Restructuring Netanyahu Going the Saudi pandering back energy sector to the right to school Page 18 Page 10 Page 11

UK £2 Issue 221, Year 5 September 8, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com ’s Brotherhood affiliate builds new alliances to foment unrest

Saleh Baidhani This correspondence indicates that al-Islah members were consid- ering forging an agreement with the London Houthis. The deal would facilitate a handover of areas liberated by the s the conflict in Yemen drags Arab alliance in exchange for the cre- into its fifth year, al-Islah ation of a direct threat to one of Saudi Party, the Yemeni affiliate Arabia’s most sensitive borders. A of the Muslim Brotherhood, Tensions are also rising in the east- is coming under scrutiny for alleg- ern province of Mahrah, along the edly disrupting peace efforts and Omani border, where and Qa- attempting to weaken the Saudi-led tar are seemingly attempting to dis- coalition. rupt the Arab-led coalition’s aims. The division was clear during re- Oman’s involvement in the war cent peace talks in Jeddah, where in Yemen has come under scrutiny Heated campaigns. Tunisian Prime representatives of Yemeni President since 2016 when weapons smuggled Minister and presidential hopeful Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s govern- through Oman allegedly meant for Youssef Chahed speaks during an ment refused to sit with the del- Houthi rebels were intercepted in (AFP) election campaign in . egation of the Southern Transitional Yemen. Council (STC) at the same table. The shift from Muscat’s publicly The Islah-backed government’s stated position of neutrality in Mah- stance was considered an attempt rah came to the fore last year when to thwart the Saudis’ bid to diffuse former Yemeni minister Ahmed Election rhetoric tensions between the Yemeni gov- Mousaed Hussein al-Awlaki visited ernment and allied forces support- Shabwa province and pressured lo- ing the coalition to counter the Iran- cal leaders to adopt an anti-coalition backed Houthis. stance. Represented by a large delegation Awlaki, who has been based in races to the bottom led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the STC Muscat since 2010, sought to recruit pushed for the adoption of Saudi- local leaders to foment internal con- sponsored negotiations aimed at flict in liberated provinces. ending the violence in Aden and oth- Developments in Bayda, Sa’dah ahead of ’s vote er southern provinces. and Mahrah, as well as reports about The Saudis’ efforts seem to be a Qatari- and Omani-funded plan to ► An incarcerated contender, ‘coup’ assertions flood the media. hitting a brick wall, however, in no sow discord along various fronts in small part due to al-Islah. Increas- Yemen are likely to pose a serious Iman Zayat law, is in after having been in- Minister of Defence Abdelkrim ingly, reports emerged of suspicious threat to the Arab-led coalition. dicted in absentia on charges of mon- Zbidi, who is campaigning as an inde- ground movements in areas liberated All of this comes while Washington ey laundering. pendent, said he had put the army on by the Saudi-led coalition, especially engages in talks with Houthi rebels in Tunis He granted a 2-hour-long inter- high alert and took measures to abort in Bayda and Sa’dah provinces along its own bid to end Yemen’s war. view to Elhiwar Ettounsi television in a “coup,” which, he said, was being the Saudi border. There were reports “We are also having talks to the unisia is getting ready to which he lumped accusations of inter- hatched by parliamentary conspira- of increasing tensions between Saudi extent possible with the Houthis to choose its second democrati- ference with the judiciary against Tu- tors who wanted to take advantage of forces and Oman-backed fighters in try and find a mutually accepted ne- cally elected president since nisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed. Caid Essebsi’s and parliament Speaker the eastern province of Mahrah. gotiated solution to the conflict,” US T its 2011 uprising and there are Beyond the two cases, there has ’s health issues to The developments, which come Assistant Secretary of State for Near several key features in the 2019 vote. been controversy about legal and ethi- declare a vacancy at the head of the after Muslim Brotherhood-allied Eastern Affairs David Schenker said Because of the death in office of cal practices by candidates and the state. forces from Yemen’s southern gover- during a visit to . President , early elec- media during the campaign. Chawki The revelations reportedly pro- norates were pushed out by the STC, tions will precede the parliamentary Tabib, president of the National Anti- voked tremors in the Islamist Ennah- threaten to complicate the Arab-led vote scheduled for October 6 and the Corruption Authority, warned against da Movement, since they were from a coalition’s efforts to forge a solution The Saudis’ efforts seem to field for president is crowded with 26 “the political system becoming the candidate who has taken pain to dis- to the conflict. They will especially be hitting a brick wall in no hopefuls. property of tainted money lobbies in tance himself from Islamists. hurt Riyadh’s bid to stabilise the small part due to al-Islah Two candidates have serious legal Tunisia and abroad.” A week before elections, it is unclear country and eliminate threats along Party, the Yemeni affiliate of troubles. Government experience did not how the no-holds-barred campaign its direct borders with Yemen. the Muslim Brotherhood. Nabil Karoui, considered a leading provide much of an advantage to will affect the vote. It also remains to In the Nata district of Bayda, a re- contender for president, is in jail over Chahed, running for president while be seen if all the 26 candidates choose treat by forces loyal to al-Islah gave This marked the first time the US charges of tax evasion and money temporarily relinquishing his duties as to remain in the race. the Houthi militia an opportunity to administration has dealt with the laundering. prime minister. His economic record Experts said the withdrawal of some wrest control on the ground but the Houthis in more than four years and Tunisia’s Independent High Author- has been assailed by rivals although candidates in support of others could STC’s repelled the at- reflects Washington’s growing frus- ity for Elections upheld Karoui’s right he defends the results achieved dur- change projections and give modern- tack. tration with the lack of progress in to continue running for office despite ing his tenure. ists, in particular, a better chance at In Sa’dah province on the Saudi ending Yemen’s conflict. his detention. In Karoui’s absence, his TV interviews — and probably the getting to the second round, if there is border, the situation has grown es- wife, Salwa Smaoui, has emerged as unprecedented televised debates to be one. pecially tense. Sources there said the Saleh Baidhani is an Arab Weekly his proxy spokeswoman at campaign scheduled for before the election — Arab-led coalition intercepted corre- contributor in Yemen. The Arab events and TV interviews. have become the chosen venue for Iman Zayat is Managing Editor of spondence between tribal chiefs and Weekly staff contributed to this Slim Riahi, a presidential hopeful acrimonious attacks between candi- The Arab Weekly. field commanders from al-Islah in report. with many previous run-ins with the dates and for huge revelations. P4-6,19 Jawf province. P2 New internet regulations in Turkey stoke censorship fears Thomas Seibert RTUK’s new powers could be used to dia organisations are owned by com- have a fresh licence and comply “biggest step in Turkish censorship smother media outlets that refuse to panies close to the government. with RTUK guidelines to operate in history.” toe the government line. Critics said pressure on independ- Turkey. “Everyone who produces alter- Istanbul “Of course this is censorship,” ent outlets has increased since a Yaman Akdeniz, a law professor native news and broadcasts will be Veysel Ok, a Turkish lawyer who failed coup against Turkish Presi- at Istanbul’s Bilgi University and a affected by this regulation,” Altipar- ew rules for internet me- specialises in free speech cases, said dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. cyber-rights activist said Turkey al- mak wrote on Twitter. dia and streaming services about the new rules. More than 100 journalists are in pris- ready restricted the free flow of in- International streaming services in Turkey are stoking fears Turkish-language services of on, journalist associations said. formation on the internet by block- such as Netflix must find a way to N of increased government international outlets such as the ing access to more than 245,000 comply with RTUK’s new rules or pressure on dissent. Britain’s BBC, Germany’s Deutsche websites, including the online en- risk being barred from Turkey. Turkey granted its radio and tel- Welle (DW) or the United States’ International streaming cyclopaedia Wikipedia. By the end Netflix serves 1.5 million subscrib- evision watchdog, the Radio and Voice of America (VoA) might be af- services such as Netflix must of the year, that figure was likely to ers in Turkey, the company said. Television Supreme Council (RTUK), fected, Ok said by telephone. He find a way to comply with be around 300,000, Akdeniz said by As part of obtaining the Turkish sweeping oversight over all online said he had initiated a complaint RTUK’s new rules or risk e-mail. licence, Netflix said it would set up a content, including streaming plat- before Turkey’s highest administra- being barred from Turkey. “The new system is advertised as a local entity and pay 0.5% of revenue forms and news outlets. tive court in Ankara to stop the new ‘licensing regime’ but, in reality, this generated in Turkey to the govern- More than 600 institutions, in- RTUK rules. The government denies it is crack- is yet another censorship mecha- ment. cluding Netflix and local streaming Medyascope and foreign content ing down on free speech. RTUK said nism and tool that will target inde- (Full version of this article appears on platforms Puhu TV and BluTV have providers the BBC, DW and VoA have the new requirements had nothing pendent media outlets,” Akdeniz www.thearabweekly.com) applied for licences under the new become popular with Turks seeking to do with censorship. said. rules, RTUK said. news coverage not under Ankara’s The new RTUK regulations stipu- Kerem Altiparmak, a human Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly Free speech advocates said control. Most of Turkey’s large me- late that content providers must rights lawyer, said the move was the correspondent. 2 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis Yemen Al-Islah’s bid to dismantle Sa’dah fronts poses threat to Saudi Arabia

Saleh Baidhani Hamoud al-Mikhlafi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader residing in Mus- cat, called on “the sons of Jund prov- Aden ince” ( and Ibb governorates) to return immediately from the Sa’dah here are indications that the fronts and join camps funded by Muslim Brotherhood in Yem- Doha and Muscat. en is implementing a plan, Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood ac- T funded by and Oman, tivist Tawakkol Karman renewed to unsettle battle fronts in the coun- her demands along such lines and try home, political sources said. al-Islah members started a hashtag This was happening while voices in Turkish calling for the expulsion within al-Islah called for an alliance, of UAE forces, which are part of the which would include Qatar and Tur- Arab Coalition, from Yemen. key, to open direct channels of com- Kuwaiti Brotherhood member munication with Iran. Nasser al-Duwailah, a former mem- The escalation and suspicious ber of parliament, said on Twitter: “I ground movements in areas liberated call on President Hadi to introduce from Houthi rebels, especially near Turkey and bring back Qatar to the the Saudi border, came after the fail- group of countries supporting the ure of a Muslim Brotherhood project legitimacy camp and to form anoth- aimed at controlling Yemen’s south- er group supporting the legitimacy ern provinces under the guise of the from Aden, a group that will enhance so-called legitimacy camp. the authority of the Yemeni state over its entire territory.” There is suspicion of Doha-funded The Yemeni military defeat attempts at dismantling the Sa’dah at Kitaf and Wadi Jbara was fronts on the Saudi border to move reportedly caused by the confrontations inside Saudi territory failure to engage by a by including Brotherhood elements. battalion of mostly Muslim Events have proven the existence of Brotherhood members. a direct link between these elements Suspicious movements. Pro-government soldiers patrol an area during clashes west of Ataq, capital and the state of confusion affecting of the Shabwa province, August 26. (Reuters) The Arab Coalition, which is back- the Kitaf front. ing the internationally recognised The Yemeni military defeat at Ki- fronts, in addition to withdrawing its tions under the banner of the nation- Abdul Basit al-Bahr suggested that, government of Yemeni President taf and Wadi Jbara was reportedly fighters from Bayda, Jawf and Marib, al army in Marib and Jawf were not after finishing with the STC, it would Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi against caused by the failure to engage by a and sending them to Shabwa, Abyan meant to liberate Sana’a but to regain turn its attention to the Tariq Saleh’s the Houthis, reportedly intercept- battalion of mostly Muslim Brother- and Aden. control of southern Yemen. forces and the Giants Brigades. ed communication between tribal hood members. Sources said the manoeuvres ena- Media reports pointed to signs of Observers said they were surprised chiefs and field commanders from This was accompanied by a media bled the Houthis to withdraw troops Brotherhood-Houthi coordination at seeing the Muslim Brotherhood in al-Islah in Jawf. The communica- campaign aimed at pulling Yemeni from inactive fronts and transfer in Taiz and of targeting government Yemen summoning its pressure and tions allegedly advocated a bilateral fighters out of Sa’dah and depicting them to Sa’dah and the west coast. forces that are not loyal to al-Islah, bargaining chips against the STC, agreement with the Houthis that the conflict as a Yemeni-Saudi one, Events in southern Yemen have such as the attacks on the 35th Ar- something they haven’t done during would hand over liberated areas to while ignoring that Saudi Arabia was shown the ability of al-Islah militia moured Brigade and the Abu al-Ab- the confrontation with the Houthis. Iran-backed militias. Experts said the in Yemen primarily to support Yem- fighters to mobilise in record time, bas Brigades. One of the propaganda tools is the endgame is to create a new threat to enis and stop the Houthi-Iranian in- placing dozens of battalions and Reports following the announce- so-called Council of Yemeni Schol- the Saudis on their border. cursion. military equipment along fronts in ment of the fall of Aden revealed the ars, headed by Abdul Majid al-Zinda- Al-Islah members are apparently The military pressure in Sa’dah Aden, Shabwa and Abyan. Brotherhood’s project to target re- ni, which is included on the US list of trying to dismantle five fronts in and Yemeni west coast, which is not The military buildup in southern sistance forces in the west coast, as terrorist organisations. Sa’dah province through public de- controlled by al-Islah, was attributed Yemen highlighted fears the South- suggested by public statements by mands by party leaders that Yemenis to the party’s decision to freeze con- ern Transitional Council (STC) has army commanders. Islamist Broth- (The Arab Weekly staff contributed fighting on the fronts withdraw. frontations with the Houthis on most been expressing that military opera- erhood spokesman for the Taiz axis to this report.) Muscat engages in a conflict by proxy in Yemen’s Mahrah province

Saleh Baidhani ment in liberated provinces, espe- Observers said that what is hap- cially Mahrah, which has historical pening in the province is not a and social ties to Saudi Arabia. proxy war between Iran and Saudi Aden Tensions escalated in Mahrah Arabia because Tehran does not after the arrival of Saudi forces to have interests or direct influence audi Arabia is seeking to address alleged arms smuggling to in the province. Riyadh has been contain tensions between Houthi militias in Yemen. Political supporting the local Mahrah gov- its forces and local fighters escalation and unrest were report- ernment to develop infrastructure S backed by Oman and Qatar edly spurred by a media campaign and prevent it being used as a cor- in the eastern Yemeni province of backed by Doha and Muscat to cre- ridor for weapons smuggling to the Mahrah. ate an impression that Saudi Arabia Houthis. Muscat and Doha reportedly tried had expansionist interests in Mah- Muscat and Doha are reportedly to create conflict with local au- rah, which borders Oman and Saudi involved in funding tribal protests in the development of the infra- its distance from conflicts in other thorities in Mahrah, including de- Arabia. that do not reflect the demands of structure there and we have strong parts of Yemen after unification of manding the departure of the Arab the people in Mahrah as much as political ties with the region,” he the country in 1990. coalition forces. Those forces had Oman is allegedly sending they are intended to confuse the said. The people of the province entered to prevent weapons, alleg- strategy of the Arab coalition. Mus- Muscat is said to be using tribes- opened cross-border relations with edly crossing Oman’s borders with funds to troops in Mahrah to cat has allegedly funded demon- men and former Yemeni Army and tribes in western Oman and south- Yemen, from reaching Houthi mili- avoid it falling under full strations in Mahrah against what police officers to organise protests eastern Saudi Arabia as well as in tias. Saudi control. protest organisers called a Saudi in Mahrah, including Ali Salem al- the . A meeting between Saudi Depu- “occupation.” Huraizi, a former guard commander Tribal ties filled the vacuum cre- ty Defence Minister Prince Khalid The Arab Weekly earlier reported Saudi Arabia is clearly trying to and deputy governor, known to ated by the absence of the state in bin Salman and Abdullah bin Isa the growing conflict in Mahrah. avoid getting involved in a direct supporters as “the General.” the region. Even in 2011, Mahrah al-Afrar, an influential tribal figure Oman and Saudi Arabia have used confrontation with the protest Since the time of former Yemeni was not affected by the political and chairman of the General Coun- their local influence with tribesmen movements while supporting local President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Hurai- conflict nor was it touched by the cil of the Inhabitants of Mahrah and to create a fragile equilibrium in authorities led by Rajeh Bakrit. zi has been a prominent figure in Houthi coup in September 2014. Socotra provinces, involved devel- light of reports of tribesmen being Bakrit’s appointment as Mah- anti-Saudi protests. Riyadh accused The governorate remained adminis- opments in Mahrah and Socotra, armed to create tensions with lo- rah governor coincided with Saudi Huraizi of being directly involved in tered by a local authority and tribal the situation of Mahrah tribesmen cal authorities known to have good moves in the province. A few days weapons and other smuggling op- influence. living in the Saudi Empty Quarter relations with Saudi Arabia and the after the arrival of Saudi forces in erations, which he strongly denied. After reports that the Houthis whose Saudi passports have expired Arab coalition. Mahrah, the former Mahrah gov- For about 450 years, until 1967, were using Mahrah as a route for and obstacles Saudis of Mahrah ori- The Independent, a British news- ernor, who is close to Oman, was Mahrah was an independent sultan- arms smuggling, the Arab alliance gin face in trying to visit Mahrah. paper, described events in Mahrah replaced by Bakrit, who had spent ate that included the Socotra archi- sent troops to monitor land and sea Afrar’s visit is likely part of a Sau- as “the new Gulf War by proxy.” The little time in Mahrah. pelago. inlets in Mahrah. Oman considered di move to ease tensions suppos- Independent’s Middle East corre- Oman is allegedly sending funds Having distinct language and the move a threat and supported edly sparked by Muscat and Doha. spondent Bel Trew wrote that Mah- to troops in Mahrah to avoid it fall- culture and being geographically the Houthis, which was a departure The meeting could be a turn- rah, which once prided itself on its ing under full Saudi control. Abdul- removed from the political and from the neutrality it had sought to ing point that may curb tension fi- autonomy, culture and unique Mah- lah al-Ghailani, an Omani strategist, military struggle in southern Yemen convey in Yemen. nanced outside Yemen and to the rah dialect, “has now become a ma- told the Independent that Mahrah allowed Mahrah inhabitants to en- completion of a Saudi programme jor line of confrontation in a proxy was “Oman’s backyard.” joy a form of autonomy and self- (The Arab Weekly staff contributed for reconstruction and develop- war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.” “We have invested tremendously sufficiency. The governorate kept to this report.) September 8, 2019 3 News & Analysis Lebanese mostly unmoved by brief border confrontation with Israel

Samar Kadi to be identified by his first name. “I believe that the Israelis learnt a lesson. You hit me, I hit you back, Beirut one for one, that is the equation,” he said. ebanon and Israel seemed on With memories of the massive the brink of war when Iran- 2006 war still vivid, many dreaded backed fired anti- the clash could escalate into a wide- L tank rockets at an Israeli mil- scale confrontation. Expatriates who itary vehicle, sparking short-lived returned to Lebanon for the summer cross-border attacks. interrupted their holiday and has- Losing red lines. People watch as fires blaze along the Lebanese side of the border with Israel in the The confrontation September 1 tened their departure from Lebanon. village of Maroun al-Ras following an exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, September 1 . was somewhat expected after Hez- “My daughter and her husband (AFP) bollah vowed to retaliate follow- left as soon as they could. They were ing the crash a week earlier of two supposed to stay until September 12 It was somehow expected and I be- bollah’s rivals want to confine all ment in the public administration, Israeli drones in southern Beirut, a but feared they would be stuck here lieve that there will be no sequels or military weapons to the Lebanese et cetera.” Wazneh said. stronghold for the Shia party. if the situation deteriorated,” said further escalation because it is not state and place Hezbollah’s arsenal Lebanese officials across the po- The incident exposed the political Nadia Ghaddar, whose daughter in Israel’s interest, at least until after under the control of the Lebanese litical spectrum endorsed an eco- divide in the country as a mixture of lives in Holland. the (Israeli) elections,” said political Army. Pro-Hezbollah groups stress nomic blueprint on September 2 defiance and fear prevailed. “They had to change all their trav- analyst Samah Idriss. that the party’s military wing is that includes measures to cut state el plans to be able to catch a flight “Hezbollah’s retaliation was ex- needed to deter Israeli aggression spending and boost revenues for back to Amsterdam. All flights were plicitly covered by the state’s top and liberate occupied Lebanese ter- three years. Expatriates who booked, obviously others wanted to officials who considered the drone ritory in the Shabaa Farms area. In Maroun al-Ras, residents in- returned to Lebanon for get out as quickly as possible.” attack as blunt aggression against The limited flare-up had no signif- spected their tobacco and olive the summer interrupted In July 2006, Hezbollah kid- Lebanon. As a military resistance icant effect on Lebanon’s stumbling fields, some of which were burned their holiday and napped two Israeli soldiers in dis- movement, Hezbollah does not economy. by the Israeli fire. Ahmad Alawiyeh, hastened their departure puted territory between the two need permission from the govern- “The Israeli strike was not really a 45-year-old merchant, was in the from Lebanon. countries, sparking an Israeli offen- ment to respond to aggression.” felt in the market. Eurobonds pric- village with his son checking his sive that killed 1,191 Lebanese ci- Lebanese President es fell slightly on the same day but land near the fence. His field didn’t While many residents of border vilians. The fighting lasted 33 days. blasted the attack as “a declaration returned to normal quickly,” said sustain much damage because he villages packed their belongings and Despite their deep hostility, the two of war” against Lebanon and Prime economist Ghazi Wazneh. “What hadn’t planted tobacco or olive headed north fearing an escalation, sides have largely refrained from di- Minister Saad Hariri solicited help happened is over and both sides re- trees, like two adjacent plots. others appeared unmoved and some rect fighting since then. from the United States and France turned to previous rules of engage- “This is a victory and pride for us,” filmed the aftermath of the attacks The brief exchange September 1 to rein in Israel and said Lebanon ment.” he told the Associated Press, refer- standing on the demarcation line ended within two hours and it was would file a complaint of aggression “Internal political instability and ring to Hezbollah’s attack on Israel. separating Israel and Lebanon. largely contained to the border area with the UN Security Council. divisions have been most damag- Israel withdrew from southern “Israel was dropping firebombs near the village of Maroun al-Ras, The incident brought to the fore- ing to the Lebanese economy. The Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year on the border area and the people indicating that neither side was front the controversy over a Leba- most important thing at present is to occupation. were watching its manoeuvres as if keen on war. nese national defence strategy that introduce the long-delayed reforms nothing has happened,” said Sobhi, “What happened was a response would restore to the state its strate- to fight corruption and tax evasion, Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly a south Lebanon resident who asked by Hezbollah to the drone incident. gic decision on war and peace. Hez- public waste and arbitrary employ- Travel and Society section editor.

