UK £2 Issue 211, Year 5 June 23, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com What to expect from Bahrain meeting Refugees in MENA Pages 6,18 Pages 5-6,11 Iraq’s mysterious fires Page 3 US mulls ‘measured’ strikes as Iran prepares to break nuclear limits ► According to analyst Roland Popp, Iran has only two options left: to remain patient and hope that Trump would not be re-elected next year “or war.”

Thomas Seibert being fired. It was unclear if attacks on Iran might go ahead later, the newspa- Istanbul per said, nor was it known whether Trump had changed his mind or he Gulf region is sliding whether his administration had be- towards war as the United come concerned about logistics or States considers “meas- strategy. T ured” strikes against Iran Iranian officials told Reuters that while Tehran threatens to retaliate, Tehran had received a message from officials said. Trump through Oman warning that Iran’s announcement to break a US attack on Iran was imminent. limits set by the international nu- Tehran said Iran would retaliate clear deal is making it more difficult if the United States attacked. The for mediators to find a solution and IRNA news agency quoted Mohsen irritating European powers. Baharvand, a senior Iranian Foreign Reports from Washington said Ministry official, as saying the Unit- that although initial plans for re- ed States would “receive a recipro- taliatory strikes were abandoned at cal response whose consequences the last minute, the administration are unpredictable.” of US President Donald Trump was The military escalation came af- still considering a “measured” mili- ter Tehran signalled it was ready to tary response after Iran shot down surpass limits set by the 2015 nu- Suspended strikes. Iranians walk past a mural painting along the wall of the former US Embassy in a US unmanned aerial vehicle over clear deal, formally known as the Tehran, June 22, 2019. (AFP) the Strait of Hormuz. Washington Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action said the drone was flying in inter- (JCPOA). national airspace but Iran claimed it The Atomic Energy Organisation to exert pressure on Washington to possible settlement mechanism if enrich uranium or even reopen the had breached its border. of Iran said Tehran was prepared to loosen the screws somewhat.” discussions with the European Un- plutonium path, they will lose the Trump said in a news interview enrich uranium to a higher level if “It is both a sign of a loss of pa- ion fail. moral high ground, force the Euro- June 21 that the initially planned Europe did not step in. The agency tience on the Iranian side and of a Concern about a military confron- peans back into Washington’s lap strikes were aborted because of said Iran would exceed limits under gradual reassertion of a more hawk- tation has increased since attacks on and also make it impossible for the wariness about Iranian casualties. the accord on stockpiles of enriched ish approach,” Popp wrote in re- two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman Chinese and Russians to offer much uranium as early as June 27. sponse to questions. June 13 and on four tankers off the help,” Popp wrote. US President Tehran’s steps could mean the French Foreign Minister Jean- United Arab Emirates May 12, both Options for Iran to solve the crisis Donald Trump end of the 2015 nuclear deal, whose Yves Le Drian, speaking after a near the Strait of Hormuz, a major politically are decreasing, Popp said. fate has been in doubt since the cabinet meeting in Paris attended conduit for global oil supplies. The “The sad fact is that there is no way United States left the agreement by German Foreign Minister Heiko United States and its regional ally, out even for a well-meaning and last year. Maas, said France and Germany Saudi Arabia, blamed Iran for the skilled Iranian strategist,” he wrote. “We were cocked & loaded European countries want to save would increase efforts to reduce incidents. Iran has denied respon- Bowing to US demands, which to retaliate last night.” the JCPOA because they see it as the tensions but conceded time was sibility. call on Iran to end enrichment ac- best opportunity to keep Iran from running out and the risk of war Ted Deutch, a Democrat and a tivities and ballistic missile prolif- building a nuclear weapon but they could not be ruled out. member of the House Committee eration as well as to stop support “Ten minutes before the strike are facing an uphill task because of “There is still time and we hope on Foreign Affairs, said Trump’s for terrorist groups such as Hezbol- I stopped it, not proportionate Washington’s pressure on Iran and all the actors show more calm. “maximum pressure” campaign “is lah and the Houthis, among other to shooting down an unmanned Tehran’s determination to abandon There is still time but only a little increasing the chances of miscalcu- things, was out of the question for drone,” Trump said. the agreement if Europe does not time,” he said. lation, which then would bring the Tehran, Popp said. “We were cocked & loaded to re- find a way to shield its Iran trade Recent visits by Maas and Japa- United States and Iran closer to a Iran had only two options left, he taliate last night,” Trump also wrote from US sanctions. nese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to military conflict.” added: to remain patient and hope on Twitter. Roland Popp, a security analyst Tehran failed to break the deadlock. The United States may not be that Trump would not be re-elected The New York Times quoted a focusing on Middle Eastern affairs, Britain, France and Germany plan the only side in the conflict risk- next year “or war.” senior administration official as said: “Some people in Iran think a new push to keep Iran in the nu- ing miscalculation. Popp pointed saying US warplanes took to the air that waving the nuclear card will clear deal but they may be nearing to “a basic fault in the Iranian stra- Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly and ships were put in position for a create panic in European capitals, the end of the diplomatic road, dip- tegic calculus” that could end up correspondent. retaliatory attack before an order to moving governments there to either lomats told Reuters. Iran said it was strengthening Iran’s adversaries. stand down without any weapons challenge the US sanctions threat or in talks with Russia and China on a “If the Iranians resort to sizeably P2,15 Jordan’s Jerash Festival hopes to be summer draw despite row over artists’ pay Roufan Nahhas boud said he would boycott the fes- in addition to the participation of handicrafts, food products and the East, carries the flag as the main tival in support of his compatriots. 25 Jordanian folklore groups from other traditional Jordanian items. and leading attraction for summer “I am supporting my colleagues various governorates, poetry re- The 34th Jerash Festival is sched- festivities in Jordan. Amman in their decision. The Jordanian citals and exhibitions showcasing uled for July 18-28 and organisers Artists Association showed an un- said they hope to “restore the lo- espite its high ambitions, appreciative attitude towards our cal community and visitors’ confi- A number of Jordanian the Jerash Festival, Jor- work. They offered me $1,130 to dence in the festival and boost its artists are boycotting the dan’s leading summer at- participate in the festival while artistic and cultural appeal.” festival, complaining of ill D traction, is facing a boy- offering (visiting) Arab singers The festival will include new pay compared to non-local cott by Jordanian artists for what $70,000. It is unacceptable and il- activities such as a film festival, Arab performers. the performers say is poor manage- logical,” Abboud said. during which 25 movies will be ment and poor pay. Jerash Festival Executive Direc- screened, and the “Jerash Festival The festival previously faced Singers Rami Shafeeq, Ghada Ab- tor Ayman Samawi, in a statement, Lights” programme. harsh criticism from the public and basi, Haitham Amer and Tawfiq Al said: “The budget allocated for Jor- Taking place in the ancient city’s media but this year “things are go- Dalo announced their boycott after danian artists has been doubled, Greco-Roman theatres, 48km north ing the right way,” journalist Majdi rejecting organisers’ offers, which reaching around $36,600, while of Amman, the Jerash Festival had Tell said. the performers said were “degrad- (visiting) Arab artists will receive a humble start in 1981 when it was “There were some ups and downs ing,” compared to fees paid to non- about $373,700 in total, which con- founded by Queen Noor. It quickly but it seems the festival has finally local Arab performers. firms the importance of the Jorda- gained popularity, attracting large found a way to be more attractive Shafeeq, who has a wide fan base nian artists’ presence and partici- numbers of locals and visitors from and well-organised with a host of at home and in Arab countries, said: pation.” ‘Unfair treatment’. Jordanian the Gulf region. interesting activities and an ‘A list’ “There should be a fair treatment The statement referred to the singer Rami Shafeeq is The festival had a 4-year inter- of local and Arab artists,” Tell said. between Arab and Jordanian art- local participation as “excellent” among Jordanian performers ruption but was revived in 2011 and ists.” with two nights dedicated to Jorda- boycotting the Jerash Festival. today Jerash, once known as Gerasa Roufan Nahhas is a journalist Jordanian singer Suleiman Ab- nian artists on the southern stage Roufan Nahhas and referred to as the Pompeii of based in Jordan. 2 June 23, 2019 News & Analysis Gulf Tensions Attacks in Arabian Gulf threaten global economy

