Issue 178, Year 4 October 21, 2018 www.thearabweekly.com UK £2 EU €2.50 The lessons Interview of Bavaria Tunisian minister of cultural affairs

Page 17 Page 22 Riyadh confirms death of missing journalist, fires senior officials ► Major-General Ahmed al-Assiri, who previously served as spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, was relieved of his position as deputy intelligence chief.

Mohammed Alkhereiji lic Prosecution confirms that its in- vestigations into this case are con- tinuing with the (18) individuals, London who are all Saudi nationals, in prep- aration for reaching all the facts and audi Arabia confirmed that declaring them and to hold all those journalist Jamal Khashoggi involved in this case accountable died in the kingdom’s con- and bringing them to justice.” S sulate in Istanbul, saying the Major-General Ahmed al-Assiri, death resulted from “a brawl” with who previously served as spokes- Saudi officials, and committed to man for the Saudi-led coalition in bringing those responsible to jus- Yemen, was relieved of his position tice. as deputy intelligence chief. Saudi A total of 18 Saudi nationals, in- Royal Court Adviser Saud al-Qahta- cluding a royal court adviser and ni, who has been described as com- members of the country’s intelli- munications chief and has a Twitter gence service, were arrested in con- following of more than 1.35 million nection with the case, a statement people, was also sacked, an official carried by the official Saudi Press Saudi statement said. The state- Ongoing investigation. A member of security staff stands at the entrance of Saudi Arabia’s Consulate Agency said. ment did not specify the two men’s in Istanbul, on October 20. (Reuters) “Preliminary investigations con- legal standings. ducted by the Public Prosecution Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz tion of confusion, lack of experi- to kill him or even specifically kid- Arabia and the United States to in- showed that the suspects had trav- Al Saud ordered the formation of a ence in such crisis management nap him,” said the official, speaking fluence the direction of the investi- elled to Istanbul to meet with the committee to restructure the king- and a cover-up by the intelligence on condition of anonymity. The of- gation. citizen Jamal Khashoggi as there dom’s General Intelligence Presi- bureaucracy contributed to the ini- ficial added that there was a stand- However, Turkey seemed careful were indications of the possibility dency. tial Saudi response.” ing order to return critics of the not to further damage its ties with of his returning back to the coun- An official source speaking to the Members of the US Congress ex- kingdom to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, which are strained try,” read the statement. Saudi daily Okaz newspaper said a pressed scepticism over the Saudi “[Crown Prince Mohammed] had due to factors such as Ankara’s sid- cover-up involving individuals at statement but US President Donald no knowledge of this specific op- ing with Qatar in its dispute with the consulate had been revealed Trump said he thought the king- eration and certainly did not order Saudi Arabia and other Gulf na- Regarding the Saudi and that the investigation into the dom’s explanation was credible and a kidnapping or murder of anybody. tions. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and arrests, Trump said: “It’s case was ongoing. that he wanted to speak with Saudi He will have been aware of the gen- Development Party also has affini- a big first step. It’s only a Ali Shihabi, founder of the Ara- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal- eral instruction to tell people to ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, first step but it’s a big bia Foundation in Washington, said man bin Abdulaziz. come back,” the official said. considered a terrorist organisation first step.” Riyadh was slow in announcing “Saudi Arabia has been a great Saudi Arabia’s confirmation that by Saudi Arabia. preliminary conclusions due to a ally but what happened is unac- Khashoggi, who was last seen en- Meanwhile, the Saudi investment “Discussions took place with the cover-up by intelligence officials. ceptable,” Trump said. Regarding tering the Saudi consulate in Istan- conference known as “Davos in the citizen Jamal Khashoggi during his “Part of the reason for firing so the Saudi arrests, he said: “It’s a big bul on October 2, died in the build- Desert,” scheduled for October 23- presence in the consulate of the many top intelligence officials was first step. It’s only a first step but it’s ing came after weeks of speculation 25, was to go on despite many high- kingdom in Istanbul by the sus- due to the cover-up and slowness a big first step.” over his fate. profile guests dropping out over pects (that) did not go as required in conveying the full details of what A Saudi official familiar with Information leaked to Turkish Khashoggi’s disappearance. and developed in a negative way, happened to the leadership,” Shi- the investigation told Reuters that media provided gory details on leading to a fist fight. The brawl led habi wrote on Twitter. Crown Prince Mohammed had no Khashoggi’s killing were viewed by Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf to his death and their attempt to He described the developments knowledge of the operation that re- some as an attempt by Ankara to section editor of The Arab Weekly. conceal and hide what happened.” as “a huge shock to the Saudi lead- sulted in Khashoggi’s death. use its government-friendly media The statement added: “The Pub- ership” and said that “a combina- “There were no orders for them to exert political pressure on Saudi P2 Putin-Sisi meeting opens ‘new chapter’ in security, military cooperation

Ahmed Megahid where Russia has a decisive mili- Egypt is to host the Defenders of “Such a scourge needs to be eradi- industrial park in the Suez Canal tary presence and Egypt is endeav- Friendship 3 military drills involv- cated but we must join hands to be region. Moscow wants the park, ouring to help unite the opposition ing Egyptian and Russian para- able to eradicate it,” Sisi said. which will employ 7,000 Egyp- Cairo to join negotiations for a peaceful troopers, a sign of growing military Relations between Egypt and tians, to be a springboard for settlement. ties between Cairo and Moscow. Russia have been expanding since emerging markets in the Middle comprehensive strategic Sources said the situation in Lib- Egypt also signed multibillion- Sisi became president in 2014. He East and Africa. partnership treaty be- ya was also part of the leaders’ dis- dollar deals to purchase heavy has been simultaneously seek- One area in which the Egyptian tween Egypt and Russia cussions against the background military equipment, including ing to strengthen Cairo’s ties to president was left disappointed A will bolster ties between of recent reports pointing to an warplanes and attack helicopters, Moscow, Washington and Beijing, was the resumption of direct both countries, especially in mili- increase in Russia’s military pres- from Russia. a move that has paid off for the flights between Russia and the Red tary sectors, experts said. ence in the North African country. Egyptian president. Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm The signing of the treaty October Egypt is supporting Libyan Egypt and Russia have There was also an agreement to el-Sheikh. move ahead with the construction Russia suspended direct flights 17 was the focal point of Egyptian Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the agreed to broaden President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s conflict and is hoping to gain Mos- of a power plant in north-western to Egypt in late 2015 after the 3-day visit to Russia. cow’s backing for Haftar’s Libyan intelligence cooperation, Egypt. Putin said his government, bombing over Sinai of a Russian Egypt and Russia have agreed to National Army (LNA), which con- especially regarding which is contributing a long-term passenger plane that carried 224 broaden intelligence cooperation, trols much of eastern Libya. Cairo’s information on the loan of $25 billion for implementa- passengers and crew members. especially regarding information cooperation with Haftar was high- movement of suspected tion of the project, would sign con- In April this year, Moscow re- on the movement of suspected lighted by the arrest of Hisham al- terrorists. tracts with Egyptian companies sumed direct flights to Cairo, with terrorists. Security cooperation Ashmawy, a high-profile Egyptian participating in the project later promises to restore flights to the would extend to parts of the North militant leader, by the LNA in east- Sisi met with Russian Prime Min- this year. Red Sea resorts “soon.” Africa and Middle East region ern Libya. ister Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow Trade between Egypt and Rus- where Moscow and Cairo work on Sisi said the agreement opened and spoke at the Russian Federal sia has more than doubled to $6.7 Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian common objectives. a “new chapter in the history” of Assembly where he said Egypt billion, increasing 20% in the first reporter in Cairo. Both Sisi and Putin agreed to Egyptian-Russian bilateral rela- and Russia were facing a common eight months of this year. maintain coordination on Syria, tions. security challenge in terrorism. Russia is to build a $7 billion P4,6-7 2 October 21, 2018 Cover Story Khashoggi Case Saudis face uphill battle pursuing damage control over Khashoggi case

The Arab Weekly staff The journalist’s disappearance was kept in the headlines through leaks of information to pro-gov- London ernment media by Turkish offi- cials. The Saudi announcement of ollowing the announce- Khashoggi’s death and subsequent ment that journalist Jamal arrests in the case may limit that Khashoggi was killed in drop-by-drop approach in Ankara. F their Istanbul consulate, “In Turkey, 90 up to 95% of the Saudi officials are looking to limit media are directly or indirectly international damage to the coun- connected to the government,” Ra- try’s reputation. gip Duran, a media columnist for An initial test will be the Saudi the ArtiGercek news site told the Geopolitical calculations. Yasin Aktay, adviser to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks investment conference billed as New York Times. “In general, their in Istanbul next to an empty chair with a picture of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi placed on it. (AP) “Davos in the Desert” set for Oc- approach is to protect the govern- tober 23-25 in Riyadh. Following ment rather than tell the public Khashoggi’s disappearance after he what happened. It is the same in entered the Saudi Consulate Octo- the Khashoggi case.” Turkey sees advantages and ber 2, high-profile invitees, includ- On top of the leaks to Turkish ing US Treasury Secretary Steven media, commentators in Saudi Mnuchin, began cancelling plans Arabia and allied countries in the to attend the event. Gulf region seem to have been par- risks in Khashoggi case However, the conference was ex- ticularly irritated by attempts by pected to go on as scheduled. government-owned media in Qatar to exploit the crisis for propaganda Thomas Seibert ing that Turkey “wants to back Sau- tion for being a “convenient ad- dividends. di Arabia to the wall. (It wants to) dress” for the killing of foreign dissi- The Saudi leadership can The Arabic hashtag “Campaign disparage the ‘reformist’ image that dents, its international image could count on the support of to close Al Jazeera, the channel Istanbul Saudi Arabia has been constructing suffer, Has said. “It may deteriorate its traditional of deception” was trending in the in the West.” more if the case is silently closed be- constituencies at home United Arab Emirates with more he death of journalist Jamal The Khashoggi case is not the first tween Turkish and Saudi authorities and in the region. than 93,000 tweets in less than Khashoggi in Istanbul could one involving the killing of a for- and no high-ranking Saudi official, a day, the BBC reported. Many hurt Turkey’s image at a eign dissident on Turkish soil. Ap- diplomat or statesman is found re- International experts see Saudi tweets expressed support for Sau- T time when Ankara is trying proximately a dozen activists from sponsible.” financial and oil clout as carrying di King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al to improve relations with the West. the former Soviet Union have been Turkey’s restrictions on free decisive weight despite unprec- Saud and Crown Prince Moham- Khashoggi, a journalist who was killed in Turkey in recent years, speech pose another challenge in edented political pressures Riyadh med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and close to the Saudi court and intelli- the BBC reported. In the latest case the light of the Khashoggi case. Doz- faces. A report by Bloomberg News condemned Al Jazeera for spread- gence establishment before becom- made public, Ruslan Israpilov from ens of journalists, activists and op- said that “behind the scenes, deal- ing “deceitful” news about the ing a critic of Riyadh’s policies, was Chechnya was killed in front of his position politicians have been jailed makers bringing in the hard cash kingdom. last seen October 2 when he entered house in Kocaeli, south of Istanbul, for what critics of Erdogan say are are fretting — and still going.” In Saudi Arabia, recent develop- the Saudi Consulate to process pa- two years ago. political motives aimed at silencing Bloomberg said senior invest- ments concerning the Khashoggi perwork for his planned wedding Activists from Chechnya and oth- dissent. Reporters Without Borders, ment bankers from HSBC Holdings case led to several Arabic hashtags with a Turkish woman. er regions of the former Soviet Un- a group campaigning for media free- Plc, Societe Generale SA and Credit trending, including: “Jamal Since then, Turkey’s security ion say Russian intelligence agents dom, ranks Turkey 157th out of 180 Suisse Group AG planned to attend Khashoggi died” (123,000 tweets), forces have leaked information have been behind the killings but countries in its “2018 World Press the Future Investment Initiative, “The Kingdom of Saudi justice” to national and international me- Ankara has been careful not to let Freedom Index.” even though the companies’ CEOs (143,000 tweets) and “Royal or- dia that suggested Khashoggi was the incidents lead to a crisis in rela- A crackdown on suspected gov- cancelled appearances there. Many ders” (138,000 tweets). Many users killed inside the consulate. Saudi tions with Russia, a key supplier of ernment foes following a coup at- international firms are still con- defended Saudi Arabia, asserting Arabia confirmed on October 20 natural gas and an increasingly im- tempt in 2016 triggered accusations firmed. For instance, the leaders that it is a “kingdom of justice.” that Khashoggi was killed inside its portant political partner in Syria and by the West of a growing autocracy of 30 major Russian companies as The Saudi leadership can count Istanbul consulate, saying he died elsewhere. in Turkey. This has led the Erdogan well as “public figures” would at- on the support of its traditional during a “brawl” with Saudi offi- Kerim Has, a Moscow-based ana- government to try to improve its im- tend, Moscow announced. constituencies at home and in the cials. lyst of Russian-Turkish relations, age. Turkish cabinet ministers have A spokesman for the conference region. Turkish police searched the build- said Ankara quietly exchanged sus- restarted work on a reform agenda said plans were moving ahead on Saudi Arabia’s highest religious ing on October 16 in an investigation pected Russian agents, arrested for designed to bring the country closer an updated programme, which body, the Council of Senior Schol- that Turkish President Recep Tayyip alleged involvement in the killings, to the European Union. During a would include “heads of state from ars, said the kingdom’s decisions Erdogan said was focusing on toxic for leaders of the Crimean Tartars, visit to Germany in September, Er- the Arab world, Africa and Asia, as regarding the Jamal Khashoggi materials. “My hope is that we can a Turkic ethnic group on the penin- dogan vowed to leave past tensions well as business leaders, investors case “achieve justice and equality reach conclusions that will give us a sula annexed by Russia in 2014, who behind and open a new page in rela- and innovators from across the in accordance with Islamic law,” a reasonable opinion as soon as pos- were jailed in Russia. tions. world.” statement on state news agency sible because the investigation is The cautious response displayed However, in a development that The second uphill battle will be to SPA said. looking into many things such as by the Turkish government since highlighted Turkey’s difficulties, a contain the serious damage to Sau- The governments of the UAE, toxic materials and those materials Khashoggi’s disappearance echoed court in Istanbul said on October di Arabia’s reputation after allega- Bahrain and Egypt welcomed the being removed by painting them Ankara’s handling of the Russian 16 that the government should ask tions — many unconfirmed — about Saudi announcements regarding over,” Erdogan said. cases, Has said. “There are similar the international law enforcement how and why Khashoggi was killed. the Khashoggi case. Erdogan, known for his harsh patterns,” he added. agency Interpol to issue an arrest rhetoric both in domestic affairs and By trying to prevent a full-blown warrant for two prominent anti-Er- in international relations, did not crisis in relations to Saudi-Arabia, dogan journalists. The court wants accuse the Saudi leadership of in- Turkey could face other difficulties. Can Dundar, who lives in Berlin, volvement in Khashoggi’s suspected The country, especially Istanbul, is and Ilhan Tanir, who is in the United death. His approach suggested that host to many journalists, activists States, to face charges of espionage Turkey, whose relations with Ri- and politicians from Arab nations, in a trial initiated after Dundar’s yadh are strained because of Anka- mainly Islamists, who disagree with newspaper accused the Turkish ra’s close ties to Qatar and because their governments back home. government of shipping weapons to of Turkish support for the Muslim Yasin Aktay, a senior official of Syrian rebels. Brotherhood, has so far seemed less Turkey’s ruling Justice and Develop- Erdogan critics say Turkish gov- interested in pouring more oil onto ment Party, Erdogan adviser and a ernment officials were acting hypo- the fire than in enabling Turkey to friend of Khashoggi’s, said, for many critically in the Khashoggi case. take advantage of the crisis. Arab journalists, the alternative to “It’s a bit off that they are getting Middle East analyst James M. living in Turkey was “prison in their involved in this in the first place, Dorsey wrote in his blog that Turkey country,” Agence France-Presse re- given the fact that they are the num- was using the issue to “enhance its ported. “What happened to Jamal ber one jailer of journalists in the geopolitical position vis-a-vis Saudi Khashoggi aimed to maybe send a world,” Middle East expert Jonathan Arabia as well as Russia and Iran and message to them that they are not Schanzer told the Australian net- potentially garner economic advan- safe here but Turkey remains a safe work ABC. tage at a time that it is struggling to country,” Aktay said. Schanzer, a senior vice-president reverse a financial downturn.” A perception that foreign Islam- of research at the Foundation for “One immediate Turkish victory,” ists are not safe in Turkey would Defense of Democracies, a Washing- he added, “is likely to be Saudi ac- have an unwanted fallout on Erdog- ton think-tank, added that Turkey quiesce to Mr Erdogan’s demand an’s regional alliances based at least had engaged in “illegal renditions” that Saudi Arabia drop its support in part on his domestic and regional of suspected dissidents from other for Kurdish rebels in Syria that An- affinities with the Muslim Brother- countries. kara sees as terrorists — a move that hood. Turkish officials said in April that would boost Turkey’s position in Any attempt to cover up responsi- 80 Turks suspected of ties to a group the Turkish-Russian-Iranian jockey- bilities in the Khashoggi case could seen as the driving force behind the ing for influence in a post-war Syria. backfire on Turkey, which is careful 2016 coup attempt had been seized Turkey is also likely to see Saudi not to be perceived as a place where abroad and returned to Turkey. Arabia support it economically.” suspicious deaths of reporters and Tragedy. A 2015 file picture shows Saudi journalist Jamal Dorsey quoted international rela- activists are not accounted for. Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly Khashoggi attending a press conference in Manama. (AFP) tions scholar Serhat Guvenc as say- If the country acquires a reputa- correspondent. October 21, 2018 3 News & Analysis Gulf Yemeni president dismisses prime minister over deteriorating economy

Saleh Baidhani

Aden

ith widespread pro- tests over its falling currency and spiral- W ling living costs due to the war, Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghr over what Hadi described as neg- ligence in managing the country’s economy. Bin Daghr, who severed as prime minister since April 2016, was replaced by Moeen Abdulmalik Saeed, who had been minister of public works and infrastructure. Bin Daghr’s dismissal was the “result of negligence in the govern- ment’s performance in the recent period in the fields of economy and services, and faltering government performance in alleviating the suf- fering of our population, resolving its problems and providing for its needs,” a presidential decree re- leased October 15 stated.

Government sources said that bin Daghr’s firing was the beginning of a wider government reshuffle, with a series of major announcements expected.

The document pointed to the government’s “inability to take real measures to stop the economic deterioration, specifically the col- lapse of the local currency, and its failure to take the necessary meas- ures to confront Cyclone Luban in Shuffling the cards. Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi (R) arrives to attend a conference in Bonn, last November. (AFP) Mahra province.” The Yemeni rial has been in a free fall for months with inflation exas- Saeed belonged to the “Arab efforts to revive the General Peo- published on his Facebook page. ship in Hodeidah, French media re- perating difficult living conditions. spring” movement in Yemen, ple’s Congress party. Bin Brik said re-establishing a ported. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz where he was one of the leaders of A high-ranking official in Yem- “southern state” was paramount to French President Emmanuel Ma- Al Saud, whose country is leading the protests in 2011 that saw Presi- en’s southern separatist move- the STC’s plans, a reference to the cron announced Goma’s release on a coalition fighting on behalf of dent Ali Abdullah Saleh step down ment said the group was indiffer- state of South Yemen, which ex- October 16, thanked Oman for its Hadi’s government, ordered that from power. ent about bin Daghr’s dismissal but isted from 1967-90. “decisive” role in securing the hos- $200 million be deposited in the Observers said Saeed’s appoint- vowed to continue its drive for in- The STC is a key partner in the tage’s release and Saudi authorities Central Bank of Yemen to stabilise ment was in line with a drive by dependence. coalition that has been fighting for their help. the economy. That follows a $3 bil- Hadi led by Yemeni Ambassador to The UAE-backed Southern Tran- Houthi rebels alongside Hadi’s gov- A report in the official Saudi Press lion grant Riyadh previously sent the United States Ahmed Awad bin sitional Council (STC) has been ernment since 2015. However, ten- agency, Saudi Arabia helped “facili- to the bank. Mubarak calling for the Saudi-led coalition sions between the separatists and tate the obtainment of an authori- Government sources said that bin The sources said wording of the and the UN envoy for Yemen to Hadi’s government remain. sation” for a French military aero- Daghr’s firing was the beginning of presidential statement that bin solve the “southern cause,” includ- A French national held hostage plane, which transported Goma a wider government reshuffle, with Daghr would be investigated is an ing “restoring their state and inde- in Yemen for more than 4 months from Sana’a province to Oman. a series of major announcements, effort to stop him from having any pendence,” Major-General Ahmed has been released by the Houthis. including the appointment of a political role in the future. This was Said bin Brik, parliamentary speak- Alain Goma, 54, was kidnapped in Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly vice-president, expected. thought to stem from bin Daghr’s er for the STC, said in an interview June after he docked his damaged contributor in Yemen. Oil output from Saudi, Kuwait shared zone on hold as relations sour

Rania El Gamal and to move the two countries closer countries over the embargo of Saleh Ashour, a member of the Ku- cused on supporting operational Qatar and diverging views on re- waiti parliament. activities to maintain readiness for Dmitry Zhdannikov to a deal because Kuwait resisted Riyadh’s push for greater control lations with Saudi Arabia’s arch- Oil output in the Neutral Zone, production restart when that time of the fields. foe Iran, the sources said. Kuwait which dates to 1920s treaties es- comes,” a Chevron spokeswoman Dubai “It did not go well because Ku- is trying to mediate the embargo, tablishing regional borders, is di- said. “Obviously a restart depends waiti sovereignty is non-negotia- which is being led by Saudi Arabia vided equally between Saudi Ara- on the discussions between the audi Arabia and Kuwait will ble,” one source told Reuters. and the United Arab Emirates. bia and Kuwait. The Wafra field is two countries but we’re ready. We struggle to resume oil pro- Riyadh does not want Kuwaiti Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE operated by state-run Kuwait Gulf are maintaining the equipment. duction from jointly operat- laws to apply to US oil major Chev- and Egypt cut diplomatic, trans- Oil Company and Chevron on be- We have put a lot of effort into S ed fields due to operational ron, which operates the Wafra on- port and trade ties with Doha last half of Saudi Arabia. The Khafji keeping the pipelines in shape and differences and souring political shore field on behalf of the Saudi year, accusing it of financing ter- field is operated by state oil giant keeping the key wells in shape.” ties between the previously close government, the source added. rorism. Qatar rejects the charges. Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Gulf Oil. Shutting output is expensive Gulf OPEC allies, sources familiar Another source said Saudi Arabia Kuwait has sought to maintain because it requires investments of with the matter said. wanted a bigger say and more con- neutrality, although the emir’s ef- tens of millions of dollars per year The two countries halted output trol in running oil operations in forts to mediate the rift have had Riyadh does not want for maintenance, sources familiar from Khafji and Wafra oilfields in the zone. little success. Kuwaiti laws to apply to US with field operations said. the so-called Neutral Zone more Kuwait, which has a sizeable oil major Chevron, which The Neutral Zone “is the single than three years ago, cutting some Shia minority, has maintained dia- operates the Wafra onshore biggest asset in the world which 500,000 barrels per day (0.5%) of Shutting output is logue with Iran. Saudi Arabia and was deliberately stopped and expensive because it field on behalf of the Saudi global oil supply. Iran back opposing sides in civil government. hasn’t been producing for three As oil prices rose to a 4-year high requires investments of tens wars in Syria and Yemen. years,” one of the sources said. of more than $85 per barrel this of millions of dollars per In a move that may further com- “The more the restart is postponed year, Washington has been press- year for maintenance. plicate relations with Riyadh, Ku- Tensions have been simmering the more it will cost to maintain it ing its top Gulf ally Riyadh to re- wait signed a defence cooperation since the last decade when Kuwait and the more problematic it might duce crude prices by increasing Crown Prince Mohammed met plan with Turkey in what it said was angered by a Saudi decision to be to restart the fields quickly and production. with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sa- was meant to strengthen bilateral prolong Chevron’s Wafra conces- fully.” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bah Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and ties. Turkey has sided with Qatar sion until 2039 without consulting Industry sources from both bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited Kuwaiti Crown Prince Nawaf al- in the Gulf row and its relations Kuwait. countries say that though Khafji Kuwait in September to discuss re- Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah but the with Riyadh have been strained In 2014, Saudi Arabia closed and Wafra are not linked geo- suming oil output from the zone. visit, planned to last two days, was due to Ankara’s close ties with Khafji, citing environmental is- graphically, an agreement to bring However, the sources, who asked cut to just a few hours on Septem- Iran. sues. In 2015, Chevron shut Wafra one field back online would be tied not to be identified because they ber 30, the sources said. “The (regional) situation is not citing difficulties in securing work to the other. are prohibited from discussing the Adding to the political friction stable, so every country should permits and materials. issue publicly, said the talks failed were tensions between the two think how to protect itself,” said “Saudi Arabian Chevron is fo- (Reuters) 4 October 21, 2018 Spotlight Russia in MENA

