UK £2 Issue 227, Year 5 October 20, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Tolerance at the After heart of debate Tunisia’s in Riyadh elections Page 17 Page 10 US and Turkey strike a deal on Syria but doubts remain

Thomas Seibert servation posts in the zone, adding Ankara would respond if the Syrian Istanbul government “makes a mistake” in the region. espite an agreement be- Washington said the zone agreed tween the United States upon in Ankara involves a much and Turkey to establish a smaller area. US Syria Envoy James D “security zone” in northern Jeffrey, in a reference to a 100km Syria, there is confusion about terms stretch between Ras al-Ayn and Tal of the deal while Russia, the main Abyad, described the “central part of power in the Syrian conflict, is work- the north-east” of Syria as the loca- ing for a solution that would weaken tion of the planned “security zone.” Ankara’s role in the neighbouring Mazlum Abdi, commander of the country. YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic A 13-point plan, presented October Forces, agreed with Jeffrey. He told 17 by US Vice-President Mike Pence a local television station that “this after talks with Turkish President ceasefire covers those regions where Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, there is now war, between [Ras al- calls for a 5-day suspension of Tur- Ayn] and Tal Abyad.” key’s military campaign in northern He rejected a Turkish plan to reset- Syria, a withdrawal of Kurdish Peo- tle millions of Syrian refugees from A blend of defiance and hope. A demonstrator sits on a sofa with a Lebanese flag covering his face near burning ple’s Protection Units (YPG) fighters Turkey in the zone. “Demographic (Reuters) tyres during a protest over deteriorating economic conditions in Jdeideh, Lebanon, October 18. and the creation of a predominantly change must not be carried out,” Turkey-controlled “security zone” Abdi said, as relayed by the media 30km deep along the Syrian border. office of the Kurdish autonomous Shelling and gunfire could be government in northern Syria. heard in the vicinity of the Syrian Moscow also refuses a permanent Tax hikes and wildfires border town of Ras al-Ayn, near the Turkish presence in northern Syria. Turkish town of Ceylanpinar, hours Before a meeting between Erdogan after the agreement was published. and Russian President Vladimir Pu- The Syrian Observatory for Human tin, scheduled for October 22, the fuel unrest in Lebanon Rights said there were Turkish air Kremlin’s Syria Envoy Alexander strikes on the village of Bab al-Kheir, Lavrentiev said his country was “op- Samar Kadi protester screamed. “Revolution! of Prime Minister Saad Hariri.” east of Ras al-Ain on the border. The posed to Turkish troops staying on Thieves!” chanted the crowd outside “For once the Lebanese are acting war monitor said 14 civilians were Syrian territory permanently.” Beirut government and parliament build- as citizens who share the sufferings, killed. Erdogan said he would discuss the ings. not as partisans divided by tradi- Turkey said it wants the security “security zone” issue with Putin. lanned tax hikes became the Widespread corruption com- tional sectarian polarisation,” Fayyad cordon to cover the border region latest in a string of blows to pounded by years of regional turmoil added. from the Euphrates in the west to Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly the Lebanese people, sending is catching up with Lebanon, which The government came under harsh the border with Iraq to the east, an correspondent. P thousands into the streets to has the third-highest debt level in criticism for not being prepared to area of approximately 400km. Er- protest during the country’s severe the world — 150% of GDP and a total fight wildfires. Lebanon’s three fire- dogan said he wants to build 12 ob- P4-7,14-15 economic crisis. of $86 billion. fighting helicopters have not been Days after Lebanon was engulfed “The people took to the streets in a functional since 2014, prompting au- by wildfires and the government’s spontaneous way. They felt they are thorities to ask Cyprus for assistance. inability to meet an emergency that being deprived of their last means of A preliminary assessment indicat- resulted in the loss of thousands of free expression. Those who use web ed that some 2,100 hectares of for- hectares of forests and damage to messaging are the people who can- ests were lost south of Beirut, far be- properties was exposed, public anger not afford to pay the regular mobile yond the yearly average of 600-800 peaked over the imposition of a 20- fees, which are the most expensive hectares of burned land, said George cent daily fee on messaging applica- worldwide,” said socio-economist Mitri, director of the land and natural tions, including WhatsApp. Mona Fayyad. resources programme at the Univer- The government later scrapped The protests transcended sectar- sity of Balamand. the tax and Lebanese Prime Min- ian divisions and confessional rheto- “We had more than 100 fires in 48 ister Saad Hariri gave his political ric that is traditionally used to break hours,” Mitri said. adversaries in the cabinet a 72-hour up activism, Fayyad said. In a show of national solidar- ultimatum to agree on “convincing” “For the first time each commu- ity, volunteers from across Lebanon reforms. nity is turning against its own lead- rushed to back up overwhelmed fire Security forces fired tear gas to ers,” she said. “In southern Lebanon and civil defence crews and assist disperse protesters in Beirut amid (Shia communities) are protesting those affected by the blaze and Leba- some of the largest demonstrations against Hezbollah and Amal MPs. In nese living abroad sent donations. Dealmaker? US President Donald Trump talked about Turkey’s the country has seen in years. Riots Christian areas they criticised Presi- agreement to a ceasefire in Syria, October 17. Speaking to reporters left two people dead and dozens dent Michel Aoun and burned post- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly as he arrived in Fort Worth, Texas, he compared the conflict wounded. ers of [Foreign Secretary] Gebran Travel and Society section editor. between Turkish forces and Kurds to a fight between children. “We have no jobs, we have no Bassil. In mainly Sunni Akkar and (Reuters) money and we have no future,” one Tripoli they are burning the posters P6,8 Viewpoint Renewed momentum in Russia-Gulf ties promises strong dividends ship with the United States, which Moving beyond oil markets, Arab The Saudi Vision 2030 plan noted, with a particular emphasis Sabahat Khan remains critical for the Arab Gulf. Gulf and Russian counterparts are provided an opportunity to identify on trade promotion and joint The constraints of the Cold War have building new stakes in their bilateral synergies and harmonise strategic investments, reflects a convergence ussian President disappeared and, as it reasserts itself relationships. Saudi Arabia and Rus- development plans. between Russian and Arab Gulf Vladimir Putin’s on the global stage, Russia does so sia signed about 20 agreements In Abu Dhabi, the United Arab counterparts. successful visits to with the confidence that it is not eas- worth more than $2 billion. Emirates and Russia concluded six Russia’s role in regional affairs and Saudi Arabia and the ily ignored. The flagship deal involves the agreements focusing on expanding crises is likely to grow in a way that United Arab Emirates The region’s tensions with Iran Saudi Arabian Basic Industries joint investments and technical adds stability rather than intensifies reaffirmed the transfor- over its activities and Moscow’s role Corporation — SABIC — one of the cooperation. Investments worth $1.3 competition, promising dividends Rmational discourse under way in Syria have emphasised a need to world’s largest petrochemicals billion are to be led by Mubadala, for all. between Moscow and the Arab strategically engage Russia. For Rus- company, teaming with the Russian Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment Gulf. sia, too, the Arab Gulf is not viewed Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to company, and the RDIF. Sabahat Khan maintains In Abu Dhabi, Putin’s meetings wholly in the context of its rivalry build a methanol plant in Russia. Russia has also secured a 5% in a cross-disciplinary focus in with Crown Prince Mohammed bin with the United States or by a purely The RDIF is also to work with the the ultra-sour Ghasha gas field for international security, defence policy Zayed al-Nahyan renewed the mo- security-driven calculus. This has Saudi Agricultural and Livestock around $200 million, marking the and strategic issues. mentum in Russian-UAE ties. allowed both sides to be more crea- Investment Company to identify first time it will be involved in the (Full version of this article appears on Relations with Russia are no tive and open to each other. Defence investment opportunities in Russia’s Emirates’ upstream activities. www.thearabweekly.com) longer viewed exclusively through cooperation and trade figured in the agricultural sector, which has consid- Expanding ties and cooperation the prism of the enduring partner- equation but not centrally. erable potential to develop. across the broad range of areas P2-3 2 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis Russia in the Gulf Meetings in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh highlight deepening Russian-GCC ties

Caline Malek drone or, more seriously, the attack “Moscow is serious about pursu- on Saudi oil facilities.” ing healthy partnerships with Arab Putin, Shateri said, had shown countries and the lower Gulf states Dubai true mettle by “sticking it out” with help to anchor Russian interests in his ally Syria and could fill the vac- the region,” he said. eepening Russia’s partner- uum left by the United States there. Russia’s efforts to develop ad- ship with the Gulf Coopera- “The visit is quite significant,” vanced relations with Riyadh and tion Council was high on he explained. “The recent congres- Abu Dhabi, and vice versa, Karasik D all parties’ agendas when sional scrutiny over military deals added, was geopolitics at its best. Russian President Vladimir Putin to Saudi Arabia and the UAE added “The geographical North-South re- met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince concern to the US reliability. Most lationship between Russia and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al- likely, the GCC countries will try to Near East is increasingly becoming a Nahyan in Abu Dhabi as well as diversify [their] sources of arma- superhighway of mutual interests,” Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al ment.” he added. Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed The United States’ partners in bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh. the region are increasingly ques- Theodore Karasik, The meetings, analysts said, re- tioning Washington’s commitment a senior adviser at to the Middle East because of its flected a turning point in Gulf Coop- Gulf State Analytics eration Council (GCC) foreign policy in Washington withdrawal from Syria and lack of as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab response to Iranian provocations, Emirates increasingly look to the exports noted. tional regional partners. Yet there is even if we are a frustrating partner,” East and Russia for security support. “The discussions did not “Those partners are looking to a limit to what Russia is able to offer Singh added. “The US may be erratic “Putin’s visits come amid what feature security issues and hedge against American disengage- US partners like Saudi Arabia and of late but it is still the state best po- seems to be a US withdrawal from instead focused on how best ment by diversifying their portfolio the UAE.” sitioned to marshal resources, rally the Middle East,” said Albadr Al Sha- to create a greater nexus of of external powers, courting not just However, he said that while Rus- international coalitions and effec- teri, professor of politics at the Na- interests between the three Russia but also China,” said Michael sia held influence with key parties tively oppose forces adversarial to tional Defence College in Abu Dhabi. countries. This is a potentially Singh, managing director of the from all political backgrounds in the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.” “[US President Donald] Trump powerful tandem.” Washington Institute. region — having the ability to engage However, on two issues of great ordering US troops to leave Syria “Moscow, for its part, is acutely with Israel as well as Iran, for exam- importance for the Gulf — energy signalled, for better or worse, the re- Theodore Karasik, a senior advis- aware of this dynamic and likely ple — it remains relatively isolated and security — Russia is a central, ceding of US influence in the region. er at Gulf State Analytics in Wash- eager to exploit it, whether for pe- on the world stage and lacks the reliable partner, Shateri said. We have to remember that Trump ington, said Putin’s visits to Saudi cuniary reasons such as arms sales resources to back up its diplomatic “With the recent attack of Saudi was not able to do much over Iran’s Arabia and the United Arab Emir- or more strategic aims such as po- skill. oil facilities, the S-400 missile might aggressive behaviour, like the at- ates are just as important to Russia, sitioning Russia as a key mediator “This means that the US will con- look like a very hot item for the Gulf tack on the oil liner off the coast of which is seeking to develop bilat- in regional conflicts and widening tinue to be the partner of choice for states to buy,” he said. “Russia can Fujairah, the downing of the US spy eral relations in different sectors. gaps between the US and its tradi- Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others, also mediate the conflict and reduce Saudi-Russian relations Viewpoint in recent years Moscow expands influence in a region that Washington appears to be deserting 2015 2017 ● ● acted without Russian permission,” noted Trump’s weak response to Saudi sovereign wealth Russia and Saudi Arabia said Zaur Gasimov, senior research September’s missile and drone at- fund commits to a record sign $3 billion arms deal. fellow at Bonn University’s Russian tacks on oil installations at Abqaiq $10 billion in Russian in- Gareth Smyth Studies Department. “The Turkish and Khurais and they hear him insist incursion has spread an anti-Amer- the United States does not need Gulf vestment for the next five ● 2018 ican mood among the Kurds of the oil. years. The Saudi Public Saudi Crown Prince Mo- ven by usual standards, entire region. Most important, Russia On October 11, the Pentagon an- Investment Fund signs a hammed bin Salman bin the Russian media brought separatist-minded Kurdish nounced the deployment to Saudi offered lavish praise for groups closer to Assad’s regime and Arabia of 3,000 additional troops deal with the Russian Direct Abdulaziz attends open- President Vladimir was satisfied with further deteriora- and two squadrons of fighter jets — a Investment Fund (RDIF) for ing ceremony of the FIFA Putin’s visit to Saudi tion in Turkish-US relations.” day after Trump called “going into one of the largest foreign World Cup in Moscow. Arabia and the United Putin’s relationship with conflict- the Middle East… the worst decision EArab Emirates. “Russia has won in ing parties is just as evident in ever made” and it remains unclear direct investments in Rus- the Arab world the status of a the Gulf. “Russia has managed to if the forces are to replace the USS sia. ● 2019 country that one ought to listen to navigate Ankara, Tehran and Saudi Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier Russia agrees with Saudi and with which it’s safe to do Arabia in its own interests,” said group, scheduled for redeployment. ● 2016 Arabia to extend a deal with business,” noted state-owned Gasimov. “US sanctions reinforce After the oil-facilities attacks, Russia-1 Television. Tehran’s pro-Russian orientation.” Putin mischievously suggested Ri- Saudi Arabia and Russia OPEC on reducing oil out- Putin was welcomed to Riyadh Just as Russia has fostered with yadh should fulfil its 2017 agreement agree to cooperate in oil put over 6-9 months. with a 21-gun salute before Saudi Iran and Turkey the Astana “peace in principle to buy Russian S-400 markets to tackle global cavalry escorted him to the royal process” for Syria, so it plays the missile defence systems. Analysts palace. A day later, the Russian presi- Gulf mediator while urging Riyadh suspect Riyadh wants to jolt Wash- glut. ● 2019 dent posed with Abu Dhabi Crown to back Syria’s return to the Arab ington. Crown Prince Mohammed Prince Mohammed bin Zayed League. Interviewed before his trip “The S-400s are perhaps more of ● 2017 presents RDIF CEO Kirill al-Nahyan alongside Hazza al- by Arab television stations, including a ‘message’ than something likely The Russian-Saudi Invest- Dmitriev with the Order of Mansoori, who in September took a Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, Putin said to be implemented — and maybe Soyuz space flight in becoming the he wanted to facilitate dialogue be- something the kingdom will use [to ment fund established with King Abdulaziz, in recogni- first Arab on the International Space tween the Arab Gulf states and Iran. its advantage] during exchanges with capital of $6 billion. tion of his efforts to strength- Station. “Putin’s trip was a tactical step Washington,” said Makinsky. en joint cooperation. Dmi- Putin’s trip cannot be seen in within a strategy,” said Michel Mak- More tangible Russian progress isolation. While in Riyadh, he coordi- insky, Iran specialist with Ageromys may come with economic agree- ● 2017 triev is the second Russian nated Moscow’s response to Turkey’s International in Paris. “Putin is ments reached during Putin’s visit Saudi King Salman bin citizen to be given the award. military offensive into northern Syria trying to take as many advantages as covering energy, technology and Abdulaziz Al Saud visits Russian President Vladimir after US President Donald Trump possible from both clearly exposed health. These reflect Russia’s need withdrew US troops. Saudi vulnerability and America’s to diversify in the face of Western Moscow. Putin was the first. “I cannot imagine that [Turkish loss of credibility.” sanctions that have helped leave its President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan Riyadh can hedge. The Saudis economy short of a 3% growth target October 20, 2019 3 News & Analysis Russia in the Gulf

Viewpoint Putin’s visit to the Gulf underscores strong signs of diminishing US role

Arabia’s human rights record and its conduct in the war in Gregory Yemen. Hence, neither a Trump Aftandilian re-election nor a Democratic contender winning the White House in 2020 looks very reas- he royal treatment suring from the perspective of afforded Russian Saudi leaders. President Vladimir Although Putin’s intervention Putin during his in the Syrian civil war on the recent visit to Saudi side of the Assad government Arabia and the was initially upsetting to the TUnited Arab Emirates came at a Saudis because Syrian President precipitous time that under- Bashar Assad was seen as aiding scored how prominent Arab a pro-Iranian regime that was countries are questioning US killing Sunni Muslims, their commitments. view of him has changed. Although Putin’s visit was Now that Assad has essen- in the works for some time, it tially won the civil war, the was not lost on observers and question of the future of Syria analysts in the Middle East no longer hangs in the balance. and the United States that it Putin demonstrated that he coincided with the controversy could go to the aid of a friend surrounding US President Don- and stick by his commitment ald Trump’s decision to pull US despite the controversy. In ad- troops out of northern Syria and dition, Putin does not lecture abandon Washington’s Kurdish the Saudi leadership on human New stakes. Crown allies, allowing Turkish troops rights and democracy issues as Prince of Abu to occupy the area and kill many US officials sometimes do. Dhabi Mohammed Kurds in the process. Given Russia’s ties to both the bin Zayed Not only did Trump’s green Arab Gulf countries and Iran, al-Nahyan (C) light to Turkish President Recep Putin may have an advantage welcomes Russian Tayyip Erdogan allow this to over Trump in that he can try President Vladimir happen but it permitted Russia to mediate and defuse the ten- Putin (C-L) to extend its influence even sions, say, between Riyadh and during an official more in Syria. Footage of a Rus- Tehran. Although it is unclear ceremony in Abu sian journalist in an abandoned whether Putin wants to play this Dhabi, October 15. US military camp in northern role — in some ways, tensions in (AFP) Syria, showing off US food and the Gulf may work to his favour equipment, highlighted the — he always has that card to consequences, in addition to play, which could enhance Rus- the tension in the Arabian Gulf. grammes and other plans,” he said. to coordinate their foreign policy the terrible human toll, of the sia’s role in the region. “Syria might also be on the agen- “It is notable that the discussions objectives throughout the MENA re- United States’ decision to “cut da, especially that the war is waning did not feature security issues and gion,” he said. and run.” and [Syrian President Bashar] Assad instead focused on how best to cre- While Shateri agreed the relation- This is not to say that the has the upper hand. The Russians ate a greater nexus of interests be- ships were likely to grow, he said United States will be doing the While Trump may might ask for Riyadh’s good offices tween the three countries. This is a they will “not go beyond the break- same in the Gulf region, where not be bothered by an to rehabilitate the regime and its re- potentially powerful tandem.” ing point with that of Washington.” there remain a substantial US enhanced Russian turn to the Arab fold.” Karasik said Russia, Saudi Arabia “(The) Saudis will avoid anything naval commitment as well Karasik said billions of dollars’ and the United Arab Emirates, along that will cause a major disturbance as ground troops in several role in the region, worth of investment agreements with China, are likely to build “a with the US, which remains a major countries, including a beefed- other US politicians between the Russian Direct Invest- growing clustering of like-minded provider of security and armaments up presence in Saudi Arabia. ment Fund and various Saudi and states that are creating an arena of for both the UAE and the kingdom,” However, Trump’s comments on in both political Emirati entities were on the table. influence that will find its interests he said. ​ Syria have undoubtedly given parties certainly are. “Naturally, we will need to see growing in Africa.” Arab Gulf leaders pause. what happens with actual transac- “In addition, Russia, Saudi Arabia Caline Malek is an Arab Weekly For example, Trump said that Before Russian samovars start tions and the development of pro- and the UAE are going to continue contributor in Abu Dhabi. if “Russia wants to get involved replacing US goods in Riyadh, a in Syria — that’s really up to lot would have to happen. Saudi them.” He added that Russia Arabia is heavily dependent on and the Middle East countries US weapons and spare parts. can deal with the Islamic State Whole generations of Saudi mili- problem because “they should tary officers have gone through Moscow expands influence in a region that Washington appears to be deserting handle it. We can fight our own professional training in the battles on our own territories.” United States and tens of thou- US analysts noted that the sands of Saudis have studied since emerging from recession in Russian-Saudi relationship has at US universities. English, not 2016. been growing in recent years, so Russian, is the preferred second The Russian Direct Investment the Putin visit to the Gulf was language of the educated strata Fund (RDIF), Moscow’s sovereign not a surprise. As two of the of Saudi society and the United wealth fund, valued the agree- world’s biggest oil producers, States is the preferred venue ments at more than $2 billion with Russia and Saudi Arabia have a for Saudi businessmen to place Saudi Arabia and $1.3 billion with the strategic and economic interest their investments. United Arab Emirates. in keeping oil prices relatively These ties remain substantial. RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev, who was high and stable. Russia sees eco- Even if a Democrat were to win accompanying Putin, suggested Rus- nomic opportunities in the Gulf the 2020 presidential election, sian investors were interested in Ara- and Russian investors will, for he or she would face significant mco’s planned share flotation, while example, want to buy substan- opposition from the US defence Russia’s Sibur Holding is considering tial shares of Aramco when the establishment, defence contrac- a $1 billion petrochemical deal. Dmi- initial public offering is made tors and financial institutions triev praised the production limits available. about a reorientation away from agreed by OPEC+, coordinating OPEC The warm reception and Saudi Arabia. with ten non-members, claiming fanfare surrounding Putin’s Instead, the Gulf Arabs’ they had benefited Russia by $100 visit also raise the question of flirtation with Moscow is in part billion. whether Arab Gulf countries, designed to show Washington Wider bilateral relations have been Warm welcome. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in a car at given their sense that the United that they have other suitors who disappointing. Russian analysts Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, October 15. (WAM) States may be in retreat in the would be happy to step into the suggest the Saudis have delivered Middle East, are hedging their breach should the United States just 25% of the $10 billion invest- “I doubt Riyadh will leave its cur- states — including Turkey, Syria, Iran bets. equivocate. ment promised when Saudi Crown rent view of regional security under and Israel — while the United States Even though Trump has While Trump may not be Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin a [Gulf Cooperation Council] GCC, vacillates, retreats or divides the continued to back Saudi Arabia bothered by an enhanced Rus- Abdulaziz met with Putin in 2015. Saudi-controlled umbrella,” said world into friends and enemies. and likes to tout how much the sian role in the region, other US Earlier this year, a potential deal fell Makinsky. “At the same time, other “We don’t believe that having Saudis have bought US arma- politicians in both political par- through for Aramco to join an Arctic Gulf states, especially the UAE, may close ties with Russia has any nega- ments and other goods, his lack ties certainly are, as many have gas project with Russia’s Novatek, welcome arrangements with Iran’s tive impact on our relationship with of military action against Iran, recently lamented that Trump’s while a US bid is seen as front-runner participation. We can’t exclude Saudi the United States,” Saudi Minister especially after the drone and policies in Syria are “ceding the on a shortlist of five, including Rus- Arabia slowly exploring behind-the- of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al- rocket attacks on Saudi oil facili- ground” to Russia. sia’s Rosatom, to build Saudi Arabia’s scenes exchanges with Tehran on Jubeir said. ties in September, is undoubt- first nuclear power plant. diminishing risks and tensions, but edly worrying to the Saudis and Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer Will economic ties reinforce a current trends don’t suggest a formal Gareth Smyth is a regular the Emiratis. in the Pardee School of Global closer political relationship, perhaps agreement.” contributor to The Arab Weekly. He Most of the Democratic candi- Studies at Boston University and even the new Gulf security arrange- Even so, Saudi Arabia is embracing has reported from the Middle East dates running for president have a former US State Department ment the Russians speak of? a Russia that has relations with all since 1992. expressed criticism over Saudi Middle East analyst. 4 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis Turkey’s Intervention in Syria Turkish-US deal gives boost to Erdogan as he prepares for meeting with Putin

Thomas Seibert tween Syrian and Turkish troops to prevent clashes. Russian President Vladimir Putin Istanbul invited Erdogan for talks September 22 in the Russian Black Sea resort of urkey and the United States Sochi. have agreed on a 5-day pause Nicholas Heras, Middle East Se- in the fighting and the estab- curity fellow at the Centre for a New T lishment of a Turkish-con- American Security think-tank, said trolled “security zone” in northern by e-mail that the agreement with Syria that could provide Ankara with Pence “gives Erdogan a lot more am- leverage in discussions with Russia, munition in his looming diplomatic analysts said. battle with Putin.” The truce was announced October “Erdogan and the Turkish leader- 17 by US Vice-President Mike Pence ship will want to secure as much terri- after five hours of talks in Ankara tory as possible before that meeting, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip in order to have a stronger bargaining Erdogan. It was swiftly praised by US position with the Russians concern- President Donald Trump, who said it ing how much Syrian territory in that would save “millions of lives.” region will remain under Turkish au- If implemented, the agreement thority,” Heras argued. would achieve the main objectives Putin’s Syria envoy, Alexander Turkey announced when it began Lavrentiev, said Turkey should limit the assault October 9: control of a its incursion to a depth of 5-10km. “security zone” in Syria more than This would be far less than the 30km 30km deep and ranging from the Eu- sought by Ankara. phrates in the west to the Iraqi bor- “Erdogan needs more leverage to der in the east, with the Syrian Dem- apply on Putin in that negotiation be- ocratic Forces (SDF), a close US ally cause he wants to fulfil his vision of a in the fight against the Islamic State, 32km zone from the Euphrates to the Tigris in north-eastern Syria, which obliged to pull out. Turkey regards Fragile deal. US Vice-President Mike Pence (R) meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the Russians and [Syrian President the Kurdish People’s Protection Units at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, October 17. (AP) (YPG) militia, the SDF’s backbone, as Bashar] Assad will try to deny him,” a terrorist group. Heras said. “The safe zone will be primarily For the Trump administration, the vourably if you get this done the during which the US president gave Eventually parts of eastern Syria enforced by the Turkish Armed Forc- agreement with Turkey provided a right and humane way,” Trump con- Turkey the green light to move into “will be divided between Turkey and es,” said a joint US-Turkish statement way to counter domestic criticism at tinued. “It will look upon you forever Syria by announcing the withdrawal the regime,” Wimmen said. “I expect released after the talks. Pro-govern- home of the US approach in Syria. as the devil if good things don’t hap- of US troops, has profoundly shaken Turkey to hold on to this 30km secu- ment media in Turkey lauded the Before Pence arrived in Ankara, a pen.” up the military and political land- rity zone from the border to the M4 agreement as a diplomatic victory letter from Trump dated October 9 “Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a scape in Syria. highway.” for their country. “The United States asking Erdogan to negotiate a “deal” fool!” he finished, adding: “I will call “This is definitely a turning point,” Some elements of the puzzle, such has accepted our conditions,” said with the YPG became public. Written you later.” said Heiko Wimmen, project direc- as the next moves of the Syrian gov- the online edition of the Yeni Safak in a highly undiplomatic style that Turkish media, citing high-rank- tor for Iraq, Syria and Lebanon at the ernment, were less clear cut. newspaper. bordered on the bizarre, Trump told ing government officials in Ankara, International Crisis Group. Before “We have yet to see a substantial On the ground, Russian and Syrian Erdogan to end the Syria operation or said Erdogan threw the letter “in the the chain reaction set off by Trump deployment of Syrian troops over troops recently moved into positions risk devastating US sanctions. trash.” The officials were quoting as in his telephone call with Erdogan, the Euphrates” into eastern Syria, previously held by US troops and “You don’t want to be responsible saying Turkey’s response to the letter north-eastern Syria had been under Wimmen said. He said Washington the YPG, while Turkey and its allies for slaughtering thousands of people was the start of the Syrian interven- firm control of the United States and was likely to try to prevent a takeo- of the Syrian National Army, a rebel and I don’t want to be responsible for tion. the YPG. That previous situation ap- ver of oil fields in eastern Syria by alliance, pushed into other parts of destroying the Turkish economy — Trump’s unorthodox manoeu- peared “almost idyllic” when com- the regime despite the decision northern Syria. In Manbij, Russian and I will,” Trump wrote. vring, starting with a telephone con- pared with the conditions in the area to withdraw US troops from the military police patrolled an area be- “History will look upon you fa- versation October 6 with Erdogan, now, Wimmen said by telephone. region.