Viewpoint Hezbollah decides alone in face-off with Israel

o one was Hezbollah, which has most of “hostile actions that threaten a roundtable on Lebanon’s shocked at the its forces stretched thin across Lebanon’s security, stability and abysmal economic situation. news that the region and is reeling from sovereignty” and affirming that The meeting, which included Makram Rabah Hezbollah crippling US financial sanctions, “the United States fully supports all Lebanese political factions, targeted an Israeli wants to delay a serious Israel’s right to self-defence.” was another missed opportunity patrol on the confrontation with Israel until The Lebanese government’s to confront Hezbollah over its Nborder. Ever since Hezbollah a more opportune moment, irresponsible handling of this weapons’ stash. Such a move Secretary-General Hassan i.e. when US President Donald incident reveals its deep state would have strengthened Aoun Nasrallah and other senior Trump loses next year’s United of delusion: It believes it can in his quest to rejuvenate the party members took to the States presidential elections or continually refuse to take economy and prove to the pulpits and warned of a the United States strikes a new responsibility for Hezbollah’s country that he is not merely calculated, limited response to deal with Iran, not necessarily in actions, without understanding Hezbollah’s lackey. Israeli aggression, it was only a that order. what is at stake. No sane individual would matter of time. The most shocking part of In an interview with US cable consider investing in a country Israel denied that the anti- the showdown between Israel channel CNBC, Hariri even whose political elite fail to tank rocket attack September and Iran’s operatives was the stuck to one of his weakest ensure state sovereignty and 1 killed any of its troops but Lebanese state’s complete lack talking points, repeating that stability, which are essential Hezbollah and its fellow of control. Rather than objecting “Hezbollah is not a Lebanese elements for economic travellers carried on with their to Hezbollah’s declaration of problem but a regional prosperity. Aoun ended his customary celebratory speeches war, the state bolstered its problem.” roundtable by declaring a and bragging rituals. claims, saying that the so-called This is what Hariri state of national emergency The only real surprise resistance had the right to conveniently left out: Hezbollah and asking that all factions was that Hezbollah’s blatant defend Lebanese territory from is not merely an Iran-sponsored come together. He warned that breach of UN Security Council Israeli aggression. Lebanese outfit that operates Lebanon had only six months Resolution 1701, which has By giving Hezbollah its outside of Lebanon but a to go before total economic been in effect since Hezbollah’s blessing, the Lebanese state, or political party that holds three collapse. confrontation with Israel in what remains of it, effectively seats in Hariri’s cabinet. While total war between Iran July 2006, did not prompt a condoned Hezbollah’s nefarious By giving Hezbollah political and Israel in Lebanon might harsh Israeli reprisal. Instead, activity in , and cover, as the Lebanese be delayed, Beirut has equally Israel fired 100 artillery shells Yemen. government has done time and critical issues at stake. The into Lebanon, striking positions After the military debacle, again, the state has transformed disturbing reality is: Not only is Hezbollah used to launch its Lebanese Prime Minister Saad from being a helpless hostage Hezbollah a regional problem attack. Hariri phoned US Secretary of to the group to its eager but the Lebanese state’s failure What is certain is that both State Mike Pompeo and French accomplice. This has been to confront Iran’s unheeded sides were strictly advised by President Emmanuel Macron’s acknowledged by Gulf countries ambition has turned it into a No sane individual the United States and, more adviser with the request that that shed their amity and problem for the region and would consider important, Russia to avoid open they rein in Israel, without financial largesse to Lebanon beyond. investing in a country warfare. Israel is being careful acknowledging that Hezbollah and its struggling economy. not to steer away from the had breached Resolution 1701. One day after the Hezbollah Makram Rabah is a lecturer whose political elite far more serious threat on its As soon as Hariri ended his attack, in a scene resembling at the American University of fail to ensure state eastern borders as Iran expands urgent pleas, the US Department the Twilight Zone, Lebanese Beirut and author of “A Campus its hegemony across Syria and of State snubbed him by President Michel Aoun, at War: Student Politics at the sovereignty and beefs up its arsenal of long-range releasing a statement saying Hezbollah’s main Christian American University of Beirut, stability. and accurate ballistic missiles. Hezbollah should refrain from ally, opted to go ahead with 1967-1975.” 4 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis Tunisia Viewpoint Candidates on the offensive ahead of vote

Lamine Ghanmi “was ready to prevent that.” ics, lawyers, activists and other Talk of a transition of power prominent figures signed a peti- ended the same day when Caid tion urging secularist candidates Tunis Essebsi began recovering but the to rally behind one contender. president became ill again less “We draw your attention that a unisia’s presidential elec- than a month later and died July rising number of the citizens from tion campaign grew tense 25. Ennaceur was installed as in- the democratic and modernis- as allegations of coups, terim president and scheduled ing landscape are concerned and T counter-coups and “judi- presidential elections were ad- worried about the high number of cial plots” flew across the politi- vanced from November to Sep- candidates with the same political cal divide. tember 15. and intellectual family,” read the Twenty-six candidates vying Analysts said the coup remarks petition. for Tunisia’s highest office began by Zbidi were a “communication “We are sure that you are aware the official campaign season Sep- blunder.” Others said it under- of the grave danger looming over Moment of choice. Tunisians look at posters of presidential tember 2, two weeks before voters lined his anti-Islamist posture and these elections for the future of candidates in Tunis. (AFP) were to go to the polls. “quiet strength.” the democratic transition and the The competitive presidential Either way, Zbidi’s view sound- future of the country as a result race has drawn candidates from ed the alarm for Ennahda, further- of your division and split that will diverse backgrounds and political ing tensions between them and benefit the Islamists and popu- ideologies, highlighting Tunisia’s their secularist foes. lists.” Why Tunisian status as a free, democratic state. Ennahda has put its full weight However, many candidates’ behind Mourou in the presidential “The socio-economic scorched-earth strategies fuelled race and party President Rached conditions in Tunisia are anguish and confusion in a coun- Ghannouchi called on the party’s ripe for the rise of elections matter try whose population is seeking supporters to rally behind him. concrete solutions to long-term “We will not permit for a single candidates and political The future stability of Tunisia and social and economic grievances. vote from an Ennahda member or entrepreneurs that its economic recovery will also “I had wished that the cam- sympathiser to be lost to another represent, however distant depend to a great deal on the support candidate,” said Ghannouchi. from lived realities, a shift Oussama paigns would focus on (candi- of European and other foreign dates’) visions and programmes “Ennahda people are not a fluid away from the status quo.” Romdhani partners. As it struggles with the issue but unfortunately it is quite the crowd without discipline and or- Laryssa Chomiak, a North of illegal migration from North opposite,” said former Prime Min- ganisation.” Africa affairs expert at bout a week from now, African shores, Europe sees Tunisia’s ister , a candidate Chahed was singled out by busi- Chatham House. Tunisians will go to the stability as vital to its security himself. “Some are talking of nessman Slim Riahi, another can- polls to elect their next interests. Tunisian rulers, regardless coups, political control of courts didate for president, for helping Tunisia was to have its first se- president. People at home of who wins the vote, however, and several other accusations, Ennahda in the alleged “plot to ries of televised debates among and abroad will be cannot serve as Europe’s sentries. each one more grave than the topple Caid Essebsi by staging a the candidates for president but it watchingA closely. They have a public opinion that last.” majority vote in the parliament.” was unclear how much effect they The new Tunisian president will clamours for a two-way relationship “Their plot was (to secure) some would have on voters. never have access to a “nuclear that goes beyond the xenophobic 145 votes (in the 217-member par- Some analysts predicted the football” or cause Wall Street panic isolationism of Europe’s populists. Analysts predicted the liament) to vote the president out highly charged political environ- with a tweet or two. Still, the Tunisia Security is also part of the equation highly charged political of office,” Riahi claimed. ment will push voters towards po- vote matters. in that relationship. The enhanced environment will push Riahi, who faces criminal charg- litical outsiders. It will matter, first of all, for ability of Tunisia to regain control of voters towards political es in Tunisia and is in self-exile “The (winners) may be individ- Tunisians themselves. Considering its fight against jihadists will carry outsiders. abroad, also accused Chahed of uals who still represent the last the vitriolic accusations and the positive implications beyond its opening “corridors within the ju- faith of the revolution in the vot- flying muck, including allegations of borders. Chaos and the fraying of the Tunisian Defence Minister Ab- diciary to control the judges and ers’ minds or even a new model of abuse of power and political exploita- state would have the opposite delkrim Zbidi, who is campaign- punish his adversaries.” political activism: more respond- tion of the death of siblings, voters result. ing as an independent, shocked Chahed dismissed accusations ent, practical and less vertical,” have been coping well. Even if no constitutional amend- the country when he declared on that the government influences said University of El Manar Pro- More important, voters have not ments are adopted to boost the national television that he had court verdicts, claiming that “the fessor Haykel Ben Mahfoudh. lost confidence in the electoral prerogatives of the head of the state, put the army on “high alert” to time when judges pronounced Some analysts said voters may process. The campaign added to the Tunisia’s next president will have the prevent a coup allegedly plotted sentences upon orders is over” seek to change the status quo by distrust Tunisians have of their final say in matters of national by Islamists and their allies in par- but supporters of media magnate banking on populists who lack ex- politicians but, nonetheless, the security. liament after President Beji Caid Nabil Karoui, a leading contender perience in government. overwhelming majority still believes Drawing an adequate counter- Essebsi fell ill in June. in the race for president and who “The socio-economic condi- in the merit of their fledgling extremism strategy will require a “I ordered the military to be- has been jailed on charges of mon- tions in Tunisia are ripe for the democracy, with all its hiccups, has chief executive with both vision and siege everything (key state build- ey laundering and tax evasion, rise of candidates and political en- given them the means of making a resolve. It will also need a fluid ings), not only the hospital,” Zbidi insist Chahed played a role in Ka- trepreneurs that represent, how- free choice. Turnout will be crucial connection between the Kasbah and said. roui’s detention. ever distant from lived realities, for making that kind of determina- the Carthage Palace. The country After Caid Essebsi became “crit- Chahed has focused his efforts a shift away from the status quo,” tion. cannot afford the type of disconnect ically ill” on June 27 — known as on countering Zbidi, who has said Laryssa Chomiak, a North Legal and political initiatives might that prevailed for many months “Black Thursday” — parliament gained support from the country’s Africa affairs expert at Chatham be necessary after the election to between Caid Essebsi and Prime members with the Islamist En- traditional secularist base. House. review safeguards against illicit Minister Youssef Chahed. nahda Movement tried to visit the Concerned that the divide with- campaign financing and conflict of Drawing comprehensive strategies hospital where the president was in Tunisia’s secularist camp could Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab interest practices and irregularities in requires an overarching approach being treated. Their aim, Zbidi split the vote, a group of academ- Weekly correspondent in Tunis. opinion polling. that goes beyond constitutional said, was to check whether the The vote will have regional and prerogatives. The current electoral president was conscious and then international implications. Consider- campaigns have echoed demands for decide whether to declare a “tem- ing the unsettled situations in constitutional amendments towards porary or total power vacancy,” he Dozens of EU observers and , the success or failure of that end but Tunisia’s next legislature said. Tunisians in their third democratic risks being even more factitious than Experts speculated that declar- contest since the 2011 uprising could the current one, making constitu- ing a permanent vacancy could to monitor elections have a bearing on regional stability. tional amendments difficult to have allowed the Islamists to take Tunisians across the spectrum, in adopt. over the presidency by fast-track- Stephen Quillen of Tunisia’s Independent High Au- tune with their culturally ingrained During the last eight years, strategic ing a transition. Deputy Parlia- thority for Elections, the EU team humility, do not see their democratic vision did not seem a priority for ment Speaker Abdelfattah Mour- is to make an objective assessment experience as offering lessons their Tunisian leaders. Their dialogue and ou, an Ennahda member, was Tunis of the electoral process that will be neighbours should or could emu- cooperation with regional and leading parliament at the time submitted days after the vote, Ce- late. Western powers were more dictated because Speaker Mohamed Enna- U election observers are sar said. Considering the violence and by expediency than by well-thought- ceur was on a sick leave. preparing to monitor Tu- EU foreign policy chief Federica bloodshed since the 2011 upheaval out choice. “It is easy to shut down the nisia’s upcoming vote that Mogherini said Tunisia’s elec- across the region, very few Tunisian Time has come for that posture to parliament,” Zbidi said. “It would E will be a crucial test of the tions are “an important step” in politicians are sanguine about the change. Faced with strong social only take two army tanks to close country’s young democracy at a its democratic transition and that West’s mystified perception of the pressures and limited resources, the two gates of the parliament time of regional crisis. “accompanying it on this path is “Arab spring.” The late President Beji Tunisia’s rulers have needed — and building. I cannot tell a lie. Ten electoral experts from the an important priority” for the Eu- Caid Essebsi described it as a will need — their foreign partners’ “I warned the prime minister European Union will be joined ropean Union. European fantasy. “There is only a goodwill to ease the pressures they (Youssef Chahed) telling him that by 28 long-term observers and 28 “This new Election Observation Tunisian spring,” he used to say. face at home but they should have if the hubbub in parliament were short-term observers ahead of the Mission… confirms the EU’s unwa- Tunisians are, however, deeply more to offer to the world than to continue the military institu- presidential and legislative elec- vering commitment to democracy attached to their gained freedoms. No requests for help. tion would intervene to put an tions, which are scheduled for in Tunisia,” said Mogherini. leader at the helm of the state will Tunisian leaders can build on their end to that trouble.” September 15 and October 6, re- The observation mission is led attempt to challenge that. However, democratic achievements to offer the Chahed responded that he “was spectively, said deputy head of the by Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a Eu- there are challenges to democratic world fresh, new ideas on fighting 1,000% in agreement with me,” EU observation mission Marie-Vio- ropean parliament vice-president rule, including neo-authoritarian extremism, promoting tolerance and Zbidi said. lette Cesar at a news conference in who has led electoral observation tendencies as well as the continued building a global basis for shared Some claimed that Zbidi’s plan Tunis. missions in Tunisia, Nigeria and existence of radical Salafist constitu- prosperity. The new president can amounted to a military coup and Thirty EU diplomats will join Moldova and serves on the EU- encies. Imposing the legitimate show by his sense of vision and expressed shock at his willingness the observation team, which is to Tunisia Joint Parliamentary Com- authority of the state while preserv- leadership that Tunisian elections do to involve the military in a politi- be dispersed throughout Tunisia mission. ing the rights and freedoms of matter. cal crisis. Zbidi responded that it on Election Day. Working in con- citizens will require a delicate balance was “parliament members (who) junction with local civil society Stephen Quillen is an Arab Weekly from Tunisia’s rulers and mental Oussama Romdhani is were plotting a coup against the organisations and at the invitation correspondent in Tunis. agility from their Western partners. Editor-in-Chief of The Arab Weekly. constitutional order” and that he September 8, 2019 5 News & Analysis Tunisia Interview Zbidi pledges to get to bottom of ‘secret apparatus’ and political assasinations

forces in the country, especially country has experienced,” Zbidi concerning the relationship with said. Ennahda and controversial issues, Regarding Tunisia’s stance on Jemai Guesmi such as “the secret security the Libyan crisis, Zbidi said: “The A different approach. Tunisian presidential candidate Abdelkrim apparatus”. internal fighting in Libya, which is Zbidi speaks during an interview at his office in Tunis. (AFP) Zbidi said Ennahda “is an sometimes fed by external he campaign in the objective part of the political and parties, will not work… Our presidential race in party scene in Tunisia.” brothers in Libya have unfortu- supervision… There is no other prospects of a solution to all crises Tunisia kicked off He, however, pledged, if nately become caught in this choice but this one. Libya is a dear in the region, a solution that, once September 2. Abdelkrim elected, “to unravel the mysteries dilemma and that has created for neighbour and its security is ours again, can only be achieved by a Zbidi, a candidate in the of the file of the secret appara- us in Tunisia additional pressure and vice versa.” dialogue based on a patriotic spirit Trace, promised, if elected, to tus.” and threat… So, I’m going to work Zbidi said Tunisia’s presidency in our opinion.” reopen the file of the alleged The so-called secret apparatus on pushing the agenda of a of the Arab summit “represents an secret security apparatus of the have ben accused on involvement national dialogue under regional appropriate platform for Tunisian Jemai Guesmi is a Tunisian Islamist Ennahda Movement and of two leftist leaders in 2013 and of and international guidance and diplomacy to contribute to the writer. reveal its mysteries. conducting clandestine opera- Presidential candidate tions on behalf of Islamists. Abdelkrim Zbidi promised, if Asked about demands that he elected, to reopen the file of the reveal secrets of the file as alleged Islamist-run secret minister of defence, Zbidi “this Candidate drops ‘coup’ bombshell security apparatus and related issue is not related to the Ministry assassinations. of Defence alone but touches Zbidi also described the political other ministries, institutions, military or legislative.” Mohsen Marzouk expressed shock system in Tunisia as “hybrid” and authorities and agencies.” Iman Zayat “A couple of tanks would have at Zbidi’s claims and called for clar- said it should be reformed through Zbidi insisted that “the position and Stephen Quillen been enough,” Zbidi said, adding ification on events surrounding a popular referendum. of the president of the republic is that Chahed, who is also a candidate “Black Thursday.” “One of our paradoxes is that the only state post authorised to for president, expressed his “1,000%” “What happened was not a coup,” the president of the republic, who bring all of this under investiga- Tunis support. Marzouk said, “but to send tanks to is elected by popular vote, has less tion and arbitration by the law,” Tunisia was rocked June 27 by two parliament, this could be understood authority than the president of pointing out his eagerness to be utgoing Tunisian Defence terror attacks in Tunis at the same as a coup.” the government (the prime fair to other candidates because Minister and presidential time Caid Essebsi was rushed to a Marzouk pointed to earlier calls minister), who is appointed.” he said that if he starts this issue hopeful Abdelkrim Zbidi hospital in critical condition. Rumours to open an investigation to under- Zbidi, 69, is regarded as a at this stage of the campaign, he O revealed in a television in- circulated that the president had stand what occurred. He said the distinguished statesman, having “would be breaking the principle terview that he took precautions to died but he was only “sedated” at calls went unanswered. held many senior government of equal chances for all candi- block a legislative “coup” after late the time, Zbidi said. Presidential contender Abdelfat- positions, the most recent of dates and unethically exploiting President Beji Caid Essebsi first be- The crisis renewed security con- tah Mourou, of the Islamist Ennahda which was minister of defence. my (former) ministerial position came ill in June. cerns in the young democracy and Movement, accused Zbidi of making Zbidi is running as an independ- in my election campaign.” Zbidi, who is a front-runner in raised questions about line of suc- baseless claims to advance his cam- ent candidate but has received the “This issue also applies to the Tunisia’s September 15 presidential cession in the absence of an approved paign and political agenda. backing of several parties, political assassinations that the elections, told Hannibal TV on Sep- constitutional court. He said that given the seriousness including and Afaq tember 3 that he had been ready to Caid Essebsi, 92, recovered from of the security allegations made by Tounes, members of parliament close off the parliament building by the June health issues but died on Zbidi, the issue would have to be and political, intellectual and “I promise to open force on June 27 — dubbed by Tuni- July 25. Parliament Speaker Mohamed discussed again after the elections academic figures who have sian media as “Black Thursday” — to Ennaceur took over as interim pres- so such allegations would not go formed the National Coalition to the file of the ‘secret stop members of parliament from ident and presidential elections were unaccounted for. support Zbidi. security apparatus’ declaring both the president and moved from November to Septem- Tunisian analysts and journalists Zbidi has emerged as a candi- speaker of the house incapacitated ber 15. were also critical of Zbidi’s remarks. date advocating approaches and get to the and overseeing a rushed presidential Chahed has not confirmed giving “I’m still in disbelief,” journalist different in form and content from bottom of it.” transition. Zbidi authorisation to mobilise the Zied Krichen said. “I wish that what what transpired during Caid Zbidi said he put the army on high army during the political crisis but happened was just a dream or, to be Essebsi’s presidency. alert and assured Prime Minister the allegations received blowback more exact, a nightmare. However, This is illustrated by the five Abdelkrim Zbidi, Youssef Chahed “the army would from politicians and journalists. it is not. I just hope that Mr Zbidi pledges he announced and which a candidate in Tunisia’s prevent parliament from convening Presidential candidate and leader would apologise or at least declare are not outside the box of the presidential race and that there would be no coup, of the Machrou Tounes political party the allegations to be unintended.” aspirations of the modernist LGBT rights return as thorny subject for election candidates

Iman Zayat homophobia to appeal to deep- Leftist parliamentarian Ziad tions in Tunisia rose 60% to 127 in from politics,” Bousselmi said. “In seated prejudices as he attempted Lakhdar said in April that the de- 2018, Shams said. our country, we have seen that any- to gain popularity ahead of elec- criminalisation of homosexuality Baatour argued that, to change thing that is used in politics, includ- Tunis tions. in Tunisia “remains a complex is- the status quo, there must be “a ing religion, could eventually back- “I don’t understand from what sue but not a priority.” Tunisian political will to amend legislation.” fire creating a tense environment.” esbian, gay, bisexual and angle is trying to tackle activists, however, say LGBT rights In particular, he said Tunisia must Bousselmi also noted that transgender rights have be- the LGBT rights issue,” said Ali are an important priority because scrap discriminatory laws, mainly Baatour’s seemingly “conciliatory” come a major source of po- Bousselmi, president of the LGBT of the violence and discrimination Article 230 of the Penal code, which attitude towards Israel has lost him L litical controversy in Tuni- rights organisation Mawjoudin. minorities often face. criminalises homosexuality. support. sia since the 2011 uprising, bringing “His statements are absolutely The subject gained attention af- “I believe my candidacy has trig- Still, he noted, LGBT members democratic aspirations into con- homophobic.” ter Mounir Baatour, co-founder gered a debate in the media and in Tunisia “have every right” to ex- flict with the country’s conserva- “When we speak about funding, of Shams, an LGBT rights group, such debates,” Baatour said, “will press their political views. tive norms. the LGBT rights organisations are threw his hat in the ring for the reduce homophobia.” “The political landscape remains The issue was controversially in favour of tracking the flow of presidential elections in Tunisia. Baatour’s bid drew significant quite divided, adding to the uncer- tackled in the run-up to 2014 elec- money. In this regard, we have been “I wanted to raise the issue of criticism in Tunisia, even from the tainty in the country,” Bousselmi tions, when some politicians, in- respecting the regulations of the homosexuality and trigger a pub- LGBT community, with some activ- said. “This means, at least for the cluding the late President Beji Caid Central Bank and submitting audit lic debate,” said Baatour, whose ists saying his candidacy harmed moment, that there’s no distinct Essebsi, spoke openly against the reports on a regular basis.” presidential bid was rejected by Tu- their cause. candidate that the LGBT commu- decriminalisation of homosexual- Questions regarding how civil nisia’s Independent High Author- “The issue here is that of whether nity would support or vote for, ity. Five years later, conservative society organisations and political ity for Elections. “We need to take someone is qualified for the presi- especially if we bear in mind the candidates are again speaking up parties are funded are legitimate, homosexuality out of the societal dency or not,” Bousselmi said. unfulfilled promises and double against lesbian, gay, bisexual and Bousselmi said. taboo and push the agenda of LGBT “What is really important beyond discourse of some politicians.” transgender (LGBT) rights, using “We are aware that some politi- rights to the fore.” politics is that whether the next As Tunisia’s presidential and leg- the issue to shore up support with cal parties and Islamist organisa- In Tunisia, homosexuality is a president would be able to effec- islative elections near, controversy their conservative electoral base. tions in Tunisia have been receiving criminal offence, punishable by up tively serve the country and ad- over LGBT rights is expected to Constitutional law expert and funds from abroad to support ter- to three years in prison. Follow- equately defend individual and col- grow, pitting the religious crowd presidential candidate Kais Saied, rorism. So, if we want to talk about ing the 2011 uprising, LGBT rights lective rights.” against a growing wave of progres- whose legal interpretation is gener- ‘corrupting the nation,’ we need to activists say, homosexuality was The candidacy of Baatour, he sive voices. ally conservative and often clashes pinpoint the real phenomena that prosecuted at a higher rate than said, has merely created a “buzz” Islamists, in particular, are likely with progressive modernist trends have been posing a threat to the before, a trend they blamed largely that swiftly faded. It also disasso- to push back against LGBT rights in the country, stirred controversy country and its people.” on the Islamist Ennahda Movement ciated LGBT rights from a broader to defend what they view as tradi- by accusing the LGBT community Apart from Saied, other politi- leading the government’s coalition conversation about human rights. tional moral codes, winning them of “receiving funds from abroad to cal figures, including leftists, have from 2011-14 and being part of the “LGBT rights in Tunisia should be popularity in neighbourhoods and corrupt the Islamic nation.” broached the subject of LGBT ruling coalition since 2014. tackled within the context of uni- rural areas that are more socially Many accused Saied of using rights. Convictions for same-sex rela- versal human rights and steer away conservative. 6 September 8, 2019 OpinionOpinion

