UK £2 Issue 206, Year 5 May 19, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Uncertainties Election in Turkey over stakes Istanbul rerun in Algeria

Page 15 Page 11 Ramadan in the West Page 17 Iran engages in high-risk game of brinkmanship that could lead to war ► Suspicion regarding the responsibility for recent incidents in the Gulf has centred on Iran and its proxies while infighting in Washington seems to muddy US reactions towards Iran.

Thomas Seibert tors include the Houthis in Yemen and Iran-backed Shia militias in Iraq but Washington said it had no hard Istanbul evidence. Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a visiting fel- ith its economy wither- low at the Brookings Doha Centre, ing under US sanctions said the oil tanker attacks could and its support in Eu- have been the work of groups linked W rope dwindling after to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary threats to leave the international Guard Corps that wanted to escalate nuclear deal, Iran is playing a high- the situation for their own gains. risk game of brinkmanship in the “They could be provocations by Gulf. elements close to [the] Revolution- The leadership in Tehran vacil- ary Guards to get a war going with lates between tough talk of defeat- the aim of cementing their own ing the United States and claims power in Iran and secure access to that no player in the region wants a financial means for years,” Fathol- war. lah-Nejad said via e-mail. A senior Iranian official told Reu- Saudi Deputy Defence Minister ters that Tehran was ready for all Prince Khalid bin Salman posted scenarios from “confrontation to on Twitter that the drone attack diplomacy.” However, attacks such on two Saudi Aramco pumping sta- as the ones on four oil tankers near tions along the East-West pipeline Fujairah and drone attacks by Iran- was “ordered by the regime in Teh- Dangers ahead. An Emirati man looks on at the port of Fujairah in the Gulf Emirate, May 13. (AFP) backed Houthi rebels in Saudi Ara- ran and carried out by the Houthis.” bia could provoke a war, even if the A state-aligned Saudi newspaper, intention could have been to deter Arab News, published an editorial pare for a military conflict in the “We fundamentally do not seek a cited about it if one looks at official adversaries from a full-scale con- calling for “surgical” US strikes on region even if some of its allies ex- war with Iran,” Pompeo said. “We’re Iranian media’s reaction and that frontation. Iran in retaliation. pressed doubts about Washington’s looking for Iran to behave like a nor- alone will be viewed in Riyadh as Ali Shihabi, CEO of the Arabia assertion that there is an immedi- mal country.” an Iranian admission of culpability,” Foundation in Washington, said if ate threat of Iranian attacks in the Some experts said the May 12 at- Vatanka said. Alex Vatanka senior fellow at the the Iranians can get away with tar- Middle East. Media reports said in- tacks on two Saudi, one UAE and Only days before the attacks on Middle East Institute geting Saudi oil infrastructure then fighting within the administration one Norwegian tankers near the the oil tankers, Iran announced that in Washington “the whole security infrastructure is muddling US reactions towards Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Gulf it would resume uranium enrich- in the Gulf will be called into ques- Iran. could have been designed by Iran to ment beyond the limits of the 2015 “Limited Iranian operations tion and security premiums on oil The Trump administration or- test the resolve of the United States nuclear deal if European countries against the UAE and Saudi will rise.” dered all non-emergency staff to and its Sunni Muslim allies while are unable to work out a plan within Arabia” might be designed to He said Riyadh was likely to co- leave its embassy in Baghdad and maintaining deniability about its in- 60 days to keep their trade with Iran “signal that war with Iran will ordinate reactions with Washington consulate in Erbil in response to volvement. alive despite crippling US sanctions. not be limited to Iranian soil.” but “eventually what may happen is what the US military called immi- Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at The announcement was met with that just Saudi Arabia and the UAE nent threats to US troops in Iraq. the Middle East Institute in Wash- criticism in Europe at a time when Suspicion has centred on Iran or may have to do something.” Germany suspended a military ington, said Iran appeared to be try- EU support is vital for Iran. its regional proxies. US officials, Quoting informed Gulf sources, training programme in the country. ing to signal to its adversaries that Fathollah-Nejad pointed out speaking to the Associated Press Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat US President Donald Trump the cost of a major confrontation Iran’s threat to violate the bounda- on condition of anonymity, said reported May 18 that “a number of warned Iran that a military confron- would be high. ries of the nuclear deal by boosting investigators sent to the United Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, tation would be devastating for the “In an environment of rising re- uranium enrichment was an effort Arab Emirates reported large holes have approved Washington’s re- country. “It’s going to be a bad prob- gional tensions, limited Iranian to build up bargaining power that in ships anchored offshore were quest to redeploy US forces in Ara- lem for Iran if something happens,” operations against the UAE and could be used later in direct or in- caused by explosive charges that bian Gulf waters and territories to Trump said. “They’re not going to Saudi Arabia” might be designed to direct negotiations with the United they believed were planted by Ira- thwart possible Iranian attacks in be happy.” “signal that war with Iran will not States. nian military divers. the region.” US Secretary of State Mike be limited to Iranian soil,” Vatanka US security agencies said proxies “Such measures would protect Pompeo insisted that despite boost- said. Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly sympathetic to or working for Iran the energy supply and prevent Iran ing US military capability in the Gulf He added that there was no clear correspondent. Kelly Kennedy in may have been behind the attacks. from disrupting maritime traffic in region with B-52 bombers and war- evidence of the Iranian involve- Washington contributed to this Reuters quoted two US government that region,” they added. ships, Washington was not on a col- ment in the drone attacks in Saudi report. sources as saying possible perpetra- Washington continued to pre- lision course with Tehran. Arabia. “But they seem to be ex- P2-7 Tunisia celebrates Sufi female music in Ramadan festival Saber Ben Amer Karoui, were chosen from Tunis, having the praise piece recited by in popular songs. She was sancti- ululations of approval from wom- Djerba, Bizerte and Sousse. an all-female choir accompanied fied after her death and a mauso- en in the audience. “’Lella’ was a show by women by an all-female orchestra. Hence, leum was built around her tomb in “Lella” included a savvy mix- Tunis for women, that is to say, from to- the ‘Lella’ show in the praise of northern Tunis. ture of Sufi music and a variety of day’s Tunisian women to yester- Tunisia’s Sufi female saints from Between choreographed dances other Tunisian celebratory styles, unisian maestro Amina day’s Tunisian female Sufi saints,” north to south,” she said. and scenes, actress Leila Chebbi such as popular bagpipe music, Srarfi and her musical en- Srarfi said. “It’s a celebration of read highly stylised texts detail- the African stambali and the An- semble El’Azifat opened the virtues of Lella Saida Man- ing the history and stories of dalusian Malouf. There were per- More than 20 musicians, the 37th Medina Festival oubia, Lella Arbia, Oum Ezzine Saida Manoubia and other female formances by the El’Azifat choir as T singers and dancers in Tunis with “Lella.” al-Jammalia and other venerated saints. well as individual singing perfor- More than 20 musicians, singers female Sufi saints whose legacies participated in the first Tunisian singer Nabiha Karaouli mances by Chahnaz Dhaoui, Nis- and dancers participated in the have been preserved in the popu- all-female Sufi performed an original rendition of reen al-Frei and Soumaya Mersni. first all-female Sufi programme in lar poetic tradition in Tunisia.” programme in the Arab “Hadhrat al-Shdala,” a hymn dedi- Srarfi said she hoped “Lella” be- the Arab world, which celebrated Srarfi said the idea of the show world, which celebrated cated to Saint Sidi Abdelkader al- comes the nucleus for more am- Tunisia’s female saints from north came when she “found in the ar- Tunisia’s female saints Shadly and usually performed by bitious and more comprehensive to south. chives of my late father a prayer in from north to south. male singers. projects celebrating Tunisia’s Sufi “Lella” (“My Lady”) was di- the praise of the Prophet Moham- Karaouli’s performance was far saints, including male ones, by rected by Hafedh Khalifa and cho- mad that included 43 names of Lella Saida Manoubia is per- removed from the typical male female artists that help preserve reographed by Khira Oubeidallah. the Prophet and which was put to haps the most famous female Sufi style in hymns to male saints. She Tunisian heritage. Srarfi arranged and supervised the music by my late husband, Faisal saint in Tunisia. She died seven imbued her rendition with a deep score. The performers, including Karoui (a saxophone player). centuries ago but her generosity feminine spirit that was met with Saber Ben Amer is a Tunisian 70-year-old hymn singer Mamiya “I immediately got the idea of and strength are still celebrated a standing ovation and sustained writer. 2 May 19, 2019 Cover Story

Viewpoint Iran’s old ways are self-defeating

Iran’s biggest failure since the revolution that overthrew the Khairallah shah is failing to build a strong Khairallah and diversified economy that is not entirely dependent on exporting oil and gas. So now he Iranian escalation there is an economically failed in the Arabian Gulf country that wants to lead the is useless. Perhaps region. Does this sound normal? I’d better qualify The normal thing is for Iran to that statement: Yes, return to its real weight and stop it has some use. It is playing roles too big for its size. Tuseful because it exposes the real Does Iran realise what it has character of the Iranian regime done in this or that Arab country, to convince those who still have especially in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon any illusions in that regard. and Yemen and even in Bahrain The United States was right and the Palestinian territories, when it said it would send mili- specifically in Gaza? Who has tary reinforcements to the Gulf, benefited from all that it did in including the USS Abraham Lin- those countries other than the coln carrier group, given growing United States and Israel — the apprehensions about Iranian ter- “Great Satan” and the “Little rorist acts in response to tougher Satan”? US sanctions on Tehran. In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, along with others, overthrew the shah and his Iran should face regime. He succeeded in getting rid of the others and established reality, especially the Islamic Republic, which im- now that sanctions mediately set out to look for an have revealed to the external enemy. Tehran’s continuous provoca- world that the tions of Iraq led Saddam Hus- mighty Islamic sein to commit a great folly and Political pressures, infighting muddle declare war on Iran. It was a Republic is just a war that Khomeini needed to third world country strengthen his position internally or even fourth or and keep the army busy with the war on the frontiers and away fifth world. from him. The escalation with Washington’s reactions towards Iran the outside world was a goal in it- The attacks on four ships off self for the founder of the Islamic the UAE port of Fujairah, includ- Republic, who needed to stir up Kelly Kennedy Saudi Deputy Defence Minister if temporary, impact on the economies ing two Saudi oil tankers and a the Persian nationalist spirit. Prince Khalid bin Salman described of China and Western Europe and Iran Norwegian ship, confirmed US During the era of Supreme the attacks as “terrorist acts, ordered likely believes this will compel them to fears. Sooner or later, investiga- Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran re- espite heightened tensions by the regime in Tehran and carried pressure the US to make concessions to tions will reveal that Iran was sorted to old methods in a world caused by attacks targeting out by the Houthis.” There were calls avoid future such attacks,” he said. behind the attack and that the that had changed. The Gulf coun- Saudi Arabia and the United for stronger action against Iran in pro- The Washington Post reported in- choice of the site of the bombing tries that are subjected to Iranian D Arab Emirates, the Trump ad- government Saudi media. fighting in the administration about attack was very deliberate. The practices and provocation are not ministration’s attitude has remained the issue. Some of Trump’s advisers, Port of Fujairah is not far from like Saddam. largely restrained with conflicting sig- A Rasmussen Reports such as national security adviser John the Strait of Hormuz and is used Moreover, the current US ad- nals over the possibility of the United Bolton, pushed for confrontation and to avoid oil transit through this ministration is not the adminis- States going to war against Iran. survey in early May others strongly advised against it. vital strategic strait. tration of Jimmy Carter, who was Washington’s wavering reflected indicated that 26% of US Bolton had led the US effort for war It was also remarkable that the so naive and so ineffectual that domestic pressures against war and dif- voters said Trump is “not in Iraq in 2003, as well as a similar push first outlets to report the Fujairah all he could do was watch as Ira- ferences of opinion in the administra- aggressive enough” with for military action in Iran. US Secre- incident were media working nian security services detained tion. Iran while 25% see him as tary of State Mike Pompeo has pushed for the Iranian services — even the US diplomats at the embassy The crisis escalated after the United “too aggressive.” for strong interventions against Iraq before an official statement from in Tehran, a real “nest of spies” States sent an aircraft carrier group and and, during congressional testimony the UAE Ministry of Foreign Af- as it was called by the Iranians at US Air Force bombers to the Middle While US experts and unidentified in April, refused to say the Trump ad- fairs explaining what happened. the time. East because of what it said were intel- officials said they saw Iran’s hand in ministration would not use war powers Clearly, Iran was sending a mes- ligence reports about Iranian threats to the incidents, reactions in Washington authorisation to order military strikes sage to the Gulf states and the US US interests in the region after Wash- suggested a lack of consensus in the against Iran. administration as it realises the The attacks on four ington’s tightening of oil sanctions Trump administration. “There is no infighting, whatsoever,” sanctions against it are no joke. against Tehran. “Iran’s actions are conducted in a Trump declared. “Different opinions It is still early to speak of a ships off the UAE Tensions increased further when manner which are both understood by are expressed and I make a decisive major conflagration in the region port of Fujairah, four oil tankers were attacked May 12 the world to be conducted by Iran but and final decision. It is a very simple but we must not lose sight of the off the UAE coast. Although no evi- not to the extent that the international process… I’m sure that Iran will want fact that Iran can go quite far in including two dence was given, US investigators, the community can justify a response. In to talk soon.” challenging the United States. Saudi oil tankers Associated Press reported, were said to this way, the actions are attributable Trump admitted there were a variety There are two reasons for that. and a Norwegian “believe the damage was done by Ira- but deniable,” Norman Roule, a former of stances on the issue. “I have differ- First, the need of the Iranian nian military divers.” senior CIA officer with experience in ent sides. I mean, I have John Bolton regime to close ranks internally ship, confirmed Two days later, Saudi oil installations Middle East issues told Reuters. and I have other people that are a little and give the impression that the US fears. were struck by drones in an attack “Attacks against oil tankers produce more dovish than him. And ultimately Iranian population is united and claimed by the Iran-backed Houthis in tremendous publicity for Iran and I make the decision,” he said. ready to ward off any external The Carter administration Yemen. raise oil prices. The latter has a direct, Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of aggression. made only one small attempt to The other reason is that Iranian rescue the hostages. When that Viewpoint officials are betting on the Trump tragically failed, Carter surren- administration having other pri- dered to fate and to the black- orities before Iran, including the mailing of the hostage takers for Qatar is not the mediator the Arab world needs trade war with China, and that 444 days that ended only with there is a margin that Tehran can Carter losing the presidential and Egypt in June 2017, continues to is reason to believe that both countries use to play its favourite game: election to Ronald Reagan in punch above its weight, positioning should be wary of Qatari intervention. using sectarian militias to move 1980. itself in the middle of geopolitical Despite what some Iranians may be- forward with its expansion- This is Iran’s favourite game: Iman Zayat disputes in a way that further alienates lieve, Qatar it is not a true friend and ist project based on “exporting badgering the enemy until reach- its Arab neighbours. should not be included in their circle the revolution.” That game has ing a deal. This time, however, it Qatar’s position on Iran is a case in of trusted allies. become antiquated and no longer won’t do to blow up a ship here s the Arab region goes point. Doha’s intentions, as alluded to by fools anyone except perhaps and there or kidnap US soldiers through one of its most On May 1, Qatar spoke out against Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mo- naive idealists. or citizens or something of that critical junctures in Washington’s decision to block all hammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani On the opposite side, there sort. years, all eyes are on Iranian oil exports, arguing that unilat- last November, are to continue to deal is an American administration Instead, Iran should face real- Iran, the United States, eral sanctions were “unwise” because with Iran, which helped a desper- that knows exactly what Iran is ity, especially now that sanctions Saudi Arabia, the United they could hurt countries that rely on ate Qatar secure supplies when the all about and has a list of condi- have revealed to the world that ArabA Emirates and, to a lesser extent, the supplies. Such a stance won Qatar Arab boycott was first imposed, and tions that Iran must abide by if the mighty Islamic Republic is Israel. some Iranian trust and seemingly to mediate between Washington and it wants to return to a normal just a third world country or With the focus on these major aligned Doha further with Tehran’s Tehran. state — a state that does not pose even fourth or fifth world. It has players, smaller actors such as Qatar axis but there is more to this than The play on “mediation” is not new. a threat to its neighbours and has nothing to export but violence, can sometimes go unnoticed, even meets the eye. Qatar has long had two faces to its for- no illusions of grandeur based blackmail and sectarian instincts. though they play an important part Some interpreted Qatar’s ma- eign policy, which allows it to secure on the false belief that it has Why can’t Iran look for different in shaping the region’s alliances and noeuvres as a way to create balance protection from Western countries something to offer its geopoliti- goods to export? power dynamics. between Iran, with which it has even as it seeks to destabilise them cal environment and the world Qatar, which is reeling from a developed an unofficial yet open alli- through financing terror and support- besides misery and Khairallah Khairallah is a boycott imposed by the United Arab ance, and the United States, which it ing hostile entities in the Middle East. underdevelopment. Lebanese writer. Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain also considers an ally. However, there Even with that considered, some May 19, 2019 3 Iranian Threats

Viewpoint Escalating tensions with Iran highlight vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz A partial or temporary blockade Sabahat Khan or even a credible threat to close the Strait of Hormuz would likely send ensions between the global markets into a frenzy. Saudi, United States and Iran Emirati and, to a lesser extent, Iraqi are creating a growing pipelines that offer alternative routes possibility of the two bypassing the strait cannot cover the rivals stumbling into a effect of any strategic supply disrup- military conflict that, tion across all oil producers in the Tostensibly, neither side has been Arab Gulf. seeking. For years, Iran has aimed to build The US announcement to deploy the capabilities that would enable an aircraft carrier and a bomber it — probably as a final resort — to task force to the Middle East came blockade the Strait of Hormuz and, against undisclosed American intel- last July, Iranian President Hassan ligence reports that Iran was plotting Rohani was seen to hint at disrupt- to attack US interests. A surprise ing regional oil flows as an Iranian visit by US Secretary of State Mike response to tightening sanctions Pompeo to Iraq — where 5,200 US targeting its oil exports. troops are stationed — followed. Iran’s oil exports have halved Amid the tensions, unknown over the past year in the face of saboteurs on May 13 attacked four US sanctions and Washington has vessels, including two Saudi oil tank- removed all waivers against them for On the edge. A MH-60S helicopter hovers in the ers, using magnetic explosives off customers of Iranian oil. The Iranian air with an oil tanker in the background as the USS the coast of Oman close to the UAE leadership may calculate it has less John C. Stennis makes its way to the Gulf through emirate of Fujairah. Two days later, to lose by blockading the strait. Any (Reuters) the Strait of Hormuz, last December. Houthi rebels allied to Iran used decision to attempt such a high- drones to attack two Saudi Aramco stake and high-risk move cannot be pumping stations on its East-West taken lightly. pipeline, which led to operations Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard being suspended as a precautionary Corps (IRGC), rather than its regular measure. navy, would be the lead force tasked Within hours, the United States with planning such operations and Political pressures, infighting muddle initiated an unexpected evacuation assigned the primary operational re- of its diplomatic staff out of Iraq and sponsibility for blockading the strait alerted its citizens and regional allies if the command was issued. of a heightened threat level in the The IRGC will have learnt from region. Iran’s as well as Iraq’s use of mines Such fast-moving developments during the Iran-Iraq War and later Washington’s reactions towards Iran created alarm as to what might from the liberation of Kuwait. During happen next. If tensions are not both conflicts, US naval hardware diffused, an unwanted military — the USS Roberts in 1988 and USS the Foundation for Defense of Democ- “I made clear that the United States against Iran without congressional ap- confrontation could be triggered, Tripoli in 1991 — was damaged along racies, said: “Trump is smart to let will continue to apply pressure to the proval. drawing in the wider region. with other commercial vessels, even these advisers play the roles they play regime in Tehran until its leadership Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican The targeting of commercial ves- though the strait was never effec- and it really does help him lay the ta- is prepared to return to the ranks of re- from Florida on the Foreign Relations sels and oil pipelines in the oil-rich tively closed. ble for negotiation but, ultimately, it sponsible nations that do not threaten Committee, rebuked the idea that of- Arab Gulf reignited debate around Next time, however, the IRGC can comes back to his ability to oversee a their neighbours or spread instability ficials might be building a false case. energy security and particularly be expected to pursue a more so- negotiation and do so wisely and judi- or terror,” he said. “The idea @POTUS is creating a about Iran’s possible intentions and phisticated three-pronged approach ciously, and that’s an open question.” In Congress, both Democrats and Re- pretext to start war with #Iran makes capabilities to block the Strait of to closing the strait to maritime Even Washington’s war plans were publicans requested more information no sense,” he wrote on social media. Hormuz. traffic. Making use of thousands of confused by the muddle. from the administration, with some “While I may not agree with him on The strait, which separates Iran mines, midget submarines, anti-ship British Army Major-General Chris questioning the veracity of intelligence it, @realdonaldtrump wants to wind from the northern tip of Oman, missiles deployed on coastal launch Ghika, who heads the joint task force to that escalated the tensions. down US military presence in Middle connects the Arab Gulf to the Ara- sites as well as on fast boats at sea, combat the Islamic State, said May 14 US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Re- East, not expand it.” bian Sea. Crude exports from Saudi and ambush operations conducted at the Pentagon that “there’s been no publican from South Carolina, said he Beyond criticism in Congress, Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, by clandestine operatives and armed increased threat from Iranian-backed was tired of getting briefings about Iran Trump sees also little support for war Kuwait, Iraq and Iran are mainly drones, the IRGC posits a sophisti- forces in Iraq and Syria” but the next from the media, rather than from the from the American public. Some of his shipped out to the world via the cated asymmetric warfare capability. day, the United States ordered non- administration. The Trump adminis- allies said war could hurt Trump in the waterway. With US, British and French naval essential personnel to leave the US Em- tration briefed top US Congress mem- 2020 election and the shadow of the Approximately one-third of the forces on standby alongside regional bassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate bers May 16 in a closed-door session. 2003 Iraq invasion and its repercus- world’s crude and by-products navies — Saudi Arabia and the United in Erbil. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Dem- sions hover over the prospects of US traded by sea along with all of Arab Emirates have undertaken US Acting Defence Secretary Patrick ocrat who represents California and involvement in another Middle East Qatar’s liquefied natural gas exports, extensive naval modernisation in Shanahan presented a plan before the who was present for the briefing, made conflict. accounting for almost one-third of recent years — it would be a chal- oil tanker attacks to send 120,000 US it clear that Trump should not act on A Rasmussen Reports national tel- the global market, traverse the strait lenging mission for Iran to close the troops — similar to the number sent to his own. ephone and online survey in early daily. strait. Iraq in 2003 — to the Middle East if Iran “The responsibility in the constitu- May indicated that 25% of likely US Being 33km wide at its narrowest Yet the threat remains a potent attacked US forces or works to increase tion is for Congress to declare war,” voters said Trump is “too aggressive” point and with shipping lanes just one simply because if Iranian forces its nuclear weapons capabilities, the Pelosi said. “So I hope the president’s in his dealings with Iran but that’s 3km wide, the strait is considered can avoid interception for a few New York Times reported. However, advisers recognise they have no au- down from 36% a year ago just after he the world’s most strategic maritime hours they could gain a potentially two days later, Trump said there were thorisation to go forward in any way.” pulled the United States out of the Ira- choke point. Its blockade could have decisive advantage. no plans to send troops to the Middle Senator Bernie Sanders, who is seek- nian nuclear deal. Just about as many immediate global ramifications for East. ing the Democratic Party presidential (26%) now say Trump is “not aggres- economic, political and social activ- Sabahat Khan, based in Dubai, Pompeo, speaking May 12 in Russia, nomination, began a petition to cre- sive enough,” up from 14% last May. ity if the supply chain for the world’s maintains a cross-disciplinary focus said the United States would not back ate legislation that would prohibit the Thirty-eight percent rated the presi- largest source of fossil in international security, defence down. administration from military action dent’s response as about right. fuels was disrupted. policy and strategic issues. Qatar is not the mediator the Arab world needs

argue that, given its unique political Some Washington insiders have However, whether the Qataris are mediation efforts. Saudi Arabia and the high since the second Gulf war and position, Qatar is the most capable of suggested that, after scrapping the buying time for the Iranians, intention- United Arab Emirates, the primary vic- they seem to be getting worse. Until mediating between Washington and nuclear deal reached under former US ally or unintentionally, or manoeu- tims of Iran’s aggressive behaviour, recently, there was only fiery rhetoric, Tehran. Others say Doha has been act- President Barack Obama, Trump may vring to get the Trump administra- could feel abandoned by Washing- especially on the part of Iran, but now ing on Washington’s behalf since the be interested in designing his own tion out of its predicament, ton if a settlement is reached there are suspicions of outright attacks beginning of the crisis, offering itself as accord. one thing is certain: Qatar with an arch-rival through on neighbouring countries’ vessels. a potential channel of communication Trump has repeatedly shown his is, as always, walking a the involvement of an Investigations are still under way with Iran. infatuation with striking deals of all tightrope, hoping to Qatar continues to untrusted mediator. but initial assessments indicate that That view was reinforced by the kinds: trade deals, a potential deal with gain leverage on the punch above its Even with talk Iran was involved in explosions on four Qatari foreign minister’s recent visit North Korea, the “Deal of the Century.” international stage weight, positioning of warming ties ships May 12 off the UAE coast. Tehran to Tehran, which the United States All of these, Trump hopes, serve as evi- by making risky and itself in the middle of between Doha is also suspected of being behind a reportedly knew of in advance, hinting dence of his political acumen. dangerous political geopolitical disputes in and Tehran, Iran drone attack that hit two oil pumping that the administration of US President This is the political backdrop under calculations. a way that further will hardly view stations in Saudi Arabia. Donald Trump is not interested in which Qatar is playing the role of There are other alienates its Arab Qatar as a trusted In such a tense environment, trust further escalation. mediator. factors to consider. neighbours. mediator. Home to is of key importance and Qatar, which Washington’s position is under- Qatar, unlike others, can present Qatar’s mediation the United States’ Al is at the centre of controversy in the standable because Trump does not itself to Iran as a “trusted friend” that efforts will doubtlessly Udeid Airbase, from which region for its alleged support of terror- have the time or political capital to is repaying Tehran’s favour of rescuing be viewed with suspicion by B-52 strategic bombers were ism and ties with Tehran, should not attack Iran. Those preparations could it after a crippling boycott. Washington’s traditional allies, recently deployed in a warning to be given any trust, let alone afforded take months and Trump is already set- Qatar can also hope to convince notably Saudi Arabia, the United Tehran, Qatar is being used by the the role of mediator. ting his sights on presidential elections the United States that easing pressure Arab Emirates and Egypt. United States to strike back at the mul- in November 2020, hoping to win a against Iran will not embolden Tehran Those countries at odds with Qatar lahs’ regime and Iran understands this. Iman Zayat is Managing Editor of second term in office. and its proxies. will have no faith in the small emirate’s Regional tensions have not been this The Arab Weekly. 4 May 19, 2019 Cover Story Iranian Threats

