IT Social Syrian refugees Third media not going home anniversary anytime soon issue Page 20 Page 21 Page 6

UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com Issue 153, Year 4 April 22, 2018 EU €2.50 Facing mounting What will elections in challenges, Iran MENA change?

number of countries mobilises its in North Africa and the Middle East will be having national and local elections in proxies in Syria theA period ahead. On May 6, Lebanon will have its first legislative elections in Ed Blanche Another key element in Tehran’s many years. The same day, Tuni- thinking, veteran observers of the sians will vote in their first mu- Middle East’s serpentine affairs say, nicipal elections since the fall of Beirut is that Supreme Leader Ayatollah the Ben Ali regime. Ali Khamenei has long been con- On May 12, Iraq will elect the little-known Iran-backed vinced that the Americans want members of its council of repre- Shia group calling itself to eradicate the clerical regime in sentatives who will be picking the Baqir Brigade has Tehran. the president and the prime min- declared “jihad” on US The return of Bolton, a former ister. forces in Syria. US ambassador to the United Na- Elections will not resolve the AThe declaration April 6 was eight tions, only strengthens that convic- region’s complex problems but days before US President Donald tion, the sources say. the rate of voter participation Trump ordered a barrage of 105 Recent events in Syria, including and gender representation, as missiles unleashed against Syrian the April 14 missile barrage, have well as the political balance that President Bashar Assad’s chemical fuelled Tehran’s urge to rely even the polls are likely to yield, will weapons arsenal. more on its army of diverse Shia be revealing of the forces at play The brigade’s move, however, groups. in each country. is seen as the precursor of a coun- That may already have started It remains to be seen to what trywide mobilisation by Tehran of and could intensify as the foreign extent even transparent elec- its proxies, especially against the powers in Syria — the United States, tions serve citizens’ long-term United States, at a time of increased Russia, Turkey and regional states — freedom of choice. In Turkey, for wariness by Iran over mounting scramble to adjust, each on its own instance, President Recep Tayyip challenges from the United States terms, to Trump’s pre-dawn assault Erdogan has called for snap elec- and the West and its growing diver- on Syria’s illegal chemical weapons tions in June, which could, ironi- gences with regional powers, such arsenal with 105 cruise missiles cally, enable him to tighten his as Turkey. fired by aircraft and naval forces in grip on power until 2028. The declaration by the Baqir the Mediterranean and the Arabian Brigade and similar groups could Gulf. Pages 12-14 contain ignite a war within a war that could Ironically, Russia’s attitude the first of our series on wreak a new wave of havoc on em- after the strikes has shown it to Youth factor. Young Tunisians look at lists of candidates for the MENA elections. battled Syria and provoke region- be less interested than Tehran municipal elections in the city of Ariana. (AP) wide consequences, including a in a showdown with the United long-brewing Iran-Israel conflict. States. Such recent developments The emergence of the Baqir Bri- are likely to accentuate Tehran’s gade, with its logo of a clenched concerns about being left alone to New generation of Emirati women fist holding aloft an AK-47 that’s al- fend for its regional strategy of ex- most identical to that of the Islamic pansion. Revolutionary Guard Corps and On April 5, an ostensibly pro- is breaking down social barriers Hezbollah, appears to have been Assad militia calling itself the a deliberate attempt to upgrade Popular Resistance in the Eastern Iran’s military presence in Syria Region claimed a rocket attack on Caline Malek “I got some pushback from platforms was a coincidence at first and provide additional firepower US forces. The next day, the Baqir some people but it’s very normal,” but I noticed it was very necessary as expansionist Iran pursues its Brigade declared “jihad” on Amer- she said. “It doesn’t make anyone because our country needs people long-term objectives in Syria. icans and their allies in Syria. Abu Dhabi right or wrong, we just see life dif- who are well aware of what the so- Tehran, which has recruited “These and other cases indicate ferently. People abroad were sur- ciety and community needs,” she large numbers of Shia militants that the so-called ‘pro-Assad’ Shia espite old-school ste- prised when they would see me said. “I want to carry the UAE’s from Syria as well as Pakistan, Af- militias are increasingly march- reotypes of women in but I’m the kind of person who message to the world: We’re a ghanistan and Iraq, has played a ing to [Iran’s] tune, presenting an the Middle East and the lives my life and I try to be a thick- young country but we’re not be- disproportionate part in the war, even greater threat to US and al- role they play in society, skinned person, so I don’t care hind.” fighting alongside Assad’s men to lied interests,” Phillip Smyth of young Emirati females who looks at me.” She said Emirati women were keep his harsh regime in power. the Washington Institute for Near Dare breaking down barriers and proud, especially given how high It may be that the timing of East Policy observed in an April 12 leading the country and the region Bakhita al-Muhairi, the UAE ranks in its gender distri- the Baqir Brigade’s declaration is analysis. into a new era of modernisation. Emirati commercial pilot bution in different sectors. linked to the fate of the landmark These and other Shia groups From pilots to engineers and “People abroad were Many women blame Western July 2015 agreement between Iran that are springing up are increas- pioneers in renewable energy and surprised when they media for the flawed portrayal of and the Obama administration cur- ingly controlled by Iran’s Islamic diplomacy, women are single- would see me.” their image. “Bits and pieces might tailing Tehran’s contentious nucle- Revolutionary Guard Corps and handedly putting the United Arab have been added in the past with- ar programme. espousing Ayatollah Ruhollah Emirates on the map. Much has improved for women out being checked or reviewed,” Trump has bitterly denounced Khomeini’s ideology of Islamic “We get a lot of support from in the Middle East, especially in a said Aysha al-Remeithi, a 22-year- the deal and wants to tear it up. rule. our government, especially when country such as the UAE, which old Emirati who started out as an German Chancellor Angela Merkel There has been friction, ideo- it comes to choosing our career,” created the Gender Balance Coun- engineer specialising in sustain- and French President Emmanuel logical and military, between As- said Bakhita al-Muhairi, a 24-year- cil to help empower women in able and renewable energy. Macron will try to convince the sad’s forces and Hezbollah and its old Emirati commercial pilot in 2015. It also has more women in its “I see more women going up in US president during their upcom- allies since the Lebanese group the UAE. “Sheikh Mohammed bin government percentage-wise than this region because our govern- ing White House meetings to safe- went to Assad’s support in early Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of the United States, with almost 30% ment definitely pushes women guard the deal in exchange for the 2012. This has grown as Assad’s Dubai, said himself that your job of the UAE’s cabinet positions oc- forward,” she said. “Our minis- imposition of tighter sanctions on army fell apart and the Shias had doesn’t ask for your gender.” cupied by females. ter of youth is 22 and she went to Iran. to do most of the fighting. One of the youngest Emirati fe- Jawaher al-Mehairi, 25, became Oxford. That, in itself, shows the Nonetheless, “Tehran seems to Smyth noted ominously, how- male pilots in the country, Muhairi another example when she was country’s forward thinking.” believe that President Trump will ever, that “the forces gaining as- was confronted with surprised and selected as the UAE ambassador to kill the deal (in May), so it may start cendancy in regime-controlled confused reactions when she start- the UN Youth Assembly. Caline Malek is an Arab Weekly prepping its dormant nuclear fa- areas will be more prone to sup- ed her career with Emirates Airline. “My presence on these contributor in Abu Dhabi. cilities, sowing divisions between porting Tehran’s foreign policy US allies or courting other global agenda instead of Assad’s.” powers,” observed Israeli analyst That augurs ill for Syria and Why Saudis need Omer Carmi, director of intelli- Assad’s shrunken regime. He is gence for the Israeli cyber-security in danger of being badly out-ma- to lift the veil on firm Sixgill. noeuvred by an expanding enemy Trump’s appointment of Iran that has long bided its time. heritage treasures uber-hawk John Bolton as his na- tional security adviser and the Ed Blanche is a regular equally hawkish Mike Pompeo contributor to The Arab Weekly. as secretary of state feed Teh- He has reported on the Middle ran’s wariness. Both men support East since 1967. ditching the historic 2015 agreement. P2-3,6-7 P23 2 April 22, 2018 Cover Story Syria strikes bring sound and fury but do not signify much

Simon Speakman Cordall

Tunis

ittle on the ground in Syria has changed follow- ing US, French and Brit- ish air strikes on Syrian targets implicated in the Lalleged chemical weapons attack on Douma. With the last rebel buses de- parting from Eastern Ghouta, nei- ther the shifting balance of power within Syria nor the territory and intentions of the war’s interna- tional protagonists has altered since the strikes. Russia retains its dominant po- sition across much of the coun- try and Iran’s proxies continue to mass near Israel’s border in south- eastern Syria. In the north, Turkey is consolidating the gains of its Op- eration Olive Branch and the Unit- ed States, supported by its Kurdish allies, maintains its increasingly reluctant occupation of the coun- try’s east. “Nothing has materially changed in Syria,” said Nicholas Heras, Middle East security fellow at the Centre for a New American Secu ­rity. “For all intents and pur- poses, President Trump and his sidekick [French President Emma- nuel] Macron made some grand proclamations, blew up some empty buildings and called it a victory. Searching for evidence. UN vehicles are seen outside the hotel where experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical “Meanwhile, the Assad govern- Weapons are staying in Damascus, on April 19. (AFP) ment and its allies still have most all of their war resources should they want to use them.” the strikes with a huge propagan- escalate the conflict provided As accusations of evidence tam- Western action. Within hours of the strikes, da victory. He can now say that he Russia, the regime and Iran with a pering in Douma grow, what took Chlorine causes significant res- loyalists in Damascus were on the stared down Trump, Macron and propaganda victory. They have por- place on April 7 may never be con- piratory problems, particularly in streets voicing support for the re- (British Prime Minister Theresa) trayed the West as acting ineffec- firmed. The only experts to have vis- children and the elderly. Fatalities gime. In Moscow, which both the May,” Heras said. tively, while disputing that a chemi- ited the scene have been the Russian from exposure to it are typically British and the French said was “President Trump gave the Re- cal attack in Douma even took place. inspectors, who entered Douma on limited. Sarin, however, causes notified ahead of the attack, talk sistance Axis a prestige bump with April 9 and subsequently claimed to uncontrollable muscle spasms, was of Western “aggression.” Ira- the strikes. The entire episode have found no evidence of chemical making breathing impossible and nian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali sends yet another signal to Russia Nicholas Heras, weapons’ use. causing the breakdown of other Middle East security Khamenei promised that “they will and Iran and the wider interna- fellow at the Centre for a In the West, discussion of the al- bodily functions, including the gain no benefit; just as they did not tional community that Trump is New American Secu­rity leged chemical attack shifted from discharge of bodily fluids. It is while in Iraq, Syria and Afghani- all hype when it comes to his stat- the regime’s use of sarin to chlorine widely regarded as being among “For all intents and purposes, stan, over the past years, commit- ed goal to stop Assad. There is no gas. While its effects are horrific, the worst of the chemical weapons President Trump and his ting the same criminal acts.” substance to the administration’s chlorine is in a different classifica- within Assad’s arsenal. sidekick Macron made some Perhaps the greatest beneficiary Syria policy beyond the obvious tion than sarin because of its com- grand proclamations, blew up of the Western strikes was in the one, which is to knock the crap out mercial applications and has been Simon Speakman Cordall some empty buildings, and Presidential Palace of Damascus. of [the Islamic State].” used by the regime throughout the is Syria/Lebanon section editor called it a victory.” “Bashar Assad emerged from Western reluctance to further conflict, without giving cause to with The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint Tehran’s mission accomplished!

S President Donald Syria but it is that of Iran. subject to the whims of Iran’s points as the supreme leader in Trump’s “Mission The day after the Western rulers. Khamenei assured his his public address the same day. Accomplished” strikes on Syria, Iranian Supreme audience that Iran’s obligation to It was hard to escape the no- Ali Alfoneh tweet about the co- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defend the meek did not equal tion that both men were perfectly ordinated US, Brit- addressed regime officials and Iranian expansionism. happy with the outcome of the ish and French mili- envoys of Islamic countries. It “Iran’s presence in Syria and air raids in Syria and why ever Utary operation against targets in was mab’ath, the day the Prophet in West Asia (is) to assist ‘the not? The strikes were limited, Syria was criticised and ridiculed Mohammad received his first resistance,’ which was against with hardly any casualties and in the United States and abroad revelation, and Khamenei began injustice,” he said. “The front of did not challenge the military but there is some truth in it. A by attempting to link the divine resistance has, thanks to the as- superiority of the Assad regime mission is nearly accomplished in revelation to Iran’s military pres- sistance provided it and because and of his allies in Tehran and ence in Syria. of the bravery of Syrian forces, Moscow. The Muslim ummah, he said, managed to prevail in the fight Tehran is closer than ever to needed to believe in “the mes- against terrorists created by achieving its mission in Syria. sage of mab’ath, which is mono- the United States, the West and It has an overland corridor that theism. When we believe in it, their mercenaries such as Saudi connects to its allied Lebanese we will not tolerate injustice and [Arabia].” Hezbollah on the shores of the (we will) defend the meek. This Going on to denounce the Mediterranean. It has opened a is why the Islamic Republic is leaders of the United States, the low-intensity front on the Syria/ present wherever there are meek United Kingdom and France as Israel border to deter Israeli air people in need of support.” “criminals,” Khamenei spelled raids. Khamenei, however, did not out the moral of the story: “Ex- Trump may try to present mention Syria’s meekest perience teaches us that retreat himself as the protector of Syr- people — the civilian casualties of invites further aggression and ian President Bashar Assad’s the Assad regime’s use of chemi- resistance forces them to retreat.” defenceless civilian victims but cal weapons. He ended with the hope that the the realities on the ground show “Defending the meek” is en- “nations of Iraq, Afghanistan, it is Iran that may soon be saying shrined in Article 154 of the Ira- Syria, innocent Palestine, Myan- “mission accomplished.” nian Constitution and provides mar and the people of Kashmir the legal foundation of Tehran’s will force their enemies to retreat Ali Alfoneh is a non-resident Geostrategic game. Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami (C) attempts to export its revolution. in the not so distant future.” senior fellow at Rafik Hariri attending a meeting with Iraqi, Russian and Syrian officials in The actual definition of “de- Iranian President Hassan Centre for the Middle East at Baghdad, on April 19. (Iranian Defence Ministry) fending the meek,” however, is Rohani made many of the same the Atlantic Council. April 22, 2018 3 Syria Tensions flare in Manbij amid rising confusion

James Snell imperative. The MMC maintains that the city is vital to projecting the strength of the Kurdish federal pro- Cambrdige ject, Rojava, in Aleppo province. Turkish leaders argue those they he city of Manbij, in Alep- consider fronts for the PKK have no po governorate, has taken right to Manbij. Turkey maintains on uncommon impor- that the SDF had little right to take tance. Manbij falls within Manbij and has less to hold on to it territory controlled by the now. TKurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forc- Strategic decisions can no longer es (SDF), whose main component is be justified by their anti-ISIS expedi- the People’s Protection Units (YPG). ency. Turkey hopes it can convince The SDF is the primary proxy the United States that Manbij cannot of the United States in Syria. The remain in Kurdish hands. United States has defended SDF de- Kaan Ozguney, a Turkish ana- tachments and bases from attack by lyst, said via e-mail that the “PKK the forces of the Islamic State (ISIS) has a lot more leverage East of the and fighters allied to the regime of Euphrates River and, broadly speak- Bashar Assad. ing, has the ability to blackmail the Manbij is run by military and ci- U S .” vilian councils within the SDF, pri- Two Turkish campaigns — Op- marily the Manbij Military Council erations Euphrates Shield and Olive (MMC), nominally independent of Branch — have secured the country’s the YPG. border with Syria and captured sig- Turkey maintains that the MMC nificant territory from ISIS and the and the YPG are agents of the Kurd- YPG. istan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Those campaigns expanded is considered a terrorist organisa- Turkish influence and the power of tion by Turkey, the European Un- its rebel allies in Syria’s north. They ion and the United States. The PKK gave new impetus to Turkish threats has fought a guerrilla war against about overtaking Manbij, which be- Indecision. A US soldier sits on an armoured vehicle on a road leading to the front line with Turkey for years and is accused of came the target of pointed Turkish Turkey-backed fighters in Manbij in northern Syria. (AP) attempting to establish a statelet in rhetoric after the rapid capture of northern Syria from which it could Afrin from the YPG. chaos in US policy. The United to resist. little in concrete terms. With both conduct a campaign of terror inside This situation is the product of States largely backs the YPG and its Capitalising on any uncertainty, the SDF and the Turkish state con- Turkey. failures in the campaign against affiliates but periodically threatens a the Anadolu Agency, a news agency vinced of the justice of their claim ISIS, which, as the militants re- disruptive change in approach. run by the Turkish state, released to Manbij, the bases alone are un- treated and reconfigured into an Most recently, this has come information, presumably obtained likely to prevent disagreement and insurgency, lacked purpose and di- from the mouth of US President from the Pentagon, that the US possibly conflict. rection. Donald Trump, who said, in a cam- military would be building two new “A win-win scenario for the US Strategic decisions can Nominal allies against ISIS are paign-style rally, that he would like military bases near Manbij. The re- and Turkey with regards to an op- no longer be justified by now fighting each other. During to pull out of Syria entirely. He said port included details about the in- eration into Manbij should consti- Turkey’s Afrin offensive, SDF fight- this could happen soon. Even recent creased frequency of US-led patrols tute a broader agreement between their anti-ISIS ers defected to combat a NATO ally US action against the Assad regime near Manbij. Turkey and US beyond Manbij… expediency. of its American backer. Some SDF does not prove otherwise. Assessing pictures of bases, without [the] PKK… to hold off any militias, including Kurdish and Arab Trump’s announcement made Thomas Gibbons-Neff wrote in the insurgency and secure gains against groups, switched their focus from the situation around Manbij, al- New York Times: “The structures regime axis advances — assuming The SDF captured Manbij from fighting ISIS to fighting Turkey. ready contentious, more unstable. look much like the fighting posi- the US is there to stay,” Ozguney ISIS in 2016, after which it proved The US military reluctantly in There is a substantial US and inter- tions once seen in Iraq and Afghani- said. a point of contention among mem- March instituted what it called an national presence in the area, de- stan, which projected a clear mes- Whether US indecision and im- bers of the global coalition ranged “operational pause” in eastern Syr- terring Turkish action. Withdrawal sage: ‘We’re here for a while.’” pulsiveness can be overcome is a against the terror group. ia, during which ground operations would leave the road open for a But the American bases are wide- different matter. Both Turkey and the SDF see against ISIS halted. Turkish advance, which the SDF ly believed by regional actors to be control of Manbij as a strategic This was a product of general and others would not be equipped Potemkin by design, representing James Snell is a British journalist. Viewpoint US seeks Kurdish accommodation ahead of withdrawal

