of and international polls show that The Arab Weekly. 6 May 6, 2018 Opinion

Editorial ISIS versus elections t’s not surprising that jihadist groups affiliated with terrorist entities such as the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda are trying to disrupt the elections in a number of Arab countries. ISIS, in particular, seems to want to signal Ithat it is still around despite the crumbling of its so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, which is to have its first legislative election since the group’s defeat, ISIS has been trying to use the campaign period to promote its sectarian narrative. On April 22, ISIS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, via a messaging app, called on Sunni Iraqis not to take part in the May 12 elections. “Our judgment will apply to those who call for them and participate in them… The voting centres and those in them are targets for our swords, so stay away from them and do not walk nearby,” he warned. A few days later, the group’s Amaq News Agency released a video showing what it said was the shooting of “two advocators” for the elections. On May 2, ISIS-affiliated suicide bombers attacked the Tripoli headquarters of Libya’s electoral commission, killing at least 14 people and injuring many more. The attack was meant to deepen uncertainty about elections in Libya this year. © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Whether in Libya, Iraq or elsewhere in the Arab and Muslim world, jihadists will predictably try to scare voters away from the polls and intimidate election organisers, campaigners and candidates. Such terrorist groups claim inspiration from a Why this month could perverted version of the Muslim faith, which they are bent on imposing on others through a reign of terror. The idea that an individual can exercise be a repeat of May 1967 free will or even simply have a say on civic and governance matters runs counter to the totalitar- ian vision of jihadist groups. Khairallah Khairallah Choice means pluralism and a diversity of views, which is contrary to the monochromatic The logical conclusion of Iran’s dirty game is a model they espouse. scenario similar to events of 1967. In March, an article devoted to assailing Tunisia’s political process appeared in ISIS’s weekly newsletter al-Naba. It claimed “democracy istory surely them. Jordan was excluded from Iran’s problem is that it can- is not only infidelity to God’s greatness… but repeats itself. international negotiations over not, under the current regime, [also] dominated by the idolatrous rule of the Things are heating the West Bank, giving Israel a become a normal state in the tyrants.” golden opportunity to find le- The jihadists’ threats must be factored in in up in the Middle region. preparations for elections but they should not East. They bring gitimacy for its crime of annex- Iran is under the impression determine whether or not voting takes place. to mind the events ing the territory and abrogating it can step into Gamal Abdel Voting is a step in the right direction for Hof May 1967, which preceded the Palestinian rights. Nasser’s shoes in the Arab world reconstruction and development in the region, disastrous defeat of June 1967. Israel argued that the West and that it has filled the void even if it remains to be seen whether this month’s The region has yet to recover Bank was a “disputed territory” left by the death of Hafez Assad elections in Lebanon, Tunisia and Iraq can fulfil from the consequences of that. because, on June 4, 1967, it was and the fall of Saddam Hus- the dreams and aspirations of citizens for a better In just a handful of days, Israel not under Palestinian authority. sein and that it can become a life. Elections in themselves are no panacea but occupied the West Bank, East Jordan had no choice but to look Mediterranean country. Is this they are the best alternative to open strife. Jerusalem, the Golan Heights after its own interests and de- normal? Extremists can offer nothing in this context and the Sinai. Only Egypt has cided to emulate Egypt, signing It would be truly scary if it other than chaos, all to promote the anachronism reclaimed its territories, thanks a peace agreement with Israel in turns out that Iran is purposely that is their illusory caliphate. to the bravery of a true patriot 1994. The Syrian regime contin- ignoring the balance of power ISIS has been nearly defeated on most military named Anwar Sadat. ued to play games and ante up in the region. Iran believes it battlefields. It should also be vanquished on the During the same period, Hafez the false game with Israel. can take control of Iraq, Syria, election front. Assad was following a policy of Israel wouldn’t have engaged Lebanon and Yemen and, at the neither war nor peace with Israel in and won the 1967 war without same time, strike deals with the Europe isn’t really and was looking at expanding America’s collusion. The best United States, the same country his influence on neighbouring illustration of this collusion is known inside Iran as the “Great anti-migrant countries with one goal in mind: Washington’s meek reaction to Satan,” with Israel being the to maintain his minority rule in the sinking of the US Navy’s USS “Little Satan.” study recently published by the Syria. Liberty, a spy ship in internation- Iran finds it easy to take risks European Commission titled “Inte- The Palestinians had made al waters off the coast of Sinai in its chess game with the Great gration of Immigrants in the Euro- the mistake of going along with during the Six-Day War. Israel’s Satan and the world because pean Union” suggests that Fortress the Arab League’s decision to goal was to destroy any evidence it has been using Iraqi, Syrian, Europe is not a construct that inhabits consider the Palestine Liberation of its attacks on Arab land. Lebanese and Yemeni pawns. the minds of most Europeans. Organisation (PLO) as the sole Israel is also being served roy- Their blood is cheap. AThe Eurobarometer survey suggested that, in representative of the Palestinian ally by big changes in Washing- The logical conclusion of practice, Europeans’ views of migrants remain people. They had fallen into the ton. Mike Pompeo replaced Rex Iran’s dirty game is a scenario relatively positive for all the intolerant rhetoric from the far-right. A remarkable 83% of Spaniards trap of taking slogans for reality. Tillerson as US secretary of state similar to events of 1967 and and 81% of Swedes said they would feel comfortable They later committed the and John Bolton replaced H.R. Iran does not seem to realise having an immigrant as a social relation. An crimes of starting armed con- McMaster as national security that. It doesn’t even realise that overwhelming 87% of Swedes said they were very frontations with Jordan in 1970 adviser. With these two on the it has no place in either Syria or happy to have immigrants as friends. and with the Lebanese between Trump team, Israel will have a Lebanon in the long run. The survey illustrated a crucial point: European 1969 and 1982. By their choices free hand in the region. Iran cornered itself and has countries that host significant numbers of immi- and actions, they had robbed Iran has always managed to limited choices. Its withdrawal grants are more at ease with them. Those that don’t Jordan of its ability to appeal to give Israel the needed excuses from Syria will surely have con- are not. international law and decisions for violating the rights and ter- sequences inside Iran itself. The As the Eurobarometer survey showed, the bias such as UN Resolution 242 to get ritories of Israel’s neighbours. Iranian regime is battling with against immigrants is inversely proportional to the back its occupied territories. Iran does not realise that its real a profound political, economic number hosted by a European country. For Central The West Bank and East Jeru- problem is not the nuclear deal and social crisis that is exacer- Europe, where xenophobic rhetoric has influenced salem had been under Jordanian that US President Donald Trump bated by the advanced age — 78 recent elections, preconceived notions about mandate when Israel occupied might tear into small pieces. — of Iranian Supreme Leader migrants are used to whip up political sentiment Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. against an imaginary bogeyman. Iran’s request that the United In Hungary and Bulgaria, for instance, there are few immigrants. The percentage of the foreign-born States and the other G5+1 population in 2017 was 2% for Bulgaria and 5% in countries honour their commit- Hungary. It was 18% for Sweden. ment to the nuclear deal should Central Europe notwithstanding, the survey be seen as a sign of weakness serves as a useful — and heartening — reality check. not a sign of strength. Iran has European societies are far more tolerant of migra- no other choice but to retreat tion than the daily news readout and fulminations from Syria and Lebanon. It can- of populist politicians would suggest. not become a Mediterranean To extrapolate, insularity feeds upon itself. country and will never be one. Politicians with an eye on the main chance whip up The best thing it can do is to anti-immigrant sentiment as an easy-fix solution to spare the Middle East another problems. disastrous war. The Eurobarometer survey contains another When reason and realism take reason for optimism: Younger respondents, leave of politics in the Middle especially those who are better educated and urban, East, May 1967 will repeat itself are less likely to express negative opinions about in May 2018. migrants. Insularity and bigotry are not necessarily the future of Europe. In hot water. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Khairallah Khairallah is a speaks to the media, on April 24. (AP) Lebanese writer. May 6, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected]

The Iran nuclear deal was designed to fail Published by Al Arab Publishing House

Mohamad Kawas Publisher The nuclear deal is no longer valid because it had been designed and Group Executive Editor to fail and to require updating after a few years of its signing. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Editor-in-Chief

here is no doubt Arabia to get along with Iran that he rigged it to make it Macron, who argued for main- Oussama Romdhani the Obama admin- and agree to share regional possible for Donald Trump, as taining the deal with Iran, says istration worked influence with it. a candidate for president, to it is time for a more compre- Managing Editor seriously to reach Obama presented his famous open fire on America’s “worst hensive agreement with Iran Iman Zayat the nuclear deal doctrine in March 2016. One deal” from the beginning of the that includes other vague with Iran after ob- year before that, Iranian of- campaign. aspects, namely Iran’s ballistic Deputy Managing Editor Tscure bilateral agreements. The ficials boasted about an Iranian In other words, the “Deep missiles programme and Teh- and Online Editor negotiating teams drew broad Empire with Baghdad as its America” that produced the ran’s influence, which “threat- Mamoon Alabbasi guidelines for the deal based on capital and that Tehran was in deal is the same party that now ens stability” in the region. how both parties wished to see control of four Arab capitals. wants it dead. Even Democratic The fate of the deal will be Senior Editor their bilateral relations evolve. Tehran must have been acting Party candidate Hillary Clinton decided in 2025, when its key John Hendel Iran had no illusions about the on signals it picked up from admitted during her campaign provisions formally expire. future of its nuclear programme. Washington and the other major that critics of the deal had By May 12, 2018, however, the Chief Copy Editor Tehran knew very well the capitals that they did not op- “good arguments” going for world will be setting the clock Richard Pretorius international mood would never pose its dream of being and act- them and that she absolutely back to the pre-nuclear deal era. allow it to produce a nuclear ing like a country with special didn’t “trust the Iranians.” Very soon a familiar scenario Copy Editor weapon. Still, Iran pushed on privileges — that was accepted It is clear to Tehran that will be played out. Iran will Stephen Quillen with its programme as a strategy in the club of major players. Washington will not lift its veto hint that its uranium enriching to strike a major deal with the The problem is that Iran’s on international financial insti- plants are working at worri- Analysis Section Editor West and realise two goals. dreams were a mirage. Wash- tutions dealing with the Iranian some levels and the Interna- Ed Blanche The first was to have the ington’s and Obama’s intentions banking system. Kerry had not tional Atomic Energy Agency East/West Section Editor world accept the Iranian regime were not to go along with Teh- acquiesced to requests in this will hurry to make sure Iran’s and cease threatening it and ran’s fantasies and ambitions. respect from Iranian Foreign nuclear programme is peaceful. Mark Habeeb treating it like a freak exception The American president wanted Minister Mohammad Javad As Iran’s economic and politi- Gulf Section Editor in the country’s history. The to make the deal a personal Zarif during the nuclear deal cal woes continue to worsen be- Mohammed Alkhereiji second was to have the world achievement by placing a tem- negotiations. cause of international economic accept Iran as a nuclear power. porary freeze on Iran’s nuclear Tehran even tried to woo sanctions, Tehran will cry out Society and Travel As such, it would be entitled to programme and snaring it into Washington by offering to that owning nuclear technol- Sections Editor its own zone of influence. provisions that would prevent it purchase aircraft from Boeing ogy is a “sovereign right.” In Samar Kadi Iran has the right to believe its from developing into a military instead of Airbus but the US ad- this sense, the “revelations” by own dreams within the con- programme. Even if Iran had ministration remained adamant Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Syria and Lebanon text of the nuclear agreement. had geostrategic economic on maintaining the financial Netanyahu about Iran’s nu- Section Editor Former US President Barack hopes from the deal, the key sanctions and on making sure clear programme do not bother Simon Speakman Cordall Obama made the deal without to that aspect remained in the that normalisation with Iran Tehran. consulting with other countries hands of Washington alone. did not go beyond the technical What irks the Iranian regime Contributing Editor of the region. He shoved the History will bear witness to aspects of the nuclear deal. is the change in the mood in Rashmee Roshan Lall deal down the world’s throat as John Kerry’s skills in “selling The nuclear deal is no longer the region and the world that is a major achievement for peace mirages.” The former secretary valid because it had been de- threatening Iranian interests. Senior Correspondents in the Middle East. of state did an excellent job in signed to fail and to require There is growing opposition to Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Obama was full of praise for the Syrian file, too, by arranging updating after a few years of its Iran’s role in Syria, Yemen and Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) Iran’s new role in the region as for Washington’s interests and signing. Even if Trump decides even the Moroccan Sahara. The part of his “doctrine” for a new wishes to oppose everybody not to pull out of it, it will still previous “Iranian exception” is Regular Columnists Middle East. He unveiled that else’s. fail. being challenged. Claude Salhani doctrine in a famous interview Today, Kerry has come out in The entire world is plan- Yavuz Baydar with Jeffrey Goldberg of the favour of keeping the nuclear ning for the post-nuclear deal. Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese Atlantic. Obama invited Saudi deal with Iran but he knows French President Emmanuel writer. Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Roua Khlifi (Tunis) A new Middle East is slowly Thomas Seibert (Washington) Chief Designer starting to take shape Marwen el-Hmedi Tom Regan Designers Saudi Arabia is not the only country headed in Ibrahim Ben Bechir a different direction in the 21st century. Hanen Jebali here is always prince, in particular, has been something interest- an engine of transformation. ing happening in Many in the West focused on they might mean for Subscription & Advertising: the Middle East. the changes to women’s lives — the future. Chances be the future [email protected] It’s a region that is soon they will be able to drive are that Saudi of Iraq? Tel 020 3667 7249 sometimes marked — and cultural shifts, such as Arabia and Israel Will it re- Tby instability but its culture the reopening of movie thea- versus Iran will main one and ethos have remained tres but the economic initia- be the region’s country or Mohamed Al Mufti stable for nearly a century. For tives are more important. dominant conflict eventually Marketing & Advertising decades, it has been relatively Crown Prince Mohammed’s in this century. be forced Manager easy to predict moves on the recent visits to the United On its own, to split regional chessboard. States and Europe showed his this new dynamic into three? Tel (Main) +44 20 7602 3999 That seems to be changing. desire to forge new business would be earthshak- What about Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 The “Arab spring,” the Yemen ties with the West. At the same ing enough but it is the future www.alarab.co.uk conflict and the Syrian crisis time, Saudi Arabia is looking one of the other key of the Kurds? have drawn the world’s atten- East, building economic ties changes under way in the Could we finally tion in the past decade. Almost with China and signing a mas- region. Saudi Arabia is not see the emergence of unnoticed, however, a new sive deal with India. the only country headed in a a Kurdish nation in 10-15 years? Middle East, including new This is a clear signal to the different direction in the 21st How will other countries in the alliances, is slowly starting to United States that, despite century. region respond to that develop- take shape. close ties to US President Don- Turkey’s transformation is ment? What kind of regional The Middle East of the 21st ald Trump and long years of more turbulent by far and is organisation will rise from the century will not be the Middle the Saudi-American compact, possibly disruptive in a nega- ashes of the Gulf Cooperation US Publisher: East of the 20th century. the new Saudi Arabia will work tive way. Turkish President Council? Will Qatar and its Take for instance Saudi with anyone. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is lead- neighbours be at loggerheads Ibrahim Zobeidi Arabia. For decades, Riyadh Another key change in Saudi ing his country away from its for years to come? (248) 803 1946 pursued a policy of incremen- policy is its more tolerant at- democratic past and towards a Finally, there is the question tal change. When change did titude towards Israel. While more authoritarian future. He of the United States and Russia. happen, it was often barely per- the relationship may never be has also placed limits on the Under the previous two US ceptible and made few waves as friendly as Tel Aviv might long-held US-Turkey relation- administrations, there has been around the world, within the want, there is little doubt that ship. Erdogan’s Turkey is look- a decline of US influence in the region or in Saudi Arabia itself. Saudi Arabia and Israel see the ing more towards Russia, which region. There has also been That started to change under potential for a mutually benefi- desperately wants a greater role Change of an expansion of the Russian the late King Abdullah bin cial business equation. in the region. direction. presence. If this trend contin- Abdulaziz Al Saud. It wasn’t as More important, they see So which sphere of influence Saudi ues, there will be significant if Saudi Arabia went from 0-60 a common enemy, Iran. In a will Turkey inhabit 20 years soldiers consequences, particularly for mph but the changes initiated vivid illustration of the proverb on? It’s not easy to say because dangling the Saudi Arabia-Iran question Al Arab Publishing House by him were significant. These “the enemy of my enemy is my Erdogan is an unpredictable from a Royal and it will affect the regional Quadrant Building included an expanded role friend,” experts have said Saudi leader. However, whatever di- Saudi Air growth of democracy. 177-179 Hammersmith Road for women and planning for a Arabia and Israel are working rection Ankara chooses, it will Force AS332 Indeed, the Middle East of London W6 8BS post-oil economy. more closely together behind- have important consequences. Super Puma the 21st century will be very dif- The changes picked up the-scenes, particularly on There are other key changes during ferent from that of the 20th. speed under King Salman bin security in a determined bid to that will play out in the region military Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son, undermine Iran. in the next decade. exercises in Tom Regan is a regular Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 Crown Prince Both countries fear Iran’s What will emerge from the Dhahran, on contributor to The Arab Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 Mohammed bin Salman nuclear ambitions and its plans chaos of Syria? Will Bashar As- April 16. Weekly and a columnist at bin Abdulaziz. The crown in Syria. Both worry about what sad remain in power? What will (Saudi Royal Palace) factsandopinion.com. 8 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis Egypt Sudan Pro-Sisi coalition considers forming political mega-party