Viewpoint European Union is a sideshow in Syria conflict

he international actors calls a “corridor of terror.” It is time the European Union gave downplay the fact that the erosion who carry the most No mention of the European up its long-held dream that the world of US leadership will pose greater weight in the crisis Union has been made because it would move towards a law-based problems than it would solve. Francis Ghilès stemming from plays but a small part in the crisis. system. The world led by China, The European Union’s borders Turkey’s military Germany, France, Sweden, the Russia and increasingly the United are not the same as those of the incursion into Syria are Netherlands and Finland suspended States will be based on power rather Schengen Area or those of the TRussia and Syria. arms deliveries to Turkey, which than rules. eurozone. To make the European The former seized the will hardly have any effect on that It is worth pointing out that the Union’s frontiers more stable opportunity to reprise its role country’s capacity to wage war. European Union shares with Russia requires exercising influence in the as a broker between the Assad The EU foreign ministers stopped grave concern about the risk of periphery of the European Union in regime, on which the Kremlin has short of implementing a formal EU- thousands of Islamic State prisoners ways that have a greater affinity with lavished military support, and wide weapons embargo on Turkey. escaping from prisons managed by the requirements of empire than groups Damascus wants to quell They condemned Ankara’s “military Kurdish militias in northern Syria. with those of an interstate system. in Syria. The Kremlin must placate action” in Syria and its drilling for Does that fear bring the two parties Whether Europe chooses to its strategic ally, Ankara, and has oil and gas off the coast of Cyprus. together even if on other issues, such borrow from the imperial model rejected suggestions the new The United Kingdom was as Ukraine, they are apart? is anybody’s guess. What is hardly alliances could pit it against Turkey. reluctant to go along with the Even in their worst nightmares in doubt is that, brave words Notwithstanding the ceasefire text and got an extra line inserted European policymakers never notwithstanding, it enjoys no more brokered between the United that stressed that “Turkey is a key dreamed that the United States than a walk-on role in the crisis States and Turkey, which appears partner of the European Union.” would withdraw from the Middle engulfing northern Syria. a significant victory for Turkish In truth, the European Union has East, let alone treat them with the American unreliability in the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan very little leverage with Turkey disdain Trump is showing them. Middle East is nothing new but and will further shred America’s because it relies on Ankara to help In the 1990s, the real challenge never before has an alliance with reputation as a trustworthy ally, the manage migration. Without military for the European Union was that the United States been so callously Kurdish agreement with Damascus power, the European Union cannot “on the one side, it faced an area in shredded. The Kurds had harsh increases Moscow’s leverage properly defend its interests. which all the conflicts and instability historical experience of this in 1991 because it pushes for a post-conflict European politicians are only now typical of a post-imperial area were when the United States left Saddam settlement. Russian President waking up to the fact that without developing at great speed, while on Hussein in power at the end of the Vladimir Putin visited Riyadh and military power they are, outside the other side the Western ‘number first Gulf War. Abu Dhabi and called on Syria to international trade, a minnow. one,’ which, until then, had acted as The Saudis may reflect on how be readmitted to the Arab League, The European Union depends on a benevolent hegemon, was turning solid — or transactional — US support ending its suspension that began in the whim of the United States and into an imperial player which played for them is. That might lead them 2011. sometimes Russia but the former is scant regards to the wishes and ideas to start mending fences with Iran, Erdogan’s offensive complicates a long-standing ally, which decided, of its allies.” spiking the guns of US and Israeli matters by obstructing the peace before Donald Trump was elected Those prophetic words were hawks who have pushed so hard for settlement Russia, Iran and Turkey president, to reduce its footprint in written by Herfried Munkler in a war with Tehran. Brave words have been pursuing via the so-called the Middle East. lucid analysis published in 2005. That turn would certainly be notwithstanding, Astana process. Liberal MEP Guy Verhofstadt The challenge Munkler described welcomed by the European Union Europe enjoys no As for Iran, another important recently said: “Europe must take remains. and allow it to reassume a more regional player, it may have no love its destiny into its own hands by European leaders must take care important political and diplomatic more than a walk-on for the Kurds or the United States building a defence union.” He was not to simply provide resources to its role in the Middle East. role in the crisis but Turkey’s move threatens its making the case that the European operations and step in afterward to hopes of controlling a northern Union needed to be part of an handle the consequences, without Francis Ghilès is an associate engulfing northern territorial corridor linking it with its emerging “world order that is based having any say in the fundamental fellow at the Barcelona Centre for Syria. Shia allies in Lebanon, what Israel on empires.” political decisions. They must not International Affairs. October 20, 2019 5 News & Analysis Turkey’s Intervention in Syria

Viewpoint Handing ISIS fighters over to Turkey could terribly backfire

soldiers and tanks at the doorstep, are SDF fighters likely to welcome in the Turks and hand over the prison Stephen Starr keys or are they likely to attempt ambushing the Turkish soldiers? If the latter is a possibility, are urkish President Recep Turkey’s military leaders looking to Tayyip Erdogan may deploy warplanes and air strikes on have scored one of his Kurdish militias and their ISIS cap- biggest political coups by tives to protect their own soldiers? convincing US President There is so much potential for Donald Trump to allow calamity that no one route seems in Tthe Turkish Army to take on, and the least bit plausible. likely defeat, Washington’s erst- It’s worth recalling that the last while allies, the Syrian Defence time Turkey entered Kurdish-con- Forces. trolled territory in northern Syria, it Trump’s decision to move all 2,000 blitzed and destroyed much of Afrin, US forces out of north-eastern Syria leaving Syrian rebel groups to pillage while declaring Washington wouldn’t and plunder. stand in the way of Ankara’s long- Were the Kurds to abandon their sought military campaign east of the prisoners, which seems most likely, Big winner. A Syrian government soldier raises a Syrian national flag atop an electrical wiring pole Euphrates was only topped by one ISIS militants and their until-now by the border with Turkey in the town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, in northern Aleppo, incredible coda: “Turkey will now be separated families would have a October 17. (AFP) responsible for all ISIS (Islamic State) tremendous opportunity to regather fighters in the area captured over the and, as the Turkish military and past two years,” a White House state- Kurdish fighters meet on the bat- ment said. tlefield, sneak south into the Syrian Approximately 12,000 ISIS prison- desert where they could reorganise. Damascus-SDF deal ers, 2,000 of whom are foreigners, However, if the Turkish troops are detained by Kurdish militias in were to get their hands on the ISIS Qamishli and elsewhere. More than prisoners before they make a dash, 90% of the 68,000 people in al-Hol what then? Such a scenario would camp are women and children taken lead to a new set of problems. Turkey denies Turkey victory but from ISIS-controlled territory in and hasn’t said what it plans to do with around Baghouz last spring and re- the prisoners, where they will end up ports suggest they remain radicalised or how it plans to house and rehabili- and ardent ISIS supporters. tate the extremists. at cost for Syrian Kurds The prospect of Turkey getting its Writing in the Washington Post, hands on the thousands of ISIS fight- Fahrettin Altun, the director of com- ers and their supporters detained munications for the Turkish govern- Sami Moubayed The fate of their US-supplied weap- been approved by the Turks, through by the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) ment, claimed: “Our country also ons is yet to be discussed, whether Russian mediation. seems extremely unlikely for a host helped the Free Syrian Army keep those would go to the Syrian or Rus- Erdogan ended the speculation Oc- of reasons but especially in light thousands of Islamic State militants Beirut sian armies. Additionally, no decision tober 14, saying: “The regime enter- of the 5-day cessation of Turkey’s behind bars for years.” That would has been made on whether Kurdish ing Manbij is not very negative for me. operation, agreed by Ankara and suggest that it would be the Syrian he Syrian government recap- fighters would be incorporated into Why? It’s their lands after all. What is US Vice-President Mike Pence on rebels Turkey sponsors who would tured large reaches of land the government army, police and in- important to me is that the terrorist October 17 to allow Kurdish forces to take responsibility for the jihadists east of the Euphrates River telligence services. organisation does not remain there.” withdraw from the border region. on territory it plans to take from the T handed to them by Kurdish The deal keeps 12,000 ISIS fight- In other words, he didn’t really care Kurdish fighters assigned to guard- Kurds in the current operation. Such militants fleeing the military offen- ers in Kurdish jails under control of who took over from the SDF; what ing ISIS prisoners have left their posts a plan is laden with pitfalls — we’ve sive by Turkey and its proxies of Syr- the Kurdish militants, rather than the mattered to him was that the Kurdish to meet the Turkish advance at the seen this movie before. ian rebels. Syrians, which means they will be militias were dismantled and the bor- border. More than 800 ISIS affiliates ISIS sleeper cells in and around It was the single largest territo- able to keep some of their arms. ders were 100% YPG free. escaped October 13 from a camp in Raqqa, which are already striking rial gain for the Syrian government in In exchange for their surrender, the In 2016, Erdogan’s forces occupied Ain Issa. For the Kurds, guarding ISIS out, and elsewhere would be certain nearly nine years. This was made pos- Kurdish militants have been verbally the Syrian border towns of Jarabu- prisoners is a secondary priority to to mount raids and suicide attacks sible because of three factors. promised “full rights” in the new Syr- lus, Azaz and al-Bab and, in 2018, the fending off the Turkish Army, some on the rebels to free their jihadist First was the decision by US Presi- ian Constitution, whose talks are to Turkish Army marched into Afrin, Kurdish officials said. On top of that, friends. Before long they’d be suc- dent Donald Trump to withdraw start October 30 in Geneva. west of the Euphrates, driving the some threatened to let the jihad- cessful and ISIS would be back in ac- 1,000 troops from north-eastern Syr- Because of a strong veto by Turkey, Kurdish militants out. ist prisoners go free as payback for tion. The world would then find itself ia, hoping to end to what he labelled the Kurds are poorly represented on Erdogan had hoped to create a Washington’s betrayal. facing the same problem as in 2015. “endless wars.” the Constitutional Committee, with 460km-wide, 35km-deep Kurdish- The US military has declared it has The only difference this time is that, Second was the Turkish invasion only three out of 150 members and free safe zone, where he could relo- no intention to intervene, in part having been betrayed by Washington, that followed, dually aimed at driving only one of them on the 45-mem- cate millions of Syrian refugees who because it doesn’t plan to have any the SDF and other affiliated Kurdish Kurdish separatists from the border ber Drafting Committee. Damascus have been in Turkey since 2011. The forces in the area. It’s been reported militias would want to play no part in area and occupying the Syrian towns now promises to stand up for them United States made it clear that it that US personnel whisked away hunting down the jihadists a second of Ras al-Ayn, Kobane and Tal Rifaat. in Switzerland, without specifying would only tolerate a zone that was remaining members of the so-called time. Third was the Russia-sponsored how that would be done, since it flat- 80km in length and 15km deep but British “Beatles” ISIS jihadists to Iraq. The entire Syrian quagmire has negotiations between Damascus and ly rejects any form of federalism for the Americans would not allow Er- So it seems that the two elements read like a recurring bad dream. It the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic north-eastern Syria. dogan to go after the Kurds in Syria. whose leading purpose in north- seems that when things can get no Forces (SDF), which resulted in a sur- Last February, Russian President eastern Syria is to guard the jihadists worse, something else comes along render of all the cities and towns in The agreement calls for Vladimir Putin offered to revive the — the Americans and the Kurdish — this time Trump — and sees the the area to Syrian authorities. the abolishment of all Adana Agreement of 1998, which al- militias — have left or are soon to conflict’s good guys get thrown out lows Turkey to enter up to 5km into By October 14, the Syrian Army Kurdish parties and leave their posts. with the trash. In the Shakespearean had rumbled into Manbij, west of the Syrian territory in pursuit of Kurd- One major issue facing any poten- tragedy the war has devolved into, Euphrates, which the SDF had liber- militias, including the ish separatists if, and only if, Syrian tial handover is how Turkish troops abandoning the Kurds at this mo- ated from the Islamic State (ISIS) in SDF and YPG, since, by authorities failed to do the job. At a and the Kurdish militias — sworn ment is an error that tops them all. 2016. The army also entered Ayn Issa Syrian government law, summit on September 16, he offered enemies for decades — may enact a in Raqqa governorate, liberated by parties cannot operate to expand that territory and to deploy handover of the ISIS prisoners since Stephen Starr is the author of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units on ethnic grounds. Russian troops along the Syrian-Turk- the latter are disinclined, to say the “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to the (YPG), which dominates the SDF, in ish area, creating a double buffer that least, to cooperate with Turkey in any Uprising” and has lived in Syria and 2015. Syrian flags were raised in both Before the Turkish invasion, the would safeguard Erdogan’s interests, respect. With battalions of Turkish Turkey since 2007. towns, with live reports on state-run Kurds had dreamed of a federal state without calling it a “safe zone.” television. east of the Euphrates, although their “We need to reach a decentralised Syrian government troops then cities are separated by geography and system in north-eastern Syria, which headed to the demolished city of none had a 100% Kurdish majority. preserves integrity and sovereignty Raqqa on the north-east bank of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip of the country,” said Sami Khiyami, Euphrates, once the self-proclaimed Erdogan jeopardised his country’s a former ambassador to London who capital of ISIS, and the major cities reputation after insisting on mov- serves on the recently formed consti- of Qamishli and Hasakah, east of the ing ahead with his mission, causing tutional committee. Euphrates. They aim to retake Malk- tremendous friction with the United “The SDF needs to act in a wise ieh, in the north-eastern tip of Syria, States, the European Union and the manner to reach a viable power-shar- defining the triple borders of Syria, Arab League. ing formula with all Kurdish parties, Turkey and Iraq. Approximately 6,000 Turkish the government and Arab tribal nota- “The Turkish regime is not a victor,” troops were in the battlefield, along bles from north-eastern Syria. They insisted Kurdish analyst Hosheng with an additional 6,400 Syrian prox- need a national conference from Ossi. “The aim of their operation was ies on the Turkish payroll. A Syrian which they elect a new leadership for not just to dismantle the Kurdish self- faction of the Turkish proxies killed the entire area.” administration but, rather, to occupy Hevrin Khalaf, a 36-year-old Kurdish That won’t happen, however, be- it in full. That objective has not been politician — on camera — in an appar- fore Syrian troops redeploy through- met.” ent bid to terrify Kurdish fighters. out the entire area, which will be time The agreement calls for the abol- Syrian state-run news agency SANA consuming, given that they have been ishment of all Kurdish parties and reported October 13 that the Syrian absent from that space since 2014. militias, including the SDF and YPG, Army was heading to “confront” the Renewed fears. A Syrian boy walks in al-Hol camp for the since, by Syrian government law, Turkish Army but no confrontation Sami Moubayed is a Syrian historian internally displaced people in Hasakah governorate in parties cannot operate on ethnic took place, raising speculation that and author of “Under the Black Flag” north-eastern Syria. (AFP) grounds. the Damascus-SDF deal might have (IB Tauris, 2015). 6 October 20, 2019 Opinion

Editorial Trump’s callous manoeuvres add to Syria’s tragedy S President Donald Trump, the undisputed master of insults, has referred to Syria as “just sand” and, to a myopic narcissist, that may be all it is. However, the simple truth is that Uthe Syrian people have long suffered — and continue to suffer — more than their fair share of death and displacement. US Vice-President Mike Pence travelled to Ankara and cajoled a face-saving, 5-day cease- fire out of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in exchange for financial incentives. Pence heralded the agreement, saying it would “save lives” but giving Kurds 120 hours to flee seems pointless when most have nowhere to run. Here are a few of the tragic facts: Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish-controlled northern Syria displaced more than 300,000 people among a population of about 3 million, a war monitor said. At least 72 Kurdish civilians have been killed, along with 20 on the Turkish side of the border. Some 1,000 Syrian civilians have crossed into Iraq’s Kurdish region. Some 40 schools have been turned into © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly emergency shelters. The United Nations has come to the aid of 83,000 newly displaced people but only has enough food and blankets for 52,000. Why Christians should counter Critical water shortages threaten at least 400,000 people in Hasakah. Nearly three dozen international NGOs, some of which could have Hezbollah’s tutelage over Lebanon assisted in such an emergency, have left the region because of safety concerns. Because of years of civil war, some 1.8 million civilians in the region needed aid even before Khairallah Khairallah the Turkish offensive. Lebanese Christians maintain some importance in Lebanon’s economy but if Trump is not totally wrong. There is a lot of sand in Syria, almost as much as there is suffer- the economy collapses, it would be the practical end for Christians in Lebanon. ing, with no apparent end in sight. he farce is not in which is working to advance newspaper because of a headline celebrating the Iranian interests and nothing else. that reflected the reality of the Gender equality anniversary of October Lebanon’s Christians’ adventures country, while ignoring the words 13, 1990, the day the were interrupted in 1982 by the of Hezbollah Secretary-General in football is far Syrian Army seized the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and Hassan Nasrallah affirming his presidential Baabda its devastating consequences for absolute loyalty to Iran and to from trivial matter TPalace and the Lebanese Ministry the Christians before everybody Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah of Defence. That day was the else and despite that that invasion Ali Khamenei? he issue of gender equality has loomed beginning of the 15-year Syrian played a decisive role in driving The most serious danger is when large in developments having to do tutelage over Lebanon until Syrian Palestinian militants out of Lebanon’s Christians do not want with football in the Middle East and security forces were forced out of Lebanon, for the benefit of the to understand the far-reaching North Africa. the country on April 26, 2005, after Iranian Islamic Revolutionary consequences of having Hezbollah In recent days, Iranian clerics had to Rafik Hariri’s assassination. Guard Corps, as it turned out. decide who is going to be president partially give up their diktat banning Rather, the farce lies in not The Christians’ adventures, of Lebanon and that such a crime Twomen from football stadiums based on self- absorbing the consequences of that starting with the signing of the is as disastrous as accepting the declared decency rules that legitimise gender discrimination. event, which marked the political ill-fated Cairo Agreement, ended Cairo Agreement. Lebanon’s Sunni On October 10, Iranian women were allowed to end of what is called — in good with the Syrian regime achieving Muslims and Kamal Jumblatt bear watch and cheer their national squad as it faith or in bad faith — “political what it wanted. This would not a great deal of responsibility for the defeated Cambodia in a FIFA qualifier. Maronism,” a label invented by have been possible without the second crime. The lifting of the ban, in place since 1981, was the late Lebanese thinker Manh miscalculations, especially at the Let’s not forget that the position partial and applies only to international al-Solh. regional level in 1988, 1989 and of the president remained vacant matches. Also, just 4,000 women — surrounded 1990 marked the political end 1990 when General Michel Aoun for two-and-a-half years until it by 150 female security personnel in black of “political Maronism” and it was was at Baabda Palace as head of was decided to elect a Hezbollah chadors — were allowed in the stadium seating the political end the Lebanese an interim government that the candidate. There would be 80,000 spectators. Christians. The Christians of Lebanese Muslims boycotted. consequences for that, too. Iran had been, until this month, the last Lebanon had embarked on all the The only mission of that interim At the top of these consequences country not to allow women to enter football stadiums. The concession by Tehran’s rulers was impossible adventures. government was to secure the we find the final chapter of the only possible after FIFA threatened to ban Iran’s It began with their leaders’ election of a president to succeed political presence of Christians in national team from world competition following acceptance of the Cairo Agreement Amin Gemayel. Lebanon, unless, of course, they the self-immolation by a young Iranian woman of November 1969. Then came the Aoun and his appointment at the are enrolled to pressure the Sunnis who was on trial for trying to enter a football election of Suleiman Frangieh as head of the interim government and the Druze in case the Arabs, stadium. president of Lebanon in 1970. They was a case of a rebellion Europeans and Americans abandon The struggle for Iranian women is not over, could not foresee the consequences that fully demonstrated the Lebanon’s Sunnis. even if FIFA President Gianni Infantino sounded of appointing a president who Christians’ inability to absorb the Lebanon’s Christians must realise hopeful after Tehran’s decision to allow women knew nothing of what was consequences of a confrontation that the next stage in Lebanon is not spectators in the football stadiums. “There can happening on the regional stage with the “Lebanese Forces,” just going to be the restoration of their be no stopping or turning back now,” Infantino during one of the Middle East’s one of the militias engaged in rights, especially since those rights said. “History teaches us that progress comes in most critical periods. the Lebanese war. Like all other have become hostage to Iran. stages and this is just the beginning of a jour- ney.” The most dangerous event militias, it was guilty of many It is not a matter of Christian The problem with Iran is that evolution from during that period was the mistakes, including the “Mountain rights and of wildfires that “affect one stage to another can take a long time, if it imposition of the Cairo Agreement Wa r.” only Christian areas,” to borrow occurs at all. and the influx of armed Palestinian October 13, 1990, was the end the expression of a member of Amnesty International described the Iranian militants on Lebanese territory of a stage in Lebanon’s modern parliament from Aoun’s camp. decision as “a cynical publicity stunt by the after the defeat of the Palestinian history. For the first time since This MP’s joke was false and shows authorities intended to whitewash their image.” resistance in Jordan. independence, Syrians were in the extent of political blindness in It called on Tehran to “lift all restrictions on At the same time, Hafez Assad control and not a single Lebanese certain Christian communities. women attending football matches, including was consolidating his rise to region was spared their hegemony. The real issue is to figure out how domestic league games, across the country.” stardom as the head of a Syrian That was also the time the Christians, in agreement with the Also in October, a Sudanese cleric in South regime that brilliantly mastered the political role of Christians in Muslims and the Druze, could stop Khartoum engaged in incitement against a female member of the government who sup- game of regional and international Lebanon ended, especially after the vicious attack on the Lebanese ported young Sudanese female athletes to play balances and knew how to play it the Syrian regime’s assassination of economy and Lebanese banks, football. in Lebanon by igniting fires then President-elect Rene Moawad, who which represent their last bastions After a Sudanese women’s football league rushing in, at the right moment, to had tried to establish a balanced in Lebanon. It is clear Hezbollah is began its first season on September 30, in the achieve stability in a region where Lebanese regime with Arab and targeting Lebanese banks, citing as presence of the Minister of Sports Wala’a Essam conflicts with Israel could erupt at international coverage under the excuse the US sanctions on Iran and al-Boushi, radical cleric Abdel-Hay Youssef drew the drop of a hat. terms of the Taif Agreement. its proxies. crowds to the street in support of his claim that Perhaps the most important It is difficult for those who do not Lebanese Christians maintain Islam forbids women from playing football. thing that Lebanon’s Christians grasp the meaning of the end of some importance in Lebanon’s Whether in Iran, Sudan or other parts of the could not understand was that no “political Maronism” to understand economy but if the economy region, the problem is not just about women’s Western party, US or European, the situation in Lebanon in 2019. collapses because of damage that participation in football matches or attendance could go to their aid if there There is a new political system in might be done to the banking at sports events; it is about the dangerous consequences of the exploitation of religion to was a confrontation with the which Iran’s tutelage has replaced system, it would be the practical promote dubious social or political agendas and Palestinians, whom the Syrian the Syrian one. end for Christians in Lebanon. the need to accept gender equality as a prerequi- regime had encouraged to establish What is more shameful than site for progress. a state within Lebanon, as it is when the Lebanese judicial Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese happening now with Hezbollah, system goes after Nidaa al Watan writer. October 20, 2019 7 Opinion