Editorial Elections in MENA

orthcoming elections in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond will be important to monitor. Such events could have a bearing on the pervasive tensions and uncertain- ties of the region. In the Maghreb, elections will be Fa crucial factor for internal stability. The democratic process in Tunisia will depend to a great extent on the September 15 vote for president. No fewer than 26 candidates will compete to replace late President Beji Caid Essebsi. With the exchange of accusations and recriminations, the electoral debate has been tense. The modernist camp is anguished over the high number of candidates appealing to its voter base. Many of the contenders, secularists and Islamists, have a chance at securing a slot in the second round. Results could ride on a few thousand votes. The same uncertainty characterises legislative elections expected in October. Tunisia needs a minimum level of political stability and cohesion to spur its economy to a level of growth capable of creating enough jobs and opportunities for its discontented young © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly population. The country needs a steady hand at the helm to meet the challenge of security at home and in the neighbouring region. In Algeria, organising elections would be a The Lebanese should not indulge crucial step to overcoming the country’s upheaval, which has lasted more than six months. On September 2, Algerian Army in Hezbollah-induced fantasies Chief-of-Staff General Ahmed Gaid Salah called for setting in motion the procedures Khairallah Khairallah that could ensure that elections take place this year. When Hezbollah fired rockets at two Israeli armoured vehicles in Avimim, it harmed Algeria’s state news agency cited Gaid Salah above all Lebanon, which constantly complains of Israeli violations of Resolution 1701. saying that “it was appropriate to summon the electorate on September 15.” He added that in Baabda openly declare that “elections can be held within the deadlines t might have been useful to economy when it is hostage to an provided for by law.” have a meeting with a politi- Lebanon has its own agenda, that armed sectarian militia serving a The country’s election law states that cal and economic agenda in this agenda is totally different foreign power called Iran, which Interim President Abdelkader Bensalah must Baabda Palace, the head- from the Israeli and the Iranian has major problems with the issue the necessary decree for summoning the quarters of the Lebanese agendas and that Lebanon is world, especially with the United electoral college so voting could take place in president. However, what keen on maintaining UN Security States. December. Iwould have been more useful Council Resolution 1701 meant to As long as there is no explicit The Algerian Army’s attempts at keeping would have been to be daring halt “hostilities” between Israel and frank Lebanese official control of the situation are frustrated by the enough to call a spade a spade and Hezbollah? position regarding Hezbollah and refusal of protest leaders of any accommoda- instead of escaping the dire reali- That seems to be the biggest its militia and there are those tion that does not include a complete overhaul ties facing the country. challenge to such meetings, who say that “official” Lebanon of the electoral law and a total purge of There is a persistent blindness which, above all else, are cannot engage in any kind of frank members of the Bouteflika regime. among the Lebanese as to the required not to provide cover for dialogue with Hezbollah, meetings Gaid Salah warned that the army would “not reasons the situation in Lebanon any breach of Resolution 1701, like the one in Baabda or anywhere tolerate any attempt to undermine the work of has deteriorated to the point of despite vile Israeli practices. If else will be useless. state institutions.” having sanctions imposed on it, what is required is protecting In fact, such meetings reveal the Algeria has avoided the bloodshed that such as sanctions placed against Lebanon and not fall into the extent to which the situation of the marked uprisings in the region since 2011. The Jamal Trust Bank, which is a Iranian trap, possessing and Lebanese state has deteriorated. future of the country’s peace and that of its Lebanese bank holding deposits showing foresight becomes All the state could do was watch hydrocarbon-rich economy hinges, to a great unavoidable. extent, on Algerian elites’ ability to restore of Lebanese citizens and perhaps Hezbollah violate Resolution stability and go back to work. of non-Lebanese as well. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad 1701, which, until further notice, In another part of the Middle East, Palestin- On this anniversary of the Hariri may have best expressed constitutes the only protection for ians are not pinning much hope on the out- proclamation of the State of this far-sightedness during a Lebanon. come of the forthcoming Israeli vote. Israeli Greater Lebanon 99 years ago, recent visit to Washington, where In the absence of the state’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu seems to talking about Lebanon’s recent he listened to US warnings of the ability to say enough is enough, to strongly believe in his chances to beat Blue and history is easy. What remains dangers facing Lebanon and admit that the idea of striking White’s leader Benny Gantz, his main rival, in difficult is admitting reality called for the development a balance of military power the elections scheduled for September 17. instead of sugarcoating it with of Resolution 1701. He This big talk about with Israel is not realistic Ganz might think, as he said recently, that high-sounding slogans that explicitly called for “resistance” is and that there is no such Netanyahu’s “contributions to the State of Lebanon is supposed to have a transition from a nothing but empty thing as a deterrent Israel have ended” but the Israeli prime outgrown a long time ago. “cessation of hostilities” rhetoric intended to force called Hezbollah minister does not see it that way. He is multi- This is all-the-more true to a full-fledged hide the real or “Hezbollah rockets,” plying his moves towards cementing his because the country has suffered ceasefire so people in objective, which is forming an economic right-wing base of support. On September 1, he from the presence of illegal southern Lebanon, in the elimination of the emergency body and the announced again his intent to annex West weapons for half a century. particular, and in all of like would be useless. Bank settlements. institutions of the In the beginning, the illegal Lebanon, in general, could Lebanese state. Israel did not respond for “With God’s help we will extend Jewish weapons were Palestinian, then enjoy stability, rather than its own reasons but what will sovereignty to all the settlements as part of the they became militias’ until they turning the entire country into happen tomorrow if the Jewish (biblical) Land of Israel, as part of the State of an Iranian card. Israel,” he said. turned into Iranian arms brought state finds it in its best interest to During his campaign, Netanyahu is keeping a by the Syrian occupation to serve In the absence of a willingness respond and that it is time to raise close embrace of US President Donald Trump, the objectives of a minority to confront Hezbollah with the the issue of the precise missiles who has moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem regime in Damascus. negative role it is playing in that Hezbollah claims to possess? and recognised Israel’s annexation of the Those who recently met at Lebanon at every level, including When Hezbollah fired rockets at Golan Heights. Baabda Palace could have looked in terms of changing the nature two Israeli armoured vehicles in Not willing to cause adverse ripples in at the many events showing that of the Shia community in Avimim, near the Lebanese border, Netanyahu’s campaign, Washington has the real problem in Lebanon is Lebanon, a community that it harmed above all Lebanon, consistently postponed the unveiling of its Hezbollah’s weapons. had been among the most which constantly complains of long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan Hezbollah, which is only open societies to modernity Israeli violations of Resolution until after Israel’s elections. For an administra- a brigade in Iran’s Islamic and progress in the region for a 1701. tion that is not interested in unsettling its Revolutionary Guard Corps, long time, there is no need for a Israel has preferred to pretend traditionally close ties to its Israeli allies, responded through southern meeting of any kind in Baabda or that what happened was a especially ahead of the US 2020 vote, the Lebanon to an Israeli military anywhere else for that matter. transient incident, with whatever eternally elusive Palestinian peace formula strike targeting its members in The Lebanese Shia community that position implies in terms will have to wait a little bit more. Syria. Regardless of the Israeli has strong links to the interests of weakening the Lebanese Even if peacemaking is not one of the chief agenda, which is closely linked of its members, who are spread government’s position in its concerns of the Israeli contenders, there could to its September 17 elections throughout the world. So, what dealings with the international be an Arab factor involved in the vote. that will determine the future is the benefit to Hezbollah when community. In fact, the Ayman Odeh, the leader of the Arab faction of Prime Minister Binyamin it jeopardises the interests and international community is in the Israeli parliament, has reached out to Gantz, reflecting a new desire by the Arab Netanyahu, “official” Lebanon safety of every Shia businessman beginning to wonder if there is minority, which constitutes one-fifth of the was oblivious to what was in Lebanon and abroad? still a state in Lebanon, a state that population of Israel, to be part of the electoral happening on its territory. This big talk about exercises sovereignty over every process and of any future Blue and White The other side equally with “resistance” is nothing but square metre of its territory. Where government. an agenda is Iran and it wanted empty rhetoric intended to hide does Lebanon stand in light of “The truth is we could be the real deciding to prove that southern Lebanon the real objective, which is the Iranian and Israeli agendas? factor in this election,” Odeh told the Associ- is one of the cards it can play elimination of the institutions of ated Press. whenever and however it wants. the Lebanese state. There can be Khairallah Khairallah is a Could a meeting like the one no recovery for a country or its Lebanese writer. September 8, 2019 7 OpinionOpinion Europe’s asylum policies are Published by Al Arab arbitrary and set a bad example Publishing House Rashmee Roshan Lall Publisher The new Europe — its president, commission and parliament — needs to resolve and Group Executive Editor the issue — a tall order — or at least defuse some of its political explosiveness. Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD

n the weeks until she The UN High Commissioner for Editor-in-Chief takes charge as president Refugees says there have been Oussama Romdhani of the European Commis- 43,000 this year but even this sion, Ursula von der Leyen is politically charged. and her transition team Italy, for instance, passed Managing Editor have been trying to work a security law in August that Iman Zayat Iout portfolios and initiatives. punishes migrant aid and The one thing no one is really rescue ships as accomplices Deputy Managing Editor mentioning but which needs of human traffickers. The and Online Editor doing is migration. law, pushed by Italy’s hard- Mamoon Alabbasi Four years after the crisis line former Interior Minister that sent a million Syrians to Matteo Salvini, is a violation Europe, setting off a chain of international maritime law, Senior Editor reaction that upended politics which cites an obligation to John Hendel across the continent, Europe assist anyone in distress at sea still lacks a common asylum but it is Italian law, at least for policy. now. Chief Copy Editor The prevailing system is There is no clarity that arbitrary and unfair, putting an the new government that Richard Pretorius intolerable burden on front-line took charge in Rome as of Copy Editors countries, provoking bickering September 5 will address the Unfair system. A refugee family show their papers to a policeman as Stephen Quillen between EU members and hideousness at the core of they arrive at a detention camp in northern Greece. (AFP) casting doubt on the fact an that law. The only positive Kyle Arensdorf internationally respected indication is that Salvini’s asylum and refugee convention successor as interior minister on the humanitarian rescue president of the European exists. is Luciana Lamorgese, a civil at sea of uninvited migrants Parliament, recently said that if Gulf Section Editor Europe’s growing reluctance servant and migration policy by ending naval patrols. The Europe cannot protect migrants Mohammed Alkhereiji to take in refugees, together specialist. She has been rationale was that patrols at sea “it has lost its soul, as with the disdain shown them closely involved in refugee emboldened people smugglers. well as its heart.” Soon, it will Society and Travel by Donald Trump’s America, and migrant reception centres This is unconscionable. The be time for von der Leyen, the Sections Editor is setting a terrible example. A in northern Italy and has new Europe — its president, new European Commission Samar Kadi lengthening list of countries promoted emollient migrant commission and parliament president, to offer her view of that have traditionally hosted integration events and policies. — needs to resolve the issue how things stand and how they Senior Correspondents migrants and asylum seekers A new Italian interior — a tall order — or at least might be remade. Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) — from and India in minister or even new defuse some of its political Outsourcing migration Asia to Peru and Trinidad and legislative action in Italy — explosiveness. control to Turkey’s and Libya’s Thomas Seibert (Istanbul)

How might this be done? Tobago in the Americas — are changing the law, repealing it changing powers-that-be is not Regular Columnists forcing refugees to leave. or writing a new one — cannot Nothing is easy, especially at seemly, right or sustainable. Nor Turkey recently cracked down hide the basic reality. Europe this point, but two clear actions is a see-nothing-hear-nothing- Rashmee Roshan Lall on undocumented migrants, needs to find a way to address would point the way forward. say-nothing policy that allows Claude Salhani with implications for an the migration issue, urgently, Europe could offer financial political forces in European Yavuz Baydar already overcrowded Greek sustainably and appropriately. incentives to countries that countries to render the migrant asylum camp on the island of Italy is not the only EU country share the migrant load and an unperson. Lesbos. seeking to deny entry to penalise those that refuse. Correspondents Why this should be the case migrant rescue vessels. Malta It could provide money and Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Nazli Tarzi (London) is a mystery. Much smaller and France, too, have refused manpower to a system for columnist for The Arab Weekly. numbers of migrants are permission. expedited processing of Her blog can be found at www. Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) crossing the Mediterranean In March, the European asylum claims. rashmee.com and she is on Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) into Europe compared to 2015. Union pretty much gave up David Sassoli, the new Twitter: @rashmeerl. Roua Khlifi (Tunis)

Chief Designer Living in Trump’s America Marwen el-Hmedi

Claude Salhani Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir The latest incidents are unrelated except that they both have to do with Arabs and the Hanen Jebali way they are treated in the United States under Trump’s directives on immigration.

wo incidents leaving his home in Iraq. He your home, your community, and Border Protection (CBP) Contact editor at: concerning the was an infant at the time. your friends, a place where found Ajjawi “inadmissible [email protected] treatment of Arabs Despite that he had lived in you feel safe and relocated in a to the country based on in Donald Trump’s the United States nearly his country in turmoil where you information discovered during United States, a entire life, Aldaoud found his are a complete stranger, where the CBP inspection.” country that this name on a deportation list you have no family nor friends A statement by the CBP said Tpresident is trying to turn into along with hundreds of Iraqi The second case concerns “applicants must demonstrate the opposite of what it was nationals. He was sent to Iraq Ismail B. Ajjawi, a 17-year- they are admissible into the Al Arab Publishing House meant to be by the founding in June. old Lebanese man who was United States by overcoming Quadrant Building fathers. There are numerous cases moving to the United States to ALL grounds of inadmissibility.” 177-179 Hammersmith Road The incidents are unrelated like Aldaoud’s. What makes study at Harvard University. A CBP spokeswoman told the London W6 8BS except that they both have to this one different is that He faces negotiations with Washington Post that applicants do with Arabs and the way they Aldaoud died in Baghdad and immigration officers to allow for admission to the United are treated in the United States his death may give him the him to enter the United States are subject to complete under Trump’s directives on final word in this matter. States after he was booted inspections upon arrival and Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 immigration. His body was being returned back to Lebanon. The reason that no one can enter until Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 The first case concerns to the United States for burial. immigration officers refused the examining officer is fully Jimmy Aldaoud, a 41-year-old The costs of flying the body him entry to the United States? satisfied. native of Iraq who was taken to to the United States and the His friends have anti-American The applicant bears the the United States as an infant funeral are being paid for by posts on their social media burden of proof for admission US Publisher: and lived in the Detroit area the Chaldean Community outlets. into the country, said the The Arab Weekly USA LLC. since then. Foundation. Ajjawi arrived at Boston spokeswoman. This is a sad story The Chaldeans are Logan International Airport “The university is working [email protected] but, then, all Iraqi Christians, on August 27 and spent eight closely with the student’s family [email protected] refugee stories Ajjawi, who is an important hours there before immigration and appropriate authorities to are sad. Each is Palestinian and minority. The officials sent him packing, a resolve this matter so that he Tel: 248-679-6624 a tragedy. No lives in Lebanon, Chaldeans have statement he released to the can join his classmates in the one leaves a insisted he’d never been around Harvard Crimson newspaper coming days,” said Harvard place they love made any political since biblical said. spokesman Jonathan Swain. unless they are posts and days. Prayers Immigration officers Two Harvard students and forced to. shouldn’t be in Chaldean reportedly questioned him two scholars were barred from about his religious practices Regrettably, penalised for his churches are entry in January 2017 when the there are many said in Chaldean, and asked him to unlock his Trump administration enacted friends’ actions. Subscription & Advertising: reasons that a language close phone and laptop for a search. a travel ban on seven majority- [email protected] push someone to to Aramaic, the Ajjawi said the officers wanted Muslim nations, Swain said. Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 emigrate. People leave language spoken by to know about his online Ajjawi was eventually allowed their country of birth for Jesus. friends and their posts. to enter the United States in political reasons. They US Representative Andy Ajjawi, who is Palestinian time for the first day of classes Mohamed Al Mufti may be in danger of arrest and Levin, a Michigan Democrat, and lives in Lebanon, insisted at Harvard, September 3. Marketing & Advertising often arrest means torture said Aldaoud had diabetes and he’d never made any political Manager and death. People move suffered from schizophrenia posts and shouldn’t be Claude Salhani is a regular for economic reasons; they and other mental health issues. penalised for his friends’ columnist for The Arab Weekly Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 cannot find work in their home He spoke no and had no actions. and a senior fellow at the www.alarab.co.uk country. family ties in Iraq. The US State Department Institute of World Affairs in Aldaoud had no say in Imagine being forced to leave confirmed that US Customs Washington. 8 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis Syria Russia and Iran tussle for Syria’s war spoils

Simon Speakman Cordall countries are positioning them- selves against a possible Chinese economic incursion. Tunis Syria has the third-largest phos- phate deposits in the world and longside Iran’s and Rus- because of a 50-year monopoly sia’s campaigns to re- granted the Russian company store Syrian President Stroytransgaz, Russia is well-po- A Bashar Assad’s monop- sitioned to benefit. oly on power has run a parallel CRU, a commodity research campaign carving up much of firm, told the Financial Times the country’s resources in antici- that Syria’s phosphate exports pation of a postwar peace when would total 460,000 tonnes this trade with Damascus is again pos- year, up from 328,000 tonnes in sible. 2018, though it conceded that this might not include all exports, some of which exit the country For Russia, phosphate, a through Lebanon. key ingredient in Syria’s phosphate remains un- fertiliser, and other sanctioned, though providing natural resources have material support to the Assad re- proven key focuses. gime does, making it hard to pin down exact trade figures. Over the last eight years, much However, there is friction be- of Syria has been reduced to rub- tween Tehran and Moscow. Iran ble. Entire cities have been lev- and its proxies were among the elled as Damascus and its allies first to claim the phosphate-rich sought to reclaim land from ji- fields at Kanifish and Al-Sharqiya hadist and rebel forces. Into this near Palmyra in 2017. The follow- vacuum has been flowing a steady ing year, concession was granted stream of currency from Russia to Russia, with approximately and Iran as they seek to consoli- 30% of the phosphate extracted date their military gains and reap going to the Syrian state. what they can of Syria’s anticipat- In addition, to its gains in phos- Economic encroachment. An employee works inside a factory of Saipa Syria, the Syrian branch of the ed peace dividend. phate and natural gas conces- Iranian car making company, in the industrial city of Hassia in Homs. (Reuters) For Russia, phosphate, a key sions, Moscow reportedly lined ingredient in fertiliser, and other up advance deals for Russian natural resources have proven key companies to provide electrical national Airport to the city centre of which are primed to play key interest for Tehran, its priorities focuses. Iran has concentrated on power to the city of Homs, build and construct a variety of indus- roles in Syria’s development. appear to lie elsewhere. A memo- services and infrastructure. Both a rail line from Damascus Inter- trial plants across the country, all Though phosphate remains an randum of understanding signed by Damascus and Tehran in 2017 covered phosphate exploration and access to the country’s tel- ecommunication market. Washington’s threats fall on deaf ears in Syria After several failed starts, the Syrian government announced Sami Moubayed tivity once they were given written Trade Fair, which has snowballed — Oman and the United Arab Emir- in February that the government assurances from the Iranians that it into a low-key defiance of US sanc- ates — even took part in the event, was working with an Iranian com- was not headed to Syria. tions. A much-publicised annual in total disregard of the US threat. pany to establish and operate a Beirut Transferring Iranian oil to Syria event that was suspended in 2011 Analysts were dumbfounded mobile telecommunications net- has become exceptionally tricky and resumed in 2017, it is used by on what to make of the latest US work in Syria. This is in addition he saga of the Iranian su- since the United States renewed Syrian authorities to promote their threats. On one front, it seems the to Iran’s state-funded Al-Alam TV pertanker Adrian Darya I, sanctions on Tehran last November. “economic and political comeback” Trump administration was going channel, which has been broad- sailing the eastern Medi- Previously, Iran sent approximately to the international community. into very nitty-gritty details on Syr- casting from Syria since 2017. T terranean since July, has 1 million barrels of oil to Syria per For two years, big companies ia, determined to strangle the coun- As both countries make inroads reportedly come to an end. As ex- month, all on credit. from friendly countries, such as try into submission to achieve its into Syrian markets, competition pected, it is off the Syrian coast pre- Over the past ten months, howev- Russia, China, India, Iraq, Lebanon objective. At present, that is neither is never far. Russia is reported to paring to unload parts, if not all, of er, the Iranians started demanding and Iran, participated in the fair. regime change nor decapitation have actively blocked Iran from its 2.1 million barrels of oil in Syria, upfront cash payments, because of This year, however, the United but, rather, the clipping of Iranian playing a leading role in the re- in defiance of US and EU sanctions. US sanctions that are biting hard on States came out with a thunder- influence in Syria. construction of southern Damas- Syria’s tankers are sanctioned the Iranian economy. The Syrian ing statement days before the fair Yet on another, the United States cus in February 2018. However, and so are its ports but, technically, government, also in dire economic opened August 28, warning inves- seems to be speaking loudly but with war then engulfing much of private ships stationed in Syrian conditions, has no money to make tors and businessmen from partici- taking no serious action. Every- Syria, commercial rivalries be- territorial waters are not, meaning such hefty payments, relying on pating. body knew that the Adrian Darya tween allies was deemed to be of that the Adrian Darya I will likely private sector businessmen to do “We have received reports that I was headed for Syria, yet the secondary importance. unload its goods onto four Syrian the job on its behalf. some regional businessmen or Americans did nothing to prevent “Much of the drive to invest ships, which would transfer them The oil aboard the Adrian Darya I chambers of commerce plan to par- its docking or its release from the in Syria comes from what both to a refinery in Baniyas, south of is worth an estimated $130 million. ticipate in the Damascus Interna- Strait of Gibraltar in August. US Iran and Russia see as its even- the port city of Latakia. Tanker Trackers, an online mari- tional Trade Fair. We reiterate our drones clearly spotted the Iranian tual normalisation,” said Nicholas US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo time monitoring website, stated warning that anyone doing busi- oil entering Syria yet nothing was Heras, a fellow at the Centre for a said he knew this all along, claiming that 17 million barrels of oil were ness with the Assad regime or its done to prevent it. New American Security. “By that via Twitter that he had “reliable in- sent to Syria from Iran from August associates are exposing themselves “I don’t think that the US was point, both countries will have formation” that the Iranian vessel 2018-July 2019, an average of 1.42 to the possibility of US sanctions,” caught off guard,” said Russian secured footholds in all the major was headed to Syria. The US Depart- million barrels per month. So much the US Embassy in Syria warned in a Middle East expert Dmitriy Frolovs- industries allowing them to profit ment of Treasury threatened to sanc- for US sanctions, which neither Da- statement posted on Twitter. kiy. “Washington was well aware of from any investment. tion anybody providing assistance to mascus nor Tehran — nor Moscow Fair organisers took a long hard what was going to happen and just “Defence is another area of the Iranian ship, which would pre- for that matter — seem to be taking breath, expecting an avalanche of let it go. intense interest, between Iran sumably include British authorities seriously. last-minute cancellations. That “Despite the rhetoric, the White and Russia. Both are positioning in Gibraltar who released the vessel Coinciding with the vessel story did not happen, however, and two House has no intentions of putting themselves to be the principal in mid-August after six weeks of cap- was the Damascus International Gulf Cooperation Council countries Iran into the corner but rather hop- supplier of military hardware to ing for the same North Korea-type Syria, long after any kind of peace of negotiations at the end and this is secured.” is why I don’t see anything unusual Russia has provided Damascus in the issue of the Adrian Darya I.” with the S-300 missile defence For now, the United States has system. Iran is reported to have sanctioned the Iranian vessel and established missile and weapon its captain but that won’t deter development plants across Syria. Tehran from exporting its sanc- “However, textiles, processed tioned oil to the sanctioned tankers foods, even retail have all been of Syria. subject to Iranian and Russian in- Likewise, will the United States vestment,” Heras said. sanction UAE business figures, The gradual economic en- wrecking its relationship with a re- croachment on Syria has been liable Gulf ally, for the sake of fair moving in fits and starts since participation in Syria? the battle for Aleppo in 2016, he Last year, the Americans warned said. Focused on regime-held ar- the United Arab Emirates against eas, the commercial interests of reopening its embassy in Damas- the two allies have broadened as cus, saying that no partner of the more territory has become secure. United States should take part in “Militarily, both countries have legitimising the government in Da- invested heavily in Syria. Now, mascus. they’re looking to consolidate However, the embassy opened in their long-term interests there,” December as did those of Heras said, “They’re perfectly and Jordan, two other strong Arab happy for Assad to retain politi- allies of the United States. cal control, they just need him to safeguard their investments.” Sami Moubayed is a Syrian his- torian and author of “Under the Simon Speakman Cordall is a Business is business. People inspect a stall at the Damascus International Trade Fair, August 30. (AFP) Black Flag” (IB Tauris, 2015). freelance writer. September 8, 2019 9 News & Analysis Egypt, hope to achieve elusive unity amid regional challenges

Amr Emam edented,” said Mohamed Hegazi, a former assistant to the Egyp- tian foreign minister. “Iran is also Cairo using its arms to destabilise the countries of the region, in an ap- gypt and Kuwait are ap- parent bid to realise an old Farsi parently prepared to try to expansionist dream.” propel Arab countries into Sisi said, during his meeting E more unity despite grow- with Sheikh Sabah, that the secu- ing regional challenges. rity of the Gulf region was insepa- The effort was at the centre of rable from that of Egypt. He and conversation as Egyptian Presi- the emir stressed the need to en- dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travelled hance Arab cooperation to meet to Kuwait August 31 at the invita- the challenges facing the region. tion of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah “This is especially important, Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. given the diverse and dangerous Sisi met with several Kuwaiti crises fellow Arab states face,” Sisi officials, including Sheikh Sabah, said. to discuss bilateral ties, counter- He commended Kuwait for terrorism cooperation and region- working to politically settle crises al developments. in the Arab world, especially in “The two leaders also discussed Yemen, the Egyptian Presidency means of boosting bilateral rela- spokesman said. tions, especially in the light of Speculation was rife ahead of the positive results of Egypt’s Sisi’s visit on whether the stand- economic reform programme,” off between the Arab Quartet — Egyptian Presidency spokesman Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United A focus on security. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (L) receiving Egyptian Bassam Radi said. Arab Emirates and Bahrain — and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Kuwait City, September 1. (KUNA) The visit acquired special im- Qatar would be part of discus- portance in the light of develop- sions in Kuwait City. ments in the region, analysts said. Two days before Sisi arrived in mands in the list submitted by Gulf state in January 2015 and in from Kuwait International Airport Iran is stepping up destabilising Kuwait, Speaker of the Kuwaiti Arab Quartet members,” Shoukry May 2017. to Bayan Palace. activities, threatening maritime National Assembly Marzouq al- told the Saudi MBC channel Sep- Egypt and Kuwait have enjoyed Kuwait invests more than $15 navigation in the Arab Gulf and Ghanim, arrived in Doha with a tember 1. “This is why the boycott special ties since Kuwait’s inde- billion in Egypt’s private and gov- the Strait of Hormuz. message from Sheikh Sabah to is still intact.” pendence in 1961. Like in other ernment sectors. There are more Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin He described Qatari policies as Gulf states, Egyptian teachers, than 1,200 Kuwaiti companies Hamad al-Thani. “negative” and harmful to region- doctors and engineers were in- operating in Egypt. Annual trade Speculation was rife Qatari Defence Minister Khalid al stability. strumental in putting Kuwait on exchange between the two coun- ahead of Sisi’s visit on Al Attiyah had earlier said Doha Saudi Arabia, the United Arab track as a state. tries amounts to $3 billion. whether the standoff was open to “unconditional dia- Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut Kuwaiti students enroll at “Apart from their strong eco- between the Arab Quartet logue.” diplomatic and trade ties with schools and universities in Cairo. nomic and investment coopera- and Qatar would be part A day after Sisi left Kuwait, a Qatar in July 2017 in reaction to It was an Egyptian who estab- tion, Egypt and Kuwait stand a of discussions in Kuwait Qatari delegation met with Sheikh Doha’s alleged destabilising role lished the first theatre in Kuwait. good chance of mending Arab City. Sabah. in the region and its suspected The first head of the University fences,” said Hassan Salama, a Egyptian Foreign Minister sponsorship of terrorist move- of Kuwait was Egyptian. Kuwait’s professor of political science at Affiliates of the Muslim Broth- Sameh Shoukry said Qatar was ments. The quartet submitted first constitution was drafted by Cairo University. “The two coun- erhood in Yemen are working not a “direct issue” in the talks demands to Doha, including the an Egyptian. tries follow what can be described with the Iran-aligned Houthi mi- between Sisi and Sheikh Sabah. handover of dozens of wanted This was probably why Sisi was as ‘quite diplomacy,’ which quali- litia to undermine a Saudi-led He said they had discussed the figures. Qatar has not met any of warmly received in Kuwait City fies them for a bigger role in bring- coalition trying to end the Houthi situation in the Gulf Cooperation the demands. and by the Kuwaiti media. Photos ing Arab states closer together.” insurgency. Council area and regional efforts This was Sisi’s third visit to Ku- of the Egyptian president, along- “Current threats to the security to overcome challenges. wait since becoming president in side picture of Sheikh Sabah, were Amr Emam is an Arab Weekly of the Arab Gulf are just unprec- “Qatar had not fulfilled de- Egypt in June 2014. He visited the posted along the sides of the road contributor in Cairo. Cairo initiative fails to make inroads into Libya crisis