Amr Emam An election law has left little space in the Egyptian parliament for parties, specifying only 120 Cairo seats — about 20% — of the legis- lature to political parties. The re- plan by the largest coali- maining seats are specified for in- tion in Egypt’s parliament dependents. The president has the to officially form a politi- right to select 28 members of the A cal party raised fears of a legislature. return to the one-party political Sisi has repeatedly appealed for system that was in place before the Egypt’s political parties to merge. 2011 revolution. “The fact is that our country does The Egypt Support Coalition, not need this very large number of which is made up of seven political weak parties,” said Abdel Monem parties and controls almost two- Said Aly, the former head of Al-Ah- thirds of the 596-seat parliament, ram Centre for Political and Strate- announced the intention to form a gic Studies. “The failure of almost single mega-party. all the parties to win seats in par- The party, which has yet to be liament shows the true weight of named, would work to create a po- these parties on the streets.” litical and public support base for Only nine political parties are Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- represented in the legislature and Sisi, the coalition said. seven of those make up the Egypt “We want to form a party that can Support Coalition. It has sought back the Egyptian state and also of- to convince other parties to join fer support to the president,” said its planned political party to build Hussein Essa, a member of the coa- enough strength to defeat other po- lition in parliament. “Our party will litical entities, Essa said. mainly seek to fill in the vacuum He confirmed that the coalition left on the political stage by the ab- was preparing paperwork for the sence of efficient political parties.” merger and the official formation Egypt has more than 100 licensed of the new political party. He said political parties, the majority of it would work to overcome Egypt’s All the President’s men. People walk by a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. which emerged after the 2011 rev- economic, social and political prob- (Reuters) olution against former President lems with hopes that it could form Hosni Mubarak. Many parties were the next government. formed by young people who par- “We hope that our move will in- Critics also said the immensely “The coalition, which controls hemently denied that accusation. It ticipated in the revolution but had spire other political parties to fol- popular Sisi is hardly in need of of- everything inside parliament is said it would form a political party little presence on the streets or in low in our footsteps,” Essa said. ficial support from any political not expected to act differently only to allow for the presence of parliament. The move by the Egypt Support party. Sisi, who ran as an independ- when it becomes a political party,” strong political entities on the po- Egypt’s 2015 legislative elections Coalition is causing concern amid ent candidate in previous elections, said Abdel Hamid Kamal, a mem- litical stage. saw a major decline of party poli- fears of a return to the era when won more than 95% of the vote in ber of the rival 25-30 parliamen- “We cannot act like the formerly tics, with more independent MPs Mubarak’s National Democratic both the 2014 and 2018 elections. tary coalition. “The new party will ruling NDP because if we act like it elected than those affiliated with Party (NDP) wielded control over do nothing but manipulate the po- we will meet its fate for sure,” Essa political parties. the country´s political scene. The litical stage and marginalise other said. “Our party will be totally dif- Political party leaders attribute powerful Egypt Support bloc has The plan raised fears of a political entities under the claim ferent, of course.” their lack of presence on the streets already faced accusations that it possible return to the of supporting the Egyptian state to a lack of political freedom and was monopolising parliamentary one-party political system and the president.” Amr Emam is a Cairo-based state support. decision-making. of before the revolution. The Egypt Support Coalition ve- contributor to The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint Sudan would need a miracle to stay afloat

udan is going through a economic aid to Sudan due to the to help. Sudan’s cooperation in security very bad economic crisis country’s lack of political reforms, He had hoped, for example, matters in exchange for lifting Mohamad and a worse political one. disagreements between the vari- to get a share of the electricity economic sanctions that had been Abou el-Fadel With additional security ous political forces and failure to generated by the Grand Ethiopian in place for about 25 years. The threats, the country is at meet international standards with Renaissance Dam so he sided with United States also promised to a critical stage. political and economic laws. Ethiopia and angered Egypt. To get remove Sudan from its blacklist SThis is not new for Sudan. The The Sudanese regime had closer to Saudi Arabia and hoping of terror-sponsoring states once country has experienced these dis- adopted many economic reforms to attract more Saudi investment, political reforms were enacted. eases for a long time. Each regime but they have had negative con- he ordered the closure of all Ira- Sudan’s international relations that has ruled Sudan has had its sequences. Various economic co- nian cultural centres in Sudan. Al- have become hostage to the coun- own approach to these problems. operation agreements the regime Bashir then moved closer to Qatar, try’s problems. It is not uncom- Most of the regimes fell because made with international partners hoping to receive more aid. mon to see the country switch po- one of the three scourges spiralled have not solved the problem. Finally, he offered Turkey the sitions and sell out former friends out of control. There is suspicion among Suda- right to use the Sudanese island of and allies for economic aid. For 30 years, the regime of Presi- nese citizens that the international Suakin in the Red Sea in exchange Once a victim of exaggerated dent Omar al-Bashir has evaded aid and grants have been misap- for numerous economic initiatives promises, a large portion of Suda- death but its future is far from propriated. and without paying attention to nese society has lost hope for bet- clear due to the three same threats Al-Bashir had hedged his bets the political and security fallout in ter conditions. How does al-Bashir facing the country. on international economic aid. the region. respond? He carries out large-scale The extent of Khartoum’s crisis Whenever necessary, he adjusted In the end, however, none of purges in state institutions. Inter- was revealed in the firing of Su- the country’s policies or simply al-Bashir’s manoeuvres could save nal security and public order have danese Foreign Minister Ibrahim implemented specific ones. He has him from the country’s economic become his regime’s obsession. Ghandour. He was relieved of his irked many countries and entered woes. Taking advantage of the situa- post after he spoke frankly about many alliances based on economic They have become its pressure tion, armed opposition forces in the Sudanese government’s in- interests. None of that has seemed point. The United States secured Sudan have reignited tensions in ability to pay salaries of employees conflict zones in southern Kordo- of the Sudanese diplomatic corps. fan, the Blue Nile and Darfur. They This means the economic crisis is know the Sudanese armed forces not only affecting average citizens are stretched to the limit trying to but has reached the upper ech- keep civil order and counter sepa- elons of the state apparatus. ratist movements. It appears the political situation The call for civil unrest by politi- in Sudan could crumble at any mo- cal opposition forces, however, ment because of economic pres- has gone largely unanswered. The sure. In a recent interview, Sadiq trouble with the opposition in Su- al-Mahdi, head of the National dan is that it has lost its credibility Umma Party, said: “Economic with Sudanese citizens. Most citi- conditions in Sudan have deterio- zens do not believe the opposition rated and it is just a matter of time can become a viable alternative to before this government falls. How the current regime. The opposition things will be after that and how remains fractured and weak. they will end, I don’t know.” In most countries, politics and The trouble with Sudanese opposition forces is- the economy are two sides of the the opposition in sued calls for peaceful resistance same coin. When one weakens, Sudan is that it to get the country out of what they the other is sure to follow. Such is termed “the crisis swamp.” They the case in Sudan. For this reason, has lost its also called for “the establishment only a miracle can save Sudan credibility with of a provisional authority to chart from disintegrating. and execute a solution for the Sudanese country’s economic crisis.” Costly revelation. Former Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Mohamad Abou el-Fadel is an citizens. The European Union halted all Ghandour attends a meeting in Khartoum, last April. (AFP) Egyptian writer. May 6, 2018 9 Debate Palestine Israel After 70 years, it’s time for a new Palestinian narrative

Transcending lend moral support but European politics. Israeli countries are impotent and laden Arabs take part with the dual baggage of anti- Mark Habeeb in a rally calling Semitism and anti-Islamism; for the right and 4) Moscow has the power of return for to disrupt the world but not to refugees who construct the world. fled their homes In other words, outside help is n May 14, Israelis will during the 1948 not on the way. celebrate and Pales- Arab-Israeli Second, Palestinians never tinians will mourn, as War, on April 19. will win the military battle and they each have for the (Reuters) they should immediately call a past 70 years. Israelis’ halt to all forms of violence. For Independence Day not only can they never win but Ocoincides with the Palestinians’ by continuing they reinforce the Yawm al-Nakba — Day of Catas- Israeli narrative; they become co- trophe — signifying the traumatic conspirators in Israel’s narrative loss of their land and their homes power. inside what is today the country of Third, Palestinians must Israel. recognise that the real power For 70 years, Israelis and in this struggle is the power of Palestinians have been locked new country facing invading Arab “They have no leaders we can narrative. Despite the battlefield in a fierce struggle: For Israelis, armies just to hold onto a piece of negotiate with.” prowess of the Israeli military first to solidify, later to expand the land west of the Jordan. Today, “Their children will only grow and its unquestioned support and today to monopolise control the Israeli state monopolises up to be terrorists.” from Washington, it is Israel’s over the land west of the Jordan coercive, political, territorial and “Palestinians did not even exist narrative power that has rendered River; for Palestinians, first to economic power over 100% of until Israel was founded.” it dominant. erase the Israeli state, later to the land west of the Jordan. It “A Palestinian state would be It is possible to imagine a create an independent Palestinian has been supported in this effort a threat to Israel and a hotbed of narrative that, if bolstered by state alongside it and today to by a compliant United States, radicalism.” actions and behaviours, could end the Israelis’ occupation and which has gifted tens of billions Each of these tropes and directly challenge the Israeli oppression. of dollars and the most advanced hundreds more are examples narrative. It would go like this: The struggle has included long weaponry to Israel’s cause. of how Israel has cleverly made Between the Jordan River periods of relative peace but those The bloodshed, violence and Palestinians inhabit the Israeli and the Mediterranean live times have been bracketed by mutual terror are not the real narrative about who they, the approximately equal numbers bloody and ugly bouts of violence, struggle, however. It is one over Palestinian people, are and what of two peoples — Palestinian the kind of violence that occurs narratives. Whose story is right? they aspire to. Much of the world, Arabs and Israeli Jews. Only when enemies dehumanise each Whose story is more just, more especially in the United States, Israeli Jews enjoy full civil and other. Far more Palestinians deserving of world support? has embraced the Israeli narrative, human rights, as well as control than Israelis have died in these Here again, Israel has been the so that 14-year-old Palestinians over virtually 100% of coercive, confrontations. Innocent Israelis’ winner. Philip Gourevitch, in his who throw rocks at heavily political and economic power deaths have been rarer but brilliant account of the genocide armed Israeli soldiers are cast as and resources. Such a situation dramatic; think terror attacks in Rwanda, wrote: “Power consists “militants,” the implication being is fundamentally unjust and is against Tel Aviv cafes. Innocent in the ability to make others that to shoot them — in the legs or conducive to violence, extremism Palestinians’ deaths have been inhabit your story of their reality.” even the head — is justified. and instability. It cannot continue. routine and explained away by For 70 years, Israel and its legion So, what should Palestinians do? Several options are on the table: Israel as “self-defence.” of supporters have exerted this First, the Palestinian people two states, one state, a binational Israel has won the military narrative form of power over — and at this point it’s up to the state, a confederation. We, the aspect of the struggle hands down. the Palestinians to a remarkable people, not the leaders — should Palestinian people, are willing to In 1948, Israel was an embattled degree. Consider some of the accept that: 1) Israel will never end discuss all of them. So long as the commonly held tropes about its oppression and domination ultimate outcome is a just one. Palestinians and their struggle: of Palestinians unless it is forced Palestinians must “They want to drive Israel into to do so; 2) the United States Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor recognise that the real the sea.” never was and never will be a fair of The Arab Weekly and adjunct power in this struggle is “They weren’t driven from their mediator and in any event is in professor of Global Politics and land. They left on their general retreat from the Middle Security at Georgetown University the power of narrative. own accord.” East; 3) European leftists will in Washington. Reaching out to Israelis might be the best option for Palestinians

may make the occasional lip tlement and interim arrangements land and cooperating, even when service of support to the Palestin- on the way there, the Palestin- In the search people on the ground would say ian issue but, after nearly seven ians must find new alliances. As for a final fair this is not politically acceptable. Jerry Sorkin decades of being in Lebanon, the much as many will find it virtually settlement We have our children and the fu- Palestinians’ status is as precari- unpalatable, they should look near and interim ture generations to think of,” the ous as ever. Lebanese authorities them. They should look in Israel arrangements scientist said. must in fact deal with the more itself. I found, rather sadly, a simi- immediate task of doling support From my many travels and con- on the way lar reluctance to engage among alestinians never faced to the 1.5 million Syrian refugees tacts in the region, I feel there are there, the Israelis, during a visit to business tougher challenges and within their borders. many inside Israel who are desir- Palestinians incubators in the Palestinian never seemed further Egypt, wary of Palestinian mili- ous of working with the Palestin- must find new territories and in Jerusalem. An from finding their way tants’ ties to jihadists in Sinai, is ians and willing to do what they alliances. Israeli entrepreneur who has been out of their eternal tempted to lock the gates that once can to help stimulate the Pales- personally involved with funding quandary. provided Gazans with an outlet. tinian economy, lessen the hate start-ups said he was rebuffed by PTheir plight is complicated by Jordan keeps a watchful eye on the ratio and lower the psychological people from the nascent Palestin- the stance of a US president who nearly 70% of the country’s popu- barriers that have been erected ian high-tech community in the shows no intention of looking for lation that is of Palestinian origin over decades. West Bank, wary of being seen as a true solution to their problems, and who reside within its borders, Potential support can come “collaborators.” but that’s not the only reason why a situation further compounded not only from Palestinians with Will holding their nose and ac- the odds are stacked against them. by the flow of refugees from Syria Israeli citizenship but from the cepting more Israelis as their pos- Even though Arab countries may that Jordan is struggling to assist. many Israeli Jews who despise the sible allies lead to statehood? Such voice support for the Palestinian Probably even more challenging hard-line politics of the Netan- an outcome might be unlikely in cause, their actions do not always to the Palestinians are the contin- yahu government. Many Israeli the short term but accepting such match their words. There are as ued squabbles between Palestin- Jews shudder at the thought of a premise can improve the odds many reasons for that as there are ian President Mahmoud Abbas’s their 18-year-old sons and daugh- for future peace. Arab countries. Fatah and its rival Hamas, which ters beginning their obliga- For now, it can at least improve Virtually all countries in the controls the miserable fates of the tory military service by manning daily life within the Palestinian Arab world are consumed by their Palestinians in Gaza. The state of checkpoints or being involved in territories. An improvement in own concerns. When they are not chronic internecine conflict paints middle-of-the-night raids of West normalcy may create an atmos- threatened by terror and strife, a damning picture of disarray and Bank homes that inflict additional phere more conducive to the two Arab citizens must cope with the despair. suffering to the Palestinians. sides finding elements of mutual daily struggle of making both ends Not surprising that the Palestin- From the world of Israeli aca- trust to build on. meet. ian issue that once was the rallying demics, doctors, entrepreneurs It takes brave steps to find Iraq is embroiled in internal cry of all Arab countries is barely and more, there is a significant peace. It would behove Palestin- strife. Syria remains quagmired in perceptible on the radar screen. population that wants to find ways ians to look much closer to finding a hopeless spiral of death, destruc- The Arab public seems to be beset to live in peace and mutual respect those alliances that may help steer tion and displacement. Lebanon by solidarity fatigue. with the Palestinians. life in a better direction. Starting So, where can Palestinians turn The hurdles inhibiting such next door might be the hardest but to improve their lives when their prospects remain high and intimi- most promising option. Potential support can come not own leadership seems unable to dating. Speaking to a Palestinian bring them progress and hope? scientist who has been working Jerry Sorkin has followed only from Palestinians with Just easing the burdens of check- closely and discreetly with Israelis Palestinian-Israeli relations Israeli citizenship but from the points, improving the economic on issues regarding water resourc- for decades. He is founder and many Israeli Jews who despise life of its West Bank residents to a es, I received a rather pragmatic president of Iconic Journeys level close to normalcy would be a response, that is not necessarily Worldwide and of TunisUSA. He is the hard-line politics of the considerable improvement. popular with many Palestinians. a frequent contributor to Netanyahu government. In the search for a final fair set- “We must find ways of sharing the The Arab Weekly. 10 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis Syria New housing law heralds a re-engineered Syria

Sami Moubayed ment and used for official purpos- contradicting a 2015 law that ex- es or sold at public auction. Those empts any such expenses. who do prove their right to land or Advocates of the law claim that Beirut real estate should be compensated it was written to rebuild illegal accordingly by private sector com- neighbourhoods, built over time yrians are fretting over a panies working on reconstruction. in a chaotic and unorganised way, real estate development The new legislation builds on a such as the Yarmouk Camp and law, passed in April, that 1974 law that calls for compensa- the nearby district of Al-Hajar al- S many say strips millions of tion of citizens whose homes were Aswad. If that is true, opponents their property, especially within destroyed by fire, earthquakes or ask, why hasn’t Law #10 applied to flattened towns such as Darayya other natural disasters. It is rid- all illegal residential areas, includ- and Douma in the Damascus coun- dled with contradictions, law- ing Mezzeh 86, which is inhabited tryside. It certainly benefits the makers claim, and plenty of legal by army soldiers and their fami- Syrian government, which wrote glitches. lies? the law, given that all unclaimed “This law is both ambiguous and A widespread accusation claims property will be taken over by the catastrophic,” Syrian lawyer Ah- the law enables Iranians to take state. mad Mansour said. “If it aims to over property of exiled Syrians. By The new legislation — Law tackle illegal housing, then a 2008 law, Iranians cannot own land in #10 — stipulates that ravaged parts law does that adequately. If it aims Syria, no foreigner can, but Iranian of Syria are up for reorganisation, solely at reorganisation, then a companies are permitted to own development and reconstruc- 2015 law achieves that as well. property if they join the recon- tion. To prove one’s claim to the struction process and, of course, destroyed property, people must so can Russian companies. report in person with real estate The new legislation — Law Property confiscation is not documents within a period of 30 #10 — stipulates that new to Syria. When the socialists days. No anti-regime Syrian liv- ravaged parts of Syria are rose to power under Gamal Abdel ing abroad can do that nor can up for reorganisation, Nasser in 1958-61 in the United those evading the draft, given that development and Arab Republic (which included all have arrest warrants awaiting reconstruction. Egypt and Syria), they national- them. ised thousands of farms, fields A small loophole exists, how- and plantations, limiting agricul- ever, allowing fourth-degree rela- The law also doesn’t say whether tural ownership to 80 hectares per tives to deputise on their behalf it only applies to destroyed areas person, in addition to 23 private but proxy authorisation requires that require reorganisation, such banks, factories and insurance a security clearance, which would as Al-Hajar al-Aswad, or destroyed companies. be denied if any of the stakehold- ones where no reorganisation is The Ba’athists did the same in ers involved are on the “wanted” required, as is the case with Har- 1963-65, only on a much wider list. Many ownership documents asta, or even to organised, inhab- scale, overrunning over nearly 200 Confiscated lives. An elderly Syrian man on a wheelchair makes his (AFP) no longer exist, torched in homes ited and safe places, as describes private sector companies. Most way in Douma, last October. or the basements of government the posh Malki district of central have since collapsed, plagued by agencies, often making it impos- Damascus. corruption, bad management, real estate areas, such as Mezzeh the Syrian capital and not in en- sible to prove one’s right to land or This gives legislators the right, over-hiring and government bu- and Kafarsuseh near Damascus. tire cities and towns, certainly real estate. in theory, to tear down and rebuild reaucracy. Although evicted from their sim- with no similar strict measures Many of the refugees left their all cities and towns, even those Confiscation of the property was ple and often rural homes, they of proving land ownership. homes in fear and haste, leaving unscratched by the violence. It a nightmare for the big feudal fam- were rewarded lavishly for their documents behind. Property that imposes a reconstruction tariff ilies but not that bad for farmers land, making them rich overnight. Sami Moubayed is a Syrian remains unclaimed will be auto- and fee on those who suffered who owned small plots of land that However, that was many years historian and author of “Under matically taken by the govern- destruction of their property, were transformed into high-end ago, in small pockets around the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). Brussels donor conference for Syria’s refugees proves a disappointment

Mona Alami In vivid year, an official in the Interior Min- detail. A man istry said many of the people arrest- walks by a ed for terrorist activity in Lebanon Brussels set designed were Syrian refugees. The official to look like warned that, while the situation n uncertain future awaits a bombed remained manageable, an open- Syrian refugees after the out Syrian ended commitment to Syria’s refu- Brussels II Conference on classroom in gees risked exacerbating a perilous A “Supporting the Future front of EU situation. of Syria and the Region,” with the headquarters Despite the strains on Lebanon’s plight of Syrian refugees to worsen in Brussels, security networks and creaking in Lebanon. on April 23. infrastructure, Syria’s refugees The conference, which raised (AP) are unlikely to go anywhere soon. some $4.4 billion for Syria’s refu- “More than 30% of Syrian refu- gees — far below its $9 billion target gees in Lebanon will never return — failed to address the underlying home,” Yassin said. cause of Syria’s humanitarian disas- Maha Yahya, director of the Car- ter, one that remains an inherently negie Middle East Centre, said political problem and, as such, re- whether Syrians return home de- quires a political solution. pends on several conditions, in- Brussels’ streets buzzed with cluding safety, security and access Lebanese, Syrian and international to justice in their home. NGOs attending conference events. Yahya stressed that the Syrian Despite the excitement, the result refugee crisis was not a humanitar- disappointed. ian emergency linked to a natural Of the $2.7 billion requested by disaster. Rather, it was a political Lebanon, how much it will receive emergency, something that inter- remains uncertain. “It’s unclear at national efforts to resolve the Syr- this point how much will be allocat- increasing the local population by Lebanese in the job market. Nasser risk of eviction. ian conflict have largely ignored. ed to Lebanon but, given the initial about 25% and bringing all the at- Yassin, director of research at the Is- In addition, the economic situa- Activists and experts agreed pledges, I am not sure the amount tendant strains that accompany sam Fares Institute for Public Policy tion of Syrian refugees in Lebanon that, without a political solution, would be sufficient,” said George such a surge. and International Affairs, said more is also deteriorating. Yassin said tackling the refugee crisis from a Ghali from the watchdog ALEF. Living conditions for Syria’s refu- than 20,000 Syrians enter the em- more than 76% of Syrian refugees humanitarian and developmen- An estimated 11 million Syrians gees in Lebanon are worsening by ployment market every year in Leb- live below the poverty line and tal point of view would remain have fled their homes since civil the day. An overwhelming fatigue anon, all in immediate competition more than 87% live in the poorest fruitless. Donations and aid pro- war broke out in March 2011. The prevails over host communities in with their Lebanese counterparts. Lebanese regions, of whom 53% are grammes, no matter how well in- UN High Commissioner for Refu- Lebanon as the failures of the coun- The outcome of this rivalry has led residing in substandard conditions. tended, would not end the plight of gees (UNHCR) said approximately 5 try’s declining resources begin to to discrimination. A Human Rights The result has been an over- refugees. However, a fair political million Syrians — an estimated 20% bite. Fundamentals, such as access Watch report noted that, within at whelming sense of marginalisation solution that allows them to return of the population — fled to Turkey, to water, electricity distribution least 13 municipalities across Leba- and desperation among Lebanon’s home would. Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. and waste treatment have become non, more than 3,664 Syrian refu- Syrian refugees. Some 6 million are internally dis- sources of competition between gees had been forcibly evicted from The marginalisation of Lebanon’s Mona Alami is a French-Lebanese placed within the country. communities. their homes, apparently because refugee population, its loss of em- analyst and a fellow at the Rafik Of these, Lebanon is home Besides limited access to basic of their nationality or religion. An- powerment and dignity have all af- Hariri Centre for the Middle East at to 1.5 million Syrian refugees, services, refugees compete with other 42,000 refugees remain at fected the country’s security. Last the Atlantic Council. May 6, 2018 11 News & Analysis Lebanon