ore than two weeks with Trump. Defeating the jihadist to the Kurdish districts, pledged by of Turkish President Recep Tayyip after US President group, Muslim added, “will take a Trump’s fired Secretary of State Rex Erdogan jumping fully into the lap Donald Trump an- long time, maybe years and years. Tillerson last February. Kurds fear of the Russians. That explains why Sami Moubayed nounced his inten- They are not going to be finished so that Trump will also soon wiggle Trump announced the unilateral tion to withdraw easily.” out of an announced 2019 Pentagon decision to leave Syria without in- from Syria “very Part of that is true, of course, as budget, which allocates $550 million forming the United States’ Kurdish Msoon,” it is almost certain — unless ISIS makes a stunning comeback for the SDF. If that happens, the proxies. the president changes his mind — at an oil field and village in Deir Kurds are doomed. To give them some assurance, that it won’t be happening before ez-Zor and in the district of Qadam The rapid collapse of Kurdish de- however, Trump has halted a joint next autumn. near Damascus. It did it before in fences in Afrin, west of the Euphra- Turkish-US operation into Manbij, Speaking April 12 at a House the ancient city of Palmyra, which tes River, raised a serious question also west of the Euphrates, which Armed Services Committee hearing, they stormed back into, only to be at the White House, with Trump Tillerson had promised during a visit US Defence Secretary James Mattis defeated twice by the Russians. wondering where all the US money to Ankara last February. Tillerson said: “We need to keep the foot on What will happen if ISIS does and assistance went. had toyed with the idea of appeasing the neck of [the Islamic State] ISIS re-emerge in Deir ez-Zor or Raqqa? Trump has a soft spot for the the Turks with Manbij by displac- until we suffocate it.” Alternatively, What will be the fate of the 400 ISIS Kurdish warriors, who he sees as vi- ing its Kurdish community towards this could also mean “indefinitely.” prisoners held in Kurdish jails? If the tal allies in the war on terror. He ap- Qamishli and Hasakah. This grace period, whether until 2,000 US military personnel leave by preciates their performance against Trump disapproved, given that it November or longer, would give all October or November, there is a high ISIS since 2014 and had genuinely was the SDF and YPG that had liber- stakeholders room to manoeuvre in chance that the Russians, the Syr- wanted to reward them by propping ated the strategic city from ISIS in post-US north-eastern Syria while ians and the Turks — or all of them up a semi-autonomous Kurdish state 2016. He has four military stations in searching for allies to fill the US combined — would march across the in the Syrian north. Manbij and, rather than hand it over vacuum — if it happens. The Rus- Euphrates to dismantle the self-pro- He soon realised, however, that to the Turks, as Erdogan has been sians are beaming, of course, and so claimed Kurdish administration. the entire neighbourhood would say asking, he is planning to establish a are the Iranians, the Turks and the The United States has already no and so would his top generals, fifth base, near the Naemeh farms Syrians, all ready to fill the giant hole backed out on a $200 million advising against crossing Turkey of its countryside, giving ample left by the Americans. reconstruction fund commitment and having to face the consequences assurance to the Kurds that the The biggest losers, no doubt, Americans are still there — for would be the Kurds of Syria who now — and that withdrawing “very have relied exclusively on US sup- soon” doesn’t necessarily mean port for their futuristic projects abandoning the Kurds completely. in the country. Bedran Ciya Kurd, The assurance was made despite a member of the Kurdish self- the fact that, on the day of Trump’s proclaimed government in north- announcement, one US serviceman eastern Syrian told the Washington was killed in Manbij, the second to Post that any abrupt US withdrawal fall since US troops entered the Syr- “would be a disaster” and that “even ian conflict in 2014. ordinary people in the street will At their recent summit in Ankara, consider it a betrayal.” Russian President Vladimir Putin The rapid collapse Trump’s announcement raised and Iranian President Hassan Rohani of Kurdish red flags at the headquarters of the made it clear to Erdogan that he People’s Protection Units (YPG) would be getting his share of Tal defences in Afrin, and the Syrian Democratic Forces Rifaat, north of Aleppo, but that any west of the (SDF). Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim, Turkish ambitions for Manbij were who commands the Democratic off the table — yet another assurance Euphrates River, Union Party, has hinted that, if the to the Kurds. raised a serious United States walks out, ISIS would question at the re-emerge in towns and cities east of Negotiated withdrawal. Fighters from the US-backed Syrian Sami Moubayed is a Syrian the Euphrates River. Such a state- Manbij Military Council stand next to a US Humvee at an outpost, historian and author of “Under White House. ment aims at striking a raw nerve north of Manbij. (AP) the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). 4 April 22, 2018 Spotlight Arab Summit Arab summit denounces Iran’s Viewpoint ‘blatant interference’ in the region, Khairallah Khairallah re-endorses Arab Peace Initiative The Dhahran summit reflected realism of the new Arab world hen Saudi King Iraq and Lebanon because those Salman bin Ab- two countries were present during dulaziz Al Saud the summit but it is obvious the titled the 29th statement applies to them as well. Arab League Iran-backed militias in Iraq and summit in Lebanon are doing their best to WDhahran, Saudi Arabia, “Jerusalem hinder progress on all fronts. Summit,” he was perfectly aware The summit did not fail to men- of what that meant. tion Iran’s illegal occupation since An Arab League summit was 1971 of the three Emirati islands of needed to call things by their Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu names instead of falling in the Musa. The summit “reiterated the Iranian trap of using the Jerusalem UAE’s sovereignty over its three crisis to embarrass the Arab world. islands” and expressed support The Iranian regime has been bran- for “the UAE’s efforts to reclaim dishing the slogan of “liberating them.” It called on “Iran to accept Jerusalem” since 1979. What has it the UAE’s initiative for a peaceful achieved? solution to the crisis through di- The answer is simple: Iran has rect negotiations or by resorting to done all it can to serve the Israeli the International Court of Justice.” project. It rests on continuously United stance. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) and Saudi Foreign Minister pushing the deception that Arabs Adel al-Jubeir attend a press conference at the end of the Arab summit in Dhahran, on April 15. (AFP) in general and the Palestinians in The Dhahran particular do not want peace in the Palestinian territories. Israel summit confirmed Mohammed Alkhereiji the security and fuel sectarian burden,” Jubeir said without must always appear in the role the emergence of a sedition in the Arab countries, in- elaborating. of the victim and Iran has served cluding Iran’s support and arming Trump’s recognition of Jerusa- that agenda quite well. new Saudi Arabia London of the terrorist militias in a number lem as the capital of Israel and US To repeat like a broken record capable of of Arab countries as it violates the plans to move its embassy from Tel that Israel is a “cancer” in the separating reality ran’s “blatant interference” in principles of good neighbourli- Aviv were heavily criticised at the region and that it must be oblit- the region factored heavily in ness.” summit. erated does nothing but serve the from fantasy. the Arab League summit at a The summit included 17 leaders “The Palestinian cause is our pri- interests of Israel, which claims time when tensions between from across the Middle East and mary cause and will remain so un- there is no credible interlocutor The Dhahran summit clarified Saudi Arabia and Tehran con- North Africa meeting the day af- til the Palestinian people receive all with which to negotiate peace. things with respect to Israel and Itinued to escalate. ter the United States and its allies their legitimate rights, at the head By supporting suicide missions Jerusalem and Iran. It issued a “We renew our strong condem- launched a missile attack on Syria of which is an independent Pales- by militants from Hamas and clear “No” to Iran’s antics in the nation of Iran’s terrorist acts in the in response to the Assad regime’s tinian state with East Jerusalem as similar organisations, Iran and region and intimated to the Trump Arab region and reject its blatant suspected use of chemical weap- its capital,” King Salman said. its satellites are delivering a great administration that being US allies interference in the affairs of Arab ons in Douma. service to Israel. They confirm the does not mean that the Arab coun- countries,” Saudi King Salman bin Although reaction to the West- Israeli deception that there is no tries must accept the US decision Abdulaziz Al Saud said in his open- ern strikes was absent from the one on the Palestinian side inter- on Jerusalem. ing address at the summit April 15 summit’s final communique, the ested in peace negotiations. It told everybody that the Arab in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. chemical attack was condemned Not only do suicide bombings nations cannot be ignored and “We condemn its hostile at- by the Arab League, which called The Arab summit’s final in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv serve the fickle talk about scoring victo- tempts aimed at destabilising se- for an international investigation statement reiterated the agenda of the far right in Israel, ries against them is pure fantasy. curity and spreading sectarian se- in Syria. Damascus was absent rejection of “Iranian they have a more pernicious ob- When US, French and British forc- dition, considered a threat to Arab from the summit because its Arab interference in the jective — to destroy the Palestinian es struck chemical weapons instal- national security and a flagrant League membership was suspend- Authority (PA). The latter objec- lations in Syria, Russia pretended violation of the principles of inter- ed seven years ago when the war internal affairs of the tive has been achieved since the not to have seen it. Iran, on the national law,” King Salman said. began there. Arab countries.” PA has ended up being no more other hand, claimed yet another King Salman’s strong condem- “We, the leaders, have followed than a security agent. Is that what victory over its usual enemies. nation at the meeting came when what Western powers did in Syria. Iran wants for the Palestinians and Hezbollah Secretary-General Arab relations with Tehran hit an As we affirm the importance of their cause? Hassan Nasrallah announced a all-time low due to Tehran’s in- coordinating all efforts to reach “We reiterate our rejection of the The Dhahran summit breathed victory over the “tripartite aggres- volvement in Syria, Lebanon and a political resolution to the Syr- US administration’s decision relat- new life in the Palestinian cause. sion” since the aggressors did not Yemen. ian crisis, we utterly condemn the ing to Jerusalem and we hail other It revealed that the Arab countries attempt a larger operation. “We hold the Iran-backed Houthi use of chemical weapons against nations rejecting it. We affirm that are not intimidated by the Trump Nasrallah’s words recall the re- militias fully responsible for the the brotherly Syrian people. We East Jerusalem is part of Palestin- administration. The summit decla- action of the Syrian Ba’athists fol- emergence and continuation of the demand an independent interna- ian territory.” ration insisted on the “illegality of lowing the 1967 Israeli occupation Yemeni crisis and the human suf- tional investigation, including en- Palestinian President Mahmoud the American decision to recog- of the Syrian Golan Heights. They, fering that has afflicted Yemen,” forcing international law against Abbas, in a speech, called for an nise Jerusalem as the capital of too, claimed “victory” because King Salman said. anyone who uses chemical weap- international peace summit to Israel.” their regime was still standing. He stressed that Iran-made mis- ons,” the summit declaration said. “decide on the state of Palestine’s In addition to ruining the Pales- The fact is that the Syrian regime siles fired by the Houthis into Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al- membership in the United Nations tinians’ chances for peace, what has always been safe from Israeli Saudi Arabia were evidence of Jubeir, appearing at a news con- and to form a multilateral interna- is Iran doing in Yemen? What is aggression as long as it does not “the danger of Iranian behaviour ference April 17 in Riyadh with tional mechanism to sponsor seri- the objective behind backing the claim the Golan Heights. That in the region, its violation of the UN Secretary-General Antonio ous negotiations.” sectarian militias called the Hou- same regime continues today to principles of international law and Guterres, said Saudi Arabia was “[The summit] should commit to this and their leader Abdelmalik break up Syria with Iranian back- ignorance of the values, ethics and prepared to send troops to Syria as the resolutions of international le- al-Houthi? ing. good neighbourliness.” part of a wider US effort to stabilise gitimacy and agree on implement- Iran’s goal in Yemen, besides The Dhahran summit had the the war-torn country. ing agreements within a specified destroying that poor country and merit of showing the realism of “We are in discussions with the period of time to end the Israeli splitting it along sectarian lines, is the new Arab world. It came after United States and have been since occupation, which started in 1967, to threaten Saudi Arabia’s national Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed the beginning of the Syrian crisis and to establish the independent security. The Dhahran summit ad- bin Salman bin Abdulaziz’s visits (in 2011) about sending forces into Palestinian state with East Jerusa- dressed the issue and King Salman to the United Kingdom and the The summit included Syria,” Jubeir said. lem as its capital that lives in peace was straightforward in calling out United States. Unlike leaders who 17 leaders from across Jubeir revealed that talks were and security alongside the state of Iran’s evil plans. have never set foot on American the Middle East and under way about the kind of forces Israel,” Abbas added. The missiles fired by the Hou- soil, the crown prince illustrated that could be deployed in eastern King Salman announced that this at Saudi territory were clearly the Saudi leadership’s sincere North Africa. Syria. Saudi Arabia would donate $150 Iran-made. It has become futile to wish to know America from the The Wall Street Journal reported million to Jerusalem’s Islamic en- ask about the reasons Saudi Arabia inside. that US President Donald Trump dowment programmes and for and its allies focus on the Iranian The Dhahran summit confirmed wanted to ease the burden on US maintenance of the Islamic holy threat coming from Yemen. the emergence of a new Saudi King Salman also called on the troops by replacing them with sites, as well as $50 million to the If Israel has been a source of Arabia capable of separating real- United Nations to take a decisive an Arab military force based in UN Relief and Works Agency for danger in the region, Iran quali- ity from fantasy, of distinguishing position on the issue. north-eastern Syria. The United Palestine Refugees in the Near fies as another one. This is why between what is feasible and what The Arab summit’s final state- States has also wanted Arab allies East. the summit demanded that Iran is not and of spotting an enemy’s ment reiterated King Salman’s to make financial contributions to The next Arab Summit is sched- “withdraws its militias and all duplicity when the latter invokes rejection of “Iranian interference help stabilise that region. uled for 2019 in Tunisia. other Iran-allied armed groups the Palestinian cause. in the internal affairs of the Arab “In terms of financial contri- from all Arab states and in particu- countries and (condemned) the butions, Saudi Arabia has al- Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf lar from Syria and Yemen.” Khairallah Khairallah is a aggressive attempts to destabilise ways maintained its share of the section editor of The Arab Weekly. The paragraph did not mention Lebanese writer. April 22, 2018 5 News & Analysis Gulf UAE ends military training programme in Somalia

The Arab Weekly staff world’s third-biggest container port operator, had signed a con- tract with the breakaway region of London Somaliland to set up a port zone, which led to the Somalis’ action he United Arab Emirates against DP World. cancelled its military Factoring into the dispute has training programme in been Gulf countries vying for influ- Somalia in response to ence in the Horn of Africa, which the grounding of a UAE has moved from support on a state Tplane carrying Emirati officials by level and investments in infra- Somali security forces. structure to politicking, mostly a “The decision comes in re- result of the dispute between Qa- sponse to Somali security forces’ tar and a group of Arab countries seizure of a UAE-registered civil including the UAE. Consequently, aircraft at Mogadishu airport and Mogadishu was under pressure confiscation of money destined to from Qatar and Turkey to take a pay the soldiers,” a statement by negative stance regarding UAE the UAE Foreign Ministry said. support, which has led to a decline The holding of the UAE plane in UAE-Somali relations. was preceded by Somali secu- “Qatar’s entry into Somalia rity officials on April 8 seizing was facilitated by Turkey and was funds — estimated to be close to aimed primarily at undermining $10 million — belonging to the UAE the growing ties with the UAE, at Aden Adde International Air- even if it took time,” a Western port. diplomat said on the condition of The UAE official news agency anonymity. WAM reported that the plane was Somali opposition politicians carrying 47 Emirati armed forces from the so-called Qatari-Turkish personnel, some of whom were lobby in Mogadishu have been try- said to be held at gunpoint and as- ing to stir public opinion. saulted by Somali security forces. The military training pro- “The UAE deplores this vio- gramme, which began in 2014, lation of international law and was intended to build the capa- norms at a time when the UAE has bilities of the Somali Army. UAE provided all kinds of political, eco- forces have participated in training nomic, military and humanitarian missions involving thousands of support in the darkest conditions Somali soldiers. to establish security and stability Before it cancelled the military Unnecessary tensions. Containers are loaded onto a DP World-run cargo ship at the Port of Berbera in in the Somali Federal Republic,” cooperation, the UAE was paying Somaliland, last April. (AP) the UAE Foreign Ministry said. the salaries of 2,407 Somali sol- UAE State Minister for Foreign diers, built three training centres Affairs Anwar Gargash called on and a hospital and sent Emirati programme, including paying sol- “We ask our UAE friends, not the office of the president of Punt- the Somali government to handle medical teams to treat Somali mili- diers’ salaries. only to stay, but to redouble their land. The end of UAE support “will the situation with “wisdom and tary personnel. “As a government, our responsi- efforts in helping Somalia stand only help our enemy, particularly reason.” The UAE also supervised the bility is to take care of our armed on its feet,” said a statement from Al Shabab and ISIS (the Islamic “The current Somali govern- counter-piracy maritime police forces and pay their wages and not State).” ment… is creating unnecessary force in Puntland, where it aug- to delegate that responsibility to An unidentified security analyst tensions with a friend and an ally mented the Somali military and others. We thank the UAE for the said the loss of UAE support will that supported the stability and se- security facilities while support- training and relentless support it destabilise the security situation curity of Somalia during its hardest ing efforts to fight terrorism in col- provided,” Somali Defence Min- in the country. “The value of the phases,” Gargash wrote on his offi- laboration with other international ister Mohamed Mursal said in a The holding of the UAE UAE trained forces was two-fold: cial Twitter account. parties and African Union forces in statement. plane was preceded by They were relatively well trained Emirati-Somali relations tum- Somalia. Somalia’s semi-autonomous Somali security but, more important, they were bled following the banning of UAE The Somali Defence Minis- Puntland region urged the UAE to officials seizing funds paid on time,” unlike other parts of ports operator DP World from op- try said that it would take over reconsider termination of security belonging to the UAE. the security forces, the analyst told erating in Somalia. The firm, the management of the training operations in Somalia. Reuters. Viewpoint Will Washington offer Riyadh a ‘flexible’ nuclear deal?

revealing exchange could fuel a nuclear arms race in the business interest in the issue. As However, if the Saudis were to occurred during the Middle East, making the region even many observers noted, Trump sees select Westinghouse, they may confirmation hear- more dangerous and unstable. his relationship with the Saudis as a demand that Washington allow Gregory Aftandilian ing of Mike Pompeo, Markey had signalled before the kind of business venture. The closer terms that are less strict than a 123 who is US President hearing that he would lead a con- he gets to the Saudis, the more he Agreement. Nuclear experts in the Donald Trump’s gressional effort to block anything believes they will “buy American.” United States are split on the issue, nomineeA to be secretary of state: short of the Gold Standard with Sau- Saudi Arabia wants to build four with some arguing that Washington US Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat di Arabia, declaring that the United nuclear power stations and says should show some “flexibility” be- from Massachusetts who has long States “must not compromise in any it hopes to conclude a deal with a cause the United States would have been a critic of nuclear energy and of 123 Agreement it concludes with foreign company by the end of 2018. leverage over the Saudis if an Ameri- nuclear proliferation, asked Pompeo Saudi Arabia.” Companies from Russia, China and can firm were involved, whereas the whether he supported reaching a Senator Bob Corker, the Tennes- South Korea, as well as the US firm Russians or Chinese would not care “123 Agreement,” also known as the see Republican who is chairman Westinghouse, submitted proposals about imposing constraints on the Gold Standard, for Riyadh. of the Senate Foreign Relations to Saudi Arabia in late 2017. Saudi nuclear programme. A 123 Agreement means a country Committee, said during the Pompeo Westinghouse has had finan- As per US law, however, Con- can develop nuclear power stations hearing that it would be “very dif- cial troubles in recent years but, gress has the ultimate say in the but with the proviso that there ficult to tell the Arab nations that if it were to win this contract, its matter and many members are would be strict limits on uranium they cannot enrich (uranium) when financial position could possibly be worried about nuclear proliferation enrichment and a prohibition on the the Shias can.” Although Corker may turned around. Trump could then in the Middle East, especially after reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel not have intended to make a sectar- boast that he not only helped bring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed to preclude the development of a ian point, he was clearly referring to an American company back into bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated in nuclear weapon. The United Arab Iran. solvency but also helped to bring an interview that if Iran develops a Emirates accepted such an arrange- What Corker did not say was good-paying manufacturing jobs to nuclear bomb “we will follow suit as ment from the United States in 2009. that there was also an American the United States. soon as possible.” Pompeo said he favoured the Aside from indulging the Saudis, Gold Standard for Saudi Arabia but who may want to be in a position when Markey pressed him further someday to “go nuclear” with a by asking whether he would oppose bomb if they believe Iran is headed anything less strict than the Gold in that direction, there is congres- Standard, Pompeo equivocated, sional concern that striking a “flex- stating first that he “can’t answer” ible” deal with Riyadh would cause that question and then saying that problems for the United States with he could “imagine that scenario.” already-signed agreements with This response led Markey to ask other countries. what the Iranian response would Markey told the Wall Street Jour- be if Saudi Arabia were granted nal that it was “crazy to loosen im- something less strict than the Gold portant non-proliferation standards Companies from Standard. Pompeo underscored just to secure an uncertain commer- that the Iran nuclear deal was not cial deal.” Whether he can muster a Russia, China and the Gold Standard because Iran was majority in Congress to block what South Korea, as still able to enrich uranium (albeit the Trump administration may have well as the US firm at a much lower level than before), in mind is an open question. implying that the Iran case has made Westinghouse, the Saudis nervous. Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer submitted Markey’s questioning suggested in the Pardee School of Global proposals to Saudi that his concern was a scenario Answering questions. US Secretary of State-designate Mike Studies at Boston University and a in which anything less strict than Pompeo (L) talks with Chairman Bob Corker after a break in the former US State Department Middle Arabia in late 2017. the Gold Standard for Saudi Arabia Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on April 12 (AP) East analyst. 6 April 22, 2018 Opinion

Editorial Iran under fire ollowing the Western strikes in Syria, Iran has many more reasons for concern. It faces deepening international suspicion and growing regional isolation. Despite protestations to the contrary, Turkey has clearly parted ways with Iran Fon Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported Western strikes against Syrian targets and denounced the suspected use of chemical weapons by Bashar Assad’s regime. Tehran is bound to be concerned by signs that Moscow is contemplating a more accommodating stance vis-a-vis the West in war and peace in Syria. It is significant that Russia managed to convey a sense of restraint towards the United States both before and after the April 14 strikes. Tehran might have celebrated too early pros- pects for a full US exit from Syria. Saudi proposals for more active support to the United States in Syria may indicate that the vacuum Iran wanted to inherit in war-torn Syria might not be happening any time soon. The Iranians are also likely to be worried about Europe’s growing resolve on testy issues such as Tehran’s ballistic development programme and its role in regional weapons proliferation. After the April 7 suspected chemical weapons attack near Damascus, EU countries seemed increasingly determined to take a harder line on Iran’s activities. The circle of European countries favourable to tighter restrictions on Tehran is said © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly to include not just France, Germany and the United Kingdom but also Spain, Austria and Sweden. More rigorous sanctions are likely to be the main thrust of the arguments advanced by the French Arab institutions must and German leaders when they meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington in the next few days. Both French President Emmanuel adapt to new realities Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will try to convince the US president to accept more sanctions against Iran in exchange for preserving Mohamad Kawas the 2015 nuclear deal. Taken together, these developments don’t augur Arab governments are realising that the fate of the well for a regime that is still, unfortunately, region is no longer in their hands. pursuing an aggressive agenda in the Middle East, even as it struggles economically and seems on an here is no mystery no significant role in the Libyan This initiative calls for Israeli increasingly brittle footing at home. behind why Saudi King tragedy. Saudi Arabia and the Arab withdrawal and the establishment The Iranian regime is cracking down on all Salman bin Abdulaziz coalition are present in Yemen but of a Palestinian state within the possible conduits for dissent at home. On April 18, Al Saud chose to call that crisis remains essentially a Gulf 1967 borders with East Jerusalem it banned government bodies from using foreign- the recent Arab League matter. The Arab League, as the as its capital. developed messaging apps, such as Telegram. meeting the “Jerusalem institution federating all Arabs, has Thus, the confusion created by Even environmental experts are subject to TSummit.” Riyadh wanted to remind no vital role in ending the tragedy the White House is baseless. Being drastic pressures. It was certainly the case with everybody that the Palestinian of the Yemeni people. the consummate businessman Kaveh Madani, the scientist who took a senior cause remains the one cause in the As a political entity, the Arabs that he is, Trump had thought position in Iran’s environmental department but have failed to find solutions to the resigned within months. history of the Arab world that gar- that he could bury a complicated “Yes, the accused has escaped from a land in nered an absolute consensus. crises of the “Arab Umma” (“Arab historical conflict with one quick which online ignorance has rejected science, By doing so, Riyadh also wanted Nation”), perhaps because of the deal. knowledge and expertise,” Madani wrote on to end the fruitless controversies confusion surrounding the term Speeches at the Dhahran sum- Twitter after his resignation. A short message that and rumours regarding the “deal “Umma.” In addition, crises at the mit converged on one pressing said a lot about the Iranian regime’s ability to of the century” that the Trump local level in this Arab country or need in the Arab region: There accommodate change. administration has yet to reveal. the other robbed the regional issues must be a regional Arab structure The “Jerusalem Summit,” how- of much-needed focus. to counteract Iranian meddling in ever, had other dimensions. For The ideology of Arab nationalism, the region. The Arab Weekly turns 3 Riyadh, a “new Saudi Arabia” needs which was popular in the 1960s, The issue might hurt some a new Arab organisation. Reorganis- lost much of its appeal when it sensitivities in Lebanon and Iraq he Arab Weekly ing the Arab position about Jeru- became a sorry excuse for auto- but the regional context is chang- turned 3 years old salem requires putting some order cratic regimes in the Arab world. As ing quickly. Consequently, there last week, yet in the Arab camp and agreeing on it disappeared, it paved the way for is no longer room within the Arab another milestone on certain undisputed Palestinian core another notion of Arab “Umma,” organisation for sensitivities. the journey it this time based on shared cultural began on April issues plus side issues where diver- Moreover, Iran’s influence in the T17, 2015, with the gence remains possible. and identity aspects. region is shrinking and probably purpose of providing a The Arab world is aware of the King Salman wanted to dedicate has no future in Syria. Arab leaders fresh perspective on need for a new internal dynamic the Arab summit to Jerusalem. The also fustigated Turkey’s meddling the Arab world. capable of ensuring its protection summit came after Saudi Crown in Iraqi affairs. Three years on, the from internal fallout and external Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin At Dhahran, Arab leaders at- newspaper continues to storms. There are changes coming Abdulaziz’s lengthy visit to the tended the final scenes from the address the world’s on a global scale that will lead to United States. Gulf Shield military exercises with information needs redrawing borders in the Arab re- Observers picked up on the col- the participation of forces from 24 about the Arab region’s gion. This Arab awareness does not lective Arab message: The Arabs Arab countries. That was another diverse parts, be they reject US President Donald Trump’s the Middle East, the flow from any simplistic ideological message to the world: The Arab Gulf countries, the framework like the ones that swept decision to recognise Jerusalem region is ready to rely on its own Maghreb or the Levant. It the region and some of which gave as Israel’s capital and stand fully military capacities by necessity continues to shed light on birth to political regimes selling behind the Palestinian choices that and for correcting the overall re- the roots and the fallout of the Syria and Iraq crises, dreams of unity. side with the legitimate decisions gional context. the Arab-Israeli conflict, developments in Iran and The new Arab awareness is based of the international community The Dhahran summit laid the Turkey and Western attitudes towards the Middle on realistic considerations that look regarding Palestinian rights. The groundwork for a much-needed East and North Africa. It also takes a wide-angle at Arab institutions from the point Arabs are also saying they have no and urgent brainstorming in the view of business, tech, society, culture and travel. of view of Arab interests rather than knowledge of the so-called “deal Arab region. It is true that Arab It offers analysis and commentary, with a propaganda tools. Arab govern- of the century” and that they still citizens have become used to wit- perspective that goes beyond coverage of breaking ments are realising that the fate uphold the decisions they took in nessing previous summit recom- news. It pays special attention to ideas animating the Arab and Muslim communities in the West, of the region is no longer in their their 2002 summit. mendations die a slow death. This with the aim of bridging a gap in cross-cultural hands. Turkey, Iran and Israel, not The 22 Arab countries meeting time, however, it looks like there understanding. to mention the major world powers, in Dhahran declared they are not are gnawing concerns shared by all It has been a busy year leading up to the paper’s are pushing their own agendas and interested in any American political Arabs that will leave the Dhahran third birthday. With three editions, published from affecting the daily lives of Arab product that uses Jerusalem as a agenda open until Arab organisa- Britain, the United Arab Emirates and the United citizens. bargaining chip and will not back tions harmonise with Arab States, The Arab Weekly has worked to earn the It is scandalous to see the Arabs any plan forced on the Palestinians, realities. continued loyalty of a discerning global readership. absent from all effective interna- especially if it does not take into Looking ahead, the newspaper has relaunched tional “workshops” seeking to end consideration the recommenda- Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese its website offering a more user-friendly, content- the Syrian tragedy. They also have tions of the Arab Peace Initiative. writer. rich format optimised for computers, mobiles and tablets. All the publication’s content, including back editions, are archived online and available to search. The Arab Weekly is part of a modern media project focusing on the Arab world. It is published by the Arab Media Group, which was inaugurated in 1977, and has a stable of popular publications, including Al Arab daily, Middle East Online and Al Jadeed. The Arab Weekly and its sister publications hope to continue serving their regional and global readers in a rapidly changing world. April 22, 2018 7 Opinion Contact editor at: [email protected] Tehran has given up on France and Published by Al Arab Europe in its showdown with US Publishing House Mohamad Abbas Naji Publisher and Group Executive Editor Iran is particularly concerned by France’s rising role inside the European Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Union, for that may translate into difficulties for Iran. Editor-in-Chief

rance is trying to missiles to the Houthis in number. Tehran does not Italy, for example, in 2016 Oussama Romdhani enhance its role as Yemen. The Russians vetoed seem in a hurry to react to signed trade deals with Iran a leading European the British resolution and a Paris’s moves. It prefers to worth $18 billion. Managing Editor country and a major softer version lacking mention wait until it can clearly make Paris itself has enormous Iman Zayat international power of Iran’s destabilising activities out the new strategic challeng- economic interests with Iran. concerned with what in Yemen was adopted. es both regionally and inter- Shortly after the nuclear deal Deputy Managing Editor Fgoes on in the Middle East. This Paris is all for increasing Eu- nationally, especially after the with Iran went into effect in and Online Editor is reflected in Paris’s efforts ropean sanctions against Iran, US decision about the nuclear January 2016 and the lifting Mamoon Alabbasi to reduce divergences among arguing that they may convince deal and developments in the of the international embargo, European countries on issues Trump not to pull out of the Syrian file. French companies Airbus Senior Editor such as possible new sanctions nuclear deal with Iran. This At the European level at and Total rushed to sign ma- John Hendel against Iran. point is expected to top the least, Tehran seems confident jor trade deals with Tehran. France is also trying to fill the agenda of French President Em- that France’s anti-Iranian ef- The only alternative to Chief Copy Editor void created by Britain’s exit manuel Macron’s meeting April forts will fail. France’s moves more sanctions is to pressure Richard Pretorius from the European Union. At 23 in Washington with Trump. to secure new European sanc- Iran into accepting a com- the same time, Germany is keen Macron is actively seeking a tions against Iran are being plementary agreement to Copy Editor on limiting its involvement European decision to that effect challenged by Italy, Austria the nuclear deal in which the Stephen Quillen in international and regional before his visit to Washington. and Greece. European foreign shortcomings of the current crises. That is probably why it Finally, France has become ministers failed to agree on agreement are addressed. Analysis Section Editor didn’t take part in the April 14 one of the major powers sup- new sanctions during their re- Iran will surely reject this Ed Blanche strikes against the Syrian re- porting Iranian opposition cent meeting. Some members initiative because it is keen East/West Section Editor gime’s chemical weapons sites abroad. The Iranian regime is refuse to jeopardise their own on keeping the ball in the even though it supported them. continuously irked by the economic interests with Iran. United States’ court, espe- Mark Habeeb Paris has taken an early start cially when reports by the Gulf Section Editor preparing for European Parlia- International Atomic Energy Mohammed Alkhereiji ment elections in May 2019. It is Agency indicate Iran is in trying to consolidate its capac- compliance with the nuclear Society and Travel ity to play out its European deal. Sections Editor ambitions by hammering its Those signatory countries Samar Kadi “Unified Europe” project. in favour of maintaining the Iran is closely monitoring nuclear deal with Iran argue Syria and Lebanon France’s international and re- that Washington would have Section Editor gional efforts. It is particularly to bear a very heavy interna- Simon Speakman Cordall concerned by France’s rising tional responsibility should role inside the European Union, it pull out of the deal. The Contributing Editor for that may translate into dif- United States would appear Rashmee Roshan Lall ficulties for Iran. as an unreliable party and Indeed, France, a major Iran might revive its nuclear Senior Correspondents world power, is inching towards programme. Washington Mahmud el-Shafey (London) US President Donald Trump’s would be undermining its ca- Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) positions on Iran, particularly pacity to tackle other nuclear regarding the nuclear deal, the cases, such as North Korea. Regular Columnists ballistic missiles programme In any case, Tehran might Claude Salhani and regional ambitions. not welcome Macron’s visit Yavuz Baydar Major signs of this align- scheduled for this year. Iran ment were France’s participa- seems to have given up on Correspondents tion in air strikes against the France and on Europe in Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Syrian regime, and its backing general siding with it in its Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) of a February 18 UN Security showdown with Washington. Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Council resolution proposed by Thomas Seibert (Washington) Britain which condemned the Mohamad Abbas Naji is Iranian regime’s failure to stop Bellicose vision. Surface-to-air missiles are paraded past a portrait of Iran’s editor-in-chief of Chief Designer smuggling weapons and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, on April 18. (AFP) Mukhtarat Iraniya. Marwen el-Hmedi

Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir A ‘snowflake’ strategy for Syria Hanen Jebali

Rashmee Roshan Lall Subscription & Advertising: [email protected] The “diplomatic energy” appears limited to coordinating military Tel 020 3667 7249 strikes, all as part of a larger snowflake strategy.

ince the April 14 cease using chemical weapons bishop of Coventry in England. war, reportedly carrying out Mohamed Al Mufti strikes on Syria by the in this grinding war merely sug- Even as a visiting delegation at least 28 strikes around Marketing & Advertising United States, United gests every other agent of death of British peers and Christian Homs and Hama. Manager Kingdom and France, and destruction is fine, for as leaders met with officials in The Russians, too, accom- it’s clear the West has long as Bashar Assad needs to Damascus the morning after plished their mission, threat- Tel (Main) +44 20 7602 3999 been pursuing what use it. the strikes, Bishop Christo- ening “chaos” in the event of Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 Scan only be called a “snowflake” Trump has sought to reduce pher Cocksworth saluted the further strikes and they intro- www.alarab.co.uk strategy. the American footprint in Syria coordination as “an impressive duced an element of fantasy: “Snowflake,” in this instance, by drafting in an Arab states’ example of diplomatic energy There was no chemical attack is a derogatory term for emo- force. That is a sign he wants and skill.” Then he trenchantly on Douma and if there was, tionally vulnerable young mil- to melt away. “Mission Accom- said: “My question is whether the British stage-managed it. lennials who are quick to take plished,” he crowed on Twitter the same amount of diplomatic Meanwhile, Britain and offence and are unable to cope after the strikes, even though no energy and skill will be given to France, both fading powers with opposing views. Snow- one explained what the mission resolving the conflict at large.” in the post-colonial age, lived flakes melt at the merest sign of was and what exactly was ac- Alas, the bishop’s question out their own private fanta- heat. complished. is all too easily answered. The sies as they felt the adrenalin US Publisher: A snowflake strategy is not It has fallen to priests rather “diplomatic energy” appears rush of playing in the big much use in a war but that does than military men to point out limited to coordinating military leagues again. Ibrahim Zobeidi seem to be the strategy of choice the perils of the snowflake strat- strikes, all as part of a larger Finally, of course, there is (248) 803 1946 for some Western powers in the egy. The Reverend Nadim Nas- snowflake strategy. the United States. Trump’s many-sided, 7-year-old Syrian sar, a Church of England priest In some ways, Trump may poll ratings didn’t soar after conflict and it is causing a policy born and raised in Latakia, Syria, have said it all. Perhaps he is the strikes but they were back and diplomacy whiteout. said Trump’s “mission accom- the most precise and discern- up to the levels of his first 100 The leaders of America, Britain plished” boast is “a joke.” The ing wordsmith around for all days. The US president was and France have shown they are West is “able to co-operate and the criticism of his use of the able to preen, vainglorious emotionally labile when present- co-ordinate with the Russians George W. Bush administra- and self-satisfied, based on ed with heart-rending images about war,” he said, referring tion’s ill-starred “mission his willingness to lob missiles on social media. They have to the notice given to Moscow accomplished” phrase. For, the around and appear tougher demonstrated they are prone to ahead of the strikes. “Why can’t strikes on Syria are mission ac- than the man he considers take great offence and then to they do that with peace? Nobody complished — for everyone but unfit to have led America, Al Arab Publishing House capriciously prove the extent would use chemical weapons if the Syrian people. Consider the Barack Obama. Quadrant Building of their outrage by means of we had that.” following. Mission accomplished, 177-179 Hammersmith Road bombs and missiles. They have Nassar makes a valid point, The Syrian regime was able indeed. For everyone but London W6 8BS indulged in self-righteous boasts especially about badly needed to play victim at no cost. It ordinary Syrians. even as they melt away, just like coordination with the Russians suggested the strikes were both snowflake millennials. on strategies to bring peace grotesquely unacceptable and Rashmee Roshan Lall is For all that he is 71, US Presi- rather than to extend and pos- grossly unsuccessful. Within a columnist for The Arab Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 dent Donald Trump may be the sibly deepen the war. two days of the strikes, Syrian Weekly. Her blog can be found Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 ultimate snowflake. A one-off Nassar’s angst resonated with President Bashar Assad’s forces at www.rashmee.com and she warning to the Syrian regime to yet another man of the cloth, the were back in the business of is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 April 22, 2018 News & Analysis Iraq Iraq strikes ISIS in Syria in coordination with US, Assad

The Arab Weekly staff “demonstrates Iraq’s commitment to destroy [ISIS] remnants who continue to threaten their citizens,” London said US Marines Brigadier-General Robert Sofge, deputy commander raq has struck Islamic State of coalition operations. (ISIS) positions in Syria with Abadi said earlier in April that intelligence support from the Iraq would “take all necessary US-led coalition and after co- measures if they threaten the secu- ordinating with the Syrian re- rity of Iraq,” referring to ISIS mili- Igime. The raid coincided with an tants, who three years ago overran “anti-terrorism” meeting of Iraqi, one-third of Iraq. Iranian, Russian and Syrian military Abadi declared victory over ISIS and security officials in Baghdad. in December but the militants still The Iraqi Air Force carried out the pose a threat from pockets along April 19 “deadly raid” against ISIS in the Syrian border and continue to Syria “because of the danger [ISIS carry out ambushes, assassinations Coordinated moves. An Iraqi F-16 fighter jet at an undisclosed location in Iraq, on April 19. (Iraqi Air Force) militants] pose to Iraqi territory,” a and bombings across Iraq. statement from Iraqi Prime Minis- Iraq has good relations with Iran interior minister and other officials statement by HRW. needed reconciliation.” ter Haider al-Abadi’s office said. and Russia, Assad’s main backers and praised their victory over ISIS. Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East The allegations against the Iraqi “These raids demonstrate the in the 7-year-old Syrian civil war, General Saad al-Alak, head of director at HRW, said the Iraqi judiciary have been recurring. growing capacity of our armed forc- while also enjoying strong support Iraq’s military intelligence, who measures were discriminatory and “Critics say the perfunctory trials es to hunt down and liquidate ter- from the US-led coalition. met with Hatami, called the four- counterproductive. in special counterterrorism courts rorists,” the statement added. On the same day the strikes were country alliance “a distinguished are sweeping up bystanders and The strikes were carried out after carried out, Iranian Defence Minis- example for international relations, relatives as well as fighters and ex- coordination with Syrian President ter Brigadier-General Amir Hatami especially in the field of military ecuting most of them in a process Bashar Assad’s government, an Ira- visited a joint intelligence centre and security cooperation.” more concerned with retribution qi military spokesman said. in Baghdad operated by Iran, Iraq, The strikes came as Baghdad The raid coincided with than justice,” the New York Times “Carrying out air strikes on [ISIS] Syria and Russia. faced renewed criticism from Hu- an “anti-terrorism” reported. gangs in Syrian territories is be- “Cooperation in intelligence man Rights Watch (HRW), which meeting of Iraqi, Iranian, Iraqi officials denied a miscar- cause of the dangers posed by said between the four countries for accused Iraqi security officers of Russian and Syrian riage of justice taking place when gangs to Iraqi territories and is common aims and anti-terrorism “denying immediate relatives of military and security trying ISIS suspects. proof of the improved capabilities missions has been successful in re- suspected ISIS members security “If there is evidence then sus- of our armed forces,” the Iraqi mili- storing stability and security and it clearance to reclaim homes being officials in Baghdad. pects are prosecuted and if there tary said in a statement. should form the basis for future co- occupied or to seek compensation.” is no evidence then they are re- The US-led coalition fighting ISIS operation,” Hatami said in a state- “Security forces have also de- “These families deserve the leased,” Abdul-Sattar al-Birqdar, said the attack targeted an area of ment. stroyed or confiscated some prop- same protections that Iraqi courts an Iraqi judge and Justice Minis- eastern Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province The “coalition” had played an erty. Such acts, based only on provide to all citizens,” Fakih said try spokesman, told the New York near Hajin, approximately 50km “important role in the defeat” of family relationships to ISIS sus- in a statement. “Courts should be Times. from the Iraqi border. ISIS in both Iraq and Syria, he said. pects rather than individual se- the guarantors against discrimina- The strike, planned with intel- Iran’s official IRNA news agen- curity determinations, are a form tion that will only further sectarian The Arab Weekly staff and news ligence support from the coalition, cy said Hatami met with Iraq’s of collective punishment,” read a divisions in the country and delay agencies. Viewpoint The myth of Kurdish military efficacy has been shattered

hroughout the war exposing the Kurds’ historical losses. Kobane was a watershed invulnerable to ISIS and, in fact, against the Islamic vulnerabilities. moment in the fight against ISIS, also turned tail and fled just like State (ISIS), we have In Syria, the myth of Kurd- with the militants suffering one the Iraqi Army did until the United Tallha Abdulrazaq heard almost non-stop ish military excellence was born of their first major battlefield States shored them up. about how Kurdish fac- in the fires of the battle for the defeats. Perhaps the most infamous tions in Iraq and Syria northern Syrian city of Kobane. In ISIS was again a factor in the example of ISIS’s brutality was its Thave been “the most effective September 2014, at the height of forging of the military myth of genocidal campaign against the fighters on the ground” against ISIS’s power, the Sunni extremists the Kurds in Iraq. After the Iraqi Yazidis of Sinjar, who were left to the extremists. advanced through the country- Army abandoned its positions in their fates after the peshmerga Notable mentions by the media side and surrounded Kobane. The Mosul and many other areas of fled in the face of an ISIS offen- and the Pentagon include the United Nations estimated that northern Iraq in the face of ISIS’s sive in 2014. The peshmerga only peshmerga in Iraq, as well as the 130,000 civilians fled to Turkey in onslaught, the US-led coalition made a comeback after extensive Kurdish-dominated Syrian Demo- just four days. provided much-needed support to close air support provided by the cratic Forces (SDF) in Syria. This Over the next four months, ISIS the peshmerga, who secure large Americans. over-exaggerated praise led to the would breach the city’s defences, amounts of territory that would Once deprived of air support, perception that, regionally, the be pushed back in several sectors remain outside of ISIS’s control for the Kurds crumbled very rapidly Kurds are a force to be reckoned and Kurdish YPG fighters would the duration of the war. on numerous fronts, even against with. be joined by their Iraqi peshmerga This included major oil-produc- forces that have made little use Arguably, however, and after re- allies aided by the US-led coalition ing cities such as Kirkuk, which of air power against them. For cent events in Iraq and Syria, this to eventually force ISIS to aban- happened to be disputed between instance, last year the peshmerga myth has come crashing down, don Kobane after suffering heavy the Baghdad federal authorities collapsed before an advance by and the Erbil-based Kurdistan the Iraqi Army and allied Shia mi- Regional Government (KRG). litias and lost Kirkuk, which some With ISIS having defeated the peshmerga had vowed to defend Iraqi military and forced them to the death. back, the KRG was in position to Kirkuk was lost in a single day deploy the peshmerga and impose and the peshmerga fighters were a de facto solution of Kurdish simply unable to put up an effec- control over disputed towns and tive defence without US air power. cities, such as Kirkuk. This served A similar pattern can be seen in to boost the Kurds’ international Syria, where a lack of US air sup- credibility as a force that could port has meant that Turkey and not only hold ISIS at bay where its allies have been able to capture other regional US allies failed but Afrin. also utilise its military prowess to Without external support from achieve political goals. great powers, the Kurds are un- Far from However, a common denomina- able to capture and hold territory, invulnerable. tor for Kurdish successes in Iraq which means their ambitions Iraqi Kurdish and Syria is the role played by for independence and statehood peshmerga the United States and the inter- will probably never materialise fighters take national coalition against ISIS. It without extensive international part in a was arguably US air power across support. graduation two theatres of war that allowed ceremony at the Kurdish factions to advance as far Tallha Abdulrazaq is a Zakho military as they did. researcher at the University of academy, last Again, using Iraq as an exam- Exeter’s Strategy and Security January. (AFP) ple, the peshmerga were far from Institute in England. April 22, 2018 9 News & Analysis Egypt Highs and lows in Egypt’s Operation Sinai

Ahmed Megahid

Cairo

gypt’s battle against the Islamic State (ISIS) has hit several road- blocks, with Opera- tion Sinai 2018 — begun EFebruary 9 and expected to end within weeks — in full swing. An attack April 14 on an army camp in central Sinai in which eight Egyptian soldiers were killed demonstrated that ISIS retains op- erational capabilities in the Sinai Peninsula. However, the death April 18 of Nasser Abu Zaqoul, the head of Sinai Province, an ISIS af- filiate, in central Sinai represented Intricate mission. a major blow to the group. Egyptian soldiers in “The killing of this man will nec- North Sinai during a essarily weaken ISIS, especially in major assault against the central part of Sinai,” said re- terrorists, on tired army General Gamal Mazlum. February 27. (Reuters) “Everybody expects ISIS to retali- ate and I think the military com- the morale of the terrorists.” El Arish in northern Sinai to cut off campaign was succeeding. useful in areas where the army mand in Sinai has taken measures Dozens of ISIS militants set out supplies to ISIS. “This is why they [the terrorists] needs to act swiftly to track the to prepare for this.” in the early hours of April 14 to- The operation was to have been are trying to strike somewhere terrorists, follow them and kill or Abu Zaqoul, 38, was known to wards an army camp in central Si- completed by the end of Febru- else to reduce pressure on them arrest them.” have participated in the 2006 Da- nai. Four militants set off explosive ary. Sisi, on November 29, set a in North Sinai,” said retired army Hundreds of thousands of hab bombings, which killed 23 belts at the camp gate. Other fight- 3-month deadline to restore se- General Ahmed Youssef Abdel mourners paid tribute to the eight people, as well as the 2005 Sharm ers burst into the building, shoot- curity to Sinai after an ISIS attack Nabi. “Army operations in North soldiers killed in the April 14 at- el-Sheikh bombings in which 88 ing guards. on al-Rawda mosque in which 311 Sinai are reducing to nothing the tack in the days that followed the people died. Camp guards returned fire, kill- worshippers were killed. It is the capabilities of the terrorists and attack, scenes that have become He was responsible for logistical ing ten attackers. Eight soldiers deadliest terrorist attack in Egyp- forcing them to turn tail.” common throughout Egypt. support for ISIS fighters in the Si- were killed and dozens of others tian history. ISIS operations in recent years Egypt has lost hundreds of nai Peninsula, including providing injured. There were immediately On February 26, Army Chief of were limited to Sheikh Zuweid troops and policemen in its war arms and hiding militants. Egypt’s questions about Egypt’s strategy Staff Mohamed Farid Hegazi re- and El Arish in North Sinai. Cen- against terrorism but the war can military forces had been targeting of fighting terrorism. quested an extension of the cam- tral Sinai was considered a buffer get more complex as ISIS changes Abu Zaqoul, forcing him to keep on Operation Sinai 2018 began paign, given the intricacy of the zone between ISIS elements in the its tactics, experts said. the move. February 9 to fulfil a pledge from mission and the difficulty of root- North and South Sinai, which con- “One of the things ISIS is doing Few say Abu Zaqoul’s death will Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ing out ISIS from the mountainous tains the popular Red Sea resort now is to stage attacks away from end the threat from ISIS, with ca- al-Sisi to eradicate ISIS from the Sinai Peninsula. of Sharm el-Sheikh and billions of North Sinai by what are known as pabilities represented by the April Sinai Peninsula and target terrorist The terrorists, he said, had been dollars of tourist investments. cluster cells to protect the part that 14 attack still in evidence. groups across the country. Army operating inside the Sinai Peninsu- Egypt’s fear is that military op- remains of its infrastructure,” said “The attack shows that terrorist figures indicate that more than 100 la for several years, which helped erations in North Sinai could push Nageh Ibrahim, a former militant organisations active in Sinai pos- jihadists and at least 22 soldiers them build a strong infrastructure ISIS and other militant groups in leader and now a terrorism expert. sess the capability to stage attacks have been killed in the operation. in the area, including a network of the peninsula to seek targets in “This always happens in the case of that claim a large number of vic- Almost all army units are par- tunnels, hideouts and arms caches. central and south Sinai. large terrorist organisations reeling tims,” said Khaled Okasha, a secu- ticipating in the operation, which A concerning point about the This is why Okasha called for an under intense crackdowns, which rity analyst and member of Egypt’s includes aerial bombardments central Sinai attack is that it took overhaul of the strategy implement- makes it necessary for the army to Supreme Anti-Terrorism Council, and ground attacks on ISIS hide- place outside of the traditional ed by Egypt’s armed forces against change some of its strategies.” the advisory security body of the outs, mostly in North Sinai. The theatre of the conflict in North ISIS, particularly in central Sinai. Egyptian presidency. “Such at- operation includes a siege by the Sinai. However, analysts said “Dependence on heavy military Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian tacks, of course, do a lot to raise Egyptian Navy around the coast of this was proof that the army’s equipment,” he said, “will not be reporter in Cairo. Resumption of direct flights from Moscow brings hope to Egypt’s tourism sector

Amr Emam crew members on board were and Moscow are to resume June 12 killed. to accommodate an expected in- The Russian flight suspension crease in demand during Russia’s Cairo caused a huge loss to Egypt’s tour­ hosting of the FIFA World Cup. ism sector. Before 2015, approxi­ The resumption of flights from he resumption of direct mately 3 million Russian tourists Russia comes when Egypt’s tour- flights between Cairo and visited the country every year. ism sector has witnessed notice- Moscow is giving Egypt’s The Russian decision encouraged able improvements, including tens A lifeline. Tourists talk to a receptionist at a hotel in Egypt’s Red tourism sector a boost West­ern governments, including of thousands of tourism workers Sea resort of Hurghada, on February 18. (AFP) and the expected arrival the United Kingdom, Italy and Ger- returning to their jobs, said Adel Tof Christian tourists participating many, to take similar moves. Abdel Razik, a member of the Fed- in the Holy Family tour should be Hundreds of thousands of Egyp- eration of Tourism Chambers. encourage other countries to send an official pilgrimage site. Egypt grounds for even more economic tian tourism workers lost their “Tourist facilities had to lay off their tourists back. “This is every- expects to receive the first Chris- optimism. jobs, Egypt lost billions of dol- a large number of workers during body’s hope,” he said. tian pilgrims in June. Hundreds of Russian tourists ar- lars in tourism revenues and rival the recession,” Abdel Razik said. Things are unlikely to return to The Holy Family tour includes rived in Cairo April 11 when Rus- regional destinations — Turkey, “Now, however, with the sector normal until the resumption of 18 sites visited by Mary and Joseph sia resumed direct flights to Egypt Greece, Lebanon and Israel — ex- coming back to life, most of the direct flights to Sharm el-Sheikh when they fled to Egypt with Jesus for the first time in 30 months. perienced an upturn in tourism. tourist facilities are able to bring and Hurghada, something Egyp- more than 2,000 years ago to es- Egyptians are looking for a Rus- Egyptians said they hope that their workers back.” tian aviation officials are to discuss cape the wrath of King Herod. The sian tourist influx to revitalise a the direct flights from Moscow In 2010, the tourism sector em- with their Russian counterparts in Tourism Ministry has refurbished tourism sector that has undergone to Cairo will renew the tourism ployed about 12% of Egypt’s over- May. some of the sites, ministry spokes- a major recession in the past two sector. They also look for adding all workforce. An estimated 14.7 Russian tourists can still travel woman Randa Gohar said. years. flights from Russia to Red Sea re- million tourists, mostly from Eu- to the popular Red Sea resorts but The overhaul, she said, included “This [the resumption of flights sorts such as Hurghada and Sharm rope, visited the country that year. only after disembarking in Cairo very ancient churches and monas- from Russia] is a positive sign,” el-Sheikh. As of 2017, that figure had more and using domestic flights, which teries that mark stops by the Holy said Elhamy el-Zayat, a tourism in- The first direct flight by Rus- than halved, although year-on- is more costly than direct flights. Family in Egypt. vestor and the former head of the sia’s largest air carrier Aeroflot ar- year statistics indicated that tour- Abdel Razik expressed hopes The Tourism Ministry is looking Federation of Tourism Chambers, rived at Cairo International Airport ism numbers were rising. that direct charter flights to the to attract hundreds of thousands the independent guild of tourism on April 11, carrying 120 Russian The suspensions brought tour- Red Sea resorts would resume be- of pilgrims for the Holy Family workers and investors. “We have tourists. A second Aeroflot flight ism revenues in 2016 down to fore the end of this year. tour. high hopes that the flow of Russian reached Cairo four days later. $3.4 billion, from $6.1 billion in Whether direct flights to Sharm “We will do everything possi- tourists will go back to pre-flight Aeroflot said it would operate 2015. Tourism revenues in 2017, el-Sheikh or Hurghada are re- ble to reach this goal,” Gohar said. suspension levels.” three flights a week from Mos- however, totalled $7.6 billion. sumed or not, Cairo is also banking “There are a lot of treasures in this Russia suspended flights to cow to Cairo on Saturdays, Mon- There are hopes that tourism num- on the arrival of Christian pilgrims country that tourists deserve to Egypt in November 2015 after days and Wednesdays with return bers and revenues will return to for the Holy Family tour to assist see.” one of its passenger planes was flights from Cairo to Moscow on near pre-revolution figures in 2018. its tourism sector. bombed after take-off from Sharm Sundays, Tuesdays and Thurs- Abdel Razik said the re- Last October, Roman Catholic Amr Emam is a Cairo-based el-Sheikh. All 224 passengers and days. Daily flights between Cairo turn of Russian tourists could Pope Francis recognised Egypt as contributor to The Arab Weekly. 10 April 22, 2018 News & Analysis Maghreb Maghrebi parties eye resuscitating moribund regional grouping

