Issue , Year September 16, 2018 UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com 173 4 EU €2.50 Lessons of Interview Cairo University Swedish president on fighting elections extremism Pages 6-7, 16 Page 20 Abadi edged out of prime minister’s race but real change in Iraq remains remote ► In an apparent reversal, influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose bloc finished first in May’s elections, withdrew his backing for Abadi.

Mamoon Alabbasi its call. We have not sought to cling to power or a second term,” Abadi London said on September 13. “I’ve said from the start that I iolent protests in the would surprise you and you’ll see southern Iraqi city of Basra how I don’t cling to power. I think are pushing the country’s that pledge has been fulfilled to- V biggest political blocs to day. Just as we have given a lesson agree on a deal that would prevent in combating terror, unifying the incumbent Prime Minister Haider country and fighting sectarianism, al-Abadi from securing a second we would also give a lesson in giv- term in office. ing up power and ensuring a peace- In an apparent reversal, influ- ful transition.” ential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Abadi’s departure would be wel- whose bloc finished first in May’s come news for Tehran because he elections, withdrew his backing for had pledged to abide by US sanc- Fading option. A man walks past a campaign poster of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Najaf. Abadi, whose political alliance was tions against Iran. (Reuters) third in the vote. Al-Sadr agreed “The Iranians do not have the instead to discuss a consensus can- ability to open a front against the didate with Hadi al-Amiri, an Iran- Americans in Iraq, so they are sat- turning as prime minister. “The ne- he agreed “with those who are Even if a technocrat does assume backed militia leader whose bloc isfied with the blow that they di- gotiations are still ongoing,” politi- big in Iraq” on suggesting a num- power, there is no guarantee he took the second-most votes in the rected to the Americans by burning cal analyst Ihsan al-Ashaari told the ber of “independent technocrats” would implement radical changes election. Abadi,” an unidentified al-Sadr ne- Associated Press. as prime minister. His suggestion without a more encompassing po- The move came after Grand Aya- gotiator told Saudi newspaper Arab Media circles in Iraq, however, faces the objection of some politi- litical will. tollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s highest News. were discussing possible candi- cians “who want to take Iraq back “A technocratic government can Shia religious authority, called for dates that al-Sadr and Amiri might to square one and bring back cor- be just as internally incoherent the formation of a government that agree on. One name being touted rupt politicians in new garments,” as all of Iraq’s post-2003 govern- would be different from previous The departure of Abadi was Shia politician Adil Abdul- al-Sadr said. “If they continue then ments,” wrote Zaid al-Ali in the ones. would be welcome news Mahdi, who previously served as I will announce joining the opposi- Washington Post. “Ministers in all Although nothing is impossible for Tehran as the prime oil minister, finance minister and tion.” post-2003 governments have never in Iraq’s fickle politics, it is very minister had pledged to vice-president. Critics say Abdul-Mahdi did not agreed to a coherent strategic plan, unlikely that al-Sadr would return abide by US sanctions According to Al-Sharqia news enjoy a shining record when he led do not accept joint liability for fail- to supporting Abadi as prime min- against Iran. presenter Ahmed al-Mulla Talal, the two ministries and thus does ure and are always prepared to un- ister, especially since he criticised al-Sadr and Amiri have each sug- not offer a compelling reason that dermine each other.” the prime minister for not meeting Observers said Abadi’s dropping gested a list of names and Abdul- he would do better as a prime min- protesters’ needs and after Abadi out of the race for prime minister Mahdi was the only one on both ister. Also, being a career politician Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy Man- himself indicated that he would doesn’t rule out his bloc’s partici- lists. There has been no official who rose from the ranks of the Is- aging Editor and Online Editor of not be seeking a second term. pation in a coalition government. confirmation on the consensus on lamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Ab- The Arab Weekly. “We respect the high religious Others said that, despite his Abdul-Mahdi from either camp. dul-Mahdi hardly fits the definition authority (of Sistani) and answer statement, Abadi may end up re- Al-Sadr posted on Twitter that of a technocrat. Pages 2-3, 6 Tunisian government, civil society join forces to curb deadly road accidents Roua Khlifi trians and motorcycles, two fragile between the ministry and the ATPR pecially the behaviour of the driv- elements, are involved. This also to devise the right strategy to im- ers on the road is dangerous. There affects the traffic cycle in the city plement this subject within the offi- is no respect for the laws,” Touil Tunis since 60% of the accidents happen cial programme for next year and to said. in residential areas inside the city,” stress the application of these rules Oussama Mabrouk, press officer acing an alarming number he added. and measures.” of the National Road Safety Obser- of traffic accidents, the Tu- In 2015, a report by the World vatory at the Ministry of the In- nisian government is work- Health Organisation said Tunisia terior, said that while there were F ing with civil society organi- was not adequately enforcing laws Tunisia records an efficient laws that regulate roads sations on awareness campaigns to on drunken driving, seat-belt use average of 1,500 people in Tunisia, “the issue is that of the promote road safety. and helmet use for motorcyclists. killed in road accidents mentality of drivers who do not Rachid Tunisia records an average of Two years later, the government each year. realise that these laws are there to 1,500 people killed in road acci- tightened laws on seat-belt use for protect them and not to penalise dents each year, the Tunisian Road most passengers and announced Touil said: “The behaviour of them, which is why we need to ad- Taha’s Prevention Association (ATPR) that road safety would be added drivers is not going to change if we dress the way people think.” said. Nearly half of the victims are to primary school curricula. Those don’t provide the right mechanisms “This is why we resorted to in- aged 15-30. decisions were applauded by road to implement this culture. I am creasing the awareness campaigns. “Almost every day, four people safety experts and civil society as- happy we are signing this partner- We need to work on implementing musical die because of road accidents,” said sociations. ship and next year you will notice a culture of respecting the laws that Imed Touil, a member of ATPR’s ex- “We need to implement this de- the positive impact of implement- can be done by consolidating the ef- ecutive bureau. “These accidents cision that was taken by (Prime ing this decision.” forts of the government with that leave a lasting effect as small cars, Minister Youssef Chahed) last year Despite the country’s efforts to of civil society,” Mabrouk added. journey trucks, motorcycles and pedestri- concerning including traffic in the improve road safety, there is a long ans are often involved in the acci- official programme,” said Tunisian way to go in fostering respect for Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel dents.” Education Minister Hatem Ben Sa- the rules of the road, he said. and Culture contributor to Page 22 “It becomes lethal when pedes- lem. “Today, we build a partnership “This issue is very alarming, es- The Arab Weekly. 2 September 16, 2018 Cover Story Iraq Iraq in crossfire of escalating Iran-US tensions

Mamoon Alabbasi weapons,” said a statement from the White House. “The United States will hold the London regime in Tehran accountable for any attack that results in injury to raq is finding itself in the mid- our personnel or damage to Unit- dle of escalating tensions be- ed States government facilities. tween Iran and the United America will respond swiftly and I States in which Tehran and decisively in defence of American Washington have accused each lives,” said the statement. other of carrying out hostile ac- US Republican senators said tivities in Iraqi territory. they would introduce legislation Following an attack on the Ira- to counteract what they see as nian Consulate in Basra by Iraqi increasing Iranian influence in demonstrators, who have been Iraq. The Iranian Proxies Terror- protesting for weeks against poor ist Sanctions Act would impose living conditions in the southern terrorism-related sanctions on Iraqi city, Iran-backed militias Iran-controlled militias in Iraq. stated that an “American-Saudi It would keep a record of militias conspiracy” was at play to divide receiving assistance from the Is- the country. lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Iranian Foreign Ministry spokes- (IRGC), Reuters reported. man Bahram Qassemi said the at- Iran accused the United States tack on the consulate was the re- of supporting Kurdish separatist sult of US policies in the region. Iranian militants hiding in Iraqi “The recent chaos in Iraq, in- territories. cluding the arson attack on the Tehran announced that the building of the Iranian Consu- IRGC fired seven missiles at the late in Basra, is the result of their headquarters of the Democratic shortsighted and unwise overt Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and covert support for groups in northern Iraq. Iran said the at- that have promoted violence and tack, in which at least 11 militants extremism and turned them into were reportedly killed, was a mes- an ordinary and everyday occur- sage to the United States. rence,” said Qassemi. “The attack against the terror- His comments came after the ists in Iraq’s Kurdistan conveys a message to the enemies, par- ticularly those superpowers who US Republican senators think they can impose their evil said they would plots on Iran and bully us,” Irani- Doubling down. Iranian Ambassador in Iraq Iraj Masjedi speaks outside the new building of the introduce legislation to an Major-General Mohammad Ali Iranian Consulate in Basra, on September 11. (AFP) counteract what they see Jafari told the semi-official ISNA as increasing Iranian News Agency. ists to Iran,” Iranian Major-Gen- rare criticism from the Iraqi For- on Tehran. influence in Iraq. “All those who have forces, eral Mohammad Bagheri told the eign Ministry. “(Iraq) rejects the Reuters reported in August that bases and equipment within a semi-official Fars News Agency. violation of Iraqi sovereignty by Iran had given its proxy militias White House accused Tehran of al- 2,000km radius should know that “The authorities of Iraq’s Kurd- bombing any target within Iraqi in Iraq ballistic missiles, which lowing its proxies in Iraq to attack our missiles are highly precise,” he istan had repeatedly tried to stop territory without prior coordina- would allow Tehran to use Iraqi US diplomatic sites. warned. them but… provoked by some re- tion with the Iraqi authorities to territory to carry out major attacks “Over the past few days, we Iran said the strikes were in re- gional countries and America… spare civilians the effects of such against US interests. have seen life-threatening attacks taliation for cross-border incur- these separatist terrorists carried operations,” read a statement “We have bases like that in many in Iraq, including on the United sions by the PDKI, which it classi- out some operations inside Iran,” from the ministry. places and Iraq is one of them. If States’ Consulate in Basra and fies as a terrorist group. Bagheri said. Tensions have been mounting America attacks us, our friends against the American Embassy “The government of Iraq and Iran has killed PDKI leaders dur- between Washington and Tehran will attack America’s interests and compound in Baghdad. Iran did the Kurdistan authorities should ing special operations inside Iraqi since the Trump administration its allies in the region,” said a sen- not act to stop these attacks by its not allow existence of such bases territories, instead of firing mis- withdrew in May from the 2015 ior IRGC commander. proxies in Iraq, which it has sup- in their territories and should siles from Iran. international nuclear accord with Iraqi and Iranian officials have ported with funding, training and hand over these separatist terror- The Iranian missile attack drew Iran, reimposing US sanctions dismissed the report.

Viewpoint Basra’s fury has Iran and its cronies in Iraq scared

ollowing a summer of stating that those who were at- unrest across southern tempting to sabotage Iraqi-Iranian Iraq, Baghdad’s political relations would not succeed. Tallha Abdulrazaq class and pro-Iran militia What Masjedi neglected to say commanders thought was that those who torched his they had contained country’s consulate were normal FIraqis’ fury with a combination of Iraqis who were sick and tired of state and paramilitary brutality Tehran’s meddling and its support and promises of reform and rede- for political and jihadist groups in velopment. their country. Although Iran and Scorching temperatures helped its proxies have successfully pitted ignite flaring tempers and demon- different ethno-sectarian groups strators called for access to basic against one another since the US- services, including economic op- led invasion that toppled Saddam portunities, a regular power supply Hussein in 2003, Iraqis have and clean water. Far from dousing started to again realise that their the anger, politicians delayed the government is in thrall to foreign inevitable — another outbreak of ayatollahs. popular unrest. Many Iraqis, including most Shia Once hailed as the “Venice of Blowback. Protesters chant anti-government slogans while Arabs who loyally served their the East,” Basra’s famous canals security forces prevent them from storming the governor’s country, will grimly remember and waterways have become little building in Basra, on September 5. (AP) the 8-year war they fought against more than outlets for sewage. The Iran’s sectarian regime in the stench of refuse and human waste 1980s. They will also remember clogs the humid air of the once pitals suffering from water-borne been almost completely populated that they stood side-by-side with grand city renowned for its sights diseases and unacceptably high by Shia Arabs. This is common their fellow Iraqis irrespective of and seafood. cyanide content in Iraq’s third larg- with other southern cities, includ- ethno-religious background. They In 2005, then-provincial Gover- est city’s water supply. ing Nasiriya, which had mass will fondly look back on the days nor Mohammed Musabah told the Understandably incensed by the unrest this summer. when they, despite an oppressive Guardian that he had ambitions to government’s failure to meet its These areas represent the elec- Ba’athist dictatorship, did not look restore Basra as a tourist destina- promise of improving standards, toral heartland and base of most of at each other with distrust and tion by redeveloping its airport, protesters took to the streets and the powerful Iran-backed Shia Is- fear. city infrastructure and tackling security forces responded with lamist parties that hold sway over These shared memories could rampant organised criminal deadly force, killing a dozen dem- the Iraqi political system, a system form the foundation for a renewed groups, including pro-Tehran ji- onstrators in a few days. Protesters many have now lost faith in. If sense of national identity, and if hadist militias, so foreigners would retaliated by throwing projectiles Shia Arabs are turning against the that identity is ever reforged, Iran’s not be targeted for kidnap and at government forces, burning ad- parties they have voted in for more mullahs and their puppets in Iraq Iraqis have started to ransom operations. ministrative buildings and setting than a decade, it could spell strate- will be in grave danger of losing By 2018, however, none of these the Iranian consulate ablaze. gic disaster for Iran. control. again realise that their goals had been achieved. The lat- That last move is powerful in Iranian Ambassador to Iraq and government is in est civil unrest was precipitated its symbolism. Since 2003, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher by Basra’s ever-worsening water particularly since militia violence veteran Iraj Masjedi presided over at the University of Exeter’s thrall to foreign crisis. Approximately 30,000 effectively cleansed the city of its an opening ceremony of a new Strategy and Security Institute in ayatollahs. people have been admitted to hos- Sunni Arab inhabitants, Basra has Iranian consulate September 11, England. September 16, 2018 3 Cover Story Iraq Basra unrest points to another Iran-Iraq showdown

suddenly invaded the streets of Basra. Victims have fallen and the state security forces have lost con- Ibrahim Zobeidi 85% trol of the city. Now that Baghdad of Iraq’s oil is and other Iraqi provinces have experienced similar uprisings, we from Basra but can predict some of the outcomes asra is not any old its revenues of the confrontations in Basra. remote city in Iraq, never reach Iran knows it is the intended a city that can be the city target of the unrests in Basra. It ignored or not feared because they has no choice but to intervene when it gets angry. It are stolen by directly in Basra using its Islamic is the main gate to Iraq the parties in Revolutionary Guard Corps and Band the main warehouse for its police to rescue its proxy parties power. tangible and non-tangible wealth. and militias. Iran will not tolerate Basra holds Iraq’s oil, its grains defeat in Iraq. and dates, its trade and tourism. General Saad Ma’in, the official It is Iraq’s historic source of art, spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry philosophy, literature, poetry and of Interior, denied “the existence music. It is the city of al-Jahiz, al- of an agreement between Iraq and Farahidi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sirin, Abu Iran allowing the Iranian police al-Aswad al-Du’ali and Badr Shakir forces to enter Iraqi territory.” al-Sayyab. However, the ministry is domi- When Basra revolts, the whole nated by the Iran-backed Badr of Iraq — perhaps the entire region Organisation and Ma’in’s state- — should pay attention, because ments might turn out to be a test after the smoke of the rebellion balloon or an implied threat to dissipates, there will be one of two Angry city. Protesters raise the Iraqi flag at the gate of the Iranian Consulate those concerned. possible Iraqs: an Iraq filled with building before storming it in Basra, on September 7. (AP) Basra’s uprising has pitted Iraq justice, progress, maturity and true and Iran, and perhaps other coun- patriotism or an Iraq filled with to Baghdad and burn the offices of nant foul water. Its water sources tries from within and without the destruction and desolation, a fate the political parties loyal to Iran. are polluted and the salty water of region, in a fateful confrontation like Syria’s. To bring out all of this pent up Shatt al-Arab has invaded its aqui- that is bound to end in one of two Syria, too, was once a flourish- anger in these otherwise patient fers. Thousands of its inhabitants ways. Iran will be forced to leave ing civilised country until Bashar peace-loving citizens, something are unemployed or getting poorer Iraq as soon as possible to limit its Assad and his Iranian protectors very serious must be rotten in the by the day. Epidemic outbreaks and losses and will finally let the Iraqi laid their hands on it. What is hap- state of Iraq. insecurity lurk at every corner. Yet, people choose their own regime pening in Basra today is like what Undoubtedly, millions of 85% of Iraq’s oil is from Basra but and their own government. happened in Daraa a few years ago. Iraqis in the central and southern its revenues never reach the city However, since we know that Iraqis and foreigners alike will provinces have seen their lives because they are stolen by the par- this is almost impossible for Iran testify that Basrans have been go to the dogs and their daily ties in power. to do, the second outcome is known for centuries for generosity sufferings pile up because of the Much of the pollution plaguing bound to be another Iraq-Iran of hand and of heart and for their incredible corruption of the Iraqi Basra and Shatt al-Arab comes from war, perhaps different from the eloquence. Most of us Iraqis are governments since the US inva- Iran. Iran has turned the fragile previous one but a war nonethe- tolerant, hardworking and fun lov- sion. Not only did these incompe- coast into an uncontrolled landfill. less. Like in the previous war, ing but when the patience of these tent governments fail to provide It has also dammed and changed Iran is sure to have lots of hidden peaceful citizens runs out, they Iraqi citizens with the minimum the course of the Karun River, enemies lurking in the shadows. can turn very violent and stub- requirements in water, electric- which used to supply Shatt al-Arab Just a few days ago, people in born and will attack government ity, air, health and food services, with significant quantities of fresh Basra were chanting “I will live buildings, block Iraq’s unique gate they siphoned off huge fortunes in water. Basra’s inhabitants repeat- and die for Basra.” When the war to the sea as well as the main road public funds. edly asked the government to with Iran breaks out, they will Citizens in the south and investigative the region’s environ- chant again for Basra’s sake and centre endured the oppression, mental disaster, to no avail. for Iraq’s sake. Basra will continue arrogance and impunity of the Basrans have reached the point to exist and resist and so will Iraq Basra is the main gate to sectarian militias and their parties. of no return. They’ve torched the with it. Iraq and the main The plight of Basra, however, was offices of the Badr Organisation, ten-fold that of other cities. Dawa Party, al-Asa’ib, al-Nakhil Ibrahim Zobeidi is an Iraqi writer warehouse for its tangible Basra streets are filled with Radio, the Islamic Supreme Council and US publisher of The Arab and non-tangible wealth. garbage, vagrant animals and stag- and Iraqiya Channel. Weapons have Weekly. In Iraq, Tehran plays with fire

alight. Western journalists said the attackers complained that Iraqi Shia militias “run rampant in Basra, Ali Alfoneh kidnapping and extorting money from their opponents and creating an atmosphere of fear.” The group that attacked the raqi Prime Minister Haider consulate is suspected of having al-Abadi’s September 10 visit burned the offices of the Iran-fund- to Basra came after an increas- ed Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Badr ingly tense security situation Organisation militias a few days in the southern Iraqi city. before. Violent protests claimed at Some protesters expressed Ileast 15 lives, the airport in Basra, frustration with the dysfunctional which houses the US Consulate, government in Baghdad. They was targeted by a rocket attack and demanded jobs and basic public ser- government offices and political vices such as electricity and access parties’ headquarters were set to clean drinking water. The Iraqi ablaze by protesters. Health Ministry admitted that more Abadi’s visit may have served than 6,000 people in Basra have a purpose, that of boosting his been sickened by contaminated chances of securing a second term water. The protesters set fire to the as prime minister. That it seems Basra headquarters of the provin- uncertain is because of the com- cial government, which they accuse plex dynamics of Iraqi politics but of abandoning the city to its own also because of the machinations devices. of Tehran. Iran prefers to maintain On September 11, Iraj Masjedi, Complex dynamics. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi during a session of the Iraqi Iraq in a permanent state of crisis, Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad, parliament in Baghdad, on September 3. (Reuters) which provides Tehran with the op- opened a new consulate in Basra. portunity to exert influence in Iraq Masjedi happens to be a former issues.” Tehran for the shortcomings of Iraqi and gives it leverage over the United senior officer of al-Quds Force of Masjedi and al-Quds Force only Iran appears governance. These failures range States. the Islamic Revolutionary Guard managed to gain this degree of to have from a dysfunctional government Iran, however, is literally play- Corps. He can be said to be partially influence by keeping Iraq in a pushed its in Baghdad to contaminated water ing with fire. Tehran’s consulate to blame for the fire that devoured permanent state of crisis. In such and electricity shortages. in Basra was among the torched the old consulate building. circumstances, Tehran found it luck a bit too Masjedi and other commanders buildings. On September 4, 2011, when Mas- easier to exert influence over Iraqi far in Iraq. of al-Quds Force thought they could It was a diverse group of protest- jedi was in charge of the Iraq port- authorities, coerce allies and even control and contain the permanent ers that attacked the consulate. folio for al-Quds Force, he said in opponents to pursue a path parallel crisis in Iraq. Now, they must watch Some shouted “Iran out” as they an interview with Strategic Review with Tehran’s interests. Thus, Teh- the flames engulf Iran’s consulate stormed the building and set it monthly: “The political authority in ran gained leverage in its dealings in Basra. Once ablaze, fire does not Iraq is moving in a direction parallel with the United States. distinguish between the US and to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” With influence, however, come Iranian consulates. Once ablaze, fire does not In an interview with Fars News, responsibility and blame. Iran ap- also published September 4, 2011, pears to have pushed its luck a bit Ali Alfoneh is a visiting scholar at distinguish between the US and Masjedi described Iran as “the most too far in Iraq. The Iraqi public — the Arab Gulf States Institute in Iranian consulates. influential stream in Iraq’s political both Sunnis and Shias — is blaming Washington. 4 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis Syria Russia gives Turkey more time to find a solution for Idlib