Confrontation between Israel, Iran and Hezbollah looks inevitable

Nicholas Blanford from acting. Despite Israeli concerns over a potential Iranian retaliation on Beirut April 29 it allegedly staged another, more powerful, series of air attacks he intensifying confronta- against three locations, two in the tion between Israel and Ira- Hama province and one near Alep- nian forces in Syria is peril- po airport. One of the air strikes T ously close to slipping into a detonated some 200 missiles, the broader regional conflagration. New York Times reported, setting The intensification of Israeli air off an explosion that registered as a strikes against targets associated 2.6 magnitude earthquake. with Iran in Syria is pushing Tehran Following the attack, Iranian Su- into a corner. If Iran does not fulfil preme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- its vow to retaliate against Israel, its nei signalled that Iran would take deterrence will be critically weak- a tougher stance towards Israeli ened and will encourage Israel to strikes. continue attacking Iranian facili- “The era of hit-and-run attacks ties in Syria. If Iran does retaliate, it has ended and, from now on, any risks counter-retaliation from Israel attacks will be answered resolute- and an escalation that could drag ly,” he said. Collision course. A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows the flag of Lebanon’s Iran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah into Iran’s retaliatory options are lim- Hezbollah Shia movement and a religious flag reading “Al-Hussein.” (AFP) a destructive and unwanted con- ited, however, especially given the flict. timing. Hezbollah has been preoc- It is evident that Iran is seeking cupied with the May 6 parliamen- Israel as a locus of retaliation for Israel has periodically attacked cal interest in maintaining calm in to entrench militarily in Syria, a re- tary elections and has no appetite Israeli actions, such as assassina- Hezbollah-related facilities in Syria, Lebanon. Iran, too, is unwilling to ward for its efforts in assisting the to become embroiled in a conflict tions or air strikes. More recently, such as weapons convoys or arms see its Lebanese asset pummelled regime of Syrian President Bashar between Iran and Israel. Hezbollah used its presence in the depots. Hezbollah and its Iranian by Israel. Israel, by the same token, Assad. It has established military Furthermore, the fate of the northern Golan for the same pur- and Syrian allies muttered warn- knows that an open and full-scale bases and is reportedly moving in Iran nuclear deal hangs in the bal- pose, staging — sometimes deni- ings or ignored the air strikes. conflict with Hezbollah would lead weapons, such as surface-to-sur- ance with a May 12 deadline for US able, sometimes declared — retali- However, the one-time Israel to heavy destruction and loss of life face missiles and air defence sys- President Donald Trump to decide atory operations against the Israeli staged an air strike on Lebanese ter- on the Israeli home front. tems, from Iran. whether to recertify the accord or military. ritory, in February 2014, Hezbollah At some point, Iran will likely re- Israel views Iran’s military con- abandon it. responded with small-scale attacks taliate even at the risk of escalating solidation as a “red line” that it can- A stinging retaliation by Iran at against Israeli troops in the Golan hostilities with Israel. It appears to not accept and has attacked numer- this juncture could spin into a con- The risk is that an Heights. be in the interests of all parties, for ous Iranian facilities. flict that drags in Lebanon and Hez- escalation between Iran and Israel is seeking to redefine the now, to keep the fighting limited Neither side appears willing to bollah and could harden Trump’s Israel in Syria could run out “rules of the game” by expanding geographically to Syria and short of compromise and there is no inter- resolve to walk away from the nu- of control and spill into and intensifying its air strikes in all-out war. locutor who has the will to chart a clear deal. Lebanon. Syria against Iranian targets. The risk, however, is that an es- path away from a potentially disas- Hezbollah understands very well Tellingly, Israel continues to calation between Iran and Israel in trous conflict. Russia, which talks through decades of experience the Iran can ill afford to allow Israel abide by the rule of refraining to Syria could quickly run out of con- to both Israel and Iran, generally importance of maintaining a bal- to destroy its military assets and attack targets in Lebanon, even trol and spill into Lebanon, trigger- has remained impassive towards ance of deterrence with Israel. In kill its personnel at will. A failure to though it has publicly complained ing the broader conflict many have the Israeli air strikes. the 1990s, during the Israeli occu- retaliate would make Iran look im- about an alleged missile assembly feared since the end of the last one Following an attack in April on pation in southern Lebanon, Hez- potent against its Israeli enemy at a facility in Lebanon operated by in 2006. the T-4 airbase in central Syria, bollah developed a strategy of firing time when the Iranians are exerting Hezbollah and hinted at destroying which left at least four members of rockets into Israel every time Leba- influence from Tehran to Beirut. it. This suggests that Syria and Leb- Nicholas Blanford is the author of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard nese civilians were killed by Israeli Until recently, there were well- anon have two different dynamics “Warriors of God: Inside Corps dead, Tehran vowed to re- shelling or air raids. established “rules of the game” and are not necessarily a single, Hezbollah’s Thirty-Year Struggle taliate. Israel took the threat seri- From 2000-06, Hezbollah used defining the conflict between Israel united, coordinated front. Against Israel” (Random ously but so far Iran has refrained Lebanon’s southern border with and Hezbollah. Since January 2013, Hezbollah has a vested politi- House 2011). Viewpoint Saudi-Lebanese relations show signs of improvement, at least for now

he Cedre conference in Hariri’s return to Lebanon after the no-state paramilitary force into a is an over-reliance on US leader- Mona Alami support of Lebanon’s apparent intervention of French semi-state actor, with its members ship when it comes to the Iranian economy stressed President Emmanuel Macron. playing an active role in parlia- dossier. a revival of Saudi- Relations appear to have ment and in government. The “The US State Department posi- Lebanese relations normalised with the April Cedre 2008 Doha agreement granted the tion is very fluid when it comes to after the November conference. Nassib Ghobril, chief organisation and its Shia ally Amal (Iran’s role in) Syria and Leba- Tcrisis triggered by the resigna- economist at Byblos Bank in Leba- a veto power on all government non. Washington does not have tion announcement of Lebanese non, said Saudi Arabia reactivated decisions. a clear policy on the matter and Prime Minister Saad Hariri from a previous line of credit of $1 bil- The election of Hezbollah’s ally, confusion is reigning in the White Riyadh in unclear circumstances. lion during the conference. Free Patriotic Movement Chris- House, which has led to a power This newfound rapprochement, Other Gulf countries and Arab tian leader Michel Aoun to the vacuum in these countries,” he attributed by Saudi and Lebanese institutions followed suit, with presidency in 2016 strengthened said. experts to Riyadh’s realisation the Islamic Development Bank Hezbollah’s hold on the coun- Saudi Arabia appears to have, at that a vacuum played into Iran’s pledging $750 million, the Kuwait try’s defence and foreign affairs least for now, returned to its policy hand, will be tested by Hezbollah’s Fund for Social and Economic De- dossiers. For the past two years, of supporting Lebanon’s official in- expanding regional role. velopment $500 million, the Arab Hezbollah Secretary-General stitutions. However, believing that Saudi Arabia, for decades, has Development Fund $500 million Hassan Nasrallah has used Riyadh has forgiven and forgotten promoted its foreign policy agenda with the possibility of raising it to Lebanon as a platform to threaten Lebanese antics is premature. through mediation and cheque- $1 billion and Kuwait offering $180 Saudi Arabia. The Cedre conference is one book diplomacy, from which Leba- million. “Hezbollah’s involvement in re- sign of goodwill on Riyadh’s side non has profited immensely, with A selfie taken by Hariri with gional conflicts and more specifi- that does not erase the November billions regularly pledged at the Crown Prince Mohammed and cally in nearby Yemen is unaccep- crisis and its economic fallout. behest of Riyadh during the three Moroccan King Mohammed VI table to Saudi Arabia. Lebanon’s The crisis, which resulted in more Paris donor conferences. following the conference aimed at first mistake has been to fail in than $2.4 billion in withdrawals, Yet, extraordinary political dispelling rumours of bad blood applying its dissociation policy financial sources, speaking on con- changes in the Arab world from while generating media buzz. (from regional conflicts) with Nas- dition of anonymity, said, exposed the “Arab spring” upheaval and “With the Cedre conference, rallah’s threats to Gulf countries. Lebanon’s massive financial and Iranian expansionism in the region relations appear to be going back Secondly, we also know that both economic vulnerabilities. “Leba- has led Saudi Crown Prince Mo- to normal, everyone wants to Iran and Hezbollah have helped non is facing the possibility of hammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz forget the Hariri episode,” Saudi the Yemeni Houthis build their total economic collapse,” warned to break away from the monar- analyst Muhammad Khashoggi missile capability now threatening Nader. In such a case, the country chy’s political conservatism and said. Lebanese analyst Sami Na- Saudi Arabia,” said Nader. is in dire need of its friends. adopt a more aggressive strategy der concurred, pointing out that Riyadh is still pursuing the war In such a volatile context, Beirut towards Lebanon. regional and international pow- against the Houthis in Yemen. must remain equidistant from In such a volatile Riyadh’s pushback against Iran ers, including Saudi Arabia, have Saudi Arabia has accused Hezbol- regional powers and avoid giving and Hezbollah contributed to a realised that Lebanon can neither lah of helping Houthi rebels and of the appearance of providing inter- context, Beirut major political crisis in Lebanon be ignored nor “shunned because playing a role in the ballistic mis- national legitimacy for Hezbollah. must remain with Hariri’s resignation an- it will actually be the Iranians and sile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Such a stance will be difficult to nouncement last November and Hezbollah that will fill the void.” Khashoggi said one of the maintain if Iran and its proxies equidistant from tensions rising between the two Over the past two decades, foreign policy problems faced by provoke further escalation in regional powers. capitals. The crisis ended with Hezbollah has morphed from a Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia Syria or Yemen. 12 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis Libya Elections under assault in Libya

Michel Cousins Questions are being asked about how four attackers managed to en- ter the secure complex. They seem Tunis to have known exactly where to go and what to attack. The section N Special Envoy to Libya designated for voter registration Ghassan Salame met was destroyed, although there is an with Arab League Sec- electronic backup of the data. retary-General Ahmed Most of the killings happened Aboul Gheit, EU foreign in another part of the complex. Uaffairs chief Federica Mogherini and An HNEC source said two gunmen former Burundi President Pierre went to the top floor — one to the fi- Buyoya representing the African nance department and the other to Union to assess the situation in Lib- administration — and started shoot- ya, in particular political develop- ing. ments and security. Despite the Quartet’s declaration The Quartet, as the group is about the importance of elections known, was in a positive mood. Its before the end of the year, there post-meeting statement spoke of were serious doubts about whether progress in implementing the UN- such a vote was possible given the brokered Libyan Political Agree- divisions in Libya. The Tripoli at- ment (LPA) and in bringing about tack will magnify those doubts. Deeper uncertainties. Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj talks to the media in front of the dialogue in the country. ISIS may have been smashed in electoral commission building in Tripoli, on May 2. (Reuters) The four emphasised the need Sirte and its sympathisers chased for parliamentary and presidential out of Benghazi and other places elections, which are to take place such as Sabratha but it still has bombarded one of the last militant Similarly, the attack drew wide- appears to be limited to a presiden- before the end of the year. These, sympathisers in Libya, especially in strongholds in the city’s Ganfouda spread condemnation from the in- tial contest. He said nothing about the Quartet said, would require a the west and the south. They may district. ternational community and from parliamentary ones. He added there legal framework, “including a con- not be large in number but they Nonetheless, it is being suggested both sides of the Libyan conflict, was no chance for a deal with the stitutional framework and electoral are thought to be enough to attack that Benghazi Islamists in Tripoli with many voicing support for elec- State Council to amend the LPA law.” The Quartet members also other elections offices and polling decided to mark his death with a re- tions. The head of the HoR-recog- within the time available. Without spoke of the “important prepara- stations. venge attack. nised but internationally spurned an amendment to the LPA to de- tory efforts” of the High National There is also a question about the Another theory is that the attack administration in the east, Abdul- fine the roles of a president, a prime Elections Commission (HNEC) in timing of the attack. One suggestion was in response to the announce- lah al-Thani, not only condemned minister and the HoR, a presidential registering voters. is that it was a response to the an- ment by House of Representatives the attack but invited the HNEC election is likely to result in more Two days later, on May 2, a sui- nouncement by his family that Wis- (HoR) President Ageela Saleh that to relocate to “safer” premises in squabbling and chaos. cide squad attacked the west Tripoli sam Ben Hamid, one of the leaders he was going to ask it to pass leg- Benghazi. There are many in Libya who headquarters of the elections com- of the Islamist militants in Beng- islation for elections to take place. International condemnations and want elections, not least former mission, killing 14 staff members hazi, was dead. In fact, it is known That, however, was only three days support for elections do not change Qaddafi supporters who say their and security guards and injuring that he died at the end of 2016 before the attack, hardly enough the fact that they now look more candidates can win. For many more six others. The Islamic State (ISIS) when Libyan National Army forces time to prepare an assault so prep- unlikely than ever. who have come to distrust the main claimed responsibility but the at- arations likely had already been Speaking a few hours after the su- political players on all sides, who tack was different from previous made. icide attack, Libyan National Army long for stability, security and peace ISIS incursions in Tripoli. It was a International Putting a brave face on matters, (LNA) spokesman Colonel Ahmed and who increasingly regard 2011 deliberate ideological assault on the condemnations and the UN Support Mission in Libya, Mismari condemned the attack but as a stolen revolution, there is little very principles of elections. support for elections which Salame heads, tweeted that gave elections a firm thumbs down. belief that elections will take place ISIS is implacably opposed to after the May 2 attack do “terrorist attacks will not deter The LNA supported them, he said, this year or, if they do, that they representative democracy. As far as #Libyans from moving forward in but not while Islamists were present will cure the divisions and chaos. it and other Islamist militants are not change the fact that the process of consolidating #na- in Tripoli. He included the Muslim concerned, elections are “haram” — they now look more tional unity and building the state Brotherhood in that grouping. Michel Cousins is a contributor to forbidden by Islamic law. unlikely than ever. of law and institutions.” Even Saleh’s call for elections The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Egypt, France to push for elections in Libya before year’s end

Amr Emam The optimistic comment was be- have been demanding. The flurry al-Ubaidi. “Libya is badly in need Egyptian officials said they fore two suicide bombers attacked of political activity in Cairo, they of international pressure on those hoped increased stability in Libya an electoral commission office in acknowledged, attests to the pres- members to suspend their support would improve security condi- Cairo Tripoli, killing at least 14 people. ence of an international political for these terrorist groups.” tions in the country and neigh- Earlier, Field-Marshal Khalifa Haf- will to end the Libyan crisis. The Libyans accused Turkey and bouring ones. Cairo said most of gypt and France agreed tar visited Derna, raising expecta- “However, some of the mem- Qatar of offering support, includ- the arms that end up in Egypt, to push efforts to stabilise tions a massive military operation bers of the international commu- ing weapons shipments, to Islam- and particularly with terrorist Libya to allow for general targeting terrorist groups in the nity still work to serve their very ist militias in Libya. Ankara and groups in the country, originate in E elections before the end of north-eastern Libyan city would narrow interests by backing spe- Doha were also said to have been Libya. this year. soon begin. cific militias and terrorist groups,” easing the movement of militants Libya has also been a major tran- Stability, a more efficient fight Libya has become a problem said Libyan rights activist Aliaa from Syria and Iraq to Libya. sit point for illegal migrants to against terrorism, reconciliation spot for the international com- Europe, with boats carrying hun- between political and military munity since it fell into lawless- dreds of migrants trying to reach rivals and strong state institu- ness in 2011. Cairo has hopes that European coasts every week. tions are necessary if Libya is to Paris can use its international lev- Preparations for Libyan elec- overcome its security and politi- erage to rally support to unify the tions were moving ahead, with cal problems, a statement issued Libyan military establishment and the country’s election commission by the governments in Cairo and pressure countries sponsoring Is- registering voters — as of March, Paris said. lamist militias in Libya. 2.4 million of an estimated eligible “There is an urgent need for Le Drian’s visit coincided with voting pool of 4.4 million had reg- completing the formation of Lib- developments that demonstrated istered — and preparing logistics ya’s state institutions,” said Egyp- international concern about the for the electoral process. tian Foreign Ministry spokesman situation in Libya and unanimity However, the May 2 electoral Ahmed Abu Zeid. “The presence on the need to stop it from falling commission office attack indicates of strong institutions in a coun- deeper into unrest. how difficult it will be to have elec- try like Libya will speed up state Representatives of the Interna- tions in the country. building and national unity.” tional Quartet on Libya — the Arab In addition to potential vio- League, the European Union, the lence, the chances for elections African Union and the United Na- taking place before the end of the The flurry of political tions — met April 30 in Cairo to dis- year lessen if the main political activity in Cairo attests cuss progress on national reconcil- players in Libya fail to set aside to the presence of iation. They discussed unification partisan interests and the interests an international of the Libyan military and sending of international backers. observers to oversee Libya’s gen- “The international focus on political will to end eral elections. They also agreed on players on the Libyan scene, rather the Libyan crisis. the need to support state institu- than on the goal of bringing Libya tion building in Libya and speed- as a state back to life, causes rifts This was one of the issues fea- ing up as-yet unscheduled general and delays in bringing stability tured in April 29 talks in Cairo elections. back to the country,” said Gamal among French Foreign Minister “The building of state institu- Salama, a professor of political sci- Jean-Yves Le Drian and Egyptian tions is very important for Libya’s ence at the Suez Canal University President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and future,” said UN envoy to Libya in Egypt. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Ghassan Salame. “Nonetheless, “This is why, if those meeting on The political process in Libya, it is equally important for the in- Libya in Cairo are really sincere, Le Drian said, must move forward, ternational community to support they should stop procrastinating adding that “this will ensure that these institutions once they are International focus. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) on who they should support and the electoral process could be there.” speaks during a news conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister start working to push for an inclu- completed by the end of the year.” This is what Libyan observers Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, on April 29. (AFP) sive solution to the problem.” May 6, 2018 13 Spotlight Security in North Africa

Viewpoint ISIS is expanding in North and West Africa

ing on the local populations’ fear of Boko Haram to garner support. Reports say ISWA is protecting Elissa Miller locals from Boko Haram attacks, undermining the legitimacy of the Nigerian government and military, he United States and its as well as challenging Boko Haram’s allies have achieved im- operations. portant victories against ISWA’s tactics are not novel. In the Islamic State (ISIS). Libya, ISIS took advantage of the Late in 2017, Iraqi Prime post-Qaddafi situation when author- Minister Haider al-Abadi ities marginalised the city of Sirte, Tannounced the routing of the ex- which was Muammar Qaddafi’s tremist group from its stronghold in hometown and believed to be a Mosul. US President Donald Trump bastion of support for the dictator. expressed his expectation that ISIS Some of Sirte’s residents welcomed would be defeated in Syria “soon.” militant jihadist groups that prom- In 2016, the United States helped ised stability and services that the militias backed by Libya’s Govern- government failed to provide. ment of National Accord to push However, as it consolidated its ISIS out of its territory in the coastal territory, ISIS displayed the same city of Sirte. brutal and oppressive patterns that Operational victories over ISIS, defined its governance of Mosul and however, should not obscure the Raqqa. fact that it remains a serious global ISWA’s tactics indicate the local threat. Nowhere is this clearer than nature of ISIS affiliates as well as in North and West Africa. the group’s overall decentralised As ISIS lost territory in Syria and nature. ISWA is primarily a Nige- Iraq, the infiltration of local jihadist rian organisation, with few foreign groups beyond the Levant provided fighters. ISIS has expanded due an important opportunity to con- to its networked structure. This tinue the group’s expansion. Weak takes advantage of existing militant states in North and West Africa offer jihadist organisations to promote ISIS and other militant groups a defections, recruit local fighters and haven to recruit and train fighters, adapt to local conditions. access weapons and funding and Even in Libya, where Sirte served with and offer protection to local Although ISIS fighters in North 2014 has emphasised the impor- plan operations. as the third major city in ISIS’s self- communities and smugglers in and West Africa are locally based, as tance of Libya as a gateway to ISIS has taken advantage of the styled caliphate and saw the arrival southern Libya. These communities the group loses territory elsewhere, Europe, the Sahel and sub-Saharan security vacuum caused by weak or of many foreign fighters, ISIS relied are key nodes in the transnational ungoverned spaces in the region will Africa. As such, the activities of absent governance in Libya, Niger, on localism to expand. ISIS in Libya smuggling networks that extend serve as critical areas of operation. affiliates such as ISWA and attacks Mali, north-eastern Nigeria and has its roots in the local jihadists through Central and West Africa It is these areas that could facilitate in Libya should be viewed neither northern Chad to increase its influ- who travelled to Syria in 2011 and and in Libya’s ungoverned territo- greater coordination among the separately nor in a vacuum. Consid- ence and expand its network. 2012 and returned in 2014. ISIS ries. ISIS in Libya also maintains group’s affiliates. Al-Qaeda in the ering the transnational and forward- There have been reports that ISIS recruitment in Libya largely focused the capability to carry out attacks Islamic Maghreb had maintained looking nature of ISIS, Western has established a substantial pres- on defectors from existing Salafi throughout Libya, as demonstrated stronger ties than ISIS to smuggling policymakers touting the victory of ence around Lake Chad. The Islamic jihadist groups, including Ansar al- by the May 2 suicide bombings at networks through West and North ISIS in Syria and Iraq should be wary State in West Africa (ISWA) is report- Sharia. Most of the group’s foreign Libya’s Electoral Commission in Africa. Now, there are indications of the group’s resurgence in North edly attempting to win over locals fighters came from neighbouring Tripoli. ISIS is seeking to increasingly insert Africa. in the area as it seeks to push into Tunisia. The expansion of ISWA and recent itself into the lucrative smuggling north-eastern Nigeria and Niger. Post-Sirte, ISIS is pursuing manoeuvring of ISIS fighters in business. This could strengthen ties Elissa Miller is a non-resident ISWA emerged out of a split with another local strategy in Libya. It Libya, therefore, demonstrate that between its fighters in West and fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Nigeria’s Boko Haram in 2016. The is reportedly sending envoys and ISIS remains a formidable global North Africa. Rafik Hariri Centre for the Middle new group appears to be capitalis- fighters to develop relationships threat. ISIS propaganda since at least East.

