UK £2 Issue 250, Year 5 March 29, 2020 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Turkish military Salafists’ Abu Dhabi crown industry buttresses opportunistic prince’s solidarity ambitions overreach towards Syria

Page 16 Page 13 Page 3 Saudi-led G20 summit marks global turning point in tackling pandemic fallout Serious questions and a lot of work remain ahead for the G20 in its stewardship of the global economy.

Sabahat Khan gether and cooperate in order to face this challenge.” Prospects for a coordinated world- Dubai wide health response and economic support had been marred by divi- he first virtual Group of 20 sions between the United States and summit, presided over by China over responsibility for the pan- Saudi King Salman bin Ab- demic. T dulaziz Al Saud, set the track At the end of the meeting, G20 for a global approach to tackle the leaders released a communique tell- worldwide fallout from the spread- ing the world they are prepared to do ing coronavirus pandemic but many whatever it takes to overcome coro- short- and long-term questions re- navirus pandemic. main. The G20 announced plans to inject Saudi Arabia, which assumed the $5 trillion into the global economy rotating presidency of the G20 this to preserve financial stability and year, called an extraordinary meet- revive growth by restoring confi- ing of the group and organised it in dence. The World Bank is finalising less than a week. a relief package of up to $160 billion International summits typically of its own while the United Kingdom take months of preparation — the committed $253 million towards the G20’s annual summit is scheduled international effort for finding a vac- for November in Riyadh — but the cine for coronavirus. coronavirus outbreak created the ne- Although few specifics were given cessity for an emergency meeting. on commitments made, the G20 vir- US President Donald Trump, Chi- tual summit appears to mark a turn- nese President Xi Jinping, Russian ing point. Global challenge. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud attends G20 videoconference (AFP) President Vladimir Putin, French The virtual summit also signals discussing the coronavirus pandemic, March 26. President Emmanuel Macron and US-China cooperation on the pan- British Prime Minister Boris John- demic, with Xi pledging Beijing’s full nancial crisis or worse.” Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt gees such as Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, son, who has since been diagnosed support to Washington over a private Financial ratings agency Moody’s where high debt levels prevail. Iraq, Libya and Yemen. with coronavirus, were among world call later with Trump. is forecasting the G20’s combined In the shorter term, the Middle Riyadh led the push for G20 coun- leaders participating in the emergen- Serious questions and a lot of work GDP to fall 0.5% this year, with the East must solicit support from the terparts to make important com- cy 2-hour meeting March 26 via vide- remain for the G20 in its stewardship United States contracting 2% and the G20 to ensure it can remain protect- mitments and begin work towards a oconference. of the global economy. eurozone 2.2%. ed from the health crisis but also the comprehensive plan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel Global markets remain volatile and The resource-rich Middle East economic fallouts of the pandemic. Carrying on from this first virtual and Canadian Prime Minister Justin under pressure, supply chains face could be among the hardest hit eco- Timely debt relief and economic summit, Saudi Arabia will build even Trudeau took part in the proceedings unprecedented disruption and fore- nomically with plummeting demand support could ease the effects of crip- greater momentum towards the G20 from their homes, where they were casts of a global economic recession for commodities such as oil, gas and pling social lockdowns across large, summit in November, which is likely under self-isolation. are multiplying. by-products but also with activity in urbanised populations. Medical aid to mark a defining moment for the The lead-up to the virtual sum- Following a virtual meeting of G20 aviation, tourism and real estate vir- such as protective gear for health- long global recovery. mit raised questions around how far finance ministers and central bank- tually frozen. care workers, testing kits, face masks leaders would be able to strike con- ers, International Monetary Fund G20 members are yet to decide and sanitisers will prove critical in Sabahat Khan maintains a sensus. (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina on debt relief or easing measures early detection and containment cross-disciplinary focus in In his summit-opening remarks, Georgieva was downbeat in suggest- that could provide much-needed where inadequate health facilities international security, defence King Salman reminded world leaders ing the world faces “a recession at economic relief for important parts exist and especially with large num- policy and strategic issues. “the world counts on us to come to- least as bad as during the global fi- of the Middle East, particularly bers of displaced people and refu- P2,20 Lockdowns do not come easy but Arab governments have few options

Lamine Ghanmi has not been easy. Authorities have “The vehicles are an effective tool ing for restrictions prevailed. Social In Baghdad, the anniversary of the and Samar Kadi made arrests, confiscated cars and for ministry officials to communicate workers and retired doctors volun- death, in the eighth century, of Imam imposed steep penalties against vio- government messages and interact teered to help. A group of 150 people, Musa al-Kadhim drew tens of thou- lators. Chaotic distribution of goods with the public while limiting per- mostly women, also volunteered in sands of pilgrims. Tunis forced Jordanian officials to relax son-to-person contact,” said Radh- Tunisia to confine themselves in a As they sit home and ponder the tough restrictions. ouane Ben Farhat, who works for the factory for a month to manufacture public health crisis, many spend n the face of the mounting toll of To dissuade violators of confine- manufacter of the robots. much-needed surgical masks. time watching television and surfing the coronavirus pandemic, most ment rules, Tunisian police used ro- In most of the Arab world, wariness Most mainstream Muslims schol- the internet. Sober discussions are of the Arab region, as many other bots to issue warnings. about the disease and understand- ars have been supportive of govern- often punctuated with conspiracy I parts of the world, has been cata- ment decisions closing all places of theories. pulted into full lockdown mode, with worship as a precautionary measure airline travel suspended, schools to stem the spread of the virus. shuttered, human movement re- But some Salafist advocates tried Convincing citizens of duced to strict essentials and eco- to exploit the situation by billing abiding by curfews and nomic activity screeching to a halt. mosque closures and bans on group confinement orders has The number of confirmed corona- prayers as an assault on the faith. not been easy. virus cases passed 5,000 in Turkey Moroccan Salafist preacher Abdelha- and 3,000 in Israel and was more mid Abou Naim called the closures An opinion survey conducted than 1,000 in Saudi Arabia. Most “a scandal” and issued threats that March 25-26 in Tunisia showed that other countries in the Middle East led to authorities arresting him on a plurality of 46% of respondents and North Africa reported hundreds anti-terrorism laws. shared the conspiratorial view that of cases. “Whether in Algeria, Morocco or the coronavirus was man-made by Iran remains the worst-hit country Egypt, Salafists seem to have agreed “US labs seeking to weaken China.” in the region, with an official death on using the epidemic to serve their toll of more than 2,500 and more political ambitions,” noted Egyptian Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly than 35,000 people infected. About writer Ahmad Hafez. Salafist at- correspondent in Tunis. Samar 21,000 people were hospitalised and tempts seemed, however, to have lit- Kadi is The Arab Weekly Travel and more than 3,000 were listed in seri- tle sway with the public. Society section editor. Mahmud el- ous or critical condition. Unauthorised but mostly tolerated Shafey and Mohammed Alkhereiji Restrictive measures gradually es- nightly marches continued by small in London, Stephen Quillen in calated to daytime and night-time crowds in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunis and Saad Guerraoui in curfews in many parts of the region. Algeria and other places, uttering re- Casablanca contributed to this Convincing citizens of abiding by Keeping the faith. Tunisian women work on the production of ligious chants and praying for divine report. curfews and confinement orders medical masks in a factory in the central city of Kairouan. (AFP) help in “defeating the epidemic.” P3,5-7,9-17,20-23 2 March 29, 2020 Top news

Global unity urged by Saudi king at G20 summit Rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Mohammed Alkhereiji Salman to convene a 2-hour ses- sion via videoconference. Other Zone as foreign participants included US President London Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor An- militaries pull n an extraordinary G20 virtual gela Merkel and Russian President summit, Saudi King Salman bin Vladimir Putin. out troops Abdulaziz Al Saud urged world “Combating this pandemic calls I leaders to coordinate financ- for a transparent, robust, coordinat- News agencies ing of research and development ed, large-scale and science-based towards a coronavirus vaccine, se- global response in the spirit of soli- cure the global economy and assist darity,” a statement issued by G20 Baghdad underdeveloped countries in fight- leaders said. “We are strongly com- ing the pandemic, which has killed mitted to presenting a united front t least two rockets hit in- more than 8,000 people. against this common threat.” side Baghdad’s heavily “This human crisis requires a With coronavirus infections ex- fortified Green Zone, the global response,” King Salman said ceeding 500,000 worldwide, cou- A seat of Iraq’s government March 26. “The world counts on us pled with the economic downturn and home to the US Embassy, an to come together and cooperate to related to it, the emergency meeting Iraqi military statement said. face this challenge. came during a time of great uncer- The rockets struck March 26 “We must have an effective and tainty, with financial analysts pre- Global drive. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a video near the Baghdad Operations Com- coordinated response to this pan- dicting a global economic recession conference from Tokyo with other G20 leaders, March 26. (AFP) mand, which coordinates Iraq’s po- demic and restore confidence in the in the near future. lice and military forces, the state- global economy.” In the Gulf Cooperation Council, delivery of medical supplies, espe- Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud echoed ment said. The command centre is energy-dependent countries such cially diagnostic tools, treatments, King Salman’s sentiment of global a few hundred metres from the US as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab medicines and vaccines.” unity. “With a message of solidar- Embassy, which is a regular target “We must work together to Emirates have introduced economic WHO Director-General Tedros Ad- ity announced from Riyadh to the of rocket attacks. It was not imme- prevail over this pandemic,” measures to cushion their econo- hanom Ghebreyesus, who partici- whole world: We must work togeth- diately known if there were casual- Prince Faisal posted on mies but most countries are not in a pated in the videoconference, wel- er to prevail over this pandemic,” ties. Twitter. position to do so. comed G20 leaders’ “commitment Prince Faisal posted on Twitter. The statement said the rockets G20 countries pledged to inject to do whatever it takes to overcome EU President Charles Michel were fired from al-Nahda area of “On the trade front, the G20 must $5 trillion into the global economy the pandemic” to protect lives and stressed the importance of the sum- Baghdad. send a strong signal to restore con- in “targeted fiscal policy” and cre- livelihoods. mit. “We need a global response to It was the first attack on the fidence in the global economy by ate plans to address the economic “Many of your countries have im- this global crisis. Thank you @King- Green Zone since three rockets resuming, as soon as possible, the effects of the pandemic. posed drastic social and economic Salman for organising the #G20Vir- landed near the US Embassy March normal flow of goods and services, The G20 communique said the restrictions, shutting schools and tualSummit,” he said on Twitter. 17. That attack was the fourth to especially vital medical supplies,” group would “use all available pol- businesses and asking people to Besides the G20 nations, many target US interests in Iraq in a week he added. icy tools to minimise the economic stay at home. These measures will countries hit hard by the COVID-19 following assaults on the Basmaya “It is our responsibility to extend and social damage from the pan- take some of the heat out of the epi- outbreak participated as observers, training camp and two attacks on a helping hand to developing coun- demic, restore global growth, main- demic but they will not extinguish including the United Arab Emir- Camp Taji. Both bases are near tries and (the) least developed coun- tain market stability and strengthen it,” Tedros said. ates, Jordan, Switzerland, Spain and Baghdad. tries to enable them to build their resilience.” “COVID-19 is taking so much from Singapore. The United Nations and capacities and improve their infra- The G20 leaders pledged to sup- us but it is also giving us something: other international bodies were also structure to overcome this crisis and port the World Health Organisation’s The opportunity to come together as involved. The attacks came as the US its repercussions.” (WHO) efforts against the corona- one against a common threat and to coalition announced plans Saudi Arabia holds the rotating virus outbreak, including “the pro- build a common future.” Mohammed Alkhereiji is the Gulf to consolidate its presence G20 presidency, which led King tection of front-line health workers, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince section editor of The Arab Weekly. in Baghdad and al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq.

The first attack on Camp Taji Iran manoeuvres to get sanctions lifted killed three coalition troops, in- cluding two Americans. That prompted US air strikes against by rejecting US, international help what US officials said were weap- ons facilities belonging to Kata’ib Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Iraqi Thomas Seibert from the United States and that the trust you to bring them medication?” spread” of the coronavirus. militia group believed responsible Trump administration should end its He alleged that the virus was “spe- More than 25 organisations, includ- for the attack. “maximum pressure campaign” in- cifically built for Iran using the genetic ing the National Iranian American Iraq’s military said the air strikes Istanbul stead. data of Iranians that they have ob- Council (NIAC) and the International killed five security force members “American leaders are lying… If tained through different means.” Crisis Group think-tank, asked Trump and a civilian, while wounding five ran is rejecting offers of interna- they want to help Iran, all they need Iran also rejected a plan by the med- in an open letter to loosen sanctions fighters from the Popular Mobilisa- tional help to fight coronavirus to do is to lift sanctions… Then we can ical aid organisation Doctors Without for four months. tion Forces, an umbrella organisa- in hopes of getting US sanctions deal with the coronavirus outbreak,” Borders (MSF) to build a 50-bed inflat- “To help stem the continued spread tion including an array of Iraqi mi- I lifted. Rohani said March 23 in a televised able hospital, staffed with an emer- of the virus inside Iran and beyond, litias, including some Iran-backed The pandemic has hit Iran harder speech. gency team of nine people, in Isfahan. we urge you to issue a time-bound groups. than any other country in the Middle Iran’s leaders appear to be calculat- “Due to Iran’s national mobilisation suspension of those US sanctions that Iran-backed Iraqi militias vowed East. Iranian Health Ministry figures ing that mounting international pres- against the virus and the full use of the make it harder for ordinary Iranians revenge for the attacks. March 24 said more than 32,000 peo- sure could force the United States to medical capacity of the armed forces, to secure basic goods and services to The attacks came as the US coa- ple in the country have been infected lift sanctions. it is not necessary for now for hospital weather the crisis,” the letter, pub- lition announced plans to consoli- and approximately 2,400 have died UN High Commissioner for Human beds to be set up by foreign forces and lished on the NIAC website, read. date its presence in Baghdad and since the first coronavirus case was di- Rights Michelle Bachelet said any their presence is ruled out,” Alireza Some of the United States’ allies al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq. agnosed in Iran in mid-February. Only sanctions imposed on countries, such Vahabzadeh, adviser to Iran’s health also voiced concern because Iran is a The plan had been in the works Italy, China and Spain have seen more as Iran, facing the coronavirus pan- minister, said on Twitter. State TV regional hotbed for the virus. since late last year, a senior coali- fatalities. demic should be re-evaluated to avoid said the Iranian Army set up a 2,000- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran tion military official said, speaking Teheran has been criticised for pushing strained medical systems bed hospital in an exhibition centre in Khan asked Trump to lift the sanc- on condition of anonymity in line downplaying the threat posed by the into collapse. Tehran. tions. “The people of Iran are facing with regulations. virus and under-reporting infections Rohani’s remarks echoed a state- US President Donald Trump, who untold suffering as sanctions are crip- Troops have pulled out from al- and deaths. Even though the govern- ment by Iranian Supreme Leader has stepped up sanctions against Teh- pling Iran’s efforts to fight COVID-19,” Qaim, on the border with Syria. ment called on citizens to stay home, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said his ran over its nuclear programme, said Khan wrote on Twitter. France, which has around 200 thousands turned out for the funeral country would never accept aid to fight on February 29 that Washington was However, observers say the Trump military personnel working in Iraq of high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary the coronavirus from arch-enemy and ready to help Iran fight the virus if its administration is not expected to ease either as trainers or in the head- Guard Corps commander, Hossein As- “charlatans,” the United States. leaders requested it. pressure on Iran. Washington argues quarters of coalition forces in sadollahi, March 23 near Tehran. Citing a conspiracy theory that However, there is no sign that Wash- that the sanctions regime does not Baghdad, said March 25 it would Iranian President Hassan Rohani claims the virus could have been cre- ington would ease sanctions. US Sec- ban the import of medical supplies withdraw its troops because of the said Iran had no intention of accepting ated by the United States, Khamenei retary of State Mike Pompeo signalled and machines. coronavirus pandemic. an offer of humanitarian assistance asked “who in their right mind would the United States was unreceptive to “The Trump administration is in- “In coordination with the Iraqi Tehran’s request for a loan from the fected by an addiction to its own government, the coalition has de- International Monetary Fund, where sanctions and is unlikely to suspend cided to adjust its deployments Washington effectively holds a veto, them to help Iran contain the spread in Iraq and provisionally suspend accusing the regime of funding “terror of COVID-19,” Ali Vaez, director of the training activities,” said an official abroad” with its resources. Iran Project at the Crisis Group, said French Defence Ministry state- Reports said there was a debate in- via e-mail, “but as Iran’s neighbours ment. side the Trump administration of how have realised: If Iran sneezes, they will The British Defence Ministry to respond to attacks by pro-Iran mili- catch a cold.” previously said some of its troops tias on US military installations in Iraq. Vaez said the US government was would be ordered home, citing a One group of advisers, including hoping to “bring Iran to its knees” “reduced requirement for training” Pompeo, argued for a forceful re- with the combined effect of sanctions Iraqi security forces. sponse while others, such as US Secre- and the coronavirus crisis. The Czech military said March 24 tary of Defence Mark Esper, said there “That is a misguided understand- it pulled 30 soldiers from Iraq over was no clear evidence Iran ordered a ing of Iran’s strategic calculus, as the concerns about security and the recent attack that killed two US ser- weaker Tehran becomes the less it spread of the novel coronavirus. vicemen and a British soldier, the New will want to negotiate with the US,” The troops were part of Opera- York Times reported. Vaez said. “The US indifference to the tion Inherent Resolve or NATO Mis- NBC News reported that Trump wellbeing of the Iranian people in the sion Iraq, as well as chemical train- “expressed concern that hitting back midst of this public health crisis will ing corps and military police. A crisis within the crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad hard at Iran at this time would make have long-term consequences.” Iraq’s military had halted all Zarif (R) wears a face mask as he attends a meeting of the Iranian the United States look bad given the training in early March to minimise government task force on the coronavirus, in Tehran, March 21. extent to which Iran and the rest of Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly the risk of coronavirus spreading (Reuters) the world are struggling to contain the correspondent. among its forces. March 29, 2020 3 Top news

Russian-Turkish patrols Abu Dhabi crown prince on Syria’s M4 highway emphasises support of UAE for off to bumpy start Syria in coping with pandemic

Sami Moubayed checkpoints in Syria from the cur- rent 25 to 50. It treated the cities of The Arab Weekly staff Khan Sheikhoun, Maaret al-Numan Beirut and Saraqib — all in the Idlib vicin- London ity — as permanent gains for the oint Russian-Turkish patrols Syrian Army. bu Dhabi Crown Prince were to begin in northern Syr- Whether Erdogan asked the Syr- Sheikh Mohammed bin ia, based on a March 5 agree- ian demonstrators to abort the Zayed al-Nahyan ex- J ment between Russian Presi- patrols or did nothing to prevent A pressed the United Arab dent Vladimir Putin and Turkish them does not really matter. What Emirates’ willingness to help the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. is important is that the message Syrian people deal with the corona- The patrols were to ensure that the came across loud and clear to Mos- virus outbreak, stressing that Syria M4 highway, linking Aleppo to La- cow. Erdogan was saying even if he “will not be left alone” in the cur- takia, were kept out of the hands of accepts concessions on Idlib, his rent “exceptional circumstances.” the Syrian Army, the Islamic State Syrian proxies won’t and they are Sheikh Mohammed and Syrian and the Kurds. armed to the teeth. President Bashar Assad, during a Its sharing between Russia and Reciprocating in similar fash- telephone call March 27, went over Turkey was something of a reward ion, the Russians signed their own measures taken by both countries for Erdogan, in exchange for aban- message to Turkey. For starters, to address the worsening pandem- doning the M5 highway, which had talks were suddenly jump-started ic, the official Emirati news agency been high on his target list, along between Damascus and the Syr- WAM reported. with recent territorial gains by the ian Kurds, under Russian auspices, Sheikh Mohammed “stressed the Russian and Syrian armies. ostensibly because of the outbreak need for all countries to place the The Turkish president sluggishly of the coronavirus, which required humanitarian solidarity over politi- accepted a fraction of what he had cooperation in Qamishli and Ha- cal issues,” WAM said. originally aimed for in Idlib, wait- sakah. Assad, the report said, praised the ing for conditions to change be- That raised red flags in Ankara “UAE humanitarian stance” consid- fore asking for more or claiming it and so did mediation with the ering the challenge the coronavirus unilaterally. The joint patrols were Syrian Democratic Forces, after is presenting to the region and the Arab solidarity. A file picture of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh only a fraction of that fraction and months of gridlock. Now the two world. Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. (AFP) they are very much toothless, lack- sides are willing to return to the After the call, Sheikh Mohammed ing a monitoring mechanism, as Er- negotiating table to revisit an Octo- said on Twitter that he told Assad dogan had wanted, or UN-backing. ber 2019 agreement that called on of “the support of the UAE and its on Twitter, described the Sheikh coronavirus cases in Syria and, with Twice, during a recent 10-day pe- them to disband two of their pow- readiness to help the brotherly Syr- Mohammed-Assad call as “a coura- a health infrastructure severely af- riod, the joint patrols were aborted erful militias and incorporate them ian people in these exceptional cir- geous step beyond narrow political fected by nine years of war, the by civilians carrying the tricolour into the Syrian Army. cumstances.” calculations.” country is perceived by experts as of the Syrian opposition, claiming This has constantly been the “The brotherly Arab Syria will not “The exceptional circumstances ill-equipped to deal with the effects they were unhappy with the Putin- Russians’ game, to “scare” Erdogan be left alone in these delicate cir- related to coronavirus pandemic of the pandemic. Erdogan deal. It gave Russia too into engagement, through the Syr- cumstances,” he said. require unprecedented steps,” Gar- In 2018, the United Arab Emirates much and got very little in return, ian Kurds. Whenever that failed, UAE Minister of State for For- gash said reopened its embassy in Damascus they said, prompting the Russian they would work in reverse, using eign Affairs Anwar Gargash, also There have been five confirmed at a charge d’affaires level. media to write them off as “rebel Erdogan to force the Kurds into provocations.” taking painful decision, such as the The demonstrators outlined de- one reached at Hmeimim last Oc- mands that sounded dangerously tober. At the time, all they did was Tunisia’s leaders jostle for close to those of Erdogan, starting look the other way as Erdogan’s with a no-fly zone over Idlib to a tanks rumbled into Syria, threat- halt of Russian military operations. ening to dismantle Kurdish com- Turkish authorities automati- munes by force. power amid coronavirus crisis cally took ten steps back, claiming “It is doubtful that the March 5 they had nothing to do with the an- deal will last” said Joshua Landis, gry Syrians. The Russians took that director of the Centre for Middle Lamine Ghanmi Ghannouchi has also been chal- by decree, given the uncertainties with a grain of salt, suspecting that East Studies at the University of lenged by members of his own ahead. behind the demonstrations was Oklahoma. He pointed to previous party. Health Minister Abdellatif “The parliament may not be able none other than Erdogan himself. Turkish-Russian ceasefires in Idlib Tunis Mekki, a senior Ennahda official, is to meet in the future because of the “I think that the rebels are block- — a total of 14 — saying: “They have in charge of the medical response crisis and a vote by teleconferenc- ing the Aleppo-Latakia highway not lasted indefinitely or even for he coronavirus pandemic to the coronavirus outbreak, giv- ing is controversial. The situation with Turkish tactical backing,” said long periods of time nor were they in Tunisia triggered frantic ing daily briefings in his doctor’s needs the government rules by de- Hilal Khashan, professor of politi- intended to.” mobilisation to deal with uniform. crees to act with efficacy in the face cal science at the American Univer- Erdogan would think twice be- T the public health crisis but Fakhfakh is seeking special of the epidemic,” Abbou said. sity of Beirut. “The Russian-Turk- fore returning to the battlefield, also set off intense jockeying for powers over certain finance and “If the draft law related to loans ish alliance is unnatural and will knowing that his Syrian proxies primacy between the three branch- business policies, amnesty and the Tunisia state received from reach its logical conclusion: come are no match for the superiority of es of government. individual freedoms. He and his abroad is not approved, we will not to an unhappy ending.” the Russian war machine. Since the The country’s three main leaders ministers insist that, without such be able to pay salaries of govern- This alliance faced turbulence start of this year, the Russian and — President Kais Saied, Prime Min- powers, the government is unable ment employees. Imagine the situ- over strategic disagreement over Syrian armies overran important ister Elyes Fakhfakh and parliament to address economic and social ef- ation of more than 650,000 employ- both Idlib and Libya. So tense was cities in Idlib and would have taken Speaker Rached Ghannouchi — fects of the pandemic. ees not getting their salaries. It is a the relationship last February that more had the ceasefire not been warned that Tunisia “is at war” with They said parliament takes three matter of national security,” he said. Russia allowed the killing of 33 reached March 5. the novel coronavirus. However, months, on average, to approve Most parties voiced at least quali- Turkish troops in Syria. “The Syrian government position overlapping claims of power by the legislative proposals while the gov- fied support for Fakhfakh’s move. Since then, the Syrian battlefield is strong and clear” Landis added, three leaders left many Tunisians ernment needs urgent decisions, However, Ennahda said there was has been a mailbox for the Turkish “it is determined to take back all confused about how the govern- no need to grant the prime minis- and Russian presidents, who have territory occupied by rebel and for- ment intends to address the crisis. ter special powers when he already Elyes Fakhfakh been sending messages to each eign forces. International law is on Fakhfakh, in office just one has “huge powers” allowing him “to other through it. Erdogan hated its side.” month, has led the government’s lead.” what Putin offered him on March response to the outbreak. Observ- Some in the parliament accused 5, given that it denied him a no-fly Sami Moubayed is a Syrian ers said his pragmatic approach to Ghannouchi of trying to preserve zone, made no mention of the M5 historian and author of “Under the addressing the pandemic has been “We are at war. We can’t afford his influence at the expense of the and refused to increase his share of Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). more convincing than Saied’s vague nihilism and indifference.” national interest. pronouncements. Samia Abbou, a Democratic Cur- Parliament approved “exception- including approval of foreign loans rent MP, lashed out at Ghannouchi al measures” to keep the legislative to pay worker wages, postpone- and his supporters: “You are scared. body working during the health ment of tax payments by compa- You are shaking from your cap down emergency by swiftly voting on nies as well as financial schemes to your trainers. You are striving to measures proposed by the govern- for workers made redundant by protect your power. This place is no ment. closed businesses. parliament anymore. You have be- In a clear pushback against Fakh- “Our country is experiencing an littled it,” she said. fakh taking the lead during the cri- exceptional situation by all stand- Tunisians remain wary about the sis, parliament virtually shelved ards,” said Fakhfakh. “We will ask political infighting as the country’s the prime minister’s proposal by the parliament to grant the govern- economic challenges are expected putting it on the regular legislative ment the power to issue decrees in to worsen. track. order to take urgent measures un- “It is difficult to believe that Ghannouchi’s move was backed der the Article 70 of the constitu- Ghannouchi is defending democ- by 122 parliament members, sug- tion.” racy in rejecting Fakhfakh’s pro- gesting that Qalb Tounes sided “We are at war. We can’t afford posal to rule by decree, which is full with Ennahda and its Islamist allies nihilism and indifference,” he of traps and raises more questions against Fakhfakh and reinforces the warned. about his real intentions,” said Nizar point that Saied and Fakhfakh are Mohamed Abbou, a government Bahloul, editor of Online Business supported by a minority in parlia- minister and leader of the Demo- News magazine. Russian games. A Turkish military convoy drives on the highway, ment. cratic Current, said he was in fa- “It is clear that we are careen- between Bab al-Hawa crossing on the border with Turkey and the The coronavirus crisis seems to vour of Fakhfakh’s proposition ing towards a political crisis be- rebel-held town of Ariha, in the north-western Syrian province of have helped Fakhfakh strengthen because it was necessary to give tween the legislative and executive Idlib. (AFP) his position. the prime minister power to rule branches of the government.” 4 March 29, 2020 Top news