Threats to Gulf oil supplies rattle markets

Norwegian-flagged. The US Maritime Administration cautioned of an “increased pos- Jareer Elass sibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies” could target oil tankers, commercial ships or military ves- ttacks targeting sels belonging to the United States Saudi oil tankers and or its allies in the Red Sea, Bab el infrastructure and Mandeb Strait and the Arabian US sabre-rattling in Gulf. the Arabian Gulf have The Trump administration unnerved oil markets. stoked fears of a potential conflict CrudeA prices rose amid fears that with Tehran May 5 by announcing an all-out conflict between Wash- it was sending an aircraft carrier ington and Tehran that jeopardises strike group and a bomber task Gulf oil supplies could push prices force to the Gulf and followed that into the stratosphere. May 10 by moving a Patriot missile The markets had been focused system and second warship to the on more bearish political and region. economic indicators that had That the tanker attacks been keeping a lid on oil prices, occurred near the Strait of including the escalating Hormuz are concerning, US-Chinese trade drama, because the narrow wa- fear of weaken- Tensions in the terway is the strategic ing global energy Gulf show how choke point for ves- demand and signs sels carrying about that surging US oil easily a serious oil one-fifth of the production would disruption can result world’s oil needs. cover lost Iranian from political missteps Tehran threatened and Venezuelan or sabotage, causing to close the strait oil. crude prices to be following Washing- However, ten- pushed upward. ton’s recent deci- sions in the Gulf show sion to deny Iran’s how easily a serious oil remaining oil customers disruption can result from sanctions waivers. political missteps or sabotage, It is not the first time that Iran causing crude prices to be pushed threatened to disrupt Hormuz traf- province to the Yanbu port on that Riyadh claimed were directed respectively. upward. fic. Iran could temporarily block the Red Sea. One station reported at densely populated Saudi civilian Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Reports that four oil tankers — the strait but Tehran’s navy is no minor damage and a fire that was areas. Prince Khalid bin Salman posted including two Saudi vessels — were match for US naval might and the quickly contained. Oil markets responded to the on Twitter May 16 that the attacks the targets of a “sabotage attack” blockade would likely not last for Falih described the pipeline at- news of the drone-ambushed line on the Saudi pipeline show that the May 12 near the Emirati port of more than a few days. tack as an “act of terrorism” that, by sending prices up May 14 by as Houthi militias “are merely a tool Fujairah and the Strait of Hormuz Last July, Riyadh suspended oil combined with the assaults on the much as 1.4%. Oil prices gained that Iran’s regime uses to imple- drove oil prices up more than 2% — shipments through the Bab el Man- tankers, threatened the world’s oil considerable ground May 16, in ment its expansionist agenda in the about $1 per barrel — May 13. Prices deb Strait, which separates the Red supplies and global economy. part in response to reports that region.” He said the pipeline attack retreated later that day on US- Sea from the Indian Ocean, for ten Saudi Aramco closed the pipe- the Saudi-led coalition carried out was ordered by Tehran. Chinese tit-for-tat tariff increases days after two Saudi tankers were line to restore the damaged pump numerous air strikes on Houthi Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- as trade negotiations between the attacked by Yemen’s Iran-backed station and assess the line’s condi- rebel military targets in Sana’a and mad Javad Zarif denied that Tehran two world superpowers appeared Houthi militia. tion but subsequently reopened elsewhere in Yemen in retalia- was behind the tanker attacks, to deteriorate. Houthi rebels essentially claimed the line May 14. tion for the tanker and pipeline blaming “radical individuals” Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih responsibility for the drone attacks The Saudi-led coalition fight- incidents. working to pull Iran and the United said the two Saudi tankers that on Saudi Aramco’s East-West pipe- ing in Yemen targeted the Houthi Both US benchmark crude States into war. were attacked suffered “signifi- line May 13. The explosive-laden rebels’ drone-making infrastruc- West Texas Intermediate and UK cant damage,” though there were drones attacked pump stations on ture in Sana’a in April following benchmark crude Brent settled Jareer Elass reports from no casualties or oil spilled. The the 1,200km pipeline that carries several instances in which Saudi up 85 cents for the day at $62.87 Washington on energy issues two other tankers were UAE- and crude from Saudi Arabia’s Eastern aerial defences intercepted drones per barrel and $72.62 per barrel, for The Arab Weekly. Is Iran threatening further terror attacks in Europe?

heavy pressure from the United materials and heavy water in While supporters of the nuclear the persecuted Iranian Ahwazi States, which walked away from excess of the deal’s restrictions deal and those who ignore Arab minority and were killed in Tallha the deal, reimposed economic to Russia and Oman respectively, Iranian expansionism will balk similar circumstances. This was Abdulrazaq sanctions and ended sanctions increasing the opportunity for at the suggestion that Iran would replicated by Iranian intelligence waivers for countries doing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. do anything of the sort, we only operative’s attempts to kill a business with critical Iranian Iranian President Hassan need to look at recent history dissident in Denmark in 2018. enior Iranian officials sectors. Rohani took to Twitter to inform in Europe to see that Iran has Iran’s Intelligence Ministry was made it clear that Iran Perhaps more chillingly, Iran the remaining signatories to the committed acts of terror by proxy slapped with sanctions by the will no longer abide directly threatened unspecified deal that they “will face Iran’s on numerous occasions, as well European Union after an Iranian by the terms of the measures if European powers further actions” if the radical as perpetrated assassinations diplomat and two others were rapidly imploding Joint and Russia do not curb the effects Shia theocracy’s demands were against political dissidents. arrested after they allegedly Comprehensive Plan of of American sanctions. not met within 60 days. To In the summer of 2012, two plotted to bomb a meeting of SAction, better known as the Iran To pressure European many, this sounded like Iran was members of Hezbollah set off a an exiled Iranian opposition nuclear deal, reached in 2015. countries and the Russians, still threatening to allow its proxies bomb at the Burgas Airport in group in France. Among those Iran’s desperation and its parties to the deal, to accede commanded and controlled by Bulgaria. The attack on a tour bus supposed to attend the meeting arguably rash decision to to its demands, Tehran said it its Islamic Revolutionary Guard killed six people and wounded were former New York Mayor provoke its partners follow would no longer sell nuclear Corps to visit terror on Europe. 32 others. An investigation and US President Donald by Bulgarian authorities Trump’s lawyer Rudy concluded the Giuliani. bombers were Rohani appears to With such brazen members of be threatening an acts of terror, Hezbollah, had increasing intensity whether directly lived in Lebanon of attacks to or indirectly from at least via proxies, 2006-10 and destabilise Europe Iran seems received financing and to strike at to once again from networks opponents to its be threatening connected to deadly regime. attacks across Hezbollah. Europe. It is not as Eleven days after the though the attacks attack in Bulgaria, Cypriot stopped with the signing police arrested Hossam of the nuclear deal but Rohani Yaacoub, a Lebanese-born appears to be threatening an Swedish citizen, who admitted to increasing intensity of such being a member of Hezbollah. attacks to destabilise Europe Yaacoub said he had been and to strike at opponents to its tasked with scouting targets and deadly regime who are seeking surveilling activities of Israeli asylum where they believed they tourists in Cyprus. When he was and their families were safe from captured, Yaacoub was recording the mullahs. tour bus registration plates, likely As such, it is time for Europe to to facilitate a tour bus attack. stop sitting on the fence and join In 2015 and 2017, the Dutch the United States in scrapping the government accused Iran nuclear deal once and for all. of working with organised criminals to assassinate two of its Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher Iranian-born citizens who were at the University of Exeter’s On the fence. A woman passes a wall bearing portraits of Iran’s victims as protesters demonstrate critical of the mullah’s regime Strategy and Security Institute in against the Iranian delegation at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, February 26. (AP) in Tehran. Both men were from England. May 19, 2019 5 News & Analysis Egypt Gulf Egypt steps up coordination with Gulf allies amid rising regional tensions

Amr Emam my and security. Apart from Egypt’s close alliance with Gulf countries, Egyptian of- Cairo ficials are concerned that Iranian hostilities, against the background vents in the Arabian Gulf of increasing US pressure on Teh- and threats to the security ran, would threaten navigation in of Arab countries domi- the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, E nated talks between Abu which gives Cairo a sizeable por- Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed tion of its national income. bin Zayed al-Nayhan and Egyptian The fear in Cairo is that Iran President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. would urge its proxies to threat-

C rown Prince Mohammed, who en security in the Bab el Mandeb is also commander of the UAE Strait and the southern entrance of armed forces, and Sisi focused on the Red Sea. the May 12 sabotage of four ships “Everybody expects the Islamic off Fujairah and the attack on two Republic to escalate its belliger- oil pumping stations in Saudi Ara- ence in the coming days,” said bia a day later, Egyptian Presiden- Akram Badr Eddine, a political sci- cy Spokesman Bassam Radi said. ence professor at Cairo University. Egypt, Sisi said, backed the Unit- Egyptian concerns are given ed Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia credence by the control the Iran- against attempts to undermine aligned Houthi militia imposes on their stability and security. Egypt strategic cities in Yemen, including will work to increase cooperation some on the Red Sea. The Houthis with the Emirates in all fields, he have attacked ships off Yemen’s added. Red Sea coast several times. Egypt has taken steps since the Houthis overran most of Yemen Apart from Egypt’s close in 2014 to shield navigation in the alliance with Gulf Suez Canal against such threats. In countries, Egyptian January 2017, Sisi ordered Egypt’s officials are concerned southern fleet to police the south- that Iranian hostilities ern entrance of the Red Sea. would threaten This was part of Egyptian action navigation in the Red Sea to protect economic and security and the Suez Canal. interests of Arab countries in the Gulf whose oil crosses the Bab el Crown Prince Mohammed ar- Mandeb Strait en route to the Suez rived in Cairo the same week as Canal and international markets. Close coordination. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan (L) meets with (WAM) Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al- Sisi has said that Egypt would Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. Khalifa visited Sisi, indicating the not stand idly by if the security of importance Arab leaders attach to Gulf states was threatened. He said for Arab countries to stand against president in 2014. “Conditions have become very Egypt. during his meeting with Crown challenges facing them and thwart Sisi has sent Egyptian Army difficult in the region,” said Mo- Talks May 12 between Sisi and Prince Mohammed that Egypt’s se- interference in their affairs. Crown units to Bahrain, the United Arab hamed Hegazi, a former assistant King Hamad covered similar issues curity was inseparable from that of Prince Mohammed described Emirates and Saudi Arabia several to the Egyptian foreign minister. as the discussions May 15 with the Arabian Gulf countries and de- Egypt as a “cornerstone” of securi- times to participate in multilateral “Relations between Egypt and Crown Prince Mohammed, with a scribed relations with the United ty and stability in the region, Radi drills. Egypt also hosted troops other Arabian Gulf states are ex- focus on dealing with interference Arab Emirates as a model for stra- said. from Arab armies in a step towards emplary, especially when it comes in Arab affairs and challenges fac- tegic cooperation between Arabs. It is not clear how Arab countries the formation of the Arab force. to the requirements of security in ing Arab security. Egypt is closely Crown Prince Mohammed would act if any of them came un- Political analysts in Cairo point- those countries.” following developments in the stressed the importance of coordi- der attack. Sisi has been propagat- ed to the need for increased coor- Gulf region because of possible ef- nation with Egypt. He said working ing the formation of a joint Arab dination between Egypt and the Amr Emam is a Cairo-based fects from the events on its econo- together was important in order military force since he became Gulf countries. contributor to The Arab Weekly. Qatar’s new expression of hostility draws angry reactions in Egypt

Hassan Abdel Zaher “Qatar harbours nothing but ha- Baker’s statements came as tred, not only to Egyptians but also Turkish President Recep Tayyip to all Arabs,” said Egyptian law- Erdogan has been campaigning Cairo maker Mustafa Bakry. against the government of Egyp- The view in Cairo is that Baker’s tian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. omments by a Qatari offi- statements were no slip of the On May 11, Erdogan lashed out at cial set off a wave of resent- tongue but part of an overall Qatari European leaders for accepting ment in Egypt amid tense campaign against Egypt and other invitations from Sisi to attend last C relations between the two countries boycotting Doha. February’s EU-Arab League sum- Arab countries. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, mit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Referring to Egyptians, Akbar al- Saudi Arabia and Bahrain — the so- Erdogan described the Saudi- Baker, the secretary-general of the called Arab Quartet — cut off diplo- led campaign against the Iran- Qatar National Tourism Council matic and trade ties with Qatar in backed Houthi militia in Yemen as and the CEO of Qatar Airways, said June 2017 to protest Doha’s alleged a “dirty” war. Qatar would not grant entry visas interference in their affairs and its “Qatar is party to a war that aims to “enemies.” support of Islamist movements, in- at undermining the security and In hot water. A 2017 file picture shows Akbar al-Baker, secretary- “We grant visas to our friends, cluding the Muslim Brotherhood. stability of Arab states,” Bakry said. general of the Qatar National Tourism Council and the CEO of Qatar not to our enemies. If you are an The Arab Quartet submitted a “It works in tandem with Iran and Airways, speaking at a news conference. (AP) enemy, we will treat you as an list of demands for Qatar to meet. Turkey to destabilise these states.” enemy,” Baker said at a news brief- They included downgrading diplo- Egypt’s relations with Qatar de- ing on the Qatar Summer Festival, matic relations with Iran, closing a teriorated after the fall of the Mus- active in Libya. calation of hostility towards Egypt which is to begin June 14. Turkish military base in Qatar and lim Brotherhood-affiliated regime Despite the tensions, an esti- and other Arab Quartet members shutting the Qatari news channel in 2013. Doha, which, like Istanbul, mated 300,000 Egyptians remain reflect Doha’s deepening isolation. Al Jazeera. The countries asked sponsors the Brotherhood, criti- in Qatar, where they run schools, This is especially true with its allies The view in Cairo is that Doha to hand over wanted figures, cised the development and offered hospitals, courts, transport facili- Turkey and Iran, suffering isola- Baker’s statements were including some who had been sen- refuge to Brotherhood fugitives ties and commercial outlets. Soon tion themselves, in the region and no slip of the tongue but tenced to prison in absentia. wanted by Egyptian authorities. after making his statements, Baker from the international community, part of an overall Qatari Qatar did nothing to meet the reportedly revealed that Qatar Air- analysts said campaign against Egypt demands and accused the Arab ways “has more than 750 Egyp- “Qatar suffers a real crisis af- Referring to Egyptians, and other countries Quartet of besieging it. tians,” including some in senior ter it had lost all its friends in the Akbar al-Baker, the boycotting Doha. Doha has submitted complaints administrative positions. region,” said former Egyptian against the United Arab Emir- secretary-general of the Egypt exempted Gulf citizens Foreign Minister Mohamed al- Despite clarifications by Doha ates, including with the UN Hu- Qatar National Tourism from entry visa requirements Orabi. “It wants to create tension and denials by Baker that his state- man Rights Council. Qatari media Council, said Qatar would since 1960 but, in November 2017, between the member states of the ments reflected the official stance stepped up criticism of Saudi Ara- not grant entry visas to the Egyptian Interior Ministry re- anti-terrorism quartet but these of the Qatari government towards bia and Bahrain, in what is viewed “enemies.” moved the exemption for Qataris. states are united in their rejection Egyptians, Egypt resented the as war against the quartet. Qataris married to Egyptians and of Qatari policies.” statements, considering them re- This campaign coincides with Qatar and Turkey are also ac- Qatari students studying in Egypt flective of how Qatar views other an escalation of Iranian hostilities cused of working together to un- still qualify for the entry visa re- Hassan Abdel Zaher is a Cairo- Arabs, in general, and Egyptians, against Saudi Arabia and the Unit- dermine Egypt’s security by of- quirement based contributor to The Arab in particular. ed Arab Emirates. fering support to Islamist militias Egyptian analysts said Qatar’s es- Weekly. 6 May 19, 2019 Opinion

Editorial Dangerous escalation in the Gulf region ith sabotage incidents against vessels docked in the United Arab Emirates and terror attacks on Saudi oil installations, tensions are rising in the Gulf region. Four commercial vessels, Wincluding two Saudi oil tankers, were targets of sabotage May 12 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, outside the Strait of Hormuz. Two days later, armed drones struck two Saudi oil pumping stations. Nobody is duped by Tehran’s attempts to distance itself from the incidents by invoking “foreign conspiracies” or “Israeli mischief” to explain the attacks. Experts and military sources, including US officials, are said to suspect foul play by Iran and its proxies, even if investigations are still under way. US sources told Reuters that Yemeni or Iraqi proxies of Iran could be behind the sabotage. Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman went further, calling the incidents “terror- ist acts, ordered by the regime in Tehran and carried out by the Houthis.” As for the drone attacks, Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility. As regional proxies for Tehran, the Houthis have always enjoyed Iranian military help, especially when it came to drones. A 2018 UN report saw Iranian fingerprints on Houthi drones. It pointed out that such drones “are assembled from compo- © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly nents supplied by an outside source and shipped into Yemen.” Iran is choosing this very sensitive juncture to The US showdown with Iran is not reaffirm its nuclear ambitions. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei boasted that uranium enrichment should not be a difficult task about the interests of the Arab world for Iran. Iran had recently threatened to resume higher Mohamed Kawas enrichment in 60 days if no new nuclear deal was The Arabs must be full partners in a new set of the rules and conditions reached. Gulf countries have chosen the path of caution that would be established beyond Pompeo’s notorious terms. and self-restraint. Continued provocations by Tehran are sorely testing that stance. earing the affection- someday, perhaps soon, return to out before achieving their goal. ate words that US the negotiating table, will present However, the seriousness of the The European President Donald such technical programmes in a American effort, which may enjoy Trump used to ad- way that would recast them in a European cooperation and Russian- Parliament’s elections dress Iran, you would new configuration, which it hopes Chinese complicity, is aimed at think that whoever would reassure the outside world achieving Washington’s agendas in uropean Parliament elections are Hgave the orders to dispatch to the in general and Israel in particular. accordance with the interests of the expected to reshape the assembly’s Gulf the USS Abraham Lincoln In exchange, Tehran expects not deep state in America and in accord- political map when citizens of the 28 EU to be pressed to veer off a line of members go to the polls May 23-26. aircraft carrier and a flotilla of naval ance with Trump’s election interests The elections are expected to change vessels, supported by B-52 bomb- behaviour that would undermine related to the 2020 elections. the size of the political blocs represented ers, was some other party or entity the legitimacy of the Islamic Revo- Clearly, Washington is not mo- Ein the 751-seat parliament. The centre-right Euro- in the administration in Washing- lution. tivated by what the people of the pean People’s Party is projected to remain the ton. Contrary to Trump’s claims, the region want and aspire to within largest bloc with some 180 seats, 37 less than it had Trump spoke about dialogue with Iranian regime’s behaviour will not the prospects of war and peace with in 2014. The Socialists and Democrats are also Tehran and invited its leaders to change through economic sanctions Iran. expected to lose about 37 seats. Those likely to gain communicate with him. He spoke no matter how harsh and historic By American standards, Iran is seats are essentially the liberals (a gain of eight) of the United States’ eagerness to they may be, nor will it change un- supposed to be a sponsor of terror- and, more important, the far right and nationalists, cooperate with Tehran to restore der the pressure of internal popular ism but Trump’s friendly message whose representation is expected to rise from 37 to Iranian economic power. movements because Tehran has be- to Iran confirms that Washington is 62 seats. Trump spoke in the way he knew come expert at dealing with them. seeking to achieve, with the help of The growing clout of populists in Europe’s parliament could carry consequences on the best — as a businessman, as some- The regime’s behaviour will friends and the complicity of foes, legislative level while also on the overall political one who loves making deals and not change according to the “Arab a bilateral understanding with Iran. climate. scoring “achievements.” spring” blueprint or according to What this bilateral deal holds in Many far-right parties, such as Germany’s Washington’s military actions the model of popular resistance its folds are matters of concern to Alternative for Germany, France’s National Rally, and national security adviser John witnessed in Algeria and Sudan. Trump and just Trump. Italy’s League, Spain’s Vox and the Freedom Party of Bolton’s hawkish statements about Any change in Iranian behaviour It is surprising that, at the height Austria, have spared no effort in trying to turn the Iranian schemes against US inter- will happen only through force and of this escalation, whose price is elections into a referendum about the supposed ests in the region are to the liking of coercion. going to be at the expense of the dangers of immigration. Trump. The US president is waiting No one in the world, including interests of the Gulf countries, the The large far-right parties are helped by fringe for an Iranian overture that would the United States, wants force to Arab region stands as a mere specta- initiatives that promote messages of fear and free him from the burden of a mili- be applied in Iran’s case. People in tor, in awe of the details that are xenophobia. These include, among others, the the region fear the scenarios of Iraq French Clear Line list, led by writer and conspiracy tarisation, which he had promised unfolding daily. theorist Renaud Camus, who said Europeans should to end before he was elected. and Afghanistan. Such scenarios Iran’s nuclear capability may not mobilise against the “great transfer” of populations The mixed signals from Wash- will not enjoy Western backing. Iran change much in the strategic securi- that could supposedly see Europeans being replaced ington, from ominous military knows that it faces no imminent ty equation that concerns countries by non-Europeans across the continent. warnings portending a great clash danger. like Russia, China, the United States His Clear Line list shows that proponents of this to peaceful messages inviting a new The aim of this escalation is and Israel but it should concern conspiracy theory are trying to enter the political “strategic agreement,” encourage purely American and has nothing to much more the Arabs who are liv- mainstream after influencing violent right-wing Tehran not to make the move that do with the security of the region. ing in an area within the aim and extremists online. Trump expects. Europe agrees with the United the range of everybody’s nuclear Fear of migrants is purposefully exaggerated by If Trump — perhaps due to con- States that Iran should not acquire weapons. the far right, studies show. A survey of 14 European siderations and ambitions related nuclear weapons, first because the Therefore, the Arabs must be full countries by Yougov and the European Council on to the US presidential elections in superiority in this matter in the re- partners in a new set of the rules Foreign Relations indicated that public attitudes in Europe towards migration have considerably shifted 2020 — is in a hurry to conclude gion should always remain in Israel. and conditions that would be estab- in recent years, with issues such as the economy, his deal with Iran, Tehran has all Second, Iran’s ballistic missile lished beyond US Secretary of State climate change and security of much more promi- the time in the world to weave its programme is perceived to be a Mike Pompeo’s notorious terms. nent concern. “The study findings show that the carpet as it wishes, especially since threat to EU countries, especially Trump and his team may have world of 2019 is radically different from that of the buildup of US naval vessels in if Iran’s missiles are developed to the precedence of having raised 2015,” said the authors of the study. proximity to Iranian shores makes carry nuclear warheads in addition the issue of the flawed spirit of the “The EU election will show that, unlike in the it easy for the Iranian regime to cast to their long-range capacity. nuclear deal with Iran. Now the United States, the migration debate in Europe is no any internal opposition as agents So, if we assume that the “inevi- Arabs must move in to impose their longer at the centre of politics,” they added. working for the enemy. table” negotiations will result in agenda so any deal with Iran will However, the poll indicated unwavering concerns US calls for a new agreement that the destruction of Iran’s nuclear lose its spirit and wisdom without about the dangers of Islamic extremism. The survey would turn Iran into a “normal” weapons and in limiting the range first securing the agreement of the results stated that perception of Islamic radicalism as a threat goes from 21% among sympathisers of state are naive and cast doubt on of its missiles, Washington and the countries of the region on its terms. “pro-European parties” to 26% among sympathisers Washington’s true intentions and European capitals, and even Beijing What is happening between the of “anti-European parties.” on what the United States wants and Moscow, will not care that capitals of the world is cross-refer- Politicians from the centre and centre-right from Tehran. Post-revolution Iran much about controlling Tehran’s encing interests for the best formula parties are making sure their electoral planks was not created to be a normal behaviour towards the Arab world. for an inevitable future internation- highlight that concern. Their initiatives in the next state. Any changes to, or retreat As it puts pressure on Iran, the al agreement with Iran. There are EU parliament are expected to reflect that. from, the regime of velayat-e faqih Trump administration needs to no plans to bring this regime down. The Arab world has a stake in the forthcoming and its doctrinal and philosophical achieve a strategic breakthrough The major capitals of the world vote, not just because of its potential impact on underpinnings will lead, in Tehran’s within the time period wanted may conclude an agreement and communities of Arab descent or Muslim faith but mind, to the collapse of the regime. by Washington and not the one leave the region as open territory to because of its likely repercussions on Euro-Arab Iran’s nuclear programme and its desired by Tehran. Furthermore, by Iranian behaviour that would have relations. The budding dialogue between Europe ballistic missiles are mere techni- pushing the military option, Trump been adjusted to their interests. and the Arab world will be affected by who is in control of the agenda in Strasbourg and Brussels by cal details of a strategic choice and his administration are placing the end of May. that underpins the behaviour of themselves in an irreversible posi- Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese the regime. Tehran, which may tion from which they cannot back writer. May 19, 2019 7 Opinion