Sabahat Khan world’s crude oil and by-products traded by sea along with all of Qa- tar’s liquefied natural gas exports, Dubai accounting for almost one-third of the global market, traverse the audi Arabia and its regional Strait of Hormuz daily. allies urged world powers to Western economies meet as much secure shipping lanes across as one-third of their oil demand S the region following attacks from Gulf producers. Asia, too, is on tankers in the Sea of Oman. Jap- strategically reliant on petroleum anese-owned Kokuka Courageous, products from the Gulf. loaded with highly flammable Considered the world’s most methanol, and Norwegian-operat- strategic maritime choke point, the ed Front Altair, loaded with highly Strait of Hormuz rarely experiences flammable naphtha, suffered dam- disruption but when it does there age at or below the water line. are immediate ramifications in in- The damage, US and Western in- ternational markets. The attacks vestigators said, was caused by lim- June 13 were the second set of as- pet mines attached to the vessels by saults in 32 days after four tankers Iranian special forces. Iran denied were attacked in mid-May near Fu- being behind the attacks but the jairah, off the coast of the United United States released surveillance Arab Emirates. footage of what it says is an Iranian The severity of threats to free- team removing an unexploded de- dom of navigation at sea in the Gulf vice from one of the vessels. has not been seen in decades. They could be at the highest levels possi- ble without an actual armed conflict As Iran restarts production taking place. of highly enriched uranium, BIMCO, the world’s largest in- its regional proxies become ternational shipping association, more audacious in their issued security advice to avoid Shadow of war. Sailors stand on deck above a hole the US Navy said was made by a limpet mine operations and as Gulf oil navigating through the areas where planted on the Japanese-owned oil tanker Kokuka Courageous, anchored off Fujairah, June 19. (AFP) shipments come under attacks took place. However, the lat- sabotage, a stuttering global est ones occurred further out of the economy could be dragged Gulf, in the Sea of Oman, suggesting ers against any value of damage or ternative routes bypassing the strait region. The British Royal Navy is de- into deeper troubles. the “anti-access, area denial” ca- destruction caused by terrorism or can provide some cover against ploying another 100 Royal Marines pabilities of Iran no longer confine war. total disruption but, if attacks on to the Gulf to protect British ships. Iran has often alluded to the their focus to the narrow Strait of Reports stated that supertank- tankers and commercial shipping Other countries are likely to step up possibility of blockading the Strait Hormuz. ers’ owners could be paying close persist, oil prices will continue to activities to protect sea lanes from of Hormuz to disrupt global oil With six tankers hauling a variety to $200,000 in war-risk premiums rise. An actual US-Iran military con- attacks and sabotage. shipments if its own exports were of petroleum cargoes having been each time they visit the Gulf. Car- frontation, depending on its size The risk of costly war is one that blocked. In recent months, the attacked, some ship owners and goes are insured under separate and scale, could triple the price of the region is keen to avert but, as United States intensified pressure charterers suspended bookings as policies, the costs of which have oil. Iran restarts production of highly on Iran with unprecedented eco- shipping risks are re-evaluated. Oil also been rising. US Secretary of State Mike enriched uranium, its regional nomic sanctions that forced tradi- tanker owners, in particular, are fac- With such rising risks and cost Pompeo vowed that the United proxies become more audacious tional customers of Iranian oil to ing surging insurance costs to move of business, operations are being States will “make sure that we take in their operations and as Gulf oil turn to other suppliers and greatly cargo out of the world’s most im- slowed down as more cargo waits to all the actions necessary” to guaran- shipments come under sabotage, a decreased Iranian oil exports. portant region for crude oil exports. be lifted. Unsurprisingly, oil prices, tee the safety of commercial ship- stuttering global economy could be Tehran accused the United States Insurers, such as DNK, which which had been sliding amid specu- ping going forward. dragged into deeper troubles. of “economic terrorism” and vowed covered the Front Altair for the full lation of slowing global demand, The United States has been re- to respond, increasing the risk of value of the vessel, are increas- have seen a rise of 5% triggered by inforcing its military deployments Sabahat Khan, based in Dubai, military confrontation between the ing war-risk premiums. A ship of the latest attacks. to the region in response to the el- maintains a cross-disciplinary two. that tanker’s size can be worth $50 Saudi, Emirati and to a lesser ex- evated threat level and is dispatch- focus in international security, Approximately one-third of the million and insurers cover own- tent Iraqi oil pipelines that offer al- ing an additional 1,000 troops to the defence policy and strategic issues.

Viewpoint Iran treads on shaky ground amid escalatory indications

ran will soon break for the first Energy Agency (IAEA). Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled EU should not carry out its threat to time from the 2015 nuclear “We don’t yet know what form out talks with the United States, isolate Iran.” agreement, the Joint Compre- the next escalatory steps might whose demands of Iran, as ex- Dalton argued Europe needed Gareth Smyth hensive Plan of Action. take,” said Peter Jenkins, former pressed by US Secretary of State to go beyond damage limitation Tehran has announced it British ambassador to the IAEA. Mike Pompeo in May 2018, include to seek a new security framework. would, by June 27, exceed the “It may be best at this stage not to ending enrichment, abandoning the This would accept Iran’s rights IJoint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- speculate.” missile development programme under the Treaty on the Non-Prolif- tion’s (JCPOA) 300kg ceiling on low- Iran might, slowly or quickly, and breaking regional alliances eration of Nuclear Weapons while enriched uranium, which it stopped increase enrichment to the 20% with groups, including Hezbollah in tackling the perceptions of coun- exporting in May. suitable for the Tehran Research Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, tries on both sides of the Gulf about The challenge this poses to world Reactor, largely for medical iso- regarded by the United States as threats they face. powers will build if Iran takes steps topes. It might operate centrifuges, “terrorists.” to escalate its nuclear programme devices for enrichment, beyond Whether tensions lead to a US beyond the JCPOA. Early August the 6,100-centrifuge limit set by attack on Iran may hinge on a tussle Iran may not will bring the expiry of a 60-day the JCPOA or it might resume using in Washington, where Pompeo and want to deadline set by Iranian President more advanced centrifuges, whose John Bolton, the national security antagonise Hassan Rohani for Iran to resume use the JCPOA ruled out. There is adviser, are pictured as “hawks” enrichment above the JCPOA’s ample scope for either to be done trying to goad a reluctant Trump. Europe, China or 3.67% limit unless offered interna- incrementally: Tehran ran 19,000 of The president told Time magazine Russia by moving tional support against US sanctions. the basic and 1,000 of the advanced that recent attacks on two tankers After that, Iran has various op- centrifuges before the JCPOA. in the Gulf of Oman, blamed by the too far or too fast. tions. Changes may trickle or be Iran’s leadership apparently United States on Iran, were “very “There should be a fresh multilat- more dramatic. They will be in plain believes calibrated moves can minor.” eral diplomatic effort,” he said, “to sight as long as Iran accepts moni- increase pressure on Europe, Russia The options may not look palat- meet more of the security needs of toring by the International Atomic and China to offer effective assis- able for Trump or Khamenei. “I all states in the immediate region, tance against the stringent US sanc- cannot see much room for further including non-aggression and non- tions introduced since US President sanctions,” said Jenkins. “At the interference, freedom to engage in Donald Trump abandoned the same time, a US military strike military alliances provided they are JCPOA in May 2018. Iran’s leaders would risk Iranian destruction of not directed against third parties, may also think a gradual renewal of Saudi and Emirati desalination [nuclear] non-proliferation, con- the nuclear programme can assuage plants and oil terminals and Iranian ventional arms arrangements, eco- government critics and domestic proxies wreaking havoc in the nomic cooperation and exchanges public opinion. Levant, Red Sea and Iraq. Trump, on other mutual interests, including However, Iran may not want to Bolton and Pompeo should be capa- sectarian coexistence.” antagonise Europe, China or Russia ble of working out that this would Dalton said urgent action was re- by moving too far or too fast. China not be a great outcome.” quired to avert a cycle of escalation. continues to buy Iranian oil as well Sir Richard Dalton, the former “Europe should in the short term as liquefied petroleum gas, thwart- British ambassador to Iran, said the put a general security framework ing Trump’s stated goal to reduce Europeans should hold their nerve. forward as an objective, albeit one Iran’s energy exports to “zero.” “As a framework for non-prolifer- that needs to be achieved progres- Europe has established a special ation, the JCPOA may be doomed sively,” he added. “There should purpose vehicle, INSTEX, to facili- but Iran and its JCPOA partners be an intensive debate on how to tate trade with Iran, although this have a strong interest in calibrating do it.” has proved ineffectual given the and limiting actions they take,” he reluctance of banks and companies said. “That means Iran maintaining Gareth Smyth is a regular Dangerous cycle. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to risk punitive US action. transparency and IAEA access and contributor to The Arab Weekly. is seen near a 3 Khordad system, which is said to have been used Prospects for diplomacy appear staying close to the limits agreed He has reported from the Middle to shoot down a US military drone. (Reuters) bleak. Iranian Supreme Leader in the JCPOA. If Iran does this, the East since 1992. June 23, 2019 3 News & Analysis Iraq Iraq, Kuwait wary of effects of US-Iran tensions

