Issue 226, Year 5 UK £2 October 13, 2019 www.thearabweekly.com EU €2.50 Corruption Interview The last stretch in MENA Palestinian of Tunisia’s lawyer Raja elections Shehadeh Pages 6, 20 Page 14 Pages 4-5

Independent A Nobel Peace Prize brings cinema blossoms in hope in tension-plagued region Egypt

The Arab Weekly staff investments to Ethiopia. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Hassan Abdel Zaher Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan London called Abiy “a wise man who has Cairo brought peace and hope to his he announcement of the country and region. The prize is hen Neveen Shalaby 2019 Nobel Peace Prize a well-deserved honour for an ex- started making films, being awarded to Ethio- traordinary leader.” she was on a shoe- T pian Prime Minister Abiy The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize will W string budget and had Ahmed stirred hopes for a new be formally presented December to use a simple video camera she peace momentum in the Horn of 10 in Oslo, Norway. had saved for months to buy. Africa and the neighbouring re- Abiy has played a key role in More than a decade later, she has gion. defusing tensions in Sudan and made significant progress and has The prize recognised the role concluding an agreement there no trouble producing films that in- Abiy had in reaching a peace between military rulers and the vite the attention of both local and agreement on July 9, 2018, with opposition. international audiences. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. It remains to be seen whether “There are a large number of The Nobel Peace Prize jury also Abiy can move Ethiopia to resolve agencies and institutions ready to said the distinction was “meant its long-running dispute with bankroll independent film-mak- to recognise all the stakeholders Egypt over Ethiopia’s Grand Ethi- ing,” Shalaby said. working for peace and reconcili- opian Renaissance Dam and ease Shalaby, in her early 40s, has ation in Ethiopia and in the East Cairo’s concerns over the effects directed 120 films, including 15 in- of the dam on its already scarce dependent ones. Many of her in- Abu Dhabi Crown water resources. dependent films have won awards Prince Sheikh Egyptian President Abdel Fat- at local and international film fes- Mohammed tah al-Sisi is in a hopeful mode. “I tivals. bin Zayed hope that our constructive efforts Behind her success, she said, is al-Nahyan aiming at ending all conflicts and the growing space independent differences in Africa will continue cinema is occupying on Egypt’s ar- thanks to the will of our great sons tistic stage. and people,” he said. Known as the “Hollywood of the Also, in a region rife with ex- East,” Egypt’s film scene is turn- “The prize is a well-deserved tremist groups and outside inter- ing to independent works at a time honour for an extraordinary ferences, notably from Turkey when traditional studio films are leader.” and Qatar, Abiy and other leaders having trouble increasing produc- in the Horn of Africa could face tion, keeping high artistic stand- and North-east African regions.” more challenges ahead. ards and reaching the public. That would include the United EU foreign policy chief Fed- Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, erica Mogherini said: “In times which were instrumental in bridg- when competition for power is Independent films are ing the gap between Ethiopia and spreading across the region and to attractive because they Eritrea. The Emirates, which host- the Horn, we stand at the side of touch on taboos and ed an Abiy-Afwerki summit in July bridge-builders like Prime Minis- Regional peace. File picture of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy thorny social topics 2018, pledged $3 billion in aid and ter Abiy.” Ahmed attending a rally in Ambo, Ethiopia, April 2018. (AFP) that mainstream films often avoid.

Depending on simple cinema equipment and low budgets, inde- Turkey threatened with ‘sanctions pendent filmmakers are filling in the void, despite the funding chal- lenges and licensing problems they face. from hell’ after foray in Syria Much of their success is likely due to a change in public mood, critics said. A decade ago, few audi- Thomas Seibert backed Syrian opposition forces ner in Syria, called for an immediate In the United States, a bipartisan ences were interested in anything had reached a strategic highway in end to the attack. group of senators introduced legis- “independent” but now the label north-eastern Syria. An EU meeting, scheduled for Oc- lation that would freeze all US assets draws viewers in. Istanbul Even Russia, Turkey’s most im- tober 17, is to include discussions of Turkey’s leadership, including “Those going to a cinema theatre portant ally in the Syrian conflict, about sanctions on Turkey over its Turkish Erdogan, and impose sanc- to watch an independent film know urkey is more isolated than voiced criticism. Russian President action in Syria, French Secretary of tions on entities that do business they are going to see something dif- ever following a barrage of Vladimir Putin expressed concern State for European Affairs Amelie de with Turkey’s military until Ankara ferent,” said film critic Nader Adly. international criticism di- that the operation could lead to a Montchalin said. withdraws from Syria. Independent films are attractive T rected against its latest mili- revival of ISIS. He said he was “not The Netherlands and Norway, Lindsey Graham, a senior Re- because they are known to chal- tary foray into Syria. sure” whether Turkish troops would NATO partners of Turkey, suspend- publican senator, warned Turkey lenge the thematic and structural The United States and the Europe- be able to take the ISIS threat under ed weapons exports to Turkey in of “sanctions from hell” if it went rules of studio cinema, touching on an Union, Turkey’s most important control. Iran, another Turkish part- protest against the incursion. ahead with the invasion. taboos and the thorny social topics partners in the West, are considering Erdogan, speaking October 10 — that mainstream films often avoid. economic sanctions against Ankara the second day of the incursion — By the same token, these films and political leaders for what they angrily lashed out at critics in the can evade state control, unlike stu- see as a move that could hurt civil- Middle East and in the West. He dio cinema, which is more strenu- ians, further destabilise Syria and warned EU countries that Turkey ously monitored by the govern- weaken the fight against the Islamic could “open the gates” to flood Eu- ment. State (ISIS). rope with Syrian refugees if they While independent films are US Defence Secretary Mark Esper called Turkey’s action an occupa- only screened by a small number “strongly encouraged Turkey to dis- tion. of chain cinemas, their content is continue actions in north-eastern EU Council President Donald Tusk having a big effect on society. Syria,” the Pentagon said. Esper rejected Erdogan’s statement and Film critic Samir Saeed said “it warned that the incursion could called it attempted “blackmail.” is still early to say that independ- have “serious consequences” for Ankara argues that the move into ent cinema has reached the level Ankara. US Treasury Secretary Ste- Syria is an act of self-defence aimed of competing with studio cinema” ven Mnuchin warned Turkey of pos- at pushing militants linked to the but that it is “well on the road to sible US sanctions that could “shut Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group getting there.” down the Turkish economy.” internationally recognised as a ter- Turkish President Recep Tayyip rorist group, from its southern bor- (Full version of this article appears on Erdogan dismissed the warnings. der. www.thearabweekly.com) “Now there are threats coming from left and right, telling us to stop this,” Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly Hassan Abdel Zaher is a he said. “We will not step back.” New wars. Soldiers and military vehicles at a Turkish staging area correspondent. Cairo-based contributor to Turkey’s official news agency in the Turkish town of Akcakale along the border with the Syrian The Arab Weekly. reported October 12 that Ankara- town of Tal Abyad. (DPA) P2-3,7-8 2 October 13, 2019 Cover Story Turkey warned to expect ‘Pyrrhic victory’ through Syria intervention

Thomas Seibert ian territory permanently. Possible fallout The government in Ankara has not spelt out how this can from Syrian Istanbul be achieved and has given no clear time frame for the opera- incursion: urkey’s military inter- tion. Turkey has been occupying vention in Syria is un- patches of Syrian territory west Might unleash likely to produce the of the current area of fighting for ● T political results sought more than three years since ear- new conflicts, by Ankara and could trigger new lier cross-border actions against conflicts in the region, analysts the YPG. revive ISIS from said. Critics said the Turkish move its ashes. Ankara said it sent its troops against the YPG — a group that into north-eastern Syria to drive has been a crucial US ally in the the Syrian-Kurdish People’s Pro- fight against the Islamic State ● Possibility of US tection Units (YPG) militia from (ISIS) but is seen as a terrorist the border area and to prepare group by Ankara — is likely to re- and EU sanctions, the creation of a “security zone” sult in additional foreign policy growing to resettle millions of Syrian ref- headaches for Ankara. ugees. In addition, the intervention international outcry. “We take this step to eradicate could provide ISIS with breath- the terrorist organisation from ing room and the chance for a the region and lay the ground- new uprising months after it More displacement work for peace,” Turkish Presi- lost the last territory of its “cali- in a column for the T24 news mal times and give them legitima- ● phate.” portal. cy as a player in northern Syria. of Syrian population. Shortly after the start of Op- “I can say even now that this Tensions between Turkey and Amid rising criticism at eration Peace Spring, Turkey was will be a Pyrrhic victory,” Yilmaz the United States soared as a re- home, Trump said that he facing the possibility of US and wrote. sult of the incursion. In recent was ready to mediate EU sanctions. Europe also said it He pointed out that the inter- years, the YPG provided ground Boost support and between Turkey and the would not pay for the construc- vention, Turkey’s third in Syria troops for the US-led interna- ● Syrian Kurds to make a tion of housing for returning ref- since 2016, had been condemned tional campaign against ISIS in legitimacy for YPG ceasefire possible. ugees in the proposed “security around the world. Yilmaz added Syria. In return, the Kurdish mi- zone,” a project expecting to cost the incursion would hand the YPG litia received US protection to and its mother dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. at least $26 billion. and its parent organisation, the build a self-rule region along the organisation, the Turkey said it wants to end the While Turkey’s modern army Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Turkish border, much to Anka- threat posed to its national secu- enjoys a clear military advantage which is regarded as a terrorist ra’s anger. Kurdistan Workers’ rity by the YPG’s presence along over the YPG, that does not guar- group by Turkey and the West, The fighting raised the spectre Party. its southern border but insists it antee overall success, Turkish “foreign support on a scale they of a military confrontation be- has no intention of holding Syr- journalist Mehmet Yilmaz wrote couldn’t even dream of” in nor- tween NATO allies Turkey and Turkish assault displaced 100,000 people, UN says Viewpoint Erdogan and the making of the new state through war

Keenly aware of this, Erdogan adopted a strategy of taking extraordinary measures. The Gokhan Bacik Kurdish issue, deeply entwined with the Syria crisis, now seems to be his favourite. The strategy helps Erdogan in urkish President three ways domestically: First, Recep Tayyip Erdogan it weakens the anti-Erdogan is fighting for his own coalition, particularly putting political survival by pressure on the nationalist beginning a war in opposition Iyi Party. A tenser Syria with the atmosphere regarding the TKurds. Kurdish problem is likely to Escalating tension in Syria is push the Iyi closer to Erdogan’s the only option Erdogan has position. An escalated crisis because he is no longer able to over the Kurdish issue could win support through peaceful even change the position of the means, such as a building the secular main opposition Repub- economy, providing welfare, lican People’s Party, which has the rule of law and a free been reaching out to the society. pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Demo- In the last three years, cratic Party (HDP). Erdogan has attempted to regain support with extraordi- nary economic measures, such as the distribution of cheap The aftermath of the Beirut were many other humanitarian and its allies control. credit and aggressive public Turkish operations is consequences to the military offen- The exodus is the latest in the infrastructure investment. urkey’s deadly assault sive, which was being conducted conflict that has uprooted more Though some of those populist the more worrying against Kurdish positions on multiple fronts along the Syrian- than half of the Syrian population tactics worked for a while, none aspect. in north-eastern Syria has Turkish border. — some 11 million people — through provided a solution to struc- forced tens of thousands It said a water station servicing years of multisided warfare that tural economic problems such The second and more critical T 400,000 people in the city of Ha- shattered the country. of people to flee their homes, the as unemployment and infla- effect is structural. Erdogan United Nations said. sakah and surrounding areas was Most of the people fleeing were tion. has benefited from the polari- “An estimated 100,000 people out of service. from the border towns of Tal Abyad Erdogan’s economic failures sation of politics along the have already left their homes,” it Displaced populations moved and Ras al-Ain, the focal point of the cost him this year’s mayoral Islam versus secularism fault said in a statement released October away from the border and deeper Turkish assault. elections in Istanbul, Ankara line. He knows that a political 11, the third day of the offensive. into the region that the Kurdish and other big cities, suggesting fault line over the Kurdish The United Nations said there People’s Protection Units militia (AFP, Reuters) he might lose a general elec- problem might also help him. tion. Erdogan could convert tension October 13, 2019 3 Cover Story Turkish Incursion

negie Middle East Centre’s web- site. “If Erdogan transfers Syr- Viewpoint ian refugees there, this will also plant the seeds of a future Arab- Kurdish civil war. “In that case, we should expect As they rock Syrian boat, the [Syrian] regime and its back- ers to try to exploit the situation and push their advantage in the Erdogan and Trump area. This means that the likeli- hood of clashes between Turkey and the Syrian regime may rise ignore consequences inexorably.” Turkish troops, backed by pro- Turkish Syrian rebel groups, with the minor member of the fought their way into northern opposition bloc to join his coalition Syrian areas controlled by the and was happy to see that four YPG and captured several villag- Yavuz Baydar parties in the opposition joined es in the first days of the incur- in with a yes to the mandate sion. Turkey said more than 100 of military action — his “war Kurdish fighters and at least one ith the Turkish coalition” was complete. Turkish soldier had been killed. military incur- He also set up a wall between A war monitor gave a death toll sion, the Syrian the main opposition People’s of more than 100 from the first plot is even Republican Party and pro-Kurdish days of the assault. The United thicker. We owe Peoples’ Democratic Party as part Nations said 100,000 people had the sharp of his polarisation tactics. fled their homes. Wescalation to two entirely unpre- These helped him when he US President Donald Trump dictable, impulsive leaders: US turned to his own ruling party, the gave Turkey the green light for President Donald Trump and Justice and Development Party the operation by ordering US Turkish President Recep Tayyip (AKP), to reassert his somewhat forces deployed with the YPG in Erdogan. weakened authority, pushing northern Syria to leave, a deci- Turkish military action against back AKP rivals such as former sion the YPG described as a “stab the local ally of the coalition President Abdullah Gul, former Risky call. in the back” and US commenta- against the Islamic State (ISIS) — Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Turkey’s Defence tors called a betrayal of a vital the Kurdish-dominated Syrian and former Deputy Prime Minister Minister Hulusi ally. Democratic Front (SDF), led by Ali Babacan. Akar (R) speaks Since then, Trump has oscil- the People’s Protection Units Erdogan is back in the game, on the phone lated between praising Turkey (YPG) — will unleash powerful with the same playbook as a alongside Chief as a partner and threatening An- consequences across the Middle hardliner. of the General kara with economic annihilation East, further alienating Turkey, His fiery speech October 10 Staff of the if the expected assault resulted making it even more vulnerable showed he aims to chasten the Turkish Armed in “anything outside of what we before the rising star of the region, European Union. In the part in Forces General would think is humane.” Trump Russia. which he unleashed insults at Yasar Guler in an announced a US withdrawal The positioning of major Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Erdogan operation room in from Syria last December but powers in the UN Security repeatedly threatened the Ankara, October 9. that decision had not been im- Council, coupled with the rather European Union with “opening the (AP) plemented. mild initial reactions from the gates” for the refugees to its soil. Amid rising criticism at home, European Union and statements European leaders face the fact Trump said on October 9 that he from Erdogan’s advisers, indicate that by their erratic attempts to the United States. A Pentagon action will provide Islamic State was ready to mediate between that the massive cross-border keep Turkey off from the process, spokesman warned of “defensive militants with an opportunity to Turkey and the Syrian Kurds to operation, which apparently they have a political monster to action” by US troops after Turk- escape from detention centres make a ceasefire possible. lacks a convincing justification in deal with. Can Erdogan do it? If he ish shells landed a few hundred and regroup,” Erdemir said via Erdemir said the US presi- international law because there is cornered, he can and will. metres away from US military e-mail. dent’s to and fro would erode was no immediate threat to Turkey Other consequences of the positions near the Syrian city of Problems triggered by the in- trust in Washington’s policies in from Syrian soil and was not Turkish incursion are perhaps Kobane, in an area “known by the cursion might lead to further the region. entirely an act of a rogue power, more grave and urgent. Already a Turks to have US forces present.” conflicts in the region, said Jo- “Trump’s bewildering policy seemed to be the outcome of some weak US presence in the region, Aykan Erdemir, senior fellow seph Bahout, a non-resident fel- turns have not only hurt Wash- “verbal agreement” between the which the Turkish side almost at the Foundation for Defense low in Carnegie’s Middle East ington’s image and credibility in two leaders during a telephone sees as hostile, coupled with the of Democracies, a Washington Programme. the Middle East but will force re- conversation. Turkish troops moving about in think-tank, said Turkey’s move “Turkey’s establishment of a gional state and non-state actors From the harsh reactions from Syria, will embolden Iran further. could be exploited by ISIS. security zone in Syria will fur- to pivot towards Russia and Iran, Trump immediately after the start Russia, the most consistent player “The potential chaos and ther dismember the country into as they feel the need to hedge of the incursion, it becomes clear in the region, will have a tighter power vacuum resulting from spheres of influence,” Bahout their foreign and security poli- that his “understanding” of what grip. Syrian Kurds in despair will Turkey’s unilateral cross-border wrote in an analysis on the Car- cy,” he said. Erdogan had told him spoke of a be pushed into the hands and limited operation in area and time. mercy of Damascus, as they will be Trump, in his apparent ignorance stuck deeper in the quagmire. of history, had not paid attention All this takes place while Erdogan to another fact historians and damages the demographics, hoping diplomats point out about the that his jihadist allies will have a discreet expansionism of modern say in Syria’s future. Erdogan and the making of the new state through war Turkey: that Turkish military, There are also the elements of wherever it enters, stays. ISIS and Israel. That the massacres That Trump, in his despair, in Paris of November 2016 and later over the Kurdish problem into a assigned his diplomats to initiate at Brussels Airport were conducted new line of polarisation negotiations over a truce in a step by the ISIS members who travelled through which he can consoli- doomed to strengthen Erdogan. through Turkey is fresh in the date a large constituency. The latter will play hardball, now memory and there is concern over We are observing the early that he has a tight grip over the what happens when YPG forces fruit of this policy. Until the momentum, to use the invasion, abandon or hand over the ISIS breakdown of the ceasefire military presence and his plans prison camps to Turkey. This is between the state and the to resettle Syrian refugees as a grave issue that keeps secular Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) bargaining chips in the Astana Turks, Kurds and Europeans on in 2015, the official narrative on process and in his tete-a-tete with edge. the Kurdish issue was to Trump at the White House in Finally, the Trump-Erdogan encourage Kurds to embrace November. agreement has left another player party politics as the only route Erdogan once more plays his in the region, Israel, very anxious. of political expression. The nar- “gamble for political survival” Reacting to a New York Times rative also aimed to persuade masterfully — though the stakes article, Dan Shapiro, the former Turks that there was a big are much higher — and takes for US ambassador to Israel, pointed difference between Kurds and granted that he will focus his out: “The specific costs to US and the PKK. efforts for maximised unilateral Israeli interests are obvious: the Now Turkey has changed its gains. abandonment of a moderate Sunni official stance on the Kurdish He owes it to Trump personally partner, the Kurdish fighters of issue and the government does and will most likely choose the SDF; the victory handed to not differentiate between the to counter forcefully if the US a nemesis, Erdogan; the upper PKK and Kurdish politicians. Congress votes for tough sanctions. hand granted to [Syrian President Thus, the HDP is also the target He cares much less about Trump’s Bashar] Assad, Russia and Iran of government attacks. The On the warpath. A Turkish military vehicle in the Syrian village of future and, as long as the latter in Syria; the enabling of the new strategy changed the al-Hashisha near the border with Turkey. (AFP) remains on the same wavelength, revival of ISIS. And, of course, public view of Kurds and many Erdogan will push his will through the impression throughout the Turks now imagine all Kurds movement, which he blames state and the people. while he calculates a rise to region that the US won’t stand belong to the PKK. for the 2016 coup attempt, was It is much like the motto “war national hero, defiant towards with its allies as Iran grows more Finally, given that Erdogan is sometimes backed by secular made the state and the state sanctions and isolation. aggressive towards our partners in in a process of creating a new groups and helped Erdogan to made war.” Prolonged tension Erdogan has played his cards well the Gulf and towards Israel from regime, the securitisation of restructure the state apparatus with the Kurds, extended into on other levels. After the defeat in multiple fronts.” politics through crises such as to do his bidding. Syria, would provide Erdogan local elections, he carefully tested Everything points to the fact that Syria is an opportunity to Erdogan wants the Kurdish time and leverage to consoli- the domestic political ground. the Syrian saga will continue to be a consolidate his grip on problem and the Syrian crisis to date his new regime. He focused on driving a wedge painful story, dragging deeper into power. consolidate his state according in the opposition bloc, knowing it a crisis-ridden Turkey, creating Erdogan used his fight with to his ideological preference. Gokhan Bacik teaches political that a violent escalation against more instability. the Gulen movement to After having reorganised the science at Palacky University. the Kurdish political structures transform state institutions state, the Kurdish problem This article first appeared at home and in Syria would be Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish such as the army and judiciary. could provide him with oppor- on ahvalnews.com and is enough. journalist and regular columnist for His fight with the Gulen tunities to fuse the Erdoganist republished with permission. He reached an “agreement” The Arab Weekly. 4 October 13, 2019 News & Analysis Tunisia Saied, Karoui square off before presidential vote

Lamine Ghanmi “dealings with Zionists,” whom he blamed for displacing the Palestin- ians from their land. Tunis Karoui, released from prison two days before the debate, advocated he Kais Saied-Nabil Karoui for a strong social role by the state debate finally took place and for economic modernisation. October 11, two days before He tried to position himself as the T Tunisia’s presidential elec- refuge for secularist and anti-Islam- tion runoff, a final chance for the ist voters. candidates to invigorate a stuttering He painted his rival as enjoying campaign. the support of Islamists and being Both candidates seemed to be de- Ennahda’s means to domination of fined by their attitudes about Islam- the Tunisian political scene after ists, a sign of the polarisation that taking the lead in parliamentary could mark the political landscape elections. for the next five years. Karoui finished second in the Sep- The debate put the spotlight on tember 15 first round of presidential the political outlooks of Saied, the elections and his Qalb Tounes party 61-year-old jurist who seeks to over- was second to Ennahda in the Octo- haul the system to empower disen- ber 6 parliamentary polls. Starkly different. Tunisia’s presidential candidates Kais Saied (L) and Nabil Karoui pose ahead of the franchised masses, and Karoui, the “I lost 10 percentage points for my debate in Tunis, October 11. (AFP) 56-year-old media and business ex- elections and 15% for Qalb Tounes ecutive looking for “pragmatic solu- because of the injustice of my im- tions” to the country’s woes. prisonment,” he said. Saied offered no detailed vision leader he would be. stand for the same ideals and val- It highlighted the huge contrast Despite the debate, Saied remains for foreign policy, economic and so- Some secularist elites called Saied ues.” in style between Saied, who insists a riddle for many Tunisians. cial development. a “Trojan horse” of the Islamists He warned secularists and other on using literary Arabic and citing He has no party and his makeshift while other anti-Islamists, includ- anti-Islamists that Saied would meet legal and constitutional references campaign is managed by a Marxist- ing leftists, defended him as “inde- a similar political fate to provisional to covey his ideas, and Karoui, who Leninist theorist and backed by an Both presidential pendent intellectual” deeply moti- President Moncef Marzouki, who used Tunisian Arabic peppered with army of volunteers across the coun- candidates seemed to be vated to serving the interests of the was often dismissed and snubbed by French expressions, although he try, many of them young people defined by their attitudes country and who would not do the Ennahda’s Prime Minister Hamadi seemed at times at a loss for words. who cite his “personal integrity” about Islamists, a sign of the bidding of the Islamists. Jebali. Saied repeated phrases used in and independence from political polarisation that could mark In the few days he spent on the Marzouki, an ally of Ennahda in his campaign but became animated parties and businesses as reasons for the political landscape for campaign trail, Karoui ruled out an government from 2012-14, lost suc- when accused by Karoui of being a backing him. the next five years. alliance with Ennahda in govern- cessive bids to be re-elected. tool of the Islamist Ennahda move- His programme is simple: turning ment, saying all experiences of oth- “If Kais Saied becomes president, ment, which Saied flatly rejected, or the traditional pyramid of the Tuni- “I put at the hands of the people er parties with the Islamists proved Ennahda will have the presidency of when asked by debate moderators sian state upside down by rebuild- the legal tools to achieve what they ruinous for its allies. the parliament, government and the about his stance on normalisation of ing a down-top democracy centred want,” he said with volunteers add- Karoui said: “We will not join po- office of the head of state. With my relations with Israel. on local councils that combine the ing their ideas in the campaign to litical Islam in a coalition govern- all respect to Kais Saied, he will be “‘Normalisation’ is the wrong forms of the revolutionary Com- “explain Kais Saied’s programme.” ment. We will remain open towards their arm at the presidency like what word to use,” he snapped. “We mune of Paris of 1789 and the chaot- His rise to take more than 17% all other political parties like Atta- Moncef Marzouki did,” Karoui said. should be talking about high trea- ic rule of Popular Committees under of the vote and win the first round yar even when it backs Kais Saied. son.” He tried to express his re- the dictatorship of Libyan strong- amplified the mystery about his po- Nothing prevents us from working Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly spect for Jews while rejecting any man Muammar Qaddafi. litical character and what kind of together in the parliament when we correspondent in Tunis. Tunisia faces uphill task forging stable government after polls