Tighter measures, Iraqi PM-designate struggles to form higher medical mobilisation to government amid daunting challenges confront COVID-19 in Lebanon The Arab Weekly staff Samar Kadi London Beirut raqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi began informal he number of confirmed talks to form a new government, COVID-19 infections in Leba- I including consulting with Shia non jumped to almost 400, political blocs to overcome their ob- T including eight deaths, and jection to his nomination. the country entered Phase 4 of the Turkey’s Anadolu news agency re- global pandemic, prompting the gov- ported that Zurfi prioritised talking ernment to extend its health emer- with parties across the Iraqi political gency mobilisation until April 12 and spectrum over trying to fill a cabi- order a curfew from 7pm-5am. net, apparently thinking he must While most people will be barred address Shia objections over how from being on the streets during Iraqi President Barham Salih nomi- the curfew, exceptions were made nated him to be prime minister. for mills, bakeries, pharmacies and Zurfi faces major challenges to medical staff. convince Shia political blocs to “We are still in the extreme dan- change their opinion about his ger phase and it is necessary to ex- nomination, less than three weeks tend general mobilisation because before a constitution deadline to the containment period of the dis- have his government ratified by par- ease requires five weeks,” Informa- liament. Although Sunni and Kurd- tion Minister Manal Abdel Samad ish blocs appear open to Zurfi, Iran’s said. powerful Shia parties, particularly Phase 4 of a pandemic, as defined those backed by Iran, indicate they by the World Health Organisation, will not back him or any cabinet he means the contagion has reached proposes. human-to-human transmission. “Adnan al-Zurfi will struggle to Strong opposition. A motorbike passes by a defaced picture of Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan Health officials, fearing the lo- form a new government and strong al-Zurfi in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, March 19. (AP) cal health system would struggle to opposition has already emerged cope if cases dramatically surge, are from most of the Shia political fac- To bolster support, Zurfi de- leader of the Fatah Coalition, de- the last exemption extension. The increasingly alarmed about not hav- tions, as they consider him to be an scribed the Iran-backed Popular scribed Zurfi’s designation as ille- 30-day extension will help Iraq at ing enough ventilators for patients American appointee,” Nour Samaha, Mobilisation Forces (PMF) as a “le- gal and warned of “serious conse- a time the price of oil is continuing who might need them. a MENA analyst at Eurasia Group, gitimate Iraqi force.” quences.” to slide, which will have a major ef- Physicians rely on ventilators to was quoted as saying in an S&P “The PMF is an Iraqi military Zurfi has pledged “free, fair, fect on the Iraqi economy. treat patients who have contracted Global report. institution that was formed by a transparent elections” within a Because of political unrest, Iraq coronavirus, which, in severe cases, parliamentary bill and popular de- year after he forms a government. is functioning without a budget for damages lung tissue, making it diffi- mand to fight terrorism and save He met with Iraqi parliament 2020, instead using figures from cult for the lungs to deliver oxygen To bolster support, Zurfi Iraq,” he said on Twitter. “I partici- Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi its 2019 budget, which had been to the blood. Ventilators are also described the Iran- pated in drafting this bill and vot- on March 26 in Fallujah, as well as formulated on a global price of $56 used routinely to help other hospi- backed Popular ing for it as a national duty… the other MPs, seeking support. per barrel of oil. The price of oil is tal patients breathe, including those Mobilisation Forces PMF will remain as a solid organi- The developments come as Iraq around $25 owing to a price war under general anaesthesia during (PMF) as a “legitimate sation and its loyalty and sacrifices faces mounting crises, including between Saudi Arabia and Russia. surgery. Iraqi force.” will remain for Iraq and the Iraqis.” the coronavirus pandemic and “When the budget was based The faculties of medicine and en- Zurfi also tweeted: “We rely on falling oil prices. Reports indicated on a price of $56 per barrel, it was gineering at the Lebanese American “Sunni and Kurdish factions will a powerful Iraqi foreign policy that many Iraqis were not holding (still) basically suffering from a University (LAU) and the American likely support him but, even beyond based on the principle of ‘Iraq to a nationwide curfew. The Bagh- deficit,” Basra University for Oil University of Beirut (AUB) teamed this, he faces numerous obstacles in First’ and avoiding regional and dad Operations Command warned and Gas Professor Ansayif Jassim with industrialists and factories for selecting his cabinet members: he international conflicts that trans- residents to abide by the rules or al-Abadi told Reuters. an initiative to manufacture ventila- will need to address the demands of form Iraq into an arena for settling face severe consequences. “Iraq doesn’t have an economy. tors locally. the protest movement by introduc- scores.” The United States extended a We are only a rentier state, we sell “As clinical staff and engineers, ing relatively neutral cabinet mem- It was unclear to what extent waiver allowing Iraq to import oil and we live on its revenues,” we offered some technical advice to bers, but also keep the sectarian bal- Zurfi’s comments might sway Shia electricity and natural gas from he added, calling on the govern- the different teams working on this ance within government in order to groups that vehemently protested Iran, despite sanctions on Tehran, ment to prioritise diversification project,” Bassam Tabshouri, head of secure any sort of consensus.” his appointment. Hadi al-Amiri, but indicated that this could be of sources of income and wealth. AUB’s Medical Engineering Depart- ment, told Annahar newspaper. “This is a stellar example of inter- secting the skill sets and capabilities of academia from all over Lebanon, UN call for ceasefire in Yemen yet to take hold with those of leading industrialists and entrepreneurs including Poly- The Arab Weekly staff and humanitarian measures that will entire country.” “The political, eco- Nations’ request for secession in hos- textile, S&AS controllers and Tech- alleviate suffering and build con- nomic and health situation requires tilities, fighting in Yemen continued. nica, to face a critical challenge,” fidence; and the resumption of an halting all escalations… to preserve Government troops attacked Houthis said LAU President Joseph Jabbra. London inclusive, Yemeni-led political pro- people’s lives and deal responsibly in Sarbwa, Marib, Jawf and Bayda Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah cess.” with this pandemic,” the govern- provinces, local media reported. said it was mobilising some 25,000 arring parties in Yemen, The UN statement said a political ment statement added. Houthis were said to have attacked people, including front-line medics, including the interna- solution is the only way to a compre- The Saudi-led coalition also the village al-Hadd, bordering Lahij and preparing hospitals to help con- tionally recognised gov- hensive and sustainable resolution backed the initiative and the Iran- and Bayda provinces. front the coronavirus. W ernment, Houthi rebels of the conflict in Yemen. allied Houthi militia responded by Yemeni government representa- Lebanon announced it is sus- and southern separatists, welcomed Yemen has officially not been un- setting out terms before agreeing to tives met with World Health Organi- pending all Eurobond payments in UN Secretary-General Antonio Gu- touched by the coronavirus pandem- a ceasefire. sation (WHO) officials and Saudi foreign currency after defaulting terres’s call for a global truce to con- ic but, after five years of fighting, is Houthi leader Mohammed Ali relief agencies regarding the human- on its $1.2 billion Eurobond debt on centrate resources on the coronavi- in an extremely vulnerable position al-Houthi welcomed a cessation itarian response to the COVID-19 March 9. rus pandemic. should the coronavirus infection in hostilities but stressed that the pandemic in Yemen. “To protect its limited foreign cur- The United Nations urged all par- pass its borders. Saudi-led coalition fighting on be- Yemeni Health Minister Nasser rency reserves and given the increas- ties to work with the UN special The Yemeni government, in a half of the Yemeni government must Baoum met with officials from the ing difficulty to access foreign cur- envoy to “achieve a nationwide de- statement, welcomed Guterres’s call lift its blockade on airports and sea- King Salman Humanitarian Aid and rencies, the government decided to escalation; progress on economic to “de-escalate acts of violence in the ports. Al-Houthi demanded that the Relief Centre to discuss providing stop payments of all Eurobonds in US coalition pay local salaries to enable medical equipment and supplies. He dollars,” the Finance Ministry said. workers to take “full measures” to urged WHO representatives to pro- “The government remains firmly guard against the virus. vide Yemen with testing and train- committed to its three-pronged ini- During a speech March 21 com- ing, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper re- tiative on economic reform and in- memorating the death of his brother ported. tends to hold good faith talks with Hussein, al-Houthi said that COV- A separate meeting took place in its creditors as soon as is practica- ID-19 might be introduced to Yemen the government’s temporary capital ble,” a ministry statement said. through Saudi, UAE and US coopera- in Aden to discuss measures for test- With a $90 billion debt, Lebanon tion as a “biological weapon.” ing and quarantine in the country. is one of the world’s most indebted Al-Houthi said he believed that Health officials reviewed the availa- countries. countries such as the United States bility of medicine and efforts to raise The country is witnessing its have huge laboratories “capable of awareness about the outbreak, the toughest financial crisis, worse than developing viruses to spread epi- newspaper said. any it endured during its 1975-90 demics,” especially given the rise of The Yemeni government through civil war. A dramatic slowdown in China as an economic competitor, its Ministry of Religious Endow- capital inflows led to a liquidity Almasdar online reported. ments and Guidance suspended crunch and sharp foreign currency Almasdar also said the Houthis prayers at mosques and all religious shortages. were holding hundreds of Yemenis seminars, schools and lectures inside Banks have curtailed depositors’ who had arrived from Saudi Ara- and outside mosques. access to their savings in foreign bia under quarantine as “a measure It advised citizens to remain in currencies and blocked most trans- against the virus.” their homes to limit the spread of the fers abroad since October. The Leba- Vulnerable country. A Yemeni girl wears a protective face mask Despite what appeared to be a virus, in line with what many coun- nese pound has lost more than one- amid fears of the spread of coronavirus in Sana’a. (Reuters) general endorsement to the United tries have ordered. third of its value. March 29, 2020 5 Top news

Jordan relaxes curfew over COVID-19 as stringent confinement rules proved difficult to enforce

Roufan Nahhas tion. The government warned that sistance was very helpful in lifting it might re-impose total lockdown our spirits. There are 200 rooms conditions that previously turned occupied and mingling is not al- Amman Amman into a ghost city. lowed,” he said. “We don’t want this flexibility to “We are being monitored since ordan relaxed a strict curfew encourage people to exercise neg- we arrived at the airport where that was imposed to contain ative behaviour, such as leaving temperature-detecting machines the spread of coronavirus home for no good reason or ne- checked each one of us. Also, at J after government attempts glecting precautionary measures,” the hotel, an in-house doctor is to deliver essential food supplies said Jordanian Minister of State available round the clock to check were unsuccessful. for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh. on any suspected symptoms. So The curfew, under which people “We are still in the midst of the far, we have not heard of any cases were locked down, was frequently crisis and the number of infected here but still we have to stay four violated and more than 2,000 peo- cases is increasing, which does more days,” Halaseh added. ple were arrested and 900 vehicles not call for relaxing but rather “In the UK and the US govern- confiscated. pushes us to consider other strict ments were late to impose con- Jordanian King Abdullah II, measures.” finement and social distancing but who called for strict confinement Home delivery services were here in Jordan the king and the measures to safeguard citizens’ suspended to give the Jordanian prime minister reacted quickly. health, had ordered the govern- National Committee for Epidemics While some countries were wor- ment to cover people’s needs for time to review safety procedures. ried about their economy, Jordan basic food during the curfew. Several new delivery companies was worried about its people’s emerged but none had been given health,” he said. Amjad Adaileh permission to start operations. The International Monetary A Jordanian couple, in quaran- Fund (IMF) approved a 4-year, $1.3 tine at the Marriott Hotel in the billion loan for Jordan at a time it Dead Sea area where more than was taking measures to cushion 200 cases were being monitored, its economy from the fallout of “We are still in the midst of said they were anxiously awaiting the coronavirus outbreak. the crisis and the number of clearance to return home to Am- The extended fund facility pro- infected cases is increasing, man. gramme was anchored by Jordan’s which does not call for relaxing Ayman Halaseh, 52, and his fam- commitments to make structural but rather pushes us to ily returned from the United Arab reforms designed to lower elec- consider other strict measures.” Emirates 10 days ago and were al- tricity costs for businesses and lowed on the flight home only af- create incentives for them to hire However, chaotic distribution ter accepting to be quarantined for more young people, the IMF said. of goods, which saw people fight- 14 days after reaching Jordan. The programme was designed ing and ignoring social distancing “We arrived at the same time as before the coronavirus outbreak requirements, forced officials to travellers coming from the UK and but changes were made to support relax restrictions on shopping and we tried not to mingle with any of unbudgeted spending covering reopen small markets and baker- them at the airport. Buses took us emergency outlays and medical ies. to the Marriott Hotel and we were supplies and equipment. Tough to enforce. Police check drivers violating the curfew in The virus had caused one death given each a room where we are “If the effect of the outbreak Amman. (Roufan Nahhas) in Jordan where 212 people were confined,” Halaseh said. is deep enough to put at risk infected. “Being in quarantine is not an programme objectives, the pro- While most citizens welcomed easy thing but the hotel manage- gramme will be adapted further to hamad al-Ississ told Reuters that the virus on vulnerable economic the government’s decision to re- ment made everything easy and the changed circumstances, upon the loan approval “signals con- sectors and individuals.” lax confinement measures, others we thank them. The government reaching understandings with the fidence in Jordan’s economic re- defied remaining regulations by had a good plan to host people authorities,” the IMF said. form process and support for our Roufan Nahhas is a journalist going out without proper protec- coming from abroad and their as- Jordanian Finance Minister Mo- efforts to mitigate the impact of based in Jordan. Israel’s Gantz elected speaker, to seek Heavy sentences affirmed unity government with Netanyahu in ex-Algerian PM cases

The Arab Weekly staff tion to the speaker’s post. “That is While attention has immediately Agence France-Presse nessmen. Former Industry Ministers why I intend to explore the forma- turned to the expected unity deal, Mahdjoub Bedda and Youcef Yousfi, tion of an emergency unity govern- Gantz’s move also triggered a break- initially sentenced to ten years in London ment.” up of his centrist bloc. Algiers prison, had their jail terms halved. Gantz was tasked with forming a Yair Lapid, who heads Yesh Atid, Businessman Ali Haddad, founder enny Gantz, Israeli Prime government following the March 2 said: “Benny Gantz decided today n Algerian appeals court and CEO of private construction firm Minister Binyamin Netan- vote, something he was unable to do to break apart Blue and White and upheld prison sentences of ETRHB and former head of Algeria’s yahu’s main political rival, after two elections last year. crawl into Netanyahu’s govern- more than 10 years for two main employers’ organisation who B has been elected parliamen- The divided anti-Netanyahu forc- ment.” A former prime ministers un- was considered a principal funder of tary speaker, possibly setting up an es, who had a narrow majority in Is- “What’s being formed today isn’t der ex-President Abdelaziz Boutef- Bouteflika’s last electoral campaign, “emergency unity government” that rael’s parliament, forced the ouster a unity government and not an lika following an unprecedented had his 7-year prison sentence re- could keep Netanyahu in power. Speaker Yuli Edelstein, a member emergency government. It’s anoth- corruption trial. duced to 4 years. Gantz’s move could indicate a of Netanyahu’s Likud party. Gantz er Netanyahu government. Benny The court set sentences for Ahmed However, his lawyer Khaled “rotation” deal in which he and Ne- put himself forward as Edelstein’s Gantz surrendered without a fight,” Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal at 15 Bourayou said it was still an “unjus- tanyahu take turns as leader of the replacement, a dramatic initiative he added. and 12 years jail time, respectively, af- tifiable verdict.” country. widely seen as an acceptance that Netanyahu, in office since 2009, is firming a ruling by a lower court last “As long as justice is instrumental- It follows a year of political dead- he would not be prime minister for the first Israeli prime minister to be December. ised, we can’t expect anything else,” lock in which the Israeli electorate now. indicted while in office after being The two former prime ministers he said of the ruling, adding that the voted in three inconclusive elec- Israel has more than 2,600 con- formally charged with bribery, fraud served under Bouteflika, who was plaintiffs would appeal to the Su- tions. firmed coronavirus cases and im- and breach of trust in January. He forced to resign in April 2019 during preme Court. “These are unusual times and posed a nationwide ban on non- denies the charges. enormous street protests against Two owners of vehicle assembly they call for unusual decisions,” essential movement in the hope of Gantz previously ruled out serv- his bid for a fifth term in office. They plants, Hassen Arbaoui and Moham- Gantz told the Knesset after his elec- containing contagion. ing alongside a prime minister un- were the first former prime minis- ed Bairi, received sentences of 4 and der criminal indictment but that ters to be put on trial since Algeria’s 3 years in prison, respectively. was before the coronavirus pan- independence from France in 1962. Since March 1, approximately 20 demic unfolded. “This verdict on appeal is still a po- former politicians, powerful busi- Netanyahu reportedly offered litical ruling,” Sellal’s lawyer Mourad nessmen and senior officials have Gantz a series of deals since the Khader said. The defendants have been judged on appeal in corruption March 2 vote, including scenarios until April 1 to appeal to the Supreme cases. Trials await other defendants in which the position of prime min- Court. named in wide-ranging investiga- ister would rotate between the two. Scandals in Algeria’s auto indus- tions, begun after Bouteflika’s de- Gantz, a former head of the Israeli try, including murky funding for parture, into alleged corruption. military, casts himself as more dip- Bouteflika’s aborted re-election bid, Mass protests against cronyism lomatically accommodating than were at the heart of the case, which have continued in Algeria despite Netanyahu, urging redoubled ef- resulted in prison terms for other Bouteflika’s resignation and the forts to restart peace talks with the former ministers and businessmen election of a new president in De- Palestinians. close to the ex-president’s regime. cember. Activists demand a com- However, he has also embraced Financing for the long-time lead- plete overhaul of the political sys- US President Donald Trump’s Mid- er’s campaign had “cost the treas- tem and removal of Bouteflika-era dle East peace plan, which was re- ury an estimated 110 billion dinars figures. jected by the Palestinians who said ($890 million),” the prosecutor said. While some have welcomed the it ignored their legitimate rights to The auto industry scandal led to the trials of figures in his entourage, in- self-determination and permitted loss of more than $1 billion in public cluding his powerful brother Said Rotating power. An election banner for the Israeli Blue and White Israeli annexation of most of the oc- funds, official figures stated. and two former intelligence chiefs, alliance with pictures of its leader retired military General Benny cupied West Bank. Other rulings handed down by the many fear that they amount to little Gantz (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in appeals court reduced sentences for more than a power struggle between Ramat Gan, February 17. (AFP) (With news agencies.) former Algerian ministers and busi- regime “clans.” 6 March 29, 2020 Opinion

Editorial The socio-economic cost of the pandemic s Arab countries take increasingly drastic “social distancing” measures to cope with the mounting toll of the coronavirus pandemic, many in the region are deeply worried about the potentially catastrophic effects of theA crisis on their economies. The coronavirus epidemic challenges the Arab world on many fronts. It is an unprecedented health situation that risks overwhelming many of the inadequate health systems in place. The outbreak is also likely to bring about a storm that turns the socio-economic fundamentals in many parts in the region to shambles. In some Middle Eastern and North African countries, such as Jordan and Tunisia, there are immediate concerns having to do with securing emergency funding from foreign countries and international institutions to cope with expendi- tures stemming from the public health crisis. More long-term concerns involve the inevita- ble social disruption and loss of revenue from the lockdowns and work stoppages caused by the epidemic. With about 40,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, the Middle East and North Africa region is starting to suffer the socio-economic fallout of the pandemic like other regions of the world. The global recession will hit the Arab region © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly head-on and its effects will be felt by both oil producers and non-oil producing countries. The suspension or abrupt slowdown of all forms of economic activity, including travel and 17 years ago, the US target tourism, the drastic curtailment of trade and finance combined with the drop in oil prices have generated what Jihad Azour, director of the was Iraq not its regime International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, called “intertwined shocks” that are likely “to deal a severe blow to Khairallah Khairallah economic activity in the region, at least in the first half of this year, with potentially lasting What was birthed in Iraq by the US occupation was a consequences.” non-viable, unsustainable regime. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) estimated the loss of revenue from oil exports in the region (from eventeen years ago — Since September 11, 2001, the September 11 attacks and yet January through mid-March) at $11 billion and almost to the day — US- officials in the George W. Bush US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the loss by businesses in the capital market at led coalition forces were administration volunteered Iraq found himself compelled to go to $420 billion, with $550 million lost each day. advancing from the as partially responsible for the Kabul to save what he could of the “The consequent loss of wealth is equivalent south towards Baghdad. attacks. During the first high-level agreement with the Taliban. to 8% of the total regional wealth,” the regional They took the city on meeting following the attacks, The invasion of Iraq is a be- organisation noted. SApril 9, 2003. US Deputy Secretary of Defence wildering American decision but Even for non-oil exports, forecasts are dire. Many often-fragile economies have no substi- That date marked the beginning Paul Wolfowitz demanded that a the conclusion that can be drawn tute resources once tourism and trade are of a new era for the region. It was response take place in Iraq. after all those years is that the an- shuttered. a virtual earthquake whose after- That meeting was at Camp Da- nounced US goal of establishing a Jon B. Alterman, director of the Middle East shocks are still being felt on more vid. Colin Powell, then-Secretary democratic regime in Iraq turned Programme at the Centre for Strategic and than one level, especially in Iraq, of State, silenced Wolfowitz, out to be an impossible task and International Studies in Washington, pointed to the Gulf and the region of the assuring him that the US adminis- that the real target then was Iraq, the additional risk that remittances from Fertile Crescent that extends from tration had no information linking not the regime. expatriate workers, which constitute up to 10% Iraq to the Palestinian territories, Saddam to al-Qaeda but Wolfowitz How else can we explain that a of the country’s income in such places as Egypt, via Syria and Lebanon. refused to back off. mighty country such as the United Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Lebanon, would The world stood witness to the Wolfowitz, a neoconserva- States, which was the only super- dry up as “skilled workers will return, unem- changes occurring since 2003 and tive, was later asked why he had power in the world, could embark ployed, to markets that can’t provide for them.” became convinced that Iran was focused on Iraq, while everybody on the adventure of invading Governments across the region are introduc- ing stimulus packages to boost business and the United States’ real partner in knew al-Qaeda’s leadership was and occupying a country without re-establish economic balance. Measures its war on Iraq. In fact, Iran was protected by the Taliban regime in preparing itself for the post-occu- include tax breaks, debt deferment and are the real victor of that war, a war Afghanistan. He answered: “The pation phase? Even a child could likely to involve more direct forms of support as that had cost the United States seeds have been planted.” guess that occupying Iraq in the the crisis continues. thousands of lives and trillions of In other words, he laid the way it happened meant offering it However, the crisis is likely to upend the dollars. foundation for the military inva- to Iran on a silver platter and creat- reform-oriented austerity prescriptions and to What is confusing is why and sion of Iraq. This information was ing a lasting regional imbalance at create need for big spending policies instead at a how the Americans decided to published in Vanity Fair and the every level. time of diminishing revenues. invade Iraq after al-Qaeda’s “holy decisions taken at that stage that What was birthed in Iraq by the Addressing leaders of the 20 most industrial- attacks” on September 11, 2001, changed the face of the world, US occupation was a non-viable, ised countries on the eve of their March 26 on the Pentagon and New York, including travel procedures inside unsustainable regime, especially videoconference, UN Secretary-General Antonio commissioned by Osama bin and outside the United States. after the intentional marginalisa- Guterres exhorted G20 leaders to “inject Laden. Still, the mystery remains: Why tion of the Sunni Arabs of Iraq and massive resources into economies, reaching double digit percentage points in the world’s Besieged by severe interna- invade Iraq? The answer at that of offering the Kurds inapplicable gross domestic product” as he estimated the tional sanctions for its foolish time was to bring freedom and promises. global cost of the pandemic at “trillions of invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Iraq democracy to the oppressed Iraqi With the passage of time, that is, dollars.” During their videoconference in had no relationship with al-Qaeda people. 17 years since the fall of the statue Riyadh, March 16, G20 leaders pledged to inject or bin Laden, who was hiding in There is no question that the of Saddam in Baghdad, events $5 trillion into the world economy. Afghanistan. Saddam regime was dictatorial but confirm that the intention was to It will mean debtor countries and institutions Among the 19 terrorists who ex- why it and not the Syrian regime, finish off Iraq. The old regime and accepting to put on hold scheduled debt repay- ecuted the attacks was a Lebanese for example, which was equally op- its alleged weapons of mass de- ment in line with the suggestion by the Interna- citizen named Ziad Jarrah belong- pressive? More important, what was struction were nothing more than tional Monetary Fund and World Bank “to ing to the Fatah Revolutionary the difference between it and the flimsy arguments for achieving the provide a global sense of relief for developing Council group headed by Sabri government in Iran, especially the specific goal of destroying Iraq. countries.” al-Banna, aka Abu Nidal. Banna Khomeini regime that had Ameri- In 2020, the United States redis- In both the short and long terms, most was a defector from Fatah and can blood on its hands? It ordered covered its need for Iraq. This is governments are concerned about the fallout of had suspected links to various the bombing of the US Embassy in the Iraq that is resisting Iranian he- the crisis on the most vulnerable segments of society. terrorist organisations, including Beirut in April 1983, followed by the gemony on the grounds that Arab As companies are forced to shut operations, al-Qaeda. bombing of the US Marine Corps nationalism still binds together unemployment risks soar. With no guarantee of Banna was living in Baghdad. headquarters near Beirut airport in most Iraqis, including Shias. social benefits to make up for the loss of income, To preclude any misinterpreta- October the same year. Does Washington have a clearer many of the unemployed may not be able to tions, the Iraqi regime of the time It is still a mystery why the vision of what it must do in Iraq to provide for themselves or their families. disposed of the man. It was said United States started a war on Iraq avoid the continuation of the Ira- The situation of millions of informal sector he “committed suicide” at his under the pretext of going after nian expansionist project, a project workers whose livelihood is endangered by home in Baghdad. al-Qaeda while its troops were all motivated by fighting American shutdowns and closed borders is particularly Despite these preventive over Afghanistan searching for al- belligerence in the first place? precarious. They could join the millions in moves, there were some people Qaeda and bin Laden. Most important, is it possible marginalised segments of the population who in Washington who insisted on To this day, the United States to restructure Iraq after all these barely make ends meet in any normal day. finding a link, no matter how has been suffering from its war years of efforts to disintegrate it, ESCWA forecasts unemployment in the region thin, between the Iraqi regime in Afghanistan. It couldn’t end it, unravel its social fabric and send it to increase this year by 1.2% causing the loss of at least 1.7 million jobs. headed by Saddam Hussein and such that, in 2020, it had no choice back to the Middle Ages? There are stirrings of inter-Arab consultations al-Qaeda, knowing that evidence by to sign an agreement with the We know what happened in Iraq on coordinated approaches to weathering the corroborating the existence of a Taliban, an accord with a taste of and what was the goal of occupy- storm. More needs to be done as countries of the relationship between al-Qaeda defeat. It was the Taliban regime ing it, but why? region try to mitigate the cost of the unprec- and groups affiliated with the and Afghanistan that gave shelter edented crisis. Iranian regime, not Iraq, was and protection to bin Laden and Khairallah Khairallah is a Leba- overwhelming. enabled him to plan and execute nese writer. March 29, 2020 7 Opinion