Russia’s real designs in Libya

have been to Moscow on several occasions to meet with key Russian officials, notably Mikhail Michel Cousins Bogdanov, the deputy foreign minister who is Putin’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa and who directs Moscow’s Middle East Policy, Presidency Council leader Fayez ne of the main sub- al-Sarraj has been there, too. jects when Egyptian The fact that Moscow does not President Abdel Fat- officially recognise the Presidency tah al-Sisi and Rus- Council’s Government of National sian Vladimir Putin Accord (GNA) — on the basis that recently discussed In the game. it has not been legitimised by the Otheir “strategic” relationship, was A 2017 file House of Representatives — has Libya, Russian officials said, along picture shows not been an impediment, either. with Syria and Yemen. Russian Foreign Russian pragmatism means that it That was not surprising and Minister Sergei talks to it as well. The GNA foreign not just because of the crisis in Lavrov and minister has also been to Moscow Libya. It interests the Russians Libyan Field- for talks. considerably. Marshal Khalifa Not that pragmatism has Until the 2011 revolution, Tripoli Haftar (L) stopped Russia from using Libya was close to Moscow, politically during a as a tool to beat the West. Russian and economically. Russian meeting in officials and the Russian media oil and gas companies were Moscow. (Reuters) happily blame the West for Libya’s becoming significantly involved woes because of its role in the 2011 in exploration and production in nonsense by Moscow. As for the Russians being allowed overthrow of the Qaddafi regime. Libya. Russia won half the contract Moscow’s Libya observers likewise dismiss to set up bases in Tobruk and Russian diplomats, though, to build the planned massive objective, it it. “Moscow is playing a very Benghazi, the story surfaced make little attempt to disguise Libyan rail network and Libya is claimed, careful game in Libya,” said one. at the beginning of 2017 when the fact that Moscow has political, economic and strategic interests bought Russian weapons — lots is to control “It is keeping its options open. Haftar visited a Russian aircraft of them — some of which remain It knows that it is far too soon carrier. He subsequently denied in Libya and wants a political unpaid for. of the to openly support one side or it and there has been no credible solution. Reviving arms sales, However, if reports coming from Libyan coast another.” Strongly backing Haftar, evidence of Russian bases in blocked by the UN ban, is a the United Kingdom are accurate, and, with it, it is pointed out, could easily eastern Libya. particular objective, especially Russia wants much more than a control of backfire. It is pointed out, too, that French with the Libyan armed forces few prized Libyan contracts. the main Why, some observers ask, was forces are known to have been wedded to Russian military The Sun, the most widely clandestine the information leaked to the operating in Benghazi, providing technology. So too, are building read newspaper in the United migration Sun, a newspaper not known for intelligence support to the Libyan a Libyan railway network and oil Kingdom, claims Russia wants to routes. in-depth analysis of international National Army — three French and gas exploration. take control of Libya. It said in a affairs? It is known for its intelligence officers died in a More important, though, is recent article that Russia has set nationalistic views. It strongly helicopter crash there in July 2016. the fight against terrorism. The up military bases in Benghazi and supported Brexit, for example. However, the Sun report Islamic State in Syria is linked to Tobruk, where it has deployed The suggestion is that this is part mentions nothing of this nor of the presence of the Islamic State special forces (Spetsnaz) and has of the new cold war between the the widely reported activity of in Libya. That makes for common been sending weapons to help the United Kingdom and Russia but Egyptian and Emirati military objectives with Cairo, with its own head of the Libyan National Army also a diversion tactic by British forces in support of Haftar nor battles against militants who have in the east of the country, Field- Prime Minister Theresa May’s of the Italian military presence had bases in Libya. Marshal Khalifa Haftar, take over Brexit-beleaguered government in Misrata nor of the persistent For both the Russians and the country. aimed at frightening the British reports of a British military Egyptians, smashing militants Moscow’s objective, it is public about Russian intentions presence in the country. in the region has drawn them claimed, is to control of the Libyan and so rally them behind it. Russia’s calculated balancing act closer. Regarding Libya, it makes coast and, with it, control of the It was pointed out that the on Libya has meant that it remains profound political sense they main clandestine migration routes story in its current form surfaced in contact with both Haftar and continue to support Haftar, who across the Mediterranean. Putin, in Washington in July when US the Presidency Council. It supports has proven his ability to do just it is suggested, would use these to intelligence sources were quoted UN-led efforts to resolve the that. threaten Western Europe. saying that Moscow planned to Libyan crisis and recognises the The notion that Russia, any more The Sun said the threat has move into Libya and build a base Presidency Council on the basis than Egypt, wants to take over resulted in British MPs calling on there. However, it is noted, in that it was approved by the UN Libya or use it as a tool against the their government to counter it. three months the story has gone Security Council. West remains unproven, no matter The story, which the Sun said from “possible” Russian plans to Russia also recognises Haftar what newspapers in the United was given to it by a “Whitehall move into Libya and have a base as general commander of the Kingdom suggest. source,” in other words someone there to two bases operating. Libyan armed forces, as appointed connected to the British There is nothing new in reports by the House of Representatives. Michel Cousins is a contributor to government, has been rejected as of Spetsnaz forces in Benghazi. So, while Haftar and his advisers The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Russia tries to edge out Europe and US in MENA

leadership. Simply put, it is this: the Syrian civil war. Direct Russian in Africa. Since Russia’s March 2014 the re-emergence of Russia as military intervention began in Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, a counterweight to Europe and September 2015, after an official renewed a move that generated much John C.K. Daly America in the Middle East and request for military aid from the presence in international opprobrium, Russia Africa. Syrian government. The assistance the Middle has signed at least 19 military proved to be a game changer. cooperation deals with sub-Saharan The process has historical East and antecedents. During the post- For the last three years, Russia’s African countries and increased second world war era pretty much help has allowed Syrian President Africa has efforts to broaden its economic and to the end of the Soviet Union, Bashar Assad’s government to stay many diplomatic partnerships there. gyptian President Moscow played a significant role in in power. This, despite the regional governments A notable example of Russia’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met the global decolonisation process. political tempest unleashed by pondering rising African military footprint with Russian Presi- From Algeria to Vietnam, the the “Arab spring” as well as covert what the began late last year in the Central dent Vladimir Putin on Soviet Union supplied weaponry to support being provided to rebels Kremlin’s African Republic (CAR). The October 17, at the end of former colonial states fighting for who could bring about the Western rising country had descended into conflict the 3-day state visit to independence. It did so under the desire for regime change in Syria. influence may in 2013 after militants overthrew ERussia. Sisi’s prize for the journey socialist rubric of support for “wars Perhaps the most significant the government, unleashing a civil produce. — his fourth to Russia since taking of national liberation.” In Africa, tactical shift caused by Russian war. office in 2014 — was what officials Moscow became involved in proxy military assistance is in arms CAR’s government pleaded for described as a strategic cooperation wars in several countries, including supplies. Its S-300 and S-400 international assistance to fight the treaty designed to increase trade, Angola, Ethiopia and Mozambique. missile defence systems are militias. Russia responded not only military and other ties between the It helped independence movements being supplied to Syria, Iran and with armaments shipments but two countries. fight Western colonial powers. Turkey, all of which are worried “contractors” as well, mercenaries Sisi lauded his conversations Now that it is the Russian about aerial assaults from the US- from various private paramilitary with Putin as extremely Federation, it is slowly renewing equipped Israeli Defence Forces. organisations, including the Wagner productive. They open, he said, its support in those post-colonial Unsurprisingly, the Israeli Group. Estimates of the Russian a “new chapter” of the bilateral regions, notably the Middle government has strongly protested mercenary presence in CAR number relationship. Putin said the East and Africa, albeit in a more the provision of S-300 systems to in the hundreds. two men discussed expanding constrained fashion. Syria and Iran. NATO expressed Russia’s renewed presence in the arms sales and military ties. Russia is supplying everything concern about the deployment Middle East and Africa has many He emphasised that Russian from advanced anti-aircraft of an S-400 system by alliance governments pondering what the and Egyptian paratroopers systems to training and even member Turkey. Even before Sisi Kremlin’s rising influence may were conducting joint military mercenary “boots on the ground.” met with Putin on October 17, Cairo produce. For Russia, it is about manoeuvres in Egypt even as he From Syria to Zimbabwe, had signed multibillion-dollar ensuring stability. Others are not so and Sisi spoke. the contributions have both deals to purchase Russian military sure. Russia’s deepening relationship complicated local conditions weapons, including warplanes. with Egypt is another and confounded the influence of Beyond the Middle East and the John C.K. Daly is a manifestation of a process that globalists. Maghreb, geopolitics has been a Washington-based specialist on has been under way under Putin’s The most prominent example is substantial driver of Russian policy Russian and post-Soviet affairs. October 21, 2018 5 News & Analysis Syria Turkey and Russia play for time, try to avoid risks

Thomas Seibert ian] regime and Russia an excuse to carry out a military operation at least within the demilitarised Istanbul zone,” Abdel Rahman said. The government of Syrian urkey and Russia appear President Bashar Assad, who has determined to avoid new vowed to have Idlib, the last ma- tensions over the Syr- jor area held by rebels, under his T ian rebel-held province of control, says it is ready to attack Idlib even though jihadists refused if the Turkish-Russian deal breaks to leave the region in line with an down. However, Damascus cannot agreement between Ankara and act without the green light from Moscow. Moscow. Analysts said both sides have “We have to wait for the Russian reasons to play for time in Idlib. reaction. Russia is monitoring and Turkey, which is housing more following the situation,” Syria For- than 3 million Syrians who fled the eign Minister Walid Muallem said. fighting, is anxious to avoid an- He implied a military assault was other influx of refugees. Russia is still on the table. “We have to wait being careful not to anger Turkey but, at the same time, our troops because it needs its cooperation to are ready around Idlib,” he said. end the Syrian war. US Syria envoy James Jeffrey, This confluence of interests during a visit by US Secretary of could prevent a major battle in State Mike Pompeo to Ankara, Idlib but the situation in the area said the Russian-Turkish accord with 3 million civilians and tens had stopped the fighting in Idlib of thousands of battle-hardened for now. “It has frozen the conflict fighters and ringed by government not only there but the conflict is forces itching to retake the prov- also frozen essentially everywhere ince poses risks. else,” Jeffrey said. Turkey, which backs several re- Both Turkey and Russia played bel groups in Idlib, and Russia, the down delays in implementing the most important partner of the Syr- Sochi agreement. Turkish Foreign ian government, could face a situa- Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said On thin ice. Syrian rebel fighters walk through a trench at the front line facing regime areas in the tion in which local tensions spiral there was “no problem with the southern countryside of Aleppo, on October 14. (AFP) out of control. withdrawal of heavy weapons” An accord reached by Turkish from the Idlib buffer zone. “I know President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Russia is happy with the steps to “maintain the current balance” constitutional committee that in- for a new constitution. A major and Russian President Vladimir taken so far.” in Idlib. Russia was focused on cludes members from the Assad battle over Idlib could destroy Rus- Putin in September said Turkey Cavusoglu said the process of its main aim in Syria, which was government, the opposition and sia’s plan to get everyone on board should convince all “radical fight- opening two major highways that to end the war and prepare a new independents with the help of the for a new constitution in the com- ers” to leave a buffer zone on the run through Idlib and are impor- constitution for the country, Ga- United Nations. Gafarli said Rus- ing months. border between Idlib and regions tant for the Syrian government farli said. sia’s determination to push that Vitaly Naumkin, academic direc- held by the Syrian government by would “continue until the end of Russia entered the conflict in political process forward was one tor of the Russian Academy of Sci- October 15. The deadline passed the year.” 2015, helping Assad’s government reason Moscow was avoiding put- ences Institute of Oriental Studies without fighters of al-Qaeda-linked In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman win back much of Syria’s territory ting pressure on Turkey over Idlib. and a Middle East adviser of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham withdrawing Dmitry Peskov said Russia was sat- from rebels and establishing itself Russian government, was quoted from the demilitarised zone. isfied with the way Turkey was act- as a power broker in the Middle by the Sputnik news website as The Syrian Observatory for Hu- ing to get radicals out of the Idlib East as the footprint of the United Both Turkey and Russia saying the constitutional commit- man Rights said it had not noted buffer zone. “The memorandum is States became lighter. Now Rus- played down delays in tee could be operational before the any jihadists leaving the demilita- being implemented and the mili- sia wants the fighting to stop. For implementing the Sochi end of the year or early next year rised area by October 16 and there tary is satisfied with the way the months, the Kremlin has been agreement. because “everything is being done were reports of sporadic fighting in Turkish side is working,” he said, stressing the need for a lasting po- in order to facilitate this process.” and around the buffer zone. Obser- adding that “one cannot expect litical settlement that would keep “There may be a second Sochi UN Syria Envoy Staffan de Mistu- vatory head Rami Abdel Rahman everything to go smoothly with Assad in power. congress before the end of the ra, who is to travel to Damascus for told Agence France-Presse the re- absolutely no glitches.” A Russia-brokered Syrian Na- year,” Gafarli said. Turkey, a spon- talks October 24, said he hoped the fusal of extremists to withdraw Orhan Gafarli, an analyst at the tional Dialogue Congress meet- sor of anti-Assad groups, plays a constitutional committee would be constituted a risk. “The jihadists Ankara Policy Centre think-tank, ing in January in Sochi. Russia, major role in convincing opposi- operational by the time he leaves not withdrawing gives the [Syr- said Turkey and Russia were keen led to an agreement to set up a tion groups to take part in the work his post at the end of November. Idlib watches and waits as Sochi deadline passes

Simon Speakman Cordall clear whether Turkey will have the needed sway and military capability to remove them by force, if need be, Tunis to comply with the Sochi agreement terms.” he deadline agreed to by Other jihadist groups in the de- Russia and Turkey for the militarised zone, principally Tanzim withdrawal of jihadist fac- Huras al-Din, Ansar Dine and the T tions from Idlib province’s Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), found- demilitarised zone passed with lit- ed by Uighur jihadists from western tle indication of movement by rebel China, have either officially rejected groups embedded in the proposed or ignored the conditions of the deal. areas. The stakes within Idlib remain un- For Turkey, charged with ensur- changed. There are around 3 million ing the deal goes through, the re- civilians, including approximately bels’ reluctance to withdraw is an 1 million children, in the province. inconvenience. For Russia, it’s a More than half of those were forci- distraction from Moscow’s wider bly displaced from other areas of Syrian strategy. For Damascus, it is a Syria or have travelled to the prov- further frustration in its plans to re- ince to escape rule by Syrian Presi- capture “every inch” of the terrain it dent Bashar Assad. has still to govern. However, also in the province are However, for the jihadists locked foreign fighters, including TIP and in Syria’s last rebel-held province, an assortment of Uzbeks, Chechens what happens next is a matter of life and other nationalities, who, sur- and death. rounded, are deeply invested in un- On the eve of the October 15 folding events. deadline, one of the region’s prin- “Russia has clearly signalled a tol- cipal jihadist groups, Hayat Tahrir erance for some delay and it is in its al-Sham (HTS), issued a statement interest to delay if the outcomes can titled “The Syrian Revolution Will be achieved,” Robinson said. “An Life on a knife’s edge. A man walks past a damaged building in the town of Binnish in Syria’s Not Die.” Vaguely worded and with- all-out bloodbath does not serve its rebel-held northern Idlib province, on October 15. (AFP) out explicitly accepting or rejecting interests at this juncture. It does, the provisions of the Russian-Turk- however, care very much about the ish deal reached in Sochi, Russia, foreign fighters in Idlib and prevent- develops various strategies is far right now, so they need to play for within the province against the ji- the statement appeared to intimate ing their escape.” from straightforward. time.” hadists and let Idlib collapse under the group’s willingness to consider For Russian policymakers, Idlib’s “For now, Russia is concentrat- “The internal dynamics of Idlib its own weight. withdrawing from the disputed re- return to the Assad fold has never ing on keeping Iran and its militias are resting on a knife’s edge,” he “After that, all that remains is for gion. been a question of when so much as far away from Idlib as they can,” continued. “Everyone knows Tur- the more moderate rebels to recon- “The HTS statement seems some- as how. That Assad’s forces cannot said Nicholas Heras, Middle East se- key will need to do something at cile with the regime and Assad has a what ambiguous as to their inten- recapture the province without ex- curity fellow at the Centre for a New some point. Russia is not going to let clear path into Idlib.” tion to comply,” said Linda Robin- ternal support is a given. However, American Securi­ ty. “Every time an them wait forever. We don’t know if son, senior international/defence maintaining Moscow’s monopoly Iranian militia draws close (to Idlib) that action will come from Ankara Simon Speakman Cordall is Syria/ researcher at the RAND Corpora- over military support for the Syrian it draws complaints from the US. directly or from its proxies in Idlib. Lebanon section editor with The tion. “More importantly, it is un- regime around Idlib while Turkey Russia can’t afford a confrontation Most likely it will use its militias Arab Weekly. 6 October 21, 2018 Opinion

Editorial ISIS is still a threat in Syria and Iraq ike a horror movie that refuses to end, the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a concern in Syria and Iraq. Predictably, there is less inclination among members of the US-led coalition to take victory laps over ISIS’s supposed Ldefeat. There are indications the terrorist group is adjusting its tactics to keep its lethal capability and long-term totalitarian strategy alive. Many political leaders might project the military defeat of ISIS as a feather in their cap but military commanders and security experts caution that the extremist group could pose a threat even if it is believed to control barely 2% of the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria. ISIS might not be in the business of control- ling territory anymore but its murderous threat in Syria and Iraq has not ceased. The Russian news agency TASS reported that ISIS took approximately 700 people hostage in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province on October 13. That’s a geographic zone once controlled by US-backed forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the information, adding that © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly ten hostages had been executed. He added that ten more hostages might be executed every day if ISIS’s demands were not met. The number of the hostages is in dispute but not the type of Syrian card is turning into a liability for Russia threat. “It’s not about the land mass, it’s about taking away ISIS capabilities,” US Army Colonel Sean Khairallah Khairallah Ryan, spokesman for the US coalition-estab- In the absence of anyone willing to consider Syria as a lished Combined Joint Task Force-Operation bargaining chip, Russia is stuck in the country. Inherent Resolve, said during a news confer- ence October 16. “We’ve still got about three months to go and a lot can happen in 2018.” t about this time in deep Syria. Three-quarters of in this dirty war is insignificant Part of the problem might be the relative 2015, the Russian Air Syria’s population is Sunni, the considering that Syria is disinte- demobilisation of the regional and global Force began its direct majority of whom follow a moder- grating and its territory divided powers in the fight against ISIS based on the involvement in the ate version. under several guardianships. assumption that the objectives of the 4-year-old war against the How can a sane person engage You’ve got the Americans east of war against the extremist group have been met. Syrian people. On in a war against an entire people the Euphrates, the Russians and “Perhaps the greatest challenge facing us theA last day of September 2015, unaware of the consequences of Turks in the north and on the coast today is the danger of complacency,” US Marine Russian bombers took off from such a war? It is certain that Rus- and in Aleppo and the Iranians in Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Hmeimim base near Latakia sia has its own narrow agendas several pockets. the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently warned. and targeted anti-Syrian regime based on the idea that Syria can There are also the Israelis, who Even at a time ISIS is thought to be encircled, organisations. Schools and hospi- be used as a playing card in its have forced the Iranians, at least the terrorist organisation seems to draw new tals were bombed. game with the United States and theoretically, to move 100km from recruits. To be fair to the Russians, there Europe but does anyone really the occupied Golan Heights. Is Dunford pointed out that ISIS attracts about were terrorist elements among want to enter a deal with Russia Israel a player in Syria? 100 followers, who cross into Syria from the extremist religious groups because it owns the Syrian card? Each day brings new problems Turkey, every month. That may seem a trickle targeted but this cannot answer In any case, it doesn’t look like to the Russians in Syria. This is be- compared to the 1,500 would-be fighters a the nagging question: Were the the United States intends to enter cause Russian President Vladimir month three years ago but the continuing extremist groups more dangerous a bargaining game with Russia. Putin cannot get past the imperial- influx of arrivals means would-be jihadists will than the Iran-backed sectarian What applies to America applies ist mentality of Kremlin leaders swell the ranks of the 30,000 ISIS fighters militias in Syrian territory and to Germany, which does not during the days of the communist estimated to be in Syria and Iraq. that, overnight, turned into an seem interested in any deal with Soviet Union. Also in Syria and Iraq are about 700 ISIS ally to Moscow? Russia just because it owns the Putin, who wants to portray the detainees from more than 40 countries. It’s not From the beginning, Russia’s Syrian card. It seems that Rus- image of a strong leader capa- clear what will happen in many of their cases. problem in Syria was that it sup- sia’s control of Syria is one thing ble of restoring the glory of the The way they are treated will go a long way ported an illegitimate minority and the possibility of employing Soviet Union, has not stopped towards sending a signal one way or the other regime that relied primarily on this control in a deal that would for a moment and asked himself: to would-be jihadists who might be tempted its security apparatus to govern. include Ukraine, for example, is What’s the point of being militar- down the path of radicalisation by the ISIS This apparatus proved ineffective another. ily involved in Syria when Russia narrative. at the outbreak of the popular In the absence of anyone willing must rely on Iran when it comes to Meanwhile, there is the issue of the use of the revolution in March 2011. So Iran to consider Syria as a bargaining having troops on the ground? internet by ISIS to attract recruits and sympa- rushed in to help the regime out chip, Russia is stuck in the coun- Most important, hasn’t Putin thisers from among vulnerable young Muslims. of two concerns. try. What can Russia do in Syria? considered how to get Iran and Many other factors constitute a fertile The first Iranian concern was Can it restore life to a regime that Israel to coordinate their interests? ground for radicalisation. These include the that the regime represented the has been in the dustbin of history Is it possible for Russia to be with socio-economic marginalisation of youth in Alawite minority in Syria and the for a long time? This regime has Iran and with Israel at the same the region and beyond, the manipulation of second was that the post-revolu- found nothing better to do than to time, especially when it knows religious discourse and the resilience of the tion chaos in Syria presented Iran use the presence of Islamic State that Iran cannot withdraw militar- financial networks that support ISIS’s mischief. with the opportunity to change fighters in the Druze region to ily from Syria? Research published by Foreign Policy the nature of Syrian society’s blackmail it into sending its young The Iranian regime is playing magazine online sheds light on the continuing demographic structure. people to serve in the regime’s its fate in Syria. In addition to its threat of ISIS. Above all, the Syrian revolution army. intractable internal crisis, which The research is by Vera Mironova, a visiting was an irreplaceable opportunity I guess the Syrian regime did is primarily economic brought scholar at Harvard University, and Mohammed for Iran to destroy major Syrian not have enough sense to see about by its almost exclusive reli- Hussein, a fellow at American University of Iraq cities, such as Aleppo, Homs and there are enough wise people ance on oil revenues, there is the in Sulaimaniyah. They point to an emerging Hama, that the ruling Assads had among the Druze to think of crisis of being militarily bogged threat in Iraq in which former ISIS fighters are hated for so long. allowing their sons to take part down deep in Syria. A military joining armed Shia militias. They cite the Badr As for Damascus, it was sur- in battles against other Syrians, withdrawal of the Iranian regime Organisation and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq among such rounded by Iran and the Syrian especially the Sunnis. Why should from Syria would spell its removal groups. In these groups, former ISIS operatives regime to isolate it from its Sunni they do it? from Tehran. The Iranian regime launder their combat experience in exchange roots — the Syrian society and A victory for the Syrian regime also stands to lose its guardianship for protection and a steady income. over Lebanon via Hezbollah. “For men with few skills besides war making Russia’s dilemma in Syria is — and given Iraq’s high youth unemployment multifaceted. It can’t find the rate of 18% — signing up with another force was funds needed for reconstruction rational,” Mironova and Hussein point out. because it doesn’t have any and In a separate Foreign Policy paper, Colin P. the United States and Europe have Clarke, a political scientist at the RAND Corpo- it all. Perhaps China has some but, ration, said ISIS still has sources of revenue that in the end, who wants to buy the finance its activities. On top of the millions of Syrian card? Nobody. dollars that its leadership might have smug- With no buyer in sight, the gled, the terrorist organisation is adept at Syrian card will turn into a heavy various criminal activities such as extortion, burden for Russia. What Russia drug trafficking and the smuggling of artefacts. needs to do is reconsider its Syrian A UN report from July suggested that ISIS policies. The United States was controlled some oilfields in north-eastern smart enough to encourage Russia Syria. to get caught in the quicksand of The recent US crackdown on ISIS financial the Syrian card and now Russia is networks in Iraq indicates the international realising that it is holding a mirage. fight against the terrorist group is likely to continue beyond the military battlefield. A quagmire far from resolved. A Russian soldier guards a checkpoint as displaced Khairallah Khairallah is a Syrians return to their hometown in south-western Syria, last July. (AFP) Lebanese writer. October 21, 2018 7 Opinion