Thomas Seibert tary operations around Idlib were likely to continue. Moscow would wait until October or November Istanbul before ordering an all-out attack because the Kremlin expects the ussia is giving Turkey more crisis in Turkish-US relations to time to end the presence of deepen even further by then. rebels in Syria’s Idlib prov- “Comprehensive action will start R ince but a military build-up at a time when Turkey desper- by the Turkish Army suggests that ately needs Russian support” and Ankara has little hope that an as- Ankara is unlikely to add a crisis sault on the area can be avoided. with Russia to its difficulties with Following air strikes and artillery the United States, Has said. US bombardment on rebel positions in sanctions against the Iranian oil Digging in. Fighters from the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attend a mock battle in Idlib, the fighting eased as Turkish industry starting in November are anticipation of an attack by the regime on Idlib province, last August. (AFP) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan one reason why tensions between and Russian President Vladimir Pu- Turkey and the United States could said Turkey would then deploy attack would extract a heavy toll to shape a post-war order for Syria. tin prepared to meet on September worsen soon. Turkey buys about rebel forces of the Ankara-backed from the NFL, “damaging Turkey’s After a meeting of senior officials of 17. half its crude oil imports from Iran National Front for Liberation (NFL) credibility with local allies who the three Astana countries with UN Turkey wants Russia, the main and has said it will not abide by the to take up positions abandoned by have committed to stand against Syria Envoy Staffan de Mistura in backer of Syrian President Bashar new sanctions. HTS. HTS,” he wrote. Geneva, Lavrentiev was quoted by Assad, to call off an expected attack Russia’s Syria envoy Alexander If Turkey can prevent an all-out In an apparent effort to deter an Russian media as saying there was on Idlib, the last major area held by Lavrentiev, speaking in Geneva, attack on Idlib, concerns about attack, Ankara sent more weap- agreement “in principle” on two insurgents and home to more than said there was still time to find a an influx of refugees into Turkey ons and ammunition to its allies lists of candidates that are to form a 3 million people, most of them ci- non-military solution for Idlib but from Idlib would ease. Deploy- in Idlib. Senior rebel officials told constitutional committee for Syria. vilians. However, Erdogan failed the envoy also suggested that Mos- ing pro-Turkish forces throughout Reuters they had received more One list is from the Syrian gov- to get Putin and Iranian President cow’s patience was not endless. Idlib would strengthen Turkey’s military aid since the Tehran sum- ernment side. Another one is from Hassan Rohani, another partner of “Idlib province is… a sort of zone of position in the Syrian conflict. HTS mit. In addition, the Turkish mili- the opposition. A third list, with Assad’s, to agree to a ceasefire dur- responsibility of Turkey. It is their controls more than half of Idlib, in- tary sent tanks and armoured ve- the names of civil society repre- ing their meeting September 7. responsibility to separate the mod- cluding the provincial capital, Idlib hicles to observation posts in Idlib. sentatives, is under discussion, the “Chances for a cancellation of erate opposition from the extrem- city, and key border crossings with Turkish news reports said the army reports said. the offensive are very small,” said ists,” he said. Turkey. boosted its presence on the border Talks continued outside the UN Kerim Has, a Moscow-based ana- Erdogan’s government is propos- Under an agreement with Russia with Idlib. framework as well. Senior officials lyst of Russian-Turkish relations. ing to transfer extremist groups and Iran, the Turkish military has Working on a separate diplomatic from Turkey, Russia, Germany and “Russia is giving Turkey more time such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham put up 12 observation posts in Idlib track, Ankara stayed in touch with France met in Istanbul for talks but will insist” to go ahead with the (HTS), an alliance led by al-Qae- and deployed about 1,000 soldiers Moscow and Iran. “We are working on Syria. Russian Foreign Minister assault in the end, Has said. da’s former Syrian affiliate, out of there. Turkey “wants to protect its intensively with Russia, Iran and Sergei Lavrov travelled to Berlin to Ankara is apparently confident southern and western Idlib into the local rebel proxies and long-term our allies for peace and stability to meet with his German counterpart that the immediate danger of an northern part of the province or to strategic interests in Syria,” Fabrice be brought to the region and for a Heiko Maas. Germany was ready to all-out assault on Idlib has passed Afrin and Jarabulus, two Turkish- Balanche a visiting fellow at the humanitarian tragedy to be pre- “take responsibility” in reconstruc- for now. A senior Turkish official controlled areas in northern Syria. Washington Institute for Near East vented,” Turkish Defence Minister tion efforts for Syria after the war, told Agence France-Presse that “an That way, HTS would no longer Policy, wrote in an analysis. Hulusi Akar said. Maas said. offensive, if there will be one, will be able to attack the Russian air- Balanche said the NFL could be Ankara, Moscow and Tehran are not come before several weeks.” base of Hmeimim near Latakia, the first group to be attacked in a partners in the so-called Astana Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly Has, however, said low-level mili- south-west of Idlib. News reports general assault on Idlib. Such an process, a platform used by Russia correspondent. State actors horse trade over Idlib assault as aid agencies brace for the worst Simon Speakman Cordall Aid agencies warned of the grow- General Antonio Guterres warned crossing points are cut off because tary campaign is likely to propel ing crisis under way in Idlib. Entry of “a humanitarian nightmare un- of fighting. There are about three- a huge wave of refugees, putting and exit points into the province like any seen in the blood-soaked four days’ worth of water in many enormous pressure on Turkey, al- Tunis are shrinking and basic facilities Syrian conflict.” of these communities. Then hy- ready home to 3.5 million refugees are scarce. Outside the province, Aid agencies remain in Idlib, sup- giene becomes a serious concern.” from Syria and Iraq.” he exodus from Idlib in Ankara and Moscow horse trade porting civilians displaced by fight- “For more than six years, we have Rather than withdraw entirely north-western Syria has be- territory in Idlib and the fate of the ing and the rebel holdouts and their distributed essential items but, as from Syria, as US President Donald gun. Of the approximately rebel groups in it. families dumped in Idlib following fighting increases and civilians are Trump had previously suggested, T 1.5 million displaced peo- To the east, the United States, reconciliation deals with the Assad caught in the crossfire, they are of- the United States has committed ple in the province, 30,000 are which, along with its Kurdish al- regime and Russia. ten forced to flee. Our teams have to remain in Syria until Iranian in- thought to have fled since Septem- lies, controls as much as 25% of “Our teams are on the ground not seen a huge displacement of fluence in that country has been ber 1. Should the expected assault Syria, cautioned against the use of now and ready to assist,” Wilf Din- people at this point but we are pre- extinguished. To that end, Idlib, or on the rebel-held province begin unrestrained violence and chemi- nick of Mercy Corps, one of the paring for it,” Dinnick said. at least the fallout from Idlib, could in earnest, the United Nations esti- cal warfare. leading aid groups in Idlib, said Turkey, despite its apparent fail- be critical. mated that number could swell to Speaking at the United Nations by telephone, “but food and clean ure to halt the offensive at the Teh- 800,000. on September 11, UN Secretary- water can be difficult to access if ran summit on September 7, may have achieved a significant step Entry and exit points towards that end. By threatening to into the province are withdraw from the Russian-spon- shrinking and basic sored Astana Process, which relies facilities are scarce. on Ankara’s participation, Turkey appears to have stayed Russia’s Some indication of the renewed hand. This should allow Turkey seriousness with which the US ad- time to separate the 10,000 or so ministration views Syria can be fighters of al-Qaeda-linked Hayat gauged by the appointment of for- Tahrir al-Sham, (HTS) and relocate mer Ambassador to Turkey James them to areas in Idlib’s north under Jeffrey as the US special represent- Turkish control. ative to Syria. Given Jeffrey’s his- With HTS controlling more than tory with Ankara, the United States 60% of the disputed province, it is hoping its influence could shape was not clear how Turkey might any conflict in Idlib. achieve that end. However, doing “While the bilateral relationship so would help protect the large with Ankara is quite strained, Er- numbers of civilians in Idlib, as dogan knows and respects Jeffrey well as the approximately 50,000 and has a larger interest in working Turkey proxy fighters in the prov- with the US to forestall an assault ince. on Idlib…” Leaf said. “That com- “What occurs there next will monality of interests — between clearly have repercussions not two countries that together control only for post-conflict Syria, but for some 40% of Syrian territory — cou- Syria’s neighbours and potentially pled with coordination with Israel, Europe,” Barbara Leaf, a distin- and key European allies, provides guished fellow at the Washington the administration leverage with Institute, said via e-mail. “Will it Moscow, if it chooses to use it.” be a Grozny-style assault by Syrian forces, backed and enabled by Rus- Simon Speakman Cordall is Syria/ Preparing for the worst. Children try improvised gas masks in their home in northern Idlib province, sia, Iran and Hezbollah? That kind Lebanon section editor with The on September 12. (AFP) of brutal and indiscriminate mili- Arab Weekly. September 16, 2018 5 News & Analysis Lebanon Special Tribunal for Lebanon to conclude with whimper rather than much-anticipated bang

Nicholas Blanford ing the tribunal proposal bogged down months later when parlia- ment Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally Beirut of Hezbollah, refused to table a parliamentary vote to ratify the UN he closing arguments are proposal. under way at the Special Eventually, then-Prime Minister Tribunal for Lebanon in the Fouad Siniora asked the UN Secu- T Netherlands, signalling the rity Council to adopt the tribunal beginning of the end of a tortuously under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, long legal process that began with which precluded the need for Leba- the assassination of Rafik Hariri, a nese parliamentary approval. Reso- former Lebanese prime minister, 13 lution 1757 was passed at the end of years ago. May 2007, drawing protests from Four members of Hezbollah are Hezbollah that it was a “blatant being tried in absentia, accused violation” of Lebanese sovereignty of playing a role in the assassina- that only served the “interests of tion of Hariri when a truck bomb the US political project.” exploded beside his motorcade The opposition of Hezbollah and outside the St George Hotel near other Lebanese allies of Syria to the the Beirut seafront, killing the bil- UN investigation and the formation lionaire businessman and 21 other of the tribunal was interpreted as people. A fifth Hezbollah member, a means of protecting the regime Mustafa Badreddine, who was in- of Syrian President Bashar Assad, dicted as the alleged mastermind of which was widely blamed for Hari- the assassination plot, was killed in ri’s assassination. However, in early Syria in unexplained circumstances 2009, rumours circulated that the in May 2016. investigation had shifted from Da- mascus and towards Hezbollah. The rumours hardened dramati- A guilty verdict will cally in May 2009 when the Ger- presumably lead to an man Der Spiegel news magazine re- appeal, meaning that the ported that investigators said Hariri Moment of truth. Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri speaks to the media in front of the trial will drag on for was killed by a team of Hezbollah Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague, on September 10. (AFP) another year or two. operatives. The report was notably flawed in The closing statements of the that it offered no credible motive which he dismissed the rumours The other part of Hezbollah’s guilty, Hezbollah will remind its tribunal’s prosecution and defence why Hezbollah would want Hariri and Der Spiegel report as “media media campaign was to sow seeds supporters that the tribunal is an teams have cast media attention dead. Hariri was an appeaser and and political accusations.” of doubt in the minds of the public Israeli and US plot to weaken the once more on a legal process that, a compromiser and was not on a In many respects, the following by producing evidence that Israel party and they will agree, while its by and large, has been ignored since moral crusade to drive Syria out months were the climactic battle was behind the assassination. In opponents will say “we told you the trial began in January 2014. It of Lebanon and see Hezbollah dis- for the narrative over the tribunal one remarkable news conference s o .” seems like a long time ago that the armed — and Hezbollah’s leader- as Hezbollah undertook an inspired in August 2010, Nasrallah unveiled A guilty verdict will presumably tribunal was a major source of con- ship knew that, even if Assad and communications strategy for deal- alleged intercepted footage filmed lead to an appeal, meaning that the tention during the apex of the po- his Lebanese allies did not. That ing with the accusations. It aimed by Israeli drones of the routes taken trial will drag on for another year or litical schism between Lebanon’s lack of motive has dogged the pros- to discredit the tribunal by suggest- by Hariri’s convoy on the day of his two. The four accused will never be rival March 14 and March 8 par- ecution’s case since. ing that it was a tool to attack Hez- death as well as the former prime handed over to the authorities and liamentary coalitions more than a Nevertheless, in 2009, the notion bollah on behalf of the West and minister’s homes. the families of the 22 people killed decade ago. that Shia Hezbollah had killed Hari- Israel. It was a brilliant example of stra- on that sunny St Valentine’s Day 13 In late 2006, all five Shia minis- ri, an iconic Sunni leader, at a time It is true that the UN investiga- tegic messaging. That media cam- years ago, including the father of ters — members of the Hezbollah- of high tensions between these two tion and subsequent tribunal owed paign and the passage of time since Lebanese Prime Minister-designate led March 8 coalition — resigned branches of Islam sent shockwaves its existence to the will of the Unit- the indictments were issued in Saad Hariri, are unlikely to receive from the cabinet on the eve of a through Lebanon and was a near ed States and France in 2005, both January 2011, then made public in the justice they demand. government vote on a UN draft pro- taboo subject left untouched by the countries viewing it as a useful June that year and the onset of the posal to establish an international media for almost a year. Then, in means of applying pressure on the trial in January 2014 have dulled Nicholas Blanford is the author tribunal to investigate Hariri’s as- March 2010, Hezbollah leader Has- Assad regime. That the investiga- the sting of the original accusation of “Warriors of God: Inside sassination. The vote went ahead san Nasrallah addressed the subject tion swung towards Hezbollah after against Hezbollah and rendered it Hezbollah’s Thirty-Year Struggle and the UN proposal was adopted. for the first time in an interview three years did not bother Washing- almost banal. Against Israel” (Random House However, progress on establish- on the party’s Al Manar channel in ton or Paris. If the court finds the defendants 2011). Smooth mandate renewal reaffirms UNIFIL’s crucial role in Lebanon

Samar Kadi tained. For several years now the While the number of troops de- United Nations has been saying we creased, UNIFIL increased civil op- need to do more with less,” Tenenti erations, “something the mission Beirut said. has been strong about because it is The UN Security Council unani- important that the relations with the hile US funding of cer- mously approved renewing UNIFIL’s people of the south are maintained,” tain UN activities is be- mandate on August 30. France’s Tenenti said. ing reduced or severed, Deputy Permanent Representative “The south of Lebanon is prob- W the mandate of the UN to the United Nations Anne Gue- ably now one of the quietest regions Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) guen said the vote marked “a power- in the whole area not only in Leba- was renewed without significant ful signal of the collective support of non. It is booming with visitors and budget cuts. the commitment to UNIFIL.” tourists and it is now becoming more UNIFIL’s 2017-18 budget of $483 UNIFIL was first deployed in known for leisure than war,” Tenenti million decreased slightly to $474.4 southern Lebanon in 1978 follow- added. million — just more than 2% — for fis- ing an Israeli incursion to maintain UNIFIL, one of the most sensitive Keeping the quiet. Soldiers from the Italian contingent in the cal 2018-19, entailing minor spend- security on the volatile border. Its UN missions and the largest in the UNIFIL patrol the Blue Line in Lebanon’s southern border town of ing modifications that do not affect mandate was greatly expanded in Middle East, ensures the liaison be- Naqura. (AFP) the mission’s operations, UNIFIL 2006 after a 40-day war between tween the Lebanese and Israeli ar- spokesman Andrea Tenenti said. Israel and Hezbollah. In addition mies to defuse tensions and prevent “Last year as well there was 2-3% to the original mandate, it would possible escalations at the border. so far, we have been able to prevent Jaber said UNIFIL’s importance was a reduction in the budget but our op- monitor the cessation of hostilities, “The tripartite meeting (spon- violence through the tripartite meet- sign of international commitment to eration and activities stayed more or accompany and support the Leba- sored by UNIFIL) is the only meet- ings and by engaging immediately Lebanon’s stability. less the same; only things we can do nese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed ing in which you have IDF (Israeli when there is a problem,” he added. “It is true that UNIFIL could not without were eliminated,” Tenenti in southern Lebanon and ensure Defence Forces) and LAF (Lebanese This year’s vote passed more easily prevent Israeli attacks and invasion said. that no illegal weapons were found Armed Forces) officers sitting in the than that of the year before, during in the past but [it] offered great ser- He said flight hours by air patrols within a certain distance from the same room. It provides a kind of which US Ambassador to the United vices within their capacities. Though and, subsequently, fuel consump- border. confidence-building mechanism,” Nations Nikki Haley lobbied for a it did not have a big military power, tion were reduced, the mission’s The mission’s budget has changed Tenenti said. change in the text of the mandate, its mere presence is important be- Maritime Task Force of seven ships accordingly. “When you talk to the parties accusing Hezbollah of stepping up cause it represents many states, in- was downsized to six, vacant ad- “We used to have a much bigger on the ground, you see that no one its military presence in the embar- cluding permanent members of the ministrative posts that did not af- budget,” Tenenti said, “In 2006, wants to escalate but they all want goed zone. Security Council,” Jaber said. fect day-to-day operations were not the budget was $708 million but we to preserve the stability that we are UNIFIL subsequently reinforced “The slight reduction in UNIFIL’s filled and the lifespan of administra- had almost 40,000 troops and a dif- able to maintain in the south. Sta- its operations, increasing its joint budget will not affect its operations tive equipment, such as computers, ferent kind of operation. Now, we bility has been beneficial for both exercises with the LAF by more than or its effectiveness,” Tenenti said. was extended. have fewer troops and we are stra- parties. It is a win-win situation for one-third and its foot patrols by 60%. “Obviously there is still a big need “It is important that the mission tegically positioned. We assist and both.” In June this year, it initiated 36-hour for UNIFIL.” is left with funding that is necessary help strengthen the Lebanese army “Of course, the situation in south- patrols. to carry out its activities in a proper in order that they take charge of the ern Lebanon remains volatile and an- Retired Lebanese Army officer and Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly manner and for security to be main- south.” ything could potentially happen but, military researcher General Hisham Travel and Society section editor. 6 September 16, 2018 Opinion

Editorial Lessons of the Swedish vote n Sweden’s recent elections, a nationalist and anti-migration political formation garnered nearly one-fifth of the vote. The party, Sweden Democrats, is well-positioned to influence the course of politics in a Scandinavian country long perceived as a Imodel of tolerance and openness. The results are significant in that they under- line the effect of migration flows from the Middle East on a country such as Sweden. As Ivar Ekman, a Swedish radio host, argues in Foreign Affairs magazine, migration has changed the face of Sweden. He writes that the waves of migrants post-2015, especially from Syria, played an important role and the election results have merely “brought long-simmering conflicts over identity to the surface.” Even more significant is what the vote may portend for the rest of Europe. Ekman says the Swedish vote could indicate that a “strong far right is Europe’s new normal.” He points out that “practically all Western countries now have some 20-odd% of the voting population who, for one reason or another, don’t like immigrants.” Voting patterns do reveal clear trends in the wider European context. Judging from the projections by the Reuters news agency, based on opinion polls and election results, Sweden’s far-right party could double its representation in the European Parliament after next year’s © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly continent-wide poll and the European Parlia- ment’s so-called Eurosceptic bloc could have grown by an extra 60% after the May elections. That would mean more control vested in Iran might still be able to manoeuvre in Iraq legislators hostile to European integration and current migration policies. They would have about one-fifth of the seats, enough to influence but its expansionist project is doomed legislative debates on issues concerning the Middle East and North Africa region. The strong showing of Europe’s anti-migration Khairallah Khairallah parties in recent elections reflects the appeal of the narrative they use. These parties whip up When talking about Iraq’s future, there is a nagging question: Will it be fear of “Muslim invasion” and talk up the possible to put Iraq back together? supposedly eroding sovereignty of individual European nations. It has not helped the cause of Muslims in o the events in Basra Iranians and their Iraqi proxies the Iraqi officers and pilots who Europe that their case was too many times mark the beginning endeavoured to transform the had participated in the 1980-88 pressed by militants with little understanding of of recapturing the demographics of Basra. They war. It was like making up for Teh- Islam or the Arab-Muslim communities’ real balance of power in flooded it with drugs and turned ran’s failure in the war. interests. Islamist militants advocated estrange- Iraq or another step it into something like a very poor Both Saddam Hussein and Bush ment from European cultures and societies when in confusing the situ- Iranian suburb. Iran’s sectarian failed to be far-sighted. When Arabs and Muslims needed encouragement and Dation, particularly after Muqtada militias roamed the city to kick Saddam invaded Kuwait, he was guidance towards the path of integration and coexistence. al-Sadr called on Iraqi Prime Min- out the Christian minority. naive about what the reaction of France, a country with a particularly strong ister Haider al-Abadi to resign? Events in Basra, however, indi- the rest of the world would be and secularist tradition, is a case in point. A French First, let’s go further back in cate that its original inhabitants’ Iraq paid the price of ultimately majority has always backed secularist stances history. The borders between Iraq fighting spirit is strong. Regard- falling into Iran’s clutches. When against conspicuous displays of religiosity. and Iran were not just territorial less of the call by the Saairun Bush received his “divine inspira- Islamist militants have pushed for exactly the limits between two neighbour- Movement on Abadi to resign, tion” to invade Iraq, he prepared opposite. ing countries; they were, as Basra inhabitants sent a strong nothing for the post-invasion. Until a few years ago, the French, like nation- former French President Francois message by burning the Iranian That naivety handed the country als of many other European countries, were Mitterrand called them in the consulate and the headquarters to its arch-enemy, Iran. complacent about Islamist activism. Le Figaro 1980s, “borders between two of the pro-Iranian parties in the It’s too early to conclude that reported that the Renseignements Generaux civilisations.” For more than 500 city. Basrans wanted to send a the biggest loser in Basra is Iran. (domestic intelligence service) estimated “Salafist” militants at “a few hundred” in the years, they marked the balance of message that they’d had enough One day after Basra’s inhabitants 1990s. Today, there are 30,000-50,000 Salafist power in the region between the of authorities’ negligence and shouted “Iran out” in the streets, militants. Arabs and the Persians. enough of the corruption spread Iran’s proxy militias paraded A report by the Montaigne Institute in Paris Mitterrand made his remark by the sectarian militias. down those same streets. This highlighted the spread of the confrontationist when war broke out between Since 2003, Iran has been try- means Iran has trump cards to Salafists’ narrative online, having first estab- Iraq and Iran. That war raged for ing to control Iraq by any means, play. lished a foothold in the real world. eight years and France played directly and indirectly. Iran has One cannot deny that Iran European-Muslim understanding requires a crucial role in preventing the been treating Iraq as a prize of displayed excellent manoeuvring wiser voices than those of hard-line Salafist mili- Iranians from breaking through war. It made significant inroads in skills, including masterfully play- tants or those of Europe’s anti-migration far the border with Iraq. The French several areas but its goal of turn- ing the Obama administration right. Navy loaned the Iraqis six Super ing Iraq into a satellite country is with its nuclear programme deal. Etendard fighter aircraft and about to crash. The American administration Iran’s contradictions equipped them with Exocet mis- Iran took full advantage of its simply closed its eyes on Iran’s ex- siles. Thanks to this support, the participation in the United States’ pansionist project and its divisive rominent Iranian theatre director Iranians failed. campaign against Iraq. It was an actions in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Maryam Kazemi and theatre manager The city of Basra, however, had integral part of that campaign and Unfortunately, when talking Saeed Asadi were arrested in Tehran always been Iran’s target, given offered the Americans full coop- about Iraq’s future, there is a “on the orders of the judiciary,” a senior that it had a majority Shia popula- eration before and after the war. nagging question: Will it be pos- official at Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance said. tion, even though it had a strong Iran was interested only in sible to put Iraq back together? PThe arrests followed the sharing on social and powerful Sunni presence. taking revenge on Iraq and the The task seems impossible but media of a trailer for Shakespeare’s “A Midsum- Thanks to the US-led invasion, Iraqis and US President George W. consider how things will evolve mer Night’s Dream” showing men and women Iran achieved in 2003 what it Bush gave it the chance to that. inside Iran and how the United dancing. The official said the authorities took had failed to do from 1980-88. Immediately after entering Iraq, States will react. issue with the “type of music played” and the During the next 15 years, the Iran’s militias executed most of There is reason to remain actors’ “movements,” not with the play. somewhat optimistic in that Iran’s At the very time it uses raw state power to failure is internal and economic. restrict artistic creativity and impose its version As for the Americans, regardless of acceptable behaviour on its citizens, Tehran continues to blame the outside world for the of US President Donald Trump’s sanctions it faces. own troubles, there seems to be So, Iran’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, a core team seriously trying to ironically denounces US President Donald end Iran’s expansionist project Trump for “pursuing the logic of power.” out of conviction of the dangers it Salehi made his comments when he spoke at represents. length to the Associated Press about Iran’s The Americans seem to have efforts to build a new nuclear facility to produce realised that the purpose of the more-advanced centrifuges for the enrichment Iranian project is to spread ex- of uranium. He claimed that Iran wasn’t about to start the mass production of advanced centri- tremism, misery, destruction and fuges, which would violate the multilateral disintegration of the societies in nuclear deal. the region and beyond. The proof “This does not mean that we are going to of that is the outcome of 15 years produce these centrifuges now. This is just a of Iran’s domination of Iraq, the preparation,” he said. “In case Iran decides to country that not long ago was the start producing in mass production such centri- impenetrable barrier between the fuges, (we) would be ready for that.” Gulf and the Middle East and the His assurances could not be less convincing. Iranian virus. Such arguments are even less credible coming from a government that arrests artists for their role in staging a Shakespearean play. Strong message. A woman holds an Iraqi flag while chanting Khairallah Khairallah is a slogans during a protest in Basra, on September 6. (AP) Lebanese writer. September 16, 2018 7 Opinion