Kurds’ costly deal with Damascus Published by Al Arab is the lesser of two evils Publishing House Baha al-Awam Publisher Turkey is not interested in a military confrontation with Russia and the United and Group Executive Editor States does not want to leave behind in Syria a war for which it will be blamed. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Editor-in-Chief urkish President key and a great deal of flexibility them, Damascus opened the The first stage of the agree- Oussama Romdhani Recep Tayyip over the security corridor that doors again for dialogue with the ment between the Kurds and Erdogan gave two Washington tried to establish to Kurds, under Russian instruc- Damascus would be the deploy- excuses for his give Ankara direct guardianship tions, of course. The Kurds will ment of the Syrian Army along Managing Editor aggression in over the Syrian border east of the not get what they were wishing the entire northern Syrian bor- Iman Zayat northern Syria. Euphrates. However, Erdogan for but the Syrian regime also der. This would not be presently TThe first was a desire to does not want dialogue and does will not be 100% satisfied. possible because the border west Deputy Managing Editor establish a safe zone for the not want peaceful solutions In theory, no autonomous of the Euphrates is controlled by and Online Editor repatriation of Syrian refugees to this problem. His domestic zones will be allowed in the new the Turks. Mamoon Alabbasi from Turkey. The second was crises can only be resolved by a Syria but there will be a fair level However, the Syrian Army’s that he wanted to break the link war outside Turkish borders that of administrative decentralisa- advance to Ain al-Arab and between the Kurdish Demo- would be blessed by the Turkish tion. Moreover, there is no room Qamishli is sufficient to set the Senior Editor cratic Union Party (PYD) and the street and parliament. for an independent Kurdish eastern and western limits of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), The Americans had already force but the Kurds, with their Operation Peace Spring, under John Hendel which is listed on Ankara’s ter- decided to pull out from current military organisations, Russian protection, of course, rorist lists. northern Syria when the Kurds could be part of the new Syrian and by constant coordination Chief Copy Editor It is easy to demonstrate that realised that Erdogan did not Army. The country’s constitu- between Moscow, Ankara and both excuses do not call for a want dialogue. The Syrian tion will preserve the rights of all Washington. Richard Pretorius government stopped all negotia- Syrians and the Kurds have the military incursion and do not Turkey is not interested in Copy Editors justify Ankara’s aggression east tions with Qamishli and eyed the right to contribute to its drafting. a military confrontation with of the Euphrates but what could moment when the Turkish Army Support for the PKK, however, Russia and the United States Stephen Quillen the alternative have been? could cross the border to the will not be an option. does not want to leave behind Kyle Arensdorf It is true that the PYD, with its east of the Euphrates. Implementing such an agree- in Syria a war for which it will security and military wings, sup- The Kurds must have regret- ment would have been much be blamed. This is the core of ports the PKK. It is true that the ted their rejection of the Russian easier if Turkey had not invaded the agreement between the Gulf Section Editor Kurds have turned the eastern initiatives that might have pro- areas east of the Euphrates or if three countries and this is what Mohammed Alkhereiji Euphrates into Rojava (Western tected them from Erdogan, even it decides to withdraw immedi- was decided in the telephone Kurdistan) against the will of all. though they did not guarantee ately from the territories it occu- conversation between Trump Society and Travel However, dealing with those them independent territory or pied. However, if Ankara wants and Erdogan the night of the Sections Editor issues would have been more autonomous administration, to make another Idlib situation birth of Operation Peace Spring. Samar Kadi effective and less costly — in such as the one they are experi- again between Tal Abyad and Everything was hastily arranged terms of human lives — through encing today. Ras al-Ain, it means that either because Washington changed Senior Correspondents either a Turkish-Kurdish dia- Until recently, the Kurds had the settlement of the Syrian the focus of its war on terror Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) logue under US auspices or talks no need for an agreement with crisis reached by Russia, Turkey from the Islamic State to Iran. between the Kurds and Damas- Damascus so they raised the and the United States involves This change in the American Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) cus under Russian auspices and ceiling of their demands to the far-reaching understandings, wind turned the impossible with American blessings. Syrian government because they including about refugees and possible for the Russians, sent Regular Columnists When founding PKK member did not fear the wrath of the reconstruction, or that this set- the Syrian Army to the northern Rashmee Roshan Lall Abdullah Ocalan suggested — Russian military and were in no tlement is incomplete. border and returned more than Claude Salhani from his prison cell — negotiat- rush to resolve the Syrian crisis. Whether the settlement is 30% of the Syrian territory to the Yavuz Baydar ing with the Turks, the PYD real- Now that the situation has complete or hastily prepared, Assad regime, without firing one ised that military escalation was changed, returning to the the challenges to its implemen- shot. looming. Consequently, it must “bosom of the homeland” with tation are many. One small mis- If any one party deserves Correspondents the lowest possible gains is bet- take could open a new chapter be flexible in dealing with its credit for this achievement, it Nazli Tarzi (London) adversaries because Erdogan’s ter for the Kurds than engaging in the nearly 9-year-old Syrian must be the Kurds. “If we had to intentions are not good and all in open war with the Turks and war. The mistake doesn’t have choose between genocide and Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) bets on the American ally are off the Arabs. to come from one of the parties compromise, we will choose the Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) because it’s well known that US With the beginning of Opera- involved in the agreement. latter to safeguard our people,” President Donald Trump prefers tion Peace Spring, in which the There is Iran that has not been said Syrian Democratic Forces Roua Khlifi (Tunis) quid pro quo over giving aid. Turks aspire to take control of explicitly included in this set- commander Mazloum Abdi. The Syrian Kurds have shown the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras tlement and there is the Islamic Chief Designer their goodwill to talk with Tur- al-Ain and the area between State, which could come back. Baha al-Awam is a Syrian writer. Marwen el-Hmedi

Designers Is it OK to say thank God for Russia? Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali Rashmee Roshan Lall Longer-term, Russia’s return to relevance on the world Contact editor at: stage will create other testing issues. [email protected]

s this the time to give limited Kurdish-governed, hitherto rela- intentions towards the Kurds, it good friend or at least interlocutor in thanks that Russian President tively safe, reasonably autonomous seemed right and proper to be at least the region — for the Syrian Kurds, for Vladimir Putin made Russia part of Syria was roiled by violence somewhat glad that the Russians Moscow’s long-time protege Assad, relevant again? That’s a and uncertainty, as well as incipient were around as well. of course, and perchance for Turkey, Al Arab Publishing House controversial question but it’s medicine, food and water shortages. With the abrupt departure of the too. Quadrant Building pertinent now that Russia and On October 18, the Times in London, United States — admittedly a small This may mean a major advance 177-179 Hammersmith Road ITurkey are the only active interna- reported that white phosphorus, a contingent of 1,000, just half of what in Putin’s attempts to restore Assad’s London W6 8BS tional armies in northern Syria. banned chemical, may have used on it was in December — the only sense control over all of Syria, especially Never mind the 120-hour “cease- Kurdish civilians. of some sort of supervisory presence the oil-rich north-east, said Elena fire” negotiated with Turkey by the More to the point, even before Tur- came from Russia. Cue its special en- Suponina, a Moscow-based Middle Americans. US President Donald key began its incursion on October 9, voy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, East expert. Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 Trump may call it a “great day for with the promise of liberating the area who offered assurance that Russia There is also the chance of a poten- Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 civilisation” but it is a very temporary of “terrorists” and creating a safe zone and Turkey were in contact to prevent tial, if controversial, solution to Mos- pause, the terms are unclear and within which to relocate Syrian refu- clashes between Syrian government cow’s attempt to draw a post-conflict half of those in the area — the Syrian gees from Turkey, there were fears of troops and Turkish-led forces. road map for Syria. The Kurds’ government and Russia — are not part a bloodbath. Military officials who had That message — of vigilant alliance with the United States pre- US Publisher: of the US deal with Turkish President served in the region and analysts who oversight — was also stressed by the vented negotiations with Damascus. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. had studied it forecast a massacre. Kremlin. It provided information Now, that process has begun and the The Arab Weekly USA LLC. More to the point, Turkey and the The Syrian Kurds, everyone agreed, about a phone conversation between Kurds can be included in the stalled [email protected] Kurds understand the agreement faced an existential crisis, having been Putin and Erdogan, during which Russian process aimed at drawing up [email protected] very differently. Ankara sees the abandoned by Trump’s America to a the Russian president pointed out a new Syrian constitution. ceasefire as a chance for the Kurds determined Turkish Army. the importance of “avoiding conflict It’s not clear any of this will work. Tel: 248-679-6624 to clear out of its self-declared “safe Then the Russians moved in. The between subdivisions of the Turkish Russia may find the additional zone” in Syria; the Kurds say they will Russian Defence Ministry said in a Army and Syrian government forces.” responsibility for the larger conflict only cease fighting in two areas. statement that its military police was The Russians also said they were onerous or even ruinous. Trump may When Erdogan goes to Russia Octo- patrolling “the north-western borders facilitating talks between Syrian have intuitively got it right when he ber 22, that’s when the real deal will of Manbij district along the line of President Bashar Assad’s government predicted that Syria may prove to be be struck. contact of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Kurdish militia. another Afghanistan for Russia. The Until October 15, all talk was about military and the Turkish military.” A What’s in prospect was clear even former Soviet Union is now called Subscription & Advertising: a looming humanitarian disaster in spokesman for the US-led coalition before recent events. The United Russia because it “lost so much [email protected] northern Syria. It had been six days said on Twitter that its forces had left States’ uneasy shouldering of respon- money in Afghanistan,” he said. Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 since Turkey’s move into Kurdish- the formerly Kurdish-held town of sibility in the 8-year-old conflict in Longer term, Russia’s return to controlled territory after Trump Manbij. “Coalition forces are execut- Syria has decisively shifted to Russia relevance on the world stage will green-lighted the action during a ing a deliberate withdrawal from and Trump is sanguine about the create other testing issues. That said, Mohamed Al Mufti phone call with Erdogan and dis- north-east Syria,” US Army Colonel turn of events. “Anyone who wants right now, it’s rather better it has Marketing & Advertising parate estimates were being tossed Myles B. Caggins wrote. “We are out to assist Syria in protecting the Kurds risen again than not. Manager around of the desperation on the of Manbij.” is good with me, whether it is Rus- ground. The takeaways were obvious. sia, China or Napoleon Bonaparte,” Rashmee Roshan Lall is a columnist Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 More than 150,000 civilians Russia and Turkey were soon to be Trump tweeted. for The Arab Weekly. Her blog can be www.alarab.co.uk were said to be fleeing Turkish air the only international armies in the It couldn’t be Bonaparte and it isn’t found at www.rashmee.com and she strikes. Aid agencies warned that the area. Considering the Turks’ stated China but Russia stands as the only is on Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis L e b a n o n

Anti-government protests in Lebanon Failure to prepare attract wide cross-sectarian support ignites anger Simon Speakman Cordall over wildfires

Tunis John Mellor

gainst a background of devas- tating forest fires and propos- Beirut als to tax social media, pro- A tests erupted across Lebanon. ight rain appears to have Government proposals to tax the moderated the spread messaging service WhatsApp appear of wildfires that threat- to have pushed the patience of the L ened Lebanon with one Lebanese public, frustrated by a failing of its worst natural disasters in economy, widespread perception of years. official corruption and a confessional Wildfires occur regularly in system of government that allowed Lebanon but Raymond Khat- vested interests to prevail at the ex- tar, director-general of Leba- pense of the public good, beyond the non’s Civil Defence, described breaking point. the more than 100 blazes that Though Lebanon’s cash-strapped recently affected the country as government quickly backtracked on a the worst to have hit Lebanon in proposal to impose a 20-cent daily fee decades. on WhatsApp, unrest that had been Riot police equipped with simmering across Lebanon spilled water cannons were called to over. the Mount Lebanon region af- Thousands gathered in central Bei- ter fire engines in the area be- rut, burning tyres and echoing the call came overwhelmed. Lebanon’s of the region’s 2011 revolutions as they National News agency reported chanted for the “fall of the regime,” Re- that soldiers from the United uters reported. Protesters in the north, Nations’ Lebanon mission south and from marginalised areas of joined civil defence volunteers the Bekaa Valley blocked roads, caus- to fight the blazes. ing the government to close schools Air fire crews from Cyprus, across Lebanon. News that three of Lebanon’s fire- An-Nahar newspaper called the pro- pointed out, decreased government Greece and Jordan, with others During a televised address Octo- fighting helicopters were out of service tests “a tax intifada.” Another daily, Al revenue. expected from Europe, headed ber 18, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad because of lack of parts bolstered pub- Akhbar, termed the demonstrations a Lebanon’s economic difficulties to Lebanon to help battle the Hariri blamed the lack of progress on lic perceptions of a government unable “WhatsApp revolution” that has shak- have been exacerbated by the flight of fires. However, three of Leba- unspecified elements of the opposi- to deal with a crisis largely of its own en Hariri’s unity government. capital from its typically robust bank- non’s firefighting helicopters tion, whom he gave 72 hours to resolve making. ing sector, where remittances from its were unable to be used in emer- the crisis. “The pain of the Lebanese is Sporadic protests have taken place Protesters in the north, diaspora traditionally met financing gency efforts because of a lack of real,” Hariri said. “The Lebanese were over US dollar currency shortages and needs, including the state’s deficit. funds for maintenance, prompt- waiting for the government to give Lebanon’s economy in general. In Sep- south and from With banks’ foreign currency re- ing widespread criticism. them solutions and we couldn’t give it tember, protests flared in Beirut. - Sev marginalised areas of the serves limited, the US dollars available While the cause for the fires to them.” eral hundred demonstrators marched Bekaa Valley blocked to Lebanon’s traders have been restrict- was unknown — although arson “What we have seen… is a true pain, to government headquarters chanting, roads, causing the ed, causing difficulty in maintaining in- was suspected in some cases — which I feel and acknowledge,” said “Down with capitalism!” and “Leave!” government to close ternational trade, notably in petrol. high temperatures and strong Hariri. For many in Lebanon, the traditional schools across Lebanon. Though public worries over a possi- winds led to the fires raging Ihab Khachab, a 21-year-old student sectarian divide that allots government ble currency devaluation are thought beyond the control of the emer- at the American University of Beirut, ministries largely on religious grounds One of the most indebted countries premature, Lebanon’s sovereign credit gency services. said these were the first protests many has limited the public’s ability to ex- in the world, Lebanon has struggled to rating and its ability to repay its debts, The fires, which spread into could remember that had involved all press its concerns. implement the reforms called for by its many of which become due this year, neighbouring Syria, rocked of Lebanon’s religious and political “Sectarianism is a weapon used by international backers. At the CEDRE are causes for concern. In September, Lebanon’s self-image, already sects. our government to divide and weaken conference in Paris last year, billions Fitch downgraded Lebanon’s sover- battered by failing public ser- “I feel like this time Lebanon will the Lebanese people as much as possi- of dollars in relief were pledged on eign credit rating to CCC and, in Octo- vices and fears of currency de- change for the better since today eve- ble,” Lama Tauk, 18, from Beirut, said. condition that the government initiate ber, Moody’s said Lebanon’s credit rat- valuation. “People are feeling a ryone wants this change, no matter “The protests are uniting the people changes it promised. That aid has yet to ing was “under observation.” wide range of negative feelings: what your sect or religion is, everyone again. They’ve suffered enough and materialise. heartbreak, anger, frustration,” is done with that and everyone wants a are holding everyone in the govern- Instead, the government embarked Simon Speakman Cordall Lebanese journalist Kareem better life,” he said. ment accountable. This is beautiful.” on tax-raising measures that, analysts is a freelance writer. Chehayeb said. “Wildfires in Lebanon are not new but the in- Viewpoint ability to manage it and to let it spread the way it did shocked many.” The absence of Lebanon’s Foreign minister eyes presidency with firefighting helicopters sparked anger among Lebanese citizens. The three Sikorsky helicop- ters were bought by Lebanon call to normalise ties with Damascus in 2009. The Daily Star news- paper reported the helicopters stopped functioning some five detail because it would further On both occasions Hariri’s Rumours have been circulating years ago for want of adequate expose Lebanon politically with the response to Bassil’s overreach was that Aoun, 84, is incapable of maintenance. international community, mainly feeble and, rather than reminding carrying out the duties of his office “Our voices have become Makram Rabah the United States, as well as drive Bassil that he was gambling with and that he wishes to step down hoarse telling this government Lebanon further into the Iranian the political and economic fate of but only after he makes sure Bassil to set up a ministry for disasters axis away from the Arab consensus. Lebanon, Hariri simply said he is would replace him. and emergencies but we can’t ebanese Foreign Minister Following Bassil’s skewed logic, free to do whatever he wants as Regardless of the validity expect any achievements from Gebran Bassil, President Lebanon’s main obstacle towards an individual and that none of his of the reports, both Bassil and a state that won’t even invest in Michel Aoun’s son-in- escaping economic meltdown is actions would have any implications Hezbollah are preparing for the next its basic institutions like the Civ- law and political heir, to deport the 1.5 million Syrian of the cabinet’s standing or policy. presidential election, with Bassil il Defence,” Elie Mahfoud, the triggered a political gale refugees. Once these economic Also, somewhat dangerously, or its other ally Suleiman Frangieh, head of the opposition Taghyir by declaring his inten- freeloaders are sent home, Hariri commented that “if… [Bassil] Assad’s personal friend, as a second Movement, said on Twitter. Ltion to visit Syria, which would Lebanon’s failing economy would wants to visit Syria to discuss the option. The real normalisation, Mahfoud’s anger over the secure the immediate return of the rebound. Bassil’s visit aims to return of Syrian refugees, that’s his therefore, is not with Assad but government’s failure to prepare Syrian refugees to their homes — or empower Syrian President Bashar business. What’s important is the rather with the idea that Lebanon’s for such emergencies or main- so he claimed. Assad, who would use this talk result,” affirming that the return next president will not only be part tain the helicopters was echoed Bassil’s cheeky announcement about refugee return to position of the refugees is a matter that of the Iranian axis but young and throughout social media, Che- came during the Free Patriotic himself as a victim of the obduracy the Assad regime could possibly aggressive enough to neutralise any hayeb said. Movement’s annual celebration of of the West and the Arab Gulf resolve. opposition. “That something that is basic the military debacle led by Aoun, countries. One of the primary reasons for the As Bassil, 49, continues his and relatively inexpensive as who, on October 13, 1990, was head In theory, the Lebanese persistence of the refugee problem forceful bid to become Lebanon’s taking care of them [the heli- of the transitional government and government under Prime Minister is that the Assad regime does not next president, his opponents, copters] was not prioritised dur- commander of the Lebanese armed Saad Hariri has adopted a policy want the refugees back, either and perhaps his allies, might be ing this time of the year was forces when it was overrun by the of disassociation and thus Bassil’s because it lacks the funds to rebuild comforted with the fact that given extremely upsetting. Even the invading Syrian Army and Aoun decision to take the precarious step the war-torn areas from which how the economic and political former interior minister, who went into 15 years of exile in France. of breaking Assad’s Arab isolation they fled or because the areas are circumstances are progressing, he was around a decade ago when Bassil’s speech was aggressive without the consensus of all the colonies for Iran’s militias in Syria, would merely reign over a rogue Lebanon bought them [the heli- as he accused his opponents members of the cabinet is a clear including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. state that is morally and financially copters], went on a Twitter ti- of conspiring against Aoun’s breach of government policy. Bassil’s constant scapegoating of bankrupt, with no chance of rade,” he said. presidency and working to ensure Coincidently, in his speech during the Syrian refugees is nothing new recovery. its failure by refusing to cooperate the recent Arab foreign ministers’ nor will it end soon but his demands John Mellor is a Beirut-based and by spreading rumours that extraordinary meeting in Cairo, for rapid normalisation with the Makram Rabah is a lecturer at writer. threaten the country’s economic Bassil sought to pave the way Assad regime is an indication of his the American University of Beirut security. for normalisation with Assad by presidential aspirations and comes and author of “A Campus at War: (Full version of this article appears on However, normalisation with the declaring: “Isn’t it time for Syria to as a part of a grand scheme he is Student Politics at the American www.thearabweekly.com) Assad regime in Syria is no mere return to the Arab League’s haven?” working on. University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” October 20, 2019 9 News & Analysis E g y p t

TV engineer’s arrest is a ‘strange’ twist in Cairo’s row with Doha

Ahmed Megahid against his father and became emir of Qatar. He approached Egyptian Information Minister Safwat al- Cairo Sharif and said he wanted to estab- lish a major news network. Sharif n Egyptian TV engineer is sent a group of television engineers, at the centre of debate a including Salem, to Qatar and Al Ja- year after he was charged zeera was established in 1996. A in Qatar of spying for That network has become a thorn Egypt and sent to prison. in Egypt’s side. Critics say the ideo- Ali Salem, 54, was the director of logical conflict between Cairo and technical operations at beIN Sports, Doha drives Al Jazeera’s reporting once an affiliate of the Al Jazeera about Egypt and that it is tainted Network. with bias and fabrications. Small screen, big business. Egyptians watch a football match at a cafe in Cairo. (AP) In October 2018, Salem received Egyptian business mogul Ahmed a medal during beIN’s 15th anniver- Abu Hashima was considering es- sary for being instrumental in the tablishing a sports network to try that accused Salem of leaking infor- media at Cairo University. “Local fended by local rights groups. Some success of the network. Two days to break beIN’s monopoly in Egypt. mation to Egypt for the $5,000 they sports networks also need to com- lawmakers are standing up for the later, Qatari police raided his home He met with Salem several times in found at his home in Doha. They pete more strongly over the broad- TV engineer and said they would in Doha, arrested him and seized Cairo to discuss the idea and asked said by leaking this information, Sa- cast rights of major sports events.” present his case to the UN Human $5,000 his wife had withdrawn the television engineer to prepare a lem caused Al Jazeera to incur tens Salem is caught in the middle of Rights Council. from a bank to pay their children’s study on the possible venture. of millions of dollars in losses. the rivalry. The study he gave Abu Salem’s lawyer has sent a com- school fees. After Salem went to prison, Abu Hashima did not trespass on beIN, plaint to the Qatari Foreign Min- Salem was imprisoned and his Hashima launched ONsport, which Abu Hashima said. istry, demanding a fair trial for his wife did not see him until three Salem’s lawyer has sent a has sometimes outrivalled beIN “On the contrary, it defended client. months after his arrest. complaint to the Qatari and won the broadcast rights of the rights of the Qatari network “His prison conditions and the “His case is very strange,” said Foreign Ministry, several events. but Salem’s arrest shows the envy total disregard Qatari authorities Yasser Fathi, Salem’s lawyer. “This demanding a fair trial for Beating Al Jazeera and affiliated Qatar harbours towards the people show of his rights bode ill for his tri- man is accused of spying for Egypt, his client. networks, media specialists said, of Egypt,” Abu Hashima said. “It al,” Fathi said. “He does not receive even as Al Jazeera is nothing more is possible but it will take Egyptian wants the cable converter box of any medical care and there are no than a civilian commercial, not mil- “It was a mere study for a project media a lot of work to do this. its channels to be in every Egyptian guarantees that he will receive a itary, entity.” that had not been implemented by “Our media are badly in need of home.” fair trial.” Salem’s story with Al Jazeera then,” Abu Hashima said during a speeding up its coverage of local, The Egyptian government does began 23 years ago when Hamad recent televised interview. regional and international events,” not have diplomatic ties with Qa- Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian bin Khalifa al-Thani staged a coup Qatari authorities shortly after said Safwat al-Alem, a professor of tar, which is why Salem is being de- reporter in Cairo. Egypt steps up support for Syrian Kurds, increases political pressure on Turkey