Lamine Ghanmi harsh as he saw their movement as part of an “imperialist” or “Zionist” plot against pan-Arab unity, which Tunis he championed. The latest North African unity eaders of 11 progressive session saw Libya’s Umma Party, and secularist political Harakat al Moustakbal (Future parties from Algeria, Lib- Movement) and Republican Coali- ya, Mauritania, Morocco tion group join Algeria’s Talaie El and Tunisia completed a Hourriyet (Vanguard of Freedoms), Ltwo-day brainstorming session fo- Front El Moustakbal (Future Front) cused on breathing new life into the and Rally for Culture and Democ- 29-year-old Arab Maghreb Union. racy, as well as Morocco’s pro-royal Their main challenge will be palace Authenticity and Modernity boosting support for the North Afri- Party, Socialist Union of Popular can grouping amid widespread dis- Forces and Front of Democratic appointment with its performance. Forces in the coordination network. The parties set up a coordina- The Rally for Mauritania and tion body, dubbed the “Network Machrou Tounes (Tunisia Project), of Democratic Parties in North Af- led by Tunisian President Beji Caid rica,” which conspicuously avoided Essebsi’s former top aide Mohsen the phrase “Arab Maghreb” and Marzouk, are also active in the its identity implications. The shift grouping, which is open to other was in line with social and cultural parties in the region. There are changes since the “Arab spring” in more than 210 political parties in 2011, after which Algeria and Mo- Tunisia and 40 political groups in rocco recognised the Berber lan- Libya. guage and identity in their consti- “The (network) remains open to tutions. all other democratic political par- Morocco’s constitution identifies ties from all the countries of the the country as part of the “Great region,” the parties said in a state- Maghreb” rather than the “Arab ment at the end of their meetings in Maghreb.” This came in response to Sousse, Tunisia. A dream to be. A view of a large structure with flags of the five Maghreb countries in the Moroccan concerns from Berber activists that The purpose of the network will city of Oujda. (Wikipedia) identifying the region as “Arab” be to “strengthen the cooperation was racially insensitive, marginalis- and coordination of the parties, ing the estimated 35 million Berber- parliamentarians, women, youth, long but I’m certain that if we suc- grouping,” he added. political and economic integration speakers in the Maghreb, including business and cultural groups to re- ceed in making the initiative popu- Islamists are not part of the new or foster solidarity among the re- in Libya and Mauritania. inforce the rapprochement at all lar by reaching out to the other po- Maghrebi network, which is domi- gion’s more than 100 million peo- Identified mainly by their native levels in the region to further the litical, social and citizen forces this nated by secularist and progres- ple. Maghrebi intellectuals describe languages, the Berbers are indig- common interests,” they said. goal will be within our reach.” sive-leaning political parties. It is the union as a dormant “syndicate” enous inhabitants of North Africa. The parties are to meet in Moroc- “It is our duty as progressive reminiscent of the Etoile Nord-Af- of governments that are more in- Their culture was predominant in co before the end of the year. The parties to reaffirm our commit- ricaine (North Africa Star) grouping terested in their own survival than the Maghreb prior to the seventh- group had its initial meetings in Al- ment and ability to open the de- created by Maghrebi progressive a vision of regional integration and century Arab conquest and Islamic geria in March. bate and undertake the necessary nationalists 92 years ago to bolster cooperation. religious and cultural influence. “The leaders of the parties action for the integration of the support for the independence of Al- “It has been 29 years since the The most evident cultural change pledged to formulate proposals and North Africa region as a democratic geria, Morocco and Tunisia with the union was created. What has been in the Maghreb has been the ideas to face the challenges of the hope the three future independent achieved so far amounts to noth- Amazighs’ revival in Libya follow- countries in the region and to clear countries would form a regional ing,” said Algerian writer Sadek ing the fall of Muammar Qaddafi’s the hurdles that halt the progress union. Sahraoui, who is a strong supporter regime, which brutally suppressed and the success of the Maghreb Un- The ideals of the North Africa of the revival of the union. “At the that culture. ion,” they added in the final com- Star remained alive among nation- political level, what is left is the rit- All leaders in the Maghreb munique, naming terrorism and Is- The parties set up a alist leaders, culture and business ual exchange of messages between stressed the importance of national lamist extremism as major threats coordination body, elites and citizens following inde- its leaders on the anniversary of its unity following independence and to the region’s stability. which conspicuously pendence, which helped lead to the creation while each leader really re- suppressed efforts to revive the Mohcine Belabbas, leader of Al- avoided the phrase creation of the Arab Maghreb Union sents the other.” Amazigh language and culture but geria’s Rally for Culture and De- “Arab Maghreb” and its in 1989. Qaddafi’s crackdown on Berber cul- mocracy party, said: “the path to The union achieved little, Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly tural expression was particularly achieving regional unity appears identity implications. however, to satisfy yearnings for correspondent in Tunis. Sub-Saharan migrant surge strains Maghreb countries

Lamine Ghanmi In Tunis, migrant workers some- Mediterranean. In each of the last times seem to outnumber local three years, an average of 150,000 employees at construction sites people made the treacherous sea Tunis and other businesses, such as journey from Libya. restaurants, car washes and ham- The Libyan Coast Guard, backed any African coun- mams for women. by funds and resources from the tries that border the Mehdi Ben Gharbia, Tunisian European Union and specifically Maghreb region face minister of relations with constitu- from Italy, has cracked down on dire socio-econom- tional bodies, said Tunisia is “tol- boats smuggling migrants to Eu- ic pressures even erant” of migrants and “flexible rope. The result is that as many as Mwhen not consumed by armed about their presence.” “They are 1 million people are estimated to conflicts and jihadist violence. mostly students or tourists who be bottled up in Libya, including The turmoil south of the Sahara over-stayed their visas,” he said. many in overcrowded detention is ruining economies and pushing Algerian officials said the surge centres. unprecedented waves of migrants of migrants is caused by mounting Since the 2011 NATO-backed to the Maghreb. instability in sub-Saharan coun- campaign led to the overthrow of This flow of people gives a new tries. Some of the instability is a dictator Muammar Qaddafi, Libya role to the Maghreb in terms of by-product of the stepped-up ef- has descended into violence and migration dynamics and tests its forts by Western powers against chaos. The conflict in Libya has ties with the rest of Africa when it jihadists as well as by the sophis- had a wider effect on the stabil- is seeking broader trade and busi- tication and the aggressive tactics ity of neighbouring sub-Saharan ness ties with the continent. of human traffickers. countries and has fuelled the The Maghreb has been a source Cross-currents. An African migrant prays near tents at a makeshift “Future prospects are disastrous movement of migrants towards of migrants to Europe since the camp on the outskirts of Algiers. (Reuters) and the UN non-governmental or- other Maghreb states. 1940s. However, it is itself be- ganisations say that,” Kacimi said. “We know that the migrant coming a destination for migrants official at the Algerian Interior continuing despite what is said “The incipient famine in eight smugglers have some 14,000 all- lured by its relative stability and Ministry. “Available statistics show and written to besmirch the image African countries will cause the terrain vehicles. They earn [$170 the possibility of a passage to Eu- that 500 clandestine migrants ar- of Algeria,” Algerian Interior Min- displacement of some 800,000 million] per month,” said Kacimi, rope, even if that involves long rive daily in Algeria.” ister Noureddine Bedoui said in a people. There are about 700,000 adding that he expected a “dra- stays that stretch the hospitality of Hundreds of other migrants speech to parliament. migrants stranded in Libya who matic migrant situation for Algeria Maghrebi societies. are stopped each day before they “We are not in a situation of a mi- are preparing to turn back south.” and for migrants themselves.” Analysts and officials said cur- cross the border. gration flow but in the face of mas- The situation in strife-stricken Kacimi gave the example of tailing the flow of migrants would Algeria has shut its borders with sive population displacements,” Libya is encouraging this reverse the town of Agadez in Niger near mean addressing the needs of mi- Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Kacimi said. “Which country migrant trend. the Algerian border, where “most grants in their homelands at a time Morocco in what the government would accept such flow of illegal Last December, a CNN video migrants are escorted by armed when European countries are giv- calls “positive isolation” to shield migrants on its soil? What happens showing African men apparently groups.” ing priority to military force to fight the country from illegal migration at our borders is very worrying.” being sold at an auction in Libya Meanwhile, the EU border jihadists in sub-Saharan Africa. and jihadists, drug traffickers and Algeria is a transit point for mi- prompted an international outcry agency Frontex said in its risk “You must know that we are in weapons smugglers. grants to Morocco, where authori- over exploitation and abuse of mi- analysis for 2018 that it expects one of the most worrying situ- Algeria has repatriated 27,000 ties give permits to some migrants grants. It prompted European and the Maghreb to remain one of the ations. Algeria does not face a illegal migrants over the last three while cracking down on illegal mi- African leaders to repatriate some most active routes for migrants simple migration flow. It faces a years, provoking criticism from gration in its northern regions un- migrants. crossing the Mediterranean il- massive movement of sub-Saha- human rights activists over alleged der a deal with Spain. Libya had been the main transit legally despite the sharp de- ran population displacements,” violations of migrants’ rights. The number of illegal migrants point for refugees and migrants cline in the number of migrants said Hacene Kacimi, a migration “The repatriation operation is has been on the rise in Tunisia. trying to reach Europe via the from Libya. April 22, 2018 11 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Hamas, Fatah complicate Egypt’s mediation as they trade accusations

Ahmed Megahid Palestinian civil war between Hamas and Fatah. Hamas denied involvement in Cairo the attack. A few days later, the Gaza-ruling faction said two of elations between Hamas three suspects in the attack had and Fatah are as strained been killed. as ever, despite a much- The attack on Hamdallah’s con- touted Egypt-brokered voy complicated matters for Egypt, reconciliation deal, with which mediated the October 2017 RPalestinian President Mahmoud reconciliation agreement and had Abbas accusing Hamas of refusing worked to ensure its implementa- to cede control of the Gaza Strip. tion. While Hamas initially appeared Following two rounds of talks in willing to hand over the territory Cairo, Palestinian factions agreed to Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, to move towards full reconcilia- the group said it would not give up tion, which included preparations its arms, a condition that Abbas re- for legislative and presidential jected. elections before the end of 2018 Hamas, which has controlled and Hamas ceding control of the the Gaza Strip since 2007, has ap- Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Au- peared to harden its position and thority. analysts warned that a hard-fought Abbas told a meeting of the Cen- reconciliation agreement signed tral Committee of Fatah April 8 in last October in Cairo was on the Ramallah that he had asked mem- brink of collapse. bers of an Egyptian intelligence delegation to bring him a reply from Hamas on when it would hand over administrative rule of Gaza. In Egypt, analysts “We talked to our Egyptian Losing patience. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a conference in Ramallah, on accuse Hamas of brothers on reconciliation and April 11. (Reuters) made it clear to them that either seeking to escalate our government takes over all animosities with Israel Gaza’s files, namely the ministries, Accusing Hamas of intentionally and the West Bank to investigate occurred when tens of thousands to hinder Egyptian security and the arms or there will hampering the progress of recon- differences between the two sides of Palestinians were protesting mediation efforts. be another talk,” Abbas said. ciliation talks, Ahmad confirmed and try to solve them. along the Gaza-Israel border. Ha- Speaking April 15 at the Arab that the Palestinian Authority has He said Hamas and Fatah agreed mas and the Israel military have League summit, Abbas said Ham- insisted on seeking “full control” in Cairo to form a joint committee exchanged fire across the border. dallah’s government cannot meet of the Gaza Strip. He also called on to manage the security file. “Fatah In Egypt, analysts accuse Hamas “This territory cannot be ruled its responsibilities to the people of Hamas to crack down on what he insists, however, to be solely re- of seeking to escalate animosities by anybody from outside it,” said Gaza without taking control of the described as “terrorists” in Gaza’s sponsible for this file, which has with Israel to hinder Egyptian me- Husam Badran, a senior member coastal enclave. coastal territory before reconcilia- nothing to do with the understand- diation efforts. of Hamas’s politburo. “Everybody The Palestinian Authority has tion could move ahead. ings reached in Cairo,” Badran said. “The movement can actually be knows that Hamas did everything several options if it wants to pres- “Hamas continues to procras- A Hamas delegation arrived in killing two birds with one stone,” it could to make the reconciliation sure Hamas, including withholding tinate and waste time because it Cairo for talks with Egyptian intel- said Tariq Fahmi, a political sci- a success.” salaries of Gaza Strip civil servants does not believe in political shar- ligence officials on reconciliation ence professor at Cairo University. Relations between Hamas and and cutting off funding for Gazan ing,” Ahmad said. with Fatah and violence along the “On one hand, the escalation of Abbas deteriorated after an at- ministries and departments. Hamas denies that allegation Gaza-Israel border. Egypt was ex- violence with Israel will do away tack on Palestinian Prime Minis- “This can all be done to put and claims that it is Fatah that re- pected to press Hamas to imple- with the talk about reconciliation ter Rami Hamdallah and intelli- pressure on Hamas to hand over fused to implement the reconcilia- ment agreements reached with Fa- with Fatah, at least for now, and, gence chief Majid Faraj on March Gaza’s administrative rule to tion agreement. tah last year and avoid provoking on the other, it will please Iran 13. Abbas accused Hamas of being the government,” said Azzam Badran said Fatah turned down confrontations with Israel. whose relations with Hamas have behind the assassination attempt al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah’s a Hamas proposal for forming a The deterioration of rela- been strengthening for several and many fear the possibility of a Central Committee. committee of judges from Gaza tions between Hamas and Fatah months now.” Viewpoint Gaza children are becoming adults before their time

he photograph of emboldens him to assert the rights finishing line. Is that the fate that Fawzi Junaid, the 16-year-old 9-year-old Gazan denied to him by Israel. awaits Mohammad and others as swarmed by 20 Israeli soldiers in Mohammad Ayash Discursive and symbolic defi- they approach childhood’s finish Hebron, and more, lay bare hard- Nazli Tarzi wearing a self-styled ance of this calibre becomes an line? to-swallow, long-censored truths surgical mask out of unavoidable response to occupa- Six years ago, I encountered about Israel’s criminal treatment which an onion shoot tional violence and the oppressive Ahed Tamimi and her cousin of minors. Our Twitter-guided Tis seen protruding has led to structures Palestinians are locked Janna Jihad while organising a social media age is reversing that, him being celebrated as another into from birth. The trauma chil- photography exhibition at my post by post. revolutionary child icon, who, like dren learn to live with is as real as university. In one of the exhibited The imagined threat these many others living under occu- its disproportionate costs. photographs, Ahed and another children pose as far as Israel is pation, has been fast-tracked to As Lebanese singer Ahmad girl have their backs turned to a concerned lies in the fact that they adulthood. Kaabour puts it: “Know that the camera as they stare at the barrel constitute half of the Palestinian Adopting an improvised strat- young possess dreams of their of an Israeli rifle. It is pointed at territories’ overall population. egy his father learned during the own and the capacity to determine them by a uniformed Israeli soldier Their lawful objection to the intifadas, Mohammad mocked their fate.” He rose to fame sing- and a tank is in the near distance. usurpation of their lands by an oc- Israel’s excessive force of arms ing Palestinian poet Tawfiq Ziad’s Seven years later, Tamimi is in cupant force over the last 60 years and earned worldwide fame. He “Unadikum” (“I Call on You”) in jail and Jihad has continued her collapses the gap between child and thousands of others partici- the midst of Lebanon’s 15-year duty-bound mission to document and adult. pated in a 3-week-long protest to civil war. Israeli injustices. Mohammad As a strong mass that represents reassert the right for Palestinians Mohammad has been elevated Tamimi, Ahed’s 15-year-old cousin, a legislative threat capable of to return to their ancestral lands. as another one of Palestine’s inter- had his skull shattered after a rub- piercing the rhetorical veil behind “Like when straw catches fire” nationally acclaimed child icons. ber-coated metal bullet was fired which Israel shrugs off the weight was how Mohammad’s shared im- Others include the blindfolded at his head. The family and Israeli of its problems, these children are age was introduced several weeks boy, the handcuffed girl, the stran- authorities remain embroiled in a subject to the treatment adults ago during an interview with Al gled boy in a headlock and the boy battle to control the narrative of face. They stand before military Jazeera Arabic. with the punctured skull, among what happened to Mohammad. courts and languish in jails indefi- “I feel no fear, they fear me,” plenty more. Figures published by B’Tselem, nitely. the child said when asked about They are the successors of a Jerusalem-based human rights At a time when public opinion Israel’s armed response to the Palestine’s revolutionary present; information centre, put the is being made and unmade across protest along Gaza’s perimeter projecting their voices, exhibiting number of Palestinian minors global forums, institutionalised vi- fence, killing 15 and injuring 1,000 humour and political conscious- held in Israeli jails at 356. These olence to which children remain, others. ness that far exceeds their tender numbers are difficult to push victims, is harder to quash. What cannot be “My goal was to reclaim my ages. aside when imagining what the What cannot be scrubbed away land, the land of my ancestors and The occupation becomes in itself future promises Gaza’s children. in the broader debate is the visibil- scrubbed away in my family’s memories,” he told Al a child-rearing practice but one As is the memory of Ibrahim Abu ity and alleviated status children the broader debate Jazeera. that denies child activists healthy Thurayyah’s death, a double am- are gaining inside the adult world is the visibility and The child speaks like a man, careers and future, regardless of putee shot by Israeli forces during they wittingly navigate. though only a child. In the context the passions it inflames. As statis- demonstrations near Gaza’s pe- alleviated status of occupation, voices such as tics suggest, Palestinian activ- rimeter fence to protest the United Nazli Tarzi is an independent children are Mohammad’s blur the barely de- ists as minors and adults will be States’ recognition of Jerusalem as journalist whose writings and tectable line that separates adult- interned. Death for adults is more Israel’s capital. films focus on Iraq’s ancient gaining inside hood and childhood. His courage inevitable, at least a possibility Lionhearted children such as history and contemporary the adult world. dilutes his status as a child but once children cross the Mohammad Ayash, the Tamimis, political scene. 12 April 22, 2018 Special Focus

Will Lebanon have more women MPs after May 6 poll?

Myra Abdallah

Beirut

n the nine years since Lebanon’s latest general elections, wom- en’s appetite for political power has increased significantly and there are more than 100 female Icandidates contesting in the May 6 poll, compared to 12 in 2009. There are four women members in the outgoing parliament — 5.12% of the total of elected members. Will 2018 witness the election of a larger number of female candidates? Feminist movements and women rights activists have been lobbying for the increase of women’s partici- pation in politics and many of them advocated — unsuccessfully — to in- clude an obligatory quota for women in the election law that was passed last June. This year, 111 women are running in the elections, the highest ever number of women candidates in Lebanon. Fair “The fight for a fair representa- representation tion of women in politics has pushed ahead? The many political parties to include poster of the women on their electoral lists,” said all-women list, rights activist Hayat Mirshad. “How- Nisaa Akkar ever, the real problem is that many (Women of political parties have put women in Akkar). positions where it is almost impos- (Nisaa Akkar) sible for them to make it to parlia- ment.” “The electoral law makes it very Lebanon, an all-women list, Nisaa “I am a lawyer and a school win in the upcoming election not to Under the new semi-proportional difficult for people who don’t have Akkar (Women of Akkar) was formed teacher. We, as a list, only have the exceed the number of women in the electoral law, it is more difficult for the needed financial means to be by five candidates who refused to be money to pay for the minimum outgoing parliament. candidates who are not heads of a visible to voters,” said Paula Ya- placed in male-dominated lists on requirements of the electoral cam- “It is a good thing to look at the list or in top positions to succeed. coubian, a journalist and candidate which they were unlikely to succeed. paign. We have no money to be number of 111 candidates as a posi- That leaves women placed towards for the Armenian Orthodox seat in “It is a unique and risky decision visible on the media or be on bill- tive number but it is more impor- the end of the electoral lists with less Beirut 1 district. we took,” said lawyer Souad Salah, boards. We are trying to launch a tant to look at how many of these chance of winning. “I am a candidate who is funding candidate for the Sunni seat in Ak- crowdfunding campaign to collect candidates will become members The rate of women candidates is her own electoral campaign. A lot of kar. “Many other candidates tried the money we need to pay for our of the parliament in May 2018,” she the highest on lists formed by the women do not have this [privilege]. to intimidate us to push us to with- representatives in polling stations said. civil society groups such as Koullou- With the lack of a real support of draw our candidacy. My husband during elections day. We need ap- “Women have been silenced for a na Watani (We are all nationalists), political parties, many women were was offered money to pressure me proximately 700 representatives very long time in Lebanon and we which has 30% female hopefuls. not able to run for the elections,” she to quit. I come from a very conserv- and we only have a handful of vol- need more than [111 candidates] to Even though the number of said. ative community and many in my unteers,” Salah said. come near a fair representation of women candidates is the highest “Consequently, while forming own family are not supporting me.” When they are not supported by women in the political life. It is im- in Lebanon to date, it is considered the civil society’s Koullouna Watani Salah and the other candidates political parties or don’t have the fi- portant that women support each relatively low to a gender-balanced lists, it was difficult to find women are funding their own electoral nancial means to be visible as pow- other to reach a fair representation parliament. Insufficient financial who were willing to participate in campaigns. In this underprivileged erful candidates, women are dis- in politics.” leverage is viewed as a major obsta- the elections and who had the finan- region of Lebanon, Nisaa Akkar is couraged to run for political office. cle preventing women from being cial means to do so.” determined to try to make a Mirshad said she expected the Myra Abdallah is a Lebanese politically active. Nonetheless, in Akkar, North difference. number of women who are likely to activist on gender issues. Independents are the wild card in Tunisia’s municipal elections

Lamine Ghanmi first win over sceptics who see While the law has been praised them as Trojan horses for the Is- for promoting equal representa- lamist Ennahda party, which is tion, it is an obstacle for independ- Tunis suspected by secularist opponents ent lists in rural communities, and allies alike of seeking to extend where women are less likely to take s campaigning gears up its power in rural Tunisia as part of part in politics. for Tunisia’s municipal an “ultimate plan” to turn the tra- Tunisia’s constitution, approved elections, independent ditionally secular and Westernised in 2014, decentralises power and candidates are attract- Arab country into a religious state. resources to benefit local authori- ing considerable atten- The complicated voting system ties. The municipal elections are to tionA because of their numbers and makes reliance on “independents” be followed by local and regional diverse backgrounds. as proxies an attractive option for a polls. Among the 2,074 electoral lists political party with huge financial The over-centralisation that vying in the country’s 350 munici- resources. characterised post-independence palities, 860 independent lists are However, low turnout or wide- Tunisia led to inequality in social Bolstering the young democracy. Tunisians look at lists of competing against 1,055 party-af- spread protest votes could un- and economic development be- candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in the city of filiated lists and 159 other lists rep- dermine the legitimacy of the es- tween the more developed coastal Ariana, on April 14. (AFP) resenting coalitions of parties, said tablishment and the democratic areas and the more marginal re- Mohamed Tlili Mansri, president process, making it more challeng- gions of the country. who favour liberal and secularist citizens,” said Adelkarim Harouni, a of the Independent High Authority ing for Tunisia to advance along Tunis, Sousse and Sfax account candidates. party leader. for Elections. its democratic path towards 2019, for 56% of Tunisia’s 11 million peo- “The greatest danger comes from Analysts said while Ennahda and The large number of independ- when parliamentary and presiden- ple, 92% of the country’s manufac- the so-called independents… who Nidaa Tounes would overwhelm ent lists is seen as a crucial factor tial elections are scheduled. turing enterprises and 85% of GDP, have forged secret alliances with the 20 other parties contesting the that could solidify Tunisia’s demo- Independents faced many hur- World Bank data state. Ennahda with the aim of scattering polls, they could find independent cratic transition. The May 6 vote is dles in getting candidates validat- The municipal elections are ex- the votes and breaking up the unity candidates more difficult to beat, the first step in an unprecedented ed: Tunisia’s election laws include pected to rekindle the dormant of the voters of the centre demo- especially if independents demon- expansion of democratic rule to measures requiring parity between political and ideological rivalry be- cratic political forces to monopo- strate that they are distinct from the local level. Campaigning began men and women and representa- tween Ennahda and the secularist lise the local power and achieve the Ennahda. April 14. tion by minority groups, such as Nidaa Tounes, which was founded plan of building the extremist Mus- Weak economic growth, unem- The robust showing of independ- those with disabilities. by Tunisian President Beji Caid lim Brotherhood state,” Harbaoui ployment, the declining value of ents could lead to increased voter Essebsi and is headed by his son said in a statement. the Tunisian dinar and the down- turnout. Hafedh. Ennahda said it fielded half of its grading of the country’s credit Recent polls projected turnout to Though the parties are the main candidates in the 350 lists under rating will be the main arguments be around 30%. Electoral authori- partners in a coalition govern- the party banner and denied that against the ruling parties. ties have said they are hoping for a ment led by Nidaa Tounes’ Youssef independents have links to the “The independents are capable 60-70% participation rate. Chahed, Nidaa Tounes leaders party. of pulling off a surprise victory in The vote comes at a time when Independents must have said they would campaign “Ennahda is a force of unity, the municipal elections,” said po- many Tunisians say the main po- first win over sceptics against Ennahda to stress their dif- entente and collective participa- litical analyst Walid Ahmed Ferchi- litical parties have failed to address who see them as ferent secularist agenda. tion to serve the Tunisian people. chi. “The main factor in winning the country’s woes, including slow Trojan horses Nidaa Tounes spokesman Mongi The elections must remain demo- votes in such elections is the prox- economic growth, high inflation for the Islamist Harbaoui assailed independents as cratic and civilised and the com- imity and popularity in the areas and widespread unemployment. “disguised” candidates of Ennah- petition must be over programmes where the candidates live and that However, independents must Ennahda party. da seeking to disperse the voters related to the daily lives of the benefits the independents.” April 22, 2018 13 Elections in MENA With snap election, Erdogan moves to consolidate power till 2028