Dwindling resources. Jihadists, drought A camel herder crosses the Yobe threaten pastoral River on the outskirts of Damasak in north-eastern life in Sahel region Nigeria. (AFP)

Lamine Ghanmi seven regions in Mauritania and Senegal met recently to facilitate Tunis shepherds’ movements. Livestock farming ministers from ihadism and climate change 15 West African countries also met are twin scourges increasingly in Nigeria to discuss how the natu- limiting water and grazing re- ral mobility of herders is threatened J sources in the Sahel, threaten- by communal conflicts, the spread ing to alter the lives of shepherds of jihadists and severe drought. and forcing populations to migrate. The UN World Food Programme “Around 95% of the 700 cows (WFP), UNICEF and the UN Food of our village have been in Mali’s and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) grazing land for five months now,” said in a statement that the dry said herders’ association chief al weather could lead to one of the the century. ease, faced a different situation this smaller animals. ISWA, which split Hadrami Ould Sheikh al-Jali in the worst harvests in many years in the The United Nations said 5 mil- year. from Nigeria’s Boko Haram in 2016, southern Mauritanian region of Sahel. lion people will need food aid in “Body checks and declarations also runs slaughterhouses for the Timbedra. Lack of rainfall in southern Mau- the coming months because of the of the number of animals and cattle, taking fees for each animal, “Our cattle are 100km deep in ritania, parts of Mali, Niger, Burkina drought in West Africa. other goods are enforced at each as well as from other activities such Mali land. Drought has ruined our Faso, Chad and Senegal wreaked The Sahel’s population soared of the many monitoring and con- as gathering firewood. grazing land and the lack of water havoc on livestock and crops and 30% from 2000-10 and will aver- trol points inside Mali,” Mauritania ISWA is said to be digging wells had forced us to move our animals triggered displacement of herders. age 3% yearly increases, the United herder Sheikh Ayya Ould Krami told and giving out seeds and fertiliser to Mali.” Mass hunger is a distinct risk among Nations says. More people require the Mauritanian daily Al Akhbar. to win support within pastoral com- the region’s populations. more land, more food, more water “Mauritania is not applying reci- munities. “If we don’t do anything, what and more jobs in a context in which procity,” he said. “Mali imposes a “The Islamic State has a terri- As extremist groups drive will they do? Die, join extremist all four are already in short supply. tax of at least 10,000 CFA ($18) for ble reputation for being so brutal insecurity in the region groups, migrate? Migrate where?” The median age of the region’s each herd whatever the number of around the world and people can’t and drought reduces the asked Abdou Dieng, WFP regional population is under 20 and chil- animals comprising it. That is un- imagine an Islamic State faction amount of grazing land, director for West and Central Africa. dren are among the most likely in fair.” could be more moderate (than Boko herders are facing more “We must invest in programmes in the world to be out of school. This Jihadists also tax herders in their Haram),” Jacob Zenn, of the James- the Sahel.” makes low-skill farming and herd- strongholds. town Foundation in Washington, obstacles in terms of Change in climate patterns and ing the only sources of livelihood The Islamic State in West Africa said to Reuters. mobility. the spread of armed Islamist groups for most of the population. (ISWA), which has an estimated “It opens the longer game of try- in the region add challenges. As extremist groups drive inse- 5,000 fighters, is raising taxes on ing to create a connection to peo- Mobility of herders in the Sahel The Intergovernmental Panel on curity in the region and drought herders as it creates its own econ- ple,” Vincent Foucher, who studies region has helped shepherds sur- Climate Change said it expects the reduces the amount of grazing land, omy over grazing land in the Lake Boko Haram at the French National vive cyclical droughts. Accords Sahel region to get hotter, with tem- herders are facing more obstacles in Chad area. Centre for Science Research, told between neighbouring countries peratures in the area increasing ap- terms of mobility. Reuters quoted herders in the Reuters. regulate the movements of herd- proximately 1 degree Celsius in the Shepherds from southern Mau- area as saying that ISWA provides ers and their animals. Farming next two decades, by 2 degrees by ritania and Mali, who could previ- safe grazing for about 2,500 naira Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly ministers and authorities from 2065 and 4 degrees by the end of ously cross the border with relative ($8) a cow and 1,500 naira ($5) for correspondent in Tunis. 14 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Erdogan in bind as opposition forms alliance for elections

Thomas Seibert Polls say the alliance could get about 40% of the vote, similar to the result expected for the AKP- Washington MHP bloc. The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), which is urkish President Recep running on its own, could get an- Tayyip Erdogan finds him- other 10%, which, when combined self in a difficult situation with the alliance’s tally, could cost T less than two months before Erdogan’s AKP its majority. snap elections as the opposition is “There is panic in the AKP,” Murat overcoming deep divisions to form Gezici, a respected pollster, said in an alliance to try to win a majority an interview. He said the country’s of seats in parliament and possibly economic situation, which shows unseat Erdogan as head of state. signs of overheating amid a sharp Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey as drop of the Turkish lira against ma- either prime minister or president jor currencies, high inflation and since 2003, is confronted with a unemployment as well as a growing four-party bloc bent on rolling back current account deficit, is a major some of his key policy decisions, in- reason for Erdogan’s woes. cluding a plan to switch from a par- “Many voters think the AKP has liamentary to a presidential system not kept its economic promises in of government. recent years,” Gezici said. He esti- Polls indicate the alliance is on mates that some AKP voters could track to win enough votes to deny switch to the Iyi, which tends to ap- Erdogan’s own bloc — formed by peal to a similar voter segment. The Closing ranks. Leader of Turkey’s Iyi (Good) party Meral Aksener (L) and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the his ruling Justice and Development result would be a boost for the op- leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), in Ankara, on April 25. (AP) Party (AKP), the right-wing Nation- position. alist Movement Party (MHP) and Erdogan could encounter similar him, especially in the CHP. Gul irked in prison if convicted. in Rhode Island. Many conservative the small conservative Great Unity problems in the presidential poll, the AKP by expressing concerns However, Demirtas, a charis- Kurds previously voted for Erdogan Party — a majority in parliament. also scheduled for June 24, with a about the course of the country un- matic 45-year-old lawyer who shot but a crackdown on Kurdish politi- Members of the alliance for the run-off July 8 if no candidate takes der Erdogan’s increasingly authori- to fame with a strong showing in cians such as Demirtas and a mili- June 24 parliamentary and presi- more than 50% of the vote in the tarian leadership. Coming from Gul, the presidential election in 2014, tary intervention into Syria to push dential poll called on Turks to teach first round. The parties in the new who enjoys respect among AKP vot- could sway part of the Kurdish vote, a Kurdish militia away from the Erdogan a lesson at the ballot box. opposition alliance promised each ers despite leaving day-to-day poli- which is estimated at about 20% of Turkish-Syrian border may weaken “We regard this as an election of vi- other to unite behind the strongest tics in 2014, the charges enraged the the total Turkish electorate of 55 that support. tal importance,” opposition leader anti-Erdogan contender on July 8, a ruling party. million people. He is also popular “Demirtas, given his popular- Kemal Kilicdaroglu said. development that could spell trou- With Gul dropping out, the CHP, among non-Kurdish parts of the ity, faces a historical opportunity,” The new alliance groups Kil- ble for the 64-year-old head of state, the biggest opposition party, is Turkish left. Kadercan wrote on Twitter. By of- icdaroglu’s secularist Republican Gezici said. fielding Muharrem Ince, a long- fering support to the new opposi- People’s Party (CHP), the nationalist He added that 15% of AKP vot- time member of parliament known tion alliance, Demirtas could bring a Iyi (Good) party, the Islamist Felic- ers and 75% of MHP voters do not as a combative and effective orator, Polls indicate the alliance broad anti-Erdogan front together, ity Party (SP) and the centre-right want to support Erdogan. “In a sec- as its presidential candidate. Er- is on track to win enough Kadercan argued, admitting that Democratic Party (DP). A central ond round, Aksener would have a dogan also faces Aksener, the head votes to deny Erdogan’s such a strategy carried risks for goal of the alliance is to help the SP chance to beat Erdogan,” he said, of the SP Temel Karamollaoglu and own bloc a majority in Demirtas: The former HDP chief and the DP win seats in parliament referring to Iyi party leader Meral the former HDP leader Selahattin could anger militant Kurdish hard- by circumventing Turkey’s 10% rule Aksener. Demirtas in the presidential race. parliament. liners and could face life in jail if for representation in the chamber: Hopes for a united opposition Demirtas’s candidacy is largely Erdogan defeats the opposition. In an election alliance, only the bloc candidate against Erdogan were symbolic because he has been in Demirtas could very well hold the as a whole, not its individual par- shattered when Abdullah Gul, a for- pre-trial detention since 2016 for key to the election outcome, said Thomas Seibert is a ties, has to win more than 10% of mer president, declined to enter the alleged support for Kurdish separa- Burak Kadercan, an associate pro- Washington correspondent for the vote to enter parliament. race, citing criticism levelled against tists. He faces more than 140 years fessor at the US Naval War College The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint Erdogan’s real election rival is the economy

s the tide turning against Turk- draw attention to his [Erdogan’s] massive systemic crisis. majority. This is fairly unlikely. ish President Recep Tayyip increasingly questionable record on There have been no credible Its immediate outcome would be Erdogan in the run-up to snap steering the nation’s economy.” opinion polls — and it is far too early political chaos but it would cer- Yavuz Baydar elections on June 24? Until The analysis makes a good point. anyway by Turkish standards — to tainly mean the end of Erdogan’s recently, Erdogan was seen as The lira hit a low of 4.29 per dollar predict which way people will vote. rule as well as of the AKP as the electorally invincible but he even as consumer price inflation However, if the economy worsens, last bastion of the Muslim Brother- Imay be running into trouble. climbed to 10.9% in April from as Ash said, it may foretell the elec- hood’s experiments with power. If If so, the fragmented opposition 10.2% the previous month. This toral verdict. it happened, all the president’s men is not to blame. The opposition is very high compared to inflation Erdogan was determined to would probably start to disperse lacks a comprehensive vision and levels in other countries — 2.7% in ensure the entire media would be and it would take time to restore is unable to offer viable alternative Brazil, 4.3% in India, 2.1% in China under control when he announced Turkey’s wrecked systems. policies. and 2.4% in Russia. Erdogan’s early elections but there is a limit • Erdogan wins the presidential The real challenge to Erdogan government did not heed warnings to the usefulness of such a strategy. race but loses the parliamentary seems to be his own economic poli- the economy was overheating and Even with a submissive media, majority. If his chief opponent — cies. All signs point to accelerating recently announced a fresh round Turkey’s president cannot get vot- the economy — continues to work decline. As this column has repeat- of stimulus measures. ers to ignore the effects of economic against him, this could be a likely edly pointed out, Erdogan really has Experts see darkening skies for trouble. scenario. If the pro-Kurdish Peo- one formidable adversary and it is Turkey’s strongman. Timothy Ash, So what’s in prospect for Turkey ple’s Democratic Party wins more himself. If he falls, it will be caused senior emerging markets strate- after the election? There are three than 10% of the vote, thereby cross- by his erratic decision-making and gist at BlueBay Asset Management scenarios: ing the threshold needed to enter well-known obstinacy. in London, told Ahval: “If the lira • Erdogan wins the presidential parliament, a united opposition alli- That moment may have come and continues to sink the message to election and his AKP maintains a ance could be the majority group- the opposition parties might be able voters will be that Erdogan has lost parliamentary majority. This is the ing. In such a situation, Erdogan to challenge Erdogan or at least tar- the plot on the economy front.” president’s dream scenario. If it would struggle not to become a get disappointed voters away from The opposition seems to smell comes to pass, he will have consoli- lame duck. That said, he is a skilful Erdogan’s Justice and Development blood even though it is unable to dated a strong Islamist-nationalist politician and could manipulate his Party (AKP). nominate a unity candidate to run bloc. It will legitimise Erdogan’s opponents by appointing ministers This is because of the economy. against Erdogan. Instead, each of policies both with friends and foes from opposition parties. He could “A slump in the lira’s value — the the four main opposition parties in the international arena. Such a also try to rule by presidential de- The opposition country’s fragile currency hit a re- will run a candidate while keeping result would give Erdogan carte cree to marginalise the opposition. seems to smell cord low against the US dollar [May fingers crossed Erdogan doesn’t blanche to extend his purge of the No matter what happens, Tur- blood even though 4] — may be exposing [Erdogan] to win the election outright in the first opposition and dissenting civil so- key’s elections will only serve to a serious challenge from opposition round. The opposition’s approach to ciety groups. The political changes expose the depth of its systemic it is unable to figures,” wrote Mark Bentley on the election can be summarised as under way in Turkey will have been crisis. nominate a unity Ahval News Online. “take him down and then we’ll see.” signed and sealed for an indefinite candidate to run Bentley, formerly bureau chief for They know that, if they succeed, period. Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish Bloomberg News in Turkey, added they will have taken over a ruin • Erdogan loses both the journalist and regular columnist for against Erdogan. that the opposition was “sure to on almost every aspect due to a presidential race and parliamentary The Arab Weekly. May 6, 2018 15 Debate Iran

Iran’s IRGC prefers low-intensity conflict with Israel to all-out war

programme. The T-4 airbase strike was not the first time the IRGC and its Ali Alfoneh allied Shia forces were subject to Israeli attacks. Israel admits it has engaged in more than 100 air raids against Lebanese Hezbol- lah’s arms transfers from Syria to ran remained remarkably Lebanon. High-ranking IRGC of- silent in the days after the ficers were killed in some of those April 29 attacks — suspected attacks. to have been carried out by On February 13, 2013, Command- Israel — on two northern Syria er Hassan Shateri, also known as military bases that host Ira- Hessam Khoshnevis, was killed in Inian and allied Shia militia forces. an Israeli attack while transport- State-controlled Iranian media ing Iran-made weaponry from played down the incident, pro- Syria to Lebanon. Shateri was viding an important insight into officially the head of the “Iranian the strategy towards Israel of the Committee for the Reconstruction Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Lebanon.” In reality, he was (IRGC). While it does not mind the highest-ranking IRGC al-Quds engaging Israel in a low-intensity Force officer in Lebanon. conflict, it tries hard to avoid all- On January 18, 2015, IRGC al- out war. Quds Force officer Mohammad-Ali Iranian media coverage of the Allahdadi was targeted by Israeli attack on the Syrian bases quoted helicopters in the Quneitra area Syrian government sources, the in south-western Syria. He was Britain-based Syrian Observatory killed along with several Lebanese for Human Rights and the Israeli Hezbollah fighters. newspaper Haaretz. Every piece Even though there is no ac- emphasised that Iranian officials knowledgment of Iranian casual- had not confirmed the loss of Ira- ties from the April 29 attack, one nian nationals. thing is very similar to the after- As time passed, Iranian report- math of the April 9 strike: Tehran’s ing dismissed any Iranian or allied muted response. This is under- losses altogether. For instance, Few options. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stands as army air force and air defence staff standable. Fearing Israeli attacks, the centrist Iranian Students salute in Tehran. (AP) Iran is methodically expanding its News Agency quoted “an in- military infrastructure in Syria so formed source” on this point. The Security and Foreign Policy Com- with ILNA, Hermidas-Bavand said: it can engage Israel in a permanent unidentified source, supposedly mittee of the Iranian parliament, “Israel is trying to provoke Iran to low-intensity conflict. This ma- from within the Joint Force Staff, condemned the April 29 attacks in react in the hope of taking greater noeuvre is aimed at keeping Israel dismissed the idea that Iranian an interview with the centrist Ira- action in Syria.” busy. Perhaps it is also meant to military advisers in Syria had suf- nian Labour News Agency (ILNA). Immediately after the attack on deter Israel from attacking Iran’s fered “martyrdom.” An unnamed Naqavi Hosseini was less the northern Syrian bases, Iran nuclear infrastructure. base commander of the Afghan categorical than other unidenti- seemed to agree more with Hermi- Of course, the IRGC’s planners Fatemiyoun Division was quoted fied sources about Iranian losses. das-Bavand than with Naqavi Hos- realise this strategy entails a cost, claiming that none of his forces He said: “We do not have exact seini. It has a track record on this. not least losses at Israeli hands, was “martyred.” statistics and the government The IRGC did not retaliate but that is a price the IRGC finds There have been inconsistencies must officially announce it… The against Israel for its April 9 air affordable. It would be much in the official line, however. The Syrians must provide the numbers raid on the T-4 air base in Homs. less acceptable for the IRGC to only Iranian politician publicly since they are in charge. We are in The T-4 base hosts a unit from the lose face. So, the IRGC does not speaking about the April 29 inci- Syria at the behest of the govern- IRGC Air and Space unmanned respond to losses inflicted by the dents did not say Iran had suffered ment of Syria.” He added that the aerial drone force. It is part of the Israeli Air Force. It knows it is no losses. Hossein Naqavi Hos- “crime” of Israel “will not remain substantial military infrastruc- neither in a position to inflict seri- seini, spokesman for the National unanswered.” ture established by Iran in Syria. ous losses on the Israelis nor does In general, there appears to be Colonel Mehdi Dehqan Yazdeli, it want to escalate a low-intensity an attempt to keep Iranian emo- the highest-ranking Iranian fatal- conflict into an all-out war. In general, there appears to be tions over the alleged attack by ity identified in the April 9 attack, an attempt to keep Iranian Israel in check. Veteran foreign served in the IRGC’s Air and Space Ali Alfoneh is a non-resident policy analyst Davoud Hermidas- Force. Other Iranian nation- senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri emotions over the alleged Bavand warned against rash reac- als killed in the incident were Centre for the Middle East at attack by Israel in check. tions from Tehran. In an interview probably involved in Iran’s drone the Atlantic Council. The politics of gesture from Syria to Iran