The Arab Weekly staff behind them. The United States and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being responsible, a charge denied London by Tehran. “The visit is an extension of uwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah previous visits (between Iraqi and Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Kuwaiti officials) and focused on visited Baghdad to dis- activating previous agreements K cuss with Iraqi leaders between the two countries, main- bilateral relations and rising ten- taining current relations and sions between the United States strengthening them, and discuss- and Iran. It was his first visit to ing the debt and related issues of Iraq since 2012 when he attended the previous phase (before 2003),” an Arab summit in Baghdad. an Iraqi official told Arab News. Relations between Iraq and Ku- “They also discussed the current wait reached their lowest point challenges facing Iraq in the region after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. as a result of the Iranian-American Ties gradually improved after tensions and the mechanisms to the US-led invasion that toppled overcome it and to create a com- Saddam Hussein in 2003. mon area of understanding to deal During his 6-hour visit June 19, with both sides of the conflict.” Sheikh Sabah, accompanied by On the day Sheikh Sabah vis- a government delegation, met ited Baghdad, an oil-drilling site Common worries. Iraqi President Barham Salih (R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi (L) with Iraqi President Barham Salih in the Iraqi southern province meet with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah in Baghdad, June 19. (Office of the Iraqi Presidency) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel of Basra was hit with a Katyusha Abdul-Mahdi. The leaders called rocket. Iraqi officials said the -at for “wisdom and reason” in deal- tack wounded three Iraqi work- week. “There’s a red alert issued ing to the United States. Iraq fears being caught in the ing with tensions in the region ers in the Zubair and Rumaila oil by the American companies. The “We cannot separate this from crossfire of a possible US-Iranian to avoid an escalation leading to fields camp, which is operated by senior expat management are regional developments, meaning military showdown. Abdel-Mahdi clashes, reported Kuwait’s news the Iraqi Drilling Company but leaving today and tomorrow,” an the US-Iranian conflict,” Maher pushed for “calm” in a phone call agency KUNA. also where US energy giant Exxon told Reuters. “These incidents June 14 with US Secretary of State Sheikh Sabah’s visit “comes Mobil has workers’ caravans. No have political objectives… it seems Mike Pompeo. amid rising and unprecedented group claimed responsibility for Kuwaiti Sheikh Sabah, some sides did not like the return Iraq is studying plans for alter- tensions and developments wit- the attack. accompanied by a of Exxon staff.” native ways to export its oil should nessed by the region, particularly Exxon Mobil had evacuated its government delegation, An unnamed Iraqi security US-Iran escalations cut off oil ex- the acts which targeted the safety foreign staff from the West Qurna met with Iraqi President source pointed a finger at Teh- ports through the Gulf. of oil supplies through destruction 1 oil field in Basra province in May Barham Salih and Iraqi ran over the Basra incident. “Ac- “There is no replacement for the and strikes on oil and commercial because of security concerns. The Prime Minister Adel cording to our sources, the team southern port and our other alter- vessels,” KUNA said. 83 foreign workers have since re- Abdul-Mahdi. (that fired the rocket) is made up natives are limited. It’s a source of Six oil tankers have been at- turned to Iraq after “guarantees” of more than one group and were anxiety for the global oil market,” tacked in the past month near the from the government. Iraqi source told Agence France- well-trained in missile launching,” Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman As- Strait of Hormuz, through which Observers point to a possible re- Presse (AFP) June 19. the source told Reuters. sem Jihad told AFP. Iraq and Kuwait transport most of taliation against US interests car- Abbas Maher, the mayor of the Three rockets were fired June 17 Members of the Iraqi parliament their oil. ried out by Iraqi militias loyal to southern Iraqi town of Zubair, at Taji military base, 30km north called for an emergency session Kuwait said the attacks threaten Iran. blamed Iran-backed groups for the of Baghdad, where US forces are with ministers of oil, trade, plan- international peace and security Iraqi officials said US assets in attack in Basra, which he said tar- deployed. No group claimed re- ning and transport to “prepare to but did not mention who might be Iraq had been shelled in the past geted Exxon Mobil to send a warn- sponsibility for the attack. confront the possible dangers.” Viewpoint Mystery fires in Iraq kill dream of food self-sufficiency

espite achieving of fire cause damage that extends invasion in 2003. Observers The incident, however, speaks the highest wheat to the national economy,” Iraqi identified the rising trend of to another strategy — “mutual production rate since Minister of Agriculture Saleh al- food self-sufficiency across a assured destruction” — to deny Nazli Tarzi 1998, agricultural Hassani said, citing a loss of one variety of items — fish, tomatoes, your opponent victory in the success in Iraq has month of productive crop harvest. garlic and grain crops. The long- context of military stalemate. been derailed by Articles and statements anticipated agricultural turn that Scorched-earth is a strategy Dmysterious fires that have not published by Islamic State (ISIS) promised to satisfy domestic food that has proven popular in the been successfully explained. outlets claimed responsibility consumption and to pay farmers’ past and has been applied by ISIS Iraqi farmers, after years of for the fires, which it branded as stacking debts will have to wait. in Iraq and Syria but also by Iran- work and benefiting from heavy “punishment against apostates.” Setbacks were mourned as backed militias. It has been used rain, achieved self-sufficiency Details were not given other than irreversible and uncountable but in Diyala by Iran-leaning militias in wheat and barley production. confessions that read “thanks to taking his lead from Abdul-Mahdi, under the guise of security Their efforts, however, were the graciousness of God, hectares Agricultural Ministry spokesman preparations or to exact sectarian undone in mere hours when fires of wheat crops have been torched Hameed Nayef told Al Jazeera that revenge against Sunni families. destroyed crops across various — hectares that belong to the media reporting had exaggerated Activists took to social media agricultural areas of northern apostates” in Khaniqeen and the scale of damage. to claim that “regional powers” Iraq. elsewhere. Despite that, the ministry had were responsible in order to Scenes of fires burning Crops harvested by Kurdish no option other than to recognise threaten Iraq’s fast track to self- hundreds of hectares in Nineveh, farmers were also severely the gravity of the disaster. The sufficiency. Kirkuk and Saladin provinces affected by the fires, which ministry set up a joint operations Broader agrarian trends are appeared online in the first week they claimed were set by men room, enlisting security and civil equally important. In the past of June and viewers shared claiming to be ISIS members defence forces to put out the fires. year, Basra’s Zubair district was speculative opinions over who demanding tax payments, a During a meeting with senior struck by an unknown epidemic was to blame and expressed their peshmerga commander told ministerial staff, Hassani vowed that destroyed 4,000 tomato anguish over the colossal damage. Voice of America. Other reports to patrol high-risk areas and offer farms and thousands of carp Wheat and barley harvesters contradict the claims, citing land protection — a move awaiting washed up dead across the reportedly lost fields equivalent disputes between Kurdish farmers security approval. Euphrates River. Those incidents to the size of 7,000 football and the Shammar tribe around Jassim al-Jabara, a member came after the Ministry of pitches. It is still to be determined Kirkuk, particularly in the village of the parliamentary Security Agriculture said Iraq had reached whether the fires were criminal of Palkun. and Defence Committee, near self-sufficiency in fish and acts, fate or due to scorching “ISIS claimed dozens of fires demanded greater action from tomato production. Farmers and Despite achieving temperatures. but the others were certainly the the government in the form fishermen urged the government the highest Speaking cautiously at a news product of land disputes, most of financial compensation for to investigate but inquiries were conference in late May, Iraqi often among tribes,” security farmers whose agricultural fields never initiated. wheat production Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi analyst Hisham al-Hashimi told were torched. The truth lies somewhere rate since 1998, downplayed the scale of damage Agence France-Presse. Hassan Nassif al-Tamimi, along the space between the agricultural and steered clear of naming Farmers struck hardest by the president of the Federation of conflicting claims and as Iraq’s potential culprits. Ruling out setbacks shared controversial Agricultural Societies, described public demands answers, the success in Iraq arson, Abdul-Mahdi described theories, including that the fires the horrors that beset Iraq as government’s poor record when has been derailed the damage as “not very large,” were set as a tactical measure “deliberate ecocide” and “crimes it comes to investigating crimes adding that “this happens to unsettle food security. Some against the economy.” leaves few hopeful. by mysterious elsewhere in the world due to blamed Popular Mobilisation The narrative that holds ISIS fires that have extreme summer heat.” Forces militias. responsible has proven popular Nazli Tarzi is an independent not been However, statements by the Iraq has long relied on foreign as proponents pointed to the journalist whose writings and Ministry of Agriculture are out food imports both under the destruction of Beiji’s oil refinery films focus on Iraq’s ancient successfully of tune with the assessment the 1990s UN-designed sanctions as evidence of the consistent use history and contemporary explained. prime minister offered. “Incidents regime and after the US-led of scorched-earth policies by ISIS. political scene. 4 June 23, 2019 News & Analysis Egypt Security concerns as Egypt fears possible Brotherhood violence after Morsi’s death