Why Egyptians have a pro-Russian bias Published by Al Arab Mohamed Abu al-Fadl Publishing House Like other Arab countries, the Egyptians give a lot of importance to the Publisher psychological aspects of international politics. and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD large segment of States. Let’s not also forget that previous balance equation in supporting the existence of a Egypt’s popula- Moscow is seeking to regain its relations with both sides Palestinian state. Editor-in-Chief tion seems to be its world prestige and winning has shifted in favour of the first Because the Palestinian cause, more pleased with Cairo’s trust may constitute a side, even though Russia, like despite the failures it has suf- Oussama Romdhani the outcomes of triumphant return at this level. the United States, manages its fered, remains an open wound Egyptian President The rise of Sisi in Egypt and foreign relations with a high that is very difficult for any Arab Managing Editor AbdelA Fattah al-Sisi’s visits to Putin in Moscow did help thaw degree of utilitarianism and self- leader to bypass, international Iman Zayat Russia than with those of his ice that had enveloped Russian- interest. attitudes towards it will be the trips to the United States. Much Egyptian relations for some The United States has never psychological and political Deputy Managing Editor of this Egyptian attention was time. Both men share military concealed its blatant support criterion that determines Arab and Online Editor reflected recently in the warm backgrounds and it can be said for Israel and has openly acted attitudes towards major world Mamoon Alabbasi reception given Sisi by Russian that there is a political chemistry to ensure the latter’s strategic powers. President Vladimir Putin. between them. This aspect is superiority in the region. Russia In addition, the Egyptian Senior Editor Many Egyptians have fond playing a major role in bypassing is trying to show discipline in military establishment prefers John Hendel memories of bygone days of previous bitterness between the dealing with Israel and in its Moscow over Washington even close cooperation between both two countries and in preparing position on the delicate issues in though much of the military Chief Copy Editor countries, when the former for solid future relations. the Arab world. It, for example, equipment and weapons used by Richard Pretorius Soviet Union was at the peak of In Egypt’s reading of global adheres to the international laws the Egyptian Army came from its power and Egypt at the top of developments, Russia is the America. Many Egyptian military Copy Editor its regional influence. balancing force for US power and officers have been trained in Stephen Quillen Moscow still sees Cairo as an might come in handy. Russia Russia and the Russians have important centre in the Middle has been waiting very patiently shown a greater flexibility than East/West Section Editor East and relies on it to complete for the opportune time to move the Americans regarding training Mark Habeeb the next steps of Russia’s ambi- and has followed the strategy of opportunities, supplying spare Gulf Section Editor tions in the region following its making two steps for each step parts and even providing up-to- intervention in the Syrian crisis. Egypt makes. Knowing by expe- date weaponry. Obviously, the Mohammed Alkhereiji The next steps may be in Libya rience the pragmatic sense of the Egyptian military establishment Society and Travel or elsewhere. In any case, Russia Egyptian leadership, Moscow is pleased with that. Sections Editor seems to believe that having was not above using legitimate Like other Arab countries, Samar Kadi Egypt on its side and coordinat- blackmail. the Egyptians give a lot of ing strategies with it are impor- Thus, the agreement on the importance to the psychological Syria and Lebanon tant to stability in the region and construction of the Dabaa reac- aspects of international politics. Section Editor a guarantee for Russia’s domi- tor in Egypt was reached only They hate haughty attitudes and Simon Speakman Cordall nance of a major segment of the after Cairo gave Russia a 30% tend to favour those who treat natural gas market intended for share in exploiting the Zohr gas them as equals, even if just out Contributing Editor Europe. field. of courtesy. In their thinking, the Rashmee Roshan Lall Although Moscow has in When a Russian passenger Americans remain associated recent years forged close rela- plane was downed over the Sinai with Western domination. Contributing Analyst tions with many countries in the desert in October 2015, the influx Egyptians and Arab countries, Ed Blanche region, nostalgia seems to be at- of Russian tourists halted. They in general, are sensitive to human tracting Russia’s leaders towards have only recently resumed aspects because they are in line Senior Correspondents Egypt specifically. visiting the country but only with their customs and tradi- Mahmud el-Shafey (London) This nostalgia has strategic after Moscow received Egyptian tions. Knowing this, the Russians Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) dimensions first but is closely assurances, which indicates a make sure to offer Arab leaders a Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) related to Russian prestige. high degree of bilateral political warm welcome. This is another Moscow cannot forget the and security understanding. Political bias. A 2015 file picture shows a reason why Egyptians share a Regular Columnists expulsion of Soviet experts from Many signs confirm Cairo’s banner displaying the portrait of pro-Russian bias. Claude Salhani Egypt during the era of President emotional and political bias Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Yavuz Baydar Anwar Sadat, who was clearly towards Moscow at Washing- welcome message at Cairo’s landmark Qasr Mohamed Abu al-Fadl is an leaning towards the United ton’s expense. Obviously, Cairo’s al-Nil bridge. (AFP) Egyptian writer. Correspondents Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Western view of reconstruction in Syria ignores reality Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Chief Designer Salam al-Saadi Marwen el-Hmedi The Western perspective of reconstruction ignores the essence of the Syrian Designers regime, which is based on repressing and excluding most Syrians. Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali S Secretary what was destroyed by war. It ernance and in making major the two concepts, it is easy to see of State Mike is linked to building social, eco- decisions concerning the future that the Western vision is naive. Pompeo said nomic and political stability that of the state and its economic Thinking of using reconstruc- Syrian President prevents a renewed outbreak and political orientations. It tion funds to pressure the Syrian Contact editor at: Bashar Assad’s of the conflict. Reconstruction, would, however, reap the fruits regime into a more democratic [email protected] regime “will not therefore, is usually condi- and economic opportunities and participatory system belies Uget a single dollar” for recon- tioned by having the regime that flow through the network a poor understanding of the struction operations in Syria emerging from the war accept of corruption and clientele that nature of that regime. from the United States if it does extensive changes to pre-war usually accompany dictatorial The Western perspective may not guarantee full withdrawal of political and economic struc- regimes in general and the Syr- be applicable in the context of Al Arab Publishing House Iranian troops and Iran-backed tures or those that emerged ian regime in particular. civil wars and conflicts that end Quadrant Building militias from Syria. because of the war. The Syrian regime hopes the with the weakening of all parties 177-179 Hammersmith Road Pompeo had previously con- Russia does not view the reconstruction process will involved, especially the ruling London W6 8BS ditioned the US contributions Assad government, its insti- revive the economy and expand regime or the stronger party to financing reconstruction tutions and its exclusionary the Syrian market by rehabilitat- in the equation of the conflict. projects on the start of a cred- political and economic mecha- ing hundreds of destroyed cities When the ruling regime finds it- ible political process in Geneva nisms as responsible for the and towns and the subsequent self exhausted and threatened by Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 leading to participation by the widespread popular protests return of their displaced inhab- forces from inside and outside, it Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 opposition and presidential of 2011, protests that turned itants. This would lead to an would be possible to push for the elections. into a war. Moscow considers it increase in resources generated conditions of reconstruction. Thus, the United States is was the West’s support for the by the state and a rise in rev- The situation of the Syrian using reconstruction, along popular movement against the enues reaped by the network of regime is quite different, consid- US Publisher: with the question of its military Syrian regime and the regional corruption and clientele. ering Russian and Iranian sup- withdrawal from north-eastern support for armed groups that There are two opposing port for it. This regime remains The Arab Weekly USA LLC. visions for reconstruction in Syria, as one more pressure card fought the regime that had led centralised, coherent and, most [email protected] to bring about changes in politi- to Syria’s descent into war and Syria, even though the concept important, with the defeat of the cal and military realities in Syria the destruction of governance is the same. The Western vision opposition and the disruption of [email protected] considers reconstruction as an without resorting to fighting. mechanisms that were essential its support network, its very ex- Tel: 248-679-6624 Pompeo’s speech was a direct guarantors of stability in Syria. introduction and requirement istence is no longer in jeopardy. response to Russia’s call for the In the Russian vision for Syria to rebuild, not only the econ- The Western perspective international community to put therefore, it is the renewal of omy and urban areas, but also of reconstruction ignores the forward a quick and effective those same governance mecha- the political system to make it essence of the Syrian regime, plan to finance Syrian recon- nisms, with the assistance of more participatory and stable. which is based on repressing and struction, after declaring the the international community On the opposite side, there is excluding most Syrians while end of the war in Syria in a vic- through reconstruction, that the vision of the Syrian regime mobilising and fattening a social, tory for Moscow and its allies. restore political stability. and its allies, Russia and Iran, security and economic elite that Subscription & Advertising: So far, however, the interna- The Syrian regime looks at the which sees in reconstruction supports it and ensures internal [email protected] tional community seems to be internationally funded recon- the opportunity to reproduce stability. Tel 020 3667 7249 adhering to standards regard- struction process as an oppor- the exclusionary political and The truth is that the Syrian ing reconstruction policies tunity to renew and expand its economic system and expand regime is governed by that re- around the world, including the governing coalition to regain its network of corruption and lationship to such a degree that Mohamed Al Mufti requirement for a complete end power and ensure stability for clientele. In other words, repro- that relationship can be broken Marketing & Advertising of hostilities before funds are the foreseeable future. The flow duce the conditions that led to only by changing the regime Manager released, which in Syria has not of funds would help build an al- the revolution and the subse- itself. yet happened. liance of major forces in society quent death, destruction and Direct: +44 20 8742 9262 The goal of reconstruction and the economy but this coali- displacement. Salam al-Saadi is a www.alarab.co.uk is broader than just rebuilding tion will not be involved in gov- Given the distance between Syrian-Palestinian writer. 8 October 21, 2018 News & Analysis Iraq Activists call for release of detained Basra protesters

Mamoon Alabbasi ports,” said Mtouri on October 17. “Stay united until you win your constitutional rights. Keep your London protests peaceful and disciplined,” urged Mtouri. “Pick representatives ctivists are calling for the from your areas” to avoid infiltra- release of Iraqi protest- tions from those who have different ers reportedly detained agendas, he warned. A in Basra, and vowed to A day earlier, Mtouri called on resume mass demonstrations for Basra’s security officials to release basic services in the southern city. the detained protesters. “I urge you “We call for the immediate re- to follow the cases of the detained lease of eight protesters who are people,” Mtouri told Lieutenant- still in detention without charge General Jasim Nazal al-Maliki, chief or access to lawyers. Some of them of operations in Basra, during a were taken from their homes by meeting, a recording of which was masked men in security uniforms,” shared on social media. political activist Mustafa al-Safi “You know that Basra collapsed said by telephone. completely due to the corruption “Protesters who were recently re- that hit it. Protesters did not take to leased said they had been tortured the streets from nothing. They did until they signed fake confessions so because of the misery that befell of carrying out acts of vandalism them… Your responsibility as secu- and paid bail. The authorities aim rity forces is to protect, not perse- to intimidate them so that they cute, citizens,” said Mtouri. won’t demonstrate again.” The tensions came as Iraqi Prime Safi said anti-corruption demon- Minister-designate Adel Abdul- strations would continue after Ar- Mahdi announced he would soon baeen, a religious commemoration present a new cabinet to parliament that falls at the end of October this for approval. year. “The prime minister-designate… Brewing storm. Members of the Iraqi security forces detain a protester in the central city of Najaf, is carrying out the necessary com- last July. (AFP) munications with the head of par- Anti-corruption liament and the blocs to set a day” demonstrations would for presenting the cabinet, his office oil sector, which is dominated by On September 27, the United in a reference to the United States continue after Arbaeen, said in a statement. foreign workers. Iraqi Oil Minister States announced the closing of its and Saudi Arabia. a religious If Abdul-Mahdi fails to secure Jabar Ali al-Luaibi said on October consulate in Basra, citing threats Hakim al-Zamili, a member of commemoration that parliament’s approval for his cabi- 8 that new contracts with foreign from neighbouring Iran. “Iran is the Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement, told falls at the end of net by November 1, a new prime oil companies would require them origin of the current threat to Amer- Al-Monitor website that “the heat- October this year. minister-designate may be named, to employ Iraqi nationals for 85% of icans in Iraq,” US Secretary of State ed and tense statements exchanged further delaying the government the workforce in a given project. Mike Pompeo said on October 3. between Iran and the United States Safi’s remarks were in sync with formation process, which has been It remains to be seen if Iraq can “Our intelligence in this regard is will certainly be felt in Iraq.” calls of other prominent activists. stumbling since May’s elections. meet the high demand for employ- solid. We can see the hand of the Also in September, masked gun- In a Facebook post, Abu Ali Fathi Outgoing Prime Minister Haider ment in the country despite recent ayatollah and his henchmen sup- men killed Soad al-Ali, a human al-Mtouri, often referred to as the al-Abadi said he was preparing his pledges to provide thousands of porting these attacks on the United rights activist and mother of four, “sheikh of protesters” in Basra, ministries to carry out “a smooth jobs. States.” in a daytime attack in Basra. No one called for the resumption of dem- transition” for the next government Protesters in Basra have also been The Iranian consulate in Basra claimed responsibility but the as- onstrations after Arbaeen. so their work would not be inter- demonstrating against electricity was attacked, too, during demon- sassination was understood as an “Decision makers in the Green rupted when Abdul-Mahdi took cuts, water shortages, pollution and strations. Protest leaders said infil- attempt to silence criticism of the Zone are not interested in know- charge. absence of proper security. They say trators were responsible for the at- country’s main parties. ing about the suffering of Basra Basra contributes 95% of the instead of feeling safe in their home tack to discredit the anti-corruption but they do eagerly follow inter- country’s oil revenues and one of city, they are often threatened by movement. Tehran blamed “mer- Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy national oil prices and the income the key demands of protesters is the presence of Iran-backed militias cenary groups, which took orders Managing Editor and Online Editor that comes thanks to Basra’s oil and providing jobs, especially in the acting with impunity. from their enablers hostile to Iran,” of The Arab Weekly. Viewpoint A soft quota system will not heal Iraq’s wounds

he beginning of the perhaps with a smaller number The Shia party leaders are not they must begin with what Abadi term of the Iraqi Prime of ministers but more effectively. bothered by the personal relation- could not accomplish. The heads Minister-designate These two blocs will have the ship between the prime minister- of the tentacular rings of corrup- Majid al-Samarrai Adel Abdul-Mahdi was final say in nominating Sunni designate and President Barham tion and embezzlement must be media- and internet- ministers, just as they nominated Salih. The latter is proving to be revealed and brought to justice. based. Abdul-Mahdi and elected a Sunni candidate for much more active and dynamic The legal breaches through Tadvertised on the internet for can- speaker of the parliament. The than his predecessor, Fuad Ma- which the corrupt parties have didates to fill cabinet positions. He Kurds will retain their usual quota sum. However, the Shia parties access to the government and said he received more than 50,000 through the Kurdistan Democratic know that the country’s constitu- its mechanisms must be sealed. applications. Union. tion was crafted maliciously to One such breach is allowing the This interesting experiment What has changed then and render the office of president so-called economic committees of mixes political science fiction what happened to the slogans of mainly symbolic and practically political parties to have access to with the recognition of an im- abandoning sectarian quotas? toothless. various ministries. Abdul-Mahdi passe — the dominance of parties What has changed is a move to What the Iraqis want to hear knows very well that there are in the political process and the a soft form of the quota system. are not beautiful hollow speeches choice ministries that the political government. The parties claim to Leaders of the political parties do about Iraqi unity or, worse, words parties will fight for under the have renounced imposing a prime not want to admit their failure. In defending Iraq’s sincere loyalty guise of election loot. minister from within their ranks. return for flexibility with the new to Iran, the same Iran that has Iraqi party leaders are lobbying Rumour has it, however, that prime minister, they would not ruined Iraq and plundered its for their candidates and agents in Abdul-Mahdi was forced on the tolerate a raid on the main pockets wealth. They’re not interested in the new government. They have parties after being blessed by Iran, of corruption in the system and cosmetic changes either. What not forgotten to name a couple of consented by the United States the country. the Iraqis want to see is a serious Sunni leaders, who they have co- and approved by the religious Oh, they are willing to allow confrontation with the corrupt opted. However, the whole lot of establishment. Abdul-Mahdi to make speeches governmental apparatus that has them has been trained in the arts What matters to the parties about reform, to seek guidance been ruining the country for 15 of corruption and money looting. is not the recourse to internet from the religious establish- years. Perhaps the practical transla- advertising to recruit ministers ment and consult with Muqtada Don’t Abdul-Mahdi and the tion of Abdul-Mahdi’s internet but recapturing their domination al-Sadr. They’ve seen this happen party leaders know the ministries sting operation is that he could of the political process through before with Haider al-Abadi. The have been turned into dumps for have the ministers in his cabinet lists of ministers they presented important thing is not to affect the incompetent people placed there open their departments to com- to Abdul-Mahdi, even though they villainous political system. by the parties? While some say petent citizens when conducting had formally declared that they Shaking the foundations of the Abdul-Mahdi has reassuring per- recruitment and appointment would not interfere in his choices. political system is what the party sonal qualities, will he be able to operations. Maybe he could even The parties have accepted lim- leaders feared the most when use the slightest breach in the soft ban using cronyism and party ited losses of their power in favour voters boycotted their rigged quota system? Perhaps instead connections. of satisfying Abdul-Mahdi’s wish elections or when people in Basra, he will be co-opted by it. Can he These are the preliminary to recruit a limited number of Baghdad and other Iraqi governo- bring about a radical political and measures to prevent the aggrava- competent people from outside rates protested their hegemony, administrative revolution capable tion of the disease if there is a the restricted party circle. They their incompetence and their of uprooting the disease in the desire to lay the foundations for know Abdul-Mahdi is not a stran- corruption. So they loosened their system? true reforms in Iraq. However, if There are priorities ger to the house of Shia Islam. grip on power just enough to give I’m afraid that, in the case of Abdul-Mahdi falls victim to the that pave the way for On the contrary, he is right in the the impression they are all for Abdul-Mahdi, cleaning one’s soft quota system and tries to hide middle of it. reform and democracy. hands with disinfectants will not that with internet tricks, then Iraq general reform and What is most likely to happen Party leaders have given Abdul- protect one from the thousands of is in for another term of Abadi’s they must begin with is that the same system of power Mahdi lots of room for flexibility. viruses that pollute the environ- failed policies. sharing between the two domi- Among themselves, however, they ment. what Abadi could not nant Shia coalitions — al-Islah joke that this will have no bearing There are priorities that pave Majid al-Samarrai is an Iraqi accomplish. and al-Bina — will be renewed, on their status and influence. the way for general reform and writer. October 21, 2018 9 News & Analysis Jordan Jordanians divided on economic reforms

Mamoon Alabbasi newspaper, however, Hassan Ba- rari, a professor of Middle Eastern politics at the University of Jordan, London argued the opposite. “Some still reiterate the same ordanian King Abdullah II boring mantra ‘Razzaz is popular’ vowed to crack down on cor- even when the public trust in the ruption as the country faces government and Razzaz has signifi- J a series of economic chal- cantly dropped in recent polls,” he lenges. However, he did not spell wrote. out specific steps on how authori- “The current government has ties would do that with Jordanians done nothing to address the press- remaining divided on how to deal ing issues for Jordanians. Unem- with the economy. ployment, poverty and inflation “All Jordanians have an equal remain the key issues for the pub- right to justice and corruption will lic. Sadly, the government puts the not be left unaddressed to become three issues on back burner and the a chronic social illness,” King Ab- cabinet reshuffle only reflects this dullah said in a speech October 14 conclusion,” he added. marking the opening of parliament. “Some liberals in Jordan — who A return to normalcy. Syrian Army soldiers at the Jaber-Nassib border crossing with Jordan in Daraa, “I hereby affirm that the state’s never experienced poverty and on October 15. (Reuters) institutions are well capable of who do not care about the hike in uprooting corruption and holding prices — see Razzaz as a vehicle for to account those who dare to en- realising their political agenda.” croach on public funds,” he added. The problem remains that reli- Jordan ranked 57th in Transpar- ance on foreign aid is not enough, Opening of Syria crossing ency International’s corruption observers said. “Like putting a perceptions index in 2017, down 11 Band-Aid on a gunshot wound, Jor- places from the previous year. It has dan traditionally uses foreign aid to an unemployment rate of 18.5%. alleviate its short-term problems King Abdullah acknowledged the without addressing the root causes lends lifeline to Jordan government had made mistakes of its economic issues,” wrote Dan- amid public “dissatisfaction with iel Levin in the National Interest Manuel Langendorf the way current challenges are be- magazine. Border crossings in south-west Syria ing addressed.” He acknowledged While foreign aid or IMF loans “a weakening (of) public trust in buy time for the country’s ailing London government institutions, as well as economy, they also expose the gov- an atmosphere of scepticism.” ernment to political criticism lo- he Jaber-Nassib border “The process of development in cally. crossing between Jordan Jordan, as in other countries, has “Even as Hashemite leaders and Syria has reopened af- been marred by some mistakes and preach about economic independ- T ter having been closed for challenges, which we must learn ence at home, Amman has accel- three years since rebels seized ter- from, resolve and prevent from re- erated its reliance on external aid, ritory on the Syrian side of the bor- curring, so that we may move for- turning to Riyadh and Washington der. The Syrian government, with ward,” he said. during moments of crisis. In turn, the backing of Russia, retook the Jordan, which relies heavily on activists are able to exploit the ap- area in south-western Syria in July. foreign aid, recently received a $2.5 parent hypocrisy to deepen public Before its closure, the crossing, billion aid package pledge from mistrust of the government and known as Jaber on the Jordanian Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir- whip up a frenzy about alleged side and Nassib in Syria, was a key ates and Kuwait. In 2016, the coun- foreign influence over government stop on a trade route worth billions try took out a $723 million loan policies,” wrote Aaron Magid in of dollars every year connecting from the International Monetary Foreign Policy. Lebanon and Turkey with the Gulf. Fund (IMF). “And that makes it all the harder Lebanese President Michel Aoun Thousands of Jordanians pro- for the government to enact the real praised the opening, saying it would tested in June against an income reforms that could make Jordan “revive the various productive sec- tax bill, price hikes and austerity self-reliant,” he added. “The prob- tors and reduce the cost of export- reforms, in addition to corruption. lem… is that the Jordanian gov- ing goods from Lebanon to Arab The demonstrations ended when ernment has done such a good job countries.” the tax bill was withdrawn and preaching independence at home Jordan’s state news agency Petra Prime Minister Hani Mulki was that accepting foreign aid and loans said 199 people crossed the border sacked. has started to come with a domestic into Syria on October 15, the first day The king appointed Omar Razzaz political price.” it was opened. It reported that Syr- prime minister. Razzaz announced Nevertheless, Amman is search- ians entering Jordan need a security a cabinet reshuffle on October 11 in ing for alternative options. Jordani- clearance from Jordan, a practice a bid to push through IMF-inspired an Minister of State for Investment instituted because of the war. reforms. “We will pay a heavy price Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh said Also on October 15, Israel opened if we enter next year without a tax Amman was looking to foreign in- the border between the occupied bill,” Razzaz told state television in vestors for Jordan in addition to its Golan Heights and Syria but said the influx of hundreds of thousands importance of Syria. “The Syrian September. “natural market” in Syria and Iraq. only UN peacekeepers would be al- of refugees. The United Nations said market is very vital for our indus- Trade unionists said Razzaz’s “The truth is, we’ve lost our nat- lowed to cross for some time. The 671,919 registered Syrian refugees tries. Syria is also a gateway into bill was a watered-down version ural market in Syria and Iraq and Syrian government has been in dis- were in Jordan as of October 9. By several important markets,” he said. of Mulki’s austerity measures. Raz- it has been really tough for our ex- cussions with Iraq to open the Abu mid-2013, Jordanian authorities had The success of the Syrian govern- zaz’s plans divided commentators porters,” Shehadeh told CNBC in Kamal crossing between Syria’s Deir tightened border controls. In 2014, ment on the battlefield in southern in Jordan. September. ez-Zor and Iraq’s Anbar provinces. they established the Syrian Refugee Syria has implications for refugees “This cabinet reshuffle… can be “We have a growth map and in Affairs Directorate as part of the In- in Jordan, which “would like to see said to have gone some way in re- 2018 and 2022 there are certain pro- terior Ministry. them head back to their country,” storing the faith of Jordanians that jects that we need to start filling in As violence has receded “The Jordanians essentially said Ma’ayeh. Amman, Heras said, the Razzaz government aims to and this is an opportunity to invite in parts of Syria, Jordan stopped encouraging the armed op- has been seeking guarantees from forge ahead with a national recov- investors to have a look at… invest- would like to share in the position to overthrow Assad since Russia that the situation was secure ery programme based in reform,” ments (opportunities),” he said. reconstruction process. late 2015,” said Nicholas Heras, Mid- enough for refugees to return. wrote columnist Nermeen Murad Jordan is aiming to attract busi- dle East Security fellow at the Cen- Heras said the economy was Jor- in an opinion article in the Jordan nesses by offering low tax rates. At the Jaber-Nassib crossing, Mo- tre for a New American Security in dan’s number one priority. “Syria Times. “Manufacturers can come and set hammad Hamsho, a member of a Washington. is less a concern than the threat of In an opinion piece in the same up shop,” Shehadeh said. Syrian business delegation travel- This, he said, was tied to Jordan’s internal collapse of Jordan’s socio- ling to Jordan, spoke of improve- economic problems, which were political system because of a poor ment to the economies of both exacerbated by the war in Syria. economy,” he said. countries due to the opening. The Jordan has reported rising inflation, As violence has receded in parts head of the Jordanian Chamber of low economic growth and high un- of Syria, Jordan would like to share Industry, Adnan Abu Ragheb, told employment. Earlier this year, pro- in the reconstruction process, said local media that the Syrian delega- tests erupted over price hikes and a Ma’ayeh. Before his visit to Damas- tion would talk with their Jordanian plan to increase income taxes. cus this year, Abu Ragheb said the counterparts. Jordanian business Jordan’s unemployment rate was Jordanian delegation would discuss delegations visited Damascus ear- 18.4% in the first quarter of 2018, “Jordan’s role and efforts to help in lier this year. said the World Bank, which pre- the reconstruction process of Syria, Jordan was long a staunch sup- dicted Jordan’s GDP to grow 2.4% in as Jordan can be a key player and porter of the Syrian opposition. In 2018 and 2.5% in 2019. contributor in this regard.” November 2011, Jordanian King Ab- “Jordan’s entire focus in Syria Heras said: “The Jordanians need dullah II was the first Arab leader over the last couple of years has the trade to flow into and out of to directly call on Syrian President been on improving its economy and Syria again, even with Assad still Bashar Assad to step down. Jordan securing its northern border,” said in power in Damascus, to stave off became a hub for Western efforts Heras. The reopening of the bor- the economic collapse inside of to train and arm rebels in southern der is expected to bring “economic Jordan… For Jordan, the economy Syria. Over time, however, Am- gains to the cash-strapped king- is a threat worse than [the Islamic man’s stance on Assad’s departure dom,” said Suha Ma’ayeh, a journal- State].” weakened. ist in Amman. At a crossroads. Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz speaks Jordan kept its borders open for Abu Ragheb spoke to the Jordan Manuel Langendorf is a writer during a news conference in Amman, last June. (Reuters) Syrians fleeing the war, leading to Times in April about the economic focusing on the MENA region. 10 October 21, 2018 News & Analysis Morocco Parliamentary vote reflects divisions within Morocco’s ruling coalition Saad Guerraoui Cold shoulder. A file picture shows Casablanca Moroccan Prime Minister he Islamist ruling Justice Saad Eddine and Development Party’s El Othmani failure to convince Moroc- speaking at T co’s coalition government the Moroccan parties to support its candidate for Parliament in speaker of the House of Councillors Rabat. (Reuters) reflects deep divisions among the al- lies, analysts said. Hakim Benchamach, secretary- general of the opposition Authen- ticity and Modernity Party, was re- elected House speaker, defeating Nabil Chikhi, a last-minute candi- date nominated by the Justice and Development Party (PJD), on a 63-19 vote. Benchamach said he was aware of the weight of responsibility after the House renewed confidence in him, especially with Morocco deal- ing with growing challenges and reforms that should no longer be postponed. The National Rally of Independ- ence (RNI), the Constitutional Union (UC), the Popular Movement (MP) and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), which are part of the majority government, voted for Benchamach. The PJD, Party of Progress and So- cialism, RNI, MP, UC and USFP form the current government. The vote for speaker again showed party and its allies,” said Ezzahri. since 2010 “a political project aimed to Abdelilah Benkirane?” Omrani coalition government that would the friction in the ruling coalition Othmani was quoted by the As- at harming people.” asked. bring the PJD and the RNI together. despite Moroccan Prime Minister sabah newspaper as saying recent PJD Deputy Secretary-General The PJD won the October 2017 Ezzahri said the coalition govern- Saad Eddine El Othmani’s claim that altercations between members of Slimane El Omrani answered with election but was unable to form a ment could collapse at any time, due his government “is united, moves, his party and the RNI will not bring a long statement on his Facebook coalition government. to differences between its members. thinks and acts in a collective way to down the government. He described page, expressing PJD’s indignation Negotiations between the PJD and If the government falls, there would find solutions to the citizens’ prob- them as a “marital dispute.” at the attack on his party, its princi- the RNI on forming a government be new elections. lems.” PJD Secretary-General Abde- ples and foundations. have been stalled for months since “The coalition parties are more Political analyst Hafid Ezzahri said lali Hamidine in August called on “These are serious, harmful and talks between Benkirane, a former concerned about their internal af- the election was proof that the rul- the RNI to leave the government, unacceptable positions [which] bla- prime minister from the PJD, and fairs than the files that are waiting ing coalition parties were not on the prompting the party to hit back with tantly violate the majority charter of RNI’s Aziz Akhannouch reached an to be dealt with, especially after the same wavelength. a virulent statement from RNI mem- which your party is signatory,” wrote impasse. king’s speeches that urged the gov- “The failure to present a candi- ber Rachid Talbi Alami. Omrani. “Is it a personal opinion or Moroccan King Mohammed VI ernment to do more to address the date agreed on by the coalition par- Alami, who is minister of Youth that of the party? It must be clear.” replaced Benkirane with Othmani, country’s social and economic prob- ties and the PJD’s decision to nomi- and Sport, said the victory of the “Would you have forgotten that who pulled together a coalition gov- lems,” said Ezzahri. nate a candidate from its own party RNI candidate in the M’Diq by-elec- your party had barely survived 37 ernment. without their approval only one day tion was a political message that seats but had somehow controlled Political analyst Mohammed El Saad Guerraoui is a contributor before the election prove the deep “citizens trust only the RNI.” He ac- the negotiations of the formation of Omrani told news website Hespress to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb disagreements between the ruling cused the PJD of having undertaken the government that was assigned that he ruled out there would be a issues. Viewpoint Morocco’s army service will serve interests of youth