Khartoum must learn from Tehran’s mistakes Published by Al Arab Mohamad Abou el-Fadel Publishing House Sudan is quite different from Iran but it ought to have Publisher learnt a couple of lessons from Tehran’s experiences. and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD udan is sparing no waiting queues to form in Khar- In fact, Tehran’s, Doha’s and An- international order. Naturally, effort in dealing with toum and elsewhere. kara’s actions in the regions were many countries had to gang up Editor-in-Chief its political, economic Of course, the political opposi- driven by ideological goals rather on it to clip its claws in places and security crises. It tion would not miss on such an than genuine cooperation. where it thought it had absolute Oussama Romdhani is pragmatically trying opportunity to cash in on the dif- A policy reversal was needed control such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen to adjust its policies ficult economic conditions and in Khartoum. So, the government and Lebanon. Iran was bold Managing Editor Sand positions to the chang- push people to revolt. severed relations with Tehran enough to think that it could Iman Zayat ing regional and international Sudanese President Omar al- and checked its enthusiasm for expand its influence into Africa’s conditions by adopting the right Bashir might have been a maver- Doha and Ankara. Khartoum’s Horn across the Red Sea from Deputy Managing Editor approaches, favouring coopera- ick in restructuring the military, international image received a Yemen. and Online Editor tion and coordination in develop- intelligence services and political relative boost and Egypt became Sudan is quite different from Mamoon Alabbasi ment domains and shedding the parties in a way that ensures his willing to play the good neigh- Iran but it ought to have learnt a old methods of creating polemics full control of the mechanisms bour to Sudan. The United States couple of lessons from Tehran’s Senior Editor and manoeuvring. of the state but his magic proved eased its 20-year-old sanctions experiences. Lifting US sanctions John Hendel All in all, Khartoum defused inefficient against the economic when Khartoum sided with Saudi does not automatically signal many of its external crises but crises. Arabia and the United Arab Emir- the end of the crisis with the Chief Copy Editor the economic crisis still looms. Most of these crises have com- ates in their conflicts with Qatar United States. Even the slow Richard Pretorius Khartoum announced a plex ties to developments in the and the Houthis in Yemen. improvement in Khartoum’s cabinet reshuffle late September international scene rather than Khartoum was under the im- relations with Arab and non-Arab Copy Editor 9. The new cabinet reflects the internal causes. Al-Bashir has not pression that, once the sanctions countries could evaporate if Stephen Quillen heavy weight of the economic grasped this simple conclusion were lifted, huge investment Khartoum’s policies remain out concerns in the country. Motazz and has focused his efforts on capital would flow to Sudan. of sync with the economic and Analysis Section Editor Moussa was appointed prime reducing public expenditures in- The Sudanese authorities seem political developments in its Ed Blanche minister and former Prime side the country, a fruitless step to have forgotten that further environment. East/West Section Editor Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh was under current circumstances. practical steps on the economic, Fears of the return of sanctions made first vice-president of the To understand Sudan’s pre- political and security levels were against Sudan are in part fuelled Mark Habeeb republic. dicament, look back a decade needed before interested parties by the sword dangling over al- Gulf Section Editor or so. In 2011, Southern Sudan could come to Sudan’s rescue. It is obvious the political class Bashir’s head in the International Mohammed Alkhereiji in Sudan is convinced that the seceded and Sudan was deprived Al-Bashir and his team had Criminal Court. The tendency in country is in dire need of compe- of 75% of its revenues. The a surface reading of political international investments is to Society and Travel tence in decision-making posi- Sudanese government had failed developments in the region. Up favour investment projects with Sections Editor tions to get out of its economic to take necessary precautions to to now, the American initiative a significant regional cooperation Samar Kadi quagmire. compensate for this loss with ini- to lift the sanctions and even the dimension. Investment capital The Sudanese government tiating gigantic national projects. US administration’s hinting at requires stable conditions and Syria and Lebanon deciding to widen its austerity Subsequent mismanagement removing Sudan from its black huge advantages. Above all, they Section Editor measures is an indication that and bad planning deprived the list of terrorist organisations were require functioning systems and Simon Speakman Cordall the country’s economy is on the country of investment oppor- fruitless. The world’s major finan- innovative solutions. edge of collapsing. The number tunities. Al-Bashir should have cial institutions still have reserva- All Sudan has to do is look Contributing Editor of ministers in the Sudanese embarked on clear policies based tions about Khartoum. They es- at the example set by Somalia Rashmee Roshan Lall government dropped from 31 to on economic considerations pecially fear that the US sanctions and Djibouti. Both countries 21 ministers and the positions of rather than political ones to send could easily be reinstalled. joined the cooperation network Senior Correspondents state ministers were reduced by reassuring messages to potential It looks like Sudan is victim of in East Africa on the basis of Mahmud el-Shafey (London) half. Before the reshuffle, several investors. the Iranian model. The sanctions programmes of mutual develop- Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) Sudanese embassies were shut Instead, al-Bashir found noth- against Iran were put back in ment. Sudan can join in this down, leading to the crisis with ing better to do than to get entan- place only five years after they regional club but it must first read Regular Columnists former Foreign Affairs Minister gled in economic relations based had been lifted. Iran had tried the signs and avoid repeating the Claude Salhani Ibrahim Ghandour. on dubious security and political to play a double-faced game. On mistakes made by others. Yavuz Baydar The stagnant economy in considerations with countries the one hand, Tehran was keen Al-Bashir has time to save his Sudan led to many social ills. such as Qatar and Turkey. Obvi- on maintaining normal relations own skin and at the same time Correspondents The Sudanese currency dropped ously, the intentions behind with the West but, on the other, steer his country away from a fate Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) and the black market flourished. these relations were out of sync it was multiplying its aggressive a la Iran. Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Unemployment is on the rise and with the regional context and its and meddling policies towards Roua Khlifi (Tunis) basic commodities are becoming requirement of close cooperation many Arab countries. Mohamad Abou el-Fadel is an Thomas Seibert (Washington) dangerously rare, causing long free of ideological calculations. Iran failed to understand the Egyptian writer. Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi

Like Sweden, Finland has Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir its Muslim-bashing populists Hanen Jebali Rashmee Roshan Lall

Despite its relatively homogenous, small population and comparatively placid Contact editor at: politics, Finland’s populists maintain an unhealthy focus on Muslims. [email protected]

he rise of the far-right the party’s deputy leaders, Laura “become Swedish… to assimilate.” not automatic” but something to Sweden Democrats, Huhtasaari, who ran for Finnish This hard-line approach can be consciously built by Muslims. who are hostile to president this year, channelled US only provoke resistance in Swe- Just how hard that will be is Muslims and mi- President Donald Trump with a den, Finland and elsewhere in clear from Pauha’s analysis of Al Arab Publishing House grants, is mirrored “Finland First” message and rants Europe, when a more measured letters written by 11-16-year-old Quadrant Building in Finland, Sweden’s about “Muslim backwardness.” give-and-take is required. Muslims to an imaginary friend 177-179 Hammersmith Road Tneighbour to the east. Finland, Earlier this year, Huhtasaari was Consider the findings of a about life in Finland. “Finnish- London W6 8BS too, has an authentically populist fined for a Facebook post call- recently submitted doctoral ness is associated with things political party with a nasty mes- ing for a Muslim-free Finland, dissertation on the identities of that are haram, especially smok- sage for immigrants of non-Euro- which a court said amounted to young Muslims in Finland. The ing and drinking, and, as a result, pean, non-Christian heritage. discrimination against an ethnic scholar, Teemu Pauha of Helsinki becoming more like the Finns Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 Like Swedes, Finns have elec- group. University, investigated young is portrayed as a cause of losing Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 tions on their minds. Finnish The Finnish populists are Finnish Muslims’ sense of belong- one’s Muslimness,” says Pauha. voters will go to the polls next unapologetic about wanting a ing to the country in which they Clearly, the idea of Finnishness year. Despite its relatively homog- Finland with no immigration were born and made a surprising itself must change if it is to fit all enous, small population — just from outside Europe, except discovery. of the country’s population in the US Publisher: 5.5 million; 17 inhabitants per sq. for individuals who bring clear “Within the scope of a single 21st century. kilometre — and comparatively economic benefits. In any case, interview session, the same That said, young Finnish The Arab Weekly USA LLC. placid politics, Finland’s popu- Finland’s Muslim community, study subject could talk about Muslims’ uncertain embrace of [email protected] lists maintain an unhealthy focus which includes Arabs, Kurds, both ‘those Finns’ and ‘us Finns,’ Finland has profound implica- on Muslims. This might seem sur- Turks, Iranians, Somalis, Bosnians depending on the connotations tions for them, their country [email protected] prising considering Finland has a and Kosovo Albanians, lives in a linked with Finnishness in each and Europe more generally. By Tel: 248-679-6624 rather small number of Muslims, markedly Islamophobic culture. case. Many considered them- 2050, the Pew Research Centre perhaps 70,000, the majority of The International Social Survey selves Finns when abroad and estimated, migration could push whom are adolescents. Programme of 2008 said that foreigners in Finland,” Pauha said. Finland’s Muslim population to Not so. The Finns Party, which approximately one-half of the Pauha’s research opens with an 3.4%, a big increase from 0.8% is part of the governing coalition, Finnish population had a negative interesting anecdote that illus- in 2010. has an ugly anti-Muslim, anti-mi- attitude towards Islam and Mus- trates the extent of disconnection Even if Finland walls itself off grant agenda, one that is likely to lims, more than any other country between Finnish Muslims and to non-Europeans and Muslims, become more strident as the elec- in the 42-country study. their country. In December 2017, Pauha says, the Muslim popula- Subscription & Advertising: tion draws closer. On September That explains some of the con- the 100th anniversary of Finnish tion will grow, “but more mod- [email protected] 11, a Finns Party politician was text for the Finns Party’s rhetoric, independence, a Muslim youth estly, to approximately 1.4%.” Tel 020 3667 7249 convicted of public incitement which chimes with that of the organisation, Nuorten Muslimien Whatever happens, Finns and to violence against the Finnish Sweden Democrats next door. The Foorumi (NMF), organised a gala Muslims must accommodate Red Cross, which runs reception Sweden Democrats are desirous to mark the occasion. An NMF each other. Mohamed Al Mufti centres for asylum seekers. of locking migrants in to overt activist went on television to Marketing & Advertising Finns Party Leader Jussi displays of “Swedishness,” what- explain the organisation’s goal Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Manager Halla-aho was fined by Finland’s ever that might mean. Sweden was to “construct the kind of columnist for The Arab Weekly. Supreme Court six years ago for Democrats’ foreign affairs spokes- Muslims who feel that they are Her blog can be found at www. Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 comments linking Islam to paedo- man Markus Wiechel admitted also Finnish.” It suggested, Pauha rashmee.com and she is on www.alarab.co.uk philia and Somalis to theft. One of his party wanted migrants to writes, that “Finnish identity is Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis Gulf Spain backtracks on Saudi arms deal as US and UK take stand with Riyadh

Mohammed Alkhereiji

London

he Spanish government unblocked an arms sale to Riyadh in what observers T said was an effort to avoid a diplomatic spat like the recent one between Saudi Arabia and Canada. Spain’s recently elected socialist government on September 4 can- celled the sale of 400 laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, citing con- cerns the weapons might be used against the Houthis, an Iran-proxy rebel group in Yemen. Riyadh is leading a military coalition against the Houthis. The government in Madrid leaked to local media that it would return $10.6 million already paid by the Saudi government, which was part of a deal signed in 2015 with the previous government. Less than a week later, however, the Spanish government made an about-face after reports that Ri- yadh was considering cancelling a $2.1 billion contract with the Span- ish state-owned, economically challenged shipbuilding company Navantia. The collapse of the deal, which was aggressively pursued by King Felipe VI of Spain, could have resulted in the loss of 6,000 jobs. “The government is working to maintain good relations with Saudi Arabia and to defend the contracts for the construction of five cor- vettes in Navantia’s shipyards,” government spokeswoman Isabel About-face. Spain’s King Felipe VI (L) walks with his wife queen Letizia (R) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Celaa said. “That implies maintain- Abdulaziz at the Royal Palace in Madrid, last April 12. (AFP) ing the government’s international commitments. She added that she did not think there was a diplomat- In July, SAMI, Saudi Arabia’s 2030 economic and social reform that he certified to Congress that that mitigate the impact of the con- ic crisis with Riyadh. state-owned military industries programme. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab flict on civilians and civilian infra- Spanish Foreign Minister Josep company, reached an agreement Spanish Defence Minister Maria Emirates “are undertaking demon- structure,” Pompeo said. Borrell on September 13 said Spain with Navantia to set up a joint ven- Margarita Robles on September 10 strable actions to reduce the risk of UK Minister of State for the Mid- would go ahead with the delivery ture to design and build five Avante told a parliamentary commission: harm to civilians and civilian infra- dle East Alistair Burt defended of the laser-guided bombs to Saudi 2200 vessels to be delivered by “Decisions will be made according structure” in Yemen. Britain’s support for Saudi Arabia, Arabia. 2022, the official Saudi Press Agen- to a bilateral framework between “We will continue to work close- saying during a debate in parlia- King Felipe travelled to Saudi cy said. two countries that are partners and ly with the Saudi-led coalition to ment that “there is no reason to not Arabia in January to finalise the A Saudi statement said the joint have signed a contract and it will be ensure Saudi Arabia and the UAE support an ally under fire from mis- Navantia deal, an agreement that venture, to be based in Saudi Ara- resolved amicably.” maintain support for UN-led efforts siles.” Burt said the UK government had been two years in the making. bia, would create 6,000 jobs for The initial decision by Spain’s to end the civil war in Yemen, allow does not believe Saudi Arabia has Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed five years. The contract would con- government was tied to civilian unimpeded access for the delivery breached international law. bin Salman bin Abdulaziz travelled tribute localising Riyadh’s military casualties in the Yemen conflict. of commercial and humanitarian to Spain in April and the deal was spending with a target of 50% by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo support through as many avenues Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf signed in June. 2030 in accordance with its Vision said in a statement September 12 as possible and undertake actions section editor of The Arab Weekly. As diplomacy stalls, fighting intensifies in Yemen

Saleh Baidhani change in the calculus is essential Houthis’ failure to show up at the was, unfortunately, working to sat- that the Houthis had wanted to at- for a successful political solution Geneva talks. During a news con- isfy the coupist party and sought tend the talks in Geneva and that in Yemen,” UAE Minister of State ference September 8, Yemeni For- to make excuses for them,” Yamani he had made all efforts to make Aden for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash eign Minister Khalid al-Yamani, ad- said. “The statements of Mr Martin that happen. said on Twitter. “Hodeidah is the monished Griffiths after the envoy Griffiths [to] us and the rest of the On the day talks were to begin, ith the Geneva talks change needed and will ensure an stressed that the Houthis had tried partners had expressed a dissatis- the Houthi delegation refused to failing to take shape, end to Houthi aggression through to attend the Geneva talks. faction with this unjustified behav- travel to Switzerland unless the indicators point to a political means,” he added. “I consider that the statement iour.” United Nations met several last- W spike in military en- The latest military drive came given just now by the special envoy Griffiths in his statement insisted minute demands after having told gagement in Yemen in the battle after UN Special Envoy to Yemen Griffiths it was attending the talks. between Saudi-led coalition and Martin Griffiths failed to get war- This prompted the Yemeni gov- Iran-allied Houthi rebels, whose ring factions to the negotiation ernment delegation, led by Yam- weapons supply chain has been cut table, which resulted in a rift ani, to give the Houthis 24 hours off. between the to show up for talks, which they Pro-government forces said they internation- failed to do. recaptured Kilo 16, the main route ally recognised The Yemeni government released linking the port city of Hodeidah to government a statement upon leaving Geneva, Sana’a, which is controlled by Hou- of Abd Rabbo saying that among the precondi- this. Mansour Hadi tions set by the militia was the in- Government supporters view and Griffiths. sistence on guarantees from the the liberation of Hodeidah as para- The Yemeni United Nations that “planes can fly mount to resolving the conflict. In- government freely to and from Sana’a without telligence reports indicate that the said it is con- being searched.” rebels generate up to $40 million cerned “Everything that we have been a month from Hodeidah. It is their that hearing from the special envoy is main point for receiving weapons Grif- an expression of regret and frus- and funds from benefactor Iran, in fiths tration because their group did not violation of a UN ban. has not join the Geneva consultations or Coalition forces pushed to retake been carry out its commitments. Unfor- the port city in June but halted op- trans- tunately, we did not see this in the erations after the United Nations parent news conference that Mr Martin appealed to Saudi Arabia and the in public Griffiths participated in,” Yamani United Arab Emirates to give peace state- said. efforts a chance. Fighting resumed ments later. regard- Closing in. A pro-government fighter points a Kalashnikov assault rifle towards a Houthi Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly “Our argument stands that a ing the banner painted on a wall on the southern outskirts of Hodeidah. (AFP) contributor in Yemen. September 16, 2018 9 News & Analysis Egypt Qatar’s new asylum law exacerbates tensions with Egypt Amr Emam ditions and abide by international labour rights conventions. However, political observers Cairo in Egypt reacted angrily, saying the asylum law was an attempt to atar’s new political asylum sabotage Egyptian efforts to take law will exacerbate ten- to court dozens of members of the sions with the Arab Quar- outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the Q tet — Egypt, the United movement of ousted Islamist Presi- Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and dent Muhammad Morsi. Bahrain — especially Egypt, experts Soon after Morsi’s ouster in 2013, said, with many in Cairo saying this dozens of Brotherhood senior proves Doha’s support for terror- members fled Egypt, mostly for ism and necessitates the govern- Qatar and Turkey. Many of those ment taking legal action. figures were indicted by Egyptian “By passing such a law, Doha courts that charged them with wants to prove that it still has cards financial and terrorism-related to use against the Quartet,” said crimes. Some Brotherhood mem- Tarek Fahmi, a political science bers have been convicted in absen- Outlawed movement. A 2013 file picture shows an Egyptian protester ransacking the Muslim professor at Cairo University. “This tia and sentenced to death. Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo. (AP) is why the law and Qatar’s conduct Most of the same people have in general will most likely widen been featured on a list of wanted the gap between Doha and the figures published by the Arab Under the new law, the Qatari perts said. change of Qatari policies, including member states of the quartet even Quartet, which has publicly called Interior Ministry will form a com- “Qatar can easily claim that the Qatar’s alliance with regional ad- more in the future.” on Qatar to hand over the wanted mittee of concerned agencies to cases the escaped Islamists were versary Iran. figures but Doha has refused. consider political asylum requests involved in back home were politi- Through the past year, Doha has The law appears to be The new law was enacted after by foreign nationals. Applicants cally motivated,” said Salah al-Ta- expressed defiance, even as the Egyptian Brotherhood members, must not have been indicted in war hawi, a professor of international boycott caused economic damage tailored to fit those who including a television presenter on crimes, violations of the UN Char- law at Helwan University. “This and politically isolated it. allegedly committed crimes the Qatari news channel Al Jazeera, ter or non-political crimes. Those makes these Islamists qualify for The new law takes the show- in Arab Quartet countries a former member of Morsi’s cabinet applying for asylum must also have political asylum.” down between Qatar and the Arab and are living in Qatar, legal and a Muslim Brotherhood activist one nationality and refrain from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Quartet to another level, legal ex- experts said. were arrested in Europe at the re- pursuing any political activities in- Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain sev- perts said. quest of Interpol Egypt. side Qatar after being granted the ered trade and diplomatic ties with “Political asylum has clear regu- Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin “Most of these arrests failed to asylum. Qatar in June 2017 in protest of lations in international law,” Ta- Hamad al-Thani approved Law No. lead to the handing over of these Those granted asylum would Doha’s alleged interference in their hawi said. “This is why Egypt can 11/2018, formally granting political Brotherhood figures to Cairo be- be given a Qatari passport, Qatari affairs and its sponsorship of Is- lodge a complaint against Qatar asylum to foreigners living in Qatar cause of Doha’s intervention,” said media reported. They would also lamist groups, such as the Muslim at the United Nations if it grants for the first time. Kamal Amer, head of the Defence be allowed to be joined by fam- Brotherhood. this asylum to those sentenced by The law was enacted with an- and National Security Committee ily members and enjoy health-care Qatar, the countries said, pur- Egyptian courts for involvement in other measure that aims to ease of the Egyptian parliament. “Qa- services. sued policies that jeopardised their terrorist activities or joining out- restrictions on tens of thousands of tar insists to take all measures to The law appears to be tailored to security and have serious ramifi- lawed movements.” foreign workers in Qatar, projecting protect Islamists, even if they are fit those who allegedly committed cations for security in the Arab re- an image of a modernising nation indicted in terrorism and criminal crimes in Arab Quartet countries gion. Apart from the list of wanted Amr Emam is a Cairo-based that wants to improve labour con- cases in their countries.” and are living in Qatar, legal ex- figures, the countries demanded a contributor to The Arab Weekly. Campaign to amend presidential term limits polarises Egypt

Ahmed Megahid national campaign to rid Egypt of exchange rate of the national cur- “This is not about Sisi but about the October. If a majority of parliament Islamist groups, particularly the rency, the slashing of subsidies and interests of our country.” members approve an amendment Muslim Brotherhood. The cam- the imposition of more taxes. Econ- Nasreddine and other lawmakers to Article 140 of the constitution, Cairo paign has had far-reaching reper- omists say the reforms are working submitted a proposal to lengthen the change would be put before the cussions on the political future of with foreign currency reserves in the presidential term to six years Egyptian people for a vote. gyptian President Abdel Islamists and political systems in the Central Bank rising, the tourism before the presidential election in Last November, Sisi told US busi- Fattah al-Sisi’s second — the region, given Egypt’s central sector back on track, exports grow- March. Discussion on changing the ness news television CNBC that he and constitutionally final role in the Middle East and North ing and imports falling. constitution was postponed until preferred an amendment of the E — term in office is to end in Africa. “All these achievements make after the election but now pressure constitution not to be made during June 2022. Nevertheless, some peo- Sisi has been behind a painful the majority of the people want is increasing for parliament to for- his time in office. He added that he ple, including most of the nation’s but much-needed economic reform him to have more time in the presi- mally discuss the issue. had no plans to seek a third term in lawmakers, are looking to find ways process that many hope will guar- dency until our country arrives at Bekheit said he expected debates office. to allow the president to stay in of- antee Egypt’s future. Government safe shores,” said Tharwat Bekheit, on the constitution to begin after Nevertheless, calls for changing fice longer. moves include liberalisation of the another member of the parliament. parliament returns from recess in the constitution to allow the presi- One of the suggestions is to dent to stay longer in office united amend the constitution, which im- Egypt’s generally fractured politi- poses a limit of two 4-year terms cal opposition. Opponents of the on the presidency. Pace has been proposed constitutional amend- growing to increase the presiden- ment say they are afraid that this tial term in office beyond the cur- would do away with political gains rent length of four years. secured since the 2011 revolution. “The president needs more time Egypt’s 1971 constitution set in the presidency to complete what limits of two 6-year terms on the he started: the economic devel- presidency. In 1980, parliament opment of this country,” said MP removed the limits on number of Ismail Nasreddine, a member of terms, allowing Hosni Mubarak Egypt’s lower house of parliament. to remain president from October “Four years are far from enough for 1981 to February 2011, when he was him to do this.” ousted from office. Nasreddine and other parliamen- A constitution drafted in 2013 tarians want to amend Article 140 limited the presidency to two of the constitution, which reads: 4-year terms. “The President of the Republic is Critics point out that the issue of elected for a period of four calendar amending the constitution must years, commencing on the day the overlook political considerations. term of his predecessor ends. The The 1980 constitutional amend- President may only be re-elected ment was pushed through by sup- once.” porters of then-President Anwar Nasreddine and some of his col- Sadat, who was assassinated a few leagues have been campaigning for months later. It was Mubarak, Sa- a constitutional amendment over dat’s successor, who benefited from the presidency for years but the the amendment on the presidential pace has increased since Sisi se- terms. cured his second term this year. “This is why I think amending The campaign to change the con- the constitution will be a betrayal stitution, which has seeped out of of the people,” said MP Haitham the halls of parliament and onto tel- al-Hariri, a member of a leftist op- evision screens and social media, position bloc. “Some people want is banking on fears that a post-Sisi to bring us four decades back but Egypt could lead to the return of Is- I think the people will not allow lamists to power. them to do this.” Sisi, who was the armed forces chief of staff before becoming pres- A shield against Islamists. An Egyptian man holds a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian ident, has been at the centre of a near the presidential palace in Cairo. (Reuters) reporter in Cairo. 10 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis Libya Doubts swirl over twin package of security, economic reforms in Tripoli