Lamine Ghanmi Ennahda,” won 21 seats. An Ennahda an independent economist would be failed to pull the country from its Karoui warned secularists and alliance with Islamist radicals could supported by both Ghannouchi and social and economic crises of high other anti-Islamists that Saied upend the party’s strategy of accom- Karoui to lead the cabinet. That sce- of inflation, indebtedness and un- would meet a political fate similar to Tunis modating the West. Al Karama seeks nario has been increasingly proven employment. However, the party provisional President Moncef Mar- an apology from former colonial implausible. seems to have benefited from its zouki’s. he Islamist Ennahda Move- power France for “its crimes” dur- In the first round of presidential support for Saied, drawing back Marzouki, an ally of Ennahda in ment won first place in Tu- ing the colonial period, a challenge voting, Saied and Karoui finished much of its voter base for the par- government from 2012-14, lost two nisia’s parliamentary elec- to Ennahda’s stated approach of try- ahead of seemingly powerful can- liamentary vote that had shunned bids to be re-elected. T tions, claiming 52 seats in ing to win acceptance in Europe as a didates, including Chahed, Defence Mourou in the presidential election. “If Kais Saied becomes president, the 217-member legislative body, of- “Muslim Democrat” movement. Minister Abdelkrim Zbidi and inter- From jail and outside, Karoui fo- Ennahda will have the presidency of ficial results indicate. Ennahda would also face a tough im parliament Speaker Abdelfattah cused on attacking Ennahda and the parliament, government and the However, the outcome of the task convincing Tahya Tounes, the Mourou, Ennahda’s candidate, in ruling out a coalition with it. office of the head of state. With my vote could leave Tunisia at a politi- party of Tunisian Prime Minister a display of voters’ anger and frus- “We had seen that Ennahda did all respect to Kais Saied, he will be cal impasse that hampers efforts to Youssef Chahed, to join it in any coa- tration against the ruling establish- nothing to benefit Tunisia. Ennahda their arm at the presidency like what fashion a stable government to over- lition government. The party, which ment. destroyed all political parties that Moncef Marzouki did,” Karoui said. come the country’s economic crisis won 14 seats, has said it prefers to The turnout of 41.4%, versus 65% had struck an alliance with it. We The political developments leave and streamline a political system join the opposition. in 2014, for the parliament election will never be an ally of Ennahda,” many Tunisians wondering whether widely seen as cumbersome. The second-largest group in par- was another indication of that mood. said Karoui. the elected leaders will be able to The eight political groups with liament, Nabil Karoui’s Qalb Tounes, Female and young voters seemed to “We will not join political Islam in deal with the worsening social cri- which Ennahda could stitch to- which won 38 seats, has also reject- have shunned the legislative elec- a coalition government. We will re- sis. Progressive activists expressed gether a government together won ed an alliance with Ennahda. tions. Official figures indicated that main open towards all other politi- concerns about the shift to the right 73 seats, making a potential coali- Karoui was released from jail, 36% of voters were women and only cal parties like Attayar even when it in the parliament. tion total of 125 seats, counting En- where he had been held for 48 days 9% were in the 18-25 age bracket. backs now Kais Saied. Nothing pre- “The new parliament is frighten- nahda’s elected MPs. That would be on accusations of money laundering Ennahda had been part of various vents us from working together in ing not only by its fractioning but es- 16 more than the barest majority in and tax evasion, the day the Inde- government coalitions with secular- the parliament when we stand for pecially by the turn to the right it is the Assembly of the Representatives pendent High Authority of the Elec- ists since 2011 but those groupings the same ideas and values.” drawing for the country in the next of the People. tions released the provisional re- five years,” said writer Abdelhamid “A stable government needs a sults of the parliamentary elections. Largueche. minimum of two-thirds of the 217, He is competing against university “It is frightening because the most roughly 145 seats. To have a safety law lecturer Kais Saied in the presi- radical and adventurous currents of leeway and be able to lead the coun- dential runoff October 13. the ‘Jihadist Salafism’ are amply rep- try and complete the transition pro- Ennahda reiterated its support resented in the legislative body,” he cess,” said Lotfi Zitoun, a leading En- for Saied as the candidate of the added, saying he deplored the weak nahda figure. “revolutionaries.” Karoui has been presence of secularists. Among the parties that Ennahda dubbed by Ennahda leaders as rep- Former Tunisian Central Bank could possibly convince to work resenting “a reincarnation of the old Governor Mustapha Kamel Nabli with in a coalition government is regime and an extension of corrup- said: “The main lesson from these the centre-left Attayyar Addimocrati tion and abuse of the people’s inter- elections is that the political system (Democratic Current), which re- ests.” is bankrupt. It does not answer to quested the Interior, Justice and Ennahda dismissed speculation the needs of Tunisia. “It (the sys- Public Service portfolios as a pre- that it played a role in Karoui’s re- tem) is dysfunctional and unable to condition for participation — a very lease just as it denied reports it had resolve the fundamental issues of difficult demand to satisfy. a part in his arrest. Karoui blamed an Tunisia.” Attayyar has 22 MPs, the third- Ennahda “judiciary wing” for keep- Reforming the system might be largest parliamentary bloc overall ing him behind bars since August 23. more difficult with Ennahda and Is- and the most among the eight tenta- There had been rumours of an lamist allies relatively strong in the tive Ennahda allies. agreement under which Karoui parliament. Saied seeks to make it The radical Islamist al Karama would become president, Ennah- The dice are loaded. A member of Tunisia’s Independent High more complex with his proposal of coalition, whose leaders call them- da President Rached Ghannouchi Authority for Elections at a vote-counting station a day after the down-top democracy based on local selves the “revolutionary wing of would be speaker of parliament and parliamentary election, October 7. (DPA) councils of “people power.” October 13, 2019 5 News & Analysis Tunisia Sour political mood, alleged violations mar Tunisia’s parliamentary elections

Iman Zayat

Tunis

unisia’s parliamentary elections appear to have failed to forge a clear T path to mend divisions and prepare the country for a crucial junction that requires structural reforms to address lingering economic, social and security concerns. Instead, low voter turnout and an increasingly fragmented political landscape soured the mood and raised questions about how Tunisia will cope with the challenges ahead, analysts said. “We are faced with three main problems: an increasing mistrust in the electoral process, a parlia- ment that is too fragmented to function properly and the rise of many shadowy figures who could pose a threat to the coun- try’s democratic transition,” said political activist Yamine Ben Sa- lem. Though EU observers hailed the October 6 polls as “orderly and transparent,” some inde- pendent Tunisian associations said the voting had been marred by serious irregularities and poor oversight by the Independ- ent High Authority for Elections (ISIE). The Tunisian Association for Integrity and Democracy (ATID) and the independent election observatory pointed out flaws in the registration process, vio- lations at voting centres and observers’ exclusion from some Fragmented landscape. Members of the Independent High Authority for Elections announce the preliminary results of the Tunisian counting procedures that they parliamentary elections, October 9. (DPA) said raised questions about the process. There were also concerns where they usually cast their larities regarding ballot collec- dividuals with criminal records about the turnout rate, which votes, without the ISIE taking tion and general transparency. and radical viewpoints were Why Tunisia’s was 20% lower than in 2014 the pain to inform them in ad- Some civil society observers, elected to parliament. polls. vance,” Matar added. it complained, “were not able to Among the likely future depu- parliament is Though such violations and ir- adequately follow the collection ties are Mohammed Saleh Ltifi, regularities were reported to the and counting process.” who admitted to his past as a more powerful The watchdog electoral authority, little to no “We express our strong rejec- smuggler when he was 23 before than presidency organisation I-watch said action was taken, observers said. tion of these policies, especially becoming a businessman; Ridha Ennahda was the only “We know that the ISIE proba- that we have alerted the ISIE Jaouadi, head of the far-right party that had broken bly won’t take the violations into staff on many electoral occa- Islamist Al Karama coalition’s The Arab Weekly staff campaign finance laws in serious consideration, estimat- sions concerning these issues,” list in Sfax and Rached Khiari, the parliamentary polls, ing in the end that such viola- said a statement by Mouraki- founder of the pro-Islamist Es- Tunis tions did not affect the results… boun. sada website. exceeding the limit by Whether the violations affect In a more damning revelation, Khiari did not wait long after ince Tunisia’s independence 40% in the Tunis District 1. the process or not, we are asking the watchdog organisation I- being told he had won a seat in in 1956, political power has the ISIE for more transparency watch said Ennahda was the only parliament to display his ex- historically been concentrat- Many, including ATID Vice- and for rendering all violations party that had broken campaign tremist views. Speaking in front S ed in the hands of the presi- President Bassem Matar, pointed public,” Matar said. finance laws in the parliamen- of the Municipal Theatre in Tu- dency. the finger at the ISIE, saying the “On the day of the legislative tary polls, exceeding the limit by nis, he called for the arrest of However, following the 2011 up- body failed to effectively mobi- elections in the country, we were 40% in the Tunis District 1. Tunisian businessman Kamel rising, Tunisians opted for a mixed lise voters and crack down on not able to reach the ISIE or any Former ISIE President Sami Letaif and the expulsion of the parliamentary-presidential system violations. of its members, starting from 8 in Ben Slama warned that the French Ambassador to Tunisia with the presidency’s role largely “In every electoral occasion, the morning, when we began re- flawed process meant Tunisia’s Olivier Poivre d’Arvor. confined to foreign affairs and de- we are witnessing an increasing ceiving reports about violations “whole democratic process is Jaouadi, who has been ac- fence. abstention of voters. By saying in different voting centres. We under threat.” cused of inciting hatred and Under the terms of the 2014 con- that the turnout was acceptable, witnessed the massive distribu- breaking fundraising laws, was stitution, the 217-seat Assembly of the electoral commission is beat- tion of small clips, bearing lists’ dismissed from his post as imam the Representatives of the People ing around the bush to dodge the numbers and names, in front of Though violations and and arrested in 2015 following a is charged with nominating a prime main questions and problems,” voting centres.” irregularities were complaint filed by the Ministry minister, who is tasked with form- Matar said. “Some supporters of Ennahda reported to the electoral of Religious Affairs. ing a government and running day- He specified serious irregulari- and lists’ members, for example, authority, little to no The rise of figures such as Ja- to-day affairs. ouadi and Khiari, coupled with ties leading up to and during the were present in voting centres action was taken. In recent years, disagreements elections, including involuntary and reaching out to people, in the electoral irregularities, casts between the late President Beji Caid registration, the removal of some total violation of the electoral a dark cloud over the election Essebsi and Prime Minister Youssef voters’ names from the electoral law. In some cases, the ISIE in- “ISIE as a committee has been season. Chahed led to policy initiatives be- register and last-minute changes tervened. In other cases, there infiltrated by some political ac- Ben Salem said international ing delayed and fuelled resentment in polling locations. was no action at all,” he added. tors. When you hire 70,000 vol- observers and the ISIE were de- of the “hybrid” system. “The registration of 1.5 mil- Figures revealed by Tunisian unteers and train them for only termined to see the process suc- Some politicians in Tunisia say lion new voters was for the most electoral monitor Mourakiboun three days, how do you expect to ceed at “whatever cost to save the mixed parliamentary-presiden- part not voluntary,” said Matar. indicated that Ennahda Move- scrutinise their performance lat- what they believe is a democratic tial constitution does not provide “In ATID’s latest report, we men- ment representatives were most er?” he asked on Tunisian televi- transition.” a foundation for the kind of strong tioned the complaints of many prevalent on the ground, show- sion channel elhiwar ettounsi. “They want to preserve what leadership is necessary to overcome people who denounced the ing up in some 90% of polling “You send them to voting cen- they see as the future politi- the country’s problems. Caid Esseb- presence of their names on the centres. Matar, however, said his tres and there is no authority to cal stability in Tunisia and the si had voiced such concerns. Before electoral register without them team was even prohibited from observe their work.” unique model of democracy in the first round of presidential elec- knowing, though the law stipu- entering certain stations. In Tunis’s southern suburb of the Arab world, even if this mod- tions, Tunisian Defence Minister lates that registration is volun- “We were not allowed access Manouba, protests against per- el is flawed,” Ben Salem said. Abdelkrim Zbidi called for a refer- tary. to some voting centres,” he said. ceived “electoral fraud” broke “The post-election period will endum to amend the constitution. “We also received complaints “In two cases of violations, we out. There were widespread be challenging and marred by Zbidi was not alone in that am- from many Tunisians who had were not able to document what complaints in Ben Arous, Kair- tensions and divisions. What bition. Other candidates explicitly their names removed from the was happening because our ob- ouan, Monastir and Gafsa. happens next? That remains to campaigned to increase the powers electoral register. servers were aggressed.” Electoral irregularities were be seen,” she said. of the presidency. Among them was “Many other Tunisians living Similar concerns were voiced not the only source of bad news Abir Moussi, the leader of the Free abroad complained about a last- by Mourakiboun, which issued on Election Day. Tunisians grew Iman Zayat is Managing Editor Destourian Party. minute change of voting centres a statement condemning irregu- concerned after numerous in- of The Arab Weekly. 6 October 13, 2019 Opinion

Editorial Corruption ravages Levant’s hearts and minds hether it is in Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan or other parts of the region, street protests have something in common: denunciation of corruption and of corrupt Wpoliticians. In a way, many of the region’s governments can no longer run for cover and must reckon with their issues. Conflict, especially against the Islamic State (ISIS), had made good governance less of a priority but now, as fighting subsides — especially in the Levant — governments are under a different kind of pressure. On a recent visit to the United Kingdom, the Rev Faez Jirjees, chaplain of St George’s Angli- can Church in Baghdad, declared that corruption is more destructive than ISIS. He said: “ISIS could be easier to fight than corrup­tion. There is an internal sickness. It’s even more dangerous than ISIS. It’s destroying the econ­omy and the economy is the right of the Iraqi citizen.”­ Corruption is decaying economies in Iraq and beyond like gangrene. The cost of corruption is calculated in the billions of dollars. Citing official figures in Iraq, Reuters news agency said that, since 2004, a year after the © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly US-led invasion, almost $450 billion of public funds have “vanished into the pockets of shady politicians and businessmen.” The cost of corruption can also be measured in The rise of populism terms of business opportunities. It is no coinci- dence that corruption thrives in economic systems that are burdened with red tape. Bribes, both petty and substantial, are normalised in Haitham El-Zobaidi environments where complex bureaucratic restrictions are a daily challenge. Genuine Arab populism seems well established, easy to understand administrative reform — not political lip service but in many ways also incomprehensible. — can do wonders to combat corruption but it can also draw investors and motivate young entre- preneurs to start their own projects. do not know why intel- people’s lives with an endless The task of this intellectual The Organisation for Economic Co-operation lectuals seem resentful of stream of entertaining series system is to give us a road map and Development stated: “Strengthening the rise of populists. and programmes, technological to this solution. If in the mean- business integrity and fighting corruption will They are not a phenom- innovations and festivals. To time the price to pay for this be essential for establishing investors’ confi- enon, after all, but have fun in life is a basic need solution was the total disruption dence and levelling the playing field for doing merely a phase. The but in complex societies such of the social or political orders, business.” Iintellectuals gave them the as Western ones, someone is it is still worth pursuing because Of course, corruption also has its political side, floor, so they flooded it with bound to say “OK, now what?” the result is divine and it is beck- discrediting governments in their efforts to cure their discourse, grabbing This dimension can have many oning us. endemic social ills or provide crucial public people’s attention and then facets, including aggression and And that is what happened. services. their hearts. xenophobia against foreigners, It started with the Iran-Iraq Corrupt politicians destroy trust in govern- Intellectuals argue that popu- Muslims and immigrants. war, then Arabs and Islamists ment and in the possibility of citizen participa- lists live between the ear and Another facet is rebellion thronged to fight in Afghanistan; tion in public affairs such as in electoral pro- the heart and are far away from against authority and the politi- then we had the invasion of cesses. the mind. This description is cal system that brought about Kuwait followed quickly by inva- The growing awareness among the region’s perhaps true but who said that the ideological vacuum. When sion of Iraq. These wars were the youth of public corruption, coupled with their reason is the best diagnostic there is no investment in ideas prelude to the all-out Arab civil frustration over the limited opportunities that tool for the situation the world and intellectual activity and wars. await them after university, can be highly is going through today? when the West’s intellectual Many wars are raging right destabilising. Social media can boost that kind product looks more like old of awareness and shed light on abuses. Let’s divide the world in two: now backed up by an even great- Corruption manifests both in individuals and a democratic camp and the rest. heritage, the mind retreats and er number of cold wars. The the systems in which they operate. Politically In the democratic camp, leaves space for the ear and biggest winner of all the current sanctioned quotas, based on sectarian, partisan reasoning and intellect have then the heart. Crowds are driv- wars is populist rhetoric armed or regionalist considerations, encourage nepo- declined. There is still plenty en by words and emotions and, with religion. For decades, Arab tism and discrimination at the expense of fair of cultural and artistic output since the West’s system is based ears and hearts have been bom- opportunity, especially when it comes to the but the intellectual challenge of on democracy, it is the crowds barded with this rhetoric, which hiring of civil servants. Such practices can make ideas is on the decline. that make the difference. has resulted in the eviction of bureaucracies even more bloated and further Previously, liberal ideas were When populists address the Dame Reason. This leads us to delegitimise governments. opposed to two intellectual people, they target their base the present moment. Loss of trust in governments and political currents embodied by coercive instincts and the latter responds Except for a couple of modest elites can sap the confidence of the young and powers: on the one hand, there by voting for them. It is difficult and impressionistic attempts, replace their optimism with cynicism and was a strong and emerging to rationalise this phenomenon there has been no Arab intellec- desperation. right-wing fascist ideology and, because the West has taken for tual response to populism, nei- on the other, a Marxist ideology granted that liberal thinking is ther the populism of the Muslim that wanted to impose the com- rational and nobody considered Brotherhood nor the populism Trump’s Iraq war tweets munist system on humanity. reformulating this thinking by of the Salafists nor the populism This intellectual rivalry was using a flexible modern dis- of Khomeinism. In fact, the op- are too little, too late profound but it took two world course that is suitable for the posite has happened. wars for liberalism to overcome unfolding changes. In the past, These currents of religious S President Donald Trump posted its rivals. Fascism was ultimately Westerners went to school to populism have attracted intel- on Twitter October 9 that US defeated by both liberalism and acquire knowledge and become lectuals who were drawn or involvement in Middle East wars, communism in World War II and intellectually fit. Today, they get forced into a polarised environ- including its mass invasion of Iraq, then communism was defeated their knowledge from YouTube ment that could no longer toler- was the “worst decision ever by liberalism in the Cold War. and social networking. ate any diversity. The populist made.” Once communism was de- In the rest of the world, the conquest was overwhelming and U“GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE feated, the liberal West relaxed situation was surreal. In the could not tolerate opposition. WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HIS- intellectually, even though it post-independence period, na- Those who don’t like it are free TORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under continued to be challenged tionalism emerged as a system to migrate to another place and a false & now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF politically and militarily in the of government rather than an must refrain from voicing their MASS DESTRUCTION,” he said. so-called war on terror. It’s true intellectual one. It did not last opinions. “There were NONE! Now we are slowly & that the “Clash of Civilisations” long and was fatally wounded In the West, like in the East, carefully bringing our great soldiers & military is a confrontation between in the 1967 war and then died we are perplexed. Western home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE different social systems but and was buried in Baghdad in populism is still in its infancy USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!” we can hardly say that Islamic 2003. and we do not know whether The problem with Trump’s reassessment of militancy represents an intel- The Islamist alternative has “Trumpism” is a passing fad or the US rationale for the invasion of Iraq is that it lectual challenge to the West. been with us since the day the an institution or whether Brexit comes 16 years and hundreds of thousands of Ottoman Army was ousted from is the beginning of the schisms casualties too late. For the latter, countering ex- That war continues to carry a huge cost for tremism translated into police our countries. Still, calls for or their end. Arab populism Iraq beyond the body count. Whatever the operations at home and military establishing a caliphate or an seems well established, easy to pretences that led to the invasion, its fallout actions abroad. No serious imamate flourished in recent understand but in many ways paved the way for unbridled Iranian encroach- Western thinker would consider times and took on different also incomprehensible. In either ment in the country. writing the liberal response to hues such as those of the Mus- case, it looks like this stage is Iraqis, too, are entitled to focusing on “the big the Islamist “ideological” posi- lim Brotherhood, Salafism and going to last. picture” and are looking forward to the day tion. Khomeinism, while, in reality, when their country “is great again.” The And so this intellectual dis- they are all similar in their core. Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi is an lingering effect of the invasion keeps that day continuity, or intellectual vacu- They all say that the solution to Iraqi writer based in London. He removed from their sight. um, so to speak, created a void. our problems is right under our is the Executive Editor of Al Arab It’s not always possible to fill noses but we fail to see it. Publishing Group. October 13, 2019 7 Opinion

An Emirati opportunity for Lebanon Published by Al Arab Khairallah Khairallah Publishing House Perhaps Iran’s hegemony is part of what is motivating the United Arab Emirates Publisher to support Lebanon in the delicate circumstances it is going through. and Group Executive Editor he United Arab the “Fatah al-Islam” gang sent by exploration off the Lebanese situation in Lebanon where bold Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD Emirates wants to Syria. The United Arab Emirates coast. reforms are needed more than help Lebanon. This is takes partial credit for the Clearly, the United Arab ever to avoid a major economic Editor-in-Chief what transpired from Lebanese Army’s victory in that Emirates’ desire to support collapse. Oussama Romdhani Lebanese Prime battle and for understanding the Lebanon through Hariri’s visit, The United Arab Emirates Minister Saad Hariri’s dangers represented by having which had taken several months knows that many Lebanese have Tvisit to Abu Dhabi at the head of a Palestinian camp in northern of serious preparation, poses nothing but love and appreciation Managing Editor a large delegation of cabinet Lebanon rebel against Lebanese challenges to Lebanon. At the for it and that they consider it Iman Zayat ministers, senior officials, authorities in the service of both forefront of these challenges is their second homeland. They businessmen and representa- Syrian and Iranian objectives. whether Lebanon can live up to were and they continue to be part Deputy Managing Editor tives of sectors concerned with Who can remember what the Emirates’ modern approach of its progress. and Online Editor reviving the Lebanese econ- Hezbollah Secretary-General to international cooperation. Perhaps the United Arab Mamoon Alabbasi omy. Hassan Nasrallah said at the The lifting the Emirati ban on Emirates’ long experience, and The United Arab Emirates time? Didn’t he say that Nahr travelling to Lebanon is the first especially Sheikh Mohammed bin has always been supportive al-Bared was a “red line” not to step that marks a new stage in Zayed al-Nahyan’s experience, in Senior Editor of Lebanon. Hundreds of be crossed, meaning that Fatah Emirati-Lebanese relations. For dealing with the Iranian foe will thousands of Lebanese citizens al-Islam should be left free to sure, the Emiratis will not be help it understand what is going John Hendel have been allowed to work and control the camp? returning to Lebanon in the same on in Lebanon. live in the Emirates. Whenever We must admit it was way as they did in the past. They Since 1971, since the days of the Chief Copy Editor humanitarian and political Lebanon’s fault if relations will not be investing in Lebanon shah, Iran has been occupying circumstances in Lebanon called between it and the United Arab overnight and they will not be three Emirati islands: Lesser Richard Pretorius Emirates went sour. We must also buying apartments, as they did in for it, the United Arab Emirates Tunb, Greater Tunb and Abu Copy Editors has not hesitated, since the note that it was the doing of a the recent past. Musa. After the fall of the shah, time of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan specific Lebanese party that had Most important, they will nothing has changed in Iran’s Stephen Quillen al-Nahyan, to go to Lebanon’s engaged in anti-Emirati activities not be placing their money in ambitions over the region. Kyle Arensdorf rescue. in the service of Iran. That party Lebanese banks, at a time when Iran continues to refuse any What better proof of that is Hezbollah, whose aim is to the country is experiencing a negotiations on the three UAE than the United Arab Emirates’ isolate Lebanon from its Arab liquidity crisis and a shortage of islands. Gulf Section Editor participation in the demining environment so it can be gulped dollars in its markets. The United Arab Emirates has Mohammed Alkhereiji operations of southern Lebanon by Iran. But they will eventually return, adopted its own approach to plus the many hospitals and The United Arab Emirates little by little. confronting Iran by refusing to Society and Travel clinics built by the United Arab bypassed abuses that it had been Nevertheless, the United surrender to the fait accompli Sections Editor Emirates in Lebanon? and continues to be subjected Arab Emirates is familiar with that Iran is trying to impose. Samar Kadi There has never been any to. It shows great understanding Lebanon’s circumstances and the The Emirati government does discrimination by the United of Lebanon’s circumstances and complexities of its internal affairs not miss any international Senior Correspondents Arab Emirates against this comes forward to help it, based and is aware that Hezbollah is opportunity to affirm its Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) Lebanese community or the other this time, however, on a new and in the government now and sovereignty over its islands. or in favour of one region at the modern vision of international that it has become a “regional” Perhaps Iran’s hegemony is Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) expense of another. In 1976, the relations. issue. It knows that there exist part of what is motivating United Arab Emirates was part This vision is based on in Lebanon people who are the United Arab Emirates to Regular Columnists of the Arab deterrent forces sent pursuing bilateral interests rather resisting Iranian colonialism that support Lebanon in the delicate Rashmee Roshan Lall to Lebanon by the Arab League than on handing out gifts and is seeking to turn Lebanon into circumstances it is going through. Claude Salhani to enable the country to regain donations, as was the case in an integral part of its “axis of It would be a contribution to Yavuz Baydar stability after the 2-year war. It the past. The Emirati aid comes resistance.” countering Iran’s expansionist was unfortunate that those Arab in the form of Emirati-Lebanese The United Arab Emirates project in the entire region. forces were replaced by Syrian joint ventures that provide jobs has done nothing but good for Hariri’s visit to Abu Dhabi was a Correspondents for the Lebanese and benefit the Lebanon. Can Lebanon live up troops because Syria then began valuable opportunity for Lebanon Nazli Tarzi (London) its occupation of Lebanon. United Arab Emirates at the same to the challenges created by but will Lebanon take advantage People may also recall the time. These include investments Hariri’s visit to Abu Dhabi? This of it or will Hezbollah and its Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) United Arab Emirates’ role in in the United Arab Emirates’ is the question that arises after Iranian backers shoot it down? Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) supporting the Lebanese Army in food security using Lebanon the visit because the challenges the battle at Nahr al-Bared Camp as a platform and in the energy come at a time when it is difficult Khairallah Khairallah is a Roua Khlifi (Tunis) in the summer of 2007 against sector as well as, of course, gas to talk about a coherent internal Lebanese writer. Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi

Trump’s spiralling presidency has Designers got even more global Ibrahim Ben Bechir Rashmee Roshan Lall Hanen Jebali Elections are supposed to be local and foreign policy is meant to answer national needs. Trump is falling short on both counts. Contact editor at: [email protected] S President Donald Nothing has emerged to tigating his political rival Joe decades, the world has routinely Trump’s abrupt substantiate the suggestion that Biden and his subsequent public polled itself on its preferred can- shift in Syria Trump Towers Istanbul was a calls for Ukraine and China to do didate for the White House. The policy — after a factor in Trump’s decision to ac- the same is a “simple” story. Middle East and North Africa phone call with commodate Erdogan. That said, “The president is asking for region, for instance, regularly Al Arab Publishing House Turkish President there is one obvious political foreign governments to try to assesses who would get its vote, Quadrant Building URecep Tayyip Erdogan — pro- benefit to Trump from his stated decide who the next president of were it to have the chance to cast 177-179 Hammersmith Road voked anger and dismay in the decision to withdraw US troops the United States is and to play a ballot on the United States’ London W6 8BS United States and consternation from Syria: Trump may find it a role in making that decision,” Election Day. elsewhere. politically helpful on the 2020 Dellinger said. “There is nothing Of course, American presi- There is also puzzlement. campaign trail to portray the new more fundamentally wrong than dents have long struggled What could Erdogan have pos- US posture in Syria as part of his that, in a democratic republic… against the idea that their office Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 sibly offered Trump in return campaign to end “endless wars.” the 2020 election is corrupted must represent global concerns. Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 for the promise of a tactical US Suspicions about Trump’s mo- and influenced by foreigners.” The worldwide hopes for and retreat from the very areas of tivations in almost every policy He added: “If there was expectations of Barack Obama north-eastern Syria that the decision are hardly surprising. anything that the framers of the when he was elected in 2008 Turks have how invaded? Consider this: [US] Constitution feared most, were simply overwhelming. In US Publisher: The incurably cynical and the Last month, at the UN General it was foreign inter-meddling Aligarh, India, just weeks after intensely suspicious suggest Assembly, Trump repeated his in our elections. They feared Obama’s election, I remember The Arab Weekly USA LLC. there had to be a quid pro quo view of globalisation. He said he that we would be the plaything university students saying the [email protected] was opposed to it and affirmed of European politics — there new US president owed it to the and that it had to be in the form [email protected] of some personal gain for Trump, his belief in nationalism and would be a French party and a world to sort out a number of politically or in some other way, national sovereignty. That was British party and that they went things or would have ignored his Tel: 248-679-6624 against getting carried away with controversial but not as much as through the emoluments clause mandate (of worldwide good- such speculation. the alternative, as revealed by and through many other parts of will), they said. Jonathan Bernstein of Bloomb- two whistle-blower complaints the Constitution to try to ensure A couple of years on and I was erg raised the issue as follows: about Trump’s actions and pro- that American elections were hearing the same sort of things “When Trump personally and nouncements. independent.” in Afghanistan. People behaved inexplicably reverses US policy What’s clear from the formal Clearly, the most ludicrous as though Obama were their immediately after a conversation impeachment inquiry under extrapolation of Trump’s motiva- president, not just the leader of Subscription & Advertising: with a foreign leader, it’s hard way in the United States is that tion on Syria and Ukraine would the United States. [email protected] not to wonder exactly what mo- Trump seems to want the whole be as follows: He has made the However, elections are sup- Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 tivations are at work.” Ryan Lizza world to participate in US poli- office of the US president truly posed to be local and foreign of Politico posted on Twitter that tics, US foreign policy in general global, one in which foreign policy is meant to answer Trump has a property in Turkey: and in the 2020 presidential elec- actors have a say in the choice. national needs. Trump is falling Mohamed Al Mufti That isn’t the way it should be “This is why presidents divest. It tion in particular. short on both counts. Marketing & Advertising Walter Dellinger, former head but Trump has an unusual ap- is crazy that a president is mak- Manager ing national security decisions of the US Office of Legal Coun- proach to ethics and propriety. Rashmee Roshan Lall is a like the one tonight when he has sel and an emeritus professor The issue of global opinions columnist for The Arab Weekly. Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 lucrative business relationships of constitutional law, recently and preferences with respect to Her blog can be found at www.alarab.co.uk at stake in the country that will noted that Trump’s private chat US presidential candidates does www.rashmee.com and she is on benefit.” with Ukraine’s leader on inves- raise an interesting issue. For Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 October 13, 2019 Debate The US and Turkey’s Incursion

Trump’s erratic behaviour on Turkey-Syria creates firestorm in US

making this decision “without committed to protecting issues, stated: “American of heaven if he permits this to consulting US allies or senior civilians, protecting religious interests are best served by happen.” Gregory US military leadership.” minorities, including Chris- American leadership, not by So, given this criticism, why Aftandilian Normally, a US president, tians, and ensuring no humani- retreat or withdrawal” and did Trump agree to withdraw before making such a decision, tarian crisis takes place.” called on Trump to reverse his US troops? He seems to think would convene a “principals” Third, Trump conveniently decision. that, with impeachment he decision by US meeting of the National chooses to forget that the Senator Lindsey Graham, a proceedings coming down the President Donald Security Council to weigh its anti-ISIS campaign would not Republican from South pike, he needs to remind the Trump to pull US pros and cons. Not Trump, who have been successful without Carolina and chairman of the American people that he is troops from the famously stated in 2017 that the sacrifices of the Kurds in Senate Armed Services Com- fulfilling his campaign prom- northern Syria the only opinion that matters eastern Syria nor does he seem mittee, normally a Trump ises. After this decision, he border, enabling in foreign policy was his. to care about the immorality of stalwart, called the withdrawal tweeted several times that the TTurkey to unleash an offensive Second, after Trump gave abandoning an ally. In a very decision “sad and danger- United States should get out of against the Syrian Kurds, caused Erdogan the green light to bizarre statement, Trump said ous.” Graham criticised the “stupid endless wars” in the a political uproar in the United invade northern Syria, he that the Kurds “didn’t help abandoning of the Syrian Middle East and should have States, even among his erstwhile tweeted that if Turkey “does us with Normandy” Kurds and warned never got involved in the political allies. anything that I, in my great and during World War II that ISIS will Middle East in the first place. The crisis reflects several unmatched wisdom, consider and suggested they benefit from the While Trump understood aspects about Trump’s erratic to be off limits, I will totally have merely been At a time when US with- correctly in 2016 that the behaviour. destroy and obliterate the fighting for their Trump needs more drawal. American people had come to First is his impulsivity and economy of Turkey.” land. supporters at home, Graham is see the Iraq war of 2003 as a disdain for the interagency This tweet raises a number of By contrast, joining Senator grave mistake, he has misun- he is squandering process. Trump made this disturbing issues, such as his Votel’s article Chris Van derstood the public’s assess- withdrawal decision immedi- egotistical declarations of underscored that his political capital. Hollen, a ment of the anti-ISIS cam- ately after a phone call with “wisdom,” not defining what the Kurdish-led Maryland paign. This conflict has been Turkish President Recep would be “off limits” and then Syrian Democratic Democrat, in supported by the American Tayyip Erdogan, who appar- feigning to recognise that the Forces “did every- introducing a bill people because of ISIS’s ently convinced him that whole purpose of Turkish thing we asked them to that would impose brutality and the fact that it Turkey needed to clear this invasion was to wipe out the do” and “protected us every sanctions on Turkey if it has incurred very few US troop area of “terrorists.” Kurdish forces of the People’s day.” He added that it does not withdraw from casualties. While the White House Protection Units, which Turkey “should not go without notice Syria and said he hoped they Ironically, at a time when claims the Pentagon was considers a terrorist group but that over 11,000 Syrian Demo- would get enough votes to Trump needs more supporters informed of the decision which the United States has cratic Forces — Kurd and Arab override a Trump veto. at home, he is squandering his beforehand, this assessment worked closely with in the — gave their lives or were Outside of Congress, Trump political capital. This episode has been challenged by former anti-Islamic State (ISIS) cam- wounded in this campaign is receiving criticism from reflects not only Trump’s US Central Command chief, paign, that would likely incur focused on our objectives and leaders of the Christian erratic behaviour but his retired Army General Joseph many civilian casualties. theirs.” evangelical community, a large inability to understand the Votel. After Turkey undertook air Not only has Trump’s decision part of this base, who support political and strategic conse- Although Votel retired from strikes against the Kurds, upset the US military but also the Kurds because they quences of his impulsive the military this year, he is followed by a ground assault, his Republican allies in Con- protected Christians in eastern actions. undoubtedly in contact with Trump stated that the Turkish gress. US Senate Majority Leader Syria. One of these prominent the Pentagon top brass. In a invasion was a “bad idea.” In Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, leaders, Pat Robertson, Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer blistering article in the Atlan- the same statement, however, who has been in lockstep with warned that Trump is in in the Pardee School of Global tic, Votel slammed Trump for he claimed that Turkey “has Trump on a wide range of danger of “losing the mandate Studies at Boston University and Collapse of US position in Syria began under Obama

The United States had to If it was about exigency either for the United States to is quite grim enough. Though intervene in Syria in 2014 after because of the ISIS foreign withdraw in short order and see Turkey’s record with military the Islamic State (ISIS) declared attacks campaign, then the the PKK statelet dismantled by incursions in Syria is of rela- its caliphate and began behead- duty is to send in US and allied Turkey or to stay on until a tively low civilian and property Kyle Orton ing hostages. The United States forces directly to destroy ISIS. Turkey-PKK settlement was destruction, there is no guaran- chose the Democratic Union Former CENTCOM Com- reached that allowed the United tee that, if this operation east of Party (PYD) and its armed wing, mander US Army General States to retain both its ally and the Euphrates bogs down or a he beginning of the People’s Protection Units Joseph Votel was more precise partner force. Trump has never panic ensues, there won’t be a Turkey’s third (YPG), as its anti-ISIS partner. when he recently wrote in the made a secret of his desire to terrible displacement. The incursion into Syria, The issue was and is that the Atlantic that the PKK was “the get out of Syria once ISIS no threat is primarily to Iraqi dubbed “Operation PYD/YPG is the name for the right partner” because it would longer held territory, so here we Kurdistan, from both a destabi- Peace Spring” and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) “help us defeat ISIS without are. lising wave of refugees and a aimed at the areas when it operates on Syrian soil. getting drawn into” a conflict It is unlikely Turkey will stray movement of PKK operatives Teast of the Euphrates River, is The PKK is a US-listed terrorist with Assad, whose overthrow too deeply into north-eastern into northern Iraq. the culmination of US policy organisation that has waged was the publicly stated US Syria, so it is possible the The aftermath of the Turkish started under former President war against NATO’s Turkey for policy. In other words, the PKK United States will remain in a operations is the more worry- Barack Obama and that has been decades. fulfilled the two key political shrunken PKK statelet further ing aspect. In Afrin, a previous continued by President Donald Obama officials — and not a desires of Obama: to avoid south or else Trump might get Turkish operation, not only Trump. few analysts — defend the offending the Iranians and to his way and the United States were there looting and contin- That it is inevitable makes it alliance with the PKK as a avoid “boots on the ground” — will pull out entirely, leaving ued lawlessness overseen by no less tragic for the innocents matter of practicality. “The YPG a proxy that would not the areas of “Rojava” not taken predatory militias but 200,000 caught up in this mess. It does is a foreign terrorist organisa- damage Assad. by Turkey to the Assad/Iran displaced Kurds have been mean that the emotive postur- tion” with “no hard distinc- When ISIS’s caliphate system. unable to return, while Arab ing on social media and tion” between it and the was swept away, the Both sides have a sense of refugees from Damascus and attempts by Obama-era officials PKK,” wrote Andrew PKK was in control grievance with the other. elsewhere have settled in the Turkey’s support for jihadi- to cast the blame for the Syria Exum, who served in It is unlikely Turkey of one-third of province, altering the demo- catastrophe on Trump are Obama’s State Syria, most of adjacent forces such as Ahrar graphics. There are indications will stray too deeply more-than-usually gro- Department, in which had been al-Sham caused problems something similar is coming tesque. 2017, when Trump into north-eastern rebel-held beyond Syria and the Turks east of the Euphrates. Obama called on Syria’s was preparing to Syria, so it is possible territory that themselves must rue the The Turkish government’s dictator, Bashar Assad, to publicly arm the the United States will ISIS had taken decision not to move into announcement that it would depart in August 2011 and then YPG. Exum added remain in a shrunken in 2013-14. Kobane and crush ISIS’s return 1 million refugees — spent nearly six years running that “arm[ing] PKK statelet further Internal to nascent caliphate. mostly Arabs from areas held away from this pronounce- people we consider south. Syria, this As well as forestalling a PKK by Assad — to areas captured ment. Relations with Iran — to be terrorists… [is] in radically redrew statelet, the military foothold east of the Euphrates would be Assad’s principal supporter the best interests of the the political balance and political windfall from a similar act of ethnic engineer- — were to be mended and US American people.” of power in a war the such action would have left ing and would run roughshod troops were to be brought The problem with this United States was suppos- Turkey substantially able to over the state’s non-refoule- home. Obama’s legacy would be argument is that it makes no edly not involved in and it left dictate events in Syria but this ment obligations. The process “ending” the United States’ sense. Whatever ad hocery a statelet controlled by Tur- is what happens when US allies of “repatriation” is likely to be wars in the Middle East and there was in helping the PKK key’s nemesis on Turkey’s are left to go it alone — and ugly, closer to forced deporta- leaving a new system in which save — after initial hesitation — border. Turkey was left alone, even tions, since many Syrians local countries “share” the Syria’s Kobane and Iraq’s Sinjar Counterterrorism had yielded when its jets were shot down expect that the Assad regime region without the US police- from falling to ISIS in 2014, that a geopolitical disaster that and it brought down Russian will re-enter areas currently man. argument expired once the would undo even the counter- warplanes. held by the PKK and the Unfortunately, the revolution- emergency passed. Nor was terrorism mission — and this When this abandonment of refugees will resist being placed ary Islamist regime in Iran had there any mystery regarding result was built into the an ally, to use the current back under the rule of the no interest in sharing. Tehran what tensions would be stirred strategy laid down by Obama. parlance, was added to by regime from which they fled. took the chance to fill any and with local Arabs and Turkey by Trump could have turned off active support for Turkey’s All the sound and fury were all vacuums left by US power expanding PKK control over this course by not sending the sworn nemesis — the equiva- unavoidable but it was an before pushing on, supported by vast areas of north-eastern PKK into Raqqa and, for just a lent of the United States argument over the ruins. The an emboldened Russia that had Syria. So why do it? moment in early 2017, it building up Hezbollah on strategic collapse of the US taken Obama’s measure and If it was about durability, seemed that he would but his Israel’s border as a “counterter- position in the northern Middle flush with cash from Obama’s there were locally legitimate plans for an Arab expeditionary rorism” force — the US-Turkey East happened some time ago nuclear deal, to challenge the rebel groups to work with. Even force to defeat ISIS in its capital relationship naturally suf- and Trump’s contribution to United States in core areas. if one accepts the Obama were thwarted. fered. that was modest. Hence, the attacks on the apologist argument that all the Since the United States was There is no need for the shipping lanes of the Gulf and rebels available were weak and never going to realistically side hysterical claims that Turkey Kyle Orton is a Middle East the missile barrage against penetrated with extremists, with the PKK over Turkey in the will commit “genocide” against analyst. Follow him on Twitter: Aramco in Saudi Arabia. then a local force could be built. long term, the next step was “the Kurds” in Syria; the reality @KyleWOrton. October 13, 2019 9 News & Analysis Lebanon

Lebanon hopes on Emirati Devaluing currency investment to solve crisis not imminent but The Arab Weekly staff effective reforms Beirut

he United Arab Emirates remain distant has lifted a ban on its citi- zens visiting Lebanon fol- Simon Speakman Cordall suggested a potential increase in T lowing a meeting between the value added tax on imported Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh goods many in Lebanon rely upon, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan Tunis as well as additional levies on fuel and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad and petrol. Hariri in Abu Dhabi. ith street demonstra- Beirut’s Chamber of Commerce, The Emirates barred its citizens tions breaking out in Industry and Agriculture answered from travelling to Lebanon in protest of Lebanon’s with a statement saying: “We re- 2016. Both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh W deteriorating economy fuse any taxes that may be added repeatedly voiced concern about and the Economist magazine being by the government because the the political situation in Lebanon, sued because of its critical coverage country is suffering and it cannot which is next to war-torn Syria and of the country’s finances, there is take it anymore. Traders are going is home to the heavily armed Hez- little indication that Beirut’s finan- bankrupt and the growth is below bollah group backed by Iran. cial slide is about to be arrested. 0%.” Hariri, who led a Lebanese del- Good news. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (C) attends the With the September downgrad- The chamber suggested that the egation that included six ministers UAE-Lebanon Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, October 7. (Reuters) ing of the country’s sovereign government consider the reforms and other top officials, said the credit rating and the supply of US that would make any tax increase United Arab Emirates promised in- While the talks with the Emira- Faced with one of the world’s dollars growing scarce, fears are avoidable. vestments and financial aid to his tis were positive, Beirut “has to do highest debt burdens, low growth growing that the Lebanese pound “The government’s response to deeply indebted country, though some things to encourage them” to and crumbling infrastructure, could be devalued. Exacerbating any financial challenge has been work remains to finalise the agree- invest in Lebanon, Hariri added. Beirut has vowed to implement concerns is the shortage of US dol- to raise taxes, rather than cut ex- ment, after two days of talks. “We are negotiating with them long-delayed reforms to narrow its lars at Lebanese automated teller penses,” said Sami Nader, director The United Arab Emirates’ lift- the investments they want to make budget and current-account defi- machines and banking restrictions of the Levant Institute for Strategic ing of the travel ban was followed in various sectors, in addition to fi- cits, though little has been done. that make the exchange of large Affairs. “We saw this in the tax rises by news of Hariri seeking funds nancial investments in some banks Lebanon, which has a debt-to- amounts of Lebanese for US cur- of 2018, when government revenue to stem a sharp loss of investor or in the central bank,” he said. GDP ratio of approximately 150%, rency difficult. was actually reduced. We also saw and depositor confidence that has A significant UAE investment in is also seeking to reverse a sharp The currency was originally it through the first seven months pressured Lebanon’s currency and Lebanon would mark a new phase loss of confidence in the Lebanese pegged at 1,500 pounds to the of 2019, when revenue has also de- strained its lenders and central in relations. pound. Its central bank has been dollar in 1997, a position it has re- creased.” bank. For the United Arab Emirates, drawing down foreign exchange tained since. However, in Septem- “The Emiratis promised invest- the benefits could include build- reserves to repay the state’s matur- ber, the black-market rate reached ments and financial assistance,” ing political influence to counter ing debt and has promised to do 1,600 per dollar, casting doubt on With the September Hariri was quoted as saying in an Hezbollah while also winning the more. how long the official rate could be downgrading of the official transcript of his comments chance to invest in Lebanon’s nas- supported. country’s sovereign in Abu Dhabi. cent oil and gas sector or its port. (With news agencies.) Fuelling uncertainty have been credit rating and the three of the world’s most signifi- supply of US dollars cant credit ratings agencies. After growing scarce, fears are Viewpoint Fitch downgraded Lebanon’s sov- growing that the ereign credit rating in September, Lebanese pound could be Moody’s, on October 8, said Leba- devalued. non’s credit rating was “under ob- Amid economic meltdown, authorities servation.” In addition, Standard He said what was needed was & Poor’s maintained Lebanon’s fundamental change. previous credit rating but noted its “We need to find new ways of suppress freedom of speech “negative outlook.” bringing around structural re- Though the health of Lebanon’s form,” Nader said. “At the moment, finances remains in critical con- it’s like government ministries billion in loans and grants allocated trend made its way to the midst of dition, concerns of any currency own the private sector rather than to it from the 2018 CEDRE donor the Lebanese public as citizens downgrade are likely overstated. service it. Electricity, telecommu- conference. started to blame external factors “There is no real risk today of nications, waste management, in- Makram Rabah No sooner had protesters gone to for their mischief and rally around a devaluation,” Nassib Ghobril, frastructure are all in the hands of the streets — or to more conven- the chauvinistic and xenophobic chief economist and head of the political parties.” tional social media — and voiced rhetoric of the likes of Lebanon’s Economic Research and Analysis “We don’t even have the operat- ebanon’s economy is on their concern, than the office of the Foreign Minister — and Aoun’s Department at Byblos Bank, told ing system for reform. There is no the brink of collapse with president issued a menacing son-in-law — Gebran Bassil, who Agence France-Presse, pointing to opposition and all the country’s no real salvation in sight circular reminding citizens of blames Syrian refugees and the resources available to the Lebanese political forces are combined with- except, perhaps, divine Article 209 of the Lebanese Penal international community for a central bank to stabilise the econ- in the government. They share the intervention, which still Code, which criminalises any act supposed conspiracy against omy. resources, just as they share pow- might not be enough to that is intended to defame the state Lebanon and its economy. Though devaluation may not be er,” he said. Lcorrect decades of corruption and and its “symbols” as well as Article In an act that many thought to be imminent, the threat remains, with The impasse is proving critical. lack of government planning. This 319-320, which penalises people a joke, four lawyers belonging to the kind of wholesale reform need- While talk of suing magazines may economic meltdown has been who spread rumours leading to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad ed to avert it entirely not in sight. be parodic, the declining econo- accompanied by an equally vicious economic insecurity. Hariri’s political party, allegedly Few dispute the case for urgent my continues to eat into people’s campaign to suppress freedom of These authoritarian measures acting on their own, sued the reform. It was made by Lebanon’s lives. More than 13% of Beirut’s expression. not only confirm that the ruling Economist for publishing an article international backers at the CEDRE shops have closed because of the The campaign aims to prevent establishment is bent on suppress- that, by their skewed logic, conference in 2018, who made mil- economic slowdown and reduced exposing the corrupt Lebanese ing freedom of expression but also “damaged the reputation and lions of dollars in aid contingent on purchasing power of Lebanon’s political elite and hinders the reveal the level of delusion to financial status of the Lebanese it. However, rather than risk social citizens. public from voicing its discontent which it has sunk. state” and “insulted the Lebanese unrest, Lebanon’s politicians have As Jalal Salma, who protested in on social media. Rather than accept protest voices flag and Cedar tree.” maintained a policy of taxation and Tripoli this month, told Reuters: The dangerous turn of events not as symptoms of the economic and This might have been an act by hope. “There is real hunger and we can’t only endangers Lebanon’s legacy political epidemic that politicians these thoughtless lawyers to get That trend looked to have been see a solution on the horizon. On as one of the region’s first liberal helped create, the ruling establish- media attention but it exhibits the arrested with the 2020 budget, the contrary, we see a dark future economies but also ends the ment opted to clamp down on level that freedom of expression which promised no additional di- ahead.” country’s reputation as a supposed activists and media outlets. has sunk and the extent that the rect taxation. However, a ministe- beacon of liberal thought. Activists have been summoned Lebanese authorities are willing to rial committee headed by Lebanese Simon Speakman Cordall is a Instead of addressing the by Lebanese authorities to be go to keep a false image of nor- Prime Minister Saad Hariri recently freelance writer. numerous economic challenges investigated for comments posted malcy. and seeing structural reform on social media that were con- The Lebanese are desperately through, Lebanese President strued as unfavourable to Aoun. scrambling to convince the world Michel Aoun and the ruling elite Furthermore, the Lebanese state that their precarious republic is have taken stricter measures to took legal action against one of worth saving and that economic muzzle any dissent. Lebanon’s newly relaunched stimulus is the only element The Aoun doctrine claims that newspapers after it published a needed for its full recovery. most of the economic frenzy in headline criticising Aoun for However, what the Lebanese Lebanon is caused by hostile providing political cover to unfortunately refuse to acknowl- elements spreading rumours and Hezbollah, a fact that further edge is that their economic failure false information that endanger exposed Lebanon and its fragile is a by-product of their continuous Lebanon’s economic security. It economy to US sanctions against failure to uphold the real values of claims that, despite the seemingly Iran and its subsidiaries. liberty and free speech, elements bad economic milieu, Lebanon will The crisis is not merely economic that outweigh billions of dollars triumph. but rather a consequence of years and that, once lost, cannot be In reality, the recent flight of the of unheeded appetite for corrup- resurrected by loans or petty US dollar and the currency rush tion and racketeering activities grants. was not the work of a frightened carried out under the cover of good mob but the consequence of the governance and a supposedly Makram Rabah is a lecturer at the Lebanese government’s inability acceptable clientelist system that American University of Beirut and — or perhaps refusal — to pass the Lebanese maintain as their author of “A Campus at War: Student much-needed reforms that would safety net. Politics at the American University of A future in peril. A Lebanese man walks past a money exchange allow the country to receive the $11 Alarmingly, this authoritarian Beirut, 1967-1975.” company in Beirut. (AFP) 10 October 13, 2019 News & Analysis Egypt Cairo mulls options after Nile dam talks fail