o many, Morocco’s pro- employable citizens? First, the pro- programmes such as those of the youth service model. posed law on national gramme must have meaning and High Atlas Foundation, the Book In discussions about this con- conscription is less relevance. To have good citizens, Caravan or CorpsAfrica that can be cept, Moroccans are quick to point Jean R. AbiNader about enabling young they must be motivated beyond a extended into other areas utilising out that the needs of the military people and more about simple military salary by sharing a the developing talents of youth. should not be minimised. The protecting the country’s vision of how they can contribute School dropouts can be handled military faces a challenge in recruit- Tpower structure. to the advancement of the country. in the same way: testing for skills ing, training and retaining young Morocco has a large, well-trained Start with a well-thought-out that do not rely on literacy alone, people with critical IT skills such as army that is expensive to maintain. strategy with several streams that interviews to determine placement interpreting satellite imagery and Having thousands of young people can be managed effectively by a priorities and subsidies in the form reconnaissance to cybersecurity. rotating in and out on an annual public-partnership partnership, of military salaries or work-study These skills do not require a univer- basis may not be the most efficient including NGOs. It requires a vision grants. There may be many tal- sity education but rather a com- use of its capabilities. Some warn that is communicated effectively ented young people in the informal prehensive programme to develop that giving weapons training to to all Moroccans — young men and sector who could make important skills that youth seem to manage those not committed to a military women, marginalised teens and benefits to the country if given with greater ease than others. career may create a security risk, school dropouts, unemployed uni- training and opportunities. This is all doable, practical, especially if there are few economic versity graduates and civil society. The larger question is leader- sustainable and relevant to the prospects for those people when Assuming that participation is ship development. The first year present and future of Morocco. If they complete their year of service. mandatory, the vetting should should be spent training cadres the government is ready to fund an Youth development models in begin in secondary school or with of military and non-military staff ill-defined military experience for other countries often feature inte- 18-year-olds who have not finished participants in leadership, team young people, wouldn’t it be more gration between military service high school. Morocco has had building, metrics and evaluation, efficient and effective to take a year and the acquisition of skills that enough experience with testing human-resources management, to develop a strategy for promoting equips young people for securing trainees to determine their likely talent retention and promotion and a future of employable patriots? jobs. There is an array of choices to assets and how to develop them. administrative skills — all of which If the government is commit- satisfy the desire to inculcate val- After placement results are are essential to developing the next ted to empowering youth with ues and enable post-training em- measured, students would be en- generation of Morocco’s leaders. values and skills to become more ployment. It may be in Morocco’s couraged to choose among military Moroccan King Mohammed VI able and productive citizens, then economic, political and security in- service in select specialties, studies said: “We cannot let our educa- a comprehensive strategy for terests to recast the military service in science, technology, engineering tion system continue to produce youth development that integrates A comprehensive programme as a national service and mathematics leading to an as- unemployed people, especially in military service, national service one that promotes patriotism and sociate degree or skills training tied certain branches of study, in which and educational reform should be strategy for youth citizenship and teaches partici- to internship programmes. Other graduates — as everyone knows — a priority. development that pants to learn respect for their fel- aspects could include promoting find it extremely hard to access the It is time to seize the future for integrates military low citizens, develop marketable collaboration between urban and job market.” Morocco and its youth. skills, acquire team-building and rural constituencies, encouraging The need is far beyond well-de- service, national leadership experience that will add participation of young women and signed and -equipped programmes. Jean R. AbiNader is a long-time service and meaning to their lives, their fami- blending the talents of university The critical development of teach- participant in US-Arab affairs. Other lies and their communities. graduates with younger Moroccans. ers, trainers, managers and special- articles can be found at www. educational reform What are Morocco’s options if it Participants could be chan- ists at all levels is the key to the jeanabinader.com. Follow him on should be a priority. wants to develop patriots who are nelled into 1- or 2-year incentivised success of an integrated national Twitter: @jeanabinader. October 21, 2018 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Mauritania offers training against terror in Sahel

Lamine Ghanmi The Sahel, an area of central and western Africa between the Sahara and the Sudanese Savannah, large- Tunis ly lacks centralised authority, mak- ing it a breeding area for extremist UAE-funded military groups. academy in Mauritania The African military officers are has begun training senior to work through the framework of A officers of a five-nation Af- the G5 Sahel, which has been led by rican military force to fight terror- Mauritania’s deputy chief-of-staff ism in the Sahel region. of the army, General Hanena Ould The academy is named for UAE Sidi, since July. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed The G5 force is largely funded by bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who is seen Arab states, the United States and as a leading force behind a trans- France, which have strategic in- border campaign against Islamist terests in the region. Saudi Arabia On watch. A Malian Army soldier stands guard at the entrance of the G5 Sahel headquarters in extremism. It started a 9-month pledged $100 million to the anti- Sevare, Mali, last May. (AFP) training programme for military terror body, the United Arab Emir- officers from Burkina Faso, Niger, ates $30 million and the United Chad, Mali and Mauritania on Oc- States and France a combined $68 have frequently been attacked in region, arguing that outside inter- includes more than 40 Muslim- tober 15. Those countries make up million. northern Mali, where extremist vention would not uproot jihadism majority countries jointly battling G5 Sahel, a regional task force for The focus on equipping the re- groups have gained strength. until local populations’ demands terrorism and extremism. security cooperation based in Mau- gional anti-terror force comes as Sahel G5 officially began its anti- for economic development and se- Violence by groups linked to al- ritania. states look to improve pre-emptive terror campaign in October 2017 curity were met. Qaeda and the Islamic State in the The trainees, all active officers strategies to avert terrorism, even but a jihadist attack on its head- Several African countries are part sparsely populated Sahel has risen with at least 15 years of military in remote regions. Sahel G5 has quarters in Sevare, Mali, last June of the Saudi-led Islamic Military in recent years, with armed fac- service, are to be trained to lead been slow in carrying out its mis- demonstrated the need for extra Counterterrorism Alliance, which tions exploiting the security vacu- operations against Islamist insur- sion due to funding delays and manpower and planning. um in southern Libya and northern gents in desert areas. a lack of coordination between Algeria, the main Arab military Mali to carry out attacks as far as While Salafi-jihadist groups have members. power bordering the Sahel, dis- While Salafi-jihadist groups Lake Chad and the area where the not won insurgencies or held ter- The region has relied on the missed French calls to participate have not held territory in borders of Burkina Faso, Niger and ritory in the Sahel like the Islamic presence of 4,000 French troops in the group. Algiers, which pro- the Sahel like the Islamic Mali meet. State did in Libya, Syria and Iraq, deployed there since 2013 and UN vides aid and support to Mali, Niger State did in Libya, Syria and they have maintained a presence in peacekeepers to keep the terror and other Sahel countries, urged Iraq, they have maintained a Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly the region. threat at bay. UN peacekeepers foreign military forces to leave the presence in the region. correspondent in Tunis. Algeria detains top generals, power struggle intensifies

Lamine Ghanmi leader on defence. He aims to “Each one of the forces inside “make Algeria’s military one of the the ruling system is trying to Tunis 20 strongest military powers in the weaken the other to dominate the world by 2035.” To do so, the coun- decision-making process to decide lgerian President Ab- try plans to spend $30 billion from the future direction after Boutef- delaziz Bouteflika ramped 2019-23 on defence systems and lika,” Belabbas added. up his battle against al- weaponry from the United States Soufiane Djilali, president of A leged corruption in the and Europe. It has spent $10 bil- Mouwatana, a civic movement military, detaining five top gener- lion annually on the military since trying to stop Bouteflika from se- als and a colonel on graft charges 1999. curing another term in office, said: after firing a dozen high-ranking The high-profile detentions of “The fact that such powerful top officers. military chiefs on charges of “cor- officers are detained for corrup- Politicians saw the unprec- ruption and ill-got gains” and tion is unusual and extraordinary edented crackdown as part of a “embezzlement of public funds” but it has nothing to do with the power struggle ahead of presi- shook up the country’s military fight against corruption. Boutef- dential elections next April, when establishment. lika worked to spread corruption. Bouteflika’s fourth term expires. It was the first-time high-profile Bouteflika had vowed to address military figures faced such charges corruption in the military, which since former Chief of Staff of the Bouteflika has steadily has been a powerful political force Armed Forces Mustafa Beloucif strengthened the office in Algeria since the country’s inde- was jailed on corruption charges of the presidency to curb pendence in 1962. more than two decades ago. the military’s political In September 1999, weeks be- “The detention of the five gen- influence. fore he became president, Boutef- erals and the colonel who was re- lika said at a campaign rally: “You sponsible for the military security want me to make a revolution in the western region of Oran has “What is certain is that this alone… Tell me more about army the effect of an earthquake within move is linked to the presidential generals. Tell me about the gang the military,” said security expert elections. We know that the de- of 15, 20 or perhaps 30 army gen- Salima Tlemcani. “It is the main cision about the next president erals.” debate topic within the ranks of comes from the military.” the armed forces. It causes worry Constitutional law expert Zoubi- and apprehension within the mili- da Assoul warned that the moves Despite cracking down tary at a time when the armed could weaken the military. on “corrupt” military forces are called for more mobili- “For me, the decision to detain figures, Bouteflika has sation to face security challenges these men appears to be part of a Machiavellian plan to undermine spent more than any and danger on the borders.” Outside the military, analysts the stability of the country’s last other leader on defence. said the military shake-up was rampart against chaos — the mili- reflective of infighting among ri- tary institution. I think there is Raising the stakes. Algerian republican forces stand guard in front of val ruling factions ahead of next an unhealthy atmosphere being Bouteflika has steadily strength- the Presidential Palace in Algiers. (Reuters) year’s elections. stirred up,” she said. ened the office of the presidency “The detention of the generals Hamid Ferhi, a leader of the to curb the military’s political in- echoes the fierce fighting among leftist Social Democratic Move- fluence. Algeria’s Intelligence and Security tion process, were replaced. the factions in power,” said Moh- ment, said: “The detention of the In September 2015, Bouteflika Directorate for 25 years. Bouteflika, 81, has rarely been cine Belabbas, head of the secu- generals gives the perception that sacked Algeria’s secretive intelli- This year, Bouteflika oversaw seen in public since suffering a larist opposition party Rally for the army is led by a mafia but the gence chief, Mohamed Mediene, a purge of the country’s military stroke in 2013 but his backers have Culture and Democracy. “It means reality is different. The military is in one of the country’s biggest command, firing or transferring a urged him to seek a fifth 5-year simply that the after-Bouteflika deeply organised and structured political shake-ups. Known in Al- dozen top generals in the largest term as president. He has yet to [period] is being prepared now. as a modern institution and most geria as “Rab Dzayer” (“Algeria’s military restructuring in 56 years. announce whether he will run. Even if Bouteflika decides to run of its cadres and chiefs are young God”), Mediene had been one of The heads of most military dis- Despite cracking down on “cor- for a fifth mandate, his health con- university graduates. Such a purge the world’s longest-serving intel- tricts, who exert significant influ- rupt” military figures, Bouteflika dition will not allow him to end will not change the fundamental ligence service chiefs, heading ence on the presidential nomina- has spent more than any other that term in office.” nature of the armed forces.” 12 October 21, 2018 Debate Lebanon The Lebanese government’s painful birth

meeting as well. Paris has delivered support Lebanon, in Paris last April Hezbollah hinted that foreign serious and firm messages ordering under the auspices of the French The world had parties imposing the terms of the an end to the cabinet auction and president, appeared to be a mes- more internal agreement on the composi- Mohamad Kawas to take a final stand considering a sage aimed at supporting Hariri important tion of the new Hariri government general international desire for the himself more than supporting things to do was a natural consequence of the governmental impasse in Beirut to Lebanon. than wait for settlement that led to Adel Abdul- Sponsored by Arab and regional Mahdi becoming prime minister end. Lebanon to Before the meeting, Aoun fired countries and supported by major in Iraq. So, if the deal in Iraq had a arrows that struck major decision- powers, Hariri has become a Leba- sort itself out. heavy Iranian scent hovering about eirut is expected to making capitals. His comments in nese reference. When he hinted it, so is the case in Beirut, brought finally form its new an interview with French daily Le that he might resign from the task by a surprise visit to Beirut by Iraqi government. What is Figaro contrasted with the trend of forming the next government, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. certain, however, is that in the international scene. Aoun those who did not realise it before It is clear though that Hezbollah Lebanon is subject to lauded Hezbollah and defended its finally understood that the man wants this government to see the the mood of the outside weapons, its wars and its views, was speaking out of his knowledge light. It is also in Iran’s interests to Bworld and its will. Therefore, it while Washington was relentlessly that the general mood outside have a full and legitimate govern- would be good for the Lebanese to increasing the momentum of its Lebanon was not conducive to ment in place in Beirut according become aware of their true size and sanctions against the party, its net- Lebanese vanity and the naivete of to the wishes of the International their effect on the wider interna- works and its suppliers. its political class. community. It will serve it well tional scene. When Israeli Prime Minister The world had more important when Iran goes to Paris to convince The controversies and arguments Binyamin Netanyahu took the things to do than wait for Lebanon the Europeans that it still plays that hindered the long-awaited podium at the United Nations, to sort itself out. There are major a pivotal role in determining the birth and the multidirectional waving pictures and maps of workshops going on, workshops conditions of stability in the region, knots behind them have given us Hezbollah rocket sites near Beirut that will determine the fate of the Iraq and Lebanon included. all headache after headache. First, airport, Bassil volunteered to take Middle East. One of those work- On the other hand, it seems that there was a Sunni knot in which all foreign ambassadors in Beirut on shops revolves around the future of Hezbollah, dogged by US sanctions, Hezbollah sought to stuff the cabi- an inspection tour of the sites to see Syria and it involves a competition has bent to the storm and found net with its own Sunni ministers, for themselves that they were free between Russia and the United warmth in the cover of legitimacy who, of course, would be loyal to of what Netanyahu and his generals States, with Turkey, Israel and the within a cohesive government Hezbollah and anti-Saad Hariri’s had claimed. surrounding countries poking their where friends and foes coexist Future Movement. That way, Hariri Paris moved quickly and firmly to noses in it. Washington is dead set gracefully. and his movement would have remind Beirut that the matter was on driving Iran out of Syria. So, The world order is drawing the serious competition in representing not a childish game and that the Lebanon is just a small detail on the lines in the region. Something that Lebanon’s Sunni community. scent of war in the air was real and big boys’ agendas. is being carefully crafted may have Then, a Christian knot emerged. could not withstand lighthearted Day after day, US President surprises for Damascus’s relations In it, Hezbollah seeks to increase jokes about tours that displeased Donald Trump’s administration has with countries in the region that the cabinet share of its ally Leba- the ambassadors in Lebanon. shown a dogged determination to have been waging a campaign nese President Michel Aoun and After meeting with Macron, keep maximum pressure on Iran. against it. Lebanon will not be left this on top of the share of Aoun’s Bassil seemed to have understood Brian Hook, director of policy plan- outside an international political party, the Free Patriotic Movement, what he was refusing to understand ning at the State Department, spoke process involving all the countries led by Aoun’s son-in-law Gebran before. He rushed to see Hezbollah about the United States’ determina- of the world. It is not in Lebanon’s Bassil. Secretary-General Hassan Nasral- tion to force Iran to sign a new deal interest to be unique either and So that the Lebanese Druze don’t lah. Mean tongues have said that on Tehran’s nuclear and missile stand outside the mood of the feel left out, Hezbollah ties a Druze that was why Macron had insisted programmes and its behaviour Arabs and the world. knot in which it would impose a on Bassil’s presence at the meeting. internationally. The Lebanese may restrain larger share for its other ally, Talal The meeting with Nasrallah lasted As Hook waves the deal in the their government’s release as long Arslan, who is a favourite of the three hours. Then, word came that sense that it would be possible to as possible but, when the light regime in Syria. the bond on Hariri’s government let the mullahs’ regime survive, the turns red, they will graciously and From inside, all these orders were had been lifted. US Treasury Department is shaking tenderly facilitate the birth of their submitted by the retail clients but This was a triumph for Hariri, the pillars of the Tehran regime by next government and prepare to it was known that the wholesaler the prime minister-designate. imposing sanctions on the financial listen carefully to what distant behind them was Hezbollah. The international community is network supporting it and its strik- capitals whisper. French President Emmanuel backing Lebanon and backing him ing tool, the Basij forces. Therefore, Macron met with Aoun in Armenia personally. It seems that the CEDRE Lebanon will not be allowed to sing Mohamad Kawas is a Lebanese and insisted that Bassil attend the conference of donor countries to a different tune. writer. Political greed could doom Lebanon

it called “protecting and preserving interest is shifted in favour of the cally plundered by the parties in the weapons of resistance until the narrow and private interests of par- power, nobody flinches and when establishment of a just and powerful ticular parties in the conflict, quite party loyalty replaces abiding by the Ali al-Amin state,” to quote Hezbollah officials. visible in the squabbles over shares law as the fundamental condition That argument had been repeated in the new cabinet or in the unjusti- for citizenship, it is no wonder then over and over again even though fied recruitments in the public sec- that the state becomes dysfunc- everybody knew that there was no tor. The competition shifted to the tional, violated and powerless. chance for a fair and strong state to basest level of who can fill the most If some in Lebanon naively be- rise as long as there existed inside public sector posts. lieved at some point that it was still veryone concerned with the country illegitimate armed mi- Tens of thousands of inept, un- possible to build a state, despite the power in Lebanon is litias along with a legitimate army. productive and corrupt employees absence of the basic foundations scrambling to reserve a You can’t have a mini-state within are driving the public sector to its for building any such a state, they seat in the new cabinet the state. expected demise. must have now realised that they and yet this new govern- Today, Hariri is neither demand- Not only that but, by removing were totally wrong and that their ment has still not taken ing the dismantling of Hezbollah’s issues of national interest from po- optimism would contribute only to Eoff. militias nor is Samir Geagea, head litical life, political forces shift their the destruction of whatever is left The process of forming the gov- of the executive branch of the Leba- efforts to fighting over deals in the of the Lebanese state. ernment is subjected to pressures nese Forces party, demanding the electricity or oil sectors and even in A state cannot exist in a world from various political forces in withdrawal of Hezbollah from Syria waste management. of binary realities. There can’t be a Lebanon demanding their share in or the implementation of interna- Even the Lebanese University, state and a mini-state. There can’t the new cabinet. For five months, tional resolutions on this matter. a public institution, has been sub- be a legitimate army and illegiti- we have heard optimistic state- Yet, these concessions about ques- jected to abuse that has negatively mate militias. Citizens can’t be loyal ments about reaching a satisfactory tions of sovereignty on the part of affected academic standards. From to their country and loyal to a for- consensus soon but the government the so-called March 14 forces were a university controlled to a large eign power. When the authorities of locomotive has not left the station. not enough to facilitate formation extent by an academic authority, it a country allow a political force that No deadline has been given either of a new government. has been transformed into a sphere places its loyalty to a foreign power for announcing the composition of Everyone knows that the “set- of power-sharing between the par- above its sense of belonging and the cabinet or for dismissing the ap- tlement” that had installed Michel ties in power. Appointments at the loyalty to its own country (as is the pointed prime minister, Saad Hariri. Aoun as president two years ago university are based on political case with Hezbollah in Lebanon) The political row in Lebanon is stipulated the placing aside of con- quotas rather than academic quali- to share power, that country is far from connected to the issues troversial issues that had a regional fications. Rather than representing doomed, which is the case of Leba- and slogans raised by the March 14 dimension, namely, Hezbollah’s the national interest, the university non today. alliance (which have faded away, by weapons and its participation in the has become, like everything else in Without a return to the basic the way), issues centred on sover- Syrian war. It was done on the basis Lebanon, subject to a turf war be- principles of the state and the eignty, independence and placing that the profound disagreements tween political and sectarian forces responsibilities derived from be- Hezbollah’s weapons under the about these issues were causing the in the country. longing to a homeland, and without authority of the state. faltering of the state services and These scandals are just the tip of reintroducing the conditions of They are not connected, either, to hurting citizens. the iceberg of the corruption plagu- sovereignty, independence and the slogans and positions taken by However, despite the neutralisa- ing political life in Lebanon. unity of the people to political life, the March 8 alliance and which Hez- tion of these sovereignty issues, In Lebanese politics, all stand- the failure in Lebanon will not re- bollah effectively reduced to what the situation remained the same, in ards and moral values have been main limited to just the inability to terms of the inability to form a gov- overturned. State authority has form a government but will spread ernment and even in terms of the been marginalised and the three to politics and society in addition to The authorities, before the ability to ensure a minimum level of branches of government acknowl- finances and economy. citizens, know that conduct of public affairs. edge it and accept it. When people The authorities, before the citi- When political issues of national demand that the task of protecting zens, know that Lebanon’s financial Lebanon’s financial and interest are marginalised mali- the country and the state should be and economic collapse is imminent economic collapse is ciously and by design, as it has hap- the exclusive duty of the national if nothing is done about the politi- pened in Lebanon with the Aoun armed forces, they are accused of cal situation. imminent if nothing is done presidency, political life becomes treason. about the political situation. fundamentally flawed. The national When public funds are systemati- Ali al-Amin is a Lebanese writer. October 21, 2018 13 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Gaza tensions spark fears of renewed Hamas-Israel war