Michel Cousins The aim of the currency exchange levy is to crack down on the black market, where some foreign cur- Tunis rencies trade at far higher rate than the official rate and to raise cash for n efforts to build on the cease- the government to pay off debt and fire that followed bitter clashes fund public services, such as health in the southern suburbs of and education. I Tripoli, the internationally rec- There is a great deal of scepticism ognised Presidency Council and its among Libyans over whether this will work and whether the ceasefire Government of National Accord, Catch-22. will hold. with the UN Support Mission in Ghassan “This is not a real settlement,” a Libya (UNSMIL), have come up with Salame, UN leading Libyan businessman said. a twin package of security arrange- special envoy “The fighting will restart and it is ments and economic reforms. for Libya and going to be messy.” These, they hope, will build on head of the The ceasefire had already been the ceasefire agreed to on Septem- UN Support under major pressure. Tripoli’s only ber 4 and that was still holding ten Mission functioning civil airport, Mitiga, days later and create a stable and in Libya remains closed following an attack secure Tripoli. (UNSMIL), September 11 that was a clear breach The clashes were between lo- attends a news of the truce. cal militias providing security for conference A day earlier, the headquarters of the Presidency Council (PC) and a in Tripoli, on the National Oil Corporation (NOC) better armed and organised force September 12. in Tripoli was attacked, resulting from Tarhouna, south-east of Trip- (AFP) oli, which accused the militias of in the death of two NOC employ- siphoning off much of the country’s ees and 25 injuries. Three attack- oil income. Ostensibly claiming ers killed in the incident were sup- state and against sovereign institu- Until a few months ago, those voic- able, it strangely said the currency loyalty to the PC, the battalion said posedly members of the Islamic tions.” Also, economic reform was es were largely ignored. exchange allowance would be in- Tripoli had to be cleansed. State, which claimed responsibility, needed to address issues at the core The recently announced eco- creased by $500 per family member. The new security proposals were meaning the attack would not con- of Libya’s crisis that were eroding nomic reforms had been discussed If foreign currency is readily not detailed when they were an- stitute a ceasefire breach. However, “the daily lives of citizens across the by the PC and Central Bank of Lib- available, there is no need for a cur- nounced, although both sides are many Libyans are unconvinced of country,” he said. ya Governor Saddek Elkaber at the rency allowance but if it is not read- said to have agreed to them. It is not the official narrative. On September 9, at a second Libya Economic Dialogue meeting ily available, individuals and busi- known whether the Tarhouna bat- Many in Tripoli suspect the attack meeting with those who had agreed in June. They were formally agreed nesses will continue to turn to the talion would withdraw or if rival mi- could have been organised by one to the initial ceasefire, Salame re- to a few days later but it has taken a black market. litias would give up their positions, of the parties to the clashes, with portedly said the cause of the clash- crisis to have them rolled out. Scepticism about the announced as was envisaged in the 2015 Skhirat the intended message being that es was economic. The currency ex- There are already doubts over security arrangements was fuelled agreement that established the PC. security is urgently needed. Locals change rate had to be adjusted and whether the reforms will go far by Salame’s own comments. Ad- All that has been said is that a say the attackers’ presumed path to stabilised and the massive spending enough to resolve the economic is- dressing the attack on Mitiga airport committee to oversee compliance the corporation’s marketing depart- on subsidies substantially reduced. sues underpinning the crisis. They at a news conference in Tripoli on with the ceasefire has been estab- ment suggest they were aiming to Many Libyan voices have said are largely about ending the dispar- September 12, Salame said that he lished and that it would mediate in seize sales documents. that, without economic reform, ity between the official and black knew who was responsible for the any future disputes. UN Special Envoy and UNSMIL there is no chance of political sta- market exchange rates, creating an attack and that if they again broke The economic package consists of head Ghassan Salame indicated bility. They point out that there has effective devaluation of the dinar the ceasefire agreement, he would a levy on foreign currency purchas- there would be a new twin secu- been no economic reform since the and finding more money for gov- publicly name them. He was quoted es, yet to be decided but effective rity and economic package for the 2011 revolution, that the Qaddafi ernment spending. There is nothing on September 9 as saying that, if as of September 12, plus a reduc- country in a September 5 briefing regime’s centralised, socialised sys- on economic liberalisation policies there were another breach, those tion in fuel subsidies — the amount to the UN Security Council. The tem remains in place and that, un- that could lead to job creation. responsible would be named and also still to be decided — and several previous security setup, he said, less there is meaningful reform and In addition, while the Septem- subject to sanctions. minor changes, such as pursuing had “empowered groups that act- liberalisation enabling job-creation, ber 12 announcement indicated the customs duties on a number of im- ed in a predatory manner against young men will stay with their mili- Central Bank of Libya would make Michel Cousins is a contributor to ports. residents of the capital, against the tias as their sole way to earn money. foreign currency readily avail- The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Viewpoint Finding salvation through the chaos in Libya

Karim Mezran n the night of Sep- Macron, who assumed the task of had enough of being marginalised to the civil war should be pursued and Federica Saini Fasanotti tember 2, most of mediating a solution to the Libyan from this revenue stream and outside of Libya among foreign the personnel from crisis. wanted their portion. powers that influence the Libyan the Italian Embassy By designating a precise date of It is clear that Macron and those conflict by sponsoring one or the in Libya — the only December 10 for legislative elec- who supported setting a definitive other of the militias on the ground operating embassy in tions in Libya, the French intended date for elections at the meeting in to pursue their own interests. Othe city — were quickly evacuated to engage rivals and encourage the Paris did not realise that they were The battle for Libyan salvation is on a ship bound for Malta. Only population towards this important putting what little stability exists to be fought in the foreign capitals a handful of diplomats remained step. In reality, the announcement in Libya at risk. International ac- since only by shielding Libya from to ensure minimum efficiency. did the opposite: the precipitation tors relied too heavily on domestic the interferences of foreign actors The fate was the same for most of of a military confrontation that has political leaders with no real power can a Libyan solution possibly be ENI’s technicians, the Italian oil been kept unnaturally quiet for a on the ground. This control belongs achieved even in the short term. giant that has been active in Libya long time. to the militias, their leaders and the This should be the task of the UN for decades and one of the few Libya is the theatre of a proxy interests they have come to hold. secretary-general and of those remaining private companies in war between international and It is evident that the militias are heads of state who honestly seek Libya after 2011. regional actors. Despite the UN ban the first of the many problems of a peaceful solution to the Libyan These evacuations reflect the in- on arms in Libya, foreign powers Libya’s post-Qaddafi transition. conflict and who are ready to act in creased perception of danger that have armed their factions in every Because of its complexity and favour of stabilising the country. members of the international com- possible way. This in advance of a sensitivity, the idea of disarm- The Libyan actors must act to munity felt after the clashes that definitive military confrontation to ing armed groups and creating a find a formula that guarantees occurred in Tripoli after August 27, overtake the country. national security force was pushed the legitimate demands of some when a militia from the city of Tar- The recent attack by the 7th aside in favour of a policy of ap- militia leaders and at the same huna attacked the cartel of militias Brigade, a militia from Tarhuna, a peasing the militias, which has time dissipates their fears of being that control Tripoli to assure itself city 80km south of Tripoli, could proven to be much less effective. marginalised in case a process of a controlling position in the city. easily be the beginning of the final It is not possible to continue to do reconciliation is enacted. There is This transpired while the atten- episode of the Libyan story. Begin- so with militias dominating the no other way to save Libya from tion of many observers of Libya’s ning August 27, the brigade, led by security and financial resources falling into complete chaos than ad- unfolding situation has been fix- Abdel Rahim al-Kani, launched an of the country. No peace can be dressing the militia issue in a direct ated on the electoral saga. That is, offensive against the militia cartel achieved in a country where there and effective way. the endless and aimless debate on that controls Tripoli. are at least 20 million weapons to the feasibility of having elections, The official reason for such an the 6 million inhabitants. As the Karim Mezran is a senior resident legislative and presidential, in attack was to remove the corrupt situation stands, a disarmament, fellow at the Rafik Hariri Centre at December. groups who, thanks to their occu- demobilisation and reintegration the Atlantic Council. Follow him on This date was announced in pation of Tripoli, are illegally profit- programme is impossible. Twitter @mezrank. The conflicting late May in Paris after a meeting ing from the exploitation of Libya’s The conflicting interests of Federica Saini Fasanotti is a interests of foreign between Fayez al-Sarraj, the head monetary reserves and national foreign countries, such as Egypt, non-resident fellow in the Centre of the internationally recognised resources. In other words, a fight to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, for 21st Century Security and countries are among Presidential Council in Tripoli “clean” the country from a gang of Qatar, France and Italy, are among Intelligence of the Foreign Policy the main reasons and the strong man of the eastern profiteers who are impoverishing the main reasons Libya evolved programme at the Brookings province, Field-Marshal Khalifa the country and starving its people. into such a crisis. This behaviour Institution. This article originally Libya evolved into Haftar. The meeting was sponsored This may be true but it is more is still going on and causing much appeared on the Atlantic Council’s such a crisis. by French President Emmanuel likely that Kani and his men simply damage. Therefore, the solution MENASource blog. September 16, 2018 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Mauritania’s ruling party leads in elections, faces stiff competition in second round

Lamine Ghanmi (UPR) of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz won 67 parliamentary seats from the 131 seats decided in Tunis the first round of voting. Its candidates will compete for fficial figures indicate that 22 seats left in the second round. Mauritania’s ruling party It they win 17 seats in the run-off, is well ahead in parliamen- UPR can claim a “crushing major- O tarian, regional and mu- ity” in the 157-member National As- nicipal elections but will face tough sembly. competition in the second round. Ould Abdel Aziz urged support- The complex voting process was ers to deliver a strong UPR majority peaceful despite intense contests in parliament to “protect the gains involving more than 6,000 candi- of stability and economic develop- dates from 96 political parties of ment” and “ensure the continuity various ideological and ethnic hues and reinforcement of the regime” to confirm the stability of the coun- as he has promised to step down in try at the frontline of jihadism as the next few months. well as communal and ethnic strife Mauritania is to have presidential in the Sahel and Sahara region. elections next year, a test whether “The elections were organised in the country will have a peaceful good conditions and they were held transfer of power for the first time in peace,” said the observer team without the intervention of the of the African Union in statement. military. The United Nations praised Mauri- The UPR claims 1.1 million reg- tania for having “peaceful polls.” istered members. It enjoys all the benefits of incumbency includ- ing the record of Ould Abdel Aziz, The Muslim Brotherhood’s widely praised for fostering politi- affiliate in Mauritania came cal freedom and development of second, behind UPR with 14 multiparty democracy. seats. Opposition groups showed a combative spirit in the elections Strong turnout. A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Nouakchott, on September 1. (AFP) because they feared an overwhelm- Turnout for the first round Sep- ing UPR majority might lead Ould tember 1 was 73.4%, said Mohamed Abdel Aziz, who has been president Anti-slavery activist Biram Ould The second round will tell wheth- are extremists. They take up weap- Vall Ould Belal, chairman of the In- since August 2009, to extend his Dah Ould Abeid, the runner-up in er voters heed the warning from ons when they fail to achieve their dependent National Electoral Com- stay in power. 2014’s presidential election, be- Ould Abdel Aziz against casting objectives and goals by political mission in a country with 1.4 mil- Leading figures in government came the first politician to win a ballots for Tewassoul, whose candi- ways.” lion registered voters. and the UPR have urged him to con- seat in parliament from a prison dates are well-positioned to win if Mauritanian political writer Is- “The strong participation of the tinue as president when his second cell. the leading opposition groups make mail Yacoub Ould al Cheikh said Mauritanian people in these elec- mandate ends next year, arguing UPR won all four of the 13 re- good on promises to back anti-UPR Tewassoul was taking a cue from tions in peaceful and well-disci- his departure would leave a power gional councils decided in the first candidates. Islamists in Morocco and Tunisia to plined manner underscored its po- vacuum and affect the county’s sta- round. “These extremist parties are re- “showcase their moderation while litical maturity and commitment to bility. The UPR also won most of the 111 sponsible for ruining Arab societies they focus on building a strong or- democracy,” said Ould Belal, a for- The Muslim Brotherhood’s af- municipalities decided in the first and Arab nations. We are hearing ganisation that will allow them to mer leading opposition figure. filiate in Mauritania, the National round. There are still 108 munici- them here speaking in the name of take over in Mauritania in the near “The elections faced several dif- Rally for Reform and Development palities to be contested in the sec- Islam and Islam is our religion and future.” ficulties but were successful. The known as Tewassoul, came second, ond round. not for them to exploit it in politics “They are growing steadily in the time was short to organise these behind UPR with 14 seats. Nearly 500,000 ballots were de- and collect money,” Ould Abdel number of members and strong or- different elections at the same time A dozen other parties shared the clared “void,” mostly in rural ar- Aziz warned. ganisation. Those who want to beat with a record participation of can- 40 seats decided in the first round. eas as voters struggled with long Ould Abdel Aziz shrugged off them must show they are building didates, voters and political groups The opposition Gathering for De- lists of candidates to distinguish the idea that there are moderates similar organisations or they have to amid the rainy season that added mocracy, headed by Ahmed Ould between names and symbols of among Islamists. keep silent,” added Ould al Cheikh. to the difficulties of transport and Daddah and Mohamed Ould Mol- 98 parties and political groupings, “Proponents of political Islam movement of people,” he added. oud’s Union of Forces of Progress results from the electoral commis- are all extremists,” he said. “Activ- Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly The ruling Union for the Republic each claimed three seats. sion showed. ists of the political Islamist parties correspondent in Tunis. Algerian opposition changes tactics ahead of presidential elections

Lamine Ghanmi moved all its material resources “We, as signatories of this letter, (to block) public places, leaving no appeal for you to embrace the sole space for a possible gathering,” he and unique decision that will open Tunis added. a new era for the country where Police surrounded the hotel the common good will prevail he Algerian government where Mouwatana leaders, in- above the interests of men: you re- took no chances with po- cluding lawyer Salah Dabbouz and nounce a fifth mandate,” read the litical opponents who at- Soufiane Djilali, leader of the op- letter. T tempted to march against position Jil Jadid (New Generation) Bouteflika, 81, has suffered two Algerian President Abdelaziz group, were staying to stop them strokes since 2013 and makes few Bouteflika’s potential bid for re- from reaching the gathering. public appearances. While he has election, deploying a heavy police “The authorities are frightened yet to announce whether he will presence to block the protest. by our movement and they feel stand for re-election, his support- Police blocked roads and turned insecure as they are moving the ers have sought to make it a politi- back people suspected of head- country in the wrong direction,” cal certainty. ing towards the rally September Assoula said after her release. 8 in Constantine. Police vans and Dabbouz said: “We, as Algerian Mouwatana has sought to plainclothes police occupied pub- citizens, have been barred from lic spaces and garbage trucks were enjoying our constitutional rights take its message to the parked in areas that could be used by illegal orders from government streets, warning the public for the demonstration. officials to deploy police force and of the risks Algeria faces if The protest, organised by the even garbage trucks in huge num- Bouteflika seeks to extend Mouwatana (Citizenry) civic group, bers against us.” his 20-year stay in office. was to include prominent opposi- Mouwatana, in contrast to pre- tion figures, including writer Yas- vious opposition movements that The day after Bouteflika returned mina Khadra and former Prime have been largely ineffective, has from a medical check-up in Swit- Minister Ahmed Benbitour, who sought to take its message to the zerland on September 1, his sup- have called on Bouteflika to step streets, warning the public of the porters announced the formation down when his current term ends. risks Algeria faces if Bouteflika of a “popular front” comprised of Police effectively shut down seeks to extend his 20-year stay in 16 political parties supporting his the protest and detained many office. re-election. activists, including Mouwatana’s It planned its rally for Constan- Authorities’ reaction to the re- spokeswoman Zoubida Assoula, a tine, Algeria’s third largest city, cent protest shows how strictly the university teacher and columnist because street protests are banned government intends to limit the Saad Bouakba. in Algiers. The group’s leaders said opposition ahead of presidential Algerian writer Kamel Ghimouze they plan another rally this month elections next April. said that “not a single corner or in Paris. Many Algerians are wary of radi- spot in the city or the path of the Some of the group’s members cal politics after a decade-long planned march or even public plac- sent an open letter to Bouteflika last war in the 1990s that pit Islamists es was left without police deploy- At crossroads. A man walks past posters of Algerian President May outlining their concerns with against the government, killing an ment or surveillance.” Even “the Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Ain Ouassara, south-west of Algiers. his leadership and calling on him to estimated 200,000 people and set- city’s garbage collection company (Reuters) renounce a fifth term in office. ting the economy back billions. 12 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Palestinians up the diplomatic ante against Israel, US

Mamoon Alabbasi was more concerned with coddling serial rights abusers… than support- ing impartial justice,” said Human London Rights Watch. Senior Palestinian official Saeb alestinian officials recently Erekat branded the US threats increased international dip- against the ICC as “a coup against lomatic efforts against Is- the rules in the international sys- P rael and the United States as tem” and vowed to take Israel to their ties with Washington and Tel task at other world bodies. Aviv continue to deteriorate. “We are determined to pursue this The Palestinian Authority formal- line, to pursue our fight in the [UN] ly requested that the International Security Council, the [UN] General Criminal Court (ICC) investigate a Assembly, the Human Rights Coun- planned Israeli demolition of the cil and the International Court of Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan Justice,” he said. al-Ahmar in the occupied West Erekat reiterated that the Trump Bank. administration was unashamedly The move infuriated the Unit- biased in favour of Israel and there- ed States, which has repeatedly fore can no longer be an honest bro- warned the Palestinians against ker in the peace process. turning to the ICC. “I think the only way [US offi- “The United States supports a di- cials] can meet us in any negotiating rect and robust peace process and room is if Mr Binyamin Netanyahu, we will not allow the ICC or any oth- the prime minister of Israel, can an- er organisation to constrain Israel’s nounce them [Jared Kushner, Jason right to self-defence,” US national Greenblatt and David Friedman] as security adviser John Bolton said in part of the Israeli team for negotia- a speech to the Federalist Society, a tions,” he said. Washington public policy group. The Palestinians also turned to The Trump administration an- the ICC in May, following Israel’s Flashpoint. A demonstrator scuffles with Israeli policemen in the Palestinian Bedouin village of nounced the closure of the Pales- killing of more than 160 Palestin- Khan al-Ahmar. (AFP) tine Liberation Organisation office ians at Gaza’s border with Israel. De- in Washington, which serves as the spite the US dismissal of the role of de facto Palestinian embassy in the the ICC and despite Tel Aviv’s sup- Prior to turning to the ICC in Sep- to Jerusalem drew international bassy in Israel from Jerusalem back United States. The US State Depart- port for Washington’s stance, Israel tember, Palestinian officials urged rejection, including from Washing- to Tel Aviv. ment said the closure was because is wary of the involvement of the European states to pressure Israel ton’s allies in the region. Despite the risks of a public back- the Palestinians have “not taken international court. against demolishing the Khan al- The US announcement to cut aid lash at home, Palestinian Foreign steps to advance the start of direct The Israeli military said on August Ahmar village. Britain, Germany, to Palestinians, including funds to Minister Riyad al-Maliki attended and meaningful negotiations with 21 that it was opening a criminal in- France, Spain and Italy called on the UN Relief and Works Agency for the inauguration of Paraguayan Israel.” vestigation into the recent shooting Israel to cancel its demolition plans. Palestine Refugees in the Near East President Mario Abdo Benitez on The US antagonism against the of two Palestinians at the Gaza Strip “The consequences a demolition (UNRWA), led other countries to August 14 in Asuncion. ICC is not linked only to Israel. Bol- border. Some Israeli analysts inter- and displacement would have on step in to bridge the gap. Israel reacted angrily to Benitez’s ton also threatened to sanction of- preted that as a message to the ICC. the residents of this community, “Some Palestinians see the Amer- decision, shutting its embassy in ficials at the Hague-based court “Their message to the ICC was including their children, as well as ican actions as a window of oppor- Paraguay and recalling the Israeli should they investigate US troops clear — the Israeli legal establish- on the prospects of the two-state tunity for a strategic change vis- ambassador from there. Israel can- who served in Afghanistan over war ment is independent and makes solution, would be very serious,” a-vis the United States and Israel, celled a planned official visit by crimes allegations. professional and impartial deci- the five European countries said in letting the Palestinians free them- Israeli economists to Paraguay. In Bolton’s remarks led the French sions regardless of virtually con- a joint statement. selves from the economic and secu- contrast, the Palestinians planned and German foreign ministries to stant criticism from all sides,” wrote Israel has yet to carry out the rity reliance dictated by Washington to open an embassy in Paraguay. express support for the ICC and Yonah Jeremy Bob in the Jerusalem demolition, which has been cleared after the Oslo Accords,” wrote Jack Israel has sought to sideline Pal- drew condemnation from human Post. by the country’s supreme court. Khoury in Haaretz. estinian President Mahmoud Ab- rights groups. In an uncommon move, Israeli US moves to pressure the Pales- Palestinian officials had been en- bas by striking a long-term ceasefire “Any US action to scuttle ICC in- farmers filed a war crimes com- tinians into accepting negotiating gaging in quiet diplomacy with the deal with Hamas, Abbas’s rivals in quiries on Afghanistan and [the plaint with the ICC against Hamas terms more favourable to Israel ap- newly elected government of Para- Gaza, but an agreement has re- Palestinian territories] would dem- for sending fire kites across the Gaza pear to have failed. The US decision guay before the South American mained elusive. Abbas objected to a onstrate that the administration border. to move its embassy from Tel Aviv country decided to move its em- deal that bypasses his authority. Viewpoint Why is the idea of Palestinian-Jordanian confederation getting a second lease on life?

t has become apparent that confederation is always possible if an independent Palestinian state the 1967 borders and with East many analyses and interpreta- the godfathers of the big deal are as well as the end of the political Jerusalem as its capital. This has tions of events related to the interested. That Abbas resorted to reunification of the West Bank and been Jordan’s position all along Mohamad Kawas Palestinian situation relied pulling out this rabbit now might Gaza Strip. and it is not negotiable.” too much on the so-called be a sign of his concern about Abbas has cleverly put the ball Ramallah is not upset with Jor- “Deal of the Century.” developments in Gaza. in other courts. The option of a dan’s position. In fact, Amman has IThus, among developments Abbas revealed that the sugges- confederation with Jordan would placed the Palestinian question considered part of the supposed tion of a confederation with Jordan result in increasing the political back in its original context. In its deal, there are US President Donald was put to him during a meet- distance between Ramallah and famous 2002 peace initiative, the Trump’s decision to recognise Je- ing with Trump’s adviser Jared Cairo while a confederation with Arab League accepted a confedera- rusalem as Israel’s capital and the Kushner and his Special Envoy to Israel represents a tactical choice tion solution on the condition that subsequent moving of the US Em- the Middle East Jason Greenblatt. that imposes the Palestinian Au- there be a Palestinian state with bassy there, the suspension of US Abbas was open to the idea but thority as the only effective part- recognised borders and capital. financial aid to the Palestinians, required that Israel be included in ner for a significant solution in the Now that Washington has un- the suspension of US contributions a tripartite confederation. Palestinian territories, especially earthed the confederation project to UN Relief and Works Agency for Why was this innovative old idea because Hamas appears extremely anew, it must explore these new Palestine Refugees in the Near East kept secret all this time in Ramal- eager to strike historic deals with paths. To do that, it must include (UNRWA) and discussions about a lah, Washington, Amman and Tel Israel. Israel, which will have to pay a long-term ceasefire in Gaza. Aviv? Abbas’s manoeuvre shows that dear price if it wants to keep Jeru- The list includes all kinds of Abbas decided to boycott Wash- the Palestinian Authority consid- salem off the negotiation agenda. positions, statements or decisions ington when the latter recognised ers the impossibility of reconcilia- Unofficial Israeli sources con- from this or that capital or from Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. It tion between Fatah and Hamas as firmed the confederation proposal. this or that Palestinian official looks like the suggestion of a a forgone conclusion and it takes They also confirmed that it was but could Palestinian President confederation came incidentally the Palestinian question towards submitted to Jordanian King Mahmoud Abbas’s confederation during Kushner’s and Greenblatt’s horizons beyond the classical Abdullah II and that it included be one more instrument in dealing visit to Ramallah, such that a pub- familiar boundaries. placing the West Bank, Jerusalem with Trump’s strange deal? lic official Palestinian reaction was Abbas knows that the confedera- not included, under Jordan’s secu- The idea of a confederation is the not needed. If that’s the case, then tion scheme is far from simple. rity jurisdiction. No details have latest novelty among many others circumstances must have called His action must be considered as emerged about the political rela- that have come and gone with the for reviving the confederation throwing a pebble into a still pond. tionship that ought to be in place seasons. It was released as a test idea and waving it as an option so When he insisted on a tripartite between both entities and their balloon and for other purposes as it might restore communications confederation, he refused to be constitutions. A similar scheme is well but it might have theoretical between the Palestinian Authority the only one to swallow the bitter being suggested for the Gaza Strip merit and ought to be investigated. and the US administration. medicine. and Egypt. Abbas’s manoeuvre Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Palestinian A tripartite confederation Jordan is in no position to Be that as it may, perhaps what shows that the Authority spokesman, indicated between the Palestinians, Jorda- embark on a risky enterprise. interests Abbas is retaking the ini- in a statement that “the idea of a nians and Israelis might suggest That’s why Amman turned Abbas’s tiative and undermining a multi- Palestinian Authority confederation has existed on the a tendency towards having a proposal down. It wasn’t, however, tude of projects for the Palestinian considers the agenda of the Palestinian leader- Palestinian entity in the West a definitive refusal. Jordanian gov- territories that emerged after the impossibility of ship since 1984. Since then, the Bank politically separated from a ernment spokeswoman Jumana truce in Gaza. Since the 1980s, the leadership has said that the two- probable entity in Gaza. Abbas’s Ghunaimat said: “The confedera- idea of a confederation was just a reconciliation state solution is the right approach leanings towards a confederation tion is unacceptable unless there test balloon and it seems that Ab- between Fatah and to the special relation with Jordan.” with Jordan might give credence is a definitive resolution (to the bas wants it to stay that way. In other words, a confederation to rumours of an annexation of Palestinian question) based on Hamas as a forgone is an open option and the goals Gaza Strip to Egypt. The scenario the two-state solution and which Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese conclusion. justify the means. Some form of a implies the death of the idea of includes a Palestinian state within writer. September 16, 2018 13 Debate Palestine Israel US-Israeli strategy to end Palestinian refugee status is illegal