Hassan Abdel Zaher Syrian Democratic Council, the po- downgrading diplomatic represen- including some accused of criminal the Islamic State (ISIS) in Sinai, is litical arm of the Syrian Democratic tation. offences, sought by Egyptian offi- also concerned that the Turkish in- Forces. Relations between Egypt and cials. It is also involved in the Broth- cursion would allow an ISIS revival Cairo The meeting took place just be- Turkey have deteriorated since erhood’s media and propaganda ma- after the escape of thousands of fore an emergency session of for- an army-backed uprising in Egypt chine, which works against Egypt. ISIS members from Kurdish prisons gypt is stepping up politi- eign ministers at the Arab League against Islamist President Muham- Istanbul has been trying to desta- and camps. cal and diplomatic support during which the Arab countries is- mad Morsi, a member of the Mus- bilise Egypt by increasing tension Those following the meeting for Syria’s Kurds in the face sued official condemnation of Tur- lim Brotherhood, which was sup- in Egypt’s neighbours, includ- between Shoukry and the Syr- E of the Turkish invasion of key’s Operation Peace Spring. ported by Turkey. ing Libya where Ankara backs the ian Democratic Council delegation Kurdish-held areas in north-east- Arab countries, except for Turk- Turkish President Recep Tayyip western Libya government that de- said Egypt would try to play a role ern Syria. ish allies Qatar, Somalia and the Erdogan has spoken against Egyp- pends on Islamist militias to con- in bringing the Kurds and the Syr- “Resisting this Turkish aggres- western Libya government, sig- tian policies on numerous occa- trol Tripoli. ian regime together, using the good sion is a legitimate right,” Egyptian nalled intentions to ramp up pres- sions, including lashing out at Turkey acts as a factor of insta- contacts Egypt has with almost all Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sure on Istanbul through curtailing Cairo’s crackdown on the Muslim bility in the Eastern Mediterranean players on the Syrian stage. said during a meeting October 12 economic cooperation, boycotting Brotherhood. where it explores for resources in in Cairo with a delegation of the Turkey as a tourist destination and Turkey is a major refuge for figures, Cyprus’s territorial waters, set- ting up a naval confrontation with An emergency Arab Greece and political confrontation League meeting with Europe. convened at Egypt’s The emergency Arab League meeting convened at Egypt’s re- request. Cairo also tried quest. Cairo also tried to raise the to raise the issue of the issue of the Turkish invasion in Turkish invasion in meetings with European and US of- meetings with European ficials. However, this is less about and US officials. settling scores with Istanbul than about Syria’s territorial integrity, The Kurds have given way to the which Egypt has been calling for Syrian Army to fill in the positions preserving, analysts said. they left in northern Syria. “Egypt is totally against regional Egypt is a late arrival on the Syr- powers imposing their own agen- ian scene, having had its own prob- das on Syria at a time this Arab state lems to deal with in recent years, suffers many weaknesses,” said Kurdish analysts said. However, Mohamed Abdel Qadir, a Turkish control by Syrian troops of north- affairs specialist at Egyptian think- ern Syria and the border with Tur- tank Ahram Centre for Political and key would take the steam out of the Strategic Studies. “The Turkish oc- Turkish operation in north-eastern cupation of parts of Syria threatens Syria, they added. the country’s territorial integrity “Erdogan primarily aims to kick and seeks to change demographic the Kurds out of northern Syria and realities in it.” replace them with Syrian refugees Shoukry said almost the same in Turkey,” said Kurdish writer Ho- thing October 16 during a meeting sheng Osi. “This is a crime but all with Lithuanian Foreign Minister indicators show that this plan will Linas Linkevicius in Vilnius, say- fail because of Kurdish resistance ing Turkish “aggression” in north- and also because of growing inter- eastern Syria would have negative national pressure.” effects on the political process in the country and the humanitarian Hassan Abdel Zaher is a Closing ranks. Representatives of Arab states attend an emergency meeting at the Arab League situation in it. Cairo-based contributor to headquarters in Cairo to discuss Turkey’s offensive on Syria, October 12 . (AFP) Egypt, which fights a branch of The Arab Weekly. 10 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis T u n i s i a

‘Political phenomenon’ Kais Saied rides pro-Palestinian wave in a historically decisive election win

Lamine Ghanmi the vote — about 3 million ballots — in the man exactly like most of them. the October 13 election, drawing on Sitting with friends at cafes like we significant support from young - vot do. Smoking cigarettes of a popular Tunis ers. brand as we do and sharing the social life of high inflation and struggle with transport like most of us,” Sidaoui ar- etired law professor Kais Analysts cautioned that Saied soared to victory in Tu- gued. nisia’s presidential election, Saied’s fierce statements Local analysts said Saied’s staunch about Israel and the R securing the largest margin embrace of the Palestinian cause also in the popular vote of any freely Palestinians would not helped his case. elected Tunisian leader. translate into a “The cause of Palestine was de- Saied’s popularity, analysts said, fundamental change in termining for him,” said Tunisian was bolstered by his fiery stance Tunisia’s diplomacy. analyst Abdellatif Hanachi. “It funda- against Israel, which became a focal mentally changed the game.” point of his anti-establishment cam- That was 1 million votes more than Political writer Assia Atrous said: paign. Tunisia’s first freely elected presi- “He (Saied) forcefully expressed his In a break with Tunisia’s pragmatic dent, Beji Caid Essebsi, received in feeling towards the Palestinians and approach to the Israeli-Palestinian 2014. Caid Essebsi died in office July their nationalist struggle. That made conflict, Saied said normalisation 25 at the age of 92. a difference for him against his rival.” with the Jewish state should be con- Saied’s victory in the second round However, analysts cautioned that sidered “high treason.” was also attributed to support from Saied’s fierce statements about Israel That attitude was a departure from Islamists, those on the far left and and the Palestinians would not trans- Tunisia’s policy of moderate realism disillusioned independents. Local late into a fundamental change in Tu- that allowed it to gain security and analysts said Saied’s “moral values,” nisia’s diplomacy. diplomatic assistance from the West independent stance and culture Saied, with limited experience in and delivered a steady flow of tour- brought disparate factions together. foreign affairs, “has laid out princi- ists from Israel, many of whom were Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef ples more than a concrete road map drawn by the annual pilgrimage to a Chahed, who received 7% in the first for Tunisia’s diplomacy,” said former synagogue on the Tunisian island of round of presidential voting, called diplomat Taoufik Ouanes. “While Capitalising on emotions. President-elect Kais Saied greets Djerba. Saied’s election “a plebiscite against sticking to fundamentals, he will supporters in Tunis, October 13. (DPA) Saied, in a televised campaign corruption.” make some adjustments to Tunisian debate against Nabil Karoui, de- Riadh Sidaoui, director of the diplomacy.” clared that normalisation with Israel Arab Centre for Political and Social Pro-Palestinian sentiment has and Tunisians. Israel violated Tuni- Qassam Brigades, at his home in Sfax. would not be on the table if he was Research, said the “unusual” con- long run high in Tunisia. After Israel sia’s territory again in 1988 when a Despite the violations, most Tuni- elected. “The word normalisation is vergence between rivals, including invaded Lebanon in 1982, Tunisian Mossad squad assassinated Khalil sians do not harbour hatred for the false. Normalisation is treason. Any- Islamists, Arab nationalists and some President Habib Bourguiba hosted al-Wazir, known by the nom de Israeli state. No “Down with Israel” or one who deals with the Zionist en- modern secularists in favour of Saied Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and guerre Abu Jihad, at his home in “Down with America” slogans have tity must stand trial for high treason,” was “an unprecedented social and more than 4,000 fighters expelled Sidi Bou Said. been chanted by crowds in streets Saied snapped. political phenomenon in the Arab re- from Lebanon. Another suspected Mossad squad since 2011 when Tunisia began its “We are in a state of war with Is- gion and elsewhere in the world.” Embracing the Palestinians came took advantage of Tunisia’s shaky se- democratic transition. rael,” he added. “Ordinary Tunisians with no ideo- at a high cost. In 1985, Israeli jets curity situation in 2016 to assassinate Saied, with no party affiliation and logical and political affiliation voted bombed Arafat’s office outside Tu- engineer Mohamed Zouari, who had Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly a low-budget campaign, won 73% of for Saied, too. They said they find nis, killing dozens of Palestinians links with Hamas’s armed wing, the correspondent in Tunis.

Viewpoint Looking ahead after Tunisia’s elections

ctober 13 marked second stage of the 2011 uprising fiscal amnesty that preserves the and head to North Africa and the the end of another by calling for a readjustment of financial rights of the state, while Sahel. round of presiden- the direction of governance and being flexible in recovering due There is no doubt that the En- Alaya Allani tial and parliamen- not falling again for revolution- taxes and removing sanctions. nahda Movement knows that it tary elections in ary populism. The country must In foreign policy, Tunisia’s next lost two-thirds of its voter base, Tunisia but what pay attention to its international president, Kais Saied, needs to despite coming on top in the Olessons could be learnt from the obligations and to its extremely remove his revolutionary cloak legislative elections with no more vote? difficult economic and social and don that of the statesman. than 18% of the vote. This per- The main result of the elec- situation, which requires con- Foreign policy is not only princi- centage will not allow it to form a tions was that Tunisian voters crete and appropriate measures, ples but also interests and con- government on its own. were very tough on the ruling not revolutionary sloganeering. straints that must be addressed. Ennahda stands to face diffi- class — liberals and Islamists The country faces many chal- Tunisia’s position on the Pal- cult days and has two solutions: alike — who had led the coun- lenges. estinian issue is the same as that either opt for early elections or try since 2011. They seemed to It has major socio-economic of the United Nations, the Arab accept to be part of a government say the ruling elite had failed to problems to tackle by urgently League, the African Union and of national salvation headed by meet expectations of the “Arab adopting a plan to eradicate pov- the Maghreb Union. Tunis must an independent prime minister spring.” erty and stem corruption, which adhere to this line of conduct and who is experienced in economic Foremost among those was widespread before and after not override it. Tunisians should affairs. The new cabinet should expectations were economic 2011. support what the Palestinians not exceed 15 ministers and must aspirations, such as reducing Tunisia needs a national plan themselves agree upon, not try to enjoy parliamentary support unemployment and public debt, for its economy based on a outbid anyone in this area. from the most prominent politi- controlling prices and creating resumption of a strong export Saied’s promise to revitalise cal blocs. The cabinet members economic growth. What hap- pattern in phosphates and other Tunisia’s economic diplomacy should not be partisan. pened was the opposite and industrial and agricultural prod- cannot be realised outside the Political Islam has lost much voters punished those leaders, ucts. It needs profound fiscal constant tenets of Tunisia’s tradi- of its lustre after Ennahda and including the Islamists, who, reforms, greater regional devel- tional, open and balanced diplo- its government partners were even though they took the lead opment and greater compression macy based on the principle of unable to manage the daily af- in the election, lost two-thirds of public wages and control of non-interference in the internal fairs of the state. The country’s of their electoral base, compared inflation and debt ratios. affairs of other countries, respect main Islamist party must show it with the 2011 elections. These goals require a workable for international legitimacy and understands this lesson and take The second lesson was that economic road map with speci- compliance with the agreements its distance from political Islam, freedom of expression is mean- fied deadlines and that considers signed by the Tunisian state. ideologically and organisation- ingless in the absence of individ- the views of workers’ unions and Saied should work to revive ally — in reality rather than in ual and collective dignity. business federations. and strengthen Tunisia’s ties words. Dignity can only be achieved There is a need to achieve with Arab Gulf countries. Tunisia This evolution away from by providing a minimum level of government stability through a should diversify partnerships religion-based party activism will economic necessities and basic constitutional amendment that in the Arab world, Europe, the pave the way for a new model of services, including in health and would adopt a system in which Americas, Africa and Asia. governance combining pragma- education and greater judicial the president wields 60% of the Calls by Saied during the cam- tism, fighting corruption and full independence. This has not powers and the parliament holds paign to boost support for the citizens’ participation in public happened, at least not at the the remaining 40%. Pending men and women in uniform are affairs. Saied’s promise to expected pace and degree. On this constitutional amendment, to be lauded because they were There are signs of this trend the contrary, indicators show which might take three years, the the ones, along with civil society, emerging through popular upris- revitalise Tunisia’s that the crisis has worsened. establishment of new consti- who shielded the state from fall- ings in the region, whether in economic diplomacy Voters expressed their disap- tutional bodies decided in the ing and disintegrating. However, Algeria, Sudan or other countries. cannot be realised pointment with the ruling elite current constitution, especially Saied should strive to modernise Tunisia has a good chance of be- because most Tunisians do not the Constitutional Court and the the intelligence sector and de- ing a leader in this regard. outside the constant distinguish between freedom and Anti-Corruption Commission, velop an adequate cybersecurity tenets of Tunisia’s dignity. must be hurried up. system because the threat of ter- Alaya Allani is an expert on It is safe to say that, with The electoral law and system rorism is still present, especially Islamic extremism. He teaches traditional, open and the end of the 2019 electoral should also be revised. There is considering that Islamic State at the University of Manouba in balanced diplomacy. marathon, Tunisia has initiated a a need for issuing a financial and fighters could flee northern Syria Tunis. October 20, 2019 11 News & Analysis M a g h r e b Contrary to Haftar’s claims, Tripoli battle can only drag on

Michel Cousins an attacking force generally needs three times the number of fighters of the defending forces to be successful. Tunis One diplomat said the standard used by British, French and other armies fter more than 6 months in urban warfare in places like Tripoli trying to capture Tripoli, was 6:1. Field-Marshal Khalifa Haf- As foreign diplomats accredited A tar’s claim that his Libyan to Libya pointed out, the two sides’ National Army could take the city in forces in southern Tripoli are roughly a couple of days left military analysts balanced. That means the LNA would wondering where the campaign is need six times the forces it currently heading. has to be assured of capturing the In an interview with Russian news capital. agency Sputnik, published October The LNA has lately announced that 15, Haftar said the Libyan National reinforcements were being sent to Army (LNA) could sweep aside all op- the front line south of Tripoli but the position in Tripoli in two days by us- figures are minimal. The chief prob- ing heavy weaponry but that would lem is that several eastern tribes will cause massive destruction and heavy not allow their members serving with civilian casualties. the LNA to go to western Libya. Even if the LNA did have the fight- ers it needs, one foreign diplomat With southern Tripoli noted, it would take a lot more than locked in a military two days to achieve victory, even us- stalemate, the LNA and ing full force. GNA are demonising “Haftar is living in a fantasy world if each other all the more he thinks the LNA can take Tripoli in ferociously. a couple of days,” the diplomat said. While the LNA’s forces are better This could not be allowed to hap- trained and more professional than pen, he said, because the point of those of the Government of National taking Tripoli is to free its residents Accord (GNA) — three-quarters of its Deadlock. Fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord fire their rifles during clashes with (DPA) from violence and militias. The LNA men are trained soldiers, unlike GNA forces of the Libyan National Army at Al-Khalla front line in Tripoli. is not willing to overrun the city “at forces — Haftar’s analysis is not real- any cost,” he said; therefore a clear istic. This is a big shift by Haftar, who him ineligible for the presidency. most certainly for the latter, saying it timetable cannot be set. There was little else remarkable in previously stated firm opposition to With southern Tripoli locked in mistakenly targeted the areas. Haftar said that, to prevent civil- Haftar’s interview. There was nothing Qaddafi’s return to the political scene, a military stalemate, the LNA and International mediation efforts ian deaths and structural damage new in his accusations that the GNA probably because of the popular sup- GNA are demonising each other all have made little progress in moving as much as possible, his plan is to is controlled by militias and terror- port he feared Qaddafi could gather. the more ferociously, blaming the towards a settlement. draw militias and their allies to the ists, that the United Nations’ military Haftar’s indifference to Qaddafi’s other party for civilian casualties and A planned conference in Berlin outskirts of the city and fight them sanctions prevented Libyan armed political prospects seems to indicate claiming advances that are of little aimed at forcing international sup- there. The strategy is working, he forces from importing arms to fight that he doesn’t think presidential significance. porters of the two warring sides to said, claiming: “The terrorists have terrorism or that the LNA had wasted elections are likely in the near future An attack October 6 on an equestrian stop supplying weapons has little suffered great losses among their time attempting to engage in dia- — a point on which diplomats agree — centre in western Tripoli that injured hope of coming together. Interna- ranks.” logue with GNA Prime Minister Fayez and he no longer views Qaddafi as a numerous children and an October tional powers are far more focused The notion that Tripoli could be al-Sarraj and there had been no con- political threat. 14 attack in Fornaj district that killed on Turkey’s invasion of northern taken so quickly, even if the LNA tact between the two sides. Qaddafi is being held in Zintan by three young sisters were both been Syria, which has deepened divisions tried to blast its way into the city, was However, Haftar said he would not the town’s military leader Osama Ju- blamed on the LNA, which denied the between Germany and Turkey. dismissed by military analysts. They object to Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, the waili. After so much time in captivity, charges. Diplomats and the UN Sup- pointed to the 3:1 rule of thumb, son of late leader Muammar Qaddafi, Qaddafi has reportedly grown men- port Mission in Libya said the LNA was Michel Cousins is a contributor to which holds that, in land operations, standing in presidential elections. tally unstable, which would render responsible for the first attack and al- The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Algeria’s army chief pushes for elections, warns protests are infiltrated by ‘unknown entities’

Lamine Ghanmi betrayed by his own acts one day or endorsed a draft energy law that is the next.” more favourable to foreign inves- “The gang” referenced by Gaid tors, particularly from the United Tunis Salah is likely an alleged network States. Algerian Energy Minister headed by former intelligence chief Mohamed Arkab said the text was lgerian Army Chief-of- Mohamed Mediene. drafted “after consultations with Staff General Ahmed Gaid Mediene was jailed in Septem- five American energy companies.” Salah, hoping to finalise a ber along with other high-level of- Algerian leaders had long balked A long-delayed presidential ficials, including Said Bouteflika, at allowing US firms access to the Blame game. Demonstrators shout slogans in front of police vote, warned that protesters were the brother of ousted President country’s oil and gas sector, enact- officers standing guard during a protest in Algiers, October 13. (DPA) being influenced by “unknown Abdelaziz Bouteflika; General Ath- ing prohibitive legislation to ex- entities” hatching a “malicious mane Tartag, an intelligence chief clude most foreign investors. scheme” to derail the process. who worked directly under Boutef- Algerian opposition leaders and Algerian think-tank Nabni, which tions between Morocco and Alge- For eight months, Algerians have lika; and Workers’ Party Secre- protest figures viewed the for- previously worked under the gov- ria, breathing new life into an Arab peacefully demonstrated, calling tary-General Louisa Hanoune, on eign policy manoeuvres as efforts ernment, issued a statement saying Maghreb Union paralysed by their for broad government reforms and charges of “plotting against the to shore up overseas support and “ending the current regime” would tensions. voicing opposition to snap elec- state and undermining the army.” avoid isolation as the government deprive it of the mechanisms used “I think that Algeria has spent tions. They say they want a transi- In an apparent effort to gain in- moves forward with elections. to exert “unchallenged control of huge amounts of money to support tional period that would allow time ternational support, the Algerian Algeria scrapped planned presi- all levers of the economic, social the so-called Polisario, which has to strengthen institutions and for a government reached out to foreign dential elections in April and July and political life of the country.” done nothing to unblock the im- legitimate opposition to form. parties with which it has tradition- as mass protests led to a lack of vi- Saadani, however, said the elec- passe,” he said. Gaid Salah and his backers insist ally been at odds. able candidates. Opposition lead- tions would prove “less costly than “The relation between Algeria that Algeria needs a presidential Amar Saadani, a Gaid Salah ally ers warned that proceeding with not.” and Morocco is far more impor- vote by December 12, saying pro- who formerly led the National Lib- a vote without building a national “There is no total profit but total tant than this issue. I think that testers’ vision would lead to insta- eration Front, made a landmark consensus would increase “popu- loss may occur,” he said. “It makes the juncture is auspicious because bility and insecurity. Gaid Salah gesture of support to neighbouring lar discontent” and weaken the more sense to elect even a third- there is the election of a new presi- issued strong warnings against Morocco, indicating Algiers could “regime’s legitimacy.” president. We will take that as a dent in Tunisia and a new system challenging the process. drop its backing for the Polisario “It is unconceivable to envisage transition period.” and Algeria is gearing up for the “The strict rigour of the law will Front after elections. holding free and transparent elec- “A transition period without election of a president and a sys- punish any person who attempts Sahrawi rebel national liberation tions in these circumstances,” said a elections means that the army tematic change.” to block this determining electoral movement Polisario Front is seek- statement from 18 opposition lead- takes over the power. It is clear that “All this will contribute to build- process,” Gaid Salah said. “Those ing an independent state in West- ers, including former Foreign Min- electing a president is better than ing unity in the Maghreb as the colluding with the gang will fall ern Sahara, which Morocco claims ister Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, former the other possibility,” he added. forefathers of nationalism in the one after the other with the pass- as an integral part of the kingdom. Prime Minister Ahmed Benbitour and Saadani hinted that electing a region had dreamed of,” Saadani ing days because a traitor will be The Algerian government also former diplomat Abdelaziz Rahabi. president would help improve rela- said. 12 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis I r a q Iraqi protesters vow to resume demonstrations after Arbaeen Mamoon Alabbasi from the government — deployed snipers on Baghdad rooftops during the protests. The snipers used radio London communications equipment given to them by Iran, the Reuters report raqi protesters vowed to resume added. Ahmed al-Assadi, spokes- anti-government demonstra- man of the militia umbrella group, tions on October 25, a few days denied the allegations. I after Shia worshippers complete Even before the authorities con- the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage to cluded the investigation, activists Karbala. said they were still being harassed. Mass demonstrations calling for “Anyone voicing dissent in Iraq to- an end to corruption, chronic un- day faces interrogation at the point employment and an improvement of a gun, death threats and enforced of basic services and the standard of disappearance,” said Lynn Maalouf, living began October 1. At least 110 Amnesty International’s Middle people — mainly protesters but in- East research director. “Enforced cluding security forces — have been disappearance is a crime under in- killed and some 6,000 demonstra- ternational law which, by placing tors were reportedly injured in the victims outside the protection of the protests. law, exposes individuals to other se- The demonstrations wound down rious violations such as torture and after government officials called on extrajudicial execution.” activists to suspend protests ahead Shujaa al-Khafaji, a prominent of Arbaeen, which began October Iraqi blogger, was reportedly kid- 19. Millions of people participate in napped from his home October 17 the pilgrimage each year. and released the next day. The blog- The government said it would ger was taken from his home by meet demands of protesters “around 15 men wearing masks and through reforms, including more black uniforms,” his father, Fares al- subsidies, social housing and em- Khafaji, told Agence France-Presse. ployment programmes for young In their bid to stop communica- Tense mood. A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard as Iraqis march from Baghdad to people. tion between activists or to prevent visit the Husayn Mosque in Karbala on the occasion of Arbaeen, October 16. (DPA) Activists said the promises were them from sharing bloody images not enough and called on Iraqi of protests online, authorities cut Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi internet services, which cost the “Chant on Arbaeen: ‘No to Amer- cials and genuine representation. protesters and that the demonstra- to step down. They added that the country’s economy nearly $1 billion. ica! No to Israel! No to the corrupt!’ Abdul-Mahdi’s government is offer- tions will intensify, perhaps leading government has yet to punish mem- Internet services have resumed, Conclude with (the chant): ‘Bagh- ing superficial remedies that are not to greater violence,” wrote Rahim. bers of the security forces responsi- albeit slowly in an apparent bid to dad is free, free. Oh corrupt one get achievable,” Rend al-Rahim, former “If this occurs, the viability of ble for most of the deaths. prevent the uploading of protest out,” he said on Twitter. ambassador of Iraq to the United Abdul-Mahdi’s government will be Iraqi authorities admitted that videos. Authorities also sought to “It is very likely that we will use States, wrote for the Atlantic Coun- at risk and with it perhaps the entire security personnel used excessive block social media platforms, a Arbaeen to mobilise for future pro- cil. political order, leading the country force and said they would open an move that had little effect once us- tests,” protester Ali al-Sumari told “In the coming two weeks, if the into unpredictable instability, which investigation. The country’s regular ers turned to virtual private network Al-Monitor. government is not perceived as re- will be exacerbated by the threat of security forces, however, were not applications to bypass censorship Observers said renewed protests sponding effectively to the dem- an emboldened [Islamic State mili- the only ones implicated. measures. in Iraq may unseat the government. onstrators’ demands and holding tants].” Iraqi security officials, speaking to Influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr “The protesters want economic accountable those who killed pro- Reuters on condition of anonymity, called on his supporters to use the and political reforms that ensure testers, it is likely that [Grand Aya- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy said Iran-backed militias — acting Arbaeen pilgrimage to chant anti- social justice, economic opportu- tollah Ali] al-Sistani will further Managing Editor and Online Editor on orders from their leaders and not corruption slogans, among others. nities, prosecution of corrupt offi- harden his position in favour of the of The Arab Weekly.