Anything is possible as US flexes muscles against Iran Published by Al Arab Publishing House Gregory Aftandilian Publisher Although Iran’s regular military and IRGC are no match for the US Navy and Air Force, which and Group Executive Editor can easily outgun them, there is the risk of miscalculation that could lead to hostilities. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD ensions between tion of threats against US military the Washington Post suggested fight. They were never in favour Editor-in-Chief Washington and Teh- personnel and diplomats in Iraq Trump is not inclined to respond of the Iran nuclear deal and were ran heightened as the plus the new threat to close the militarily unless there is a “big wary of the rapprochement be- Oussama Romdhani Trump administra- vital waterway prompted the move” from the Iranians. tween Iran and the United States tion cited new Iranian Trump administration to flex its Many political commentators that was supposed to follow. The threats to US military military muscles. Reports of dam- and politicians in the United fact that large economic benefits Managing Editor Tand diplomatic personnel in Iraq age to four oil tankers in the Gulf, States said Trump is being influ- did not accrue to Iran after the nu- Iman Zayat and elsewhere in the Middle East. described as acts of sabotage by enced Bolton, who has long advo- clear agreement and that Trump An unidentified US Defence the United Arab Emirates, added cated for regime change in Iran. pulled out of the deal even when Deputy Managing Editor Department official, speaking to to the concerns. Liberal commentators, such as Iran was abiding by its terms has and Online Editor the Washington Post, said the Washington ordered the USS MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, warned given the hardliners a boost. Mamoon Alabbasi threats include “credible” infor- Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft car- that Bolton may be encouraging Feeling this pressure, on May 8, mation involving Iranian military rier that had been in the Mediter- Trump, who he said displayed Iranian President Hassan Rohani Senior Editor and proxy forces. US Secretary of ranean, to the Gulf, to be supple- a healthy opposition to wars in announced that Iran was partially John Hendel State Mike Pompeo was quoted as mented by the deployment of US the Middle East while campaign- withdrawing from the nuclear saying he had a “responsibility” Air Force bombers to the region. ing in 2016, to get into a military deal because of the policies of the Chief Copy Editor to keep US diplomats safe, includ- The New York Times reported confrontation with Iran. United States. Rohani is trying to Richard Pretorius ing those “In Erbil and Baghdad… that US national security adviser On the conservative side, an steer a middle course between [and] all around the Middle East.” John Bolton ordered the Penta- article published in the Hill, a appeasing Iranian hardliners on Copy Editors On May 15, Pompeo ordered gon to prepare to send 120,000 Washington publication, May the one hand and not cutting off Stephen Quillen the withdrawal of non-essential military personnel to the region 6 by Behnam Ben Taleblu and a lifeline to European partners of Kyle Arensdorf diplomatic personnel from Iraq. should Iran attack US personnel Bradley Bowman of the Founda- the nuclear deal on the other with Pompeo made a surprise visit or escalate its nuclear activities. tion for Defense of Democracies, the partial withdrawal announce- East/West Section Editor to Baghdad on May 7 to apprise This show and the threat of said the increased US military ment. Mahmud el-Shafey (London) Iraqi officials of the threats. force raised concerns that the posture in the Gulf would “make However, the IRGC and its allies CNN reported that these include United States and Iran were Tehran think twice about escala- in the Iranian government could Gulf Section Editor Iran’s transporting of short- and headed for military clashes. tion.” The authors noted that embark on a very risky strategy, Mohammed Alkhereiji medium-range missiles aboard There has long been a sort of “when confronted with strength, believing they could survive a boats in the Gulf. A week later, cat-and-mouse game in the Gulf Iran has often backed down.” policy of asymmetrical warfare Society and Travel Iraqi officials warned pro-Iranian between US and Iranian military Although Iran’s regular military that would involve striking US Sections Editor militias not to take any action vessels, usually small Iranian and IRGC are no match for the US targets in Iraq and elsewhere. Samar Kadi that could provoke the United craft of the Islamic Revolutionary Navy and Air Force, which can Prudence suggests otherwise States. Guard Corps (IRGC) harassing US easily outgun them, there is the but with military elements of Iran has also threatened to Navy ships, which sometimes risk of miscalculation that could Iran and the United States in such Senior Correspondents close the Strait of Hormuz, fire warning shots to keep them lead to hostilities. After Pompeo’s proximity to one another, not only through which close to 30% of away. However, analysts fear that meeting with European diplo- in the Gulf waters but on land, Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) worldwide oil passes, in reac- this time the threat of military mats May 13 in Brussels, British as in the case of Iraq, anything is Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) tion to US efforts to squeeze the engagement may be real. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt possible. Kelly Kennedy (Washington) Iranian economy by threatening The Trump administration has echoed this worry by saying he to impose sanctions on countries insisted that it is not seeking a was concerned about the “risk of Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer Regular Columnists purchasing Iranian oil. war with Iran. Indeed, US Presi- a conflict happening by accident.” in the Pardee School of Global Rashmee Roshan Lall This is not the first time, of dent Donald Trump indicated And, like Bolton on the US side, Studies at Boston University and Claude Salhani course, that Iran threatened to that he wants to negotiate with there are hardliners in the Iranian a former US State Department close the strait but the combina- Iranian leaders and reporting by regime who may be itching for a Middle East analyst. Yavuz Baydar Correspondents Do Arabs in America care whether Nazli Tarzi (London) Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Trump gets re-elected? Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Ibrahim Zobeidi Roua Khlifi (Tunis) We can speculate about a second Trump victory and offer Chief Designer condolences to all the brothers of militant Islam. Marwen el-Hmedi

am an Iraqi Arab living in the Blowing killers of their children, looters of Designers United States and if I were whose horn? their wealth, destroyers of their Ibrahim Ben Bechir asked about how I would feel Suppor- lives and enemies of their security. Hanen Jebali about US President Donald ters of US For sure, a world devoid of Ali Trump losing or winning the congresswo- Khamenei, Hassan Rohani, Qas- election in 2020 or about his man Ilhan sem Soleimani, Hassan Nasrallah, IDemocratic opponent’s chances, I Omar rally in Hadi al-Amiri, Qais al-Khazali and Contact editor at: would answer without hesitation Burnsville, Nuri al-Maliki is much more useful [email protected] that I could not care less which of Minnesota, to the Arabs’ prime cause — the them gets elected. where US Pre- Palestinians — and definitely safer, There is no difference for me sident Donald more generous and more honour- between a Republican and a Trump spoke able. Democratic candidate. They both on April 15, Speaking of winning the elec- are opportunistic and differ only 2019. (AFP) tions, the polling company Gallup Al Arab Publishing House in slogans. Most US candidates for said Trump’s popularity among Quadrant Building president of both camps have long Americans is increasing; 46% of 177-179 Hammersmith Road records of ignorance of the reali- Americans asked — both Repub- London W6 8BS ties of the Middle East. They tend licans and Democrats — said they to cater to pro-Israel lobbies, like night for Trump’s downfall even may go on and take the rest of the approve of what their president is almost anyone who intends to run before the end of his term. Palestinian territories soon. doing. for a position in the US Congress They accuse him of being All Arab nationalists and Islam- Gallup explained this unprec- Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 and even local governments in hostile to Islam and to Muslims ist revolutionaries and the other edented rate of approval by the Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 small and large states alike. and of betraying the Palestinians self-proclaimed heroes of resist- positive economic news during Saying that is not an accusation and their cause. They stand firmly ance and steadfastness will keep Trump’s term, in addition to the nor is it fiction or slander. It is a behind the predictions of the silent, just as they did about the allegations of collusion between reality that Arab Americans feel Democrats and of CNN’s pundits Golan and Jerusalem and about his campaign team and Russia US Publisher: and know more than any other and by the side of the many the recent bloody Israeli raids that during the 2016 elections not The Arab Weekly USA LLC. minority in the United States. victims of Trump’s policies, deci- terrorised Gaza and just as they being substantiated by a special Arabs in America who came sions, tweets, bad temper, follies will do about the coming “Deal of counsel’s investigation. [email protected] from Arab and Islamic countries and relentless insults. the Century.” We won’t hear from We can speculate about a [email protected] that have been or are being burned Trump has his qualities and them even though they have given second Trump victory and offer by the fires of the Iranian regime his shortcomings. Among his us endless headaches with their condolences to all the brothers of Tel: 248-679-6624 and its militias, intelligence ser- shortcomings in the eyes of Arab hollow speeches about wiping out militant Islam. vices, car bombs and blatant med- Americans and Muslim Americans Israel in seven days. US citizens will vote for who- dling in the lives of their inhabit- is that he readily goes the extra If this is the bitter reality that ever reduces their income taxes, ants are often in favour of Trump. mile to please Israel and pro- neither Trump nor the Pales- increases their wages and ensures They say they hope he remains Israel Americans. He has gifted tinians nor the Arabs nor the their families’ health and social in office for a second term so he the Golan Heights to Israeli Prime Muslims nor the countries of the security. They could care not less can make good on his promises Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and world, major or minor, are capable about their president’s opinions Subscription & Advertising: to change Iran’s arrogant and ag- his ultra-right-wing government of changing, at least in our dark regarding the Palestinians, Israel, [email protected] gressive behaviour or continue to and transferred the US Embassy in present, why not show some Iran, Libya, Yemen, North Korea Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 slowly strangle the Iranian regime Israel to Jerusalem, even though understanding towards the Iraqis, and the whole world, unless, of and its militias until the promised all UN resolutions consider Jerusa- Lebanese, Syrians, some of the course, they see in them addi- day of their downfall dawns. lem an occupied city and refuse its Palestinians, Libyans, Bahrainis, tional benefits to their pockets. Mohamed Al Mufti As to Arab “revolutionaries,” annexation to Israel. Emiratis and Saudis when they All things considered, we might Marketing & Advertising Islamist militants, such as those To be fair, however, we must wanted to take advantage of the as well hope the next president Manager linked to Hamas, as well as the admit that it was the Israelis who other side of Trump and support- serves our agenda for a change. Muslim Brotherhood and Iran took by force from him what they ed him during the last elections? Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 sympathisers who are eyes deep wanted and they will do the same In their eyes, Trump was the Ibrahim Zobeidi is an Iraqi www.alarab.co.uk in their love for Tehran’s velayat-e with whoever replaces Trump if knight in shining armour coming writer and US publisher of faqih, they are praying day and he loses the next election. They to avenge them and punish the The Arab Weekly. 8 May 19, 2019 News & Analysis Iraq

Viewpoint Will Iraq find itself caught in the middle of a US-Iran showdown

Baghdad insists that neither side favours the warpath but the same cannot be said for Iraqi mili- Nazli Tarzi tias under Tehran’s influence. During an unannounced visit to Baghdad, US Secretary of State s the drums of war Mike Pompeo is alleged to have intensify against the handed a flash drive to Abdul- backdrop of brewing Mahdi containing recordings of hostilities between pro-Iranian militias preparing an the United States attack on the United States, Al- and Iran, observers Monitor reported. questionA the likelihood of another The Guardian’s Middle East Gulf War. Iraq, an important pillar Correspondent Martin Chulov re- of Iran’s foreign policy approach ported that Iranian Major-General more so than other battlegrounds Qassem Soleimani “summoned where Iran exercises power, is the militias under Tehran’s influ- where a showdown is likely to ence three weeks ago” in prepara- flare. tion of “proxy war.” Iraq, in contrast to Gulf coun- This places into context the tries, has responded to escalating evacuation order of non-emer- tensions with a de-escalatory gency staff at the US Embassy in narrative voiced by Iraqi Prime Baghdad and Erbil. Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. It Iraq today, as the Trump admin- recasts Iraq’s image as a neutral istration perceives, is an exten- ally to both Iran and the United sion of Iran’s extraterritorial reach States. into Arab states — a post-2003 Challenges ahead. Nechirvan Barzani, deputy leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, casts his Other figures across Iraq’s reality that successive US admin- vote at a polling station in Erbil, last September. (Reuters) political spectrum reinforce a istrations have failed to tamper. view that Abdul-Mahdi is yet to Iraq’s lack of autonomy and the endorse — for Iraq to assume the absence of a unified centre of po- role of political mediator — as Ira- litical decision making undermine qi Ambassador to Russia Haidar the prime minister’s official “tak- Iraqi Kurdistan edges Mansour Hadi expressed May 16 ing no sides” approach, should at a news conference in Moscow. Iran-loyal Iraqi militias attack, as Iraq remains caught between they have repeatedly threatened. the proverbial rock and a hard The United States is not alone. towards new government place, forced to bend to the will It was recently joined by historic of two antithetical powers. If the ally Britain in condemning Iran threat of confrontation crystal- for the threat it poses to the wider Manuel Langendorf Nechirvan Barzani, the KRG are the Kurdistan region’s share lises, it will be in Iraq, should Iran region. prime minister, is expected to win of the federal budget, Article 140 test the strategic weight of its War will be contemplated by the presidency after the tripartite (which refers to disputed territories militias inside Iraq. the United States only if the prob- London agreement. “Whether or not there such as Kirkuk) and the salaries of ability of success is high, which is another candidate, next week civil servants. requires public support that the ore than seven months Nechirvan Barzani will be elect- The future of Iraq’s disputed ter- Iraq’s lack of United States has lost, due to mis- after elections in Iraqi ed president,” Hevidar Ahmed, a ritories remains a sticking point in autonomy managing its 2003 war on Iraq. Kurdistan, the two larg- member of the KDP parliamentary relations with Baghdad. Some me- Instability in Iraq allowed for M est parties announced bloc, said May 13. dia reports said the PUK and KDP undermines the prime more entrenched Iranian involve- they reached an understanding to The KDP has nominated Masrour had agreed to appoint a joint candi- ment in the politics of its Arab break the political impasse in form- Barzani, the intelligence chief and date for the position of governor in minister’s official neighbours, which the United ing the next Kurdistan Regional son of Masoud Barzani, to succeed Kirkuk. Peshmerga units took over “taking no sides” States potentially may have Government. his cousin as prime minister of the large parts of the province when approach, should underestimated or turned a blind Nechirvan Barzani, deputy leader semi-autonomous region. Islamic State militants stormed eye to for as long as it served US of the Kurdistan Democratic Party The presidency bill, which also across northern Iraq. However, af- Iran-loyal Iraqi regional interests. (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of created a second vice-presidential ter the 2017 independence referen- militias attack, as they While direct military confronta- Kurdistan’s (PUK) acting leader, post, faced criticism by opposition dum caused heightened tensions tion is neither side’s first choice, Kosrat Rasul, signed an agreement parties, which said the amend- with Baghdad, security forces tied have repeatedly a confrontation will rest on Iran’s May 5. ments granted too much power to to the federal government retook threatened. next steps and whether patrons, Rasul called the agreement his- the president without sufficient Kirkuk. as they regularly threaten, are toric and a KDP spokesman voiced parliamentary oversight. Objec- Apart from the disputed terri- The two rivals are aware of committed to attacking US forces hope that the cabinet formation tions also came from within Gor- tories, the government will also the erosion of US power in Iraq, in Iraq. process could begin within days. ran. In a statement, party members have to deal with a financial crisis a playing field the two share but Undeniable at this stage is that a The Gorran (Change) Movement said the leadership had bowed “to and widespread youth unemploy- where Iran holds greater leverage. new chapter in the long-spanning will join the government, having sultanism, absolutism and the ab- ment in the region, said Chomani. Recent unclaimed attacks on history of US-Iranian political signed an agreement with the KDP solute power of the presidency.” He estimated that unemployment oil tankers off the UAE coast provocation is being written. in February. among young people was 40-50%. and Aramco’s pumping stations However, the likelihood of a The KDP, the party of Masoud This poses a risk for the new gov- resuscitated fears of US-Iranian showdown is uncertain even if Barzani, won 45 of 111 seats in the Nechirvan Barzani, the ernment as youth unemployment showdown. Iraq bears the brunt or cost of elections September 30, 2018. The KRG prime minister, is “may be exploited by extremist Iran was accused by Washing- the proxy war that many fear is PUK and Gorran picked up 21 and 12 expected to win the groups” and could trigger demon- ton and Riyadh and blamed by looming. seats, respectively. presidency after the strations. US President Donald Trump of “This new agreement is a major tripartite agreement. Abubakir said it was “essential” framing the attack. Yet, US of- Nazli Tarzi is an independent development,” said Mohammed for the government to overcome ficials quoted by Reuters said the journalist whose writings and Shareef, a lecturer at the University The new government, observ- the economic crisis and aim to cre- attacks on the vessels could have films focus on Iraq’s ancient of Sulaymaniyah. ers said, will face many challenges. ate more job and investment oppor- been undertaken by pro-Iran Shia history and contemporary Sulaymaniyah Governor Haval Many of which hark back to the es- tunities as well as provide services groups from Iraq. political scene. Abubakir, a member of Gorran, tablishment of the first Iraqi Kurd- to the people. stressed the need to establish a ish government in the early 1990s, Shareef said the fact that the “transparent government… on said Kamal Chomani, a Kurdish three main parties went through the basis of accountability” af- political analyst and non-resident individual crises before signing the ter what he described as cata- fellow at the Tahrir Institute for agreement was having a positive strophic developments that had Middle East Policy, including unifi- effect, allowing elites to develop a affected the Kurdistan region over cation of the security forces. better understanding of the diffi- the last three years. “The forces are deeply politicised culties of governance and the dis- Abubakir said the agreement to an extent that some forces are satisfaction of constituents. “has become an obligation” not loyal not only to the political par- Chomani warned that Masrour to let only one party participate in ties but to political figures,” he said. Barzani, expected to become prime establishing the government “be- Despite international support to minister, has his roots in the secu- cause we are at a risky stage of gov- create a national force, Chomani rity apparatus and has been known ernance in Kurdistan.” said he was pessimistic, arguing for his crackdown on dissent. The On May 8, the regional parlia- that the KDP’s and PUK’s existence Democracy and Human Rights De- ment passed a bill to reactivate the was “mainly connected to holding a velopment Centre, a local human Kurdistan Regional Government grip over their militias so as to deter rights organisation, said in a report (KRG) presidency, which had been each other and crack down on any that human rights violations had left vacant since Masoud Barzani dissent.” increased over the last year. stepped down in November after Shareef said he saw maintaining Observers said it is unlikely that a a failed independence referendum and improving relations with Bagh- new cabinet will be announced be- in 2017. The bill stipulates that the dad as “the main challenge for the fore the end of Ramadan. Between a rock and a hard place. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel president would, for the first time, KRG,” stating that relations have Abdul-Mahdi (R) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a be elected by parliament, a key de- been “hugely strained” since 2014. Manuel Langendorf is a writer meeting in Baghdad, May 8. (AFP) mand by Gorran. Key issues in that regard, he said, focusing on the MENA region. May 19, 2019 9 Debate Sudan

Sudan needs to dismantle al-Bashir’s armed militias

keeping the army and the police away from confronting the general population. Mohamed So, there are a number of mili- Aboelfadl tias in Sudan that may come to the forefront or remain in the back- he removal from ground but all of them understand power of former that the opposition will never ac- Sudanese President cept that they continue to exercise Omar al-Bashir created their role as usual and that the complications and a success of the DFCF depends on delicate dilemma for decisive steps that the TMC takes Tthe Transitional Military Council to deactivate those units and cut and the forces of the Alliance of off their supplies. Freedom and Change. The spectre of those units will The bloody events of May 12 hover over every bloody incident near the sit-in in front of the among the protesters and they Ministry of Defence in Khartoum, will be quickly singled out for which resulted in the death of six blame. The TMC has no choice people, confirm the existence of but to deal with this with extreme sleeper agents intent on increasing celerity and seriousness before confusion and aborting negotia- it turns into a sword hampering tions aimed at finding common national actions. ground between the Transitional There are still in Sudan four spe- Military Council (TMC) and the cial brigades whose fate remains opposition. unknown and nobody can control Like many other Islamist move- their street movements. One is ments in the region, the former the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), Sudanese regime formed intercon- which are composed of students nected military units based on mostly. Its primary mission is to ideological Islamist commitment, enroll and train young people ready to come to its rescue when within the framework of a system needed. known as the “civil service.” A test of resilience. Sudanese protesters chant slogans in Khartoum, May 14, one day after an attack by The Declaration of Freedom and At the outbreak of the protests security agents loyal to ousted President Omar al-Bashir. (AFP) Change Forces (DFCF) were aware in December, the al-Bashir regime of this issue and, in their negotia- relied on the PDF to counter the mission is crime prevention but DFCF’s mission. very attractive. tions with the TMC, they insisted movement, in cooperation and has also been known to participate Opening this file would embar- There has not been an obvious on dismantling the militias and all coordination with a group known in defence of the regime. rass the TMC and force it to bring manifestation of the role of armed other forms of armed support as the “shadow battalions.” Many Sudanese experts said up the subject of the rebel move- elements of the Islamist move- loyal to the defunct regime. Their mission was to provoke they fear that factions of the ments and armed groups in the ment. This is because their po- Many Islamist organi- the demonstrators so that armed brigades will play a pivotal Darfur region and the Blue Nile litical leaders have hopes for the sations create covert the latter would be role in mixing the political cards, and South Kordofan provinces that success of the counter-revolution military wings but The tensions between accused of violence taking advantage of the stalled had been involved in battles with by peaceful means. without declared the TMC and the DFCF and to distort their negotiations between the TMC and the Sudanese Army and its civilian However, if the political gates official cover. provide an demands and DFCF. Such a situation provides an armed forces. are shut in their leaders’ faces, Sudan is differ- opportunity for the goals. They are opportunity for the brigades, too, The tensions between the TMC they will resort to military action ent. The al-Bashir pro-Islamist armed known to have and they have taken the fact that and the DFCF provides an opportu- and this is the stage that is threat- regime’s ideologi- brigades to increase committed abuses. they have not been touched by nity for the pro-Islamist armed bri- ening Sudan’s future. cal militias have their movements and The third wing the country’s changes as a sign of gades to increase their movements When they fail politically, Islam- benefited from actions. is the Popular weakness in confronting them. and actions. Their leaders know the ist movements do not hesitate to all types of sup- Security Forces, cre- Sudanese sources said some nationalist forces have agreed to resort to violence to regain power port and became an ated by the late Hassan nationalist youthful forces have bury the former regime and create or prevent other forces from integral part of the ruling al-Turabi, the former been pursuing members of these new ideological bases that tran- taking power and harming them. system. leader of the Islamic Front in brigades accused of violence. The scend the Islamist movement. Whatever the case may be, the This explains why al-Bashir Sudan. This wing was accused of sources indicated that the main They also know this trend en- result is going to be negative for was never affected or bothered being involved in the assassina- obstacle to a quick dismantling joys widespread regional support Sudan. So, the essential step to by the numerous protests and tion attempt on former Egyptian of the brigades known for their and that it is becoming extremely avert chaos in Sudan is to proceed demonstrations during the past President Hosni Mubarak in Addis loyalty to the Islamist political difficult for political parties with as soon as possible with disman- ten years. He was able to sup- Ababa in 1995. forces is the presence in the army Islamist leanings to have a strong tling al-Bashir’s armed brigades. press them through these tools The fourth wing is what are of powerful figures known for presence in the political scene. So, with official appearance. He could known as elements of the popular their Islamist sympathies and who the option of resorting to militias Mohamed Aboelfadl is an intimidate his opponents while and civil police force, whose main would welcome the failure of the to sabotage the process becomes Egyptian writer. Why Sudanese are wary of outside influence as they press for civilian rule