In facing the pandemic, some Iranians Published by Al Arab are more equal than others Publishing House Ali Alfoneh Publisher The clerics, the bon vivants and the IRGC mourners, and Group Executive Editor all are actively spreading the virus. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD ith more Hassan Rohani, health officials than 2,500 and even Major-General Hos- Editor-in-Chief fatalities sein Salami, commander of the Oussama Romdhani and at least Islamic Revolutionary Guard 35,000 Corps (IRGC), to the public to confirmed stay home to break the chain of Managing Editor Winfections, the COVID-19 pan- coronavirus contagion. Major- Iman Zayat demic in Iran is a formidable General Mohammad Bagheri, health crisis that could morph chief-of-staff for the Armed Senior Editor into a security crisis as secu- Forces, on March 13 even John Hendel rity forces try to enforce the promised to “clear the streets” government’s ban on intercity within 24 hours. travel. The Iranian public largely Chief Copy Editor The extent to which security ignored those appeals. A con- Richard Pretorius forces enforce the ban will not stant stream of cars transport- only demonstrate the ability ed clerics in Qom, epicentre of Copy Editors of the regime to contain the the contagion in Iran, to their contagion but may indicate secondary homes in affluent Stephen Quillen its ability to endure US sanc- northern Tehran. Well-to-do Kyle Arensdorf tions and suppress chronic Tehranis spent the New Year public discontent beyond the holiday partying in their villas pandemic. in northern Iran on the shores East/West Editor The government’s measures of the Caspian Sea. Mahmud El-Shafey were announced by Hossein Even the IRGC, the supposed Zolfaqari, deputy interior enforcer of Bagheri’s “clear View from the top. Iranian President Hassan Rohani (L) participates in a minister and member of the the streets” policy on March Gulf Section Editor videoconference regarding the measures taken to hamper the spread of National Headquarters for 23 organised a well-attended Mohammed Alkhereiji coronavirus. (DPA) Corona Disease Management. funeral service for Brigadier- In a televised address March General Hossein Assadollahi, Society and Travel 26, Zolfaqari said Iranians cur- who allegedly died of long- ly return to Tehran or Qom and forces in the coming weeks Sections Editor rently travelling must imme- term effects of exposure to ask if law enforcement officers will not only show the ability Samar Kadi diately return to their primary chemical weapons in the will treat the rich and powerful of the police, the IRGC and its residence and cancel future 1980s. the same way they mistreat subordinate Basij militia to Senior Correspondents travel plans. The three groups — the cler- the humble street vendor who enforce the government’s ini- Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) He warned law-enforcement ics, the bon vivants and the is losing his or her subsistence tiatives, it will reflect the ability (Istanbul) officers would use the number IRGC mourners — all are active- because of the new measures. of security services to address Thomas Seibert

plates of the cars and na- ly spreading the virus. There also appears to be sup- the crisis after the peak of the Regular Columnists tional identification card of the Much of the social media port for the IRGC and there are pandemic. driver to ascertain the primary commentary on the govern- those who blame Rohani for Impoverished, angry and Rashmee Roshan Lall residence. He also assured that ment’s initiatives approves of mismanagement of the crisis increasingly dissatisfied with Claude Salhani the government would issue tighter measures but wonder and hope strongmen of the the regime, it is only a question Yavuz Baydar special permits for profession- why those initiatives were IRGC will restore order. of time before Iranians once als whose presence outside not made five weeks ago. In The bigger question, howev- again take their protests to the of their city of residence was particular, the public asked er, is if and to what extent the streets. Correspondents deemed necessary. why the government did not security services of the Islamic Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) These measures were an- quarantine Qom. Republic are capable of enforc- Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at nounced after weeks of futile Others wonder if out-of-town ing the intercity travel ban. the Arab Gulf States Institute in Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) appeals by Iranian President visitors are willing to voluntari- The performance of security Washington. Roua Khlifi (Tunis)

Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi No evidence pandemic is boosting Designers xenophobia in Europe Ibrahim Ben Bechir Rashmee Roshan Lall Hanen Jebali Post-coronavirus, both the left and the right may be increasingly in sync, albeit for different reasons. Contact editor at: ne might have the Italian government to an- been wrong in his assumption leaders of far-right parties in [email protected] thought the coro- nounce a stringent national that Italians would be eager to France, Germany and Spain navirus pandemic lockdown to halt the spread embrace the League’s custom- asked for border closures early would have been of the virus. That should have ary explanation for their woes. in the unfolding coronavirus an instant and been the very moment when Despite obvious efforts to crisis. The call seemed less massive boost to the League, led by Matteo Sal- remind voters that their true to do with public health than Al Arab Publishing House Oxenophobia in Europe and this vini, tapped into Italy’s sense enemies are the usual visible the far-right’s trademark, the Quadrant Building would be particularly true of of panic and dread and wrested ones — immigrants from the clamour for walls to keep out 177-179 Hammersmith Road Italy. the narrative from Italian Prime Middle East and North Africa refugees and illegal immigrants. London W6 8BS For it is in Italy that the Minister Giuseppe Conte and — Salvini and the League are Meanwhile, the Hungarian pandemic has taken its greatest his administration. He hasn’t drawing tepid interest. government, led by Prime Min- toll and Italy’s far-right League, managed it — yet. There are two possible rea- ister Viktor Orban, justified its which has taken its inflamma- That’s not for want of try- sons. There is the mood of the March 1 abolition of the right to Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 tory viewpoint mainstream in ing. In late February, Salvini, moment that recognises the asylum by discerning “a certain Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 the country and further afield a former interior minister, unprecedented peril posed by link between coronavirus and in Europe, enjoys the greatest demanded Conte’s resignation coronavirus, an invisible en- illegal migrants.” domestic popularity of any for his failure to “defend Italy emy that knows no borders, in Even so, it’s possible the party. and Italians.” To refocus the Italy or anywhere. The League’s pandemic will eventually blunt US Publisher: By rights, the conditions coronavirus-afflicted country’s siren song has less purchase some of the sharpest arguments should be perfect for the attention on immigrants and at a time Italians are cleaving employed by Europe’s xeno- The Arab Weekly USA LLC. League’s anti-immigrant Muslims — his main targets together in support of their phobes. [email protected] for the past six years as the embattled government as it politics. It should be blooming Post-coronavirus, both the [email protected] virulently, in the gritty soil fer- face and voice of the League — struggles to fight the pandemic. left and the right may be in- tilised by fear, fake news, grief Salvini said: “The infection is Indeed, Italian pollster Ixe creasingly in sync, albeit for dif- Tel: 248-679-6624 and uncertainty. spreading. I want to know from recorded that Italy’s confidence ferent reasons. Even before the However, this doesn’t seem the government who has come in its government increased 6 virus outbreak, Europe’s left- to be the case. Termometro in and gone out. We have to percentage points to 49% the leaning environmental move- Politico (TP), the well-regarded seal our borders now.” week of March 23 with Conte’s ment had been stigmatising Italian political website, report- He returned to his trademark approval rating rising 6 points air travel and demanding that ed that its poll indicated contin- rhetoric about African asylum- to 51%. And, if social media localisation roll back globalisa- uing decline in support for the seekers arriving in Italy from memes are any indication, tion. The right had consistently Subscription & Advertising: League. The party still has the Libya. “Allowing migrants to there are many new and affec- called for strong borders and a [email protected] most support among voters, it land from Africa, where the tionate ones about Conte. reversal of globalisation. Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 said, 31.6%, compared with 21% presence of the virus was con- Could Italy’s sudden and ap- After the pandemic, both for the Democratic Party, which firmed, is irresponsible,” Salvini parent deafness to the League’s wish lists might mesh in a way is part of the coalition govern- said. He was wrong on the facts hateful rhetoric signal a deeper that leaves little space for xeno- Mohamed Al Mufti ment, but the League’s star when he said it. At the time, change in Europe generally and phobes. Marketing & Advertising Egypt was the only African appears to be waning rather more particularly in Italy? Is it Manager than shining brighter in the age country to have reported one possible that the fever has bro- Rashmee Roshan Lall is a of coronavirus. confirmed coronavirus case. ken and the xenophobic phase columnist for The Arab Weekly. Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 It is significant that the TP Libya confirmed its first case is over? Her blog can be found at www. www.alarab.co.uk poll was conducted March 11-12, March 25. There is little evidence of rashmee.com and she is on 48 hours after the crisis forced Salvini also seems to have that. In step with Salvini, the Twitter: @rashmeerl. 8 March 29, 2020 Viewpoint Iraq

Viewpoint Iraq’s intractable knot

dilapidated state, as if Iraq is still at war. Whether oil prices go up or go Farouk Yousef down, it won’t make any differ- ence. Scenes of destruction are everywhere. All revenues disap- n the not-so-distant past, pear in a giant black hole that the prime minister in Iraq constantly demands more. was chosen through a US- The Iraqi parties were comfort- Iranian understanding. Now able with the US-Iranian recipe such a process looks like an because it ensured some fair- intractable knot. ness in the quota system. It is an IThis could be an indication equitable recipe. There is a prime of one of two things: Either the minister who will serve as a hidden paths of communica- mere front for a great corruption tion between the two parties scheme in the context of which have been closed so each side the wealth of Iraq is distributed finds itself having to make life among the parties, each accord- impossible for the other, or that ing to its quota. both parties have a new level of The good times of that seem to urgent understanding that makes have come to an end by a mys- agreeing on a new government in terious shift in the relationship Iraq a secondary issue. between the two big partners. Because all political parties in The assassination of Major-Gen- In the crosshairs. Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi (C) meets with the ambassadors of Iraq, without exception, are loyal eral Qassem Soleimani, Iranian the P5 countries of the United Nations Security Council in Baghdad, March 25. (AFP) to Iran, their inability to strike a Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali consensus on one candidate can Khamenei’s representative for only be considered as evidence the militia administration, was of the weakness of their politi- one of its most sinister signs. Disagreement over US presence cal arbiter. It will eventually be said that the matter of forming a government was, for the first All revenues in time, left to the Iraqis and they Iraq disappear in a throws Iraq’s Shia camp in disarray have failed. That conclusion is largely giant black hole warranted. The heads of the that constantly where — the status quo, Iraq’s against Zurfi but Maliki for years previous governments were leadership ranks, to protect their accepted the United States’ pres- not chosen because the parties demands more. place within it while fending off ence in Iraq and hand and hand imposed their will. They were Nazli Tarzi figures whose allegiance, they with their officials. chosen after they were given a The truce in Iraq is over. All claim, lies with America. As in 2014, Maliki’s grow- green light to transgress red lines parties are showing their ferocity Members of the Islamic Resist- ing leverage casts minds back imposed by the Iranian and US to expand their circle of inter- he walls are closing ance, whose existence is not to the ways in which, as prime partners. ests. Herein ends the myth of in on Iraqi Prime constitutionally recognised, minister, he took advantage Following Adel Abdul-Mahdi’s the “Shia House.” It has become Minister-designate have consistently called on Zurfi of security flaws to nurture resignation as Iraqi prime min- clear that loyalty to Iran does Adnan al-Zurfi, to step down since his nomina- paramilitaries that grew into the ister under popular pressure, not create a united front. It’s not whose task of form- tion was announced March 17. Popular Mobilisation Forces. it was clear that any nominee the same as being loyal to the ing the new Iraqi gov- On March 19, Hadi al-Amiri’s As COVID-19 forces a critical for prime minister would have homeland. Ternment remains fiercely con- Fattah Alliance fired more criti- pause in Iraq’s National Protest few chances, not because of the All parties in Iraq are defend- tested by pro-Iran factions that cism at Zurfi, dubbing him an Movement, Maliki is behind people’s objection to him but be- ing their interests, regardless accuse him of being “America’s American joker, a term popular- the scenes trying to exploit this cause of the conflict of interests of the slogans they raise. They man in Iraq.” ised since protests erupted last strategic window. between the parties, especially need to be reassured that those Those pushing back against October to refer to “bad seed- those that claim to represent the interests will be safeguarded, Zurfi are the same actors who, 17 lings” — men whose guns were Shia camp. then they can agree on a prime years ago, toed the line of a con- hired to exterminate peaceful When we talk of a conflict of minister, regardless of his loy- troversial pro-US fatwa issued protesters and their demands for Abdul-Mahdi and interests between the parties, we alty. It won’t matter to them if his by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani a US- and Iran-free Iraq. Zurfi both have do not mean a difference on the colours are American or Iraqi. ordering Iraqis not to resist oc- Before Zurfi’s appointment, political and services programme For Iraqis, a prime minister cupying forces. former Prime Minister-designate long-standing ties to of the government. That pro- who is loyal to the United States The trade-off paved the way Mohammed Allawi was ushered Iran and the United gramme is the last thing on the is not necessarily better than one for members of Iraq’s Islamist in to satisfy not only popular de- States but the pro- minds of the parties because who is loyal to Iran. They are political class, who have safe- mands for a new government but they know that its existence can- the two sides of the same coin guarded very little other than to reassure those in power that Iran Shia camp has a not harm their interests. because the job of the chosen the powers they were granted, to their seats would not be lost. Un- single target: Zurfi. No previous governments prime minister is to safeguard be rewarded for allowing occupi- able to satisfy their ambitions, put forth a clear political and the fait accompli imposed by ers to trespass their country. The Allawi’s cabinet was denied the economic programme for the the occupation. For the two big groundwork this laid is crum- vote of confidence. He resigned Iran’s inability to sway Iraqi country because they knew that partners, the power of that bling 17 years on. on March 1. politics in the direction that Iraq’s massive financial revenues de facto reality rests above all The path to political legitima- The anti-Zurfi chorus that Fat- safeguards its foothold has only are not earmarked for such a other powers. cy today relies on the formula’s tah and others espouse is keen to raised the stakes and explains thing. This means that the future of reversal — a commitment to see the reinstatement of former Maliki’s latest role as conduc- That is exactly what we find Iraq, with its people, govern- expel US coalition troops, who, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mah- tor of the Islamic Resistance now. Nothing has changed. All ment, destiny and generations to before the coronavirus outbreak, di, who resigned in late Novem- orchestra. sectors — health, education, elec- come, will remain a sealed file. numbered approximately 7,500. ber 2019 amid calls for his ouster In early March, Iranian Admi- tricity, transportation, culture, An exemplar of this trend are throughout the country. ral Ali Shamkhani travelled to et cetera — remain in the same Farouk Yousef is an Iraqi writer. pro-Iran factions that in the past Abdul-Mahdi was one of sever- Baghdad to unite all strands of month spearheaded three at- al names cited in a cable leak last Iraq’s Shia leadership, especially tacks on military bases housing year for their “special relation- over the choice of who should US forces. ship” to Iran. Abdul-Mahdi and steer the country. On March 19, which coinciden- Zurfi both have long-standing Abdul-Mahdi, whom pro-Iran tally marked the 17th anniversa- ties to Iran and the United States actors seek to restore to power, ry of the war on Iraq, US troops but the pro-Iran Shia camp has a was the horse that Tehran withdrew from positions along single target — Zurfi. backed and sought to protect the Iraqi-Syrian border as part As the threat of COVID-19 in from being ousted. The man of plans drawn up prior to the Iraq makes the balancing act behind those moves, the late global spread of COVID-19. Zurfi is tasked with ever more Islamic Revolutionary Guard In practical terms, a US exit difficult, the former Najafi mayor Corps Major-General Qassem would do little to alter bilateral has not defended himself against Soleimani, the executioner of ties between the two countries. allegations of serving American Tehran’s ambitions in Iraq, made Those cheerleading for the full interests. this possible but his assassina- departure of coalition troops Other prominent figures who tion left the Shia camp in greater are setting their sights else- faced similar allegations are disarray. involved in efforts to firewall Iran’s quislings in Iraq are anx- Zurfi’s cabinet choices for the ious to preserve powers that the sake of the status quo. Former United States handed to them Iran’s quislings in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in 2003 but many forget that Iraq are anxious to known for his corrosive sectari- those actors shared a waltz with an-motivated rule and collabora- America, welcomed its officials preserve powers that tion with various US adminis- into their homes and toured the United States trations, is staging a comeback the palaces of Saddam Hussein handed to them in having descended into the shad- together. ows after agreeing to relinquish The point of departure is diffi- 2003 but many forget power in late 2014. cult but not entirely impossible that those actors Maliki and members of fac- to reach. tions of the Islamic Resistance Army role. Iraqi soldiers stand guard during the handover shared a waltz with who have been meeting at his Nazli Tarzi is an Arab Weekly ceremony of Qayyara Airfield to Iraqi Security Forces, in the south America. home represent a united front correspondent in London. of Mosul, Iraq, March 27. (AP) March 29, 2020 9 News & Analysis Syria Radicalisation threatens Syria’s children of war

Simon Speakman Cordall “Many of these children have been raised in camps for IDPs (in- ternally displaced people) in Syr- Tunis ia,” Touma said. “Some are born in refugee camps in neighbouring lmost 5 million children countries, while others are born have been born into Syr- in makeshift settings in countries ia’s conflict since it began such as Lebanon. These are the A nine years ago. A further 1 harshest places for children to ex- million have been born in refugee ist.” camps in neighbouring countries, The recent escalation of fighting the United Nations’ children’s in Idlib brought further hardship fund said. to children sheltering in and near In addition to the 4.8 million overcrowded IDP camps. UNICEF born into conflict are the 5,427 said more than 960,000 people, in- whom the United Nations verified cluding approximately 575,000 chil- as having been killed in the war dren, have been displaced in north- Fertile ground. A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces gives bread to children near the village since monitoring began six years western Syria since December 1. of Baghouz, Deir ez-Zor province, Syria. (Reuters) ago, a UNICEF report released In north-eastern Syria, at least March 15 stated. The actual num- 28,000 children from more than ber is thought to be far higher. 60 countries, often the offspring of experience,” Dr Gregory Keane, as their situation remains tempo- nobody,” said Scott Atran, an an- Elsewhere, 2.8 million children the foreign fighters who flooded to mental health adviser at Doctors rary, finding any kind of long-term thropologist and founding fellow — approximately around one-third Syria’s civil war, must survive the Without Borders (MSF), said by solution to their trauma is very of the Centre for the Resolution of of Syria’s child population — ex- winter and the fighting in make- telephone from Paris, “That’s to challenging.” Intractable Conflict at the Univer- ist outside of functional educa- shift camps. As of January, only say, if they grew up in a stable, lov- sity of Oxford, who has conducted tion systems and 5,000 children 765 children had been repatriated ing environment they’re likely to several field studies of societies in — some as young as 7 — have been to their countries of origin. assimilate trauma over time. Almost 5 million children conflict. drawn into the fighting. “It’s estimated that a child has “That was the case with the first have been born into Syria’s “I’ve found that less than 2% of Whatever the political future of been killed every ten hours in generation of refugees we saw conflict since it began nine Sunni groups have any interest in Syria, it will find itself trying to Syria in the past six years,” Touma from what was, at the time, a high- years ago. democracy. They want to stop the rebuild a society with an entire explained. “This doesn’t include ly functional society.” war and feed themselves. They’re generation traumatised by conflict those who die of disease, cold, ac- However, as the war has pro- Despite dramatic advances by looking for answers and they’re and vulnerable to the calls of the cidents or through other chronic gressed, so conditions for child the regime of Syrian President not getting it from the govern- recruiters of militias and armies diseases and illnesses, such as refugees deteriorated, Keane said, Bashar Assad, much of Syrian ter- ment, the US or any of the foreign that continue to fight over the fu- cancer.” The potential spread of with increasing numbers of young ritory remains in flux, being fought powers there,” Atran said, describ- ture of the country. COVID-19 to the camps remains a children and adults presenting to over by a variety of governments, ing a situation ripe for radicalisa- “It’s a huge crisis,” Juliette Tou- huge concern. MSF with profound mental disor- militias and jihadist groups. Into tion and unrest. ma, regional chief of communi- Experts suggest that the longer ders. this mix has grown a dislocated “The radical groups, they offer cations for UNICEF, said. “Syria, the conflict continues, the greater “Any psychiatrist will tell you generation without ties to or rea- purpose and a means of achieving historically, had a highly literate the rupture inflicted on Syrian so- that you can’t offer a child any son to believe the words of any it,” Atran said. Turning to the chil- and educated society, so this has a ciety, putting rebuilding it further kind of curative treatment with- government or its proxy. dren left behind by war, he asked, huge impact for education.” out of reach. out some sense of stability,” Keane “You’ve got a whole generation “What else are they going to do?” Conditions for the children are “Much of a child’s resilience to said. “We can go part of the way looking for some kind of stability often desperate, exacerbated by trauma and their ability to recover in providing that, by introducing and a sense of their own signifi- Simon Speakman Cordall is a the harsh winter this year. from it is determined by their past some kind of routine but, as long cance and who’s giving it to them, freelance writer. Viewpoint War prepared Syria to deal with epidemic outbreaks

areas and organised mass polio Now, as the first traces of the there are challenges unique to completely during curfew times,” vaccination campaigns,” an article COVID-19 pandemic are reported Syria. Among them, a regime with state-run news agency SANA published by WHO stated. Medi- in Syria, the regime of President a record of using medical goods reported. Ahead of the curfew, food Stephen Starr cal agencies vaccinated 2.6 million Bashar Assad has been forced to as negotiating tools to secure its and essentials in stores in gov- children around the country. act. State media said Syria’s cabinet demands. ernment-controlled areas quickly Last year, outbreaks of typhoid, of ministers “adopted the plan For international health workers, disappeared from shelves. yria’s medical facili- hepatitis A and measles in various of the Health Ministry and other it’s groups of people sheltering in While a hospital in Zabadani in ties and infrastructure parts of the country were quickly ministries for the next six months densely populated camps who are a the Damascus suburbs was opened lie in tatters after nine identified and contained. to confront the coronavirus, which worry. “WHO is extremely con- as a dedicated medical “isolation years of brutal conflict In 2018, the WHO set up eight involves expanding quarantine cerned about the impact COVID-19 centre” to help deal with coro- and its once-admired mobile medical clinics, provided 36 and isolation centres, forming 19 may have in the north-west,” WHO navirus victims, care for medical pharmaceutical industry, ambulances and deployed 75 medi- emergency teams for epidemical spokesman Hedinn Halldorsson professionals and workers does not Scentred on Aleppo and Damascus, cal teams to some of the worst- detection and setting up addition told Agence France-Presse. “Dis- seem to be front and centre in the remains largely in ruins. However, affected parts of the country. The labs for diagnosing the virus in placed people live under condi- regime’s thinking: Assad’s decree Syria may be better prepared for a same year, it trained close to 31,000 Damascus, Latakia and Aleppo in tions that make them vulnerable to Number 86 ordered factories pro- coronavirus outbreak than many people — mostly Syrians — in health cooperation with the World Health respiratory infections.” ducing cleaning material and hand might expect. issues and handed out almost 2,000 Organisation.” The 2017 polio outbreak in Deir sanitiser to “operate at maximum Because of the multi-year, tonnes of health and medical sup- Despite this ability to respond ez-Zor paralysed 17 children before capacity, 24 hours a day.” countrywide emergency health plies. quickly to medical emergencies, they could be helped. A hepatitis responses during the war, Syria A outbreak in internally displaced may be better prepared than many persons camps at 17 locations in other countries for what’s coming. western Aleppo province affected Challenges remain, Years of displacement and endless more than 600 children. not least a Syrian rounds of localised disease out- Outbreak rates for contagious regime with a breaks turned Syria’s hodgepodge respiratory diseases, such as of medical services and the NGOs tuberculosis (TB), are practically record of using that operate there into emergency unknown in part because there’s medical goods as health experts. just one TB control centre in the Over the years, the World Health entire country but also because negotiating tools. Organisation (WHO) acquired vast Syrian officials have been supply- expertise in detecting and treating ing international health agencies Just how Syria comes through the viral and other outbreaks in Syria. with figures so low as to be barely impending tsunami of coronavirus To deal with poor sanitation, irregu- believable. cases is anyone’s guess. Although lar access to water, low vaccination While rebel-held areas in approximately 1,000 health-care rates and malnutrition, the WHO north-western Syria have relied professionals have been deployed works with about 1,700 medical fa- on Turkish medical teams and the to Idlib province, bombed and cilities around the country. In many WHO, which collaborated to begin starved by the Syrian regime and of those clinics and field hospitals, COVID-19 testing there, millions its Russian backers for months, it’s identifying and treating contagious of people in Kurdish areas of the Syrians in regime-controlled areas diseases is an everyday experience. north-east are reliant on the whim who may find themselves worse off For example, a polio outbreak of authorities in Damascus to test when coronavirus hits. identified in Deir ez-Zor province suspected cases. in 2017 saw swift intervention. Trying to cope. A member of the Syrian “White Helmets” On March 25, authorities in Stephen Starr is the author of “In response, WHO and partners disinfects a tent in the Kafr Lusin camp for the displaced by the Damascus implemented a 6pm- “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to the meticulously tracked the outbreak, border with Turkey, in Syria’s province of Idlib, as part of efforts 6am curfew “with all commercial Uprising” and has lived in Syria and engaged all parties in affected to prevent the spread of coronavirus, March 24. (AFP) activities and shops to be closed Turkey since 2007. 10 March 29, 2020 News & Analysis Gulf Gulf countries struggle to adjust in trying times