Amr Emam

Cairo

he Egyptian Ministry of Ir- rigation described a recently concluded round of talks be- T tween Egyptian, Sudanese and Ethiopian officials regarding a massive Nile River dam as a failure. The ministry said two days of ne- gotiations in early October between representatives of the three coun- tries failed because of Ethiopia’s un- compromising policies. Talks involving the three coun- tries have taken place over the past four years in an attempt to keep Nile waters flowing at a rate that would supply countries downstream from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam but no satisfactory concessions have been reached. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, expected to cost $4 billion, is at the heart of Ethiopia’s develop- ment and power generation plans. Cairo is seeking an agreement with Addis Ababa about the amount of water Ethiopia is willing to release from the structure every year after it starts filling the dam reservoir, which is expected to hold 74 billion cubic metres of water and will gen- erate 6,000 megawatts of power. Egypt wants Ethiopia to fill the reservoir over seven years to reduce harm from the process. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who raised the issue of the dam at the UN General Assembly in September, on October 5 said that A slow process. Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam under construction in Guba Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia, Egypt would guard the country’s September 26. (Reuters) rights to the water of the Nile River. “I have followed the results of the trilateral meeting of the water min- all their water needs, is almost the Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia reach a statement. “The administration However, Egypt has apparently isters [of the three countries] close- only irrigation source for the na- common ground about the dam. calls on all sides to put forth good lost confidence in negotiations with ly,” Sisi wrote on Twitter. “I affirm tion’s farmland and is at the centre The United States has said it sup- faith efforts to reach an agreement Ethiopia and the impression in Cairo that the Egyptian state, with all its of Egypt’s future agricultural expan- ports negotiations between the that preserves those rights, while is that the talks would drag on until institutions, is committed to pro- sion plans. three African countries to reach a simultaneously respecting each oth- the situation reached a point that tecting Egyptian Nile water rights.” Egypt receives 55.5 billion cubic cooperative, sustainable and mutu- er’s Nile water equities.” Egypt would have to accept what- He said Cairo would continue to metres of water a year from the Nile ally beneficial agreement on filling Ethiopia, which accused Egypt of ever Ethiopia gives it when it starts act at the political level to protect but, even at that rate, the country and operating the dam. disrupting the talks, said bringing in dam operations in 2022. those rights, under consideration of has a water deficit of more than 20 new partners would indefinitely ex- “This is why Egypt has to follow international law. billion cubic metres. The Ethiopian The impression in Cairo tend the negotiations. all political, diplomatic and legal “The glorious Nile will continue to dam could reduce the amount of is that the talks would The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry channels to defend its water rights,” strongly run, binding the south and water Egypt receives from the river. conceded that the water ministers said Ayman Shabana, a political sci- the north with historical and geo- Egypt’s dilemma, analysts said, is drag on until the of the three countries could not find ence professor at the Institute for graphical ties,” Sisi said. that it has few options. situation reached a point a way forward during their meeting African Studies at Cairo University. His comment, made the same day “Egypt can only keep pressuring that Egypt would have to “due to the predetermined plan of “It should resort to the UN Security as the talks with Ethiopia were pro- Ethiopia politically and diplomati- accept whatever Ethiopia the delegation of Egypt to make the Council and also the International nounced a failure by the Ministry cally to get what it wants,” said Nour gives it when it starts process fail.” The Ethiopian Foreign Court of Justice because this dam of Irrigation, underscored Egyptian Abdel Monem, a professor of irriga- dam operations in 2022. Ministry said technical consulta- is a make-or-break issue for its peo- concern at the prospect of the Nile tion at Cairo University. tions between the three countries ple.” drying up because of the Ethiopian At the UN General Assembly, Sisi “All Nile Valley countries have a must continue because they are project. asked for intervention from the right to economic development and “the only option” for resolving dif- Amr Emam is an Arab Weekly The river provides Egyptians with international community to help prosperity,” the White House said in ferences. contributor in Cairo. Claims of coerced confessions raise doubts about official accounts

Special Correspondent been kept in police custody for days. due protests. They said accounts of Thaer Matar, from Jordan, said forced confessions call into ques- he was arrested in Cairo’s Tahrir tion past ones by suspects. Cairo Square while buying food, after a “The legal rule is that suspects police officer searched his phone should not be coerced into con- oreign nationals arrested and found a message he had sent fessing crimes,” said rights activist during recent protests in to a friend about the protests. The Khaled Emam. “Most of those who Egypt said confessions at- officer placed Matar in custody and make confessions in police custody F tributed to them while in sent another police force to arrest do this for fear of torture.” police custody were false and made his friend, Matar said. “The prosecution is under obli- under duress. “It was a terrifying experience,” gation to investigate the cases of Revelations by several foreigners, Matar told Jordanian public broad- all the people who appeared on TV including Jordanian and Sudanese caster al-Mamlaka TV after return- in the past to confess perpetrating nationals, cast doubt on Egyptian ing to Jordan. He said he spent crimes,” Emam added. Serious revelations. Jordanian citizens Abdel Rahman Ali Hussein accusations against protesters and seven days in custody before con- Egyptian authorities have not and Thaer Matar, who were detained during the September rare raised questions about security fessing on film to having partici- released an official statement re- anti-government protests, arrive at Queen Alia International measures in place. pated in the protests. garding the allegations of coercion Airport after being released by Egyptian authorities. (DPA) Since September 20, Egyptian Other foreigners related similar made by foreign nationals but a authorities have arrested approxi- stories after leaving Egypt. retired police general accused the mately 2,000 demonstrators and Sudanese national Walid Abdur- foreigners of lying about their par- others were arrested while filming posed exile in Spain, accused Egyp- activists, rights groups said, accus- rahman told US news channel Al- ticipation in protests. demonstrations from rooftops near tian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ing them of rioting and staging unli- hurra that Egyptian police made Tahrir Square. of squandering public funds to con- censed assemblies. Many detainees him confess to being part of the Revelations by several “It is normal for them to deny struct luxury palaces and called for were released shortly after being protest movement before they foreigners, including the charges levelled against them,” the public to demand his removal. taken into custody. would release him. Kidwani said. “Investigators always Ali, who previously worked with Some of those arrested were Egyptian authorities frequently Jordanian and Sudanese take all the necessary legal meas- the Egyptian Army, also accused filmed by Egyptian police confess- film suspected terrorists’ confes- nationals, cast doubt on ures before they refer suspects to the military of manipulating the ing to having acted on orders from sions to assure the public that seri- Egyptian accusations the prosecution, which also re- economy. the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood ous crimes will be brought to jus- against protesters. vises the same measures to ensure Egypt’s Islamist opposition, in- movement to destabilise Egypt. tice. that arrests are done in a lawful cluding the Muslim Brotherhood, However, after some of the for- Rights activists said forced con- General Mamdouh al-Kidwani, manner.” which has many senior leaders liv- eigners returned to their home coun- fessions constitute violations of a former assistant to the Egyptian Protests broke out in Egypt in ing in Turkey and Qatar, capitalised tries, they said the “confessions” the law and raise concerns about Interior minister, said foreigners di- September after opposition activist on the public discontent to fuel the had been coerced after they had Egyptian authorities’ tactics to sub- rectly participated in protests and Mohamed Ali, who lives in self-im- anti-Sisi sentiment. October 13, 2019 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Berlin conference on Libya postponed, Turkish involvement continues

Michel Cousins National Army (LNA). French officials denied reports that Qatar would be excluded from Tunis the conference. Along with Turkey, Qatar is a prin- nternational efforts to resolve cipal supporter of the GNA. Egypt the conflict in Libya sustained and Saudi Arabia are among the another setback with the pro- main backers of the LNA, which, for I posed Berlin conference being the past six months, has been trying delayed. to capture the Libyan capital. Designed to convince countries to There are issues about who else stop supplying weapons and other may be invited. French officials said support to warring sides in Libya Libya’s neighbours, notably Algeria to help the country start towards and Tunisia, want to attend. They a reconciliation, the meeting was would seem to have the support of planned to take place in October. GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. However, lack of progress on prac- At a meeting October 8 in Tripoli tical issues delayed it. There are con- with UN Special Envoy Ghassan flicting reports as to when it might Salame, Sarraj said all countries con- be rescheduled. cerned with the Libyan issue “with- Despite a “pre-Berlin” mini-sum- out any exclusion” had to be invited mit on Libya on the sidelines of the to the conference, which could also UN General Assembly, led by the be seen as a reference to reported at- French and Italian foreign minis- tempts to exclude Qatar. Divided by conflict. A journalist reports from the front line during clashes between forces loyal to ters, at which it was again stated that There was no reference to the fact Khalifa Haftar and fighters loyal to the Libyan Government of National Accord, south of Tripoli. (AFP) there could be no military solution that Libya itself was being excluded, to the conflict and that there had to which would seriously undermine be a return to the political process, any attempt to plan for a return to it would do so if the LNA started to That is particularly important. the pressure on LNA Field-Marshal there is no agreement on how to political dialogue in the country. make major advances in Tripoli. About five months ago, the security Khalifa Haftar to advance is reduced. stop the flow of arms that could be Regardless of who eventually at- In addition to providing drones directorate and the military opera- Turkish support, though, remains enforced or on who would attend tends the conference, the objective and other military hardware, Turk- tions room in Sabratha dropped their existential for the GNA. Because of the meeting. of ending the flow of arms seems as ish military support reportedly allegiance to the GNA and said they it, opposition to almost anything remote as ever. extends to an element of military were taking their orders from the Turkey does is an automatic re- The GNA is reported to be trying to oversight of the GNA’s forces and LNA. There have been reports they sponse of the LNA and the other au- Given the growing persuade Turkey to provide protec- technical guidance, notably operat- were considering switching back to thorities in eastern Libya. international condemnation tion for Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport. Still ing the drones. the GNA and had asked for guaran- After the Beida-based govern- of the Syrian operation, subject to shelling and air strikes by The closure of Misrata airport tees that they would not face repris- ment decided last April to recognise Sarraj may not want to be the LNA, the airport has been closed might also trigger increased Turkish als if they did. the 1915 Armenian genocide, the seen as wholly tied to since the beginning of September. intervention. The capture of Aziziya by the LNA Tobruk-based House of Representa- Turkey but he has little Misrata Airport, 200km away, has The battle for Tripoli continues would stop any such move. On Oc- tives, not hitherto noted for its sup- option. also been attacked and there are con- stalemated despite a surge in LNA at- tober 7, though, GNA forces pushed port for the Kurds, condemned the cerns it would be closed, too. tacks focused on Aziziya on the road back an LNA attack, even downing Turkish offensive in northern Syria. One of the most contentious issues LNA officials said both airports between Tripoli and Gharyan. an LNA aircraft and claiming it had Given the growing international has been the representation of Libya were being used for drone opera- The LNA captured Aziziya at the captured LNA soldiers and killed condemnation of the Syrian opera- at the conference. The five perma- tions. beginning of the offensive but lost it. Russian mercenaries fighting with tion, Sarraj may not want to be seen nent UN Security Council members Despite its offensive against the Recapturing it would leave Gharyan the LNA. as wholly tied to Turkey but he has along with Italy and Germany, as Kurds in northern Syria, Turkey has largely isolated and far less able to The LNA countered with claims little option. the host, would attend but no Liby- ample military capacity and politi- withstand an attempt to take it. It that it was advancing on Tripoli and ans, either from the Government of cal ambitions to increase its support would also be a major boost to the had surrounded Aziziya. However, Michel Cousins is a contributor to National Accord (GNA) or the Libyan for the GNA and it is widely believed LNA’s standing and credibility. with the Berlin conference delayed, The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Morocco reshuffle halves number of ministers but key posts unchanged

Saad Guerraoui by business tycoon and Agriculture Minister Aziz Akhannouch, will han- dle four and the Popular Movement Casablanca party two. Mohamed Benabdelkader, former orocco has almost halved deputy minister for the reform of the the number of its minis- administration and civil service from ters in a government re- the Socialist Union of Popular Forces M shuffle but key ministries party, was given the portfolio of jus- remained unchanged. tice amid expected reform of the pe- The number of ministers and jun- nal code in the next parliamentary The right changes? Morocco’s King Mohammed VI (C) and Morocco Prime Minister Saad Eddine El ior ministers was reduced from 41 to session. Othmani, to his right, pose with the new Moroccan cabinet, October 9. (AP) 23 in the second government reshuf- The Constitutional Union party fle in less than two years. Several also got one portfolio with Hassan new ministers are without clear par- Abyaba as minister of culture, youth lineup that the parties still have not minister came less than two years King Mohammed VI called for a ty affiliation. and sports and government spokes- been able to overcome this stereo- before legislative elections, which new development model to tackle Moroccan King Mohammed VI man. typical view, which is their inability gives the new ministers little room to social inequalities and poverty in the approved the list of new ministers The Party of Progress and Social- to evoke high competences in line carry out reforms. North African country. He acknowl- submitted by Prime Minister Saad ism withdrew from the coalition over with the king’s call,” said Ezzahri. edged that infrastructure and insti- Eddine El Othmani after calling for what it described as political disa- Four women are part of the new The presence of a tutional reforms were not enough, a government reshuffle with “high- greements, calling its participation cabinet, compared with just one despite their importance. level national elites chosen on merit in several governments since 1998 previously. Among them is Nadia significant number of Morocco has largely been insu- and competence” during a speech in “non-homogeneous.” Fettah Alaoui, minister of tourism, technocrats in the new lated from the turmoil that hit North July. Analysts said the fact that the handicrafts, air transport and social cabinet may intensify Africa and the Middle East since the The tourism, housing, youth and PJD and RNI kept the key ministries economy. competition among its “Arab spring” uprisings of 2011 de- culture, employment, justice and while the other three parties saw Alaoui, from RNI, has been deputy members. spite some protests over economic health ministers were changed but their portfolios reduced may backfire CEO of Saham Finances since 2017 and social problems. the interior, religious affairs, agricul- on their leaders and spark internal and chairman of the board of direc- “We are a year-and-a-half away The king ceded some powers to an ture, energy, trade and industry and conflicts. tors of Saham Assurance Maroc. She from the legislative elections. How elected government after the 2011 education ministers kept their posts Political analyst Hafid Ezzahri said was named CEO of Sanlam Panafrica can it be reasonable that ministers constitutional reform, which saw in shifts announced October 9. the presence of a significant number General Insurance, which covers the are replaced by others who will not Islamists rise to power for the first The ruling Islamist Justice and De- of technocrats in the new cabinet perimeter of the former Saham Fi- even contribute to the last finance time. velopment Party (PJD) has seven posts may intensify competition among its nances. bill in the current government man- in the new cabinet, while the National members. The second government reshuffle date?” political analyst Khalid El Saad Guerraoui is a contributor to Rally of Independents party (RNI) led “It is noticeable in this government under Othmani’s tenure as prime Bekkari told Hespress. The Arab Weekly on Maghreb issues. 12 October 13, 2019 News & Analysis Gulf Interview Iran-Qatar-backed talks in Muscat perceived as ‘fomenting discord’ in Yemen’s southern provinces

southerners in general have their Saleh said that, instead of cause for which they have regaining its legitimacy in Sana’a, sacrificed so much and they will the government circumvented Ahmed Gamal defend it until victory,” Saleh said. victories by people of the south “Searching for peace based on the over Iranian elements. It sabo- right of the southern people to taged the work of the leaders of he internationally restore their state and determine the southern resistance, cut off recognised their political future remains our their funding and stopped government of first goal.” promotions of military officers Yemen and the Observers say prolonging the who had participated in battles Southern Transi- Jeddah negotiations proves some against the Houthis. tional Council have regional parties are trying to All of that took place while the yet to reach clear hinder efforts at closing the ranks southern Yemeni governorates points of agree- of the anti-Houthi camp. This was suffered from the collapse of Tment in Saudi-sponsored talks. shown in the government’s refusal public services, especially water, Mansour Saleh, deputy head of to meet with the STC after a call electricity and fuel, despite that the media department of the for talks in August and its the provinces provide 80% of Southern Transitional Council manoeuvrings stalling negotia- Yemen’s total wealth. A cause to defend. Mansour Saleh, deputy head of the media (STC), said negotiations with the tions. This situation made the people department of the Southern Transitional Council. (Al Arab) government continued. There has That observation is consistent of southern Yemen realise that been an initiative put forth by with what is happening in Muscat, there was an effort to punish them noting that efforts of southern southern cause in Yemen. Riyadh but it has yet to be where Yemeni government for refusing to enable Islah and security services continue to Saleh said the international approved by the government. representatives are engaged in terrorist organisations to gain a preserve private and public community considered the STC Saleh did not reveal the terms of direct talks with Houthi leaders foothold in the southern governo- interests. the most prominent force in the initiative. and some southern groups rates. The southern armed forces southern Yemen. Speaking to The Arab Weekly supported by Iran in an attempt to Saleh said the STC, in coopera- scored a series of victories over Saleh responded to criticism of from Cairo, Saleh said: “Regard- form a Yemeni Anti-Arab Coalition tion with the Arab Coalition, was the Houthis in Dhale and they the STC for not being open to less of the results of the Jeddah bloc. trying to alleviate the crises and, have penetrated deep into the other southern components, dialogue, the situation in the STC leaders pointed out that because of those efforts, public northern areas to secure the saying the council includes all of southern provinces will not be the those negotiations reveal the services have never been better. border and prevent heavy artillery southern political and partisan same as before the talks, since it disintegration of the government Saleh said that the STC elimi- from reaching Houthi militias that components and entities. became obvious that the legiti- camp and what is happening in nated terrorist organisations in have been targeting residential He added that STC Chairman mate government is unwilling to Muscat “is not reassuring and is Aden, including presidential neighbourhoods. Southern forces Major-General Aidarus al-Zubaidi reach solutions to end the crisis. being sponsored by Iran and protection brigades, whose camps reportedly inflicted heavy losses insists that he is ready to meet with “Rather, it has put itself in an Qatar; its main objective is to had become “military barracks for on pro-Iranian elements, includ- every southern person who wants embarrassing position between foment discord in the southern terrorist organisations… Those ing killing prominent leaders. to talk and said “whoever could choosing to go along with the provinces, with the involvement elements have never been part of Saleh added that there were not reach us, we will go to him.” [Arab] Coalition’s initiative or of several movements hostile to the Yemeni military establish- efforts to revive the economy and Saleh explained that STC had joining the Qatari-Iranian-Turkish the Arab Coalition in Mahrah and ment. They are basically under the provide basic services, cultural been subjected to attempts by axis, which is blocking the some of the leaders of Shabwa control of [Yemeni] Vice-President and sports activities and all that regional and internal parties to confrontation with the Hou- affiliated with Islah party,” Saleh Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar.” enhances the chances of a normal corrupt its relationship with the this.” said. He pointed out that the Arab life. Arab Coalition members. By Saleh said the STC was willing to Saleh said “the conspiracies” of Coalition was aware that, during He said the establishment of the refusing to meet with the STC in give self-rule to south Yemen until the government, operating under the events of Aden, southern southern security services was August, the legitimate govern- the end of the fight against the the control of Islah, a political arm Yemen residents did not target the carried out through a comprehen- ment sought to push it into the Houthi rebels and then begin of the Muslim Brotherhood, began government’s forces. He stressed sive military plan in which the position of rejecting any subse- negotiations for a comprehensive after the liberation of southern that “the availability of this Arab Coalition forces and the STC quent dialogue. However, the solution. governorates from the Houthis in information to the coalition participated. scheme failed. He said that the STC has dealt July 2015. countries made them intervene in The STC’s structure was STC members said they had no responsibly with the Arab Coali- At that time, the agreement was the crisis proactively and attempt established in parallel with a objection to returning to Riyadh tion’s efforts and hopes that the that the government in Aden to end the conditions that had military one consisting of the for more negotiations. The council government would leave the would act as the starting point for provided a safe haven for these southern resistance forces and said it was eager to accept the Arab “square of betrayal and not efforts to end the Houthi coup terrorist elements.” Security Belt and Elites forces, in Coalition’s initiatives to end the depend on projects which are because the revolt was a danger to Saleh described the security addition to the council’s efforts on crisis. hostile to the Arab project.” Yemen and other Gulf countries situation in Aden as “very good.” the diplomatic level that have “If the negotiations fail, the and because the Houthis are an He said this was also the case of enabled it to claim a significant Ahmed Gamal is an Egyptian Transitional Council and the Iranian instrument. most of Abyan governorate, international attention to the writer. Saudi-Emirati coordination aids effort to normalise Aden’s situation

The Arab Weekly staff forces would have to transfer out of to contribute to the success of the Aden. Jeddah Agreement on political and As part of the agreement, there military levels. London will be no withdrawal from Aden There appeared to be progress in of UAE forces operating within the the Saudi-sponsored dialogue pro- audi Deputy Defence Minis- Arab Coalition. The United Arab cess but there are many points of ter Prince Khalid bin Salman Emirates would continue to play a disagreement that may take weeks Closing ranks. Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin bin Abdulaziz’s recent visit role and Saudi forces would have to resolve before a final agreement Salman bin Abdulaziz (L) speaks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince S to Abu Dhabi seems to have a more prominent position in im- is signed. Among challenges facing Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a visit to Abu ended manoeuvring by the Muslim plementing the Jeddah Agreement the Jeddah Agreement are those in Dhabi, October 7. (WAM) Brotherhood-affiliated Islah party and protecting government institu- the government camp who reject and the so-called legitimate gov- tions expected to return to Aden. any deal with the Southern Transi- ernment camp in Yemen. The UAE news agency said Abu tional Council (STC) and voice op- secret talks with the Houthis and the draft document submitted by Reports indicated that coordina- Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mo- position to Islah. the pro-Iranian Baom movement the Saudi committee and suggest- tion between Saudi Arabia and the hammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan There has also been the emer- under Qatari and Omani patronage. ed amendments to it but rejected United Arab Emirates helped to- and Saudi Prince Khalid discussed gence of a splinter group in the The widening circle of the re- any dialogue with STC. wards normalising the situation in “strategic cooperation, coordina- government camp whose leaders jectionists of the Jeddah dialogue Hadi presented the Saudi side Aden through an agreement on se- tion and joint action in defence threatened to leave the “legiti- casts doubts on the “legitimacy” with proposed amendments to the curity and military arrangements. and military affairs” in a meeting macy” camp and reach rapproche- camp’s ability to implement the Jeddah Agreement, including his There are indications of a Saudi October 6. They also talked about ment with the Houthi rebels. The agreement, especially with indica- refusal to form the next govern- role in Aden to implement the “challenges facing the Arabian Gulf group is led by Yemeni Interior tions that the rejectionist groups ment with the STC. He did agree agreement and oversee restructur- region and their repercussions on Minister Ahmed al-Maisari, Min- close to Yemeni President Abd to consult the Yemeni parties and ing of government institutions, in the security, stability and efforts ister of Transport Saleh al-Jibwani Rabbo Mansour Hadi are trying to components. His suggestions in- addition to arrangements related of its peoples and countries,” the and Deputy Speaker of the House hamper the Jeddah talks. cluded proposals on security and to the deployment of the Security report said. of Representatives Abdul Aziz Jab- Sources played down reports military arrangements in Aden and Belt Forces to maintain security The meeting took place in the bari. that an agreement was imminent southern governorates and regard- in Aden under the supervision of context of ongoing Saudi-Emirati There are also said to be politi- between the legitimacy camps and ing the Security Belt Forces and Saudi forces. All other paramilitary coordination and was expected cal and media figures conducting the STC, saying Hadi had reviewed STC forces. October 13, 2019 13 News & Analysis Iraq Baghdad protests taper down but causes for renewed flare-up remain