Amr Emam ing for Qatar and giving classified information to Doha. He had complained several times Cairo of improper health care in prison, although authorities said they pro- he death of Muhammad vided him with necessary care. Morsi, Egypt’s Islamist News of Morsi’s death fuelled president who was de- anger in the Muslim Brotherhood, T posed in July 2013, ends most of whose leaders who are not an important chapter in the strug- in Egyptian jails are either in Qatar gle between Egyptian authorities or Turkey. Some of them called for and the Muslim Brotherhood but retaliation, accusing Egyptian pris- may include a massive wave of vio- on authorities of causing Morsi’s lence, analysts said. death by denying him medical at- “Everybody expects militias af- tention. filiated with the Muslim Brother- Analysts said they expect the hood to stage attacks in the coming Brotherhood to give the go-ahead days,” said Khaled Okasha, a mem- for its affiliated militias to stage ber of the Supreme Anti-Terrorism attacks. Egyptian security agen- Council, an advisory body to the cies raised the terror alert level and Egyptian presidency. “This is why tightened security around impor- the security establishment is taking tant state institutions, churches very serious measures to prevent and hotels. possible attacks.” Security analysts said they ex- pect the branch of the Islamic State Morsi’s death ended (ISIS) in Sinai to increase attacks, Brotherhood calls for the citing links between ISIS and the Brotherhood, which was labelled a return of constitutional terrorist organisation by Egyptian legitimacy, which for it authorities in late 2014. meant return to power. Among his backers, Morsi is viewed as a martyr and Islamist Morsi died June 17 in a courtroom hero. However, most Egyptians are Risk of violence. Members of the Jordanian Islamic Action Front Party receive condolences for the where he was on trial, along with likely to remember him for polaris- death of former Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi at IAF headquarters in Amman, June 18. (AFP) 23 other Brotherhood members, on ing Egyptian society, giving the of- charges of espionage for the Pales- fice of the Brotherhood supreme tinian movement Hamas. leader influence over the presiden- other. He called on Egyptians to justify open war against Egypt. Morsi’s death and his prison condi- At the end of the day’s court ses- cy, opening battle fronts and en- defend his constitutional legiti- This is why there are expecta- tions. sion, Morsi, 68, reportedly dropped couraging the Muslim Brotherhood macy, which set off a confrontation tions that Morsi’s death will effect “The movement will use this to the floor after losing conscious- to antagonise Egyptian society by between Brotherhood members a dramatic transformation in the incident in moving ahead with its ness. He was taken to a nearby hos- clinging to power when the people and state authorities. Morsi’s back- nature of the conflict between the claim that it is a victim of the brutal pital where he was declared dead of rose up against him. ers burned police stations, set doz- Brotherhood and Egyptian offi- oppression of the current authori- a heart attack. “He will also be remembered for ens of churches on fire and tried to cials. ties in Egypt,” said Sameh Eid, an- Morsi , who won the first presi- being the man who destroyed the avenge his ousting by killing po- This transformation will most other specialist in Islamist move- dential elections in Egypt after the Brotherhood as an organisation and licemen across Egypt. likely include violence and Broth- ments. “This victimhood concept 2011 revolution and was ousted in increased its enemies everywhere Morsi’s death ended Brotherhood erhood attempts to use Morsi’s is a lifeline for this movement, one July 2013 after a year in office, was in Egypt,” said Muneer Adeeb, a calls for the return of constitutional death to destabilise Egypt, turn the it uses to justify its presence and on trial for a range of charges, in- specialist in Islamist movements. legitimacy, which for it meant re- international community against its violence and draw in more re- cluding premeditated killing, espio- In his last address as president turn to power. Now, the Brother- Cairo and win sympathy and more cruits.” nage, breaking out of his jail cell in on July 3, 2013, Morsi asked back- hood and its international organisa- supporters. 2011 and joining an outlawed move- ers and opponents who were on tion must find a new cause behind Some international organisations Amr Emam is an Arab Weekly ment. He was also accused of spy- the streets then not to fight each which to rally their members and have called for investigations into contributor in Cairo. Egypt’s president given right to appoint judges

Hassan Abdel Zaher ment, give the president the right They stipulate that each of the of the most senior general assembly fied in recent years amid allega- to select the heads of the judicial country’s top judicial bodies is to member would be sent to the presi- tions that some judiciary members bodies, including the Supreme nominate seven of its most sen- dent for approval. If the president harbour loyalties to the outlawed Cairo Constitutional Court, the Court of ior members for the position. The rejected this member’s appoint- Muslim Brotherhood, charges they Cassation and the State Council. president would then choose one ment, the general assembly would have angrily denied. mendments to a law regu- “The amendments open the door to head the body for one 4-year name the second oldest member Previous plans to revise the ju- lating how the heads of wide for interference in the work of term. for the president to approve. dicial law were shot down by the Egypt’s top judicial bodies the judiciary,” said MP Ahmed al- The amendments require the This mechanism allowed judicial courts. In April 2017, parliament A are appointed are raising Tantawi, a member of parliament’s Supreme Judicial Council, the top bodies to select their own heads, approved amendments giving the concerns about the judiciary’s in- Legislative Affairs Committee. judicial authority in Egypt, to nom- provided they were approved by president the right to select heads dependence and driving fears that “This impinges on the independ- inate three judges for the post of the president, who did not have of judicial bodies from a list of executive power could interfere in ence of the judiciary.” public prosecutor. much control over the process. three candidates submitted by the the courts’ work. The amendments also give the Previously, each judicial body’s However, advocates of the new general assembly. The amendments, approved president the right to appoint the general assembly selected its oldest law argue that the old mechanism June 11 by the Egyptian parlia- public prosecutor. member to lead the body. The name was defective because the oldest members of judicial bodies’ gen- MP Ahmed al-Tantawi eral assemblies were not always physically fit enough to preside “The amendments open the over the top bodies. door wide for interference in “The new rule… gives the presi- the work of the judiciary... This dent the right to select the heads impinges on the independence of the judicial bodies from among of the judiciary.” a larger number of nominees,” said Mohamed Seleem, another Egyp- tian MP. “This cannot be called Those amendments were reject- interference in the work of the ju- ed by the judicial bodies, which diciary.” had the constitutional right to ap- Heads of judicial bodies carry prove or reject bills involving their significant influence over the coun- work or the work of the courts. try’s courts, whose work they regu- Detractors of the amendments late and make appointments for. warn that it gives the president too The amendments introduced much power to interfere in courts’ June 11 build off amendments ap- work. proved in April that extended pres- “These amendments violate the idential terms to six years rather required separation between the than four and gave Egyptian Presi- executive branch and the judicial dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the right branch,” said lawyer Ahmed al- to seek two additional terms in of- Sharqawi. “The judicial branch has fice. to be totally independent, away Previously, the constitution from interference by all state au- would not have allowed Sisi to ex- thorities, including the presidency ceed his second 4-year term, end- itself.” ing in 2022. The power struggle between the Hassan Abdel Zaher is a Not without objections. People walk past a banner supporting proposed amendments to the Egyptian Egyptian presidency and judiciary Cairo-based contributor to Constitution with a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, last April. (AP) is far from new but has intensi- The Arab Weekly. June 23, 2019 5 News & Analysis Palestine Israel Palestinians unanimous in objections to Bahrain conference

The Arab Weekly staff “We clearly express our rejection and non-acceptance of any Arab or Islamic country having such a London conference, which constitutes nor- malisation with the (Israeli) occu- ival Palestinian factions pation,” Haniyeh said. “We reject Fatah and Hamas were the Manama conference and the unanimous in rejecting a transformation of the Palestinian R US-sponsored Middle East cause from a political cause to an economic conference in Bahrain. economic cause.” The view of the two groups, which Haniyeh appealed to Bahraini are often bitterly divided, was King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa shared by much of the Palestinian to not host the workshop, vow- business community. ing protests “in all the Palestinian “If anybody wants to solve the Pal- lands and beyond.” estinian problem, they have to solve Saudi Arabia, the United Arab United in opposition. Palestinians demonstrate on June 20 against the US-led Israeli-Palestinian it through ending occupation (and) Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan peace conference in Bahrain. (AFP) the establishment of a Palestinian and Morocco have indicated they state,” Palestinian Prime Minister would attend the conference June Mohammad Shtayyeh told Reuters. 25-26 in Manama. nesspeople and Palestinian busi- Azzam Shawwa, governor of the “If (Israel) chooses the only rea- Ibrahim Melhem, a spokesman nesspeople. We’d like to make it as Palestine Monetary Authority, the sonable and accepted way from Palestinian equivalent of a central our side as Arabs, which is the Azzam Shawwa, head of for the Palestinian government, on apolitical as possible,” a US official June 19 said Palestinian Authority said. bank, said Palestinian finances establishment of a Palestinian the Palestine Monetary urged Egypt and Jordan not to at- The Palestinian business com- were on the brink of ruin after the state… it will be accepted in the Authority, said tend the Bahrain conference.” munity said the West Bank’s econo- suspension of US aid. Shawwa said region as a normal regional part- Palestinian finances are Melhem asked “all brotherly and my is restricted by the Israeli occu- Arab countries had not fully hon- ner.” on the brink of ruin after friendly countries to withdraw” pation and the Bahrain conference oured their donor pledges. Trump’s Middle East envoy, the suspension of US aid. because participation “would carry does not address that. The solu- Arab League Secretary-General Jason Greenblatt, hinted that un- wrong messages about the unity of tion to the Palestinians’ economic Ahmed Aboul Gheit reiterated the veiling the White House peace “If there are people who want to the Arab position” on rejecting the woes, they argue, is political. league’s rejection of any plan not plan will be further delayed. support the Palestinian people, they Middle East peace plan by US Presi- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin approved by the Palestinians. “I think the logic would still should lift the financial siege that dent Donald Trump, also called the Netanyahu welcomed the confer- “Whatever is rejected by the Pal- dictate that if we wanted to wait has been imposed on the Palestinian “Deal of the Century.” ence as “an attempt by the United estinian or the Arab side is unac- until a new (Israeli) government is people.” The Israeli government was not States to bring a better future and ceptable,” said Aboul Gheit. “What formed, we really do have to wait Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the invited, a White House official, solve the problems of the region.” is acceptable from our side as Arabs until potentially as late as Novem- Gaza-based Hamas movement, said speaking on condition of anonym- “An important conference will as a solution is the establishment ber 6,” Greenblatt told the Jerusa- the conference would amount to ity, said. Israeli businessmen, how- soon be held in Bahrain and Israelis of a Palestinian state on the June 4, lem Post. “It’s no secret that the Arab “normalisation” of ties with ever, are likely to be taking part. will, of course, participate,” Netan- 1967, borders, with Jerusalem as its Israeli elections have certainly Israel. “We’re inviting the Israeli busi- yahu said. capital. put a new thought into our head.”