agreed to redevelop with a dock fa- While the Saudi-led coalition cility for civilian and military vessels seems to have the upper hand in the envisaged. tug of war with Qatar and Turkey Yigal Chazan An Ottoman Empire-era naval over Sudan, the latter alliance is un- base, Suakin is reportedly a key part likely to give up trying to influence of Turkey’s plans to project power events, although for the moment its ompetition between rival in the region. It already has bases in leverage is limited. Islamist follow- Middle Eastern powers Qatar and Somalia. ers are being harassed and those in for influence over Sudan The Saudis and their allies are authority are under scrutiny — three following the overthrow backing the military council for Islamists on the military council of its Islamist regime three reasons: a desire to keep a lid resigned under pressure from the could frustrate efforts to on the Islamists whom they have opposition. Creturn the country to civilian rule. sought to thwart elsewhere in the Some have suggested that an A tug of war between a Saudi-led region, notably in Egypt; concern Islamist-dominated “deep state,” coalition, including the United Arab that the “people power” that led which evolved over the 30 years of Emirates and Egypt, and a Turkish- to al-Bashir’s toppling on April 11 al-Bashir’s dictatorship, could prove Qatari faction has been evident could morph into “Arab spring”-like to be a serious obstacle to change for years, with recently deposed protests; and the need to ensure that Wariness. A Qatar airways plane prepares to land at Khartoum in the country. None of al-Bashir’s Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Sudan continues to send troops to International Airport, March 31. (AFP) network of covert armed units has having been content to leave his fight Houthi rebels in Yemen. been demobilised though a few options open, engaging with both to After al-Bashir’s fall, the Saudis seem to be under central military serve his interests: essentially the re- and Emiratis were quick to declare council and leaders of the Sudanese the DFCF want majorities on the control, Africa Confidential report- ceipt of funds to keep the Sudanese support for the military council. revolution, the Declaration of Free- latter body. Tensions over the pace ing suggested. economy afloat. They granted $3 billion of assistance, dom and Change Forces (DFCF), an of negotiations may have sparked There had been speculation that Although they might say other- including an immediate $500 million opposition umbrella group, have clashes between soldiers and op- the reason the Saudi-led alliance wise, both alliances are more inter- to stabilise the flagging currency and been making progress but ques- position supporters, which led to was so quick to lend its support ested in promoting their interests the rest in the form of food, medi- tions have been raised about a suspension of talks. after the coup was because it feared than in a democratic transition in cine and petroleum products. the coup leaders’ willing- Backing from Saudi a power grab by Islamists and their Sudan. In fact, they could put a Turkish President Recep Tayyip ness to cede power. Arabia and its allies backers. brake on, if not scupper, attempts Erdogan said a “democratically The military said Sudanese protesters may prompt the mili- Sudanese protesters camped by the Transitional Military Council, elected” al-Bashir had been over- it agreed with the camped outside tary council, whose outside military headquarters in a temporary body governing the thrown and some Turkish media DFCF on a 3-year military headquarters leader, Abdel Fattah Khartoum are aware of the dangers country, to negotiate with Sudanese suggested that the coup had been transition to a ci- in Khartoum are aware al-Burhan, and his of outside interference in their revo- opposition leaders a path towards orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, the vilian government, of the dangers of deputy, Mohamed lution, especially considering Saudi civilian rule. United Arab Emirates and Egypt to with an interim outside interference in Hamdan Daglo, and Emirati support to the military For the Turkish-Qatari faction, the sabotage relations between Turkey legislative council their revolution. have links with council. Their resentment of outside overthrow of al-Bashir, who rose to and Sudan. dominated by the Riyadh to prolong interference may be expressed more power in an Islamist-backed coup, is For Sudan’s nascent democratic opposition alliance. the transition process. vocally in the future if the opposi- a blow to its promotion of politi- movement, the continued influence The two sides have still Indeed, Egypt seemingly tion suspects that the transitional cal Islam across the Middle East. It of the rival Middle Eastern pow- to agree on the composi- exerted its influence in the process is being hijacked. raises questions over the substantial ers may threaten its goal of civilian tion of a temporary overarching African Union to significantly ex- investments it has made in the stra- government free of Islamist authority, the sovereign council, tend the 2-week deadline the body Yigal Chazan is a head of content tegically important Red Sea island and army influence. which would rule the country until had set for the army to hand over at Alaco, a business intelligence of Suakin, which Qatar and Turkey Negotiations between the military elections. Both the military and power to a civilian authority. consultancy in London. 10 May 19, 2019 News & Analysis Tunisia Tunisia’s Islamists’ low favourability ratings spark debate about polling

Lamine Ghanmi of Tunisians who are increasingly discontented by the results of the disappointed by the performance of opinion polls, the company has no Ennahda and its allies in the govern- responsibility. Tunis ment. “Our data are automated. The An Ennahda statement claimed algorithm used in our work is used unisia’s Islamist Ennahda the changes in poll results an- everywhere in the world in the Movement maintained its nounced in early May “cannot be same way. The questions we ask are lead in most opinion polls explained or justified” against “the proposed by socio-political labora- T over secularist groups, in- skyrocketing ratings of other politi- tories.” cluding parties backing Tunisian cal parties.” Most Tunisians, including politi- President Beji Caid Essebsi and It said it detected “manipulation cians, are unclear about the work- Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, but of the data, no more no less” by ings and dealing with polling firms expressed dismay at a suggested Sigma Conseil to bolster the image because there is no legislation or loss of support. of Tahya Tounes. supervisory body regulating their Ennahda lost 15 percentage points Tahya Tounes, formed January 27 work even though the Election Law of support, a recent poll indicated, and then revealing its leadership in of 2014 required the adoption of a sparking a controversy about the April, backs Chahed and said it plans measure on polling. accuracy and influence of pollsters to put forward an “innovative” plat- “Who funds opinion polling com- ahead of November’s parliamentary form to be competitive in this year’s panies? Who decides when they re- In the mood for change. A 2014 file picture shows a Tunisian elections. elections. Tahya Tounes’s Secre- lease the results of their findings? man looking at a list of candidates before casting his vote in the “Ennahda went from 33% in vot- tary-General Selim Azzabi, a former Who makes sure the questions they country’s presidential election. (AFP) ing intentions to 18% in a 1-month Caid Essebsi chief-of-staff, said the frame and ask are based on a degree span. We are wondering what disas- party was born “big” and would be of science and fairness or not just ter struck the political landscape to “the first party” in the elections. attempt to serve some hidden inter- reflecting the feelings of many Tu- rent 15% backing of would-be voters cause such a reversal,” said Ennah- Ennahda’s leaders insist that the ests? We do not know,” said Ghazi nisians about the opinion polls, while Nidaa Tounes was at 13.1%. da President Rached Ghannouchi movement will emerge as the “lead- Chaouachi from the opposition said: “The elections race had al- A poll by Benchmark Consult- after the release of a Sigma Conseil ing party” in the parliamentary Democratic Current party. ready started. Several factors will ing showed one reassuring trend: A poll in early May. elections. Sociologist Mohamed Jouili dis- decide the outcome of the vote in- greater number of potential voters The poll, conducted in April, indi- Caid Essebsi, speaking on the fair- missed fears expressed by politi- cluding opinion polls released by — 63% — than expected said they in- cated that newly formed secularist ness of opinion polls, said: “Such cal leaders that opinion polls could Sigma Conseil, Emrhod Consulting tend to vote in next elections. Ana- Tahya Tounes trailed Ennahda with opinion surveys elevate a party to have a determining effect on the or C3 Studies. lysts have speculated that a high 16.8% of voting intentions followed the top one day and push down the vote. “These pollsters represent a pri- turnout rate could be the Islamists’ by rival secularist Nidaa Tounes at same party to the bottom the next “Studies of elections show that mary factor that could influence real nightmare, not low ratings in 16.3%. day. My advice for those who feel opinion polling companies do not public opinion through the picking surveys. The survey by Sigma Conseil hurt by these opinion polls is just to steer voters towards any particular of the sample of individuals they Election experts have said low in February gave Ennahda 24.7% ignore them.” direction,” he said. “The companies ask for voting intentions.”. turnout rates could benefit Islam- backing among would-be voters Caid Essebsi, who towered over do not decide the voting map in ad- A poll by International Institute ists who have a disciplined electoral with Nidaa Tounes scoring 20% and other possible contenders in voter vance as many could believe. The for Public Opinion Studies and So- base that shows up in strong num- Tahya Tounes 11.9%. preferences in past years, trailed po- opinion polls reflect a moment of cial Science Forum in March for the bers to vote even when sympathis- Islamist leaders suggested poll- litical figures like Chahed in recent elections when they carry the sur- daily Achourouk had Tahya Tounes ers of other parties do not. sters were being biased against En- polls. veys and that changes quickly as at 19.6% support with Ennahda sec- nahda but analysts said the survey Sigma Conseil head Hassen results of events.” ond at 19.2%. Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly results mirrored a shift in opinion Zargouni said: “If politicians are Political writer Boutheina Laatar, The survey gave Democratic Cur- correspondent in Tunis. Concerns grow as Tunisia draws closer to controversial deal with EU

Lamine Ghanmi through DCFTA. “If the head of the Timing government, Youssef Chahed, signs concerns. the DCFTA accord,” Tebbini said, “I European Tunis will consider this as an act of great Commission treason for which he is to be ex- President unisia is moving towards a ecuted by a firing squad on Avenue Jean-Claude far-reaching but controver- Habib Bourguiba in Tunis in sight of Juncker (L) sial economic accord with all Tunisians.” and Tunisian T the European Union, its key “Tunisians, wake up!” he added. Prime political and commercial partner. “You will be starving. The time Minister Facing a protracted economic and will come for you to pine for bread Youssef political crisis, Tunis is hoping to leaves because Europeans will grab Chahed sign a deal with the European Union your land as they have the strong during a before the end of this year, when currency and deep pockets to buy joint news parliamentary and presidential i t .” conference elections will test Tunisia’s demo- Experts said Tunisia should seize in Tunis, last cratic transition. Negotiations be- a promising economic deal that October. (AP) tween the two sides began in 2012. would open the country to a lucra- However, as the government tive market, especially while the moves closer to signing the Deep European Union is in talks for simi- and Comprehensive Free Trade lar accords with the United States Area (DCFTA) agreement with the and Japan. European Union, trade unions, They point out that Tunisia’s business groups and rights activists strongest period of economic said they are wary about the impli- growth was right after a trade as- cations for local labour, farmers and sociation agreement with the Eu- small businesses. ropean Union in 1995, which added While experts agree it is neces- more than 100,000 jobs to the coun- Many experts conceded that the Chahed, Tunisia’s prime minis- quickly, arguing that Tunisia needs sary for Tunisia to further integrate try’s manufacturing sector. deal would have negative repercus- ter, speaking May 12 also vowed economic reforms, including in the its economy with the European Un- The Tunisian government is hop- sions on certain sectors, especially that he would not sign an agree- agricultural sector, with or without ion, which has some 500 million ing the more ambitious DCFTA deal agriculture, which was left largely ment “at the expense of farmers the EU deal. consumers, many fear that foreign will better integrate the country’s undeveloped in the 1960s and and fishermen.” Economist Houcine Ben Achour competition would drive local prod- agriculture and service sectors into 1970s. “Any deal will take into ac- said the deal “is inevitable” but that ucts out of the market. the global economy and improve “The thinking of the modernising count the gap in development be- it “is not for now.” value and productivity. leadership of the time has rural ar- tween Tunisia and the European “Tunisia cannot escape the Still, there have been strong eas… carrying traditional and con- Union,” he added. DCFTA… Every big change causes With elections before the objections voiced. Disparate so- servative ideas totally opposed to With elections before the end of worries even when big gains are ly- end of the year, it is cial movements and rights groups ideas of progress and modernity,” the year, it is unlikely Chahed will ing ahead,” he said. unlikely Chahed will have drafted a common manifesto said former Finance Minister Hakim finalise an agreement that can be European experts Werner Raza, finalise an agreement that against the deal. Ben Hammouda, adding that there easily assailed by political rivals, Jan Grumillerand and Bernhard can be easily assailed by The signatories, which include has been “falling investment in the especially if he, as is expected, runs Troster urged the European Union political rivals. the communist Workers’ Party, the farming sector, less subsidies and for president. to avoid “overburdening” Tunisia Islamist-dominated farmers union, policy of low prices.” Hence, it is unknown when the with demands ahead of any deal. Pharmacists point to higher the powerful Tunisian General La- The government, however, prom- trade deal will be finalised. Some “Although in Tunisia there is in prices for medicine, farmers say bour Union, the Tunisian Human ised to enact “guarantees for the experts said that with discourag- principle sympathy for intensified they fear to lose their land and con- Rights League, Amnesty Interna- farming sector,” which it said is in ing economic indicators — the relations with the EU, frustrations sumers are afraid neighbourhoods tional’s Tunisia branch, the Arab need of “upgrading.” country’s trade deficit is projected with respect to the DCFTA are wide- will be deprived of small shops ca- unionist Popular Current and two “We are aware that 16% of the to grow to $8 billion by the end of spread,” they said. “This would re- tering to local needs. other civil associations, say the deal population is employed by farm- the year — it should wait until the quire it (the European Union) to be Faycal Tebbini, a populist would have a severe effect on “the ing,” a government statement said. economy is more stable before go- responsive to short-term needs and member of parliament, accused national economy, especially sensi- “Small farmers will have no chance ing through with a deal. to avoid overburdening the part- the European Union of seeking “to tive sectors like farming, services, in the face of powerful competition Others, however, said the govern- ner’s capacities with an extremely turn Tunisia into a colony again” natural resources and energy.” from the European Union.” ment should push a deal through ambitious negotiation agenda.” May 19, 2019 11 News & Analysis Algeria Protesters await military’s next move as Algeria’s election deadline looms

Lamine Ghanmi down, with protesters calling for a A battle complete political overhaul. of nerves. While the movement has jolted A police Tunis the status quo, it has yet to develop officer a concrete path to change outside sprays tear lgeria’s opposition lead- of the scope of the ruling establish- gas at anti- ers and activists are wait- ment. Instead, the military is set government ing to see if the military against a large, disparate protest protesters A will press ahead with an movement that has no clear lead- in Algiers, electoral timetable that protesters ership. May 17. have rejected as too rushed. How the military moves forward (Reuters) The government had set May 19 with the country’s election timeta- has as the deadline for presidential ble, including whether it enforces prospects to declare their candi- the election deadline, will signifi- dacy ahead of elections July 4. The cantly affect Algeria’s future, ana- opposition said that is insufficient lysts say. time to mount a serious challenge Gaid Salah promised to maintain to a long-ruling establishment. “harmony” and “unity” between Political analysts said Algeria’s the army and protesters, who have powerful military leaders, who repeatedly chanted “army and the have been the country’s de facto people are brothers” during dem- rulers since President Abdelaziz onstrations. Bouteflika was ousted April 2, are Analysts said Gaid Salah has pursuing “a change within the re- benefited the most from the dem- gime” rather than a “change of the onstrations, using protesters’ de- regime” that protesters want. mands to purge the political sys- They warned that, by bucking tem of his rivals. protesters’ demands for a political Gaid Salah, who previously gave overhaul, the country could expe- a weekly public update on the na- rience another spate of violence. tion’s progress, has been silent for continues to ignore all them,” said tion figure, said the army leader- civil war,” he said. The Algerian Interior Minis- two weeks, adding to protesters’ Said. ship “has stopped communicating Journalist Abed Charef said the try said that about 70 people had concerns that the government Gaid Salah, who has floated the with the public. It is acting and military has a “Plan B” for the “to- declared their candidacy for the could clamp down on those who possibility of replacing Bouteflika with high speed and often with no be doomed elections.” election. Military leader General oppose its road map. himself, said the electoral time- respect to the law. All its decisions “Those who suspect the military Ahmed Gaid Salah, a central figure An editorial by El Moudjahid, frame must be followed as per the are directed at restoring the old or- of resorting to force, the army’s in Algeria’s political transition, is a newspaper close to the govern- constitution. der.” move after the failure of the elec- thought to be fielding his own can- ment, said authorities will “go af- “Gaid Salah’s emphasis over the “We are in presence of two ac- tions will prove them wrong,” he didate to shore up his power and ter all those… activists who ham- July 4 elections prompted many tors: the military and the protests. said. influence. per the electoral process.” around him to ask whether the They project two distinct destinies “In the shadow of the army, In- Political writer Ali Titouche said Political writer Chekri Said general has his own candidate for the country,” he added. terim President [Abdelkader] Ben- there are “no candidates with pop- pointed out that millions of Alge- among the 70 aspirants named by Political analyst Kamel Lakh- salah and Prime Minister Noured- ular or regional support” and that rians are speaking out against the the Interior Ministry,” said political dar Chaouche warned that Algeria dine Bedoui pretend to manage elections are unlikely to go ahead scheduled elections. writer Ghania Oukazi. could descend into violence if a the country’s affairs with no con- because protests continue each “Millions of Algerians repeated “Gaid Salah continues settling consensus is not reached. viction. Friday against the process. it each Friday and students chant- accounts with his rivals through “Algeria has suffered cycles of “This unprecedented situation Mass protests broke out in Al- ed it this Tuesday (May 14) with the judiciary. His camp and its rival violence each 10 or 20 years since will push the army, the real power, geria when Bouteflika, 82 and lawyers protesting against it and clans are expected to stage attacks its independence 57 years ago to unveil its Plan B. It is imminent. wheelchair bound, declared he opposition figures underlining it and counterattacks in the weeks because of infighting between The army has never believed in would seek a fifth term in office in again and again that the presiden- and months ahead until the July 4 successive regime clans. We are the July 4 elections even when its February. Demonstrations contin- tial election will not take place July election.” anew in the face of a new cycle leader defended the respect of its ued even after Bouteflika stepped 4 but the ruling political power Said Saadi, a secularist opposi- fraught of risks of violence and legal window.” Viewpoint Foreign interference sparks heightened concern in Algeria

lgerian military several companies. Bouteflika would be to the benefit lika clan had powerful business officers and many The French have never been shy of the Algerian people. links with some of the Gulf ordinary Algerians are of intervening in Algeria, where Macron has no more overall stra- emirates. Francis Ghilès expressing, usually in many businessmen, officers and tegic vision for the Maghreb and The Algeria street — the younger private, concern at the political personalities have been the Sahel than his predecessors. generation, in particular — looks pressure foreign coun- happy to oblige. Hence, the Many senior French officials are to Paris and the West, not to triesA are putting on their country, well-documented Hizb Franca, prone to lecture the Algerians and Mecca. When it looks to the Gulf, given the uncertainty about the which, over decades, played an Tunisians — though not the it is strictly in terms of job oppor- course of events. important role in shaping certain Moroccans — rather than listen to tunities and business. The concern is heightened by the decisions. them and treat them as equals. Algeria’s foreign policy, how- civil war in Libya, where foreign French President Emmanuel The French were surprised by the ever, weakened as Bouteflika’s interference is complicating any Macron is very keen to see the demonstrations in Algiers but health deteriorated, has held fast solution to the 8-year-old conflict. Algerian Army deploy men in the then they were also surprised by on certain policies that are none However, it makes no sense to Sahel to fight Islamist terror Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s ascent to too popular in the Middle East and compare the two North African groups because the motley power and fall in Tunisia. the United States. It has been countries. Algeria is a long-stand- assembly of African and European The Russians, who are Algeria’s steadfast in its support for the ing state that continues to func- forces that has been assembled is largest provider of weapons, have Palestine Liberation Organisation; tion well on a day-to-day basis and not, it would appear, doing a very no desire of losing their second maintained good relations with the production of oil and gas has good job. Terrorist incidents are largest market for arms. The Syria and Iran; and refused to join not been affected by strikes or spreading across more national warning not to meddle in Algerian the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. attempted sabotage. Massive dem- borders. affairs delivered by Russian Some capitals would dearly love onstrations may have slowed Algeria’s military chiefs are Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at to see Algeria shift its position on industrial and farming production adamant they will not send the start of the crisis was clearly one or more of these cases but to but not much. soldiers to get further involved in aimed at France. no avail. Hence, foreign attempts The absence of violence and a conflict that is the result of The main concern, which is to split the Algerian Army, which avoidance of provocation mean long-standing, complex causes — understandable, of France, Russia is, in the words of one senior the Algerian economy continues some ethic, others political or and the United States is to ensure European diplomat, a “block of to function. This stands in sharp economic and aggravated by the that the regional balance of power marble” that refuses to budge. contrast to Libya. flow of cocaine from Latin in north-western Africa is not The unity of the country’s The major foreign partners of America — that are fuelling upset. There is little risk of this powerful military is the bedrock of Algeria are naturally inclined to violence. and senior Algerian officials have the stability of Algeria. Algerians use this interregnum to weigh in Those officers and Algerian done their best to reassure the and foreigners agree on that. on the country’s internal and diplomats have not forgotten that country’s key foreign partners. The army understands that the external policies, albeit in private, their warnings to Paris, London In the Arabian Peninsula, shape of the transition is yet to be more actively than they might and Washington about the however, the powers that be are decided, beyond the fact that normally. Hence, the strong consequences of a collapse of the none too happy to see a “demo- Chief-of-Staff General Ahmed The concern is pressure the French ambassador Libyan regime in 2011 went cratic revolution” in Algeria. Gaid Salah has lost much credibil- exercised to get Algerian entrepre- unheeded. Indeed, they were Indeed, they are horrified at the ity in recent weeks. It is worth heightened by the neur, Issad Rebrab, released from brushed aside with contempt. very thought. Beyond financing noting that he gave no public civil war in Libya, jail. When he was elected two years various Islamist parties and speech May 7 or 14, after having Rebrab benefited throughout his ago, Macron gave the impression personalities, there is little they made weekly pronouncements where foreign rise to wealth from the strong he understood the Algerians have been able to achieve. each Tuesday for the past three interference is support of the former head of better than his predecessors but The Algerian demonstrators months. complicating any intelligence, Mohamed Mediene, appearances proved deceptive. fully share the suspicions of their who is now disgraced. Rabrab has Macron did his reputation in leaders about Saudi Arabia, the Francis Ghilès is an associate solution to the 8-year- many friends abroad, notably in Algeria no good by insisting that a United Arab Emirates and Qatar, fellow at the Barcelona Centre for old conflict. France, where he has bought fifth mandate for Abdelaziz all the more because the Boutef- International Affairs. 12 May 19, 2019 News & Analysis Syria US policy on Assad raises red flags for Syrian opposition