Mamoon Alabbasi ber 11, Sistani gave authorities two weeks to announce the findings of the government investigation into London protest-related deaths. “The government is responsible assive anti-government when, under the eye of law enforce- protests in Baghdad ment, protesters are fired on illegally and across Iraq’s Shia- and media are beaten or attacked M majority provinces have to terrorise their employees,” said wound down but the grievances that Sistani. Authorities must act to “put led tens of thousands of demonstra- an end to threats, beatings, abduc- tors into the streets have yet to be tions, sniper fire and violence by addressed, threatening to spark re- those who believe they can act with newed unrest. total impunity.” More than 110 people, mainly pro- Sistani “demands that the govern- testers but including security forces, ment investigate to find out which were killed and some 6,000 dem- elements gave orders to shoot pro- onstrators were reportedly injured testers, whatever their affiliation,” since the unrest began October 1. said the cleric’s representative. Demonstrators called for an end to Video footage released by activists corruption and chronic unemploy- showed sniper fire directed towards ment as well as an improvement of protesters who did not appear to basic services and the standard of pose threats to security forces. Wit- living. Some protesters demanded nesses said protesters were attacked the resignation of the government, by masked men believed to be mem- a call echoed by influential cleric bers of the country’s Iran-backed Muqtada al-Sadr. militias. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul- Tehran-backed Iraqi politicians, Mahdi refused to step down but as well as Iranian officials, blamed oversaw a minor cabinet reshuffle the protests in Iraq on “foreign en- and said there would be government emies” hostile to Iran. reforms. His promises of more sub- The initial government narrative, sidies, social housing and employ- broadcast on state-run television ment programmes for young people and media outlets loyal to many of were viewed by observers as too lit- the country’s political parties, was tle. that the protests were infiltrated by Chronic grievances. An Iraqi protester waves the national flag during a demonstration against state Abdul-Mahdi vowed to open an “saboteurs.” This was coupled with a corruption, failing public services and unemployment in Baghdad, October 5. (AFP) investigation into the killing of pro- crackdown on journalists and media testers. He said those killed, whether outlets reporting on the protests. protesters or members of the secu- Iraqi authorities restricted access military had used “excessive force” public services linger in Iraq and would be learnt about the repeated rity forces, were “martyrs” whose to social media and the internet. against protesters and ordered the have prompted protests since 2011, failures which gave rise to ISIS and families will receive financial com- “Iraq enters internet history as the police to replace the army in Sadr including notably in Basra in 2018,” that those in power would take sin- pensation. He declared three days of first recorded country to implement City. Restrictions on the internet, Balsam Mustafa, a teaching fellow at cere steps to reform but that hope mourning over their death starting a systematic night-time curfew at however, continued. the University of Birmingham, pub- has been diminishing every day,” she October 10. nation-scale by cutting and restoring Observers said the reasons behind lished on the website the Conversa- added. Abdul-Mahdi’s government was internet access at the same times for the wide public discontent are likely tion.com. criticised twice in as many weeks by two consecutive nights,” read a re- to continue. “The recapture of Iraqi lands from Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy Manag- top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali port by the NGO NetBlocks. “Endemic corruption, unemploy- the grip of the Islamic State (ISIS) ing Editor and Online Editor of Sistani. In his Friday sermon Octo- Authorities acknowledged that the ment, flawed institutions and poor gave many Iraqis hope that lessons The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint Iraq under fire for Opening Iraq-Syria border gives Iran yet another advantage attacks on media The Arab Weekly staff dom Index” by Reporters Without was to pressure the United States Israel has repeatedly struck Borders, which accused security by bleeding its military power targets in Iraq belonging to the forces of “disproportionate and un- Tallha in Iraq so any idea of “regime Iran-backed Popular Mobilisa- London warranted restriction of the right to Abdulrazaq change” would be forced from tion Forces (PMF), an umbrella inform.” Washington’s strategic calculus. group of Shia jihadists that have raqi authorities came under “Instead of banning all journal- However, considering the As- been formally made a part of the criticism for attacks and threats istic activities, the security forces ight years after it was sad regime’s proximity to Iran’s Iraqi armed forces by Baghdad. against journalists, bloggers and local authorities have a duty to closed, Iraq has mullahs, it seems apparent the Some of those targets included I and media outlets reporting on guarantee the safety of journalists opened its Qaim Syrians worked hand in glove Iranian ballistic missiles con- mass anti-government demonstra- so that they can do their reporting,” border crossing with with the Iranians, whom WikiLe- cealed in refrigerated trucks tions. said Sabrina Bennoui, Middle East Syria in an attempt to aks linked to supporting al-Qae- masquerading as fruit and veg- National and regional television desk head at Reporters Without revitalise trade da extremists in 2010. etable delivery vehicles. In other station offices were ransacked by Borders. Ebetween the two neighbouring With this in mind, Syria di- words, civilian shipping routes armed, masked men on October Iraqi authorities restricted access countries. rectly supported terrorists in Iraq can be used for covert military 5. Affected offices included the to social media platforms October Islamic State (ISIS) extrem- in coordination with Iran to the purposes. Baghdad bureaus of Al Dijla chan- 2, prompting activists to use virtu- ists had held the area around detriment of the Iraqi people, With the Iraqi side of the nel, NRT TV, Al-Nahrain and Saudi- al private network applications to the desert border crossing half a first and foremost, and the oc- border being secured by the PMF owned Al Arabiya. get around the ban. Authorities re- decade ago but with their defeat cupying US forces second. and the Syrian side being secured Iraqi journalists, including some sponded by shutting down internet and the ever-growing dominance What has fundamentally by an enormous Iranian military who worked at Hona Baghdad access in provinces where protests of Iran-backed but Iraq-sanc- changed to justify Iraq’s reopen- presence at a new base at Albu- and Al Rasheed TV, said they were took place. tioned Shia jihadists, it would ing of its border crossing with kamal, there can be no doubt threatened by unidentified peo- Cybersecurity NGO NetBlocks appear Tehran believes it is time Syria? about Tehran’s intentions. ple via telephone asking them to said the Iraqi government imposed to move on with its plan to make It cannot be that Syria is an As usual, the government in change their editorial line. “a near-total telecommunication its movements from Iran to the oasis of stability in a tumultu- Baghdad merely plays a passive Iraqi President Barham Salih con- shutdown in most regions, se- Mediterranean flow better. ous neighbourhood that has vast role because Iranians are calling demned the attacks and Al Arabiya verely limiting press coverage and Iran’s plan to make this vast economic opportunities. The the shots. This is more prevalent said it had received “assurances” transparency around the ongoing territory almost one contigu- Assad regime, while it has almost considering heightened US-Irani- from Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Ab- crisis.” ous entity as part of an informal crushed the Syrian opposition an tensions and how Iran wants dul-Mahdi that attacks against the empire it dominates has taken with Russian and Iranian help, to ensure that it cannot be chal- television station’s office would be National and regional another step towards fruition has presided over one of the lenged, neither in the Arabian investigated. television station offices and the international community worst economies on Earth, with Gulf nor on likely land routes Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the were ransacked by must act. a population wracked with fear that could be used for military top official of the United Nations in armed, masked men on Let us not forget that, follow- and with many large business confrontation with it. Iraq, said she was “shocked at the ing the downfall of the Saddam contracts going to those — Mos- With the lack of firm US action vandalism (and) intimidation.” October 5. Hussein regime in 2003, the new cow and Tehran — who aided the to create a less pro-Iran environ- “Government efforts (are) re- “The disruption comes at a criti- Iraqi authorities, jointly support- Assad regime in its time of need. ment in Iraq’s political, security quired to protect journalists. Free cal time when Iraqis most need a ed by Iran and the United States, It is not as though it is a thriving and economic spheres of influ- media is the best safeguard of a voice,” said NetBlocks. albeit for different reasons, had hub for commerce and trade. ence, it seems likely Tehran’s strong democracy,” she said. Internet connections returned sealed its border with Syria. The answer is Iran wants to influence will spread and grow Amnesty International blasted during daylight hours October 8. The Bashar Assad regime in ensure that it can more easily without challenge. the “sinister campaign of harass- Journalists and activists used the Syria, which has always been move, not only men and materiel ment, intimidation and arrests of time the internet access was avail- close to Iran, began facilitating into the Syrian theatre, but it Tallha Abdulrazaq is a peaceful activists, journalists and able to upload videos of alleged po- the transit of Sunni jihadists, in- also wants the excuse of “trade” researcher at the University of protesters by the authorities.” lice brutality during the protests. cluding al-Qaeda operatives, into to more easily conceal nefarious Exeter’s Strategy and Security Iraq ranks 156th out of 180 coun- Access to social media sites re- Iraq. Analysts said the intention shipments. Institute in England. tries on the “2019 World Press Free- mained restricted. 14 October 13, 2019 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Interview Why Raja Shehadeh sees hope for Palestinians despite current ‘disenchantment’

opposition leader, were dead- “On the other hand, Israel has locked. How much difference become dominated by the right might a new Israeli government wing and by the settler lobby. I Sharmila Devi make? think their power came from Raja Shehadeh (RS): “It doesn’t observing the rule of law as far as really matter because for both their project was concerned, not as aja Shehadeh is a [Israeli] parties, the occupation, far as the Palestinian community in lawyer, the founder the conflict, how to end it and their midst but as far as enabling of the human rights relations with the Palestinians are their project and the settlements to organisation not an issue. They’re not on the be carried out and justifying Al-Haq and the agenda of the Israelis. everything in their own way under author of several “Both sides are competing to international law. Now this is acclaimed books, show how much they can appease breaking down. including “Stran- the settlers but, at the same time, I “The high court in Israel has two Rgers in the House” and “Palestinian think Netanyahu is destroying judges living in settlements and Walks” in which he intertwines his Israel in so many ways, I think his sometimes they don’t bother personal history with that of the presence has cast a dark shadow [legally] justifying what they do. West Bank. His “humanity and over everything. His removal They just say: ‘God gave us this wisdom are invaluable,” said the would be welcome. There hasn’t land’ and that’s the end of it. I think New York Times. been a happy day since he took their power is being challenged. A Shehadeh, 68, studied law in over. Not that Gantz is much country is powerful only as long as London. He worked as an adviser to better.” its legal system is intact and strong the Palestine Liberation Organisa- TAW: You write that your and there are many signs that Israel A shift from romanticism. Raja Shehadeh, a Palestinian author, tion before the Madrid peace generation has failed to liberate is breaking down in that sense.” lawyer and human rights campaigner. (Courtesy of Raja Shehadeh) negotiations but he resigned and Palestine and it is up to the next TAW: What made you decide to was highly critical of the Oslo generation. How do you view describe the occupation that you near Ramallah], which used to be a change takes place, it comes very Accords of the 1990s that granted young Palestinians? grew up with? beautiful place and where there quickly and it comes from unex- only limited self-rule to the RS: “There has been a total were lots of plants growing there pected quarters. If you look at the Palestinians. disenchantment with politics and Raja Shehadeh, — tomatoes, cucumbers, delicious situation just for what it is now, it His book, “Going Home: A Walk there’s been a move towards Lawyer and founder of the human rights things. looks all closed up; all the windows Through Fifty Years of Occupa- culture. It’s quite amazing how organisation Al-Haq “Also, the experience of the first are closed but this can change. tion,” describes his walk through much cultural output by young “A country is powerful only as intifada [1987-91], which I assumed “I think the most hopeful thing is Ramallah’s streets over the course people there is and how sophisti- long as its legal system is intact was the experience of everybody, the fact that Palestinians have of one day — the 50th anniversary cated young people are becom- and strong and there are many is, of course, the experience of very proven their resilience and, despite of the 1967 war in which Israel won ing. signs that Israel is breaking select people because the genera- everything, they have not packed control of the West Bank, Gaza and “Yet, it is a very confusing time down in that sense.” tion of the first intifada is growing up and left. They are here. They are East Jerusalem. He describes the because when I was young it was old. People don’t talk about it that getting more sophisticated in so changing face of the city now clear-cut. There was an occupation RS: “One of the motivations for much and, if they do, they talk many ways. They are doing what surrounded by Israeli settlements and we wanted to end the occupa- writing was every time I came upon about it in a romantic way and they can and that gives hope for the and the story of his family. He tion and we saw signs of possibility a certain checkpoint in the out- young people are fed up with future, because as long as we’re spoke with The Arab Weekly via for ending the occupation so it was skirts of Ramallah… I was aware romanticism and they don’t want here, that’s the main thing.” telephone. clear. Now, with the Oslo agree- that somebody like my nephew, to hear any more.” The Arab Weekly (TAW): Israel ments, it’s so much more compli- who is 23, doesn’t see it except for TAW: What hope do you have for Sharmila Devi is a former British has just had elections in which cated. They stay away from politics what it is now and he doesn’t know the future? correspondent in the Middle East Binyamin Netanyahu, prime because they see no usefulness in what it was before. It’s the same RS: “I’ve been observing this for and writes on political and social minister, and Benny Gantz, being involved in politics. with the Ofer prison [an Israeli jail long enough to know that when issues in the region. Viewpoint In the Middle East, Egypt-Israel ties stand out

t is arguably true that the Egypt established the gold standard tion of Muhammad Morsi and his the application of the 1982 treaty Middle East has never, in declared at Khartoum — “no peace deposition by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. restrictions on Egypt’s military Geoffrey modern times, been so weak with Israel, no recognition of Israel, Ties with Washington remain deployment in Sinai to facilitate Aronson and inviting a target for no negotiations with it” — a policy critical to both Sisi and Israeli Prime Cairo’s war. Israeli drones, helicopter foreign intervention. In the established after the Arab failure to Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. gunships and fighter jets have oper- last generation, foreign prevent the founding of Israel. While each has a good relationship ated in Egyptian skies against ISIS Ipowers led by or allied to Washing- Egypt, which led to the adoption with the mercurial American presi- in Sinai. ton have occupied four Arab and pursuit of this policy, became dent, bilateral relations independent Sisi’s controversial decision to re- capitals. the leading advocate of its repu- of the Washington at security and in- turn the islands of Tiran and Sanafir On the other side of the great diation. After the military victory telligence levels are closer than ever. to Saudi control was made possible power divide, Russian, Turkish and in October 1973, Egypt, under the Indeed, the growing bonds directly by a commitment to Israel that Ri- Iranian forces play an outsized role direction of Anwar Sadat, took the linking Israel and Egypt constitute yadh would respect the security and in the destiny of millions across first critical steps in fashioning a the vibrant core of their relationship. freedom of navigation terms of the the Fertile Crescent. The system of relationship that today is stronger In contrast to Washington, Israel 1982 treaty. states established after the dissolu- than ever before. and Egypt share the view that Syr- In a development that Nasser tion of the Ottoman empire — from For many years after the Sadat ian President Bashar Assad and the could not imagine, energy security Iraq to Syria, Libya and Yemen visit to Jerusalem in November Russians have won the struggle for and supply in the Eastern Mediter- — have been destabilised as never 1977, Washington was an indispen- Syria. Each for its own reasons is ranean dominate growing ties. Both before. In the best of worlds, the la- sable mediator between the former locked in an antipathetic struggle countries are building broad and bour of generations will be required enemies. Indeed, Sadat’s interest with Turkish President Recep Tayyip expanding economic relationships to re-establish the sovereign power in forging a close relationship with Erdogan. Both oppose the Turkish based on exploiting and transporting of states enveloped by crisis and Washington was the driving factor in president’s embrace of the Muslim their respective maritime reserves. foreign occupation. Egypt’s historic rapprochement with Brotherhood in Egypt and the Pal- Israel has resumed supply of natural The intimate relationship between Israel, inaugurated in the signing of estinian territories and view Ankara gas to Egypt for Cairo’s domestic use Egypt and Israel stands as a critical a peace treaty in March 1982 and Is- as a hostile force in the Eastern and re-export, making a key contri- exception to this trend of dissolution rael’s withdrawal from its conquests Mediterranean. bution to Egypt’s campaign to estab- and implosion. in Sinai. Both are wary of Hamas and lish itself as a hub for energy supply The entirely new At the heart of the Middle East, Sadat’s determination to establish determined to restrict trade and the throughout the Mediterranean. 21st-century agenda there are two strong states, for- a close relationship with Washing- operation of their respective borders This cooperative effort has estab- mer enemies now reconciled for ton has been realised but whatever with the impoverished enclave. Nev- lished the basis for an expanding promises to define almost half a century. Each has kept hopes for the Palestinians Sadat an- ertheless, Netanyahu and Sisi agree and dynamic energy and security future ties between the overweening intervention of ticipated would result from his deci- that Hamas under the leadership of dialogue, including Israel, Egypt, Cy- foreign states at bay. The intersect- sion to reconcile with Washington Yahya Sinwar — and not Fatah under prus and Greece. This entirely new Israel and Egypt, ing strategic interests linking Egypt and Jerusalem, Egypt failed to lever- the leadership of Palestinian Author- 21st-century agenda promises to leaving their and Israel have produced a powerful age its closer ties to end occupation ity President Mahmoud Abbas — is define future ties between Israel and unfinished business working alliance that stands all but or to create a Palestinian state. the Palestinian address in Gaza. Egypt, leaving their unfinished busi- alone in an otherwise tumultuous Israel’s pact with Egypt has stood Cooperation in the battle against ness of the 20th century, foremost of the 20th century, region whose weaknesses continue the test of time, surviving Israel’s a local insurgency in Sinai led by the Palestine, as an artefact of history. foremost Palestine, to tempt foreign intervention. invasion(s) of Lebanon, its serial Islamic State (ISIS) is at the heart of Who could have imagined such assaults on Gaza, the defeat of Pal- security and intelligence coopera- Geoffrey Aronson is a non-resident as an artefact of a thing? Throughout the 1950s estinian rebellions in 1988 and 2002, tion that defines the relationship. scholar at the Middle East Institute history. and 1960s, Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Hosni Mubarak’s fall and the elec- Israel and Egypt agreed to modify in Washington. October 13, 2019 15 News & Analysis Iran Protests in Iraq could pose problems for Tehran

Thomas Seibert also has a Shia majority, via politi- cal proxies and support for para- Istanbul military groups. “What is certain is that the cur- rent protest against systemic cor- he wave of deadly protests ruption and other grievances in against corruption and Iraq cannot be separated from foreign influence in Iraq Iran. Iran is part and parcel of the T could pose problems for post-2003 regime in Baghdad,” neighbouring Iran. Fathollah-Nejad said in reference Iraq descended into violence to the political system put in place when protests that began with after the US-led invasion that top- demands for an end to rampant pled Saddam Hussein 16 years ago. corruption and chronic unem- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatol- ployment escalated to calls for a lah Ali Khamenei said “enemies” complete overhaul of the political were trying to drive a wedge be- system. Official figures stated that tween Tehran and Baghdad, an violence in Baghdad and across apparent allusion to the protests. southern Iraq killed more than Writing on Twitter, he described 100 people, mostly protesters the two countries as “two nations but also several police, with more whose hearts & souls are tied to- than 6,000 others wounded. gether.” A tentative calm returned to the Iranian Judiciary Chief Ebrahim country ahead of Arbaeen, a mas- Raeisi said the reason behind the sive pilgrimage that sees millions Iraqi protests was “US-Saudi sedi- of Shia Muslims walk to the holy tion.” The state news agency IRNA city of Karbala, south of Baghdad. added to the conspiracy theories Nearly 2 million Iranians took part by commenting that “some forces last year. Tehran, this year, urged inside and outside of the region citizens to delay travel into Iraq are seriously concerned about the because of the protest violence. closeness and cooperation” be- Arbaeen begins October 19. tween Iraq, Iran and Syria. A top military adviser to Wherever you turn your eyes. Iranian rial banknotes on display at a market in the city of Najaf in Khamenei said those behind the Iraq. (Reuters) Maria Fantappie, a senior adviser at the unrest would be unable to deter International Crisis Group the faithful at Arbaeen, however. “They want to scare people into the country’s governance failure Fantappie said one of the sparks provided a “lifeline in the face of not going to Arbaeen but, even if it and corruption.” for the Iraqi protest came from a US economic sanctions” launched rains arrows and stones, Hussein’s Anti-Iran placards were seen at decision by Iraqi Prime Minister against Iran. “Many Iraqi Shias look at lovers will not be afraid,” Major- demonstrations. Iranian Ambas- Adel Abdul-Mahdi to demote a Unrest in Iraq also might have the paramilitaries, the Shia General Yahya Rahim Safavi was sador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi triggered popular senior commander of the reminded Iranian leaders in Teh- political parties and Iran as quoted as saying by Tasnim News criticism by saying that Iran could war with the Islamic State, Gen- ran of the dissatisfaction ex- complicit in the country’s Agency. target US forces in Iraq in case the eral Abdel-Wahab al-Saadi of the pressed by some of their own citi- governance failure and Iran’s influence over Iraq has ongoing conflict between Teh- Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS). zens in mass protests. corruption.” been placed under the spotlight ran and Washington escalated. “The CTS is in competition with Fathollah-Nejad drew attention by the unrest, however. Masjedi was summoned by Iraq’s Al-Hashed al-Shaabi, an array of to the fact that many of the prob- “The fact that some protesters Foreign Ministry because of the paramilitary groups, the most lems that demonstrators in Iraq Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a visiting may be motivated by anti-Iranian remarks. powerful of which are linked to cited were like those that drew fellow at the Brookings Doha Cen- animus — several have chanted Reports said Mohammed Reza Iran,” Fantappie wrote. “Those people onto the streets in Iranian tre, said the Iraqi protests were anti-Iranian slogans — is of further al-Sistani, the son of Iran-born critical of Iran’s role in Iraq addi- cities in recent years. partly directed against the role concern to Tehran, whose influ- Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the tionally saw the prime minister as “The communalities are very Iran plays in the country. ence in Iraq could be at stake,” highest Shia religious authority in giving in to the Hashed by demot- strong. If you look at earlier pro- “This might complicate the con- Maria Fantappie, a senior adviser Iraq, issued a warning to Iranian ing the general.” tests in Basra, where people tinuation or expansion of Iran’s at the International Crisis Group, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, Fantappie said that “Iran may complained about corruption, influence in Iraq,” Fathollah- wrote in an analysis posted on the head of Iran’s al-Quds Force. The prefer a weak and dependable mismanagement and ecological Nejad said by telephone. Iran, a group’s website. reported message from Sistani government in Baghdad, but it problems, those issues were quite predominantly Shia country of 81 “Many Iraqi Shias look at the was that the Iraqi “street would has no interest in Iraq descend- similar to problems felt by people million people, pursues its inter- paramilitaries, the Shia political rise up” if Iran did not stop inter- ing into chaos.” Tehran needed a across the border in south-west- ests in much smaller Iraq, which parties and Iran as complicit in fering in Iraqi domestic politics. stable Iraq because bilateral trade ern Iran,” he said.