man — I have spoken several times Yossi Alpher, the perceptive nuclear deal. By following Trump with him in his Tehran office — Israeli analyst and former senior over Syria and backing his criti- and he is entitled to expect vigi- Mossad officer, was scathing on cism of Iran’s missile programme Gareth Smyth lance from Iran’s security services the APN website. “As with the — Europe proposes new sanctions with so many threats abroad of previous American strike against on Iranian individuals linked to “regime change” and military Syria last year,” he wrote, “[US missiles and Iran’s Syrian pres- strikes. However, he is surely libel- President Donald] Trump seems ence — the Europeans may do just ling intelligence operatives of the to have been moved primarily by enough to let Trump claim they n Rana Haddad’s new novel, United States, Britain and Israel video coverage of Syrian children have bowed to his pressure. “The Unexpected Love Ob- by suggesting they would attempt affected by a gas attack — children, Earlier this year, Paul von Malt- jects of Dunya Noor,” a young something so crass and easily incidentally, whose potential en- zahn, a former senior German dip- woman returning home to detected. try into the United States as Syrian lomat, told me Europe was making Syria after living in England Far more likely, then, that Sha- refugees he has barred. Promi- gestures. “Although Europe would is asked by a security officer riatmadari’s aim is to undermine nently, Trump blamed not only be happy if the Iranians would cut Iat Damascus Airport if her tatty Iranian environmentalists linked the Assad regime in Damascus but down their [missile] programme old box-camera means she is a spy. to the government of Iranian Russia, too.” it’s not a driving force in our poli- “Spies don’t use these types President Hassan Rohani. Rohani Because Russia immediately cies,” he said. “We’re looking for of cameras, look,” she tells him. is a pragmatist and is opposed threatened to shoot back at any ways to get Trump off his plan to “This is too old-fashioned and by Shariatmadari, who guards US missiles or facilities launching destroy the [the Iranian nuclear used only for art photography. the “true” principles of the 1979 them, Washington opted to tread deal].” Spies hide their cameras in foun- Islamic Revolution. softly. “No Western-launched mis- So we have politicians playing tain pens and umbrellas, didn’t The recent resignation of Kaveh siles or air attacks targeted Rus- to domestic constituencies, taking you know?” Madani as deputy head of the sian facilities,” wrote Alpher. “In actions they know are hollow and It’s fiction, albeit telling satire Environment Ministry may show fact, all… missiles targeted empty making statements they know are for anyone who knows Syria, but the principlist tactic is working. In Syrian chemical research and de- false or misleading. it’s less far-fetched than a sugges- his 7-month tenure at the ministry, velopment and storage facilities. It could be satire but it isn’t. tion from an Iranian editor. Hos- and at Imperial College London “Russia did not respond militar- Yet the politics of gesture does sein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief before that, Madani worked to find ily. Both Russia and the United nothing to tackle the real chal- of Iran’s Kayhan newspaper, said solutions to Iran’s shrinking lakes States acknowledged that the two lenges — security tensions and cameras set by Iranian environ- and rivers, air pollution and deser- had been in close contact to coor- arms build-up in the Middle East, mentalists to track endangered tification. He was forced to resign dinate the dimensions and targets Iran’s looming environmental cheetahs were designed for foreign after media outlets ran pictures of of the US attack on Syria.” catastrophe or the consequences intelligence agencies to monitor him dancing at a party, although All of this meant Trump could of carnage in Syria. Iran’s missile tests. it was far from clear when the look tough, pleasing his support- Indeed, by forestalling serious Shariatmadari is an intelligent incident occurred. ers through an empty (if expen- attempts to grapple with these The politics of gesture is not sive) gesture. As Alpher summed it challenges, the politics of gesture confined to Iran. Before its missile up: “The Pentagon got the bluster- may be making matters worse. By forestalling serious attempts attacks on Syria on April 14, the ing Trump off the hook by hitting to grapple with challenges, the United States took the trouble empty Syrian targets.” Gareth Smyth is a regular to check with Moscow that the The Europeans’ aim in the af- contributor to The Arab Weekly. politics of gesture may be targets were acceptable and more fair was probably giving Trump He has reported from the Middle making matters worse. or less empty. enough leeway to stay in the Iran East since 1992. 16 May 6, 2018 News & Analysis East West As Trump mulls end of Iran pact, question of ‘what then’ looms

Thomas Seibert threats to Israel and the region and pursuing such weapons. Iran’s ambition to dominate the Mid- The secretary of state said the dle East remains,” Pompeo said in Iranians lied to the six countries — Washington Israel, where Israeli Prime Minister China, France, Germany, Russia, Shared concerns. Binyamin Netanyahu later presented the United Kingdom and the United Israeli Prime he fate of the international what he called Iran’s nuclear archive States — that negotiated the Iran nu- Minister nuclear agreement with Iran to convince Trump to end the JCPOA. clear deal. The agreement was thus Binyamin is hanging by a thread as Is- “built on Iran’s lies,” Pompeo said. Netanyahu (R) and US Secretary rael and Saudi Arabia urge US John Kerry, one of Pompeo’s pre- T For now, powerful Iran of State Mike President Donald Trump to get tough decessors who was closely involved with Tehran. However, his adminis- critics in the Trump in the negotiations that produced the Pompeo in Tel tration has yet to spell out a way for- administration and Israel 2015 accord, disagreed. “Everything Aviv, on April 29. ward after a potential collapse of the look to have the upper that PM Netanyahu laid out was (Reuters) accord. hand. exactly why we needed this agree- Trump, who has repeatedly criti- ment,” Kerry tweeted. US Defence Secretary James Mat- gramme at the Brookings Institution, cised the Joint Comprehensive Plan Netanyahu urged Washington to The former secretary of state tis, no friend of Tehran, cautioned wrote in an analysis posted on its of Action (JCPOA), as the 2015 Iran pile pressure on Tehran. “Iran must and others argue that the JCPOA is about blowing up the nuclear accord. website. deal is formally known, is keeping be stopped. Its quest for nuclear groundbreaking in that it has given However, it remains unclear whether “President Donald Trump is rev- the world guessing whether he will bombs must be stopped. Its aggres- the international community the Trump can be swayed by arguments elling in his role of ringmaster, en- keep or kill the agreement. Trump sion must be stopped and we’re com- ability to gain insight into Iran’s nu- from French President Emmanuel tertaining appeals from US allies is facing a May 12 deadline that gives mitted to stopping it together,” he clear activities. Before the agreement Macron and German Chancellor An- and holding the world in suspense him a choice between leaving the said. there was “no visibility into Iran’s gela Merkel during separate recent while he ostensibly deliberates over JCPOA in place or reintroducing US Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al- [programme],” Kerry wrote. “Blow visits to the White House that it a choice with massive national se- sanctions against Tehran, which Jubeir voiced his country’s backing, up the deal and you’re back there to- would be better to keep the agree- curity and economic implications,” would in effect destroy the accord. saying the kingdom “supports the morrow!” Iran has said it will restart ment intact and embark on a new Maloney added. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump policy of the Trump administration uranium enrichment if Trump leaves international initiative to stop Iran’s She said she does not expect the said May 1. “I’m not telling you what against Iran and to improve the terms the JCPOA. missile programme and aggressive discussion to end with Trump’s an- I’m doing but a lot of people think of the nuclear agreement with Iran.” For now, powerful Iran critics in meddling in the region. nouncement on the JCPOA. His de- they know.” Pompeo said the documents ob- the Trump administration and Israel Although Trump has repeatedly cision “will likely usher in an even Mike Pompeo, Trump’s new secre- tained by Israel show that Iran lied look to have the upper hand. Togeth- hinted at walking away from the more intense ambiguity surround- tary of state and a prominent hawk about its pursuit of nuclear weapons er with US national security adviser JCPOA, no one is sure what he will ing the status of the nuclear agree- on Iran, used his first foreign trip af- and its deception undercuts the 2015 John Bolton, Pompeo forms an Iran do. “The debate over the fate [of] ment, the state of the transatlantic ter his installation to assure US allies deal. In a statement, Pompeo said he hard-line tandem in Trump’s circle of the deal has become a three-ring relationship, the legality of doing Israel and Saudi Arabia that the ad- “personally reviewed many of the close advisers. Netanyahu appeared circus, with Israelis, Europeans and business with Iran and the prospects ministration would take a hard line Iranian files,” adding that the docu- to be confident that the US president the Iranians themselves all jockeying for military conflict involving Teh- in dealing with Tehran. ments show that Iran had a secret would rip up the JCPOA. “I’m sure to shape the outcome in their own ran and its proxies across the Middle “We remain deeply concerned nuclear weapons programme “for he’ll do the right thing,” Netanyahu favour,” Suzanne Maloney, deputy East.” about Iran’s dangerous escalation of years” while it was denying it was said. director of the Foreign Policy pro- Some observers say Iran hardliners

Viewpoint Viewpoint Why Israel should not lead the charge against Iran The world lobbies Trump on Iran and awaits his decision

Action (JCPOA) and the Treaty on it was severing ties with Tehran Mark Habeeb that Trump and Merkel are not the the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear over its support for the separatist best of friends and the difference Weapons so it could resume its Polisario Front in the disputed seemed stark after the Trump- Iman Zayat nuclear activities unhindered. Western Sahara region. Morocco he past few weeks have Macron bromance that included The second date to look to is accused the Iran-backed Shia witnessed a remark- the US president’s first official state May 14, when the United States is group Hezbollah of arming and able global lobbying dinner. alk of imminent war scheduled to open its embassy in training members of the Polisario campaign as leaders Nevertheless, Merkel diligently between Israel and Jerusalem. The controversial move Front. on all sides of the issue made her case: “This agreement is Iran, probably involv- is expected to provoke unrest In light of Iran’s continued med- attempt to influence anything but perfect,” she said at ing other regional and across the Muslim world, among dling in sovereign nations’ affairs, TUS President Donald Trump on the leaders’ joint news conference, international players, both Sunnis and Shias. By mobilis- many in the region are convinced his potentially fateful decision on “[and] will not solve all the increased following ing its Shia proxies, Iran may capi- that a showdown is unavoidable. whether to keep the United States problems with Iran.” However, she Tthe recent Israeli air strike on the talise on this unrest and provoke a However, an escalation with Israel in the nuclear agreement with added that the agreement “is one T-4 airbase in Homs, in which bloody response to the US move. might be counterproductive. Not Iran that was negotiated by former piece of the mosaic, one building several Iranian troops were re- The growing risk of Iranian ag- only would it put the impetus on President Barack Obama. block, if you like, on which we can ported killed. gression comes as Trump is look- Israel, viewed as a criminal occu- Trump must decide by May 12 build up this structure.” She ended Hostility between Israel and ing to chart a different course than pation state by many Arabs, to lead whether to continue Iran’s relief with the plea that the United States Iran is not new but it has reached his predecessors. On more than the counter-Iran effort, it would from US sanctions. If he reinstates and Europe “be in lockstep” on the unprecedented levels. one occasion, Trump has shown risk increasing sympathy to Iran sanctions, the United States will issue. Israel first gave thought to that he is neither a warmonger like throughout the Muslim world. effectively cease being a party to launching a military strike on George W. Bush nor a diplomat like Iran, as we know it today, is the accord. Iran’s nuclear sites in 2008 but Obama. This means he would not surely heading to an end. How that The first lobbyist was One major world then-US President George W. shy away from a limited show- will happen, however, is unclear smooth-talking French President power, Russia, has Bush made it clear he would not down with Iran that could shore and the devil is in the details. It Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in support such a strike. In 2009, up his counter-Iran strategy with- should be clear that any attempt Washington April 24 with the goal not taken part in the former US President Barack out ensuing costs or obligations. to write an end to the mullahs’ of persuading Trump to remain in lobbying campaign Obama shot down a similar Ultimately, Trump might end up regime and their expansionist the agreement while negotiating Israeli plan. supporting war waged by Israel agenda through the hand of an a much better “new deal” with despite being the Now, however, the mood in against Tehran and its Shia proxies occupation force will not succeed America’s European allies. By the most significant Washington is quite different and in Syria and Lebanon. nor garner international support. end of that week, Trump appeared foreign actor in an Israeli strike against Iran could Now more than ever, world lead- The Iranian regime is increasing- to have warmed to the idea — a well be in the cards. Two dates in ers are expressing different visions ly isolated and faces crises on both beautiful “Trumpian” deal to the region. the near future will be decisive of the future. French President the domestic and international replace the flawed Obama deal. in this regard. The first is May 12, Emmanuel Macron has said that levels. At home, Tehran is dealing Speaking to a joint session of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin by which US President Donald “nobody wants a war in the region with an ailing economy; regionally, the US Congress, however, Macron Netanyahu, who shares Trump’s Trump must decide whether to and nobody wants an escalation its interference in Arab countries made it clear he believes even the hostility to the nuclear accord reimpose economic sanctions on in terms of tension in the region.” has caused an irreparable divide; current flawed deal is better than and actively tried to sabotage it Iran or keep the Iran nuclear deal Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor and, on the international level, no deal and pledged that France while it was being negotiated, intact. Lieberman, however, has said the Iran faces growing hostility in view will continue to abide by the staged a one-man televised Trump, largely seen as unpre- Israeli Defence Forces are “pre- of its alleged support for terror- Obama-era agreement even if the lobbying performance on April dictable and impulsive, teased pared for all scenarios.” ist groups and development of United States pulls out. To ensure 29 that resembled one of the late the world about his possible Meanwhile, Iran has continued missiles in defiance of UN Security a round of applause from the Steve Jobs’ Apple product roll- plans, saying “I’m not telling you to make risky bets to expand its Council Resolution 2231. Republican-controlled Congress, outs. It included a slide-show what I’m doing but a lot of people regional influence and further en- All of this points to an Iran that he added that “Iran shall never that the Israeli leader claimed think they know.” trench its presence in Iraq, Yemen, is increasingly isolated and on the possess any nuclear weapons. Not revealed shocking new intelligence Faced with such uncertainty, Syria, Lebanon and Bahrain. verge of disintegration. However, now. Not in 5 years. Not in 10 years. information but was almost Iran could be preparing for a pre- With its strategic location the international community Never.” entirely old news recycled. emptive response. Islamic Revo- and with the help of proxies, should tread carefully and tighten Within hours of Macron’s Netanyahu’s show was lutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cyber-attacks and assassination the screws on Tehran while avoid- departure, German Chancellor imminently Trumpian — Brigadier-General Hossein Salami squads, Tehran has been capable ing any scenario that could trigger Angela Merkel dropped by the bombastic, factually challenged hinted at this in April, saying of punching above its weight. Its region-wide war. White House for a 3-hour meeting and equal parts fear-evoking and the IRGC had proposed that the latest destabilising effort was in with Trump in which Iran topped aggressive. It was designed to country should withdraw from Morocco. Iman Zayat is the Managing the agenda. One does not need to ensure Trump that his instincts the Joint Comprehensive Plan of On May 1, Morocco announced Editor of The Arab Weekly. be fluent in body language to see were correct and that Israel, at May 6, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West Sajid Javid breaks barriers in becoming ethnic minority home secretary

Mahmud el-Shafey

London

ajid Javid being selected the United Kingdom’s home sec- retary represented a major S step forward for Britain’s eth- nic minorities, with many hailing the appointment as a political mas- terstroke by Prime Minister Theresa May following a protracted political scandal centring on immigration. Javid, 48, is the first person of an ethnic minority to take one of the four most senior and prestigious posts — prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, foreign secretary and home secretary — in the British government. “No matter your politics, today is in the US administration have their a historic moment for our nation. minds set on increasing the pressure He becomes the first ethnic minor- on Tehran for ideological reasons. ity Brit to hold one of the great offic- “I’m afraid Pompeo and Bolton just es of state,” tweeted Martin Edobor, don’t think about what happens af- a National Health Service doctor ter” a possible decision by Trump and national chairman of the Young to finish off the nuclear agreement, Fabians, a centre-left think tank. Massive task. British Home Secretary Sajid Javid poses outside the Home Office in London, on April 30. (AP) said James Zogby, president of the A Conservative MP for Broms- Arab American Institute in Washing- grove in Worcestershire in the West ton. “My dread is that he will end it,” Midlands, Javid is known to be a Khan — the Labour candidate — on policy towards illegal immigration. Many hope the appointment of Zogby said in an interview, referring staunch Thatcherite and is expect- his mayoral election victory, despite Immigrants from the Caribbean and a second-generation immigrant to to Trump and the JCPOA. ed to take a pro-business stance at hailing from an opposition party. their dependents who were invited head the Home Office will see more Given rising tensions between Is- the Home Office. “From one son of a Pakistani bus to the United Kingdom from 1948- than just cosmetic changes to its rael and Iran over the latter’s involve- More important, his appoint- driver to another, congratulations,” 71 to take jobs said they faced prob- policies on immigration. ment in the Syrian war and increas- ment, analysts say, does not unbal- he tweeted, in a message that was lems proving their status to new “Like the Caribbean Windrush ing military presence close to Israeli ance May’s “war cabinet” of senior retweeted more than 2,000 times. Home Office policies, forcing many generation, my parents came to this territory, the region could face a “war Brexit advisers. Javid said he reluc- to lose jobs, homes and be refused country from the Commonwealth in that would be more devastating tantly voted “Remain” in the 2016 urgent medical treatment. the 1960s. They, too, came to help than anything we have seen,” Zogby referendum but has since sought to Javid is known to be a Rudd was repeatedly ordered rebuild this country and offer all warned. Yet, the administration does burnish his Eurosceptic credentials, staunch Thatcherite before parliament to answer ques- that they had. So when I heard that not seem to have a long-term view. including calling for the United and is expected to take tions about the Home Office’s poli- people who were long-standing pil- “Even if there is regime change Kingdom not to remain in the Euro- a pro-business stance at cies. She denied the department set lars of their community were being in Iran, what happens then?” Zogby pean Union’s customs union. the Home Office. “targets” for the removal of illegal impacted for simply not having the asked. Javid’s family arrived in the Unit- immigrants. However, in a series right documents to prove their legal ed Kingdom from Pakistan in the of damaging leaks, it emerged that status in the UK, I thought that it 1960s, answering a post-second Two years later, it was Khan’s not only had Home Office reports could be my mum, my brother, my world war demand to fill British turn to tweet congratulations and a spoken explicitly about such tar- uncle or even me,” Javid said in his jobs. His father, Abdul, worked in pointed reminder about how Javid gets, Rudd had written of enforcing first speech as Home Secretary. a cotton mill and as a bus driver, came to the post of home secretary. “ambitious but deliverable” goals in He has already faced a backlash The world lobbies Trump on Iran and awaits his decision raising comparisons with London “I hope we can work together to a letter to the prime minister. on his appointment, with what the Mayor Sadiq Khan, whose father tackle the tough challenges we face Javid pledged to “do right” by the media described as a “torrent” of least, would cheer him on if he kills was also a bus driver. Khan became — from making sure our police have Windrush generation and turn a racist abuse from both the left and the agreement. the first Muslim to be elected as the the resources they need, urgently new leaf on Home Office immigra- the right. Meanwhile, newly installed US mayor of a major Western city in dealing with the Windrush scandal tion policies, particularly the “hos- “The minister, whose parents Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 2016. and putting an end to the ‘hostile tile environments” language. came here from Pakistan, was toured the Middle East, with stops Javid has described himself as a environment’ for migrants,” Khan “The phrase ‘hostile’ is a phrase branded a ‘coconut’ and an ‘Uncle in Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. “non-practising Muslim” but said tweeted. I’m not going to use. It’s a compliant Tom’ by some social media users,” The Saudis no doubt echoed the that he “recognises” his family’s Javid replaced Amber Rudd as environment. I think that it [hos- London’s Metro newspaper said. Israelis in arguing for a hard line heritage and culture. home secretary amid the Windrush tile] is a phrase that is unhelpful and towards Iran and — like the Israelis Javid, then business secretary, scandal and criticism of the Home it doesn’t represent our values as a Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab — they were preaching to the choir. was among the first to congratulate Office’s “hostile environments” country,” he said. Weekly correspondent in London. Iran has been lobbying in its own way — threatening horrible but Viewpoint unspecified consequences if the deal collapses. Trump is unlikely to pay attention to those threats except insofar as they prove, in his Sajid Javid is no ‘Uncle Tom,’ for now anyway mind, the utter irredeemability of the Tehran regime. Iran’s rhetoric will bolster those in the White however, is not what epithet might This triggered a wider debate need to do more than just physical- House, such as national security be used for Britain’s new home sec- about the governing Conservative ly embody change. They must bring adviser John Bolton, that the only Rashmee retary. It is the decided symbolism Party’s hostility towards foreign fresh thinking and new approaches logical US policy towards Iran is Roshan Lall of his appointment, the elevation workers and fee-paying foreign stu- supposedly inherent in their or- regime change. of a second-generation immigrant dents, family members sponsored ganic credentials for the job. One major world power, Russia, son of a Pakistani bus driver to one by immigrants already settled in Sometimes, this doesn’t hap- has not taken part in the lobbying o one said the words of the highest offices in the land. the United Kingdom and towards pen, leading to the derogatory campaign despite being the most “Uncle Tom” when It is obvious British Prime Min- Syrian refugees. categorisation “Uncle Tom.” Justice significant foreign actor in the Sajid Javid, Britain’s ister Theresa May is desperate to It falls to Javid to fashion a mi- Clarence Thomas, the second Af- region. Moscow has made clear first Muslim ethnic convey an image of inclusiveness. gration policy that combines sense rican American to be appointed to that it is happy with the current minority home secre- As was France’s former President and sensibility and that fleshes out the US Supreme Court, is criticised agreement — Russia and China are tary, was appointed Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. He tried to Britain’s nonsensical claim it will for siding with conservative judges the two non-Western signatories Nto his powerful position at the very soften his tough stand on immigra- be more “global” as it leaves the in striking down part of a law to the accord with Iran — and will top of government and nor should tion by appointing Moroccan-Alge- European Union. originally meant to prevent racial maintain its compliance. they, at least right now. rian Rachida Dati the country’s first On his first day in office, Javid discrimination in elections. Russian President Vladimir There is little indication Javid Muslim cabinet minister. deftly used his background as proof As justice minister of France, Dati Putin must, in fact, be enjoying will display the characteristics of Javid’s new job came as the Brit- that change was on the way. He was just as hard line, if not more, the show because either way he an “Uncle Tom,” one who humili- ish government was being assailed referred to his family as possible than Sarkozy. She defended mini- comes out on top: With Trump atingly serves his political master for pursuing an immigration policy victims of the immigration policy mum sentences for young offend- threatening to pull out of the without just and humane regard for that is populist, ineffective and had they been Caribbean and he ers and backed calls to jail criminal agreement and Europe advocating his own community. cruel. Matters came to a head when declared he did not want a “hos- offenders as young as 12. for renegotiating it, Moscow will In the United States, “Uncle it became evident the government tile” but a “compliant” environ- Britain’s new home secretary solidify itself as Tehran’s only Tom” is a description that’s more had wrongly threatened long-time ment towards illegal immigrants. may also attract criticism for his powerful friend and other regional commonly used and understood residents from the Caribbean with The symbolism — of the man policies on immigration. Before his actors cannot afford to alienate the than in the United Kingdom. The deportation and denied them and what he said — has undeniable elevation, he wrote a newspaper Russians. reference is to the main protagonist health care and the right to work in power but will it be no more than article lauding Brexit for “taking In his news conference with of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 Britain. ritualistic? Some years ago, anthro- back control of immigration by Macron, Trump said that “nobody anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s pologist Abner Cohen assessed the ending the unrestricted freedom of knows what I am going to do” on Cabin.” Tom, a faithful African- dynamics of political symbolism movement.” May 12, suggesting that he is open American slave, is used and abused It is obvious British with the following question: “Why That doesn’t prove Javid is an to suasion. I suspect that Trump by his white master and eventually does political man — shrewd, calcu- “Uncle Tom,” though. Not yet. knows very well what he will do dies at the hands of a malicious Prime Minister lating, utilitarian — also have to be but for a man who loves being owner. Theresa May is symbolist man — idealist, altruistic, Rashmee Roshan Lall is a the centre of attention, the recent “Uncle Tom” is not a term much desperate to convey non-rational?” columnist for The Arab Weekly. weeks must certainly have been used outside the United States, It’s self-evident that to go beyond Her blog can be found at fun. though the concept is well un- an image of the merely symbolic, www.rashmee.com and she is on derstood everywhere. The issue, inclusiveness. high-profile political appointments Twitter: @rashmeerl. 18 May 6, 2018 Economy Energy