Sami Moubayed Islamic State (ISIS) and all terror- — and so do renewed sanctions on ist groups in Syria and Iraq, a task Tehran. Both have backfired. that Obama started but failed to Instead of breaking away from Beirut achieve through aerial bombard- the Iranians, Syria signed a series ment. of long-term economic agreements n interview with James Trump has done a relatively with Tehran, the only country Jeffrey, the US special good job on that front, with US- in the neighbourhood helping to representative for Syria, backed forces demolishing ISIS’s solve Damascus’s chronic petro- raised eyebrows in Da- self-proclaimed caliphate in Raqqa leum shortages. A Maintaining pressure. James Jeffrey, the US special mascus and red flags among the and tearing down its remains, via What Jeffrey said in his Asharq Syrian opposition. Kurdish proxies, throughout Syria. Al-Awsat interview basically representative for Syria, attends a session during the third day of (DPA) Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Second, Trump wanted to em- means that the United States will the 55th Munich Security Conference, last February. Jeffrey said: “We don’t want to re- power his Kurdish allies, whom he maintain the status quo on Syria place [Syrian President Bashar] As- saw as vital in the war on terror. until Trump is ejected from office process, which the Russians are about sharing influence in Syria sad. We are demanding constitu- Ideally, he wanted to carve out a or re-elected in November 2020. embracing and the Americans are with Iran or anybody else, but they tional change and elections under mini-state for them where they That’s an early signal for the Rus- increasingly walking away from. are far more realistic and trying to UN auspices.” could patrol their own borders and sians, who milked US election year The Trump White House has been achieve that calmly, by encourag- While quickly adding that the ward off external threats. to death in 2016, taking giant leaps “soft” on the UN-mandated peace ing Arab states to re-engage the present government in Syria was Despite statements of unwaver- on the Syrian battlefield, while cer- talks in Geneva, seeing them as the Syrians, for example, to dilute Ira- “unacceptable,” Jeffrey stressed ing support and a regular supply tain that nobody in the US admin- brainchild of former US Secretary nian influence in stages. that behavioural change was on of arms, the US president realised istration was paying real attention. of State John Kerry. They might try to talk the in- his agenda, rather than regime there were limits as to how far he Although taking part in all ne- ternational community into con- change. could go on that front, because of gotiation rounds, the Americans tributing money for Syria’s recon- In what is starting to look and strong reservations from Turkey, While quickly put very little effort into influenc- struction, pointing to a wobbly sound like administration policy his ally at NATO. adding that the present ing their outcome, attending more constitutional committee that is in what remains of US President He has more-or-less downsized government in Syria was as observers, rather than decision expected to start work soon, saying Donald Trump’s term at the White that ambition, keeping 400 troops “unacceptable,” Jeffrey makers. They did not object to the that, through it, a political process House, Jeffrey noted that eco- in north-eastern Syria, which he stressed that behavioural emergence of two parallel tracks — has started and, thus, UN Security nomic pressure would continue hopes — but cannot guarantee — change was on his agenda, one in Kazakhstan, co-led by the Council Resolution 2254 is on its but that the solution was political, will scare off a Turkish incursion rather than regime change. Russians, Turks and Iranians and way towards implementation. “not military.” against the Kurdish strongholds. one in Sochi, Russia, led by Rus- If Trump is re-elected 16 months This is a far cry from what Barack Third, Trump wanted to curb the Once the province of Idlib is fin- sian President Vladimir Putin. from now, we will have to see Obama had said during his presi- influence of both Hezbollah and ished, however, there will be no Without admitting it bluntly, the whether he renews the policy out- dency, when he insisted that As- Iran, in anticipation of their with- big battles in Syria. Syrian Kurds Americans seemed to be saying lined Jeffrey or radically changes sad step down. Since becoming drawal from Syria. On that, Trump will probably go for a negotiated that they did not really care how it, either in favour of peace with president in early 2017, Trump has failed rather miserably, with no in- settlement with Damascus, af- the Syrian endgame worked out if Damascus or an all-out confronta- followed a more nuanced policy, dication of progress in the foresee- ter their historic leader, Abdullah the last of their three goals on Syria tion. shifting his focus on Syria from re- able future. Ocalan, called on them to go for a was achieved, being the withdraw- gime change to three main objec- Increased economic pressure on peaceful solution. al of Iran. Sami Moubayed is a Syrian tives. Damascus aims to achieve that ob- With battles off the table, the The Russians don’t seem to mind historian and author of “Under the One was the eradication of the jective — rather than decapitation real work will be on the political that US condition, not too happy Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). Viewpoint Radicals’ dominance in Idlib increases risk of tragedy

ast year, Syria’s Idlib ally at arm’s length but rendering However, HTS has achieved this League, it was argued that a push province was in direct further violence inevitable. A new relative dominance through sheer against Idlib would be unnecessary peril. The regime of spate of bombings has worsened force and, often times, brutality,” and would make little sense. James Snell Syrian President Bashar the province’s straitened circum- Arterbury said. However, the regime is still in a Assad and its Russian stances and raised fears of an all- The dominance of extremist precarious position. The existence allies, having con- out offensive. groups has provided grist for the of several bastions of opposition Lsolidated their control of southern In the state of semi-siege under mill of the regime’s narrative, in Syria joins continued economic Syria, seemed poised to move on which Idlib has found itself, the which has, since the beginning of woes and the inability to secure the northern province, where most factions in the province have Syria’s civil conflict, sought to de- funds for “reconstruction.” of the territory was dominated by fought among themselves. Alli- fine itself as a solitary force holding In the absence of diplomatic rec- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. ances have shifted but, despite back the jihadists. Now it serves as ognition and international finance, However, the blow did not fall on the creation of a coalition ranged a continual justification for a hold- the regime is likely to threaten its Idlib because the Syrians and their against the hardest-line fighters, ing pattern of air strikes and threats internal enemies with encirclement backers were unwilling to attack Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihad- and as a prelude to more violence. and destruction. such a well-defended enclave. A ists have risen to predominate. That violence and its antecedents ceasefire and buffer zone were ne- In January, HTS swept through have followed a familiar pattern. gotiated and the province remained towns and villages in Idlib prov- Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, co- With almost under threat and, sporadically ince, as well as adjoining parts of director of the NGO Doctors Under since, under attack. Aleppo and Hama, in a dramatic Fire and an adviser to Syrian medi- 20,000 fighters in With a monopoly on offensive takeover. cal charities, said that “300,000 its ranks, HTS airpower, the Syrian Army and its The group — known as al-Nusra people are now homeless from air allies have bombed targets in Idlib Front before it broke off formal ties strikes and on the move in Idlib, wants to impose at will, keeping a conflict perpetu- with al-Qaeda three years ago — living in the open and off scraps.” strict Islamic rule expelled some rebel factions and The deteriorating humanitarian in areas it controls. forced others to surrender and situation has been rendered worse recognise a “civil administration” by the actions of outside govern- it backs. ments. Fearful of HTS, and of being “Initially, Assad appears to want With almost 20,000 fighters in its seen to aid the jihadists, many have to clear the M4/5 corridor all the ranks, HTS wants to impose strict withdrawn or discontinued aid pre- way south to Damascus but he has Islamic rule in areas it controls. Ci- viously destined to go to Idlib. also vowed to retake Idlib and kill vilians say the group’s practices are “The UN and Western govern- all the terrorists there,” de Bretton- like those of the Islamic State. ments have stopped aid to Idlib and Gordon said. “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is Idlib’s are thought to be about to push it “The ‘gods of war’ have created dominant actor and presents the all to Damascus — in effect giving it the most complex and seemingly greatest unified jihadist force to Assad,” de Bretton-Gordon said. intractable situation in Idlib.” among opposition actors in the Some observers said they fear the In the past, radical groups who province,” said John Arterbury, an full unleashing of the war ma- said no to the Russians were analyst with the Navanti Group in chine of the regime and its allies, evacuated to Idlib but now, with Washington. “More hard-line ele- including bombardments and siege the province poised to return to ments, such as Hurras al-Din, the tactics, which have characterised government control, the question Turkestan Islamic Party and linger- the Syrian war. of where they would go sounds ing remnants of the long-defunct A few months’ apparent lull in deceptively easy. Jund al-Aqsa simply do not wield fighting persuaded some that the There are very few opposition- the power, politically or militarily, conflict was winding down and that held pockets left in Syria but those that HTS is able to exercise. peace could be achieved diplo- pockets would probably refuse to “Similarly, HTS’s capabilities matically. With the Assad regime welcome a contingent from HTS Dominant actor. Fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are seen at a on both the battlefield and in achieving increasing normalisation and other radical groups. camp in the countryside of the northern Syrian province of Idlib, dominating governance structures among its neighbours, including in- last August. (AFP) exceed that of non-jihadist actors. roads into recognition by the Arab James Snell is a British journalist. May 19, 2019 13 Viewpoint Lebanon Lebanon’s youth losing hope over economy

ebanon’s economy is not at its best. Discus- sions over the 2019 Rami Rayess budget have stirred protests from various sectors throughout the Lcountry. Veteran army officers and soldiers, teachers, civil servants and even Central Bank employees have gone on strike, protesting policies that could decrease their earnings, wages or pensions. The Lebanese cabinet has been under immense pressure locally and internationally to carry out a full-scale crackdown on corruption that is a prerequisite for economic reform. Donors from the CEDRE conference more than a year ago pledged $11 billion to bolster Lebanon’s economy but they are waiting for reform. Reeling under the pressure, Lebanon has attempted to cut expenditures and increase revenue to reduce the budget deficit. To do so, it has put public serv- ants’ wages that exceed market averages under review. It is searching for additional revenue Brewing storm. Public sector workers hold Lebanese flags during a protest against cuts to their by increasing bank deposit taxes salaries in downtown Beirut, April 17. (Reuters) and cracking down on tax evasion. ures, however. Policies that projects went on strike in April could grow the country’s GDP However, no comprehensive could help increase the budget, after their payments were and produce jobs by 2025: economic reform plan has been such as implementing maritime delayed. tourism, knowledge economy, introduced. property taxes, which would Several international donors financial services, industry and Economist Nassib Ghobril said require private beaches facilities have complained that projects agriculture. the cabinet claims to be “dis- built on public property they financed were never This is especially critical at a cussing an austerity budget for throughout the Lebanese coast completed because Lebanon time when Lebanon’s economy 2019 in order to reduce the fiscal to pay taxes and fines, or cutting delayed paying its share of the has been growing less competi- deficit” but that “for the meas- back on expenditures for project and failed to meet tive, Ghobril noted. He pointed ures to be significant and Lebanese embassies and public deadlines. All of this while the to the World Economic Forum’s credible they have to lead to the office spaces, have received country’s infrastructure is in Global Competitiveness Index, reduction of at least $2 billion in pushback in high places. dire need of repair. Contractors in which “77% of countries expenditures and to increase A staggering 45% of Lebanon’s stand ready to do their part, included… have a more competi- revenues by at least $1 billion public budget is allocated to provided financing is secured tive economy than Lebanon.” without raising any taxes.” public debt service and 45% to and payments are made on time. It is clear Lebanon’s economy “If authorities manage to salaries and wages. That leaves In October 2017, Lebanon’s needs much work and Lebanon’s achieve these modest targets,” 10% for investment projects, cabinet contracted US-based youth, understandably frus- Lebanon’s youth are he said, “the budget will create a severely limiting the govern- international consultant McKin- trated by high unemployment understandably ‘positive shock’ for the econ- ment’s ability to initiate impor- sey to appraise the Lebanese rates, corruption and other poor omy, for the private sector, for tant economic, development economy and propose steps indicators, are beginning to lose frustrated by high foreign investors and for the and reconstruction projects. towards recovery. The company hope. unemployment rates, international donor commu- Even projects that are in produced a 1,274-page report nity.” motion are encountering emphasising the need to develop Rami Rayess is a Lebanese writer. corruption and other Political divisions stand in the problems. Contract workers for a national vision that focuses on Follow him on Twitter: poor indicators. way of introducing such meas- Lebanon’s few reconstruction improving five key sectors that @RamiRayess. Obituary Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, icon of Lebanese modern history, dies Sami Moubayed nese Civil War. Aoun famously rejected the Taif Despite his relative silence Agreement, leading to a final during the first stages of the assault on his position at Baabda conflict, Sfeir played a more Palace and subsequent exile to ebanese flags were active role during inter-Christian France, where he remained until lowered to half-staff fighting, starting in 1988. Aoun, 2005. Sfeir opposed Aoun’s exile, following the death of then prime minister, waged an despite the bad blood between former Maronite infamous battle of elimination them, and met with Aoun in 2009 Patriarch Mar Nasrallah against his Christian rival, Samir in an attempt to end their 20-year Boutros Sfeir, who died Geagea of the Lebanese Forces. feud. LMay 12, three days before his 99th Christian neighbourhoods, Sfeir blessed a Maronite-Druze birthday. immune to violence during the reconciliation meeting in 2000, A formidable figure in Lebanese prolonged crisis, were shelled by ending years of animosity with modern history, Sfeir was remem- Aoun’s forces, infuriating the Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who bered for helping halt inter-Chris- patriarch. posted on Twitter after hearing of tian fighting during the final Initially, Sfeir stood opposed to Sfeir’s death: “Farewell to the stages of the Lebanese Civil War both Aoun and Geagea, hosting 23 patriarch of independence, and for aggressively supporting deputies at the Patriarchal See in reconciliation, love and peace.” the Cedar Revolution that led to Bkerke to call for a ceasefire but, In May 2001, Sfeir played a para- the withdrawal of Syrian troops with time, he inched towards mount role in organising a visit by from Lebanon in April 2005. Geagea, who was arrested by the Roman Catholic Pope John Paul II Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Lebanese post-war government. to Lebanon. He also gained promi- Hariri described Sfeir’s career as a Sfeir constantly called for nence in the post-war era, first for “glorious chapter” in Lebanon’s Geagea’s release, saying that all opposing the armament of history. Lebanese President warlords ought to be either Hezbollah, saying that arms Michel Aoun, who was constantly collectively jailed or collectively should remain only in the hands at daggers drawn with Sfeir, pardoned. He argued that it was of the Lebanese Army. described him as “rational and inconceivable that Geagea alone Sfeir was highly critical of the firm” in his nationalist policies. would be kept behind bars, while hegemony that Syria had in Sfeir was born in the village of all other warlords were free and in Lebanon, putting his full weight Rayfoun in the Keserwan district positions of power. behind anti-Syrian demonstrators May 15, 1920. He grew up under His criticism of Aoun led to Sfeir who protested in Beirut after the colonial rule and studied theol- being attacked and humiliated by 2005 assassination of former ogy and philosophy at the Jesuit thugs, believed to be Aoun Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik University, graduating in 1950. supporters, in the final stages of Hariri. Many called Sfeir the That same year he was ordained the civil war. “godfather” of the Cedar Revolu- into the priesthood. In 1989, Sfeir put his full weight tion. Sfeir rose steadily up the behind the Taif Agreement, Sfeir resigned from office in clerical ladder, serving as secre- co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia and March 2011 and retired to the tary of the Maronite Church in Syria, which ended the fighting, Patriarchal See at Bkerke, pur- Lebanon from 1956-61, after although the accord reduced the posely disappearing from the which he was deputy patriarch powers of the Maronite presi- public eye so as not to over- until elected patriarch on April 27, dency and empowered the Sunni shadow his successor, Bechara A champion of coexistence. Lebanon’s former Maronite patriarch 1986, at the height of the Leba- Muslim prime minister. al-Rahi. Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir. (AFP) 14 May 19, 2019 Debate Palestine Israel

US abandons international consensus over West Bank annexation

Geoffrey Aronson

he idea of a Palestinian state has fallen on hard times. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation and Hamas are locked in a race to the bottom. TIn the West Bank, Israel has permanently moved more than 600,000 settlers into lands Palestinians consider vital to their national aspirations. Palestinian statehood is endan- gered but it is also viewed as self- evident. Short are the memories of those who have forgotten that the option of Palestinian sovereignty in the West Bank and Gaza has had a relatively short historical life. Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the father of the Oslo Accords, never uttered the words “Palestinian state.” Only in 2000, during the presidency of Bill Clin- ton, did the option become a foun- dation, albeit short-lived, for US-led diplomacy. During this period Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in his famous Bar Ilan 2009 speech, de- clared acceptance of the concept of Palestinian statehood. The Obama administration forced this move but Washington was unable to leverage Aggressive expansion. A Jewish settler looks at the West bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, from the E-1 area on the eastern outskirts it onto a peace agreement based on of Jerusalem. (AP) the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. US President Donald Trump has “shrine,” places the United States el’s spending on settlements, while, tion,” the report said, it will not ob- engagement rejected by Trump and a different vision, at once religious “firmly on the right side of history,” thanks to Trump, proposals for for- ject to the “extension of Israeli law” Netanyahu. and practical. he said. mal annexation of settlements are at to the settlements. Arab leaders such as Lebanese “Israel has one secret weapon Before the announcement of the centre of Israel’s domestic politi- The nuanced distinctions be- President Michel Aoun are warning that not too many countries have” Washington’s “Deal of the Century,” cal agenda. tween these options add cred- that “if half a million Palestinian said US Ambassador to Israel Da- the ground is being prepared in Isra- “We have to take advantage ibility to such revelations. The refugees and 1.6 million Syrian dis- vid Friedman at a gala marking the el, and so it seems in Washington, to of this window of opportu- report noted that were Is- placed remain in Lebanon, Lebanon first anniversary of the US decision take advantage of the Trump admin- nity during the Trump rael to extend Israeli law will cease to exist because its spe- to move its embassy to Jerusalem. istration’s disavowal of its commit- administration in the As elements of the to all the settlements, cial demography will completely “Israel is on the side of God and we ment to a Palestinian state to annex wake of the trans- “Deal of the the United States change.” don’t underestimate that.” all West Bank settlements. fer of the embassy Century” begin to “won’t oppose, or Yet all signs point to a continu- When God is not enough, Trump Washington has been encouraged to Jerusalem and appear, the signs in will be OK with, ation of the momentum by Israel, defers to the staying power of Israeli to think in these terms because of the recognition of Israel of a political or won’t make a with Washington’s support, to “facts on the ground,” the foremost what it considers the mild response the Golan Heights. and practical fuss about” such a move US policy to, in Friedman’s of which are the more than 200 set- to its Jerusalem and Golan moves. Now it is time for demarche to annex move. words, “the right side of history.” tlements and 600,000 settlers con- Netanyahu has taken the pulse of sovereignty in Judea the West Bank grow. Netanyahu is ex- And in doing so abandon the in- trolling the West Bank and East Je- the new, accommodating look in US and Samaria,” sug- pected to go ahead ternational consensus established rusalem. policy. “I told President Trump that I gested one settlement with just such a pro- over the last generation in favour For Trump, the verdict of the ages, am not ready to move even one [set- leader. cess, the report noted. of the Palestinian territories’ per- now sanctified by God, is firmly tler] person,” he declared in a recent A report on Israeli televi- Palestinian Authority Pres- manent occupation and relentless against the Palestinians. Friedman Israeli TV channel 13 interview sion noted that “the Americans ident Mahmoud Abbas is planning Israeli settlement. declared that “the US Embassy in As elements of the “Deal of the will not oppose Israeli steps relating a diplomatic offensive to counter Jerusalem stands for the truth, the Century” begin to appear, the signs to the settlements.” While the Unit- Netanyahu. He is sending delega- Geoffrey Aronson is a bedrock of all successful policies.” in Israel of a political and practical ed States will not endorse the formal tions on an international tour to mo- non-resident scholar at the “Moving our embassy,” described demarche to annex the West Bank “extension of Israeli sovereignty” to bilise support for the internation- Middle East Institute in by Friedman as Jerusalem’s newest grow. Netanyahu has increased Isra- the settlements, or their “annexa- ally recognised terms of diplomatic Washington. Palestinian online campaign bids to counter Israeli narrative

ficial statements from the Israeli three days by Facebook,” said military, for example, Palestinians Iman Mohammad, who said he challenged the Israeli narrative by suspected he was being reported Yousef Alhelou sharing photos, videos and witness to the social media giant by Israeli statements of what took place. critics. “I was threatened five times Sometimes the online battles by Israelis for my online activism alestinian history has between pro-Palestinians and sup- and for being a member of this been subjected to porters of Israel are more ideologi- electronic army.” distortion by Israel and cal. Pro-Palestinian voices seek to Some volunteers said they went its supporters since the counter Israel’s dehumanisation after posts by US President Donald days of the Nakba in of Palestinians and show they’re Trump for his role in relocating 1948 — from the old simply yearning for freedom. the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Pnotion that Palestine was a land The most recent online campaign Jerusalem. without a people to today’s is called “Ihbid” (“Strike” in Ara- “Our posts are polite. We do not propaganda use of the term bic). Activists, calling themselves use abusive language. We engage in “self-defence” to justify an illegal the Electronic Army of Habed, discussions and support that with military occupation’s killing of comment on Facebook and Twit- information, pictures, videos and civilians. ter posts in public pro-Israeli links to articles. We were surprised Despite being colonised social media accounts. to see Jews who are anti-Zionists for seven decades, They used the hashtag support us in these online discus- Palestinians say their #Ihbid194, in reference sions,” said Ahmed Jouda, the head narrative is not The volunteers don’t to UN Resolution 194, Digital resistance. Pro-Palestinian activists wearing Guy Fawkes of the volunteer group. given equal space always fight back with which called for the masks take part in a demonstration in Paris. (AFP) Palestinian citizen journalists in Western media, information. They have right of return for and activists say digital battles are which prefer to bombarded social media Palestinian refugees effective. With technology, they cite officials from posts with photos of the to their homes in activity of the campaign is dispel- army are highly educated and can clarify who are victim and what is now Israel. ling misinformation posted on the state of Israel. Palestinian flag and many of them live outside [the victimiser. They can defend their Thanks to the The other signifi- pro-Israeli accounts. Palestinian territories]. They are cause and combat attempts aimed other symbolic digital revolution cance of the number “On May 15, we targeted the frustrated about Western media’s at distorting the truth, especially and social media gestures. “194” is the bid of the pages of 15 Israeli embassies biased coverage in favour of Israel,” considering the weak official Pal- platforms, Palestinian Palestinian Authority to around the world and embassies of Dawood said. estinian state-run media outlets, citizen journalists and ac- make Palestine the 194th countries that recognised Jerusa- The volunteers don’t always fight compared to the powerful and tivists are turning to a method member of the United Nations. lem as Israel’s capital,” said A’abed. back with information. They have well-funded Israeli propaganda with which they can address Ameen A’abed, one of the co- Another co-founder is Hassan bombarded social media posts with machines and media outlets. the imbalance in traditional media founders of Ihbid, said the group’s al-Dawood, who said Ihbid volun- photos of the Palestinian flag and reporting. Facebook page has attracted some teers are in the hundreds. other symbolic gestures. Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian When media outlets quote of- 26,000 followers and the main “Members of this electronic “My account was disabled for journalist living in London. May 19, 2019 15 News & Analysis Turkey On defensive before vote, Erdogan could harden foreign policy stance

Thomas Seibert 14,000 votes but was stripped of his mayorship by the YSK’s decision. A survey by polling firm Konsensus Istanbul indicated Imamoglu had support of just more than 50%, a 2-point lead truggling against a resurgent over Yildirim. opposition six weeks before Imamoglu is popular across the a key rerun election in Istan- splintered opposition camp and S bul, Turkish President Re- has picked up support from other cep Tayyip Erdogan could harden parties, giving him a boost that his foreign policy stance and seek could secure his victory in the re- cross-border interventions to fire run. The AKP has not come up with up his nationalist voter base, ana- a viable strategy to stop Imamoglu. lysts said. The government is also battling a Turkey faces several crises on its falling value of the lira, high infla- borders, with the Syrian conflict tion and rising unemployment. in the south and the row over oil “Lacking any positive agenda to and gas resources around Cyprus offer either at the local or the na- to the south-east among the most tional level, the Turkish president pressing. Ankara must handle the would be looking for opportuni- hot spots as Erdogan’s ruling Jus- ties to create a rally-round-the-flag tice and Development Party (AKP) effect until the vote on June 23,” campaigns to recapture Istanbul, Aykan Erdemir, a senior fellow at Turkey’s biggest city and a source the Washington think-tank Foun- of funding for government favour- dation for Defense of Democracies, itism, in an election June 23 after said via e-mail. narrowly losing the mayoral race in Erdemir said Erdogan could March. decide to act abroad to motivate Opposition claims that the AKP voters. “A cross-border operation pressured Turkey’s Supreme Elec- against the [Kurdish People’s Pro- toral Council (YSK) to order the tection Units militia] YPG in Syria new vote, a worsening economy or the [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] Bumpy ride. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gets off a vintage tram at Taksim Square in and inner-party conflicts are ham- PKK in Iraq or a flare up with Greek Istanbul, May 12. (Reuters) pering the government camp. Data Cypriots in the eastern Mediterra- published by the government indi- nean would be his top options,” he cated that the unemployment rate wrote. It would not be the first time into account. need to mobilise voters for the up- was close to 15%, with more than Turkey is engaged in a long-run- that Turkey launched a military Turkish Defence Minister Hu- coming local elections in Istanbul.” 26% of young Turks out of work. ning dispute with the United States campaign before important elec- lusi Akar has insisted that Turkey She added that Turkish gas ex- In a sign of how much the initia- over Washington’s support for the tions. An intervention of the Turk- would take all necessary measures plorations “could serve the govern- tive has passed to the opposition, YPG. Ankara says the YPG is an af- ish Army in north-western Syria to “protect its rights in the Mediter- ment’s narrative of defying efforts Erdogan has resorted to using a filiate of the PKK, seen as a ter- against the YPG in January 2018 ranean and Aegean seas and in Cy- of international powers to force mere copy of the opposition slogan rorist organisation by Turkey and led to a surge of nationalist support prus.” Earlier, Turkey said it would Turkey into surrendering.” “All will be well” — a phrase that the West, and a threat to Turkey’s that helped Erdogan win presiden- carry out exploratory drilling of its Kirchner also pointed out that has gone viral on Twitter and has national security. Erdogan is also at tial and parliamentary elections own off Cyprus. The European Un- “there is not much disapproval been sung by crowds in football odds with Washington over a Turk- several months later. ion said that would encroach on from opposition politicians or crit- stadiums — by saying that “All will ish plan to buy a Russian missile Reports said US Syria Envoy Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone ics of the AKP government” on the be even better.” defence system. James Jeffrey has acted as a go-be- and the United States described the Cyprus issue, “reflecting an overall Binali Yildirim, the candidate of Erdogan has repeatedly warned tween in indirect contacts between move as “highly provocative.” consensus on Turkish claims in the the AKP and its right-wing partner, that Turkish troops would cross Turkey and the YPG aimed at pre- However, Turkey does not show eastern Med.” the Nationalist Movement Party into Syria to push the YPG back venting a Turkish intervention. any willingness to compromise on As tensions around Cyprus rose, (MHP), was confronted with shouts from the border. “We will soon clear In the Mediterranean, Erdogan’s Cyprus. Magdalena Kirchner, senior on May 13 Turkey’s military began of “All will be well” from the audi- terror-infested regions of Syria and government is protesting efforts by analyst at Conias Risk Intelligence, a major naval exercise in the Medi- ence at an opera performance he give 4 million Syrians the chance the internationally recognised Re- said via e-mail that “the AKP-MHP terranean, Aegean and Black seas. attended. to return home,” he was quoted as public of Cyprus to explore for un- coalition’s nationalistic base would The drill featured 131 vessels, 57 Ekrem Imamoglu, of the oppo- saying this month in a report in the dersea gas fields without taking the not reward concessions, especially planes and 33 helicopters, a Turkish sition Republican People’s Party, pro-government newspaper Daily views of the administration in the [with] international pressure to Defence Ministry official confirmed won the March election by about Sabah. Turkish part of the divided island withdraw from the island and the to Agence France-Presse.