Thomas Seibert Ankara says the new system will be more efficient and is urgently needed to deal with challenges at Istanbul home and abroad. Erdogan adviser Ilnur Cevik, writing in the English- urkish President Recep language Daily Sabah newspaper, Tayyip Erdogan is rush- said questions included what “fu- ing the country to early ture course do we take in Syria, how elections in a move de- do we handle the Iranian expansion signed to catch a divided in the Middle East, what do we do Topposition off-guard and to benefit with Iraq, how to proceed in the from the wave of patriotism follow- fight against terrorism, how can we ing Ankara’s military incursion into build new bridges of understanding Syria. with the United States and how do Despite ruling out early elections we go ahead with the uncertainties for months and insisting the vote that govern our relations with the would be as scheduled in Novem- European Union?” ber 2019, Erdogan, on April 18, an- Erdogan critics said the June nounced that parliamentary and poll represents a power grab by the presidential elections would be on president. “This is a raid-like elec- June 24, the situation in neighbour- tion and a coup d’etat,” Tekin Kum- ing Iraq and Syria having “made it basar, a painter in Istanbul, said in essential for Turkey to overcome an interview. the uncertainties ahead as soon as The secularist Republican Peo- possible.” ple’s Party (CHP), the biggest oppo- Turkey sent its army into the sition bloc in parliament, said the northern Syrian region of Afrin in fact that the June 24 election will January to push Kurdish rebels take place under a state of emer- from the border area and has threat- gency, in force since a failed coup ened another incursion into north- against Erdogan in 2016 and just ern Iraq to press Kurdish fighters extended by parliament, was un- Shifting politics. Turkish men are seen in front of poster flags of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of there. Polls indicate up to 90% of democratic. “You cannot have elec- modern Turkey, in Istanbul, on April 19. (AFP) Turks support the Afrin operation. tions under emergency rule,” CHP spokesman Bulent Tezcan told the NTV broadcaster. possible to prevent a newly formed a serious challenger to the 64-year- election. If there is no clear win- The West is also voicing con- right-populist group, the Iyi Parti old Erdogan, if he decides to run. ner, the two top candidates enter cerns. “During a state of emer- (Good Party), from establishing it- The CHP and the pro-Kurdish a run-off two weeks later. In the By calling early gency, it would be difficult to have self in all parts of Turkey. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), parliamentary election, the AKP is elections, Erdogan is a completely free, fair and trans- Opinion polls indicate the Iyi whose co-leaders Selahattin set to stay the strongest party with parent election in a manner that’s Parti could score enough votes to Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag around 40% but it is uncertain calculating that he can consistent with… Turkish law and enter parliament. Iyi Parti leader have been in pre-trial detention whether the AKP can retain its ma- avoid seeing a possible Turkey’s international obligations,” Meral Aksener, a former interior since November 2016, have not an- jority in the chamber. crash before Turks go to US State Department spokeswoman minister, said she is running as a nounced who will run for them in Observers said the economy the polls. Heather Nauert said. presidential candidate against Er- the presidential poll. played an important role in Er- Emergency rules give the author- dogan. The opposition’s lack of prepa- dogan’s decision to go to the polls ities wide-ranging powers to arrest Another possible candidate is ration gives Erdogan a head start. early. Despite high growth rates, government opponents and to ban former President Abdullah Gul, He told officials of his ruling Jus- rising inflation, a falling exchange The election is to cement a switch rallies, critics say. The European who could run for the small Islam- tice and Development Party (AKP) rate of the lira against the dollar from a parliamentary to a presiden- Union said in a report that growing ist Saadet Partisi (Felicity Party). that he would formally begin his and the euro, growing unemploy- tial system in Turkey that started authoritarianism and an erosion of Gul, who was head of state from re-election campaign within days, ment and signs that major Turkish with a referendum, narrowly won the rule of law meant that Turkey 2007 until Erdogan took over the news reports said. The opposition companies are facing difficulties by Erdogan, last year. The new rules was rapidly moving away from EU top job in 2014, is a former politi- says there is no level playing field point to a coming crisis. open the way for Erdogan, who has values. cal partner of Erdogan who has be- because Erdogan is using the state By calling early elections, been Turkey’s leader for 15 years, to The election announcement come critical of the government’s apparatus for electoral purposes Erdogan is calculating that he can govern for another two 5-year terms came one day after national- authoritarianism. and because most mass media are avoid seeing a possible crash be- — until 2028 — with expanded ex- ist leader Devlet Bahceli, who Saadet leader Temel Karamol- owned by pro-government compa- fore Turks go to the polls. ecutive powers. The role of parlia- supports Erdogan, proposed an laoglu said he wanted to talk to Gul nies and businessmen. ment would be reduced and the August date for snap polls. Ob- about a possible candidacy. Gul, Candidates need more than Thomas Seibert is a position of prime minister would servers said Erdogan and Bah- 67, is widely respected among con- 50% of the vote to win outright in Washington correspondent be abolished. celi want elections as soon as servative voters and could become the first round of the presidential for The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint Iraq elections could be an opportunity to curb Iran influence

he upcoming Iraqi par- means of offsetting Iranian influ- the region. Ayatollah Ali Sistani, told PBS, liamentary and local ence,” wrote James F. Jeffrey and “America, for them to be present referring to Iran. elections are likely to Michael Knights in an article for in the region, they need Iranian This could explain why the visit Mamoon Alabbasi present an opportunity the Washington Institute for Near help. They must just come to to Tehran in January by Nechirvan for Iraq to curb Iranian East Policy think-tank. terms and accept the presence of a Barzani, the prime minister of influence, which has Abadi has reiterated that he powerful Iran,” pro-regime Iranian Kurdistan Regional Government Tdominated the country since the would not take sides in any re- political analyst Seyed Hosseini (KRG), reportedly to mediate 2003 US-led invasion that toppled gional conflict and domestically told US public television network restoring ties with Abadi after the Saddam Hussein. he is running a cross-sectarian and PBS last December. fallout over the Kurdistan inde- Ahead of the May 12 elections, cross-ethnic electoral campaign. In addition to having the sup- pendence referendum, had failed. the Iraqi government and influen- “Iraqi (and US) strategic inter- port of some Iraqi politicians, Iran Ties remained strained, leading tial politicians have been engaged ests would be best served if the has strong influence over many of KRG officials to seek the media- in reconciliatory moves vis-a-vis country is analogous to Finland in Iraq’s militias, the Popular Mobili- tion of Sistani instead. It was only Iraq’s neighbours, breaking its ap- the Cold War, maintaining some sation Forces (PMF). when the KRG accepted Abadi’s parent overdependence on Iran. degree of autonomy from Tehran An October report by the Middle terms with regards to federal A visit by Iraqi Prime Minister as well as Washington,” wrote Jef- East Institute stated that 40 of an authority over all of Iraq’s borders Haider al-Abadi to Saudi Arabia in frey and Knights. estimated 67 PMF militias “are that Baghdad lifted its sanctions October signalled the beginning of To what extent such a scenario believed to share close links with on Erbil. a new era of ties between Baghdad is possible largely depends on the Iran’s al-Quds Force.” “The key limit to Iranian influ- and Riyadh, which had broken outcome of Iraq’s elections and the “However, al-Quds Force’s ence is… Iraqi strength and, at down with Iraq’s 1990 invasion of electoral alliances that are formed ability to control the [PMF], and least among its Arabs, unity,” Kuwait. afterward. therefore major security struc- wrote Kenneth Pollack, a resident There have been several high- “Many candidates hope to re- tures of the Iraqi state, will not scholar at the American Enter- profile visits by Iraqi officials to turn Iraq to its pre-1991 era, when be uncontested, particularly from prise Institute, on the think-tank’s Gulf countries and by Gulf officials the country led the Arab world in within the Shia community,” wrote website. to Iraq. The climax of the rap- various fields,” wrote Maria Dubo- Nicholas Heras, author of the “Whenever Iraq is weak and prochement bid saw Kuwait host vikova in Arab News. “The de- report. divided, Iran can wield enormous an international conference for the velopment of Iraqi-Arab relations There has been a rising senti- influence. Its ability to target There has been a reconstruction of Iraq in February. depends largely on Baghdad’s ment against Iranian meddling in individuals and play on their rising sentiment Donors pledged $30 billion to post-election desire to develop Iraqi affairs among members of the fears allows Tehran to divide and against Iranian rebuild Iraq, with the most signifi- these ties and reduce the influence Shia community, including senior conquer, co-opting various actors cant contributions coming from of Iran within its borders.” politicians and clerics. and then using their co-optation to meddling in Iraqi Turkey and Gulf countries. While Iranian meddling in “We try to maintain independ- ensnare still more,” he added. affairs among “Saudi Arabia, the United Arab post-2003 Iraq had been explained ence in [our] movement to prevent Emirates and Turkey signalled by observers as a self-protection any unacceptable outside interfer- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy members of the a new willingness to work with strategy, pro-Tehran figures are ence,” Ahmad Lashkari, a senior Managing Editor and Online Shia community. Iraq’s Shia-led government as a openly boasting of Iran’s reach in cleric associated with Iraqi Grand Editor of The Arab Weekly. 14 April 22, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey

Risky moves. Greek Coast Guard vessels sail next to Mikros Anthropofas (L) and Megalos Anthropofas (R) islets near the island of Fournoi in Greece. (Reuters) New tensions rise between old rivals Turkey and Greece

Thomas Seibert irritant because Ankara refused to eastern Mediterranean.” Turkey driver behind Turkey’s foreign relations. In a report marked by return the soldiers to Greece. Turk- complained of provocation by policy,” Tol said in an interview. sharp criticism of Turkey’s grow- ish officials have sharply criticised Greece after a Greek flag was hoist- Turkey is having local, parliamen- ing authoritarianism, the European Istanbul authorities in Athens for refusing to ed on an uninhabited island in a tary and presidential elections in Commission blasted Ankara for extradite Turkish soldiers accused disputed part of the Aegean. the next few months. Polls indicate tensions in the Aegean and in the ensions are rising be- by Ankara of involvement in a coup Turkish-Greek antipathy has Erdogan cannot be certain of win- eastern Mediterranean that “were tween NATO allies Tur- attempt against Erdogan in 2016. deep roots. In Greece, the revolu- ning a majority in parliament or of not conducive to good neighbourly key and Greece over Greek Prime Minister Alexis tion to shake off Ottoman rule in re-election as head of state. relations and undermined regional territorial claims in the Tsipras used a visit to the island of the 19th century is seen a central Critics say electoral calculations stability and security.” Aegean at a time when Kastellorizo — close to the southern part of the country’s history. On the were also one of the reasons for the The report was part of a regular TTurkish efforts to prevent gas ex- Turkish coast — on April 17 to warn other side of the Aegean, a Greek recent Turkish incursion into the evaluation of Turkey as an appli- ploration in the eastern Mediterra- Turkey that his country would not attempt to occupy parts of western northern Syrian region of Afrin. Tol cant for EU membership. Nego- nean are causing alarm, prompting negotiate over its territory. Anatolia as the Ottoman Empire argued that Erdogan has turned to tiations began in 2005 but progress Europe to chide Ankara for violat- “Many times we find ourselves, crumbled after the first world war a hawkish foreign policy because has been slow. EU officials say a de- ing “good neighbourly relations.” it is true, in troubled times, faced is deeply ingrained into Turkey’s of rising economic woes and a lack terioration of the rule of law in Tur- Greece says Turkish fighter jets with the unjustifiable behaviour, a collective memory. of enthusiasm among young voters key means that further talks about were responsible for nearly 2,000 provocative stance and an aggres- for Erdogan’s ruling Justice and De- bringing Turkey’s laws into line airspace violations, mostly over sive stance by our neighbours,” velopment Party. “He is conducting with those of the European Union the Aegean, last year. Some Greek Tsipras said. “These days we are a more nationalist foreign policy make no sense for the time being. islands are just a few kilometres experiencing one such period of because that is the one thing that Relations have been tense since Er- from the Turkish mainland and instability, which is not in line with unites everyone,” Tol said. dogan’s crackdown on dissent fol- border demarcations are not al- the principles of good neighbourli- The increasing animosity That political game is not with- lowing the coup attempt of 2016. ways clear. ness or with the rules of interna- between Ankara and EU out risk. An unwanted incident in “Bilateral relations with several The area is the scene of frequent tional law.” members Greece and the Aegean could easily escalate EU member states deteriorated, dogfights between Turkish and Greek news reports said Turkish Cyprus places a further into a military confrontation. In including at times offensive and Greek jets. In February, a Turkish fighter jets harassed the helicopter burden on Turkish- 1996, the two NATO allies almost unacceptable rhetoric,” the EU re- Coast Guard ship rammed a Greek carrying Tsipras and Greece’s mili- went to war against each other port said. “Turkey needs to commit Coast Guard vessel in disputed tary chief Evangelos Apostolakis European relations. over a small island in the Aegean. itself unequivocally to good neigh- Aegean waters. Turkish President after the visit to Kastellorizo. French President Emmanuel Ma- bourly relations.” Recep Tayyip Erdogan angered Turkey also sent navy vessels to cron has said France would defend Ankara dismissed the criticism, Athens in December when he sug- disturb gas exploration around the Today’s tensions tap into that Greece if it was threatened by Tur- saying Brussels was “far from un- gested that a 1923 treaty that gave divided island of Cyprus, arguing history. Gonul Tol, director of key. Tol said both Greece and Tur- derstanding the realities of Tur- most Aegean islands to Greece the search for natural resources Turkish Studies at the Middle East key were determined to “contain key.” The Turkish Foreign Minis- should be looked at again. under the sea violated the rights Centre in Washington, said domes- the crisis” despite their rhetoric. try warned the European Union The arrest of two Greek soldiers of Turkish Cypriots. Hulusi Akar, tic considerations are behind the The increasing animosity be- against giving “carte blanche” to who strayed onto Turkish territory Turkey’s chief of general staff, said rhetoric from Ankara. tween Ankara and EU members its members, such as Greece, say- on the land border between the Turkey would “not allow a fait “Erdogan is playing the nation- Greece and Cyprus places a fur- ing such a stance “contradicts the two countries in March is another accompli in the Aegean and the alist card, which is now the main ther burden on Turkish-European European Union’s own values.” Viewpoint Could Turkey go to war with Greece because Erdogan has called an election?

here is little doubt that restructured, allowing Erdogan Now he is on the home stretch, Greece. Iyi leader Meral Aksener the looming economic to tighten his grip on the judici- having realised that nationalist has been talking tough and has crisis pushed Turk- ary. The purchase of the massive, rhetoric is not only a vote-winner been photographed with former Yavuz Baydar ish President Recep semi-independent Dogan media but also an approach that squeez- army officers who are known as Tayyip Erdogan to empire by a sycophantic business es nationalist opposition parties heroes of action against Greece in declare snap elections. family makes it harder to have such as the Republican Peoples’ the 1990s. TBefore he did so, Erdogan’s politi- free and fair journalism. A new Party (CHP) and the newly estab- Given the political consensus cal ally had already suggested an internet law is meant to restrict lished Iyi Parti. on an aggressive nationalism, early election. the scope of social media. Tur- Erdogan has already notched up Greek-Turkish relations are at Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far- key’s state of emergency has been two apparent wins: the invasion their most tense in modern times. right Nationalist Movement Party, extended yet again — the seventh of Syria’s Afrin enclave and a nar- The tensions could not have said Turkey should go to the polls time since it was first implement- rative that celebrates the defeat of come at a worse time for both on August 26. However, Erdogan ed after the failed July 2016 coup. hostile Kurds. countries. Turkey is faced with a set June 24 as the date, making When the country votes in June, He needs more. This explains deteriorating economy and Greece it obvious that he wants to get it it will be under these conditions. why Greece has been a political is struggling to recover from its over with as soon as possible. Erdogan, however, may feel that punching bag for some time. Ten- financial troubles. Troubles with In so doing, he hopes to catch the conditions are ripe to deliver sions are escalating over some tiny refugee settlement and resettle- the opposition off-guard. It is a po- the final blow to the old way of do- islets in the Aegean. There have ment continue. For the next two litical ambush and a masterstroke. ing things and to institutionalise been dogfights in the air and on months, NATO partners will need Since August 2014, when he authoritarian rule instead. the seas. It may take just one false to pay close attention to prevent was elected president, Erdogan Here’s the rub. To assume ab- move to bring the two countries to the conflict from escalating into has been laying the groundwork solute power and become super- actual war. a war. to take full control of the govern- president, Erdogan must make Athens is concerned, not least Rumour has it that both the ment. Structural changes to that sure he wins the elections by as because the tensions may affect United States and France are Given the political effect have been instituted. They large a margin as possible. Fol- tourism, which is expected to in contact with Athens and are appear irreversible given the op- lowing in the footsteps of his role reach 30 million visitors this year. prepared to send warships to drop consensus on an position’s weakness and disar- model, Russian President Vladimir Erdogan, however, has co-opted anchor around the islets off the aggressive ray and the steady muzzling of Putin, Erdogan has presented the nationalist argument so clev- Turkish coast. The ships would nationalism, dissent. himself as a neo-irredentist leader. erly that the opposition CHP and stay for as long as deemed neces- For instance, last July, parlia- Three years ago, he turned down a Iyi parties appear to be in agree- sary. It might have a positive effect Greek-Turkish ment’s internal rules were amend- peace deal with the Kurdish Work- ment with him over alleged “Greek on maintaining peace. relations are at ed to reduce the time available ers’ Party and its political wing, hostilities” in the Aegean, as well for legislators to speak during the Peoples’ Democratic Party, and as Cyprus’s off-shore drilling. Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish their most tense in debate on bills and other discus- pursued the course from which he The CHP accused Erdogan of journalist and regular columnist modern times. sions. The high courts have been has not wavered. behaving “weakly” towards for The Arab Weekly. April 22, 2018 15 News & Analysis Iran

Madani’s resignation sheds light on Iranian power play

Gareth Smyth deputy vice-president, given the head of the Environment Depart- ment (DoE) is a vice-president. London Curbing Madani was more compli- cated than arresting the 12 or more n a “resignation letter” in Farsi campaigners jailed as security ser- posted on social media, Kaveh vices target environmental NGOs. Madani revealed he was put Iran has 850 such NGOs and the under pressure as soon as he security services suspect their ac- returned to Iran last Septem- tivities are a cover for espionage. Iber to become deputy head of the With Madani, they needed stronger Environment Department. “evidence.” His arrival began a tussle in This need was heightened by which Madani took up Iran’s en- Madani’s success in reaching out to vironmental challenges — water government officials and the pub- shortages, air pollution, waste — lic about environmental issues. He even as principlist or fundamen- explained complex problems in ac- talist critics of Iranian President cessible terms and suggested solu- Hassan Rohani undermined the tions that were within reach. Much scientist. While the principlist of the Iranian media warmed to his media attacked Madani, the intel- message. ligence services, including those In an interview with The Arab of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Weekly shortly before he resigned, Corps, kept close tabs. Madani stressed his efforts to ener- Madani was detained for 72 hours gise the department. “As a supervi- in February but, once released, sory body, the DoE is responsible resumed his work. By March 31, for almost anything related to the principlist outlets were publish- environment but has not been po- ing “incriminating” photographs, litically strong and has not prac- including ones of Madani dancing. tised its rights to prevent today’s Such behaviour is considered inap- environmental problems. We have propriate for an Iranian official. good laws, the problem is execu- The dancing was at a party dur- tion, but we also have to care and ing a 2013 meeting of the American act as individuals,” he said. Eco-warrior. Former Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment Kaveh Madani. (Instagram) Geophysical Union in San Fran- Madani cited the “NoWaste Chal- cisco and not, as claimed, while he lenge” he initiated on Instagram was an Environment Department and Twitter, which began with suggestion that his “network” was security and other issues and de- In his interview with The Arab official. Madani’s resignation let- ministers and actors recording responsible for dams draining lakes fended his role as a scientist who Weekly, Madani was optimistic. ter suggests the photographs were 1-minute videos on “What do you such as Urmia though he was op- had worked internationally. “To fix the environment, we have taken from his smartphone and do to reduce waste in the environ- posed to “hydraulic” solutions. However, photographs showing to change many things in our de- computer “without legal permis- ment?” Iranians aged 5 to 90 re- There were reports that Madani him dancing were released, possi- velopment model and, like most sion,” presumably during question- sponded. was a dual national, making his bly as a pretext for his arrest, just countries in the world, we’re not ing, thereby “violating his citizen’s “I tried to remind people about loyalty suspect and because the as Madani was due back from Thai- there yet,” he said. rights and privacy.” their responsibilities as citizens,” law bars dual nationals from any land. He had been representing “In Iran, everyone now knows Madani’s letter says he stood said Madani. “No matter how good government position. No doubt Iran at a UN meeting, unexpectedly we have made many mistakes in down with a “broken but hope- or bad the government is, we citi- this was raised in his questioning was delayed and, once he heard water development plans. I feel ful heart.” In a separate posting on zens must take actions by moving but Madani in an interview with about the photographs, decided proud that some of my studies are Twitter he condemned “cyber-bul- small stones.” the official INLA news agency in not to return but resigned instead. now public knowledge and that lies” who “reject science, knowl- When Madani was detained in October said he held only an Irani- His departure was immediately tragedies like the drying up of Lake edge and expertise.” February, there was immediate an passport. A friend said Madani welcomed by many exiled Iranians Urmia… have helped the public In a way, Madani was a ready tar- reaction on social media. He also required a work permit while at who say he was naive to believe and government understand that get for the principlists as someone had the continuing backing of Isa Imperial College and would need he could change Iran. Others ex- environment must not be neglect- who had worked abroad, especially Kalantari, vice-president and DoE a visa to return to the United King- pressed disappointment. “Kaveh ed. This may help prevent similar at Imperial College London. Britain chief, who had headhunted Mada- dom. was a symbol of hope but look at tragedies in the future.” has had a longtime role in popular ni and wanted him to stay. Indirect evidence of pressure what has happened,” a professor Iranian culture as a conspirator. However, principlist social me- came with Madani’s rising num- told The Arab Weekly. “For a small Gareth Smyth is a regular However, Madani, 36, proved to be dia were describing Madani as a bers of videos and tweets in the group in Iran, you are an enemy no contributor to The Arab Weekly. a tough nut to crack. “water terrorist” involved in dark weeks before his resignation. He matter how objective you are. It’s He has reported from the Middle This was partly because he was conspiracies. There was even the explained his views on water, food very sad.” East since 1992. Iranian wrestlers struggle against ideology

ran and Israel are engaged in Iranian athletes.” Ali Alfoneh a regional struggle for power The day after Khadem’s resig- but the regime in Tehran is si- nation, the heads of all wrestling multaneously wrestling with teams of Iran resigned an opponent more formidable in solidarity. than Israel: Iranian wrestlers. By March 19, the scandal IIran does not recognise the state reached intolerable proportions for of Israel so the regime in Tehran the regime. It forced Commander has prohibited Iranian athletes Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar, from competing against Israelis head of the Basij, one of the five internationally. This has caused wings of the Islamic Revolutionary problems for Iranian athletes, Guard Corps (IRGC), to intervene. who end up forfeiting medals and Condemning the resignation of the career opportunities. All of these heads of all the wrestling teams, are forcibly sacrificed for the sake the Basij commander said: “Our of the Iranian regime’s ideology. ideal is to do away with the false This has prompted unexpected and infanticidal Zionist regime. innovations on the part of Iranian We want Israel to be destroyed. athletes. In the quarterfinal of the This is an ideal, a strategy and the U23 World Wrestling Champion- popular demand of our nation. ship in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Iranian Receiving medals is an honour. freestyle wrestler Alireza Karimi Ideology trumps all. A 2016 file picture shows US’s J’den Michael Now, whoever we ask you prefer deliberately forfeited a match with Tbory Cox (L) wrestling with Iran’s Alireza Mohammad Karimi honour or preservation of the ide- a Russian competitor to avoid Mashiani at the Carioca Arena 2 in Rio de Janeiro. (AFP) als as your priority, they will say: facing Uri Kalashnikov, an Israeli ‘Preservation of the ideals is more wrestler, on the mat. important for us.’” After the match, video footage to compensate Karimi finan- was in November and one might Gheibparvar also warned: “I emerged in which Karimi’s coach, cially. The Islamic Republic of Iran well wonder why it’s worth recommend our friends not to How is it, Hamidreza Jamshidi, ordered the Wrestling Federation, in an official recalling now. The UWW ruling enter the field of sports diplomacy. Iranian wrestler: “You must lose, statement, thanked Karimi: “You had a dangerous domino effect on This field has an owner of its own Iranians must Alireza!” Karimi posted on Insta- innocently defend the innocence Iranian wrestling. On February and preserving the values of the wonder, that gram: “Silence is the last resort. of the people of Palestine. People 28, Rasoul Khadem, president revolution is subjected to well- We can’t achieve justice.” who may not even be aware of of the Islamic Republic of Iran defined general and unalterable Palestinian While Kalashnikov went on to your sacrifice.” Wrestling Federation, resigned in principles.” athletes compete win the bronze medal, Karimi was The United World Wrestling protest against the regime’s policy The Basij chief’s warnings granted a meeting with Iranian (UWW), the international body that barred contests with Israeli clearly show that Iran is finding it with Israelis but Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, that governs amateur wrestling, athletes. Before his resignation, increasingly difficult to justify its who lavished great praise on the was less encouraging than Khame- Khadem posed a searing question sports strategy on Israel. Iranians cannot Iranian wrestler: “I felt truly proud nei and Iranian wrestling officials. in several interviews: “If Iran’s How is it, Iranians must wonder, and must as you demonstrated that one of The UWW banned Karimi and policy is not to recognise Israel that Palestinian athletes compete our youth is ready to disregard his Jamshidi for violating interna- and not to face [Israeli] athletes, with Israelis but Iranians cannot sacrifice medals inalienable right to championship, tional wrestling rules and UWW what is the meaning of forfeiting and must sacrifice medals in the in the name of for the sake of a greater and higher Disciplinary Regulations. matches, simulating illness and name of the Palestinians? goal,” Khamenei said. The quarterfinal of the U23 the like?” Khadem accused Iranian For now, Iranian wrestlers are the Palestinians? Khamenei urged the authorities World Wrestling Championship politicians of “hiding behind primarily wrestling with ideology. 16 April 22, 2018 Curtain Raiser East West Trump-Macron summit to focus on Iran nuclear deal, Syria conflict