Viewpoint US-OPEC polemic over oil prices reflects different strategies

Falih, responding to Trump’s tweet, was quoted as saying that there is “not such a thing as artificial Jareer Elass prices.” In pushing for more robust oil prices through production restraint, iyadh’s apparent desire OPEC has sought to shrink global to see global crude oil stocks to 5-year levels and see prices average $10-$30 oil demand and supply balanced — a barrel higher than goals that are close to being reached. current levels to support Trump appeared to be adopting a its ambitious economic populist tone in his tweet to appeal Ragenda could have an adverse effect to his core base by blaming OPEC on the otherwise warm relationship and other producers for ramping up that has been carefully fostered international oil prices, which has between the regime of Saudi King driven up domestic gasoline prices. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and However, those same elevated oil the Trump administration. prices enabled US shale producers With crude prices reaching levels to expand their crude output. US not seen since 2014, US Presi- oil production has surpassed Saudi dent Donald Trump has taken the oil output and could eclipse Russia Saudi-led OPEC to task in one of his as the largest global oil producer. infamous tweets, while disregarding Total US oil production is expected the fact that US oil producers have to average 10.7 million bpd in 2018, been a primary beneficiary of rising an average of 1.4 million bpd higher Promising sector. Gas tanks are seen at the desert road of Suez city north of Cairo. (Reuters) crude prices. than 2017 levels. A coordinated effort by Saudi Ara- Also built into recent oil price bia, other OPEC members and in- increases are factors such as market dependent oil producers, including uncertainty about whether the Russia, to withhold some 1.8 million Trump administration will with- barrels per day (bpd) of crude from draw from the Iran nuclear deal, the the markets since January 2017 has collapse of Venezuelan oil produc- UAE adds oil and gas pushed oil prices up $20-$25 a bar- tion and a potential US embargo rel, with British crude benchmark on Venezuelan oil imports and sus- Brent hitting a 3-year high of $74.75 tained friction between geopolitical a barrel on April 19. rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. That price level came the same Speculation has emerged that the sector to business day that OPEC members and Saudis are privately mulling oil price independent producers met in targets ranging from an average of Saudi Arabia to assess their coordi- $80 a barrel to $100 a barrel, which nated output reductions, which are would certainly require collabora- expected to continue through 2018 tive production cuts to continue interests in Egypt and potentially through 2019. indefinitely. A chief reason that the Ahead of that Jeddah gathering, timing of the much-anticipated Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih initial public offering (IPO) of Saudi Ahmed Megahid Mubadala’s interest in Egypt’s the southern entrance of the Suez suggested that the global economy state oil giant Saudi Aramco has Red Sea coast and in the Zohr gas Canal. had the “capacity” to accommodate slipped from the fourth quarter 2018 field appears to be a small detail in Last November, the Suez Canal higher oil prices, saying: “I have into 2019 is that the Saudi govern- Cairo the growing UAE presence in the Authority and DP World signed an not seen any impact on demand ment wants dramatically higher oil Egyptian economy. agreement to implement indus- with current prices. We have seen prices to boost the valuation of the aving acquired a 10% Strong political relations be- trial, commercial and housing pro- prices significantly higher in the firm in advance of its limited share stake in the Shorouk con- tween Cairo and Abu Dhabi are jects in the Sokhna region. Suez past — twice as much as where we sale. cession in Egypt’s gigan- translating into equally important Canal Authority Chairman Mohab are today.” While the IPO is a critical com- H tic Mediterranean Zohr economic bonds between the two Mamish said the projects would Falih also argued that OPEC never ponent of the economic revamping gas field in March, the UAE-based Arab capitals, motivated by the de- revolutionise logistic services in has a price target, saying: “Prices are programme known as Saudi Vision investment fund Mubadala Petro- sire of UAE investors to capitalise the region, overhaul container determined by the market.” 2030, Riyadh also wants loftier oil leum is preparing to explore for oil on Egypt’s growing importance as handling systems and speed up the Both Falih and Russian Oil Minis- prices to cover large-scale budget and gas off Egypt’s Red Sea coast. a regional economic powerhouse. port’s development. ter Alexander Novak signalled that, needs, including a coffers-draining Egypt has finalised seismic re- “Egypt has a very promising while they were pleased with the war in Yemen and the cost of imple- search off the coast and is in the business environment, which results of the collaboration between menting economic reforms. process of compiling a comprehen- is why UAE investors are com- UAE investments in Egypt OPEC and Russia and other pro- Pushing oil prices up excessively sive study off the Red Sea coast be- ing,” said UAE property developer totalled $6.2 billion in ducers, there was more work to be could have global economic implica- fore inviting oil and gas companies Abdulla Saeed al-Thani. “I know of 2017, up from $6 billion done. Novak claimed that producers tions that could collapse in demand — perhaps by the end of the year — several UAE investors who plan to the previous year. participating in the reduction agree- and prices to crater. to bid for concessions in the area, come to Egypt and make huge in- ment “need to extend [the] partner- For King Salman’s government, which is expected to hold huge vestments.” ship” through next year. the questions will be how to ensure mineral reserves. The board of the UAE Interna- Trade exchange between Egypt Whether it was Brent hitting a cooperation with fellow OPEC Mubadala CEO Bakheet al-Kath- tional Investors Council has ad- and the United Arab Emirates is 3-year high or the comments made members and independent produc- eeri, after an April 25 meeting with vised its members to put Egypt at close to $4 billion. At least 877 UAE by the two influential oil ministers ers to elevate oil prices substantially Egyptian Petroleum Minister Tarek the centre of investment plans. companies operate in the Egyptian or a combination of both, Trump higher, how to avoid hitting a price el-Molla, said the company was in- Council Secretary-General Jamal market. sounded off on OPEC on April 20 for threshold that causes the global terested in long-term cooperation Saif al-Jarwan confirmed that a This is not only about UAE inter- manufacturing “artificially” high oil economy to go haywire and whether with Egypt regarding petroleum March 14 council meeting focused est in the Egyptian economy, Egyp- prices. The US president tweeted: Riyadh is willing to risk the deeper and gas. exclusively on investment oppor- tian economists said. It is based on “Looks like OPEC is at it again. With wrath of a mercurial American Mubadala bought the 10% stake tunities in Egypt. Egyptian openness and interest in record amounts of Oil all over the leader as it addresses its economic in the Shorouk concession from UAE investments in Egypt to- UAE investment. place, including the fully loaded challenges. Italian state-owned Eni for $934 talled $6.2 billion in 2017, up from “In the case of the UAE, we are ships at sea, Oil prices are artificially million. Katheeri confirmed that $6 billion the previous year. The not talking about businessmen Very High! No good and will not be Jareer Elass reports from the company had expressed an in- United Arab Emirates invests in who make money and then take accepted!” Washington on energy issues for terest in upgrading Egypt’s crude Egypt’s agricultural sector, real it and leave,” said Fakhry al-Fiqqi, The Arab Weekly. oil fields. estate sector and tourism sec- a professor of economics at Cairo tor. In 2017, UAE investments in University and a former adviser to Egypt’s telecommunications sector the International Monetary Fund. Strong political relations amounted to 92.3% of all Arab in- “The UAE invests in important sec- between Cairo and Abu vestments in the sector and 73.9% tors of the economy, which contrib- Dhabi are translating into of all foreign investments in it. utes to Egypt’s development at the UAE investors are coming to end of the day.” equally important Egypt with an edge over other for- Apart from the ports, the tel- economic bonds. eign investors, Thani said, based on ecommunications sector and tour- their experience in the UAE’s vari- ism, the UAE has invested in a na- “Egypt will be at the centre of our ous business sectors that have seen tional project for the cultivation of company’s attention in the future,” major advances in recent years. 61,000 hectares of desert for farm- he said. “Egypt is badly in need of the ing. The project would economi- Oilfield services company same expertise because it wants to cally empower thousands of small Schlumberger and geoscientific develop the same sectors,” he said. Egyptian agricultural investors and data company TGS spent $750 mil- Egypt is looking to benefit from bridge the gap between food pro- lion conducting seismic studies off UAE expertise in port manage- duction and consumption in the Egypt’s Red Sea coast. They were ment and development. This ex- country. spurred by reports of the pres- plains significant Egyptian interest ence of huge oil and gas reserves in cooperating with the UAE’s DP Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian A need for new metrics. A worker attaches an OPEC poster at the in the area. World upgrade of Sokhna Port at reporter based in Cairo. organisation’s headquarters in Vienna. (AP) May 6, 2018 19 Economy

Algeria mulls rolling back import cuts as oil prices rise Briefs Austria’s OMV Lamine Ghanmi signs $1.5 billion Tunis deal for stakes in

surge in oil prices is al- Abu Dhabi oil lowing Algeria to con- Austria’s OMV has signed a deal sider reducing import worth $1.5 billion for a 20% stake restrictions that had an- in two offshore concessions in the gered its European trad- United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu ingA partners. Dhabi. Algeria’s Saharan Blend of crude The oil and gas company, which oil sold at an average of $70 per bar- is based in Vienna and is part- rel from January through April, $15 owned by a subsidiary of Abu more than forecast. This prompted Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment the Algerian government to recon- Company, signed the 40-year sider restrictive import policies agreement with the Abu Dhabi meant to shore up foreign cur- National Oil Company (ADNOC) for rency reserves and offset a budget a stake in the SARB and Umm Lulu deficit. fields. Oil and gas exports account for The two fields produce 215,000 more than 95% of Algeria’s export barrels of oil per day. Three other value and 60% of state budget rev- major oil fields that are major- enue. ity-owned by ADNOC produce A sharp decline in the price of oil 910,000 barrels a day. in 2014 caused a huge hit to Alge- ria’s economy and Algiers respond- (The Associated Press) ed by imposing an import ban in 2016. It expanded the restrictions this year to include more than 800 Algeria to end goods, mostly imported from EU countries. import ban on Algerian Trade Minister Said Back to normal? Containers sit stacked at a port terminal in Algiers. (Reuters) Djellab, at a recent news confer- mobiles, food, ence, said the government was importer. Trade figures for the first a problem but that the situation cial leeway for the government, considering “imposing additional three months of this year showed becomes a problem when Algiers’ which was unlikely a few months home appliances customs duties for finished goods. China as Algeria’s main import import cuts affect Spanish exports ago,” said economist Hassan Had- This is part of our pursuit of a more market, followed by France, Italy to Algeria. douche. “This situation is more Algeria plans to lift a ban on efficient instrument.” and Spain. Algeria has been part of a trade favourable for lifting the import imports of cell phones, household “These are temporary preven- “Algeria is encouraging trade agreement with the European Un- restrictions very soon.” appliances and food and bring in tive measures. The crisis taught us with China,” said EU Commission- ion since 2005, which opened the Economists said the reduction in high customs duties instead, its lessons,” Djellab added. er for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom at Algerian market to imports from Algeria’s trade in the first quarter trade minister said in announcing He did not say when the import a parliamentary hearing. “We must Europe. Algerian officials are seek- of the year was due to an increase a new attempt to generate more ban would be lifted but local me- find solutions to this issue other- ing to revise the agreement be- in export revenues because of high tax revenue to ease pressure on dia quoted government sources cause, they said, the accord hurt oil prices. Algeria’s trade deficit for state finances. as saying the change would be in- local manufacturing and farming. the first quarter of the year was Algeria established the import cluded in a supplementary budget To balance the budget Algerian economists said the $490 million, compared to $3 bil- ban at the start of the year to submitted to parliament in early and replenish foreign import ban had not significantly lion the same period last year. reduce spending after a fall in June. currency reserves, cut costs or helped support foreign To balance the budget and re- energy earnings. The ban replaced Djellab previously said Algeria currency reserves. Rather, the plan plenish foreign currency reserves, a licence system the government Algeria needs oil prices to imposed in 2016 in a failed attempt had been in talks with the Euro- average $100 on the year. added a layer of bureaucracy to economists said Algeria needs oil pean Union and that Algiers’ trade business and strained ties with the prices to average $100 on the year. to ease the imports bill. partners “understood the issue.” European Union without deliver- They predicted Algeria’s foreign Despite the import ban, Algeria wise we will resort to the clauses ing much of a benefit to the Alge- reserves would drop to $80 bil- (Reuters) has allowed in more products from of the settlement of disputes.” rian economy. lion by the end of this year, even if China. Last year, Algeria took in Spanish Trade Minister Maria “While it remains very fragile, oil prices remain steady. Algeria’s IMF warns Arab $8.3 billion worth of goods from Luisa Poncela said Madrid does not this economic climate due to oil foreign currency reserves stood at China, making it Algeria’s main see its trade deficit with Algeria as price change is offering finan- $96.1 billion at the end of 2017. countries against Viewpoint complacency over debt The International Monetary Lebanon’s electricity problem: More obstacles on the road Fund (IMF) warned Arab countries against complacency over a loom- ing debt crisis, urging continued of imported equipment for this economic reforms despite a rise in purpose.” oil prices. In electricity, an initial reduc- Crude prices have rebounded Rami Rayess tion of 50% of losses in 2018 thanks to a deal by producers to through the commitment to ad- trim production but the IMF said dress technical and non-technical such a change in fortunes should ebanon’s power sector losses and the implementation not get in the way of overhauling serves as one of the of administrative reforms are state spending. most flagrant exam- essential to revive the electricity “Required reforms include fur- ples of the consecutive sector. Commitment to achieve ther steps towards full elimination cabinets’ failures to financial balance by the begin- of energy subsidies and changes to locate and implement ning of 2020 by reducing the total pension and social security Lsolutions. It has cost the Leba- electrical losses (technical and systems — including revisions to nese government an estimated non-technical) from the high level retirement age and benefits,” the $2 billion, yet the country lacks (50%) to no more than 12% must IMF said in its Regional Economic 24/7 power supply. As summer be an attainable goal, the PSP plan Outlook for May. approaches, more pressure is stated. expected on the network, with in- The issue of electricity and (Agence France Presse) creasing demand and less supply. waste has led much of the Leba- Besides the frustration that nese public to consider the entire the failure has produced at the political community as competing Saudi government popular level, proposed plans parties incapable of running the are criticised by a cross-section country’s affairs. Protesters took to hand over of political parties and energy to the street in large numbers experts. Lebanese Minister of Where outages are the norm. Electricity pylons are seen in Sidon a couple of years ago to induce 25 schools to Water and Power Cesar Abi Khalil change. in southern Lebanon. (Reuters) has insisted that the only solu- Little has happened since. private sector tion available is leasing gigantic Various NGOs that emerged out Saudi authorities ordered the power-generating ships instead of steps in the electricity institution new electrical power plants with of popular protests turned into handover of 25 state-run schools constructing new power plants. and the sector as a whole. Invest- the capacity of 500 megawatts contending and competing groups to be run by private-sector compa- The deal, refused by the Central ment in the sector without reform each is possible and can be put themselves, repeating the exam- nies as part of economic reforms Inspection Board for its lack of is futile and will lead to additional into service in June 2020,” said ples of the parties they accused designed to ease pressure on the transparency, was refuted by two squandering of funds.” power expert Mounir Yehia, who of being incapable of resolving state’s finances. big political parties represented in The party proposed several participated in drafting the PSP accumulating problems. Many ran Riyadh announced that it aimed the cabinet, the Lebanese Forces steps, beginning with appoint- plan. to the parliamentary elections in a to generate $9 billion-$11 billion and the Progressive Socialist ing a new board of directors for It called for “expanding the bid for change and reform. of non-oil state revenues from Party (PSP). Electricite du Liban (EDL). Jobs spread and adoption of alterna- With parliamentary elections privatisations by 2020 and an The latter prepared a compre- need to be filled as 50% of the tive (renewable) energy and its paving the way for a new political official overseeing that process hensive study about the sector positions in the electricity sector distribution to the Lebanese phase, electricity will remain a told Reuters that school buildings and its rehabilitation projects are vacant. There has been little consumer through the exchange hot topic for the new cabinet. would feature in some of the first and presented it to the cabinet. monitoring of contracts the board of energy with the network and moves. It considered that “any attempt implements and numerous other good billing based on modern sys- Rami Rayess is a Lebanese to resolve this crisis must com- administrative problems. tems instead of the current Net writer. Follow him on Twitter: (Reuters) mence through drastic reform “The possibility of creating two Metering and customs exemption @RamiRayess. 20 May 6, 2018 Society Religion