Viewpoint Iran never objects to Trump when he is making a mistake

urkey’s plan for a his staff to execute the “full” and States in the fight against the Is- IRNA managed to get a few “safe zone” in Syria, “rapid” withdrawal of the US lamic State, the risk of its re-emer- quotes from Professor Nader cleared of a Kurdish military from Syria. On January 3, gence and the potential for new Entessar, an expert on Kurdish Ali Alfoneh militia that will house 2019, Trump appeared to have for- wars as regional powers rush to fill politics based in the United States, some of Turkey’s 3.6 gotten his promise of leaving Syria the vacuum after the US military who said the Kurds are reduced million Syrian refu- for Turkey and said the Iranians leaves make little impact on the to “tactical pawns of the United Tgees, became closer to realisation “can do what they want” in Syria. American president. States.” Tabnak News, which as after a phone conversation Trump reversed course back Amid these dramatic shifts in seen as close to Mohsen Rezaei, between Turkish President Recep then, just as he may reverse his US policy, Iranian officials re- former chief commander of the Is- Tayyip Erdogan and US President recent course-reversal before this mained remarkably silent. Most lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Donald Trump. article is published. Regardless, of the articles released by Iranian mused about the psychological A few hours later after the Octo- the trajectory appears to be clear: news agencies are translations of balance of the US president. An ber conversation, the White House For Trump, the 2020 presiden- foreign news agencies. Iranian analysis in the centrist Alef News released a statement endorsing tial election matters more than news agencies also appear to be interpreted the move as Wash- the operation, radically shifting complex geopolitics of the Middle struggling to find experts willing ington “giving the green light to course in the administration’s East. Betrayal of the Kurds, the to comment on the developments Erdogan attacking Syrian Kurds.” Syria policy, which had hitherto staunchest allies of the United in Syria. Iranian strategists most likely protected Kurdish US allies. welcome the prospects of a US The next morning, Trump urged exit from Syria and most likely “Turkey, Europe, Syria, Iran, Iraq, accept the Turkish safety zone Russia and the Kurds” to “figure as a political/military reality. The the situation out.” However, fac- Iranian regime’s propaganda ing heavy criticism from Senate machinery will doubtlessly use Republicans, who accused him of Washington’s betrayal of its Kurd- betraying Washington’s Kurdish ish allies, which it will compare allies, Trump once again appeared with Tehran’s assistance to the to reverse course: “[I]f Turkey beleaguered Assad regime. does anything that I, in my great Tehran is not likely to be con- and unmatched wisdom, consider cerned with the prospects for a to be off limits, I will totally de- small-scale revival of the Islamic stroy and obliterate the Economy State, in comparison with which it Tehran is not likely to of Turkey.” can present itself as an ally of the be concerned with How is the great and unmatched civilised world. For now, however, wisdom of the American president Iranian officials keep silent and the prospects for a likely to be perceived in Iran? appear to be following French small-scale revival of Trump’s recent course reversal Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s the Islamic State, in did not come out of the blue. In maxim: “Never interfere with his December 18, 2018, phone con- your enemy when he is making a comparison with versation with Erdogan, Trump mistake.” which it can present allegedly said: “OK, it’s [Syria is] all yours. We are done!” The very Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at itself as an ally of the next day Trump declared victory On cloud nine. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) the Arab Gulf States Institute in civilised world. over the Islamic State and ordered and Syrian President Bashar Assad in Tehran, February 25. (AP) Washington. 16 October 13, 2019 News & Analysis East West Deadly stabbings of French police officers point again to complacency in face of Salafist extremism

Majed Nehme do, as well as the November 13 Paris tion alone and all the state services carnage, were perpetrated by French will not be able to overpower the Is- jihadists, some of whom had made lamist hydra.” Paris their apprenticeship in Syria and Iraq. Critics say they are accustomed French authorities at the time to the gap between Macron’s fine n October 3, the French state, swore to put a stop to this criminal speeches and his acts but the gravity supposed to be republican nebula which, it must be stressed, of the situation, the result of decades and secular, was hit in its harms Muslims themselves. The in- of incoherent policies, is so serious O nerve centre. ternational organisation of the Mus- that it leaves him no choice but to act On October 3, the French state, sup- lim Brotherhood, rife in France and and quickly if he wants to save his posed to be republican and secular, in Europe, with headquarters in Is- presidency. was hit in its nerve centre. tanbul and Doha, has been regularly There is wariness in France that is That day, Mickael Harpon, a singled out as the main source for the propitious to the duplication of this Frenchman of Caribbean origin and spread of the radical currents of po- kind of terrorist act fuelled by the car- a convert to Salafi Islam, stabbed to litical Islam. riers of political Islam discourse who death four police officers before being Some officials and media called for are well established in most of the killed in the police prefecture court by its outright ban, calling it a “terrorist suburbs of French cities, areas aban- a trainee officer. association,” but nothing concrete doned to their fate by the state. Harpon had been working for 15 has been done. There are also the “solitary” ter- years in the intelligence cell of the po- Commenting on the fact that the rorist apprentices who returned to lice prefecture, which is supposed to assassin of the prefecture frequented France after jihadist experiences in A turning point. French Police officers attend a ceremony to honour identify and hunt down violent radi- the Salafist mosque in Gonesse, se- the Middle East, Libya and the Sahel. three police officers and an administrative worker killed by a cal Islamists. He was a frequent at- curity officials asserted that this was New converts to Islam, most of suspected radicalised attacker, at the Police Prefecture in Paris, tendee of a mosque in Gonesse led by not a serious indicator because many whom are recruited in the suburbs, October 8. (Reuters) a foreign Salafist imam who has been mosques in the suburbs of large cities are too often not knowledgeable the subject of an eviction procedure. are led and managed by Salafists. about Islam and are more vulnerable News reports of testimonies by his It is true that not all Salafists have than other Muslims to manipulation. Africans who convert, seeing in Is- terrorism in the the country’s politi- colleagues at the prefecture indicated acted on their beliefs, even if they The assassin of the prefecture is a lam a kind of identity defence against cal landscape is too often preceded that Harpon had shown signs of radi- radically reject the secular values ​ good example. whites.” by a bigoted, nauseating debate on calisation that were not noticed by his of the French Republic but it is this Islam specialist Gilles Kepel, a pro- For Kepel there is no doubt that, immigration, rather than a debate superiors and did not result in a for- kind of simplistic justification that fessor at Universite Paris Sciences et with the quadruple assassination at on the real reasons for this extremist mal inquiry. This is disturbing, con- explains the inaction of the public au- Lettres, explained this phenomenon the police prefecture, the country has scourge. sidering that the assailant had access thorities in the face of this danger. of exploitation of the converts to Is- entered a phase of “endogenous ter- To moderate politicians, however, to a sensitive database that includes Reacting to the attack at the prefec- lam — an estimated 50,000-100,000 rorism that is manufactured in France France has always been a country of the identities of police informants ture, French President Emmanuel Ma- converts per year — by several factors. in the enclaves of the republic.” It is “a immigration. It still is, and it will al- working undercover in mosques un- cron gave, on the scene of the crime, a “There is,” he said, “among the in- major turning point in Islamist terror- ways be. der investigation. strong and aggressive speech that was habitants of neighbourhoods hit by ism,” he told Le Figaro. Experts of Islam in France say dis- The revelations struck a nerve with befitting of the circumstances: poverty and especially by lack of job “In France, we are collectively sociating the debates is necessary to the public, which grew even more “In the face of Islamic terrorism, we opportunities, an appetite to define victims of a strange evil, particu- grasp the true nature of the threat the sceptical of leaders who say they are will fight relentlessly… Attacking the themselves through the criteria of larly virulent in the administrations, country faces. For the Islamist hydra committed to fighting terrorism and root, the breeding ground on which Islamist ideology that does not only ministerial offices and newsrooms, a to be slain, as promised by Macron, the excesses of communitarianism. Islamist terrorism flourishes and its concern people of Muslim origin but disease of the mind, very much like they say it is not immigration that Among these excesses, the one stem- deadly vocations is just as vital. also young people from the suburbs voluntary blindness, a disease that if poses a threat but Salafist Islamism ming from political Islam seems to be “The government is fully mobi- who have lost their identity bond and we want to fight, we have to resolve and its organisational Muslim Broth- the most tolerated by the country’s lised for this task with method and who will see in Islamism the exacer- to call it by name: denialislamism,” erhood ramifications. leaders. determination but I also want to say bation of self-defence claims. This is he added. In January 2015, the attacks against it forcefully today: institutions alone a phenomenon that affects a number What is confusing in the French po- Majed Nehme is a Syrian-French the satirical newspaper Charlie Heb- will not be enough. The administra- of West Indians but also non-Muslim litical scene is that the debate about journalist in Paris. Viewpoint Does Europe have a policy on Algeria?

issues than Algeria will catch the across sub-Saharan Africa and the poll cooked after people cast their police and gendarmerie have had attention of the newly minted EU Maghreb, not least Algeria — are ballot) carries risks. their hands full with political Commission. All the frontiers of here to stay. A presidential poll vote dressed protests. Europe are in turmoil, from Gulf countries, including Saudi up as karagoz (Ottoman puppets) Protesters in Algeria have shown Francis Ghilès Ukraine to North Africa, the one Arabia, have walk-on parts, not will not rebuild trust, a key factor a keen appreciation of the repeated demanding immediate attention least in Libya but also further west, for domestic and international attempts of their leaders to divide he demonstrations that being Turkey’s threat to conquer a which some European powers investors. It would destroy the them along Arab versus Berber, have engulfed Algeria buffer zone in northern Syria. As have tried to leverage to little hope of seeing through much- Eastern versus Western Algeria or since February present the president of the old conti- success. France, in particular, needed economic reforms. It Islamist versus lay parties fault an unwelcome chal- nent’s long-standing ally, Donald seems unnerved by the presence of would encourage capital flight. If lines. European media seem to lenge to Europe’s Trump, plays rogue, devising a these new actors but its leaders only because of their private attach greater importance than foreign policy establish- global strategy is a daunting task. need to appreciate that the days economic interests, some senior necessary to information peddled Tment, already confronted with Yet that is the challenge that when it could behave as if its officers understand that economic by state-sponsored propaganda fast-moving and unpredictable awaits the new European Foreign former colonies were part of its reform does not stand a chance trolls. developments in Ukraine, Turkey, Affairs commissioner, former exclusive sphere of interests are without recasting the political Two broad points need to be Syria and Libya. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep gone forever. governance in Algeria. made. First, it would do EU leaders Africa’s largest country is going Borrell. French wishes, whether Fear of radical Islamic parties, no harm to reaffirm their belief in through a slow-motion revolution North Africa, including the expressed bilaterally with Algeria were free elections allowed in the freedom of the press, criticise in which millions of people — the never-ending chaos in Libya, the or through the EU Commission, no Algeria, haunts some European the jailing of journalists, political Hirak — are pressing for radical incapacity of Tunisia to reform and longer carry the weight they once observers, hence their worry about opposition leaders and human political change, demanding from the uncertainty regarding Algeria’s did. In 1989-91, France “con- a free and fair poll, but political rights activists and insist on fair tri- their military rulers, who have immediate future, confronts the vinced” the European Union not to parties that carry an Islamic label als. Repression of the media is held a monopoly of power since European Union with difficult lend serious financial support to in the Maghreb are here to stay. worse than under Boumediene in independence in 1962, a voice in challenges on its very doorstep, in the bold economic reforms led by That said, Europeans and NATO the 1970s governing their country and countries from which it imports Algerian President Chadli Bendje- officials agree that Algeria, If the European Union fails to shaping its future. Looking at their oil, gas, phosphates and fertilisers, did and his prime minister, although a reticent partner in stand up for its principles at a time own history and the bloody to which it sends millions of Mouloud Hamrouche, both of multilateral security endeavours, of growing repression in Algeria, aftermath of the misnamed “Arab tourists every year and that host whom were colonels of the is as good as its word when it when some of those who have spring,” they refuse to resort to many companies owned or People’s National Armed Forces. comes to fighting terrorism usually been arrested are on hunger strike violence. co-owned by European inves- Today, some French media through bilateral country agree- and Algerian National Radio Until last summer, the two dozen tors. suggest Algeria is financially ments. It is worth noting that not journalists are threatening to strike ageing generals who run Algeria The European Union needs good bankrupt and private Algerian one act of terrorism has occurred indefinitely because state broad- and their spokesman, the 79-year- working relations with North firms are finding it difficult to during eight months of massive casting is forced to sing Gaid old chief-of-staff Ahmed Gaid African countries to help manage access credit lines to buy from demonstrations at a time when the Salah’s praise from dawn to dusk, it Salah, showed restraint and immigration flows and broader European firms and suggest that will lose all credibility. pretended they were open to security, two themes that feed into the International Monetary Fund is Since the EU Commission is dialogue but no longer. the rising tide of populist dis- to send a mission to Algiers to unlikely to be allowed to send The media are in lockdown as course. No EU African policy discuss terms of a rescue package. independent observers to monitor Algerian journalists and human worthy of the name can be Nothing could be further from the The European Union the presidential poll, it should not rights activists are being jailed. constructed without a dialogue of truth. If leading EU banks decide to needs good working wave the vote through. That is the Some have begun on a hunger equals between major European tighten trade credit lines to bona relations with North second key point. Gaid Salah’s strike and are being tried by countries — notably Spain, Italy fide Algerian companies, Gulf and rules do not amount to democ- military courts. Foreign journalists and France — and Morocco, Algeria Chinese banks will be happy to African countries to racy. are no longer granted visas. and Tunisia. oblige. help manage In Tunisia, the army and security Modern social media, however, The European Union must take As the biological clock ticks away forces have ensured a free and fair make it impossible for Gaid Salah into consideration the clever way for Algeria’s leaders, the first immigration flows vote. That is unlikely to be the case to shield Algeria from international in which Russia has reinserted challenge is to understand the new and broader security, in Algeria. eyes as his predecessors were able itself into the Mediterranean and generation. Whether elections take two themes that feed to do during the civil war of the African game. Growing Chinese place under Gaid Salah’s rules (can- Francis Ghilès is an associate 1990s. economic interests — its Belt and didates vetted before they decide into the rising tide of fellow at the Barcelona Centre for More immediate foreign policy Road Initiative has staging posts to stand, like in Iran, result of the populist discourse. International Affairs. October 13, 2019 17 News & Analysis East West As Iraqis protest Iranian encroachment, US may have better opportunity at engaging Baghdad

An opportunity Emily Przyborowski to act. US President Donald Washington Trump (R) and Iraqi President rotests in Iraq have centred Barham Salih on Iranian influence in the hold a meeting country and may provide in New York, the United States with a September 24. P (AFP) “strategic opening,” experts said. Baghdad may be forced to make a choice between Tehran and Wash- ington as protests reflected resent- ment of Iranian sway over Iraqi governance. Iraq has toed a tenu- ous line between its relationship with Iran and its vital ties to the United States. The Iraqi protests began after dismissal of the Iraqi counterter- rorism chief, Abdul-Wahab al- Saadi, who was perceived by Teh- ran as not having done enough to accommodate Iranian interests. The slogan “Iraq first, Iran out” was popular among protesters, who called for an end to Iranian in- fluence over the Iraqi government. Randa Slim, director of the Mid- dle East Institute’s Conflict Reso- lution Programme, said this could pose a serious problem for Iran. “The fact that the great majority of these protesters are Shias, many of whom are former soldiers, in- cluding some who fought against [the Islamic State] ISIS, must be of particular concern to Tehran,” she said. ing the PMF was responsible for PMF’s involvement indicates an es- said “these protests are an accu- viewed by Iraqis as effective and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali unnecessary use of force against calation of Iranian proxy involve- mulated effect of strategic mis- non-sectarian.” Khamenei posted on Twitter: “Iran protesters. Its excesses might lead ment in Iraq. management of the state and econ- After the protests subside, Wash- and Iraq are two nations whose to reactions against Iranian influ- The militias’ overreach could o m y.” ington may have a shot at helping hearts and souls are tied together ence in Iraq. not diminish the anger of protest- Unrest in Iraq is common but re- Iraq enact reforms, analysts said. through faith in God and love for ers’ concerns over domestic issues cent protests are unique, said An- Many are sceptical because previ- Imam Hussain… Enemies seek to After the protests subside, such as corruption and inadequate thony Plaff, a non-resident fellow ous attempts in Iraq were unsuc- sow discord but they’ve failed and Washington may have a government services. at the Atlantic Council in an Octo- cessful but Plaff said Iraqis may be their conspiracy won’t be effec- “Protesters are demanding jobs, ber 3 report. ready to accept help. tive.” shot at helping Iraq enact better services and an end to the “What seems to be different “If the Iraqi government chooses The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation reforms. corruption that is widespread and this time is both the protests’ size to overcome inertia and make real Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed mili- Jennifer Cafarella, research di- institutionalised in Iraq at all levels — they have spread throughout reforms, the United States needs tia umbrella group, rallied behind rector at the Institute for the Study of government,” said Slim. southern Iraq — and their spon- to be prepared to provide the right the Iraqi government in trying to of War, said the PMF may be us- Approximately 25% of young Ira- taneity,” Plaff said. “The protests expertise and support to facilitate quiet protests. PMF Chairman Fal- ing the protests as an opportunity qis are employed and, since 2014, were catalysed by not just the per- those reforms’ success,” said Plaff. ih Alfayyadh said it would back the to further control power. They are more than $400 billion of public ception of Iranian meddling but the Baghdad government to prevent “disguising a possible PMF power funds had disappeared. fact that meddling targeted Saadi Emily Przyborowski is an any “coup” attempt. grab as defending the state,” said Ramzy Mardini, a fellow at the who, along with the Counter-Ter- Arab Weekly correspondent in There were Iraqi reports claim- Cafarella, who added that the United States Institute of Peace, rorism Services he led, was largely Washington.

Viewpoint Russia deepens private military footprint in Libya, Africa

present in Libya, aside from those The result of the increasing Putin critic Mikhail Khodorkovskii “race for Africa” is evolving into a in Syria, and many are former violence in Libya is that UN Deputy published documents purportedly three-cornered affair, with China soldiers with combat experience High Commissioner for Human detailing Russia’s ambitions to turn competing with the United States both North and sub-Saharan Africa and Russia for influence and John C.K. Daly ranging from Chechnya to Rights Kate Gilmore warned that Donetsk. escalating clashes and a deepening into a strategic hub by reducing access. In the past 18 months, combat humanitarian crisis in Libya were Western influence there. The China is in the dominant position ince the end of the Cold operations in Syria have dimin- pushing the nation towards a documents detail what Wagner with its economic assistance but War, many countries have ished significantly, although the return to the full-scale civil war PMC has accomplished and plans to has refrained from providing discovered the value of impact of US President Donald that overthrew Muammar Qaddafi do in 13 African countries, includ- military assistance, although it deploying private military Trump’s startling announcement in 2011. ing not only Libya but the Central does have a military base in companies in lieu of about American forces being PMCs have become an increas- African Republic, Madagascar, Djibouti, alongside the United regular forces to global withdrawn from northern Syria ingly useful foreign policy tool for Sudan, Zimbabwe and South Africa States. Shotspots. remains to be seen. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. Beyond a modest level of The United States deployed what Libya continues to be the scene of because they provide plausible A month after Russia and economic assistance, the United it calls “private contractors” to significant armed clashes. deniability in foreign relations, Mozambique signed protocols, States is providing — to select supplement its regular armed It is unclear what the Russian particularly since PMCs are illegal approximately 200 Wagner countries — a small number of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, government expects to gain from in the Russian Federation. Wagner, mercenaries along with “elite military specialists to fight while Russia has deployed private its deployment of PMCs in Libya, Russia’s most high-profile merce- troops” arrived in Mozambique. extremism, most notably in the military companies (PMCs) in which began in October 2018, but nary organisation, is controlled by The Russian government officially Sahara and sub-Saharan regions. Libya, Syria, the Central African the country’s energy resources are an oligarch nicknamed “Putin’s reported that the PMCs and “elite Russian military assistance is less Republic and Africa, an interesting likely an important consideration. cook,” Evgenii Prigozhin. Other troops” would assist authorities in constrained than its two rivals. development considering PMCs are After the initial deployment, known Russian PMC firms include Cabo Delgado province combat Perhaps most significant of the banned under Russian law. subsequent Russian media reports Vega, Shield and Patriot. Islamic terrorists who burn villages agreements Nyusi signed in Such deployments are not stated that the PMCs offered LNA The activities of Wagner PMC and arbitrarily execute residents. Moscow was a memorandum of without cost. Independent Russian Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar have also been a topic of interest Ever eager to provide a diplo- understanding between Russian media websites reported that 35 assistance in protecting oil fields for Russia’s opposition. In June, an matic fig leaf, Russia’s intervention state-run oil company Rosneft and Russian Wagner PMC mercenaries under his control. investigative unit funded by exiled followed a four-day state visit by Mozambique’s Empresa Nacional were killed in a recent air strike in A British government official, Mozambique President Filipe de Hidrocarbonetos EP to develop Libya during the Libyan National speaking on condition of anonym- Nyusi, the first by a Mozambican offshore natural gas fields, a signifi- Army (LNA) offensive to capture ity, recently said that a second head of state to Russia since 1991, cant asset that many foreign Tripoli. benefit for the Kremlin could be the year that the Soviet Union companies have been bidding Wagner mercenaries provide that, via Libyan energy sales, ended. During the visit, Nyusi upon. logistical and artillery support as Russia could engage in money Russia’s growing signed several agreements covering Russia’s growing presence in well as operate military drones for laundering beyond the restrictions presence in MENA issues from energy to military MENA and Africa is reaping the LNA attempting to wrest of Western economic sanctions. assistance. financial rewards but is not without control of the capital away from the What remains unclear is how and Africa is reaping Many African governments, from cost, as the Libyan fatalities UN-recognised Government of much influence Russia has over financial rewards Libya to Mozambique, beset by attest. National Accord. Haftar. In addition to Russian but is not without rampant corruption and rising Western intelligence services support, he is also receiving extremism, have an asset to offer John C.K. Daly is a Washington- estimate that several hundred assistance from Egypt and Saudi cost, as the Libyan foreign governments providing based specialist on Russian and Russian PMC mercenaries are Arabia. fatalities attest. assistance — raw materials. This post-Soviet affairs. 18 October 13, 2019 Economy

Viewpoint Briefs Iran works to reroute Egypt’s annual urban consumer inflation falls to 4.8% in Sept oil exports away from as reforms bite Egypt’s annual urban con- Strait of Hormuz sumer price inflation decreased to 4.8% in September from 7.5% in August, the statistics office said, slowing to its lowest level producers. in almost seven years and paving A 1,000km pipeline with a the way for more interest rate capacity of 1 million barrels per day cuts. Jareer Elass (bpd) is slated to transport crude Inflation has been easing in re- from an oil terminal at Goreh in cent months as Egypt approach- Iran’s north-western Bushehr es the end of an IMF-backed ran has embarked on a project province on the Arabian Gulf to the economic reform programme to reroute a sizeable part of its Jask terminal in the south-eastern that during 2017 saw the annual crude oil exports away from Hormozgan province on Iran’s Gulf inflation rate rise to 33%. the Strait of Hormuz choke of Oman coast. The IMF reforms helped the point, potentially allowing Rohani announced in September government get its budget deficit Tehran to create more mischief 2018 that “a major part” of Iran’s oil under control, precluding the Ifor its Gulf neighbours that rely on exports would be shifted to Jask need to expand the money sup- the narrow waterway for their oil from Kharg Island, with the project ply. This has reduced inflation- sales. to be completed by the summer of ary pressures. In moving forward with a costly 2021. The Iranian Oil Ministry’s The Arab country hiked do- project at a time when its economy Shana website reported September mestic fuel prices in July as part is haemorrhaging because of US 30 that Iran’s state oil firm, the Costly project. A map of Iran locating Jask. (AFP) of the terms of the agreement. sanctions that specifically target its National Iranian Oil Company, had energy exports, Tehran is anticipat- signed a contract valued at around (Reuters) ing the day when it is freed from $52 million with three local compa- route would accommodate approxi- Kuwait is entirely dependent on restrictions on its crude sales. nies to supply 50 pumps for the pipe- mately one-third of the country’s oil its crude being exported via the The government of Iranian line. Shana said Jask would be sales, with the majority transported Strait of Hormuz. State oil firm President Hassan Rohani is “strategically important as the through the waterway. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation UAE excise tax to committed to building by 2021 a country’s second-largest crude oil As relations with Tehran have investigated export options in 2013 include e-cigarettes, $1.8 billion crude export terminal at export terminal.” frayed, both Saudi Arabia and the that would have entailed pumping Bandar-e-Jask on the Gulf of Oman The Jask terminal will have an United Arab Emirates have moved oil through pipelines extending beverages with that includes a cross-country export capacity of 1 million bpd with decisively to secure alternative across Saudi Arabia and Iraq, options added sugar pipeline. The rerouting would an initial 20 million barrels of crude export routes to the strait. Riyadh is ultimately deemed too expensive position Iran with regional adver- storage capacity. expanding its 1,200km East-West because of the distances involved. The United Arab Emirates said saries Saudi Arabia and the United Vessels carry about one-fifth of pipeline that connects its oil-pro- Iraq is reliant on the strait for it is expanding the scope of ex- Arab Emirates as the only major the world’s oil needs through the ducing region in the Eastern about 90% of its crude exports, with cise tax to include e-cigarettes Arabian Gulf producers to have Strait of Hormuz, which lies between province to Yanbu export facilities volumes of around 3.77 million bpd and related liquids and bever- alternative export options should Oman and Iran and links the Arabian on the Red Sea from a current loaded on tankers at its southern ages with added sugar. traffic be disrupted in the Strait of Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Iran’s capacity of 5 million bpd to 7 million Basra port for passage through the The tax will take effect Hormuz. primary export facility at Kharg bpd. The East-West pipeline is not maritime chokepoint. The Iraqi December 1 and is part of efforts The oil terminal project would Island traditionally accounts for 90% immune to sabotage, though, having government is in negotiations with to reduce harmful consumer allow Iranian tankers to bypass the of the country’s crude exports, been the victim of Houthi drone Jordan to build a 1 million bpd capac- practices, a statement from the Strait of Hormuz and load their oil which are carried by tankers through attacks on two pump stations in May ity pipeline to carry crude from UAE Ministry of Finance said. cargoes at the Jask port terminal, the strait. Tehran’s crude exports, that temporarily halted oil flow Iraq’s Rumaila fields to Jordan’s Red Tobacco products, energy east of the strait. When the project which saw pre-sanction highs of 2.5 through the line. Sea port of Aqaba for export. drinks and soft drinks are al- was publicly broached in May 2012, million-2.7 million bpd, have fallen The United Arab Emirates opened Qatar, which holds 25% of the ready taxed in the United Arab Pirouz Mousavi, head of Iranian Oil to as low as 300,000 bpd. a 370km overland crude pipeline in global liquefied natural gas (LNG) Emirates. Terminals Company, explained that Iran has routinely threatened to July 2012 carrying crude from Abu market share, is extremely vulner- “in the event of any type of problem close the strait as a punitive measure Dhabi fields to an export terminal at able to disruptions in the Strait of (Reuters) in exporting crude oil from the amid heightened geopolitical Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, Hormuz because it has no alterna- Kharg terminal, this terminal can tensions, with attacks attributed to providing the Emirates direct access tive bypass routes for its LNG provide backup for exports.” Tehran on oil tankers — including to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the tankers. Saudi Arabia Mousavi said the terminal would two Saudi ships — last summer just strait. The pipeline can carry up to be connected to Iran’s Caspian Sea outside the strait. Should Iran 1.5 million bpd of crude for export, Jareer Elass reports from welcomes 24,000 port of Neka, enabling Tehran to recover its crude exports to its accounting for approximately 65% of Washington on energy issues for The tourists in 10 days boost shipments of oil from Caspian previous highest levels, the Jask Abu Dhabi’s oil exports. Arab Weekly. Saudi Arabia welcomed 24,000 tourists in the first 10 days after it issued tourism visas China curtailing Iran business as US tightens sanctions for the first time, state televi- sion reported. Tehran’s main oil customer since US painful for Iran. Phases above 10 (up When US-Iran tensions increased Riyadh announced in late President Donald Trump scrapped to 28) were originally scheduled for in May and June — with attacks on six September that it would offer “waivers” allowing Asian countries to export, reflecting Tehran’s intention tankers near Hormuz, blamed by tourist visas, opening the king- Gareth Smyth buy some Iranian crude, its imports to change a situation in which Washington on Tehran, and Iran dom to holidaymakers as part have fallen from around 650,000 domestic consumption absorbs downing a US drone — Chinese of a push to diversify the Saudi barrels per day to 105,000-186,000 in nearly all annual production of 202 Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on economy away from oil. he withdrawal of the August. billion cubic metres. “all sides to remain rational… and not “In 10 days, some 24,000 China National Petroleum Those figures are uncertain. First, The contrast with Qatar, with take any escalatory actions… [or] foreigners entered Saudi Arabia Corporation from Phase 11 US waivers exempted oil that Chinese which Iran shares the South Pars/ open a Pandora’s box.” on a tourist visa,” the televi- of South Pars, announced companies import as part of energy North Dome field, illustrates the costs China’s relations with Riyadh were sion station reported, citing the by Iranian Oil Minister development deals in Iran. Second, to Iran of decades of sanctions. Qatar highlighted by Saudi Crown Prince Saudi Foreign Ministry. Bijan Zanganeh, is the Iran is adept at subterfuge, including annually exports 124 billion cubic Mohammed bin Salman bin Tlatest blow to Iran’s development of tankers turning off transponders or metres of gas, almost all as liquefied Abdulaziz meeting with Xi in Beijing (Agence France-Presse) the gas field holding one third of its taking indirect routes. natural gas (LNG), the most flexible in February, when the two leaders 32 trillion-cubic-metre reserves. Third, Iran has built up a reserve of form for transporting but requiring agreed $28 billion in economic deals, It has been a year since Tehran at least 15 million barrels — which it technology Iran lacks. including a joint Aramco-Norinco Egypt, Cyprus, expanded the role of the China still owns — in storage in China. John Total signed an agreement for petrochemical venture, following $65 National Petroleum Corporation Kilduff, partner in energy traders Phase 11, based on developing LNG, billion of them they signed in Riyadh Greece condemn (CNPC) to replace Total after the Again Capital, told Asia Times this in 2004, then pulled out in 2009 in 2017. French company pulled out because amounted to a “legal fiction” under because of tightening sanctions. It The two leaders adopted the rubric gas exploration by of tightening US sanctions. which the oil is “safe but hasn’t re-engaged after Iran’s 2015 nuclear “Together for a Promising Future” to Turkey This is the latest sign of China technically crossed customs yet.” deal, signing up in July 2017 for a link the countries’ strategic outlooks, curtailing Iran business as the Kilduff said the Chinese allow 50.1% share of a project with the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Egypt, Cyprus and Greece United States tightens the screws, smaller, non-state refiners — so- CNPC and Iran’s Petropars. China’s Belt and Road Initiative condemned an “unlawful and including the blacklisting of Chinese called “teapot refiners” — to access Even then, many doubted Total’s (BRI). unacceptable” bid by Turkey to companies involved in transporting some of these stocks. willingness to develop LNG capacity, In the long run, some say Beijing’s drill inside waters where Cyprus Iranian oil. The CNPC struggled to Chinese companies are often a poor with reports that gas from Phase 11 links may build bridges. “China is has exclusive economic rights. find payment channels to Iran, substitute for Western companies would be consumed domestically very serious about providing Egyptian President Abdel Fat- especially since Bank Kunlun, which that have left Iran in fear of US and not be converted to LNG. When economic and political means to tah al-Sisi hosted a meeting with the CNPC owns, cut back Iran sanctions. Energy projects, including Total withdrew in 2018 after Trump move the BRI forward and this Cypriot President Nicos Anasta- dealings. Iran-China bilateral trade Yadavaran oilfield where Sinopec is renewed sanctions, industry experts favours co-existence between Iran siades and Greek Prime Minister fell from $3.5 billion in July 2018 to active, are sluggish. Deals for the doubted that the CNPC had the and its Arab neighbours,” said Kaveh Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Cairo. less than $2 billion in July 2019. Tehran-Mashhad electrified train technical wherewithal or commit- Mirani, board member of the National “Turkey’s unacceptable Beijing wants to mitigate tensions line, refining and solar power appear ment to lead the project. Iranian American Council. “Rohani practices and drilling… are a with Washington given wider trade stalled. Beijing is wary. The world’s largest and [Foreign Minister Mohammad blatant assault on the rights of rivalries, while it condemns US This is hardly the “strategic oil importer since 2017, China has a Javad] Zarif have for some time been the Cypriot Republic and the sanctions against Iran and continues partnership” proclaimed by Chinese strong interest in Gulf security as the promoting ideas of de-escalation and international law,” Anastasiades to buy Iranian crude. China’s President Xi Jinping and Iranian region supplies half its imports. Most the eventual ending of hostilities.” said at a news conference. balancing act is even more delicate President Hassan Rohani in Tehran in pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a given its Gulf interests, especially 2016, which envisaged $600 billion in vulnerability Beijing plans to bypass Gareth Smyth is a regular contributor (Associated Press) with Saudi Arabia. trade by 2026. by developing the $11 billion Duqm to The Arab Weekly. He has reported While Beijing has remained The saga of South Pars Phase 11 is Special Economic Zone in Oman. from the Middle East since 1992. October 13, 2019 19 Economy New hydrocarbon law divides Algerians