The Arab Weekly staff she was “alarmed by the continued violence, perpetrated by actors on both sides, at the Gaza border with London Israel.” “As prosecutor seized of the situ- scalating tensions in the ation in [the Palestinian territories], Gaza Strip are threatening I therefore feel compelled to remind to develop into a full-blown all parties that the situation remains E conflict between Israel and under preliminary examination by the Palestinian movement Hamas. my office,” she said. “I continue to Israeli warplanes pounded 20 tar- keep a close eye on the develop- gets in Gaza on October 17 after two ments on the ground and will not rockets were fired from the Pales- hesitate to take any appropriate ac- tinian territory, supposedly by mili- tion.” tants not affiliated with Hamas. Is- The European Union said Pales- rael also closed both its two border tinian rocket attacks targeting civil- crossings with Gaza in reprisal. ians were “unacceptable.” Hamas disavowed the rocket fire “The rocket and mortar fire by and stressed that the movement re- Palestinian militants from Gaza to- jected “all irresponsible attempts” wards Israel must stop immediate- to undermine Egyptian efforts to ly,” the European Commission said broker a long-term truce with Israel. in a statement. “Indiscriminate at- However, Israel said it held Hamas tacks against civilians are complete- responsible for any rocket fire from ly unacceptable. The first priority Gaza. now is for de-escalation.” Israeli military spokesman Jona- A Palestinian source told Reuters than Conricus said areas targeted by that Egyptian officials in Gaza have the Israeli included a tunnel and an been in touch with Israel to avoid “advanced weapons manufacturing further escalation. site.” One Palestinian was killed and The 11-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade on Gaza has resulted in a three others were wounded in the In the crosshairs. A Palestinian man walks on debris following an Israeli air strike around the “catastrophic” humanitarian situ- strike, said Gaza’s Health Ministry. southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on October 17. (AFP) ation, the United Nations said. The latest escalation comes nearly six The escalated Israeli months after Palestinians began Lieberman told a security cabinet ful blows” against Hamas if the pro- price than we’re currently paying rhetoric may be for weekly protests along the Gaza meeting that it must order a mili- tests don’t stop. “If it has any sense, for the clashes on the border,” wrote electioneering purposes and border. More than 200 Palestinians tary attack against Hamas “even at Hamas will cease its fire and violent Ron Ben Yishai in an opinion article could have have been killed by Israeli fire since a price of moving to a wide-scale outbursts — now,” said Netanyahu. at Ynetnews.com. counterproductive results. March 30. confrontation.” Some observers warned that the “It is important that the cabi- Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor “We have exhausted all of the escalated Israeli rhetoric may be for net ministers, especially Netan- The rocket fire and air strikes drew Lieberman said the Gaza protests options and all of the possibilities. electioneering purposes and could yahu and Lieberman, cease issuing renewed international concerns. cannot be allowed to continue. Now is the time to make decisions,” have counterproductive results. threatening pronouncements in UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov said “We are not prepared to accept the he said. “The problem is that this pre- order to please their electoral base the rocket attack was a “dangerous level of violence we see week after Lieberman suspended diesel elections belligerent rhetoric, which and focus on an ongoing practical escalation” but pledged work with week,” he said. “My opinion is very shipments to Gaza after clashes be- is all too common in the Israeli po- dialogue with senior officers of the all sides to avoid a confrontation clear. We must land a strong blow tween Palestinian protesters and Is- litical arena nowadays, there’s a General Staff and the Shin Bet secu- between Hamas and Israel. against Hamas. That’s the only way raeli forces at the border area. dynamic that could lead us to an rity service to ensure the country is International Criminal Court to lower the level of violence to zero Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin unnecessary escalation that would prepared for a change in the situa- Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said or close to zero.” Netanyahu threatened “very pain- extract a much heavier, bloodier tion.”

Viewpoint Palestinians need to reassess Gaza marches

mong the shortcom- martyred or injured? marches, despite knowing that the and their armies. Their extremist ings of the modus On the other side of the Palestin- following day — a Friday — death politicians flaunted the exploits operandi of various ian divide, approaches and strate- was awaiting those marching near of Israel’s founding fathers and Adli Sadeq Palestinian move- gies for dealing with Gaza were not the border of the Gaza Strip. jumped on their bandwagon. ments and factions subjected to any assessment in the Abbas did not bother to give an This hullaballoo changed the and their leaders is inner circle of Palestinian Authority opinion and was not willing to narrative of the peaceful popu- theirA intense sensitivity to cri- President Mahmoud Abbas. That is outline his vision or offer advice, lar demonstrations that posed tiques scrutinising and evaluat- not just because the man listens to as if he had any to offer, or perhaps no threat to Israel. Deliberations ing their performance. For them, no one but himself but also because show a little effort by explaining his opened and so-called appeasement self-assessment only means retreat he is disconnected from the reality take on the anger boiling in Gaza. negotiations started. The goings and retreat is what the Palestinian of Palestinian society. What he did was the exact oppo- and comings of senior officials in leadership will always insist on Regarding the return marches site: He jumped on the opportunity the region stirred rumours and avoiding and denying. in the Gaza Strip, which began on to settle his scores with Hamas and predictions about the “Deal of the If they do backtrack and reas- March 30, no one thought of as- dealt with it in imperious language. Century” and the situation has sess their actions, however, they sessing the results of marches so May 14, 2018, was a bloody day been snowballing into an ava- would never admit that a sense of far on 26 Fridays. It was obvious in Gaza. Sixty people were killed lanche ever since. responsibility required a change in the latest marches had a drasti- and about 2,500 wounded at What was going on the Palestin- their strategies. cally different effect than the initial the hands of the Israeli military. ian side, of course, was a continua- Would it be shameful to engage ones. Most of the victims were young. tion of the same old game of vanity in a national discussion to review Following the march on March Touched by the brutality of those and stubbornness. From time to the strategy of the Friday marches 30, Abbas declared a national events, the international com- time, a leader of one of the factions called for by Hamas and which mourning period but in a speech munity expressed solidarity with would appear — just for a little end every time with a list of those September 27 he did not broach the the Palestinian people. Narratives while — at a predetermined spot recounting the origins and out- near the border with Israel. They comes of the Palestinian historical are doing that, however, to fend off struggle were recalled and, most rumours they were staying away important, the brutal and racist from the front lines to protect Israeli practices against Palestinian themselves and their children. civilians were exposed. Amid this, the Israelis seemed Hamas and company had not ever more willing to shoot to kill. only pushed for the marches on They branded the marches as ag- that painful day, they tried to gressive and offensive. The only exploit the popular momentum to answer to them is F35s. mobilise rallies during Fridays and Still, the marches’ organisers further developed the marches and did not consider reassessing the escalated them as much as possible strategy or adjusting the perfor- short of using weapons. mance of the protesters to further The Israelis immediately sound- incriminate and expose the Israeli ed the war drums. They advocated occupier. an offensive approach and readied It seems that the aim behind their Iron Dome missile defence each Friday march has become to show that jihad would go on until the Day of Resurrection. Initially, objecting to the March 30 and May 14 marches was with- What was going on out merit but continuing with the the Palestinian subsequent rallies has polarised side, of course, opinions at a time the Palestinian cause, having suffered countless was a continuation losses, can do with less divisions of the same old and funerals. Different effect. A protester uses a slingshot to hurl stones while others throw stones near the fence of the game of vanity and Adli Sadeq is a Palestinian writer Gaza Strip border with Israel, on October 12. (AP) stubbornness. and political analyst. 14 October 21, 2018 News & Analysis Turkey Interview Union leader describes Istanbul construction site as ‘slave camp’

Justice and Development Party’s company and he delivered the ever-growing series of megapro- demands of workers. He made jects. He spoke amid reports in statements and interviews to Stephen Starr the Turkish media of a possible convey the workers’ messages. delay in the airport project until “To solve the dispute, the the end of the year. company and the government London TAW: “Can you describe the must consult with the workers working conditions at Istanbul’s but they arrested the workers’ head of the new airport?” spokespeople. They don’t want scheduled Demir: “It is a slave camp. our voice to be heard. We have October 29 They are rushing to finish before started a solidarity campaign for opening of Republic Day (October 29) but prisoners. We must take care of Istanbul’s new everybody knows it is impos- their families first. Ozgur and his airport, hundreds sible. Many of the workers are wife will have their second child of workers have from south-eastern Turkey or in the coming weeks. beenA detained at the construc- are expats from Nepal, Afghani- “We started an online petition tion site. Work-related accidents stan, Egypt and Uzbekistan. (for the release of Karabulut and and poor safety regulations led These expats and migrants are for occupational security at the to dozens of employee deaths staying in camps that are ter- airport construction site). In the since 2015. Turkey’s Ministry of rible, dirty and unhealthy. Too first day of the campaign, 5,000 Labour and Social Security many people are forced to share trade unionists worldwide sent conceded in February that 27 the same room, which are full letters to the Turkish minister workers had died at the site. of bedbugs. Now, in autumn, for labour, asking for Ozgur’s With more than 30,000 it’s been raining and they are freedom.” workers operating in squalid flooded. TAW: “Why is the government conditions and the rush to finish “There are hundreds of sub- dealing with workers in this the airport in time for Turkey’s contractor companies, which are way?” Republic Day, massive demon- not paying the workers’ salaries Demir: “Turkey is on the strations broke out last month. on time. Sometimes salaries are way to becoming the China of On October 4, Ozgur Karabu- delayed up to six months. Europe. Turkey is using cheap lut, president of DISK/Dev “Occupational health and labour as an advantage and the Speaking up. General-Secretary of DISK/Dev Yapi-Is Nihat Demir. Yapi-Is (the Progressive Union of safety standards are inadequate. government is promoting the (Courtesy of Nihat Demir) Construction Workers) was de- There are almost no inspections. construction sector — big bridg- tained. Karabulut was fired from Due to the lack of these meas- es, water dams, major highways health and safety structures. and most of the services across a his job at the airport this year. ures, at least 37 workers were and airports — without consider- “Meanwhile, the freedom of variety of sectors are outsourced After being detained, he was killed. Hundreds of workers ing if it is legal or necessary. All association and fundamental to second companies, meaning arrested on charges of “resisting have been injured, some seri- these workers are working on big trade union rights are under we don’t have permanent jobs. the fulfilment of duty,” “damag- ously. This work site needs to be projects for long hours with low attack. Workers cannot organise Salaries are low and the official ing public property” and other sealed closed.” salaries, with poor occupational and demand their rights. Labour minimum wage is 1,600 Turkish alleged violations. TAW: “Ozgur Karabulut was disputes are faced with violence lira ($275 a month), which is far DISK/Dev Yapi-Is, which arrested on October 4. Why was such as at the airport. below the poverty line. Turkey represents more than 300,000 he detained and what is your “We are not slaves. We are is a hell for workers but a heaven workers in Turkey and is one response to this?” “Turkey is a hell for workers asking for decent work.” for investors.” of the country’s largest trade Demir: “The prosecutor claims workers but a heaven TAW: “What is the biggest unions, is campaigning for he broke laws such as the ‘right problem workers in Turkey face Stephen Starr is the author of Karabulut’s release. The union’s to work,’ the ‘law on demonstra- for investors.” today?” “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to general-secretary, Nihat Demir, tions’ and that he ’damaged Demir: “Uncertainty about the Uprising” and has lived in a 27-year-old construction public property’ and ’resisted General-Secretary their future is the main problem; Syria and Turkey since 2007. The surveyor, told The Arab Weekly officers.’ These are official accu- of DISK/Dev Yapi-Is most workers do not have access interview with Demir was lightly (TAW) about the pressures on sations but are totally nonsense. to social security. Half of the edited and condensed for clarity those implementing the ruling He joined meetings with the Nihat Demir labour market is not registered and space. Viewpoint After the airport come concerns over Kanal Istanbul

he Turkish economy’s the only project facing difficul- investigative journalism, Turkish Will Kanal Istanbul be built? rapid decline since late ties. An even bigger one, dubbed reporter Dicle Basturk outlined The problem is the lack of last year seems to have “ecocide” for its environmental the effects Kanal Istanbul would meaningful opposition to Erdog- Yavuz Baydar given environmental- implications, may be called into have on the lives of 310 million an’s administration. The govern- ists breathing room. question. Kanal Istanbul — a mas- people in the region. ment’s obsession with growth One of the two giant sive shipping route 45km long, 25 He quoted experts saying that by construction is a reminder of Tconstruction projects proudly ini- metres deep and 1km wide — is to the waterway would be a second how it is like the Soviets, whose tiated by Turkish President Recep connect the Black Sea and the Sea channel (to the Bosporus), would destruction of the Aral Lake basin Tayyip Erdogan is slowing down. of Marmara. Erdogan has called affect the 7,000-year-old Black is fresh in memory. Istanbul’s huge new airport, on it his “crazy project” and it is Sea and alter oxygen levels in the The most recent example of the shores of the Black Sea, was ambitious because nearly 43,000 Sea of Marmara and the Aegean environmental policy becoming to be inaugurated October 29. The vessels crossed the Bosporus in Sea. the focus of dissent was in 2013 ceremony, meant to coincide with 2017, making it one of the busiest The Turkish straits, including when young people in Istanbul Turkey’s Republic Day celebra- maritime passages in the world. the Dardanelles, the Bosporus protested the bulldozing of trees tions, would have marked the There will also be a new high- and the Marmara, are unique. in Gezi Park to make way for a completion of an expensive, pres- way along Turkey’s Black Sea They connect the Mediterranean shopping mall. They were forced tigious and controversial project. coast, cutting through precious and Aegean seas to the Black Sea into submission. The airport, which cost approxi- forests, but, as Erdogan hopes, states of Russia, Ukraine, Bulgar- Today’s civil society groups are mately $14 billion, is to facilitate providing commercial connectiv- ia, Romania and Georgia. more insignificant by far. They 150 million passengers a year. ity. The waterway and highway Neither Russia nor Ukraine issue infrequent statements to Workers, who have been protest- are expected to cost $25 billion. has officially commented on the protest decisions that affect the ing inhuman conditions at the job The economic turbulence has project but Basturk reported that environment but those barely find site, say there has been enormous somewhat hushed official talk Romania and Bulgaria raised a place in the pro-government pressure to complete construction about the canal but environmen- concerns and demanded regional media. With Turkey having adopt- by month’s end. talists remain vigilant. They are consultation. This is because Tur- ed a super-president system of Though authorities insist raising concerns about unforeseen key would be challenging interna- governance, parliament operates the ceremony will take place consequences of the project. tional treaties if it goes it alone. as a rubber stamp and the judici- as planned, it will be claptrap. What will be the effects of de- Regional actors, especially lit- ary is in a state of paralysis. With Turkey having The deadline will not be met. forestation? toral Caspian nations, may have No wonder many ecologists say The General Directorate of State How will migratory bird routes something to say because geo- they are pinning their hopes on a adopted a super- Airports said the transfer of be affected? politics and the valuable oil and force majeure, which is to say the president system of operations from Istanbul Ataturk What happens to the ecosystem natural gas reserves in the coun- declining economy. The recent governance, Airport will start December 30 or of the two seas? tries near the Caspian Sea have postponement of public tenders 31 at the earliest. The measure Ecologists say they were not transformed the Turkish straits for Kanal Istanbul was music to parliament operates is meant to avoid flight chaos, consulted about the wisdom of into a strategic hub. their ears. as a rubber stamp and apparently. Ataturk Airport cur- such a project. Another potential challenger of rently takes the bulk of air traffic Increasing concern is being the project will be Greece, which Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish the judiciary is in a in Istanbul. expressed by Turkey’s neigh- is measuring sulphur levels from journalist and regular columnist state of paralysis. Istanbul’s new airport is not bours. In an impressive piece of the Marmara Sea to the Aegean. for The Arab Weekly. October 21, 2018 15 Debate Iran The Iranian paradox is unravelling

Iran is involved across the globe in supporting terrorist activities when it is not directly running cov- Claude Salhani ert operations. The thwarted bomb attack in which Iranian intelligence agents were implicated and that targeted the People’s Mujahideen of Iran in France gives an idea of just how Iran is not intimidated by ran’s ruling mullahs are international boundaries or law. gradually waking up to the Finally, there is the question of sad reality that poverty exists Iran’s quest for nuclear armament, in their country. It is there, it which has directly contributed is real and it is hurting tens to the issue of poverty because of of thousands — and large international sanctions imposed on Inumbers of poor people represent Tehran for its lack of transparency a potential source of social and in its nuclear programme. political unrest. In the past, social welfare in Iran

T he rulers should know some- was left to informal groups based thing about that given that they around the bazaar and mosques or dipped into the poverty class when fallen to large-scale government- they began their revolution. It is controlled organisations. While easy to manipulate desolate and the government is falling short of hungry people to whom a promise responding adequately to the crisis, of a better tomorrow will motivate privately run charities are emerg- many, especially when they have Bitter reality. A woman walks past a beggar in Tehran. (AFP) ing. The bad news is that these nothing to lose. charities can only reach a small In a country such as Iran, which regional and international political tary operations. number of those in need. is rich thanks to its vast amounts of and military affairs. Iran has got Iran has been directly involved As can be expected, official data petrochemical natural resources, itself involved in the region’s tu- in neighbouring Iraq since the US on poverty in Iran are hard to pin the government should be capa- multuous politics. War is expensive invasion in 2003, trying to coun- down. The Ministry of Labour ble of putting in place social and and Iran has been part of more than terbalance US hegemony. If that estimates that approximately economic programmes designed to one conflict in the Middle East. economic drain on the country’s re- 800,000 households were eligible help the poor and to offer a safety The country’s rulers are wasting sources was not enough, Iran opts for government support because net to those affected by the difficult millions upon millions to prove, to get directly involved militarily they earned below the poverty line economic moments that many primarily to themselves, that they in Syria’s civil war, siding with the of around $160 a month, a Financial Iranians face. are fit to play with the big boys in country’s dictator, Bashar Assad. Tribune report stated last January. Why is Iran in such a tight spot international affairs. Thousands of fighters were dis- The article cited economist Hossein financially? As the Iranian government tries patched to fight on several fronts. Raghfar saying some 12 million Amid explanations as to why Iran to deal with the manifestations Additionally, Iran sponsors Iranians lived in absolute poverty, finds itself in such an undesirable of dire poverty, it commits itself Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia, which in a country with a population of economic dilemma ultimately it further, it engages deeper in the it arms, trains and finances. Iran about 80 million. boils down to Iran’s involvement in development of military means called on its proxy militia to partici- Iranian President Hassan Rohani to enforce its ambitions in Syria, pate in the war in Syria. Hezbollah has introduced welfare cuts and Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen, helped turn the tide of the war other austerity measures since first Ruling mullahs are wasting even getting involved in support- when Assad’s forces were on the being elected in 2013 but, unless millions upon millions to ing terrorist activities in Europe brink of collapse. Iran changes its tune of support- and the region through a policy of In Yemen, the Iranians are arm- ing nefarious policies, the leaders prove, primarily to themselves, intimidation. ing and supporting the Shia-backed of Iran’s theocracy will continue to that they are fit to play with the Maybe it is time for Tehran to fo- militia fighting Saudi-backed whistle in the wind. cus its energies on fighting poverty forces. In the occupied Palestinian big boys in international at home instead of squandering territories, particularly in Gaza, the Claude Salhani is a regular affairs. millions of dollars on foreign mili- Iranians have been very active. columnist for The Arab Weekly. Generational change within IRGC adds to tensions

mad chief of the IRGC’s Khatam Anbia’s new head, never wears a the difficult coexistence between al-Anbia Construction Base, a con- military uniform. His military rank Rohani’s government and the glomerate that employs more than is not known and he is addressed IRGC. Ali Alfoneh 135,000 people and is Iran’s largest as “Dr Mohammad.” He has a In his inaugural speech, Moham- contracting company. doctorate in civil engineering from mad expressed Khatam al-Anbia’s Originally, Khatam al-Anbia was Tarbiat-e Modarres University in commitment to serve. He said: the IRGC Corps of Engineering. It Tehran and is a faculty member at “The Khatam base has always was tasked with building trenches the Imam Hussein War University, been alongside the government. and fortifications during the war which is affiliated with the IRGC. Now that the unjust sanctions of new generation of with Iraq. After the war ended in Previously, Mohammad served the enemies against the regime officers is on the rise 1988, then IRGC chief commander as executive director at several have intensified, we are more within the ranks of Mohsen Rezaei reorganised the subsidiaries of Khatam al-Anbia, determined than ever to serve the the Islamic Revolu- corps. It was supposed to engage in including the Sepasad Group, people alongside the government.” tionary Guard Corps the post-war reconstruction of Iran which is engaged in building dams He asked for the “assistance of (IRGC). It is a genera- and simultaneously provide jobs and water infrastructure, and the statesmen so the plight of the peo- tionA that was neither active in the for the hundreds of thousands of Iranian Atlas Group, which has ple improves, and Khatam al-Anbia revolution of 1979 and establish- soldiers returning from the front. built huge shopping malls in the finishes 40 vital and most impor- ment of the Islamic Republic nor In the first few decades after the country. tant projects at the 40th anniver- fought in the 8-year-long war with end of the war, several military Khatam al-Anbia has always had sary of the revolution.” In other Iraq from 1980. Those experiences commanders who were well known an uneasy relationship with Presi- words, Mohammad demanded shaped the ideological worldview from their service during the dent Hassan Rohani’s government. more money from Iran’s impover- of the current leadership but the conflict took charge of Khatam al- Rohani perceives the IRGC and its ished government to advance the new generation appears more tech- Anbia. These include Mohammad economic and contracting arms IRGC’s economic interests. nocratic in its view of the world. Vafaei, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, as formidable obstacles to private That the interests of the govern- Indeed, the IRGC’s new genera- Hassan Danaeifard, Abd al-Reza sector growth. However, he lacks ment and the IRGC conflict is not tion received a technical educa- Abed, Rostam Qassemi, Abol- the power to do much about the new and it’s not likely to prove a tion at some of the better Iranian Qassem Mozaffari and Ebadollah flow of cash to the IRGC’s economic challenge to Mohammad, Khatam universities. It has most of the Abdollahi. empire. A change of leadership at al-Anbia’s new chief, but Moham- managerial skills needed for the But Mohammad, Khatam al- Khatam al-Anbia is unlikely to alter mad himself and the new manage- IRGC’s growing list of non-military rial generation he represents is a enterprises. That technocratic different quantity. worldview, however, clashes with This new generation may find it- the ideological foundations of the self at odds with the more ideologi- revolutionary state. It is those foun- cally minded one that went before. dations that legitimise the IRGC’s Would Mohammad, for example, power grab. The changing perspec- advocate reconciliation with the tive within the IRGC risks creating United States to remove the reim- considerable tensions within the posed American sanctions against regime. A generation Khatam al-Anbia? How would such Saeed Mohammad, 50, personi- breeds another. a line be perceived by the older fies the promise and perils of the New IRGC-KACB generation? After all, the older generational change within the chief Saeed generation is not only ideologically IRGC. On October 2, Major-General Mohammad (L), more committed but also habitu- Mohammad-Ali Jafari, IRGC chief outgoing ally uses ideology to control Iran’s commander, appointed Moham- IRGC-KACB economy. chief Brigadier- Time will tell if the span of a Time will tell if the span of a General Ebadollah single generation is enough for an Abdollahi (C) and organisation such as the IRGC to single generation is enough IRGC commander shed most of its ideological fervour. for an organisation such as Major-General Mohammad Ali Ali Alfoneh is a visiting scholar at the IRGC to shed most of its Jafari. the Arab Gulf States Institute in ideological fervour. (Tasnim) Washington. 16 October 21, 2018 News & Analysis East West