Viewpoint Why demise of Deal of the Century might be welcomed by all parties

he failure to form a not prepared well and was based cepting a forced unfair settlement. The Trump administration government — inten- on dictated decisions and that The manner the US team dealt naively assumed that the weak- Mohamed tionally or unintention- revealed how ignorant advisers of with the issue was unproductive ness of the Palestinian side was Aboelfadl ally — spared Israeli US President Donald Trump were and contrary to historical experi- sufficient to make the latter accept Prime Minister Biny- about the nature of the conditions ence. There was also the possibil- any type of settlement, no matter amin Netanyahu the in the field. ity that the decline of the Arab how shaky. Tembarrassment of having to take a The issue was much more position and the deterioration of The administration, however, stand on the so-called “Deal of the complicated than what the naive the Palestinian unity played an was surprised to see weakness Century.” It saved him from having enthusiasm of some advisers could important role in the boldness that turn into a moral force and that the to face right-wing and left-wing take care of and cannot be reduced led Trump into thinking about the state of divisiveness among the voters who opposed him and were to an opportunity for a US adminis- plan, taking advantage of his abso- Palestinian forces was shrinking waiting for his acceptance of the tration to leave its mark on history, lute certainty that it would be pos- and could disappear if the Ameri- deal to reveal the extent of what especially when this administra- sible to pass the arrangements he cans persist in their promotion of they called his playing with Israel’s tion failed to properly decode had prepared without high costs. the so-called deal. security. Netanyahu has often many regional conflicts. He apparently believed that his It is very possible that reject- claimed to be committed to Israel’s Some Arab countries expressed approach as a brilliant salesman ca- ing the deal would strengthen the security and said he would not reservations since the first mo- pable of selling even rotten goods Palestinian body. The Palestinians make concessions to the Palestin- ments when White House adviser was sufficient to make everybody realise that, assuming the Israeli ians at any cost. Jared Kushner, who is also Trump’s swallow the deal. side accepts the terms of the deal, His stratagem of denying his son-in-law, and Jason Greenblatt, The Arab side was not thrilled various provisions of this proposal opponents an opportunity to bring the American envoy to the Middle about Trump’s vision for a political would be disastrous for the Pales- him down also succeeded in ab- East, travelled to the region and settlement. Therefore, Arab coun- tinian side. Therefore, no Palestin- sorbing US anger. The Israelis told started the auction process about tries of influence ignored what ian force would be able to accept it. the Americans there was nothing the right tools needed to solve the transpired of the deal here and Some Arab circles realised this they could do about the situation Palestinian issue. there and whatever was leaked. paradox and did not enter into po- and that it wasn’t really due to lack Arab experts who met with the Some of them publicly announced litical arguments of acceptance or of political will. men said the latter needed years that they knew nothing of this rejection and relied on the element The result is that we have anoth- to grasp the dimensions of the deal and tried to create distance of time, which might be sufficient er postponement of a deal that was conflict before even talking about between them and the project or to abort the deal. the means needed for its solu- disavow it. When elections are over in Israel, tion. Both Kushner and Greenblatt The consultations with some Netanyahu and other rivals will seemed drawn to imaginary ideas involved parties did not address start anew the process of forming a and wanted to implement them on the heart of the peace process and government. By that time, Trump the ground by force. purposely sought to avoid it by will be getting ready to start his Many Arab countries were bringing up projects that would campaign for a second term and relieved by the initiative’s quali- create a different reality in the re- will probably not risk to officially ties because they were sufficient gion, where Israel stands to play a introduce the deal. The beginnings to spoil the whole deal. So those central role, and this before dealing of the process and its early results countries were spared the conse- with painful legacies. do not bode well; a timing mistake quences of clashing with Washing- It looked like there was a plan might cost him his political future. ton as bits and pieces of the deal for the gradual implementation The Deal of the Century is des- were leaked. of provisions of the deal but Arab tined to die — to the tremendous The Arab regimes were sure the countries have absorbed the les- relief of the Israelis and the Arabs deal was not going to pass easily son. If the conference takes place — because that would give them an for Israeli reasons and not Palestin- and is attended by some of them, opportunity to avoid the responsi- ian ones. Israel was lacking another it does not mean they consent — bility of the deal’s political failure. Yitzhak Rabin or a Menachem explicitly or implicitly — to the deal In that case, the ebb and flow of Begin, who would make sacrifices because the first parties concerned the Palestinian cause will be start- in exchange for strategic deals. The with the deal — the Palestinian ing a new phase. Grudges old and new. A Palestinian woman looks out of the volatile regional atmosphere and people — have declared their total window of a building, damaged by an Israeli air strike, last the changing international balance rejection of the deal and insisted Mohamed Aboelfadl is an Egyptian November. (AFP) of power were not conducive to ac- on exposing the risks involved. writer. 6 June 23, 2019 Opinion