Saber Blidi caretaker government to work in the strategic file. They said the law could complicate the political situation if it Algiers includes significant concessions to foreign partners and unforeseen so- nalysts questioned the au- cial and economic repercussions. thority of the Algeria interim The Arab Weekly obtained a copy government to adopt new of the draft law, which indicates the A legislation meant to attract government plans to lift subsidies international companies to work in on energy and electricity prices and the country’s energy sector by eas- subject them to international pric- ing previous conditions on foreign ing. Lifting the subsidies could lead investment. to a nearly 300% increase in petrol, The Algerian cabinet, headed by diesel and electricity retail prices, Prime Minister Noureddine Badawi, experts said, and most Algerians’ approved a bill October 2 but opin- family budgets would not be able to ions on the measure are divided handle the increases. with some considering it risky and Other analysts said they supported requesting it be postponed until a the government’s approach, stress- permanent government takes office. ing the need to end a subsidies sys- Algerian authorities are seeking tem in which most of the $15 billion to increase exploration and exploi- budgeted for subsidies goes to peo- tation of the country’s hydrocarbon ple who don’t need them. resources to increase revenues and The experts did not rule out that the meet growing popular demands. government might push to reform so- Sources said international oil com- cial support programmes at the same panies pressured Algeria to enact the time as the lifting of oil subsidies. Some warned against the fast pace of reforms and the risk of having Lifting the subsidies the interim government’s actions could lead to a nearly perceived as provoking hostile pub- 300% increase in petrol, lic opinion with extra burdens on diesel and electricity consumers that are likely to expand retail prices. poverty. The new hydrocarbons bill was law in return for investments to re- expected to be introduced last year store activity to the sector. but was delayed by political tension, Key sector. A worker inspects the Krechba gas plant in Algeria’s Sahara Desert, south of the capital Algiers. The sources said the measure was rising public protests and questions (AP) designed to suit the interests of in- about the legitimacy of the interim ternational companies working to government to make such decisions. expand business activities in Algeria Observers said the bill is similar government wants to raise oil pro- and French, dominating the sector. An official statement said the gov- after decades of legal obstacles ham- to a draft measure prepared by for- duction to record levels. The draft law refers to reducing ernment would maintain the rule by pering their entering the oil and gas mer Sonatrach CEO Abdelmoumen Among incentives to foreign in- the time limit of the law of “pre- which Algeria would hold at least a sectors in Algeria. Ould Kaddour, who has since fled to vestors provided by the new bill is emption,” used by the government to 51% stake in any hydrocarbon pro- Representatives from Chevron and the United States. The government extending concession exploitation stop the waiver or sale of the assets ject with a foreign energy partner. ExxonMobil met with Algerian in- is betting on offsetting incentives of- permits from the current 12-year pe- and investments of foreign compa- The statement said that the draft law dustry officials in September and in- fered to foreign companies by accel- riod to 32 years. The measure would nies in the country, from one year to aims to provide incentive advantages spected areas of possible exploration. erating oil and gas exploitation op- set an exploitation period of shale two months, which would affect the for foreign investments in hydrocar- Observers said the government erations and by moving to shale gas gas fields at 35 years. It would extend public sector’s ability to intervene in bons without undermining national intends to use the public’s preoccu- extraction to save the country from oil exploration licences to nine years such operations. interests. pation with the political crisis to en- bankruptcy. instead of the current two years, in The old standard of having the The challenge lies in energy com- act the law, although the move rep- Available data indicate that Alge- addition to granting contracts by state own a majority share in large panies’ insistence on easing restric- resents a strategic shift outside the ria would need to sell its crude oil at mutual consent rather than through investment projects remains a con- tions on foreign ownership of new powers of the interim government. $115 per barrel to achieve its financial international tenders, which increas- troversial point in the government’s projects, which had prevented them Economic and popular circles were balance but, since that price is well es the possibility of having specific draft. The 2020 budget bill mentions from expanding their role in the do- surprised by the boldness of the above prevailing market prices, the international companies, mainly US waiving it in “non-strategic sectors.” mestic market. Tunisia’s phosphates company at risk of collapse

Lamine Ghanmi The Tunisian Army is supposed to protect facilities linked to phos- phates, gas and oil production against Tunis disruption but the government, mindful of social stability, shied away unisia’s state-owned phos- from cracking down on protests and phates producer Compagnie leaned on GPG to hand out more jobs, des Phosphates de Gafsa, giving new incentives for the protests T which had been providing Tu- to continue. nisia with 10% of its total exports, is Phosphates output has been careening towards bankruptcy unless shrinking in Tunisia since 2011 and Almost the government steps in to its rescue, CPG’s losses have accumulated as the a leader of the country’s main trade wage bill expanded. union said. CPG spends nearly 30% of its $180 $1 billion “The government must come to million annual budget on salaries, of- the rescue of the Compagnie des ficial figures show. It has lost almost Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG). The com- $1 billion a year since 2011 because of pany’s downward crisis is spiralling,” disruptions caused by the protests. a year were lost said Mohamed Sghaier Miraoui, sec- The protests slashed CPG’s normal retary-general of the Gafsa branch of production of 14,000 days a year at its since 2011 because of the Tunisian General Labour Union five producing mines to an average of disruptions caused by (UGTT). 4,500 production days, official data “CPG’s collapse will be a blow to indicate. the protests. the region and a blow to the national Protests blocking trains transport- economy,” he added as he tried to ing phosphates cause the CPG to more draw the attention of the country’s than triple its transport costs. A tonne leaders during presidential and par- of phosphates costs $3 to transport by liamentary election campaigns. train but when the tracks are blocked 21,000 The fortunes of the CPG and the Output slump. A general view of the Metlaoui phosphates by protesters CPG must use truckers slump of the output of the key phos- production plant in Gafsa. (Reuters) who charge up to $10 a tonne. phates commodity create an illustra- As result, Tunisia’s phosphates out- new employers were tion of Tunisia’s efforts to balance its put slumped from 8 million tonnes in recruited by CPG experiment with full-fledged democ- the CPG collapses.” force at 30,000, many of them said to 2010, accounting for the main earner racy and economic growth. Miraoui’s plea came after the UGTT be ghost jobs. of foreign currency revenues, to 3.3 since 2011, putting its Recovery of the economy has been called on the authorities “to acceler- Its hiring spree was aimed at calm- million tonnes in 2018, 25% lower workforce at 30,000, hampered by demands to increase ate the implementation of measures ing protests to fuel the country’s tran- than in 2017. salaries, end poverty and provide of rescue of the company.” sition but unrest continued to erupt Output for the first four months of many of them said to enough jobs despite GDP growth of To placate a restive region, the with each new hiring as more of the this year was 1.3 million tonnes com- be ghost jobs. about 1%. government increased the CPG work- unemployed clamoured to be hired. pared to 800,000 tonnes in the same “Solutions exist to the crisis of the force, which narrowed the firm’s abil- Security forces had to intervene last period last year, data showed. CPG if there is concern and goodwill ity to modernise its production sys- May to pull down a tent erected by Because of the drop in phosphates at the political level to think fast and tem and catch up with rival producers protesters on train tracks used to ship production, olive oil replaced phos- deliver quickly on these solutions,” abroad vying for world market shares phosphates through Menzel Bouzai- phates as Tunisia’s top export earner Miraoui said. “We are raising the and long-term buyers. ane outside Gafsa. The protest was a in 2018. The phosphates industry ex- alarm as the clock is ticking and we CPG has recruited 21,000 new em- continuation of demands for jobs and port share shrank to about 4% from will all rue the time of our inaction if ployers since 2011, putting its work- other benefits. 10% before 2011. 20 October 13, 2019 Spotlight Corruption in MENA

Viewpoint Patronage system, a source of Iraq’s many woes

The first order was to dissolve the Ba’ath Party. So-called “de-Ba’athification” as an Zainab Mehdi attempt to ban all Ba’ath mem- bers above a certain societal rank from holding a position in the public services was also put in ince the toppling of place. Saddam Hussein The second order had more of following the US-led an emphasis on dismantling the invasion of Iraq in Iraqi Army and the security 2003, people had apparatus of the Ba’athist hoped the new politi- regime. This form of exclusion Scal system would provide was like the de-Nazification, in which Nazi ideology and author- stability and security, revive the economy and deliver public ity were to be removed from all services. forms of public life in Germany. Instead, Iraqis have had to In the long run, de-Nazification reckon with many woes, includ- positively altered German ing limited water supplies, power education, as well as society at shortages and unemployment. large. A challenging battle. A Lebanese man holds a placard during a demonstration against alleged The most problematic issue that De-Ba’athification and the government corruption in Beirut. (AP) Iraqis have had to face through- dissolution of Iraq’s armed out the years, however, would be forces, however, saw more rampant corruption. negative than positive outcomes. Although corruption existed An insurgency was fuelled and during Saddam’s regime, includ- the insurgents who took part in ing the sale of Iraqi oil to fund the the brutal and bloody fighting Fighting scourge of Oil-for-Food programme, Iraq’s post-2003 Iraq joined the Islamic post-2003 political system, also State. known as the Muhasasa Ta’ifia Although the Islamic State was (sectarian appointment system), defeated in 2018 and the group’s has failed to end or even ease its activities in Iraq have died out, spread. the Muhasasa Ta’ifia system still corruption is not an Instead, the elite pact part of has a long way to go until the Muhasasa Ta’ifia has encour- stability in Iraq can be fully aged the growth of corruption achieved. A change of govern- within Iraqi society. ance seems like the only option One of the key corruption to ensure this goal. However, option in Lebanon grievances among the Iraqi changes to governance have population, for example, is that proven futile in the past. the Muhasasa Ta’ifia has come to Despite promises, former Samar Kadi results not only pass laws and not for example,” Sarkis said. represent a patronage system in prime ministers, such as Nuri implement them.” She contended that two anti- which loyalty to a political party al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi, Sarkis said isolated efforts to corruption laws are missing in is the only way to secure govern- failed to govern the people of Beirut improve transparency have been Lebanon. One is a conflict of inter- mental jobs. Iraq correctly and, as a result, a made by certain ministries and ests law, which, she said, OMSAR Toby Dodge, professor in the vast number of protests took ighting corruption that public institutions in the absence is working on, and the other is an International Relations depart- place during their time in permeates the Lebanese of a national vision on how to asset recovery measure that would ment at the London School of office. government and public ad- fight corruption. “That is why a enable the state to reclaim stolen Economics and Political Science, Aside from corruption, Iraqi F ministration is no longer national anti-corruption strategy, assets. noted that, rather than choosing people took to the streets an option but an obligation for the the first ever in Lebanon, is a must. The basket of laws is inherent in candidates based on their skills, beginning September 30 to country, which is gripped in its At OMSAR we have updated the the aspired national anti-corrup- expertise and merit, ministers protest the lack of public services worst economic crisis in its 75-year strategy, which we hope will be en- tion strategy, which comprises a have taken advantage of the and unemployment. World Bank history as an independent state. dorsed soon.” new procurement system and hu- system by expanding govern- statistical data show that 17% of The urgency to introduce the man resources system to enhance ment payrolls to benefit party men and 27% of women are transparency, Sarkis said. long-delayed reforms to curb cor- The need to develop a associates. unemployed. ruption and regain national and The strategy stipulates mecha- That number may be a surprise, international confidence was comprehensive national nisms for an independent judiciary, The elite pact part especially when compared to the stressed by Lebanese Minister of anti-corruption strategy the role of civil society in fighting Iraqi Bureau of Statistics, which State for Administrative Reform was upheld in the corruption and disseminating the of the Muhasasa stated that women constituted May Chidiac. ministerial statement of culture of integrity with the sup- Ta’ifia has about 28.5% of those in the “The Lebanese public has no the previous government port of the ministry of education, encouraged the education sector, 31% of the trust whatsoever in the ruling po- in 2016 but it has yet to be and a sectoral approach to fighting medical profession, 25% of lab litical class. Today, more than ever enacted. corruption whereby specific sec- growth of technicians, 15% of accountants before, we need to rebuild trust tors are placed under scrutiny. corruption within and 15% of civil servants in with Lebanese citizens as well Implementation of the digital The challenges of fighting cor- 1976. as the international community transformation policy and restruc- ruption in Lebanon are immense, Iraqi society. In a distressed and disheart- through enhancing transparency turing the inflated public admin- starting with a lack of political will. ened tone, an Iraqi in London, and accountability in the public istration are a prerequisite for a For instance, three years after it was Before touching on other issues asking to remain anonymous, sector,” Chidiac said at a conference modern and transparent adminis- endorsed, the Right to Access to In- raised during the 2019 protests, it mentioned in a telephone hosted by the Lebanese Transpar- tration, Sarkis noted. formation law, which provides for is important to look at key interview that “in Iraq, there ency Association No Corruption to “Some administrations should proactive disclosure of public insti- historical and political facts. have been no new drugs author- mark the International Day for Uni- no longer exist or be replaced by tutions’ finances, tenders and ex- Saddam had ruled with an iron ised to treat brain cancer in versal Access to Information. other institutions. In certain plac- penditures, is still being disrupted. fist. Following the downfall of his adults or children for 20 years. I How far has Lebanon gone in es, we have a lot of vacant positions “There is reluctance in applying Ba’athist regime in 2003, the cannot believe that we live in the combating corruption, a funda- while, in others, there is a surplus this law,” Sarkis acknowledged. Iraqi political field, with the help 21st century and cancer patients, mental prerequisite for receiving of employees. We definitely need “Some institutions consider that of the United States and its particularly patients suffering international financial support to do this restructuring exercise they are not required to abide by coalition allies, saw the introduc- from brain tumours, must travel promised at the CEDRE confer- and the government is serious this law; others don’t have the ca- tion of the Coalition Provisional outside of their country of origin ence? about it,” she said. pacity to apply either because they Authority (CPA) and Iraqi to be treated. The new political The need to develop a compre- Several anti-corruption laws are short of human resources or Governing Council. system has proven to be futile.” hensive national anti-corruption have been endorsed in the past don’t have websites to disclose the A variety of political parties The protests have shown that strategy was upheld in the min- but they largely remained ink on information.” were given the authority to the Muhasasa Ta’ifia system has isterial statement of the previous paper. These include the “Right Sarkis stressed that fighting cor- govern Iraq on a power-sharing not benefited the Iraqi people in government in 2016 but it has yet to Access to Information Law” of ruption in Lebanon cannot be cos- basis. The parties, some of which any way. The existing govern- to be enacted, said Natacha Sarkis, 2017, the “Illicit Enrichment Law” metic. “We need to show concrete were shunned by Saddam’s ment failed to govern the Iraqi anti-corruption officer at Chidiac’s of 1999 and the “Whistle-blower examples of how we are fighting leading Ba’ath Party, include the people and strengthen Iraq’s office, which goes by the acronym Protection Law” of 2018. Pivotal corruption because nobody trusts Kurdistan Democratic Party, the post-2003 state-building process. OMSAR. legislation on establishing an anti- our country anymore, neither the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Iraqi people have simply had “Corruption is something inher- corruption commission is yet to be citizens nor the investors nor the Iraqi National Council, the enough of living in a country that ited from years but now it is the voted in. international community. Supreme Council for Islamic has been falsely advised by exter- time to fight it because we have a “We hope this commission will “With the national anti-cor- Revolution in Iraq, the Dawa nal actors, suffered terror, very bad economic situation and be independent and will be able to ruption strategy we will have a Islamic Party and the Iraqi instability and greed and seen we will lose the trust of the interna- fulfil its mission and not be still- benchmark and can measure the Islamic Party. promises repeatedly broken. tional community to help Lebanon born. That is why we need to make government’s efforts to stamp out Paul Bremer, as head of the Enough is enough and the time in order to move forward,” Sarkis sure that it will be provided by the corruption. They cannot continue CPA, instigated two orders to for the Iraqi people to rise once said. tools and means as well as the fi- pretending they are making ef- deal with Iraq’s post-settlement more has come. “Fighting corruption is the only nancial resources in order to be forts.” governance that were to have solution to regain the trust of our able to play its role in an accurate fateful consequences for Iraq’s Zainab Mehdi is an Arab Weekly people and the international com- way, unlike other committees such Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly future. intern. munity. We need to show concrete as the committee on human rights Travel and Society section editor. October 13, 2019 21 Society