Viewpoint Trump’s antiterrorism strategy describes ‘a nation at war’

rorism or by nativist sentiments among Trump’s political base is subject to debate. Mark Habeeb The strategy document adds that, while the administration’s policy is based on America First, e remain a nation this “does not mean America at war” declares alone: We will broaden our range “ the opening line in of partners to combat radical Wthe Trump admin- Islamist terrorism, Iran-sponsored istration’s National Strategy on terrorism and other forms of Counterterrorism, adding that violent extremism; encourage ca- “while we have succeeded in dis- pable partners to play a larger role rupting large-scale attacks in the in counterterrorism efforts; and homeland since 2001, we have not assist other partners so that they sufficiently mitigated the overall can eventually address terrorist threat that terrorists pose.” threats independently.” The 34-page document — re- Little detail is offered about leased by the White House but what this “broadening” of anti- presumably incorporating input terror cooperation will entail Tougher stance. US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein speaks during a news conference on from the State and Defence de- (perhaps because much of that efforts to reduce transnational crime at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, on partments and various national information is classified) and October 15. (AFP) security and intelligence agencies there is no acknowledgement that — is designed to inform and reas- antiterrorism efforts by the ad- sure the public. ministrations of Presidents George The document said the greatest W. Bush and Barack Obama were terrorism threats to the United based on extensive international Washington designates States emanate from “radical collaboration. Islamist terrorist groups that The White House document seek to conduct attacks globally, claims, however, that the Trump violate our borders and radicalise administration’s antiterrorism and recruit potential extremists strategy differs from previous Hezbollah as ‘top within the United States” and the administrations’ “in that it adopts government of Iran, “the most a more agile and expansive ap- prominent state sponsor of terror- proach that addresses the full ism, through its global network of spectrum of terrorist threats operatives and its ongoing support to the United States, including organised crime threat’ to an array of terrorist groups.” our enemies overseas and the The strategy document focuses people they seek to influence and Thomas Frank ognising Hezbollah’s global crimi- and crack down on Hezbollah as- in particular on the Islamic State mobilise to violence in the United nal enterprises as a core element sociates allegedly involved in drug (ISIS), which it said “remains States.” of the terror group’s activities and trafficking and related crimes, the foremost radical Islamist The avowedly new strategy Washington a threat to US national security,” such as money laundering. “The terrorist group and the primary “prioritises a broader range of Emanuele Ottolenghi, an expert investigation and prosecution of transnational terrorist threat to non-military capabilities, such he Trump administration on Hezbollah, wrote in a column terrorist organisations that con- the United States, despite ongoing as our ability to prevent and has classified Hezbollah as in the Hill newspaper. tribute to the growing drug crisis United States and coalition civil- intervene in terrorist recruitment, an international criminal “US strategy to disrupt Hezbol- are a priority for this administra- ian and military efforts that have minimise the appeal of terrorist T organisation, an unprec- lah’s financial flows will now rely tion,” Assistant Attorney General diminished the group’s footprint propaganda online and build soci- edented move that puts the Leba- not just on sanctions but also on John Cronan said. in Iraq and Syria” and al-Quds etal resilience to terrorism.” non-based militia in the same cat- sustained investigations, indict- Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution- Again, these types of policies egory as notorious Latin American ments, arrests, extraditions and ary Guard Corps, which “has the have been undertaken for some drug cartels and gangs. convictions that the Justice De- The targeting of Hezbollah capability to target United States time. By designating Hezbollah and partment will seek through the reflects the group’s stature interests and possibly the home- Any document publicly released the four Latin American groups work of its newly minted task as a multibillion-dollar land.” by the White House under any as “top transnational organised force,” he said. international criminal administration is 1) skimpy on crime threats,” the US Justice De- The United States designated organisation. details, especially if it pertains to partment will target them with Hezbollah a foreign terrorist or- national security issues and 2) de- stepped-up investigations and ganisation in 1997 and has im- The document’s signed to enhance the president’s prosecutions, US Attorney General posed increasingly stringent sanc- Joseph Humire, a global-secu- opening line about political position. In this case, the Jeff Sessions said. tions under US President Donald rity expert specialising in inter- administration’s goal seemed to Prosecutors assigned to Hezbol- Trump, including targeting Hez- national crime, said the creation being “a nation at be to advertise the “newness” of lah were charged with investigat- bollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah of the Hezbollah team in January war” may be an antiterrorism approach that in ing “individuals and networks and Naim Qassem. along with Trump’s election has hyperbole designed to fact is a continuation of policies providing support to Hezbollah,” Before Sessions announced emboldened governments in Latin instituted and subsequently re- Sessions said. Other groups tar- steps against Hezbollah, the US America to take their own steps galvanise political fined after the attacks of Septem- geted by a new Justice Department Senate approved a measure aimed against Hezbollah. In July, Argen- support for the ber 11, 2001. task force on transnational organ- at restricting Hezbollah access to tinian authorities froze the assets Daniel Byman, senior fellow at ised crime include MS-13, a violent the international financial sys- of members of a Hezbollah-linked president. the Centre for Middle East Policy street gang based in El Salvador tem. The Hezbollah International criminal syndicate in their coun- at the Brookings Institution in linked to killings in the United Financing Prevention Act sanc- try. Weeks later, Brazilian police The threat posed by al-Qaeda Washington, pointed out that States, and the Sinaloa cartel of tioned countries and individuals arrested the syndicate’s leader, is referenced but given far less these policies have been remark- Mexico, a powerful international that give Hezbollah arms or money Assad Ahmad Barakat, on money- prominence than ISIS and Iran ably successful: “The number of drug organisation led by Joaquin or help its recruitment. laundering charges. and only a few short paragraphs Americans who have died from “El Chapo” Guzman. The bill will “build on existing “Regional governments have are devoted to the dangers posed jihadist-linked terrorism in the sanctions against Hezbollah by started cracking down on Hezbol- by domestic-based terrorist US homeland since 9/11 is only targeting its global fundraising lah’s criminal activity,” Humire groups, such as white supremacist slightly over 100… far fewer than The unprecedented move and recruiting as well as those who wrote in the Hill. and neo-Nazi groups, even though many observers warned about in puts the Lebanon-based provide it weapons,” US Repre- Hezbollah’s drug-trafficking ac- such groups have been on the the dark days after 9/11.” militia in the same category sentative Ed Royce, a Republican tivities have come to light in recent upsurge in recent years. The document’s opening line as notorious Latin American from California, said. Trump was criminal cases in Miami, a major Consistent with US President about being “a nation at war” drug cartels and gangs. expected to soon sign the bill into port of entry for illegal drugs into Donald Trump’s policies on so may be hyperbole designed to law. the United States. many issues, his administration’s galvanise political support for the The two actions reflect a more In December, Ali Issa Chamas, a counterterrorism strategy “places president. The targeting of Hezbollah re- aggressive stance against Hezbol- Paraguayan man of Lebanese de- America First and emphasises It is reassuring that the strategy flects the group’s stature as a lah under Trump. His predeces- scent with Hezbollah ties, was sen- protection of the homeland — document essentially proposes multibillion-dollar international sor, President Barack Obama, was tenced to three-and-a-half years in building strong borders, strength- staying the course — doing the criminal organisation whose mem- accused of undermining efforts by prison after pleading guilty to at- ening security at all ports of entry things that US intelligence and se- bers have helped facilitate major the US Drug Enforcement Agency tempting to import 31 kilograms into the United States, protecting curity agencies have been doing. drug sales in the United States, of- to block Hezbollah from import- of cocaine into the United States. its critical infrastructure and The biggest threat to the continua- ficials said. Hezbollah associates ing large quantities of illegal drugs Prosecutors said Chamas traf- facilitating preparedness.” tion of such policies may come have been charged recently with into the United States and Europe. ficked drugs to support Hezbollah This approach also aligns the from the administration itself. By- moving hundreds of thousands of The Obama administration de- and told authorities that he was administration’s counterterror- man warned: “Withdrawing from dollars’ worth of cocaine into the nied accusations that it derailed “a global facilitator for Lebanese ism strategy with some of its most the world and undermining NATO, United States from Latin America. investigations for policy and dip- drug traffickers.” controversial policies, including as Trump seems to want, will only The US Congress said in a re- lomatic reasons and said prosecu- Two years ago, US agents in its anti-immigrant campaign, its make this danger grow.” port on border security that Latin tions ended because of a lack of Miami arrested three Hezbollah attempts to prevent Muslims from America has “become a money evidence and cooperation from US associates suspected of launder- entering the United States and its Mark Habeeb is East-West Editor laundering and major fundraising allies. ing $500,000 in cocaine profits dramatic reduction in the number of The Arab Weekly and adjunct centre” for Hezbollah. In January, Sessions created through Miami banks. of refugees the United States will professor of Global Politics and By classifying Hezbollah as an the Hezbollah Financing and Nar- accept. Whether such policies are Security at Georgetown University international criminal group, the coterrorism Team to support the Thomas Frank is an Arab Weekly driven by real concerns over ter- in Washington. Justice Department “is clearly rec- Drug Enforcement Agency’s work correspondent in Washington. October 21, 2018 17 Debate Bavaria State Election

Bavaria vote augurs no change in migration policies

environment, their standard of living and the rising cost of health care. Francis Ghilès In a broader sense, what Bavar- ian electors confirmed is that the centre of German politics has im- ploded. The Christian Democrats have seen their national ratings avarian electors deliv- slide and face a difficult contest ered a sharp rebuke to in Hesse. The implosion of the the Christian Social Un- SPD has left the door open for the ion (CSU), conservative Greens, the far-left der Linke and sister party of German the AfD. Chancellor Angela Mer- The grand coalition in Berlin Bkel’s Christian Democratic Union followed the national elections (CDU), by handing them a victory in September 2017 when the two that looked more like a defeat. parties, which have dominated Winning just more than one- German politics for 70 years, won third of the vote, after very high 53.4% of the vote, the worst result turnout of more than 70%, the CSU for each party since the creation recorded its worst electoral result of the Federal Republic in 1949. A since 1950. There are many reasons recent ARD-Deutschland opinion for the slump. The outcome for the poll said this had fallen to a com- other parties suggests the ancient bined 41% — 26% for the CDU-CSU regime is on its way out and 15% for the SPD. A slump in the Socialist Demo- More of the same. People dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes cast their votes This fundamental shift in the cratic Party (SPD) vote confirms for regional elections at a polling station in Neukirchen in southern Germany, on German political landscape since the dire state a party that has been October 14. (AFP) the restoration of democracy after one of Germany’s leading political the second world war makes the forces since 1949 finds itself in. If the AFD fails to make spectacu- tries to outbid the xenophobic formation of coalitions at the na- It will not make its continuation lar advances then, it will confirm National Front on fear of a Muslim tional level an increasingly difficult as the junior partner in the ruling the above. German state policy will invasion of Europe, it invariably task. Merkel is in the twilight of CDU/CSU/SPD coalition govern- be steady as she goes. loses. Nor were conservative vot- her tenure as prime minister. ment in Berlin any easier. As it is, Merkel has been tougher ers happy to see the CSU leader In such circumstances, policy The right-wing, xenophobic on controls. The number of im- weaken the government in Berlin. towards the Middle East and Alternative for Germany (AfD) has migrants is down, so the pressure For all their dislike of Merkel’s immigration are more unlikely entered parliament in Munich for is off. policy, many voters have a basic to change as that region is going the first time and the spectacular Anti-immigration feelings respect for the chancellor. through a very turbulent period. rise in the Green party, which is undoubtedly played a part in the The sizeable vote for the AfD Placating Turkey to keep as many pro-immigration and pro-Euro- October 14 vote. The CSU and its (10%) was less than feared. It refugees on its own territory, pean Union, simply shows how leader Horst Seehofer, who is the offered a reminder that many restricting the entry of would-be divided Germany is. interior minister in the coalition Germans are unlikely to forgive the immigrants and attempting to What the results also suggest government in Berlin, has been chancellor for her opening of the defuse attacks against immigrant is that German attitudes towards seeking to outflank the AfD and German borders in 2015. centres — these hallmarks of recent immigrants — and more broadly picking endless quarrels on im- That said, the question remains German policy are here to stay. the Arab world — are unlikely to migration with Merkel since last of whether the AfD had reached The defeat of the CSU in Ba- change. There is one caveat here. summer. Many CSU voters who a high-water mark, especially varia and the elections in Hesse, Elections take place soon in Hesse. are worried about what they see as in western Germany. In eastern barring a strong advance of the too high levels of immigration as Germany as riots in Chemnitz last AfD, would not appear to make a Muslim threats to a very tradi- summer demonstrated, the AfD great difference to Germany’s new The sizeable vote for the AfD tional region of Germany voted for remains a potent force. tough policy on immigration and (10%) offered a reminder that the AfD rather than its copycat but Scaremongering about the ex- its traditional wariness in getting greater numbers deserted to the treme right is common as is the use too closely involved with Middle many Germans are unlikely to Greens. of Islam to frighten electors but Eastern and Turkish affairs. forgive the chancellor for her Those who switched to the AfD there have been far fewer terrorist confirm what has been observed in outrages in the European Union Francis Ghilès is an associate opening of the German borders France. When the traditional con- this year than in the recent past. fellow at the Barcelona Centre for in 2015. servative party, Les Republicains, Electors are also worried about the International Affairs. Message from Bavaria: Peak alt-right?

more than 10% of votes in Bavaria. This allows it to enter the Bavarian Rashmee parliament for the first time but the Roshan Lall AfD’s gains appeared to have been limited to its base and it did not pick up votes more broadly. Moderate voters are turned off· by centrist parties’ imitative f there’s a lesson from Ger- attempts to appeal to the far-right many’s regional election in base and may turn to more rational Bavaria, it is about foolish political options. Bavaria’s Greens, Not many choices in political fashion. who champion the environment, dividends. If a centrist party appropri- refugee rights, social justice and A voter casts ates the style of the far right, deeper European integration, her vote inside Ithe new silhouette may end up scooped up 17.5% of the vote and a ballot box looking absurd, false and opportun- became the second-largest party in at a polling istic. That’s what happened October the state. station during 14 with the Christian Social Union Some of these lessons were ap- the Bavaria (CSU) in Bavaria. It tried on a hard- parent in other European elections state election, line stance on migration, in obvious long before Bavaria. In France, Ma- on 14 October. mimicry of the far-right Alternative rine Le Pen’s far-right party lost to (Daniel Karmann) for Germany (AfD) and it wound up the more inclusive agenda offered losing voters left and right. After electorate wanted. Voters discerned Italy and Sweden, nationalism by the upstart Emmanuel Macron nearly 70 years of political domi- the CSU was trying to steal the and hostility to migrants increas- and his hastily cobbled En Marche. nance in Bavaria, the CSU lost more clothes of another political party ingly seem a vote-winning strat- In Holland, a few months before than 10 percentage points of sup- even though they didn’t fit, didn’t egy. From France, through to the the French presidential election, port compared to the 2013 election. really suit it and weren’t worn with Netherlands, big-tent traditional incumbent Prime Minister Mark The CSU remains Bavaria’s largest any particular flair or verve. Bavar- parties appear to be engaged in a Rutte’s People’s Party for Freedom party but the election results mean ian voters didn’t approve of fashion hard-fought battle for relevance. and Democracy emerged as the it is no longer able to govern on its larceny and they don’t seem to In the United Kingdom, the two strongest force in the Dutch parlia- own. Having haemorrhaged votes have liked the game of dress-up, traditional parties remain strong ment, besting his Islam-bashing to the left-liberal newly centrist either. As with haute couture, but the governing Conservatives right-wing Trumpian opponent Greens, the rightish-localist Free political fashion works best when have occasionally added right-wing with a simple message: “Geert Wil- Voters as well as to the AfD, the CSU it is real, understated and dressy, policy frills and furbelows to rejig ders is chaos.” must somehow form a coalition. without veering into costume or their look. Even so, Bavaria sends a clear This will temper its policy choices parody. And yet, it has taken Bavaria to message. Europe’s centrist politi- in government. It will be in office The CSU’s policy faux pas is understand the limits of copycat cians must eschew the temptation but not wholly in power. instructive at a time anti-migrant political fashion. to try right-wing knock-offs. Voters Clearly, that’s what the Bavarian Islamophobic is newly glam in the Here’s what the CSU’s decline in with far-right sympathies will go West. The mutton-sleeve style of Bavaria suggests: for the real thing but the majority As with haute couture, rhetoric — big and blowsy — appears Taking a hard line on immigra- remains in the centre. to be drowning out more structured tion· may not always be a winning political fashion works best political discourse. strategy. Rashmee Roshan Lall is a when it is real, understated In the United States, there is The far-right’s core support columnist for The Arab Weekly. Donald Trump, with his blood-and- will· turn out for the party that au- Her blog can be found at and dressy, without veering soil, evangelical Christian nativism. thentically champions that cause, www.rashmee.com and she is on into costume or parody. From Poland to Austria, Hungary, as was seen in the AfD winning just Twitter: @rashmeerl. 18 October 21, 2018 Economy

Egyptian province shows fish Briefs Turkey’s Tupras farming better lure than migration in talks with US for Iran Amr Emam Staying home. sanctions waiver Kafr el-Sheikh Workers check fish Turkish refiner Tupras is in talks ife is changing for Samir collected with US officials to obtain a waiver Hamdi, a former fisher- from the farm that would allow it to buy Iranian man in his early 30s from in Kafr oil after Washington reinstates the northernmost Egyptian el-Sheikh. sanctions on Tehran’s energy sec- L (Ahmed province of Kafr el-Sheikh, on the tor in November, industry sources Mediterranean. Megahid) said. A few months ago, Hamdi’s over- The United States is preparing riding desire was to leave Egypt for new sanctions on Iran’s oil indus- Europe, like thousands of others try after Washington withdrew from the province over the past few from a nuclear deal between years. He agreed to pay a human Tehran and other global powers trafficker $2,500 to get him to Italy. this year but is also considering “Whatever I earned from fishing offering waivers to some allies that was far from enough to feed my rely on Iranian supplies. wife and my son,” Hamdi said. “I NATO member Turkey depends searched for another job but I could heavily on imports to meet its en- not find one.” ergy needs and neighbouring Iran Before attempting the perilous This is all, however, ending and farmland and most of its residents ing the southern provinces and the has been one of its main sources journey across the sea, however, development is the new buzzword work in farming. It also boasts a Nile Delta region. of oil because of its proximity, the Hamdi learnt that a gigantic fish in the province. huge natural lake, Burullus, where This policy is starting to pay off. quality of its crude and favourable farm had opened in Kafr el-Sheikh The Berket Ghalioun fish farm, thousands of fishermen trawl for Tens of thousands of workers are price differentials. and it had job vacancies. He got a inaugurated last year, stretches fish. returning to their original provinc- job for $211 a month, which far ex- over thousands of hectares of land. However, the loss of farmland es, towns and villages from Cairo, (Reuters) ceeded what he earned fishing. It produces 60,000 tonnes of fish to urbanisation, the degradation Alexandria and tourist cities on the The salary and stability connect- a year and employed 8,000 people in soil quality and pollution in the Red Sea. ed with the job changed Hamdi’s during its first phase. lake caused major job losses and The fish farm was one of several life, just as the fish farm had done poverty, fuelling the illegal emigra- mega projects implemented in Kafr for thousands of others in Kafr el- tion problem. el-Sheikh. An electricity plant was Saudi Aramco Sheikh who are putting their emi- New roads and residential Nevertheless, national projects also established in the province, of- gration dreams on hold. apartments are being in the province are giving hope to fering thousands of jobs during its to invest in Kafr el-Sheikh is a relatively small constructed and the residents. The Egyptian gov- construction phase and hundreds province, along the western branch investment is flowing into ernment said there has not been a of permanent jobs. refinery project of the Nile and bordering the Medi- the province and many single case of illegal immigration in New roads and residential apart- terranean. With a population of 3 residents look to a Kafr el-Sheikh since March 2017. ments are being constructed and in eastern China million, Kafr el-Sheikh’s young peo- brighter future. “These projects are having their investment is flowing into the prov- ple often sought better opportuni- effects on people’s attitudes,” said ince and many residents, including ties in big cities. However, with job Naela Gabr, chairwoman of the gov- Hamdi, look to a brighter future. prospects in many urban areas dry- “A similar number of people will ernment-affiliated National Coor- Hamdi plans to enroll his son in State oil giant Saudi Aramco ing up, people increasingly looked be employed when the second dinating Committee for Combating a state-run school near his village signed an agreement to invest in a to Europe. and third phases of the farm are Illegal Migration. “They are giving and hopes to be promoted, which refinery-petrochemical project in With open shores to the Mediter- launched in a few years’ time,” said people hope and reversing the ille- means more income. eastern China, part of its strategy ranean, Kafr el-Sheikh also received Hamdy Badeen, the head of the na- gal immigration trend.” “Life is improving, although this to expand in downstream opera- thousands of illegal migrants from tional Fish Resources Development The Kafr el-Sheikh story is part is taking time,” Hamdi said, “but tions globally. other parts of Egypt who would Authority. “Each of these people of a national attempt to turn plac- I am sure that things will be bet- The memorandum of under- spend a day or two in the city before has a home, a family and people to es of net emigration into labour ter tomorrow, if not for me, for my standing between Saudi Aramco sailing for Europe. Some of the mi- feed.” magnets. For the first time in dec- son.” and Zhejiang province included grant boats reached the European Kafr el-Sheikh’s proximity to the ades, the Egyptian government has plans to invest in a new refinery coast but many others sank or were sea has made it a hotspot for illegal looked to promote development in Amr Emam is a Cairo-based and co-operate in crude oil sup- stopped by the Egyptian Navy. emigration. The province has fertile provinces away from Cairo, includ- contributor to The Arab Weekly. ply, storage and trading, details released by the Zhoushan govern- Viewpoint ment stated. Zhejiang Petrochemical, 51% owned by textile giant Zhejiang Rongsheng Holding Group, is Who is benefiting from Egypt’s agricultural problems? building a 400,000-barrel-per- day refinery and associated Recent Egyptian governments agricultural worker who works as a since mills could not absorb that petrochemical facilities that were failed to prepare industrial projects tuk-tuk driver, said he was self-em- quantity of cotton. This proves the expected to start operations by the Mohamed dedicated to agricultural produc- ployed and worked as he wished. absence of a government strategy end of the year. Hammed tion. Farmers, therefore, have not “I was an agricultural worker and in this domain. Saudi Aramco said it expects found it worthwhile to continue hired by people who control you Khalil stressed that the lack of an to supply 170,000 barrels per day in their profession and the new during working hours, which both- agricultural policy in Egypt led to of Saudi crude to the refinery in generations in the countryside are ered me a lot, and I used to work for a decline in the number of workers Zhoushan. The first tanker supply- he census taken at the dreaming of living in the city, as far long hours without rest,” he said. in agriculture. Agricultural workers ing the refinery should arrive in beginning of 2018 puts away as possible from rural life. Saeed Khalil, an agricultural represent 25% of the total labour December or January, depending Egypt’s population at “The Egyptian governments expert at the Agricultural Research force. During the 1960s and ‘70s, on when the project starts. 96.3 million, an increase have been marginalising the poor,” Centre in Cairo, said that Egypt that figure was 51%. of 1.5 million since the said Hassan al-Khouli, professor of suffers from a large food gap in The premier agricultural re- (Reuters) census in 2017. With so sociology at Ain Shams University strategic crops, such as wheat, rice, search institute in the region exists Tmany more mouths to feed each in Cairo. “Furthermore, the media sugar and beans but that cannot be in Cairo. Yet, Egypt did not seek to year, the country’s wheat bill is are always presenting farmers as blamed on the population explo- develop more productive and less climbing. naive people and linking farming sion alone. water-consuming crop varieties. Official estimates state that Egypt with poverty after it had been the Khalil said many factors led to Abdullah Mubasher, an agricul- needs to import $4.3 billion worth profession of landowners.” the collapse of Egyptian agricul- tural economist, said Egypt was Libya’s NOC of wheat annually and that amount He said that form of bias pushes ture and caused inadequate food facing a desertification wave due threatens to halt is liable to increase. The population peasants to flee farming as a pro- supplies and heavy reliance on food to the failure to cultivate crops, explosion is a heavy burden on the fession and sell their land so that imports for more than 30 years. particularly rice, that enhanced the refinery work state despite the country’s strategic they can buy real estate in urban One factor is the lack of a well- ecological balance of soil. plans, which observers considered areas and live off the steady income defined government agricultural He pointed out the need to allow over insecurity idealistic. that it provides. Farming continues policy since 1987. The governments young people to reclaim desert Egypt is also facing a major water to decline, along with revenues have not given enough attention lands and help them rehabilitate Libya’s National Oil Corporation shortage problem, which is pro- from the sector, in addition to the to farming land development and them for farming. They should also (NOC) warned it could suspend jected to worsen when the Grand social pressures created by migrat- rural development in general, agri- be encouraged to settle in cities production at its Zawiya refinery Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the ing to the cities. cultural technology and irrigation, built near those lands to promote due to security threats to staff Nile in Ethiopia is completed. Egyp- Article 29 of the Egyptian Con- the main axes of agricultural policy integrated communities. members and facilities. tian agriculture will be in serious stitution states: “Agriculture is an in any country. In all likelihood, these ideas “National Oil Corporation’s jeopardy unless the government essential element of the national Egypt has also lost its contractual and visions were in the minds of board of directors has alerted the addresses this problem immedi- economy… The state will also agriculture compass — encouraging the majority of the governments Petroleum Facilities Guard and ately. After all, Egypt has always endeavour to facilitate increasing farmers to cultivate strategic crops during the past decades. It is a fact, competent authorities regarding been a farming country. crop and animal production and that the government believes are however, that they have failed to the recent lack of protection and The Egyptian budget has al- encouraging their related indus- essential for the country, which turn them into realities. It is as if security at the Zawiya refinery,” located $1.4 billion to import 6.4 tries.” the government will commit to there were some powerful lobbies NOC said in a statement. million tonnes of wheat to meet the Curiously enough, perhaps the purchasing directly from the farm- that do not want Egypt to return to “Any continuation or failure to bread demands of Egyptians. The rapid spread and popularity of ers. This mechanism, used in other investing in agriculture, because address this situation, to ensure state is also spending $2.4 billion three-wheeled vehicles known as countries, guarantees direct sup- they are happy with continuing staff and site protection and a year subsidising bread prices for tuk-tuks (there are about 2 million port to farmers through the sale of to import food commodities and increase security, will affect ongo- consumers, therefore supporting of them in Egypt), has contributed fertiliser and pesticide for strategic make handsome profits in the ing operations and result in their the economies of countries such as to people leaving farming since crops at reduced prices. process. suspension.” Canada, Australia, Russia, Romania running a tuk-tuk service generates Although some 140,000 hec- and France — Egypt’s main wheat net income of about $10 a day. tares were dedicated to cotton in Mohamed Hammed is an Egyptian (Agence France-Presse) suppliers. Khaled Mahmoud, a former 2018, there have been no buyers writer. October 21, 2018 19 Economy