Ahmed Megahid curity system in Africa and threaten ment said that Chad’s border with Europe’s security via the Mediterra- Libya is becoming uncontrollable. nean, analysts said. Terrorist groups losing territory Cairo “The situation in Libya is get- and influence in Syria and Iraq are ting more complicated,” said Gihad reportedly relocating to Africa, n Egyptian initiative for Auda, a professor of international taking advantage of poor security a political settlement of relations at Helwan University in conditions, poverty and the lack of the conflict in Libya came Egypt. “The country is turning into preparedness by local law enforce- A short of bringing the coun- an open battlefield, especially with ment. try’s warring parties together, de- Qatar and Turkey maintaining and spite the international dimension it even increasing support to terrorist is taking. and Islamist militias.” The Egyptian The Egyptian Foreign Ministry The Libyan National Army said it government has beefed declared the initiative in mid-Au- is moving towards fully controlling up security on Egypt’s gust, days after it invited dozens of Tripoli and purging the capital of 1,200km border with Libyan lawmakers, political activ- Islamist militias. It staged several Libya, a very expensive ists and public and tribal figures for raids against the stations of Turkey- undertaking. talks in Cairo. supplied drones. Over three days, the Libyan del- Libya is still apparently implod- There are growing fears that ter- egation debated the way ahead for Closing ranks. Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui (C) ing, which is proving very costly to rorists from Syria and Iraq shifting their country and means of ending meets with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry (L) and Algerian the country’s neighbours and turn- to Libya and other African countries the crisis politically. Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum to discuss the Libyan conflict in ing into a threat for all of Africa, would create chaos and a wave of They approved the Egyptian ini- Tunis, June 12. (AFP) with terrorist organisations, espe- refugees towards Europe. tiative, which calls for distributing cially the Islamic State (ISIS) and al- “These are not exaggerated fears, Libya’s wealth equitably among all Qaeda, eyeing expansion. given the fact that Libya is becoming regions, disbanding militias and Tripoli disapproved of it, accusing prove a political settlement.” Egypt has complained that arms a principal base for terrorist organi- adopting a united position from Egypt of “flagrant” interference in Egypt has been trying to rally in- reaching ISIS in Sinai come from sations bent on expanding presence Libya’s political forces against for- Libyan affairs. ternational support for the initiative Libya. in Africa,” said Amani al-Taweel, an eign interference in Libyan affairs. Reaction to the initiative under- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah The Egyptian government has African affairs specialist at Egyptian The initiative calls on the United scored Libya’s deep rifts that threat- al-Sisi raised it at August’s G7 sum- beefed up security on Egypt’s think-tank Ahram Centre for Politi- Nations and the international com- en to keep the conflict raging, ana- mit in France. Cairo is reportedly 1,200km border with Libya, a very cal and Strategic Studies. munity to deal with the Tobruk- lysts said. addressing the UN Security Coun- expensive undertaking. Despite “Terrorist groups in Libya offer based House of Representatives as “This is particularly so with the cil, the African Union and Libya’s this, terrorist groups in Libya have others active in Nigeria, Chad, Mali the sole representative of the Liby- conflict reflecting international po- neighbouring countries on the ini- smuggled weapons and sometimes and sub-Saharan Africa with logisti- an people. larisation on what is happening in tiative. attacked sites in Egypt’s Western cal and financial support, which is The House of Representatives the country,” said Fayez Jibril, a for- Without a firm international posi- Desert. why Libya and Africa are badly in approved the initiative, especially mer Libyan ambassador to Egypt. tion on the war in Libya and action Chadian President Idriss Deby need of rescue.” commending its focus on finding “There is a growing need for the against regional sponsors of militias said approximately 22 million fire- a peaceful solution to the war in United Nations to forcefully inter- there, Libya risks sliding deeper into arms had been smuggled from Libya Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian Libya. However, the government in vene to make warring parties ap- violence that could collapse the se- into the Sahara region. His govern- reporter in Cairo. 10 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis Palestine Israel

Viewpoint Occupied West Bank at core of Israeli vote

tional law and with UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497,” said the EU foreign policy chief Yousef Alhelou Federica Mogherini. It is important to know that the West Bank, including East Jerusa- ith God’s lem, which has been sliced into iso- help, we will lated Bantustans and surrounded apply Jewish by a 750km illegal separation wall “ sovereignty is inhabited by about 3 million over all Palestinians, while about 700,000 communi- Israeli settlers live in settlements ties asW part of the land of Israel and protected posts connected by a and the State of Israel. We will not network of roads. uproot anyone [Jewish settlers] Netanyahu also made a rare visit here,” said Israeli Prime Minister to the occupied West Bank city of Binyamin Netanyahu. Hebron, in what seems to be an Netanyahu made his vow to attempt to gather public support impose Israeli sovereignty on the among settlers there. Victory or prison. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gestures as he speaks during a cere- occupied West Bank as a whole “Netanyahu is a serial offender, mony in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron, September 4. (AP) September 1 during a visit to the at times stealing from the public settlement of Elkana. and giving to his tycoon friends The statement came when Israel and at other times pushing the was already destroying Palestin- State of Israel towards committing ians houses, neighbourhoods and the war crime of annexation that Netanyahu panders to the villages, revoking residency per- will lead to the death of countless mits of Palestinians in Jerusalem Palestinians and Israelis,” said and ignoring racist settler attacks. Chairman of Joint List at the Israeli This means the Palestinian Knesset Ayman Odeh. right, attacks media in Authority is not needed anymore Only the end of the occupa- as a “peace partner” to resolve the tion will give both sides — Israelis ongoing decades-long conflict. and Palestinians — hope for the Netanyahu’s words came two future. The peace process was final stretch of campaign weeks before Israelis vote in a gen- undermined by relentless Israeli eral election. Such remarks show policies designed to strangle any he hopes to win the votes of the chances for stability and peace in Manuel Langendorf gradual manner, less harm would Minister Ayelet Shaked, a rising star extreme trends in various settler the region. be done to relations with Arab on the right, warned that the party’s groups and political factions. He Netanyahu hopes to boost his countries than a direct annexation, potential seats would be handed to affirmed on several occasions that popularity ahead of the September London he said. the left. he won’t allow the establishment 17 elections, following the blow to Nour Odeh, a political analyst Amid all the political manoeu- of a Palestinian state. his dignity after he failed to form or the unofficial start of Is- and former Palestinian government vring, there have reportedly been After each announcement of a viable coalition government last rael’s campaign ahead of spokeswoman, said Netanyahu’s attempts to sideline Netanyahu building or expanding settlements, April. That failure cost him dearly the September 17 election statements showed his need to gar- to forge a deal between Likud and Palestinian officials express their even at the external front: The F and the opening of the new ner support and that he feels “more other parties. Gantz raised the pos- condemnation and call on the in- American-proposed Deal of the school year, Israeli Prime Minister empowered than ever before,” in sibility of leading a liberal, Zionist ternational community to react. Century was put on hold and is Binyamin Netanyahu visited the part because of support from the unity government with Likud and “Israel’s PM is announcing expected to be published after the Jewish settlement of Elkana in the Trump administration. other parties that support his agen- further annexation of occupied ter- Israeli elections. occupied West Bank. Polling suggests a tight race be- da. Blue and White has previously ritory. Enough impunity: There’s It’s not known how the interna- Addressing first-grade students, tween Likud and the Blue and ruled out serving under Netanyahu an international responsibility to tional community would react to he said: “God willing, we will im- White alliance, run by Netanyahu’s while he has several corruption cas- impose sanctions on Israel after the annexation of the West Bank pose Israeli sovereignty in all the main rival, former military head es pending. One high-ranking Likud decades of systematic crimes,” but the Trump administration is communities as part of the land of Benny Gantz. official dismissed the possibility of Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat likely to accept it. Israel and the state of Israel.” In a polling average from August a unity government without Netan- posted on Twitter. Israel in August approved con- Under tight security, Netanyahu 16-September 1 compiled by Israeli yahu. The European Union or the struction permits for 715 new units also visited the West Bank city of newspaper Haaretz, Likud and Blue When Israelis go to the polls Sep- United Nations can only denounce in Palestinian towns in Area C in Hebron, where he vowed that Jews and White were tied with 31 out of tember 17, they will not only de- the move and remind Israel of its the West Bank. This decision was would “remain in it forever.” 120 seats in the Knesset. The Joint cide Netanyahu’s political future violations to international law but a move to prepare the ground for Less than two weeks before the List, an alliance of Arab parties, and but also influence his personal fate does that mean anything other extending Israeli sovereignty to elections, Netanyahu is pandering right-wing parties Yisrael Beytenu because he could be sentenced to than for Israel to continue to act the West Bank and to prevent the to the right wing to ensure his po- and Yamina would win 10.5 seats prison if a trial goes ahead and he is with impunity? founding of a Palestinian state. litical survival. The potential exten- each. To form a governing coalition, unable to secure parliamentary im- The European Union rejected The two-state solution is dead sion of sovereignty to the Jewish 61 seats are needed. munity. the idea of Israeli sovereignty in and the possibility of establishing a settlements in what most of the As was the case after the elections With or without Netanyahu, the West Bank and stated that it viable and contiguous Palestinian international community regards as last April, Avigdor Liberman, Yisrael Odeh said he saw little prospect of would create chaos and violence in state has vanished, so what other occupied Palestinian territory is a Beytenu’s leader, could become the real change for Palestinians without the Middle East when Netanyahu options are left for Palestinians crucial part of that. kingmaker. The Soviet-born politi- outside intervention, as Israeli poli- made his first promise last April. if the West Bank becomes part of Netanyahu also launched a scath- cian was once a close ally of Netan- tics had veered “too far to the right.” “The EU does not recognise Israel? ing attack against local media, sin- yahu but rejected calls to join the Israeli sovereignty over any of the gling out journalists and news exec- government this year over a dispute Manuel Langendorf is a writer territories occupied by Israel since Yousef Alhelou is a Palestinian utives of Channel 12 and its parent relating to military conscription focusing on the MENA region. June 1967, in line with interna- journalist living in London. company as part of a “terror attack rates for the ultra-Orthodox. against democracy.” Reporting by Ayman Odeh, the leader of the Channel 12 included excerpts from Joint List, sees a chance for in- the police investigation into a cor- creased Arab influence after the ruption case that Netanyahu could elections, having offered to join a be indicted for. moderate coalition under Gantz. Like statements about the settle- “The truth is we could be the real ments, attacks against the media deciding factor in this election,” are part of Netanyahu’s old play- Odeh told the Associated Press. book. The prime minister hopes to Whether Odeh’s offer will play a assure settlers and other right-wing role will to a large extent depend on groups that his Likud party is their the actions and results of smaller natural home, as he faces fierce right-wing parties. Netanyahu has competition on the right. been working to convince several The fact that Netanyahu did not smaller parties to drop out of the directly speak of annexation in El- race to avoid a situation in which kana “lends itself to extending cer- they fail to clear the 3.25% electoral tain Israeli laws and regulations to threshold. His goal is to not “waste” the Israeli settlements across the right-wing votes and instead collect West Bank rather than annexing the them for Likud. settlements and thus applying all The prime minister forged an Israeli laws to them at once,” said agreement with the Zehut party by Ofer Zalzberg, senior analyst in the which it would drop out of the race International Crisis Group’s Arab- in exchange for a ministerial post Israel Project. and the liberalisation of the medical Netanyahu avoided such steps in marijuana market. the past, Zalzberg said, but because Another right-wing force, the ex- of changes in the domestic and in- tremist Otzma Yehudit party, has ternational arena, he now seems refused to bow out of the race, even to think limited steps in that direc- after a reported offer by Netanyahu tion are feasible. If a few laws were to lower the electoral threshold for Severe restrictions. Palestinian pupils and teachers wait by a closed iron gate as an Israeli soldier gets extended to the settlements in a the next elections. Former Justice an authorisation to open it near al-Shuhada street in the West Bank town of Hebron, September 4. (AFP) September 8, 2019 11 Spotlight Education

Moroccan school year begins with dire lack of resources

Saad Guerraoui

Tetouan

he new school year has started in with shortages of textbooks, T bleak reports about social disparities in the education sector and a teachers’ protest over con- tracts. Despite measures by the Moroc- can Education Ministry to ensure a smooth start to the 2019-20 school year, levels 3 and 4 of primary edu- cation began classes September 5 without some textbooks because of shortages in the market. About 25 of the 390 approved manuals had been revised, drawing anger from parents with limited in- come. “It’s outrageous! Doesn’t the min- istry think of the poor before chang- ing the manuals?” asked a mother at a bookshop in the northern city of Tetouan. “And now we have to wait for at least two weeks to get some manu- als because of unavailability,” said Malika, the mother of an 8-year-old schoolchild. Fouad Chafiqi, director of cur- ricula at the Education Ministry, blamed publishers for the shortag- es. “There is no reason for a delay,” said Chafiqi, adding that publish- ers had enough time to provide the manuals. Off to a bumpy start. Khaled Ibn Al Walid primary school in Tetouan. (Saad Guerraoui) Publishers argued that the delay was linked to the printing of manu- Arabisation of education, which a path to permanent employment egations have hired some 55,000 indefinite employment contract. als abroad because Moroccan print- took place in Morocco in the 1980s staged a protest in Rabat, calling on teachers on renewable contracts “Unfortunately, after two succes- ing companies were unable to meet to boost conservatives and Islam- the Education Ministry to fulfil its since 2016 to address overcrowding sive talks, the ministry did not get the deadlines. ists against a strong leftist current, promises by ending the contractual in rural classrooms. the lesson and understand that it The Education Ministry adopted played an important part in the sec- procedure of hiring and improving Mohammed Youssfi, vice-secre- is necessary to give these teachers new programmes for levels 3 and 4 tor’s chronic failure. the image of public education. tary-general of the National Fed- their rights,” Youssfi said. of primary education, especially in Four days before the start of the Experts said they expect more eration of Teachers, said contracted Arabic, French, maths, science and new school year, teachers work- strikes to raise pressure on the min- teachers “are claiming their legiti- Saad Guerraoui is an Arab Weekly history-geography, as part of the ing on a contractual basis without istry, whose regional education del- mate and constitutional right” to an correspondent on Maghreb issues. 2015-30 strategic vision for the edu- cational reform. The vision, initiated by the Higher Council for Education (CSE), calls for the establishment of a school The hurdles to educational reform in Saudi Arabia system based on equity, equality, opportunity and quality for all and Zaki al-Soudeir pered different visions that seek a of Education so reforms do not eas- issue and not just a strategy devel- the advancement of the individual deep partnership between curricu- ily pass through the bureaucracy. oped by a government or a ministry. and society. lum and society as well as between Writer Wael al-Maliki had a more It is part of a nation’s national secu- The new programmes seek to al- Riyadh institutions and the individual.” optimistic outlook, pointing out rity strategy. low Moroccan students to study “The Ministry of Education that education had long been under “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia content corresponding to educa- year has passed since the should be quick in taking decisions the tutelage of the religious estab- recognises the importance of devel- tional developments at the interna- Saudi Ministry of Edu- and must be honest about the effi- lishment but the educational plan oping and modernising the educa- tional level, the Education Ministry cation introduced phi- ciency of those decisions and the in Vision 2030 should shift that re- tional system. This is why there is said. A losophy and law as new depth of its vision,” Samili added. sponsibility. the required political will behind subjects in Saudi schools and the Poet Mohammed Abdul Rahman “This tutelage from some reli- moving forward with education.” announcement of a strategic change al-Hefdhi said: “The past five dec- gious groups has indoctrinated The CSE drew a bleak in educational curricula involving a ades have created a trust gap and minds and society. Groups like the picture of the education new vision reflecting the ministry’s have made it more difficult to find Muslim Brotherhood have infil- Proposed curricula are sector that is bearing the outlook on the future of education. suitable foundations to build on for trated both education and people’s hampered by required brunt of social disparities in New educational positions go along a future equivalent to what is found minds and were able to mould edu- approval of radical its annual report released at with the reforms, such as the ap- in developed countries. Curricular cational curricula and especially revivalists in the Ministry of the end of August. pointment of English teacher Souad development has gone through a the religious syllabus, so it can con- Education so reforms do not al-Shammari as spokeswoman for difficult birth that we have expe- trol minds and achieve its political easily pass through the Book industry professionals vent- public education, rienced as students and that has goals and ambitions,” explained bureaucracy. ed their fury at the Education Minis- How do Saudi intellectuals look caught up with us as adults. It still Maliki. try for changing textbooks without at education in the kingdom after has not changed.” “This religious dominance in ed- “The kingdom’s Vision 2030 em- being consulted or given the oppor- these reforms and what do they “The educational environment ucation has always been opposed to phasises the centrality of education tunity to sell stocks of old books. think of the state of the field, which is not suitable for the evolution the introduction of the arts and phi- and the National Transformation Hassan Kamoun, president of has been hostage of the religious that we seek because the structure losophy and law in school curricula Programme 2020 gives great impor- the association of booksellers of El revival movement for 40 years, as of curricula and schools is at its and emphasised religious curricula. tance to education improvement Jadida and president of the Moroc- stated by Saudi Prince Khaled al- worst,” said Hefdhi. “Teachers, on This shows that these religious so that it can keep pace with the can Association of the French Book- Faisal when he was minister of edu- whom the realisation of the reforms groups, more specifically the reviv- transformations that Saudi Arabia is sellers, questioned the ministry’s cation? depends, are neglected and margin- alists, have hijacked education and experiencing in all areas of develop- suppression five years ago of an ar- Will curricular change the educa- alised and their simplest demands curricula but their project has fallen ment,” he said. ticle allowing booksellers to return tional system or should measures are ignored.” apart and is on its way out.” Salem said curriculum develop- stocks to publishers. be introduced gradually to ensure a Hefdhi said proposed curricula Writer Nawaf al-Salem, who has ment in education is a complex and The CSE drew a bleak picture of shift from a rote-learning approach are hampered by required approval a doctorate in educational philoso- continuous process. the education sector that is bearing to a more creative one? of radical revivalists in the Ministry phy, said: “Education is a societal “To find out how effective the the brunt of social disparities in its The Arab Weekly surveyed in- curriculum is and to analyse it, annual report released at the end tellectuals about Saudi Education there must be criteria through of August. An increasing number of Ministry plans and curricular devel- which we can evaluate our Saudi students choose the private sector opment in Saudi Arabia. curricula,” he said. “Among these with 14% of the 7 million students Writer Hassan bin Abdo Samili criteria, we can cite: the extent to enrolled during the 2016-17 school said delays in the development of which the curriculum focuses on year in private education, which the new curricula were indicative of citizenship and patriotism and on yields far better results than public a lack of a clear vision at the foun- respecting diversity and plural- education, the report stated. dational level of reform as well as of ity in society; the extent to which It warned that social disparities, a lack of an overall project that un- it highlights critical thinking and poverty and inadequate redistri- derpins objectives and new values creativity; the extent to which it is bution of income were hampering sought from reform. interested in human and women’s some students from receiving a “The current state of education, rights; the extent to which it rejects quality education. The CSE called which is tied to rote learning and and opposes extremist thought and for a school development model the reproduction of traditional edu- intolerance; and the importance it based on social justice three years cation, is no longer redemptive for gives to art and aesthetics apprecia- after the introduction of the 2015-30 a generation that believes in the tion, human issues and emotional strategic vision for the educational necessity of a change and a paradig- intelligence, humanisation of edu- reform. matic shift,” said Samili. “Perhaps cation and work and environment The Moroccan government has the educational institutions’ fear issues.” spent billions of dollars on educa- of change and risk-taking has ob- Major changes. A woman looks at a book during the Riyadh Book tional reform efforts. structed many initiatives and ham- Fair at the International Exhibition Centre in Riyadh. (Reuters) Zaki al-Soudeir is a Saudi writer. 12 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis Algeria Viewpoint Algerian, Sudanese Armies advance opposite but equally uncertain paths

Francis Ghilès

wo large countries in Africa have witnessed mass demonstrations that are altering the course of their history — Algeria and . TThe latter appears to be moving towards democratic rule. The former is locked in a standoff between the army high com- mand and the population. In neither country is the im- mediate future easy to read but the Sudanese and Algerian people have reclaimed a voice on the political stage, which they will not give up without a fight. Putting the democratic genie back into the bottle will be all but impossible in the medium term, even if episodes of violence occur in the meantime. Sudan is a tribal country that has witnessed bloody strife for decades, leading to the creation of a breakaway entity, a Christian- dominated state in the south. In Algeria, a civil war pitted the secu- rity forces against hard-line Islam- ists but there was never any risk of any part of the country seceding. Tribes disappeared as a political force in Algeria before independ- ence in 1962. In Sudan, outside forces, notably Saudi Arabia, play a key role in shaping domestic politics. Not so in Algeria, what- ever influence France and Russia Patience running thin. A demonstrator bangs a pot during a protest demanding social and economic reforms as well as the departure of may exert. the country’s ruling elite in Algiers, August 30. (Reuters) Unlike its Sudanese, let alone Egyptian or Syrian, counterparts, Algeria’s military emerged from a Algeria’s 150,000-troop military allow officers who have achieved the high command. However, he the juxtaposition of “the some- violent conflict against the colonial reflects every region and class in the rank of colonel to move to overstepped the mark when he times ferocious strength of a power, France. It acted as the mid- the country and its officer corps the private sector but on condi- commandeered the presidential succession of states and their wife to the state. Indeed, it created is highly educated. Western dip- tion they play by civilian rules. plane to fly to Ouargla where he simultaneous fragility and limita- it. It shares this unusual historical lomats and militaries agree that The need to institutionalise, craft publicly intimated to Interim tions” described by the historian role with its American and Israeli Algerian officers are as profes- rules and ensure transparency President Abdelkader Bensalah James McDougall in his “A History peers. sional as many of their peers in is a major challenge if Algeria is that he must call for presidential of Algeria.” Its influence on Algerian politics the Middle East. to build a more accountable and elections by September 15, with has, inevitably perhaps, been Following Nasser’s accession to modern system of government. the vote three months later. linked not only with the struggle power, the Egyptian officer corps Former Algerian President Gaid Salah’s humiliation of In Algeria, as in for independence but with Algeria was weakened when he surren- Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s disas- Bensalah came after the interim as a political concept writ large. dered much of the day-to-day trous legacy is that he appointed president’s refusal to endorse Sudan, a younger That its generals should play an processes over the military to Abd second-rate men he held in con- a list of appointments of senior more educated important role in politics is no al-Hakim Amer, in exchange for its tempt and could easily manipu- officers submitted by Gaid Salah. population is more surprising than in Israel. loyalty. The result was disastrous late through corruption. Hence, Gaid Salah is also trying, so far No constitutional article forbids over time as promotions based on his appointment of Ahmed Gaid without success, to push through unlikely to accept the Algerian Army from inter- patronage rather as military skill Salah as chief-of-staff in 2004 the appointment of new ambas- the authoritarian vening abroad. It did so in 1967, undermined the army’s capacity over far more competent senior sadors, many of whom owe him though it made clear to the United to fight. The result was the shat- officers. favours and are unsuited to their form of rule that has States that it was only dispatching tering defeat to Israel in 1967. The close ties Bouteflika wove proposed jobs. so long been the troops to Egypt to help defend Ga- In the 1980s, economic liber- between many of the senior As he puts himself and his norm in the broader mal Abdel Nasser’s regime during alisation combined with a desire military and security forces, family forward, Gaid Salah the Six-Day War. Its special com- to cut military costs allowed the crony entrepreneurs, whose rise should bear in mind that he is the Middle East. mandos have intervened in Libya, army to become an economic ac- from obscurity was the wonder spokesman of the majlis of senior not least in the spring of 2011, and tor in its own right while binding of Algiers, and key allies such as generals, no more. Some of them The Hirak and wiser councils in it has operated sparingly in Libya ever older officers to Egyptian Chakib Khelil, who was minister might think he is getting too big the army have avoided violence and Mali since then to guard the President Hosni Mubarak’s crony of energy for a decade after 1999, for his boots. because they understand that country’s frontiers. elite. The loss of military profes- have left Algeria bereft of func- Gaid Salah’s latest moves sug- history cannot simply be “written More publicly, it has operated sionalism was dramatic. tioning institutions. gest he holds the Hirak — as the about only in terms of upheaval, alongside its Tunisian counterpart, In Algeria, the army does not Conflicts within this nebulous demonstration movement is rupture, violence and trauma.” with the full consent of Tunisian operate large parts of the econo- group have drawn in foreign known — in utter contempt, as These have existed in abundance political and military leaders, to my as it does in Egypt. interests, robbed Algeria of its did Bouteflika, and has no inten- in Algeria but the army should combat armed Islamist groups along This does not mean that officers wealth and hollowed out re- tion of organising a democratic avoid justifying the cliches so be- the countries’ border since 2011. cannot find well-paid jobs in the spected institutions, such as the presidential poll. loved of the former coloniser. private sector once they retire. state oil company, Sonatrach, He may have overreached by Many officers understand that Many army or gendarmerie of- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, treating Bensalah as a foot soldier. an honest debate with the Hirak, As he puts himself ficers are competent managers. where the recent wave of ambas- By so doing, he risks splitting the however protracted, is more likely and his family This is quite distinct from the sadorial appointments destroyed high command, as happened in to produce more solid institu- kickbacks some senior officers what was left of a once august 1991-92 with the dramatic conse- tions, while enshrining their role forward, Gaid Salah receive on weapons and civilian institution, the Central Bank, the quences that followed. Should the as guarantors of Algeria’s stability should bear in mind contracts with foreign companies. Centre for Research for Applied high command choose repression, than repression. The distinction between civilian Economics and Development, the it might find that some army, police Here, as in Sudan, a younger that he is the and military leaders is not easy to National Energy Council and the and gendarmerie officers are reluc- more educated population is un- spokesman of the establish, many senior politicians Institute of Global Strategy. tant to shoot at the population. likely to accept the authoritarian majlis of senior having held rank in the People’s The security forces and the Gaid Salah risks making the form of rule that has so long been National Armed Forces or the army tried to resist. In 2010, they same mistake as Charles de Gaulle the norm in the broader Middle generals, no more. security forces. managed to get Khelil sacked. in 1959. He thought Algeria was a East. Some of them might The army, however, cannot Since mass demonstrations “poussiere d’hommes” (“a collec- accommodate the legitimate ended Bouteflika’s hope for a fifth tion of dust”), i.e. a disintegrated Francis Ghilès is an associate think he is getting ambitions of many of its officers. term as president, Gaid Salah and anarchic population. fellow at the Barcelona Centre for too big for his boots. Mechanisms need to be built that has acted as the mouthpiece of Algeria is better thought of as International Affairs. September 8, 2019 13 News & Analysis Libya UN hits dead end on attempts to create political dialogue