Caline Malek from home. Caz Ross, a 36-year- old South African, lost her job as a result and her British husband Dubai was asked to take indefinite unpaid leave. rom closed businesses, “There’s not enough work,” she hotels and schools, to sus- said. “It was a hard decision but pended flights and affected the right one, business-wise. I was F communities around the given the option to take a sabbatical world, the Middle East is no excep- or opt for a redundancy package.” tion to the effects of the coronavi- The issue she named with the rus pandemic. events industry in the Gulf is that After many European countries summer is considered a quiet pe- went on lockdown, countries in the riod when work slows. Arab world worked to ensure their “It’s just a lot earlier this time,” (AFP) societies remained safe during un- Ross said. “I have help at home Lockdown. A school gate closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. precedented times. for my children but, if we don’t get Wego, a travel search website, jobs, we can’t afford to pay her. “It’s not realistic for one person selves, leaving their team without we are confident that we are able said massive drops were recorded “The scariest part of all of this has to cope with two young children meaningful work and concerned to deliver the planned educational in the airline industry as Saudi Ara- been that it’s not a regional thing, of that age,” Tru said. “We have a about job security.” outcomes.” bia suspended international flights it’s everywhere that there are no system but it’s tough and I can only Some UAE schools and univer- The Emirates’ Higher Colleges and the United Arab Emirates halt- events running so no jobs globally do it because I have help at home. sities had prepared contingency of Technology (HCT) recently con- ed all flights as of March 24. and it’s quite challenging.” We can’t go to play areas or parks plans for such a situation. Heriot- cluded a system-wide e-learning Wego recorded a drop in the aver- For Sara Tru, a Jordanian in because they’re shut. We can’t do Watt University Dubai ensured that pilot programme to test digital in- age price for hotel stays of 13%. The Dubai, March was meant to mark play dates and children are used to students continue studying off- frastructure as a precursor for the company said the most affected the start of a new job after two- being social. I have to come up with campus, with the faculty providing complete online delivery of its cur- countries on flight searches before and-a-half years of maternity leave. so many creative ideas so you have remote support. riculum. Earlier in March, 3,260 the suspension were Iran with an Although she started working, she to put a lot of effort into it so they “Key to this remote support is Vi- students at 16 campuses undertook 83% drop and China at 54%. was forced to operate from home don’t go crazy and it takes time sion, our Virtual Learning Environ- their courses. Hotel searches dropped 76% for with her two young children. away from my work.” ment,” said Ammar Kaka, provost As the COVID-19 situation chal- Taiwan, followed by China at 53%, “I never got the chance to start Small businesses have also taken and vice-principal at the university. lenges schools and universities in Japan and Malaysia by 43%, Thai- my job properly,” said the PR and a hit. “Leading your team in a small “All staff and students at our glob- the United Arab Emirates, the new land and Singapore 34% and Leba- communications manager for a business, in normal circumstances, al campuses use Vision daily for mode of learning has offered a non 42%. FinTech company. “From day one, I presents several challenges that learning and teaching tasks.” boost to the continued education of “The policies, procedures and had to work from home. I was look- are well known such as delegat- The system delivers live and re- students. the government initiatives applied ing forward to it and it’s very diffi- ing tasks to others, holding peo- corded video content, sets quizzes, HCT President Abdullatif Al globally as well as the International cult with nurseries and schools be- ple accountable for their actions surveys and assignments, encour- Shamsi stressed the importance of Air Transport Association’s efforts ing closed and lots of the offices are and communicating effectively,” ages online discussion and tracks EdTech and e-learning for the fu- to combat the effect of the virus and asking people to work from home said Mike Hoff, CEO of Mike Hoff progress and manages grades. ture and the role they will play in revive the economy are promising,” when possible.” Consulting (MHC) and region- “We appreciate that this might be preparing the next generation of said Mamoun Hmedan, managing Although Tru has help at home al group manager of the Alpha an anxious time for some students,” UAE students for the workforce. director MENA and India at Wego. in the mornings, she is responsible Group. he said. “Professional services staff “This is not a luxury for academic “We are optimistic and hope to see for her children in the afternoons, “Leaders are finding it chal- will continue to work to provide institutions,” he said. “It’s a must.” growth in the (future).” restricting her work to three to four lenging to decide which tasks to students with all the support they As schools shut down, some hours in the morning and an hour delegate and tending to take the require via email and videoconfer- Caline Malek is an Arab Weekly working parents struggled to work in the evening. shortcut of doing everything them- encing. Learning will continue and contributor in Abu Dhabi. After oil price crash, Russia looks for OPEC deal

Mohammed Alkhereiji The Trump administration has The United States is reportedly Long-time Trump Middle East ing up oil production pushes down been looking at diplomatic strate- considering an energy alliance security adviser Victoria Coates prices, hurting rivals like Russia gies to end the oil standoff. The with Saudi Arabia that would in- has been appointed special energy and America’s shale oil producers.” London Wall Street Journal reported that clude Riyadh leaving OPEC. “I representative to Saudi Arabia, re- “It also sends a reminder that Ri- US officials had planned to ask don’t know that that’s going to be porting directly to Brouillette. She yadh’s status as the world’s lowest- fter a 3-week energy Saudi Arabia to reduce production presented in any formal way… as is to be “based in Saudi Arabia to cost producer means all rival pro- standoff between Saudi levels before the dispute with Rus- part of the public-policy process,” ensure the Department of Energy ducers depend to some extent on Arabia and Russia that re- sia. US Energy Secretary Dan Brouil- has an added presence in the re- Saudi good graces for their share of A sulted in a 45% drop in the A US official told the Journal that lette told Bloomberg News. gion,” a US Energy Department of- the market,” Krane wrote. price of crude oil, Russian officials “the administration could use the A former Saudi energy official ficial told Thomson Reuters. The spike in oil production has were reportedly looking to estab- threat of sanctions on Russia as labelled such a move unrealistic In a Washington Post analysis, led to the Russian rouble losing lish another OPEC+ deal to balance part of its engagement with Saudi and stressed that Saudi Arabia is energy expert Jim Krane defined value and trading at its lowest level oil markets. Arabia to assure the kingdom its central to OPEC and that the US the dynamics of major oil-pro- against the US dollar in four years. “We are in contact with Saudi rival Russia won’t easily benefit request would mean dissolution of ducing countries as they relate to The situation after the collapse Arabia and a number of other from Saudi cutbacks.” the cartel. Saudi Arabia, saying that “ramp- of the OPEC+ Russia alliance, fol- countries. Based on these contacts lowing a meeting March 6 that had we see that if the number of OPEC+ been meant to address production members will increase and other cuts related to the effects of the countries will join there is a pos- coronavirus pandemic on the en- sibility of a joint agreement to bal- ergy market. ance oil markets,” Kirill Dmitriev, Russian Energy Minister Alexan- head of Russia’s sovereign wealth der Novak told OPEC that Russia fund, told Thomson Reuters would not make further cuts, a de- Caught between the Saudi-Rus- cision based on the Kremlin’s talks sian oil price war and the corona- with Russian oil companies. En- virus pandemic, the US govern- ergy analysts said that the Russian ment has been considering how move was also intended to punish to end the energy standoff and the US shale oil industry. would likely continue to do so if Riyadh ordered Saudi Aramco to talks between OPEC and Russia fall ramp up production to 13 million through, analysts said. barrels per day. The United Arab US Secretary of State Mike Emirates said it would join Saudi Pompeo reached out to Saudi Arabia in increasing oil output. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal- “In line with our production ca- man bin Abdulaziz, requesting pacity growth strategy… we are in a that Saudi Arabia “reassures” oil position to supply the market with and financial markets. more than 4 million barrels per day A US State Department release in April,” Abu Dhabi National Oil said Saudi Arabia “has a real op- Company said in a statement. portunity to rise to the occasion Russia denied the existence of and reassure global energy and an oil price war with Saudi Arabia. financial markets when the world “Russia is not leading any wars faces serious economic uncertain- with anybody,” Kremlin spokes- t y.” man Dmitry Peskov said. “We “We agreed all countries need to have good partner-like relations work together to contain the pan- Shifting sands. Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud (L) and Russia’s with Saudi Arabia. We don’t demic and stabilise energy mar- Energy Minister Alexander Novak at the beginning of an OPEC+ meeting in Vienna, last December. think anybody should interfere in kets,” Pompeo said on Twitter. (Reuters) these relations.” March 29, 2020 11 News & Analysis Maghreb Failure of GNA attack near Tunisian border marks a major setback for Fayez al-Sarraj

Michel Cousins suburbs have changed little. Fur- ther west, though, there have been Tunis major developments. On March 26, GNA forces at- he first anniversary of the tacked the LNA-held Watiya air- offensive by the Libyan Na- base in the far west of Libya, 40km tional Army to take Tripoli from the Tunisian border. The at- T falls on April 4 but there is tack failed and the GNA forces re- no sign of a ceasefire or decisive treated. The LNA counterattacked, victory by either side. reportedly capturing five towns in Despite an ostensible commit- the area. ment to a humanitarian “pause” There were claims that the LNA by both the UN-recognised Gov- had taken the small town of Abu ernment of National Accord (GNA) Khammash, between the Tuni- and the Libyan National Army sian border and the Libyan coastal (LNA) to deal with the coronavirus town of Zuwara, and were mov- pandemic, fighting in Libya has ing towards the border post at Ras massively intensified. Jedir. An official from Zuwara told A call for a pause was issued The Arab Weekly, however, that no March 16 by the United Nations LNA forces had arrived either at and nine countries, although it the border or Abu Khammash. was not until March 21 that both The failure of the Watiya attack sides agreed to it. was a major blow for the GNA and Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al- Sarraj. Had it succeeded, the GNA Libyans are more would probably have seen support concerned about for LNA west of Tripoli crumble. coronavirus threat than The base has been used to sup- the continuing war. ply LNA forces in Rigdaleen, Al- Jmail, Sabratha and Sorman, all Within hours, however, the west of Tripoli. By defeating the agreement was broken by heavy attack, LNA consolidated its posi- shelling on Tripoli. Missiles have tion in the west and claimed a sig- New front. Fighters of a military battalion loyal to Libyan Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar patrol fallen day and night on various nificant propaganda boost. the streets in the eastern city of Benghazi during a state of emergency to combat the coronavirus part of the city, mainly in the The GNA has tried to maintain outbreak. (AFP) southern suburbs, although Bab the moral high ground, claiming it Ben Ghashir district near the city is the LNA that constantly breaks centre has been hit more than ceasefire agreements. The attack gain ground. March 13 in Benghazi. Another is packed during the day as shoppers once. Targets change. exposed the GNA’s claimed sup- Renewed military activity south the recent deployment of Turkish stock up. The sound of the explosions port for both a long-term ceasefire of Misrata further highlighted the air defence systems in Tripoli and Until last week, Libya had no kept frightened residents awake at and the humanitarian pause as sham surrounding the humanitar- Misrata. coronavirus cases but fears about nights. false. ian pause. On March 27, LNA and Even though the clashes con- it, not least concerning the abil- “I couldn’t sleep last night,” one The attack was an offensive op- GNA forces clashed in a massive tinue, the coronavirus threat is the ity of the Libya health system to resident said March 27. “The bangs eration and GNA Interior Minister battle at Wadi Zamzam near the greater concern for most Libyans. cope with it, and precautions im- seemed so close. I didn’t know Fathi Bashagha, who is, in effect, Abu Grain front line with neither Borders have been closed, internal posed have been enough to con- what to do. In the end I decided to in charge of GNA operations, had side able to gain ground. The LNA travel stopped and mosques, cafes vince most Libyans, whether in wait for my fate.” been promising a counteroffensive air force said it conducted 16 sor- and other meeting points shut- Tripoli or far from it, that they are The shelling has not been one- for some time. ties, hitting a number of targets. tered. caught between the devil and the sided. GNA forces are reported to Renewed military activity south For the past few weeks, the LNA Curfews are in place, although, deep blue sea, between war and a have targeted Qasr Ben Ghashir of Misrata further highlighted the air force has been conspicuously because of the political divide, potentially unstoppable epidemic. near the old airport and areas near- sham surrounding the humani- absent from action. There has the timings are different in eastern Despondency is deepening. er the main LNA operations base of tarian pause. On March 27, LNA been no explanation. One sugges- and western sections of the coun- Tarhouna, south-east of Tripoli. and GNA forces clashed at Wadi tion is the lack of aviation fuel, try. Michel Cousins is a contributor Despite the intensification, the Zamzam near the Abu Grain front which may have been addressed People are sticking to the rules. to The Arab Weekly on Libyan front lines in Tripoli’s southern line but neither side was able to by the arrival of a tankerload on Libya is a ghost town at night but issues. Viewpoint Virus pandemic highlights Algeria’s governance problem

$30 a barrel and could go as low as and certain other major towns, the and distrust of science. Kharijite rite of Islam (with Djerba $10. The estimated $50 billion of Hirak popular movement has been Local authorities react in differ- in Tunisia and Oman). Nearly a hard currency reserves that Algeria communicating, through social net- ent ways. In some towns, precau- month ago, M’Zab elders decided Francis Ghilès holds could vanish in months. As works, the latest news and informed tionary measures were taken in that every inhabitant should stay at the government announces cuts in opinion from Europe, the United hospitals and public places without home, which they did. They asked various ministry budgets, it leaves States and China. any encouragement from the gov- all shops to lower prices, even if ver since he was elected military expenditures untouched. There has been relatively little ernment. In others, lack of respon- their owners incurred losses. The last December in an Meanwhile, military officers were panic. Millions started self-isolating, sibility reigns. On March 24, in a shopkeepers obeyed. election in which three- accused of enjoying special holidays following what was happening in circular worthy of Kafka, Algerian Senior officers probably do quarters of eligible and leisure centres and privileged neighbouring countries and north- Minister of Health Mohammed not understand what traditional voters refused to cast a access to coronavirus kits. The sen- ern Mediterranean states. Miraoui forbid hospitals in Algiers anthropology can offer in terms of ballot, Algerian President ior brass was suspected of continu- People reacted like citizens of to accept any gift from private group behaviour. Living in a paral- EAbdelmadjid Tebboune has strug- ing to purchase expensive weapons the world, aware of what was going individuals or companies of surgi- lel circuit, where ill-gotten profits gled to stamp his authority on the from Russia and receiving egregious on elsewhere. The Hirak hastened cal gloves, gel or blouses of which flow fast, they are completely cut government. commissions on other imports, such the emergence of popular base that there is a great shortage. Only the off from their countrymen whose So far he has utterly failed. His as German war vessels and tanks. considers itself responsible citizens. state has the right to centralise fate does not seem to interest lack of democratic legitimacy in the In short, the senior officers are Though Hirak demonstrations these items and redistribute them. them. eyes of many Algerians has been seen as continuing the sad tradition were suspended, it is only a matter The divorce from reality could not Several questions deserve asking. compounded by the incompetence of showing utter contempt for the of time before they start once the be more complete. Tebboune asked individuals and in managing the coronavirus pan- well-being of 42 million Algerians pandemic is over. In Oran, a ship from Europe private companies to deposit mon- demic. and their future. Another group of less-educated or docked and 600 travellers were ey in a government-sponsored ac- He is increasingly seen as a stooge When the first cases of corona- more religiously inclined Algerians, confined at a nearby beach resort, count to fight the virus but why he of a military high command, whose virus appeared in Blida, the seat of particularly in small towns and the which had not been prepared for has not used the huge amounts of officers are competent at fighting the First Military Region south of countryside, seem to await their fate their arrival. Some passengers were money stolen by Bouteflika cronies terrorism and repressing popular Algiers, the government did not lift and do not take the virus seriously. let out after they rang friends who he claimed he would recover for movements but indecisive in a fight a finger. As the number of infected Years of religious preaching, could influence the police. the purpose? Many in the Boutef- against a virus. people increased — regardless of of- funded and encouraged by two dec- So, the army brass indulges in its lika clan have had their assets This realisation comes despite ficial figures, which underestimate ades of Abdelaziz Bouteflika rule, usual shadow fighting, the intelli- seized, why not spend that money the fact 50% of Algeria’s budget the extent of the threat — Blida and encouraged a deeply conservative gence service is witnessing a battle or is in simply being redistributed is de facto committed to the army some districts of Algiers were placed regressive view of the modern world royal between two clans as Rome among a new class of villains? and myriad security forces, such as on lockdown. Other cities were not. burns. These men are so used to No one knows but what is with- the intelligence services, all at the Government ministers were treating their fellow citizens with out doubt is that Tebboune’s rule detriment of health, education and shown in street markets trying to scorn, doing all in their power to looks to many Algerians, includ- infrastructure spending. vet the price of potatoes. In certain Various factions divide them, setting up phony po- ing senior lawyers and doctors, Various factions continue internal ministries, senior officials were continue internal litical parties and NGOs, that they university professors and ordinary fights while Algeria faces its most stopped from calling energy meet- have come to resemble Don Quix- folk, like a thinly veiled front for serious crisis since independence ings to deal with the situation by fights while Algeria ote: They are tilting at windmills. the military. in 1962. staff members who laughed them faces its most serious One example of responsible col- The price of oil, whose export, out of the room. lective behaviour comes from Ghar- Francis Ghilès is an associate with gas, accounts for 95% of Alge- The population has had one of crisis since daia and its surrounding towns in fellow at the Barcelona Centre for ria’s foreign income, hovers around two reactions. In Algiers, Kabylia independence in 1962. the M’Zab, a region that shares the International Affairs. 12 March 29, 2020 News & Analysis Egypt Lockdown tightened in Egypt but concern mounts over safety of army officers

Ahmed Megahid

Cairo

gyptian authorities ordered a nationwide night-time cur- few to narrow the COVID-19 E outbreak amid hopes that keeping the country’s 100 million people at home would contain the infections. On March 25, Egypt reported its highest number of COVID-19 infec- tions for a single day — 54 new cases and one fatality. The country, as of March 28, had 536 infections and 30 fatalities reported earlier. The curfew went into effect March 25, two days after an army general died of the coronavirus-related disease, the second fatality among Egypt’s military leaders. The gener- als’ death raised concern about the safety of army personnel as Egypt braces for possibly more drastic measures to contain the disease. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described COVID-19 as the most serious threat to face the coun- try and the world. “We will lose a lot if we do not deal with this issue de- cisively,” Sisi said March 23. “We are no exception.” The night-time curfew includes suspension of transport on high- ways. It enforces a total halt of On alert. Egyptian municipality workers disinfect the Giza pyramids necropolis on the south-western outskirts of Cairo, March 25. (AFP) transport on highways across the country on Fridays and Saturdays. Those violating the curfew are sub- about a week after football match- measure by the government to cur- other member of the board of the Health-care facilities are facing a ject to a fine of $255 or jail time. es were cancelled and all cultural tail COVID-19 infections. Medical Association. dire shortage of face masks, gloves, The curfew is the latest in a series events suspended. Egypt suspended “At least, this will contribute to Health Ministry officials have other personal protection equip- of measures taken by Egypt to ad- all flights to and from the country on reining in infections,” said Nagwa tested 25,000 people for corona- ment and ventilators. Some private dress the coronavirus outbreak. March 19. It shut its shopping malls, al-Shafae, a member of the board of virus. State-run hospitals conduct businessmen have donated money closed tens of thousands of coffee the Medical Association, the inde- the tests for free. The ministry in- to acquire needed supplies. and barbers’ shops pendent guild of the country’s med- creased the number of testing cen- The Ministry of Health has called Egypt’s fear is that The Ministry of Health and Popu- ical doctors. “The hope is that this tres and each of Egypt’s 27 prov- on health professionals and other infections will rise to more lation has instituted an awareness move will slow down the spread of inces has a major centre. Officials citizens to volunteer under the na- than 1,000, considered the campaign about how to avoid con- the disease before things get worse.” instructed hospital administrators tional COVID-19 response plan at tipping point in the tagion. Health specialists have been Egypt’s fear is that infections will to carry out only critical and emer- hospitals. country’s ability to cope reaching out to the public on their rise to more than 1,000, considered gency surgeries, postponing all oth- Madbouli said the night-time cur- with the disease. mobile phones, social media and on the tipping point in the country’s er procedures. few would likely be part of a series television. ability to cope with the disease. Af- Egyptian Minister of Health and of measures to confront the pan- On March 24, Egyptian Prime Cairo allocated $6.4 billion for ter that, health specialists say they Population Hala Zayed said she was demic. “Citizens’ failure to abide by Minister Mostafa Madbouli extend- the national response to COVID-19. will not be able to trace origins of working to bring the number of dai- distancing calls has led to a rise in ed the closure of the schools and Some funds will be pumped into the infections and hospitals would be- ly infections down so the hospitals the number of infections,” he said. the universities for two weeks, fol- Health Ministry budget and some come too overwhelmed to deal ad- would have room for new arrivals. “More drastic measures can be tak- lowing an initial 2-week closure im- will support millions of pensioners equately with patients. “An outbreak always dwarves the en if things get worse.” posed March 15. and poor and working-class Egyp- “The authorities will have to take health abilities of states, regardless Religious authorities shuttered tians. stricter measures to prevent an out- of the level of these abilities,” Zayed Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian mosques and churches on March 21 The curfew is the most drastic break,” said Osama Abdel Hay, an- said. reporter in Cairo. Egypt’s terror fight not over after killing ISIS emir

Ahmed Megahid to have masterminded numerous ally patrols the skies above North against a pipeline that carries Is- of contact between the group on ISIS attacks against the Egyptian Sinai, sometimes launching drone raeli gas to Egypt. In 2019, ISIS Si- one hand and financial and logisti- Army and police in Rafah and near- attacks on ISIS strongholds in the nai staged 45 attacks, down from cal sponsors on the other,” Okasha Cairo by areas. mountains. 169 attacks in 2018. said. “They know all the secrets His killing is part of a campaign “These efforts are noticeably Ansari’s killing is the latest op- and scarcely share these secrets he killing of Islamic State by Egypt’s security establishment succeeding,” said Muneer Adeeb, eration targeting senior ISIS lead- with junior militants.” (ISIS) in Sinai Abu Fares to push ISIS’s remaining presence an expert on Islamist movements. ers that was said to significantly Other branches of ISIS have al-Ansari was a significant into a small area in the northern “ISIS is now less capable of staging weaken the group. However, it proven resilient even after suffer- T blow to the militant group part of the territory, which shares attacks, which shows that the ter- is unclear how much damage his ing major blows. After Baghdadi but by no means represents the borders with Israel and the Pales- rorist group has already lost most death will do to the group. was killed by US troops in Syria in end of its presence in Egypt, secu- tinian Gaza Strip. of its power.” Okasha said the loss of senior October 2019, the organisation was rity analysts said. Egypt massed tens of thou- Since early January, ISIS has leaders often causes organisation- able to regroup and restructure. “The killing of this man will neg- sands of troops in Sinai with the been blamed for only three attacks al and hierarchical confusion. There are indications that ISIS atively affect the terrorist group for aim of eradicating ISIS in 2018. in North Sinai, including sabotage “They (the leaders) are the point Sinai will maintain a presence even a long time to come,” said Khaled The drive to vanquish ISIS Sinai, after the killing of Ansari. Okasha, a member of the Supreme a home-grown militant group One reason is that many mem- Counterterrorism Council, an ad- made up mostly of Sinai Bedouins bers of the group are local mili- visory body of the Egyptian presi- and jihadist Salafists from Gaza, tants, including former members dency. “Terrorist organisations de- continues. of the Muslim Brotherhood and Si- pend on their leaders to a great deal ISIS Sinai swore allegiance to late nai Bedouins who are familiar with in securing financing and logistical ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the landscape of the territory. support and contacts with regional in 2014, helping it secure logistical Many members live in remote, or international sponsors.” and financial support as well as a mountainous regions of North Si- continual supply of militants, in- nai, sometimes among ordinary cluding from abroad. residents. Security analysts said Ansari’s killing is the That enabled ISIS Sinai to car- this makes it more difficult for latest operation targeting ry out lethal attacks, killing and army troops to trace and target senior ISIS leaders that wounding dozens of army troops, militants. could significantly officers and police. “The presence of the militants weaken the group. The security establishment’s ef- among ordinary Sinai residents forts to root out the group include also makes it hard for army troops Ansari, the Islamic State emir an all-out siege of some parts of to carry out its job freely,” said se- in the North Sinai city of Rafah, the territory. curity expert Gamal Mazloum. “In was hiding in the southern part of The Egyptian Navy conducts most cases, the army fails to stage the city with five other senior ISIS round-the-clock patrols of Sinai’s attacks on the terrorists, simply fighters when he was killed in an coast to prevent ISIS from re- because the hiding places of the Egyptian Army raid. ceiving supplies via the sea. The terrorists are close to population In his late 30s, Ansari was said Egyptian Air Force also continu- The long war. Egyptian military forces in North Sinai, Egypt. (Reuters) concentrations.” March 29, 2020 13 Spotlight Political Islam