Political will needed to salvage Lebanon’s economy

Samar Kadi Osseiran said. Inflation, caused by the rise in oil prices, and salary scale adjust- Beirut ments for civil employees, which came at a high cost for the treasury hile reports have been without finding alternative financ- circulating about a ing, are other reasons for economic looming economic and slowdown, Osseiran said. W financial breakdown The volume of bank loans to the in Lebanon, senior bankers voiced private sector decreased from $60 confidence in the country’s ability billion in 2017 to $58 billion this to overcome the crisis and place the year, another indicator the private economy on a good track. sector is slowing down. The state of the economy was Saad Azhari, chairman of Blom exposed in a presentation by Leba- Bank and its affiliated Blominvest, non’s leading investment bank, downplayed fears of economic fail- Blominvest, which indicated that ure despite the gloomy figures. economic slowdown affecting Leb- “It is clear that the economic situ- anon since 2011 was expected to ation is not good but Lebanon is not reduce GDP growth to 1% in 2018 risking bankruptcy,” Azhari said. compared to 1.2% in 2017. “In fact, the country has all the re- “This is mainly due to the slow- sources to kick-start its economy. down in the real estate and tourism The main problem in Lebanon is sectors,” said Blominvest General bad management (of public financ- Manager Fadi Osseiran. “The two es).” sectors currently constitute the An estimated $4 billion in tax main drivers of the economy, with evasion and waste in electricity the former contributing some 15% generation that is costing the gov- of GDP and the latter’s overall con- ernment $2 billion annually are tributions reaching an estimated prominent examples of financial 18% of the GDP.” mismanagement. The government has ceased pro- “Lebanon has a lot of assets. It viding subsidised housing loans, a has properties. It owns all its pub- move that affected the real estate lic facilities and should expect big Stagnating economy. A building is offered for rent in downtown Beirut. (AP) sector while income from tourism incomes estimated at more than was decreasing. $300 billion from oil and gas. In economic growth by creating job of fuel oil. The rest is due to poor economic situation. The only way other words, the state is rich. It opportunities benefiting the whole bill collection, electricity theft and to improve the economy is by hav- The volume of bank loans to should have a capacity to improve population. All that is expected technical problems. ing a government, introducing the the private sector decreased its finances without increasing tax- from Lebanon is to introduce the Lebanon is the third most in- needed reforms and bringing in the es,” Azhari said. necessary reforms.” debted country in the world, with funding allocated in CEDRE.” from $60 billion in 2017 to He said Lebanon has a “golden Up to 40% of the CEDRE financ- a public debt estimated at 150% Lebanon has been locked in a cab- $58 billion this year, another opportunity” to bolster its econo- ing is expected to come from the of GDP ($79 billion). It ranks 143rd inet crisis since May. A dispute over indicator the private sector my thanks to the $11 billion funding private sector. Lebanon committed out of 180 countries in the 2017 shares has obstructed the forma- is slowing down. pledged last April by the interna- to introduce structural and fiscal “Corruption Perceptions” Index tion of a new government, threat- tional community at the Confer- reforms needed to put the Leba- released by Transparency Interna- ening to paralyse the country’s in- “Although the number of over- ence for Development and Reform nese economy on track to attract tional. stitutions and further endangering all visitors has increased almost with Businesses (CEDRE). international private and public Azhari noted that, with its solid its already-frail economy. 3.5% until July, the percentage of “There is a clear international capital. assets and substantial reserves, the “I believe that Lebanon has a Arab tourists has dropped. In gen- support for Lebanon and its econ- One pressing item on the reform Central Bank has intervened to pro- bright future but we need a govern- eral, Arab Gulf tourists spend more omy,” Azhari said. “The funding in list is the deficit incurred by state- tect the national currency. ment and better management. I am than the average tourist and the de- the form of grants and soft loans run power provider Electricite du He said: “The Central Bank can not pessimistic,” Azhari said. crease in their numbers means less will be mostly dedicated to infra- Liban, which has an annual deficit buy time and sustain the govern- spending in the tourism sector and structure projects that Lebanon of $1.4 billion. Some 80% of the ment until it introduces the needed Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly slowdown in the sector’s growth,” badly needs. This will kick-start deficit is attributable to the cost reforms but it cannot change the Travel and Society section editor.

Viewpoint Tunisia’s ‘election budget’ does not address country’s woes unisia’s proposed 2019 tainty in the country. budget, expected to Nouri explained Tunisia’s difficul- soon be discussed in ties with international lenders stem Riadh Bouazza parliament, reflects from its inability to negotiate an in- the government’s great terest rate in line with its economic confusion in finding the capacities, in addition to financial Tbest way to improve the country’s markets weary of lending to Tunisia. economic conditions. He added that Tunisia’s internal Shortly after the cabinet’s political quarrels complicated mat- adoption of the budget, economic ters and that is pushing the Tunisian experts sounded the alarm that the government to depend more on budget was based on assumptions financing from the IMF in exchange derived from unsteady indicators for carrying out economic reforms. and that it would not solve the The government expects the debt chronic economic problems that service next year to reach $3.3 bil- have been hurting Tunisians. lion, an expected increase of $531 Economists said the government million from this year. Experts, how- should have resorted to non-con- Toing and froing. Tunisia’s Prime Minister Youssef Chahed speaks ever, disagree and say that it could ventional solutions to alleviate the during a national conference over 2019 budget in Tunis, go well beyond that. financial pressure that squeezes on September 14. (Reuters) Economic growth was expected the budgets of Tunisian families to reach 2.6% this year but growth with inflation hovering at the rate in Tunisia continues to be slow of 7.4%. the buck to the next governments,” Economist Fethi Nouri agreed because several sectors, especially The economists warned that fund- he said. with Jalloul in that the 2019 budget phosphate, are shrinking, with the ing gaps in the budget would soon Jalloul, who was alluding to elec- is an election project. He pointed exception, perhaps, of revenues surface because of the increase of tions scheduled for next year in out that it did not provide for tax in- from tourism. Given these realities, more than $1.1 billion compared to Tunisia, explained that the proposed creases nor did it include measures the government’s goal of a 3.1% the current budget. A total of $13.4 budget would not solve the coun- to reform the subsidy system and growth for next year seems difficult billion was approved for 2019, which try’s major economic problems, direct it to vulnerable groups. to achieve. represents a 7% increase over 2018. including unemployment and the It seems that the pressure created The Tunisian dinar has fallen The proposed budget shows that the decline in the standard of living, by Tunisia’s trade deficit, which to record levels, losing more than Tunisian government was aiming to plus low appropriations for develop- has exceeded $4.4 billion in the half of its value, and is likely to fall reduce the deficit to 3.9%, compared ment and the aggravation of public first nine months of this year, and further against the euro and the to 4.9% expected this year. debt. the rise in debt service payments dollar by the end of the year. Such The biggest worry in next year’s The government usually makes in foreign currency would further prospects could bring about tremen- budget remains public debt, even budgetary projections based on complicate the government’s task of dous problems, affecting especially though it was projected to fall to assumptions, notably the economic achieving fiscal balances in 2019. the trade balance. about 70.9% of GDP in 2019, com- growth rate, the local currency Tunisia agreed to a loan with the The most troubling assumption For 2019, Tunisia pared to the 72% expected for this exchange rate and the price of crude International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the budget remains the price of year. oil on world markets. of $2.9 billion in instalments to help a barrel of oil, which was set at $72, will need an influx Neji Jalloul, director-general of Although the government did not the Tunisian government carry out while it has surpassed the $80 mark. of about $3.6 the Tunisian Institute for Strategic plan on raising taxes or levying new painful economic reforms. In the proposed budget for 2019, billion, $2.5 billion Studies, said Tunisia’s government ones to support the country’s empty For 2019, Tunisia will need an one third of the government expen- adopted traditional solutions to coffers next year, the unstable indi- influx of about $3.6 billion, $2.5 bil- ditures will go to wages; $8.9 billion, of which will be draft the 2019 Finance Act to get out cators on which the budget was built lion of which will be borrowed from equivalent to 14.1% of the GDP, was borrowed from of the current economic situation. seem troubling enough, especially international financial markets. For hence allocated to public sector “This is an election budget and the considering the rapid depreciation this year, however, Tunisia failed to salaries. international government is working to calm the of the Tunisian dinar and the rise in secure $1 billion from international financial markets. situation and has deliberately passed oil prices. markets because of economic uncer- Riadh Bouazza is a Tunisian writer. 20 October 21, 2018 Society Media IT

Something for everyone at tech Startup Battlefield MENA

Khadija Hamouchi into MENA, many are hoping ripple effects will help close the gap be- tween Silicon Valley and the Arab Beirut world. All the signs indicate the Battle- n a first for the region, the in- field was well received. Presented ternational TechCrunch Start- by FbStart, a new international up Battlefield took place in Facebook programme to support I Beirut’s Digital District. With start-up activity with free online multiple announcements of fund- tools, Battlefield sold more than ing from around the region — for 1,200 tickets. MENA start-ups equity and without — MENA’s tech pitched ideas to high-profile judg- eco-system is clearly evolving. es. The competition to present was TechCrunch, a US online pub- fierce. lisher of technology industry news, “We had more than 100 applica- “decided to bring its Battlefield tions and selected the final 15 to event to the MENA region for very pitch,” said Ziad Traboulsi, head solid reasons,” said Mike Butcher, of engineering at Facebook Middle editor-at-large of TechCrunch. East and a judge on the Battlefield panel. “I am impressed because re- gional start-ups are solving global The ideas pitched were problems, [which are] not local an- diverse — from banking ymore. Start-ups are adopting new software to insect-based technology lenses, such as artificial consumer products. intelligence and machine-learning; and as such are getting more global “The estimated investments appeal.” in MENA start-ups in 2016 alone Munir David Nabti, CEO at Bei- passed the billion-dollar mark back rut-based AltCity, an incubator in 2016 and [are] only increasing. for social businesses, added that There were 141 investments made change is under way in the region. Unique opportunities. Participants attend a conference during the international TechCrunch Startup in the first half of this year, which “We are witnessing the natural Battlefield in Beirut’s Digital District. (TechCrunch Startup Battlefield) marks a 12% increase on the num- cycle of maturity on the start-up ber of deals for the same six-month scene. The many exposure, success period in 2017.” stories, as well as history of failures turns data into a visual narrative. gives us more chances to close our chance to connect. It was useful to Industry experts agreed that [have] supported the local ecosys- The TechCrunch event, he said, first round of seed funding.” link up with “top-notch developers the MENA Battlefield was an idea tem in actually succeeding. Many has “given me the opportunity Ahmed Wadi, CEO of MoneyFel- who have a real interest in inno- whose time had come. Philip Ba- of the start-up entrepreneurs are to talk to the diversity within the lows, a fintech company in Cairo, vation from the region [and with] hoshy, CEO of MAGNITT, a data third- or fourth-time founders.” entrepreneurship community, in- said the Battlefield was an “op- judges who are well-established platform that describes itself as a The TechCrunch MENA Bat- cluding investors and university portunity to finally meet in person entrepreneurs.” gateway to the MENA start-up eco- tlefield underlines the changing students. Getting exposure means investors that we have tried to con- Alame’s interest was in acquir- system, said, the regional picture scenario. The ideas pitched were that we are putting our product out nect with before by e-mail.” ing key contacts. Others looked for was improving. “Governments diverse — from banking software to there in a very fast, effective way.” “Being at TechCrunch was also funding and others for affirmation. have been giving much more at- insect-based consumer products. Amira Cheniour, CEO and co- an opportunity to meet people Something for everyone at Start- tention and encouragement to the Those who pitched said they en- founder of SeaBex, an e-monitor- from the Lebanese banking sec- up Battlefield MENA. sector, conscious that they need to joyed the process enormously. ing and smart automation system tor to collect insights on a market diversify their industries and em- Egyptian Amal Aboulhassan that helps farmers balance water we are willing to expand in,” Wadi Khadija Hamouchi is a power their young people,” he said. said the Battlefield conference consumption, said Tunisia’s “lim- added. Belgian-Moroccan social TechCrunch Startup Battlefield is and workshop went “beyond pitch ited opportunities for funding” Ziad Alame, founder of Leba- entrepreneur and founder of present in Africa, Australia, Europe practising.” Aboulhassan is found- made it important to attend “such nese start-up Spike Diabetes Assis- SEJAAL, an initiative that is and Latin America. After its foray er of MaterialSolved, a start-up that a worldwide recognised event. [It] tant, said the event was a priceless building an app for young people.

Viewpoint ‘Beit Yassine’ reconciles TV public with culture

lghad TV has intro- bring about, or at least try to bring duced a new cultural about, a reconciliation between show called “Beit the wider public and the idea of Yassine” (“Yassine’s culture.” Mokhlis al-Saghir Home”), written and Adnan said the reconciliation presented by Moroc- should take concrete forms. “Lots canA poet and broadcaster Yassin of efforts must be made at the Adnan, produced by Mashhour level of content and presentation Aboul Foutouh and directed by first, then at the level of produc- Hisham Abderrasul. tion,” he said. “Beit Yassine” is broadcast dur- Adnan said that “inasmuch ing prime time as part of a package as you find yourself required to of cultural programmes by Alghad liberate cultural discourse from its out of an awareness that culture is loftiness, its conventions and its key in facing the challenges in the conceptual mechanisms and theo- Arab world. retical language and bring it down The word “Home” in the show’s to the level and language of the title is meant to add intimacy and people, production too becomes proximity between the audience required to support you artisti- and Adnan’s guests. The pro- cally, technically and logistically gramme was designed to create a so that the culture show becomes homey atmosphere and a conver- visually and aesthetically pleas- sation between friends. It begins ing to the audience. This is how with Adnan greeting his guests at On a charm offensive. Moroccan poet and broadcaster Yassin we will be able to make it fit for the door, conversing with them Adnan (R) speaks with Syrian poet Adonis during an episode of television.” around the dinner table, moving the new cultural show “Beit Yassine.” (Facebook) Given that approach, “Beit Yass- to the study for tea and continu- ine” relies on “harmony between ing quiet, almost spontaneous, writing and production with clear conversations about issues that the monopoly of academic circles. “We have felt for a long time objectives” amid what Adnan de- keep them awake at night. The programme started out of that culture shows have been scribed as “the general reluctance Adnan has hosted “Masharif” the conviction that it was possible neglected by producers on Arab of producers in the Arab world for 12 years on the first Moroccan to convey debate about cultural satellite channels,” he said. Unfor- to invest in cultural material for national TV channel, speaking and artistic issues to audiences tunately, on public channels, too, television.” with the foremost writers and art- in the streets, cafes and homes. limited funds mean that culture “Beit Yassine” promises excel- ists in the Arab world, as well as Inasmuch as the show contains shows are “not a priority for these lent moments with Arab writers distinguished orientalists. In “Beit exciting moments and dialogues, channels to set aside suitable and creators in poetry, philosophy, Yassine,” Adnan has embarked it sends messages to intellectuals budgets for them,” Adnan said. literature, music, cinema and art. on a different experience, looking and producers of cultural projects On the major satellite channels, The guests cut across generations to convey cultural discourse and to open to the wider public and “we can all see how they have and Arab cultural geographies, artistic innovation in a more intel- present their ideas in language placed all of their eggs… either in from Adonis to Bensalem Ham- ligent and flexible style. that can be easily understood. the basket of entertainment and ish, from Maysun Saqr to Nuri The new show Adnan said “Beit Yassine” was Adnan cannot hide his excite- video clips or in the basket of poli- al-Jarrah, from Waciny Laredj to an attempt to “free our cultural ment about “Beit Yassine,” in tics and religion,” he said. “Cultur- Samuel Chamoun, from Salah promises excellent discourse from its haughty at- which he seeks to reconcile the al discourse was marginalised and Niazi to Talib al-Rifai, from Said al- moments with titude, its burdensome conceptual wider Arab public with cultural our oldest and most experienced Kafrawi to Chokri Mabkhout, from Arab writers and system and its heavy academic discourse that has been discarded satellite channels did not have a Jahida Wahba to Makadi Nahhas, language” through simple acces- for some time. He said television strategic vision of culture.” from Karima al-Saqli to Khaled al- creators in poetry, sible language to address complex culture programming needed He said he was optimistic about Habr and many others who will be philosophy, intellectual, literary and cultural strong-willed and adventurous “Alghad TV’s strategy and its guests at “Beit Yassine.” issues. The idea is to make the producers who believed that enlightening cultural aspirations.” literature, music, issues and culture more accessible culture could seduce the “dear He said Alghad officials “felt the Mokhlis al-Saghir is a Moroccan cinema and art. to everybody rather than remain viewers.” need for cultural shows that will writer. October 21, 2018 21 Society Education Saudi, Emirati universities rank among best in region

Caline Malek also signal that governments in the region are serious about being seen as knowledge economies and First-class research. A view of the American University of Sharjah. (AUS) s education across the not just oil economies.” world experiences mas- Many Gulf governments invest- as the King Abdullah University ally of the universities in those “If you can import the best and sive revamping to keep ed heavily in higher education and of Science and Technology, and it countries. the brightest to your country, it’s A up with technological research in the last ten years. Last has been able to attract some of “The most important thing is the best model,” Davos said. “New changes, universities in Saudi Ara- year, the UAE Ministry of Educa- the best academics to these uni- that they are improving,” Finne- York University Abu Dhabi has an bia and the United Arab Emirates tion introduced the National Strat- versities, which would also have more said. “In the future, the increasingly multinational and di- are leading the Gulf in the field. egy for Higher Education 2030 assisted the rankings.” generally improving educational verse student body and it’s won- King Abdulaziz University in with the aim of reaching the high- She said she expects to see con- quality in schools should ensure a derful to have those perspectives Saudi Arabia, ranking in the sec- est standards in education. In Sau- tinued investment and improve- better-suited student enters local and experiences shared in the ond tier (201-250), topped univer- di Arabia, $1.6 billion is earmarked ment in the sector because gov- universities and this will drive up classroom. The cultural exchange sities in Gulf Cooperation Council for research and development in ernments are learning the benefit standards.” has been very one-sided for the (GCC) countries in “World Univer- the next two years, significantly of having research universities. Peter Davos, founder of Hale majority of the last 50 years but sity Rankings 2018,” which was affecting Saudi higher education “One challenge remains the un- Education Group in Dubai, said now we’re seeing more parity and compiled by Times Higher Educa- sector as part of the Saudi Vision deremphasis on the humanities the rankings are an indication of more balance.” tion and includes 1,102 universi- 2030 strategy to diversify the and softer sciences, such as psy- maturity in the GCC in terms of He spoke of an ever-evolving ties from 77 countries. economy. chology and sociology, which investment in higher education fluid landscape. “It’s a very in- It was followed by Khalifa Uni- are integral to the region,” Ridge yielding tangible results, resulting teresting development,” Davos versity (301-350) in the United added. “The lack of tenure is also in this upward shift and mobility. added. “Globally, we will see more Arab Emirates, Qatar University As the Gulf becomes a a barrier to attracting top tier aca- “They are crucial for many con- emphasis on international ex- (401-500), the United Arab Emir- more attractive demics and needs to be addressed sumers for their perception of a change, even in the United States, ates University (501-600) and Al- destination for higher somehow.” value of a university, particularly some universities obligate stu- faisal University (501-600) in Ri- education students, the Judith Finnemore, an education parents who may not understand dents to spend time in three coun- yadh. region is becoming a net consultant at Focal Point Manage- the relative strengths of one uni- tries, so we are moving away from Educational experts said the importer of students. ment Consultancy in the United versity or another,” he said. “It’s a nation-centric type of model rankings are crucial for GCC coun- Arab Emirates, said the rankings the result of a very concerted and more into these blended pro- tries because they give external “Gulf countries have tried to have significance to Gulf coun- policy of investment prioritisation grammes.” validation of higher education in- recreate best practices in higher tries, especially for students who and it’s good to see some of these A growing emphasis on digital is stitutions. education in their local institu- remain in their home countries for universities are getting interna- also expected. “They provide governments tions and this evidence of a change tertiary education. tional recognition after so much “These trends are increasingly with good arguments for their in focus [can be seen] from being She said, however, there is a pre- time and expenditure, especially gathering pace,” he said. “It’s good people to attend local universities teaching universities to being ponderance of students wishing to in the Gulf where the majority of news for everybody. The more rather than travelling abroad,” said research-producing universities,” travel to the United Kingdom, the the population is expatriates.” exchange we have, the better off Natasha Ridge, executive director Ridge said. United States, Canada and else- As the Gulf becomes a more at- we’ll be.” at the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al- “Saudi Arabia in particular has where due to the advantage of ac- tractive destination for higher ed- Qasimi Foundation for Policy Re- spent millions on creating first- quiring the “Western flavour” and ucation students, the region is be- Caline Malek is an Arab Weekly search in Ras al-Khaimah. “They class research universities, such the overall higher rankings glob- coming a net importer of students. contributor in Abu Dhabi. Viewpoint Lack of funds threatens Ramadi education centre

ike a blooming wildflower Islamic fundamentalist terror. has sent militarism into overdrive, Its curriculum represents a shift pushing through ruin The history of Anbar, the prov- as civilians navigate the precarious in Iraq’s educational standards, not and rubble across former ince in which Ramadi lies, took a physical and mental circumstances. through religious-based learning Nazli Tarzi Islamic State-held cities, turn for the worse when, in 2006, Rebuilding schools remains to be but rather through secular teach- an educational centre is al-Qaeda exploited the opening the the most pressing — yet unmet ing focused on critical thinking, under threat of closure US occupation of Iraq presented and — need for Ramadi and neighbour- collaborative work and cultural Lonly about a year after it was estab- transformed cities famed for their ing cities in a country where the exchange. lished. mosque minarets into strongholds. median age is 21. However, low funding may strip The Ramadi-based centre Sanad — In June 2014, history repeated as The greatest accomplishment, even more girls of their educational Arabic for “support” — offers more the Islamic State (ISIS) entrenched also at risk of reversal, is the rights, while tearing down the long than support. As a safe child-friend- itself in the western Iraqi plains centre’s ability to respond to long- list of successes Sanad has achieved. ly space where curiosity is fed and after the army melted away. neglected female empowerment. Thirty-five educational staff mem- basic literacy and number skills are A paramilitary umbrella force has A female educator said girls who bers have been trained at Sanad and taught, the centre is testimony to arisen in its place, safeguarding, as have attended Sanad-run classes its classes have absorbed an esti- the strength of grass-roots organi- the state claims, victories against outnumber boys by an approxi- mated 20 children whose collection sations navigating a transition in ISIS. Outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister mate 60-40 ratio. Encouraging the and drop-off to and from school are which the state is not felt or visible. Haider al-Abadi visited Ramadi a return of 20 primary-level educated covered by the centre. Sanad was born out of a greater day after the city’s liberation was schoolgirls stood out as the most The funds to keep this up no initiative led by local charity Wasel announced in December 2015 but meaningful accomplishment for the longer exist. “We’ve not received Tasel helping to manage the needs has not returned or shown a vested centre’s founders. anything, neither local nor interna- of orphans in north-western territo- interest in helping its population get The centre has been experiment- tional, governmental nor non-gov- ries and parents caring for children back on their feet through state- ing with mixed-ability classes, ernmental,” said the group’s director 18 months or younger. sponsored educational initiatives. merging strong and weak students. and co-founder, Mohammad Dylan. The venue that provincial author- As reports published this year Such moves are not simply aimed at Those affiliated with the centre ities offered includes classrooms, show, the war cost Iraq almost $48 enhancing the intellectual develop- have been given little choice other a children’s library, playroom, a billion in infrastructural damages, ment of children but boost healthy than to accept its likely closure. resource centre and activities hall. uprooting most schools in Ramadi, competition beyond the classroom Sanad has stimulated work opportu- The centre’s operation would have Falluja and Mosul. Stabilising west- to rouse interest from disinterested nities and furnished the conditions been unthinkable without the ern territories following ISIS’s families. for entrepreneurial and educational efforts of dedicated volunteers. inconclusive The centre is also hosting supple- growth. Yet, without necessary funding, its expulsion mentary English-language courses Years of vacant promises and sustainability is under threat. to help those seeking careers in unproductively spent or siphoned For the past four months, the pharmacy and medicine. funds have eroded the local popula- donor-reliant centre has received no tion’s trust in the establishment funds, raising fears of its potential of local schools. Still, education’s closure. “The funding tap has been potential to stimulate hope, growth turned off. Not even the faintest and a better future for subsequent trickle can be felt,” centre Manager generations still stands, as does its Yasser Adnan said. potential to drive social-civil reha- The future is uncertain but locals bilitation. Only through and practitioners are hard pressed Only through international international for solutions and may have to turn support can the centre survive support can the their backs on the locally driven the funding drought, most felt in initiative. western Iraq. centre survive the Forcibly displaced from their own funding drought, homes and eager to help others, the Nazli Tarzi is an independent centre’s founders are young people journalist whose writings and films most felt in from areas disparagingly portrayed A glimmer of hope. Iraqi children display certificates of focus on Iraq’s ancient history and western Iraq. in the Western media as hotspots of excellence awarded by Sanad in Ramadi in Anbar province. (Sanad) contemporary political scene. 22 October 21, 2018 Culture Tunisia Interview Tunisian minister sees culture as ‘buffer’ to radicalisation