Mark Habeeb convincing the United Kingdom and on European businesses looking to Germany to agree to new sanctions invest in Iran. This would put the against Tehran for its missile pro- burden on the Iranians as to how Washington gramme and regional behaviour. they would want to respond,” he “The French feel like they have said. S President Donald moved quite a way to try to satisfy The New York Times reported Trump will host his the administration on ballistic mis- that Macron spoke to Syria’s princi- first state dinner on siles and have worked hard to try pal ally, Russian President Vladimir April 24 when he wel- to bring along more recalcitrant EU Putin, just hours before French comes French President partners to agreeing to concessions forces participated in the US-led UEmmanuel Macron to the White to try to satisfy the US,” said Jeff strike against Syrian targets on House. The two leaders are expect- Lightfoot, senior fellow at the Brent April 14 and later announced that ed to discuss a wide range of issues, Scowcroft Centre on International his planned visit to Russia in May prominent among them the future Security at the Atlantic Council. was still on. That suggests he may of the Iran nuclear agreement and be positioning Paris as the mediator the conflict in Syria. between Washington and Moscow, Although Trump, at age 71, is a role France sought to play during old enough to be the 40-year-old the Cold War. Macron’s father, the two leaders It is yet to be seen Speaking April 15 on French tel- have developed a close relationship. whether Trump’s evision, Macron took credit for re- Trump seems to genuinely respect fondness for Macron will versing Trump’s pledge to remove Macron’s views despite that the mean the French US troops from Syria, although French president openly criticised many of Trump’s own advisers, Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris president can change the such as US Secretary of Defence climate accords, has condemned the US president’s mind on James Mattis, have tried to get him Trump administration’s proposed Iran or other issues. to change course. tariffs on steel and is seeking to “The French are very clear on Syr- save the nuclear deal with Iran that ia, unlike the US administration,” Trump hates. However, Lightfoot said: “At the Lightfoot said. “They want the US to “Among those in the current US end of the day, the French are some- stay in Syria to finish the fight ver- administration, President Macron is what pessimistic that any conces- sus ISIS.” perceived to be a solid partner,” said sions will be enough, because they Macron also would like the Unit- Spencer Boyer of the BMW Centre recognise that Trump alone will ed States to be more active on the for German and European Studies make the decision, that his new set diplomatic front in Syria, Lightfoot at Georgetown University. “Not only of advisers are more hawkish and said, with the goal of finding “a dip- do Macron and President Trump that Trump is known for whimsical, lomatic solution that results in some have personal chemistry, which was unpredictable decision-making.” sort of political transition without seen by all during Trump’s trip to Boyer was also sceptical. “Getting insisting on an Assad departure as a France last summer, but Macron’s the United States to stick with the condition.” decision to team with the US and UK Iran nuclear accord will be Macron’s One Middle East issue that is in striking Syrian chemical weap- top priority during his visit to Wash- unlikely to come up in the Trump- ons facilities recently demonstrated ington but the prospects for a major Macron summit is the Israeli-Pales- solidarity on a key security priority.” breakthrough are unclear,” he said. tinian peace process. “The two pres- Analysts in Washington said “It’s helpful that Macron and idents might discuss the decision to Macron’s invitation to Trump to President Trump have personal move the US Embassy to Jerusalem be his guest of honour last year in rapport. It’s uncertain, however, if but, with tough issues regarding Paris for France’s Bastille Day cel- this will be enough to overcome the Iran, Syria, North Korea, Russia and ebrations was a stroke of genius, a hard-line posture Trump has taken Trump’s moves on global trade like- gesture of respect towards a man towards Iran,” said Boyer, who for- ly on the agenda, I doubt that the known to cherish attention. merly served as the US national in- peace process will be a priority top- It is yet to be seen, however, telligence officer for Europe and as ic,” Boyer said. Lightfoot concurred, whether Trump’s respect and fond- deputy assistant secretary of state saying: “I wouldn’t expect Macron ness for Macron will mean the for European and Eurasian Affairs. to use political capital on it.” French president can change the US Lightfoot suggested that a com- president’s mind on Iran or other is- promise of sorts may be possible. Mark Habeeb is East-West sues. “I wouldn’t rule out the prospect of Editor of The Arab Weekly and Macron has been working for some sort of outcome in which the adjunct professor of Global Politics Chemistry under test. French President Emmanuel Macron (L) months to find a way to save US perhaps exits the Iran deal but and Security at Georgetown and US President Donald Trump walk in the courtyard of the the Iran nuclear agreement by doesn’t impose secondary sanctions University in Washington. Invalides in Paris, last July. (AP) Viewpoint Can Macron steer Trump?

rench President The reason to keep US troops in of Jack Keane, a retired US Army of credit to the Lebanese military, Emmanuel Macron Syria is that they help protect the general who remains close to US which they had denounced as un- claimed in a televi- 10,000 US troops in Iraq. However, military officials, has “no coherent der the control of Hezbollah. Francis Ghilès sion interview that he the administration’s stated policy strategy” on Syria. Macron played his cards deftly convinced US President provoked Turkey, a NATO ally at Trump seems unsure of what but the quagmire in Syria is of Donald Trump not to war with Kurdish insurgents within he believes, torn as he is between another order of complexity. Fwithdraw, for the time being, the its own borders to invade north- his party’s Reaganite intervention Syria is not a problem that can 2,000 troops the United States has western Syria. It was egged on by wing and the more isolationist be one-offed. ISIS may lose its re- in eastern Syria and restrict the US, Russia, which controls western views of Republicans such as his maining slivers of territory but US, British and French air and missile Syrian airspace. former confidant Steve Bannon. British and French military officials strikes to target Syrian chemical Macron was blasted by Turkish In France, Macron has been criti- agree that the terrorist group will arms facilities. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cised by the right and the left as a carry on as an insurgency. There is room for doubt on the when Syrian opposition lead- would-be Napoleon whose uniform Syrian President Bashar Assad second claim as the Syrian Obser- ers Macron had just met in Paris is the too-tight suit of a PR man. was not deterred from the contin- vatory for Human Rights, which claimed the French would not pull Critics of May in the Conservative ued use of poison gas by Trump’s has accurately documented the out their special forces from Afrin Party scoff at her as a third-rate 2017 air strike and there is no rea- civil war in Syria since 2011, said in the eastern part of the People’s Margaret Thatcher impersonator. son to believe he will not test the the strikes were also aimed at Protection Units (YPG)-controlled It would be ironic if those two US president again. bases in and around Damascus that territory along the Syrian border European leaders should encour- Meanwhile, Israel is watching house the regime’s two elite units that Turkish armed forces have age Trump to allow the situation with alarm as Iran puts down roots — the Republican Guard and Fourth overrun. in Syria to slide to the edge of a in Syria through its military proxy, Armoured Division — commanded The French and the British are cliff. A French president has a Hezbollah, which fought alongside by Maher Assad, the president’s mindful that, if the Americans free hand in foreign affairs unless Assad’s forces. younger brother. leave Syria quickly, there would disaster strikes. The risk of draw- If the Western powers wish to As for Macron’s first claim, the be a stampede for that part of ing Europe, with a very reluctant remain powers, they must identify White House simply said Trump’s Syria that the YPG hold and to Germany, into a regional war on interests, not friends, defensible policy was the same as it had confront a perplexing witch’s brew the worst of terms and at the worst lines instead of blundering into always been, neglecting to men- of religious, ethnic and national of times is very real. failed states such as Syria. Times tion it had somersaulted, U-turned, conflicts featuring not only Islam- Last November, when the Saudis and maps have changed but, as a quadrangulated and disappeared ist militants but Russian mercenar- seemingly held Lebanese Prime senior French diplomat said, up its own Tweet in as many ies, Iranian militias and Marxists Minister Saad Hariri, Macron Macron’s capacity to “steer” weeks. Trumpistan is tough to Kurds. Macron seems more aware played a blinder. He swung the Trump will face a crucial acid test: influence. than Trump that the only thing United States forcibly behind him. Can he get Trump to recertify the Just before the Douma chemi- harder than confronting this dire Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Iran nuclear deal? Or as one Brit- Times and maps cal attack, Trump said the United situation is ignoring it. bin Salman bin Abdulaziz did not ish diplomat put is less charitably have changed but States would be leaving Syria “very Whatever influence Macron may anticipate that his White House “can he get Donald Trump to put soon.” Until then, his administra- have over Trump, with whom he friends would react strongly (national security adviser) John Macron’s capacity tion signalled it would keep and has established a better working against this bizarre behaviour and Bolton in a kennel?” to “steer” Trump strengthen US forces in Syria, both relationship than either German make an immediate gesture of vis- to finish the fight against the Islam- Chancellor Angela Merkel or British ible support to the Lebanese Army. Francis Ghilès is an associate will face a crucial ic State (ISIS) and to deter further Prime Minister Theresa May, he Since then the Saudis have fellow at the Barcelona Centre acid test. inroads by Iran and its proxies. faces a country that, in the words quietly restored the $1 billion line for International Affairs. April 22, 2018 17 Debate

Canada must carefully re-evaluate its Iraq mission post-ISIS

ollowing the military defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, Can- Abdulrahman al-Masri ada is re-evaluating its military aid and train- ing programme for Iraqi FKurdish forces, the peshmerga. Canada may redirect its military assistance to the Iraqi central gov- ernment in Baghdad but this may be a risky option for Ottawa, given ethnic and sectarian tensions in Iraq and the influence of Iran- backed militias on Baghdad. Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan told CBC News that up to $10 million worth of weapons purchased by Canada to assist the peshmerga in the fight against ISIS might end up in Bagh- dad or supporting NATO’s training mission. The weapons, including sniper rifles and anti-tank missiles, were promised to the peshmerga but remain in storage in Montreal and Amman. Now that the military threat from ISIS is eliminated in Iraq, further arming of the peshmerga would put Canada’s ap- proach in Iraq under scrutiny. Since Canada began its train- and-equip programme to the pesh- merga as part of its contribution to the US-led international coalition fighting ISIS, critics suggest Ot- tawa is unconsciously supporting separatist aspirations of Iraq’s Risky options. Canadian special forces look over a Peshmerga observation post in northern Iraq. (AP) Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and contributing to instabil- As for the destination of the The other option, which Canada the Canadian military has special ity stemming from the separation. weapons purchased by Canada, seems to favour, is to help with forces, advisers, equipment and, This surfaced last October when there are two main options. the planned NATO military train- above all, experience that would the Iraqi Army and Shia militias One would be to channel the ing mission. Sajjan said: “If the bolster the alliance’s efforts in the clashed with the peshmerga in weapons to the Iraqi Army, al- needs are there for training capac- country. Kirkuk following the Kurdish inde- though that option is filled with ity and if our resources in terms of Canada is keen to support pendence referendum. Canada’s challenges. The government in equipment — including stabilisation in Iraq and its efforts train-and-equip programme for Baghdad has failed on various weapons — are needed, we will must be applauded. However, a the Kurds was halted. occasions and is known to be cor- look at that option.” new environment is emerging Ottawa must While Ottawa considers the rupt and to operate along sectar- The NATO mission is expected in Iraq following the military changed environment in Iraq ian lines. to operate from Baghdad with ele- defeat of ISIS and growing ten- realign its military and options for rechanneling its Iran-backed figures and sectar- ments in KRG-held Erbil, where sions between Kurds and Arabs. commitment with assistance, the Canadian govern- ian militias have infiltrated the it would likely focus on training Ottawa must realign its military ment must remember that the Iraqi Army and federal police. security forces in Iraq on skills commitment with its foreign its foreign policy Kurds were instrumental allies Many Iran-funded militias, needed to prevent the resurgence policy approach, which promotes in the fight against ISIS and must including those designated ter- of ISIS. This capacity-building democracy and coexistence in a approach, continue to support them, at least rorist organisations by the United training would include counter- stable, unified Iraq. which promotes politically. Canada should identify States, are legally part of the Iraqi insurgency tactics and collection a clear plan for its involvement in security forces. If Canada goes of intelligence. Abdulrahman al-Masri reports on democracy in Iraq and keep close relations with this direction, it must ensure NATO’s chief military policy politics and news in the Middle a stable, all players involved to maintain that assistance does not end adviser hinted that Canada may East and Syria in particular. efficiency of any stabilisation up benefiting sectarian militias take on a greater role in support He can be followed on Twitter: unified Iraq. efforts. in Iraq. of its mission in Iraq, given that @AbdulrhmanMasri. Growing anti-war sentiment in the US Congress could spell trouble for Trump

he US Constitution or aided the terrorist attacks that the Democratic Party and the parts cooperation with partners on Gregory Aftandilian states that the right occurred on September 11, 2001, or (especially the libertarian side) of counter-terrorism and reduce our to declare war is the harboured such organisations or the Republican Party. influence with the Saudis.” exclusive purview of persons…” US Representative Justin Amash, Mattis also argued that the War Congress but the last This resolution has been liber- a Republican from Michigan, Powers Resolution should not be time Congress did so ally used by presidents since that said “Congress has failed to do invoked because US forces are not Twas the second world war. Since time to go after al-Qaeda and other its constitutional duty.” Repre- engaged in hostilities. then, presidents have taken the terror groups in the Middle East, sentative Barbara Lee, a Democrat The resolution lost by a 55-44 country into wars by executive Africa and Asia, such as the Islam- from California, argued that “the vote in the US Senate. Although action, sometimes with the back- ic State (ISIS) in Syria and Libya Constitution is clear: Congress this was a victory for the Trump ing of a congressional resolution and al-Shabab in Somalia. Now, is granted the power to declare administration, the fact that 44 or simply by the appropriation of some members of Congress argue war, not the president. Before we senators voted in favour is an military funding that implied sup- that the resolution is outdated become further entrenched in con- indication of growing war weari- port for a particular war. and that Congress should exert its flicts in Syria, Yemen and Somalia, ness and anti-war sentiment in During the last years of the Viet- authority by either passing a new Congress needs to debate and vote Congress. This comes against the nam War, Congress in 1973 enacted war authorisation against groups on a new [authorisation].” backdrop of increasing congres- the War Powers Resolution, which such as ISIS or demanding that A bipartisan resolution was sional scepticism about the US called for the president to notify US troops withdraw from such introduced in March calling for the military role in Afghanistan, Congress within 48 hours when conflicts. end of US military support for the action that seems to have no end US troops were committed to a The recent US-led strikes on Saudi campaign in Yemen by in- in sight. conflict overseas. The resolution Syrian chemical weapons facilities voking the War Powers Resolution. With the appointment of Mike requires the president to withdraw compelled members of both par- Critics of the Yemen campaign ar- Pompeo as secretary of state and troops after 60 days if Congress ties in Congress to call the attacks gued that the United States is com- John Bolton as national security Congress is has not granted an extension or illegal and implore congressional plicit in the humanitarian disaster adviser, US President Donald has not formally declared war. leaders to reclaim their consti- in Yemen because it provides logis- Trump will soon have hawks in becoming more This resolution remains in effect, tutional duties on war-making. tics, air refuelling and intelligence key roles in his administration. reticent about though it has rarely been invoked. Although majorities in Congress to the Saudi military. The critics This comes while Congress is The war in Afghanistan against appear to support Trump’s strikes have pointed out that Congress has becoming more reticent about supporting wars in al-Qaeda and its Taliban support- on Syria, there is a growing uneasi- not authorised military support in supporting wars in the Middle East ers that began in late 2001 is the ness about allowing the president the Yemeni conflict. and is trying to exert more power the Middle East longest running war in US history. unlimited powers in this regard. US Defence Secretary James over the deployment of troops to and is trying to It was authorised by Congress in The Senate Foreign Relations is Mattis, who is respected on Capi- conflict areas. If the Democrats a resolution called the Authorisa- expected to soon convene a hear- tol Hill, sent a letter to Congress win more seats in Congress in the exert more power tion for the Use of Military Force ing on a new AUMF because the opposing the measure. Mattis ar- November mid-term elections — as over the (AUMF) passed September 14, existing one is so outdated. gued that he, too, was concerned is likely — they could team with 2001, that allows the president “to In February, a House of Repre- about the humanitarian crisis in more libertarian members of the deployment use all necessary and appropriate sentatives Committee hearing ex- Yemen but for the United States to Republican Party to muster the force against those nations, organ- amined the issue of congressional end its support for the Saudi-led votes to block Trump’s plans to of troops to isations or persons he determines authorisation; the hearing was campaign “could increase support military operations in conflict areas. planned, authorised, committed supported by both the left-wing of civilian casualties, jeopardise our Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen. 18 April 22, 2018 Economy

Kuwait edges closer to introducing remittance tax

The Arab Weekly staff Up for debate. Kuwaiti MPs at work London during a parliament xpatriates in Kuwait session at could soon be facing a Kuwait’s new reality after the Gulf National country’s Parliamentary Assembly. Financial and Economic (AFP) EAffairs Committee (PFEAC) ap- proved a bill that would tax over- seas remittances. If the bill, up for debate in par- liament, is eventually accepted by the cabinet, it would make Kuwait the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member to impose a remit- tance tax. The GCC is known for a heavy dependence on expatriates in many sectors of its economies and analysts warned that taxing remit- tances would force expats to find alternative methods of sending funds home, a concern mentioned by the Central Bank of Kuwait. Marmore MENA Intelligence, a subsidiary of Kuwait Financial Centre known as Markaz, said the issue has historically been met with opposition in the Kuwait par- liament regarding constitutional- ity. The Marmore report warned that the measure could lead to an exodus of skilled workers. “This could prove disastrous at a time when Kuwait strives to transform itself as a knowledge-based econ- omy and has a large scale need for highly skilled professionals,” the it does not clearly define the cat- come at a significant cost.” population,” the Economist said. before 2020. report stated. egory of people to be paying the “Kuwait is reliant on foreign “With neighbouring Gulf coun- Kuwait began an economic de- The report said the tax rate sug- taxes. labour, which makes up more tries similarly dependent on ex- velopment plan in 2017 to turn its gested by the PFEAC starts at 1% “The bill, in its current form, than 80% of the country’s work- patriate labour, Kuwait would country in a business and cultural for remittances less than 99 Ku- also failed to describe what would force and around 70% of its probably compromise its ability hub. Dubbed “New Kuwait 2035,” waiti dinars ($330) and increases constitute as remittance, would to attract skilled foreign workers, the initiative’s goal is to diversify to 5% for remittances beyond 500 it include income or even loans who would search for opportuni- Kuwait’s economy away from the dinars ($1,660). Remittance out- availed from banks that is being ties elsewhere.” energy sector, which, official fig- flow from Kuwait in 2016 totalled sent abroad. Lack of clarity and Kuwait is not the only GCC ures indicate, accounts for 88% of 4.6 billion dinars ($15.3 billion). proper definition could hinder the country introducing measures to the country’s GDP. Nearly 27% of that was sent to In- upcoming debate in the parlia- The bill could make deal with economic realities due New Kuwait 2035, like the Sau- dia, 18% to Egypt, 7% to Bangla- ment,” the report stated. Kuwait the first Gulf to the state of the energy sector. dis’ Vision 2030, hopes to gener- desh and 3% to both Pakistan and The Economist newspaper Cooperation Council In January, Saudi Arabia and the ate capital through large projects, the Philippines. said a remittance tax would be a (GCC) member to impose United Arab Emirates introduced developing the tourist industry, The Marmore report was critical source of sizeable income for the value-added taxes and the rest of enriching and nurturing participa- of the bill’s lack of clarity, saying Gulf country but would “probably a remittance tax. the GCC is expected to follow suit tion by the private sector. Egypt’s Eurobond succeeds but risks remain