Moroccans reject Salafists’ ‘irresponsible’ attempt at assailing closure of mosques

Saad Guerraoui sure of mosques and suspending Friday prayers because of COV- ID-19. Casablanca “It would have been possible to take precautions against the dis- alafists tried to paint the ease by imposing a curfew if nec- closing of mosques, which essary, and forcing people to stay was among measures taken home without closing mosques,” S by Moroccan authorities to Mutairi said.” contain the coronavirus outbreak, Mutairi claimed there was “no as an assault on faith and not as a evidence from the Quran or the precaution aimed at saving lives. Sunnah to ban Friday and group The Salafists’ stance was vehe- prayers as no one had dared be- mently denounced as “irresponsi- fore.” Kettani described Mutairi’s ble” by many Moroccans. views, which he posted on Face- In a video on Facebook, Salafist book, as a “great fatwa.” Sheikh Abou Naim called on the Morocco’s High Council of Ul- High Council of Ulemas and the emas on March 16 advised closing Rabita Mohammedia for Ulemas to mosques despite the clamour by worry more about places of gam- Salafists to keep them open. bling, selling alcohol and debauch- “Following a request for a fatwa ery where deadly diseases spread addressed to the Supreme Council instead of talking about mosques. by Amir al-Mu’minin, the Scien- “It is a scandal! Considering that tific Authority for Fatwas of the Su- Desperately seeking a comeback. Egyptian men perform a prayer at a public park in Cairo, March 2. (AFP) the epidemic has not reached a preme Council advises to close the dangerous level that requires the mosques, whether with regard to closure of mosques. It is not nec- the five daily prayers or the Friday essary to close the mosques and I prayers,” said the Supreme Council Egypt’s Salafists exploit mosques warn the ministry and the institu- of Ulemas in a statement, adding tions against this measure,” said that the procedure was temporary. Abou Naim. Moroccan King Mohammed VI “The country that closes its bears the title of Amir al-Mu’minin shutdown to expand influence mosques renounces its religion. Do — Commander of the Faithful — in not despise the mosque, otherwise Morocco. God will punish you,” he warned Rachid Benzine, a French-Mo- Ahmad Hafez Observers noted that Salafist tapes to spread their ideas. Later, authorities. roccan Islamologist, said the state’s strategy has been to grab major they had access to satellite televi- reasoning must absolutely prevail events to present the Islamist pro- sion channels to achieve an even The Salafists’ stance was during this critical time. Cairo ject as the only model that can wider spread. Now, they have “The state saw an interest in clos- save society and immunise people turned to social media. vehemently denounced as ing the mosques, which is entirely s Arab countries take ex- against calamities and epidemics Salafists claim their opportunity “irresponsible” by much of commendable considering the ceptional measures to con- because it is based on seeking Al- has come to take back the mosques Morocco. risks of contamination,” said Ben- front the coronavirus pan- lah’s approval. and religious affairs from the Egyp- zine. A demic, including closing Salafists also tell people it is the tian Ministry of Awqaf after years of Abou Naim was arrested March “We came back to some kind of mosques, the Salafist movement ordained duty of every Muslim to being excluded. They are circulat- 17 on charges of inciting hatred and medieval theology, which thinks tried to exploit the religious naivety combat all attempts to stop the pro- ing religious discourse completely making threatening statements. that diseases come from God. This of many people and presented itself ject through illegal decisions and different from the one promoted “Abou Naim’s remarks contained leads some people to think that the as a substitute for official institu- measures. by official institutions, a discourse threats of committing dangerous diseases are the fruit of perversion tions, dictating how people should The Salafists’ strategy of mo- based on convincing people that acts that would lead to disrupting in society, which undermines the connect with God and offering “re- bilising popular support is based Salafist dogma is the foundation of general order,” a police statement scientific discourse.” ligious prescriptions” to combat on exploiting society’s religiosity protection from epidemics. said. Dozens of people marched over- the disease. and deciding on red lines not to be Some Salafist actions were di- Observers saw Abou Naim’s dec- night March 22 in Tangier, Tetouan, Whether in Algeria, Morocco or crossed. They have promoted the rected at Egyptian Copts. The Cop- larations as undermining govern- Sale and Fez, to plead for God to Egypt, Salafists seem to have agreed idea that government is seeking tic Church in Egypt has been ob- mental efforts at preventing the defeat the coronavirus pandemic. on using the epidemic to serve their greater secularisation of society by serving the government’s decision spread of the coronavirus outbreak The march was in defiance of a political ambitions. They started clamping down on Islamic voices. to close all houses of worship and seeking to sow discord regard- public health state of emergency spewing extremist discourse, incit- Their evidence includes govern- Since Salafists could not ignite less of the public interest during a declared March 20. ing people to rebel against closing ment decisions to close mosques sectarian strife in Egypt, their in- critical period. “God is great! God is great and of mosques and promoting ideas instead of disinfecting them. sistence to keep mosques open Mohammed Abdelouahab Rafiqui, alone to be able to help us de- claiming to confront the disease while churches are forced to close a researcher in Islamic studies in Mo- feat the coronavirus!” the crowds by refusing to observe government is seen as suggesting that Egypt is rocco, said Abou Naim’s declaration chanted, prompting condemna- actions under the pretext that they Preachers are threatening an Islamic country where mosques was out of context and not warrant- tions on social media and calls for serve the goals of secularists. the faithful that closing and churches do not have the same ed, even if motivated by ignorance of sanctions. While Salafism seems to con- places of worship will bring standing. facts about coronavirus The council of the government verge ideologically in some coun- divine wrath. It is striking that the government “The government took some adopted two decree-laws that tries, it has taken a different bent in appeared complacent in the face drastic decisions for citizens’ safe- would increase current penalties Egypt. Egyptian Salafists are look- Sameh Eid, an expert on Islamist of Salafists’ efforts to return on ty, which is at the forefront of its of up to three months in prison and ing to regain control of mosques, groups, said Salafists were taking the scene. No punitive measures concerns, even at the expense of a fine of up to 1,300 dirhams ($135) making them places of political ac- advantage of people’s religiosity to have been taken against imams performing group prayers,” said against anyone violating the state tivism and fundraising. promote hard-line rhetoric and re- who violated official decisions to Rafiqui. of emergency. The official Egyptian religious taliate against the government for close mosques or against those “We should back all the deci- Morocco deployed armoured ve- institution Dar al-Ifta intervened in excluding Salafists from the social who openly accuse official insti- sions and precautionary measures hicles to enforce the state of emer- the confrontation between Salafists and political scene and for paying tutions of being against religion, that seek to protect citizens. There gency to contain the spread of the and official institutions regarding greater attention to the Christian which gives the impression that the is absolutely no place for such tak- COVID-19 disease. Images on social closing places of worship to prevent community to protect them from Salafist figures are above account- firi fatwas that are jeopardising the media showed heavy-handed ar- the spread of the coronavirus. Dar harm. ability. state’s efforts to combat the pan- rests and reprimands of those not al-Ifta issued a statement saying There have been several instanc- Eid said the Egyptian govern- demic,” he added. abiding orders. that “insisting on having collective es of flaunting governmental deci- ment is aware of the danger of using Hassan al-Kettani, another prayers in mosques (in the current sions by the Salafists. Well-known force to close mosques, even when Salafist advocate, referred to the Saad Guerraoui is a contributor circumstances) is forbidden in ju- movement figures began a cam- it knows they are run by Salafists. opinion of Kuwaiti Sheikh Hakem to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb risprudence.” paign to impose themselves as the The government also knows that al-Mutairi, who criticised the clo- issues. Salafist leaders argued that clos- only legitimate source of religious Salafist figures have convinced ing mosques while urging people to education. In addition to telling some people that closing mosques pray at home is a major sin. “Elimi- people to defy the ban on group is antireligious. Still, it prefers nating the scourge of the disease prayers, Salafist imams insisted to avoid clashing directly with must take place within the houses on calling the faithful to prayer those who consider religion a red of Allah and not by closing them,” and purposely using mosques’ ex- line. they said. They urged people to ternal loudspeakers to conduct Eid said the solution lies in con- pray in groups because “closing prayers. vincing people that the Salafist places of worship will bring forth A parallel campaign began on challenge to government decisions a divine punishment that humans social media, which buzzed with is an attempt to exploit religion will not be able to withstand.” Salafist sermons and rants against and public fear for political gain. Dar al-Ifta said Islamic jurispru- the government’s decisions. There This is why it is necessary for the dence gave priority to preventing are also online sermons and re- grand imam of al-Azhar to declare calamities over gaining blessings. It ligious lectures to “participate the opening of mosques during set out ways to protect oneself and in the religious and intellectual epidemics unlawful because many the community from contagious education of the general public by citizens are not convinced by the diseases and epidemics, urged urging people to use their confine- Ministry of Awqaf. A statement by people to adopt preventive meas- ment time at home to get closer to al-Azhar would carry more weight, ures, including forbidding contact Allah.” Eid said. with those who have contagious This is a repeat of the strategy If al-Azhar took this step, the diseases, giving authorities respon- used by the Salafist movement in Salafists could lose their sway but is sibility to protect the community the early 1990s before widespread al-Azhar ready for a direct confron- “Irresponsible.” A 2017 file picture shows a Salafist protester talking and power to decide on necessary internet availability. At that time, tation with the Salafists? to a police officer during a demonstration against the ban on the sale measures to that end and con- Salafist scholars recorded religious and manufacturing of the burqa in Rabat. (Reuters) demning disobeying authorities. lessons and sermons on cassette Ahmad Hafez is an Egyptian writer. 14 March 29, 2020 Viewpoint Lebanon

Epidemic only compounds Lebanon’s socio-economic woes

growing bureaucracy considered by many to be highly corrupt and inefficient. Rami Rayess The international community that had supplied Lebanon with financial support on several ebanon is in a dire occasions seems to have lost situation. Before confidence in its ruling elite and COVID-19 it was in a has abstained from extending bad state. Now it is support again after the CEDRE even worse. Conference in Paris in April 2018. An ailing but working Information from Paris revealed Leconomy is always better than a that the CEDRE pledges would stagnant locked-down economy. not be granted to Lebanon Before the pandemic put the unless an all-encompassing whole world on hold, Lebanon reform process was put in place, was deeply suffering from supervised by the International numerous crises. Monetary Fund (IMF). The A major scarcity of foreign prospect of an IMF bailout ignited currency, shutdown of tourism fierce debate in the country. and commercial institutions, Hezbollah openly refused such bankruptcy of many companies, aid, considering it a step towards accelerating youth emigration, putting the country under tens of thousands of workers “imperialist tutelage,” a senior being laid off — these are just a Hezbollah official said. few of the problems Lebanon Tehran requested $5 billion has faced as the result of years of in urgent aid, including from inadequate governance. the IMF, to help it confront The power sector is said to have the exponential growth of the cost the country no less than coronavirus outbreak around $45 billion in the past 30 years the country. The request put Bleak horizons. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab (C) meets with a delegation from the or so and electricity availability Hezbollah in an embarrassing International Monetary Fund in Beirut, last February. (DPA) remains patchy. The sector position and led its leader, Hassan consumes the largest portion Nasrallah, to revoke the party’s of the country’s income and previous position. Hezbollah now Fears are mounting that the Lebanese cabinet announced a in front of the Lebanese cabinet. has become a source of public says it is open to the idea of an post-outbreak period will witness willingness to allocate $10 million With or without the IMF, Lebanon depression, if one might say, for IMF loan. an all-encompassing social in quick aid to the neediest must undergo strict measures to the Lebanese people. There have been calls from explosion, especially given that families, supplying them with lift itself from the economic abyss Another large portion of the other prominent party leaders, the October 17 revolution has food packages and other similar it finds itself in. Any other options budget is allocated for an ever- including Progressive Socialist been put on hold during the relief. No clear mechanisms have are simply not available. Party leader Walid Jumblatt, lockdown. Many expect that been assigned about how this One thing remains clear: Beirut for the government to embark nationwide demonstrations would work, which increases has lost its sovereign decision- The international on a comprehensive reform will revive when the situation doubt that nepotism and making to non-state actors. plan parallel to its efforts in in Lebanon returns to normal. clientelism would be the major Although this is nothing new, it is community seems to confronting COVID-19. He The only difference is that there criteria for distributing food a remarkable state of affairs. have lost confidence said all of this must happen will be additional job losses and packages. in conjunction with a move to economic deterioration in the However, with Hezbollah’s ban Rami Rayess is a Lebanese writer. in Lebanon’s seek aid from the IMF, which is post outbreak period. on seeking monetary aid from the Follow him on Twitter: ruling elite. inescapable in his opinion. In its latest meeting, the IMF lifted, there are new horizons @RamiRayess. Amer Fakhoury, Austin Tice and the Iranian-Syrian hostage game

that seemed to work. allegations of collaboration by image he likes to maintain as a If the return of Fakhoury and On the same day as Fakhoury’s saying that he, like many other strong president who is willing White were not enough, Iran release, US President Donald Lebanese, only heard about to go all the way to protect his dangled the possibility of the Makram Rabah Trump announced: “Today we are Fakhoury’s escape “on television country and its people. That Trump return of Austin Tice, an abducted bringing home another American and then made calls to inquire is also heading towards an election American freelance journalist who citizen… He is battling late-stage about it” and that his party had no campaign makes Fakhoury’s went missing in Syria in August he Lebanese were cancer. I am very grateful to the role to play in Fakhoury’s release. “liberation” more valuable and 2012. surprised recently to Lebanese government.” Nasrallah’s implausible and worthy of political backlash. Tice’s location remains unknown see a US Marine Corps Trump, in fact, was also somewhat insulting defence Iran, which has a long and but it is believed he is being held aircraft land at the thanking Hezbollah, which exposes the willingness of all sides illustrious record of using by the Syrian regime, which, like US Embassy north- holds the biggest sway over involved to compromise on their American refugees as bargaining its Iranian allies, is proficient in the east of Beirut before the Lebanese government and seemingly ideological stand and chips, turned this criminal act into hostage game. Treturning to its base in Cyprus. thus implicating Hezbollah in allow backdoor diplomacy to fix an art in itself. The recent situation While the Assad regime has On the aircraft was the “Butcher collaborating to release Fakhoury, a volatile and extremely thorny is a case in point. repeatedly denied keeping him, of Khiam,” Amer Fakhoury, the who theoretically is the antithesis relationship. From the side of Iran Conveniently, Iran did not only Tice is a possible future way for infamous former warden of Khiam of the Iranian-militia’s so-called and Hezbollah, Fakhoury was a offer Fakhoury but simultaneously Syrian President Bashar Assad to Prison, which was run by the resistance credo. precious hostage whom they kept released Michael White, a US Navy break years of isolation and get the South Lebanon Army during the Faced with this public relations stored away until the time was veteran and cancer patient who Americans to send a senior official Israeli occupation of Lebanon. crisis, Hezbollah Secretary-General right to allow his ransom. had been detained in Tehran since to Damascus for a much-needed As a senior officer in the South Hassan Nasrallah responded to Trump wishes to buttress the July 2018. photo opportunity. Naturally for Lebanon Army, a militia that Assad this public relations stunt collaborated with the Israeli would be linked to some form of occupation, Fakhoury was accused financial incentives that the Trump of torturing and killing a number of administration would creatively Lebanese prisoners before fleeing provide. to the United States and opening Most of the willingness of Trump a Lebanese restaurant in Dover, to go with this deal stems from the New Hampshire, and acquiring US fact that national security adviser nationality. Robert O’Brien served as special Despite staying away for more presidential envoy for hostage than 19 years, Fakhoury returned affairs in 2018 and knows what it to Lebanon last September after takes to bring America’s captives making sure, through his political home. acquaintances, that he would be Regardless of how this hostage immune from prosecution — or so game ends, if and when Tice makes he believed. its back to his family in Texas safe Shortly after entering Lebanon, and sound, Iran and the Assad Fakhoury was summoned by regime will have lost another Lebanese Army intelligence and human shield to use to prolong detained until a military tribunal its lifespan and to survive these dropped charges against him, turbulent times. claiming that the 10-year statute of Yet, what the hostage game also limitations had elapsed. proves is the limitation of Iran’s The political storm that followed transactional state of mind that Fakhoury’s theatrical escape was also impedes it from crossing mainly directed towards the Free into the realm of countries that Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah, abandon violence as the only way which are believed to have of doing business. brokered the deal that secured his release. The Free Patriotic Makram Rabah is a lecturer Movement and its leader Gebran at the American University of Bassil, Lebanese President Michel Beirut and author of “Conflict on Aoun’s son-in-law, used Fakhoury Mount Lebanon: The Druze, the to try to win the favour of the Hostage game. A 2018 file photo shows Marc and Debra Tice, parents of US journalist Austin Tice, Maronites and Collective Memory” Trump administration, something who was abducted in Syria in August 2012, giving a news conference in Beirut. (AFP) (Edinburgh University Press). March 29, 2020 15 Viewpoint Palestine Israel

Israeli-Palestinian paradoxes under the shadow of the virus

despite the far greater threat to Palestinian authorities outbreak forced Israel’s building official with the Israeli Builders’ people in both Israel and the reported 66 cases of coronavirus industry to seek temporary Association, told Reuters. Palestinian territories. infection, though the actual housing for many of its Reuters reported that Pauzner Claude Salhani In short, the likes of Hamas, numbers will probably never be nearly 70,000 Palestinian day said his union of approximately Islamic Jihad or the extremist known. Israel reported 3,400 labourers. 4,000 construction firms Zionist groups can rest assured cases of coronavirus infection. Usually, some 100,000 workers coordinated with the Israel espite the that the 72-year conflict between Globally, the virus has affected travel across the border twice a Hotel Association to find rooms imminent threat Jews and Arabs in the Middle more than 300,000 people and day. Some have security clearance for 12,000 Palestinians in some to the security East is guaranteed to continue killed more than 18,000. Back from Israeli authorities allowing 40 hotels across the country and well-being of for years. in the occupied territories, them to cross more quickly than after the border closure was both Israelis and The coronavirus making its Palestinians throw rocks at Israelis the average worker, who can announced. They found vacant Palestinians — and way around the globe does who retaliate with gunfire. spend more than 3 hours at the apartments for another 28,000, Dindeed the safety of the planet not differentiate between one In what may be a paradox, border checkpoint. The prized some of the flats still in the final — they still found the time religion and another or one as Palestinians clashed with possession for any Palestinian stages of being built. and energy to exchange rocks nationality and another. It’s at Israeli soldiers in one part of the day labourer is an Israeli work Don’t get your hopes up, and gunfire in the occupied times like these when the world territory, Palestinian workers permit because workers earn though. Despite this rare territories. needs to put aside its differences were given temporary shelter by more for equivalent work in Israel example of cooperation between In response to the spread of and look at what unites us. Israelis a few kilometres away. than in Palestinian cities. the two sides, Arabs and Jews in the coronavirus most countries Discouraging as the situation The closure of Israel’s borders Had the Israelis been unable the Holy Land are not about to went on an unprecedented may seem, with the coronavirus with the Palestinian territories to provide the housing for get together to sing “Kumbaya” lockdown with governments pandemic claiming more lives because of the coronavirus the Palestinians, it could around a campfire any time ordering millions of their in two weeks and affecting more have caused a construction soon. citizens to remain indoors. people than all terrorist acts in shutdown. Ironically, many There remains a grain of hope Warmongers on both sides the past 10 years, scientists are Palestinian workers are building that, eventually, a “vaccine” to of the Middle East dispute will working to find a vaccine and an There remains a grain Israeli homes in areas the cure the animosity in the region find a bizarre sort of comfort in antidote to the virus and we can of hope that, Palestinians claim are illegal will be found. a report from the West Bank of remain confident that a solution settlements. Palestinians throwing rocks at will eventually be found. eventually, a “Palestinian workers are Claude Salhani is a regular Israeli soldiers who responded However, regarding the Middle “vaccine” to cure the the (backbone) of Israeli columnist for The Arab Weekly with gunfire, assuring that the East conflict, political scientists construction. Without them, and a senior fellow at the never-ending cycle of violence will grapple with the Israeli- animosity in the we don’t work. The industry Institute of World Affairs in between the two sides continues Palestinian problem for decades. region will be found. would stop,” Shay Pauzner, an Washington. Virus pandemic leaves Palestinians even more vulnerable

Marwan Kanafani

he coronavirus storm has swept away all conversation related to reconciliation between the two most prominent factions Ton the Palestinian scene, Fatah and Hamas, and basically buried attempts to achieve even the lowest degree of rapprochement between them. All references to general Palestinian elections have disappeared. The pandemic left the Palestinian people exposed and vulnerable to the calamities awaiting them and their country. It added one more profound wound to their long list of injuries, as if they were destined to carry, on behalf of humanity, the burden of endless suffering from torture, oppression, persecution and now disease. There was an embarrassing show of irresponsibility on the part of the Hamas leadership. As leaders all over the world took to the front lines to confront the deadly virus, Hamas’s senior officials were hundreds of kilometres away from the afflicted Gaza Strip, engaged in Insufficient measures. Residents watch workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at their favourite pastime of jockeying the main road of the closed market of Shijaiyah neighbourhood in Gaza City, March 27. (AP) for power. The tremendous national task of dealing with the pandemic in the Gaza Strip was entrusted to and economic struggle to stand up dangerous turning point for the The Palestinians could benefit from in their country or wherever they second-rank officials: employees, to the coming coronavirus storm. future of the Palestinians because, those efforts and could contribute to reside as refugees is dependent district chiefs and police and This coronavirus storm aside, if while the entire world has yet to them by mobilising to form a single, on their unity, solidarity and intelligence chiefs. Fatah’s illegal control of the West discover and understand the extent influential entity. cooperation to survive and efforts It was reported that the Bank and Hamas’s illegitimate of the ruin and chaos that are likely No sane person expects there is made by the Palestinian National honourable head of the Hamas control of the Gaza Strip continue, to afflict humanity, an important room for two Palestinian entities Authority and the interim Hamas Movement, Ismail Haniyeh, who then the exhausted Palestinian segment of the Palestinian people is that could wield any influence on government in securing medicine is in Qatar battling for his position, masses can expect many more still running in circles. the problems of the Middle East. No and supplies for Palestinians decided to “donate” $500,000 to “corona-type” storms. Analysts are visualising scenarios sane person expects that Palestinian wherever they may be. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. As the Palestinian side for the post-coronavirus world, a unity alone would liberate their Stemming the virus infection Of course, such a decision is undermines its ability to reach world devastated economically, country, return the refugees to their requires cooperation and joint honourable and appreciated cohesion and unity in the face of a politically and socially. They’re lands and take back Jerusalem. efforts on a large scale, so that because it benefits an important reality that cannot withstand more trying to figure out how and when And yet unity is the only path to assistance can be provided faster segment of the Palestinian people. losses, the Israeli side thrives and the superpowers can reclaim their all of that. At this point, the aim of and in a sustainable manner and However, it would have been more wants more. prerogatives, if and when the deadly Palestinian unification is not to form not be restricted to individuals decent if the donation were made The unholy connection between virus is eliminated. a deterrent power but to survive as a or factions. There must be a clear in the name of Hamas and not of the coronavirus pandemic and The Middle East, with its oil, nation, Fatah and Hamas included, vision for dealing with pressing a person such as the head of the the Palestinian people heralds a financial and real estate wealth and progress to a better position issues. movement. plus its tremendous business than the one they are in today. The time has come for the Hamas Haniyeh’s gesture may be seen investments in most parts of the The scenarios for the future leadership, old or new, to return as a marketing move within the world, sits smack in the middle of of humanity range from beating to assuming its responsibilities context of the fierce competition, or Stemming the virus these scenarios. In this new world, the deadly virus to catastrophic towards the Palestinian people in should we say political bazaar, going infection requires there is no place for weak or poor outcomes such as the bankruptcy this critical and dangerous period. on in Doha. Haniyeh’s eyes are on countries or entities and the ruling of most, if not all, countries and There is no justification for this long the support of Hamas leaders and cooperation and joint national authority in the West Bank the outbreak of a world war or of absence, which has negative effects the votes of the exhausted camps in efforts on a large and Hamas in the Gaza Strip are regional wars. There is one constant, on the required performance of the Lebanon. both weak and poor. however, in all predictions and that Hamas leadership towards the crisis The Palestinian people are paying scale, so that Oil-exporting countries rallied to is the confidence in the ability of that is afflicting the Palestinian the price of the failure of the two assistance can be defend their wealth and interests humankind to work together to get people in Gaza and other countries. largest Palestinian organisations to provided faster and in as a first line of defence to restore rid of the disease that threatens reach an understanding that would the economic and financial clout survival. Marwan Kanafani was an adviser to unite the national political, societal a sustainable manner. they had enjoyed in this century. The survival of the Palestinians Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. 16 March 29, 2020 News & Analysis Turkey