Viewpoint How serious is Ankara in reaching out to the EU? he EU needs Turkey making process, which links all sorts not long ago delivered severe insults edly as an “open-air prison.” as much as Turkey of macro- and micro-management to to EU leaders is self-explanatory as If Cavusoglu’s article is to be needs the EU,” wrote his person. political despair but whether these taken seriously, what is to be done “ Turkish Foreign Cavusoglu’s article fails to disguise points are convincing enough to amounts to a gigantic task. It hints Yavuz Baydar Minister Mevlut Ca- the alarm spreading in Ankara, that rebuild a totally vanished trust is at a timid will to “do something” on vusoglu in an article drifting away irreversibly from the rather easy to foresee. judicial reform, however limited. publishedT by Politico. Given the European Union — Turkey’s biggest By and large, Turkey today is far- Some reports say a strategy paper alarming circumstances Turkey is in, trade partner — may speed up the ther away from meeting the Copen- on legal reform is being prepared, to his text could not hide the sense of death of the policies he represents. hagen Criteria, or even Maastricht be announced before Eid al-Fitr in urgency that has enveloped the cor- The article follows the so-called Criteria, than it was 20 years ago early June. Its contents are unknown ridors of power in Ankara. Reform Action Group meeting May when it was declared a “candidate but rumours imply slight amend- Turkey’s room for manoeuvring is 8 in Ankara, during which Erdogan, country.” ments in Anti-Terror Law, which becoming narrower every week. It is in his speech to EU representatives, Its president is the unchallenged may lead to a drop of legal cases obvious that the administration of was noted to have somewhat sof- strongman who almost totally against journalists and academi- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- tened his customary harsh rhetoric. demolished the separation of pow- cians. dogan is seeking to keep doors open Calling for a revival of the spirit of ers, caused huge damage to the However, given the anti-freedom, with its Western partners and allies. EU accession, Erdogan surprised the rule of law, seized up to 93% of the anti-Kurdish and anti-Western spirit It is quite common to see Turkish audience by saying: “Turkey’s prior- media sector and stood for end- in the current alliance of Erdogan’s officials’ convulsions as a death-ago- ity is to enhance the basic rights and less breaches of the constitution by Islamists and their ultranationalist ny for the political line it has chosen freedoms of its citizens. If necessary, acting as president and, at the same partners, these whispers should be for more than five years, as the we would rename the steps that time, chairman of his political party, taken with a pinch of salt. world watched its farewell for all the must be taken for these [enhance- keen to be seen as the partisan head The escalating tension — due basic criteria that would constitute a ment of the rights], changing it from of the state. to Turkish military visibility off minimal brand of democracy. Copenhagen (Criteria) to Ankara.” It is highly questionable whether Cyprus and the Aegean, which the Turkish foreign policy is in sham- Cavusoglu elaborated steps, in his the one-man regime Cavusoglu European Union notes with anxiety bles, lacking coherent strategies. Politico article, to put things back on consolidated in the referendum of — any shortcoming domestic reform Many departments, particularly track. First, he wrote, that the coun- 2017 — in the shadow of a murk state attempt will be seen also as the “ap- Cavusoglu’s ministry, keep busy try is leaving behind the hard times of emergency — befits any longer the peasement for the sake of keeping By and large, Turkey salvaging the day and every move that followed the attempted coup criteria that would qualify a continu- the economic relations intact” and a today is farther away seems an attempt to win more time. and all that that was done should be ity of the accession process. ploy for venting sentiments at home Issues that long ago could have been accepted “because (it was) an exis- In terms of human rights, Turkey somewhat to divert the votes from from meeting the resolved with the entire neigh- tential issue for Turkish democracy” stands as a champion of its breaches. the opposition to the ruling party, in Copenhagen Criteria, bourhood remain piled up and are and a “trauma.” Second, he cited the Human Rights Watch said there the upcoming Istanbul election. or even Maastricht increasing, with Turkey’s patterns of bumpy international conjuncture as are more than 45,000 inmates who The current olive branch from threats, muscle-flexing and rough, the factor that should bring Turkey could be labelled “political prison- Ankara to the European Union may Criteria, than it was reactive rhetoric adding to the and the European Union together. ers” — Kurds, Gulenists, leftists, be far too dry and far too late. 20 years ago when it impasse. Third, he argued, both sides need journalists, et cetera, kept behind A major reason for this is Er- each other on security, migration, bars arbitrarily on bogus charges. Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journalist was declared a dogan’s choice of establishing an soft power and energy. Main opposition leader Kemal Kil- and regular columnist for The Arab “candidate country.” extremely centralised decision- Such a U-turn from a minister who icdaroglu has called Turkey repeat- Weekly. 16 May 19, 2019 Debate Europe Will the far right make significant gains in European parliament elections?

Britain leave with no agreement. Other far-right European par- ties have taken their new-found Gareth Smyth pragmatism a stage further, giving up calls for withdrawal in favour of refocusing the European Union lections to the Europe- on immigration, security and an Parliament usually “nation-first” economic policies. have a low turnout Italy’s League, Marie Le Pen’s and little media atten- French National Rally, Germany’s tion but the vote this Alternative for Germany, the Dan- month could be crucial ish People’s Party and others have Eto Europe’s future. Will the far formed the European Alliance for right make significant gains? Will People and Nations. this prompt a realignment with There is talk of a new right-wing the centre-right, taking xenopho- bloc in the European Parliament, bia into the mainstream? perhaps subsuming the European New bloc. (L-R): Manuel Vescovi of Italy’s League; Jaak Madison, deputy chairman of the Conservative The European Parliament has Conservatives and Reformists, the People’s Party of Estonia; French far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen; and Finns Party powers over EU legislation and third largest after the centre-right member Olli Kotro, a candidate in the European Parliament elections, give a news conference in Tallinn, finance and elects the president of European People’s Party (EPP) Estonia, May 14. (AFP) the European Commission. Its 751 and the centre-left Socialists and members represent more than 512 Democrats. This new bloc, advo- campaign — showing Syrian refu- Democrats and Christian Demo- protests in France. million people from 28 members cates said, could use a stronger gees massed at the Slovenian bor- crats, heirs of the architects of Both the far right and sec- Politics in Europe has been presence in the European Parlia- der — had “transformed European post-war Europe, realised how tions denounce Macron’s “neo- reshaped by three events: the ment to pressure the EPP, pos- politics.” The London Sunday much they have in common and liberalism” while “yellow vest” financial crisis of 2007-08, the sibly with some kind of political Times recently highlighted Brexit discovered that the far right, de- protesters share the far right’s migrant crisis of 2015 and the 2016 arrangement. Party activists’ social media posts spite its nationalism, has its own scepticism over climate change. referendum in which the United “Populist, EU-critical MEPs will calling Muslims “bacon dodg- international links. Political fragmentation across the Kingdom voted to leave the Euro- be able to shape the policy agen- ers” and bemoaning the Guy Verhofstadt, former continent — seen clearly in the pean Union. da,” wrote Simon Hix, professor “genocide” Belgian prime minister British parliament’s paralysis over All three are playing out in of Political Science at the London of white Europe. Politics in Europe and European parlia- Brexit — stymies any co-operation the far right’s campaign for the School of Economics, in a report The issue of has been reshaped by ment Brexit negotia- against the far right. European elections. Fears over for the think-tank UK In A Chang- migration will not three events: the tor, has talked of In the European elections, the immigrants, especially Muslims, ing Europe. “They’re also likely to go away. Asylum financial crisis of reviving the “quiet Greens are expected to vastly remain central, although a split win key policymaking positions applications to the 2007-08, the migrant pro-EU major- increase their representation, has developed between funda- in parliament, such as committee European Union crisis of 2015 and the ity” in the United outpolling social democratic mentalists and those promoting a chairs… [working for] restrictive fell from a peak 2016 referendum in Kingdom. Ireland parties in at least France and more pragmatic course. refugee and asylum policies, more of 1.3 million in which the United President Michael Germany. Yet Bas Eickhout, Dutch Among the pragmatists is spending on EU external border 2015 (the highest Kingdom voted to leave Higgins warned MEP and the Greens’ candidate for Britain’s Nigel Farage, whose controls, more powers for national number from Syria, the European Union. against “negative European Commission president, newly introduced Brexit Party governments to run eurozone Kosovo and Afghani- social forces” in the promised hard bargaining over has overtaken the Conservative budget deficits and more protec- stan) to 638,000 in 2018 elections and called for environmental and social policies and Labour parties in opinion tionist trade policies.” but the far right is aware that effective European policies for any future co-operation with polls for the European elections. Firm borders remain a central public concern persists. over climate change and global the centre-right EPP. With the Farage quit the UK Independence notion. Matteo Salvini, leader Lebanon’s leaders warn that poverty. centre-left weakened, that could Party, which he had led through of the League and Italy’s Inte- without more support from However, the chief EU standard- be enough to tilt the EPP towards the 2016 referendum, after it took rior Minister, regularly boasts of Europe, its 1.5 million Syrian bearer, especially with German the xenophobes. a blatantly anti-Islam agenda and turning away migrant boats and refugees might take to the boats Chancellor Angela Merkel stand- forged links with far-right agita- denounces a migrant “invasion.” and Iran has said that with US ing down by 2021, is 41-year-old Gareth Smyth is a regular tors. In a BBC interview, Farage sanctions tightening its 2 million French President Emmanuel contributor to The Arab Weekly. Farage keeps a stiff line against claimed the “Breaking Point” Afghans might follow them. Macron, whose economic policies He has reported from the Middle the European Union, demanding poster he unveiled in the Brexit Centrists have rallied. Social helped provoke the “yellow vest” East since 1992. A legitimating moment for European bigotry?

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin the Danish People’s Party and the Netanyahu. Finns Party. Rashmee All of the above are true of Orban The European Parliament mat- Roshan Lall as well as Trump. Both men have ters. Along with the European roughly the same political modus council of ministers — government operandi, one that plays to the in- members from all EU countries — he legitimating moment ner bigot within a core base of vot- MEPs approve, amend or reject EU for European bigotry ers. They trigger the bigot within laws. They must also approve the occurred when Hungar- by demonising Muslims and mi- new European Commission. ian Prime Minister Vik- grants. Both legitimise coded anti- Opinion polls indicate a surge in tor Orban was received Semitic language and tropes while support for the far right ahead of by US President Donald strategically using the alignment the elections, which could make it TTrump at the White House and giv- with Netanyahu as proof no ill will the second largest force in the Eu- en a fulsome endorsement. Orban, is meant to the Jewish people. ropean Parliament with up to 35% said Trump, is “respected all over Orban and Trump see the West- of all seats. If so, there is likely to Europe. Probably, like me, a little ern world’s future as wholly white be a new continent-wide focus on bit controversial but that’s OK.” and Christian and both present security, immigration and “nation- To find in Orban a mini-me themselves as guardians of the first” economics even as the culture counts as high praise from faith. Consider Orban’s com- wars rage over the role of Islam in Trump. It’s also a pretty ment to French philoso- European societies. astute observation Opinion polls pher Bernard-Henri Orban hitched his wagon to betraying profound indicate a surge in Levy in April: “I am Trump even before Trump won the self-awareness — support for the far right the most Christian Ideologically aligned. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and 2016 presidential election and was something one ahead of the elections, and thus the most US President Donald Trump shake hands in the Oval Office of the the only EU leader to endorse the might not have which could make it the European of Eu- White House, May 13. (AFP) former reality TV star’s campaign. expected in Trump ropeans. Europe’s Yet, it took more than two years for second largest force in — but what did he DNA is me. I am its the Hungarian strongman to secure mean by “contro- the European guardian.” German newspaper Bild he didn’t may help the European far right’s an invitation to Trump’s White versial”? Parliament with up to Both regard Mus- see asylum seekers from conflict- prospects. The far right is doing bat- House and a meeting May 13. It would be the 35% of all seats. lims, Arabs and dark- scarred Syria “as Muslim refugees. tle with the centre right and centre- That it has happened now is a following: A blood- skinned migrants as a We see them as Muslim invaders.” left groups that have dominated the public relations prize, a peerless gift and-soil nationalist form of contamination. Does it matter that Orban and European Parliament for 40 years. from Trump to a kindred spirit. It leader who’s Islamophobic, In his conversation with Levy, Trump rejoice in much the same Italy’s Matteo Salvini and may affect European politics long anti-migrant, anti-Semitic, Orban said that “Europe’s problem toxic brand of politics? Attention France’s Marine Le Pen are work- after memories of the Orban-Trump pro-Russia, pro-Putin and displays is Islam and on the rise of Islam, is being consciously drawn to their ing overtime to push their new lovefest have faded. authoritarian tendencies as well as what can I say? It is Christianity twinning at a crucial moment. The European Alliance of People and scant respect for rule of law, human that has resisted that rise. Christi- European political year will turn Nations as the authentic face of Rashmee Roshan Lall is a rights, a free press and political op- anity is still resisting it. Hungary is when elections to the 751-seat Eu- politics in the European bloc. Other columnist for The Arab Weekly. Her ponents. Add to that a propensity today, as it has been, the forward ropean Parliament take place May anti-immigration parties have blog can be found at to build border walls and enormous post of European Christianity.” 23-26 across the 28-country bloc. signed up to their group, not least www.rashmee.com and she is on reliance on the relationship with In January 2018, Orban told the Trump’s public backing for Orban Germany’s Alternative for Germany, Twitter: @rashmeerl. May 19, 2019 17 News & Analysis Ramadan in the West Coventry’s refugee-run Arabian Bites showcases cultural diversity in Ramadan

Nazli Tarzi With utmost care. Volunteers prepapre to Coventry serve food at Drapers Bar n unsuspecting crowd and Kitchen in gathered at Drapers Bar Coventry. and Kitchen in Coventry, (Arabian Bites) A eager to taste the decade- old recipes whipped up by the Mid- dle Eastern chefs at Arabian Bites. The refugee-run Arabian Bites team, chefs and volunteers, break their fast on water and dates just as guests enter for a taste of the Middle East and a special meal that marks the initiative’s first anniver- sary. What began as a volunteer-led, pop-up restaurant in a rented kitch- en has, a year later, made an indel- ible mark on the local independent food scene and community. One person at the heart of the initiative is the Reverend Liz Jack- son. The pilot programme drew in- spiration from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen model, which helps transform disadvantaged young people into Michelin-level chefs. However, the initiative offers a great deal more. Having relied heavily on volun- teers in the past, the head chefs what she described as “a much- inspired menu that pays homage versal language of home-cooked placed by war to revive culinary and front-of-house staff from Iraq needed social enterprise in the to the homes the refugees were Middle Eastern staples that newly traditions they grew up with em- and Syria, with the help of $6,500 heart of Coventry.” forced to leave behind, allowed resettled Iraqi and Syrian refugees powers them to participate in grant from the Coventry City Coun- “The food is delicious and made friendships to blossom. have prepared. Successes that the public life, develop transferable cil, have been made paid staff to with utmost care,” she said, em- Giving back to the community initiative boasts were unimagina- skill sets and regain ownership ensure quality consistency. phasising how it has nurtured is one of two ideas that propelled ble for participants a year ago. of their destiny. Mohammad Najjar and Ahmad “trans-local connections for Syrian the refugee-run business to suc- The same communal spirit has Since 2014, the Coventry City Alfier, the permanent head chefs and Iraqi refugees through cuisine cess. Social cohesion and integra- carried into Ramadan, during Council has been committed to the from Syria, are supported by front- and celebrated their heritage with tion make up the other and “what which Muslims abstain from food resettlement of 125 people a year, of-house staff Martin Moma and Coventry locals.” better than food is there?” asked and drink from dawn till dusk. “We which it is scheduled to continue Simon al-Soraji, who fled Iraq be- Behind the culinary delights Jackson. made the decision to wait until our through next year. It has welcomed cause of persecution of Christians. whipped up by the Arabian Bites “A community has grown around staff could break their fast,” Jack- many communities from Syria, A regular diner at Arabian Bites, team is a beautiful harmony, Jack- Arabian Bites,” Jackson said as vari- son said, while assuring that it is Iraq and Yemen, using food sharing Bridie Hernon, an adviser at the son explained. Their labour of love, ous circles from Arab diasporas to business as usual at Arabian Bites. to honour their past and embrace Citizens Advice Bureau, praised a Middle Eastern-packed, Mezze- vegan devotees, embrace the uni- Allowing Syrian and Iraqis dis- their present. Washington’s iftar cars catering to Muslims with empathy

Kelly Kennedy lims who frequent IHOP, a national passage dance, during Ramadan. chain of pancake restaurants, dur- About 240 students protested but ing Ramadan because it is open 24 school officials said they couldn’t Washington hours a day. change the date because the event Why weren’t other restaurants had been planned long in advance. n a cold, dark evening dur- staying open late for the large Mus- “I thought: ‘What could be ing Ramadan in Washing- lim community in Washington? planned longer in advance than ton’s Ivy City neighbour- “In Dearborn, Michigan, busi- Ramadan?’ It just seemed pro- O hood, not far from the US nesses really do accommodate foundly unfair,” Brandt said. Capitol, three volunteers stood in that and they understand it’s good She said, as someone brought up front of Ivy City Masjid with mas- for their own bottom line,” Brandt on Christian traditions, Easter can- sive dishes of vegetarian food. said. “During Ramadan, every- dy was always available at the drug “Hello, sir!” called out Kather- thing there is open all night. Every store, Christmas decorations filled ine Ashworth Brandt, a graduate restaurant is always packed.” shop windows and she would nev- student at George Washington Uni- In the United States, Dearborn er be expected to work on the sab- versity, to a man walking in front of ranks second to New York in the bath. the mosque. “Would you like some number of Muslim residents. “We need to be more consider- lasagne? It’s free!” Brandt created Dine After Dark, ate to people who are celebrating The man did a double-take and a non-profit organisation, this year Ramadan,” she said. then answered: “Yes, please.” and worked with local businesses Because Washington draws peo- Within minutes, he told Brandt to both stay open later and adver- ple from all over the world — many and her volunteers, Dustin Shepler tise for Ramadan. However, she staying only temporarily — many and Lauren Mylott, that he hoped noted another group was missing Muslims may not have families or they have many blessings. out on after-sunset eating options: friends with whom to break the Washington’s homeless popula- fast. Dinner is typically served be- tion. Homeless shelters often have tween 6pm-9pm in Washington This year, membership in early curfews, so meals are typi- restaurants, particularly on week- Dine After Dark is free, cally served before sunset. days, but there may still be day- including advertising on Brandt checked with Martha’s light as late as 9pm. Brandt’s website, but in Table, a local charity that provides Busboys and Poets, a local com- the future businesses will healthy food to at-risk people, pany known for its attention to so- be asked to pay an annual which is near the Ivy City Masjid, cial issues and owned by an Ameri- membership of $500. and the “Iftar Car” was created. can born in Iraq, and City Winery Every weekday, Dine After Dark DC, a full-service restaurant in “I’m getting notes from Muslims serves meals in Ivy City from 8pm- Ivy City, agreed to keep their res- all over the country saying, ‘Thank 9pm. The Iftar Car makes its way to taurants open late and market the you,’ which is really moving but the Islamic Centre of Washington hours to Muslims. also makes me think we’re onto on Saturdays and to the Yaro Col- This year, membership in Dine something,” Brandt said, scooping lective’s iftar on the National Mall After Dark is free, including adver- a heaping serving of lasagne onto a on Sundays. tising on Brandt’s website, but in paper plate. “We see Muslims attending the future businesses will be asked “Ramadan is a pillar of Islam,” mosque plus people in the com- to pay an annual membership of A glimmer of hope. Katherine Ashworth Brandt (L) and Lauren said Abdullah Ware as he accepted munity looking for meals,” Brandt $500. Brandt said she hopes the Mylott (C) serve lasagne to Abdullah Ware in front of the Ivy City his iftar meal. “This is a blessing.” said. “Ivy City has been so gracious idea will take off nationwide. Masjid in Washington. (Dine After Dark) Brandt, who was raised as a in hosting us and we’re really ex- “We want to be able to show Christian and celebrates Chris- cited to get to the Islamic Centre.” businesses a proof-of-concept but tian traditions, said she wondered The idea took root after Brandt also start a conversation that this is by the Muslim community. my own but, honestly, it seems where Muslims in Washington heard a story about a high school something people should be think- “Honestly, I was concerned to be the part that people like the went for iftar. Every year, US news- in Brooklyn that planned prom, ing about,” she said. that I’m just this lady who’s med- most: feeling like they have an papers publish articles about Mus- an annual US high school rite-of- The idea has been well received dling in a cause that’s not really ally,” Brandt said. 18 May 19, 2019 Economy

US magistrates to help adjudicate Briefs major commercial cases in Abu Dhabi Saudi’s Sipchem, Sahara to

N.P. Krishna Kumar Unprecedented seek deals in step. US and Asia Judge Oran Dubai Whiting (2nd L) and Saudi International Petrochemi- bu Dhabi has announced Judge Collene cal Company (Sipchem) and Sahara the unprecedented ap- Mary O’Toole (R) Petrochemical plan are expected to pointment of US judges with Abu Dhabi target acquisitions and joint ven- A Oran Whiting and Collene Judicial Depart- tures in the United States and Asia Mary O’Toole to Abu Dhabi Com- ment officials. when their merger is completed, mercial Courts. (Abu Dhabi Judicial top executives said. WAM, the United Arab Emirates’ Department) The new entity, Sahara Interna- official news agency, citing the tional Petrochemical Company, will Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, have combined assets worth more said the judges will work in the full than $5.9 billion, ranking second chamber of the Commercial Court after Saudi Basic Industries Corpo- of First Instance to hear disputes ration (SABIC). where values in dispute exceed 1 “We are looking at opportunities million UAE dirhams ($272,220). in Asia and US markets for either The appointments are based on acquisition or organic growth, JVs provisions of the Civil Procedures and locally we are also explor- Law of 2017, permitting mixed ing,” said Sipchem CEO Abdullah chambers with foreign experts to Al-Saadoon, who will be the new be formed to make decisions in full company’s chief operating officer. lawsuits. and McKenzie International Law Jassim al-Sarkal, executive chair- to owning property, investing in Counsellor Youssef Saeed al- Firm. He taught law at Chicago man of Sharjah Investment and trade, business or industry. (Reuters) Abri, under-secretary of Abu Dha- University and also held the posi- Development Authority, said: “The In 2017, the Emirates’ attracted bi Judicial Department (ADJD), tion of legal consultant in the Illi- country has become a nurturing en- more than $10 billion in the UN called the move “unprecedented” nois state legislature. vironment for a majority of sectors, Conference on Trade and Invest- and said the decision “was aimed O’Toole was twice elected to the providing added value for [foreign ment. This was in part because of Oman suspends at establishing the standing of the Ohio Court of Appeals. She also direct investment] FDI through its rising cross-border mergers and ac- judicial system of Abu Dhabi emir- taught law at Kent State University advanced and updated legislation, quisitions sales and the country’s dividend tax ate as per the international courts in the United States. infrastructure and smart services, ambition to double FDI in the next where the English language is spo- The Abu Dhabi Commercial amongst others, that gives inves- few years. for three years ken and work towards providing Court was established in May 2008 tors peace of mind and boosts per- In 2018, a Foreign Direct Invest- a developed and flexible judicial to cope with the growth of the formance.” ment Law went into effect, signal- Oman’s Capital Market Author- environment for settling the com- business sector in the emirate and The Dubai International Finan- ling the liberalisation of the Emir- ity said it suspended a 10% tax on mercial disputes faced by the for- out of a need for fair, effective and cial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu ates’ foreign ownership restrictions dividends for three years as of eign investors.” innovative judicial services. Dhabi General Market have their under the country’s Commercial May 6 to boost foreign invest- “This helps in the development This court is under the general own courts and dispute resolution Companies Law, which limits a ments. of the judicial facility in the Emir- court system and includes minor authorities for entities operating in foreign shareholder to holding no The 3-year time frame could ate in accordance with the ‘Tomor- and major chambers at the first those zones, where foreign judges more than 49% of the shares in an be extended, the Capital Market row 2021’ plan,” he added. This level and an appellate court. It is apply a fully independent, com- onshore UAE company. Authority said, on its Twitter ac- plan was introduced last Septem- assisted by a reconciliation com- mon law framework to adjudicate The new FDI Law provides a count, quoting Managing Direc- ber. mittee whose role is to find amica- civil and commercial disputes. framework for the UAE cabinet to tor Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Abri said the appointments re- ble solutions to disputes. The DIFC in 2014 established the permit foreign shareholders to own al-Salmi. flect the interest of the Judicial De- The court considers peculiari- Dispute Resolution Authority com- up to 100% of companies in certain partment in seeking the help of the ties of commercial litigants and the posed of DIFC Courts, the Arbitra- designated sectors. (Reuters) best judges and judicial experts in- importance of time factor for busi- tion Institute and other tribunals or Experts consider the introduc- ternationally to fulfil requirements nesses. ancillary bodies. tion of the FDI law a significant de- of international and regional es- The Judicial Department last The move is expected to bolster velopment that is likely to increase tablishments, which plan to prac- November approved the English the Emirates’ efforts to make the levels of foreign investment in the Tunisia broadens tice in Abu Dhabi. language in the courts for the first country more attractive for for- United Arab Emirates in line with Whiting and O’Toole have con- time in the Middle East. eign companies and individuals in the government’s efforts to attract tourism horizons siderable academic, legal and leg- Stating that the geographic lo- investment, business and employ- foreign investment and diversify as industry islative experience. cation of the country encourages ment opportunities. the UAE economy. Whiting worked as a judge in Il- international companies to set up The United Arab Emirates is rebounds linois and in commercial arbitra- their regional headquarters in the opening its visa regime and oth- N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab tion. He was a partner in the Baker United Arab Emirates, Marwan bin er laws and regulations related Weekly contributor in Dubai. As holidaymakers flocked to Tunisia, the country’s tourism minister set his sights on diversify- ing the industry and taking visitors Saudi Arabia approves permanent residency system for first time beyond the beach. “Practically all the big tour The Arab Weekly staff Tuwaijri pointed out that the plan operators here have returned,” said would also benefit “multinational Rene Trabelsi, six months into his corporations, both those operating ministerial post. London in the kingdom or those that want to A total of 2 million holidaymak- enter the market.” ers have visited Tunisia this year, he Saudi government has While Saudi Arabia wants wealthy government figures indicate, a 24% approved a plan that allows expatriates who add to any unique jump on the same period in 2018. for permanent residency to labour value to stay, the government T certain expatriates, permit- is conscious of popular disillusion- (Agence France-Presse) ting them to own real estate in the ment with the labour market. To in- kingdom and reside in the country crease Saudi nationals’ participation with their families without a Saudi in the private market, the govern- sponsor. ment imposed fees on foreign work- Iraq warns against The decision, aimed at attracting ers and their families, which, along long-term investment as the govern- with sluggish growth, has prompted ‘politicising’ ment tries to diversify the economy hundreds of thousands to leave. and boost domestic spending, would Lina Almaeena, a member of the electricity as open the kingdom to “investors and consultative Shura Council, the ap- skilled professionals,” Saudi Econo- pointed body that approved the pro- summer nears my Minister Mohammed al-Tuwaijri Long-awaited move. Expatriates engage in conversation in Riyadh. (AFP) gramme on a 76-55 vote — said the said in a statement. new residency system would help With temperatures rising on “This ensures that residents and the kingdom. “(It) is for doctors, en- both the weather and security expatriates, including those who in a country that hosts a large expa- patriates would be a landmark move gineers, innovators, investors and fronts across the region, Iraq’s have lived in the kingdom for dec- triate population but has been un- in a region where foreign workers residents who contribute to the de- electricity minister warned that ades, are an active part of Saudi able to provide jobs for many of its are often subjected to restrictive res- velopment of Saudi Arabia and lead politicising his country’s power Arabia’s economy,” Tuwaijri said. citizens. The unemployment rate in idency policies. Some labourers are to a prosperous future,” she said. sector could have ripple effects “This will strengthen the state’s rev- Saudi Arabia is estimated at 12.6%. required to secure a local sponsor to Nasser Saidi, president of Nasser around the world. enue and robustly support the Saudi “Despite the benefits of the spe- enter the country and must receive Saidi & Associates and former chief “Electricity is a national security economy.” cial residency system some are fear- permission to leave. economist at the Dubai Internation- issue,” Electricity Minister Luay Under the proposed law, appli- ful of it and that it could be exploited The United Arab Emirates has also al Financial Centre, said the system al-Khateeb said. “We’re urging for cants can seek an indefinite stay or in a way that affects the stability of moved to reform its residency poli- is a “step in the right direction.” this file not to be politicised.” a 1-year renewable residency, the of- Saudi businesses,” Saudi economist cy, approving a plan that would al- There are more than 12 million Khateeb was appointed minis- ficial Saudi Press Agency said. Ahmed al-Shehri wrote on Twitter. low wealthy foreigners to apply for expats in Saudi Arabia — more than ter in October with a mandate to The “Privileged Iqama” system, Others voiced concerns that the a 10-year stay. one-third of the total population — revamp Iraq’s grid but he faces similar to Green Card systems in plan could go against the country’s The biggest beneficiaries of the official statistics indicate. They are formidable political challenges to other countries, is expected to draw popular Saudisation strategy, which Saudi move would be thousands of currently required to be sponsored a typically dry, technical portfolio: more investors and entrepreneurs to looks to increase the number of Sau- wealthy Arab residents who have by a Saudi employer and be issued the threat of renewed protests and the kingdom, driving private sector dis working in the private sector and lived in the kingdom for decades an exit/re-entry visa whenever they escalating US pressure on energy- growth and expanding employment reduce reliance on foreign workers. “without being able to as much as want to leave the country. supplier Iran. opportunities for the local popula- Slogans such as “Saudi is for Saudis” own the homes they live in,” said tion. are common on social media. Mazen al-Sudairi, head of research (The Arab Weekly staff and news (Agence France-Presse) However, it fuelled controversy Granting residency permits to ex- at Al Rajhi Capital. agencies.) May 19, 2019 19 Economy Interview Digitalisation of industries key to economic growth