Viewpoint The international community has abandoned democracy in Iraq

t has been more than two Iraqi people for their “democratic violent response. This fateful act Sistani’s clerical lieutenants, say weeks since mass protests government” to be more of astronomic stupidity opened at the start of the protests that it Tallha erupted in Iraq, with the democratic would garner support the door for the Islamic State to placed 16 years of Shia political Abdulrazaq Iraqi people expressing from the West. Instead, there has begin its campaign of conquest gains at risk? He acknowledged in outrage that their annual been a resounding silence as those that saw the Iraqi Army routed a video shared widely on social demonstrations calling for who call for democracy are shot across central, western and media that his narrative was Imore accountability, transpar- dead in the streets. northern Iraq, including in Mosul, “perhaps sectarian” but needed to ency and democracy have been It is the international which has since been levelled in be said. ignored. community that has abandoned the government’s bid to liberate it. Iraqis have taken things up a democracy in Iraq even as the Iraqi Once more, there is another notch after accepting that there is people continue to call for it. This Iranian lackey, Prime Minister Adel The United States and no hope for the defunct political is particularly true of the Western Abdul-Mahdi, who has long had system that was forcibly shoved democratic global order led by the ties to the radical Shia Islamist the world owe it to down their throats at the point of United States and championed Supreme Council for the Islamic the Iraqi people to do an American gun barrel in 2003 by powerful blocs such as the Revolution in Iraq standing idly by something and to and are calling for the system to be European Union. as his security forces kill hundreds reformed and overhauled. Despite their vaunted of demonstrators. restrain the bloodlust One would hope these democratic credentials, however, Worse is how he is powerless to of the Iraqi state and reasonable expectations of the these major powers turn a blind stop Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary eye to the Iraqi government’s Guard Corps’ proxies from setting its Iran-backed excesses even though it is beyond up sniping points in towns and jihadist partners. all doubt that Iran has infiltrated cities where there is unrest to kill the Iraqi state to its very core and and maim demonstrators who Nevertheless, and despite this dominates it through military, want what most in the West take overwhelming evidence of cross political and economic influence. for granted — the opportunity to ethno-sectarian support at the Backed by the decidedly have their voices heard and to be grass-roots level for meaningful undemocratic Iranian theocratic treated with dignity. change in Iraqi politics against the regime, Baghdad has initiated Rather than Sunnis, however, elite, the international community a crackdown against peaceful most of the demonstrators remains silent and complicit. protesters in a brutal display of today are Shia Arabs who, like The United States and the violence not witnessed since their Sunni countrymen, are world owe it to the Iraqi people former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri sick of Iranian meddling and to do something and to restrain al-Maliki ordered the slaughter interventionism in Iraq’s affairs the bloodlust of the Iraqi state of thousands of Sunni Arab that have led to corruption on an and its Iran-backed jihadist protesters in Hawija, Ramadi industrialised scale. partners. The Iraqi people were and other Iraqi cities that rose This much was acknowledged in promised democracy but have up against Tehran-sponsored a communique released by Grand received nothing but humiliation, sectarianism in 2013-14. Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq’s most human rights abuses, the rape of Maliki, a known stooge for senior Shia authority, in which their resources and wealth and the mullahs of Iran, did exactly he called on the government unending terrorism. as his masters in Tehran bid to investigate the killings of him to do: He branded all Sunni demonstrators and to bring the Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher Security fortress. Iraqi security forces block a road during an protesters Ba’athists and al-Qaeda perpetrators to account. at the University of Exeter’s anti-government demonstration against alleged government sympathisers, then slaughtered That’s all well and good but Strategy and Security Institute in corruption in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, October 1. (DPA) them en masse, which triggered a why did Hassan al-Zamili, one of England. October 20, 2019 13 News & Analysis Palestine Israel

Trump’s actions fuel Israeli concerns about US staying power

evangelical Christian Zionist right wing of the Republican Party. Netanyahu moved a giant Geoffrey step further in that direction Aronson with an unprecedented public campaign against US President S President Donald Barack Obama’s signature nuclear Trump’s precipitous agreement with Iran. Netanyahu’s decision to retreat battle was capped with a 2015 from Syria upended appearance before the US Congress the calculations of during which he publicly incited friend and foe in the against Obama’s efforts to reach a UUnited States and around the world. deal with Tehran. Israel is perhaps foremost among It was an extraordinarily partisan those with the most to gain or lose intrusion that precipitated a lasting from the president’s mercurial and and deepening estrangement ill-considered actions. between Netanyahu, and more Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin broadly Israel itself, and the US Netanyahu has invested a lot of Democratic Party. political capital in wooing the US Netanyahu offset Israel’s president and the payoff has been estrangement among Democrats considerable: The US campaign by doubling down on his ties against the Palestine Liberation with Trump and the evangelicals Organisation; its recognition who comprise the activist core of of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Netanyahu’s American support. and the decision to move the US He has been the foremost Embassy there; and Washington’s cheerleader for Trump’s view recognition of Israeli sovereignty that Obama’s deal with Iran on the Syrian Golan Heights — a was a disaster that needed to declaration Israel itself has refrained be repudiated by a campaign of from making — can be counted “maximum pressure” directed at among Netanyahu’s signature Tehran’s surrender. A bromance coming to an end? US President Donald Trump (C) embraces Israeli Prime Minister achievements during Netanyahu can also Binyamin Netanyahu, as US Vice-President Mike Pence looks on, in the Diplomatic Reception Room Trump’s presidency. count on the fact that of the White House in Washington, last March. (AP) Those triumphs the Trump team has have disarmed A win-win outcome in long-standing ties Netanyahu’s Syria that includes an to the Israeli settler United States is with him and the again and then the story repeats all for Jerusalem. Even if Washington’s domestic critics on end to Assad’s right wing, who People of Israel all the way!” Trump over again. The same could happen abandonment of the Kurds is not the the right and left ostracisation is in the share an antipathy tweeted at the time. with Iran. “nightmare for Israel” declared by alike. works, gaining Trump’s to diplomacy After the second election failed “If the Trump administration Trump’s critics in the US Congress, continues to implement its plan to his retreat from Syria highlights For decades, support and posing a based on Israel’s to produce a victory, Trump, who Israel’s leaders withdrawal from disdains “losers,” went cold. withdraw from the Middle East, existential fears among Israelis of new set of challenges cultivated broad and the West Bank and “Our relations are with Israel,” he Israel will face more complex being abandoned by their American unusually intimate for Jerusalem. the establishment of a commented dryly, “so we’ll see what challenges.” ally. relations with sources Palestinian state. happens.” Netanyahu, too, fears a repeat Speaking at the memorial service of power in Washington Netanyahu has exploited While Trump’s spectacular of the North Korea scenario — lots marking the October 1973 War, across the American political Trump’s outsized weaknesses shortcomings have benefited Israel, of pomp but little substance — that Netanyahu’s remarks could only be divide. Israel has been the — his vanity and penchant for they can also threaten it, exposing would leave him barking as the Iran taken in this context. most successful foreign player praise, his belief that he is the Israel to perils of a strategic alliance caravan passes. Trump refused to “We do not aspire to be ‘a nation among both Democrats and smartest person in the room and with a volatile, isolated and let Netanyahu make his case against that dwells alone’ but that is how Republicans, laying a political his disdain for the policymaking weakened US president. a meeting with Rohani rejecting his we were forced to stand at the foundation for wide-ranging process — to make tangible gains. The precipitous firing of John frantic calls before passing on the beginning of the Yom Kippur War,” diplomatic and economic support For Netanyahu, like leaders as far Bolton removed a key pro-Israel ally offer. he said. “As in 1973, also we very and supplementing this with broad afield as Pyongyang, Ankara and on Iran from Trump’s inner circle. Israelis are cheering the fact that much appreciate the United States’ relationships throughout the US Moscow, his main challenge was Netanyahu was then blindsided Turkish President Recep Tayyip important support, which has foreign policy, intelligence and not to mistake his ability to exploit by reports of a possible meeting Erdogan and Syrian President greatly increased over the years, and security bureaucracies unmatched Trump’s evident shortcomings for between Trump and Iranian Bashar Assad are facing off against also the United States’ enormous by any other state. freedom of action. President Hassan Rohani during the each other, recalling Begin’s economic pressure it is exerting on This foundation enabled Israel So far, he has kept himself and UN General Assembly in September. salutations to Baghdad and Tehran Iran.” to withstand for three generations Israel out of the line of Trump’s The proposed meeting, warned after the outbreak of war in 1980 — However, Netanyahu added: “We the demands of the international feared Twitter fire. former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud “We wish them both success.” always remember and apply the community to stop its settlement However, all is not roses with the Barak, “is a red light for all of us, However, a win-win outcome in basic principle that guides us: Israel policies and enable the creation of a White House. Netanyahu had a taste which warns against Netanyahu’s Syria that includes US support for will defend itself, by itself against Palestinian state. of Trump’s distemper during Israel’s overdependence on President a total Kurdish military evacuation any threat.” Menachem Begin took the first inconclusive elections in April and Trump and the sharp turnarounds of a “safe zone” in Syria and an end steps in another direction in the again in September. In the first in his stances. In North Korea, we to Assad’s ostracisation is in the Geoffrey Aronson is a non-resident 1970s by establishing the foundation contest, Trump openly supported saw war threats that ended in hugs, works, gaining Trump’s support scholar at the Middle East Institute for flourishing ties with the Netanyahu’s candidacy. “The a dead end in negotiations, hugs and posing a new set of challenges in Washington. Israel pushing Gazans to migrate to change demographics

Egyptians and Palestinians for Council recently asked European Samir Zaqout, deputy director against Palestinians in the a speedier exit from the “Big and Arab countries if they were of Al-Mezan Centre for Human occupied territories,” he added. Prison of Gaza.” ready to accept Palestinians who Rights, said the Israeli siege, Many Palestinian migrants Yousef Alhelou However, the situation is want to leave the impoverished frequent Israeli land and air have reached Europe or other only expected to get worse. sliver but has yet to receive any offensives and deep divisions countries, both legally and With soaring poverty and an positive response. between the Palestinian factions illegally, in search of a brighter aza is often de- unemployment rate that ranks The Israeli policy is part of a Hamas and Fatah are the main future. Many are skilled scribed as the among the highest in the world, systematic campaign, or let’s say causes of the area’s deteriorating professionals, leading to a brain world’s largest open- economic prospects are low and strategy, to drive Gazans to leave humanitarian situation. drain in the territory. air prison because of there is little hope. The United to change the demographics of “Israel’s military practices, Since the start of the Great the Israeli blockade Nations warned that Gaza will be the area. whether it is in the occupied March of Return in March 2018, in place since 2007. unliveable by 2020. The only statistics on West Bank, Gaza or Jerusalem, weekly protests calling for a GThe area is said to be a pressure This bleak reality has forced migration from Gaza come ranging from house removal of the Israeli siege, cooker because of the endless cri- many to search for a better life from Israel. They state that demolitions, confiscating many frustrated young people ses facing its growing population. abroad. Individuals and families 35,000 Palestinians Palestinian resources, have attempted to infiltrate the Nearly 2 million residents live from Gaza have risked their lives left the Gaza Strip in settlers attacks, security fence between Gaza and in the 365 sq.km coastal enclave boarding flimsy boats to travel 2018 via the Rafah Many Palestinian frequent raids, Israel to escape the unbearable under Israeli air, sea and land across the Mediterranean to crossing, not migrants have reached arrests campaigns, life in Gaza. All who crossed were control and a suffocating siege. reach Europe. Many drowned factoring in those Europe or other humiliations as arrested by Israeli forces, with well as the siege some later released. All movement from Gaza to trying to reach European shores. who left and countries in search of a the West Bank is restricted by Images recently emerged of returned. on Gaza force The more Gaza’s harsh reality brighter future. Many an Israeli-controlled terminal. migrants trekking through forests At the time, Palestinians persists, the more people will While the war-torn area remains in Europe with no food or fresh the Palestinian are skilled professionals, to relocate or consider desperate options. The under Israeli occupation, Gazans water. Foreign Ministry leading to a brain drain migrate and look denial of Gazans’ basic rights are not allowed to use Israeli In an attempt to evade expressed concern in the territory. for better future and freedom of movement airports or seaports. Travel to the responsibility for the misery that Israel was and safe place to as well as a deepening split outside world is available only in Gaza, a senior Israeli official pushing Gazans to leave live,” said Zaqout. between Palestinian factions through Egypt’s Rafah Border said Israel was ready to cover their homeland, accusing “Therefore, these are have given rise to corruption Crossing, after which travellers the costs of helping Palestinians the Jewish state of “targeting systematic Israeli campaigns and social unrest. The worse the must make their way to Cairo’s in Gaza immigrate and would Palestinians and Gaza’s to empty the land from its situation gets, the clearer it is airport. consider allowing the use of an livelihoods and squeezing them indigenous population — the that Gaza’s hardship is part of an Even then leaving is not easy. Israeli airfield near the coastal to motivate them to emigrate.” Palestinians.” orchestrated Israeli strategy to Travellers must register with strip for their departures to new Palestinian President “The international weaken the citizens’ morale and Gaza’s Interior Ministry far host countries. Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party community also should bear the pressure them out. in advance and wait months The official, who spoke on accused Hamas of increasing responsibility and consequences to receive permission to exit. condition of anonymity, added Gaza’s hardship by refusing to for not intervening to stop the Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian Bribes must be paid to both the that the Israeli National Security relinquish control of the territory. Israeli human rights violations journalist living in London. 14 October 20, 2019 News & Analysis Turkey Government critics decry ‘black propaganda’ crackdown as an assault on free speech

Thomas Seibert Turkey, it could be criminalised,” she said. In a high-profile case, prosecu- Istanbul tors began an investigation against Sezgin Tanrikulu, a leading mem- s the Turkish judiciary ber of the opposition Republican clamps down on criticism People’s Party, the second-strongest against the latest military group in Turkey’s parliament, after A incursion into Syria, oppo- he called the Syria operation a “war sition officials and free speech activ- against Kurds.” He is accused of ists said an atmosphere of intimida- “denigrating the government of the tion had descended on the country. Turkish Republic.” Turkish authorities detained 186 Tanrikulu told parliament that the people and arrested 24 of them for approach by the judiciary was block- spreading “black propaganda” on ing healthy democratic debate about social media about Ankara’s military the Syria operation. operation in Syria within the first “How are we supposed to talk in week of the intervention, the state- an atmosphere in which not even run Anadolu news agency said. Pros- lawmakers have freedom of speech ecutors claimed 839 social media and in which dissenting opinions accounts carried content regarding cannot be expressed?” Tanrikulu the operation that was considered a asked. “The opposition must have criminal offence. the right to express criticism. I’m The prosecutions sparked new calling this a war. You are calling it tensions in Turkey, with government an operation.” critics accusing it of trying to stifle Prosecutors accused leading offi- free speech, and could lead to new cials of the pro-Kurdish Democratic problems between the country and Peoples’ Party (HDP), which opposes the Council of Europe and the Euro- the Syria intervention, of denigrat- pean Union, which has been critical ing the government and spreading of what it sees as a “backsliding” of terrorist propaganda by criticising democracy in Turkey. Critics said the the military action. HDP leaders Only one version of events. A map showing Turkey’s suggested operation in Syria is placed to be used for a Turkish judiciary has become an in- Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli are TV broadcast by journalists in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, in south-eastern Turkey, October 11. (AP) strument for the government to sup- among the accused after they called press dissent. the Syria operation an “illegitimate Ankara launched a cross-border war.” Two editors of media critical of to clean the border of terrorists,” On- been serious backsliding in the areas incursion against the Syrian-Kurdish The HDP media office in Ankara the government were detained by deroglu said by telephone. of freedom of expression, assembly YPG militia on October 9 to push said the politicians in question were police because articles by their out- and association and in procedural Kurdish fighters, seen as a terrorist shielded by their parliamentary lets were seen as spreading enemy and property rights.” threat by the Turkish government, immunity. However, in case pros- propaganda. Turkish authorities Some politicians said the Syria away from the border. The govern- ecutors asked parliament to lift the Media activists said Turkey was detained 186 people and operation is leading to new tensions ment said its Operation Peace Spring immunities, the ruling Justice and a difficult place for journalists even arrested 24 of them for between Turks and Kurds in Turkey. offensive was crucial for the coun- Development Party and its right- before the latest Syria incursion. spreading “black Reports said Ekrem Yasli, a 74-year- try’s national security. wing ally, the Nationalist Move- The Turkish Journalists’ Union said propaganda” on social old Kurdish man in Adapazari, south Emma Sinclair-Webb, senior Tur- ment Party, had enough votes in the 134 journalists are behind bars. The media about Ankara’s of Istanbul, was injured when he was key researcher at Human Rights chamber to do so. “Press Freedom Index” of Report- military operation in Syria hit on the head with a bottle by as- Watch, said Turkish authorities were The Syria operation also has con- ers Without Borders (RSF), an inter- within the first week of the sailants because he spoke Kurdish to “intolerant of criticism of their mili- sequences for media in Turkey. national media freedom advocacy intervention. his wife. “This is the Turkish repub- tary incursion.” The country’s media watchdog, group, has Turkey ranked 157th out lic,” one of the attackers was quoted Speaking by telephone, Sinclair- the Radio and Television Supreme of 180 countries. The European Union said in a in the reports as saying. Webb pointed to a video clip posted Council, said in a statement it would RSF Turkey representative Erol report this year that democratic HDP’s Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu on social media by the European not tolerate broadcasts that “have Onderoglu said a “negative climate” achievements Turkey gained in a said the incident showed that Tur- Union that says “Turkey must cease a negative effect on the morale and in the country was being reinforced reform period last decade had been key still has not solved its Kurdish unilateral military action” and “a motivations of our great soldiers and by media loyal to the government. lost, especially after of a coup at- issue. “This old man was attacked sustainable solution to the Syrian our revered nation, serve terrorist “There is an intimidation cam- tempt against Erdogan in 2016. but there are still people that say: conflict cannot be achieved militar- aims and manipulate our citizens paign by pro-government media “Serious backsliding remains in ‘What is the Kurdish problem, where ily.” with incomplete, false or one-sided against those who see the operation terms of human and fundamental does it come from? There is no such “If you put up a video like that in information.” as a war, rather than as an operation rights,” the report stated. “There has thing,’” he said.

Viewpoint Erdogan won but only in the short term

Yes, the deal offers openings for signals must be taken as evidence hoping that the Kurdish aspira- Putin will only go further, to some legitimacy for the Turkish that Ankara will try to maximise tions for self-rule may far more handle the issue of Idlib and incursion, yet another surprise the gains of the deal to exert a easily be crushed when the two jihadists assembled there, and Yavuz Baydar may await at the door, pulling permanent military presence in governments agree. push Erdogan deeper into the Erdogan into the quagmire of the invaded parts of Syria. However, the deal cannot corner by insisting on direct talks Syria. If taken together with a total disguise the fact that Turkey is with Assad. Slowly but firmly, o, it’s a deal. But is it? The 13-point document, filled pullout of Syria, the Americans isolated because it has some Putin is getting there. The ceasefire agreement with ambiguous phrases and may come to not care whether the bizarre plans to initiate resettle- Anti-US circles who have led between US officials and diplomatic pitfalls, leaves a large Turkish side stays in Syria or ment and construction projects on Erdogan to alienate everyone in Turkish President Recep vacuum regarding the key actors leaves. The current Trump stand foreign soil, without anyone’s Washington except Trump may Tayyip Erdogan was, a in the war-torn country: Kurds, is to wash his hands of this bloody consent. have welcomed the deal as a step Turkish Foreign Ministry Syrian regime forces, Russia and, regional conflict and hope to If, for Syria, the priority is to closer to de-orbit Turkey from the Sofficial speaking anonymously to in a shady corner, Iran. Not only ignore whatever else Erdogan reassert its control over mainly West, but two issues will continue the Washington Post said, one of that, the deal is certain to stir does. Kurdish northern parts and force to pose challenges to Ankara, the smoothest in Turkish history, further storm in Washington as US He has decided to sell out the Turkey out of its territory, it will however hard-line its rulers so easy that it came as a surprise to President Donald Trump seems to Kurds, leaving them vulnerable be Russia, the winner in the choose to become. Ankara. be gliding into the vortex of before Ankara and Damascus, as multidimensional Syria chess Turkey’s domestic Kurdish issue It is widely agreed that Erdogan impeachment. the deal undoubtedly displays. game, that will have to manage a will not cease to bleed, feeding won. He made a political gamble, Most of those variables have to This is what Syrian President solution. Assad and Russian further an aggressive nationalism the type that he has mastered over do with facts the deal is unable to Bashar Assad and Erdogan President Vladimir Putin know at home and the common denomi- the years, and the world’s super- ignore. First and foremost, the welcome with applause. this deal is blurred and short- nator of finishing off the Islamic power blinked first. Those at home deal falls short of putting strong Also, Turkey’s secular-national- lived, that, as soon as the SDF State and other jihadists in Syria, and abroad who had expected a enough conditionality on a ist opposition bloc openly agrees to choose their side, the uniting under the umbrella the fierce backlash for Erdogan were full-scale withdrawal of Turkish supports it, long calling for a Adana agreement that Erdogan United States, Russia, the Euro- taken by surprise. armed forces from areas it dialogue with Assad, discreetly refers to will no longer have pean Union and large parts of Arab It is time for him to spin and sell invaded. validity in terms of deals for a League, will never go away. his perceived victory at home, to Statements from Ankara continued presence. These two fronts make Erdog- reassert himself as the iron-willed immediately after the deal was It is clear that Alexander an’s Ankara victory a short-lived, commander-in-chief, to use the announced indicate an unchanged Lavrentiev, who, as Putin’s special pyrrhic one. His hands tied, his domestic tools to tame his position, that it perceives a Turkey’s domestic envoy for Syria, was in Ankara mind locked, they will weaken the opponents even more roughly and long-term stay alongside the Kurdish issue will when US Vice-President Mike ground on which he hopes to repair whatever damage his image Turkish-Syrian border from Iraq to not cease to bleed, Pence and Secretary of State Mike stand. For the West, Erdogan is a received due the defeat in local Kobane. Pompeo cut the deal, returned to liability; for Russia, he is useful elections. If not anything else, Erdogan took a further gamble, feeding further an Moscow with a relatively placid until he is not. Erdogan has gained time and saying that if the Americans do aggressive mind. manoeuvring room. not cleanse the Kurdish-led Syrian When Erdogan next meets his Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish But — and it’s a big but — this one Democratic Forces (SDF), the nationalism at Russian counterpart, whom he journalist and regular columnist may be a pyrrhic victory after all. incursion will accelerate. These home. must treat with great respect, for The Arab Weekly. October 20, 2019 15 Spotlight Turkey and Threats of Sanctions US-Turkey relations may be left beyond repair

Emily Przyborowski have designated a terrorist organisa- tion. Erdogan said the Turkish goal in the invasion is to “fight against… the Washington PKK, along with its Syrian affiliates and Islamic State.” ollowing US President Donald Erdogan stated he was not interest- Trump’s announcement about ed in meeting with US Vice-President withdrawing American troops Mike Pence, who travelled to Ankara to F from Syria, after a phone call attempt to secure a ceasefire. However, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip they did meet and a deal was struck for Erdogan, whose forces then attacked temporary halt of the fighting. Kurds in northern Syria, outrage, in- Michael McFaul, former US ambas- ternationally and within his own party, sador to Russia and a fellow at the created a divide between Washington Hoover Institution, said Erdogan’s and Ankara that may be beyond repair, disinterest in a meeting indicated a analysts said. breakdown in bilateral relations. He Trump seems to have had second said relations between Turkey and the thoughts regarding the move, even United States “are at the lowest point though his advisers were probably than I can ever remember. It’s just aware that withdrawing US troops another example of how we haven’t from north-eastern Syria would leave been practising diplomacy in the the Kurds, long-time US allies whom Trump years.” Trump describes as “no angels,” un- protected from Turkish forces. Emily Przyborowski is an In a statement, Trump said he Arab Weekly correspondent in Too little, too late. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin arrives to announce the threat of (AP) would “totally destroy and obliterate Washington. sanctions on Turkey in the Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, October 11. the economy of Turkey” if the country acted in a manner he deemed inappro- priate. Trump, through an October 14 executive order, announced sanctions on three Turkish government minis- An Arab boycott against Turkey could ters and the Turkish steel industry. Jennifer Rubin, a conservative blog- ger at the Washington Post, said the sanctions confirm Trump was wrong have serious economic, political effects to withdraw. “The necessity of impos- ing sanctions pretty much confirms Trump’s decision was a blunder,” Rubin Ahmed Fouad ganisation, and supported by the exports to Turkey. Syrian, Egyptian The trend has been accompanied said. Free Egyptians Party and some and Lebanese exports to Turkey by increasing foreign direct invest- Members of the US Congress were businessmen. represent 9.6%, 7.5% and 5.2%, re- ments to Turkey by 14%, in 2018 quick to state their opposition to the Cairo There were official statements spectively, of their total exports, compared to 2017 and 6.3%, in the withdrawal decision. A bill was intro- condemning Turkey’s military Trade Map said. first half of 2019 compared to the duced by US Senator Lindsay Graham, iven the high cost of retali- operations in Syria from all Arab Egypt, perhaps anticipating such same period in 2018, the Central a Republican generally in strong sup- ating militarily to Turkey’s countries, except Qatar and So- a crisis, has been expanding its Bank of Turkey and the Economic port of Trump, to compel Turkey to incursion into northern malia. The Arab League issued a trade networks to Turkey’s neigh- Policy Research Foundation of Tur- end air strikes and invasion under the G Syria, many Arab countries statement condemning the Turkish bours, including Bulgaria, Romania key stated. threat of sanctions on high-level of- appear limited to using economic incursion and warning there would and Ukraine, whose import needs The effects of any Arab boycott ficials, including Erdogan, as well as sanctions as a response. be punitive economic measures are similar. on Turkey would go beyond the Turkey’s military and energy sector. A The strategy, analysts said, against Turkey if it continued its as- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah economic sphere, analysts said. similar measure was introduced in the could both severely affect Turkey’s sault. al-Sisi and other officials met with Mahmoud Zahran, a researcher US House of Representatives. foundering economy and hurt An Arab boycott of Turkish prod- leaders of those countries in Cairo specialising in Turkish affairs, said With Turkey’s economy struggling, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- ucts would significantly hurt An- and abroad in March, June and Sep- the success of boycott campaigns partly because of 3.6 million Syrian dogan’s credibility as a leader in the kara’s economy. Turkish exports to tember to discuss cooperation and would reveal how unpopular Er- refugees in the country, the sanctions Muslim world. the Arab world total more than $30 bilateral trade. dogan’s regime is in a region he has might be enough to pressure Erdogan The hashtag “#Erdogan_Killer” billion annually, representing 18.3% A significant slash in Turkish tried to paint himself as a leader of. into acceding to the US demands. Mark has been trending on Twitter, with of its overall exports. Arab exports exports to the Arab world may in- Zahran said 88% of the Arab Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for many calling for boycotts of Turk- to Turkey total $6.5 billion, about crease Ankara’s trade balance by population is Muslim and “that Defense of Democracies, said the sanc- ish products and an end to Egyp- 0.6% of the region’s exports, trade 44% to $79.4 billion as the country is the majority that Erdogan used tions could be successful in damaging tian tourism to Turkey. These were data website Trade Map stated. tries to recover from a lingering eco- to speak to about his dreams of the Turkish economy but Congress the same calls by Citizens Against However, some Arab countries nomic crisis. However, sanctions restoring the caliphate to justify needs to act to truly affect Turkey. Rising Prices, an Egyptian civil or- would stand to lose from a drop in are unlikely to dissuade Turkey many interventions in the politics “The new executive order is poten- from ending its military operation, of the countries of the region.” tially very damaging to Turkey but said Mosaad Aly, an economics pro- An Arab boycott could turn some you have to believe Trump will actual- fessor at Mansoura University. Turkish businessmen against Er- ly use it beyond some symbolic meas- “Economic sanctions may max- dogan’s regime, which is on its ures. Congress should pass mandatory imise the trade balance deficit heels because of the deteriorating statutory sanctions to be automatical- causing a devaluation of Turkish economy and poor human rights ly implemented unless Erdogan ends lira and consequently a hike in in- record. invasion,” Dubowitz said. flation, putting Turkey’s economy, Tensions between Erdogan’s re- On October 16, Turkish Foreign Min- which is very fragile right now, in gime and Turkey’s business class ister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Turkish more crises but Turkey can with- were evident as early as 2017 when parliament that Ankara would retaliate stand that situation for years,” he a Turkish court issued arrest war- against any US sanctions and that he said. rants for 380 businessmen for al- expected the United States to stop its “To face high inflation, Turkey legedly supporting the failed mili- hard-line approach against Turkey. will likely raise interest rates. This tary coup against him. His instincts may be correct. After makes Turkey more attractive to Tensions resurfaced in May threatening Turkey with economic domestic and foreign investors in when Erdogan exchanged insults penalties, Trump pivoted again and debt instruments that guarantee its with the Turkish Industry and said the Turkish invasion is “not our economy the ability to survive its Business Association and its lead- problem.” crisis, despite the long-term dam- er, billionaire Tuncay Ozilhan. Erdogan said he is working to es- age of debt instruments.” Other businessmen seem to tablish a safe zone in northern Syria He pointed out that the devalua- be gaining popularity by criticis- to resettle millions of refugees who tion of the lira could make Turkey ing Erdogan and his Justice and fled to Turkey during the Syrian war. more attractive to foreign direct in- Development Party (AKP) for the Erdogan claimed, in a Wall Street Jour- vestors and tourists whose foreign country’s poor economy. Turkish nal article, that Turkey was forced to capital can be doubled if exchanged businessman Ekrem Imamoglu, act in Syria because the international with local currency. who is a member of the opposi- community’s response continues to The Turkish currency’s sharp de- tion, defeated the AKP’s candidate fall short. Erdogan is wary of both cline since 2017, including increas- for mayor of Istanbul, known as an the Kurdish soldiers and Islamic State ing inflation and rising interest rates, AKP stronghold, in two rounds of (ISIS) members active in the region. has been accompanied by a 28% elections. Turkey claims the Kurds are aligned increase in domestic and foreign in- with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party vestor demand for debt instruments, Ahmed Fouad is an Egyptian (PKK), a Kurdish independence group Vulnerable economy. A man shops in a market in Istanbul. (AP) Turkish economists said. writer. that both Turkey and the United States 16 October 20, 2019 Debate Iran

What does Iran’s Soleimani think of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah?