Viewpoint The pandemic exposes false hopes and laxness in Ankara’s response

ment because of the heavy domi- nation of the ruling Justice and Development Party and its coalition Yavuz Baydar partner, the Nationalist Movement Party. The problem, in a broader con- eople are going to text, is this: As opposed to many spend a lot of time other governments, there is no online for the fore- “independent” state institution or “ seeable future. So council in Turkey. This is reflected far, we have few ex- in the so-called Science Commit- amples of people re- tee, established in January by the turningP to offline media once they Ministry of Health, consisting of 26 have embraced online ones. And, doctors and medical experts. State- yes, people are flocking to news ments delivered by its members on sites and television news right now the COVID-19 outbreak fall short of and we are all powerfully reminded lucid facts, apparently filtered by Projecting ambitions. A Turkish unmanned aircraft (ANKA) is displayed during the Teknofest of the importance of credible infor- the ministry before they are made festival at Istanbul’s new airport. (AFP) mation. But it is unfortunately not public. The expertise of some of at all clear that the public feel that its members has been questioned, news media are always the best, or particularly after one appeared on even more credible, providers of television to describe the virus as such information.” the wrath of God. Turkish military This is what Rasmus Kleis Niels- No wonder that a considerable en, director of the Reuters Institute number of people are waking up for the Study of Journalism, put in with anxiety to new unknowns dur- a recent article, emphasising that ing these difficult days. The Turkish the burden the COVID-19 pandemic government’s laxness, exposed industry becomes places on the media is nearly as in the blurred language of state heavy as the one on medical asso- officials, is heavily coloured with ciations across the world. religious rhetoric and accompanied If one is aware of how hard it is by what many see as half-measures, already for the media in a demo- such as only restricting movement launchpad of Ankara’s cratic world, one can only imagine for those above 65 years of age. the scale of the uphill battle in Add to this rising concern about countries where the leadership’s the dark reality awaiting millions automatic reflex is to suppress of refugees along the Syrian border information. and in cities such as Istanbul, is it regional ambitions Given the window of opportunity any wonder that citizens live in a the pandemic has opened for au- tense limbo? thoritarian leaders — such as Viktor The situation leaves most people Thomas Seibert Military drones are the showcase of stan, SIPRI said. Turkey has also sold Orban in Hungary or Jair Bolsonaro unaware, as reported by alternative Turkey’s ambitions. drones to Tunisia and Ukraine. in Brazil and some in the MENA re- Turkish media sites such as Ahval Ulrike Franke, a policy fellow at Cinar said a more robust defence gion — many, no doubt, think they and Duvar, that Turkish President Istanbul the European Council on Foreign Re- sector would strengthen Turkey’s can secure their futures based on Recep Tayyip Erdogan is standing lations in London and an expert on ambition to become a regional player tighter measures made permanent between solid measures to stop he deployment of modern drone warfare, said Turkey invested committed to Western allies in Eu- even after the outbreak ends. the spread of the virus. Reports Turkish military drones in a great amount of time and money rope and the United States while also Turkey is one of the prime cases tell of resistance in the palace for a combat missions in Syria and to develop its military drone pro- pursuing ties with the East. in this category. Despite that, in just tougher lockdown and an inclina- T Libya put a spotlight on a gramme. “The goal of defence companies is ten days, confirmed cases of death tion instead to keep the weakening growing military industry sector that One goal of the programme was to to get completely rid of foreign de- spiked from zero to 75 and detected economy rolling as before. feeds Ankara’s regional ambitions. get an edge in the conflict with the pendency in Turkish defence indus- cases from zero to 3,629, as of The disagreement in Ankara plac- The Turkish government said Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a try by 2023,” the 100th anniversary of March 27, authorities are still mum- es Erdogan, his son-in-law Finance drone strikes in north-western Syria separatist group that has been fight- the Turkish republic, he said. bling, uncritically amplified by a Minister Berat Albayraka and a large in February played an important role ing against Ankara since 1984, Franke Modern weapons systems also media that labours under the strict group of greedy businesspeople in stopping Syrian government troops said by telephone. The PKK’s ability serve Turkey’s foreign-policy pri- control of the Erdogan government. against Health Minister Fahrettin and their allies who were advancing to strike Turkish targets with small orities. Under Erdogan, Turkey has Some projections warn that at the Koca, backed by a large group of in the area. groups of militants has been reduced become more assertive in conflicts current rate of infection, as many as medical staff and bureaucrats. In Libya, Turkish drones have be- by the deployment of Ankara’s mili- around the region and is not shying 4 million-5 million people in Turkey Rumours speak of an ongoing come a key asset in the fight of the tary drones. away from confrontation. could be infected if Ankara does not battle with Koca, aware of the Tripoli-based Government of Na- Another reason for Turkey to “Using critical systems to increase fight back. impulsive and obstinate Erdogan, tional Accord, a Turkish-Qatari ally, manufacture its own drones was leverage on other state actors is an- A few remaining critical outlets — having no choice but to bend to his against the forces of Field-Marshal that the United States refused to sell other goal” of Turkey’s defence pro- no more than a handful — are feel- insistence on half-measures. Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by armed drones to Ankara. An attempt gramme, Bekdil said. “The past dec- ing the heat from Turkey’s Radio Erdogan apparently hopes, Egypt, Russia and other foreign pow- by Turkey to buy Israeli drones also ade is full of examples to show how and Television Supreme Council perhaps pushed to wishful thinking ers. ended in frustration. hard power has become an insepa- (RTUK). RTUK recently criticised by his sycophants, that the pan- “Turkey cannot be the regional “The US and Israel used to be the rable part of Turkey’s foreign-policy television channels Halk TV, Tele1 demic will be over in a few months. power it wishes to become without leading nations in drone technology calculus.” and Haberturk for “spreading However, chances are that he will deterrent military force,” Ali Cinar, but Turkey and China have poured a “Turkey’s geostrategic parameters panic” and “inciting hatred” in their be proven wrong and face an even president of the Turkish Heritage Or- lot of money into that field,” Franke require increasing doses of hard pow- reporting of the pandemic. All the deeper crisis, both in terms of pub- ganisation, a pro-Turkish think-tank said. “Today, this technology allows er in addition to soft power,” Bekdil channels did was criticise the non- lic health and state finances. in Washington, said via e-mail. Turkey to survey a battlefield and to added. As examples, he pointed to transparency of the regime. Once reliant on weapons supplied identify and hit targets.” Turkey’s cross-border operations RTUK, despite being composed of Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish by its NATO allies, especially the Unit- Baykar Makina, a private Turkish into Syria, raids on targets in north- representatives of various parties, journalist and regular columnist ed States and Germany, Turkey has drone maker whose chief technology ern Iraq and military tensions around acts as an extension of the govern- for The Arab Weekly. spent billions of dollars developing its officer, Selcuk Bayraktar, is a son-in a hydrocarbon dispute in the Eastern defence sector. The investment has law of Turkish President Recep Tayy- Mediterranean between Turkey on paid off in growing self-sufficiency in ip Erdogan, is the prime example for one side and Greece, Cyprus, Israel military matters and in booming sales the defence industry boom. and Egypt on the other. to other countries. “Baykar group’s unprecedented However, even top-notch weap- technological advance in design- ons, such as drones, offer no guar- ing and developing various drones, antee of securing lasting military or An attempt by Turkey to including armed ones, was a game political advantages. buy Israeli drones ended in changer in two ways,” said Burak Bek- Franke said, although reports frustration. dil, a fellow at the Middle East Forum, about the military success of Tur- a think-tank in Philadelphia. key’s drones in fighting in Syria’s A report by the Stockholm Inter- “This company’s commercial and Idlib province were credible, many national Peace Research Institute technological success made itself a were downed by Syrian air defence (SIPRI) ranked Turkey 14th among role model for other private-sector as clashes went on. “Apparently the the world’s top arms exporters. Turk- players and investors. It also gave Syrians are finding ways to deal with ish arms sales from 2015-19 rose 86% pace to drone efforts by state-con- them,” she said. from the previous 5-year period, SI- trolled companies like Tusas Turkish “Drones are not a military pana- PRI said. Aerospace Industries.” cea,” Franke said. “They are not a Ankara has set its sights on even Growing defence sales could help strategic game-changer. It’s not a bigger goals. “The export target of the Turkish economy as a whole, Bek- technology that gives total domi- Turkey for 2023 in the defence and dil said by e-mail. “Defence exports, if nance to the armed forces of a coun- aviation sector is $10.2 billion” from they rose exponentially as hoped for, t r y.” $2.7 billion in 2019, Cinar said. “So could cure Turkey’s chronic current She said anti-drone technolo- Turkey wants to be in the defence account deficit problem,” he said. gies were being updated and might premium league and sell many de- Top buyers of Turkish weapons eclipse the military advantages cre- Contradicting the president. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca fence products globally.” are Turkmenistan, Oman and Paki- ated by Turkey’s drone programme. holds a press conference on the COVID-19 outbreak in Ankara. (AFP) March 29, 2020 17 News & Analysis Iran Hundreds of Iranians die ingesting methanol based on false notions about fighting virus

Nasser Karimi the world, overwhelming hospitals, and Jon Gambrell crippling economies and forcing governments to restrict the move- ments of billions of people. Particu- Tehran larly hard hit has been Iran. There is no known cure for COV- tanding over the still body of ID-19, the illness caused by the vi- an intubated 5-year-old boy rus. Scientists and doctors study the wearing nothing but a plastic virus and search for effective medi- S diaper, an Iranian health-care cines and a vaccine. worker in a hazmat suit and mask However, in messages forwarded begged the public for just one thing: and forwarded again, Iranian social Stop drinking industrial alcohol over media accounts in Farsi falsely sug- fears about the new coronavirus. gested a British schoolteacher and The boy, blind after his parents others cured themselves of the coro- gave him toxic methanol in the mis- navirus with whiskey and honey, taken belief it protects against the based on a tabloid story from early virus, is one of hundreds of victims February. of an epidemic inside the pandemic Mixed with messages about the gripping Iran. use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, Iranian media reported that nearly some wrongly think drinking high- 300 people had died and more than proof alcohol would kill the virus in 1,000 others had been sickened their bodies. by ingesting methanol across Iran, Iran has reported more than where drinking alcohol is banned 35,000 confirmed cases and more and where those who do rely on than 2,500 deaths from the virus, bootleggers. It comes as fake rem- the highest toll of any country in the edies spread across social media in Middle East. International experts Iran, where people remain deeply fear Iran may be under-reporting its suspicious of the government after cases, as officials for days play down it downplayed the crisis for days be- the virus ahead of a parliamentary fore it overwhelmed the country. election. Poisonous beliefs. Iranian firefighters disinfect a square against the new coronavirus in western “The virus is spreading and people That fear of the virus, coupled Tehran. (AP) are just dying off and I think they are with poor education and internet even less aware of the fact that there rumours, saw dozens sickened by stretch supply, other times it comes though Iran appears to be the only of his Tehran home. He spoke on the are other dangers around,” said Dr drinking bootleg alcohol containing as methanol, falsely advertised as one in the pandemic to turn towards condition that only his first name be Knut Erik Hovda, a clinical toxicolo- methanol in Iran’s south-western drinkable, Hovda said. Methanol can it as a fake cure. In Buddhist Cam- used for fear of arrest. “This year, gist in Oslo who studies methanol Khuzestan province and its southern contaminate traditionally fermented bodia, police said they seized 4,200 because of corona, it jumped up by poisoning and said he fears Iran’s city of Shiraz. Videos on Iranian me- alcohol. litres of methanol from a man who four- or five-fold.” outbreak could be worse than re- dia showed patients, with intrave- Methanol is odourless and taste- unwittingly planned to make toxic Farhad, a self-described heavy ported. “When they keep drinking nous needles in their arms, lying on less when added to drinks. It causes hand sanitiser because of the virus drinker who lives in central Tehran, this, there’s going to be more people beds needed for the fight against the organ and brain damage. Symptoms outbreak. said alcohol remains easy to find for poisoned.” coronavirus, including the intubated include chest pain, nausea, hyper- Muslim drinkers in Iran can be those looking for it. 5-year-old boy. Iranian media report- ventilation, blindness and coma. punished with cash fines and 80 “Even you can find it offered when ed other cases in Karaj and Yazd. “It is rumoured that alcohol can lashes. However, minority Chris- you are walking down the street,” he Some wrongly believed In Iran, the government mandates wash and sanitise the digestive sys- tians, Jews and Zoroastrians can said. drinking high-proof alcohol that manufacturers of toxic metha- tem,” said Dr Javad Amini Saman in drink alcoholic beverages in private. Since 1979, Iran’s 40 alcohol facto- would kill the virus in their nol add artificial colour to their prod- Iran’s western city of Kermanshah, While police occasionally an- ries have seen production changed bodies. ucts so the public can tell it apart where dozens have been hospital- nounce alcohol busts, the trade in to pharmaceutical needs and sanitis- from ethanol, the kind of alcohol ised, “That is very wrong.” non-toxic alcohol continues. Locally ers. Others had been left idle, like the For most people, coronavirus used in cleaning wounds. Ethanol is Even before the outbreak, metha- made Iranian arak from fermented abandoned Shams alcohol factory causes mild or moderate symptoms, also the alcohol in alcoholic bever- nol poisoning had taken a toll in Iran. raisins, known as Aragh sagi, sells east of Tehran. such as fever and cough that clear ages, though its production is illegal One academic study concluded that for $10 for a 1.5-litre bottle. Imported Now, in a time when even some up within three weeks. For some, in Iran. methanol poisoning sickened 768 vodka sells for $40 a bottle. mosques in Iran hand out high-proof especially older adults and people Some bootleggers in Iran use people in Iran in September and Oc- “Every year during Nowruz, or alcohol as a sanitiser, officials plan to with existing health problems, it can methanol, adding a splash of bleach tober 2018, killing 76. the Persian New Year holidays that start work again at Shams to produce cause more severe illness, including to mask the added colour before sell- Other Muslim countries that ban begin March 21, my customers dou- 22,000 litres of 99% alcohol a day. pneumonia and death. ing it as drinkable. Sometimes it is citizens from drinking alcohol also ble,” said Rafik, an Iranian Armenian The pandemic has swept across mixed with consumable alcohol to report methanol poisoning, al- who makes vodka in the basement (The Associated Press)

Viewpoint As coronavirus cases spike, IRGC pretends all is well

tion of the destruction the virus ances must be maintained. Iran deny the danger to its true believ- by the withdrawal of permission wreaked on Iran’s political class has continued mass funerals for ers from the virus and to dissemi- granted by the Iranian state to help. and, perhaps more significantly, its senior IRGC figures even during the nate conspiracy theories about its “The need for this intervention James Snell military elite. pandemic, despite criticism from origins.” and the authorisations needed to Many among Iran’s political and Iranian citizens. Some participants IRGC members, who likely trans- start it were discussed and agreed advisory class have died and the in the funerals were photographed ported the virus from Qom, where with relevant Iranian authorities hen Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps wearing face masks. it entered Iran, across the country, during the past weeks, Our teams Supreme Leader (IRGC) has lost many to virus-re- Kyle Orton, a Middle East analyst, also continued to travel to assist were ready to start medical activi- Ayatollah Ali lated disease. All proving that even said: “The coronavirus outbreak Iranian allies and proxies across the ties at the end of this week,” said Khamenei ad- those with power are not immune does seem to have a particular Middle East. Michel Olivier Lacharite, manager dressed the during a pandemic. concentration among IRGC and In an indication of how the broad- of MSF’s emergency programmes. country to mark Nasser Shabani, a senior general the civilian clerical elite in Iran — er proxy network responded to IRGC Commander Major-General WNowruz, he referred to the difficult in the IRGC who organised Iran’s and since those categories include the virus, the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hossein Salami painted a picture time Iran was facing. network of regional proxies, died disproportionately high numbers of which has frequent contact with at odds with reality in an interview Khamenei described the main after being infected by the virus. men with underlying vulnerabilities IRGC operatives in Syria, claims it is with state-owned press: “If the US problem confronting Iran as an Days later, Habib Barzegari, one of to this virus (advanced age, expo- testing its fighters for coronavirus citizens need help, we can help economic challenge and expressed the IRGC’s founders, died in the sure to chemical weapons that have both before they travel to Syria and them, but we don’t need the US hope the country would counter it same way. damaged their respiratory systems) as they return to Lebanon. help.” with the aim of “boosting produc- Other recent deaths among the the death toll has been quite signifi- All the while, despite suffering The IRGC may be able to sus- tion.” IRGC are difficult to attribute but cant, at least in raw numbers.” this spate of losses, the IRGC echoes tain this level of casualties among He did not refer to the COVID-19 there is reason to believe the fol- However, he said, this may not the shape of Iranian state policy its ranks and replace those who pandemic, which has killed thou- lowing were all killed by the virus: necessarily have caused institu- regarding the virus. The IRGC and succumb to the virus after bury- sands of Iranians. Despite reference Mohammad Haj Abolghasemi of tional collapse: “It’s very difficult to the Iranian state maintain a detailed ing them with suitable ceremony to the “martyrs” of the previous the Basij paramilitary; Ramezan say how seriously the coronavirus propaganda effort that claims the but the damage done to its opera- year, Khamenei made no men- Pourghassem, head of the IRGC deaths have affected the IRGC lead- coronavirus is an American biologi- tion and the gulf between Iran’s ground forces; Farzad Tazari; ership because we suffer a denomi- cal weapon. propaganda and the visible trail Abdollah Jafarzadeh; and Farzad nator problem or more precisely Separately, Iran laments US sanc- of destruction the virus is leaving Tazari, for whom officials had pub- blindness,” Orton said. tions, which it claims are hampering across Iran and the region place the The Islamic lic funerals. “What is less in doubt is that its health system and ability to save pretences of its leadership increas- Revolutionary Guard Some of those men occupied the the IRGC has been responsible for lives. However, its leaders notably ingly at odds with reality. IRGC equivalent of middle man- spreading the coronavirus further decline offers from assistance from With all Iran’s people have suf- Corps is believed by agement and could, under normal than it needed to be, at home and other countries and expel those fered and with the virus still killing some to have helped circumstances, be replaced but the abroad,” he said. from non-governmental organi- so many, this indictment of the mili- spread the virus public weakening of the IRGC’s “Domestically, the IRGC has sations such as Doctors Without tary class is not one they are likely ranks likely echoes a deeper prob- turned out large crowds for funerals Borders (MSF) that try to coordinate to forget. across the region lem hidden from external view. of its members and its extremist a national response to the crisis. through its proxies. For those looking in, appear- religious beliefs have led it both to MSF declared itself “surprised” James Snell is a British journalist. 18 March 29, 2020 Viewpoint East West Washington pulls up stakes, reassesses challenges in Mideast

$100 million, is in the Pentagon’s sights. Created four decades ago as Geoffrey Aronson a demonstration of US interest in the region’s major strategic achievement of the 1970s — the peace between Egypt and Israel ntil the superpower — the US-led Multinational Force era after World War and Observers (MFO) is now hos- II, a great power tage to the grinding insurgency would never have mounted in the Sinai Peninsula contemplated the by the Islamic State and its local kind of open-ended allies. Uinterventions that, for more than Even the tiny MFO, explained a generation, have preoccupied US Army General Mark Milley, the United States throughout the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Middle East. Staff, at a February 26 hearing Columbus knew that his dis- of the House Armed Services covery of a New World was valu- Committee, is part of what US able to his royal sponsors only if Secretary of Defence Mark Esper he could also find gold. described as a “blank slate Strategy reassessment. A US Army soldier stands guard during the pull-out ceremony from the The British insisted that the review” of US deployments Qayyara Airbase, March 26. (DPA) countries they occupied pay for across the globe, undertaken as colonial policies and the armies the United States continues to that notoriously stingy parlia- “pivot” to Asia. ments refused to subsidise. “Is [the MFO] still a valid Egypt, with its cotton that fed military mission for US forces? US consolidates troop England’s industrial revolution, Yes/No. Arguments are being and India, the Asian terminus of made by both sides…. If [it is] a maritime route via Suez, were not,” Milley promised, “then we economic goldmines, propelling delete it.” presence in Iraq, plans the island kingdom in a few short Washington is not waiting for decades of the 19th century to the black smoke to rise before the front ranks of world powers. reducing, if not eliminating, its military presence in Iraq and Syria. for reductions Two Iraqi bases — one at Qaim Even as the Trump and the other at Qayyara — have administration been returned to Iraqi control. the United States struck the militia If it emphasises that mission as The former was once deemed but the Iraqi government accused opposed to zeroing in on Iran and recognises the vital to obstruct the creation of a Gregory the United States of killing and the pro-Iran militias, it might be peripheral land bridge linking Iran through wounding Iraqi soldiers and civil- able to maintain its presence for at importance of Iran Iraq and Syria to Hezbollah. With Aftandilian ians in the process. least the short term. A US Marine Damascus once again in control The Iraqi military issued a was killed in early March in a to the global of the Syrian side of the border, it strong statement that accused the joint operation targeting ISIS in a challenge to US is expected that the base at Qaim he US military is mov- US-led coalition of violating the mountain cave, indicating that the and the border crossing nearby ing troops from some partnership agreement and de- threat from ISIS remains very real. power, it devotes will be under the management of bases in western and scribed the US strikes as a “treach- Along these lines, a spokesman precious resources Iraqi forces less concerned than northern Iraq to other erous attack.” By contrast, the for the US-led coalition stated — in to the failing policy Washington about the kind of facilities in the country Pentagon said the strikes targeted a diplomatic fashion — that the materiel transiting the border. following attacks by a only Kata’ib Hezbollah members coalition “will retain key military of “maximum No matter what one thinks of Tpro-Iran militia, Kata’ib Hezbollah. and its weapons depots. personnel on some Iraqi bases, pressure.” the merits of the arguments, the Although US military sources This episode recalled the tense to ensure the government of Iraq changes in the US deployment said the withdrawal of US troops period in January when, after the and our interests are appropri- in Iraq and indeed in Afghani- from one of the bases, the remote United States’ targeted killing of ately supported.” The spokesman In contrast, the United States stan are the consequences of a Qaim base near the Iraqi-Syrian Iranian al-Quds Force commander added that “we remain partnered has more often than not taken deliberate rethink. In contrast, border, was in the works for some Major-General Qassem Soleimani and collaborate closely with Iraqi money out of the bank to fund Trump’s ordered changes in Syria time — US Army Colonel Myles near Baghdad International Air- security forces” for “operations its foreign adventures. More were almost whimsical. Now that Higgins of the anti-Islamic State port, the Iraqi parliament passed against Daesh” [an Arabic acro- than $6 trillion has been spent the United States has retreated coalition told Al-Monitor that a non-binding resolution calling nym for ISIS]. in Yemen, Libya, Syria, Iraq and from the Iraqi-Syrian border, the the coalition does not need to be on all foreign forces to leave the However, at the same time, the Afghanistan. Billions more have rationale for maintaining a base in Qaim because Iraqi security country. That resolution was di- Pentagon seems to be planning been shovelled out for military on the Syrian side of the border forces are preventing the Islamic rected mainly at the United States. for a reduction in the number of and economic aid. at Al Tanf is even more tenuous. State (ISIS) from resurging there Increased tensions between the troops in Iraq, probably reason- Such sums should make even In the eyes of US global strate- — it was probably accelerated by United States and the Iraqi govern- ing that, over the long term, fewer the most committed imperialist gists, Syria, after the war against threats from such militias. ment are posing a dilemma for the coalition troops might be needed blush. Syrian President Bashar Assad US Marine Corps General Ken- Americans. against ISIS and that the fewer Before the invasion of Iraq, has been lost, is small potatoes. neth McKenzie, commander of US Although it is unclear whether numbers would generate less proponents argued that Iraqi oil When asked in December Central Command, has acknowl- Kata’ib Hezbollah was taking controversy inside Iraq. One US would pay for the invasion. US about Russian influence in Syria, edged that the United States direct orders from Tehran, Wash- military source, speaking at the President Donald Trump fanci- Esper noted: “I’m more con- would be leaving three remote ington cannot afford to be seen Combined Joint Task Force head- fully suggested that Syrian oil, cerned about Russia’s expansion bases in Iraq but would maintain “cutting and running” in the face quarters in Iraq, said: “Looking amounting to a relative pittance, into Egypt, Saudi Arabia and troops at other bases. In addition, of militia attacks because it does ahead, we anticipate the coali- will support a continuing mili- other places.” the United States would deploy not want to provide Iran with a tion supporting the Iraqi secu- tary campaign against the Assad In Washington’s view, even the a Patriot missile defence system victory while it is maintaining its rity forces from fewer bases with government. metastasising debacle in Iraq, for in Iraq to protect against rocket maximum pressure campaign on fewer people.” It is certainly the case that all of its dangers, does not pose attacks. Tehran. The coronavirus threat has cheap oil from the Middle East, the threat of Russian or Chinese The US military said the Katyu- At the same time, the more the caused the US military in Iraq to extracted under a broad US gains at Washington’s expense. sha rocket attacks that killed United States retaliates against withdraw some troops from Iraq security umbrella, propelled Indeed, even as the United States two US soldiers and one Brit- pro-Iran militia forces, the more and for the Iraqi government to the US economy throughout the turns its attention away from ish soldier at Camp Taji base on the chances that innocent Iraqis — suspend the training of its military post-WWII era. yesterday’s wars in the region, March 11, which were preceded by soldiers and civilians alike — could forces by coalition members. However, it is worth asking US forces have been deployed in other attacks, were coordinated be caught in the crossfire, making Other partner countries in the whether Washington’s “wars of greater numbers to the Gulf. by Kata’ib Hezbollah. In response, the US military presence increas- coalition are withdrawing some choice” have best served this and A glaring contradiction lies at ingly untenable. troops. other US interests, not to men- the heart of this policy, which For that reason, the Pentagon Whether this is a temporary tion the interests of those whose has seen the US surge troops and probably thinks that redeploying drawdown remains to be seen countries, lives and livelihoods extraordinary naval assets to The Pentagon seems US forces to bases that are better but the US-led coalition seems to have been upended at the ser- the region. Even as the Trump protected would minimise the be suggesting that, for military vice of Washington’s grandiose administration recognises the to be planning for a chances of more American deaths and political reasons, it wants the and usually unfulfilled visions. peripheral importance of Iran to reduction in the as well as the need for retaliatory focus to remain against ISIS, all With its sights set on the rising the global challenge to US power strikes. the while indicating that it will power in the East, Washington presented by China, it devotes number of troops in The stated purpose of the US not stand idle if Kata’ib Hezbol- is reconsidering its commit- precious resources to the failing Iraq, probably military presence in Iraq is the lah again launches rocket attacks ments in the region now seen policy of “maximum pressure.” reasoning that, over continuing anti-ISIS campaign, not against US and coalition forces. as peripheral to Washington’s The imperialists of old would to make Iraq a battlefield against essential global concerns. Iraq, be incredulous. the long term, fewer Iran. As long as the US military Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer Syria and Afghanistan are at the coalition troops might was seen as helping in the fight in the Pardee School of Global top of this list but even the small Geoffrey Aronson is a against ISIS, its presence in Iraq Studies at Boston University and US deployment in Sinai, with its non-resident scholar at the be needed against post-2014 was not very controver- a former US State Department complement of less than 1,000 Middle East Institute in ISIS. sial. Middle East analyst. and an annual budget of around Washington. March 29, 2020 19 Viewpoint East West Hezbollah faces scrutiny over release of SLA commander