Editorial MENA’s displaced on World Refugee Day n June 20, humanity marked World Refugee Day. On the occasion, UN High Commis- sioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talked of a “crisis of solidarity.” He was referring to the paradox of Odeveloping countries, especially those of the Middle East and North Africa, assuming most of the burden of the world refugees. Grandi said he regretted political exploitation of the issue and hoped that Europe’s political class, in particular, would come to a more sober assessment of the matter. “So, the appeal I make, now that we are in a situation where European [Parliament] elections are behind us, is to stop this electoral agitation. The numbers arriving in Europe are frankly manageable,” he said. A good case in point is that of Syrian refugees. With 6.7 million refugees recorded in host countries at the end of 2018, compared to 6.3 million in 2017, war-stricken Syria remains the top country of origin for refugees abroad. More than 6 million Syrians are also internally displaced. Even though Syrian refugees are hosted by 127 countries, 85% of them are in Middle East countries. Turkey hosts 3.7 million refugees, the largest refugee population in the MENA region. © Yaser Ahmed for The Arab Weekly Lebanon, with nearly 1 million Syrian refu- gees, hosts the largest number of refugees per national population. In 2018, the ratio of refu- gees there compared to nationals was 1-in-6. Before boycotting Manama, This situation is sparking political and social friction in Lebanon. In Jordan, where about remember Madrid 670,000 Syrian refugees live, the ratio is 1-to-14. Other less recognised host countries of Syrian Khairallah Khairallah refugees in the region include Iraq with 252,000 and Egypt with 133,000. Surely, the Palestinians are in a most unfavourable position but they With Germany an exception with nearly should not let their predicament push them to desperate decisions. 600,000 registered refugees, the number of refugees hosted by European countries is relatively small. It includes France with 21,000 hatever the could provide breakthroughs in the sidelines. refugees, Belgium with 23,000 and Denmark nature of the the direction of a future political There is a question that arises: with 21,000. Even Hungary where the populist “Deal of the solution. What would have happened had the government uses the issue of migration to Century,” What cannot be understood Palestinians not participated in the highlight the threat of a “non-Christian inva- prepared by the from any angle is how the PA Madrid peace conference in 1991? sion,” the number of refugees is no more than Donald Trump can sever relations with the US The Palestinians went to Madrid 78,000. Wadministration, is, the Palestinian administration, despite all the in a joint delegation with Jordan. Caroline Kende-Robb, secretary-general of Authority’s choice to boycott the shortcomings of this administra- Over time, the Palestinians, who CARE International said “this situation is Bahrain economic conference is tion and all it has done to serve had paid the price of standing by inherently unsustainable.” difficult to comprehend. the interests of Israel. Saddam Hussein during his inva- “We have a small number of poorer countries Boycotting a deal, the details of It is no secret that the US sion of Kuwait, have gone from one that have been left to do far too much just which have not been announced administration has shelved the breakthrough to the next until the because they are neighbours to a crisis. This and which may never see the two-state solution. It has ignored signing of the Oslo Accords. This unequal share is exacerbating the global refugee light of day, illustrates the Pales- Israeli encroachments on the agreement was Arafat’s ticket to the problem, as inadequate conditions in host tinians’ inability to make any de- West Bank, moved the US Em- White House and allowed him to countries are pushing many to embark on bassy to Jerusalem after recognis- dangerous journeys while women, girls and cision apart from opting to escape return to the land of Palestine. other vulnerable people are put at risk to abuse from reality into isolation. ing the holy city as the capital of Before deciding to boycott the and exploitation,” she explained. There is clearly a problem Israel and closed the Palestine Manama conference, it is necessary Germany’s hospitable attitude fuelled xeno- called the Palestinian Authority Liberation Organisation office in for the Palestinians to remember phobic campaigns from far-right groups, which (PA). This authority wants to take Washington. the Madrid conference where there claim that the federal government has been the Palestinians back to the days There is no doubt the Trump was no Palestinian flag. neglectful of the needy and the unemployed at when the main characteristic was administration is serving the In addition to recalling the Ma- home, especially in the former East Germany, wasting opportunities and giving interests of the Israeli extreme drid conference and the regional while spending billions of dollars on refugees Israel the chance to benefit from right, which is in control of and international circumstances since 2015. the vacuum left. decision-making in Israel. surrounding it, it is necessary to Much like other European far-right groups, the Saying this in no way means This is the beginning of the think about what is going on in the German far right has tried to depict the majority the “Deal of the Century” rep- implementation of the “Deal of region. Most Arab countries con- Muslim refugees as a cultural and demographic resents an opportunity for the the Century” with all the ambi- sider the Iranian threat as the most threat. Palestinians to fulfill their dream guity surrounding it. The state- imminent one they face. It is Iran The assassination June 2 of a member of of an independent state. On the ments of US Ambassador to Israel that is being aggressive towards German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right contrary, this “Deal of the Cen- David Friedman that Israel can Saudi Arabia and it is the Trump ad- party, in the central German city of Kassel, allegedly at the hands of a far-right extremist, tury,” judging by what has been be allowed to occupy parts of the ministration that is seeking to bring has come as a warning against the possible leaked about its broad outlines, West Bank are more proof of the Iran down to its true size. repercussions of politically motivated incite- seems to be an attempt to replace complicity between the Trump ad- The Palestinian cause is no longer ment against refugees. the political solution, essentially ministration and the Israeli right, a priority for the Arabs. This cause The United Nations’ refugee agency’s “Global the two-state solution, with an regardless of whether Binyamin has become a mere tool in Iran’s Trends” report puts the number of refugees and economic solution. Netanyahu remains prime minis- hands and in the hands of its Arab the rest of displaced people at 70.8 million. The Bahrain conference is an ter after the next elections. agents for its biddings against the Among these, 41.3 million are internally dis- “economic workshop” that the Surely, the Palestinians are in a Arabs. The only goal of Iran’s bid- placed people, 25.9 million refugees and 3.5 Palestinians cannot afford to miss most unfavourable position but dings is to embarrass the Arabs. So, million asylum seekers not yet granted official if they intend to know what is be- they should not let their pre- are the Palestinians aware of this refugee status. ing cooked for them. By boycott- dicament push them to desperate reality or do they want to bypass it Half of the world’s forcibly displaced are ing it, they remove themselves decisions, such as boycotting the because they live in a world of their children. Their total number for 2018 was the from a game that concerns them US administration or the Bahrain own? highest in about seven decades. first and foremost. conference, because the benefi- It is certain that the Palestinian One worrisome aspect of the refugee problem They could not understand, ciary of such a move will be Israel cause can only end with a political is its tendency to remain unresolved. More than for example, why Jordan decided or a movement such as Hamas, solution linked to an economic pro- 8 years after the start of the Syrian war, the much talked-about massive return home of to participate in the Bahrain whose only concern is to destroy gramme. It is the cause of a people Syrian refugees and displaced people seems conference, despite Amman’s the Palestinian national project who exist on the map of the region unlikely to materialise soon. objection to all that the “Deal of and serve Israel. and that no one can wipe out their The United States said about four-fifths of the the Century” represents. The Jor- Since the militarisation of the national identity, no matter how “displacement situations” have lasted more than danians have the acumen and the intifada, there was a multipli- long it would take and how power- five years. strategic vision not to miss out cation of Palestinian mistakes ful Israel might be and no matter Besides Syria’s 13 million “forcibly displaced on what is going on in the region leading to the isolation of the how monstrous American unfair- people,” 5.5 million Palestinian refugees are that requires their participation PA. Perhaps the first expression ness can be. scattered across the region and the world, in the Bahrain conference. of that isolation was that most However, the current circum- notably in Lebanon and Jordan. Decades later, By attending the conference, Arab countries, including the Gulf stances impose necessities brought they are still looking for adequate international Jordan will know what is going states, plan to attend the Bahrain about by the Iranian threat. These financial support with an expected $211 million on behind the scenes and will be conference. circumstances require the Palestin- shortfall in funding for 2019 since the suspen- able to know how to defend its The PA should become con- ian side to be realistic, instead of sion of US support. national interests. vinced that going to Manama does applying the theory that the Pales- Addressing the various aspects related to the The Palestinian decision to not necessarily mean recognising tinians are only good at shooting refugee problem requires real global solidarity in boycott the Bahrain conference the “Deal of the Century.” Listen- themselves in the foot because of alleviating the economic burden of the problem for countries of the region and helping resolve reflects the bankruptcy of the PA ing to what is said at the confer- their ignorance of the regional and situations of war and conflict at the core of at every level. It represents the ence and participating in the international balances. forced displacement, whether it is within or choice of surrendering to events economic workshop would help outside any country’s borders. instead of interacting with them it understand what is going on in Khairallah Khairallah is a Lebanese and striving to seek gaps that this world instead of staying on writer. June 23, 2019 7 Opinion

Algeria’s battle of the wills Published by Al Arab Publishing House Hamid Zanaz In the eyes of Gaid Salah, dialogue means maintaining order but, for most Algerians, the content of Publisher this dialogue should concern how to bury the regime and build a more modern and just system. and Group Executive Editor Haitham El-Zobaidi, PhD n the history of Algeria, citizen trusts the men of the Editor-in-Chief as in the history of other regime or those who gravitate countries, no government around them. In that citizen’s Oussama Romdhani can totally disappear and mind, the regime is old news its cabinet ministers slip and completely wiped out. into complete secrecy. For three decades, young Managing Editor IThey are pursued and hunted people in Algeria took advan- Iman Zayat down by citizens wherever tage of football games and they happened to be. Alge- their crowds to chant anti- Deputy Managing Editor rian pilgrims in Mecca chased government slogans. However, and Online Editor Prime Minister Noureddine what happened during the Mamoon Alabbasi Badawi even as he was per- Algeria Cup final this year was forming umrah rites. extraordinary. Senior Editor Very often ministers escape Even their consuming John Hendel through back doors under the love for the game could not pressure of a chase if the min- overcome their hatred for Chief Copy Editor isters dared to venture out of the regime. Fans from both Richard Pretorius their offices to visit an institu- teams — Bejaia and Belouiz- tion here or introduce a project dad — were not satisfied with Copy Editors there. just booing some officials, such Stephen Quillen The divorce between the as the minister of Sport and Kyle Arensdorf regime and the Algerian people the president of the Algerian has been going on for a long Football Federation, but broke East/West Section Editor time, as manifested by a ma- into the official VIP section and Opposite forces. Police officers prevent demonstrators from marching Mahmud el-Shafey (London) jority of the citizens choosing expelled them both, along with during a May Day protest on Labour Day in Algiers, May 1. (Reuters) to boycott various previous officials who were with them. Gulf Section Editor election events and not react- What are the implications ence to certain articles of the attempt to shake the protest- Mohammed Alkhereiji ing to initiatives from those of this fear of confronting citi- dead constitution indicates ers’ unity by throwing some they consider gangsters who zens? Is it possible to establish that Gaid Salah needs a radical former government officials Society and Travel have usurped power. a dialogue between the army, intellectual makeover to ac- into prison will not work be- Sections Editor Although successive interior the sole representative of the cept that he should be the one cause the protesters are not out Samar Kadi ministers officially admit- regime today, and the people listening to the people and not for revenge but want to build a ted that non-voters made up who totally reject this regime? vice versa. state of citizenship and rights. about 60% of the electorate, In fact, in the speeches of the While in the eyes of Gaid They totally reject any at- Senior Correspondents we suspect the ratio was much army’s Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Salah, dialogue means tempt to confiscate their will higher. Gaid Salah since the beginning maintaining order. For most by force. So, we have two wills Lamine Ghanmi (Tunis) Up to February 22, the of the uprising, there was no Algerians, the content of this and two parallel visions that Thomas Seibert (Istanbul) popular resistance in Algeria indication that he understood dialogue, if it exists at all, will never meet. Kelly Kennedy (Washington) was passive or hidden but that the regime he represented should concern how to bury Can those who want to save not today. Today, it is in the was finished in the eyes of the the regime and build a more the regime win or should the Regular Columnists streets, defying the regime and Algerian people because it was modern and just system. Most winner be those who want Rashmee Roshan Lall declaring a break with it. a regime that had done noth- agree that there is no dialogue Algeria’s salvation? Claude Salhani Hence, the difficulty of dia- ing for them and only ruined with the current regime except logue between the two parties and looted the country. to negotiate its departure. Hamid Zanaz is an Algerian Yavuz Baydar because no honest Algerian His self-interested adher- It is obvious that Gaid Salah’s writer living in France. Correspondents Nazli Tarzi (London) Muslim Brotherhood designs fuel Saad Guerraoui (Casablanca) Dunia El-Zobaidi (London) Sudan divisions Roua Khlifi (Tunis) Baha al-Awam Chief Designer Marwen el-Hmedi Members of the Sudanese opposition are an excellent model of revolutionaries who have learnt from the mistakes of others. Designers Ibrahim Ben Bechir Hanen Jebali he divisions rocking in a direction that serves its the Sudanese op- interests. In Sudan, the Broth- position are among erhood tried to exploit the the reasons for the civil disobedience campaign to Contact editor at: suspension of the push for escalation and incite- [email protected] civil disobedience ment against the army. People Tcampaign. The divisions, of then are killed and wounded which only the tip is showing, and they force all opposition threaten the unity of the oppo- parties to confront the mili- sition against military rule. tary under the pretence that If this divide widens, the it doesn’t want to hand over Al Arab Publishing House military rule will become power. Quadrant Building the preferred option for the Wiser people in the op- 177-179 Hammersmith Road international community as position became aware of London W6 8BS an alternative to chaos or civil the Brotherhood’s malicious war. intent so they called off the The split of the opposition disobedience campaign. The revolves around two axes. The army arrested some officers Tel: (+44) 20 7602 3999 first is the Sudanese Com- and soldiers who work for the Fax: (+44) 20 7602 8778 munist Party’s total refusal to Brotherhood. Finally, a page negotiate with the Transitional from the Brotherhood’s book Military Council. It believes in of malice had been turned but escalation until the army gives the Brotherhood’s evil in the US Publisher: up power as the best choice for country has not ended. The Arab Weekly USA LLC. the Sudanese people. The self-interested calcu- The second axis is the lations of the Brotherhood [email protected] Muslim Brotherhood, during Sudan’s revolu- [email protected] the usual con- tions go back dec- spirators in every In Sudan, the ades. Its members Tel: 248-679-6624 political scene. Brotherhood tried were the ones Sudan’s Muslim to exploit the civil who rejected Brotherhood, political parties disobedience Targeting the army. Sudanese security forces stand on guard outside Kober just like the when Sudan prison in the capital Khartoum, June 16. (AFP) Brotherhood campaign to push was living its in Egypt, for escalation and golden demo- Syria, Yemen incitement against cratic era. and ousted president Omar al- read the country’s dynamics. Its Subscription & Advertising: and elsewhere, the army. They were the Bashir seized power. members represent an excel- [email protected] wants to reap the ones who legiti- The Muslim Brotherhood lent model of revolutionaries Tel : (+44) 020 3667 7249 fruits of the revolu- mised military rule never dealt with the Sudan who learnt from the mistakes tion without anyone in the past when they revolution, or any “Arab spring” of others. They were realistic noticing. It hides behind theorised that army leaders revolution for that matter, and patriotic in their demands Mohamed Al Mufti various figures or groups were an integral part of the out of patriotic motives. For and were diplomatic in their Marketing & Advertising until the propitious time comes religiously legitimate decision them, the revolutions were just relationships with concerned Manager and it pounces on the revolu- makers. golden opportunities to grab external parties. The Muslim tion and swoops down on Finally, they founded a power. The Brothers are mere Brotherhood will never accept Direct: (+44) 20 8742 9262 power. political party and concluded power seekers. such an equation. www.alarab.co.uk The Muslim Brotherhood an evil pact with authorities The Sudanese opposition has is expert at pushing events when former army strongman the merit to have been able to Baha al-Awam is a Syrian writer. 8 June 23, 2019 News & Analysis Maghreb Berber identity politics assailed by Algeria’s military chief