Ali Alfoneh

ranian Major-General Qas- sem Soleimani may forgive but never forgets disobedi- ence among his subordi- nates, even one as prominent as Hezbollah Secretary-Gen- Ieral Hassan Nasrallah. By forgiving the transgression, al-Quds Force’s chief pragmati- cally uses pawns available to him on the chessboard but by remind- ing the likes of Nasrallah of the catastrophic consequences of their rogue action, he keeps them in line and maintains discipline. Soleimani’s reminder to Nas- rallah is on full display in his 90-minute interview posted Octo- ber 1 on Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s website and follows a 5-hour, 30-minute-long interview by Nasrallah regarding Striking the 2006 Lebanon war, released revelations. September 27. Iranian Major- In contrast to Nasrallah, who General Qassem praised the divine genius of Soleimani Khamenei as the main factor be- speaks during hind Hezbollah’s “victory” in the an interview in war, Soleimani does not flatter the Tehran, October 1. turbaned and robed clerics. (AFP) In Soleimani’s narrative, Nasrallah is an insecure little was a highly technological war, Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah’s him [Nasrallah], asking why did in which he explained how he man whose reckless decision to a war of precision” in which kidnapping of the two soldiers Hezbollah expose the entire Shia and Mughniyeh dragged Nasral- kidnap Israeli soldiers ignited a Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles neutralised the element of sur- community to danger by taking a lah from one ruined building in catastrophic war. Under Israeli targeted Hezbollah safe houses in prise.” couple of prisoners?” Khamenei’s Dahieh to another, under constant bombardment of Beirut, Nasral- villages without harming a non- In the interview, Soleimani, spin about an imaginary Is- threat of drone attacks. lah’s survival depended on the Hezbollah family next door. cautiously but sarcastically said: raeli surprise attack, on the other Soleimani’s account is not with- efforts of Hezbollah strongman What Soleimani does not say di- “I was not aware of this intel- hand, provided Nasrallah with out heroes. Predictably, Mugh- Imad Mughniyeh and Soleimani. rectly is how frustrated he — and ligence, neither were the Sayyed a narrative in which “Hezbollah niyeh, his slain comrade, is one. Discussing who was to blame probably Khamenei — must have [Nasrallah] nor Imad [Mughni- escaped from total annihilation” Another is a child soldier killed in for the war, Soleimani indirectly been by Nasrallah’s recklessness. yeh]. None of us was aware of it by pre-empting Israel. the war with Iraq, whose purity of admits Hezbollah’s July 12, 2006, Khamenei found a face-saving and they are at the border them- Soleimani’s description of mind and nobility of spirit quali- cross-border raid and abduction of formula that politically protected selves seeing everything!” Nasrallah’s timidity is just as fied him as a Sufi and a mystic of two Israeli soldiers provoked all- Nasrallah against criticism in Of course, they were not aware remarkable: “As the war became the highest order. Without doubt, out war. Soleimani recalled that Iran and, more important, within of such an Israeli surprise attack more extreme, the number of the Soleimani considers them closer he rushed to Lebanon to see the Hezbollah, which was paying the because there was no such plan martyrs increased and scope of to God than the turbaned and scene for himself and returned price for abducting Israeli sol- but as Soleimani explained: “For destruction got vaster, the Sayyed robed clerics, whose recklessness to Iran within a week to report to diers. me, [Khamenei’s claim] was a [Nasrallah] would use words and brings calamities upon the com- Khamenei. “My report was a bitter Khamenei allegedly told message of hope because it helped expressions that saddened me. munity of believers. report. What I had witnessed did Soleimani: “I believe Israel had the Sayyed [Nasrallah]. It put him I have no desire to utter those not show any prospect for vic- prepared this plan [of invasion] at ease.” words.” Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at tory,” the Iranian general said. previously and wanted to execute Why? Soleimani further ex- Nasrallah appears physically the Arab Gulf States Institute in Soleimani also reported: “This it in a surprise attack annihilating plained: “Someone may criticise helpless in Soleimani’s account, Washington. Iranians suffer as Tehran’s appetite for regional power grows

renewing the arsenal. Struggling from Tehran is proud and elated young age. An and the countries selling these Iranian boy Claude Salhani systems are pleased because they pulls a hand have increased their revenues cart at the old by several million dollars. main bazaar in t is a vicious circle. Iran Everybody’s happy. Or are they? Tehran. (AP) continues to acquire so- What about the people, the phisticated weapons. The regular people? The majority supplier is usually one of of the population suffers the main weapon-producing more because their countries countries of which there are have entered a great game of Ionly a handful: the United States, geopolitics. Russia and France. Tehran insists and, despite Iran, like many other everything, is not deterred from countries, is arming itself with pursuing its goal to acquire sophisticated weaponry that nuclear capability. will eventually strengthen That is the end game. its power, much to the Between the nuclear power pleasure of its leaders. plant and the small arms, With these weapons, there is room for all the theocracy’s sorts of weapon supreme leader and Iran’s leaders could systems to be sold. Iranian President invest in education. Yet the regime Hassan Rohani Instead, what we have in Iran has been can strut around is billions of dollars steadfast, intent like a couple of wasted on purchasing on becoming a excited peacocks weapons systems that nuclear power. with their It is also intent are soon obsolete. multicoloured on meddling in country needs nuclear weapons? systems, et cetera. brink of poverty. To what end? tails fully deployed, regional affairs, Sure, the government Those expenditures, compiled Iran’s leaders could invest along with their despite sanctions organises demonstrations with sanctions on the country, in helping businessmen and treasured state-of-the- imposed by the showing support for its policies may not affect a ruling class women start small businesses. art weapons systems. international community. but, once the cameras are out that has always managed to They could invest in education. Of course, as soon as they Has Tehran ever stopped of the way, there is a different import whatever it needed to live They could invest in the arts and acquire new weapons along to wonder what people really story. Iranians suffer from the comfortably but the compilation sciences. Instead, what we have comes one of the aforementioned want? Does the man or woman continued role played by their of money spent on the military is billions of dollars wasted on countries with a solution to on the street care much about country trying to emulate a and the sanctions will affect purchasing weapons systems counter whatever system was the country having the latest superpower — at least in its own most citizens. They are the ones that are soon obsolete. sold to Tehran, secretly or armaments at the cost of heavy inflated importance, keeping the who will feel the crunch. otherwise, offering weapon sanctions imposed on the entire country abreast of advanced and Iran is a rich country because Claude Salhani is a regular systems to counter other nation? How does a mother feel sophisticated weaponry. Tehran of oil production but its desire columnist for The Arab Weekly weapons systems. So a vicious about having to pay five times has become addicted and weapon to play in the major leagues has and a senior fellow at the cycle is entered and there is no the regular cost of nappies suppliers are there to remind practically bankrupted it. Many Institute of World Affairs in choice but to keep upgrading and because her president thinks his Tehran of the latest models and Iranians survive today on the Washington. October 20, 2019 17 Spotlight Dealing with Extremism Tolerance at the heart of debate as Arab, Western researchers meet in Riyadh

Zaid Ben Refaa mistake, so the Arabic term remains the Meccan period in Islam is the essence of Islam but persist in their Michele D’urso, the EU ambas- narrow in its meaning and cannot ex- one that truly expresses the spirit of hostility to it. With them, it is useless sador to Saudi Arabia, praised the tend to religious tolerance and social Islam. to engage a dialogue or a debate be- Mecca document, which promotes Riyadh coexistence. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim al-Ei- cause their intellectual hostility is a noble human values ​​and contrib- He pointed out that, in the West, ssa, former Saudi minister of Justice barrier to persuasion. utes to building bridges between re- esearchers, specialists, aca- the concept of “tolerance” is con- and current secretary-general of the Eissa pointed out that the Muslim ligions and cultures, stressing that demics and government of- trasted with “extremism” and the Muslim World League, said “tasam- World League has connections with “we communicate as human beings ficials agreed that tolerance term remains open to include differ- uh” does not express the essence of the Vatican, the Orthodox Church in away from religion and culture.” He R cannot become widespread ent applications in various domains the process of religious and social tol- Russia and with Jewish institutions pointed out that Europe has become within societies around the world and is not limited to the virtue of for- erance that corresponds to tolerance. in France. The league is keen to pro- more diversified, having a greater without serious political cooperation giveness. A better word in Arabic would be mote peace and coexistence between mix of religions, customs and cul- among nations. Khayyun said the common char- “tasamuhiya,” he said, which refers religions known as the tures, which contributes strongly to Terrorism has become a global phe- acterisation of extremism and terror- to an unrestricted virtue. It contrasts Abrahamic legacy. strengthening tolerance, respect and nomenon and the response to it must ism as phenomena outside religion, with “tasamuh” since the lat- coexistence. also be global, they said at a sympo- as expressed by saying “terrorism ter virtue is controlled by “We have a deep partnership with sium organised by the King Faisal and extremism have no religion” or an individual’s personal the King Faisal Centre in the domains Centre for Research and Studies in “this extremist organisation has no interest, such as par- of religious tolerance and diversity,” Riyadh. religion” amounts to skipping over doning. said D’urso. New Zealand Ambassador to Saudi the problem. The right approach Eissa said he consid- Michael Privot, director of the Eu- Arabia James Monroe said terror- would be to admit the existence of ers that many Arab ropean Network Against Racism, ism had no religion or doctrine and violent sacred texts and search for and Western research- publicly converted to Islam, pointed referred to New Zealand’s success in appropriate ways to deal with them. ers have not grasped the to verses in Al-Maida, Al-Haj and Al- addressing the repercussions of the Khayyun said society must get truth of Islam. There Baqarah surats that endorse religious terrorist acts at mosques last March rid of the thousands of books and are some research- tolerance. These are the verses that that left 42 people dead. jurisprudence reference works that ers who un recognise all religions and affirm that Khalid Alburaythin, director of have, for centuries, spread extrem- derstand the the only arbiter between them is Al- intellectual communication at King ism, from within the faith itself, and lah. Faisal Centre for Research and Stud- continue to hold sway in society and Tolerance is on the rise in the ies, spoke of the centre’s role in mon- educational curricula. Middle East in the face of extrem- itoring extremist ideas and practices There are historical and contempo- ism and violence. The United in religious discourse and regarding rary experiences that have dealt with Arab Emirates declared 2019 tribal relations and society in general. such texts. After the demise of the “the year of tolerance” dur- Iraqi researcher Rashid al-Khayyun political power and social influence ing which the “Humanity” addressed the problem related to of the church in the West, govern- document was signed in Abu the interpretation of the term “toler- ments sought to separate religion Dhabi by Roman Catholic ance” in Arabic. The Arabic word for from the state and education Pope Francis and Grand “tolerance” is “tasamuh” and in Arab and made religious beliefs and Imam Ahmed el-Tabeb and Islamic contexts it refers to the practice a matter of personal from al-Azhar. domain of personal moral virtues and choice. In post-Ottoman Empire Abu Dhabi has begun an is more associated with concepts of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk re- Abrahamic Family project, pardon, amnesty and forgiveness, he placed Arabic script in Turkish texts which includes three build- said. with Latin script, virtually stopping ings, one for each of the It is closer in meaning to the con- entire generations of young Turks Abrahamic religions: Juda- cept of pardon found in the well- from having access to that religious ism, Christianity and Islam. known Islamic expression “Pardon legacy. This year also saw the sign- whenever you can,” which refers to Khayyun said he stands by a solu- ing in Mecca of the Mecca forgiving the mistakes of those who tion suggested by Sudanese Sheikh Document, which rejects are weaker than oneself, Khayyun Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, who extremism and affirms said. was executed in 1985 for his ideas. religious tolerance and Khayyun explained that when it is Sheikh Taha said the verses of “tol- coexistence. said “So and so has pardoned so and erance” are the essence of Islam and Historic pledge. Pope Francis (L) and Egypt’s al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh so,” that means the second individ- that there is no such thing as a reli- Ahmed el-Tayeb greet each other as they exchange documents during the Zaid Ben Refaa is an (AFP) ual is no longer accountable for the gious state. In other words, he said Human Fraternity Meeting in Abu Dhabi, last February. Arab researcher. Fears of ISIS resurgence after Syria jailbreaks

Stephen Quillen that Baghdad would only take back Trump stated that position in “Pray for our Kurdish allies who Tayyip Erdogan for a 5-day truce for its own fighters and that other coun- September when he said European have been shamelessly abandoned Kurdish forces to withdraw in ex- tries “should take the needed meas- countries would have to take back by the Trump administration. This change for the lifting of US sanctions Tunis ures” to deal with their nationals, their ISIS fighters because the United move ensures the re-emergence of on Turkey. leaving the fate of some 6,000 foreign States would not pay “billions of dol- ISIS,” US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump hailed the ceasefire, which s Turkey’s incursion into fighters undetermined. lars” to have them held in detention Trump ally, wrote on Twitter. Turkey was reportedly violating after north-eastern Syria contin- There are an estimated 4,000 fight- “for the next 50 years.” Democratic presidential contender one day, as “an amazing outcome” ued, foreign powers scram- ers from Iraq and another 4,000 from If countries such as Germany and Joe Biden said Trump’s withdrawal that would save “millions of lives.” A bled to find a solution for Syria in Kurdish jails. The remaining France do not take back thousands of could lead to an ISIS attack on the Others had a less optimistic take. thousands of Islamic State fighters 2,000 prisoners, including about 800 foreign fighters, he said, the United American homeland. “We have ISIS “President Erdogan has given up who could escape from Kurdish pris- Europeans, are from more than 50 States would be forced to “let them that’s going to come here,” Biden said nothing and President Trump has ons. countries. go at your border.” during a Democratic Party debate Oc- given him everything,” read a state- There are approximately 10,000 Is- US President Donald Trump played However, Trump’s abrupt with- tober 15. “They are going to damage ment by Speaker of the House Nancy lamic State (ISIS) detainees in make- down the danger escaped ISIS fight- drawal of US forces from north-east- the United States of America. That’s Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader shift Kurdish prisons but guards ers could pose and put the impetus ern Syria, paving the way for Turkey why we got involved in the first Chuck Schumer after the deal was warned they might not be able to on Europe to deal with the problem. to overrun America’s long-standing place.” agreed to. safeguard the facilities as they weath- “They’re going to be escaping to Eu- Kurdish allies, was met with sur- Later statements by Trump added er the Turkish assault. rope,” not the United States, he said prise and indignation from officials at confusion to his Syria policy. A week Reported jailbreaks created fear of when asked about the threat. home and abroad. after moving US troops out, Trump Trump played down the an ISIS resurgence. Two Belgian ISIS seemed to back Turkey’s view that danger escaped ISIS fighters fighters broke out of a Kurdish prison Ankara’s assault was a legitimate ef- could pose and put the in the area, Belgian security sources fort to stamp out the Kurdistan impetus on Europe to deal said, and the Syrian Democratic Workers’ Party (PKK), an armed with the problem. Forces claimed five ISIS detainees es- group seeking Kurdish independence caped near Qamishli after a Turkish that is considered a terror group by “The Turks have stated that ‘this is strike damaged the facility. Turkey, the United States and the Eu- not a ceasefire’ and made clear that On October 17, dozens of ISIS mem- ropean Union. they ‘will pause the operation for 120 bers reportedly fled Syria’s al-Hol Trump called the PKK a greater hours in order for the terrorists to camp, where some of the highest- terror threat than ISIS and said the leave’ — referring to the courageous risk foreign detainees are kept, add- Kurds, who have been the United Kurdish fighters who have suffered ing concern that the terror group was States’ most steadfast allies in the nearly 11,000 casualties in our fight gaining reinforcements. fight against ISIS, were “no angels.” to defeat ISIS.” “This is devastating for our secu- “Now the PKK, which is part of “This agreement also does noth- rity with the inevitable resurgence the Kurds, as you know, is probably ing to stop thousands of ISIS pris- of Islamic State in north-eastern Syr- worse at terror and more of a terrorist oners from escaping and shows the ia,” French Prime Minister Edouard threat in many ways than ISIS,” said president’s complete lack of strat- Philippe told the French parliament. Trump, justifying his withdrawal. egy to defeat ISIS… ISIS is still a French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Ankara claims the Syrian Kurdish threat, certainly now more than be- Le Drian met with Iraqi leaders about forces allied with the Americans are fore President Trump gave Erdogan having ISIS prisoners transferred to terrorists tied to the PKK, charges the green light to invade Syria,” the Iraq for trial, saying they must deal they deny. statement from Schumer and Pelosi with “new risks created by the Turk- Facing backlash over the military said. ish intervention.” New risks. Prisoners play volleyball in a Kurdish-run prison withdrawal, the Trump administra- Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed housing former ISIS members and supporters in Qamishli in tion eventually secured an arrange- Stephen Quillen is an Arab Ali Alhakim said after the meeting northern Syria. (AP) ment with Turkish President Recep Weekly correspondent in Tunis. 18 October 20, 2019 Economy

Trends in UAE Briefs Egypt eyes minority stake sales of state real estate firms by year-end

Egypt plans to sell minority market favour stakes in two companies by year- end, ramping up its long-delayed privatisation programme, though analysts said they doubt it is moving quickly enough to buyers, investors convince investors it is serious about opening the economy. The state controls vast parts N.P. Krishna Kumar offerings for both ready stock and Strategic platform. A view of the Cityscape Global exhibition 2019 of Egypt’s economy, including off-plan units to stimulate demand at the Dubai World Trade Centre. (AFP) three of its largest banks along with local and foreign investors. with much of its oil industry and Dubai That’s a positive sign for the indus- real estate sector. try and Cityscape Global has once “Every crisis presents challenges cause of macro governmental initi- The government plans to eal estate developers par- again proven that it is the best plat- as well as opportunities,” Israni atives to boost long-term business sell extra shares in state firms ticipated in Dubai’s City- form for developers and homebuy- said. “Real estate prices in the UAE confidence. Policies have been Abu Qir Fertilisers and Chemi- scape Global 2019 despite ers to connect and do business. are very reasonable now and the put in place offering 100% foreign cals Industries and Alexandria R last year’s sluggish de- The projects on display and the bottom has been reached. This is ownership of some UAE-based Container and Cargo Handling mand stemming from falling glob- added incentives are addressing the best time to buy. The buyers businesses (up from the current Company, already trading on the al trade, a depressed oil market market needs and meeting con- are all here at Cityscape Global and 49% limit), easing business set-up Egyptian bourse, while retaining and lack of appetite for real estate sumer demand.” we are receiving a good response.” costs along with the granting of overall control. investment. He added: “With the ability to Israni stressed Dubai Land De- residency visas of up to 10 years to The 19th Cityscape event over sell property onsite, visitors were partment and Real Estate Regula- foreign investors and select profes- (Reuters) three days acted as a gateway for offered a variety of deals that ap- tory Agency measures regulating sionals. regional real estate investment. pealed to all price points. We saw the market. Their roles have been In Abu Dhabi, a new law allows While the Dubai Land Depart- the likes of Abu Dhabi’s Aldar, empowered by a law in Dubai de- foreigners to own freehold prop- Saudi Arabia opens ment announced that the Emir- which offered 10% discounts on lineating guidelines for developers, erties in select investment zones. ate’s real estate sector has generat- a range of properties, and Dubai facilities providers and owners’ as- Earlier, they could only own prop- new logistics zone ed investment value of more than master developer Nakheel, which sociations for the upkeep of jointly erties on a leasehold basis for a in Jeddah $15.2 billion in 2019, Chris Speller, waived service charges and Dubai owned properties in the emirate. maximum of 99 years. group director of Cityscape, reit- Land Department registration fees “The new law applies to all major Four years ago, Sharjah enacted Saudi Arabia introduced a new erated the catalyst role Cityscape on residential units across the real estate development projects a law enabling foreigners holding a logistics zone open to private Global plays in driving the sector’s emirate, vie for investor attention. and jointly owned properties and UAE residence visa to buy property investors in the Red Sea port long-term sustainability. “Other developers, such as Shar- has brought about more clarity in in the emirate on long leases in se- city of Jeddah, as part of a wider jah’s Arada and Tilal Properties and terms of the rights and duties of lect locations and projects. industrial initiative to diversify Dubai’s Azizi Developments, were developers, facility managers as Dubai Expo 2020, the mega- the economy from oil and create Dubai Expo 2020, the also out in full force with deals for well as owners,” Israni said. event that opens next October, is jobs for Saudis. mega-event that opens next prospective investors and end- He said he believes that, since expected to change the landscape Al Khomra zone, which will October, is expected to users. It was encouraging to see the market is well-regulated and of the emirate. support activities around ship- change the landscape of the activity on developers’ stands and stable, the time is right for the After it closes in April 2021, more ping, freight distribution and emirate. it shows that there are savvy inves- UAE Central Bank to raise limits of than 80% of its built environment transport of goods, extends over tors who were able to capitalise on mortgage loan-to-value levels in that spans almost 3 million sq. 2.3 million sq. metres in Jeddah, “Cityscape Global provides a stra- lower than usual prices. The real favour of individual buyers. metres will be retained for District home to one of the kingdom’s tegic platform for local and inter- estate market is cyclical and those Earlier in Dubai, the government 2020. The project will offer homes, largest ports. national real estate developers to investing in property now will reap formed a real estate committee to offices and business premises As the biggest logistics zone in display local, regional and interna- the rewards later on.” encourage collaboration between within walking distance of each the country, it is planned to turn tional real estate market projects to Rajan Israni, chairman of the government-related entities and other for innovators, families, pio- Saudi Arabia into a global logis- an audience of active and engaged Sun and Sand Developers Group in private sector companies and to neers and the creative community. tics hub and create 10,000 direct investors and buyers,” said Speller. Dubai, said market prices offer an set the pace of sustainable growth jobs, said Minister of Transport “The local property market is ideal entry point for first-time buy- in the realty sector. N.P. Krishna Kumar is a Nabeel al-Amoudi. maturing and we see more devel- ers as well as long-term institution- Demand and sentiment have Dubai-based contributor to opers becoming creative with their al players. peaked in the UAE this quarter be- The Arab Weekly. (Reuters)