‘Lady Go’ taxi safely steers Baghdad’s women through cultural barriers

Oumayma Omar in the back to avoid being pestered,” Majed said. “Beginning such a project is kind Baghdad of resistance or revolt against those who want to restrain women and un- aydaa’ Anwar is among fe- dermine their capacities in holding male taxi drivers in Bagh- responsibilities and exercising jobs dad employed by “Lady Go,” that were out of reach.” B a new service catering to University student Ahlam Saadi women fearing sexual harassment questioned the sustainability of the while empowering them socially and project. “Women don’t have the professionally. same capacities as men in handling New service. A “Lady Go” taxi in Baghdad. (Oumayma Omar) Anwar said she is not afraid to emergencies in the street, such as challenge cultural barriers to pro- unexpected mechanical breakdowns Viewpoint vide for her family. “I don’t feel any or embarrassing situations in light of embarrassment or fear working as a common and undeterred traffic viola- taxi driver. On the contrary, I believe tions and encroachments,” Saadi said. it is a great achievement that breaks She suggested limiting female Muslim feminists looking for a third way the male monopoly on the street,” taxi drivers to certain areas and cer- Anwar said. tain hours, mostly during the day. “I never completed a school edu- “Unlike women, men can work late tion, amid the conflict in fairly is proof of the temporal cation, which makes my chances to hours and go to remote areas that are Muslim Arab societies since character of polygamy in Islam. find a job very limited. Being hired risky for women,” Saadi added. independence? The divine goal must have been as a driver in a women’s taxi network There are cultural barriers for wom- For two decades, an “Islamic” to constrain this type of mar- was a positive step in my life. It helps en in various fields in Iraq and hav- Hamid Zanaz feminist movement has riage until it disappears by itself me sustain my only child for whom I ing female taxi drivers is regarded as evolved, even if it avoided to due to evolution in mindsets. am fully responsible after divorcing strange in conservative Iraqi society. he phrase “Islamic explicitly call itself “feminist.” As to the veil, many Muslim my husband.” Derogatory comments and gestures feminism” may raise Female scholars have entered feminists said the veil is are thrown around, a reflection of per- questions and the domain of research in overstated as a fundamental sistent misogyny in Iraqi society. perhaps surprise Quranic sciences and interpreta- requirement in Islam. It is Having restaurants, cafes Project founder Shahd Mohamad Muslim conserva- tion to counter male dominance secondary because it is the and taxis exclusively for said she was undeterred by cultural tives and modernists in Arab and Muslim countries. product of pre-Islamic circum- women is “a limited barriers, stressing that the aim of Talike. There hasn’t been a single stances characterised by slavery reaction” that does not “Lady Go” is to empower women For the first group, the topic homogeneous feminist trend and prostitution. effectively curtail and reduce their dependency on of women in Islamic societies but it has varied from country to Overlooking the many female harassment. men by creating jobs. was settled by sharia and there country, depending on local intellectuals and activists “The project targets widows and is nothing more to say, which context and historical experi- outside the Arab world who “Even men feel more comfortable divorcees, mainly the marginalised makes demands for women’s ence. have contributed to the devel- when their wives and daughters use who have little chance to be em- liberation alien to Muslim While Islamic feminism is not opment of Islamic feminist women’s taxis instead of ridesharing ployed,” said Mohamad, noting that culture and a product of homogeneous — there isn’t one thinking since the 1970s, services like Uber or Kareem, which men and women have, for the most Western culture. single way of defending the Moroccan scholar and feminist are provided by men. The feeling of part, welcomed the idea. Their opponents in the second dignity and rights of women Fatima Mernissi must be safety and security is the main in- Psychologist Naz Cindy said the group may see a contradiction in — many Muslim activists for considered a fundamental centive for using our service without increase in sexual harassment inci- terms in combining the word gender equality have concluded reference for the feminist risking harassment and pestering by dents in Iraq has “detrimental con- “feminism” with the word that any defence of women’s movement in Arab countries. male drivers,” Anwar added. sequences on women and children.” “Islamic” because Islam and rights must go through a In addition to empowering wom- “Harassment is a growing phe- women’s freedom run parallel to reinterpretation of the basic en, the “Lady Go” initiative was wel- nomenon in Iraq that is being ex- each other and can never cross texts of Islam. We should not be comed by Iraqi women who prefer to acerbated by the absence of laws or paths. We are witnessing the devel- be driven by other women. failure to implement them. Because For Muslim feminists, opment of a feminist ideology surprised at the Female taxi drivers are a rarity of social taboos, women avoid re- however, the issue goes beyond that seeks to destroy the sexist outbreak of a in Iraq and generally looked down porting cases of harassment in a so- those propositions. As with Jew- interpretations of the Quran and feminist revolution upon because many see it as an “un- ciety that almost always blame them ish, Christian and Protestant Hadith, meaning those that ladylike” profession. Nonetheless, it for misdemeanours,” Cindy said. feminism, there is a feminist discriminate on the basis of sex, in the Arab-Muslim is empowering women and carries She said having restaurants, cafes current in the Muslim world that and to engage into a rereading of countries. fewer risks because clients are exclu- and taxis exclusively for women is “a is attempting to undertake a religious texts that highlight sively females, said Marwa Majed, limited reaction” that does not effec- feminist reading of religious equality between men and In her controversial book “Le 30, a government employee who tively curtail harassment. texts to reconsider the unequal women and lift centuries-old harem politique: Le Prophete et commutes to work in taxis. “Women are still being harassed in status of Muslim women. injustices done to women les femmes” (“The Political Majed said she fully supports the the street or in their workplace,” Cin- It is necessary to distinguish through sexual discrimina- Harem: The Prophet and idea of being driven by women and dy said. “Measures should be taken between one group of Muslim tion. Women”), published in French noted that male drivers are often to curb this phenomenon including feminists who, like their male How do Muslim feminists in 1987, she reconsidered the provocative, tactless and indiscrete. raising awareness about the prob- partners, advocate a peerage interpret the religious texts that authenticity of the Hadith: “No “They try to encroach on personal lem, countering extremist thinking relationship between the sexes, Muslim scholars and extremists success will come to any people matters without any reason, just to that demeans and belittles women demanding only equity, and the have used to discriminate who appoint a female as their provoke and harass women,” she said. and implementing strict deterrent Muslim feminists who speak of against them? leader.” “When we knew about ‘Lady Go’ laws.” gender equality from an Islamic Muslim female activists start Islamists have used this through social media, my husband perspective. with the belief in the general Hadith to argue for the inferior- hired one of the drivers to take me to Oumayma Omar, based in However, the idea of ​​gender principle that the divine ity of women and to exclude work daily. It was the first time I felt Baghdad, is a contributor to the equality has long been present, message was not intended to them from the public sphere relaxed sitting in the front seat next Culture and Society section of The albeit not explicitly, in the normalise unfair relations and political responsibilities. to the (female) driver. Usually, I sat Arab Weekly. writings of enlightened scholars between women and men. On This led Muslim women to and especially among educated the contrary, it came to elimi- seek a third way to allow them women. nate inequality between to enjoy their universal rights However, with the onslaught them. and freedoms through a critical of Islamist revivalism that befell Three concepts are usually re-examination of the religious many Arab countries in the past used in the feminist re-readings texts from an angle sympathetic 40 years, there has been a major of religious texts: divine to their cause while preserving backlash against women’s rights pedagogy, purposes and the their Muslim identity. and disruption of their integra- principle of “abrogating” We should not be surprised at tion into society. Muslim previous texts, known in Islamic the outbreak of a feminist women found themselves exegesis as Naskh. revolution in the Arab-Muslim victims of escalating tugs of war Regarding polygamy, femi- countries. In fact, we should be between a state that is neither nists consider that Islam’s surprised if it does not happen. secular nor Islamic, enacting placing the limit of four wives The reason is a simple necessity: laws supposedly inspired by was a sort of revolutionary Society will not survive and sharia and proliferation of innovation for the Arabia of the prosper if one of its halves Islamist groups pushing for a seventh century. continues to be marginalised, return to pre-secular laws. It is unfair to regard this as an regardless of the justifications How can a Muslim woman be eternal Islamic rule because it is used for that. committed to the teachings of not at all divine. That the Quran her religion and subscribe to the clearly states that it would be Hamid Zanaz is an Algerian demands of women’s emancipa- impossible to treat all wives writer living in France. Fewer risks. A “Lady Go” taxi drives in Baghdad. (Oumayma Omar) 22 October 13, 2019 Culture Music With music, Syrian artist Safwan Bahlawan mimics the pulse of life

Nidhal Qushha propriate musical phrases.” Melodies of In his works, and particularly the life. Safwan orchestral parts, Bahlawan seeks to Bahlawan Damascus create visual introductions to the plays the oud. lyrics that will follow. He tries to cre- (Al Arab) here is always a visual com- ate a visual perception of music. position that serves to guide Almost 30 years ago, Bahlawan the audience into the realm composed the melody of the poem T of ideas in the music of Syr- “The Front of Glory,” dedicated to ian artist Safwan Bahlawan. Thus, Damascus by the Iraqi poet Moham- sound and image come together in mad Mahdi Al-Jawahiri. The poem the artist’s compositions to heighten was difficult in terms of meanings the listener’s sensitivity and aware- and musicality. Many experienced ness of the creative moment. Arab composers had tried to write In his musical depictions, Bahla- appropriate melodies for “The Front wan captures the alphabet of the sea of Glory” and failed. Bahlawan, and the hymns of the sun and melts however, mustered his energies and them down into orchestral melodies came up with an overwhelming com- that mimic the very pulse of life. position. That is not surprising, given that the “I started working on the poem artist was born and lived on the quiet and I was fully aware of the dimen- Syrian island of Arwad, off the coast sion of Jawahiri as one of the great of Tartus. poets in the history of modern Ara- Bahlawan is a Syrian composer, bic poetry,” Bahlawan said, “but I singer and accomplished oud player. have completed the adventure and The Arab Weekly met with him re- used all my energy and musical cently and the artist spoke of his love knowledge in the melody. affair with the sea. “It was a strong melody performed “I was born on the island of Ar- by singer Mayada al-Hinnawi and it wad, surrounded by the sea from all was a hit. We recorded it with the directions; the sea with its tranquil- Cairo Orchestra and it was a pains- lity, anger, compassion and cruelty,” taking and arduous work involving he said. “The sea lives in me and is more than a hundred people, includ- flection of the reality of a society at a competed to offer audiences authen- civilisation that produced a qualita- the pillar of my spirit. The sea was ing the choir. specific time and in specific circum- tic art that appeals to the mind and tive leap in the history of human generous with me and gave me a lot “It became a success and the work stances. Everyone knows that the refines collective taste. They pro- civilisation. and in exchange, it took a lot from is one of the most frequently heard Arab reality is not good; it is rather duced art that was quite removed “In ‘Abraham’s Prayer Call,’ I en- me. It took loved ones, relatives and songs on Syrian media. An excerpt deteriorating. The arts and music are from the trance-inducing music that tered the space of ​​religious musical friends but inspired me towards was used as the musical cue for the following suit. some are currently putting out based heritage, especially the ‘takbeer’ love, good and generosity. The sea official news bulletin on Syrian tel- “This is why we don’t hear ad- on making the least effort in com- during Eid prayers. I used an or- lives in my imagination and deep in evision for 13 years.” vanced knowledge-based music an- posing melodies and ignoring the chestral formula with loud wind in- my soul and surrounds every aspect “That particular work was unique ymore, music that we need to hear. deep meanings of lyrics.” struments, huge drums and a large of my life.” as it came out,” Bahlawan continued. Instead, we have music based on fast Bahlawan has to his credit many choir.” “I don’t think the composer’s task “It stands outside all kinds of classi- rhythms that is far from being real orchestral pieces that he had worked “I got my inspiration for ‘Abra- stops at just putting music to the po- fications. It is a symphonic poem, a art and that cannot be called modern on for years. He’s waiting for the op- ham’s Prayer’ from the Quranic verse etic composition. His role is much genre that was not tried before in the and developed and whose primary portune time to present them to the ‘And proclaim to the people the haj; deeper,” Bahlawan said. Arab world. The melody was purely objective is to quickly garner a wide general public. These projects, such they will come to you on foot and “What is required is to come up oriental and relied on authentic ori- audience, only to be forgotten after as “Ugarit” and “Abraham’s Prayer on every lean camel; they will come with a musical equivalent of the lyr- ental instruments, such as the oud, a few days.” Call,” were inspired by Arab cultural from every distant pass.’ In it, I try ics. The poem necessarily contains and it had an impressive orchestral “We are currently living a cri- heritage, which he uses to emulate to demonstrate the tolerance, depth many meanings and different psy- music distribution.” sis and so is our music,” Bahlawan contemporary times. and purpose of the Islamic religion chological and nervous tensions, Asked about the current state of continued. “In the past, music was “In ‘Ugarit,’ I go back to the roots through music,” Bahlawan added. and these must be monitored by the Arabic music, Bahlawan said: “Mu- thriving in the Arab world and there of civilisation in our region,” he said. melody and highlighted by the ap- sic and the arts, in general, are a re- were towering musical giants who “I tried to capture the ABC of the first Nidhal Qushha is a Syrian writer. New opportunities are opening for young Saudi musical talents

Omar Ali al-Badawi after it was announced. do it at Dammam Institute of Cul- The Thaqaf Institute, an official ture and Arts using a team that will training initiative under the Saudi be working hard to discover new tal- Jeddah Society for Culture and Arts, started ent,” she said. programmes in singing and playing Mohamed Salama, a music aficio- ollowing the lifting of vari- skills in various parts of the country. nado, expressed optimism about ac- ous bans, obstacles and veils This was in addition to efforts by celerated steps that Saudi women between Saudi young men cultural civil society organisations have taken in musical education and F and women and the world building on the encouraging new production. He said this serves the of arts and music, the gates have climate of openness in Saudi Arabia. image of Saudi Arabia as a civilised been flung open for talented young In Jeddah, the Craftsmen Union is and influential country in various Saudis to hone their musical gifts in collaborating with Ziryab House for areas of life. clubs, schools and universities. Arab Music in training workshops Sawsan al-Bahiti, the first Saudi These changes are bound to affect and music lessons in playing the Ar- opera artist, said previous conserva- the music industry in Saudi Arabia abic zither conducted by Amal Triki. tive cultural norms favoured men Cultural rebirth. Saudi female musician Lojain Sami (R) plays and budding female artists will be She is a Tunisian zither player who more than women in music. Today, piano with Zaki Elnonoi, on violin, at a local musical themed cafe rivalling their male counterparts in graduated from the Higher Insti- and after launching Vision 2030, Lojain Alkhursani in Khobar, July 2. (Reuters) musical and artistic performances. tute of Music in Tunis. The sessions there is support for Saudi women Since the beginning of 2019, ad- have seen a record turnout of people from the state to have a greater role vertisements for arts and music seeking to refine their talent. in society, sharing their skills and that the art scene will get a very sig- Saudis is a reassuring sign about the lessons open to both sexes have Saudi composer and singer Nasser abilities. nificant boost by introducing multi- future of the music industry in Sau- mushroomed in Saudi Arabia. Per- Al-Saleh announced plans for the ple musical genres and new forms di Arabia. With the rapid pattern of haps Egyptian violinist Mahmoud first institute to teach music in Saudi Since the beginning of 2019, of artistic expressions, hence the positive changes in the kingdom, “I importance of nurturing new talent expect to see and hear the produc- Sorour, whose fame in Saudi Arabia Arabia. He said he has secured the advertisements for arts and has grown through his many concert proper authorisation to begin class- because passion and talent alone are tions of these talents over the next appearances, could be credited for es. Saleh said he plans to take ad- music lessons open to both not enough to produce works of art few years on a global level,” Bahiti starting the trend of private music vantage of the tremendous talent for sexes have mushroomed in at a level of the global artistic scene.” added. lessons in Saudi Arabia. music possessed by young Saudis. Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is building institutes Fadil Moataz, a follower of the Sorour was the first to establish Music teacher Shaimaa Mohamed and schools specialising in the mu- modern-day Saudi music scene an institute to teach violin in Saudi said Saudi Crown Prince Moham- “I felt supported to give free ex- sical arts. The Saudi opera house since its early steps, said a new era Arabia. From time to time, he would med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz’s pression to my operatic gifts on the project has been implemented along has begun in which Saudi Arabia advertise sessions to select the best moves to give Saudi women social Saudi artistic scene, while also feel- with plans for a Music Education is breathing artistic freedom. The talents to form the core of the Saudi visibility and strengthen their posi- ing the responsibility to encourage Academy. More training centres will Saudi Ministry of Culture is keen on opera house orchestra. tion with participation and equality and support gifted girls to unlock specialise in teaching specific musi- having a variety of art festivals. At the end of January, Taif Uni- reflected on cultural, scientific and their talents,” Bahiti said. “I chose cal genres or instruments. “I was very pleased to see doors versity in Saudi Arabia said it would artistic fields, which allows the dis- to develop my talent with all my “The remarkable thing that I no- opened to Saudi women to partici- teach music and offer training covery of young Saudi talents who knowledge, from vocal training to ticed in the Saudi art scene is the pate in music training and I am sure courses for its students. The uni- aspire for a future in the arts. opera singing, to reach an excellent ability to innovate in the musical that there are thousands of gifted versity introduced a curriculum Shaimaa Mohamed is preparing a artistic level befitting of Saudi tal- arts, to give them a unique Saudi Saudi girls who want to learn to play in instrument playing and singing series of courses. “This is going to ents. character that distinguishes them music,” said Moataz. that includes sessions conducted by be done through formal academic “Today, and after the many posi- from similar genres in the West,” Saudi trainers. The programme was training based on science and not tive changes in the kingdom, espe- said Bahiti. Omar Ali al-Badawi is a Saudi met with great interest immediately just as a passing hobby and we will cially for women, I have no doubt The talent exhibited by young journalist. October 13, 2019 23 Culture ‘Road Through Kurdistan’ stops in London Untold story. “Memory and Loss” by Ali Raza Garmiany. (Gulan)

Karen Dabrowska The exhibition takes its name tity may flourish and more bridges Department of Fine Art at Sulay- from a book written by New Zea- can be built between religious and maniyah University. The notebook land engineer A.M. Hamilton, who ethnic neighbours. “There are now is from 1988 and entries describe a London was commissioned by the Brit- new ‘roads through Kurdistan’ to chemical weapons attack on Hala- ish administration to build a road be explored, with opportunities bja in which he was injured. urdish history, heritage from Erbil through for peaceful coexistence, trade “Memory and Loss,” by Ali Raza and culture are celebrated and tourism,” they said in a news Garmiany, is one of a series of por- at a festival in London’s release. traits made of poured sand and K P21 Gallery marking the Gulan’s founder and trustee fabric. It pictures Taimoor Abdul- 10th anniversary Sarah Panizzo said she set up lah, a survivor of Anfal, whose of Gulan, a British Gulan in 2003 after meeting family was killed and buried in the charity promoting Della Murad, a Kurdish fash- desert. Kurdish culture ion designer. London artist Piers Secunda ex- and identity. “Her clothes, inspired by The festival’s hibited three casts of an Assyrian The festival’s traditional Kurdish cos- focal point, relief in solid paint. The work dis- focal point, “Road tumes, were wonderfully “Road integrates as casts of bullet holes Through Kurdistan,” colourful and beautiful,” Through that were made by ISIS are super- is a major exhibi- Panizzo said. “Della is pas- imposed on the paintings. Secunda tion of contemporary sionate about her Kurdish Kurdistan,” is also exhibits a charcoal drawing of Kurdish art that brings identity and taught me to a major a church in Karakosh burned by together an eclectic love her people and her exhibition of ISIS. He visited the church and col- group of international country. This led to the contemporary lected charred pieces of wood that artists, both Kurdish forming of Gulan to cel- Kurdish art he used as charcoal to make a very and non-Kurdish. ebrate Kurdish culture.” that brings poignant drawing. Curated by Gulan’s The exhibition, which together an The work of Hemn Hamed fo- Creative Director Rich- features unique and eclectic group cuses on children in Mosul making ard Wilding and Kurd- varied works from 17 of imitation weapons from scraps of ish artist Mariwan Jalal, artists, provides a pen- international wood and bicycle tyres. the exhibition marks etrating flash of insight Films, including “The Deminer,” the 100th anniversary of into the plight and suffering artists, both a portrait of a Kurdish colonel who post-WWI peace treaties of the Kurdish people. Kurdish and disarmed thousands of roadside that created the modern the mountains Wilding insisted that, although non-Kurdish. bombs and mines armed only with borders between Iraq, Iran, and gorges of Kurdistan to many of the works are issue-based, a pair of wire cutters, are also on Turkey and Syria, denying the Persian frontier in 1928. In his it is not a political exhibition. the programme. the Kurds an independent From memory. book, “Road through Kurdistan,” However, “if you are doing work “Road Through Kurdistan” will state. Rebwar Saed’s published in 1937, Hamilton de- in Iraqi Kurdistan you can’t avoid be at the P21 Gallery, London, It reflects the region’s religious notebook about scribes the numerous challenges politics. The works reflect history through October 26. and ethnic diversity, genocide un- the chemi- in constructing a route through and the persecution of Kurds un- der Saddam Hussein’s regime, reli- cal attack some of the world’s most beautiful der Saddam and the terrible events Karen Dabrowska is an Arab gious persecution and destruction on Halabja. but difficult and dangerous terrain. that happened since 2014 because Weekly contributor in London. of heritage by the Islamic State (Gulan) The curators said the show looks of ISIS.” (ISIS) and future hopes for the forward to a more positive future, “One of the great challenges of Kurdish people. in which Kurdish culture and iden- doing an exhibition like this is that people living in Kurdistan are very cut off from the West. It is very dif- ficult for them to travel here (to London) and to bring their works but some, like Baldin Ahmed [who lives in the Netherlands], were able to travel and set up their works in the gallery,” Wilding said. Ahmed, a Kurdish artist, show- cased a sculpture of “The Lady of Warka” (3200BC). Leaning on the ground, the stone square is meant to evoke the ideal order as a symbol of the juxtaposition of earth and sky and celebrate the universe. Drawings by Osman Ahmed de- pict, in storyboard format, testi- monies from survivors of the Anfal genocide in which 50,000-182,000 Kurds were killed. “Most of my drawings come from memory and my experience as a witness to the years of politi- cal and cultural repression, cul- minating in the horrendous event in 1988 (the Anfal) that left a pro- found effect on my life,” Ahmed states. Anfal also features in draw- ings taken from the notebook of Rebwar Saed, once a peshmerga fighter who is now in charge of the Art with a message. “Beyond Time” by Baldin War scars. Toys depicting weapons made by the children of Mosul. (Gulan) Ahmed. (Gulan) 24 October 13, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Carthage: Hiking grows Through October 31

The Musical October in Carthage takes place at the Acropolium of Carthage on Byrsa Hill. The festival includes concerts by art- ists from Tunisia, Japan, Russia in popularity and Italy. Beirut: Through December 1

Organised by the Sursock Mu- seum with the support of the Musee national Picasso-Paris A member of the Hiking Team. in the framework of Picasso- in Saudi Arabia (Al Arab) Mediterranee, “Picasso et la famille” explores Pablo Picasso’s relationship to the notion of the family. Bringing together draw- Omar Ali al-Badawi ings, etchings, paintings and sculptures, the exhibition spans Taif 77 years of artistic creation.

s a sport, hiking is rela- Erfoud: tively new to Saudi Ara- October 14-31 bia but its popularity, A especially among young The Erfoud region in eastern people, has rocketed as enthusi- Morocco is famous for its date asts take advantage of the king- palms. Every year after harvest, dom’s environmental conditions local tribesmen gather for a and opportunities through this festival that features traditional hobby music, Berber dances, horse The English words “hike” and races and exhibits of local “hiking” have become part of cuisine. the lingo of young people who have become advocates of free Sidi Bou Said: and organised hiking tours in October 21-26 areas of Saudi Arabia where the terrain is favourable to practis- The 13th Musiqat Festival takes ing the activity. The experience place at the Ennejma Ezzahra is very enjoyable and combines palace in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. sport and fitness with enjoy- The festival includes a variety ment of the great outdoors and of musical shows. Artists from discovering Saudi Arabia’s natu- Spain, Tunisia, Austria, Greece, ral treasures. Cuba, Senegal and Morocco are scheduled to perform. The Taif Season is an excellent opportunity for Tunis: October 26-November 2 hiking enthusiasts to experience an integrated The Carthage Film Festival is event that includes hiking an annual event that showcases and a full range of films from the Maghreb, Africa entertainment activities. and the Middle East.

Al-Walid al-Ko’aid, supervi- Beirut: sor of the Hiking Team in Saudi November 10 Arabia said: “Hiking is one of the best sports that help people The 17th Beirut International leave behind the bustle of city Marathon features runners on a life and the onslaught of modern route that passes the city’s his- technologies and relax in un- toric monuments and medieval spoiled nature in the company A woman enjoys the view from atop a mountain in Saudi Arabia. (Al Arab) buildings. of a group of people. It helps to discover unknown areas of our Bidiyah: country and invites tourists to Caravan across the Saudi Empty “Through this experience, I and Qiddiya. November 15-22 come to us for an unforgettable Quarter (“Rub’al khali”). He said have rediscovered my country. The Taif Season is an excellent experience.” his journeys in the kingdom has I experienced the suffering and opportunity for hiking enthusi- The Oman Desert Marathon is The Hiking Team has attracted built relations and strengthened hardship of our people before asts to experience an integrated an amazing footrace across the many newcomers to the sport, ties to the vast land, reinforce his the unification of the Arabian event that includes hiking and a Omani desert covering 165km many of whom are from other sense of the value of the country Peninsula and the foundation of full range of entertainment activ- in six stages. From the Oasis countries. The sport has spread and of belonging to it. this generous country.” ities, with all safety precautions of Bidiyah to the Arabian Sea, to remote Saudi villages whose The Saudi Seasons, which are available. The attention given to participants will discover the natural environments are pro- Hikers in Saudi Arabia organised by the Entertainment the minutest of details makes the most remote and untouched pitious for hiking and where number more than 50,000. Authority, aim to transform experience unforgettable. sands and the highest dunes in people of the Arabian Peninsula Some of them are organised Saudi Arabia into an important Ahmed Fahad al-Jaid, a mem- the region. have been familiar with hiking in groups that coordinate tourist destination through ma- ber of the board of directors of since ancient times. jor artistic and cultural events the Saudi Association for Tourist with each other to set up Dubai: Hikers in Saudi Arabia number and unique tourism experiences. Guidance, said the association November 20 more than 50,000. Some of them periodic trips. Seasonal activities are planned organises hiking and mountain- are organised in groups that co- Ghawi said the Rakayib Cara- for throughout the year in most eering activities, including trips The award-winning English ordinate with each other to set van was extremely challenging. parts of the country, giving visi- to Maqla’ Tamiyyah and photo singer-songwriter Michael up periodic trips. They have ex- “We started from Ubar in the far tors a glimpse of the history of competitions and workshops. Rosenberg, better known as panded their activities, becom- south of the kingdom and fin- Saudi Arabia and its unique cul- The hiking trip to Maqla’ Tami- Passenger, will perform at Dubai ing more professional, which ished at Yabreen Oasis, north of ture, in addition to the charm of yyah treats hikers to a spectacu- Opera. increased the sport’s popularity. the Empty Quarter,” he said. “We its picturesque and diversified lar view of Al-Wa’bah Crater, Musa Ghawi, an experienced travelled 600km over a month natural environment. 250km from Taif. The crater is Abu Dhabi: hiker, said he has travelled long between historical monuments There have been several hiking about 3km in diameter and 380 December 9-24 distances across Saudi Arabia. and ancient heritage sites and and mountaineering events in ar- metres deep. The centre of the He was among people from 20 in the company of adventurers eas characterised by mountain- crater is coated with a white salt Al Dhafra Festival is a major countries hiking the Rakayib from around the world. ous terrain, such as Taif, Abha layer, which is thought to be international event inspired by formed by rainwater accumu- the authentic Emirati Bedouin lated at the bottom of the crater, spirit. It features more than a forming a shallow lake. dozen heritage activities and Jaid said he is happy with the competitions, including a camel inspiring transformations in the beauty contest, camel races, Saudi tourism experience and poetry, dates competition and a that the future looks very prom- falcon competition. ising. He said hiking activities are very good to promote Saudi Arabia and its natural geographi- We welcome submissions of cal diversity. calendar items related to The Saudi terrain represents an cultural events of interest to inexhaustible wealth and Saudi travellers in the Middle East citizens should take the steps to and North Africa. discover the beauty of the coun- try, create lasting relations with Please send tips to: A group of hikers pose for a picture in Saudi A group of Arab hikers carry their national flags in locals and enrich the Saudi tour- [email protected] Arabia. (Al Arab) Saudi Arabia. (Al Arab) ism.