Michel Cousins community to use this meeting to send a strong message on the need for respect of the arms embargo,” Tunis Salame said. “It remains abundantly clear that without the commitment N mediation in Libya refo- of key external actors engaged in cused its efforts on chang- Libya, the conflict will continue.” ing the attitude of foreign He warned that continued exter- U countries intervening in the nal military support to one side or crisis in the oil-rich North African the other could only result in esca- country. lation, which he said would create Faced with the near impossibility chaos in the entire region. of getting the main Libyan combat- There could be movement from ants to engage in political dialogue, the Egyptian government. Despite Low hopes. Ghassan Salame, UN special envoy for Libya, speaks during an interview at his office in UN Special Envoy Ghassan Salame is its firm support for Haftar and de- Tripoli. (AFP) trying to persuade countries actively termined opposition to the Muslim supporting one side or the other, Brotherhood having a major role in Alsonousi Wahli and Khaled Wah- Libyan crisis. invited for talks in the United Arab particularly through the supply of running Libya, there are reports of li, Tebu members who are boycotting They called for the constitution Emirates. weapons, to stop doing so. Cairo wanting to reduce tensions the CDA, and Abdulsalam Hamtoum, to “determine the basis of the com- Both Tebu CDA members said they He said there was no chance of with the government of Libyan the Tuareg member from Obari, position and functions of the Libyan want the UAE talks to succeed and Libya’s political and military leaders Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and called for the draft constitution sub- National Army in a manner that rep- the Ahali to return but they added meeting to resolve their differences that it is thinking of inviting Libyan mitted by the CDA to the House of resents all Libyans. The constitution they are not confident about the until the supply of external support Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala for Representatives (HoR) in July 2017 [must] set out how to solve the prob- talks or the bigger picture. dries up. talks. but pushed into the sidelines by le- lem of the armed groups.” “Haftar calls us Chadians,” Alson- This came out clearly September 4 However, the chances of Ankara gal disputes and HoR divisions, to be The call for a revision is linked to ousi Wahli said. Officials and politi- during Salame’s bimonthly briefing changing its Muslim-Brotherhood- revised. events in the southern town of Mur- cians on both sides of the political on Libya to the UN Security Council aligned policies are remote and “There is no doubt that our coun- zuq. The conflict between the Tebu divide “say that the Tebu are not when he detailed plans for an in- while it refuses to move, there is lit- try needs a comprehensive national and the LNA in and around Murzuq Arab and if you’re not an Arab, you’re ternational conference to convince tle likelihood of Cairo doing so. The reconciliation and the best way to had been ongoing since February a foreigner. They want us to leave.” countries breaching the internation- same goes for other regional govern- achieve that is a comprehensive when the LNA initially moved in, Worse, he added, no one was speak- al arms embargo on Libya to commit ments involved in Libya. national consensus on the constitu- backed by the town’s majority Arab ing against this. to non-interference. As a result, the plan for a confer- tion,” they said in a statement. population, members of Al-Ahali A determination to ensure con- Pointing out that he was giving his ence telling them to stop breaching The constitution had to reflect the tribe. stitutional protection for Libya’s briefing five months to the day that the arms embargo is viewed as an existence of Libya’s three minorities Matters reached a climax in Au- Tebu as well as Tuareg and Amazigh Libyan National Army (LNA) Field- uphill struggle for Salame if the in- — Tuareg, Tebus and Amazigh — as gust when, following an LNA bom- communities is behind the call for Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched his ternational community thinks in ad- well as the ambitions of those de- bardment in which several dozen a revision of the draft constitution Tripoli offensive, Salame said there vance that it would fail. manding federalism, they said. Tebu were killed, Tebu forces took but their fears that Libya’s political had to be a return to dialogue. Tuareg and Tebu members of the UNSMIL failed to understand this, control of the town, causing a mass leaders reject them indicated that He said he saw encouragement Constitution Drafting Assembly they declared. For seven years, it had exodus of the Ahali. the two Tebu CDA members were as that there had been a ceasefire dur- (CDA) called on the UN Support Mis- taken the wrong approach. Reflect- Attempts have been undertaken pessimistic as Salame about the next ing Eid al-Adha. It had happened be- sion in Libya (UNSMIL) and the inter- ing that concern, they called on the by UAE mediators to broker a peace steps forward. cause of international pressure, he national community to concentrate African Union and democratic Afri- between the Tebu and the Ahali but said, and it could happen again and instead on what they said is the root can countries, “particularly South also between the Tebu and the LNA. Michel Cousins is a contributor to for a longer period. on the crisis: the way in which the Africa, Ethiopia and Tunisia,” to play A Tebu team led by Murzuq’s Tebu The Arab Weekly on Libyan “We would like the international Libyan state had been formed. a more active role in resolving the HoR member Mohamed Leynu was issues. Interview Is there still a place for national reconciliation in Libya?

vital importance. The search for Obeidi said she considered the positive aspects of that history by proliferation of weapons, armed focusing on the symbols, events groups and parallel security and and personalities that played a military institutions major Khulud al-Fallah crucial role in the country will impediments to achieving enhance feelings of pride and progress in reconciliation in Libya. ibyan activist Amal belonging and may help to create She pointed out the existence of Obeidi said she common ground and interests to obstacles, such as numerous believes in the achieve the moral dimension of conflicting interests and the importance of reconciliation. absence of a common vision of national reconcilia- Obeidi said the most important state-building. The situation was tion to move Libya stage of the reconciliation process worsened by existing political out of its crisis but would be eliminating the fear of polarisation and schisms, by the Hopes and fears. Libyan activist Amal Obeidi. (Al Arab) she also said that taking the initiative, followed by emergence of new political bodies Lcontinuing political and ideologi- confidence-building between the following the political agreement cal rivalries will defeat any various parties and creating a of December 2015 and the inter- whose integrity was recognised by prepared under conditions of reconciliation project. spirit of empathy with others. She vention of international parties. international observers. societal divisions on the most In an interview with The Arab noted that the Libyan national She explained that the demo- Obeidi said that what is happen- important issues. Weekly, Obeidi spoke of obstacles reconciliation would require a cratic transition in Libya has been ing in Libya is a political crisis in This is why some in Libya impeding attempts to bring the thorough review of all legislation very costly. Objective conditions which various parties are fighting consider the draft constitution Libyans together, pointing out issued since 2011. She said there for democratic transition were not for power and wealth. She said it submitted to the House of that reconciliation is a national can be no national reconciliation met for many of the reasons, the will not be resolved except Representatives flawed, especially approach that contributes to the unless it is based on transitional most important of which was the through political means one of the in controversial aspects, for enhancement of security and justice. absence of a strong and independ- rival parties monopolising power. example, not agreeing on the peace because the alternative is Obeidi said it would be possible ent civil society supported by However, it does not appear any of country’s flag and national war, destruction and instability. to take advantage of Libya’s local freedom of expression and access the warring parties could to do so anthem, not recognising the diver- Obeidi, a professor of political experience in reconciliation to information. in the foreseeable future. sity of the national languages, not science at Benghazi University efforts. She added that local There has been no social There is also too much meddling adopting overall decentralisation, and visiting professor at Bayreuth reconciliation is one of the pillars consensus on the foundation of by foreign forces and interests in not specifying the composition of University in Germany, was a of national reconciliation. Very democratic transition, the Libya. This is why Obeidi said the Senate or the source of the member of Libya’s Committee for often, local reconciliation follows peaceful transfer of power and on that, regardless of justifications country’s legislation and a host of the Preparation of the 2018 traditional patterns through the accepting the mechanisms of that offered for not negotiating, the other shortcomings that have Comprehensive National Recon- involvement of actors who are transfer, such as accepting Libyan crisis can be solved only made the constitution unaccepta- ciliation Project and Conference. figures of traditional leadership, election results and the emphasis through negotiations and dia- ble to various parts of Libyan She said she withdrew from the such as tribal leaders or commu- on competition and active partici- logue. Rival parties must come society. committee because it was unable nity elders. pation in decision-making. together, agree to end the transi- Still, despite the controversies even to meet, much less achieve National reconciliation, Obeidi also mentioned the tion period and call for parliamen- raised by the drafting of the consti- results. however, is a process of national militarisation of the Libyan tary and presidential elections. tution, Obeidi said a bad version of Perhaps rethinking the collec- consensus to build effective civil, revolution from the early days, Obeidi said drafting a constitu- the constitution would be better tive history, especially looking for political and security institutions even though some positive tion is an important part of the than no constitution at all. commonalities and for what to achieve justice, reparation and experiences came out of that first process and a strong factor for makes Libyans who they are and stability and in which tribal and stage, such as the democratic and achieving stability. However, the Khulud al-Fallah is a Libyan what binds them together, is of regional dimensions are absent. free elections of 2012 and 2014 proposed Libyan Constitution was writer. 14 September 8, 2019 Debate Turkey

Stuck in Syria, Turkey’s Erdogan makes but new threats

Army and US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). YPG sources, speaking to the Associated Press, said they worry Yavuz Baydar about Erdogan’s plans to send large numbers of Syrian refugees ornered at home to the areas, fearing that Kurdish and abroad, Turkish locals would be displaced. President Recep Tayyip “Kurdish-led administration and Erdogan has no choice forces would not accept Turkish but to double down in forces or permanent bases in the his rhetoric. so-called safe zone or a free hand CBy lashing out at the United for Turkish flights over the area. States over the so-called “safe A final deal would constitute an zone” in Syria and threatening the indirect Turkish recognition of European Union with “opening the Kurdish-led administration in the gates for the refugees,” north-eastern Syria,” said Aldar Erdogan is showing growing Halil, a top Kurdish official. despair. Also feeling the heat of some Turkey’s supposed “zero high-ranking officers at home, problems with neighbouring Erdogan had no choice but countries” policy has send a message to the only help metamorphosed into “nothing but channel he knows in Washington problems in the neighbourhood.” — US President Donald Trump. It It is well known that the reason appears that when they meet at for the 180-degree change in the UN General Assembly, he will policy was because of choices by ask him again. two major figures: the political However, every reliable source surrealism of former Foreign and in Washington knows Turkey will Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu not dare enter north-eastern Syria and consistently erratic decisions on its own because the US reaction by his boss, Erdogan. would be fierce and decisive. Compared to the situation Erdogan’s raising of the stakes today, those were the good days. with the European Union is a Despite taking the wrong paths slightly different story. Against — with the United States, Israel, the backdrop of a hiking refugee Egypt or Syria — Ankara then had On the offensive. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to his ruling party officials in flow over the Aegean, his threat (AP) manoeuvring room and time. Ankara, September 5. may cause the major EU actors Not anymore. What Turkey has to tremble and lead to further now is a demolished foreign policy because of remarks by Lebanese “We are determined to de facto European Union promised in the appeasement. “Opening the gates” and a diplomatic no man’s land. President Michel Aoun, who stated start the safe zone establishment 2016 migration deal. European is the last thing the European Conflicts, rifts and frustration that the Ottomans practised terror in the east of Euphrates, until the Commission spokeswoman Union, in turmoil, needs. Erdogan dominate the Turkish agenda, against the Lebanese during final week of September. It is ideal Natasha Bertaud responded may have touched a nerve. in which Ankara’s insistence on World War I, causing hundreds that we do this together with our swiftly that: “To date, the EU has Erdogan also made a cunning maximalism leads to backlashes of thousands of victims through American friends but if we do not allocated 5.6 billion euros ($6.2 move against the opposition at or impasse after impasse. If famine, conscription and forced build common ground, we shall billion) out of the 6 billion ($6.6 home. His declaration of sending anything, Erdogan has, in the past labour. Turkey responded by begin on our own. Our aim is to billion) that was agreed, with 1 million Syrians onto Syrian decade, turned Turkey into a loser summoning the Lebanese settle at least 1 million Syrians the remaining balance due to be soil may even be applauded in foreign policy, which in today’s ambassador and protesting. in the safe zone along the 450km allocated shortly.” by the main opposition and its complex world demands extra care However, it is the situation in long borderline.” It is apparent that on Syria, minor nationalist ally. This suits and caution. Syria that keeps Ankara more “This either happens or Turkey is deeply unsatisfied with Erdogan’s political survive plan The escalation due to the tense than any other issue. On otherwise we will have to open the deal on the “safe zone” east of by surfing further on the rise hydrocarbon issue in the September 5, Erdogan, in his usual the gates,” Erdogan added. “Either the Euphrates. of nationalism and the rapidly Eastern Mediterranean and angry mood, sent messages to you will provide support or excuse The depth of the zone will not peaking anti-Americanism at the multilayered conflict at the Washington and Brussels. us but we are not going to carry be 32km, as Ankara demanded, home. Aegean kept both Greece and “We are taking steps to make this weight alone.” but 5-14km. The joint patrol issue Cyprus on edge. the Syrian lands, between the east Erdogan claimed that Turkey remains blurred and there is a Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish A new rift has been developing of River Euphrates and the Iraqi had received a little more than mountain of differences between journalist and regular columnist between Turkey and Lebanon border, more secure,” he said. half of the $6.6 billion the the Turkey-backed Free Syrian for The Arab Weekly. Can old foes help Erdogan counter new rivals?

a strong contingent of young and other criminal activity in a successful application to the With Uzan saying the previous people and women in positions of various countries. The value European Court of Human Rights cases against him were plotted by influence. of the properties seized, by on the grounds that their wealth the Gulen Movement and the series Zulfikar Dogan Shepherd’s Fire is based in Izmir the businessman’s count, was was unlawfully seized. The of rulings over billions of dollars and the Aegean region, which are, $13 billion. He, his father and TMSF and Turkish Treasury have going in his favour, word going for the most part, strongholds his brother were targeted by appealed the decision and are around the halls of power is that wo long-awaited of Turkey’s secularist main prosecutor Zekeriya Oz, initial awaiting a final ruling from the Erdogan could change tack on his political parties led by opposition Republican People’s lead prosecutor in the Ergenekon court. old adversary. former heavyweights of Party (CHP). Unsurprisingly, talk trial, for membership in a terrorist As for the Young Party, Uzan’s By some accounts, Uzan and his Turkey’s ruling Justice of a new party that could alter the organisation. riches allowed him to put on family have been assured they will and Development Party playing field in regions the CHP The Uzan family sought asylum crowd-pleasing rallies in 2002, not be arrested if they return to are expected to be has long taken for granted has in France, leaving behind a complete with guest stars Turkey, as long as they return their Tformed soon and Turkish Presi- ruffled feathers. This is likely to be judicial landscape marred by performing and free food. This, foreign wealth to the country and dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reflected in the party congress in trials of political opponents of together with the tough campaign forgo a part of the compensation responded in a typically aggressive February. the ruling party. Oz and other fought through his media outlets they are due from their successful fashion, calling his former allies However, the most striking lawyers were themselves later against the AKP and Erdogan, lawsuits. “traitors.” development on the new party targeted for alleged links to the allowed the party to amass 7.5% As for Uzan’s return to politics, As new movements take shape front is from the Young Party, Gulen Movement, which went in the elections that year — a very Erdogan is reportedly hoping around former Prime Minister which is led by the controversial from being an Erdogan ally to his respectable amount but not enough the Young Party could be used to Ahmet Davutoglu and Ali and influential businessman and arch-nemesis. His government has to gain any seats in parliament siphon votes this time from the Babacan, a former deputy politician Cem Uzan. subjected the movement to a far- because of Turkey’s 10% electoral opposition nationalist Iyi Party and prime minister who Uzan was an early reaching purge after blaming it for threshold. the two new parties being formed steered the economy With his history in opponent of the AKP, a failed coup attempt in 2016. The party did not fare well in the by AKP renegades. to its greatest politics and the untold pitting his party Most of those targeted by Oz legislative elections in 2007 and With his history in politics and successes in financial resources he against it in the and his colleagues have been has sat out each election since but business and the untold financial the Justice and could bring into play it 2002 and 2007 exonerated since the Gulen Uzan has made sure to keep the resources he could bring into play Development would be no surprise to elections and using Movement and AKP conflict party running, having provincial it would be no surprise to see Uzan Party (AKP) era, see Uzan quickly his platform, which broke out but Uzan, sentenced and district congresses and other quickly return to the scene as an included popular in absentia to 23 years in prison activities necessary to allow it to influential political actor. The price two old political return to the scene as hands apparently newspaper and in 2013, is pursuing the legal participate in elections. for that return could be to play an influential political see an opening for television outlets breakthrough that would allow The Young Party’s success “opposition to the opposition” for their return. actor. owned by the Uzan him to return to Turkey. in 2002 was partly down to its Erdogan. The first is Rifat Group, to promote his Talk has been rife in Turkey’s nationalist line, which allowed it to Serdaroglu, who served opposition to the AKP. political circles that such a attract enough voters from the far- Zulfikar Dogan was one of the as health minister and In 2004, those media breakthrough could be in the right Nationalist Movement Party’s founders and one-time president state minister in the 1990s outlets, as well as the banks, cards. Uzan has won a series of voter base to deprive that party of a of the Economy Reporters’ and reportedly plans to turn the manufacturing plants, technology court cases against the TMSF in place in parliament. Association. He has been awarded conservative Shepherd’s Fire and energy companies owned by international arbitration and trade The Nationalist Movement journalist of the year by the Movement he co-founded this year Uzan, were seized by Turkey’s courts. French courts have ruled Party is part of the ruling Turkish Journalists’ Association, into a political party by October. Savings Insurance Deposit Fund three times in Uzan’s favour in the coalition and tied firmly to the the Contemporary Journalists’ The party is expected to take (TMSF) at the behest of Erdogan, past year, ordering the TMSF to AKP. Nevertheless, Erdogan Association and MUSIAD. a centre-right line while being then prime minister. pay $3 billion, $2 billion and $416 has reportedly been involved in This article first appeared on open to centre-left and social For decades, Uzan’s holdings million in the three decisions. negotiations with Uzan that could ahvalnews.com and is republished democratic politicians and having faced allegations of corruption Uzan’s children have made make his return a reality. with permission. September 8, 2019 15 News & Analysis Iran Tehran raises stakes in nuclear row by escalating threats, making offers for talks

Thomas Seibert choke the smuggling of Iranian oil. Washington also offered a reward of up to $15 million for information Istanbul that disrupts the financial opera- tions of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary ran’s double strategy of threats Guard Corps and its elite paramili- and talks in the nuclear dispute tary and espionage arm, al-Quds with the United States is facing Force. I a moment of truth as Washing- The moves came amid specula- ton sticks to its “maximum pres- tion about a possible meeting be- sure” campaign and Europe voices tween Rohani and US President irritation with Tehran. Donald Trump on the sidelines of Iranian President Hassan Roha- the UN General Assembly in New ni’s government employed carrots York this month. and sticks to convince the interna- Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a visiting fel- tional community to action against low at the Brookings Doha Centre, US sanctions that are crippling said the Iranian steps were designed Iran’s economy. to keep the pressure on the Euro- Tehran released seven crew peans without crossing a line that members from the detained Brit- would antagonise France and other ish-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero European powers. in a goodwill gesture, talked with As an example, Fathollah-Nejad France about a plan worked out by said Europeans were concerned Paris to help Iran to overcome the that Iran’s third step in breaching consequences of US sanctions and the JCPOA could be an increase of gave European powers two more uranium enrichment to 20% pu- months to save the 2015 interna- rity or more, a threshold that could tional nuclear deal. speed up the production of weap- Rohani, however, also announced ons-grade uranium considerably. Lifting more limits. Iranian President Hassan Rohani (R) and the head of Iran’s nuclear technology that Iran would violate another Such a decision could have led to a organisation Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran, last April. (AFP) limit of the nuclear accord, the third collapse of the JCPOA and European such step within months, even efforts to save the accord, leaving though Tehran denies seeking nu- the Iranians with nothing. At the core of the French plan is cut to the terms of the JCPOA, EU ran remain possible. While the US clear weapons. “By contemplating the possibility a proposal to save the pact by offer- Commission spokeswoman Maja president said he would not lift Rohani said Iran would begin de- of a 20% enrichment, they managed ing Iran about $15 billion in credit Kocijancic said that “we note with sanctions, he left the door open to a veloping centrifuges to speed up to instil a sense of urgency among lines until the end of the year if great concern that announcement possible meeting with Rohani at the the enrichment of uranium, which Europeans for them to provide Iran Tehran returns to full compliance. made by Iran in the letter.” United Nations, saying: “Anything’s can produce fuel for power plants with economic dividends, while Trump suggested a solution along She reiterated the European Un- possible. They would like to be able or for atomic bombs. The success- increasing their bargaining lever- those lines after talks with French ion’s demand that Iran “reverse all to solve their problem.” ful development of more advanced age for possible talks with the US, President Emmanuel Macron at the activities that are inconsistent with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper centrifuges would enable Tehran to which helped produce the French recent G7 summit but it remained its commitments” under the nucle- also said it appeared Iran was inch- produce material for a potential nu- initiative,” Fathollah-Nejad said by unclear whether the United States ar deal. ing towards a position that could clear bomb several times faster. telephone, referring to the Iranians. would allow European banks to A French diplomatic source make talks possible. Earlier this year Iran went beyond “If the French initiative succeeds, handle the credits without coming voiced regret at Iran’s planned In a rare public dispute with the the limit for the stockpile of en- they will surely dismiss their 20% under US sanctions. centrifuge development. “It’s not Trump administration, Israeli Prime riched uranium it is allowed to keep option,” Fathollah-Nejad said. The European Union is concerned helpful,” the unidentified source Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, one and drove enrichment beyond the The Trump administration, which that the delicate diplomatic dance told Reuters. “We knew it wouldn’t of Trump’s closest allies in the Mid- terms set by the 2015 agreement, abandoned the nuclear deal with by France, which is acting as the Eu- be… a bed of roses,” he said, adding dle East, urged world powers not to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- Iran last year, appeared to tolerate ropean mediator, could fail because France would keep looking for a so- open dialogue with Iran. tion (JCPOA). European efforts to keep the treaty of Iran’s new breaches of the JCPOA. lution despite the cool US reception. “This is not the time to hold talks The United States has not only re- alive by providing a financial lifeline Speaking after Iran sent a letter to Although Iran’s approach has not with Iran. This is the time to in- fused to ease sanctions against Iran to Iran in exchange for a return to EU top foreign policy official Fed- led to a softening of the US posi- crease the pressure on Iran,” Netan- but introduced additional ones to the provisions of the accord. erica Mogherini detailing its latest tion, Trump said talks with Teh- yahu said. Viewpoint ‘Resistance economy’ offers Iran no way out of US pressure for achieving a broader set of under the firebrand leadership of the negotiating table or face transactions in rials to tomans Sabahat Khan objectives. Those ranged from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose the prospects of a government (one toman is worth ten rials). creating sources of revenue populist policies saw subsidies unable to cover its expenses and With its currency woes, Iran’s ince the revolution in for the state and consolidating widen but falling investment and a non-functioning economy. annual inflation rate remains 1979 that deposed the internal control to directing increasing sanctions as Tehran US aims to drive Iran’s oil at more than 40%. More than shah, Iran’s economic industrial activity, ensuring job opted for defiant positions exports to “zero” may not be one-in-four Iranian youth are development has creation and cultivating future against the United States, fully realised but July saw unemployed. Locked out of the unfolded under a long investment programmes. particularly in its competition in exports plunge almost 80% year- US-controlled global financial shadow of economic It was a risky strategy but Iraq and around Iran’s suspected on-year — their lowest levels system, Iranian exporters and Ssanctions. Shortly after the Iran’s experience with its nuclear activities. since the Iraq-Iran War that importers alike are struggling revolution, reforms were insti- “resistance economy” proved The subsequent electoral ended in 1988. Iran is exporting to find ways of conducting even tuted as the new Iranian state largely effective. By 2015, when success of Hassan Rohani was approximately 400,000 barrels “permitted” transactions. went about setting the price of the Joint Comprehensive Plan built around his promise of of oil per day (bpd), down from In recent speeches, Iranian goods, subsidising high-demand of Action (JCPOA) nuclear a new economic vision that a peak of nearly 2.5 million Supreme Leader Ayatollah commodities and nationalising agreement, was signed, fewer was to begin with a grand bpd in April 2018, which led a Ali Khamenei has aimed to industries. than one-in-ten Iranians was bargain involving Iran’s nuclear to a crunching fall in revenues rally renewed support for Iran’s economy was divided classified as poor. It was four activities in return for the lifting that sustained its “resistance the “resistance economy” by into the state, cooperative times that number in 1972. of long-standing economic economy.” arguing that national progress and private sectors as central Iran’s industries evolved sanctions and an end to the As Iran’s revenues from oil has been hindered because of planning was developed to over the years, producing country’s growing international exports, which used to account reliance on “easy” income from manage economic activity and goods ranging from medicines isolation. for approximately 40% of its oil exports. Khamenei wants future direction. to refrigerators, vehicle and The Clinton administration income, began to nosedive, the country to rely less on oil Championing the ideals aircraft parts and even uranium- lifted some sanctions against Rohani condemned the United exports and a greater focus on of independence and self- enrichment centrifuges. For its Iran in the 1990s but it was the States for waging “economic domestic production to achieve sufficiency, Iran not only defence needs, in particular, signing of the nuclear accord terrorism” against his country. a more dynamic and sustainable learnt to live under economic Iran adopted an approach of in 2015 that saw economic The effect of America’s economic resistance economy. sanctions but used the concept prioritising domestic production sanctions against Iran eased squeeze has been resounding There are serious questions of a “resistance economy” of armaments and weapons significantly for the first time. on the Iranian economy, which about how Iran can realistically systems as much as possible. However, events did not is forecasted by the World Bank sustain a “resistance economy” Few of these goods had export develop as expected for the to shrink approximately 5% this without the “easy” income from potential but Iran was able to Rohani government. Two year. oil exports. What is clear is that, live through pressing sanctions years later, the United States When the nuclear deal was in the absence of viable options The effect of and find enough domestic withdrew from the nuclear signed in 2015, the Iranian rial to work around US sanctions America’s economic consumers for what it produced. agreement under the Trump was trading at 32,000 to the US that have a chance of sustaining A grand strategy designed administration, which called dollar. Today, it is more than five over the next few years, Iran’s squeeze has been around regional and wider for a renegotiation that is more times that. Last year, currency new economic trajectory spells resounding on the international economic comprehensive in its coverage exchanges were forced to close economic troubles not seen Iranian economy, integration would have delivered of strategic disagreements as the government attempted before. greater economic growth and related to Iran beyond its nuclear to control depreciation with a which is forecasted by strategic benefits over the years activities. failed effort to fix the rate to Sabahat Khan, based in Dubai, the World Bank to but largely because of its oil The “maximum pressure” 42,000 rials to the dollar. Now, maintains a cross-disciplinary exports the country remains the campaign imposed on Iran’s Iran is mulling legislation that focus in international security, shrink approximately region’s second-largest economy. economy by Washington is would cut four zeroes from defence policy and strategic 5% this year. A key turning point came designed to force Tehran to its currency by moving from issues. 16 September 8, 2019 News & Analysis East West As refugee numbers rise, Viewpoint Greece and Turkey face new border challenges