Lamine Ghanmi culture diversity.” “It is unacceptable to manipu- late the feelings and emotions of Tunis the Algerian people,” Gaid Salah said, adding that “orders and firm or the first time since the instructions have been given to the start of demonstrations security forces to strictly enforce calling for regime change, the law and crack down on individ- F Algeria’s army chief issued uals assailing the feelings of Algeri- a strong warning to Berber-speak- ans in relation to the sensitive and ing protesters for raising their own delicate matter of the flag.” Flag politics. Algerian protesters wave the Amazigh (C) and national flags during demonstrations in standards in a challenge to the pri- Gaid Salah described flying “oth- Algiers, June 21, 2019. (AFP) macy of Algerian nationalism as er standards” as “an attempt to in- embodied by the country’s flag. filtrate the protests by a minority.” “There is only one flag that is “Algeria has only one flag for ans are brothers, brothers). money,” demonstrators have kept from many factors, including the the unique symbol of Algeria’s in- which millions of Algerians have “No to regionalism,” repeated up calls for Gaid Salah’s own depar- stark contrast between protest dependence, territorial integrity fallen as martyrs,” added Gaid others while protesters in the Ber- ture along with the entire ruling re- leaders and opposition parties of- and popular unity,” said General Salah. ber-speaking regions of Tizi Ouzou, gime, including the personnel that ten headed by Berber-speaking Ahmed Gaid Salah, speaking from Protest leaders surprised observ- Bejaia and Bouira singled out the used to surround Bouteflika. figures with bold ambitions to put army barracks in the south-western ers by blending Algeria’s symbols military by chanting “Algeria, dem- Two former prime ministers Algeria on a reform path towards region of Bechar before hundreds of nationalism and identity poli- ocratic and free nation,” “no to the joined a long list of prominent poli- establishing a civilian and demo- of thousands of Algerians took to tics with demands for a democratic military rule” and “Algeria, civilian ticians and businessmen who have cratic state free of military control. the streets on June 21. The protest- transition and deep overhaul of the not military state.” been detained as part of the graft They are at odds with the army ers, demonstrating for the 18th Fri- system. Protesters in central Algiers investigations. command led by Gaid Salah, which day, called again for a “democratic Algerians, who marched in main brandished the Algerian flag that Authorities detained business- seeks a “change within the regime” transition” that would overhaul the cities, including Algiers, have tol- has been a mainstay of the demon- man Hassan Larbaoui in an anti- and for elections to be held “as political regime, including the fun- erated the presence of protesters strations, but some also carried the corruption probe June 21. soon as possible.” damental role of the military, which holding up Amazigh flags as a sym- Berber colours as they had in previ- Larbaoui is the director of a pri- Algerian political analysts say has ruled Algeria for 57 years. bol of the struggle of Berber-speak- ous weeks despite the new ban on vate company called Global Group, Gaid Salah’s warning about the Ber- Gaid Salah, Algeria’s strongman ers for the respect and recognition the Berber Amazigh flag imposed which runs a car assembly plant set ber flags could revive suspicions since the ouster of long-time Presi- of their culture, home tongue and June 21 by Gaid Salah. up in joint venture with South Ko- and mistrust of Berber speakers. dent Abdelaziz Bouteflika April 2 identity. Police detained dozens of dem- rea’s Kia Motors. Some see it as an attempt by Gaid under the pressure of the demon- No political leader or leading onstrators carrying the Berber Mourad Eulmi, head of family- Salah to divide the protest move- strators, pulled the card of Algerian activist had previously expressed colours from around the capital’s owned firm SOVAC, partner of ment. nationalist allegiance, challenging, reservations about flying the main post office, a landmark of Germany’s Volkswagen AG at a car “Gaid Salah’s statement risks for the first time, the advocates of Tamazigh symbol since protests demonstrations since they first assembly plant in western Algeria, provoking anger in large parts of Berber identity politics. began February 22. erupted last February. was detained seven days ago over the society and opposition parties His previous speeches had em- Protesters also raised Palestinian On previous Fridays since the fall corruption allegations. they interpret as an attempt to sow phasised respect for the constitu- flags to display their support for of Bouteflika, those detained have Authorities have put off a presi- division and rift among the pro- tional order and the electoral pro- the Palestinian cause, although in been released at the end of the day. dential election previously planned testers,” said political writer Abdel- cess to bring about broad reforms. fewer numbers. It is not clear whether this would for July 4 because of a lack of can- ghani Aichoun. The general took issue with Protesters, fearing the flag could change after Gaid Salah’s warning. didates, with no new date set for protests’ leading figures, many of be a bone of contention, chanted Despite his anti-corruption cam- the vote, underlining the country’s Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab them known Berber-speakers and in reaction to Gaid Salah’s warning paign and the continuing trials to political impasse. Weekly correspondent in advocates of “Algerian identity and “Djazareen khawa khawa” (Algeri- “cleanse Algeria of graft and dirty The political quandary stems Tunis. Viewpoint Amid turmoil, Algeria remains a riddle wrapped in mystery