credit card access for consumers talents whether from outside or to make purchases online. inside. The issue of employment Khadija Historically, there has been a needs to be solved from an Hamouchi resistance in the region to make education and training perspec- credit card payments or use tive. That does not mean that digital wallets. This is an issue start-ups are creators of jobs. orn to Iraqi parents, that needs to be solved to see the “I do not think the start-up Philip Bahoshy is growth in the start-up ecosystem ecosystem has created a new founder and CEO of at a mass scale. People are still industry. It is solving inefficien- MAGNiTT, the paying offline for digital services. cies to already existing industries largest investment In the case of Souq.com and using technology. Careem made it data platform for the Careem, they differentiated easier to get a taxi. Souq offered MENA start-up themselves from international more consumer choices and Becosystem. He has brought players by allowing customers to delivery. Fetchr provided easier investors, entrepreneurs and pay in cash for goods and access to courier services. corporations together on that services.” PropertyFinder provided a more platform. TAW: Where are we after almost efficient way of renting and His finance education most ten years of start-up narrative? buying apartments. And this is likely ignited his passion for data PB: “We are seeing a clear true for the rest of the world.” and entrepreneurship. He is a increase in several start-ups as TAW: Could we easily replicate regular adviser to regional well as investments. The year the successful exits of Careem governments on local economic 2018 saw a record of investments: and Souq? strategy. 409 venture-backed investments PB: “That is a number game. Having lived for more than ten in start-ups and $907 million Exits are usually seen as the end years in the United Arab Emir- worth of investments in MENA of the journey. To be able to see ates, Bahoshy has been at the based companies and we are that, we need a much wider base forefront of start-up development adding to the amount of invest- of start-ups created regularly. In A passion for entrepreneurship. Philip Bahoshy, the founder and in the region. ments in Souq.com and Careem. the Middle East and North Africa, CEO of MAGNiTT. (Courtesy of Philip Bahoshy) In a conversation with The Arab We are seeing more investors MAGNiTT tracks 10,000 start-ups Weekly over Skype, he passion- invest in the region’s companies. from which 100 had an exit. It is different demographics, environ- PB: “We need an ecosystem in ately shared important informa- Last year, we had 159 investment not completely dissimilar to other ments and regulations that which start-ups are allowed to fail tion on the entrepreneurship institutions, which is more than regions. We need to nurture a start-ups need to overcome to be and be incentivised to start all narrative in the region. any previous year. The size of cost-effective environment, in a position to scale. In many over again in a cost-effective The Arab Weekly (TAW): Could investment deals is growing. infrastructure and more funding cases, they are applying many manner. start-ups ever become the first “Given the infancy of the to scale by solving larger issues foreign concepts to the region. “Second, we need free move- factor for economic growth in the ecosystem, start-ups cannot be a and problems with teams able to The challenge with that is that ment of labour. Talent acquisition MENA? silver bullet to youth unemploy- execute on those issues. you are not creating pure innova- is one of the hardest challenges Philip Bahoshy (PB): “The ment. There are, of course, some “We also need time and tion. I am not saying that as a for start-ups that includes hiring start-up ecosystem has only been circumstances in which Careem patience for these companies to criticism. In many ways, tailoring and firing the workforce from around for a short period. We are has succeeded in providing mass grow. According to our data, a a product to the local economy is different geographies. In the still in infancy. We are now seeing opportunities for employment. company takes between 7 and 9 innovation, too. technology space, this free an acceleration of start-ups that Start-ups remain net importers of years to exit. Many of the top- “Yet, these companies spend movement is extremely impor- are growing and scaling their funded start-ups were founded the first years hustling to get over tant. solutions to local problems. The between 2012 and 2015. It is only the bureaucratic challenges to be “Third, we need easier market majority of starts are in infra- “We need an natural that the acceleration of in a position where they can be access. What characterises the structure, whether this is in exits will come in three to four acquired by international players. American or Chinese markets is logistics, financial services, ecosystem in which years, from which we are already If acquisition offers come their that they have similar regulations health care, education. start-ups are allowed seeing the premises.” way, it is the right of the entrepre- across their regional jurisdic- “The digitalisation of all TAW: Given the many restric- neur to take. We do not have a tions, which is not the case for industries will be key to contin- to fail and be tions in the region, how could we regional developed initial public our region. This hinders scaling ued economic growth regardless incentivised to start define local start-up success? offering exit market that would through geographies to be of whether they come from start- all over again in a Does a start-up necessarily have allow local people to invest in a interest to investors. We almost ups. The focus is not on whether to make high profits to be company’s dream. To continue need to encourage a pan-MENA people have enough cash in their cost-effective successful? How could we define growing, start-ups need huge market.” pocket, the question is whether manner.” qualitative impact, not quantita- amounts of investments which we have enough digitalisation. tive? they may not encounter within Khadija Hamouchi is a Because we have high digital PB: “In the pure venture space, the region.” Belgian-Moroccan social penetration, many of the prod- Philip Bahoshy, founder investors look at scalability and TAW: What would you advise entrepreneur and founder of ucts are digital products. and CEO of MAGNiTT growth across geographical governments to implement for SEJAAL, an initiative that is “What we should focus on is markets as key. The region has regional start-up growth? building an app for young people. Uncertain future for US ride-sharing company in Egypt

Hassan Abdel Zaher Uber’s largest ket and operate anywhere else if market in the it fails to apply these standards Middle East. here,” said Egyptian rights advo- Cairo An Uber cate Hafez Abu Saeada. employee Abu Saeada said authorities have here is uncertainty over assists a the right to ask companies operat- the business prospects of driver at the ing in Egypt to share information US ride-sharing company company’s when they suspect someone of T Uber in Egypt after Egyp- headquarters wrongdoing, although this must tian authorities asked the compa- in Cairo. (AFP) be done through a request from ny to meet specific security stand- the prosecuting attorney’s office. ards. Uber’s withdrawal from the mar- Authorities, Uber said in a notice ket would affect thousands of its to stakeholders, want the company stakeholders, its clients and driv- to share certain personal informa- ers the company uses. tion to be allowed to operate in Uber and Careem out-compet- Egypt. Uber said failure to share ed Egypt’s black-and-white taxis that information with the authori- when they entered the market ties could result in fines or penal- three years ago by offering differ- ties. ent and better services. This announcement came less The ride-sharing business than two months after Uber ac- perked up car sales and provided quired Careem, which was its jobs to thousands of Egyptians strongest rival in the Egyptian who bought new cars and worked market. Uber’s $3.1 billion acquisi- for the two companies. tion brought attention to its plans Drivers give the ride-sharing in Egypt. Security analysts said this was the Islamic State and militias affili- the security forces but the measure companies 25% of their daily rev- Uber became the first company an important requirement for ated to the Muslim Brotherhood. also stipulates that the companies enues in return for using company to offer ride-sharing services in Egypt to be able to address security must protect the privacy of their applications. However, the future Egypt in 2016. threats and track people who may databases. of the contractors is uncertain, When Uber made its Egyptian pose a danger to the country. Uber’s withdrawal from the There are fears that the require- with Uber expressing reservations debut, the country did not have “Companies that make informa- market would affect ment that the companies provide about the information-sharing re- laws regarding ride-sharing but tion available to the authorities thousands of its client information would impinge quirement. in June 2017 Egypt enacted a law help (the country) prevent terrorist stakeholders, its clients and on customer privacy and could The company said in its notice giving ride-sharing companies the attacks,” said retired police Gen- drivers the company uses. lead to the ride-sharing firms with- to stakeholders that it might not right to operate in the country. The eral Ashraf Amin. drawing from Egypt. be ready to share information with law requires ride-sharing compa- Egypt has been working to cur- The law regulating ride-sharing “As a company, Uber follows authorities. It added that failure to nies to make their databases avail- tail terrorist activities, having companies stresses the need for international standards but the do so could lead to the suspension able to government agencies. come under attacks by a branch of making information available to company can pull out of the mar- of its application. 20 May 19, 2019 Society Life in Ramadan Ramadan charity helps change lives in Egypt

Hassan Abdel Zaher at a higher rate. Egyptians donate more to charity during Ramadan than any other month and the mon- Cairo ey they give has changed the lives of Yehia and many others. oon after her husband’s Egyptians give approximately 60 death, life turned ugly for As- billion Egyptian pounds ($3.5 bil- maa Yehia. She was forced to lion) to charity every year, most of S search for work, even though it during Ramadan, unofficial esti- she was not prepared for the job mates state. The bulk of the mon- market. She had no formal educa- ey goes to the more than 40,000 tion, no professional skills and the charities in the country and NGOs, only thing she knew how to do was which distribute the funds to mil- look after her children. lions of needy Egyptians. “I searched for house cleaning Some of the charities offer free work but it was unavailable in my food but most help the poor earn a village,” Yehia, 38, said. living and lead a dignified life. The mother of two lives in Abu The charities turn poor families Aziz, a small village in the central into productive ones by offering Egyptian province of Minya, where funding to start their own projects, farming is the only economic activ- the list of which is endless. Some ity. She worked in cotton harvest- charities give cows to poor families, ing, which was very demanding especially in the Egyptian country- physically and forced Yehia to leave side, to help them earn a living by her children with a neighbour for selling milk. hours every day. Other charities help the poor open small shops where they can sell goods. Some fix the damaged Egyptians give homes of the poor and others repay approximately 60 billion debts of those who could go to jail Egyptian pounds ($3.5 for defaulting on loans. A month of giving. A volunteer carries food to charity tables in Cairo. (Reuters) billion) to charity every The charity that gave Yehia the year, most of it during funding to start her grocery store Ramadan. is one of 5,000 operating under Dar poor funding for life-saving surger- needy go for iftar and eat for free. ties into an important development al-Orman, by far Egypt’s largest ies, builds new houses for poor vil- “Ramadan is a great month of tool in Egypt, especially by looking However, things took a turn for charity. Dar al-Orman collects mil- lagers and helps poor families start giving and wonderful activity for at the full scope of their activities. the better when Yehia was ap- lions of dollars in donations every small businesses. the nation’s charities,” said Safwat Like Yehia’s case, the charities proached by a local charity that of- year. It uses the money to provide In raising funds for the projects, al-Nahhas, secretary-general of the help the poor become self-suffi- fered to provide her with funding tens of thousands of poor people Dar al-Orman charities capitalise Egyptian Zakat and Charity House, cient. to open a small grocery store in her with the means to live with dignity. on the desire of the rich and those another major charity that is direct- Yehia now earns enough money home. She bought biscuits, cooking “Our main focus is on building who offer alms to the poor, a tenet ly supervised by the Grand Imam of to buy food for her two children and oil, canned food, dried pasta and the capacities of the poor and em- of Islam. al-Azhar. “It is a rewarding month pay the rent on her flat. She said rice boxes and sold them to neigh- powering them economically and Alms-giving increases dramati- for those who do not have very she hopes to save enough money bours at a small profit. socially,” said Mamdouh Shaaban, cally in Ramadan, a month mil- much and those who wait for help.” to buy a shop and expand her pro- The opportunity changed her life. Dar al-Orman board chairman. lions of poor Egyptians wait for The Egyptian Zakat and Charity ject. That, she said, is a far-fetched “I now earn a living, without having “This gives them hope and changes year after year. Apart from offering House offers monthly financial sup- dream but not impossible to realise. to leave my children alone,” Yehia their life for the better.” donations to the poor and donat- port to 86,000 families. In the past “I know it will take me some time said. Dar al-Orman, a main contribu- ing to charities and NGOs, the rich three years, the charity has funded to collect the money necessary Egypt’s charities intensify their tor to Egypt’s slum eradication also offer food to those in need. furniture for 1,500 flats within the for this,” Yehia said, “but still I am work during Ramadan, a time of project, which builds thousands of Some wealthy Egyptians offer food national slum eradication project. confident that it is within my reach year when the rich give to the poor flats for slum dwellers, offers the through large banquets where the These activities turn the chari- n o w.” Qatayef, an unbeatable Ramadan sweet

Roufan Nahhas “Qatayef is associated with the “It used to be captivating to The origin of this popular sweet “There are many who believe it long days of fasting during Rama- watch the baker pour the mixture goes back to the Fatimid Dynasty originated in the Fatimid Dynasty dan. Every day after iftar, the fast- of flour, baking powder, water, while some say it started during but no one is sure. Street vendors Amman breaking meal at sunset, people yeast and little sugar with a steady the Abbasid Caliphate established sold them in Palestine, Lebanon, enjoy one or two pieces of Qatayef hand into a hot plate so it can be by Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib (566- Syria and, of course, here in Jor- ried on one side and fluffy as a tradition,” said Mohammed cooked only on one side. Today, 653). dan in the old days. Palestinians and airy all around, Qatayef Syam, an employee at a sweet shop there are special machines that Abdulah Farhan, son of the use Akkawi cheese, a white brine is folded into a crescent and in Amman. “During Ramadan, replaced the sweet makers but, in owner of Amman’s oldest Qatayef cheese as a filling, which is named F sealed to prevent the fresh Qatayef is served in every house some areas, they are still using the shop, is keen on following in his fa- after the city of Acre. Syrians use unsalted white cheese, cream or as the main sweets after a heavy traditional method,” Syam said. ther’s footsteps by maintaining the pistachio more while Jordanians crunchy nuts filling from spilling, meal.” Another popular sweet is the traditional sweet production. love walnuts,” Farhan said. while releasing a magical aroma of “In the past, Qatayef was stuffed smaller version of the Qatayef. The “My father, Abu Ali, opened rose water extract. with either walnuts or unsalted dough is small and usually kept the shop in 1960 because of the Qatayef, a traditional Arabic cheese but nowadays there is more half open and filled with whipped demand for Qatayef, especially In addition to sweet, is among the many special variety to fit different tastes. For cream and a sprinkle of ground during Ramadan but people want modifications made to the treats prepared during the Muslim instance, the filling could be pista- pistachio. to eat that sweet anytime of the original filling, the fasting month of Ramadan to com- chio, whipped cream or a mixture “The Assafiri Qatayef (meaning year because they simply miss it,” method of preparing the pensate the day-long abstention of hazelnuts, almonds, raisins and the size of a small bird) are also Farhan said. sweet has changed as well. from eating and drinking. coconut. It is then fried or baked,” very popular to those who would “After my father’s death, we Digging into the origin of Rama- Syam said. like to watch their weight after eat- wanted to keep his legacy alive and “In Lebanon, they call them dan’s most popular sweet is a jour- He said in addition to modifica- ing a huge meal. They are folded decided to continue running the ‘Atayef’ and my father told me that ney to the times of the Fatimid Dy- tions made to the original filling, only half way and served with family business. Today the whole he learnt about the sweet when nasty and Abbasid Caliphate when the method of preparing the sweet scented syrup without frying or family is working in the shop and he was in Lebanon. When he re- the recipe was invented. has changed as well. baking,” Syam added. doing very well,” he said. turned to Amman, he decided to make Qatayef exclusively and this is how it started,” Farhan said, adding “Jordanians are big fans of Qatayef.” “We have customers from almost everywhere. Jordanians come first followed by Syrians, then Egyp- tians and Filipinos and there are many who ship them to their fam- ily members who are working in the Gulf. Really, Qatayef is part of Arabs’ traditions,” he said. Talking to fans of Qatayef was easy as many queue patiently wait- ing to buy the sweet before head- ing home for iftar. “It is as necessary as water to people who fast. They must have one or two pieces after Iftar. The simplicity and the taste are un- matched. Although there are many options for sweets, nothing man- aged to beat Qatayef, even the Kanafeh with its melting cheese and thin noodles,” Tareq Qaraan said.

Special treat. A worker collecting hot Qatayef from a machine. Sweet crescents. Fried Qatayef ready to be tasted in a shop in Roufan Nahhas is a journalist (Roufan Nahhas) Amman. (Roufan Nahhas) based in Jordan. May 19, 2019 21 Society Women

Ahmini, an application to protect Tunisian women farm workers

Hilmi Hammami was no legislation that protects the material and pecuniary rights of the women nor do they have access to Tunis social security coverage. Khelifi created a digital platform he Tunisian government to change legislation that does has introduced a pro- not provide protection for women gramme to integrate fe- working in the agriculture sector T male agricultural workers and replace it with legal frame- into the social security system so works for that kind of work. they can benefit from government The platform for the registra- health services and pensions. tion of rural women in the social The measure should help more security system was awarded first than 500,000 workers whose daily place in a local competition for best income is only $3. A digital applica- business initiative by young entre- tion called Ahmini (“Protect Me”) preneurs. The project gained sup- was designed to enable female ag- port from the Tunisian Ministry of ricultural workers to register online Women’s Affairs, which motivated in the public health system without him to discuss the project with tel- the need for an employer and at the ecommunications companies. cost of 20 US cents a day. Tunisia is far from attaining in- The move, however, may run into ternational standards in terms of technical difficulties since it targets internet speed, communication women many of whom are inexpe- networks and digital coverage, de- rienced in dealing with computer spite that more than 7 million Tuni- applications. Overcoming poor sians have at least one computer or internet coverage in rural Tunisia smartphone. Rising wave of conservatism. An Egyptian woman prays at the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in could pose a serious challenge for So, a digital application aimed at Cairo. (AFP) the service. Tunisian female farm workers, who The government estimated that may not have experience with digi- 90% of female farm workers have tal applications, begs the question no social security coverage. To ad- of how to target the people meant dress the situation, computer en- to use the service from “non-smart” gineer Maher Khelifi developed areas. Coptic priest sparks Ahmini to enable rural women to Most of Tunisia’s rural areas are access social and health coverage. out of the reach of internet access Khelifi said the target population and even mobile phone signals be- of the programme was mainly fe- cause neither the government nor male field workers. Ahmini is meant the private sector has invested in controversy in Egypt to allow them to access free health the infrastructure in those parts of services from the national health the country. So, how can the inhab- insurance fund for themselves and itants of digitally isolated regions their families. benefit from such applications? by calling on Christian Women in rural Tunisia will be In 1991, Tunisia became the first able to access the Tunisian Na- Arab country to connect to the in- tional Social Security Fund and ternet. It is also ranked third in Afri- pay monthly membership fees ca in terms of internet access. How- online. In the initial stage of the ever, internet speeds remain slow women to cover up programme, company agents are and there is no obvious intention to to contact, visit, register and train address this problem. rural women. Following that, mem- The telecommunications sector Amr Emam the Coptic Orthodox Church. The church said the campaign against bership fees could be paid through in Tunisia is lacking in services and church has angered followers on Lamei’s comments was being a phone application. coverage, despite the presence of many occasions, including on is- blown out of proportion. Those The Tunisian government signed two foreign operators — Ooredoo Cairo sues of marriage and divorce. churchgoers said the comments an agreement with Khelifi’s com- and Orange — in addition to nation- The church’s interference in were made as part of a church ser- pany as part of the implementation al operator Tunisie Telecom. hristian activists are accus- what women should wear is giving mon. of the National Strategy for Eco- The foreign telecommunications ing the Coptic Orthodox fear to Christian activists that it is “It is very normal for church nomic and Social Empowerment investors were expected to shore up Church of adopting ultra- becoming more restrictive. Some priests to ask the congregation of Women and Girls in Rural Areas governmental efforts to develop the C conservative mores after a activists said the church wants to during sermons to show fear from initiative. telecommunication and internet in- priest criticised the attire of some impose a specific way of life on its God,” said Christian liberal thinker Khelifi, a 32-year-old activist, frastructure and provide coverage women attending church services. members. Kamal Zakhir. “Priests view mem- said he came up with the idea of the in isolated areas of Tunisia. That The Reverend Daoud Lamei, “This is dangerous because the bers of the congregation as fam- project after watching how women has not been the case, however, as speaking during mass on April 28 church wants to convince people ily members or relatives, which is were travelling long distances in foreign investors focus on building — Coptic Easter — said some wom- the way of life it promotes and pi- why they advise them on issues search of work “and even begging their own infrastructures in urban en were only interested in inviting ety are two faces of the same coin,” that might seem personal to some farmers to employ them. They work areas, hardly touching rural areas. men’s attention by wearing reveal- said Christian researcher Ishaq people.” long hours with no protection from Such technical issues may affect ing clothes. Ibrahim. “Judging a woman’s de- Criticism of Lamei’s comments the rain, winds or extreme heat.” the Ahmini project but the applica- “It is deplorable that instead of gree of piety by what she wears is partly boils down to the similari- He pointed out that rural women tion is a glimmer of hope for many showing God that we respect this perilous.” ties they have with the culture in Tunisia contribute by a huge mar- female agricultural women who as- religious occasion, we are only in- Lamei was not the only one of Egypt’s Salafists, who call for gin to Tunisia’s food production and pire to better living conditions. terested in inviting people’s atten- to make such comments. Simi- women to be completely covered, yet they have no job guarantees or tion,” Lamei said. lar statements came from Coptic encourage the marriage of under- health coverage. Khelifi said there Hilmi Hammami is a Tunisia writer. He criticised women who wore priests throughout Egypt. age girls and say that women do clothes to church that showed Some priests, especially in Min- not have the right to be in deci- too much skin. Those visiting the ya province, began a campaign sion-making positions. church, Lamei said, should dem- against what they called “inappro- onstrate their fear of God. “None- priate clothes.” Called the “King’s theless, those wearing inappropri- Daughter,” the campaign encour- The church’s interference ate clothes prove that they do not ages Christian women to wear long in what women should fear God,” he added. sleeves and long dresses, especial- wear is giving fear to He said Christian men who al- ly during the summer. Christian activists that it low their wives to wear revealing Like other governorates in cen- is becoming more clothing would be punished by tral and southern Egypt, Minya restrictive. God, accusing those men of hav- is conservative, which is why the ing no authority over their wives, campaign is welcomed by many The comments alarm Ibrahim something that in Egypt’s culture female churchgoers. and others because, as he said, denotes weakness. Some Christian Orthodox priests they justify violations committed outside Egypt also welcomed against women in society, such as Christian researcher Lamei’s comments, including the sexual harassment, if they wear re- Ishaq Ibrahim Reverend Anthony Hanna of the vealing clothes. “Judging a woman’s degree Saint Mary and Saint Mina Coptic He accused priests of becoming of piety by what she wears is Orthodox Church in Concord, Cali- more conservative. The priests are perilous.” fornia. being influenced by the way the Hanna posted a video on Face- Egyptian society was developing, book supporting Lamei, saying he said, at least at a specific point Lamei’s comments became the that women show off their skin when Islamists were in control and centre of debates inside Chris- only to provoke men. “Churches tried to radicalise the whole soci- tian circles on what women are not made for fashion shows,” ety. should wear when attending Hanna said in the video. “We do “The priests want to impose re- church services and whether the not ask women to wear a veil but strictions on women and control Coptic Church was becoming we want to see them wearing ap- them,” Ibrahim said. “In doing more intrusive. propriate clothes.” this, they show that the influence Almost 90% of Egypt’s more Christians who are against re- of the Salafists is seeping into the Serious challenges. A Tunisian woman picks tomatoes in a field in than 10 million Christians follow vealing clothing being worn in the (Christian) church, too.” Menzel Mhiri in Kairouan. (AFP) 22 May 19, 2019 Culture Egyptian group reinventing stage productions