Thomas Seibert the Greek Coast Guard’s fleet with than 6,000 Afghans have been ten new speedboats. registered in Greece since the start As Greece is trying to shield itself of the year. That is almost double Istanbul from new migrants, Turkey, which the number of Syrians making the hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, is dangerous trip over the Aegean, reece and Turkey are ring- concerned about a new mass refu- UNHCR said. ing alarms as the number gee influx from the Syrian prov- The number of arrivals in Greece of refugees reaching Eu- ince of Idlib, where forces of Syrian is low in comparison to what hap- rope is on the rise and an President Bashar Assad have been pened in 2015. UNHCR said ap- Contrasting opinions. Former US Defence Secretary James Mattis (L) G speaks next to President Donald Trump during a briefing in the White immigration expert said there are capturing territory from rebels proximately 34,000 people had no easy solutions. with the help of Russia’s military. crossed over to Greece since Janu- House, last October. (AP) When nearly 600 people arrived Aid organisations and the United ary, after around 50,000 did so in on the Greek island of Lesbos near Nations said hundreds of thou- 2018. The total number for 2015 the Turkish Aegean coast in one sands of people have been dis- was almost 857,000. hour in late August, Greek Min- placed by the fighting. Many are Murat Erdogan, director of the Mattis underscores ister for Civil Protection Michalis fleeing towards the Turkish border, Migration and Integration Research Chrysochoidis raised the spectre which has been closed to new ar- Centre at the Turkish-German Uni- of a new migrant crisis like the one rivals. versity in Istanbul, pointed out stark differences with in 2015 in which 850,000 refugees that Afghans, unlike Syrians, did crossed to Greece from Turkey. As Greece is trying to not enjoy temporary protection in “If the situation were to con- Turkey. Trump over Syria tinue we’d have a repeat of 2015,” shield itself from new “Syrians in Turkey are not very Chrysochoidis was quoted as say- migrants, Turkey, which interested in going to Europe,” Er- ing in news reports. hosts 3.6 million Syrian dogan said by telephone. “They President Barack Obama for Turkey warned Europe that it refugees, is concerned know the risks of the sea journey advocating a military strike on Iran, could face another refugee crisis. about a new mass refugee and they know about the bad con- Gregory his memoirs state — he believed it Turkish President Recep Tayyip influx from Idlib. ditions in the camps” in Greece, he Aftandilian was wrong to back out of a deal done Erdogan said Turkey expected EU added. However, many Afghans in conjunction with European support for the creation of a “secu- Turkish Interior Minister Suley- struggled to get by in Turkey and allies. rity zone” in Syria to enable refu- man Soylu said the government was risked deportation if caught by au- lthough former US Mattis disagreed with Trump’s gees to return to their country. If prepared to build refugee camps on thorities. Defence Secretary often disparaging views on NATO, a the safe zone does not happen, “we the Syrian side of the border. Erdogan, who is not related James Mattis, after the cornerstone of US security since the will be forced to open the doors. “An estimated 300,000, 800,000, to the Turkish President, voiced release of his memoirs late 1940s and Trump’s indulgence You either give support or, if you 1 million people could migrate,” scepticism about Ankara’s plans to — “Call Sign Chaos: of Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t, sorry, but we can only put Soylu told the Haberturk broad- house Syrians in camps on Syrian Learning to Lead” — has and North Korean leader Kim up with so much,” Erdogan said. caster in late August. “We will keep territory. Even if a “safe zone” was saidA he will “not speak ill” of a Jong-un. Hundreds of people head to them outside of our borders.” established, questions about the sitting US president, he clearly In October 2018, Trump told an Greece from Turkey each week, Turkey is also wrestling with a returnees remain unanswered, he found Donald Trump’s decision to interviewer that he did not know despite a 2016 EU-Turkey deal that growing number of refugees from said. “Where will they work?” he withdraw troops from Syria a grave whether Mattis would be leaving his provides for new arrivals on the Afghanistan who enter the country asked. Also, he said: “Syrians do mistake. administration. Trump then eastern Aegean islands to be de- through the eastern border with not want to go back.” Indeed, he said Trump’s precipi- referred to Mattis as “sort of a ported to Turkey unless they are Iran. Tehran said there are approx- The government in Ankara is un- tous decision in December 2018 to Democrat.” Rumours circulated in successful in their asylum applica- imately 3 million Afghans in Iran. der pressure from voters to reduce pull out of Syria was the main reason Washington at the time that Trump tion. The deal has left thousands Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister refugee numbers in the country for Mattis’s resignation. He had was upset that journalists referred of people stranded in dramatically Abbas Araghchi said earlier this but Soylu, a hard-liner in the cabi- planned to be the Pentagon chief for to Mattis as the “adult in the room” overcrowded facilities on the is- year that Afghans could be asked net, admitted that even tearing up the full four years of the administra- when in the White House, implying lands, especially Lesbos. to leave if the United States contin- the refugee deal with the European tion’s first term but, out of principle, that Trump was acting like a child. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos ued its economic pressure on Iran. Union to send people on to Europe said he could no longer serve a presi- Although Trump was initially Mitsotakis convened a National Se- Soylu said authorities picked would not be a solution. dent whose views were in sharp enamoured with Mattis’s distin- curity Council meeting to address up approximately 270,000 Afghan “I would gladly open the doors contrast to his. guished military record, by the the situation. Apart from a deci- migrants lacking the necessary so they can get to Europe,” Soylu In an interview with CBS televi- autumn of 2018 he had clearly sion for an immediate transfer of papers last year. He added that told Haberturk, “but then Turkey sion, Mattis emphasised: “We need soured on him. When Mattis nearly 1,500 people from Lesbos to around 32,000 Afghans had been will become a transit way for mi- to maintain enough influence there submitted his resignation letter in the mainland, the council resolved sent back to Afghanistan since the gration” to Greece. “Then terror- [Syria] that we don’t see the same December, Trump did not even to speed up the deportation of start of this year, after 28,000 de- ism will come in, drugs will come thing that happened when we allow him the courtesy of remaining those whose asylum applications portation in 2018. in, crime will come in,” he said. withdrew from Iraq.” Mattis in the job for two more months as he have been rejected. Figures by the UN High Com- Syrian activists in Turkey say a obviously believed that Trump’s wished but replaced him almost The government announced in- missioner for Refugees (UNHCR) number of Syrian refugees have eagerness to declare victory over the immediately. creased border surveillance, the indicate that Afghan citizens form been deported to Idlib against their Islamic State (ISIS) was prema- Some defence specialists in activation of a maritime surveil- the biggest group of refugees arriv- will, an assertion that the govern- ture. Washington criticised Mattis for not lance system and the bolstering of ing in Greece from Turkey. More ment in Ankara denies. Mattis also underscored the being more forceful in his memoirs importance of maintaining alli- in denouncing Trump — the most ances: “This is how I saw the Mattis has said in interviews is that strength of America — that we keep Trump is an “unusual president.” our alliances together and keep Having taken the step of writing his them tight.” memoirs, which include his time in In this case it seems that Mattis the Trump administration, Mattis was referring to the alliance the should have been more direct and United States made with the Syrian say where the United States should Kurds. be headed, the specialists say. The implication of his statements Mattis has said he did not want his was that, by withdrawing from memoirs or subsequent interviews Syria, the United States would not to contribute to the toxic political be in position to influence the future environment in Washington, which of Syria nor help its European and he sees as dangerous. Middle Eastern allies stem a possible Nonetheless, Mattis is held in high resurgence of ISIS. He also implied regard among the Washington politi- that withdrawing from Syria would cal class, Republicans and Demo- expose the Kurds to danger. crats alike. His warnings on Syria On the issue of an ISIS resurgence, and ISIS are likely to be picked up by the views of Mattis have been borne Democratic presidential candidates out by public assessments of the US who will use them to disparage intelligence community as well as Trump as both naive about ISIS and by UN experts who say that at least the Middle East region as well as a 15,000 ISIS fighters are at large and sign of his erratic behaviour. operating in cells in Syria and Iraq. The irony is that Trump did Indeed, they have staged terrorist amend his Syrian withdrawal attacks in both countries in recent decision by agreeing in 2019 to keep months. about 400 US troops in Syria. That is Even before the Syrian withdrawal of small consolation to Mattis and decision, Mattis’s star was falling in his supporters who see the US the eyes of Trump. Mattis, along president as making policy on the with former US Secretary of State whim without serious delibera- Rex Tillerson, had reportedly urged tions. Trump not to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump did Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer in in May 2018. the Pardee School of Global Studies Even though Mattis had strong at Boston University and a former anti-Iran views — he was sacked as US State Department Middle East A search for a safe port. Refugees and migrants arrive at the port of Thessaloniki in northern US CENTCOM commander by analyst. Greece, September 3. (AP) September 8, 2019 17 News & Analysis East West

Viewpoint France’s human rightism dies hard despite cost to the region

governments for the benefit of demands of its people, the only markets, unelected NGOs and type apt to defend human rights perceiving media as a business in their entirety. Majed Nehme venture rather than a democratic One remembers the strategy counterbalance. and campaign of destabilisation We have seen the disastrous of the MENA region aggressively he issue of defending effects of this human rightist pursued by Reporters without human rights and ideology, championed by France Borders and funded by both the Geopolitical myopia? French President Emmanuel Macron leaves democracy, especially in the Middle East and North Quai d’Orsay and the US State after delivering a speech at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP) in the Middle East and Africa during the last three Department, to promote free North Africa, has been decades. press in the world. The former enshrined as dogma All means were good to director of this NGO is Robert gave perhaps the best definition Ahmed Bensaada’s excellent Tby Western countries that like to destabilise, under the pretence Menard, who is today very close of this new conception of a book “Arabesque Americaine: Le define themselves as guardians of defending human rights and to the French extreme right, “Human Rightist” diplomacy, role des Etats-Unies dans les of the “free world.” democracy, this very sensitive which is engaged in a veritable which, of course, he opposed. revoltes de la rue arabe” (“Amer- During the Cold War, this and strategic region of the world, witch hunt against immigrants For his stance, Vedrine drew the ican Arabesque: The Role of the question was used as a formida- even by joining forces with the and Muslims. fire of the self-proclaimed NGOs United States in the Arab Street ble weapon to bring down the most reactionary and anti-demo- If, with the arrival of Donald championing this new diplo- Revolts”) is a must-read to Soviet Union, as acknowledged cratic governments and move- Trump in the White House, matic and democratic moral- understand the harmful extent in his memoirs by French ments in the region, such as exporting democracy has given ity. of this disastrous diplomacy that sociologist Raymond Aron. In political Islam represented by way to exporting goods and “Since becoming minister of reached its peak under the this ideological aspect of the the Muslim Brotherhood and assets and the financing of NGOs Foreign Affairs, I have been Sarkozy and Hollande presiden- global war waged by the United sponsored by Turkey and responsible for exporting repeatedly forced to distance cies, especially in Libya and States and the Soviet Union, Qatar. democracy has almost disap- myself from an emerging new Syria. French diplomacy was not fully Despite the desolation, the peared, the risk of having this ‘doxa’ in international relations,” A doctor in physics, Bensaada involved in what would become, terror and the bloodshed that disastrous policy make a he wrote. is also an Algerian political scien- after the collapse of commu- this posture, or should I say this comeback is real if the Demo- This new dogma, or “doxa” as tist living in Montreal. His nism, the West’s main weapon ideological imposture, has sown, crats win the 2020 elections in he called it, was massively remarkable investigation was against all states qualified as these liberal apprentice wizards the United States. defended and spread by the published in Brussels and “recalcitrant.” in Europe and the United States Former French Minister of United States and the European Algiers. Until now, the type of interna- refuse to admit their mistakes Justice Robert Badinter, who was Union, including France, The arrival at the Elysee Palace tional relations championed by and defeat. They are preparing to responsible for abolishing the through the creation and of Emmanuel Macron, a creation French diplomacy was based on redouble their ferocity, always in death penalty in France, despite funding of so-called democracy- of the socialist Francois Hol- recognition of the sovereign the name of the same pretence the opposition of the majority of exporting NGOs, and is based on lande who escaped his creator, state as the central actor. This that is contrary to the flow of French citizens, found the right the premise that “states are initially sparked hope that this was the pillar on which the history and to their own national words to denounce the duplicity monsters cold, opaque and moralising posture would give United Nations was created after interests. of France’s Human Rightist repressive; realism is cynicism way to realpolitik in French World War II. French diplomacy We can see their masquerade diplomacy: “When France prides and international relations are diplomacy. Two years later, did not recognise regimes but happening in Libya, where itself on being the motherland of the domain of choice; the reason however, there was disillusion- states. After all, isn’t the first role France supports a pseudo-legiti- human rights, it is just a figure of of state is always hateful; History ment. Despite a slight change in of a state to defend its inter- mate government in Tripoli, speech; France is the home of no longer counts and we are in an narrative, the same past prac- ests? defended on all fronts by the declaration of human rights. entirely new world where we tices under his two predecessors Some dominant circles, Islamist militias (always the To go further than that is a must privilege “civil society” at have been maintained. probably inspired by the myth of Muslim Brotherhood and its matter of historical blindness.” the national and international It is high time for French “the End of History” so dear to sponsors) and gangs of traffick- In a famous article published levels. Anything that constrains diplomacy to renounce the the American ideologist Francis ers of all kinds, all in the name of by Le Monde diplomatique and shrinks states — markets, dogma of pseudo-humanitarian Fukuyama and understood by “democracy” and human (December 2000), Hubert public opinion, media, judges, interference and “Human them as synonymous with rights. Vedrine, former adviser to NGOs — is good.” Rightism” that has not served universal triumph of liberalism, These catastrophes make you former French President We have seen, with the the interests of the countries it believe in the mission of the wonder if this type of diplomacy Francois Mitterrand and French emergence of the ill-named has targeted nor its own inter- West: to convert the rest of is geopolitical myopia or a foreign minister during the “Arab spring” and coloured ests. humanity to the Western planned strategy to destroy any period of co-rule between the revolutions, where this democratic model reduced to the idea of ​a development-focused socialists and the neo-Gaullists “constructive”-chaos-generating Majed Nehme is a Syrian-French dogma of individualism, erasing state that meets the fundamental (1997-2002), was the one who doxa can lead. In this context, journalist in Paris.

Viewpoint Russia widens footprint in Middle East

wider effects, Gasimov said. Moscow’s delivery to Turkey of gic policy-making apparatus.” discuss the Lebanon-Israel “Russia’s come back to the the S-400 surface-to-air missile While Putin has met with border. Did Russia mediate with Middle East… has forced system and its development of Iranian President Hassan Rohani Hezbollah? Did this influence the Gareth Smyth traditionally American-oriented Turkey’s first nuclear power twice this year, the Trump limited Israel-Hezbollah countries like Israel to look for station, at Akkuyu. administration in July sanc- exchange of fire on September understanding with Moscow,” he This helps Russian arms sales. tioned Iranian Foreign Minister 1? said. “The location of S-400s in Syria Mohammad Javad Zarif. Despite “I haven’t seen any mediation Moscow’s relations with Israel and Crimea [since 2018] and a “maximum pressure” on Tehran, but there seems to be some mid escalating are layered. “There are about a quite successful ‘use-in-war’ of Trump’s intentions were hardly unwritten understanding,” said a tensions between million Russian-speaking older Russia-made antiballistic clarified by his suggestion in British security analyst. “The Hezbollah and Israel citizens living in Israel and they missiles by the Syrian Army August — as Zarif visited the G7 Hezbollah reply and the IDF after two Israeli have an influence on policy- contributed to popularising summit in France — that he [Israel Defence Forces] response drones crashed in making,” said Gasimov. Russian weaponry internation- might meet with Rohani. have been measured, almost to Beirut’s southern That’s 12% — 770,000 — of ally,” said Gasimov. “China has Russia’s efforts are relentless. the extent of being pro forma. suburbs,A Lebanese Prime voters. For the September 17 demonstrated an interest in Its Astana process, mediating Hezbollah used short-range Minister Saad Hariri appealed for election, Likud headquarters in purchasing the S-400 and Syria’s conflict, has continued guided missiles, while the IDF help not to the United States or Tel Aviv displays on one side a [Turkish President Recep since 2017 with Turkey and Iran fired into open fields.” the international community but massive poster of Israeli Prime Tayyip] Erdogan has said he despite what Zarif recently How far will Russia’s Middle to Moscow. It was a striking Minister Binyamin Netanyahu plans to buy the S-500 [which called “stark differences” East role go? Putin is due to firm moment in Russia’s rise in shaking hands with Putin and on supplements the S-400].” between the three. After the G7, up Russia’s proposals for Gulf Middle East politics. another side a poster of Netan- Russia’s liaison with Saudi Zarif was in Moscow, meeting security floated in a government The Soviet Union’s collapse in yahu with US President Donald Arabia centres on two years with Russian Foreign Minister document in July, which 1989-91 led some Americans to Trump. coordinating oil production Sergei Lavrov. envisaged bilateral and multilat- proclaim a brave new world with Moscow has intelligence limits but Riyadh’s arms pur- Since late August, Putin’s eral consultations among the United States as sole super- co-operation with Israel in Syria, chases, including an agreement Middle East envoy Mikhail stakeholders, including regional power but Vladimir Putin rebuilt where Russia, like Iran, supports for S-400s, and Saudi King Bogdanov has been in the Gulf to and extra-regional states, the UN Russia’s international footprint Syrian President Bashar Assad. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s meet with Omani Foreign Security Council, the Arab as president after 2000. With both Russia and Israel 2018 Moscow visit suggest both Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin League, the Organisation of “Syria and the Middle East flying in Syrian airspace, they sides want to expand options. Abdullah and Emirati National Islamic Conference and the Gulf have become important arenas fear an incident worse than the Russia’s Middle East strategy is Security Adviser Tahnoon bin Cooperation Council. for Russia to articulate military 2018 downing of an Israeli F-16 to define strategic interests and Zayed. Some in the Gulf were This, said the document, strength and gain weight on the jet by a Russia-supplied Syrian act to secure them. In his book taken aback when Washington in should produce “an action group international stage,” said Zaur surface-to-air missile. “Winners and Losers in the ‘Arab August rejected responsibility to prepare an international Gasimov, senior research fellow Moscow has an equally Spring’: Profiles in Chaos,” Israeli for others’ tankers passing conference on security and coop- at the University of Bonn’s complex relationship with analyst Yossi Alpher writes that Hormuz but the Emiratis had eration in the Gulf area.” Russian Studies Department. Tehran. “Russia is aware Iran Putin has thrived in post-2011 already met with the Iranians for Russia’s intervention in Syria could rise up to a regional power regional turmoil while the the first time in six years to Gareth Smyth is a regular since 2015 has seen it acquire the and has counterbalanced this by United States has undergone discuss maritime security. contributor to The Arab Weekly. Tartus naval base and the developing strong ties with “zigzags and constant senior per- Bogdanov has hosted Israel’s He has reported from the Middle Hmeimim airbase but it has Ankara,” said Gasimov, citing sonnel changes in… [its] strate- ambassador in Moscow to East since 1992. 18 September 8, 2019 Economy