Simon Speakman Cordall children last year. Fakhoury, said to be undergoing treatment for late-stage cancer, re- Tunis turned to Lebanon last September. He was arrested but then released in he dramatic departure of a March after a military tribunal ruled dual US-Lebanese citizen the statute of limitations for the tor- from the US Embassy in ture charges had expired. Lebanon provided Beirut However, following public out- T Hidden hand. A US Marine Corps Osprey leaves the US Embassy compound in Aukar, north-east of with an uncomfortable reminder of cry led by Iran-backed Hezbollah, its difficult past and an unforgiving a judge imposed a travel ban and Beirut, March 19. (AP) insight into its troubled present. asked the Military Court of Appeals Awaiting retrial on charges of hu- to strike down the earlier ruling. Lebanese Army, totalling more than while the coronavirus pandemic because the Lebanese government man rights abuses, Amer Fakhoury, The circumstances of Fakhoury’s $100 million annually. US support applies additional pressure on the cooperated, probably under pres- 57, was reported to have fled the release are unclear. While US Presi- for Lebanon’s application for assis- country’s institutions. In early sure and Fakhoury wouldn’t have US Embassy March 19. The accusa- dent Donald Trump thanked the tance from the International Mone- March, Beirut announced it would been released without the govern- tions against Fakhoury date to his “Lebanese government,” the US am- tary Fund was also said to have been default on a $1.2 billion Eurobond ment’s and Hezbollah’s approval.” time as an administrator of Khiam bassador was summoned by Leba- made conditional on Fakhoury’s re- payment while it sought to restruc- Ghaddar said, given the sensitiv- detention centre in Israeli-occupied nese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti to lease. ture its $90 billion debt. ity surrounding the Fakhoury case, southern Lebanon, a facility notori- explain how Fakhoury left the coun- “This is not the first time that ac- In mid-March, with coronavirus it was unlikely that anyone would ous for its torture of dissidents and try, despite suspicions that Leba- tual decisions or actions by the Leb- threatening to engulf Lebanon’s have taken such a fundamental de- militants in the 1980s and 1990s. nese officials may have colluded in anese government or by Hezbollah health-care system, the government cision without consulting Hezbol- the plan. contradict the usual anti-US rhetoric ordered the country into lockdown, lah. Hezbollah Secretary-General Has- embraced by the party and some of closing its international airport, “I believe not only Nasrallah ap- Despite denials, analysts san Nasrallah sought to establish as its allies,” said Elie Abouaoun of the ports and land border crossings. proved but also took the decision said there was no way much distance as possible between United States Institute for Peace. In any negotiation with the United himself,” Ghaddar said. “He is say- Fakhoury’s release could Hezbollah and Fakhoury’s flight. He “It happened before when some States, Lebanon was always playing ing that he didn’t know because the happen without Hezbollah claimed he learnt of the incident “on municipal councils politically close with a weakened hand. Shia constituency couldn’t believe sanction. television and then made calls to in- to Hezbollah were tacitly author- “We do not know how this hap- it. quire about it,” adding that, “There ised to receive or be part of [US pened in terms of the prior negotia- “At one point, clashes erupted in Fakhoury, a commander in the was American pressure and some government]-funded projects. tions, which started a few months the south between former commu- Israel-backed South Lebanon Army people were weak.” There were other examples cited ago, and the terms of the release but nists who also served in the Khiam (SLA) was called “the butcher of A bipartisan call for sanctions by previous US diplomats about I believe that the Lebanese foreign prison and Hezbollah. They needed Khiam” for allegedly orchestrating against officials involved in Fak- requests made to senior Lebanese minister’s summoning of the US am- to distance themselves. That was torture sessions in which prisoners houry’s detention would have officials that were surprisingly hon- bassador is just a charade,” said Ha- part one. were whipped with electric cables. further punished a government oured while going at odds with Hez- nin Ghaddar, a visiting fellow at the “Part two: Fakhoury’s former Fakhoury fled Lebanon for Is- straining under the US policy of bollah’s mainstream discourse.” Washington Institute for Near East aide, former prison guard and SLA rael shortly before the withdrawal “maximum pressure” against Iran How much choice Hezbollah or Policy think-tank. member Antoine al-Hayek, was as- of Israeli forces in 2000. He went and its allies, including Hezbollah. the Lebanese government had is “They all knew what was going sassinated and observers in Leba- to the United States where he tried The Israeli newspaper Haaretz re- open to scrutiny. Battered by years on and this was only to assuage non believe that this was another to claim political asylum. He won ported that the United States threat- of graft and mismanagement, Leba- public discontent. The White House attempt to calm down the street and US citizenship through one of his ened to freeze assistance to the non’s economy is nearly bankrupt thanked the Lebanese government give it some ‘revenge’ satisfaction.” It is already the day after in Paris suburbs

ligious authorities in those countries authorities and the continuous and against the pandemic, the pres- This was what he suggested March pulls the rug out from under the feet appalling spectacle in the media of ence of doctors and caregivers of 13 when he confined France and the of fundamentalist imams and those victims of this pandemic falling by immigrant backgrounds was also French: “Tomorrow, we will have in the orbit of the Muslim Brother- the hundreds every day in countries remarkable. Just as remarkable was to learn the lessons of the moment Majed Nehme hood. that were thought well-prepared to the disappearance, as if by magic, of we are going through, question the The most striking measure by the manage a major health crisis have the ignominious racist, xenophobic, development model in which our governments was to close mosques silenced the ultra-minority, which Islamophobic and anti-immigration world has been engaged for decades onfinement measures and places of worship to collective persisted in its narrow-mindedness discourse that not so long ago fuelled and which revealed its flaws in broad imposed by French Presi- prayers, especially Friday prayers. but became inaudible in its own com- political debate in France. daylight, question the weaknesses of dent Emmanuel Macron In France, this measure was decided munities. France must take stock of the our democracies.” to curb the COVID-19 by the French Council of the Muslim After the containment measures precious contribution the previ- “What this pandemic reveals is pandemic came with Faith and the Muslim Institute of the by France and Maghreb countries, ously mentioned people bring to that there are goods and services particular repercussions Great Mosque of Paris Rector Chems- the maritime links between the its economy and general welfare. that must be placed outside the laws Cfor inhabitants of the Paris suburbs, eddine Hafiz. two shores of the Mediterranean, The worrisome lack of manpower in of the market,” he added before including many of Arab and African Known for his open-mindedness, the last regular means of transport the agricultural sector, particularly concluding: “Delegating basically to origin. he issued a news release March 13 in after the curtailing of air links, were after closing the borders to seasonal others the responsibility for our food, Theoretically, the measures affect which he informed the faithful of his suspended. workers, encouraged Jean-Luc our protection, our ability to provide all communities without distinction. “grave decision” to “close the Great One result was the distressing Melenchon, leader of “La France health care and our living environ- While immigrants in France as well Mosque of Paris for an indefinite spectacle of thousands of people insoumise” movement (Rebellious ment is madness. We must regain as French citizens of foreign origins period.” seeking to leave Europe and return France), to ask for the regularisa- control of all of that, build even have complied with the government In the same release, Hafiz called on home, desperately wanting to flee tion of undocumented migrants and more than we already do a sovereign measures, the fact remains that they all “managers of places of worship to coronavirus contamination, which his words have not raised even the France and a sovereign Europe.” disrupt well-established cultural and comply with the ban on all gatherings eventually spread to the southern slightest peep from the extreme right. One unexpected consequence of religious practices, especially in the of more than 100 people.” He asked shore of the Mediterranean. Such a Great challenges, however, lie this discourse about sovereignty was Muslim community. all Muslims to “unite their thoughts reverse movement starkly contradicts ahead. Once the pandemic is under the announcement by the European By strictly complying with the and their prayers… for the preserva- the far-right theory of the “Great Re- control, formidable social and eco- Union of the unprecedented suspen- measures, Muslims have demon- tion and protection of our country.” placement,” which sees all foreigners nomic challenges will arise. sion of rules of budgetary discipline. strated their adhesion to the repub- The term “our country” has as potential invaders of Europe. In this regard, French Minister of From now on, each European coun- lican laws, despite some dissenting rarely been used in statements from The suburbs reconquered by the the Economy Bruno Le Maire did not try will be able to spend as much as ultra-minority voices calling not to be the Great Mosque. Its use in these republic? mince words: “The epidemic will necessary to deal with the health subjected to them. circumstances demonstrates to what At the beginning of the confine- have a severe effect on the French crisis. That measures by the French extent the Muslims of France feel ment, the media relayed images of economy… From mid-February, we A Marshall Plan to avoid an explo- government, including the closure of fully French in their own right. disobedience in certain neighbour- have seen a very concrete impact on sion of abandoned and marginal- mosques, were also taken by govern- Leaders of the Muslim community hoods often dubbed “difficult” by the economy. There will be a new ised territories in France might be ments of overwhelmingly majority across France have taken draconian authorities and shunned by security quantified assessment when the needed, and urgently so, to confront of Muslim countries, notably the measures in line with government forces. Over the days, things quieted stability pact is presented on April 15. the great economic crisis that is Maghreb ones, the Gulf, Egypt, directives. They banned, for exam- down and discipline was, paradoxi- A number of sectors are very badly coming. Turkey and elsewhere, and because ple, the rite of washing the dead cally, better respected in those popu- affected and the effect is sometimes It is at this price that the “Islam- they were validated by the highest re- in the case of coronavirus-related lar and deprived neighbourhoods. brutal.” ist separatism,” which was once deaths. They were not alone in taking Many who run economic and social The longer the confinement lasts, declared enemy of the republic by such measures; other faiths have also services during the health crisis — the more devastating the crisis to Macron, could be defeated. Other- banned it. As for the repatriation of delivery people, cashiers, truckers, come. Macron, who has advocated wise, social revolts will spread faster, Islamic extremists the mortuary remains, it has become security guards and others — are compliance with the ultra-liberal more massively and more danger- and far-right physically impossible because of a from those neighbourhoods, in other directives by the European Union and ously than the coronavirus. lack of transportation. words immigrants and children of budgetary orthodoxy, seems to have advocates have Admittedly, the increasingly strict immigrants. changed dogma in the face of the Majed Nehme is a Syrian-French become inaudible. confinement measures dictated by In the front lines in the battle pandemic. journalist in Paris. 20 March 29, 2020 Economy Coronavirus Fallout Algeria cuts imports and investments as revenues decline

Lamine Ghanmi ability of our national economy because of our decades of negli- gence.” Tunis Tebboune warned that Algeria would have to “seriously prepare lgeria slashed import bills to overcome the aftermath of the by $10 billion and invest- global economic crisis.” ment spending 30% in a Calling on Algeria to “free itself” A bid to stay afloat as the from dependence on oil and gas coronavirus pandemic and a de- revenues, Tebboune said it was cline in oil prices damaged the “imperative” to end bad practices country’s economy. “like waste, laziness and overcon- The austerity measures were sumption.” ordered during a cabinet meeting Algeria had hoped to increase March 23 when Algerian President public spending after enacting a Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered new hydrocarbon law aimed at reductions in public investment drawing in major foreign inves- and cuts in the value of imports tors. to $31 billion. However, he said of- Sonatrach in March agreed to ficials should spare the education a memorandum of understand- and health sectors of any reduc- ing with US company Chevron tions. to discuss joint opportunities in Weathering the storm. Saudi policemen man a checkpoint in the King Fahd main street in the capital “Spending in the health sector Algeria’s upstream oil projects. Riyadh. (AFP) must remain the same with the Sonatrach had talks with Chevron means and allocations to fight and fellow US company ExxonMo- the transmission of the coronavi- bil in 2019 about projects as Alge- rus epidemic strengthened,” Teb- ria sought to reverse declining for- Saudi, UAE roll out stimulus boune said. eign upstream investment. Critics said years of neglect have prevented Algeria’s health sector from meeting the medical needs Algeria slashed import packages to blunt economic of the population. The coronavi- bills by $10 billion and rus outbreak is likely to test pre- investment spending vailing inefficiencies. by 30%. Oil and gas exports account for fallout from coronavirus more than 95% of Algeria’s exports Energy experts said Algeria can- and more than half of the state not offset price decreases by in- budget. Oil prices have steadily creasing output. Oil production and preserve jobs, as it intends to that the stimulus package would declined this year because of the has fallen in Algeria in recent few “mitigate the impacts of precau- “mitigate the extent of the deterio- pandemic and a price war between years, averaging 1 million barrels tionary coronavirus measures in the ration by keeping some borrowers’ Saudi Arabia and Russia. per day in February, official figures Jareer Elass SME sector, specifically by reducing liquidity issues from becoming This has hit Algerian workers stated. the burden of cash flow fluctua- solvency issues.” hard, causing business slowdowns Algeria’s pipeline gas exports to tion.” The central bank reduced by and a shortage of imported goods. Spain and Italy were down more audi Arabia and the The package includes up to $8 15-25% the amount of capital that Public investment is vital to the than 11 billion cubic metres (bcm) United Arab Emirates billion dedicated to banks and banks must hold for their loans Algerian economy because the pri- year on year in 2019 to 21.1 bcm be- implemented emergency financial institutions for deferred to SMEs and provided first-time vate sector depends on state pro- cause of foreign competition and economic stimulus pack- loan payments from SMEs for six homeowners in the Emirates with jects. Cutting public spending and changes in the gas market. This ages intended to blunt months and another $3.5 billion to better buying terms by having to imports could cause some private was partly offset by higher lique- the growing effects of the those same banks and institutions supply less of their own capital for sector businesses to fail, which fied natural gas exports, which Scoronavirus pandemic on their busi- to maintain their operations and their real estate purchases. would drive up unemployment. rose almost 2 bcm to 16.4 bcm of ness environments and populations. support domestic economic growth. The UAE cabinet followed up Tebboune ordered the govern- gas equivalent. Riyadh introduced two stimulus Through a $213 million fund, SAMA the initial $27.2 billion package by ment to draft a plan to bail out Tebboune ordered the govern- packages totalling $120 billion riyals will cover payment fees for all pri- approving an additional $4.3 billion businesses affected by the crisis ment to increase investment in ($32 billion) to support its domestic vate sector stores and facilities for in relief funding to further address and cover lost wages of workers. farming, which has been the coun- economy. The Emirates rolled out three months. the economic implications of the He asked Algeria’s state-owned try’s most rapidly expanding sec- several stimulus packages valued at Riyadh later announced an ad- coronavirus outbreak. Sonatrach to cut 2020 spending tor over the past 15 years. a combined 126 billion dirhams ($34 ditional $18.6 billion in stimulus The Abu Dhabi and Dubai govern- budget in half to $7 billion because “The priority in investment in billion). funding, prioritising providing ments separately introduced their of the oil price drop. agriculture must be given to farm- Much of the emphasis of the liquidity to the private sector. This own stimulus packages in response He said Algeria lost $1 billion in ing products that ensure food packages is on buttressing the includes postponing some private to the economic toll the coronavirus oil and gas export earnings in the security of the country, namely domestic banking sectors and sup- sector fee payments to the govern- is expected to have on their busi- first two months of 2020 and that wheat, corn as well as sugar and porting private sector businesses. ment for three months — including ness communities and citizens. the crisis exposed the “vulner- olive oil,” he said. The two Gulf oil producers are value added taxes (VAT), excise Dubai announced a $408.4 mil- grappling with rising cases of coro- taxes and income taxes — tempo- lion stimulus programme covering navirus infection at the same time rarily exempting expat levies and a wide number of sectors for at least the governments are being battered delaying the collection of customs three months, including freezing, financially by the pandemic-led duties on imports. reducing or cancelling government drop in global oil demand, equat- fees associated with doing business ing to as much as a 20% loss of the in the emirate. In addition, Dubai world’s oil consumption. ordered that water and electricity The other major factor contribut- Riyadh introduced bills be reduced 10%. ing to the Gulf regimes’ economic two stimulus The Abu Dhabi Executive Council distress is the plunge in internation- unveiled a stimulus package for the al oil prices to historic lows spurred packages totalling Emirates’ largest emirate totalling by Riyadh’s price war against Mos- $120 billion riyals ($32 approximately $2.5 billion. That cow, which was immediately joined funding includes $1.4 billion in by Abu Dhabi in support of the billion) to support its water and electricity subsidies for kingdom. Global crude benchmarks domestic economy. both citizens and commercial and US West Texas Intermediate and UK The Emirates rolled industrial entities as well as subsi- Brent have lost more than half their dising electricity connection fees values since the start of 2020. out several stimulus for start-ups. The government is Saudi Finance Minister Moham- packages valued at a waiving toll road charges through- med al-Jadaan said the Saudi out the emirate for the remainder government was reducing state combined 126 billion of 2020. expenditures by 5% — around $13 dirhams ($34 billion). In support of SMEs, around $817 billion — to offset the economic million will go towards stimulat- double punch from falling oil prices The Central Bank of the UAE ing “the ability of SMEs to navigate and the spread of the coronavirus. rolled out a $27.2 billion stimulus the current market environment.” Jadaan said the reduction in spend- package with an emphasis on pro- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh ing would be in sectors “with the viding banks with funding to allow Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan least social and economic impact.” them to delay principal and interest issued directives “to continue with Those spending cuts roughly payments for up to six months to all all approved capital expenditure match the amount of the $13.3 bil- private sector and retail borrowers and development projects in the lion stimulus package announced impacted by the coronavirus. Emirate, as well as further measures by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Approximately $13.6 billion of the to preserve Abu Dhabi’s economic Agency (SAMA) to provide financial central bank funding will provide gains, prioritising start-ups and support to the country’s private sec- collateralised loans at zero interest SMEs.” tor, particularly small and medium- rates to lenders operating in the sized enterprises (SMEs). Emirates. Jareer Elass reports from SAMA said that the programme A note from credit agency Washington on energy issues for Cutting imports. A container ship lies anchored near the port of would stimulate economic growth Moody’s Investors Service stated The Arab Weekly. Algiers. (Reuters) March 29, 2020 21 Economy Coronavirus Fallout

COVID-19 comes with a high Briefs Italy lends Tunisia cost to Egyptian economy $54 million Italy is lending Tunisia Amr Emam home and others were expected Egypt’s museums and ancient and commercial outlets, have been $54 million to help it tackle the to return when restrictions on air sites have started a cleaning and forced to close. coronavirus, a source in the Tuni- travel are lifted. In 2019, Egyptians decontamination campaign. The Laid-off workers who find no sian presidency and a source in the Cairo living in other countries sent home Ministry of Tourism and Antiqui- other means of bringing in income Tunisian Central Bank said. $25 billion in remittances. ties is putting some museums in will likely increase the national Tunisia has confirmed 114 cases he COVID-19 pandemic will The Egyptian economy grew order and introducing changes to poverty rate of 32.5%. Millions of of coronavirus infections, includ- be devastating to the Egyp- 5.6% in the 2018-19 fiscal year, up others. factory workers will have to stay at ing four deaths, and has put in tian economy in the short from 5.3% in the previous fiscal Whether such optimism holds home if Egypt imposes an all-out place a lockdown to prevent the T term but the overall effect year. Credit rating agency Fitch depends on how long it will take curfew. Cabinet spokesman Nader disease from spreading. of the disease-induced emergency Ratings said economic growth in for the COVID-19 emergency to ta- Saahas alluded to the possibility of will depend on how long before it Egypt would be 5.4% in 2019-20 per off. It will likely have serious such a curfew if the COVID-19 out- (Reuters) subsides, economists said. but would pick up the following effects on the industrial sector, break widens. “The COVID-19 outbreak is para- year to 5.8%. which is heavily reliant on raw ma- The government introduced a lysing all sectors of the economy,” The suspension of flights emp- terials from China. rescue package that includes re- said Yumn al-Hamaqi, a professor tied Egypt’s hotels and resorts and ducing interest rates on bank loans of economics at Ain Shams Univer- was projected to cost tourism in- “The COVID-19 outbreak is by 3 percentage points and pump- sity. “This is opening the door for vestors dearly, especially after an ing billions of pounds into finan- US grants Iraq paralysing all sectors of unprecedented losses.” injunction by Egyptian Minister cial support programmes for some shortest sanctions The Egyptian government has of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled the economy,” said Yumn sectors of the economy. taken drastic measures to try to al-Anani against tourism worker al-Hamaqi, a professor of The government also formu- waiver yet for limit the scope of the outbreak, layoffs. economics at Ain Shams lated a plan for cash payments to Iran gas which has infected more than 500 Egyptian President Abdel Fat- University. self-employed people and labour- people and killed over 30 in Egypt. tah al-Sisi ordered banks to extend ers. That plan goes hand in hand Measures include the suspen- a credit line of $1.3 billion to the Machines inside thousands of with efforts by the government to The United States granted Iraq sion of flights to and from Egypt, tourism sector. Tourist establish- factories could stop whirring when create a safety net for the poor and a 30-day waiver to import Iranian which froze the tourism and travel ments were expected to use the raw material stocks run out. Im- economically vulnerable Egyp- gas despite US sanctions, two Iraqi sector. Tourism generally provides credit to upgrading facilities, pay ports from China have stopped tians. officials said, the shortest exten- Egypt around $1 billion in revenue workers’ salaries and preparing for and will not likely resume soon. However, negative effects from sion yet. each month. The tourism and post-COVID-19 recovery. “This will have deep effects on the the emergency are inescapable, The United States slapped tough travel sector contributes 12% of “The hotels and other tourist industrial sector,” Hamaqi said. especially with no end in sight, sanctions on the Iranian energy Egypt’s GDP and employs 10% of establishments have started us- Trade between Egypt and China economists said. sector in late 2018 and has granted the country’s workforce. ing the suspension in modernising totalled $13.8 billion in 2018, in- “There will be very negative ef- Iraq a series of waivers, usually for The slowdown of international themselves and preparing for the cluding more than $11 billion in fects from the crisis and we can- 45, 90 or 120 days. trade will have negative effects return of the tourist movement af- Chinese exports to Egypt. not avoid them,” said Bassant Baghdad relies on gas and elec- on traffic in the Suez Canal, which ter the current emergency comes The effects of the economic Fahmi, a member of the Commit- tricity imports from its neighbour provided $5.2 billion in revenues to an end,” said Hossam Haza’a, a slump will be strong on millions of tee on Economic Affairs in the Tehran to supply about one-third in 2019. member of the Tourist Chambers poor and working-class Egyptians Egyptian parliament. “All we can of its power grid, crippled by years That revenue loss will compound Association, a union of the coun- whose income will be drastically do is to try to reduce these effects of conflict and poor maintenance. an expected decline in remittances try’s tourism investors. reduced, especially with intensi- as much as we can.” “This is the final extension,” from Egyptians working in other Some hotels have started reno- fying calls for social distancing, one source at the Iraqi president’s countries. Thousands of Egyptians vations and others are offering economists said. Thousands of Amr Emam is an Arab Weekly office said. working abroad have returned training courses to workers. businesses, including coffee shops contributor in Cairo. (Agence France-Presse) Coronavirus epidemic delivers tough Currency black market re-emerges blow to Lebanon’s dying economy in Egypt