will be integrated in their societies, ending their status as refugees. This logic once again stands at Maya al-Orzza odds with international law. UN General Assembly Resolution 194 of 1948 resolved that “refugees wish- ing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the uch attention has earliest practicable date.” There- been devoted to fore, if they wish to return, refugees the UN Relief and cannot be forced to resettle. This Works Agency for resolution is based on one of the Palestine Refugees primary principles governing refu- in the Near East gee law, which prioritises refugee M(UNRWA) since the US announce- choice. ment that it would stop funding Either by stripping them of their the agency that serves more than 5 refugee status or by de facto inte- million Palestinian refugees. grating them in their host countries, US funding amounts to one-quar- the United States and Israel are do- ter of the agency’s budget, putting ing all they can to put the Palestin- a significant strain on UNRWA’s ian refugee issue to rest with the capacity to provide basic services, dismantlement of UNRWA as a first especially considering the agency step. The end of the agency would already had financial problems. jeopardise the implementation of The cut is part of US President the basic rights of Palestinian refu- Donald Trump’s so-called deal of gees and leave them without the the century, a plan that involves, humanitarian relief and protection among other things, ending the A right, not a dream. A Palestinian woman holds the key of her family’s home as she they are entitled to. Palestinian refugee issue. Although sits at the Balatah refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, on September 2. (AFP) This campaign is morally repre- this goal was not officially stated, hensible and in breach of inter- every step of the US administration national law and practice and key regarding Palestinians seems to be that UNRWA is giving Palestinian status under UNHCR’s mandate UN General Assembly resolutions. pointing in that direction. refugees exceptional privileges by should be recognised as refugees in Israel and the United States cannot Aware that their chances of ob- extending refugee status to new their own right, even if they have change these norms and practices taining a UN resolution to terminate Palestinian generations born in ex- applied for refugee status as part of single-handedly. This is an issue the agency are slim, the US-Israeli ile, claiming that this is contrary to a family rather than on an indi- that should be dealt with by the strategy has focused on crippling international law and other refugee vidual basis.” UN General Assembly and other UNRWA financially in parallel with cases. UNRWA’s procedural standards international law institutions, not a delegitimating campaign focused The US government has been vis-a-vis Palestinian refugees are an individual member state. on stripping Palestinian refugees of trying to challenge this practice. At not exceptional but are in line with The severity of the consequences their refugee status. least two bills are being drafted by the UNHCR’s idea that refugee the dismantling of UNRWA might Among the tactics used by Israel the US Congress that would strip status is afforded to descendants have makes it a pressing matter for and the United States to dismantle most Palestinian refugees of refugee of refugees. This view is shared by the United Nations and third parties UNRWA has been portraying the status. Based on the legislation, only the US State Department, which to uphold their obligations under agency as an unqualified and politi- refugees who fled their homes dur- stated that there is no exceptional- international law, both by providing cised entity that is exacerbating the ing the 1948 war would be consid- ity for Palestinian refugees, as many adequate funding to UNRWA and Palestinian refugee issue. ered refugees, meaning the few still generations of Afghan, Bhutanese, promoting the rights of Palestinian Israel and the United States claim alive would be at least 70 years old. Burmese, Nepalese, Thai, Tibetan refugees as established in Resolu- This strategy shows complete and Somali people have been recog- tion 194 and others. Otherwise, disdain for the inalienable rights nised as refugees. Israel with the support of the of Palestinian refugees and refu- The United States and Israel have Trump administration will strip The United States and Israel are gee law and practice. The UN High been exerting pressure on Arab Palestinian refugees off their rights doing all they can to put the Commissioner for Refugees host countries to absorb Palestinian and take this issue off the table for Palestinian refugee issue to rest (UNHCR) upholds: “As a general refugees and take over the services final status negotiations. rule, family members/dependents offered by UNRWA. They expect with the dismantlement of of a recognised refugee who meet that, if host countries take over Maya al-Orzza is a legal researcher UNRWA as a first step. the eligibility criteria for refugee these services, Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Placing the Israeli cart before the Palestinian horse

tinians and the Palestinians do not Council resolutions and peace talks the two states’ right to exist. This trust the Israelis. This is where the at the highest level, often attended The basic snag has been rendered more complex United States came into the picture by presidents, prime ministers and remains that with the building of illegal Jewish Claude Salhani in the past as a reliable moderator, heads of state — and not by a son-in- the most the settlements on occupied lands. despite Washington’s traditionally law with no experience in interna- Israelis can 2) The status of Palestinian refu- leaning more towards the Israelis. tional politics — have yet to produce a offer the gees. Among Lebanon (450,000), Unfortunately, the Palestin- reliable path to peace. Palestinians is Syria (526,000) and Jordan (2 ians feel this is no longer the case. Conferences such as the Oslo Ac- less than the million), there are approximately 3 What little credibility Washington cords, the Madrid conference, the million registered refugees demand- had with the Arab side went out Wye River agreement, the Taba Talks minimum the ing “the right of return.” There are S President Donald the window as the administration and a slew of others have boiled Palestinians the 1948 refugees, those who fled Trump’s latest attempt chose to pre-empt the process when down the basic requirements needed can accept. Palestine at the creation of the state at finding a solution Trump recognised Jerusalem as the to achieve a just and lasting peace to of Israel, and then there are the to the long-standing capital of Israel and ordered the US four major hurdles. 1968 refugees, the second wave, Arab-Israeli dispute Embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Four points on which all sides which left when Israel occupied the has been rejected by Jerusalem. agree must be addressed if there’s to West Bank of Jordan and Arab East UPalestinians and Jordanians as un- This and Trump’s decision to sig- be peace in the Middle East: Jerusalem. This is not counting the realistic. There are certain processes nificantly cut financial aid granted 1) The status of the final borders of nearly 1.3 million refugees in Gaza. that need following in any negotia- to the Palestinians hardly qualify the state of Israel and the future Pal- 3) Security for Israel is of prime tions if one hopes to achieve results the United States as an acceptable estinian state must be determined. importance. Israel demands — and but Trump thinks that all the harsh go-between in the search for a last- Internationally recognised borders needs — the right to live as any realities of the conflict, the wars, ing peaceful solution in the Middle guaranteed by superpowers should other country once a peace treaty the occupation and the terrorism East. establish a solid start to a lasting is entered. It needs international that grew out of this conflict can be The result of decades of nego- peace. This would guarantee both guarantees. bypassed by placing the proverbial tiations — at times intense — and sides there would be no encroach- 4) The status of Jerusalem as the Israeli cart before the Palestinians’ more than a dozen international ments of territory. Recognition of the capital of both states. horse, if they even have one. conferences, several UN Security borders by all sides would recognise The closest the parties have come Or is it the other way around? to reaching an agreement was when, Regardless, resolving the Arab-Is- in his parting days, US President Bill raeli dispute requires far more than Clinton tried to push forward an ac- wishful thinking and a half-baked cord but it was too little too late. plan thrown on the table as though The basic snag remains that the it were a gambling chip in one of the most the Israelis can offer the Pal- casinos Trump has owned. estinians is less than the minimum It would help the US administra- the Palestinians can accept and the tion if it had someone on its team most the Palestinians can offer the who knew more about the recent Israelis is less than the minimum history of the region and who un- they can accept. derstood what makes the 70-year- Until a minimum level of trust can old Arab-Israeli dispute continue be established, there is little hope despite multiple attempts at trying of reaching any settlement in this to unravel this Gordian knot. dispute. Given the position adopted Let me clarify that statement: If by the Trump administration, it the Trump team included someone does not look like this may happen somewhat unbiased who under- anytime soon. stood the Palestinian point of view. Running on hot coals. A Palestinian man runs to help an injured The missing ingredient is trust. protester shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip’s Claude Salhani is a regular column- The Israelis do not trust the Pales- border with Israel, last May 11. (AP) ist for The Arab Weekly. 14 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Anxious not to offend China, Turkey stays mum on treatment of Uighurs

Thomas Seibert nal Chinese affairs. Three years ago, tensions between Ankara and Beijing rose when Uighurs sought Istanbul refuge in Thailand and Turkey of- fered them shelter against China’s nxious not to offend Bei- wishes. jing amid a financial crisis This time it is different. Turkey’s and spat with the United currency, the lira, has lost about A States, Turkey is keep- 40% of its value against the US dol- ing mum on the treatment of the lar and the euro since the start of Uighur Muslim minority in China the year. The drop has been made despite speaking out frequently worse by a row between Turkey against other reported cases of op- and the United States that led to US pression of Muslims internation- economic sanctions against Turkey. ally. Aykan Erdemir, a senior fellow A UN rights panel said in August at the Foundation for Defense of that it had credible reports that up Democracies, a Washington think- to 1 million ethnic Uighurs were be- tank, said Turkey’s economic prob- ing held in extra-legal detention in lems were Erdogan’s main concern. the Xinjiang region in western Chi- “Although Erdogan has present- na and called for them to be freed. ed himself as a champion of Tur- Human Rights Watch said the Ui- key’s ethnic and religious brethren ghurs, a Turkic minority, faced globally, in relations with both Rus- arbitrary detention, daily curbs sia and China, Erdogan has chosen on religious practice and “forced to turn a blind eye to the plight of political indoctrination” in a mas- Turkic and Muslim victims,” Er- sive security crackdown. The US demir said via e-mail. In the case administration is considering sanc- of Russia, he was referring to the tions against China over the issue, Crimean Tartars, a Muslim minor- news reports said. ity that says its rights have been Beijing said the United Nations violated since Russia annexed the should “respect China’s sovereign- peninsula in 2014, and to Muslims Double standards. Uighur men stand in front of a map showing the area claimed by Uighur ty.” China has said Xinjiang faces a in the Russian region of Chechnya. separatists as “East Turkistan” marked in blue at a resettlement community in central Turkey. (AP) serious threat from Islamist mili- “At this point, Erdogan’s political tants and separatists who plot at- and economic survival concerns tacks and stir up tensions between at home will trump all other con- dollars in investments to Turkey. in the 11th century. The Turkish- Erdemir said he expects few risks the mostly Muslim Uighurs and the cerns, including the humanitarian Alip Erkin, an Australia-based ac- Uighur bond was “evident from for the Turkish president. “Erdog- ethnic Han Chinese majority. ones,” Erdemir added. tivist for Uyghur Bulletin, a social the Turkish people’s exceptionally an has a carte blanche in foreign Analysts and pro-Uighur activists China could play an important media campaign for Uighur rights, warm welcome of Uighurs in their policy since his near-total control noted that Turkish President Recep role in helping Turkey overcome said economic considerations were society” as well as from the fact of the Turkish media shields him Tayyip Erdogan has not comment- its economic crisis. The Industrial the main reason Turkey was avoid- that Turks knew more about the from criticism at home,” he wrote. ed on the issue. Erdogan is known and Commercial Bank of China ing the Uighur issue. Uighurs’ situation than others, Er- “The luxury of domestic unac- for sharp criticism of Israel over its in August provided a $3.6 billion “All these irresistible tourism kin wrote. countability allows the Turkish approach to the Palestinians and loan package to the Turkish energy market and financial deals, as well Erkin and Erdemir differed on president to pursue a weathervane of European countries, which he and transportation sector. Close to as the long-term economic benefits whether Erdogan, a politician ad- foreign policy characterised by fre- has accused of Islamophobia. Last 1,000 Chinese companies are active [BRI] has to offer for Turkey have mired by his supporters for his out- quent U-turns and double stand- year, Erdogan said Myanmar was in Turkey and Ankara is working to effectively made the current un- spokenness, could lose domestic ards.” committing “genocide” against the attract more Chinese tourists. precedented Uighur persecution a support if he declines to comment Erkin, however, pointed out that Rohingya Muslim minority. Erdogan is hoping that Turkey, taboo for the Turkish government,” on the Uighur issue. not all media in Turkey were under He has lashed out against China located between Europe, the Mid- Erkin wrote in an e-mail. Erdogan’s sway. “If the emergency in the past. Speaking as prime min- dle East and Asia, could reap bene- Turks feel a special bond with Erdogan is hoping that level of the situation is felt by the ister in 2009, Erdogan attacked fits from a Chinese plan to develop the Uighurs, a Turkic people close Turkish public by alternative media China’s treatment of the Uighurs overland, sea and air export routes to the Turks’ historical home in Turkey could reap benefits coverage, some supporters of Er- with the word “genocide,” trig- to Europe. The massive project, central Asia. Turkish migration from a Chinese plan to dogan could surely be disillusioned gering accusations by Beijing that known as the Belt and Road Ini- into Anatolia, then controlled by develop overland, sea and by his double standards over Mus- Erdogan was interfering in inter- tiative (BRI) could mean billions of the Greek Byzantine Empire, began air export routes to Europe. lim solidarity,” he wrote. Viewpoint Turkish media reach rock bottom with Cumhuriyet case

ock bottom for the faced a thorny legal battle over a Kafkaesque trial on charges of cannot tolerate views different Turkish press? Possibly. its executive board. The board is aiding and abetting a terrorist or- from its own. One of the reasons What’s happened unique in Turkish media outlets ganisation, the Gulen movement. the AKP remains in power… is that Yavuz Baydar with the daily newspa- because it is structured as a foun- The charge was absurd because the constituencies that appear to per Cumhuriyet is the dation, which is seen as a guaran- many of the accused, as liberal be against it, actually share the inevitable result of a tee of independence in a corrupt leftists, were sworn critics of that same authoritarian stance.” Rslow but steady process of demoli- sector. movement. There is no doubt that Cumhuri- tion. The destruction of independ- Former members of the Cum- The battle was about ideological yet’s new management, claiming ent and pluralist journalism in huriyet board filed lawsuits after differences. For those who won the to an ultra-Kemalism, will invest Turkey because the 94-year-old 2013, claiming that the election legal case, it was about reviving in rebuilding the opinion pages. newspaper was one of the last ma- of other members was “null and Kemalism, which they claimed had The investment will be in the hope jor news outlets critical of Recep void.” Now, the High Court of Ap- been ignored over the years. For that like-minded readership will Tayyip Erdogan’s government. peals of Turkey has ruled in favour the defeated, it was about the end buy the newspaper for the views What happened with Turkey’s of plaintiffs Alev Coskun, Sevket of a certain kind of journalism. It rather than just the news. oldest newspaper was either folly Tokus, Mustafa Pamukoglu and was the end of efforts to make the The heart of the matter, however, or a shrewd coup. Cumhuriyet was Mustafa Balbay. newspaper the voice of Turkish is whether print journalism has a founded with encouragement from Media insiders had dreaded this pluralism by reporting on human future in Turkey. The rift in Cum- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, father of outcome because a fierce ideologi- rights abuses and oppression. huriyet has enormous symbolic the secular Turkish Republic. cal battle had crippled the newspa- “Whoever was subject to injus- value for journalism — a profession On the surface, Cumhuriyet per. At a time of systemic crisis in tice, we reported on the basis of on life support — even as those Turkey, when media independence universal values of journalism, high-calibre journalists who had to and freedom matters most, Cum- regardless of whichever affiliation leave face the prospect of not hav- huriyet was in turmoil. that person or whether that person ing an outlet for which to work. The court ruling had the effect is a friend or not,” said Murat Even so, the new management’s of an earthquake. The victorious Sabuncu, Cumhuriyet’s former belief that Cumhuriyet can grow plaintiffs declared that Ataturk had editor-in-chief. He added that after from approximately 30,000 copies come back to the newspaper and the 2016 failed coup, Cumhuriyet to have a huge effect is an illusion. a new phase begun. Twenty-three saw it as its duty to provide a voice In a Turkey in crisis, the most senior staff members handed in to a country that had been all but damaged sector is the import- their resignations or were sacked. silenced. dependent newspaper industry. Among them were many authorita- There is little doubt that Tur- Small opposition papers are suffer- tive columnists and leading jour- key’s left-liberal and Kurdish ing terribly and have had to raise nalists, including Cigdem Toker, segments saw the executive board cover prices. arguably the top investigative takeover as a coup. Therefore, the Cumhuriyet case business reporter in the country. Ahmet Insel, a prominent aca- illustrates the myopic view taken The bitterness ran so deep that demic and Cumhuriyet columnist by many colleagues in Turkey. the new editorial management who handed in his resignation, They are denying journalism’s new refused to print some farewell told Euronews channel: “There is a global reality. columns. The irony was that large constituency in Turkey, other many of those who had to leave than the AKP [the ruling Justice Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish journal- On life support. A man reads a copy of the Turkish daily had been in prison for nearly two and Development Party] that is ist and regular columnist for The newspaper Cumhuriyet in Istanbul. (AFP) years. They had been convicted in also nationalist, rigid, bigoted and Arab Weekly. September 16, 2018 15 News & Analysis Iran Iran lures Pakistani Shias to fight its war in Syria

Suddaf Chaudry When I mull over the situation, they respond, ‘Look, help us or we will go without your guidance’,” said Karachi the imam, who requested to remain anonymous. embers of Pakistan’s Many foreign Shia fighters have Shia community have reportedly joined the Zainabiyoun been complaining that Brigade, a secretive militia group M their relatives are vic- created by the Islamic Revolution- tims of enforced disappearances, ary Guard Corps in Iran. The name is allegedly by the country’s security derived from Zainab, a granddaugh- services, after returning from the ter of Prophet Mohammad, who is Middle East. revered by Shias. The families say their loved ones Zainab’s shrine is in Damascus. left to perform pilgrimage to Shia The Islamic State (ISIS), which con- holy sites outside Pakistan but intel- siders shrines heretical, called for ligence reports indicated that many the demolition of Zainab’s shrine. were travelling to Iran and Iraq to be Many Shia leaders called on vol- trained to fight in Syria. unteers from Pakistan, Afghani- “It had been two days since [my stan and Iraq to fight to protect the brother Haider] returned from pil- shrines. grimage in Karbala, in Iraq, then he “The shrine is central to Zainabi- was gone. He has no links to Syria. youn movement, the main purpose I showed the authorities his pass- being to protect it from destruction port,” said Samira, a Shia woman by Sunni extremists such as [ISIS],” who lives in Karachi. said Sabookh Syed, a Pakistan- Intelligence reports say Shia men based journalist. “Iran in a way are being recruited in Karachi, Gilgit wants to export its revolution.” Baltistan, Quetta and Parachinar to Zainabiyoun Brigade operations Costly game. Iran-backed Shia fighters march during a military-style training in the city of Najaf. (Reuters) fight for Iran-backed militias sup- are often carried out in secret for porting the regime of Syrian Presi- the protection of its members. dent Bashar Assad. “Those recruited are often routed returning home. The Zainabiyoun Brigade is only in Syria. through groups that espouse Iran’s “From what I’ve seen, most of the part of a large contingent of Shia for- Iran’s involvement in Syria has The number of Shia radical absolute velayat-e faqih ide- Pakistani fighters that have gone to eign fighters linked to Iran. The mi- not been without cost. ology, so Tehran has to tread a bit Syria have one way or another set- litias include Fatemiyoun Brigade in “Iran has played out the long Pakistani fighters active more lightly so it doesn’t get its sup- tled in Iran,” said Vatanka. neighbouring Afghanistan. game but its foreign policy is costly. in the Syrian conflict is porters into further trouble,” said Iran has not publicly commented Analyst Ali Alfoneh said, fatalities When Iranians at home are short on hard to verify. Phillip Smyth, a researcher on Shia on cases of detained Shia militia- of Shia fighters in Syria from 2012- bread are they going to assist in the militias at the Washington Institute men in Pakistan. “They do not want 18 include: 1,232 Lebanese, 896 Af- reconstruction of Syria? This would Iranian Major-General Qassem for Near East Policy. to upset the Pakistanis,” explained ghan, 558 Iranians, 157 Pakistanis be a very dangerous path,” said Va- Soleimani for years has been run- In addition to recruiting fighters Vatanka. and 116 Iraqis. tanka. ning training camps for foreign on ideological grounds, Iran offers Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- The Iranian Tasnim News Agency With the Iran-backed offensive fighters who want to take part in the Shia fighters material gains, observ- mad Javad Zarif was the first high- reported that Iran signed a long- against Idlib looming, it is unknown Shia jihad in the region. ers said. ranking foreign official to visit Paki- term security agreement with the whether Tehran can rely on more Samira said she was unable to de- “Iran pulls in fighters with a mon- stan after the election of Pakistani Syrian government in August to en- Shia Pakistanis answering the call termine whether her brother joined etary incentive and ideological in- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Au- hance its military reach and extends to jihad in Syria. Young men from the jihad but she added that he centives. It brings tens of thousands gust 17. its stationing in Syria. Pakistan’s Shia community would should have his day in court. “If he more Afghans than Pakistanis,” said The number of Shia Pakistani This deal is to enhance military think twice because they are being has (taken part in fighting for Iran), Alex Vatanka, a specialist in Iranian fighters active in the Syrian conflict cooperation ahead of an expected treated with suspicion by authori- please try him in a court of law but affairs at the Middle East Institute in is hard to verify. offensive against the rebel-held ties. please let us know. My father died Washington. “The total number of people from Idlib province. Iran will have to mo- Samira showed a document from without ever knowing the truth “Iran early on realised that [it] Pakistan cannot be more than 700 bilise more non-Iranian Shia fight- Pakistani military intelligence stat- about Haider,” she said. wanted to have a strong footing in or 800, definitely under 1,000,” ers to continue the next phase of ing it apprehended five men, in- Pakistani intelligence agencies the Syrian conflict without raising Maulana Allama Ameen Shahidi, a the fighting. cluding her brother. She is await- did not respond for comment. questions at home,” Vatanka said. Shia cleric based in Islamabad, said. Vatanka said Iran will finance ing further information on Haider’s A Shia imam in Quetta said men Iran was looking for foot soldiers to There are reportedly more than the fighters through direct Iranian condition, not knowing whether have approached him about join- alleviate damage caused by the de- 1,800 cases of enforced disappear- government funding, underground her brother is alive or dead. ing Iran-backed militias in Iraq and cline in manpower from the Assad ances that remain unresolved in Pa- networks of smuggling and so- Syria. regime, he added. kistan. The number of Shia return- called Shia charitable organisations. Suddaf Chaudry is a journalist who “People come to me and ask ‘Can Many Pakistani foreign fighters ees picked up by security agencies is Fundamentally, the Iranian state is focuses on the Middle East and we go for jihad to Syria and Iraq?’ choose to settle in Iran rather than estimated to be about 300. behind funding the proxies fighting South Asia. Viewpoint Missiles and executions mark Iran’s escalation of conflict with Kurds

Ali Alfoneh n September 8, Iran’s of shared borders.” leadership cadre, were killed in legal proceedings on the assassi- Islamic Revolutionary Simultaneously, the Islamic the missile attack. nation charges had not concluded. Guard Corps (IRGC) Republic of Iran Voice and Vision In contrast to the IRGC’s me- However, they were condemned launched seven aired footage of mobile missile ticulously planned and executed to death on the separate and surface-to-surface launchers and imagery collected attack, the legal proceedings prior equally unsubstantiated charge missiles at the head- by drones, which identified Fateh to the Komala members’ execution of engaging in armed struggle — Oquarters of the Kurdistan Demo- 110 as the model of missiles used were anything but accurate. They moharebeh — against Iran. The cratic Party-Iran (KDP-I). The in the attack and showed the were arrested August 2, 2009, on family never received the bodies headquarters, in Koysinjaq in Iraqi weapons’ accuracy. One missile charges of assassinating the son of the executed prisoners, which Kurdistan, was badly damaged; at was said to hit the room where the and nephew of the Friday prayer the dead men’s attorney said con- least one-quarter of the building KDP-I’s leadership usually had its imam of Marivan and their driver. firmed suspicions of torture. went up in smoke. meeting. Zanyar and Loqman Moradi ini- The incidents indicate a new On the same day as the missile Mashregh News, an outlet tially confessed to the killings on trend in IRGC behaviour. It seems strike, the Islamic Republic prison close to the IRGC, reported that camera. They later withdrew the minded to take a harder line to- administration executed Zanyar MOIS provided intelligence about confessions, alleging they were wards dissidents, Kurds and non- and Loqman Moradi, both of the meeting’s scheduled time. extracted after severe beatings Kurds, in Iran and abroad. More whom were members of the Koma- Mashregh claimed that 16 party and the threat of rape in prison. than demonstrating the might of la Party of Iranian Kurdistan. members, including some of the At the time of their execution, the IRGC, the incidents illustrate The incidents mark an escala- the regime’s inherent insecurity. tion in the conflict between the There is deep concern within the Tehran regime and the Kurds. It IRGC leadership as the country may also herald a generally harder faces new and re-imposed US-led line in the IRGC’s policy towards sanctions, the severe depreciation dissidents, both in Iran and of the rial and waves of small, yet abroad. recurrent, political protests and The IRGC claimed responsibility social unrest all over Iran. for the missile attack on the KDP-I Fearing instability, the IRGC has headquarters. In a statement chosen a policy of the iron fist. It September 9, the IRGC expressed seems resolved to punish select its resolve to “defend the borders groups to terrorise the public into and the territorial integrity of the submission. The victims may be Islamic Republic of Iran.” The Iranian Kurds but the message is The victims may be statement uncharacteristically meant for all Iranians regardless Iranian Kurds but the thanked “the unknown soldiers of of ethnicity, religion or political message is meant for the Imam of the Era,” a reference belief. to agents of the Ministry of Intel- Such tactics may work for a time all Iranians ligence and Security (MOIS). but are not likely to bring about regardless of It also contained a thinly veiled lasting stability. After all, jobs and warning to Iraq’s Kurdistan Re- New tactics. A wounded Iranian Kurdish Peshmerga member of hopes for a brighter future make ethnicity, religion or gional Government “from which the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP-I) walks after a loyal citizens, not missiles, torture political belief. we expect greater care and control rocket attack in Koysinjaq, on September 8. (AFP) and executions. 16 September 16, 2018 News & Analysis East West Rise of Sweden Democrats highlights normalisation of anti-migration sentiment