Viewpoint Briefs Saudi Arabia Syrian pound at record low on undertakes major black market The value of the Syrian pound against the US dollar fell sharply to its lowest rate in history, an eco- nomic publication said. restructuring at On the black market on Septem- ber 3, the pound was trading at 650 against the dollar. It’s “the lowest in history,” said Jihad Yazigi, editor-in-chief of the Energy Ministry Oil policy as top priority. Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih at a Syria Report economic publication. news conference in Vienna, Austria. (AP) (Agence France-Presse) replaced as chairman of Aramco by quickly opening the country’s floating shares on the Tadawul as Yasir al-Rumayyan, governor of the mining sector to foreign and early as the end of this year, with a Public Investment Fund (PIF), the domestic investment as part of second listing, possibly on the Jareer Elass kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund Vision 2030 but movement on that Tokyo Stock Exchange, in 2020 or Dubai to curb pace of and the primary investment vehicle front has been tepid. In March, Falih 2021. construction projects for the Gulf country’s planned estimated that the kingdom’s Political and legal factors n announcing a major economic transformation. The PIF mining sector held $1.3 trillion seemingly are making Riyadh rule as prices fall ministry restructuring and a chief is said to be a close ally of worth of assets. out the London, New York and Hong surprise replacement of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin At the centrepiece of Saudi Vision Kong exchanges. Dubai’s ruler issued a directive chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Salman bin Abdulaziz. 2030 is the sale of up to 5% of The sale of shares on the Saudi curbing the pace of new real estate state crown jewel, Riyadh is The split into two ministries Aramco, with the proceeds to be bourse may be limited because of construction projects as property telegraphing a course comes three years after the Saudi directed into the PIF. the fears of a large flotation prices fall and the sheer scale of Icorrection for Saudi Aramco ahead government merged the Saudi Progress on the IPO has seen overwhelming the relatively small developments threatens to outstrip of its initial public offering and for Energy and Mineral Resources significant delays over the past exchange but the recent inclusion of demand. jump-starting investment in the Ministry with the Industry Ministry, three years associated with the Tadawul in FTSE Russell and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed kingdom’s nascent industrial and with Falih replacing long-serving financial and oil reserve transpar- MSCI emerging market indices is bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered the mineral resource sectors. Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi to lead the ency issues as well as the company’s helping secure liquidity for creation of a committee to study The moves leave Saudi Oil new ministry. anticipated valuation and settling Aramco’s domestic listing. the needs of the real estate market, Minister Khalid al-Falih with a Falih, who had served at Aramco on the right foreign bourse for Falih gave a positive spin to losing evaluate future projects and control much-reduced portfolio focusing for three decades and was named its listing that will be in addition to the his Aramco role, tweeting on the pace of projects, a statement by largely on Saudi oil policy and the chairman in 2015, was charged in share flotation on the kingdom’s September 2 that making Dubai’s Media Office said. country’s decision-making role in May 2016 with overseeing a greatly domestic exchange, the Tadawul. Rumayyan, who was already a The move comes amid a slow- OPEC as Riyadh presses for higher expanded ministry that included The Saudi government is said to board member, chairman of the down in Dubai’s economy and a crude prices to satisfy budgetary not only oil, natural gas and be inflexible on supporting a state energy firm is “an important slump in real estate prices. needs and bolster Aramco’s petrochemicals but also the valuation of Aramco lower than $2 step to prepare the company for the valuation with an eye to the initial electricity and industrial sectors. trillion, which would translate into I P O.” (The Associated Press) public offering (IPO). That ministerial restructuring was as much as $100 billion in proceeds The decision to remove Falih Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz perceived as an integral component flowing into the PIF. However, from his leadership role at Aramco Al Saud issued royal decrees of Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s financial and industry trackers say in part may have been driven by August 30 that included dividing economic revamping programme that valuation is too high and could Riyadh’s need to officially separate Turkey faces up to the Energy, Industry and Mineral that is the brainchild of Crown be challenging to attain, especially the Energy Ministry from the state Resources Ministry previously Prince Mohammed, to build up during a global economic downturn firm to reassure nervous IPO $3 billion in trade overseen by Falih into two domestic industry and make with lower sustained oil prices. investors — and avoid potential losses with Britain ministries — the Energy Ministry strategic investments to move Saudi Momentum on the IPO picked up litigation — that there would be no over which Falih would be Arabia away from an economy following Aramco’s release of conflict of interest now that one responsible and the Industry and heavily dependent on oil rev- financial and statistical data as part official is involved in overseeing the Turkey may lose trade with Mineral Resources Ministry, for enues. of the prospectus for the company’s Gulf country’s oil policy and OPEC Britain worth up to $3 billion in the which King Salman chose Saudi There had reportedly been recent international bond sale, decision-making and another is event of a no-deal Brexit, Turkish private sector investor and growing frustration with Falih and which was heavily oversubscribed. responsible for managing Saudi Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said, businessman Bandar Alkhorayef to the ministry’s pace in pushing the The prospectus revealed that Aramco. adding that many Turkish com- lead. The ministries are to be IPO process along and pursuing Aramco was the most profitable panies lacked information on the separated effective January 1. opportunities for developing the company in the world in 2018. Jareer Elass reports from consequences of such a scenario. It became public September 2 kingdom’s non-oil sectors. For Reports suggest that King Washington on energy issues for Pekcan, speaking at a Turkey-UK that Falih was to be immediately example, Riyadh had high hopes for Salman’s government is considering The Arab Weekly. Business Forum in Istanbul, said the losses would stem from Britain hiking import tariffs after Brexit in sectors including steel, automo- tives and textiles. Automobile industry crisis prompts “We expect that the most af- fected sectors will be automotive by a trade loss worth up to $1.2 billion, textile with $1.3 billion and Algeria to import used vehicles electronic and white goods by $500 million,” Pekcan said. She said the ministry would have Saber Blidi Algeria in 2014, those automotive counterfeiting and theft gangs. links to powerful business lobbies. officials touring the country to importers have had a virtual monop- Recent official government statis- The Algerian automotive market is inform companies on the potential oly over the sector. tics indicate that local car assembly considered among the largest on the effects of a no-deal Brexit. he Algerian government is The dominance of the local private factories supplied 100,000 vehicles African continent with a top demand adopting a law allowing indi- sector over the automotive sector to the Algerian market but this did of 600,000 vehicles, which puts (Reuters) viduals to import used cars has led to low-quality vehicles sold not meet the growing demand in the tremendous pressure on the public T and vehicles to contain the cri- at higher prices in Algeria compared sector. treasury by exposing it to severe for- sis regarding vehicle assembly in the to the quality and prices of the same A source said all activities have eign currency bleeding. The sector country because of judicial restraints. brands in other car-producing coun- stopped at local Hyundai, Volkswa- consumes about $6 billion a year in Lebanese premier Algerian Minister of Commerce tries. Many installation and assembly gen and Kia factories and that dealer- expenditures. Said Djellab said a measure defining plants in Algeria have experienced a ships stopped taking orders because vows to keep currency conditions for importing used vehi- severe crisis since the arrest of their they would not be able to fill them. The dominance of the cles is under study with consultation owners and the disruption of import- The companies are said to be in such pegged to dollar with government committees, sug- ing operations. bad shape that customers who paid private sector over the gesting a return to previous regula- A government source said the gov- for their orders are having difficulty automotive sector has led to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad tions to meet local market demands. ernment intends to restore the previ- recovering their money, the source low-quality vehicles sold at Hariri pledged to keep the national The government is expected to ous import system because most of said. higher prices compared to currency pegged to the US dollar ratify the law so it be in force by the the institutions in the automotive The former head of the Automobile the quality and prices of the and said the government won’t beginning of the new year to restore assembly sector did not deliver a de- Dealers Association Youssef Nebache same brands in other consider an International Monetary order to a sector that had become a cent return for the public treasury. described the sector as a “big lie” that countries. Fund programme that would leave sham under the Bouteflika regime. Official estimates place the rate of had sustained the political system for it to the markets to decide the Many automotive manufacturing integration of the automotive assem- years, despite damage to the public To reduce the import bill, the gov- value of the Lebanese pound. and trading institutions have been bly sector in the national economy at treasury and the Algerian market. ernment in 2014 redrew the lists of “We believe that keeping the seized by the courts and their own- 10%, which is considered low, in ad- The sector benefited from tax and the beneficiaries of advantages ac- Lebanese pound at 1,500 (to the ers placed in custody on suspicion dition to the lack of transparency in customs breaks, such as exempting corded the sector, using the pretext dollar) is the only stable way to of corruption, smuggling and loot- the production cycle and suspicions its activities from paying the value- of starting an automotive assembly move forward with these reforms,” ing of public funds. That includes regarding the billing of imported added tax estimated at 17% and the sector in the country. Hariri told CNBC. Mahieddine Tahkout, owner of the parts. customs rights estimated at 30%. The sector ended up in the hands The Lebanese pound has been dealership of the South Korean giant The source, who requested ano- The companies also did not have to of businessmen close to the govern- pegged to the dollar since 1997. Hyundai; Mourad Oulami, owner of nymity, pointed out that the govern- pay trade fees and benefited from ment leadership. Since then, there Hariri’s comments came a day the Volkswagen dealership; and Mo- ment is developing “precise” terms preferential pricing for energy and has been a virtual monopoly of the after Lebanese leaders declared hammed Hasnaoui of the South Ko- and conditions for the sector to avoid land for the factories. market by those lobbies, with the an economic state of emergency rean Kia dealership. the mistakes of the old import system Investigations of the Bouteflika usual consequences of exploding to resolve the country’s economic Import lobbies had pressured the and to develop strict mechanisms for regime uncovered the involvement prices and fraudulent manipulation crisis. Algerian government to ban the im- moving capital and funds and ensure of former prime ministers, ministers of product quality and of the privi- port of vehicles less than 3 years old after-sales services. The govern- and high-level officials in cases of leges granted to them. (The Associated Press) by individuals. With the introduction ment is also hoping that new techni- corruption related to the automotive of automotive assembly activities in cal standards will end cross-border installation and assembly sector with Saber Blidi is an Algerian writer. September 8, 2019 19 Economy Tackling stubborn economic crisis a priority for Tunisia after election

Riadh Bouazza compared to last year. The experts’ predictions did not really surprise Tunisians because Tunis they have felt their economic condi- tions have been deteriorating since xperts described promises the economic crisis hit the country made by Tunisia’s presiden- nine years ago, leading to the over- tial hopefuls in the country’s throw of former President Zine el- E elections as hollow and un- Abidine Ben Ali. feasible even in the short term. Experts at a forum on “Monetary Perhaps the most sensitive issue Policies, Budget and Financial Sta- facing the next president will be how bility in Tunisia,” organised by the to adjust the path of the country’s Tunisian Association of Graduates fragile economy, which remains in of Higher Institutions, agreed that a dead end despite all earnest at- Tunisia’s economic situation is not tempts. out of the crisis zone and are still Many Tunisians doubt that any of stagnating. the 26 candidates in the September Former Tunisian Finance Minister 15 presidential election can imple- Hakim Ben Hammouda emphasised ment his or hers programme to save that the stability of some economic the country from its chronic eco- indicators, including the apprecia- nomic crises. tion of the Tunisian dinar against Despite the significant recovery of major foreign currencies and im- the tourism sector compared to last proved budget deficit, remained year, Tunisia’s GDP growth in the fragile. Fragile stabilisation. A view of containers at a loading terminal in the port of Rades in Tunis. (Reuters) first half of 2019 was 1.1%, well below The dinar has had its value rise in the 3.1% projections of the country’s the official and black markets, in- 2019 budget. creasing 2.2% against the euro and public spending, the deterioration of circles that debt-related indexes International financial institu- Official data for the second quarter about 3.4% against the US dollar. the situation of government institu- are a source of great concern. They tions say the public sector is largely of 2019 indicated a drop in the added The Tunisian dinar is at 2.86 dinars tions and of the social funds and the remain at very high levels, even unproductive and uses a significant value of manufacturing industries, against the US dollar. decline of industrial indicators and though they dropped from the year- portion of the funds allocated for which include the agricultural sec- The Tunisian official news agency of investments.” ly rate of 76.7%. investment, thus exacerbating the tor, building materials and textiles, quoted Ben Hammouda as saying The 2019 budget forecasts that the The state usually borrows to invest external debt crisis. of 0.8% compared to the same pe- that indicators do not correctly re- public debt at the end of the year in productive development projects Data released by the Central Bank riod in 2018. Non-industrial sectors, flect the country’s economic situa- would be around $29 billion, equiv- but often finds itself forced to use of Tunisia confirmed an alarming such as energy, mining and infra- tion, “especially in light of the wors- alent to 70.9% of Tunisia’s GDP. part of the loans to pay public sector 44% rise in debt-servicing costs in structure, posted a decline of 2.5% ening of the national debt, increasing There is consensus within economic employees. the first eight months of 2019, which places extreme pressure on the gov- ernment to tackle the problem be- fore it gets worse. Ben Hammouda said he consid- Despite rosy economic data, ered restoring the pace of invest- ments and activating sector and structural reforms to rearrange or re- place the local development model Egyptians complain of harder living top priorities that decision makers should work on. Accountant Walid Ben Salah said Yousef Saba Zeinab said. “If the president knew The percentage of Egyptians living and what gas? And what transport will improvement in the value of the about these things — there are a lot of below the poverty line rose to 32.5% he ride? Today, the cheapest bus ticket dinar from February through July poor people, Mr President, people only in the 2017-18 fiscal year from 27.8% in is 5 pounds,” he said. was because of the stability of the Cairo our Lord knows of. So do us a favour 2015-16, the state statistics agency said The lifting of fuel subsidies, a key foreign exchange reserves result- and send someone.” in July. It sets the national poverty line part of the IMF deal, has been particu- ing from Tunisia’s access to foreign conomists and investment The IMF measures were designed at 8,827 Egyptian pounds ($534) a year. larly painful, as higher transport costs loans. Reserves at the end of August banks said Egypt’s economic to bring Egypt’s budget and balance of Employment in the non-oil private lead to higher prices for almost all stood at 17.2 billion dinars ($6 bil- reforms have been a huge suc- payments deficits under control after sector contracted in 53 of the past 60 goods. lion) for the first time in nearly two E cess. Zeinab said she doesn’t the turmoil following the 2011 uprising months, according to IHS Markit’s Pur- “Who pays the price? You tell me,” years. think so. that unseated Hosni Mubarak. chasing Managers’ Index. Essam, a middle-aged fruit seller, said The Tunisian Finance Ministry “Everything is expensive,” said the “The reform story in Egypt is the Public service workers’ wages in- of the fuel price hikes. “We all pay.” said earlier that the budget allocat- elderly woman, walking through a best in (Eastern Europe, Middle East creased an average of 3.4% year-on- To help curb the effects of the aus- ed to repay the principal increased market in central Cairo. “I mean, the and Africa), in our view, and perhaps in year in the second quarter of 2018, terity measures and inflation, the gov- in the first half of the year by about basic things — expensive electricity, emerging markets overall,” UK-based Reuters calculations, based on Finance ernment put in place targeted safety 54%, reaching $1.2 billion against expensive gas, expensive water, ex- Renaissance Capital said in a report Ministry data, indicate, not nearly net programmes. $770 million in 2018. pensive living. What are people to do? in June. “We remain very bullish on enough to match inflation that peaked Angus Blair, president of Cairo think- Economic policies of successive Should people steal to live?” Egypt.” at 33% in 2017. tank Signet, said the government governments since 2011 have been On paper, data appear to show that However, for Ahmed, a 61-year-old Mohsen Kamal, a middle-aged should invest in smaller infrastructure unable to result in appropriate solu- reforms introduced with the Interna- tapestry craftsman, the past five years bread baker, said young people strug- projects nationwide rather than focus- tions to two fundamental dilemmas tional Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2016 are have been miserable. gle to find work and are underpaid ing on megaprojects. It should also en- in Tunisia: unemployment and pov- working. Inflation in August was at its “Honestly? We say, ‘Where are you, when they do find jobs, particularly gage with the private sector to help it erty. lowest in four years despite a round of Hosni (Mubarak) and where are your if they want to earn enough to start a grow faster, he said. The unemployment rate has fallen fuel price hikes. Unemployment fell to days?’ Hosni’s days are irreplaceable. family. “The economy is growing strongly slightly but remained high, reaching 7.5% in the second quarter of 2019 from We knew his worth when he left,” he “How much will [a young man] earn? but it hasn’t yet fed down to significant 15.3% by the end of the first half of 9.9% in the same period of 2018 and said, asking like others who spoke to Three thousand pounds? OK, a flat’s job creation,” he said, “but the overall 2019, compared to 15.4% at the end the non-oil private sector expanded Reuters about the economy, to use rent is 1,200 or 1,700 pounds. What wa- picture, from a macroeconomic stand- of last year. It is expected to be 15.5% slightly in July. only his first name. ter will he pay for and what electricity point, has improved.” by the end of this year. Bankers’ research reports have cel- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- The poverty rate has stabilised at ebrated Egypt as one of the hottest Sisi has repeatedly hailed Egyptians’ more than 15.2% since 2015, raising emerging markets, with debt invest- patience with austerity and promised questions about the government’s ments surging. Expressing confidence the reforms would eventually improve success in implementing reform that inflation is under control, the cen- standards of living. plans agreed to with the Internation- tral bank cut interest rates and analysts Sisi took office in 2014 after leading al Monetary Fund (IMF), as required. expect more cuts. the military overthrow of Egypt’s first Tunisia agreed with the IMF in However, ordinary Egyptians com- democratically elected president, Mu- May 2016 on painful reforms to ad- plain they see no improvement in day- hammad Morsi of the Muslim Brother- dress chronic shortcomings in fiscal to-day life after years of price rises, a hood, in 2013 following mass protests. balances but the reforms have not currency devaluation and austerity in “All that is asked is one thing: wait produced positive results. return for a $12 billion IMF loan. and you will see. Wait and you will see There has been evidence regard- In a country that rights activists wondrous wonders in Egypt,” Sisi said ing authorities’ inability to rescue say is in the midst of a crackdown on last year. debt-laden state-owned enterprises freedoms, there has been no sign of Mohsen complained that the wait and whose problems have been ex- protests but Egyptians, who have been has been too long. acerbated by slow implementation asked to be patient for better lives for “Until now, I haven’t seen any im- of reforms and complaints of poor five years, have grown increasingly provement,” he said. “We are patient services, while continuous political frustrated. but what will the patience end with?” bickering stands as the main obsta- “They don’t feel for anybody. Hon- cle to easing accumulated crises. estly, they don’t feel for anybody,” Tough times. Egyptians shop at a vegetable market in Cairo. (Reuters) (Reuters) Riadh Bouazza is a Tunisian writer. 20 September 8, 2019 Special Focus Media in MENA Was suspension of Alhurra Iraq TV connected to US-Iran tensions?

Mamoon Alabbasi government of Iraq has the right to question Alhurra on any report- ing that is perceived to be false or London unprofessional and has the right to respond with their position.” he suspension of the Alhur- The attacks on the programme ra television in Iraq after it could be motivated by animosity aired a programme about towards the United States in Iraq by T corruption inside Iraqi re- pro-Iranian politicians. ligious institutions renewed criti- “The campaign against Alhurra cism of the country’s record on me- could be part of Iran’s efforts to dia freedom and raised questions curb America’s influence out of the on whether the measure was linked country,” an unidentified Iraqi offi- to tensions between Iran and the cial told the National, a UAE-based United States. newspaper. Easily offended. Members of Iran-backed Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces at a training centre in Iraq’s Communications and “In general, the media space in Karbala carry a placard with an image of Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, August 30. (AFP) Media Commission hit the chan- Iraq is so broad and diverse that it nel with a 3-month suspension on is surprising to see that Alhurra is September 2 after the broadcast- suddenly being made an example The topic of corruption in govern- tions because of their links to Tehran. sistant Secretary of State for Near er, which is funded by the United of over allegations its reports were ment institutions features regularly The programme also targeted reli- Eastern Affairs David Schenker “re- States, ran a documentary criticis- inaccurate or against religious insti- on Iraqi television channels but Al- gious figures linked to Iraq’s top Shia affirmed the United States’ respect ing the country’s Shia and Sunni re- tutions. It could be more likely that hurra programme highlighting the cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for the significant and enduring role ligious bodies. the report was used as an excuse to role of Iran in Iraqi politics may have who is revered by many Iraqis and that the Marjaiya (Sistani) plays in “The Communications and Media go after a channel perceived as be- angered Tehran’s supporters in Iraq. who is not perceived as being influ- Iraq,” read a statement posted by the Commission ordered a suspension ing linked to the US,” reported the Alhurra’s documentary cited Iraqi enced by Iran. US Embassy in Baghdad on Twitter. of Alhurra Iraq’s licence for three Jerusalem Post. activists saying that Shia and Sunni US officials appear to be aware of months and a halt to its activities Transparency International ranks religious figures who are backed by the offence that the programme may Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy until it corrects its position,” read Iraq 168th out of 180 countries on Iran have not been pursued by the au- have caused to Sistani’s supporters. Managing Editor and Online Editor a statement by the commission, its “Corruption Perception Index.” thorities regarding corruption allega- During a visit to Baghdad, US As- of The Arab Weekly. which demanded a formal apology from the channel and a promise to abide by Iraqi media regulations. “These steps are tantamount to a final warning to the station and a tougher punishment will be taken In divided Iraq, ‘electronic in case this offence is repeated,” the statement added. The commission said the pro- gramme “failed to uphold the prin- armies’ threaten activists, media ciples of media professionalism” and “imposed on the audience a fabricated, one-sided narrative that Ammar Karim Allegations they were “agents” or Anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric critical and independent Iraqi was not supported by credible evi- seeking normalisation with Israel, has been on the rise as Iraqis feel voices, who have been maligned as dence.” Wajih said, were “empty and silly.” increasingly squeezed by the war of agents in a broader plot,” said Fanar Alhurra issued a statement say- Baghdad Iraqis have long been opposed to words between the two sides. Some Haddad, an Iraq expert at the Na- ing its “investigative report was Israel because of its occupation of Iraqi factions used the purported Is- tional University of Singapore. fair, precise and professional… raqi journalists, activists and re- Palestinian land. raeli strikes to relaunch calls for US “In this way, entrenched domes- Throughout the preparation of the searchers are facing accusations Baghdad has, however, devel- troops to leave Iraq. tic interests and rivalries have been investigation, the team provided and threats by shadowy online oped close ties with Washington Many of the same figures recently folded into the ongoing tensions be- the relevant people and institutions I groups they suspect are linked since the American-led invasion lashed out against US-funded Al- tween the Iran-led axis of resistance with enough opportunities and to powerful pro-Iran factions. that toppled ex-dictator Saddam hurra TV for a documentary alleg- and the United States, Israel and time to respond but they refused to Parties, armed groups and even Hussein in 2003. Despite that, ing corruption among Iraq’s reli- their allies in the region,” he said. do so.” officials in Iraq benefit from legions Washington’s bitter rival Tehran gious bodies, both Sunni and Shia. Omar al-Shaher, a journalist In its media freedom index, Re- of supporters dubbed “electronic also holds considerable sway in Perceptions Iraq was being “at- named in the graphic, said there was porters Without Borders’ ranks Iraq armies,” which take to social media Iraq’s political scene and with the tacked” by Israel and the United “not a shred of proof” to back up the 156th on its list of 180 countries. to anonymously sing their praises PMF. States were “broadened to include claims. Press freedom advocates, inside or mock their detractors. “These days, it’s more dangerous and outside Iraq, criticised the de- These online rivalries appear to than ever to have your name associ- cision by Iraq’s media commission. have been fanned by months of ris- ated with the Israeli camp,” he said. “This is the first time in five years ing tensions pitting Iran against the Historian Omar Mohammad, who such a quick step has been taken United States and Israel. documented Islamic State atrocities against a media organisation,” This summer, suspicious explo- in Mosul, said he suspected the ac- Journalistic Freedoms Observatory sions hit five camps and arms de- cusations came “as a result of the Director Ziad al-Ajili told Agence pots run by Iraq’s Popular Mobili- recent (purported) Israeli air strikes France-Presse. “The commission sation Forces (PMF), a network of and US-Iranian tensions.” can give its opinion on the journal- mostly Shia armed factions linked Mohammad said the graphic’s istic quality of a documentary but it to Iran. The PMF was quick to blame sleek production meant he was “ab- should have referred the case to the Israel and the United States but also solutely” taking its threats seriously. Iraqi judiciary.” said it suspected “agents” of the “It is institutional and profession- The Committee to Protect Jour- two countries contributed to the at- al. Seems there is a team specialised nalists (CPJ) called on the Iraqi tacks. in dehumanising us,” Mohammad commission to reverse its suspen- That accusation was followed said. sion of Alhurra. by an online campaign accusing Media rights groups are worried “We call on Iraq’s media regula- a broad range of Iraqi nationals of such incitement could lead to vio- tor to revoke the suspension of Al- “collaborating” with Israel and the lence. hurra’s licence and allow its staff to United States. “The sensitivity of the Palestinian do their jobs freely and without fear One graphic shared by an Arabic- question in the region means that of reprisal,” said CPJ Middle East language page titled “Don’t Tread accusing someone of working with and North Africa Representative Ig- on Us” accused 14 Iraqis of de facto Israel is tantamount to calling for nacio Miguel Delgado. “Reporting supporting a policy of “normalisa- their killing,” said the Journalistic on corruption should lead Iraqi au- tion with Israel.” Shared on social Freedoms Observatory. thorities to bring those responsible media, it named figures such as Rights group Iraqi Media House to account rather than to suspend a journalist Joumana Mumtaz and called for better protection of jour- broadcaster’s licence.” blogger Ali Wajih. nalists. “The phenomenon of elec- Iran-backed Iraqi militias ac- In response, Wajih wrote an open tronic armies has reached danger- cused the US government of being letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel ous levels, issuing threats including behind the editorial content of Al- Abdul-Mahdi, PMF leader Falih Al- incitement to violence and hatred,” hurra programmes, a charge denied fayyadh and his powerful deputy it said. “We are surprised by the au- by Pedro Martin, spokesman for the Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. thorities’ continued silence so far, US Embassy in Baghdad. “For years, a group of us journal- including the judiciary, in a clear “Alhurra’s mission is to deliver ists and bloggers has faced incite- abandonment of its responsibilities accurate and objective informa- ments to murder by people and pag- Raucous messages. An Iraqi man looks at his computer in a when it comes to electronic crimes.” tion on the region, American poli- es that may be close to the [PMF] or garden on the outskirts of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous cies and Americana,” Martin was directly linked to it,” he wrote. Kurdish region of northern Iraq. (AFP) (Agence France-Presse) quoted by Reuters as saying. “The September 8, 2019 21 Special Focus Media in MENA Egypt’s newspapers to shift from print to online