Russia strengthens economic ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE UAE to start new low-cost airline

seeks to ensure its security in an (PIF), entered into a partnership to leader and the Saudi crown prince Abu Dhabi’s giant Etihad increasingly perilous region while “invest in attractive projects in participated in the inaugural meeting Airways and Sharjah’s low-cost trying to garner investment in Russia, in areas including infrastruc- of the Russia-Saudi Economic carrier Air Arabia announced an Council. The 20-some agreements Jareer Elass underdeveloped sectors of its ture and agriculture,” with the PIF agreement to establish a low- economy. contributing $10 billion to the and contracts signed between Saudi cost airline with headquarters in Saudi Minister of State for Foreign agreement. So far, the Saudis have and Russian entities covered the UAE capital. ussian President Affairs Adel al-Jubeir downplayed reportedly anted up around $2.5 aerospace, culture, health, advanced Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will Vladimir Putin’s trip to the notion that US-Saudi relations billion of that contribution, a sticking technology and agriculture sec- begin operations in “due course,” the Arabian Gulf to visit would suffer from enhanced ties point with Moscow. tors. Tony Douglas, CEO of Etihad Saudi Arabia and the between Riyadh and Moscow. “We King Salman made a historic 4-day Notably, one deal covered mutual Aviation Group, said in a state- United Arab Emirates believe that we can have strategic visit to Moscow in October 2017, investments in NefteTransService, a ment issued by the two Emirati underscores Moscow’s and strong ties with the United States which Russian Foreign Minister large Russian railway operator. The carriers. Rdrive to make strategic political and while we develop our ties with Sergei Lavrov described as the Saudi Arabian General Investment “This exciting partnership economic gains with two traditional Russia,” he said. turning point for Saudi-Russian Authority also granted four Russian supports our transformation pro- US allies that are also regional Putin’s warm reception in Riyadh relations having “reached a new firms licences to operate in the gramme and will offer our guests powerhouses and fellow oil could only have unnerved the Trump qualitative level.” kingdom. a new option for low-cost travel producers. administration as likely did the Among 15 cooperation deals signed One of the biggest deals was an to and from Abu Dhabi, supple- Just how far Riyadh leans reported billions of dollars’ worth of between the two countries then was agreement between Saudi Aramco, menting our own services,” he towards Moscow and away from deals signed between Russian and an agreement for Riyadh to purchase the PIF, the RDIF and Russian added. Washington will probably depend Saudi entities. Russian S400 missile defence state-owned venture capital fund on how much the kingdom can Putin’s stop in Riyadh was systems, an agreement that has been Rusnano for the purchase of (Agence France-Presse) count on Russia’s help with its ironically reminiscent of how newly in limbo and which Putin publicly Rusnano’s 30.76% share in Novonet, economic transformation and elected US President Donald Trump reminded the kingdom about a leading Russian oil services coordination with global oil supply was received when he made the following last month’s failure of provider. Saudi Aramco signed nine Yemen’s Safer oil reductions. kingdom his first official foreign visit US-purchased defence systems to agreements with Russian firms as One of the 20-some deals signed in May 2017. Both the US leader and protect against attacks on state oil part of its upstream strategy. company resumes during the Russian leader’s October the Saudi government hyped the firm Saudi Aramco’s infrastructure. While both countries may be pumping to Arabian 14 visit to Riyadh was an agreement value and abundance of US-Saudi During Putin’s visit to Riyadh, enthusiastic about the plethora of to guarantee continued cooperation deals signed during Trump’s Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov deals that were signed during Putin’s Sea terminal between OPEC and independent oil kingdom visit, some of which are yet said the Russian president and Saudi Riyadh visit, Russian-Saudi agree- producers known as OPEC+ — a to be translated into concrete officials discussed “military and ments haven’t always panned out. In Yemen’s Safer oil company group of 24 countries led by Saudi projects. technical cooperation.” May, Saudi Aramco walked away resumed pumping oil from its Arabia and Russia that has worked Following King Salman’s ascension Prior to accompanying Putin to from serious negotiations to fields in Shabwa in southern over the past two years on produc- to the throne in January 2015, the Riyadh, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said participate in Russian gas producer Yemen to a terminal on the tion cuts to support crude prices. Saudi government showed an the Saudi government had commit- Novatek’s Arctic liquefied natural gas Arabian Sea for export abroad, a Riyadh has borne the greatest eagerness to cultivate closer ties with ted to signing $2 billion worth of project, reportedly displeased with company official said. output cuts as part of the deal while Putin, as exemplified by then Deputy deals with the RDIF involving Saudi the deal’s financial terms and Safer, owned by the interna- Moscow has proved inconsistent in Crown Prince and Defence Minister investment in Russia’s agricultural concerned about the risk of potential tionally recognised government its production restraint but the Mohammed meeting the Russian and petrochemical sectors. Signalling US sanctions. In 2016, Russian oil of Yemen, is pumping 5,000 bar- Saudis have needed Russia on leader in St. Petersburg in June of its intent to pursue Saudi investment major, Lukoil, pulled out of Luksar rels per day and said it expects board to secure greater cooperation that year. opportunities, the RDIF opened an — a joint venture with Saudi Aramco to ramp up pipeline throughput from outside of OPEC. Shortly thereafter, it was office in Riyadh, its first outside of in which it had an 80% stake — citing to 15,000 barrels per day, the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that the Russian Russia. financial pressures. official said. Al Saud and Crown Prince Moham- sovereign wealth fund, the Russian A forum that pulled together 300 med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz see Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), and Russian and Saudi CEOs was Jareer Elass reports from (Reuters) the benefit of playing Moscow off the kingdom’s sovereign wealth scheduled to coincide with Putin’s Washington on energy issues for against Washington as the kingdom fund, the Public Investment Fund visit, during which the Russian The Arab Weekly. October 20, 2019 19 Economy Egypt turns to Emirati model for better management of industrial zones

25th out of 141 countries worldwide. Mohamed Hammad Egypt was 92nd. Cairo has established specialised Cairo industrial cities but they suffer be- cause of the usual bureaucracy. The he Egyptian Industrial Devel- most important of the cities are in opment Authority recently Damietta on the Mediterranean Sea, signed a cooperation agree- dedicated to the furniture industry; T ment with the Industrial De- the industrial zone in Mirghem, Al- velopment Company, owned by the exandria, dedicated to plastics; in At- Emirati Industrial Development Au- fih, Giza governorate, specialising in thority and the Emirates Foundation construction materials; a fourth city for the Management of Industrial dedicated to textiles in Minya gover- Projects and Logistics. norate; one in Rubiky in Cairo, dedi- The Emirati company is to manage cated to leather goods. Egyptian industrial zones and com- The agreement covers the crea- plexes and integrate their services and tion, development, management, logistical activities while enhancing operation, maintenance, exploita- sustainability as well as establishing a tion, improvement and marketing of system for recycling industrial waste. industrial zones, provision of needed Cairo is hoping to develop 22 spe- service activities in industrial zones, cialised industrial zones for small as well as provision of accreditation, and medium enterprises, which re- inspection, evaluation and follow-up quire special care in the performance services for industrial facilities, logis- of government administration, away tics and technical studies related to from bureaucracy. industrial activities. Egypt needs the United Arab Emir- ates’ experience to shorten licensing Major hurdles. A worker is seen at a company for engineering industries in Cairo. (Reuters) procedures and solve problems that There are placed Cairo low in a business climate ranking. In last year’s report, Egypt Said on the Mediterranean coast. ised through bulk purchasing to grow. industry. The system includes adopt- ranked 128th out of 190 countries. Alaa Al-Saqati, a Badr Investors As- Factories in Egyptian industrial ing clean production processes and more than The report gave Cairo a bad rating on sociation board member, said: “The zones often operate in isolation, mechanisms within the same com- 121 industrial zones property registration and a score of 7 UAE has been ahead of [Egypt] in which weakens their competitive- plex to reduce waste and water con- out of 30 points in the Land Manage- the management of industrial zones ness. Applying the United Arab Emir- sumption. in Egypt, which all ment Quality Index. Cairo was penal- through modern systems that have ates’ integrated model in managing There are more than 121 industrial face issues that have ised for slow registration procedures, changed the face of the industrial industrial zones is expected to en- zones in Egypt, which all face issues which can take up to 75 days to be map in the region.” hance competitiveness of Egyptian that have become major hurdles for become major hurdles completed. He said managing the zones is not industry. investment. They also suffer from a for investment. These indicators underscore the ur- easy because it involves providing There is the problem of industrial lack of visibility and poor information gent need to address the bureaucratic services and logistics for purchasing waste. With the Egyptian-UAE agree- for investors, despite the creation of “The UAE model is unique in the nightmare by making the registration raw materials and the collection of ment, the issue is addressed through a unified industrial investment map. Middle East in the management of procedure online and fully digitising waste and recycling. a system of recycling solid waste. The An integrated system of industrial projects, complexes and industrial services provided to investors. The The United Arab Emirates is imple- World Bank estimated Egypt’s losses zones would open new prospects zones and we want to reinforce our only service available online is regis- menting a system of bulk purchas- because of non-recycling and utili- for coordination and cooperation plans to expand these activities,” said tration of new companies. The United ing of raw materials, which gives it sation of waste at about $5.7 billion, between factories across Egypt, im- Magdy Ghazi, Industrial Develop- Arab Emirates’ experience in the re- leverage in negotiating prices and al- about 1.5% of the country’s GDP. proving on the current random sys- ment Authority chairman. gion in this area is legend. lows savings that can be passed on to The Egyptian-UAE agreement in- tem of production and importing raw The Egyptian move coincides with The first phase of working with the customers. Such a method is ideal for cludes implementation of a system materials that may be available in the announcement by the World Eco- United Arab Emirates includes indus- small businesses because they usu- for management of industrial waste Egypt. nomic Forum of the index of compet- trial zones in Badr in eastern Cairo, ally can’t get competitive prices by in the complexes by making recycled itiveness. The United Arab Emirates Sadat City in the province of Menou- making individual purchases. Small materials from one industry available Mohamed Hammad is an Egyptian ranked first in the Arab world and fia, Mirghem in Alexandria and Port businesses can use the savings real- as raw materials to another type of writer. Tunisia’s 2020 budget reflects pressures on economy

Sana Adouni does not hide fears that, given slow- policy of forging ahead,” said econo- being officially approved. Salaries represent 14% of GDP this er than expected economic growth, mist Mongi Mkaddem, adding the Tunisian Finance Minister Ridha year, which, analysts said, would be higher wages and other issues, the budget increase “is unreasonable Chalghoum said the government’s a heavy burden on struggling public Tunis government will end up relying on given the weak growth potential and main concern was to reduce external finances. Rajhi said that about $1.9 cosmetic stop-gap solutions, ana- slowing economic activity.” debt that had reached 70% of GDP, billion was set aside for subsidies; hrough its recently ratified lysts said. Mkaddem said 40% of the budget which analysts consider a major a little more than $2 billion was al- budget, the Tunisian govern- The new budget is about 15.7% was earmarked for wages and about threat to the country’s economy. located for development and about ment is trying to send reas- higher than the 2019 budget of about 22% was meant for debt payments, The budget deficit rate was 6.1% $4.2 billion to service debts. T suring messages as to its abil- $14.5 billion. A bigger budget means which means it is far from being in 2017 and was 4.8% last year. Al- The estimates are subject to the ity to address the country’s financial more spending. an “austerity” budget. He also said though in the last five budgets each effects of expected major political imbalances despite uncertainties The main objective of next year’s budget items were not based on cor- increased, overall economic growth changes in Tunisia following legisla- created by its electoral process. budget is to reduce the deficit to be rect estimates and do not open new rates have not kept pace, raising tive and presidential elections. The The 2020 budget of about 47 bil- able to control public debt, which horizons for development. fears of financial difficulties ahead. future government may not share the lion Tunisian dinars ($17 billion) is has reached record levels. He said he expected heated de- The government targeted a growth visions of the current government. the largest in Tunisia’s history but it Tunisia’s budget “embodies the bate in parliament before the budget rate of about 2% during the next year. Tunisians are awaiting the out- come of a visit by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Tunisia. 40% Based on its follow-up on the re- forms implemented, the IMF should be releasing the sixth instalment of of the budget is a $2.9 billion loan agreed to in May 2016. earmarked for wages The minister in charge of the ma- and about 22% is jor reforms, Taoufik Rajhi, said in a statement quoted by the official TAP meant for debt news agency that the IMF is expect- payments. ed to disburse a $450 million tranche to complete the five previous instal- ments of about $1.8 billion. The government is going to have The challenges in the next budg- to borrow $1 billion from the do- et are not limited to deficits and mestic market and $3 billion from foreign debts but also to the rise the foreign market through funding in the wage mass, which amounts from international financial institu- to $7 billion after the govern- tions, which provide soft loans with ment signed agreements with the interest rates of up to 2%. Tunisian General Labour Union, the “Tunisia needs foreign funding largest trade union in the country, to of about $2.96 billion and intends increase public sector wages. to launch euro-denominated bonds The size of wages in successive next year,” a senior government offi- state budgets since the 2011 uprising cial told Reuters. has increased significantly because of expansive hiring in the public sec- Sana Adouni is a Tunisian Slow recovery. Containers at a port terminal in Bizerte. (Reuters) tor. journalist. 20 October 20, 2019 Society Moroccan journalist released but debate over women rights continues to escalate

Saad Guerraoui Heba Morayef, Amnesty Inter- national’s Middle East and North Africa director, hailed the pardon, Casablanca saying: “Hajar Raissouni’s release comes as a huge relief and is un- he battle between conserva- doubtedly a cause for celebration tive and liberal politicians for her and her family but the fact over individual rights in remains that she and the four others T Morocco heated up follow- involved in this case should never ing the conviction and sentencing have been detained or convicted in of journalist Hajar Raissouni to one the first place. year in prison on charges of having “A royal pardon does not erase had an “illegal abortion” and sexual the grave injustice they have suf- relations outside marriage. fered. Their convictions should be Raissouni, 28, was sentenced Sep- quashed and their records cleared.” tember 30 to one year in jail despite Moroccan opposition MP Omar denying having an abortion. She said Balafrej, from the Federation of the she had been forced into a medical Democratic Left, called in a podcast examination without her consent. for the removal of penal code Arti- Prosecutors insisted she had been cles 489, 490 and 491, which crimi- seen by a medic and showed signs of nalise homosexuality, sex outside pregnancy and of having undergone marriage and adultery. a “late voluntary abortion.” Balafrej said he would table his She was sentenced under a Mo- party’s proposed bill to change the roccan law that deems sexual rela- articles, which he said undermine tions out of wedlock illegal and for- Morocco’s efforts to promote indi- bids abortions unless the mother’s vidual freedoms. life is in danger. The deadline of tabling the amendments proposed by mem- bers of the Committee of Justice and Moroccan opposition MP Legislation was extended to allow Omar Balafrej called for the majority groups to agree on them. removal of penal code However, only the Party of Progress End of a nightmare. Moroccan journalist Hajar Raissouni (R) is greeted after leaving a prison in Sale Articles 489, 490 and 491, and Socialism was vocal about the near Rabat, October 16. (AFP) which criminalise issue. homosexuality, sex outside “The revision must embody the marriage and adultery. principles of human rights as they He said he considered Balafrej’s involvement of the National Council ation makes it easier for people who are internationally recognised and proposal “an invitation to peder- for Human Rights, the Ministry of Is- call for change to be targeted by con- Hundreds of activists and jour- consolidate individual and collec- asty” and to “spread debauchery on lamic Affairs, the Ministry of Justice servatives,” he said. nalists protested October 2 in front tive freedoms and gender equality,” Earth.” and the Supreme Scientific Council. Aziz said the bill was taking so of the parliament building in Rabat said the party, which quit the coali- Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Abdessalam al-Aziz, secretary- much time in parliament that it was seeking Hajar’s release. tion government October 1. Eddine El Othmani, who has taken general of the National Ittihadi Con- stalling Morocco’s progress on hu- Raissouni was freed October 16 af- The claim sparked Islamists’ out- a public stance against any amend- gress, said all leftist parties and cur- man rights. ter being granted a royal pardon. The cry and conservative politicians’ ment to abortion laws, was critical rents were for individual freedoms. “Illegal abortion is a very sensitive convictions against her fiance, gy- criticism. of Balafrej during a speech to his “There are apparently some pow- issue in our society and can have naecologist, anaesthetist and a med- Salafist preacher Aissam al-Bashir Islamist Justice and Development ers that are hindering the discussion grave consequences on families. ical assistant were also overturned. al-Marrekchi slammed Balafrej’s party September 29. of the amendments of some articles Wealthy Moroccans can go abroad The Justice Ministry said Moroc- recommendations on Facebook, “Some seize every opportunity of the penal code because of the and do it but what about women can King Mohammed VI wanted to urging Muslims to sound the alarm. to target the religious constants,” sensitivity of the issue,” said Aziz. from a poor background?” he asked. preserve the future of the couple, “Your Islam, your treasure, is in Othmani told news site Al3omk. “The real problem is that laws are “who wanted to establish a family in danger and these people have the He said a committee set up by issued without a national debate Saad Guerraoui is a contributor line with our religious and legal pre- plan to ruin it, stone by stone, so that Moroccan King Mohammed VI re- which transcends politicians and to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb cepts despite the error they made.” nothing remains,” Marrekchi warned. solved the issue of abortion after the parliament because the current situ- issues. Viewpoint Gulf ‘feminism’ hampered by conservative mindsets

sensibilities of deeply conservative basic feminist concepts of the females possessing a significant consecrate social contempt for societies, adding to the already second wave. amount of feminist awareness. women, to be passed on from Omar heavy burden of changing and The beginnings of the feminist Sociologist Fawzia Abu Khaled generation to generation? Let’s not Ali al-Badawi modernising society. movement in the Arabian Gulf said the term feminism is being even mention the issue of inherit- Feminism began as a political and began in the early 1940s in Kuwait, subjected to demonisation, even ance in the family code, unfair social movement at the end of the followed by Bahrain and spread to from some of those who had employment opportunities and he term “feminism” is 19th and early 20th centuries. The Saudi Arabia. benefited from it or from some of its other inequalities. What have the becoming a frequent first organised call for women’s Speaking of feminism as an old known figures, which is very feminists done to fight rampant reference in the Gulf rights in the United States, shortly global movement, Saudi scholar unfortunate. In any case, the social domestic violence, the victims of social movement. It is, before Britain, began with the Waheed al-Ghamdi asserted that the climate is impervious to human which are mostly women?” however, a rather Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. movement was essentially a rights concepts and terminologies Women in the Gulf are subjected confused concept This was called the first era of historical reaction to male domina- and that keeps feminist concepts to practices that limit their choices Tassociated with women’s rights feminism and it had a simple aim of tion that was prevalent at the time, vulnerable to doubt and question- and waste many years of their lives, activists who are seeking to improve enacting laws to give women their in which men monopolised all ing. practically reducing them to women’s conditions in society and legitimate rights. In 1920, the privileges — whether legal or moral. There is still an awareness sub-citizens. They are entitled to provide them with dignity and movement’s struggle culminated in It was natural that this male vacuum about women’s rights and rights and laws to protect them from empowerment. the 19th Amendment to the US hegemony would produce some this has resulted in “blind” hostility abuse, violence and repression and Both concept and activists are Constitution, which granted women form of revolution and rebellion, to feminism. This situation is made to have a balanced and responsible met with resistance from the the right to vote. which evolved into the feminist much worse by the astonishing gap voice in all affairs. predominantly conservative Gulf The second feminist era began in movement. in the educational curriculum about Ghamdi said: “You can’t stop societies and are dismissed as part 1964 and it focused on broader The feminist movements in Saudi the topic and by daily behaviour history. I’ve said it many times of a cunning and evil stratagem issues, such as sexism, reproductive Arabia and the Gulf are not very towards women, including the before that there will be a spike in aimed at shaking their stability and rights and domestic violence. It different, in essence, from the attitude of many women towards divorce rates. The price in any as an aggressive foreign attempt to lasted until the early 1990s and global movement. In some areas themselves and their attitude society where human rights and strike at society’s identity and achieved many legislative victories where male privileges remained towards other women in which cultural norms in the distribution of foundational values. for women. strong and immutable, a set of there is a lack of respect to the human status are biased and Campaigns calling for the In the early 1990s, the third era reformist ideas attracted a new vision of women as reasonable and discriminatory will be paid by improvement of women’s condi- arose under the influence of generation of females who lived fully qualified adults. future generations and in the form tions in the Arab reality are justified. postmodernism by correcting during the height of the male-domi- Writer Raeda al-Sabe denied the of massive collapses of the family Arab women are experiencing one of feminist conditions. In this context, nated educational period, which existence of a real feminist move- institution.” their best eras in terms of prosperity, the third wave posed a challenge gave even a very young male control ment in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, There isn’t a conceivable solution freedom from the shackles of the from the point of redefining the over the fate of his elder sister or pointing out there are women who to this dilemma but systems and past and participation in economic even his mother. are opposed to lifting the discrimi- laws can be modernised to intro- and social development despite In the current situation, the nation against them by sheer force duce gender equity in legislation social constraints. Many Arab biggest priority is to come up with a of habit. and regulate relationships between women are found in senior positions feasible conception of the future “If there is a real feminist the sexes. and are attaining global scientific There is an shape of the relationship between movement, it is certainly not doing a There must be an immediate achievements. awareness vacuum the sexes amid the complexities of good job against the ‘objectification’ correction of educational curricula Despite the good intentions conflicting interactions between of women and against portraying to redefine society’s awareness of involved in building lobbying about women’s two consciousness and cultures: the them in artistic productions as the status of women in accordance groups behind slogans such as rights and this has consciousness of the majority of the frivolous and naive and totally with a contemporary human rights feminism and others, the fact resulted in “blind” males who grew up within the devoted to males in a real brain- understanding. remains that the militant character realities of gender discrimination washing operation,” Sabe said. of the activities tends to confuse hostility to and the consciousness of a new and “Where are feminist studies in the Omar Ali al-Badawi is a Saudi serious reform plans by provoking feminism. overwhelming generation of school curricula, curricula that journalist. October 20, 2019 21 Society Critics say Egypt’s sub-par education system serves to entrench social inequalities

Marc Espanol The first day of classes this term, the ceiling of a school in the north- ern governorate of Monufia col- Cairo lapsed. At the end of September, educational supervisors were called bout 23 million students to teach to cope with the shortage of started attending classes at public school teachers. the beginning of a new aca- Some of the problems derive from A demic year at the 55,000 outdated curricula and a highly schools across Egypt. An annual centralised system in the hands of opening ceremony brought prom- the Ministry of Education, which ises of education system reform. leaves little autonomy to teachers, State-provided schooling in Egypt and poor teaching quality, caused faces entrenched structural prob- by a lack of adequate training at the lems as reflected by it being ranked teachers’ disposal and their low — 130th out of 137 countries by the and falling — salaries, as well as a World Bank in 2017, though with a method of teaching. rising trend since 2013. A factor limiting the public educa- UNESCO said more than half of the tion system in Egypt is the educa- Egyptian students don’t meet the tion budget, which has been falling benchmark in international learning as a percentage of the GDP. Alloca- assessments, a gap that carries great tions assigned in the previous fiscal socio-economic consequences for year amounted to some $260 per the country. student, a reduction from the $300 “Education is a long-term invest- per student allowed in 2011, data ment when it comes to social-cul- from the Tahrir Institute for Middle tural and economic development,” East Policy indicated. said Hana Yoshimoto, chief of edu- A main consequence of the poor cation at UNICEF Egypt. quality of the state education sys- tem is the reinforcement of eco- nomic and social inequalities, given Those who can attend that alternatives in the private sec- private schools are more tor are only available to those who Up against the wall. The courtyard of the Mahaba school in Ezbet al-Nakhl with a wall separating it qualified and are in an can afford them. In 2014, a report from the shanty town in which it was built in Cairo. (AFP) advantageous position to by the official statistical agency of meet the demands of the job Egypt stated that 42% of the aver- market compared to the age expenditure on education of an schools, which have more auton- them to study and learn, don’t get something, whether it is interest- students from the lower Egyptian family was allocated to pri- omy and better facilities, are more enough influence on cognitive de- ing for them or not and whether it classes. vate tutoring to compensate for the qualified and are in an advanta- velopment from their parents, need matches their development or not,” deficits of the public system. geous position to meet the demands to work or help with the household noted Safia Trabelsi, the founder and “There is sufficient evidence that This means that what is con- of the job market compared to the chores, tend to go to schools with head of the Nile River Montessori poor quality of education reduces ceived as free education, with fee students from the lower classes. low performing teachers, cannot af- school, the first of its kind in Egypt. lifetime incomes,” she added, and not exceeding 190 Egyptian pounds “Research has shown that youths ford going to good quality schools Montessori schools use a child- “there is mounting evidence that ($11.65) at any stage of education in from the highest wealth quintile that cater the learning based on centred method of education that the quality of human resources, as the current school year, leaves chil- in urban areas are more than nine individual children’s needs, need adapts to the level of growth and measured by test scores, is directly dren from poorer background at a times more likely to gain access to to drop out of schools [or] need to development of the child, she said. related to individual earnings, pro- disadvantage. higher education than youths from work instead of pursuing higher ed- “Education reforms in Egypt, as ductivity and economic growth.” “Low-quality education dispro- the lowest wealth quintile in rural ucation,” she said. well as in other countries, should One of the main deficiencies of portionately impacts those with Egypt,” Trines said. Considering the low quality of the absolutely pay special attention to Egypt’s education system are strains fewer economic resources,” said Yoshimoto pointed out that chil- state-provided education and its ef- the socio-economic dimension of on the schools’ infrastructure be- Stefan Trines, research editor at the dren from rich families are not af- fect on children from more disad- the challenge, looking in particu- cause of the rapid increase in the World Education Services. “Chil- fected by the quality of education vantaged backgrounds, alternatives lar at participation and attainment number of students and the short- dren from more affluent households and said the list of the grievances have emerged in Egypt that propose rates of impoverished children in ru- fall of investment required to cope may be able to circumvent problems faced by those coming from poor new methods to achieve different ral regions, where educational qual- with it. This leads to overcrowd- in the public-school system by en- backgrounds were long. results. ity often lags,” Trines said. ing and lack of adequate facilities. rolling in private schools or compen- “Children from poor families of- “In the conventional [education] About 20% of school buildings are sating with private tutoring.” ten cannot afford the textbooks and system, you bring together a group Marc Espanol is a Catalan unfit for use, UNESCO said. Those who can attend private learning materials necessary for of children and try to teach them journalist in Egypt. Record high unemployment fuels social protests in Algeria