Mahmud el-Shafey “responsible” parties not to engage with the Sweden Democrats, dub- bing it “a party with roots in Na- London zism” that would “never offer any- thing but hatred.” he results of the Swedish The Sweden Democrats’ policies elections confirm that far- focus on migration and the party right, anti-migrant senti- campaigned for an overhaul of the T ment remains a force in immigration system, greatly reduc- Europe. With several important ing the number of immigrants en- European elections, including in tering the country and imposing a Belgium, Denmark and Finland, strict integration process on those as well as European Parliament who do. The party has also been elections, scheduled for next year, outspoken regarding Islam, alarm- the far-right anti-migrant populist ing Sweden’s Muslim community, wave has yet to break. which makes up an estimated 8% Preliminary results, which were of the country’s 10 million popula- being contested and recounted tion. days after the September 9 elec- Sweden Democrats Chairman tion, the far-right Sweden Demo- Jimmie Akesson, 39, previously crats won more than 17% of the described Muslims as the “greatest vote, picking up 63 seats in the foreign threat” Sweden has faced 349-seat Swedish parliament, the since the second world war. Riksdag. In recent years, Akesson has This means the Sweden Demo- sought to clean up the image of crats, a party that has roots in fas- the party, expelling members who cism and white nationalism and openly espoused neo-Nazi views that campaigned on a strong anti- and changing the party’s logo from Architect of far-right’s rise. Sweden Democrats Chairman Jimmie Akesson speaks in Stockholm, on migrant and particularly anti-Mus- a flaming torch to a friendly blue September 9. (AP) lim platform, is the third-largest and yellow flower. While this has party in the country. paid dividends at the ballot box, The ruling centre-left coalition of Sweden’s mainstream political par- policies the party advocates, par- Prior to the 2014 influx, the party est of the four parties in the cen- the Social Democrats, Greens and ties are loth to deal with the Swe- ticularly regarding migration, have had advocated open borders. Dur- tre-right bloc, completely shifted Left Party won 40.6% of the vote. den Democrats. entered the mainstream. ing the latest election campaign, its position, advocating for tough The opposition centre-right coali- “We have a moral responsibil- Popular sentiment towards mi- the Social Democrats stumbled to new rules for immigrants, includ- tion, including the Moderates, the ity [not to ally with the Sweden gration has shifted radically in articulate a clear message on mi- ing stricter requirements for family Christian Democrats, the Centre Democrats],” Lofven said after the Sweden over the last few years, gration, leaving the door open for reunification and cuts in welfare Party and the Liberals, claimed elections. “We must gather all good particularly post-2015 when Swe- the Sweden Democrats to monopo- benefits. 40.3% of the vote. The split guar- forces. We won’t mourn. We will den took in proportionally more lise the issue. Whether the far-right Sweden antees the Sweden Democrats a organise ourselves.” refugees than Germany. The centre-right opposition has Democrats have become part of the strong role in the negotiations over Both the centre-left and centre- In November 2015, Lofven’s cen- also adopted an increasingly hard- mainstream or not is immaterial, forming a new government in Swe- right blocs confirmed they would tre-left government-initiated curbs line position on migration since anti-migrant sentiment is becom- den. refuse to consider the Sweden on refugee immigration, citing the 2015. In late 2014, Moderate Party ing increasingly normalised, across Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Democrats as a coalition partner. unprecedented number of asylum leader Fredrik Reinfeldt called on Europe. Lofven, leader of the Social Demo- However, even if as seems likely applications it had received and the Swedish people to “open their crats, said he intended to remain the Sweden Democrats remain on the huge pressures Sweden’s social hearts” to large-scale immigration. Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab prime minister. He called on other the outside of government, the services were facing. One year later, the party, the larg- Weekly correspondent in London. Viewpoint Swedish elections show face of ‘new Europe’, leave politics deadlocked

weden had its first elec- Moderates in particular that they areas with high concentrations of depth after the second world war tion since the govern- wanted to show them “how to gov- immigrants, have shaken faith in as was done in the German Federal ment allowed 163,000 ern the country.” He was not shy in Sweden’s prized model of generous Republic. Francis Ghilès migrants into the country boasting of his desire to strengthen welfare and inclusiveness. But, more than anything else, the — the most per capita of his “kingmaker role.” Another often-overlooked factor feeling has grown, in Sweden as in any European nation — Lofven was quick to dismiss is that the Scandinavian countries Germany, that traditional parties Sduring Europe’s migration crisis, Akesson’s remarks, saying Sweden are traditionally very homogene- did not respond to the grievances polarising the country’s 7.3 million Democrats “can never and will ous socially, racially and religiously born of the fallout of the financial voters and magnifying concern never offer anything that will help and, having had no colonial empire crisis of 2008 and growing social about a welfare system many said society. They will only increase to speak of, are not used to deal- inequalities and insecurity about was already under strain. division and hate.” ing with Asian, Middle Eastern or the future that resulted. With the centre-left bloc taking That said, were Moderates African minorities in their midst, as Far-right parties are in govern- 40.6% of the vote and the centre- Chairman Ulf Kristersson to seek are France and the United King- ment in Austria, Italy, Norway and right claiming 40.3%, complicated to form a minority centre-right ad- dom. Whipping up feelings against Finland. Sweden may not be added negotiations will be needed to ministration, possibly in coalition Arabs, Muslims and Africans is to the list immediately but Sep- build a majority or — more likely, with the Christian Democrats, he therefore easy. Integrating refugees tember 9’s poll shows that strong a minority — government that will would implicitly seek ad hoc par- from the Balkans was a challenge anti-immigration and anti-Muslim not be easily sunk. liamentary support from Sweden in the 1990s but nobody in govern- rhetoric brings votes. The surge in support for the Democrats. ment drew the conclusions notably Traditional parties have swung populist anti-immigrant Sweden As in Germany, the decline of the on how to deal with violent, young between demonising the populists Democrats, which won 63 seats two big centre-left and centre-right men, especially when the later got and pandering to some of their in the 349-seat Riksdag, was less parties, which have dominated involved in drug-running, often ideas. Whatever the future holds, than feared but, with 17.6% of the the political scene for decades with native Swedish groups. the failure of traditional parties to vote was well up on the 14.1% it and in Sweden since 1917, growing Sweden Democrats have their respond to the sense of discontent scored in 2014. It will want to make income in equality, long waits for roots in neo-Nazi groups that have that exists, in a context when every its influence felt but how much it operations, shortages of doctors turned respectable. In Germany, other talk show points a vengeful succeeds depends on the coalition and teachers and a police force that right-wing populism was also finger at Islam and turmoil in the of parties that eventually forms the has had difficulties dealing with a fuelled by the often-overlooked Middle East, underlines the loss in government. spate of gangland shootings and factor that Communist East Ger- faith in the political system. The governing Social Demo- grenade attacks, often in deprived many had never “de-Nazified” in Sweden is not alone in this. Who- crats, led by Prime Minister Stefan ever governs Sweden in the years Lofven came first — as they have ahead will have a much more re- in every election in 100 years — strictive policy towards immigrants but their tally fell to 28.4%, the and refugees from Africa, the lowest since 1917. The centre-right Middle East and South-east Asia. Moderate party slipped to 19.8% as Whether they join a future govern- smaller parties — the ex-communist ment or give it ad hoc support in Left, the centre-right Centre and parliament, Sweden Democrats will Christian Democrats and the Green yield influence on the country’s party — advanced. politics. The post-1945 world is If a left-coalition is formed, coop- gone; the euphoria that followed eration with Sweden Democrats is the collapse of the Soviet empire is ruled out but if cross-bloc alliances as well. between centre-right and centre- However much they dislike it, Sweden Democrats left parties are formed, the rising Middle Eastern and African coun- populist party might well have a tries will have to get used to the have their roots in say in policy shaping. new Europe. neo-Nazi groups Sweden Democrats Chair- that have turned man Jimmie Akesson expressed End of bloc politics. Prime Minister and leader of the Social Francis Ghilès is an associate an interest in cooperating with Democrat party Stefan Lofven waves at an election party in fellow at the Barcelona Centre for respectable. other parties and made clear to the Stockholm, on September 9. (AP) International Affairs. September 16, 2018 17 News & Analysis East West Washington remains silent as rights situation worsens in Iran

Thomas Frank and in attacks on civilians. UN of- ficials and human rights groups denounced the executions, saying Washington the men had been tortured into confessing for crimes they did not he Iranian regime’s human commit and had been denied ac- rights violations worsened cess to their lawyers. in recent months and are Speaking September 13 at the At- T exacerbated by US Presi- lantic Council think-tank in Wash- dent Donald Trump as he reim- ington, the Iran experts said the poses sanctions and remains silent Trump administration’s pledges about abuses, Iran experts said. of support for the Iranian people Iranian President Hassan Rohani were hollow and did nothing to abandoned the human rights plat- improve human rights. Trump and form that helped propel him to of- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo A voice to the unheard. Activists hold a protest to highlight human rights abuses and call for (AP) fice in 2013 and win re-election have said they stand with Iranians democratic change in Iran, outside the UN headquarters in New York, last September. in 2017 and, as a result, is facing but have not made any demands widespread protests but only lim- about human rights as they laid “That just smacks of inauthentic- Iran’s abuses and it reappoints a bi, an Iranian-American women’s ited international condemnation. down conditions Iran must meet to i t y.” special rapporteur to oversee Iran. rights activist. Women born after “The human rights situation in avoid US economic sanctions. The United States has never However, the resolutions — the the Islamic Revolution in 1979 are Iran is in a crisis,” Hadi Ghaemi, ex- “Trump’s comments could be put together a “coherent human latest of which was approved in more educated than their male ecutive director of the New York- helpful if they were backed by an rights agenda towards Iran,” Fassi- March — do not list Iran’s human counterparts and participate wide- based Centre for Human Rights authentic set of ideas [about hu- hian added but focuses its policy rights violations or specify what ly in the workforce, holding jobs in Iran said. Although Rohani had man rights]. I just don’t think there on neutralising Iran as a strategic the regime must do, Fassihian said. ranging from doctors and lawyers inspired hope that he would re- is that set of authentic ideas,” threat to America and its Middle Only persistent international to taxi drivers and bus drivers. verse human rights abuses that said Dokhi Fassihian, director of East allies, such as Israel. pressure would improve human “While women face incredibly flourished under his predecessor, the Middle East and North Africa rights in Iran, Ghaemi said. Iran legal discrimination in Iran, the so- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, “he sat programme at Freedom House, a stopped executing people — many cial gains have been considerable,” pretty quietly for four years as ju- Washington non-profit organisa- Rohani abandoned the of whom were poor and illiterate — Tahmasebi said. diciary and intelligence forces re- tion that monitors human rights. human rights platform and, for drug violations 18 months ago Barbara Slavin, director of the inforced their security state.” Fassihian was particularly criti- as a result, is facing in response to international out- Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Since Trump took office in 2017, cal of Pompeo’s demands on the widespread protests but rage. Initiative, recalled that, during her Ghaemi said, Rohani “has sided Iranian regime, which he enumer- only limited international “That is an example of where you first trip to Iran 20 years ago, she with human rights violators” who ated in May as Trump announced condemnation. got countries from Japan to Brazil had to wear clothing that covered have imprisoned political dissi- the United States would reimpose to the European Union protesting her entire body. On her latest trip, dents and human rights lawyers sanctions that had been suspend- and it worked,” Ghaemi said. five years ago, Slavin said she wore and executed religious minorities ed or waived under the 2015 nu- UN efforts to improve human As the regime continued its only a small headscarf that left her on dubious charges. clear deal. “There’s nothing on the rights in Iran also have failed, the crackdown, Iranian women have face exposed. On September 8, Iran executed list that even if the Iranian govern- panellists said. Each year, the Unit- made substantial social gains three Kurdish men accused of ment met would help the Iranian ed Nations’ Human Rights Council through a powerful women’s Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly participating in a militant group people — not one thing,” she said. approves a resolution condemning movement, said Sussan Tahmase- correspondent in Washington.

Viewpoint Trump and Pompeo supportive of Sisi but Congress not easing the pressure

n a revealing passage in did get a bit tough on Egypt. He ment in Egypt. will be applied on Egypt because journalist Bob Woodward’s pressured Sisi to release an impris- After Egypt reportedly distanced Democrats have traditionally been Gregory new book, “Fear: Trump in oned dual US-Egyptian national itself from North Korea, Trump more outspoken on human rights Aftandilian the White House,” Egyptian who had been incarcerated, along and Pompeo came to believe there than have Republicans. In the President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with her husband, and allowed was no reason to keep the hold US Senate, for example, Senator reportedly said to the US the US State Department to place on the suspended portion of US Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Ipresident: “Donald, I’m worried an executive hold on $195 million military aid to Egypt, especially Vermont, has consistently linked about this investigation [referring in military aid to Egypt. because Cairo was struggling to human rights to foreign assis- to the investigation of the Trump Although then-Secretary of put down a terrorist insurgency in tance. team’s alleged collusion with Rus- State Rex Tillerson, reflecting the the Sinai. Perhaps because he is sensing sia]. Are you going to be around?” views of the State Department changing political winds in Wash- What Sisi was worried about bureaucracy, emphasised that ington, Sisi is hedging his bets, was that his new friend in the the aid freeze was done largely He has not only developed closer White House, President Donald because of Egypt’s draconian NGO Not only did Trump relations with Russia (receiving Trump, might be forced out of law and human rights problems as and Pompeo share military assistance as well as the office, which would mean that well as US congressional man- similar concerns signing of a deal for a nuclear Egypt would have to deal with dates, Trump went along with it. power plant) but is cultivating another US president, who might He did so because he was upset about Iran, they closer relations with China. Sisi’s be tougher on Egypt concerning over Egypt’s alleged assistance shared similar, early September visit to Beijing human rights and other aspects of to North Korea at a time when he was geared towards developing Egypt’s policies. was putting maximum pressure sympathetic views “comprehensive strategic collabo- In his first year in office, Trump on its leader, Kim Jong-un. towards Sisi’s ration on all levels,” according to Tillerson had spoken out on government in Egypt. the Chinese ambassador to Cairo. Egypt’s NGO law and the arrest of While Sisi was in China, the Egyp- dissidents during congressional tian delegation signed deals worth testimony and he had allies on In August, Pompeo released $18 billion for various projects in Capitol Hill. Indeed, Congress $195 million in aid. By September Egypt. placed three conditions on aid to 30, he will have to decide about Aid and project assistance from Egypt: Resolve the NGO “foreign releasing another $195 million in Russia and China come with no funding” trial of 2013 in which 17 military aid to Egypt that is tied to human rights strings attached Americans, among other nation- congressional conditions but the because both are authoritarian als, were convicted; repeal or betting in Washington is that he regimes that have no interest in significantly change Egypt’s NGO will exercise a national security pressuring Egypt to liberalise its law; and discontinue assistance to waiver to ensure that the funds laws and practices. North Korea. are not suspended. Although Sisi currently has a What Trump was most con- This suggests that, under the friend in the White House and cerned about was the third condi- Trump-Pompeo team, human leading the State Department, he tion. After he sacked Tillerson rights in Egypt are not a concern. is not sure how long they will last in March and appointed Mike As one Egyptian democracy in their positions, given the tur- Pompeo to replace him, Trump advocate noted, the Trump team moil in Washington and the vagar- was freer to pursue his own “views human rights and national ies of the American electorate. foreign policy with his new, like- security as mutually exclusive.” Sisi is keeping his options open. minded secretary of state. Congress, however, is not sof- Not only did Trump and tening its pressure on Egypt and Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer Pompeo share similar concerns if the Democrats take control of in the Pardee School of Global Pompeo era. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) walks about Iran and the Iran nuclear the US House of Representatives Studies at Boston University and a with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at the State deal, they shared similar, sympa- after the elections in November, former US State Department Mid- Department in Washington, on August 8. (AFP) thetic views towards Sisi’s govern- as is possible, even more pressure dle East analyst. 18 September 16, 2018 Economy Informal Sector in MENA

Contraband depriving Lebanon of badly needed revenues

Samar Kadi Last year, the Regie adopted pro- cedures to combat smuggling. The measures mainly involved improv- Beirut ing local industry and producing cigarettes that compete in qual- llicit trade through porous bor- ity with international offerings and ders with Syria costs the Leba- signing agreements to produce in- nese treasury tens of millions of ternational brands locally. I dollars in lost tax and tariff rev- Tobacco is the fifth most impor- enues every year while Lebanon’s tant source of state revenues esti- public and foreign debt keep accu- mated at more than $450 million mulating. last year, said Robert Naouss of The effect of contraband is felt in Philip Morris. many sectors, from the tobacco in- “It is a very important sector not dustry to agriculture and pharma- only in terms of public revenues but ceuticals. also in terms of economic activity. Tobacco and cigarettes are smug- You have 25,000 families that make gled into Lebanon by air, sea and a living from planting tobacco in the land through the border with Syria, south, Bekaa and north Lebanon,” said Mohammed Daher, anti-smug- Naouss said. gling chief at the Regie Libanaise Tobacco planting in Lebanon des Tabacs et Tombacs. is a vital part of the agricultural “More than 30% of the tobacco economy and creates jobs in farm- products in the Lebanese market ing, fabrication and trading. The are contraband. Smuggling of to- industry employs tens of thousands bacco and imported cigarettes in- of people and has traditionally suf- creased from 15% only two years fered from underinvestment and ago to more than 30% today,” Daher support. The jobs are also often in said. poorer areas of Lebanon. “Lebanon produces very good (Reuters) Large quantities of quality tobacco that is sought by big Fragile balance. A farmer holds tobacco leaves in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon. gasoline are smuggled international companies like Philip through Baalbek-Hermel, a Morris and others. The larger part of tained after several medicines and er. “The Ministry of Health is very “Beirut port’s activity has also border area that is largely the crop is exported and the rest is their generics were reduced by up strict in that regard. They have shut dropped by 30% in the last year controlled by Hezbollah. used for local production,” Naouss to 70% three years ago, pharmacist down pharmacies and retrieved the because of smuggling. Goods are said. Samar Baltagi said. licences of wrongdoers,” Baltagi being shipped to the port of Tartus “They are being smuggled in con- He maintained that Lebanon’s po- “Today, the problem is what we added. (in Syria) and smuggled directly to tainers, cars or trucks, concealed rous borders and the deteriorating call the ‘suitcase traders.’ These Smuggling agricultural products Lebanon through the northern bor- under clothes and other goods. This economic conditions in the country people buy the medicines in Tur- and low-quality gasoline from Syria der,” Tohme said. is mainly due to the security situa- caused an unprecedented increase key and transport them in their is also hitting state revenues. Large He complained about the increas- tion and the porous border with Syr- in smuggling tobacco and other personal luggage to sell to their quantities of gasoline are smuggled ing smuggling of agricultural com- ia, the difficult economic conditions goods. neighbours, friends and relatives,” through Baalbek-Hermel, a border modities from Syria that are flood- in the country and the big number “It is the easiest product to smug- Baltagi said. area that is largely controlled by ing the market and bringing down of Syrian refugees (who earn money gle. It is light, small in size and can “Turkish-made pharmaceuti- Hezbollah. prices. “Lebanese farmers are losing from smuggling).” be carried in many different ways. cals are of good quality and much “There are an estimated 1,500 ille- money. They cannot compete with Proceeds from the Regie, the state- Also, there are still no strict inter- cheaper than in Lebanon. Peo- gal crossings between Lebanon and Syrian produce because production owned tobacco monopoly, total up national penalties or sanctions on ple are so impoverished that they Syria that are used by smugglers,” cost in Lebanon is much higher than to 12% of the state revenues, Daher tobacco smuggling as it is the case would go for smuggled medicines said Tony Tohme, of the Chamber in Syria,” Tohme said. said. “The state’s loss from the illicit with the smuggling of pharmaceuti- even if that means saving a mere 2 of Commerce, Industry and Agricul- “We need to close down illegal trade of cigarettes is around $200 cal products,” Naouss said. pounds ($1.30),” she said. ture in the Bekaa. “In one instance, crossings, our economy is suffering, million-$250 million annually. Iraq While tobacco contraband has Medicines from Syria are rarely some 30 gasoline tanks crossed into the state is being deprived of cus- is a main source of cigarettes contra- been increasing, smuggling of phar- smuggled because they are of poor upper Hermel while customs could toms revenues and local farmers are band via Syria,” he said. maceuticals has been largely con- quality even though much cheap- intercept only one tank.” getting poorer,” Tohme added. Viewpoint The informal sector plays an important but unrecognised role in the Maghreb

Francis Ghilès he informal economy in job security is poor. Is bolsters In the 1970s, El Oued in south- by the informal sector, the three Tunisia is estimated to entrepreneurial activity but at the eastern Algeria was known as the Maghreb countries would “ex- account for at least one- detriment of compliance with state country’s “coffee capital” and you plode” socially, yet this is unac- third of gross domestic regulations, particularly regarding could get a better cup of coffee knowledged by the political class. product. Algeria and tax and labour laws. in neighbouring Gafsa in Tunisia Recognising the essential Morocco also have large Two types of informal sector than in Tunis. Heavily subsidised contributions the sector makes Tinformal economies and Libya’s is activities exist in the Maghreb: Algerian coffee was haemorrhaging to the economy in no way means even bigger, in view of the chaotic survival activities and unofficial to its neighbours’ economies. condoning drug trafficking or arms situation in that country. business earning activities. They The concept of the informal smuggling across borders. Tunisia The informal sector has long are split between criminal and non- sector was introduced into in- and Algeria are over-administrated been seen by government officials criminal. ternational usage in 1972 by the beyond belief. If a young entrepre- and many development experts in In the latter case, the balance International Labour Organisation neur in Tunisia wishes to respect the Maghreb region in a negative tends to tilt towards criminal in its Kenya Mission Report, which all existing rules, he may as well light: activities that were illicit, activities in times of civil turmoil — defined informality as a “way of never start a company. This burden failed to pay taxes and did not Algeria during the civil war in the doing things characterised” by ease of regulation and the bureaucratic allow the full majesty of the state 1990s and Tunisia with the collapse of entry; reliance on indigenous deadweight explain the growing to operate. It was further stigma- in state authority after 2011. resources; family ownership; small- corruption that acts like cancer in tised as encouraging a grey market In Tunisia, gunrunning and drug scale operations; labour-intensive the body politics. in labour. It is hardly surprising trade across borders, notably with and adaptive technology; skills The informal sector is a bit like to find idioms such as “under the Libya, have been added to more acquired outside the formal sector; vernacular Arabic: It is despised but table,” “off the books” or “working traditional smuggling activities, a and unregulated and competitive used by everyone. People pretend for cash” used to describe what long-time characteristic of econom- markets.” to speak classical Arabic, which the observers said is — more or less — a ic relations between southern Tu- Defining the concept of informal- majority of Maghrebis, including criminal sector. nisia and Tripolitania. Western-led ity is difficult because the various political leaders, do not master. All Yet the informal sector plays an sanctions against Libya lasted for categories overlap. The state has seminars with the World Bank, the important role. It provides jobs and two decades and gave the frontier found it very difficult to create jobs European Union and in Tunisia use reduces unemployment, though regions of Tunisia a kind of golden over the past 20 years, except by “official statistics,” which do not the work is often low-paid and egg that enriched people beyond adding to state payrolls. In Algeria, tell the whole story. the immediate vicinity of the fron- oil money bloated an inefficient Tunisian officials, in particular, tier, notably in the industrial city and privileged state sector. In were, until 2011 at least, masters of Sfax. Tunisia, the huge increase in state at pretending they were ahead of Smuggling has long existed be- jobs — be they in the civil service slightly less sophisticated Algeria tween Algeria and Tunisia and Al- or in parastatals — has dangerously and Morocco and dressing up the geria and Morocco. That frontier is, reduced the capacity of the state statistics of their economy. This for the first time in living memory, to invest in infrastructures for all helped convince their Western absolutely sealed. Traditionally Tunisians. The fact that those ap- partners they had a model econ- food or fuel that are more heavily pointed did not have the required omy. After 2011, the blowback of subsidised in one country find their qualifications and often did not re- reality was fierce. way into the neighbour. port for work makes matters worse. Tunisia could do worse than to Thus, Libyan petrol, which is It is time the governments of accept the crucial role the non- a fraction of the cost of Tunisian North Africa recognised that some criminal part of the informal sector petrol, is freely on sale in southern of the actors in the informal sector plays. Officials could seek to under- Tunisia. Algeria petrol found its are far more economically savvy stand it and treat the women and way into Morocco and Tunisia until than many civil servants, far more men who belong to it as entrepre- a few years ago when Youcef Yousfi, attuned to what people want to neurs who are often far more savvy then Algeria’s minister of energy, purchase and at what price and far and creative than some of the decided that $1 billion of estimated more adaptable to change than a rent-seekers who parade as wealth petrol leaving Algeria was too great civil service, which is slow, shy to creators and are invited to speak Bumpy road. Tunisian smugglers unload barrels of oil illegally a cost for the state to bear. The Al- reform and often corrupt. With- at government- or Western-donor- imported from Libya to Tunisia in Ben Guerdane. (AFP) gerians sealed both their frontiers. out the thousands of jobs created sponsored seminars. September 16, 2018 19 Economy