Amr Emam interest rates of 4.75% and 5.625%, an issue raised by Egyptian Presi- respectively. dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi every time International investors’ interest he talks about the country’s budget Cairo created an oversubscription of 7.5 and spending. billion euros ($9.3 billion) in orders, The bad news is that Egypt will nternational investors’ en- reflecting confidence in the abil- have to specify potentially almost thusiasm for Egypt’s latest ity of Cairo to repay debts and the half of spending in future budgets Eurobond issuance is a posi- promising prospects of the econo- for debt relief. tive indication of the health of my. “When this happens, we will fail Egypt’s economy and signals The investor interest can be to specify the required amounts of Iconfidence in the country’s pros- traced to November 2016 when the investments to important sectors, pects, economists said. Egyptian Ministry of Finance initi- such as the health and education However, economists warned ated reforms that included the flo- sectors,” Mahdi said. that Egypt’s monetary policymak- tation of the Egyptian pound, the The $2.5 billion raised in the Eu- ers’ strategy to borrow to either slashing of fuel, water and electric- robond issuance raise the amount prop up foreign currency reserves at ity subsidies and the introduction of of money Egypt received from bond the central bank or to repay imme- major tax and customs changes. sales in international markets in diate debts contains inherent risks. Although the reforms took a huge less than two months to more than toll on commodity prices in the lo- $6 billion. Egypt raised $4 billion by cal market, which caused suffering selling dollar-denominated bonds for millions of Egyptians, officials in February. A drop in the exchange said they were paying off and re- Financial authorities hope that a rate of the Egyptian sponsible for the latest positive in- gradual decline in interest rates will pound has given dicators. stimulate investments and produc- The unemployment rate in Egypt tion, which would reflect Egypt’s Egyptian goods a strong is less than 12% for the first time overall financial and economic con- edge in international since 2011. In the first half of the ditions. The Central Bank of Egypt markets. 2017-18 fiscal year, the economic cut interest rates 100 basis points in growth rate was 5.2%, compared to March, the second reduction in two “The national borrowing craze 3.7% in the corresponding half of months. is dangerous because it increases the previous fiscal year. Positive signs. The headquarters of Egypt’s Central Bank in Cairo (Reuters) Fakhri al-Fiqqi, a former adviser pressures on the general budget and A drop in the exchange rate of to the International Monetary Fund, deprives basic sectors of the econo- the Egyptian pound, a direct result said, instead of over-borrowing, my of important investments for of the 2016 currency flotation, has two decades. The Finance Ministry national treasury boosts our abil- Egypt’s economic planners should years,” said Alia el-Mahdi, an eco- given Egyptian goods a strong edge said it would use money raised in ity to honour our financial commit- focus on investments. One of the nomics professor at Cairo Universi- in international markets, leading to the Eurobond sale to support for- ments,” Hassan said. “Egypt had things Egypt should do, he said, is ty. “Instead of investing in the local a marked increase in exports. Im- eign currency reserves. never failed in honouring any of to invest loans and borrowed funds economy, the monetary authorities ports are on the decline, a develop- Ismail Hassan, a former governor these commitments in the past.” in production projects that add will have to channel available funds ment, which, together with the rise of the Central Bank of Egypt, con- All these positives, however, value to the economy and improve for debt services.” in exports and improvements in the firmed that an increase in Egypt’s come with a corresponding rise economic conditions. Cairo confirmed that it raised tourism sector, has seen a major im- foreign currency reserve has boost- in foreign debts. Egypt’s debts “We should not be borrowing in 2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) in a provement in foreign currency re- ed the country’s financial standing reached $80.8 billion by the end of the first place,” Fiqqi said. “Instead dual-tranche, euro-denominated serves at the Central Bank of Egypt. and economic rating and increased the first quarter of the 2017-18 fis- of borrowing, we should focus on bond sale. The bonds were issued The reserves totalled $42.6 billion investor confidence. cal year. Egypt used to specify one- the attraction of investments that with maturities of 8 and 12 years at at the end of March, the highest in “The flow of investments into the third of its budget for debt services, add value to the economy.” April 22, 2018 19 Economy

Algeria draws Europe’s ire by cutting Briefs Warner Brothers’ imports, boosting trade with China theme park in

Lamine Ghanmi Abu Dhabi to open in July Tunis Abu Dhabi hopes the opening of lgeria has continued to a $1 billion Warner Bros theme park cut imports but stepped in July will help to nearly double the up trade with China, an- number of tourists visiting the emir- gering the North African ate within the next few years. country’s main trade Abu Dhabi is investing billions of partner,A the European Union. dollars in tourism, industry and in- “Algeria is encouraging trade with frastructure to diversify its econo- China,” said EU Commissioner for my away from oil. Trade Cecilia Malmstrom at a recent It is already home to the Louvre parliamentary hearing. “We must Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 Etihad Air- find solutions to this issue. Other- ways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari wise, we will resort to the clauses of World and the Yas Water Park. Two the settlement of disputes.” other museums — the Guggenheim “We are exchanging letters with and the Zayed National Museum — the Algerian authorities over the is- are being built as well as a SeaWorld sue and we are involved in ongoing theme park. discussions with them,” she added. Spanish Trade Minister Maria (Reuters) Luisa Poncela had raised the issue of imports with Algerian officials dur- ing Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Saudi shares hit Rajoy’s visit to Algiers in early April. “Spain does not see its trade defi- Swinging the balance. Algeria’s main commercial harbour for importing and exporting goods in Algiers. 32-month high as cit with Algeria as a problem,” Pon- (AFP) cela said. “It sees the problem when confidence rises Algeria’s import cuts have an im- pact on our exports to Algeria.” Algeria fell 19.2% and 12.3%, re- promoting a new model of eco- threaten its economic and financial Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed spectively. South Korean exports nomic development that aims at ex- sovereignty,” the statement said. The Saudi stock market surged Ouyahia said he understood the jumped 53% to $1.7 billion. panding the role of the private sec- “It is obvious that the measures to a 32-month high as analysts said Spanish and EU concerns and that Algeria’s trade figures for January tor and developing further human of import cuts do not call into ques- higher oil prices and easing anxi- the trade positions were temporary. showed China as the country’s lead- resources and this demands that tion the willingness of Algeria to eties after US-led strikes on Syria “We understand that the import ing exporter, followed by France, our partners accept a role in the co- consolidate economic cooperation helped fuel confidence. cuts affect our European partners’ Italy and Spain. development that also benefits their with its strategic partners including The Tadawul All-Shares Index exports and we count on their un- Since the overthrow of dictator enterprises,” he said. the European Union.” added 1% and closed trading April derstanding,” Ouyahia said. Muammar Qaddafi in neighbouring “Our duty is to encourage the Algerian experts said that, while 16 at 8,050.30 points, rising past Algeria, which introduced import Libya, Algeria has stepped up trade, industrial development as part of protective measures like import the psychologically important restrictions in 2016 to preserve for- military and intelligence coopera- diversified economy and lay the cuts would ease short-term finan- 8,000-point mark for the first time eign currency reserves and protect tion with China and Russia. ground for a revised trade associa- cial pains, they would run against since August 2015. domestic industries, this year ex- Algeria has been party to a trade tion accord with the European Un- the country’s goals of diversifying panded its list of banned imports agreement with the European Un- ion.” the economy in the long run. (Agence France-Presse) to include 851 products. Among the ion since 2005 but Algerian officials “We are in a process of industrial “There is no meaningful creation products were meat, cheese, veg- are unhappy with what they say development that the European of economic and social wealth or etables, cell phones and household are “unbalanced terms.” They say Union must encourage and help in- significant economic development Omani, Kuwaiti appliances. the accord has opened the Algerian stead of attempting to derail it,” said if competition and free market rules In 2016, the value of imports to market to EU imports but hurt local Mekideche, whose council’s views are stifled and suppressed,” said ministers urge Algeria fell $3 billion compared to farming and manufacturing sectors. reflect the government’s positions Algerian economist Ahmed Lateb. the previous year to $46.7 billion. Mustapha Mekideche, Algerian on economic issues. “Measures such as import cuts oil producers to Imports are expected to shrink to deputy chairman of the govern- In a rare joint statement by the cause adverse effects like spreading $30 billion this year, official figures ment-appointed Social and Eco- General Union of Algerian Workers corruption, distorting market rules pursue cooperation and government estimates predict- nomic National Council, slammed (UGTA), Algeria’s main trade union, and free competition. ed. the European Union’s “contradic- and the leading employers’ group “We can always protect some Omani and Kuwaiti oil ministers China has emerged as Alge- tory” response to the country’s im- Forum of Entrepreneurs (FCE), the economic sectors and businesses called on OPEC and non-OPEC pro- ria’s main import market, send- port cuts. two organisations assailed critics of by raising customs duties. For such ducers to continue their unprec- ing $8.3 billion worth of goods to “I do not understand this kind Algeria’s import cuts. measures to be successful, they edented cooperation to maintain the North African country in 2017. of exaggerated European reac- “The UGTA and FCE express their must be accompanied by a plan to stability in the energy market. That outranked Algeria’s trade tion,” Mekideche said, adding that worries following the repeated develop and foster the competitive- Producers from the OPEC oil car- with traditional partners in Europe. the trade agreement only works statements by senior EU officials ness of such industries and closely tel and non-OPEC countries struck France saw its sales to Algeria drop if it helps improve the Algerian about the measures taken by Algeria watch the price trends to prevent a deal in 2016 to trim production by 10% to $4.3 billion in 2017, while economy. in the face of its important current the creation of monopolies and 1.8 million barrels per day to rebal- Italian and Spanish exports to “Since 2014, Algeria has been account and budget deficits that price abuses.” ance the market after its collapse in 2014. The deal, which runs out at the end of this year, has helped boost oil Tunisia’s ‘Start-up Act’ provides incentives prices to more than $70 a barrel from below $30 a barrel in early 2016. for entrepreneurship, youth empowerment (Agence France-Presse)

Stephen Quillen Technologies and Digital Economy Tunisia’s sole economic lifeline. the preferred solution of Tunisia’s Syria uncertainty, (ICT) Noomane Fehri, the process “Start-up ventures are not the poor and marginalised but of some OPEC compliance began in 2015 with the formation best way of solving unemployment educated elites as well. For years, Tunis of a start-up task force with in the short term,” said Ouled Ali, doctors, engineers and other highly propping up representatives from civil society, who founded and manages the skilled professionals have moved to new “Start-up Act” ap- business and government. cloud-hosting company SAFOZI. Europe, Canada or the United States oil prices: IEA proved by Tunisia’s par- The final product includes a series “Start-ups must be very cost-effi- in search of more stable and higher- liament is being hailed of support initiatives for qualifying cient and do not operate like nor- paying jobs. Fears of fresh escalation in Syria’s as a “sign of hope” for entrepreneurs, including significant mal businesses… Start-up found- “The sense of despair, which is war coupled with compliance with a entrepreneurs. corporate tax exemptions, capital ers must be willing to work for 1 exasperated by the absence of a real pledge by the OPEC cartel and Rus- AThe legislation will provide gains tax exemptions for investors, or 2 years or more without making change and a lack of a perceived sia to limit production are keeping grants, tax exemptions and govern- special customs procedures and much money at first.” improvement, is a push factor,” oil prices at current high levels, the ment incentives to businesses that salary compensation for start-up Unemployment has been a stub- said FTDES President Messaoud International Energy Agency said. qualify as start-ups. The aim is to founders. born challenge for Tunisia’s gov- Romdhani. “Some of these young However, a string of tit-for-tat encourage young people to pursue ICT Minister Anouar Maarouf ernment and a chief driver of social people were not able to find a job tariff announcements by the United innovative business ventures and praised the act as “a response to a unrest. During the last quarter of or to achieve any sort of stability at States and China — the world’s top drive growth in the science and call made by young people that will 2017, the country’s unemployment home.” economies — sparked worries that technology sectors. help… overcome the obstacles that rate climbed to 15.5% and was more Ouled Ali said he hopes Tunisia’s prices could suffer should the dis- “This is a huge opportunity to hinder the implementation of their than 30% for young people, data in- growing “start-up ecosystem” can pute descend into an all-out trade modernise our economic laws and projects:” dicate. push back against this phenom- war. promote Tunisia as a start-up hub “This law is likely to create an This lack of job prospects, com- enon. “Political uncertainty in the Mid- to the continent and the region,” economic dynamic by attracting Tu- bined with a floundering currency “Beyond its immediate impact on dle East has returned to the fore said Zied Ouled Ali, vice-president nisian investors and entrepreneurs and creeping inflation, has led many the economy, it (the Start-up Act) is in recent days. … “(U)ncertainty of the NGO TunisianStartups, which resident abroad,” he added. young Tunisians to set their sights also very inspiring,” Ouled Ali said. about the next steps in Syria and helped draft the law. “It’s an impor- Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef overseas. A 2017 poll by the Tuni- “What we need today more than Yemen have helped propel the price tant step towards dealing with new Chahed said the law would “anchor sian Forum for Economic and So- ever is to show youth that succeed- of Brent crude oil back above $70” technologies and supporting youth [Tunisia’s] economy in the digital cial Rights (FTDES), said more than ing in Tunisia — not only overseas — per barrel, the IEA said in its April and it’s the culmination of a lot of age.” 40% of Tunisian respondents stated is possible… This is a sign of hope.” report. hard work.” While experts agreed the law was a willingness to leave the country, Spearheaded in goverment by a step in the right direction, they even if they had to do so illegally. Stephen Quillen is an Arab Weekly (Agence France-Presse) former Minister of Communication warned it should not be considered Setting foot overseas is not just correspondent in Tunis. 20 April 22, 2018 Debate IT Social Media

The dangerous cocktail of smartphones and Facebook

e should not underes- timate the Haitham El-Zobaidi power of modern com- munication technologies Wand their effect. What looks like a simple technology for com- munication between people and sharing pictures, music and video clips has become a self-contained world capable of affecting even history. We remember the last decade of the previous century when internet chatrooms took the world by storm and became the focus of computer- and information-savvy people. We remember the familiar sound of the modem as it con- nected to the internet, a sound full of promises. First, we would check the news and perhaps some topics of interest, then we would head to our favourite chatroom, where a whole world of both important and trivial topics and interests awaited us. With time, more specialised software such as MSN Messenger, Skype and Yahoo Messenger made Convergence. A worshipper reads from a prayer on his smartphone at the Greek Orthodox Church of direct and live contact between the Archangels in Cairo. (AFP) individual users possible and chatting became an essential part of life whether for work purposes It was possible because of this intellectual States, voters who were unhappy or for entertainment, discussion centuries-old traditions of respect invasion was, in broad terms, with America’s indecisiveness on and even the occasional argument for individual freedoms as long as focusing on the effect of political the world scene received messag- online. they didn’t conflict with security Islam in its Muslim Brotherhood, es with pictures of Donald Trump The real revolution, however, and stability. Still, many Western Salafist and Khomeinist versions. as the heroic candidate ready to came about when several ingre- users could not foresee the tre- The effect of the technological return America to its former glory. dients came together. It was es- mendous changes brought about revolution on Arab countries was Little did they know that the mes- sentially the phenomenal spread by social platforms and smart- profound and divisive because sages were sent by Russian agents. of social media platforms such as phones, changes that surpass the they were not prepared for it. Customised messages resemble Facebook and Twitter combined effect of the printing press five Western countries, by compari- old voter or member recruitment with the advent of powerful centuries ago. son, were sort of immune to this tactics. Parties and religious sects smartphones that produced the Being used to primitive mass effect, until today. would send simple activists to crucial cocktail for an unprec- media and their very static style Communication technologies talk to common average folks and edented worldwide connectivity of presenting ideas and informa- have played an enormous role a high-flying intellectual to stroke critical enough to engage far- tion, users in the Arab world are in determining the outcomes of the egos of other high-flying intel- reaching changes. The rest, as usually happy with generalities the Brexit vote in Britain and the lectuals. What is important is the they say, is history. and a bit of exaggeration. Social 2016 presidential election in the result. The technology behind the It would be unfair to say that media and SMS technology have United States. On both occasions, modern methods is amazing in its the third world was slow in ac- replaced traditional mouth-to-ear popular and populist communica- capacity to emulate the human cepting the new communication channel for spreading rumours. tion channels were heavily used mind and anticipate its reactions technologies and applications. The form of the rumour may but with a twist. Custom-tailored but, in the end, the manipulation The Arab world, for example, have changed to a Photoshopped messages targeted individual is the same. seems much more taken in by the picture or a chat snippet in bad users. The campaign messages We are facing crucial changes new technology than the West. Arabic but it is still a rumour. Still, are no longer broad addressing in the history of humanity. It In Western countries, the average the effect of the new communi- societal concerns and enhanc- would be useless to resist them citizen was kept updated through cation technologies in the Arab ing community experiences but and stupid to underestimate their In our Arab world, the media about progress in world was tremendous. For proof, individualised, targeting specific effect. In our Arab world, there technology and communication. witness the positive and negative concerns and reactions. are plenty of people who do not there are plenty The changes came progressively changes in the Arab world. In Britain, frustrated job seek- realise how much the world has of people who do to Western users, who had time to Modern communication tech- ers were sent messages inciting changed. adapt. nologies have made it easy for them against Eastern European not realise how It was easy for users in Western extremist ideologies to impose migrants who “have stolen” their Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi is an Iraqi much the world countries to have virtual meetings their own worldviews and feed jobs. Xenophobes received pic- writer based in London. He is and conferences or organise huge the chaos in the Arab world. At tures of long lines of immigrants the Executive Editor of Al Arab has changed. campaigns and demonstrations. the same time, the response to and asylum seekers. In the United Publishing Group. Can Arab satellite TV catch up with social media?

hat do Arab challenges brought about by inter- audiences active technologies, challenges that expect from will require creative solutions. Taher Alwan social media Regarding satellite TV stations, platforms on one cannot help but wonder what the one hand changes will be necessary for Arab and from satel- TV channels to introduce. Changes Wlite TV stations on the other? must be made to update their visual By their very nature, social media and presentation styles as well platforms have come closer to their as their interactive technologies. users and given them the means for These TV channels and stations private use: audio, video and text must keep up with fast-developing communication, video clips and live technological innovations if they streaming, which emulates satel- want to better interact with their lite TV but without forcing content audience and thus survive. on viewers. These platforms are In the 1980s, feedback technology spoiling their users by offering them was introduced and quickly became choice of content and unprec- popular in the media to directly edented opportunities to express sound audience opinions and reac- themselves and reach thousands of A fast-developing landscape. Iraqi Ahmad al-Basheer, host of the tions to news and for reporting the other users. “Basheer Show,” watches a video of his TV show on a computer news. The role of feedback in the An average user can share his or screen at his studio in Amman. (AFP) news is being taken over by social TV channels and her own views on a wide scale. It media platforms, which provide an has become possible for average messages or Facebook comments that have avoided the problems of immediate way to express feedback. stations must users to reach out to well-known by audience members in real time. interacting with their audiences by As soon as a TV show or pro- keep up with figures. However, what is missing from offering specialised content, such gramme is over, reactions start Satellite TV stations are acutely these TV channels is a platform for as dramas, sports, films or pro- pouring in on Twitter and Face- fast-developing aware of their inherent limitations immediate and wide interaction grammes for women. book. The phenomenon resembles in direct contact with audiences. TV with audiences interested in seeing Reliable data regarding satellite an informal poll but is nevertheless technological personalities and journalists often their views expressed live. Some TV audiences in the Arab world real and deserves attention from TV innovations if they appear on television, present their channels do show text and audio are at best incomplete. Interactive channels. It has become common- shows and then disappear from messages from their audiences in platforms, on the other hand, are place for TV channels to glean audi- want to better public view. running strips along the bottom of equipped to provide data for each ence reactions from social media To bridge the gap separating them the screen. site, page and post instantly, clearly platforms. interact with from social media platforms, many What can TV stations do? Of visible to everybody. Arab media their audience. TV channels are posting tweets, text course, there are Arab TV outlets are facing unprecedented Taher Alwan is an Iraqi writer. April 22, 2018 21 Society Jordan sounds the alarm over rising online crimes

Roufan Nahhas to blackmail others.” Internet penetration in Jordan increased from 127,300 in 2000 to Amman 6.3 million in 2017 and there are 4.8 million Jordanians on Facebook, in- he cyber-crime unit in ternetworldstats.com data indicate. Jordan’s Public Security Smart phone penetration in Jordan Department (PSD) has is 87%. sounded the alarm over an “Second-hand mobile market in unprecedented increase Jordan is considered very big and Tin e-crimes, calling on parents to profitable but people are not aware control children’s online activities of the dangers of selling their old to guard against exploitation, in- mobiles to any shop. The PSD has cluding militant recruitment. often advised people not to sell The widespread use of the inter- their old devices because there is net and computer technology in software that can retrieve delet- Jordan led to the rise in criminal ac- ed photos or files so it is better to tivity committed via social network keep the old devices or just destroy platforms, including dealing drugs them,” Mbaideen said. online, pirating, defamation and Major Raed Rawashdeh, head of sexual harassment and blackmail. the investigation and technical fol- PSD said reported e-crimes in Jor- low-up at the PSD, recently said his dan soared from 16 in 2008 to 2,038 unit was focused mainly on curbing in 2017. crimes dealing with sexual abuse “In 2016, a total of 3,800 crimes of children, electronic recruitment were registered in which 2,250 were for terrorist organisations and hate referred to court, and this is a huge speech. number for a small country like Jor- Rawashdeh warned that social dan,” Ibrahim Mbaideen, a journal- media were being increasingly used ist specialised in information tech- to spread hate speech and said par- nology, said quoting PSD figures. ents should keep a close eye on their “Lately, we are hearing about in- children’s online activities. cidents in which people are being However, blackmailing through Growing threats. Jordanian soldiers watch computer screens. (AP) threatened online through electron- social media is spreading in Jordan. ic blackmail, website hacking, steal- “There were many incidents in ing electronic data and defamation. which people threatened others “Usually it is done to gain money, organisations, sexually abused and These incidents have grown signifi- and asked for money to not pub- easy money but sometimes it might blackmailed. cantly and they might grow even lish compromising photos online,” get complicated such as seeking Approximately “Our three children are always more if nothing is done about it.” Mbaideen said. “One of the famous fame, disseminating religious and online through their mobiles, tab- Mbaideen said the spread of inter- cases is that of an Arab woman who political issues, sexual abuse in ad- lets or computers and, to be honest, net use and smart devices opened was blackmailed and abused by a dition to the love for power,” Mbai- 80% it scares us a lot as parents though the door for such crimes. suspect who convinced her that deen said. we are doing our part in protecting “Society has been captivated he can cure her using magic and Since the beginning of the year, of e-crime victims are them,” said Rawan Qandah, a moth- by the opportunities the internet threatened to share her pictures 1,158 e-crimes have been registered: females and the most er of three in her 30s. provides and the fact that you can and videos if she refused to pay him 365 cases of criminal impersona- “Basically, parents should be very be connected all the time through money.” tion, 310 blackmailing and defama- common theme is open and transparent with their smart devices makes it easier for The victim paid the blackmailer tion, 120 electronic fraud, 150 per- blackmail. children because it is important to anybody to commit a crime online,” $1,400 but he kept asking for more sonal data theft and the rest under gain their confidence so that they he said. money until he was caught by the website hacking and applications three months with fines of $140- would tell you what happens with “As we can see the large avail- PSD. crimes. $2,400 and it gets tougher depend- them in the digital world where you ability of the internet contributed The PSD said approximately “The law is very clear in such cas- ing on the crime,” Mbaideen added. as a parent cannot control much.” to the increase of e-crimes, for in- 80% of e-crime victims are females es as Article 11 of the cyber-crime The risk of having to live in a stance, by people who have several and the most common theme is law of 2015 stipulates that violators digital world means a bigger risk Roufan Nahhas is a journalist fake accounts online that they use blackmail. will be imprisoned for not less than of being recruited by terrorist based in Jordan. Syrian refugees are not going home anytime soon

Samar Kadi “Today, everyone who leaves Syr- “Turkey has had almost no prob- ia is considered a traitor,” a young lem with the refugees,” said Murat refugee in Beirut said, reflecting the Erdogan, the director of the Turkish Beirut young people’s fear of return. German University’s Migration and Legal obstacles are also in the way Integration Research Centre. “We ith the Assad regime of refugee repatriation. Local vet- are trying to establish a peaceful life regaining control ting procedures for returnees and together. It is very important for our over much of Syria, the regime’s legislative frameworks peaceful future that the refugees calls have been ris- for the recovery of private property get their rights in the host countries ing in neighbouring or the development of neighbour- until they can go back.” Wcountries, notably Lebanon and Jor- hoods could make it nearly impossi- dan, for refugees to go home. ble for them to recover their homes However, a study by Carnegie’s and resume a normal life. Middle East Centre (MEC) stated While the regime of Syrian Presi- that, despite the increasingly diffi- dent Bashar Assad has failed to set a Most Syrian refugees are cult challenges they face, most Syr- strategy for the repatriation of refu- unwilling to return to ian refugees are unwilling to return gees, the regime’s survival contin- to their home country unless cer- ues to represent a principal obstacle their home country tain conditions are fulfilled: Guar- to return. unless certain conditions antees of safety and security, the “Engaging whatever Syrian gov- are fulfilled. right to return to their hometowns, ernment (is in power) to take back access to justice and employment the refugees is very much… a politi- opportunities. cal decision and has to be part and “It is for our security and the fu- The study said refugees have no parcel of whatever political transi- ture of a peaceful Turkey that we confidence in so-called safe or de- tion (takes place),” Yahya said. have to integrate refugee children escalation zones and feel trapped “The right of return of Syrian and youth in the Turkish education between host countries that do not refugees should have the urgent at- system and the social security sys- want them and a Syria to which they tention of the international commu- tem. It is very important because feel they cannot return. nity. Also, the detainees, the disap- they constitute a huge number and “While refugees may want to go peared, property rights, et cetera… otherwise we would have ghettos home, safety is their number one All these have to be part of a politi- and then it will be a big danger for- concern,” said Maha Yahya, director cal discussion around the end of the ever,” Erdogan said. of Beirut-based Carnegie MEC and conflict.” The Turkish government has one of the study’s authors. “Creat- The war in Syria has generated granted citizenship to 50,000 Syr- ing an environment that refugees the largest refugee crisis in recent ian refugees to integrate skilled would feel safe returning to is very Not home. A pregnant Syrian woman carries her child at a history. More than 5.5 million Syr- workers, Erdogan said, noting that important. They want to recuperate compound housing Syrian refugees in Sidon in southern Lebanon. ians fled the country and another more than 350,000 Syrian babies (Reuters) their properties and return to their 6.1 million are internally displaced. had been born in Turkey since 2011. areas of origin, it is not about going Only 15% of the refugees live in Eu- “These babies have neither Syrian back to anywhere in Syria.” continuation of the conflict,” Yahya It is highly unlikely that refugees rope and North America. The rest citizenship nor Turkish citizenship, Yahya said efforts to end the said. “One of the reasons we did this will return the moment a peace deal are in neighbouring countries — ap- which makes it even more problem- 7-year-old conflict in Syria, whether project was to put the voices of ref- is signed, said the study, which in- proximately 3 million in Turkey, atic for their families to go back,” through the UN-led Geneva process ugees up, front and centre. cluded interviews and field-based more than 1 million in Lebanon and he said. “Even if the war ends and or the Astana talks co-sponsored “If we want a stable Syria and a focus group discussions with refu- 659,000 in Jordan. Assad is dead, it will not change by Russia, Iran and Turkey, were stable region then this (refugees’ gees in Jordan and Lebanon. It Unlike Lebanon and Jordan where too much, especially for refugees failing to account for refugees’ at- concern) has to be at the heart of showed that women and young they are subject to growing discrim- in Turkey. Many will stay. That’s a titudes, concerns and basic condi- any discussions for a political set- men are most fearful of returning to ination, isolation and marginalisa- reality.” tions for returning home. tlement, otherwise we are going to Syria under the Assad regime, fear- tion, Syrian refugees in Turkey are “These (peace processes) are have an unstable region for a very ing persecution, arrests and forced socially accepted and integrated, Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly more of a window dressing for the long time.” male conscription. experts said. Travel and Society section editor. 22 April 22, 2018 Culture Books