Saber Blidi versity graduates join the ranks of Unemployment and the failure of the unemployed each year but the government’s policies were among majority of recent graduates rarely factors that triggered massive street Algiers find work because of the lack of in- protests against the Bouteflika re- tegration between higher education gime. The unemployed have served conomic experts said they institutions and the labour market as a reservoir for the political pro- expect unemployment indi- and because of the lack of job op- tests that have taken place for eight cators in Algeria to reach un- portunities due to shrinking public months. E precedented levels because investment. of a decline in government and pri- The civil service sector remains vate investment. one of the largest employers in Al- Algeria’s economy is in recession, geria but the economic crisis since More than which will have social and politi- the summer of 2014 prevented the cal repercussions, because unem- creation of jobs in government de- ployment is a major issue fuelling spite the need for more personnel 3,000 protests that have been raging for in management, education, health months. and various other public services. enterprises declared Analysts said to keep the official The independent trade union bankruptcy and about unemployment rate of 12% from bloc, which initiated several strikes 100,000 workers were laid getting worse, the Algerian econo- in the civil service, called on the off because of the stoppage my needs a GDP growth rate of no government to revise retirement less than 7%. Since such a rate is laws to free up positions for young of public investment in Tough times. Young unemployed men sit at a hair salon in Algiers. seemingly impossible to achieve in workers, especially university grad- housing and infrastructure (AFP) the current situation, the country is uates. The government, however, projects. expected to experience record un- says the sector is overstaffed and employment for some time. Recent data indicate the recession become more vocal about the lack that extending the retirement age Prior to 2015, the unemployment has severely affected the construc- of transparency and intricacies of would enable the social security Slogans brandished during dem- rate was less than 10% but is now tion and public works sectors, in the hiring process. funds to better control their finan- onstrations in Algiers on social me- 12% overall and 25% among univer- which more than 3,000 enterprises Because of declining oil revenues cial balances. dia reflect the gap between the au- sity graduates. declared bankruptcy and about and rampant corruption, Algerian Employees at enterprises owned thorities and the unemployed. Because of the economic reces- 100,000 workers were laid off be- authorities were able to balance by former regime supporters threat- Despite the social nature of the sion created by eight months of cause of the stoppage of public in- social peace and political stability. ened strikes to protest government state in Algeria, where the govern- political unrest, hundreds of state vestment in housing and infrastruc- Allowing easy bank loans for the measures that led to the imprison- ment allocates about $15 billion an- and private enterprises have laid ture projects. creation of microenterprises, with- ment of dozens of businessmen on nually, either in the form of subsi- off thousands of employees. Layoffs Unemployment in Algeria has out planning or follow up, led to the charges of corruption and to placing dies or social aid or financial aid for are expected to continue despite been one of the biggest social chal- failure of many of those start-ups, their businesses in a precautionary some types of employment, admin- reassurances by the caretaker gov- lenges that successive governments mostly owned by young people who seizure. Because of new restrictions istrative mechanisms and relevant ernment to employees of compa- had to grapple with. It is behind the were then both unemployed and in on importing raw materials, many laws have failed to produce results nies owned by businessmen loyal protests in recent years, especially legal trouble because they are un- of the businesses stopped produc- to defuse the unemployment bomb. to the regime of former President in southern Algeria and the remote able to repay loans. tion and their employees have not Abdelaziz Bouteflika. interior provinces. Protesters have Tens of thousands of fresh uni- been paid. Saber Blidi is an Algerian writer. 22 October 20, 2019 Culture Tunisia’s Dream City puts art back in public life

Roua Khlifi of reflection for artists to be able to accommodate more shows,” Sofiane Ouissi explained. “The work of the Tunis festival is a chart and a currency. It also seeks to promote the idea of hile two landmark elec- working with citizens and to impli- tions took place in Tuni- cate them in the shows. sia, Tunis’s Dream City “The artist usually constrains W festival provided an es- himself or herself to the work of art cape from politics. but the festival seeks to change and The biannual arts event in Tu- shake this idea. The artists don’t lim- nis’s old city featured multidiscipli- it their shows to the creative force nary shows throughout the medina, but rather incorporate ways to have bringing cultural life into urban the art open to the public.” space. Dream City is unique in that its shows are collaborations between Two dozen artists from 16 established artists and city resi- countries created 15 dents, including unemployed young people, historians and students presentations and some 240 committed to bringing out the spirit performers put on eight of the medina. shows at Dream City. “For most of the creations, the art- ists have a free card for their projects “The festival aims to democratise but also to find collaborators and contemporary art and, especially, participants in Tunis. These collabo- to dominate the public space that rators are young Tunisians who par- is also a political space. One cannot ticipate with our guests in the Medi- speak of an artist without speaking na as it is a space that could be open of the context of the artistic work,” for larger projects. In this sense, we said Sofiane Ouissi, a festival found- invite artists to explore the place, er. “It is about making public space to move around and to work with more open and making art open for people in this space,” playwright Jan the public and even getting in con- Goossens explained. tact with art on a daily basis. Two dozen artists from 16 coun- “It is a collective effort that seeks tries created 15 presentations and to answer questions at the heart of some 240 performers put on eight Broadening perspectives. Young dancers perform near the Old Medina of Tunis. (Dream City) the social, political and artistic de- shows at Dream City. The shows took bate and to make citizens collabora- place in 24 locations in the medina, tors. The community as well as the some centring on historical land- Gnaoui said the endeavour was an of the place by holding a memorial prison. It is through their eyes that I artists are involved in making the marks. Other shows were in parking important way to document Tuni- inside the place but it was not pos- recreated their memory of the pris- public space an artistic platform and lots and abandoned theatres. sia’s history and commemorate its sible. on.” to connect the citizen to its artistic Lebanese artist Tania el-Khoury’s painful chapters. “After its demolition, the prison Dream City included workshops and socio-political context.” “Gardens Speak,” dwelled on the of 9 avril almost got erased from focused on political, social and cul- Founded in 2007, the cultural memories of Syrian activists and memory. It has an important histori- tural issues. show is an opportunity to appreciate victims. Serge-Aime Coulibaly, from The biannual arts event in cal value but little exists regarding “How can we live without art?” new art and discover hidden corners Burkina Faso, explored the stories Tunis’s old city featured the issue. The idea is to restore the asked Salma Samoud, a student at a of the medina. Participants are given of 15 young men through moving multidisciplinary shows memory as part of making peace workshop. “We cannot. Art helps ad- a map of downtown Tunis pinpoint- choreography staged on a medina throughout the medina, with the history.” dress many issues, protest and voice ing locations of shows rooftop. bringing cultural life into He added: “There are things that our concerns… Artists and creators The festival also aims to push back In Tunisian artist Malek Gnaoui’s urban space. we were able to see and other things are essential in planning, vitalising against censorship and recentre art installation, “0904,” an artistic mu- we can only hear about and the idea and animating the social spaces.” in public life, said event founders seum featured archives of prisoners “No one knows the story or his- was to recreate the most authentic Sofiane and Selma Ouissi. in Tunis’ infamous “9 avril” prison. tory or the people who were there in vision of the prison. During work- Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel “We seek to broaden the perspec- It was displayed in the form of a li- the deserted prison,” Gnaoui said. “I shops, I met these prisoners whose and Culture contributor to tives of artists to enlarge the space brary. wanted to recreate the architecture stories made up the literature of the The Arab Weekly. Beirut festival rebuilds bridges with contemporary Iraqi art

Samar Kadi carefully selected in order to be “Son of Babylon,” a feature- neutral and not insinuate any po- length film directed by Iraqi-Dutch litical connotations,” Salah said. Mohamed al-Daradji tells the story Beirut The shows featured artists us- of Ahmed, a young boy accompa- ing contemporary art media such nying his grandmother in her quest he art scene in Iraq and in as installations, multimedia and to find her missing son, Ahmed’s the diaspora was highlight- video arts. father. From the mountains of ed with a dedicated festi- Kurdistan to the sands of Babylon, val showcasing a variety of they hitch rides from strangers and T The 6-day festival featured a artwork and multimedia produc- cross paths with fellow pilgrims. tions by established and emerging series of cultural events, The plight of Yazidi women en- artists after the US-led invasion of including short and feature slaved by ISIS jihadists is stressed Iraq. film screenings, art in the short film “Sabyea” (“Slave”) Organised by Rosa Luxemburg installations, poetry by Dhyaa Joda through the story of Stiftung in partnership with Dar readings and music the protagonist who prefers to die El-Nimer for Arts and Culture, sessions. with honour than live as a slave. “Iraqisms” was designed to rebuild “Wounded Soul,” an installation cultural bridges between Iraq and “Iraqi art is not only about paint- by Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, featured the region that have been broken ings and sculptures, it is about con- a bruised horse spiked with arrows since 2003, said festival curator temporary arts as well. It shows and surrounded by 450 white lilies. Rasha Salah. that contemporary arts have “The work I am presenting is re- “‘Iraqisms’ is about Beirut’s cele- reached Arab countries, including lated to the assassination of 450 bration of Baghdad on behalf of all those plagued with wars and occu- Iraqi scientists and academics af- the (Arab) cities,” Salah said. “We pation,” Salah said. ter 2003,” Azzawi said. “The horse have missed Iraqi art. The country Documentaries and short and represents an essential element in has been absent from the cultural long films covered the realities traditional narratives. It embodies radar for a long time but I know from the missing of war to the mi- the destruction caused by strife that art is being produced despite grants, the plight of the Yazidi mi- and the loss of thousands of inno- wars and conflicts. That’s why I nority at the hands of the Islamic cent Iraqis to absurd wars which Between dream and reality. “Dress Code,” a video installation by decided to cover the period from State (ISIS) and the survival of dragged the country to occupa- Mahmoud Obaidi. (Dar El-Nemr) 2003 until today.” those who chose to stay in Iraq. tion, casualties and battles.” The 6-day festival featured a se- “Survivors of Firdos Square,” a Iraqi artists in the diaspora, such ries of cultural events, including short film by director Adel Khaled, as Adel Abidin, addressed the life with Iraqi poet and novelist Sinan country, even if they are part of the short and feature film screenings, recounts the story of two artists — of the migrants or so-called “new Antoon and a listening session diaspora,” Salah said. art installations, poetry readings Bassem, a sculptor and Adel, a di- refugees” in his short film “Crazy coupled with a historical overview “Our (Arab) peoples have be- and music sessions. rector — who struggle in Baghdad Days.” It is about an Iraqi immi- of Iraqi music from the 20th cen- come mere numbers of dead, “It is a cocktail of cultural pro- as a result of the US-led occupa- grant man living in Finland, who is tury until today presented by Iraqi missing or displaced in news bul- ductions that gives an overview of tion. They depart for Damascus, neither physically nor mentally in- music critic Samer Almashall. Ex- letins. ‘Iraqisms ‘ is very important cultural life there. I regret not be- where they went their separate tegrated in the Finnish society. He cerpts of musical genres from dif- because it reminds us that we are ing able to show performance art ways. Bassem returns to Baghdad gets his own attitude reinforced by ferent Iraqi regions were played. humans who can produce art. It is like theatre and dance but I tried and dies in mysterious circum- constantly being approached as an “Each artist shows through his a space to celebrate Iraqi creativity, as much as possible to include di- stances, while Adel arrives in Eu- outsider by Finns. own art how he or she relates to his hosted by Beirut, the sister (city) of verse artistic mediums that were rope. The event included encounters country and to the realities in his Baghdad.” October 20, 2019 23 Culture UAE publishes the largest Arab thesaurus of cultural heritage

Mohamad al-Hamamsi number. Information about the item can then be added to the digital da- tabase. An encyclopaedia contains Abu Dhabi scientific information directly under its alphabetical classification. ublished in three volumes by Jad said that without the right the Sharjah Institute for Her- methodological tools for document- itage, the “Intangible Cul- ing, preserving and retrieving the P tural Heritage Thesaurus,” thousands of elements of Arab pop- dedicated to folkloric heritage in the ular culture, the task of identifying, Arab world, is the result of years of analysing and interpreting details work by Mustafa Jad. More than 150 and relationships underlying those A dream come true. Egyptian professor of documentation and expert in popular heritage Mustafa Jad. specialists in heritage, anthropology elements would be very difficult. (Al Arab) and the arts in the Arab world have For example, wedding traditions reviewed the thesaurus. are linked chronologically and ver- “The story of the thesaurus is an tically to those of the engagement three revision and authentication the intangible cultural heritage in have been distributed in the thesau- example of Arab will to realise a ceremony, the dowry, the offering of workshops but the attendance was the Arab world there are millions rus by the nature of each of seven dream that we have waited for more jewellery to the bride, the wedding nevertheless beyond what we have of scattered heritage materials that classified sections, putting the num- than half a century until we were night, et cetera. They are also con- envisioned. Many Arab specialists have not been collected and organ- ber of descriptions in the thesaurus able to complete this achievement,” nected to other folkloric elements, just showed up,” Jad said. ised in a systematic framework. at 21,460. said Jad, of Egypt’s Higher Institute such as wedding music and songs, He pointed out that the thematic Jad said most Arab institutions of Folk Arts. “In fact, for the past 20 evil-warding beliefs, display arts, classification in the “Intangible Cul- possess archives of Arab popular years, I did not let go of the idea of wedding folk dances, ornamental tural Heritage Thesaurus,” has been More than 150 specialists in heritage. These are often stored on preserving our Arab folkloric herit- arts and ornaments for the bride. linked to specialised fields includ- heritage, anthropology and tapes, CD-ROM, pictures or film and age.” These items may intersect in oth- ing: general heritage topics; knowl- the arts in the Arab world there often are individual digital He explained that the function and er ways and with other items. There edge and practices related to nature have reviewed the databases. However, there is no en- concept of “thesaurus” as a docu- can be similarities and differences and the universe (popular beliefs thesaurus. compassing Arab archive that can be mentation tool is different from that among different locations for the and knowledge); social practices, rit- consulted electronically on a global of an “encyclopaedia.” The thesau- same item. There are countless cul- uals and celebrations (folk customs This intellectual production of level. rus is an organisation tool providing tural variations of the element relat- and traditions); forms of oral expres- Arab intangible cultural heritage has The Arab thesaurus project is a the digital database with material for ed to its geographical path location. sion (folk literature); arts and perfor- been reflected in the size of the the- milestone in the collection of herit- easy retrieval in its video, audio and The factor of time also intervenes mance traditions (folk performing saurus. The thesaurus pages reflect age elements in Arab institutions text formats. and some elements of popular cul- arts); folk plastic arts; and skills as- the multiple and complex hierarchi- and will be made available to all. It The paper version of the thesau- ture have been around for centu- sociated with traditional crafts. cal classifications of items and their is a dream about to be realised with rus is arranged thematically in one ries while others have disappeared Jad said preparation of any the- interrelationships. In addition, the the publication of this thesaurus volume and alphabetically in a sec- from the collective memory. Others saurus is related to the size of in- great geographical diversity within that has been authenticated and ond for easy referencing and finding evolved or were transformed and tellectual production in the area. and between each Arab country has adopted by Arab experts in cultural classification numbers of the item to acquired other functions, continu- Hence deciding on the sections and produced 12,330 descriptors used heritage, anthropology and infor- be documented. ing to exist in new forms. subsections, descriptors and the hi- and 9,130 descriptors not used. mation technology. The thematic thesaurus can be “It wouldn’t have been possible erarchical and cross-sectional rela- The alphabetical section of the used to find the thematic classifi- to invite all Arab intangible herit- tions varies. thesaurus contains all used and un- Mohamad al-Hamamsi is an cation of an item and its reference age specialists to participate in the In the intellectual production in used thesaurus descriptors. These Egyptian writer. Cookbooks that offer more than kitchen recipes

Karen Dabrowska from generation to generation. descended from heaven with an When she started writing in the olive tree and presented it to Adam 1960s people despised the idea of and told him to plant it, to pick the London food from the Arab world. “They fruit, to extract the oil and use it would ask me is it eyeballs and whenever he had pain, assuring he New Book of Middle testicles? But we have such a rich him it would cure all ills.” Eastern Food” and “Zai- culture. I had to challenge miscon- Speaking about food and identi- “ toun: Recipes and Sto- ceptions and stereotypes,” Roden ty, Roden said people tend to stick Tries from the Palestinian said. to their own food. “They want to Kitchen” by Claudia Roden and Khan, of Pakistani-Iranian ori- cook what their mothers cooked. Yasmin Khan, respectively, pro- gin, was an activist whose work There is a very strong identity of vide a penetrating insight into the took her to Israel and the West place. Even one pickle that is spe- culture and conflicts of the Middle Bank in 2009 while working for a cial makes you feel you belong East in addition to a varied selec- British human rights charity. “It somewhere. As a Jewish food writ- tion of recipes. wasn’t the easiest of trips,” she er, going into the Arab and Muslim Both books have a strong, per- recalls in the introduction to her world opens doors. I was in Baal- sonal dimension, are meticulously book. “Nothing prepares you for bek in Lebanon where I went to a researched and take advantage seeing the physical apparatus of wedding and people were asking of the authors having developed the Israeli occupation of the West questions about food with broad numerous contacts in the Middle Bank at close hand: the check- smiles. Food brings people togeth- East. points, the walls, the soldiers, the e r.” Roden became a refugee when refugee camps. Khan noticed that, in the Pales- the Egyptian government expelled “But the evenings brought res- tinian territories, each village was the Jewish minority in October pite. As night fell, my troubled proud of its culinary traditions, 1956, following the invasion by mind was distracted by my greedy emphasising “that is how we cook Britain, France and Israel during stomach. Deep bowls of thick hum- here.” the Suez crisis. mus arrived at the dining table, Turning to the blockade of Gaza, She began collecting recipes rich with tahini, smooth as silk. which she campaigned against, while in exile in London, focusing Smoky aubergines, roasted over An insight into culinary traditions. Author Yasmin Khan. Khan mentioned that the culinary on the food her family ate in Egypt charcoal and smothered over with (Courtesy of Yasmin Khan) traditions were under threat. It is and exchanging recipes with other garlic and lemon, had me reach- difficult for Gazans to fish and pre- refugees. Roden later extended her ing for a third helping. I came back an umbrella group of organisations “He dropped the final piece of pare traditional fish dishes. collection to recipes from Syria, from the West Bank convinced I’d that campaign against Israel’s Sep- lamb into the pot, reduced the heat “There is a lot of strife in the Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Greece, never tasted such flavoursome aration Wall. so the stew could cook on a gentle Middle East at present but there is Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, produce. I’ve travelled through Is- “How can you stay so upbeat, simmer and firmly placed the lid also a lot of joy: friends meet, peo- Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Is- rael and the West Bank three times I asked, given the situation you on. ‘Remember Yasmin,’ he said ple go out, get married. I reached a rael. since, each journey teaching more see here every day? Jamal smiled turning to face me, ‘walls don’t last lot more people through my cook- “Their cooking is inextricably about the flavours and fragrances and reached for the lamb pieces forever.’” book than through my years of linked,” Roden says in the intro- of the Palestinian table and the re- that we had trimmed of fat, gently Roden’s book is scholarly as she campaigning. It shows the power duction to her collection. alities of everyday Palestinian life.” placing chunks of them in the hot traces the history of Middle East- of stories and recipes.” At the book launch at London’s Khan combines recipes with broth, one at a time. ‘I stay hope- ern cuisine. There is a lot of inter- Asia House, she recalled that, travelogue and insightful observa- ful because I believe apartheid will esting information about folklore, Karen Dabrowska is a London- when she was growing up, there tions about the political situation. eventually be defeated because myth and religion. “It is related based contributor to the Culture were no Middle Eastern cook- In Jerusalem, she met Jamal Jum’a, history tells us it is not the norm,’ that Adam was suffering from pain and Society section of The Arab books. Recipes were handed down the coordinator of Stop the Wall, he said. and complained to God. Gabriel Weekly. 24 October 20, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Mohamed Alselini, a Libyan national who calls himself “Rahalista.” Mohamed Alselini (R) in Algiers. (Courtesy Mohamed Alselini) (Courtesy Mohamed Alselini) When Arab Agenda Carthage: travellers become Through October 31 The Musical October in Carthage takes place at the Acropolium of Carthage on social media Byrsa Hill. The festival includes concerts by artists from Tunisia, Japan, Russia and Italy. sensations Erfoud: Through October 31

Yousef Alhelou However, some travellers face The Erfoud region in eastern greater hurdles than others in ob- Morocco is famous for its date taining necessary visas due to their palms. Every year after harvest, ravelling the world comes nationality. local tribesmen gather for a with adventure and excite- Mohamed Alselini, a Libyan na- festival that features traditional ment but also financial and tional who calls himself “Rahalista,” music, Berber dances, horse T logistical challenges for meaning “traveller” in Arabic, start- races and local cuisine. those who don’t know the tricks of ing his trek about a year ago and has the trade. reached more than 220,000 sub- Beirut: Qassim al-Hatou, a 24-year-old scribers on YouTube and more than Through December 1 Jordanian, said he hopes to make the 78,000 Instagram followers. hobby more accessible, providing “In addition to travel restrictions Organised by the Sursock Mu- ideas on how to travel well — and at at borders, financing yourself on the seum with the support of the the lowest cost — to his hundreds of road is another challenge,” Alselini Musee national Picasso-Paris in thousands of social media followers. said. “I personally sold my car and the framework of Picasso-Medi- Like many travellers, photogra- used my savings and had to get a terranee, “Picasso et la famille” phers and influencers, Hatou said loan from my family to start this explores Pablo Picasso’s rela- social media platforms such as In- journey but, after a few months, I tionship to the notion of the stagram, YouTube, Facebook and had to look for a constant source of family. Bringing together draw- Twitter are the best outlets to share income so I started to rely on collab- ings, etchings, paintings and his work and experiences and get his orative projects with some sponsors sculptures, the exhibition spans message out to the public. to produce specific content.” Palestinian traveller Basil Elhaj. (Courtesy Basil Elhaj) 77 years of artistic creation. Hatou, who travelled to 12 coun- Some travellers, such as Palestin- tries and 40 cities in less than one ian Basil Elhaj, brand themselves Sidi Bou Said: year, calls himself Ibn Hattuta after “worldwide food explorers,” focus- October 21-26 the famous Arab traveller Ibn Bat- ing their content on local cuisine. tuta. His 100,000 followers on Insta- Elhaj’s motto is the Arabic phrase The 13th Musiqat Festival takes gram and some 240,000 on YouTube “ana Juaan,” which means “I’m place at the Ennejma Ezzahra give him a big stage to showcase his hungry.” palace in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. photos, stories and experiences. He produces video series such as The festival includes a variety Hatou focuses on sharing local cul- “The Tastiest Food in the World” of musical shows. Artists from ture and street food, while making that have become major hits in Spain, Tunisia, Austria, Greece, friends and connections along the the Arab world. He has more than Cuba, Senegal and Morocco are way. Like many low-budget travel- 290,000 Instagram followers and 1.7 scheduled to perform. lers, he uses sites such as Couchsurf- million YouTube subscribers, mak- ing to find a free bed for the night. ing him the world’s most-followed Bidiyah: “The most important thing I Arab YouTuber, with some videos November 15-22 have learnt is that most of what we viewed more than 5 million times. know about other people’s culture is “I’m fond of travelling and the The Oman Desert Marathon is wrong, and most of what other peo- idea started from my hobby,” Elhaj an amazing footrace across the ple know about us is also wrong,” said. “I said to myself, ‘Why not pro- Omani desert covering 165km Hatou said. duce videos about the best food or in six stages. From the Oasis “The reason I chose this kind of popular street food in the countries of Bidiyah to the Arabian Sea, life is because I want to enjoy a free that I visit?’ participants will discover the life away from the routine, stress and “I did and I was encouraged by my most remote and untouched confinement of geography and bor- followers to produce more videos. sands and the highest dunes in ders and go out of the comfort zone. Then I started to receive invitations the region. I support myself financially from the from people worldwide to visit them income [generated by] the videos I and taste their food and enjoy their We welcome submissions of produce for some companies. Some hospitality.” calendar items related to sponsors finance my expenses as Travellers like Elhaj must be cultural events of interest to part of a collaborative agreement to adaptable and willing to change per- travellers in the Middle East produce certain stories.” spectives, they said. However, de- and North Africa. Hatou is one of many aspiring spite the challenges, they said they globetrotters, including from the find that the journey is well worth it. Arab world, who bankroll their travel Please send tips to: by providing content and reviews to Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian Qassim al-Hatou, a 24-year-old Jordanian, on his trip to India. [email protected] the public. journalist living in London. (Courtesy of Qassim al-Hatou)