Algerian government pursues high Briefs Turkey bans property rent, sales spending for 2019 as it eyes elections in foreign currency

Lamine Ghanmi Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decreed that property agreements must be made in Tunis Turkish lira in a bid to prop up the beleaguered currency. he Algerian government In the decision published in the reversed plans to cut the official gazette, Erdogan ruled budget and will continue contracts for the sale, rent and T high-level spending in 2019, leasing of property in or indexed coinciding with the country’s presi- to foreign currencies would not dential elections, a draft budget re- be allowed. leased by the government indicated. Current agreements in foreign Algeria increased spending 22% currencies must be changed this year, creating a deficit of 10.2% within 30 days, it said. of GDP, to temper effects of previous years’ austerity policies following a (Agence France-Presse) sharp decline in oil and gas exports. While the government initially tied the 2018 budget increase to a “bal- Election anced budget trajectory and steady economics. growth path beginning 2019,” next Algerians year’s draft budget revealed high so- shop at a cial spending. supermarket in Water shortages to The government released a draft Algiers. (AFP) budget of 8.5 trillion dinars ($71.9 bil- cut Iraq’s irrigated lion) for 2019, which would finance of 2019,” Benadda said. “That is why check-up in Switzerland, his office of 2018. wheat area by half free housing programmes, agricul- economic reforms or ideas of reform said. Speaking on next year’s draft tural and water development, infra- are absent in the draft.” While signing off on Algeria’s 2018 budget, Finance Minister Abderrah- structure and subsidies on consumer The government’s release of the budget last December, Bouteflika mane Raouya said that “no taxation Iraq, a major Middle East grain goods. It would result in a deficit 2019 draft budget coincided with an pledged the dramatic spending in- hikes for citizens are planned for buyer, will cut the irrigated area equal to 9.2% of GDP. announcement by the ruling Nation- crease would be followed by moves 2019 and all the subsidies will remain it plants with wheat by half in the “The provisions and economic al Liberation Front (FLN) that it had to gradually reach a balanced budget. unchanged.” 2018-19 growing season as water arrangements included in the draft written a document detailing “all the Algerian economist Hassan Had- However, economists and financial shortages grip the country, a gov- budget for 2019 are dictated more by achievements and development pro- douche said the statement was experts warned that high spending ernment official said. political considerations than by eco- grammes overseen by President Ab- “without a doubt made to sweeten would fuel an increase in imports, Drought and dwindling river nomic imperatives of efficient eco- delaziz Bouteflika since 1999.” the pill of the spending spree fi- causing the country’s foreign curren- flows have forced Iraq to ban nomic growth,” said Algerian econo- “All these programmes and nanced by a huge budget deficit. The cy reserves to shrink and prompting farmers from planting rice and mist Makhlouf Mehenni. achievements are financed at the authorities then promised the return it to borrow from abroad, a trend the other water-intensive summer “Ensuring social peace, especially cost $1 trillion,” said the announce- to budgetary discipline with a cut of government has struggled to avoid. crops. Water scarcity was one of in a year of elections, is the main ment. spending in 2019.” The Finance Ministry said it ex- the issues behind street protests imperative for the spending choices Opposition leaders and econo- The rise of oil prices has been a pects current account deficits of in the country. of the government. Spending pro- mists have accused the Algerian gov- boon to Algeria’s economy, embold- $17.9 billion in 2019, $14.5 billion for grammes amounting to 1.772 trillion ernment of mismanaging revenue ening the government to keep up its the year after and $14 billion in 2021. (Reuters) dinars ($14.6 billion) or the equiva- from oil and gas exports since 1999, high spending. Oil and gas exports “An obvious result from such a sit- lent of 8% of GDP are allocated for when Bouteflika became president. account for 95% of Algeria’s total ex- uation is the shrinking of the foreign poor families and middle class to The document featuring Boutef- ports and 60% of the state’s budget- currency reserves to $62.5 billion in finance subsidies of essential con- lika’s achievements, which FLN Sec- ary resources. 2019, then $47.8 billion for 2020 and sumer goods, education, housing retary-General Djamel Ould Abbes Experts said Algeria’s sweet Sahara $33.8 billion for the following year,” and health-care programmes.” said would be released in the coming Blend crude oil sold at an average $20 said Haddouche. US and Saudi energy Yassine Benadda, chairman of the weeks, is likely to be followed by an above the average $50 forecast for The government previously Algerian consulting firm Djazair Ex- announcement of Bouteflika’s can- 2018 and could remain at the same vowed to keep foreign currency re- ministers meet in perts, agreed that political consid- didacy for a fifth term as president, rate next year. serves no lower than $100 billion Washington erations were at the heart of the draft political analysts said. Algeria’s government adopted to keep the country “free of foreign budget and pointed to next year’s Bouteflika, 81, has suffered a series what is known as an “easy money” debt” but, Benadda said, “in the presidential elections. of health problems during his tenure, approach, using the Central Bank to view of the government’s macro- US Energy Secretary Rick Perry “The planned spending in the draft including a stroke in 2013 that dimin- buy assets, including government economic configurations for 2019-21, met with Saudi Energy Minister budget for 2019 appears to be one ished his mobility. He returned to Al- debt with long-term maturity, to fi- the path of foreign debt is becoming Khalid al-Falih in Washington, component of the electoral process giers on September 1 after a medical nance the deficit and high spending inevitable.” the US Energy Department said, as the Trump administration en- Viewpoint couraged big oil-producing coun- tries to keep output high ahead of Washington’s renewed sanctions on Iran’s crude exports. Perry and Falih discussed world Lebanon’s economic obituary looms oil markets, the potential for US- Saudi civil nuclear cooperation The Lebanese state’s reaction to bad conditions they (Syrian refu- gees who had fled Syria to escape and efforts to share technologies the Economist article was a text- gees) experienced, these people Assad’s clutches are safe to return to develop “clean fossil fuels,” book case of denial, assuming a are entering the country with dan- home, even though their homes the Energy Department said in a Makram Rabah business-as-usual approach while gerous bacteria that cause diseases and villages are occupied or have statement. avoiding any accusations lev- in humans, including cancer.” been razed. elled at them. Following a visit to The irony is that the information For too long, political and (Reuters) Lebanese President Michel Aoun, contained in the Economist article economic management in Leba- Lebanese Minister of Finance Ali is trivial compared to that in the non has consisted of sweeping nything foreign Hassan Khalil reassured a worried International Monetary Fund’s anything uncomfortable under holds greater public that all indicators confirmed (IMF) report released in February. the rug. Anything that gives the lie worth.” That is a the economy was safe, dismissing The IMF was explicit, warning of to the fiction of their clean house “ motto that truly any talk about an impending col- the dangers Lebanon faced and de- is regarded as a personal affront. applies to the lapse as fallacious. manding the state proceed with its However, the Lebanese’s contin- Libya agrees to Lebanese reaction The Economist article was not long-overdue structural reforms: ued determination to self-destruct impose fees on to a recentA article in the Economist merely a public dressing-down of cutting spending, raising taxes on can no longer be ignored by the foretelling the imminent downfall the Lebanese political and eco- gasoline and eliminating electric- international community, financial foreign currency of the country’s sluggish economy. nomic establishment, it was a di- ity subsidies — all measures long experts or, it seems, the Econo- transactions Predictions of Lebanon’s eco- rect challenge to the population’s promised but never initiated. mist. nomic demise are not new. Years narcissistic tendency to manipu- Along the same lines, the Cedre Ultimately, the Lebanese have of structural corruption and the late events to portray themselves conference in April, which gave been exposed as the trust fund Libya’s UN-backed authorities seemingly insatiable appetite of as the victims, rather than the Lebanon $12 billion in loans and babies they are. Ones who believe said they would impose fees on the ruling elite and the popula- authors, of whatever misfortune pledges, added a warning of that, despite their reckless spend- foreign currency transactions as tion at large for clientelist favours assails them. its own, underscoring the link ing and accumulation of debt, well as review fuel subsidies, a have led Lebanon to sink into $80 Desperate to reverse engineer re- between economic recovery and their parents — in this the case government statement said. billion worth of debt, with no real ality, many in Lebanon tried to use reforms Lebanon had previously international community and Gulf It gave no details how the fees prospects of recovery in sight. the Syrian refugee crisis to ration- committed to. countries — will sweep in and set- would be implemented, given the However, the question is not alise the terrible state of their eco- At Cedre, the Lebanese govern- tle their debts for them. weak grip of authorities chal- so much the state of Lebanon’s nomic affairs. However, Lebanon’s ment reached out to international However, if this behaviour lenged by armed groups that ef- economic health but why the 1.5 million Syrian guests, and the donors, assuring them it would use continues it is certain that, instead fectively control major banks and population was so alarmed by a burdens they inflict, go nowhere any funds to overhaul the infra- of gloomy articles, international ministries. somewhat run-of-the-mill feature near explaining the country’s utter structure that helped it cope with reporting of Lebanon’s economy The move is meant to close the in a foreign magazine, all the economic ruin. the influx of refugees. will read more like an obituary gap between the official exchange while disregarding more startling Lebanon’s populist and xeno- Even before the funds reached than a feature. rate of 1.4 dinars to the dollar and domestic omens of economic phobic extremists have gone so far its hungry pockets, however, the the parallel rate of 6-7 dinars. decline, such as the deteriorating as using the refugees’ presence to Lebanese state, led by Aoun acting Makram Rabah is a lecturer at public utilities sector, which has explain mounting cases of cancer in collusion with Hezbollah, spear- the American University of Beirut (Reuters) transformed the country into a in the country. Fadi Nasr, said to headed a campaign to normalise and author of “A Campus at War: huge landfill and which still suffers be an oncologist, told a Lebanese relations with the Assad regime. Student Politics at the American with intermittent electricity. television station: “Because of the Their pretext was that the refu- University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” 20 September 16, 2018 Society Education Interview Cairo University seeks to lead intellectual momentum to fight extremist discourse

During the 1970s, Islamist groups infiltrated Cairo University and spread to most universities in Egypt. For 50 years, the Muslim Ahmed Gamal Brotherhood and other Islamist groups worked their way deep Cairo inside colleges and replaced the ideational content offered to airo University students by one based on obedi- President ence and regurgitation. Mohamed Othman At Cairo University, Elkhosht Elkhosht said he implemented a modernisation sees his primary programme by overhauling class objective as laying syllabi and tying them to philo- the foundations in sophical approaches and logic. the university for Thus, 11 new curricula and 27 new Cintellectual momentum that programmes were created, 44 helps “fight terrorism, extrem- new courses were added and 18 ism, fundamentalism and all graduate courses were currents that suppress rational upgraded. thinking in understanding reality Elkhosht’s reforms are in tune and the religious text.” with the overall vision for In an interview with The Arab reforming religious discourse in Weekly, Elkhosht, who took office Egypt. He, however, refuses to in August 2017, said the Univer- just revise traditional religious sity of Cairo would introduce a discourse — that would be like project labelled “Developing the restoring an old building. Instead Egyptian Mind.” he is for erecting a new “religious Preparations for the project building” by relying on new began this summer with the concepts and terminology and on selection of 600 students to take removing subversive interpreta- part in a university camp dedi- tions of the sacred text. Comprehensive approach. Cairo University President Mohamed Othman Elkhosht. cated to critical and innovative Elkhosht figures on UNESCO’s (Courtesy of Mohamed Othman Elkhosht) thinking skills. The event 2017 list of 21st-century philoso- included seminars and training phers and has written 41 books of workshops in modern thought philosophy, authenticated 24 to make the culture of critical organisations. University con- adopt the measures. processes and critical evaluations books in Islamic heritage and thinking the basis of academic tents and teaching methods must Experts say isolated efforts to of extremist ideologies. published 27 papers in refereed practices by teachers and stu- change to reshape the learner’s deal with the challenges of Elkhosht said fighting extrem- journals. dents. mind towards reliance on critical extremism are inefficient. The ism requires an overreaching Elkhosht said modernising Elkhosht said that closed thinking and creativity and thus problem requires coordinated overhaul of the intellectual thought processes at the univer- undeveloped minds are the ideal support the government’s efforts efforts on a variety of fronts — traditions and processes of entire sity will start with two fundamen- targets of terrorist organisations against backward thinking. security, science, culture — and a populations. Such traditions tal courses offered to all univer- and the basic fodder for their Elkhosht affirmed that the variety of institutions. usually do not encourage critical sity students: Critical Thinking wars. An educational system biggest challenge for the Egyptian Cairo University is upping its analysis and critical thinking and and Business Entrepreneurship. based on memorisation and government will come from those fight against extremism by that makes people more amenable In both courses, students learn to reproduction only helps these in the country with closed minds. embarking on academic coopera- to the extremist ideas with which analyse and assess concepts and These people’s thoughts were tion programmes with Arab and they are bombarded daily. ideas, identify preconceived shaped in the country’s schools international universities. The He added that changing thought ideas and learn self-reliance in Fighting extremism and universities. They are like university will soon open an processes requires developing managing their future projects. requires an robots, capable only of reproduc- international branch, which will mental capacities and must be Cairo University began its overreaching ing what they’ve learnt and feed offer joint programmes in carried out through different Developing the Egyptian Mind on mediocrity and violence in advanced technologies and channels, such as the media and campaign during the past overhaul of the media and art. business entrepreneurship with Muslim and Christian religious academic year through dozens of intellectual While Cairo University’s reform Hiroshima, Cambridge, Manches- institutions, at the same time. He conferences, seminars and programme is good for all higher ter, Georgia and Liverpool said the first step in transforming workshops on how to include traditions and education institutions, its universities. mentalities in Egypt is clearing modern philosophical and processes of entire implementation is limited. out ideas encrusted in people’s epistemological theories in populations. Elkhosht said he hopes its success Ahmed Gamal is an Egyptian minds. curricula and syllabi. The aim is will convince other universities to writer. Introduction of dialect in school textbooks divides Moroccans

Saad Guerraoui opinion, saying “baghrir” was a Training and Didactic Tools of false track to divert public opinion the Higher Council for Education, from the real problems of educa- Training and Scientific Research. Casablanca tion. Ayouch, who has been a fervent The Economic, Social and Envi- defender of introducing Darija in he introduction of dialectal ronmental Council a year ago pub- the educational system, insists that words in primary school lished a report exposing structural its use will facilitate learning and textbooks drew strong reac- deficiencies in Morocco’s public will not affect the Arabic language. T tions in Morocco, whose ed- education system. Salafist preacher Sheikh El Fizazi ucational system has been subject “The phenomenon of overcrowd- called Ayouch “ignorant,” and ac- to severe criticism despite reforms ed classes within schools, both in cused him of working on behalf of a to overhaul it. primary and secondary levels, is foreign lobby that encourages, sup- Moroccans expressed dismay worsening,” said the report, warn- ports and funds “this calamitous about the Education Ministry’s de- ing that conditions were hindering option with dramatic outcomes.” cision to include dialectal words learning and academic achieve- The introduction of some Darija in the school textbooks, which has ment. in the textbooks was carried out by long been a thorny debate between the Education Ministry, which has Darija — Moroccan dialect — and The ministry said the been battling a “fake” social cam- Arabic camps. passages concerned only paign it said was misleading Moroc- “The intrusion of Darija was not eight words in Darija on the cans. discussed. We were forced to see it “A number of images and infor- thereafter. What is shocking is the 150 pages of a manual that mation on new primary education Thorny debate. Students attend an Arabic class at a school in freedom our pseudo-leaders take contains 8,000 words. textbooks published this year are Rabat. (AFP) to play with the future of an entire Some conservatives argue that being disseminated on social me- nation without bothering to consult Darija will be used to combat the dia. We note, following the review translation in Arabic language and “All developed nations, small and the real people concerned. We be- language of the Quran. of these online publications, that a some are pronounced in the same large, have made considerable pro- lieve that we are taken for sheep,” “The main goal of those who call number of these images and pages way in all languages, such as ‘caf- gress because they have been able said Zineb Ben on Facebook. for teaching Moroccan dialect is to were fabricated from scratch and tan’ and ‘djellaba,’ for example,” ar- to maximise the use of almost all of “If no Moroccan child does not fight the Quran by undermining the have no connection with new Mo- gued the ministry. their human resources, while pro- know what the word ‘baghrir’ (pan- Arabic language but it will not come roccan textbooks but textbooks Mourad Alami, a professor at Mo- viding courses in the mother tongue cake) means, then why find it in to them because the Moroccans ad- from other countries,” the Educa- hamed V University in Rabat whose and in the language that everyone their textbook? What is the added here to their religion and Arabic lan- tion Ministry said on its Facebook doctorate is in linguistics and understands,” Alami wrote in an value? If it had been a textbook for guage and this is the reality,” Chaid account. speech analysis, said experts at the opinion article on Huffington Post the students of the mission (for- Al Arabi posted on Twitter. The ministry said the passages Education Ministry were inspired Maghreb. eign school), we would have un- Anti-Darija campaigners called concerned only eight words in Dari- by the Moroccan reality, while in- derstood. But what did they finally for the dismissal of Noureddine ja on the 150 pages of a manual that troducing some words in Moroccan Saad Guerraoui is a contributor think?” she asked. Ayouch from the Standing Com- contains 8,000 words. language to reconcile children with to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb Hassan Ben Gholam echoed her mittee on Curricula, Programmes, “The words in question have no their 1,000-year-old culture. issues. September 16, 2018 21 Society

Maryam Matar aims to be the first Arab woman to be awarded Nobel Prize in medicine

Shahd Khaled rate with some ministries and through keeping up with every were instrumental in pushing for development in our field,” she instituting pre-marital medical said. “We have to talk with our Bucharest examinations. patients and explain their ail- The associations introduced ments to them. This nourishes hanks to her tireless and numerous social awareness cam- our self-confidence since we be- successful work in medi- paigns about Down syndrome, in- come aware that we have the right cine, Dr Maryam Matar cluding the 2012 “UAE Free of Tri- knowledge and we are capable of Hope maker. Egyptian icon Mama Maggie, deemed the “Mother T for two years in a row was somy” campaign, in addition to communicating it to our patients Teresa” of Egypt, serves a street child in Cairo. ranked fourth in the Arab world of establishing primary care centres in simple language. (Mama Maggie’s facebook page) active researchers and the most in Emirati engineering schools “The society will come to trust powerful Emirati female research- and Dubai Ladies Club. us through the care we provide er in science. and through the dialogues and Postcard from Cairo Matar is an enthusiastic and connections we establish with our dedicated medical researcher who Matar has been recognised patients.” is a source of inspiration to every- as one of the most Matar said treatments are the one. She is a tireless advocate of influential Muslim female same everywhere and the main A British-Egyptian woman’s public education and awareness scientists by the Islamic differences lie in the health-care about genetic disorders. With Sciences Journal published systems adopted by each country. journey in the motherland her team of researchers, she has in the United Kingdom. She said health-care systems in worked on charting the genetic most Western countries reached map of UAE inhabitants. Matar is In 2012, Matar was named by maturity through a long process Maria Asaad As soon as the car entered the the founder and chairwoman of the Arabian Business magazine of experimentation and learning region where we meet Mama Mag- the UAE Genetic Diseases Associa- as the most powerful Emirati Fe- from mistakes. gie, I unintentionally held my tion, which educates people about male Scientist and Researcher. She said there is no harm in London breath, both from the smell and the dangers of genetic diseases. The Arab League enlisted her as a learning from the West’s experi- the anticipation. Piles of waste Matar was the first woman in goodwill ambassador for women ences in health care, provided it gyptian President Ab- and rubbish lay in the streets, the United Arab Emirates to hold and children. is done in carefully paced steps del Fattah al-Sisi has an- making it hard for cars to get from the position of director general of Her pioneering work garnered so health-care managers have a nounced that Egypt and one end of the road to another. public health. In that position and numerous prizes and awards. She chance to experiment and evalu- E China were working on a The sight and smell of the area was being a fervent advocate of public is the recipient of Sheikh Rashid ate, given that the health and so- 3-year plan to maintain stability a complete juxtaposition to what I and community health, she al- Award for Scientific Outstanding cial contexts in the Arab world are and prosperity in Egypt. Egypt, had been immersed in just a cou- most doubled the number of com- in the School of Medicine, and of different from the West. regarded as the heart that beats ple of days ago. munity health centres in the UAE the best health project award at Matar said there must be pa- through the Middle East and con- We stepped out of the safe hub to 97. the level of the Higher Colleges tience with health-care systems taining endless opportunities with of our car and attempted to cross Matar has an impressive num- of Technology in the United Arab in the Arab world because a phase the Nile flowing through it, is also the street among the piles of waste ber of academic degrees, diplo- Emirates, the award for best em- of distrust in those systems is a home to some world’s most im- and rubbish. I couldn’t believe my mas and certificates in medical ployee in the health sector in sign of the health of the system. poverished people. eyes. How could places like this sciences from reputed universi- Dubai Government Excellence People need to accept that it is Egypt has always been a blessed still exist in our modern world? ties in Dubai, the United King- Programme and an award from part of progressing towards a bet- land with invaluable riches and How is it possible that just a few dom, the United States and Japan. the Mohammed Bin Rashid Lead- ter system. historic brilliance, incompara- hundred kilometres from here is She is the first Arab woman doctor ers Programme in the category of “Some critics might ask if we ble to most other countries. Even a place of luxury and pure indul- to be certified in genetic diseases Best Social Programme. are experimentation fields. The though this is a place rich with cul- gence? by Japan’s medical authorities. Matar has been recognised as answer is, of course, ‘No’, but this ture and landmarks, it holds little Matar comes from a modest one of the most influential Mus- is exactly what had happened in wealth respective to its financial home in Dubai. Her parents were lim female scientists by the Is- America or Britain,” Matar said. state. Unfortunately, the individu- On the plane back home, illiterate but encouraged their lamic Sciences Journal published “They, too, have gone through als that inhibit this great land are all I had on my mind was daughter to pursue the highest in the United Kingdom. a phase of experimentation and the ones paying the expensive the contrast and degrees possible. Her maternal “I look at every title and ap- learning from their mistakes. price of living in such poverty. divergence of life I had grandmother was a popular heal- pointment as a heavy responsi- “We must show patience. No As I started my journey in Egypt, just witnessed and bility that motivates me to give doctor wants to harm his or her er. I remember looking up towards experienced in my trip. Matar likes to tell how her more,” said Matar. “I’m very patients. The system must create the blinding ball of fire that stared grandmother had a great influ- honoured by the trust put in me the right conditions for doctors back at me and the rest of the peo- ence on what she wanted to be by our government. The best rec- to do their jobs without having to ple in this ever-shining country. I couldn’t get my head around when she grew up: “When my ognition that one can get is the worry about side issues.” Having been in the United King- it. It was a shock watching young grandmother died, many people one that comes from one’s home In formal meetings, Matar dom for most of my life, it amazed children play in the dirt of the came to offer their condolences country. Still, being in the service stresses the importance of doc- me how much the sun came street, compared to the children and they were crying. I asked my of people and giving generously tors staying up-to-date in their out and shone over this highly I had recently seen playing in the mother who they were and she are for me better than any award.” fields through international medi- populated country. A part of me clean, golden sand. said that they were patients of In the Arab world, Western doc- cal conferences. She said, no mat- couldn’t help but feel sadness and “I look around at these orphans my grandmother’s. So I asked my tors are looked at in a better light ter how knowledgeable doctors a longing to stay just a bit longer in with no home or money and I am mother, ‘If I become a doctor, will than Arab doctors. Matar said the become, there are others with this magnificent country of won- happy to see them so rich in spirit. people love me like they loved phenomenon was because of a more experience. der. I gave up my riches and privileged my grandmother?’ and she said lack of self-confidence by Arab By listening to those experts Having spent the first days of life to serve those that have noth- yes. From that moment, I wanted doctors. and learning from their experi- my trip in the hustle and bustle of ing and be like them, and I have to become a doctor and I studied “As Emirati and Arab doctors, ence, Arab physicians can reach Cairo, I was ready to indulge in a never felt richer,” said Mama very hard for it.” we must become self-confident the right comprehensive health- more secluded and peaceful envi- Maggie. A philosophy I feel many Matar began studying medicine through our constant work and care systems that protect both pa- ronment. Just an hour’s drive from Egyptians live by: to be rich is to in Dubai and then finished her tients and care providers. the capital is the remote region have good health and happiness graduate studies in the United Matar said her dream is to go as of Ain Sokhna. Surrounded by rather than a full bank account. Kingdom. She did research in the far as she can in scientific knowl- mountainous landscapes, it seems The rate of poverty in Egypt is United States and went to the Far edge and experience. She is not like a world away from the chaos 35%. A recent study called “Mon- East to specialise in genetic disor- alone there. Many scientists from of Cairo. ey Isn’t Enough” states how cash ders and diseases. around the world dream of being As I settled into the five-star re- transfers are not the solution to Matar founded UAE Down Syn- awarded the Nobel Prize in Medi- sort, I looked out of my sea-view the poverty problem in the coun- drome Association and the UAE cine. balcony. I couldn’t help but appre- try. “Cash transfers cannot cover Genetic Diseases Association, Many people may see this ciate the natural beauty of deep the majority of the poor but the non-profit civil society associa- dream is out of reach for an Arab blue sea and golden sand that was government has depended on tions she runs. Both provide care woman who has dedicated her just metres away from my room. them as a selective support sys- and support to many and collabo- life and knowledge to serving her Breathing in the crisp sea air was tem to cushion the effects of the community but Matar said it is a huge contrast to the polluted inflation that came with lifting within her reach. She strives for it smog I was inhaling just the day subsidies on water, electricity and every day of her life and is keep- before. fuel,” the report reads. ing her hopes high. My four days in Ain Sokhna On the plane back home, all I were a slice of heaven. I felt so had on my mind was the contrast Shahd Khaled is a privileged and lucky to spend and divergence of life I had just Bucharest-based writer. a few days of my trip in such a witnessed and experienced in my breathtakingly beautiful place. trip. How could the same country From the astounding scenery to hold such riches and such scarce- the unwavering service of ameni- ness on the same land? ties and cleanliness, my time in The wealthy live by one extreme this place of paradise will never be and the poor by another. As I gazed forgotten. out of the window onto the coun- The main purpose of this was try that left so many questions on to interview Egyptian icon Mama my mind, one thought left an im- Maggie, deemed the “Mother Tere- print on my conscience — the blaz- sa” of Egypt. The bulk of her work ing sun never fails to shine bright- is among the most unfortunate in ly on the people of this wondrous Egypt living in extreme poverty. I, place, both rich and poor. of course, had to travel to one of Source of inspiration. Dr Maryam Matar, founder and chairwoman of the UAE Genetic Diseases these remote areas to conduct this Maria Asaad is an Egyptian- Association. (Twitter) very special interview. British writer in London. 22 September 16, 2018 Culture Obituary Farewell to Rachid Taha, Algerian-French singer who fused rock and Arab music