Discussions between Arab culture ministers focused on integrating cultural policies of Ibrahim Ouf Arab countries and upgrading policies to make them instru- unisian Minister mental in social and economic of Cultural Affairs development. Mohamed Zine The meeting occurred at a time el-Abidine said of great change and major culture offered a challenges in the Arab region, solution to most with the rising threat of extrem- of the problems ism putting the very existence of faced by the Arab some Arab states at risk. Tregion at present. Culture, he In threatening nation-states, said, was instrumental in extremists depend on brain- building human capacities and washing, disinformation and the establishing correct mentali- misinterpretation of religion. ties. Zine el-Abidine said cultural “This is why we in the Arab activities can create the neces- region need to view culture as a sary “buffer” against those requirement for development,” threats. Zine el-Abidine said. “Culture is “In fighting extremism and a preventive work, which means terrorism, culture is probably that cultural action is necessary equally important to the security if we want to prevent many of measures that can be taken the problems we are facing at against extremism,” he said. present.” “Culture can protect us against Zine el-Abidine spoke to The terrorism and extremism. There Arab Weekly on the sidelines of is an urgent need for states to the biennial meeting of the Arab create an atmosphere in them ministers of culture in Cairo. that allows culture to turn into a Tunisia has held the rotating right of the public and the arts a By the power of culture. Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs Mohamed Zine el-Abidine. (AFP) presidency of the group the past basic component of the life of two years. every member of this public.” Zine el-Abidine took over the fields. this talent grow by providing ing cultural talents can immu- cultural affairs portfolio in Zine el-Abidine has been trying talented people in all fields of nise Arab societies against “A society in which Tunisia in August 2016, a to put forward his vision of how culture with what they need to terrorism and extremism. the arts shape sensitive time for the North culture could improve and maintain their activities and “A society in which the arts African nation that, in 2011, set safeguard society. His ministry improve their work. “We are also shape people’s feelings and people’s feelings and off the series of “Arab spring” has promoted cultural events, doing our best to make the world thoughts will have no room in it thoughts will have no uprisings that rocked the Arab making them indispensable know and hear about this talent.” for extremists or killers,” Zine world. components of Tunisians’ lives. He said it was past time that el-Abidine said. “Governments room in it for Tunisia, a cultural and political This included encouraging the Arab governments formulated a have to empower their peoples extremists or killers.” trendsetter in the Arab region, country’s disillusioned young unified strategy to protect their by giving them access to cultural faces fallout from strife and people to become involved in the culture, language and their own output and this will carry out the instability in neighbouring cultural scene. people by turning culture into a mission of the protection of Tunisian Minister of Libya, internal rivalries between “My country is blessed to be a basic defence mechanism. society against dangers.” Cultural Affairs Islamist and secularist forces hub of talent, a fertile soil for He said education, the incor- Mohamed Zine-Abidine and the risk of jihadists return- cultural innovation,” he said. poration of the arts and music Ibrahim Ouf is an Egyptian ing from Iraqi and Syrian battle- “We are doing our best to make into people’s lives and encourag- journalist in Cairo. Carthage Days of Music gives visibility to nontraditional genres

Roua Khlifi Diverse African rap rises and evolves.” genres. Tunisian rapper Karim Kouki, Hip-hop who began his career in the 1990s, Tunis artists take today promotes Tunisian hip-hop part in the culture through shows and televi- he Carthage Days of Mu- Carthage Days sion programmes. sic, a week-long festival in of Music. “Things have changed a lot Tunisia, entertained audi- (The Carthage through the past years but hip- T ences with performances Days of Music) hop culture is still absent in me- incorporating diverse musical gen- dia,” Kouki said. “You have some res that featured prominent artists presence but you don’t have a and up-and-coming talent. strong presence, which needs to be The festival showcased a wide changed to change people’s mental- range of artists, even providing ity about hip-hop. Dedicating a cat- space for nontraditional hip-hop egory in the Carthage Music Days and electro music groups. Kicking to hip-hop is an important step off with the Tunisian multi-genre towards familiarising the Tunisian Zied Zouari and Guests, the festival audience with our own concept of featured competitions under sev- rap music.” eral categories. Hamza Ben Youssef, who organ- “For this edition, we tried to bal- ises rap concerts in Tunisia, said he ance shows by renowned names agreed that the event would help and young names, between tradi- bring recognition to rap as a musi- tional and modern shows to pro- cal and artistic genre. mote a modern image of Tunisia “There is the underground cul- through the festival,” said festival ture but there is also the commer- Director Achref Chargui. “We have cial aspect of rap. This creates a received more than 258 projects phere for all musical genres. talents,” Chargui said. discussions exploring issues re- misunderstanding of the essence that deserve a place, not only in “This year we believe in the idea Two days of the festival were lated to hip-hop culture in Tunisia. and spirit of hip-hop since most Tu- the Carthage Music Days but also in of giving space for everyone and dedicated to electro and hip-hop Congolese rapper Orakle and Tuni- nisian media invite those commer- other international festivals. every genre,” said Chargui. “The music. sian rapper Ala performed the main cial artists,” Ben Youssef said. “We will also use the festival’s Tunisian artist can find himself in “When we talk about hip-hop show. “Hip-hop as a culture still strug- platform to set up a network for any category. We have JMC Kids, in Tunisia, it is rich and creative,” “Rap allows me to express myself gles and rappers still struggle. production of music shows through the pop Tn (popular Tunisian mu- Chargui said. “These artists have on issues regarding life and daily Many have to give up their passion our partnerships with international sic) and JMC hip-hop day, which creative vision and they have all the struggles,” Orakle said at the round- to be able to do a job and earn a liv- record companies. The goal is to will dedicate a day to the culture right to express their point of view. table discussion. “I started rapping ing. It gives us hope to see it as an export our exceptional Tunisian and hip-hop music.” “The JMC Hip-Hop project aims in the streets and I wanted to have element in this national festival for shows.” This approach is aimed at bring- to provide young talents who have people interested in my passion for Tunisian music.” “The idea is to take that culture ing musical genres that had been the potential to achieve interna- rap. It is about being heard outside When the festival wrapped up, to the next level and depart from excluded, such as Tunisian folk and tional success with exposure and of geographical borders.” Amine Amri was awarded the Best the traditional to take a visionary Mezwed, into the picture. support. Some of the rappers have She added: “Festivals in the Afri- Tanit for the hip-hop category and approach. All these productions are “Our competitions are inclusive millions of views on YouTube and can continent should give more of Amira Kinani received the award original,” he explained. since our slogan is to give a space fans in different countries. It is our these opportunities for rappers to in the virtuoso category. Skander Artists were divided into Vir- for all. It included all the genres role to guide these talents and learn develop their work and their talent. Ben Abid received the honour for tuoso, Hip-Hop, Electro, Popular that were often disregarded in fes- from the experiences of profession- For their passion to develop, rap- the live band category and Hannah Tunisian, Live Band, Kids’ Choir, tivals and consequently exclude als and produce something that will pers need to work on their music Schneider in the electro category. Kids’ Singer and Kids’ Instrument young talents. We are the ones include both the traditional and the and their technique through per- categories. The festival’s slogan who will build the country and it innovative.” forming. This festival is an oppor- Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel — “There is place for everyone” — is important as a young director to During hip-hop day, the festival tunity for us rappers to share our and Culture contributor to sought to promote an open atmos- also promote and support young had competitions, workshops and work and exchange our talent so The Arab Weekly. October 21, 2018 23 Culture

Dubai’s new arts centre aims to be ‘innovative cultural hub’

N.P. Krishna Kumar rial potential for exhibitions, which can take place in intimate spaces for smaller works or large galleries that Dubai can house bigger sculptures,” Lee said. rt Jameel, the Saudi-based The Serie Architects practice is independent organisation known for the study of building ty- that supports arts, educa- pology and its evolution. A tion and heritage in the Lee said: “To work in series is Middle East, is opening the Jameel to be able to recognise and detect Arts Centre in Dubai on November shared characteristics in any object 11, the first non-governmental con- or situation that we are analysing temporary arts institution in the and to then project these shared Gulf area. qualities and intelligence into new The 10,000-sq.-metre, three- solutions. It’s pattern recognition in storey, multidisciplinary space architectural knowledge.” designed by UK-based Serie Archi- The key concept for the Jameel tects, is meant to expand the pub- Arts Centre, he said, is based on lic’s engagement with Art Jameel lessons drawn from the scale of a collection and library and present house and the scale of the city. museum-quality exhibitions in “If you look at the Sha’abi houses partnership with local, regional and (Emirati local houses), you’ll see global collaborators. that they were based on the accu- “Through new commissions of mulations of rooms around a court- immersive works, a dedicated re- yard,” Lee said. “On a larger scale, search space and ongoing public the Madinat (city) is an accumula- programming for many communi- tion of houses with courtyards. ties of all ages, Jameel Arts Centre The architecture that we tried aims to be a truly innovative new to create here for the Jameel Multidisciplinary space. A computer-generated model of the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai. (Serie Architects) cultural hub,” said Art Jameel Di- Art Centre thus is formed out rector Antonia Carver. of a series of rooms huddling At the tip of Dubai’s Culture around courtyards.” rience of the gardens,” he added. eral spaces in one glance — a garden Lee said concrete and aluminium Village, overlooking the Dubai Lee said there was “a close “Therefore, the garden, designed and another room beyond — so that cladding were the primary materials Creek, Jameel Arts is unique working relationship” with by Amsterdam-based Anouk Vo- one is aware that one is among oth- in the centre. “We wanted to create in its position and multi- his clients from the be- gel, is conceived as nature’s gallery ers, sharing and participating in the a raw and delicate sensuality for the functional in design. ginning to construction with beautiful and sculptural desert appreciation and making of art,” he building and tried to express this Christopher Lee, of the centre. One of the plants arranged as artefacts in the said. when these two materials brush up lead architect at Serie issues debated was the courtyards.” against each other,” he said. “The Architects, said the balance between a cer- One of the main attractions of the cladding is also expressed as very building was con- tain image of abstract Jameel Arts Centre is that it is on The Jameel Arts Centre in thin semi-reflective plates, reflect- ceived as a series and timelessness that the edge of Dubai Creek. The colon- Dubai will be the first ing the surrounding environment of boxes of vary- is contextual as well as nades of the project are designed non-governmental in a hazy mirage. The raw and una- ing dimensions contemporary. as a porous interface between the contemporary arts dorned concrete colonnade frames that are bound Lee said the gardens building and the waterfront prom- institution in the Gulf all the elements in the building — the together by a of the final design enade, inviting people to walk region. galleries, courtyards and entrances.” one-storey col- “are the very special through it and along with it, even if The green credentials of the build- onnade. “This moments within the they are not entering the building,” Multifunctionality was given ing, its lead architect said, are main- allows maxi- courtyards of the Lee said. prime importance in the design be- ly related to “the composition of the mum curato- project.” “The courtyards are intended as cause, Lee said, “monofunctional masses, meant to create a degree of “In this project, enchanting gardens that will tempt buildings and neighbourhoods do self-shading to the courtyards and Innovative each gallery faces at least people to linger on in them, ex- not create the kind of social friction allow cross ventilation for the rooms vision. one courtyard so that the changing glances with others and that is required for creative work.” if required.” Christopher Lee, co-founder experience of art is always perhaps initiate a conversation. The Jameel Arts Centre represents and principal of Serie alternated with the expe- The galleries are also overlaid in innovative use of material and con- N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab Architects. (Serie Architects) such a way that one could see sev- struction techniques. Weekly contributor in Dubai. Award-winning Palestinian film looks at family ties

Alma Samkari car while in traffic, despite hav- ing trouble recognising the dead person. This shows a community London where everyone knows each other. The relationship between the fa- he award-winning film ther and son seems weak and tenu- “Wajib” tells the real-life ous and tension builds as the two story of a son and his father take a days-long car trip together. T as they prepare for a wed- Confined and forced to interact, it ding in Nazareth. almost seems as though they are “Wajib” — Arabic for “social trapped together. “They have a lot duty” — is a Palestinian tradition of love for each other but, at the in which men in the bride’s family same time, they can’t stand each personally deliver wedding invita- other,” said Jacir. tions. This tradition is also found The car is symbolic as it was once in India and Mediterranean coun- the family car and holds different tries. memories for each of them. For The film features a broken Chris- the father, it is a reminder of eve- tian family composed of a single rything he has given up and com- father who has been left to raise promised for his family, which is his son and daughter alone. The no longer around him. For Shadi, it Real-life story. A scene from the award-winning film “Wajib.” (Alma Samkari) son, Shadi, was sent away from reminds him of a past he is trying the Palestinian territories for his to escape. safety but recently returned to The film’s characters frequently The film explores the effects of spersed throughout. “Nazareth is viduals and families across gen- help his father prepare for his sis- move from public to private spaces parental abandonment. During an a violent, tense city. At the same erations. Shadi travelled from Italy ter’s wedding, a task that is all the and they act and speak differently argument with his father, Shadi time, you have this great humour,” after years away to take part in his more difficult with the absence of in each context. The father, for ex- sides with his mother’s choice said Jacir. “In a way, that’s how “wajib,” while the father was sure his mother. ample, tells white lies — not em- in leaving the family. The father people survive.” to hire the same singer who has Annemarie Jacir, the film’s direc- bellishes, he lies and says his son bursts out: “I could have done been performing for their family tor, said a few weeks ago that the is a doctor but he is an architect — that, too, but I didn’t.” for 40 years. father had an even tougher up- about Shadi’s job and relationships Social disparities between men The film features a broken In the last scene of the film, Shadi bringing than his son. His opinions to please others. and women are explored through- Christian family and his father are viewed drinking were always suppressed but Shadi The film explores how poli- out the film. Shadi’s cousin Fad- composed of a single coffee and smoking together while was able to voice his strong politi- tics affect relationships. Shadi’s jah, who previously lived with her father who has been left to watching the sunset. Here we see cal views. This led to Shadi being girlfriend in Italy is a Palestinian ex-boyfriend, faces intense social raise his son and daughter a subtle shift in their relationship: viewed as dangerous to the Israeli who is the daughter of a refugee, stigma and has a difficult time alone. After all their challenges and ten- state. “His father learnt that, in or- meaning she is unable to visit the finding a man who will accept her. sion, they remain father and son. der to survive, you have to be quiet Palestinian territories. This makes Her ex-boyfriend, meanwhile, eas- She said she wanted to present “Everything they did was physi- and he saw that his son wasn’t that it difficult for Shadi’s father to ac- ily found an accepting woman to real Palestinian life, including cally the same and that’s what be- so he sent him away,” Jacir said. cept their relationship because he marry. “That exists in Palestinian Nazareth’s dirty streets and hectic ing, I think, actual father and son The film begins with a radio an- fears Shadi may not return if they society a little bit and I wanted traffic, rather than zoning in on and knowing each other so well nouncement of names of those marry. A dispute erupts when the to critique that. If Fadjah was liv- touristic areas. “I didn’t want to came out of that and it was a beau- recently died, some of whom the father says he wants to invite an Is- ing somewhere else, she would be see Nazareth so much but I wanted tiful magical moment,” Jacir said. father knows. Later, Shadi and his raeli settler to the wedding, which happier,” said Jacir. to feel it,” Jacir said. father see the carrying of a body angers Shadi, who believes he is a While the film is not a comedy, “Wajib” highlights the deep im- Alma Samkari is a London-based and pay their respects from their spy. there are comic moments inter- portance tradition holds for indi- writer. 24 October 21, 2018 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Carthage: Through October 31

The 24th Musical October in Carthage is taking place at the Acropolium on Byrsa Hill. The festival includes concerts by art- ists from Tunisia, Japan, Russia, Spain, Italy and Austria.

Erfoud: Through October 31

The Erfoud region in eastern Morocco is famous for its date palms. Every year after harvest, local tribesmen gather for a festival, play traditional music, perform Berber dances and exhibit local cuisine with horse races also featured.

A general view of the Silk Museum in Bsous in Mount Lebanon. (The Silk Museum) Beirut: Through December 27

Events associated with Sursock Museum Late Nights occur Silk Museum noon-9pm each Thursday at the Sursock Museum in Beirut. Events include exhibitions, collection displays, late-night talks, performances and screen- keeps memory ings. Dubai: October 24-27

of Lebanese Dubai Opera will host the Hou- ston Ballet for six performances of “Swan Lake.” The ballet tells the story of a beautiful maiden industry alive who is transformed into a swan by an evil knight. A live orches- tra will be playing Tchaikovs- Samar Kadi worm breeders at work are dis- ky’s original score. played in the main hall where the processing and unreeling of the Traditional caps on display at the Silk Museum in Bsous. (The Silk Museum) Abu Dhabi: Bsous silk cocoons took place. Original October 26-27 machines and worktops line the itting on a mountain slope room on both sides. a panel at the museum indicated. inside, then clean them of the “Big in Japan Festival” will take amid a lush terraced garden “The silkworms do not grow on Late Lebanese historian Maurice sticky residue and unreel the silk.” place at Louvre Abu Dhabi. strewn with olive and mul- the mulberry tree branches but Shehab said there were 194 Leba- In addition to a collection of live The festival will include an art S berry trees in the sleepy vil- are bred. They are completely de- nese-owned silk factories in 1893 silkworms, the museum showcas- exhibition and events such as lage of Bsous is Lebanon’s sole silk pendent on humans to live,” Saade and by 1911 Lebanon and Syria es old weaving looms offered by spoken-word poetry, screenings museum, testifying to an industry said. “Women dedicated one room were producing around 524,000 silk factories in Lyon with which of Studio Ghibli anime films and that was the pillar of the Lebanese in their homes for breeding. They kilograms of raw silk, most of trade relations were prosperous. Japanese cooking classes. economy for decades. would erect wooden scaffolds to which was for export to Lyon, Newspaper clippings, stamp col- Housed in a former kerkhana accommodate the silkworms and France. lections from the 1930 Silk Con- Tunis: — “silk factory” in Persian — the mulberry leaves. Every silkworm Sericulture, or silkworm breed- gress in Beirut and vintage boxes November 3-10 museum was restored and opened makes a cocoon and every cocoon ing, flourished under Ottoman that were used to carry silkworm in 2001 thanks to the initiative of produces a single silk thread. The rule and witnessed its golden age eggs from Marseilles to Beirut are The Carthage Film Festival is George and Alexandra Asseily, who length of the thread varies between towards the end of the 19th cen- also on display. an annual event that showcases bought the property in 1973. The 600 and 1,500 metres, depending tury and early 20th century. Silk The two-storey building also op- films from the Maghreb, Africa site had operated as a silk spin- on how healthy and nourished the production was considered the erated an olive press on the ground and the Middle East. It takes ning factory for 50 years until 1950 silkworm is.” pillar of the Lebanese economy, floor; the silk factory was on the place in Tunis and other parts of when the industry declined due to The silkworm life cycle is not accounting to more than 60% of upper level. Today, the olive press Tunisia. The programme for the cheap mass-produced synthetic more than one month long, Saade all exports from 1872-1910. In that area has been transformed into a 29th edition will include world silk from China. explained. Exhibits demonstrate period, a Silk Office was set up to boutique shop selling eco-prod- cinema projections, seminars, Visitors are given an insightful the process of “hatching” the silk- manage the region’s silk industry. ucts and silk attire. debates and meetings in addi- tour of the history of silk manu- worm, which starts as a caterpillar. The office closed permanently in “The museum also regularly tion to the official film competi- facturing in Lebanon and the life “From a tiny egg weighing half 1982 with the death of the indus- puts on annual exhibitions under tion. cycle of the silkworm, which feeds a milligram, the silkworm grows try. different themes. This year, the on white mulberry trees. 10,000 times bigger in just one Saade said there were approxi- theme is wedding dresses from Cairo: “This museum is a unique place month. As they grow bigger, they mately 100 basins in Bsous factory, East and West,” Saade noted. November 20-29 that recounts the heritage and his- shed their skin a total of four times. which meant that about 200 wom- Natural silk white dresses by fa- tory of silk production in Leba- The silkworms then spin cocoons en operated them. mous designers, including Versace The 40th Cairo International non,” said Therese Saade, a tour of raw silk, slowly transforming “At the time, the silk production and Christian Dior, are displayed Film Festival will take place guide at the museum. “In the past, into a cocoon. The cocoons are caused a sort of social revolution next to another dress collection at the Opera House over ten most Lebanese families used to then sold to factories, where they in the Lebanese communities, as borrowed by the museum show- days. The programme includes breed the silkworms at home. It begin their metamorphosis into many women left their homes for casing outfits worn by celebrities a special section titled “Arab was basically a female activity silk threads,” Saade said. the first time to work at factories,” such as Elizabeth Taylor, Empress Female Directors” in addition and probably the first job in which In the early 20th century, there Saade said. “They would line up Soraya, Jackie Kennedy and Lady to world cinema projections, Lebanese women engaged because were more than 3 million mulberry both sides of the marble and cop- Diana. seminars, workshops, debates they could work from home.” trees in Lebanon, largely concen- per fixtures, sorting the cocoons in The Silk Museum is open from and tributes. Old photographs showing silk- trated in the Mount Lebanon area, basins of hot water to kill the pupa May through October. Tozeur: December 5-8

The first Tozeur International Film Festival will take place in the Tunisian Sahara. The programme will include official film competitions for long mov- ies, short movies and documen- taries. Movies from different countries such as Morocco, France, the United States, Tuni- sia, Algeria, Lebanon, Norway, Italy, Egypt and Spain are being selected.

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: An old loom offered by silk factories in Lyon on display at the Silk Carpets on display inside the Silk Museum in Bsous. [email protected] Museum in Bsous. (Samar Kadi) (The Silk Museum)