Ramadan in Morocco a month of charity but also of soaring food prices

Saad Guerraoui ucts would remain stable, given the abundance of supply. Still, the High Commission for Casablanca Planning revealed that 87% of Mo- roccan households said food prices very year before the holy had increased in the last 12 months month of Ramadan, the gov- and 83.4% said they expected a ernment seeks to reassure further increase over the next 12 E Moroccans about prices of months. heavily consumed products. But as The holy month coincides with a price hikes are seemingly inevitable boycott on social networks of lead- this time of year, the Interior Minis- ing Moroccan brands accused of try has also set up a 24-hour phone raising prices of products, including line to receive complaints from trad- milk made by Centrale Laitiere. ers and consumers regarding prices In the past, many merchants have and supplies. taken advantage of Ramadan — and Irresistible flavours. A view of a market in the medina of Casablanca. (Saad Guerraoui) Lahcen Daoudi, the minister in a lack of control — to raise prices as charge of general affairs and govern- consumption peaks. Some food, fried fish. are also served. Moroccan families meet around the ance, in April said the market would such as eggs, fish and lentils, has Leisure and sports activities Tents are erected in empty public iftar table to break their fast togeth- be supplied with food in a normal been subject to significant price in- reach their climax before breaking spaces to receive worshippers for er. Television screens are inundated way during Ramadan. creases. fast. Some people choose fishing Tarawih prayers to ease the burden with repeated adverts of compa- “Moroccan markets will be sup- Coffee shops invade the pavement along the coast of Casablanca while on packed mosques. nies’ products and services fighting plied with all the necessary prod- with their chairs, pushing pedestri- others take advantage of the spare Quran reciting competitions to target their highest audience of ucts and with reasonable prices dur- ans to the roads amid a lack of law hours ahead of the sunset to prac- for children and adults take place the year. ing Ramadan, thanks in particular to enforcement by local councils. They tise sports. across Morocco. As for entertain- Almost 70% of Moroccans watch a good rainy year,” said Daoudi, who also remain open very late, drawing The clock goes back one hour be- ment, the Ramadan tradition is that national TV channels during Rama- led a meeting of the Interministerial residents’ ire. hind British Summer Time during dan, said Marocmetrie, a television Commission in charge of monitoring Some businesses illegally change Ramadan to make it easier for Mus- audience measuring service. markets and control operations. their activities to selling pas- lims to observe the fast. Street vendors fill Ramadan can be a month of Daoudi called for “rigorous con- try, especially Chebakia, which Ramadan is also a month of piety, popular neighbourhoods’ extravagance for those who pre- trol” to avoid manipulation that adorns every household’s iftar generosity and forgiveness during streets, offering dates, fer to break their fast at trendy runs counter to fair competition table. Street vendors fill popular which volunteers and NGOs provide restaurants or top hotels that of- and harms consumers. Representa- neighbourhoods’ streets, offer- iftar for the needy. Public schools traditional pancakes, fer endless food and desserts as tives of ministerial departments ing dates, traditional pancakes, turn into large gatherings for free if- handmade orange juices part of expensive “eat as much as predicted that prices of most prod- freshly-prepared orange juices and tars and patients at public hospitals and fried fish. you like” menus. Book Review When Islam met Western enlightenment

t is widely assumed that relationship to Christianity. Its Frenchman’s book but he parted to greater interaction with Muslim medieval misconceptions of ambiguous categorisation allowed ways with his English and German people. As European powers be- Islam and polemics towards the freedom to argue that consider- peers who “located the heyday of came better acquainted with the Ot- Francis Ghilès Muslims were only cast off ing Islam alongside the classical Islamic civilisational achievement toman Empire and trading compa- with the triumph of secular- cultures of antiquity was more in the Middle Ages; in their eyes nies established a growing network ism during the high tide of relevant than contrasting it with modern Muslim dynasties like the of links with Istanbul, Tehran and Ithe European Enlightenment in the Judaism or with Christian heretics.” Ottomans were not the equal of Bombay, rulers in Europe started mid-18th century. The new scholars recognised the their predecessors,” Bevilacqua stockpiling Oriental collections of In a closely researched and culture of the Islamic world “as a writes. manuscripts in their great libraries. elegantly written book, “The Re- holistic set of religious, intellectual Overall, however, these scholars Bevilacqua vividly explains the public of Arabic Letters,” we learn and literary traditions deserving emphasised convergences between link between intellectual history that the foundations of the mod- respect and attention, and as an Christianity and Islam and agreed and the material history of books. ern Western understanding were object of study that would yield that “the study of exemplary Mus- He also explains how the Catholic laid as early as the 17th century by intellectual, aesthetic, and even lim princes also demonstrated that and Protestant theologians, clergy- scholars who pursued independ- moral enrichment in a variety of Muslim history contained morally men and intellectuals who pursued ent research and exchanged ideas fields.” inspiring examples just as much as a better understanding of the world with each other and influenced The author points to the Barthele- classical history did.” of Islam in no way doubted their prominent Enlightenment thinkers my d’Hebertelot’s “Bibliotheque As a result of these works, “the own religion. They were simply such as Montesquieu, Voltaire and Orientale,” which, when it appeared normative evaluation of Islam un- part of “the evolution of knowledge Edward Gibbon. They assimilated in Paris in 1697, was “one of the derwent significant change and re- production.” the factual content of these works crowning achievements of Euro- lied upon the European concept of All this is a far cry from the carica- and then wove their interpretations pean Islamic scholarship at the end ‘legislator,’ a more neutral category ture of Islam certain self-proclaimed into the very fabric of Enlighten- of the 17th century,” the most ambi- than ‘impostor,’” Bevilacqua writes. intellectuals in the West and radical ment thought. tious reference work on the Islamic “Unlike ‘false prophet,’ the concept preachers in the Middle East, who “The Republic of Arabic Letters” world ever produced. It gave access of ‘legislator’ drew on the secular are lionised by television, promote outlines the connections between to European readers to more than analysis developed by Machiavelli… to baying audiences today. these scholars and the Roman Cath- 8,000 alphabetically arranged arti- which allowed, at the very least, The story of this deep and olic Church. One of the early library cles of Arabic, Turkish and Persian for neutral appraisal of Muham- widespread engagement with Islam collections of Quranic texts was authors relating to the history and mad’s achievement. This change seemed to the aforementioned commissioned by Pope Clement culture of Muslim people. was mainly normative because intellectuals to “offer answers to XI in the early 18th century. These Scholars such a d’Hebertelot, who there was general agreement that a broad range of questions about scholars, who included Protestants, was able to use the rich collections Mohammad was a leader who had theology and history,” Bevilac- went to great length to learn Arabic, of Arab manuscripts in Florence not performed miracles. By Sale’s qua writes. Long after Europeans Persian and Turkish and acquire, and Paris, belonged to a cast of time, one could praise Mohammad stopped believing that Islam held study and comprehend Arabic bibliophiles that included for bringing monotheism to the answers to those questions, manuscripts. George Sale, who had Arabia, as even after European armies in Mus- Beyond the holy books of Islam, translated the Quran; Si- well as for lim lands had entirely transformed the translations, compilations and mon Ockley, historian of founding a the context of any intellectual ex- histories they produced include Arab conquests and many remarkably change, “the knowledge produced those of Muslim societies and of others; and Johann Jakob successful in this period continued to inform the great dynasties of the medieval Reiske, who “was also a state.” European interpreters of Islam,” he period but also the Ottomans, the philosophical historian: The rise of said. Safavids and the Timurids. These his goal was to recover international “The Republic of Letters” brings efforts were not guided by a secular for European knowledge commerce, back to life a fascinating moment agenda but the scholarly commit- the history of Muslim the transport in intellectual history. Nearly ment of a select group of Christians peoples and to explain and accom- three centuries have passed since who cast aside inherited views their place in world modation the publication of the “Biblio- that were motivated by a desire to history,” Bevilacqua provided by theque Orientale” and the works prove Islam a profane heresy from writes. Bevilacqua chartered trad- of d’Hebertelot’s peers but the the East and bequeathed a new points out that, for ing companies analysis they made of conditions understanding of Islam to the rising Ockley, the “cultural and the growing pertaining to the broader debate European powers. achievements of Mus- activities of between the West and the lands of “The Republic of In the words of author Alexan- lims were as impor- Christian mis- Islam remain pertinent. Arabic Letters” der Bevilacqua: “The problem of tant as their military sionaries from “The Republic of Arabic Letters: how to classify Islam — as heresy, deeds.” the 16th century Islam and the European Enlighten- brings back to life paganism, or alien religion — would The most im- all contributed ment,” Alexander Bevilacqua, Harvard, a fascinating continue into the Renaissance and portant source of Belknap Press 2018. moment in after. This ambiguity, however, d’Hebertelot was the bibliogra- Closely researched. The cover intellectual made religion an interesting intel- phy of the 17th-century Ottoman of Alexander Bevilacqua’s “The Francis Ghilès is an associate lectual resource for thinking scholar Katib Celebi, which also Republic of Arabic Letters.” fellow at the Barcelona Centre for history. about foreign faiths and their inspired the organisation of the International Affairs. May 6, 2018 21 Society Social Media IT Software helping Facebook better tackle terrorist propaganda

Agence France-Presse The median time it took new de- tection tools to uncover freshly up- loaded terror content was less than San Francisco a minute, the executives said. “Terrorist groups are always try- acebook “took action” on ing to circumvent our systems, 1.9 million pieces of Islamic so we must constantly improve,” State- or al-Qaeda-linked Bickert and Fishman said. “We F content in the first three learn from every misstep, experi- months of this year — nearly double ment with new detection methods the amount from the previous quar- and work to expand what terrorist ter, said Facebook Vice-President of groups we target.” Global Policy Management Monika Twitter recently said it had sus- Bickert and global head of counter- pended more than 1 million ac- terrorism policy Brian Fishman. counts for “promotion of terror- “Taking action,” the company ism” since 2015. It said its efforts said in a release, generally involved have begun to make the platform removing “the vast majority of this “an undesirable place” to call for content.” violence. It “added a warning to a small In its latest transparency report, portion that was shared for infor- Twitter said it suspended 274,460 mational or counter speech purpos- accounts from July-December 2017 es,” Bickert and Fishman said in an “for violations related to the pro- online post. motion of terrorism.” The figure In some cases, entire profiles, is down 8.4% from the previous pages or groups were taken down reporting period and is the sec- for violating Facebook policies, ond consecutive decline, a Twitter making all included content una- statement said. vailable. Credible threats. US Senator Patrick Leahy speaks next to a poster depicting examples of Twitter and Facebook have faced “We’ve made significant strides questionable internet ads found online. (AP) pressure to crack down on jihadists finding and removing their propa- and others calling for violent at- ganda quickly and at scale,” Bickert tacks while maintaining open plat- and Fishman said. “We’re under from 150 people in less than a year. national organisation in order to applies equally to everything from forms for free speech. no illusion that the job is done or Facebook defined terrorism as achieve a political, religious or ideo- religious extremism and violent In the latest six-month report- that the progress we have made is “any non-governmental organisa- logical aim.” separatism to white supremacy or ing period, Twitter said 93% of the enough.” tion that engages in premeditated Bickert and Fishman maintained militant environmentalism. suspended accounts were “flagged Facebook credited detection acts of violence against persons or that the company’s intent is to be “It’s about whether they use vio- by internal, proprietary tools” and technology and a counterterrorism property to intimidate a civilian neutral on ideology and politics, lence to pursue those goals,” Bickert that 74% were cut off before their team that has grown to 200 people population, government, or inter- meaning the terrorism definition and Fishman said. first tweet. Viewpoint Social media providing Palestinians with new ‘umbilical cord’ to homeland

he 7-decade Palestini- Palestinians say is Western media an-Israeli conflict has bias in favour of Israel’s narrative. taken a heavy toll on To this end, a wave of Palestin- Yousef Alhelou the Palestinian side. ian citizen journalists, armed with Everything has been laptops and smartphones, decided politicised. Politics to take the lead. A debate is taking Thas become deep-rooted in the place about Facebook’s integrity fabric of the society. Social media and its tight collaborations with platforms are used for socialising Israel in censoring Palestinian and for expressing political views, contents. Israeli officials said sharing statements, posting mes- the collaboration aims to tackle sages and breaking news in Arabic “incitement” on the social media and English. network. Applications such as Facebook, Some Palestinians engage in Twitter, YouTube, Skype and a process of “cyber-democracy,” Telegram enable Palestinians to criticising their own leaders, break their geographical isolation expressing their point of view, and disseminate breaking news, calling for reforms and asking information, photos and videos for their rights. They take part of events in a timely manner in in a democratic process in which an uncensored way not subject young people participate, debate, to Western editorial policy or discuss and send messages to their certain guidelines. Palestinian rulers. citizen journalists and their online Whether they are WhatsApp activism provide commentary on notifications or Facebook posts, international media outlets live. these are effective means to con- WhatsApp newsgroups have nect Palestinians in the occupied become, for many Palestinians, the Palestinians territories and those Smart gadget. A Palestinian man looks at his smartphone as favourite tool to keep up to date in the diaspora. Israel’s enforced Israeli border police officers stand on a wall behind him outside with the breaking news around the physical territorial separation be- Jerusalem’s Old City. (Reuters) clock. The practice took root dur- tween the Palestinians of besieged ing the Israeli 51-day onslaught on Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusa- Gaza in the summer of 2014. lem and those living inside Israel Local media companies created the busy life here, I do not have experiencing the events. Forward- — the green line areas — has been newsgroups encouraging the pub- much time to surf news websites ing notifications to other overcome thanks to social media. lic to join them to receive breaking or watch TV, so the WhatsApp WhatsApp groups is done on Now, Palestinians are gearing up news in the form of notifications, newsgroups provide me with what voluntary basis. Those who have for the climax of the “Great March be it texts, videos, photos or I need to know, without the hassle English-language followers trans- of Return” on May 15 to mark the links to news articles. This trend to read long analytical pieces,” said late the breaking news and share Nakba, what Palestinians de- replaced the short one-by-one text Murad, a Palestinian who lives in it on other social media platforms. scribe as the Catastrophe of 1948 messages and long often boring London. Any member of the group from dif- when Israel was established at the e-mail messages containing the Because Gazans have been expe- ferent geographical locations can expense, suffering and displace- unfolding stories, news releases riencing many hours of power out- share and send or add any piece of ments of the indigenous Palestin- and invitations to events. ages a day for 12 years, this means information related to unfolding ians. “WhatsApp has dramatically their connection to WI-FI routers events. As a journalist, WhatsApp news surpassed Facebook and Twitter are often disrupted. The alterna- The journalists’ and ordinary notifications spared me time in being the fastest most practi- tive is to buy relatively expensive people’s need to get summarised watching the news and accessing Some Palestinians cal medium in disseminating the data bundles from local cellular news and contents as they occur news websites. I have become anx- news. It has many features such companies. Ironically this service made WhatsApp groups the core of iously addicted to reading them. engage in a process as recording audio messages, live is only available on G2 telecommu- the transformation in alternative It has become the umbilical cord of “cyber- video chat and most importantly nication technology. The upgrade media. that links me to my homeland. democracy,” it’s ad-free. It also can be used of- to the third generation is subject The rise of the internet and the fline as long-term messages” said to Israeli approval because it has emergence of alternative media Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian criticising their Khalid Safi, a social media expert. the final say in allocating radio enabled Palestinians to make their journalist living in London. He own leaders and Anyone from anywhere in the frequencies. voices heard and present their attended Oxford University on a world can join WhatsApp news- Those who live outside of Gaza narrative. The reliance on social Reuters fellowship in journalism expressing their groups by asking the administra- enjoy this free service, making fol- media platforms has become a and is pursuing a master’s degree point of view. tors to add their numbers. “With lowers feel they are on the ground necessity considering what in international relations. 22 May 6, 2018 Culture

Saudi entertainment

Mega city. industry begins Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (C) and to take shape Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (R) The Arab Weekly staff Saudi government is expected to pay about 60% of the costs, Khatib attend an event told the Reuters news agency. to launch the London “The entire benefit from this big Qiddiya spending will be for the private project hange in Saudi Arabia has sector and this supports the 2030 in Riyadh, been fuelled by initiatives Vision that strengthens the role of on April 28. stemming from the Vision the private sector,” he said. (Saudi Royal Palace) C 2030 reform programme, Perhaps the most ambitious including the creation of culturally project is the Qiddiya project, construction of the project should Secretary-General Fahd bin Ab- signing a deal with Six Flags En- alerting entertainment and recrea- launched by King Salman bin Ab- be completed by 2022 and will in- dullah Tounsi. “The project will tertainment Corporation. Then Six tional industry. dulaziz Al Saud. Qiddiya, an en- clude theme parks, motorsport fa- save about $30 billion, which will Flags CEO John Duffey told Al Ara- In less than a year, the kingdom tertainment, sports and cultural cilities and a safari area. be used to develop the domestic biya at the time that his company has started scheduling music con- destination covering 334 sq.km economy and create job opportuni- was proud to enter an agreement certs, lifted a 35-year ban on movie with infrastructure cost of up to $8 ties for Saudi youths.” to provide entertainment facili- theatres and allowed women to join billion, will be the region’s largest Riyadh plans to spend The Qiddiya project will include ties for the kingdom. Six Flags is male counterparts at live sporting tourist and entertainment destina- $13.3 billion by 2020 to recreational options and sports to build a theme park costing $500 events. There have also been two tion. promote entertainment, and cultural activities, including million. popular comic con events. Project CEO Michael Reininger health, sports and toy cities, recreation centres and The kingdom’s second cinema These are events that would have said Qiddiya would create 57,000 sports facilities that could host was opened in Riyadh by VOX Cin- been unthinkable in the conserva- jobs by 2030, Al Riyadh newspaper education. world-class competitions, train- emas, a Middle East cinema chain tive kingdom a few years ago but reported. ing academies, desert and asphalt managed by the Majid al-Futtaim economic realities — and poten- “Today, we invite investors, crea- Government statistics estimate tracks for motorsports, water and Group based in the United Arab tial revenues — spurred cultural tors and operators from around the that approximately 7 million Sau- snow, and outdoor adventure ac- Emirates. The four-screen com- change as Riyadh looks to limit its world to explore what a one-of-a- dis travel abroad for vacationing tivities, safari and nature experi- plex opened May 2 in Riyadh. The dependence on oil. kind project like Qiddiya has to of- annually so Riyadh decided to tar- ences as well as historical, cultural Red Sea city of Jeddah is expected Riyadh plans to spend $13.3 bil- fer,” Reininger said during ground- get that lucrative market with do- and scientific activities, the Saudi to be VOX’s next theatre opening. lion by 2020 to promote entertain- breaking ceremonies April 28. “We mestic entertainment initiatives. press agency stated. Saudi Arabia plans to open 30- ment, health, sports and education, will seek the best to help us, as we “About two-thirds of the king- In May 2016, the kingdom set up 40 cinemas in 15 cities within five General Entertainment Authority invent a new entertainment experi- dom’s population is under the age the General Authority for Enter- years under a deal with AMC En- Chairman Ahmed al-Khatib said. ence for all residents and visitors to of 35. There is a great need for tainment and tasked it with devel- tertainment Holdings. Saudi offi- The “Quality of Life” initiative the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Qiddiya project to provide them oping an entertainment industry. cial set a goal of 100 cinemas with aims to generate 300,000 jobs. The Saudi officials say first-phase with entertainment,” said project One of its first endeavours was more than 2,500 screens by 2030. New ballet and choreography centre gives dancers long-awaited recognition in Tunisia