Samar Kadi figure on the French musical scene due to his eclectic blend of native rai and chaabi. At times he wore Beirut blue contact lenses to protest anti- Arab prejudice in France. any in the West and the In an interview in 2008 with Arab world danced to his French daily L’Alsace, Taha recalled smash hit “Ya Rayah” his difficult first years in France. He M (“You, the one leaving”), was quoted as saying: “I had joined which brought him international a primary school of the French Re- popularity in the 1990s. Algerian- public. I practically did not speak French singer Rachid Taha, who a word of French. Everybody was thrillingly blended Arabic mu- speaking Alsatian and I was speak- sic with rock and techno, died in ing in Arabic.” France. He was 59. With his group Carte de Sejour Born September 18, 1958, in Alge- (Residence Permit), Taha caused a ria, Taha died September 12 from a stir in France in 1986 with a husky- heart attack in his sleep at his home voiced rocky cover of legendary in the Paris suburb of Les Lilas. singer-songwriter Charles Trenet’s sentimental, patriotic song “Douce France” (“Sweet France”). The He rocked the Casbah. A file picture shows Algerian singer Rachid Taha performing in Toulouse for Taha’s unexpected (AFP) group distributed copies of the song the 15th edition of the Rio Loco festival. death caused shock in France’s parliament as lawmak- and sadness among ers debated changes to the coun- Taha’s 1998 popular album “Di- cess of ‘Ya Rayah,’ the historic ‘1,2,3 saying: “He knew how to sing and fans and friends. try’s nationality laws. wan” featured Algerian Chaabi Soleils’ gig, the parties, the chats reinvent everything — the Clash as He and Carte de Sejour became songs, including smash hit “Ya and laughter all night long! How much as Trenet.” The son of Algerian immigrants, the standard-bearers of the second Rayah,” which reached number sad…! RIP dear friend,” producer “I can sing, slam and pound for Taha moved to France at age 10 generation of the Franco-Algerian 11 on the French singles charts. Pascal Negre wrote on Twitter. 17 hours non-stop,” Taha was once with his parents. He had recently and Franco-Moroccan community The same year, a trio performance French-Moroccan comedian quoted as saying, adding that he finished recording an album due for in France. “1,2,3, Soleils,” with Faudel and Jamel Debbouze tweeted: “My was singing “to make people love release in 2019. He was also sched- Taha’s celebrity skyrocketed Cheb Khaled at Palais Bercy in Paris brother Rachid was the guardian God even if he did not exist.” uled to film the first music video for with his 2004 remake of the Clash’s in tribute to rai music was a high- with his music, his heart and his lyr- Rachid Taha, one of France’s one of the new songs, “Je suis Afric- “Rock the Casbah,” for which he light in his career. ics.” French-Malian rap artist Oxmo wildest rockers who helped make ain” (“I am African”), said Believe was widely acclaimed, including by Taha’s unexpected death caused Puccino commented: “The world Algerian music popular globally, is Digital, which owns Taha’s record a Clash member Mick Jones, who shock and sadness among fans and has just lost some of his colours.” to be buried in his native Algeria, label, Naive. declared he preferred Taha’s re- friends. French Minister of Culture Fran- French newspaper Le Parisien re- Taha was an iconic revolutionary make to the original version. “All those memories: the suc- coise Nyssen paid tribute to Taha, ported. ‘Interference’ light festival brings medina of Tunis to life

Roua Khlifi ers on a nocturnal journey through Gharbi said “Interference” was an Gharbi said. and how to use it in my art,” Nage- the medina and its nearby streets, important learning experience for “The idea is to immerse the art- mi said. “I wanted to work on shar- where works of art were showcased artists and participants. ists in the medina and to explore ing the visual space with other mu- Tunis with light as an elemental medium. “We started in 2016 and the idea the nocturnal side of the medina sicians and other artists. This year, The event has proven popular was to tackle the issue of contem- through the art installation in pub- my light installation will feature nlike most nights, the al- with people looking to explore the porary art in the medina of Tunis. lic spaces and outside the medina,” musicians from the medina, par- leys and walls of Tunis’s deep corners of Tunis’s old medi- The idea was to highlight the heart he said. “We also work on the in- ticularly stambeli musicians. They medina did not sink into na and showcased the country’s of the medina and its gems,” Gharbi terference between art and the are the emblem of Tunisian patri- U pitch black and silence in unique architecture and cultural said. “This year, we had 40 artists medina as artists participate in res- mony, which is rich, and because early September but came to life as heritage. Thousands of visitors from different parts of the world.” idencies to live and immerse them- I am interested in their spiritual the site of a sprawling art festival enjoyed vibrant art installations Featuring dozens of artworks selves in the medina.” richness.” attracting thousands of visitors. around the medina and attended from international and national This year, the festival focused on “Interference,” a biannual light discussions of contemporary art. artists, “Interference” was the first the cultural heritage and patrimo- festival in Tunis, took festivalgo- Festival co-founder Aymen light festival of its kind in Africa, ny of the medina. “Interference” took “Culture encloses different el- festivalgoers on a ements and its construction is a nocturnal journey collective process that everyone through the medina and contributes to,” Gharbi said. “This its nearby streets, where is why we wanted to focus in this works of art were edition of interference on the idea showcased with light as of reflecting on decoding the con- an elemental medium. cepts that make up culture.” American artist Andy Behrle used his artwork to explore differ- Tunisian artist Aziz Aissaoui, in- ent manifestations of light in the spired by his passion for environ- tiles and doors of the medina. mental advocacy, used straws in “One of my artwork is called his light installation to draw peo- ‘Bab,’ which was created using digi- ple’s attention to the issue of plas- tal video footage that captured the tic waste. sea in motion replacing the wood “The issue with straws is that of the doors. The way I came to un- they can’t be recycled,” Aissaoui derstand the history of Tunis in Tu- said. “In 25 years, the mass of nisia is that the sea has always been waste will be more than the mass a doorway, a gateway in the world. of the fish.” I wanted to bring those ideas to- He added: “Cultural heritage can gether,” Behrle said. be the environment that surrounds “For me, the medina is 1,200 us, which is very important for me. years of layers of history from That is something to always reflect people from all over the region. It on. For me working on an environ- is rich with a vastness of cultures mental cause touches our cultural that have come together to become heritage. Heritage is not just man- something unique in Tunisia.” made. It is also what we have in our Other artists sought to combine environment that needs to be pre- other elements with light to ex- served.” plore the medina’s heritage. French With unique works of art crea- visual artist Yukao Nagemi, for in- tively exhibited throughout Tu- stance, connected music with light nis’s charming medina, “Interfer- in a mesmerising performance. ence” was a beautiful display of Mesmerising show. The work of multidisciplinary designer and media artist Tilen Sepic on display at the “I tried to reflect on what touch- Tunisia’s rich artistic and architec- Rachidia Institute in Tunis. (Interference) es me when it comes to patrimony tural value. September 16, 2018 23 Books Book Review New book explores Arab youths’ struggles seven years after uprisings

he “Arab spring” upris- lie and lie. The political language indicates that, for most people, “somewhat” religious and 8% ings caused 1.4 million in Yemen is the language of religion no longer serves political considered themselves as having deaths, 15 million refu- arms.” or ideological purposes and is “low” religiosity. Dunia El-Zobaidi gees and $900 billion Iman, a 23-year-old Bahraini more of a channel for spiritual- Comparing the figures to in economic damage. It who has not been able to com- ity. responses five years earlier, there seemed like the hardest plete her studies or find a The removal of welfare states is an increase of the “quite” Tpart was to remove the autocrats long-term job, described the has led to a decline in reliable religious (from 27% to 32%) and and tackle corruption head-on experience of social isolation public employment. Today, the “very” religious (from 31% to but the turmoil left loopholes in following the “Arab spring.” one-third of young people work 34%) Respondents expressing almost every aspect of daily life in “Before the revolutions, people in any capacity; all others are “low” religiosity decreased (from the affected countries. were better off,” she said. “They temporarily or even permanently 12% to 8%) and those “some- Researchers surveyed 9,000 were happy with small things. without work. Even then, nearly what” religious (from 27% to 16-to-30-year-old people from Now they have all the luxuries one-half of this labour force is 24%). Two-thirds of respondents Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and they aren’t happy. People precariously employed. are “quite” religious or “very” Morocco, the Palestinian territo- have become more complicated Respondents from all countries religious compared to 58% five ries, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. and confused. At family gather- were asked which political years ago. Also, 32% currently Although countries that did not ings, we used to feel happy, system they prefer. Nearly two-in rate themselves as of “low” experience an uprising were unlike nowadays. People don’t five — 39% — said a democratic religiosity or “somewhat” included, their daily struggles are like gatherings. They prefer to system while 26% selected a religious, compared to 39% five described in “Coping with stay alone.” strong man/woman who governs years ago. Uncertainty: Youth in the Middle The team’s findings are organ- the country, 11% chose a com- The authors said in Yemen, East and North Africa.” ised into sections such as religion bined democratic and Islamic Tunisia and Lebanon the sense of The book is filled with graphs and economics. Rachid Ouaissa, a system, 11% said a religious state growing insecurity ranked first and statistics that make the professor of politics at Philipps based on sharia and only 1% among anxieties. For Syrian researchers’ findings easy to University in Marburg, Germany, opted for a socialist system. refugees, Palestinians and understand but it is the first-hand studied whether the rise in young The book’s findings state that Jordanians, the fear of falling into description of the young people people’s religiousness over the young people in the Arab world poverty took first. Moroccan and their daily struggles and years reflects a return to religion are more religious than their respondents said they fear losing dreams that adds a personal or individual strategies aimed at elders because the latter believed jobs most of all. For Egyptians, feel. establishing their identity in a in state-driven utopias and the dominant fear was listed as Sarah, a 17-year-old student tense environment of profited from economic falling seriously ill. Bahrainis from Egypt, described circum- globalisa- prosperity. were found to have the most stances determining the lives of tion and Popularity of religion anxiety over falling out with their young Arabs today as “harder longing for among the youth substi- parents. than ever before.” local tutes for lack of social and The struggle of refugees was “I believe the previous genera- culture. professional opportunity. also studied and young Syrians tions had a more comfortable life He said In all countries sur- said they are torn between compared to us,” she said. “They increased veyed, 34% of those fatigue because of years of lived their lifestyle in quieter and religiosity asked rated themselves displacement and a strong more stable times. Our lives are often starts as “very religious” and motivation to rebuild their lives. fundamentally different from the after young 32% rated as “quite About one-quarter of all respond- start because we grew up with people finish religious.” About 24% ents expressed tiredness and the revolutions, unstable conditions school and is said they were need to recover and more than in public places, the loss of mainly found in one-third said they just hope to Popularity of security, the absence of the police large towns and get to safety. An equal number With a personal religion among the and the experience of several among the rich said they were eager to work unexpected changes in govern- while the less feel. Cover of harder, learn a new language and youth substitutes ment.” religious are from “Coping with adjust to new cultural environ- Uncertainty: for lack of social Buraq, a 19-year-old from families with ments. Yemen, said emphatically: “We lower education. Youth in the and professional get nothing but a headache from The research Middle East and Dunia El-Zobaidi is a regular Arab North Africa.” opportunity. politics. It is only about how to surprisingly Weekly contributor in London. ‘Fractured Destinies’ offers a window into Palestinian nostalgia and loss

n 18 years at al-Sharq al- West Bank, cannot gain a work 1300… Oh my God! How could I country? The people who stayed Awsat, Rabai al-Madhoun permit in Jaffa. pray two rak’as and dedicate in Israel in 1948 were not always has written fiction while Walid, Jinin’s relative and also them to my mother in a mosque respected and were even seen as Gareth Smyth keeping up a day-job editing a novelist, is from al-Majdal that had turned into a museum some kind of traitors. How could stories about the Palestin- Asqalan, a town in southern and a bar?” they stay with the enemy who ian territories. “In 2004, I Palestine. Walid and his family Madhoun’s road to fiction took their land? But because Ipublished my last article saying left al-Majdal Asqalan in 1948 came through a 2001 autobiog- they stayed, other Palestinians farewell to politics,” he said. “At for Khan Younis camp in Gaza, raphy “The Taste of Separation,” also envied them.” that time, I believed the Pales- from where he moved to Britain published eight years before his The Remainer seems a harsh, tinians were in a circle that was and became “British.” His wife, novel, “The Lady from Tel Aviv,” obstinate man but the reader closing and I preferred to shift to Julie, who plans to repatriate but he is subversive of form and warms to him and his kindness literature.” her mother’s ashes to Old Acre genre. to a Jewish neighbour trauma- His “Masa’ir: kunshirtu or Jerusalem, is the child of a “No fiction can imagine what tised by her suffering in Ukraine. al-hulukust wa-l-nakba” British doctor father and a has happened in Palestine and A Communist and Sufi, The (“Destinies: A Concerto of the Palestinian-Armenian mother. no reality could give more Remainer plans a silent public Holocaust and the Nakba”), Madhoun bases Walid partly fiction [appear more fictional] protest as the novel-within-the- which won the 2016 Interna- on himself. The author was born than the reality in Palestine,” he novel and the novel itself move tional Prize for Arabic Fiction, in al-Majdal Asqalan and his said. “I build on this idea.” towards their close. Will Basim recently surfaced in English as description of Walid’s visit there Twice in “Fractured Desti- leave Jinin because he cannot “Fractured Destinies.” Both echoes personal experience. “At nies” Madhoun is himself work in Israel? Will Julie Arabic and English titles suggest that time, it was considered a mentioned — first, when Walid persuade Walid to move back to the novel’s subject matter — the city, of around 11,000 popula- reads Madhoun’s article on his the Palestinian territories? varying lives of Palestinians tion,” he said. “Most of the border dealings with Egyptian Oddly, Madhoun had no after 1948 in camps in neigh- people left. When I went back I security and, second, as a contact with translator Paul bouring countries, dispersed to found only two families there character relates a lively Starkey, professor emeritus of Arab countries or further afield, n o w.” exchange between Madhoun Arabic at Durham University, living in what post-1967 He writes in “Fractured and a poet, ostensibly over during the translation process, became “occu- Destinies:” “Behind me hummus. only to be sent a draft he found pied was some ground stripped The effect is unsettling, “amazing… even the songs.” territo- of its features by American evoking the Palestinian experi- What emerges is a book taking ries” or Caterpillar trucks… What ence of being unsettled. “Yes, non-Arabic readers, perhaps as “Pales- my mother had described this is a shock to the reader, to never before, inside the frac- tinian to me was now just wake him up,” said Madhoun. tured Palestinian destinies since territo- barren land, and it was “Wherever the Palestinian goes, 1948. Madhoun the novelist ries” or as difficult to be sure that he is investigated.” proposes no solutions but rather citizens of houses had ever stood In further play on form, within paints finely shaded pictures of Israel. on it… I went back to the novel, Jinin is writing a characters and places. The novel looking bitterly at the novel. Its title “Falistini Tays” “I’ve been asked with both reveals and remains of the great might translate as “The Stub- ‘The Lady from Tel Aviv’ and colours their mosque built by the born Palestinian” or “The ‘Fractured Destinies’ why I left differing Mamluk emir Sayf Palestinian He-Goat” and the end open,” he said. “Well, Madhoun the experiences. al-Din Sallar in centres on a man dubbed The the situation — the crisis — is novelist proposes Jinin, a Remainer, who stays in Pales- open. How can I put an end to tine in 1948 as his family flees. something that has not no solutions but novelist, is an Exploring “In our language, from one ended?” Israeli citizen Palestinian exile. rather paints finely side he is stupid but from while her Cover of Rabai another he is strong,” Madhoun Gareth Smyth is a regular shaded pictures of husband Basim, al-Madhoun’s said. “Like a donkey, he insists contributor to The Arab Weekly. a US passport- “Fractured characters and on not moving but is he clever, He has reported from the Middle holder from Destinies.” places. Bethlehem in the determined to stay in his East since 1992. 24 September 16, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Dubai: Through December 31

“La Perle” features 65 artists from 23 countries performing amazing stunts and aerial antics above an on-stage pool filled with 2.7 million litres of water in a state-of-the-art, custom-built theatre. The show takes place at Al Habtoor City.

Beirut: September 19-23

The 2018 edition of the Beirut Art Fair will take place at Beirut New Waterfront. The fair gives Lebanese and international artists opportunities to exhibit and perform. Contemporary Art shows, photo exhibitions and art galleries are scheduled.

The Grand Mosque in Place Outa El Hammam. (Saad Guerraoui) Tangier: September 20-23

The 19th Tangier Jazz Festival will feature international and local jazz artists. Over four days, Chefchaouen: visitors can enjoy free street per- formances, free dance courses and jazz concerts. This year’s festival will host performers Flo Bauer, Michael Lauren, Mat- Morocco’s thieu Bore and United Colors of Mediterranee.

El Gouna: blue pearl September 20-28 El Gouna, on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, will host the second El Saad Guerraoui row streets and steep alleyways Gouna Film Festival. A diverse of Chefchaouen requires a little selection of films is scheduled. bit of stamina and low heels, es- The programme includes docu- Chefchaouen pecially in the summer under the mentary, narrative and short scorching sun. film competitions in addition to ooking for magic? Then Chefchaouen was founded in the Audience Award. browse hundreds of thou- 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa sands of pictures of the Ben Rached El Alami, who used A view of an alleyway in the northern Moroccan town of Amman: L little northern Moroccan it as fortress to guard against Por- Chefchaouen. (Saad Guerraoui) September 26-October 6 town of Chefchaouen, which has tuguese invaders. stolen many tourists’ hearts. The 15th-century Kasbah The 18th Amman International Known as the “blue pearl” for in Place Outa El Hammam is in Marrakech where tourists are “Have a portion of cheese be- Book Fair welcomes 500 printing its blue-painted old town that well-preserved and can be ac- approached by often aggressive fore you buy it,” said shop owner houses from various countries. differentiates it from other old cessed for $1.10. The tower of snake charmers, fortune tellers Mohamed El Qammah, showing Egypt will be the guest of hon- towns, Chefchaouen is one of the the ochre-hued fortress offers and henna ladies. me the kind hospitality that lo- our for this year’s fair. cheapest tourist destinations in spectacular views over all sides The Grand Mosque, painted cals are known for. Morocco, especially in the sum- of Chefchaouen. Its garden with white, brown and beige, embel- Cairo: mer compared to M’diq, Martil luscious trees is a perfect spot for lishes the square with its stone September 27-29 and Tangier, where accommoda- taking refuge from the heat. octagonal minaret. An old Moroc- Chefchaouen was founded tion prices skyrocket in August. The Kasbah has a small but in- can lady sitting on a bench by the in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben CairoComix Festival, produced There are several theories be- teresting Ethnographic Museum mosque’s stairs listens to a guitar Moussa Ben Rached El at the American University in hind the talc- or chalk-based blue that showcases Moroccan handi- played by foreign tourists, giving Alami, who used it as Cairo’s Tahrir Square Campus, paint. Some say it keeps away craft with wood, plaster and tiles. a perfect picture of tolerance and brings together artists, publish- mosquitoes and facilitates a cool Leaving the Kasbah, Place co-existence in the town. fortress to guard against ers, speakers and fans of comics temperature inside the houses Outa El Hammam buzzes with In Mellah — the old Jewish Portuguese invaders. from around the world for an while others say that Jewish ref- locals and foreign tourists buy- quarter — there is a small store extensive programme of exhibi- ugees who fled Nazi persecution ing souvenirs, taking photos of selling handmade lamps, one of Chefchaouen is famous for its tions, talks and workshops about in Europe in the 1930s were be- each other wearing traditional the few surviving shops to have hand-woven blankets and shawls the comics industry. hind the choice to remind them Chefchaoueni hats and dresses, withstood “made-in-China” and wool garments besides the of the sky and paradise. having their hands decorated merchandise imports. popular reed hats adorned with Dubai: Nestled in the Rif Mountains, with henna or filling the terraces “The lamp-making craft is orig- colourful woven woollen tassels October 1-2 the town of 42,000 has been a of cafes and restaurants. inally Jewish. It was my grandfa- that are a traditional feature in UNESCO World Heritage Site I had to take a break from the ther who started this business the northern region. Dubai Opera will host Latin sing- since 2010. long walk in the old town and and it has been passed from fa- There are plenty of riads and er Julio Iglesias for two concerts Entering the old town from quench my thirst with freshly ther to son,” said Imam El Atoui, guesthouses to choose from in as part of his 50th anniversary Bab Al-Ain, the colourful hand- squeezed orange juice in a cafe in his hands busy turning metal Chefchaouen. The newly refur- world tour. made slippers and souvenirs the square near the busy Morisco and glass into beautiful lanterns, bished Dar Swiar, in the quiet hung neatly on the wall draw at- restaurant that offers a variety wall-hanging and ceiling lamps. Souika neighbourhood, offers Abu Dhabi: tention. Further left hangs a sign of Moroccan dishes at moderate On the way out of the old town, apartments with fine architec- October 5 for a Chinese restaurant, proof prices. I stopped by a shop to indulge tural designs and furnished with that the city is popular among What captivated my mind was in the brown olives and mouth- local crafts from $47 a night. The Caribbean Beach Festival is the the growing number of Chinese the laid-back atmosphere in the watering local goat cheese at El view from the rooftop terrace premium music, food and dance tourists. little square, which is a far cry Kharrazi quarter near Abi Khansa over the Rif Mountains is mes- festival celebrating Caribbean, Wandering through the nar- from the bustling Jemaa el Fna Mosque. merising. African, American and Latino cultures through music, food and dance. The event at Yas Beach features an array of food trucks, stilt walkers and games.

Essaouira: October 12-14

The second MOGA Festival of electronic music and culture will take place in Essaouira, Moroc- co. Performances, educational workshops, beach parties and digital video installations are among events scheduled.

We welcome submissions of calendar items related to cultural events of interest to travellers in the Middle East and North Africa. Please send tips to: Visitors walk in Place Outa El Hammam. (Saad Guerraoui) Blue-painted walls in Chefchaouen. (Saad Guerraoui) [email protected]