Interview Despite hardships, head of Egypt’s book organisation holds on to optimism

Hassan Abdel Zaher has offices in several Egyptian cities, with headquarters in Cairo overlooking the Nile. The organi- Cairo sation has an annual budget of $5.8 million, which comes lack of funding directly from the government. is making However, almost 70% of the publication of budget goes towards salaries of some of Egypt’s the staff, echoing Egypt’s bloated best cultural state bureaucracy. works almost “This means that we have to impossible, make do with the remaining part Haitham of the budget,” Hajj said. “We al-Hajj,A head of the General have to use this remaining part in Egyptian Book Organisation publishing the texts we receive (GEBO), warned. into books and organising book “We receive dozens of texts fairs all year-round.” Limits and promises. Haitham al-Hajj, head of the General Egyptian Book Organisation. that can make the best books but More than half the texts the (GEBO). we are incapable of publishing organisation receives and them because we do not have approves are waiting for funding enough money for this,” Hajj to be published. GEBO uses sales of $124,000, he added. it onto the shelves. very high nationwide and Cairo is said. specialised panels whose mem- Hajj acknowledged that, while GEBO, as a state-run publishing doing more to combat illiteracy in GEBO, one of Egypt’s biggest bers decide whether the limited the sales cannot be compared house, sells books at subsidised the country. publishers, is the executive arm resources of the organisation with those made by private prices that are a fraction of the “I have seen this interest [in of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture and should be used to publish a publishers, GEBO’s remit is not to cost of publishing to ensure that reading] at the more than a well-known among the country’s book. make profit but ensure that its titles are affordable. GEBO’s hundred book fairs that GEBO authors, poets and playwrights as “These panels have approved a worthy but overlooked titles make books cost 3-5 Egyptian pounds organises nationwide all year- a last recourse for works viewed lot of texts but only a fraction of ($0.17-$0.28). A book from a round, including the Cairo as commercially non-viable by these texts has been published private Egyptian publisher would International Book Fair,” he private publishers. due to lack of funding,” Hajj usually cost ten times as much. said. At a time when poetry, in said. “True, we have The difference contributes to It is not just Egyptian writers particular, is viewed as not The rise in the price of paper GEBO’s financial issues. who are turning to GEBO for profitable to publish, GEBO is a and printing costs pose a problem, problems but we Despite the frustrations, Hajj publication but also Arab writers haven for Egypt’s poets. Egyptian he said. also have the minds and his colleagues work to keep from across the region, Hajj intellectuals, writing on a wide Nonetheless, there are rays of Egypt an important literary and said. range of topics from human hope for Hajj and GEBO. to ensure a cultural cultural hub. More writers and “These people come here, psychology to history and The latest Cairo International reawakening and thinkers are turning to GEBO with knowing that Egypt is still an philosophy, also view GEBO as a Book Fair, the organisation’s most impressive manuscripts despite important cultural powerhouse,” sanctuary. important cultural event, which that is everything.” financial constraints. Hajj said. “True, we have prob- Over the decades, GEBO has took place January 27-February “True, we do not have enough lems but we also have the minds made cultural stars of dozens of 10, attracted an unprecedented Haitham al-Hajj, money to publish all the texts that to ensure a cultural reawakening authors whose works had earlier number of publishers. come to us but the fact that all and that is everything.” been rejected by private publish- More than 800 publishers from head of the General these people are writing wonder- ing companies over a perceived every part of the world, Hajj said, Egyptian Book fully proves that Egypt’s cultural Hassan Abdel Zaher is a lack of commercial viability. participated in the event. The lights still glow,” Hajj said. Cairo-based contributor to GEBO was founded in 1952 and organisation also posted record Organisation Interest in reading is, he said, The Arab Weekly. Tunis book fair puts spotlight on women’s writing

Roua Khlifi instability in the country that af- definitely a forum of exchange for fected the fair. The success of last women and for intellectuals to talk year’s edition was a confirmation,” about their work, ideas and their Tunis said fair director Chokri Mabkhout. views of the issues as female writ- “It is a victory for the book. It is ers,” said Najet Fakhfakh, a Tuni- mid concerns on the fu- not only about having a successful sian writer. ture of the print industry, fair but to promote the image and Syrian novelist Rosa Yaseen the Tunis International the culture of Tunisia in the Arab Hasan, one of the guests of the Book Fair dedicated its world and on an international level. fair, reflected on the importance of 34th edition to Tunisian These days are a celebration of the shedding light on female writers in women,A with panels focusing on book.” such events. the history of women’s rights in Tu- Paying homage to Tunisian poet “It is difficult to talk about female nisia as well as issues pertaining to Mohamed Sghaier Ouled Ahmed, writers. For me, writing about wom- challenges facing female writers in who died in 2016, organisers based en is indeed about writing about the the Arab world. the theme of this year’s fair on his margin and the novel is one of the The fair kept the same slogan — verse: “The women of my country few disciplines that talk about the “We read to live twice” — as last year are women and a half.” margins,” Hasan said. “Women can- to underscore literature’s promise The 34th edition of the fair high- not be summarised or restricted to of living other lives through books. lighted the history of Tunisian one dimension. They, however, suf- It was a nod to last year’s fair, which women as well as celebrated female fer from double marginalisation, in marked the much-awaited return writers and artists in the Arab world their societies and in the world of of the event after issues stemming through conferences and panels. fiction.” from the political unrest in Tunisia. “This edition focused on wom- The Tunis International Book Fair en’s rights and women’s cause as a dedicated a new prize for philo- focal topic for reflection in the pro- sophical studies, named after Fat- gramme for conferences and pan- Special edition. Visitors browse books at the CREDIF stall at the ma Haddad, a Tunisian activist and Tunis International Book Fair. (CREDIF) The 34th edition els. This choice reflects our convic- philosopher. Fathi Engazou was an- tion in the importance of the cause nounced as the first recipient of the highlighted the history of women as a central drive for the award. of Tunisian women as progress of Tunisian society,” Mab- was important especially that this gains and to motivate women to “One of the additions of this well as celebrated female khout said. research centre is a public institu- continue pursuing their ambitions,” year was Fatma Haddad’s prize for writers and artists in the Organisers worked with the Na- tion that works on equality and Ouerghi said. philosophical publication, which is Arab world. tional Centre for Research, Studies, questions of women. As an intellec- She added: “It is true that Tu- meant to highlight the importance Documentation and Information on tual, a militant for equality and as a nisian women have managed to of philosophy in the Arab world. Women (CREDIF) to set conferenc- director of this institution, I would achieve a lot but we were not given Philosophy seems to be absent in This year’s edition featured 259 es, art exhibitions and film screen- like to express my gratitude for the those gains on a silver plate. We some countries in the Arab world participants from 25 countries, in- ings dedicated to iconic Tunisian fair for having provided this space fought for that and today one of the and even where it is taught it is su- cluding 111 participants from Tuni- female figures. for women.” concerns is the censorship and self- perficial,” Mabkhout said. sia. The fair had 775 editors, with “For this edition to dedicate its Rim Ouerghi, founder of Femmes censorship that was exercised on “Philosophy is under attack, 126 Tunisians among them, repre- central theme for Tunisian women Maghrebines magazine, praised female writers.” which threatens the critical analy- senting 32 countries. Visitors were is important not only for women the decision to dedicate the fair to Fair organisers invited visitors to sis and the questions that dwell treated to more than 80 cultural ac- but also for the process of equal- women. learn about the history of Tunisian on the meaning of human. Tunisia tivities, including exhibitions, read- ity and our on-going fight for wom- “I would like to thank the director women through art exhibitions and has a long tradition of philosophy ings and film screenings. en’s rights. It is in this context that of this edition for dedicating pan- film screenings. It presented a fo- which is to be celebrated through “What is special about this edi- CREDIF participated in the book fair els to discuss the issues of women rum with participants from differ- this prize.” tion is the remarkable evolution of with a well-structured programme,” and scheduling activities that put in ent countries reflecting on concerns the number of participants, which centre Director Dalenda Larguech the limelight the concerns and the of female writers in the Arab world. Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel is a sign of the return of trust of said. achievements of Tunisian women. “Choosing this theme is much and Culture contributor to foreign parties after a period of She added: “Our participation We are here today to defend our appreciated. This session was The Arab Weekly. April 22, 2018 23 Culture Saudi Heritage

Viewpoint

Iman Zayat Why Saudi Arabia needs to lift the veil on heritage treasures

or more than half a One place to start is century, Saudi Arabia Al-Jenadriyah, a Saudi cultural has relied on its abun- and heritage festival which is dant oil resources acclaimed throughout the Gulf to fuel economic region and Arab world. Now it is growth and develop- time to promote this festival to an ment. Now, however, international audience, who are Fthe kingdom is looking to other rarely exposed to Saudi Arabia’s resources to take its society and distinct culture and traditions. economy beyond the oil age. People around the world are Alongside oil, Saudi Arabia largely unaware of the kingdom’s boasts a wealth of natural resourc- many magnificent museums, no- es, including gold, silver, iron, tably the Hejaz Railway Museum Unique history. A Saudi man leaves a tomb carved into rose-coloured sandstone mountains in the copper and phosphate. It also has in Medina, the Humane Heritage archaeological site of Al Hijr. (AFP) a unique history and distinctive Museum in Jeddah, the National cultural heritage that includes a Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh variety of arts, antiquities, ancient and the Shadda Palace in Abha. handicrafts, athletic traditions and What is not known about a vibrant economy. Times are changing It is true that times are changing. Why is there a need to revive Saudi Arabia is paying closer atten- heritage and history? tion to its history and heritage as it Saudi history and heritage While Saudi Arabia is rich in improves existing institutions and culture and history, it has been creates new ones. slow to take full advantage of its An excavation of ancient seaside Iman Zayat The four sites on UNESCO’s World Medina incorporates local tradi- resources due to an over-reliance ruins known as al-Serrian is under Heritage List are only the tip of the tions as well as those of other Islam- on energy revenue and the lack way with the participation of Chi- iceberg, however. The veil has yet to ic countries. of a long-term diversification nese archaeologists. Al-Serrian, at Tunis be lifted on many of the kingdom’s While music draws on elements strategy. the south-west tip of the Arabian archaeological gems and there are of various cultures, the national The country’s wake-up call Peninsula, was one of the major rom archaeological treas- numerous exploration projects un- dance in Saudi Arabia, Ardha, is came in 2015, when oil prices gateways for haj pilgrims to Mecca ures to historic cities, to der way. typically Saudi. It is an ancient tra- made a staggering fall. The price and played a key role as a trade traditional markets and In February, the kingdom an- dition, originating in the central of a barrel of oil dropped from hub leading to the north. ancient villages, Saudi nounced that exploration teams area known as Najd, performed as a $115 in June 2014 to less than Earlier in April, an agreement on Arabia has a lot to offer were searching for ancient artefacts dance with swords ahead of battle. $35 at the end of February 2016. the development of Al Ula prov- Fvisitors. The kingdom boasts archi- around the country. The dance is a central part of The development highlighted a ince was co-signed by Prince Bader tectural treasures that are a lifeline “As many as 35 joint archaeologi- Saudi Arabia’s most famous cultural long-neglected truth: Saudi Arabia bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, to the past and a beautiful natural cal missions are bringing together event, the annual Al-Jenadriyah needs a more diverse develop- governor of the Royal Commis- heritage, including virgin sands and Saudi archaeologists and others heritage and cultural festival. Or- ment model. sion for Al Ula, and French Foreign clear blue water, that is largely un- from around the world to search for ganised by the National Guard, the On April 25, 2016, Saudi Crown Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The tapped. undiscovered historical treasures,” 2-week-long event highlights the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin agreement is expected to enhance Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman kingdom’s commitment to preserv- Abdulaziz announced Saudi Vision scientific research and revitalise Tangible heritage in Saudi Arabia bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Na- ing and displaying its rich, tradi- 2030, an ambitious strategy aimed sustainable tourism for this unique Four Saudi archaeological sites tional Commission for Tourism and tional culture and crafts. at diversifying the economy to ex- archaeological site. are featured on UNESCO’s World National Heritage, said. “Each time, While dance and music are cel- pand investment in all sectors and On March 5, the Saudi Com- Heritage List: Al Hijr (Madain Saleh), more archaeological discoveries are ebrated and preserved, poetry is the modernise the kingdom. Beyond mission for Tourism and National Al Dir’iya, the Rock Art of the Hail made in Saudi Arabia, it grabs global kingdom’s most prized form of ar- adjusting to the “new normal” Heritage in Riyadh issued a licence region and the Jeddah historic area. attention.” tistic expression. First passed down in oil prices, Saudi Arabia has to establish the Museum of History Al Hijr, an ancient pre-Islamic The latest discovery was a series as an oral tradition by Bedouins, po- designed a radically new model to of Science and Technology in Is- archaeological site, contains nu- of life-sized camel sculptures in etry evolved into a written literary address other sectors and open a lam at Imam Muhammad bin Saud merous Maenean and Lihyanite in- the desert of the northern province form used to preserve people’s his- new economic horizon. Islamic University. The museum is scriptions referencing Al Ula, Kho- of Al Jawf. Researchers estimated tory, collective memory and social to be the first specialised institu- raiba and Hiania, towns that date to that the sculptures date back 2,000 values. For ages, people gathered tion for the history of science around 1700BC. years. around poets telling tales of love, Recent Saudi and technology in Islam in Saudi bravery, chivalry, war and history. efforts to highlight Arabia. It will display artefacts and Intangible heritage in Saudi Arabia This tradition has remained popu- the kingdom’s historical masterpieces that reflect Saudi Arabia has rich traditions lar among Saudis, with it being cel- Saudi Arabia’s culture throughout long-elapsed While dance and music that are rooted in Islamic teach- ebrated and promoted at festivals the ages. ings and Arab customs, which Saudi and on national occasions. history and Saudi Arabia has also announced are celebrated and people begin learning at an early The kingdom boasts a variety of plans to set up a national centre for preserved, poetry is age from relatives and in schools. popular heritage sports and activi- heritage are information archives, which would the kingdom’s most Saudi arts, including music ties that are centuries old, such as welcome and include radio, TV, print material, prized form of and dance, bear the hallmarks of horse/camel racing and falconry. should be archived photos and more to pre- Bedouins, nomadic Arab people Beyond recreational, these activi- serve, document and highlight the artistic expression. who historically inhabited desert ties are essential aspects of Saudi encouraged. country’s information history. regions of the Arabian Peninsula. heritage and Bedouin culture and The centre will house a mu- Al Dir’iya, historically viewed as Saudi music varies from one region are passed on from generation to seum for old information tools an important national symbol in to another. In the Hijaz region, for generation. Preserving Saudi heritage sites is and equipment and is expected Saudi Arabia, emerged in the mid- instance, al-sihba folk music com- a key part of the plan. This would to attract local and international 18th century as the capital of the bines Arab poetry and Andalusian Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor help protect the environment, visitors and researchers as well as First Saudi State, the establishment tunes. Folk music in Mecca and of The Arab Weekly. create vibrant communities and those interested in society, culture, of which constituted a turning point sustain local economies, as well as heritage and artefacts. in the history of the Arabian Penin- contribute to Saudis’ quality of life Recent Saudi efforts to highlight sula. Al Dir’iya was the capital of the and cultural identity. the kingdom’s long-elapsed his- first Saudi state until Imam Turki All of this is crucial for preserv- tory and heritage are welcome and bin Abdullah designated Riyadh as ing and promoting Saudi heritage should be encouraged. However, his government’s new headquarters on the international scene. More much work remains to be done in 1824. than ever, the world needs to un- to show the world who the Saudi The Rock Art of the Hail region in- derstand the story of Saudi Arabia, people really are and what their cludes Jabal Umm Sinman at Jubbah its history, identity and people. contributions have been through- and the Jabal al-Manjor and Raat at As a regional heavyweight that out history. Shuwaymis, the largest and most has played a major role in defining The task is not only the responsi- significant archaeological sites in the balance of power in the Middle bility of Saudis but of all Arab peo- the country. They show numerous East, Saudi Arabia not only needs ple and institutions. Saudi history representations of human and ani- to engage in world and regional and heritage have been and still mal figures over 10,000 years. politics but needs to showcase its are a key part of Arab culture. This The Jeddah historical area, which people’s culture and heritage. culture has been tarnished by the dates to pre-Islamic times, is regard- One way the kingdom can do deplorable acts of extremists, who ed as an important site across differ- this is by supporting and promot- have gone against the glorious and ent civilisations. At the beginning of ing existing festivals and museums bright aspects of Arab culture. the Islamic era, in 647AD, the area in the country. It can reach out to To move forward, Saudi Arabia was taken by Caliph Uthman bin Af- regional and international media, needs the support of all friends fan and used as the port of Mecca. further develop its online market- and neighbours who share its vi- Jeddah gained a reputation as one ing strategy and encourage sion. Only then will it restore its of the most important cities along people from outside Saudi Arabia unique heritage and distinguished the Red Sea coast and a gateway of Rich traditions. Saudi men perform a traditional dance during the to take part in its cultural history, bringing back the coun- the Two Holy Mosques. annual Al-Jenadriyah heritage and cultural festival, last February. (Reuters) activities. try’s former glory. 24 April 22, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Medenine: During April

The fifth Ouerghemma Folklore Festival takes place in a Berber village in Medenine in south- eastern Tunisia. Over ten days, visitors attend folklore shows of music, poetry and dance and enjoy traditional food and handicraft products.

Amman: Through May

As part of Friends of Jordan Festivals, Al Hussein Cultural Centre will host a Classical Concerts Cycle with acts from Japan, France, the Czech Re- public and other countries. Tourists visit Borj Edoumoue (Bastion Beirut: of Tears) in the city Through May 7 of Sale. (Saad Guerraoui) The Metropolitan Opera of New York and the Bolshoi Ballet perform at Empire Premiere Cinemas. Opera performances include the music of Giuseppe Verdi and Jules Massenet in Sale: Morocco’s discrete tourism April. A show by the Bolshoi Ballet is scheduled for May 7.

Dubai: attraction on the Atlantic coast April 28

The “Arabian Nights” is a Saad Guerraoui desperately needed restoration. the 11th-century mosque. The sym- Atlantic, Borj Edoumoue’s rusted However, as soon as I ap- metrical white arches fill the prayer iron cannons are an example of au- fabled collection of stories and proached Sebta Street, I stumbled hall with bronze chandeliers light- thorities’ negligence of the coun- folk tales inspired by Arabic, Sale upon the traditional character of its ing its high ceiling. try’s priceless history. Persian, Indian, Egyptian and old shops and souks as the colours Among Sale’s most important I had the bastion for myself for Mesopotamian literature. An ale, the long-forgotten of fresh fruit and vegetables, olives mausoleums is Sidi Abdellah Ben 15 minutes before a German cou- entertaining and educational neighbour of Morocco’s and spices adorned the bustling Hassoun. Female worshippers sit- ple turned up for a quick visit for programme of the stories capital, Rabat, is a dor- street. ting by the saint’s grave were pray- 10 dirhams each (about $1). The will take place at the Dubai mant touristic city with The smell of freshly baked ing for God to alleviate their wor- bastion offers a beautiful view over Community Theatre and Arts an impressive diversity of Moroccan pancakes, also called ries and problems. the ancient medina of Rabat. Centre (DUCTAC). Shistoric treasures. Separated from msemen, was so irresistible that I A prison, built under the bastion Rabat by the Bou Regreg River, the stopped for a quick bite before vis- by fearsome Sale pirates used to be Beirut: historic city of Sale is awash with iting the city’s famous souks. filled with slaves who were sold in April 28-30 monuments and shrines. Souk Lakbir, which used to be a North African markets. It reminds The enclosure of Sale’s ancient market of Christian slaves, is spe- The enclosure of Sale’s us of a city that was renowned for The sixth Beirut International medina is formed by fortified walls, cialised in the sale of traditional ancient medina is being an international hub of pi- Jazz Day will take place at ramparts and bastions that were fabrics and clothes, such as slip- racy, looting and slavery for centu- Nejmeh Square. Several free formed by fortified concerts are scheduled. classified historical monuments pers and djellabas. Souk Al-Ghazal walls, ramparts and ries. in 1914. One of the medina’s main is the largest square in the city. It I headed to Souk El Oulja, almost gates is Bab Lamrissa, also known is an auction market where peo- bastions that were a 10-minute drive from Bab Mris- Dubai: as Bab Mellah, which leads to the ple sell used clothes and trade col- classified historical sa. Surprisingly, very few tourists May 9-13 quarter in which Moroccan Jews oured wool. monuments in 1914. were roaming the complex, which used to live. Very few Jews still live Sale is famous for its iconic Great is famous for Morocco’s finest The tenth Dubai Tango Festival in the medina like in all mellahs of Mosque, the third largest mosque handicrafts, including pottery and includes tango workshops with Morocco’s ancient cities. in Morocco after Hassan II mosque Medersa des Merinides is a wrought iron. milongas for famous tango The medina sounded quiet with in Casablanca and Al Qaraoui- stone’s throw from the Great Mosaic garden tables and chairs, dancers and singers. a handful of foreign tourists roam- yine in Fez, and the second oldest Mosque. Its Kufic and ceramic vases, jewellery, plates and palm ing the streets. As I walked down mosque, after Al Qaraouiyine. polychrome writings besides carv- leaf bags are on display. Visitors Rabat: the alleyways, I was shocked by the I felt the architectural grandeur ings on the cedar wooden ceiling are spoiled for choice in the dozen June 22-30 number of decaying houses that of the Almohads when I entered make it one of the wonders of the shops. They also can watch black- monuments of the Merinid smiths and potters craft original The 17th Mawazine Festival era thanks to its architectural works. However, some shops clear- takes place in Rabat and fea- perfection. ly display “No photography” signs. tures international and local Many shrines in Sale, such as Sidi Unfortunately, tourism seems musical performances. Ahmed al-Tijani Zawiya, opposite to be dead in Sale, which is full of the Great Mosque, served as centres cultural and architectural assets We welcome submissions of for religious education and prayers. and historical monuments. Hope- calendar items related to The shrines reflect Morocco’s long fully, the Rabat-Sale Marina and cultural events of interest to attachment to the spirituality of the construction of Africa’s tallest Islam. skyscraper on the banks of the Bou travellers in the Middle East My visit to the medina ended at Regreg will boost tourism in the ne- and North Africa. Borj Edoumoue (Bastion of Tears), glected city. a 5-minute walk from the Great Please send tips to: Mosque. This military bastion is Saad Guerraoui is a [email protected] one of the main ramparts of the contributor to The Arab walled medina. Overlooking the Weekly on Maghreb issues.

The main door of the iconic Great Mosque in Sale. (Saad Guerraoui) Pottery on display at Souk El Oulja in Sale. (Saad Guerraoui)