Roua Khlifi platform for all motivated and in- and reintroduces them through terested Tunisian choreographers. fresh lenses. Tunis Unfortunately, not many consider “This project is a rewriting of Tu- dance as an acclaimed form of art nisian dance and is meant to pro- ressed in black, four fe- in our society. This project aims to mote our traditional heritage with male dancers took the work on promoting choreographic adapting the new techniques. Our stage and the theatre arts through workshops, train- goal is to have a Tunisian dance that D plunged into silence. Once ing programmes and to host and is internationally recognised. The the music began to play, the danc- promote the artistic dance perfor- aim is to universalise the different ers performed a mesmerising dance mances across Tunisia,” Chaabouni types of Tunisian dances,” Touway- that told of the women’s journey to- said. ma said. wards emancipation. “One of the additions to the ar- “This ballet relies on dancers The performance represented tistic scene in Tunisia is the New from different interior regions as women’s battle to gain freedom Tunisian Dance Ballet, which works each dancer will bring his own in- and was an allegory of the struggle on rewriting Tunisian dance reper- sight and knowledge of the origi- of Tunisian dancers to gain recogni- toires using techniques of contem- nal dance that we are envisioning tion. The programme, titled “Bnet porary arts. Also, the Opera Ballet through contemporary techniques Wasla” by Franco-Tunisian chore- of Tunis will be working through of dancing. Each dancer will be able ographer Hela Fattoumi, was the residency with international and to add the story of the political and opening dance of the inauguration national choreographers. Finally, social context that each regional of the Ballet and Choreographic the choreographic arts centre will dance has.” An often-forgotten discipline. A scene from Emilio Calcagno’s Arts Pole of the City of Culture of work on documenting the history of During the inaugural ceremony, “Four Seasons.” (The City of Culture of Tunis) Tunis. dance and Tunisian choreographers Touwayma presented a preview of The pole, a newly created cultur- through films and books.” his project through a performance dancing and art.” “The audience still has an issue al institution dedicated to dance, is In addition to making a docu- that featured dancers from the re- The inauguration of the Bal- accessing the body language. They one of a kind in Tunisia. A project mentary about Tunisian choreog- gions of Siliana, Kasserine and Sidi let and Choreographic Arts Pole are used to language and speech. in the making since 2017, the insti- raphers, a dance anthology titled Bouzid among others. The show, showed the fragility of the status of Little by little, dance is becoming tution was hailed by art critics and “Panorama of Tunisian Dance” will “So Danced the Shepherd,” is an dancers and instability of the state more open to the audience as the artists as a much-awaited recogni- be published to celebrate the histo- anthology of Tunisian traditional of dance in Tunisia. Many danc- latter is trying to understand and tion of dancers and dance as a disci- ry of dance in Tunisia with the par- dances representing different re- ers struggle to pursue their perfor- use the language of this discipline,” pline in Tunisia. The pole was inau- ticipation of critic Philippe Virrielet. gions of the country. mance careers and retire at a young Touwayma said. gurated March 29, the International “Dance brings about a feeling that age. “With this ballet, we are working Day of Dance. no other artistic discipline can offer. “In the Arab world, dance is not on that starting from scratch. We “This was a dream, an almost This reflects on the specificity of The Ballet and recognised as an artistic discipline need to explain to the audience and surreal dream that we managed to dance as an artistic genre that works Choreographic Arts Pole, but in my generation, and the ones to educate them, and to have more achieve with dedication, determi- on the body which in turn expresses a newly created cultural before me, dance is beginning to and more conferences and academ- nation and hard work. It is not a the freedom of the people and of gain ground. It is still difficult to ic events for the audience to be able strike of magic or a miracle but rath- the youth of Tunisia,” Virrielet said. institution dedicated to make a living being a dancer or a to discuss techniques of dance with er the fruit of our collective work. It “This particular feeling makes dance, is one of a kind in choreographer,” Touwayma said. us and to understand the levels of required a lot of work to have this publishing a dance anthology a his- Tunisia. “We are the first ones to intro- dance.” done,” said Nesrine Chaabouni, torical moment for Tunisians and duce contemporary art in the Arab Chaabouni recalled minding that dancer and director of the Ballet for the discipline of dance. It is a “It consists of individual perfor- world and Africa but it was margin- a dance show is a multidisciplinary and Choreographic Arts Pole. comprehensive project that sheds mances originating from the tradi- alised afterward. There are no aca- performance that can be explored The Ballet and Choreographic light on this often-forgotten disci- tional dances and incorporating the demic events for choreographers on many levels. Arts Pole consists of a choreograph- pline.” techniques of contemporary dance and followers of the scene to dis- “The spectator should look at ic centre led by Tunisian choreog- One of the objectives of the Ballet to free the movement of dancing cuss this art.” the dance performance as a living raphers Sihem Belkhodja and Nejib and Choreographic Arts Pole is to and to embody still the spirit of that Chaabouni and Touwayma screen offering visual and colourful Ben Khalfallah and three ballets, revive Tunisian patrimony through dance,” Touwayma said. agreed that the discipline of dance scenes. A choreographer combines including the Opera Ballet of Tu- adapting new techniques of con- “The project pays homage to the needs to be reintroduced to the Tu- movement, music, visual aspects,” nis, the New Tunisian Dance Ballet temporary choreographic arts. young Tunisian shepherd who was nisian and Arab audiences through Chaabouni said. under the direction of Karim Tou- Touwayma attempts to explore this killed by terrorists in the moun- different techniques. Touwayma wayma and the National Troupe of vision through the New Tunisian tains. His memory lives through said dancers and choreographers Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel Popular Arts. Dance Ballet, a project that explores this performance. It is a message in need to reconnect the audience and Culture contributor to “The City of Culture provides a the repertoire of Tunisian dances a way: We can fight extremism with with this form of art. The Arab Weekly. May 6, 2018 23 Culture

Viewpoint Book Review Shifts across cultures are Oman’s quest to affecting image of women balance ‘tradition and modernisation’

channel the country’s human and material resources towards a single goal — the development of the modern Omani individual. Hussein Shehadeh Funsch quotes Sultan Qaboos as saying: “The achievements in various spheres are all aimed man Reborn: at realising one noble goal — the Balancing building of the modern Omani Tradition and who believes in God and is com- Moderniza- mitted to maintaining his own “ tion” by Linda identity, while keeping abreast of Pappas Funsch the technology, sciences, litera- is a well-documentedO book on ture and arts of the age in which the sultanate that traces the he lives and reaping the benefits Gulf country’s history of inde- of modem civilisation in building pendence, its legacy of interac- his country and developing his tion with diverse cultures and society.” enlightened modern leadership. It is an essay that could easily be titled “Pride and Progress in “Oman Reborn” is a Oman.” Funsch notes that the Omani personal account of how leadership transformed the the author fell in love Cultural shift. Amirah al-Turkistani, a graphic design lecturer at Jeddah International College, works country in less than 50 years with the country during at her home office in Jeddah. (Reuters) from an isolated underdeveloped her first visit in 1974. kingdom into a stable, dynamic and largely optimistic country. her frequently, clothed and nude. Her lapses in personal or professional The skilled architect of modern From the moment Sultan Qa- account was especially fascinating behaviour. Oman is Sultan Qaboos bin Said boos assumed power on July 23, because she herself was aware of, but It is clear that an immense cultural Al Said, friend to both East and 1970, he dedicated himself to the Lord Grey Gowrie wholly indifferent to, Monroe’s sex shift is taking place in what is loosely West, whose unique leadership nation and people of Oman with appeal. called the West. Women are in revolt style has resulted in domestic the words: “The land of Oman “Marilyn was a flat-footed, broad- against being sexualised, objectified, and foreign policy achievements and its people are in my heart t seems likely that anyone any- based Polish kid,” she told me, “but treated as objects of desire rather than during his almost five decades in and in my thoughts, and the job where alive today born in 1955 or two things were unique to her. She lost people. power. I have taken on is a duty, not a earlier may remember where he weight on camera. Nearly everyone Even within more conservative Before 1970, Omani people ceremonial honour.” or she happened to be when US else gains it. This is one of the reasons sections of society, those informed across the country, as well as “Oman Reborn” is a personal President John F. Kennedy was as- fashion models are so unhealthily skin- by traditionalist Jewish, Christian or those who felt compelled to account of how the author fell sassinated in Dallas on November ny. She lost weight because faced with Islamic teaching, women are coming leave their homeland in search in love with the country during I22, 1963. a lens she uncoiled like a cobra rising under the same influences and indeed of education and opportunity her first visit in 1974 and how she The mid-20th century was an age from its basket. Her concentration on helping to create them. They are in elsewhere, were waiting for a followed its developments with of television as ours is an age of the the lens was absolute. She loved it. revolt at being over-protected, hidden leader who would take them great interest before returning in internet. Television shots of the slow “Then, while in no sense hirsute, away, treated as instruments for repro- on a journey towards progress 2006. open-car procession, the moments of she was covered all over, face, skin, duction only. and prosperity. Sultan Qaboos The book illustrates how Sultan confusion, the hysterical speeding-up, everywhere, with very fine light, gold, In our time, even Hollywood is assured them he was that leader Qaboos used his discrete foreign the grim announcement, as well as that downy hair. You could hardly see it but turning its back on actors, directors and so it has proved. policy to defuse tensions be- image of Lyndon Johnson being sworn the tiny filaments did take the light or producers whose sexual conduct tween Washington and Tehran in on Air Force One with Jackie Ken- and the lens picked this up. is exploitative, or even, in a newly after the Iranian government nedy in her bloodstained skirt standing “So whether you shot her in colour applied and perhaps unintentionally arrested three Americans in beside him and then the three days or or in black-and-white, the developed comic term, “inappropriate.” Sexual The well-documented different situations. The Omani so without other news, the ceremony picture had a kind of radiance, a glow misconduct, thanks partly to the book traces the diplomatic efforts behind the at Arlington with the small Kennedy about it. It was unearthly. And when internet, has no statute of limitations. sultanate’s history of scenes proved quite effective in children — such pictures are imprinted the session was over there was this Old offences are still offensive. When independence, its legacy releasing other hostages in areas on humanity’s collective memory. nice, ordinary, Polish broad again.” I lived in New York in the 1980s, Bill of interaction with of conflict. A generation later, the destruction of (Broad is out-of-date, indeed unaccep- Cosby was middle America’s icon of Rather than mediating, Sultan the towers of the World Trade Centre table, slang for woman). family values, all the more so for being diverse cultures and Qaboos’s preferred role appears in New York had a similar effect. If Marilyn Monroe was the iconic African-American. Now 80, he is about enlightened modern to be that of a go-between, in you were born in, say, 1993 or earlier, female image of the mid-20th century. to be sentenced to prison for sexual leadership. which he responds to requests you may well remember where you She shared this role with Elizabeth crimes. from third parties to help defuse happened to be on 9/11 in the same Taylor, perhaps, and Jacqueline Ken- One of the ironies of the shift is tensions rather than attempting way the older crowd remembers the nedy. The artist Andy Warhol, who that Marilyn Monroe did have love With his military and academic to mediate between the opposing November day in 1963. marketed icons, kept painting these affairs with both governing Kennedy background and comprehensive parties. Little more than a year before Ken- two women. He also painted Monroe. brothers, with Bobby as well as Jack. knowledge of his country’s his- Funsch efficiently reaches a nedy’s assassination, the death of But she comes to mind these days Today, there is outrage that a sitting tory, Sultan Qaboos understood larger audience conveying the another and, at the time, even more because of important cultural shifts. president may even be suspected as not only the role Omanis played uniqueness and integrity of iconic American imprinted itself upon The internet age, as distinct from the having had an affair with a woman over the centuries but also their Oman within the Arab world and the world’s consciousness. This was ages of film and television, occasions who starred in pornographic movies potential to transform their land the genuine respect it has gained Marilyn Monroe’s departure due to an and accompanies a change in Western and who may or may not have been from the sleepy, isolated desert from the international commu- overdose of pills, most likely acciden- attitudes towards women. bribed by his lawyer to keep quiet backwater into a thriving and nity. tal, in August 1962. While Western culture is, in this about things. forward-looking country. It was She is a specialist in modern Marilyn Monroe was a good ac- respect, becoming more conservative, Ted Kennedy’s political career sur- essential, he decided, to Middle East studies and Is- tress, especially in light comedy and Middle Eastern culture is becoming vived, narrowly, the death of a woman lamic history. She has studied, certainly a good-looking woman but less so. Even five years back, Saudi he may have been dating when the car worked and travelled Hollywood at the time had perhaps a Arabia was the most conservative in which they were travelling late at extensively throughout the dozen female stars of whom the same country in the world in terms of a night fell into a creek. She drowned. region. A freelance writer, might be said or for whom even greater woman’s ability to function openly in Ted escaped. Does anyone believe he consultant and educator for claims might be made. They did not contemporary society. Women there would have survived this, politically, more than 40 years, Funsch become icons, emblematic figures had long worked behind the scenes today? lectures frequently about whom people secretly prayed to or and professionally. They were not There was an “alternative society” Oman at symposia and in- whose photographs might even hold relegated to traditional family roles chant in the 1960s that is worth at- stitutions such as the World the gift of healing. Monroe’s beauty but they were kept obscure. tending to still. “When the sound of Bank, the World Affairs was a relatively usual kind of fair- As their economic contribution the music changes, the walls of the Council and Georgetown haired female beauty, even if augment- grew, however, it required recognition. city shake.” University. ed and exaggerated by artificial means. They had to be able to function more There will always be love songs but The screen goddess had something normally in everyday life: driving, for their orchestration is different now. Hussein Shehadeh is a of the qualities, to the Western world, instance. In the West, especially in the So are locations where they may be journalist and a lecturer on of the girl-next-door. Beyond the United States and Britain, the public played. The workplace is out. Even Arab culture and society. He West, the very blondeness, however sexualisation of women is rapidly Hollywood, for more than a year now, has resided in Scandinavia for improved, became a kind of symbol becoming taboo. requires a distance to be maintained more than 50 years. During of the ordinary — or an ideal of the Figures such as Marilyn Monroe between professional and personal that period he made various ordinary. This suited a world still in are as nostalgic, as out-of-date, as behaviour. Who knows, this may even visits to Oman. recovery from global war and prosper- limousines with walled-off compart- apply to porn stars. ing through the very means of that ments for chauffeurs. They belong Compelling narrative. recovery. to a generation of grandparents or Alexander Patrick Greysteil Ruthven, The cover of Linda Pappas Some years ago, I had lunch with a even great-grandparents, not parents. 2nd Earl of Gowrie, is a former British Funsch’s “Oman Reborn: great female photographer, the late Where out-of-date attitudes persist, politician and Conservative minister. Balancing Tradition and Eve Arnold. She had been a close female professionals stamp on them. He has had a number of high-profile Modernization.” friend of Monroe’s. She photographed Women speak out or go to court over posts across a variety of disciplines. 24 May 6, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Dubai: May 9-13

The tenth Dubai Tango Festival includes tango workshops with milongas for famous tango dancers and singers.

Jounieh: June 16-29

The Jounieh Summer Festival, set near Jounieh Bay north of Beirut, will include perfor- mances from international artists such as James Arthur, Julien Clerc and Il Divo.

Rabat: June 22-30

The 17th Mawazine Festival takes place in Rabat and fea- An Emirati family takes a stroll at Al Shanasiyah Souq. (Shurooq) Children enjoy the ambience at Al Shanasiyah Souq in Sharjah. (Shurooq) tures international and local musical performances. Restored Sharjah Cairo: June 25-July 2 souks are magnets Raqs of Course is a one-week Egyptian dance festival that includes workshops, competi- for tourism, trade tions and performances. Marrakech: July 1-31 N.P. Krishna Kumar covers 6,000 sq.metres and its length is flanked by the Sharjah The Marrakech Festival of Creek on one side. Popular Arts and Folklore Sharjah There are 17 retail outlets — res- showcases traditional Moroc- taurants, boutique cafes and shops can music, dance and customs ife has returned to Sharjah’s selling gifts and antiques, Emirati from through the ages. Visitors traditional souks, which fashion and craftsmanship, per- are invited to attend concerts, have been restored under fumes and incense, rosaries, dates exhibitions and Moroccan L the Heart of Sharjah Project. and traditional sweets — operating street troupe performances. The project seeks to establish the in the area. In short, it is a place for heritage area as a tourist and trade time travel. Carthage: centre with contemporary artistic Most of the businesses along July 13-August 15 touches while retaining the feel of Souk Al Shanasiya are owned by the emirate as it was in the 1950s. Emirati entrepreneurs who cater to The Carthage Festival is one Excavations revealed the founda- the needs of the present-day travel- of the oldest arts and cultural tions of old marketplaces, leading ler with offerings that are quintes- events in North Africa, drawing the Sharjah Investment and Devel- sentially modern within settings a mix of local and international opment Authority, Shurooq, to be- reminiscent of Sharjah’s past. performers to Tunisia over gin a long-term renovation project Ratios Cafe, for example, pre- several weeks. Performances expected to be completed in 2025. sents a novel experience. It offers take place at the Amphitheatre Traditional marketplaces that single origin coffee and gourmet A shop catering to children at Al Shanasiyah Souq in Sharjah. of Carthage. have been rebuilt include Souk Al nibbles in a space with traditional (Shurooq) Shanasiya, Souk Al Arsah, Souk furniture carved from of an old Cairo: Saqr and the Old Souk. dhow. During August It was decided to retain the old Ghawa Gahwa boutique cafe bazaar also known as Souk Mo- Sharjah ruler Sultan bin Muham- name of Souk Al Shanasiya, named provides a quiet atmosphere for hamed Bin Saqr, runs parallel to mad al-Qasimi. Art-related activi- Organised by the Cairo Opera after merchants from Shanas in students looking to study or for a Sharjah Creek. It was a centre for ties occur throughout the year in House, the annual Citadel Oman who frequently visited the group of friends to unwind over clothes and gold trading. Now a lei- the many art galleries of the Sharjah Festival for Music and Singing marketplace, Shurooq officials said. artisan brews and Bahrain-inspired surely stroll along the picturesque Art Foundation in the area. is scheduled for the Saladin Much of the emirate’s mercantile treats or a business professional waterfront allows for exploration Sharjah has long played an im- Citadel and the Opera House history was born there. who wants an environment for a of the shops offering spices, hen- portant cultural and economic role over two weeks. The festival Along with the souks were settle- work meeting. na, clothes and textiles, perfumes, in the region. Sharjah Tourism Vi- includes concerts of classical ments, whose fascinating remains Souk Al Arsah was the meeting water pipes and flavoured tobac- sion 2021 aims to attract more than Arab music in addition to con- were in the area’s excavated ar- place for Bedouins and their camels cos. There are also ladies’ tailors 10 million tourists by the year 2021 temporary performances. chaeological findings. in the old days. After renovation, specialising in national, bridal and when the UAE celebrates its 50th Souk Al Shanasiya was one of the visitors can walk along the com- beaded clothes. anniversary. Revenues from tour- Dubai: oldest and most vibrant market- fortably air-conditioned alleyways The Old Souk is a portal to a ism account for a sizeable share of September 13-15 places of the Gulf region. Souk Al of the market designed with solid bygone era in a city dotted with the emirate’s economy. Arsah, probably the oldest market- wooden doors, coral brick walls and ultra-modern buildings. The nar- The restoration of the traditional The Armenian National place in the United Arab Emirates, hanging lanterns. The souk is home row streets are chock-a-block with souks has been a boon for tourism Academic Theatre Opera and once teemed with traders from Per- to numerous quaint stores selling shoppers hunting for bargains and as well as for the business commu- Orchestra will take to the stage sia, India and local Bedouins. local — new and antique — handi- the air is filled with the fragrance of nity. The heritage sites as part of the at Dubai Opera to perform “The The areas have seen several crafts, wooden articles, bridal pearl incense. The souk also harbours Al Heart of Sharjah Project is generat- Magic Flute,” the last opera transformations with changing chests, copper coffee pots, ethnic Daleel Mosque — the oldest mosque ing revenue and attracting thou- composed by Wolfgang Ama- times. In the 1960s, part of Souk and handmade jewellery, perfume in the city. sands of visitors. deus Mozart. “The Magic Flute” Al Shanasiya was demolished to bottles and incense, medicinal The Art Museum in the Old tells the story of Prince Tamino give way to the Bank Street. In its herbs and carpets. Souk features a permanent display N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab and his companion Papageno present form, Souk Al Shanasiya Souk Saqr, an authentic old of works from the collection of Weekly contributor in Dubai. as they help the Queen of the Night and set out to rescue her daughter Pamina.

Beirut: September 20-23

The sixth Beirut Art Fair provides space for artists and galleries to exhibit paintings, drawings, graphic designs, in- stallation pieces or performanc- es while mingling with and being inspired by other artists. The fair allows collectors to browse the latest in contempo- rary art from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

We welcome submissions of calendar items related to cultural events of interest to travellers in the Middle East and North Africa. Please send tips to: [email protected] A tourist checks out items at a shop in Souq Al Arsah in Sharjah. (Shurooq) Visitors at Ratios Cafe at Souq Al Shanasiyah in Sharjah. (Shurooq)