Bassem Mroueh over widespread corruption and bottom, taking the last breath,” she father died and for the funeral of A small black market in the and Zeina Karam decades of mismanagement by the said. “This now was a mortal blow former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri Egyptian pound re-emerged as the ruling political class engulfed the to the sector.” after he was assassinated. coronavirus outbreak takes a toll country in October. Unlike in other countries under “During the civil war, there were on the country’s main sources of Beirut That led to bank closures and lockdowns, where banks remained street battles. So, you could talk foreign currency, three bankers crippling capital controls on cash open, the banking association in yourself out of problems. Now you and businessmen said. hrough 15 years of civil withdrawals and transfers, raising Lebanon decided to defy govern- cannot do anything,” Ghaziri said of Some unofficial trades were war and various bouts of fears about depositors’ savings in ment orders and close for two the coronavirus. taking place at 16.15 pounds to violence since, Lebanon’s US dollars. The local currency has weeks, in an apparent effort to pre- Some 220,000 people have lost the dollar compared to the 15.75 T Barbar eatery never closed lost up to 60% of its value on the serve liquidity. their jobs in Lebanon since October, pounds offered by currency ex- its doors, serving sandwiches to dollar on the black market. “It’s going to be devastating on a survey released in February by in- change bureaus and banks, they customers even if it meant doing so As the crisis deepened, the gov- the economy in the short term and formation provider InfoPro stated. said. from behind sandbags. ernment announced it would no the long term,” said economist InfoPro said the number of com- Egypt has registered 327 cases The coronavirus pandemic, how- longer pay its foreign loans, mark- Kamel Wazni, speaking about busi- panies that had closed increased of respiratory disease caused by ever, has done what wars could not: ing the country’s first default. nesses that have closed. “There’s 20% from November-January. One- the virus, including 14 deaths, close bars, restaurants and enter- Among sectors hardest hit by the going to be a lot of pain among third of all companies reduced their the Egyptian Health Ministry said tainment spots across Lebanon. It’s crisis have been food and beverage many sectors of the economy.” work force by 60%. March 22. an economic gut punch at a time businesses, a mainstay of Leba- He said the government will be af- The World Bank projected a 0.2% when Lebanon is mired in its worst non’s economy. fected because it will not be able to GDP contract in 2020 before pro- (Reuters) financial crisis. From last September through De- collect taxes, further increasing the tests began in October. More recent While residents of many other cember, more than 800 food and budget deficit. estimates suggest the contraction countries count on a government beverage institutions closed and Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan could be more than 1% of GDP. bailout, that’s not an option in approximately 25,000 people — Diab acknowledged that the state Diab, whose government is ne- Lebanon, teetering on the edge of 17% of those who work in the sec- was struggling to tackle the corona- gotiating debt restructuring, said IMF urges action bankruptcy. tor — lost jobs, various estimates virus fallout amid the economic cri- Lebanon’s debt reached $90 billion “We have never gone through stated. In January, another 200 in- sis. Human Rights Watch recently — 170% of GDP — one of the highest to face ‘big drop’ something like this — ever,” said stitutions closed. said Lebanon’s financial crisis and in the world. in Middle East Barbar owner Ali Ghaziri, standing dollar shortage resulted in a scar- Government estimates say about outside his restaurant on Beirut’s city of medical supplies needed to half of Lebanon’s population could growth normally busy Hamra street, now Some 220,000 people have deal with the COVID-19 outbreak end up below the poverty line. deserted. lost their jobs in Lebanon While governments abroad ap- Ali Badran said he lost his job at The International Monetary Earlier in March, heeding orders since October. prove stimulus packages to com- the restaurant where he worked for Fund called for urgent action from from the government amid the pensate lost businesses, experts in 11 years in October because of the Middle East governments as the spread of the coronavirus, Ghaz- The Lebanese government or- Lebanon warned of extremely dire crisis. He was left jobless just as he coronavirus pandemic threatens iri closed the iconic chain’s two dered the coronavirus-related times ahead with no potential for was preparing to marry his long- a persistent slump in oil revenues branches in Beirut, leaving only its lockdown in mid-March, closing bailouts. Government officials said time fiancee. and a “big drop” in growth. delivery service operating. its international airport and ports they are not seeking an Internation- With no income, the 36-year- The International Monetary In Beirut’s Gemmayze neigh- and land border crossings. Restau- al Monetary Fund bailout for now, old stopped renovation work in Fund said a dozen Middle Eastern bourhood, pubs and restaurants rants and nightclubs were ordered fearing it would come with condi- the apartment he had bought and and North African countries had usually spilling onto the street with to close, a severe blow to one of tions that would be too painful. started looking for a new job in late approached it for financial sup- noisy, beer-toting youngsters are the most vital sectors in Lebanon, Ghaziri said he is worried about October. That was days after na- port. shuttered. Even Lebanon’s famous known for its cuisine and bustling his staff, 75% of whom he had to tionwide protests broke out against It urged governments across the corniche, usually dotted with cof- nightlife. send home after sales dropped 75%. the country’s political elite. region to swiftly draw up rescue fee vans, corn-on-the-cob vendors “We reached a point where we His father founded the Barbar On March 1, he started a new job packages to head off a protracted and people doing their morning ex- were hit by one catastrophe after chain — a household name in Leba- at another restaurant in Beirut but recession. ercise, is empty. the other, and when we reached non — in 1979, four years after the he said he is worried the lockdown The fund substantially cut its Lebanon has suffered in recent the coronavirus crisis, we had no country’s 15-year civil war erupted. means he could be laid off again. growth projections for the region years from a lack of economic more reserves at all,” said Maya The eatery served kebabs, shawar- “I am worried that if things stay over low oil prices, civil unrest and growth, high unemployment and Bekhazi Noun, general secretary of ma and other treats throughout the as they are I might lose my new US sanctions against Iran. a drop in hard currency inflows the syndicate for restaurant own- conflict and various other wars. job,” he said. from abroad. The financial crisis ers. The restaurants closed for a few (Agence France-Presse) erupted after nationwide protests “We were at the bottom, bottom, hours only when Ghaziri’s grand- (The Associated Press) 22 March 29, 2020 Society Culture

COVID-19 empties Iraq’s protest squares as government imposes lockdown, travel bans

Oumayma Omar “Shop owners should be held accountable as well as the custom- ers.” Baghdad “Precaution is a duty. The vi- rus has devastated big countries, aghdad’s Tahrir Square, including Iran, which is Iraq’s which vibrated for months neighbour. Every day we hear the during mass anti-govern- number of victims and patients are B ment protests, was silent, increasing and this is largely due to tents erected by protesters were negligence and laxity in the appli- mostly deserted and the city’s nor- cation of precautionary measures,” mally jammed streets looked empty Kanani said. as police checked the few motorists Iraqis who have survived dec- who ventured out. ades of sanctions, wars and poor Iraq’s government imposed a na- medical services appear callous tionwide lockdown and banned all and indifferent to the virus calam- flights from the country’s airports ity. as part of strict measures to prevent “Iraqis do not fear anything any- COVID-19 from spreading. At least more after all the calamities and 506 cases of coronavirus were con- misfortunes that they have been firmed in Iraq and 42 people have through in the past decades. They died, the Iraqi Health Ministry said. are used to not living an easy life,” Outside one of the few protest Kanani’s wife, Iman, said. tents that were not abandoned in “Nonetheless, after all we have Tahrir Square, Hassan Abbas, 25, suffered a lot and we deserve to was cleaning and disinfecting his have a dignified and safe life free Art in time of crisis. A man wearing a protective mask walks away from the East London Mosque in “Iraqiya” tent, wearing a face mask from diseases and this can only be London, March 20. (AFP) and gloves. achieved through prevention and “It is cleaning time. Every morn- precaution.” ing, with colleagues, we spray the Most of Iraq’s 18 provinces im- tents and the area around them in posed local curfews before the line with the precautionary meas- nationwide lockdown. Schools, ures to keep the virus away,” Abbas universities, restaurants and other British Muslims said. “We take out the covers, mat- gathering places were closed. tresses and pillows and place them Iraq first shut its 1,500km bor- in the sun, which is a good way to der with Iran about a month ago sterilise them, and then clean the and deployed troops to enforce the interior of the tents with whatever closure. It had feared a potential in- cope with restrictions disinfectant available.” flux of cases from Iran, where hun- dreds have died after contracting the coronavirus-related respiratory Iraqis who have survived illness. under lockdown decades of sanctions, wars Authorities have struggled to en- and poor medical services force curfews. appear callous and On March 21, thousands of Shia Mahmud el-Shafey idly spreading virus and its im- the website stated. indifferent to the virus pilgrims turned out in Baghdad pact on lives, together with the Like many mosques, East calamity. and other cities in southern Iraq societal, religious and political London Mosque was hav- to commemorate the anniversary London implications, scholars agreed… ing a minimum congrega- “The coronavirus has emptied of the death of a revered Muslim all Muslims and citizens of the tion prayer with only four or the square. Many protesters who imam, Musa al-Kadhim. There s the United Kingdom United Kingdom should adopt so- five worshippers specifically lived in the tents for weeks pre- were reports of as many as 400,000 faced its first week under cial distancing,” read a statement invited for the purpose, despite ferred to return home and confine people walking to his shrine north a government-mandated signed by scholars and muftis the government’s lockdown. themselves there, fearing infection. of Baghdad. A lockdown to deal with from London, Bradford, Leices- “They need to have this symbol Others refrained from coming here Iraqi Health Minister Jaafar Al- the coronavirus pandemic, British ter, Bury, Blackburn, Lancaster, of Islam, not abandon it altogeth- but some are refusing to quit the lawi expressed fear that a wider Muslims, like everyone else, dealt Dewsbury, Batley and Bolton. er. They need to pray, even with square until demands are fulfilled,” coronavirus outbreak would over- with major challenges regard- “It would be justified to per- this limited number. They need he said. whelm the country’s health sys- ing how to live and worship un- form salah [prayers] in one’s own to give adhan regularly and hold Abbas and other protesters try to tem, which already faces shortages der stringent “social distancing” home,” the statement said, “how- daily prayer… They need to carry keep spirits up by chanting revo- in equipment, medicine and staff rules. ever, a limited group (four or five) on, but unfortunately not all of us lutionary slogans that show their after decades of conflict and little “We are all social creatures but of appropriately selected individ- will be able to go and pray [at the commitment to revive the protest investment by national authorities. maybe Muslims are more social uals should continue to undertake mosque],” he added. movement once the coronavirus than most,” said Shadim Hussain, five times adhan [call to prayer] One service for which mosques crisis is declared over. Oumayma Omar, who reports writing for Britain’s Independ- and salah at the masjid.” remain functioning at previous “We are persisting in our sit-in re- from Baghdad, is a contributor to ent newspaper, “We eat together Many mosques offered lives- capacity, if not higher, was funer- gardless of sacrifices. In the mean- the Culture and Society section of — often from one plate, sharing treaming to worshippers for Fri- als. time, we are very cautious and take The Arab Weekly. utensils and side dishes. For many day sermons and prayers, as well A forthcoming bill that looks the necessary measures to check Muslims, social intimacy like as advice on how to worship from set to grant the British govern- the spread of the virus,” Abbas handshakes and hugs are so hard- home. “You can keep your spir- ment the most powers of any said. “We have set up control posts wired into their behaviour that itual connection with Allah by government during peacetime to check those entering the square the week-old invention of ‘social making your home a place of wor- had included issues surrounding and to make sure that they are fol- distancing’ is both alien and ab- ship,” East London Mosque Chief burial rites. Islam has stringent lowing safety and precautionary surd to them.” Imam Shaykh Abdul Qayum said rules about burial, including that instructions which are mandatory Hussein, a member of the gov- on the mosque’s website. it must ideally be done within 24 on all of us.” ernment’s steering group on adop- hours of death. He said protesters were relying tion, said the closure of mosques Initially, the bill would have al- on donations to buy disinfectants was something that many Mus- Mosques look to livestream lowed local authorities the power and sterilising materials and equip- lims might struggle to deal with. Friday sermons amid to cremate bodies of coronavirus ment, such as masks and gloves. “Islam is a collective religion, coronavirus outbreak. victims without consent of rela- In Karrada, a shopping area in and although prominent British tives, something that Britain’s central Baghdad, police stopped Muslim organisations like the “You can also maintain a spirit- Muslim and Jewish communities pedestrians to check reasons for Muslim Council of Britain have ual connection with the East Lon- vehemently protested. Cremation violating the curfew. — in line with Muslim-majority don Mosque by listening when we is forbidden by Islamic law. Food shops, pharmacies, medi- countries like Saudi Arabia, Tur- broadcast the adhan and prayers, However, UK Health Secretary cal centres and other essential key and Egypt — instructed Mus- and by watching the short video Matt Hancock subsequently said institutions have been excluded lims to pray at home, many of the messages, talks and sermons by the provisions had been removed, from closure. Shoppers entering Al UK’s mosques are likely to remain our imams.” saying the government recog- Warda market have their tempera- open,” he wrote in the Independ- In a video message after the nised the need to “accede to the ture checked and are asked to wear ent. lockdown, Shaykh Abdul Qayum wishes of the families and faith masks and gloves before entering Mosques and other places of acknowledged how difficult it was communities.” the big store. worship across the country were for Muslims not to be able to visit “I’m so relieved that the gov- “I believe that the measures taken ordered closed by government the mosque. “Some of you called ernment have listened to what to confront the coronavirus are not decree. Although Muslim schol- us and said, ‘why is the adhan we’ve said about religious burials sufficient and are not being strictly ars who initially resisted calls to taking place and… some people for Muslim and Jewish people and applied,” said Kazem Kanani, who, shutter mosques during the COV- are praying, why are we deprived have brought forward an amend- with his wife, was buying food. “In ID-19 outbreak now backed those [from praying at the mosque].’ ment to address our concerns,” certain shops that are allowed to for worshippers to pray at home, The main thing we said very clear- MP Naz Shah posted on Twitter operate under the curfew people there was resistance to the idea of ly is that we should not abandon following the decision. are not following the safety instruc- mosques locking their doors. juma [Friday] and jamaat [congre- tions. There is no disinfecting ma- Still determined. A protester “After carefully considering the gational] daily prayer altogether, Mahmud el-Shafey is The Arab terial at the entrance, no gloves and outside a tent in Tahrir Square nature of this contagious and rap- we should carry on,” the notice on Weekly East-West section editor. no masks. in Baghdad. (Oumayma Omar) March 29, 2020 23 Society Culture

Egypt cultural production goes online to circumvent virus constraints

Ahmed Megahid closed shopping malls and restau- rants, mosques and churches but some Egyptians panicked as the Cairo disease spread. More than 500 people have test- he Egyptian Ministry of Cul- ed positive for COVID-19 and at ture has established a You- least 30 have died from the disease Tube channel to provide a in Egypt. Authorities fear the dis- T wide range of cultural ma- ease could become uncontrollable terials to encourage Egyptians to with infected patients swarming ill- stay home to help curb the spread equipped hospitals. of COVID-19. At a meeting with a group of The free channel airs diverse cul- Egyptian mothers on March 22, tural shows, including theatrical Egyptian President Abdel Fattah A scene from the Grand Night ballet show aired on the Egyptian Ministry of Culture Youtube channel. plays, music concerts, short films, al-Sisi, in his first public appear- (Ahmed Megahid) feature films and documentaries. ance since the outbreak reached “Most of the works broadcast on Egypt, described COVID-19 as the the channel are Egyptian cultural most dangerous crisis that faced Egypt suspended all cultural ac- internet to connect with their audi- Despite concerns about virus in- masterpieces,” Egyptian Minister the country. tivities to contain the COVID-19 ences and adapt to the restrictions fection, many cannot afford losing of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem said. Sisi appealed to people to stay outbreak. Cinemas were closed and imposed on the cultural scene by contracts they have signed with “They demonstrate the uniqueness home and distance themselves theatres shut their doors. Egypt the disease.” producers. of Egypt’s soft power.” from other people for two weeks. also stopped receiving cultural del- However, not everybody is able “We have children to protect and “This will help us curb the disease egates from other countries. to adapt. TV producers, who had going to work puts us in danger and limit contagion,” he said. Everybody is trying to adapt to been racing to complete dramas to but, unfortunately, we cannot stay A free online channel airs The initiative by the Ministry of this cultural slump. Some musical be broadcast during Ramadan have home,” said an actor who asked to diverse cultural shows, Culture is more than just a YouTube groups are going online to reach been reluctant to suspend work, remain anonymous. including theatrical plays, channel. The ministry has uploaded fans and encourage them to stay citing potential financial losses. On March 14, the Actors’ Associa- music concerts, short books and publications to its web- at home. Bookstores are setting “The problem is that nobody tion appealed to producers to defer films, feature films and site, offering free access. The min- up websites and Facebook pages knows when things will come back filming of scenes that require a large documentaries. istry said it would do everything to reach customers while offering to normal,” said cinema and TV number of people and to avoid trav- possible to help the public access home delivery of books. critic Tarek al-Shenawi. “Few pro- elling between cities to film scenes. The channel falls within the min- national cultural output at home. “COVID-19 is opening the door ducers are ready to take the risk and “Producers can only abide by istry’s “Culture Is in Your Hands… “The channel is one of several for massive changes on the cul- suspend their works.” these rules but they cannot sus- Stay at Home” initiative, which measures we will take to encour- tural scene,” said Haitham al-Hajj, Thousands of people involved in pend their works completely,” as- strives to convince Egyptians to age culture lovers to stay at home,” chairman of the General Egyptian TV productions, including actors, sociation head Ashraf Zaki, said. stay home during the outbreak. said ministry spokesman Mohamed Book Organisation, the Egyptian chorus members, cameramen, di- “This is especially true because of Cairo suspended flights, shut- Muneer. “It will air a rich treat of state book publishing agency. “All rectors, costume and make-up art- uncertainty on when the COVID-19 tered schools and universities, cultural materials.” cultural institutions are using the ists, risk income loss. emergency will come to an end.”

Viewpoint My days of COVID-19 quarantine in Tunis

I must be under quarantine for to check on my symptoms. who did not respect the lock- there was a bitterness of letting two weeks. Anxiety took a heavy toll. down. go a memory, a story, people… I The call continued in a tirade On good weather days, I would On the fourth day of the lock- ordered my usual, a cup of black Roua Khlifi explaining precautions to be sit on the balcony and watch down, Minister of Health Abdel- coffee. That was the last normal taken for people living with me people carrying on with their latif Mekki urged Tunisians to day I can think of. and those in contact with me. normal lives. Yet, the previously stay at home because it was the Millions all over the world can rom afar, a silhouette “Just don’t go to the emergency bustling streets became emptier only way to curb the spread of relate. A friend jokingly com- of a man riding a bi- room if you have a fever. Call and emptier as the government the virus as it entered the phase plained about her mother who, cycle appeared in the 190,” the voice gravely said. began enforcing new measures, of communitarian infection. He despite having spent her whole dark and quiet night. The call was not a surprise. including curfew and lockdown. looked exhausted; 173 corona- time at home before, desperately Looking from my A day before, I learnt that I was One day until the end of my virus cases were confirmed in wanted to go out to visit places window, the street inadvertently in contact with a 2-week quarantine, the Tuni- Tunisia. she has never been to. Fwas deserted, except for the man confirmed case, one of the six sian government announced Albert Camus wrote: “To state It is difficult to adjust. That is making quick stops as he went announced on March 9. There- a 2-week lockdown begin- quite simply what we learn in normal. To feel anxious is nor- down the street. fore, my quarantine began. ning March 22. Both Tunisian time of pestilence: that there are mal. To worry about what this I checked my phone — it was Trapped between the walls of President Kais Saied and Prime more things to admire in men means for you and your family is past 9pm. The scene seems odd my room, days began to resem- Minister Elyes Fakhfakh gave than to despise.” normal. because the Tunisian govern- ble each other. The first days of speeches urging Tunisians to There are sparks of hope. Tu- Spending weeks in my room ment declared a 6pm-6am cur- quarantine meant waiting for be more responsible facing the nisian artists began initiatives on is now my new normal. Having few as one of the many measures symptoms, notably fever. It also pandemic. Facebook asking Tunisian citi- a coffee over a video call with a to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. meant waiting for news from Fakhfakh announced meas- zens to stay at home, organising friend is now my daily normal. The first confirmed COVID-19 friends exposed to the virus, ures relative to economic performances of music, dance, Texting pictures of my lunch and case in Tunisian was announced hoping that none of us got the repercussions of the lockdown, book reviews and storytelling for dinner to my friends on March 2. During the week that disease. vowing to prioritise people children under the Tunisian ver- WhatsApp is my normal. Hours- followed, life seemed normal. Health Ministry news confer- over the economy. Some of the sion of stay home, “Ched Darek.” long phone conversations with The week after that, however, ences became daily and that announcements were met with There is help with the lack aunts and brothers punctuate calls for suspension of classes in is when a new reality began to appreciation but many people of medical equipment, with my day and that is my normal. universities and schools mul- settle in. The cases the ministry were sceptical. engineering students rushing to Yet, my normal is a privilege. tiplied. After more cases were referred to as numbers became Many Tunisians are worried create masks using the materi- Others do not have this privi- confirmed there was the suspen- people I knew, people who are about their livelihood in the als they have. Many volunteers lege. Think about them when sion of classes on March 12. friends. time of pandemic. A friend’s have been organising themselves you feel restless to leave the Yet, past curfew, this man was It would never happen to me, brother, who owns a small busi- to sanitise public spaces and to house because you are bored or out there on his bike, stopping to everyone keeps saying. We, ness, seemed filled with angst sensitise citizens who ignore the because you need to go out for collect plastic bottles. He makes fragile human beings, believe we talking about providing salaries lockdown. Others have rallied to a walk. a living selling plastic for recy- are immune until a deadly virus for his employees. Others de- help underprivileged families in What is not normal is that cling companies. spreads. No one is immune. “A pend on manual labour to earn need. we give up. What is not normal Despite the curfew and quar- whole generation is wiped out money. Many others seem to Being out from one quarantine is risking lives by not respect- antine, many like him struggle in Italy,” a newspaper headline grapple with ways to survive this but into lockdown, I look at my ing these measures. The nor- to make a living under such reads. lockdown. last pre-virus normal day with mal now is millions of people circumstances. Not all have Calls from friends poured in The bottle-collecting man is nostalgia. The sky was grey but around the world from different the luxury of staying home. support. There were also the only one of the many who were not overbearing. A chilly breeze backgrounds, nationalities and He passed my window and I calls from the Ministry of Health hit hard by the lockdown and filled the air. There was an religions sharing the same wor- returned to the room that has the curfew. Thousands are under inexplicable lightness in the grey ries and facing the same threat. been my quarantine for the past quarantine and the rest of the clouds. The streets playing their Millions are confined. two weeks. I content myself with country is in lockdown. usual tunes of bustling people, What is not normal is that we only watching from the window. Being out from one The first day of lockdown roaring engines and occasional forget that we are all the same, A week after the announce- quarantine but into seemed frustrating as Tunisians raindrops. after all. We are that man in the ment of the first confirmed went out without valid reasons. The sight of my friend waiting empty street trying to make a case of COVID-19, an unknown lockdown, I look at Going into the second day of at the cafe overcame my mixed living. number showed on my phone. my last pre-virus lockdown, more police cars and feelings about the week that had The caller introduced herself as the army were seen patrolling passed, feelings that faltered Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel a doctor at the Tunisian Ministry normal day with the streets, telling people to stay between excitement and disap- and Culture contributor to of Health. She informed me that nostalgia. home and sanctioning those pointment. With every coffee, The Arab Weekly. 24 March 29, 2020

Mosaic www.thearabweekly.com

A general view of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum in Abu Dhabi. (Reuters) UAE museums offer virtual voyages in history and civilisation of Arabian Peninsula

The Arab Weekly staff Museum, the Coin Museum, the creation of the United Arab Emir- Naif Museum, the Museum of the ates in 1971. Poet al Oqaili, the Majlis Ghorfat The museum is designed to ex- Beirut Umm Al Sheif Museum and Dubai plain the country’s constitution, Museum, in addition to a vir- especially rights and privileges he United Arab Emirates tual visit to the historic Al Fahidi granted to UAE citizens, and the boasts many museums neighbourhood in Dubai. responsibilities they entail. The exhibiting rare artefacts of Dubai offers many museums, museum’s exhibits include mate- T the cultural heritage of the including the Dubai Museum, rials and documents related to the Arabian Peninsula, while illustrat- whose construction dates to 1787 country’s founding events. ing the rapid development of Arab and was the seat of the ruler of the The Coin Museum displays Gulf countries. emirate. The old palace has been nearly 500 objects from all over Abu Dhabi has the Louvre Mu- used as a warehouse for weapons the Middle East and contains seum and Dubai hosts the Etihad and as a prison and, in 1971, it was seven exhibition halls that exhibit Museum. Sharjah boasts about its transformed into a museum to the history of Dubai’s commercial Archaeology Museum, the Mu- showcase the history and heritage industry. seum of Aviation History, the Mu- of Dubai. The Heritage and Diving Vil- seum of Marine Life and another The museum displays pottery, lage Museum is next to a creek. specialising in the history of the weapons and common items from Tour guides, potters, weavers and automobile. Before the coronavi- 1950s Dubai and offers lessons on other artisans work at the village, rus pandemic, thousands of visi- living conditions and lifestyles in focusing on Dubai’s maritime past tors flocked to these sites of high the coastal, desert, mountainous and depicting living conditions of culture. and farming regions of old Dubai. sailors who combed Gulf waters in Emirati visitors look at exhibits during the opening of the Louvre After the implementation of There are displays focusing on search of pearls and fish. Abu Dhabi Museum. (AFP) quarantine measures, museums shipbuilding techniques, fishing The House of Camels Museum around the world started offering gear and pearl diving in the Arabi- consists of one floor surrounding The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is Islamic civilisation and provides online tours using virtual real- an Sea. The museum has exhibits a spacious central square that was planned to be “a preeminent plat- details of Islamic history, sciences, ity technology. Dubai museums illustrating folkloric arts, weapons used primarily as a stable for cam- form for contemporary art and discoveries and culture. collaborated with the Dubai 360 and models of historic local boats. els. The space has been divided culture that presents the most Nearby, the Al-Mahatta Fort website and the Dubai Culture The Etihad Museum is dedicat- into sections, each displaying a important artistic achievements Museum used to be the fort pro- and Arts Authority to offer virtual ed to the modern history of the part of the history of camels and of our time.” Sited in a prime lo- tecting Sharjah Airport, the first tours. Emirates. Exhibits are arranged camel racing in the United Arab cation in the Culture District of airport in the Gulf, established in Virtual tours include the Etihad chronologically, leading to the Emirates. Saadiyat Island, its permanent 1932. It documents the history of The Coffee Museum, in Al-Fahi- collection “will encompass art in aviation in the region. di Historical District, displays the all mediums produced around the The Sharjah Automobile Muse- history of coffee and the various world from the 1960s to the pre- um displays more than 90 classic ways it is grown and processed sent day,” the museum said. cars dating from the 20th century. around the world. The Sharjah Maritime Museum It is expected that virtual tours was opened in 2003 and is dedi- will be generalised by most muse- Virtual tours include the cated to the maritime heritage of ums in the Emirates. Some video Etihad Museum, the Coin the Emirates. It contains docu- clips about the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, the Naif Museum, ments and audio testimonies of Museum are available online. the Museum of the Poet al Emirati sailors, fishermen and The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum Oqaili, the Majlis Ghorfat pearl divers. displays examples of humanity’s Umm Al Sheif Museum and At the museum, visitors can find cultural achievements from pre- Dubai Museum. models of the traditional wooden historic times to today. It covers dhows that used to roam the seas 6,000 sq.metres of galleries and Sharjah is often described as the for trade or in search of pearls. exhibitions, in addition to a re- Emirate of Museums and includes There are models of the various search centre. the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, types of vessels differentiated by Designed by French architect which displays artefacts ranging their shapes, sizes and uses, as Jean Nouvel, the museum has from coins, jewellery, pottery and well as samples of pearls collected a variety of famous artworks ancient weapons, the oldest of by divers. on loan from local and regional which is 125 years old. Russian tourist Andrea John museums, in addition to its per- The Sharjah Islamic Museum, said one can “learn a lot about the manent collection of 300 works which opened in 1996, displays history of the Gulf countries by loaned by 12 French museums and thousands of pieces that reflect just visiting the museums in the Visitors at the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum in Abu Dhabi. (Reuters) institutions. the splendour and universality of Emirates.”