Marwa al-A’sar way, reflected the January 25, 2011, uprising that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Allouba Cairo said. “The general feel was there and the young people who sacri- hen the uprising broke ficed their lives for their homeland out in Egypt in Janu- were reflected to some extent in the ary 2011, celebrated so- performance,” she said. W prano Neveen Allouba The musical deals with the 1789 and opera director Mohamed Aboul French Revolution, which deposed Kheir felt an urge to revolutionise the monarchy, and has been trans- Egyptian arts as well. lated into several languages and Fabrica, a group that mostly per- performed around the world. Fab- forms international musicals trans- rica was invited by the American lated into colloquial Arabic, was Centre of Cairo to perform the Ara- created in 2013 to reinvigorate the bic version of “Les Miserables” and performance arts scene in Egypt, to tour New York, Washington, Bos- with a focus on musical theatre. ton and Vermont. “Egyptian audiences are not ac- Fabrica is not just a troupe per- customed to musicals. At the same forming songs and musicals, Al- time, the production of musical louba said. “Rather, it’s an educa- theatre costs a lot,” said Allouba, tional project for promising singers who is an adjunct professor of vo- as well as a podium for them to ex- cal pedagogy at the American Uni- press their talents,” she said. versity in Cairo and a professor at Fabrica started with 12 singers the Egyptian Academy of Arts. and has added ten more since its The first show by Allouba’s stu- inception. “We sometimes resort dents — before Fabrica officially to others from outside Fabrica, if began — was an Arabised version of needed, who have the necessary “The Magic Flute” opera by Mozart talent,” Allouba said. performed at Bibliotheca Alexan- One of the most popular perfor- dria. The production was translated mances of Fabrica is an adaptation by Sarah Anany. of the iconic 1960 Egyptian puppet Promising project. A sketch performed during “El Leila El Kebira.” (Fabrica) operetta “El Leila El Kebira” (“The Grand Night”) but in the case of Fabrica was created in 2013 Fabrica, humans played the roles that it’s a shame that such a master- for the group “but funding remains At Broadway, for example, shows to reinvigorate the of the puppets singing, acting and piece sinks into oblivion,” Allouba an obstacle as musicals usually are performed for several years,” performance arts scene in dancing. Fabrica added sketches said. require a lot of money to be pro- she added. Egypt, with a focus on and songs that were not present in “Fabrica’s performance of ‘El duced.” Allouba said “true talents are not musical theatre. the original “El Leila El Kebira.” Leila El Kebira’ was quite outstand- “We perform private shows that appreciated in Egypt.” “El Leila El Kebira” refers to cel- ing, depicting, to a great extent, the inject money to the group but this “They need the support of the ebrations on Mawlid an-Nabawi, original show,” said Heba Ahmed is not enough to produce musicals state. I was once a member of the Things really got under way af- the observance of Prophet Moham- after seeing the performance at El of our own,” Allouba said. “To pro- Cairo Opera Company and I found terward and the group was found- mad’s birthday. It was written by Sawy Cultural Wheel in Cairo dur- duce musicals, we need a theatre out that singers turned into civil ed, performing “Les Miserables,” late poet Salah Jaheen, directed by ing Ramadan. allocated specially for us, suitably servants rather than artists. An art- based on French novelist Victor Salah El Sakkah with music written “Costumes to a great extent fit equipped for the shows and where ist/civil servant stops being creative Hugo’s masterpiece, in its inaugural by Sayed Mekawy. the general mood of the show,” she we can have performances lasting with no inclination or incentives to show. The musical, also translated “As a puppet show, it was very said. for months, not days.” perfect the job,” she said. by Anany, was well-received by au- popular in the past but we realised Allouba said she hoped there “We also need special costumes, diences and critics. that the younger generations don’t could be original performances decor, an orchestra, singers, actors, Marwa al-A’sar is a Cairo-based “Les Miserables,” in a certain know much about it. We thought written and composed especially a director and assistant directors. journalist. The Tunisian college of philosophy is born

Roua Khlifi High hopes. founding group of the Tunis Col- Tunisian lege of Philosophy, expressed en- Cultural Affairs thusiasm about the project. Tunis Minister “The Tunis College of Philoso- Mohamed Zine phy is a source of pride for the Tu- he Tunisian academic and El Abidine (2nd nisian thinking and a tribute to the cultural communities have L) attends the philosophical works that are still welcomed the Tunis Col- inauguration fighting against all forms of obscu- T lege of Philosophy, which of the Tunis rantism,” he said. “The Tunis Col- was founded to promote philoso- College of lege of Philosophy is a space where phy in Tunisia and to function as a Philosophy in all the philosophical movements, forum for intellectual and cultural Ksar Said Palace with no exclusion, can merge. It exchange of the subject. in the Tunis is also a place where arts, letters, The Tunis College for Philoso- suburb of Le humanities, science and technol- phy, in Ksar Said Palace in the Bardo. ogy can unite in collective partici- Tunis suburb of Le Bardo, opened (Tunis College of pation for national debate around at the end of April with a lecture Philosophy) issues of national interest.” by college President Abdelwahab The group who contributed to Bouhdiba, who spoke on “Philoso- the college’s establishment includ- phy and the Crisis of Culture.” ed Tunisian philosophers Zeineb “I think that philosophy in Tu- Cherni, Hamid Ben Aziza, Moham- nisia has reached an important ed Ali Halouani and Rachida Triki. level of responsibility. It repre- The Tunis College of Philosophy sents a permanent questioning of seeks to implement a new vision the mind in a quest for better un- of philosophy by bridging the dis- derstanding our mistakes to better Philosophy for the Arab world. had dwindled during a trend that philosophy in schools and was tance between thinkers and soci- prospect the future. My presence Professor Mohamed Mahjoub, one favours science over the humani- taught by great teachers. ety. to discuss the most crucial issue, of the Tunis College of Philosophy ties. He said the college would “The second phase, however, “Philosophy has a long tradition that of the crisis of culture, is for founders, expressed satisfaction at provide a forum to reflect Tunisia’s marked regression of philosophy’s in Tunisia. It dates to Roman times me a great pleasure,” Bouhdiba the realisation of a project of acad- history of teaching philosophy. importance during the 2000s, and foundation of Carthage,” Mah- said. emicians. which can be attributed to the joub said. “This history of Tunisia Tunisian Cultural Affairs Minis- “During a conference organised Professor Mohamed dominance of politics, which is rich with philosophical figures ter Mohamed Zine El Abidine said by the UNESCO Chair for Philoso- Mahjoub, one of the sought to minimise the impor- such as Saint Augustine, who lived Tunis College of phy, in which I was one of the or- tance and place of philosophy in the College of Philosophy would Philosophy founders in Carthage, but we need to rede- “represent a place of convergence ganisers, the minister announced education. We are still trying to fine philosophy. For instance, a for the philosophical and intellec- the project, which was met with The school’s programme is to restore the place of philosophy but thinker like Kheireddine Pacha is tual efforts made by the Tunisian enthusiasm,” he said. “The vi- include monthly conferences, there is this social trend of thought a philosopher in the sense he pro- thinkers and philosophers.” sion wasn’t clear at the time and a meetings with philosophers, that thwarts these efforts.” duced thoughts. We can speak of a The school’s programme is to in- group of us who were participants lectures on philosophy and Mahjoub explained that the pro- historical school.” clude monthly conferences, meet- at the conference began to work on presentations of philosophical ject would be an opportunity to Mahjoub said he hopes the in- ings with philosophers, lectures the idea. works. restore the importance of philoso- stitution will leave an intellectual on philosophy and presentations “It reflected many of the hopes phy on the academic level only and mark on Tunisia. of philosophical works. It is also and dreams that we have been call- “Philosophy in Tunisia went give it impetus as part of social and “The Tunisian university pro- to house a library specialised in ing for. It was like a dream then. We through two phases,” he said. “The cultural life. duced generations of philoso- philosophy. The Tunis College of decided it should be in the form of first phase coincided with the “It needs to reach everyone and phy teachers and academics but Philosophy will offer awards for a an institute but we didn’t want it to building of a new state under (Tu- change the way people see phi- can we talk of a Tunisian school philosophy work, best published be like a school or a university. It is nisian President Habib) Bourgui- losophy. There was a generation of thought? That is our hope by essay and best doctoral thesis. more of a forum to address the is- ba, which gave importance to the that was raised on philosophy and founding this institute,” he said. The institute’s opening came af- sues of philosophy.” teaching of philosophy. That gen- another generation that consid- ter a year of consideration among Mahjoub said the role of the in- eration was raised on philosophi- ered philosophy as secondary and Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel the members of the scientific stitution was to bring attention to cal thinking and critical eye as they socially irrelevant,” Mahjoub said. and Culture contributor to council for the UNESCO Chair for philosophy because the subject gave importance to the subject of Fathi Triki, a member of the The Arab Weekly. May 19, 2019 23 Culture Interview For Iraqi playwright Farouk Sabri, Arab theatre has a mission

years ago. He said that exile, This project is an attempt to despite its evils, gave him change the scriptural and opportunities for reflection and cinematic structure of the Sherif al-Shafei freedom that playwrights in monodrama, to move beyond the some Arab countries do not have. usual monodrama model based “Through the performances I on the narration of past events by arouk Sabri is one of gave inside and outside Iraq, I one actor, who recreates the the knights of tried to highlight the sweet drama’s characters but does not modernity in Arab hustle of freedom that is deep dwell on their present. In the theatre, touching all inside me. In doing [my plays], I sequential monodrama, the past, aspects of the field realised that there is no sacred present and future are all — playwright, actor, besides what is creative and represented. director, producer shocking,” said Sabri. Thus, the mono-dynamic Fand critic. Through his attendance of narrative of the monodrama is He left his native Iraq 40 years performances in the Middle East changed and the same story is ago but his New Zealand resi- and North Africa, Sabri said he told by two or more characters in dency has not prevented him noticed the emergence of a new separate and successive ways from being at the heart of the class of artists able to free using different and conflicting Arab cultural scene, whether themselves from the shackles of discourses. In this way, the through his plays such as “The politics and stereotypical audience remains alert, with Red Rose,” “The Princes of Hell” models. many questions going through and “Questions of the Execu- However, “there are still the viewers’ mind during and tioner and the Victim,” with his people who brandish the sword after the performance. theory of “sequential mono- of proscription and taboos,” he In the Arab world, theatre has drama” or through his participa- said, “and these do not necessar- always been the king of arts tion in conferences and festivals ily come from the pits of politics. because it has been daring in in the region. They are also called playwrights, broaching taboo topics in politics Amid groundbreaking devel- unfortunately, especially in and social reform. It has opments in acting and writing in Iraq.” exploited the small margin of Iraqi theatre — and Arab theatre Despite its overwhelming freedom it enjoys to knock down in general — that shook the aspects of modernity, Sabri’s A knight of modernity. Iraqi playwright Farouk Sabri. walls of conservatism and delineations of the genre and theatre experience does not seem (Courtesy of Farouk Sabri) censorship. Sabri said this aspect developments in contemporary completely cut off from its Iraqi of theatre is part of its nature theatre in the Western world, and Arab roots. It is open to the because theatre is the twin of life Farouk Sabri stands out. He is experiences of theatre pioneers through its festival, Sharjah is spaces into death wards. itself. one of the engines of excellence and innovators in Iraq and the seeking to become the hub of “I did not stop at my own Sabri insisted that theatre and progress towards a different Arab world. theatrical creativity coming from reading of the significance of the cannot be framed in a delineated future in theatre and liberation Sabri said he has been keeping the region. swing and I went ahead and specific definition. It is compre- from stereotypes and narrow up with developments in Iraqi Sharjah teaches theatre in its researched it in history until I hensive, diversified, always in frameworks. and Arab theatre and has noted primary schools and through came across a Roman emperor motion and mutation and always Sabri told The Arab Weekly the interference, interaction and colleges and universities. “I hope who had had dozens of swings set alive, like life. that he has been passionate continuity between the various that the sultan of Sharjah theatre up in his country’s forest and had Its rites make use of music, about innovation and going generations of Iraqi playwrights, will make them spaces freed of the peasants who rebelled against dance and the body, while words against the grain since his who, despite differences between the usual taboos and familiar him hanged on them.” and songs embrace the colours of graduation from the Department their eras, have used theatre as a no-nos,” quipped Sabri. Sabri said his “sequential the stage lights and decors. The of Theatre and Cinema at the space of research, discovery and “In my experiments with the monodrama” project was a stage represents a space for Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad innovation. sequential monodramatic text theoretical text of the truth. Its revealing what is hidden and for in 1974. He cited the experience of Iraqi (‘Questions of the Executioner title was the creation of Anbari, raising questions. Sabri worked with the Syrian playwright Jawad al-Assadi, and the Victim’), by playwright who wrote three monodramas for To achieve its mission, theatre National Theatre before moving describing him as “a steed racing Sabah al-Anbari at the Toronto the project that Sabri started in requires excellent text, a cultured to Auckland, New Zealand. He with and battling the winds of the Show, and in the same show 2011. director and a multidimensional has participated in theatre in the times. There was no lull in his titled ‘Manicanat’ performed in In 2016, the project came out as and cultured team of performers. Netherlands, Denmark and other creative genius and, for almost Baghdad, I used swings on the a play, “The Executioner and the Sabri said “It is only through European countries. His play half a century, Assadi continued stage and turned them into Victim,” that Sabri performed in the art of theatre that we can “The Red Rose” was performed to innovate while sculpting his places where the executioner Toronto and then as “Manicanat,” escape oppression to a world of in Erbil, Iraq, and his plays aesthetic and intellectual vision tortures his victims,” Sabri said. performed in Baghdad in 2017. A freedom and can start to connect toured Basra, Baghdad, Sharjah on the stage, his Garden of Eden.” “What I did here was reverse third performance is in the with people and their lives, with and many other Arab cities. Sabri Theatre festivals, especially the symbolism of the swing from pipeline. It is to be based on three their problems, their frustrations is an unavoidable reference in those in Sharjah, play a vital role an expression of love and child sequential monodramatic texts and their dreams.” modern Arab theatre. in enriching the Arab theatrical innocence to a tool for the titled “Eve” written by Tunisian Sabri said he did not choose to scene with performances and cruelty of executioners, who playwright and director Naoufel Sherif al-Shafei is an Egyptian leave Iraq but was forced to it 40 discussions. Sabri said that, have transformed aesthetic Rayene. writer. Photographer sees ‘gems’ waiting to be captured in Saudi Arabia

Omar Ali al-Badawi love for photography. the wilderness of the desert outside He said any picture taken by any- Riyadh and of the sea in Jeddah, the one can become “the best” if they opportunities for diversity in nature Riyadh tweak a few technical details, such in the two cities are very limited. as location, angle or timing. “Some- Both cities, however, offer plenty of audi photographer Faisal times a small change can lead to a other themes for photography, like Almalki has participated in much better result,” Almalki said. architectural and urban features, more than 15 exhibitions out- A few years ago, a British maga- street life and much more.” S side and inside Saudi Arabia. zine asked Almalki for a cover photo Almalki said he likes to visit and Three years ago, he had his first solo for its special issue about Ramadan. document many sites. He’s par- exhibition in Jeddah and is now pre- An important event in the lives of ticularly fond of photographing the paring for a new exhibition. Muslims, like all other major and Great Mosque of Mecca, the historic Power of the eyes. An untitled photograph by Faisal Almalki. (Al Arab) Almalki won the most prestigious repetitive occasions, can be turned sites of Madain Saleh and the old award at the 2009 Masters Cup Col- into an artistic product. So it was a section of Jeddah, Al-Balad. our Awards in Los Angeles, compet- challenge for Almalki to come up He documented the expansion of Saudi Arabia are “way over what can take an interesting picture any- ing with a select group of top pho- with an angle that hasn’t been tried al-Madinah al-Munawara and par- one can imagine,” he said. where, especially in his immediate tographers from around the world. before but the Saudi photographer ticipated in producing a photogra- “There are gems of artefacts, environment. Almalki’s victory was among a was in no hurry to find the right im- phy book about architecture in the heritage and natural wonders eve- “There are plenty of themes and series of achievements at the inter- age. Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. In- rywhere in Saudi Arabia that have places around us. We live in a beau- national level. He was the first Arab “Although the final picture was ternationally, Almalki has focused never been heard of, before being tiful mix of cities and nature, of the photographer to win the award for simple at first glance and it took on the United States, where two of discovered and documented by old and the new, heritage and devel- Fine Art Photographer of The Year, less than an hour to shoot, finding his upcoming exhibitions are sched- Saudi photographers and, yet, much opment, all of which create oppor- IPA, New York (2008), PDN’s World the idea for the picture requested uled. is still waiting there to be photo- tunities for creative ideas for new in Focus Prize (2008, 2009, 2011, by the British magazine took me Almalki said the historic section graphed,” Almalki said. and outstanding photos,” he said. 2013), and Best Portrait Photogra- three weeks of thinking and prepa- of Jeddah needs more attention. “We have an advantage over the Almalki, whose works have been pher Award at PX3 international rations,” Almalki said. “Photogra- “It got some attention lately but it rest of the countries of the world published in major magazines and competition in Paris (2008). phy is not an easy task. It’s not just needs more investments to trans- since we don’t have a very devel- photography books has become in A graduate of the Department a faint flash coming out of an easy- form it from just a beloved old space oped tourism industry in Saudi Ara- demand in England, France, Aus- of Marketing at King Fahd Univer- to-use tool.” to a real internationally known her- bia. Many sites are still unknown tria, Luxembourg, Turkey, Qatar and sity of Petroleum and Minerals, Asked whether living in large cit- itage and touristic treasure,” he and pristine, a golden opportunity Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Almalki has been working in adver- ies such as Riyadh and Jeddah de- said. for any photographer.” tising and marketing for ten years prived him of nature and its beauty, The spots that deserve to be for- Almalki described the success- Omar Ali al-Badawi is a Saudi and that’s where he developed his Almalki said: “With the exception of ever celebrated in photography in ful photographer as someone who journalist. 24 May 19, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Tunis: Through May 31

The 37th Tunis Medina Festival takes place in the Municipal Theatre of Tunis, Dar Lasram, Dar Hussein, Tahar Haddad Club and the new Opera Hall of the Culture City. The festival includes con- certs by Salatin al-Tarab, Amina Srarfi troupe, Leila Hjaiej, Lotfi Bouchnak and others.

Beirut: Through June 1

The Laugh Story Comedy Show takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Royal Hotel. The programme features comedians A partial view of such as Tony Abou Jaoude, Hi- the Twin Towns Park cham Haddad, Bonita Saade and in Mohammedia. Jad Bou Karam. (wikimedia) Amman: Through June 5

Ramadan at The Boulevard is an event that features artisanal Morocco’s Mohammedia offers products exhibitions, traditional food, live entertainment, music and children’s workshops. calm and flowers in Ramadan Dubai: Through June 8

Faisal Abdul Hassan tors come to the city, with double “Whispers from the Past” is a that number in summer.” showcase of works by Mohsen In the late afternoon during Ram- Khanji, an Aleppo-born philoso- pproaching Mohammedia adan, the coastline at Mohammedia pher who brings Arabic letters in Morocco from the sea, is overrun with amateur fishermen and subjects to life before his travellers see its beautiful and their equipment. Moroccans viewer’s eyes. Using various A beaches, full of activity like to fish to pass the difficult hours colours, textures and techniques, and where residents and visitors of fasting near the end of daylight. Khanji creates pieces full of spend the cool evenings during Many families in Mohammedia metaphors and symbolism. The Ramadan. break their fast by eating at one of exhibition is on display at Le Mohammedia’s beaches are the dozens of seafood restaurants Patio, Habtoor Palace Dubai. among the most beautiful on Mo- that dot the city’s corniche. After rocco’s Atlantic Ocean coast, at- dinner, seaside cafes open for the Marrakech: tracting beachgoers and holiday- night, enticing customers seeking a June 12-16 makers in the spring and summer. leisurely calm evening. They are characterised by soft Visitors arriving at Mohamme- Founded by Jamel Debbouze, Le waves. dia by train find themselves in a Marrakech du Rire is a comedy Hotels, camping grounds and beautifully landscaped park with festival that brings together ac- residential complexes line the coast hundreds of flowers as soon as they tors from around the world. for 20km. From the sea, the city step out of the train station. Mo- looks like a lush garden guarded hammedia is 67km away by train Oman: by tall palm trees. One can also see from Rabat and 20km from Casa- During June and July new buildings, resorts, houses and blanca. furnished apartments for rent. Pan- Next to the park is the old town of Taking place annually in Dhofar (Al Arab) ning further, the port facilities and Mohammedia with its casbah and A view of the beach in the city of Mohammedia. province, the Salalah Tourism the huge oil storage tanks of SAMIR 200-year-old White Mosque. The Festival hosts street shows, oil company are visible. mosque is popular with women af- sistance. Right before breaking fast, dia also offers fans of elite sports concerts, games, fireworks, cul- flicted with infertility who travel workers at the seafood restaurants proper facilities to participate in tural activities and food stalls for Mohammedia offers fans from all over Morocco to pray there lining both sides of the road in the horseback riding, golf, archery, ten- locals and tourists. for a child. casbah solicit passers-by to have a nis, paragliding, water skiing and of elite sports proper The clay ramparts of the Moham- seat for a delicious seafood meal. windsurfing all year long. Rabat: facilities to participate media casbah date to the eighth Hassan Amili, a researcher spe- Ayoub Neji, 27, a visitor from the June 21-29 in horseback riding, golf, century. The great wall has four cialising in Mohammedia history, United Arab Emirates said he was archery, tennis, gates. The city’s two main parks said: “The port of Mohammedia is invited to participate in an eques- The 18th Mawazine Festival paragliding, water — al-Misbahiyat Park and the Sis- one of the best three natural mari- trian race at the Royal Equestrian takes place in Rabat and features skiing and windsurfing ter Cities Park — amaze visitors nas in Morocco, with the ports of Club Lalla Soukaina of Mohamme- international and local musical all year long. with landscapes and the variety of Mazagan and Makador, on the At- dia during his spring vacation. It performances. flowers and colours, especially in lantic Ocean. It is a preferred area was his second visit to the city. Ibrahim al-Zakari, 45, a tour guide spring, giving off a nice scent that for recreation because of its mild “I chose this city on the recom- We welcome submissions of in Mohammedia, said: “there are can be detected even before getting climate in summer and winter with mendation of my Moroccan friends calendar items related to more than 100 hotels in Moham- there. During Ramadan, the parks temperatures ranging 10-22 degrees living in the UAE,” Neji said. “I have cultural events of interest to media, including 34 family hotels, are popular with fasters looking for Celsius. It also has natural water found it to be a truly quiet coastal travellers in the Middle East 47 hotels with swimming pools, 30 a quiet spot to rest. springs covering most of the region.” city and its people are really friend- and North Africa. coastal hotels, 20 economy hotels Local residents, extremely Because of these springs, the ly with foreigners.” and 12 hotels dedicated to people friendly with foreigners, greet visi- mountainous areas around Mo- Please send tips to: with disabilities and special needs. tors to Mohammedia with a smile hammedia have become a favourite Faisal Abdul Hassan is an Iraqi [email protected] “Every day, more than 5,000 visi- and readily offer guidance and as- camping destination. Mohamme- writer.

A view of the prefecture of Mohammedia in Morocco. (wikimedia) A Moroccan vendor sells flowers from his stall in Mohammedia. (Al Arab)