Amira Fekri compelled to employ people whose jobs have been suppressed. Cairo Newspaper employees said they fear digitisation of the publications he Egyptian National Press could lead to layoffs under the Authority said it was fi- guise of early retirement. Officials nalising the digitisation of in charge of restructuring national T some national press insti- institutions admitted the changes tutions in a project implemented would reduce the number of em- with the participation of the Min- ployees to ease financial losses. istry of Communications and in- A media source said the plan formation technology companies. would be applied first to weekly Officials said they hope the plan publications that have reported will help printed media reduce fi- heavy financial losses and cannot nancial losses. cover operating expenses. The move is part of a new press The source, who asked to re- and media law, which gives the main anonymous, said the deci- government the right to oversee sion would not apply to weekly and manage work at press institu- publications that make reasonable tions, merge or end some press and gains, even if they have limited dis- publishing institutions or publica- tribution, mainly through yearly tions that the state deems no long- advertisement contracts. “Each er profitable, while retaining print journalistic institution is going to editions of main publications. have one portal that will give ac- A number of editors-in-chief cess to all of its publications that of print newspapers and publica- had been transformed from paper- tions, including Al-Ahram, Al Akh- based ones to digital ones,” said the bar, Al-Jumhuriyah, Rose al-Yusuf source. and Dar Al-Maaref, were informed “The new project is like an in- production of print copies of their tegrated system to strengthen the publications would stop but the printed press and expand its reach publications would continue in an and not to eliminate it,” National A fading style of journalism. Old newspapers on display at al-Azbakeya book market in Cairo. (AFP) electronic form. Press Authority President Karam Gabr said on national television. “It is going to include a new system of qualified workers to run a digital the publications. The decision re- converting official print media to The government’s move to digital advertising and it will max- newspaper. Many journalists are flects a regression in the govern- electronic versions would include indirectly end the national imise the relative value of each accustomed to working in the tra- ment’s view of the national press changes in the boards of directors newspapers is a tacit press institution by offering to the ditional style of journalism and it as the media platform to convey and editors of the papers. Manag- admission of its inability to general public at home and abroad will be a challenge to change cul- the government’s messages. ers with business administration effectively manage the a distinctive style.” ture and habits to convince them Magdi Badr, professor of journal- backgrounds would be appointed publications. An industry observer said news- that what was being published in ism and television at the Higher In- for each publication but are not paper managers in Egypt “don’t the print version may not attract e- stitute of Information in Cairo, said expected to interfere with the They were told the decision was realise the danger of persisting in readers. the developments are a message publication’s editorial line and final and not open for discussion, having them (the papers) speak The National Press Authority that the government considered content. which led journalists and staff only on behalf of the government, said the major problem is not in the national press a heavy burden. This means government policy members at the publications to regardless of changing their publi- converting publications from print He said the decision to exclude in dealing with national newspa- complain. cation policies or forms, from print to electronic versions but in the hu- some national press was linked to pers will be essentially business- The move will lead to high rates to electronic versions. man element. The authority has es- the increased loyalty of the private focused in terms of asset man- of disguised unemployment in the “These papers will not improve tablished training programmes and media to the government and that agement, maximising resources editing, printing, layout, circula- their condition or end their crises workshops for journalists in the af- the government would not have and introducing business projects tion, subscription and advertising unless they switch from being the fected publications. moved in this direction had it not while editorial content was said departments of those papers, and voice of the government to being Observers said the government’s found alternative platforms play- to not matter much to the govern- that situation will represent an ad- the voice of the street or at least move to indirectly end the national ing the same role as the official ment. ditional burden on the budget of strike a balance between the two.” newspapers is a tacit admission of press. each institution because it will be Another problem is a lack of its inability to effectively manage The next step in the plan of Amira Fekri is an Egyptian writer. Viewpoint Blame Khamenei: Memoirs of a media executive

hood of Qolhak, Sarafraz was not ethical red line when the station predestined for a lifelong career broadcast forced confessions of in the government media. Newsweek contributor Maziar His first engagement with the Bahari, who was arrested while Ali Alfoneh media was not exactly preceded reporting on the 2009 protests. by a job interview: In February In May 2011, the regulatory 1979, the eve of the revolution, authority for telecommunication 17-year-old Sarafraz and his industries revoked Press TV’s older brother Javad joined the licence and on March 11, 2013, mobs that stormed and seized Sarafraz was sanctioned by the eteran media the National Radio building. European Union. executive and Terrified employees begged the Sarafraz said he did not mind debutant memoirist young men to safeguard the and was promoted to Islamic Mohammad Sarafraz archives, which they did. A year Republic of Iran Broadcasting is a man with a later, Sarafraz landed a job in the director-general but was mission: To subtly public relations department of constantly undercut by the Vand indirectly but unmistakably the National Radio followed by Office of Supreme Leader, the blame Iranian Supreme Leader other positions. Intelligence Ministry and the Ali Khamenei for systemic After Ali Larijani was Intelligence Organisation of the corruption and decay at the appointed director-general of IRGC, all of which had their own Islamic Republic of Iran Broad- Iranian television in 1994, he A man with a mission. Veteran media executive and debutant representatives and political casting. immediately chose Sarafraz to be memoirist Mohammad Sarafraz. (Courtesy of Mohammad Sarafraz) commissars in the national Symbolising the gradual the director of the foreign broadcasting headquarters. They decline of the traditional media, broadcast service. The two men not only censured the pro- the man who held executive got to know each other through a and Eastern Bloc countries.” began transmitting live televi- grammes, they were also positions in Islamic Republic of prominent clerical neighbour in After the United States sion from Iraq. involved in economic corruption Iran Broadcasting for a quarter of Qolhak in the early 1980s, and invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and The main commentator was and obtaining revenue from TV a century, released his book on Larijani needed loyal supporters as a limited response to Al Jamal Jafaar Mohammed Ali advertisement. Google Drive and has since in the system. Jazeera TV, Sarafraz, encouraged Ebrahim, also known as Abu In February 2016, Sarafraz, in a marketed it on Twitter. Sarafraz recalls the depressing and supported by Major-General Mahdi al-Muhandis, who private conversation with Born into a clerical family in state of affairs at the Foreign Rahim Safavi, then Islamic currently heads the Popular Khamenei, complained of his the North Tehran neighbour- Broadcast Department: “It had Revolutionary Guard Corps Mobilisation Forces Committee lack of independence and the reputation of being the (IRGC) commander, revitalised in Iraq. threatened to resign. He wrote a ‘arena of the Arabs’ or ‘internal Sahar TV. Hezbollah Secretary- By 2007, Sarafraz launched letter to Khamenei to which he exile’.” The revolutionary Arabic General Hassan Nasrallah feared Press TV, which managed to hire did not receive an answer. But language propaganda of the losing his monopoly on commu- British politicians George when he met Hossein Taeb, IRGC In February 2016, regime in the 1980s was no nicating Arabic-language Galloway and Jeremy Corbyn as Intelligence Organisation chief, Sarafraz, in a private longer desired by then-President messaging of the Islamic presenters. Press TV crossed the he asked: “What do you want to conversation with Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. “I Republic and energetically line, however, when it broadcast do now [that you are out of discovered… [the department] is opposed the initiative. post June 2009 election protests: TV]?” Khamenei, based on the old-fashioned On the eve of the US-led “We wanted to win the trust of Sarafraz’s book is a direct complained of his external service model. Rather invasion of Iraq in 2003, Sara- the viewers but the security answer to that very question. than addressing the needs of the fraz, once again aided by the services stopped our live lack of viewers, it was a translation IRGC and the extraterritorial transmissions,” he said. Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at independence and bureau [for official political operations al-Quds Force, In June 2010, Sarafraz and the Arab Gulf States Institute in threatened to resign. positions], similar to the Soviet started al-Alam TV Network and Press TV crossed a different Washington. 22 September 8, 2019 Culture

Lebanese film revives lost memory of the missing of war

Samar Kadi It explores authorities’ attempts to keep the past in darkness and oblivion, even though its legacy Beirut lingers on,” said Halwani, the son of a missing person. ecades after they disap- The film exposes authorities’ peared and were erased falsification of facts when they from the collective claimed bones and human re- D memory, the thousands mains discovered on construc- of people who went missing dur- tion sites were more than 300 ing Lebanon’s bloody civil war years old and animal bones. Peaceful atmosphere. Children welcome visitors at Al-Souda Season Festival. (Al Arab) have been brought back into vis- Halwani’s mother, Wadad Hal- ibility through “Erased — Ascent wani, heads the Committee of of the Invisible,” the debut docu- the Families of the Missing and mentary by film-maker and ani- Disappeared in Lebanon, which mator Ghassan Halwani. has been struggling for decades Saudi summer festival attracts A photograph appears at the to keep the cause alive, forcing beginning of the film and we are parliament to approve the forma- told a kidnapping is taking place. tion of an independent commis- Halwani modified the photo to sion to help determine the fate of domestic and foreign tourists erase the kidnappers and the vic- their loved ones. tim, replacing them with a cloud “The families (of the missing) or ghostly shape. Although the have been isolated in their strug- Amro Nabeel the event attracted 12,000-15,000 and distinctive stone and wooden act and the “actors” are invisible, gle. The public would sympathise visitors a day. Most were Saudi na- structures dating back 500 years it does not take away from its and show support occasionally, tionals but there were also many are adorned with bright, coloured power. Viewers scan the photo on specific dates, but otherwise Abha foreign tourists, he said. lights. to try to penetrate the blurred they have been confronting the Unlike in the main cities in The festival attracted sports en- cloud where people stood. authorities alone,” Ghassan Hal- t the top of a chain of Saudi Arabia, which have limited thusiasts, including practitioners wani said, arguing that “the is- green mountains in Saudi space for outdoor sports, espe- of wingsuit flying. Saudi media sue of the missing should not be Arabia, a month-long fes- cially for women, who must wear reported that British adventurer The film exposes a family cause but the cause of a authorities’ falsification A tival attracted a varied abayas in public, Saudi women in and aerospace engineer Angelo nation.” crowd of yoga enthusiasts, adven- Al-Souda were clad in jeans and Grubisic died at the festival dur- of facts when they “We have to be critical of the ture seekers, tourists and Saudi sneakers under their abayas and ing a jump along a mountain slope claimed bones and government’s approach. I am not families, many of whom wore were climbing mountains. Many when he encountered difficulties human remains the son of a missing person per se colourful flower crowns in an area observed the Islamic dress code by in reaching the landing site while discovered on but a citizen of this country. The where the kingdom is looking for covering their faces and hair. zipping through the air at a speed construction sites were authorities will keep on procras- ways and means to consolidate its Al-Souda village, in south-west- of about 160 kilometres per hour. more than 300 years old tinating until all the parents have new image and establish tourism. ern Asir, enjoys mild weather in The festival was less than 50km and animal bones. died. The second generation of Al-Souda Season Festival, which August when temperatures hover from the Abha International Air- families will then inherit the file, ran throughout August, allowed around 22 degrees Celsius, while port, which has been targeted by Making missing people visible which should be a national re- visitors to discover a unique region in Riyadh or Jeddah summer tem- Yemeni rebels. However, visitors at and not letting them be forgotten sponsibility in the first place,” he in Saudi Arabia and participate peratures exceed 43 degrees. In the festival said they had felt safe. is at the core of the documentary, added. in various activities, such as hik- winter, snow falls on parts of the “I’ve never felt this safe be- which peels away layers of Leba- Combining visual tools — pho- ing, mountain biking, paragliding, region’s mountain range, making fore,” said Paris Vera, a 24-year- nese history and rethinks the to- tos and drawings to maps, text horse riding and bungee jumping. it a year-round tourist attraction. old American visitor. “The city is pography of post-war Beirut. and his own animation — Hal- Thousands attended concerts by Al-Souda is in part of the Sarawat full of life. I was walking down the Images and plans of Beirut wani’s debut film is an emo- Middle East performers. Mountain range in the south-west- streets at 1 and 2am and having tea are highlighted, including a gar- tionally powerful experimental Saudi women of various ages ern Arabian Peninsula at about with the locals. Obviously, there bage dump where many bodies essay aimed at giving visibility using ropes to move from one 3,000 metres above sea level. The are a lot of misconceptions (about were ditched during the war. The and shedding light on the disap- mountain to the next and attend- mountains are covered with green Saudi Arabia) coming from the dump was buried and rebuilt as peared, who have become invis- ing concerts in a remote small juniper trees and the area is home United States and I’m here to show a fashionable waterfront prom- ible in the collective memory of Saudi village represented a stark to Hamadryas baboons, which and prove that these concepts are enade after the war. the Lebanese. departure from the strict policies were kept away from the festival incorrect and I hope everyone gets “There are places in Beirut The only human faces that ap- of conservative currents that had with the help of the South Africa- a chance to visit this place one where you have mass graves. To- pear in the film are those of the banned concerts and gender mix- based Human Wildlife Solutions. d a y.” day, they are the sites of our pre- disappeared, which makes their ing as well as sports for women in “I’ve never thought that my The atmosphere during the fes- sent life and the landscapes of presence felt, though they are the kingdom. country has such a rich nature,” tival was so peaceful that Walid our daily routines. For me, that absent. One recurring scene is The reform plan is being pushed said Noura al-Muammar from Jed- al-Qaed, who runs a Saudi hiking means there is a total absence of when Halwani scrapes posters by Saudi Crown Prince Moham- dah. “It’s amazing for us to discov- company, had an early morning any collective narrative or speech from a wall to expose hidden med bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, er and see the different cultures, meditation session for customers regarding the collective drama photographs of missing people. who looks to diversify the coun- landscapes and weather in our on top of the mountain. caused by the conflicts that took try’s economy in the face of falling beautiful Saudi region.” “We start our morning with a place in the past,” Halwani said. oil prices. In the nearby village of Rijal meditation session in the midst “In the film I am addressing the Making missing people Increasing domestic spending Alma, men used to wear wreaths of this wonderful environment young generation, particularly, visible and not letting and opening the country to foreign made from local flowers and where we thank God for this bless- telling them that in the redevel- them be forgotten is at tourists are ways to create jobs for herbs. To this day, visitors are wel- ing and, when we finish, we eat oped and gentrified places they the core of the millions of young Saudis expected comed and presented with similar local bread with honey and help go to like Hamra and Mar Mikhail to enter the job market in the com- wreaths and treated to enchanting visitors enjoy nature and forget (nightlife hubs) there are mass documentary, which ing years. local tribal dances, while sipping the rest of the world and live in the graves and traces of the past that peels away layers of Hossam al-Din al-Madani, who coffee and tea. In the evening, the moment,” Qaed said. are being erased,” he said. Lebanese history. oversaw Al-Souda Festival, said village’s traditional clay buildings The festival had concerts by top The Lebanese civil war (1975- Middle Eastern stars, including 90) cost the lives of an estimated It took Halwani six years to do Emirati singer Ahlam and Iraqi 150,000 people. An unknown the film. It was awarded prizes singer Kadim Al Saher. Organisers number are missing, with es- at several international film fes- said the performances attracted timates varying from 8,000- tivals, including Locarno (Swit- thousands of fans and Al Saher’s 17,000. A general amnesty for zerland), Toronto (Canada) and concert made 1.5 million riyals crimes committed in the war was Argentina. It was also screened ($400,000) in ticket sales. introduced in 1991 and Lebanese at the Beirut Cinema Days The festival is one of 11 happen- authorities have been resisting Festival. ing in different parts of Saudi Ara- calls by families of the disap- From the beginning, the film bia this year. The initiative, dubbed peared to investigate their fate or stirs deep compassion and em- Saudi Seasons, aims to develop recover their bodies. pathy. The disappeared remain tourism and provide Saudis with Halwani argues that little re- vivid in the memory of loved temporary and permanent jobs. mains of the collective drama ones, although with time each Madani said at least 515 young when authorities, time and the lost their individuality in the col- men and women had been recruit- flux of life come together to erase lective mind to become a faceless ed from the community to help from memory what happened victim of those historical circum- with the month-long event and lo- and the very identities of those stances. cal businesses received a boost by people who are no more. Yet their records in the pub- working food carts and providing “The film does not focus on lic registers remain open and so other services. the crimes committed during the they live on symbolically, the war but on the more dangerous lost citizens who will never be So much to see. Visitors attend an event at Al-Souda Season Amro Nabeel is an Egyptian crimes committed in peacetime. marked as gone. Festival. (Al Arab) writer. September 8, 2019 23 Culture

A play of colours. A painting on display at the “Yemeni Art Caravan” exhibition in Giza, Egypt. Stories to tell. A painting that depicts an old man on display at the (Al Arab) “Yemeni Art Caravan” exhibition in Giza, Egypt. (Al Arab) Artists paint the many faces of Yemen

tual and philosophical freedom Mohamed Abdelhadi of expression of the participants in formulating the visual symbols Cairo and forms that represent Yemen in all its culture and beauty. n their country’s ancient histo- The diversity of the participants A message of life. A visitor looks at paintings on display at the “Yemeni Art Caravan” exhibition in ry and cultural heritage, Yeme- in the exhibition carried the mes- Giza, Egypt. (Al Arab) ni painters have found a haven sage that art must be purified from I through which they can escape politics and power struggles so art- the bitter present of their war-torn ists can take in a full dose of free- who prefers painting through Ara- their feelings and depicting their was a picture of a queen holding country, one devastated by four dom that is uncompromised by bic calligraphy, included dozens of times. a torch, an image that emphasises years of relentless war and that has internal or external pressures from subliminal messages that summa- Ahlam al-Rifai drew a modern the antiquity of the people and left millions suffering. those serving narrow interests. rise the repeated conflicts through- image of Yemeni women by paint- their ability to take off anew and They escape through paintings Sabaa said the exhibition em- out Yemen’s history. It weaves in ing an unveiled woman wearing a rebuild. that call for life and shun death, bodied the creativity of Yemeni the life of Abdullah Saleh al-Bar- modern outfit and striking a bewil- Anfal al-Mughals, who lives in that paint smiles rather than tear- artists, bringing under one roof douni, whose polio-caused blind- dered pose. She titled it “Moklaf Guangzhou, China, demonstrated ful eyes and that depict homes full those representing every province ness did not stop him from becom- Aden” (“The Cost of Aden”), play- a rather singular technique in her of life and movement instead of and did not deal with the war, pre- ing one of Yemen’s most famous ing on the ambiguity of the word work. She painted the face of a abandoned ruins. ferring to depict the diversity of poets and the most important his- “moklaf,” which can mean either Yemeni girl in the place of the fa- Nearly 120 artists took part in the environment, the beauty of the torian of the conflict between the “financial cost” or “physical hard- mous image of the girl found on an exhibition in August in Giza, architecture and elements of cul- monarchists and the republicans. ship” or perhaps refers in the local playing cards, blending in a mix- Egypt. Their brushes nostalgically ture, heritage and folklore. vernacular to divorced or widowed ture of local Yemeni decorative el- archived the past and yearned Organised by Yemeni and Egyp- Nearly 120 artists took part women who are burdened with life ements to deliver the message that for tranquillity, depicting plains, tian cultural institutions, includ- alone after losing a husband. Yemen has a glorious past and that mountains, land and people. ing the Yemeni Cultural Centre, the in an exhibition in Giza near Rifai, who is known for her po- the success of the Queens Balqis The “Yemeni Art Caravan” ex- exhibition was not without elegiac Cairo entitled “Yemeni Art litical activism and commentary and Arwa can be repeated at any hibition represented the artistic paintings bemoaning reality indi- Caravan,” reflecting the on important events, said she pre- time. spectrum. It included works from rectly. whole gamut of the artistic sented a specimen of the beauti- The “Yemeni Art Caravan” repre- all Yemeni provinces, whether Some artists pointed out that re- spectrum and regions in ful Adeni woman who derives her sented a title for a utopia, powered controlled by the Houthis or by ality sometimes dominates their Yemen. beauty from her city and preserves by art and based on a society de- the recognised government. There paintings. The heritage of their her elegance through her insist- void of hatred. That kind of Yemen were pieces by Yemeni artists liv- country cannot be approached The painting attempted to draw ence to live and survive despite would mean the Iran-backed fac- ing in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, without addressing the political inspiration from Bardouni’s po- being overwhelmed by suffering, tion there would have to give up Turkey, Spain, China and Britain. strife and insecurity ripping their ems. Majidi addressed concerns sadness and hardship. its ambitions of domination for the Yemeni artist Mohammed Sabaa country or the practices that have and issues of his homeland and The Yemeni art caravan offered benefit of the nation in the hope said the artists were free to express affected the lives and health of expressed the suffering of his fel- a full record of daily life and popu- of reviving an ancient civilisation their mind without constraints or millions of Yemeni citizens. How low citizens, as well as the issue of lar culture. It included paintings of whose name was, for centuries, as- directives. The art caravan is not can an artist paint only happy faces national liberation. Through the men working in fields, girls shep- sociated with happiness. affiliated with any political entity. when sadness is the dominant fea- painting, the artist considers that herding cattle, women making It sought to enrich the local art ture of his compatriots’ faces? poetry has the task of express- household items or looking admir- Mohamed Abdelhadi is an scene and emphasise the intellec- “Al-Bardouni” by Adel al-Majidi, ing people’s concerns, conveying ingly at the ancient ruins. There Egyptian writer. 24 September 8, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Tangier: September 15-22

The 20th Tangier’s Jazz Festival will feature international and local jazz artists. Visitors can enjoy free street performances, free dance courses and jazz concerts during the 8-day event. This year’s festival lineup includes Buika, Anne Sila and Nico Morelli.

El Gouna: September 19-27

El Gouna, on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, will host the third El Gouna Film Festival. A diverse selection of films is scheduled, including documentary, nar- rative and short film competi- tions in addition to the Audi- ence Award.

Nefta: (Reuters) Tourists take photos with camels on the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. September 21-22

Les Dunes Electroniques 2019 is a Tunisian event that celebrates electronic music. Dubai strengthens position as The event takes place in the Ong Jemel area of the Tunisian Desert near Nefta. More than 30 international artists will the ‘cruise hub of the region’ perform. Amman: September 26-October 5 N.P. Krishna Kumar The Amman International Book Fair welcomes more than 500 Dubai printing houses from various countries. The 19th edition of ubai has been growing its the fair will take place at You- reputation as a global cruise nis Islam Street. destination as well as po- D sitioning itself as the main Beirut: centre for cruise tourism in the re- October 2-10 gion. Leading global operators use cruise Beirut will celebrate cinema terminals in the emirate as a viable with the 19th edition of the destination for pre- and post-cruise Beirut International Film Fes- stopovers. tival. The festival will include One significant feature that makes competitions in Long Features, the emirate’s cruise operation stand Short Films and Documentaries out is that it is the only cruise ship in addition to Lebanon pre- terminal in the world managed by its mieres of films. tourism agency, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Essaouira: (Dubai Tourism). October 11-13 Steering policy is the Dubai Cruise Committee, which includes leading The third MOGA Festival of industry partners: Dubai Tourism; DP electronic music and culture World UAE Region, operator of the will take place in Essaouira, Mina Rashid; Emirates Airline; the An Emirati national flag flies over a reservoir where kayaks and boats are cruising in the Dubai Morocco. Performances, edu- General Directorate of Residency and emirate’s exclave of Hatta, near the Omani border. (AFP) cational workshops, beach par- Foreigners Affairs-Dubai; and Dubai ties, digital video installations Customs. are scheduled. This ensures a smooth and seam- which will be carrying more than ism senior vice-president said: “The Cruise Terminal has received more less experience for passengers along 6,000 passengers. success of the 2018-19 cruise season than 2.3 million visitors. Abu Simbel: with premium travel facilities and Seven ships from six cruise lines stands as a true testament to the ro- In April, Mina Rashid won the Mid- October 22 amenities. plan regular itineraries from Dubai bust growth of Dubai’s cruise indus- dle East’s Leading Cruise Terminal Developing Dubai’s cruise industry across the Gulf and India, with more try and the city’s growing appeal as a Award for the 12th consecutive time The Sun Festival at Abu Simbel falls in line with the Dubai Silk Road than 20 world-class cruise lines stop- year-round ‘must-visit’ destination. at the World Travel Awards (WTA) takes place in February and Oc- strategy prepared by the Ports, Cus- ping in the emirate, allowing tourists “We are delighted to welcome lead- 2019, along with WTA’s World’s Lead- tober each year. When Ramses toms and Free Zone Corporation in to start or finish longer international ing cruise lines once again to operate ing Cruise Port Award for 11 years in a II built the temple, he had it collaboration with other government cruise itineraries in the city. regular international itineraries out row since 2008. carefully positioned so that on entities. “It is reassuring to see the steady of the city. We will continue to ac- While handling seven mega-cruise his birthday and the date of his These efforts resulted in firming up double-digit increase in tourist traf- tively work with our valued network vessels at once, Mina Rashid is un- ascension to the throne, the Dubai’s position on the global cruise fic at Mina Rashid each year,” said of local, regional and global partners dergoing an expansion to improve its inner sanctum would be lit by tourism map. Mohammed Abdul Aziz al-Mannai, to further highlight Dubai’s ease of capabilities, including a world-class the rising sun, which gradually More than 40 million people CEO of P&O Marinas and ex- accessibility, driven by recreational area that will symbolise illuminates the statues of the worldwide will be travelling on cruise ecutive director of Mina efficient cruise ter- Dubai’s rich cultural heritage. sun gods. Every year during ships annually by 2030, representing Rashid. “Central to this minal operations For cruise operators and the indus- the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, a 40% increase from 2017, the Cruise stellar performance and continual try, there are more exciting develop- people gather along the banks Lines Industry Association said. At a is our flagship enhance- ments to look forward to. of the Nile River near the tem- national level, maritime tourism sec- Hamdan bin Mo- ments Another dedicated cruise port, ple to see the unique sunrise tor is expected to contribute more hammed Cruise that called the Dubai Cruise Terminal, spectacular and celebrate with than $410 million to Dubai’s economy Terminal, have is being built at Dubai Harbour — a food and dance and singing by 2030. capable of han- welcomed maritime neighbourhood by Meraas programmes arranged by area The emirate concluded its 2018-19 dling 14,000 an ever- between Bluewaters and Palm Jumei- residents. cruise season with a record increase passengers a increasing rah and connected to some of the of more than 51% in cruise tourist day. number of city’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Tunis: footfall and a 38% increase in cruise “The operators The project is to include the con- October 26-November 2 ship calls season-on-season. There increas- to anchor in struction of two main cruise terminal were 846,176 cruise visitors via 152 ing the emirate.” buildings strategically positioned on The Carthage Film Festival is ship calls during the season, com- popu- The three a 1km-long quay. an annual event that show- pared to 558,781 visitors onboard 110 larity of cruise ter- With a combined floor area of cases films from the Maghreb, ships in 2017-18. An additional 211 Dubai as a home- minals at Mina 28,000 sq. metres, Dubai Cruise Ter- Africa and the Middle East. ship calls are confirmed for the 2019- porting choice among Rashid can serve minal is planned to create a unique 20 season. international cruise liners will up to seven cruise vessels entry experience for cruise ship pas- This achievement will strengthen further boost luxury cruise tourism, and handle more than 25,000 pas- sengers who arrive in the emirate We welcome submissions of Dubai Cruise Tourism’s goal of 1 mil- with opportunities to connect Dubai sengers at one time. The latest ter- and will have the capacity of accom- calendar items related to lion cruise tourists by the 2020-21 to newer places.” minal, the Hamdan bin Mohammed modating complete passenger turna- cultural events of interest to season and serving as the homeport He said they will work closely with Cruise Terminal (Dubai Cruise Termi- round of two mega-cruise ships con- travellers in the Middle East for ten of the world’s leading interna- Dubai Tourism to support the Dubai nal 3), was inaugurated in December currently, accounting for more than and North Africa. tional cruise lines. Cruise Committee and “strengthen 2014 and is one of the world’s largest 15,000 guests. The Dubai cruise season 2019-20 Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of and most modern covered cruise fa- Please send tips to: commences October 19 with Mein the region.” cilities. N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab [email protected] Schiff, homeporting cruise liner, Hamad Bin Mejren, Dubai Tour- The Hamdan bin Mohammed Weekly contributor in Dubai.