he powerful Algerian many Algerians because they are Anyone acquainted with Algeria of Human Rights, dismissed the veterans’ association viewed as being straw men of can name 20 people who would clean-up campaign as akin to “a has added its voice to former President Abdelaziz want to build a consensus and settling of scores.” Francis Ghilès the many NGOs, Bouteflika. The ONM concluded work as a team to deliver a more Many Algerians ask whether professional bodies that senior military officers were modern and less corrupt system. any of the senior officers behind and respected political trying to manipulate the Hirak and the ONM are working the campaign have been the Tfigures who insist that the situation. to ensure that demonstrations beneficiaries of kickbacks in the transition period in Algeria That said, unity on all issues planned for July 5 draw more arms contracts that the Algerian towards free and fair elections will be difficult to achieve. people than ever. That date marks Army signed over the years with must be managed by someone Differences will no doubt arise Algeria’s independence from Russia, Italy, the United States who has universal respect and the between a more conservative France, in 1962. The liberation of and Germany. Algeria is Russia’s capacity to build a national hinterland and a more outward- the country will be 57 years old second biggest purchaser of consensus. looking coast, between those for but, as sociologist Fatma weapons after India. Hirak, the umbrella whom religion must play an Oussedik argued: “Its people, Any sense of relief honest organisation that speaks for important role in society and today, aspire to become actors of businessmen might feel as they Algerians who want the system of those who wish to separate state their own history, to become watch notoriously corrupt peers government recast, agreed at the and religion. The challenge of citizens.” end up behind bars is balanced by first National Conference of Social maintaining a minimum of More private entrepreneurs and the knowledge that leaks to the Society on June 15 on a text consensus will be difficult, all the others are being arrested by police media about the arrest of well- stating similar aims. more if Gaid Salah continues to under orders of the Ministry of known businessmen are arbitrary, The meeting marked the first play a spoiling game. Defence, headed by Gaid Salah. illegal and calculated to spread time since 1962 so many NGOs More Algerians seem to agree The gendarmerie refers those it fear. As he manipulates the fight and trades unions met to freely with former Prime Minister has arrested to judges who decide against corruption, Gaid Salah discuss the future of Algeria. Mouloud Hamrouche, who whether to order the prisoners forfeits the trust ordinary people The conference said a transition pointed out more than a month kept in jail. might once have had in him. period of 6-12 months was ago that the Algerian Constitution The files used by the judicial A further mystery haunts appropriate for such a did not provide the tools for a system have usually been Algeria. No one knows the fate or momentous change. The National workable transition. compiled by security forces over whereabouts of Bouteflika since Mujahideen Organisation (ONM), Hirak, ONM and other civilian the years. Both of their former the presidential election was the Algerian veterans’ groups want to see a government heads are behind bars but no cancelled. His brother Said is association, insisted that a that includes people whose one denies that the files are behind bars but where is “democratic transition was not names carry weight, credibility thorough and include people Abdelaziz Bouteflika? Will he The challenge of just a choice, it was a necessity… and experience to replace those in close to Bouteflika. stand trial for corruption? Is he (and that) the narrow reading of the administration. Many lawyers are deeply even in physical condition to maintaining a the constitution” by Algerian It is now entirely at the beck and concerned at what they argue is stand trial? No credible medical minimum of Army Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Gaid call of Gaid Salah. He knows, as do an arbitrary process open to bulletin was issued during the consensus will be Salah and the army high other senior commanders and abuse. Maitre Abdelmajid Sellini, illness that incapacitated him command suggested they were thousands of Algerians whose president of Algiers bar since 2013. Algeria remains an difficult, all the more misreading the situation. careers have been characterised association, said: “It is impossible opaque country. if Gaid Salah The ONM was referring to the by honesty and competence in the to provide justice under pressure maintenance of an interim face of a corrupt system, that from the street and the media.” Francis Ghilès is an associate continues to play a president and government leaders forming a government that Me Miloud Brahimi, the former fellow at the Barcelona Centre for spoiling game. who are deeply distrusted by commands respect is not difficult. president of the Algerian League International Affairs. June 23, 2019 9 News & Analysis Maghreb

Libya’s guns louder than megaphone diplomacy

Michel Cousins fer out of hand. “I do not believe excellent. I ask the Libyan people that he [Sarraj] has anything to say,” not to pay any attention to the ru- Haftar declared. “His initiative is of mours that claim that we may with- Tunis no value.” draw or even think of stopping at Haftar accepted that “the solu- this stage,” he said. very gaunt and tired-look- tion must be through the political Sarraj thinks the same. ing head of the interna- track” but there would be no politi- “His [Haftar’s] army has been tionally recognised Liby- cal discussions until after the LNA broken, likewise that of his tri- A an Presidential Council, had taken Tripoli. “Military opera- umphalist entry to Tripoli that he Fayez al-Sarraj, has announced a tions,” he said, “will not stop before presented as a two-day walkover,” new initiative to end the civil war. we accomplish all our objectives.” Sarraj declared as he announced Sarraj proposed a national “con- Those objectives, he explained, his initiative, demanding an inter- gress” to work out a solution to were an end to the presence of “ter- national inquiry into alleged war Libya’s divisions and included par- rorists, militias, politicised Islam- crimes by the LNA. liamentary and presidential elec- ists and criminal gangs” in the capi- The claim of the LNA being “bro- tions before the end of the year. He tal and, in particular, the groups’ ken” is somewhat wide of the mark. presented it as if it were a new idea alleged control over the Central Although the GNA forces have held and it was immediately welcomed Bank of Libya. off the LNA offensive, the southern as “constructive” by the UN Sup- “The atmosphere for political suburban siege has not been bro- port Mission in Libya. work and discourse, with all its de- ken. The GNA forces are clearly not That was hardly surprising, not tails, will be more conducive,” he up to it. Three days after Sarraj’s because Sarraj had said the con- said, adding: “The military opera- “proposal, his forces opened a ma- ference should be convened “with tion will result in the removal of the jor offensive to take Tripoli Inter- the coordination of international factors that led to the failure of the national Airport. Like the political players” but because it is what UN political track and that led to all the initiative, it failed. Special Envoy Ghassan Salame had economic, social, legal and security Moreover, while neither side ap- planned to have taken place in mid- catastrophes.” pears to be winning, the GNA is on Warpath. Fighters loyal to Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar April, had the head of the Libyan He said there would be a tran- the defensive. The LNA from Haftar reportedly advancing on a road south of Tripoli. (AFP) National Army, Field-Marshal Khal- sitional period during which the down is convinced it will be de- ifa Haftar, not launched an offen- militias would be disarmed and dis- feated. sive to take Tripoli on April 4. mantled. Dismantled, too, would be The commander of the LNA’s through, although it would proba- Interviewed in Cairo before Sar- Given that there was nothing new “all bodies generated by the Skhirat western operations, Major-Gener- bly result only in a shift in the front raj and Haftar made their state- in Sarraj’s offer, announced June Accord” — the Presidential Council, al Abdul Salaml-Hassi, again an- line, as Haftar appears to suggest. ments, he ruled out any possibil- 16 at a news conference in Tripoli, the Government of National Accord nounced that the battle for Tripoli’s Taking the whole city and pacifying ity of a meeting between them, it left Libyan politicians and for- (GNA) and the State Council — and liberation had “entered its final it would be another matter. blaming Sarraj for the situation and eign diplomats asking what he was a new national unity government stage.” Optimism among its sup- Even if the LNA were to move the death of hundreds of Libyans. playing at. Did he genuinely think appointed. It would prepare for a porters, as far as timing is con- into central Tripoli, pockets of re- The World Health Organisation, on Haftar and the political players in permanent settlement that would cerned, is rampant. It is just a mat- sistance from well-armed militants June 17, said the fighting had killed eastern Libya would respond posi- include another new constitution, ter of time, they constantly declare. would remain, with the likelihood 691 people and injured 4,012 oth- tively to the offer or was it a crafty a referendum and elections. They point out that militia lead- of considerable violence and de- ers. propaganda move to present him- Intriguingly, Haftar added that ers, notably Haithem Tajouri, have struction ensuing. There is also the Dialogue is ruled out. UN media- self as the “good guy” suggesting a a new national unity government removed themselves from the fight, question of what Turkey, fully com- tion is ruled out. Only military ac- civilised way out of the crisis? would happen even if the attempt that extra LNA forces are being de- mitted to ensuring the GNA is not tion is presently accepted by the The consensus was that it was to secure the capital took much ployed and that new heavy equip- defeated, would do. two sides — that and the mega- the latter — “a stunt” as one Euro- longer. “If, for any temporary lo- ment was arriving. Sources close The megaphone diplomacy via phone provided by the media. pean diplomat put it. Sarraj was en- gistical and security reasons, it may to the LNA said the plan is to move media interviews has sides ruling It means that the conflict will gaged in gesture politics, knowing also start working from any other north-east of Tripoli along the coast out any talks with the other until continue and the death toll will in- the proposal would be spurned by city like Benghazi,” he said. road and split Tripoli from Misrata. after the battle is over. evitably rise. Haftar. Nonetheless, Haftar said he had The prognosis among observers House of Representatives Presi- Giving a rare interview, published no doubts that the LNA would take on the ground is that, sooner or dent Aguila Saleh has also taken Michel Cousins is a contributor to June 19, Haftar dismissed Sarraj’s of- Tripoli. “The [military] situation is later, the LNA may achieve a break- part in the megaphone diplomacy. The Arab Weekly on Libyan issues. Tunisia’s parliament adopts law banning surging candidates from elections, sparks controversy

Lamine Ghanmi liance not appreciated by Caid concerned by the amendment. to 8.6% in June. Support for mami said: “what happened in Essebsi, who has the authority Karoui, Moussi and Terras Nidaa Tounes, founded by Presi- the parliament June 18 under- to veto the legislation. Rambourg have emerged as the dent Caid Essebsi, was down scored the fact that our democ- Tunis The amended law is widely main challengers of the Islam- from 11.1% to 5% since May. racy is rotten and polluted with seen as targeting businessman ists and their secularist allies in Another surprise in the poll dirty money.” unisia’s ruling Islamist and television channel owner the upcoming elections, accord- was the strong performance of Tunisian academic and social Ennahda Movement and Nabil Karoui, who has built wide ing to opinion polls. Moussi’s party, which garnered media activist Olfa Youssef said the its allies in the coalition popular support by handing out the support of 11.3% of potential new law failed to “ban the apology government led by secu- aid to the poor in remote vil- voters. of terrorism. This is natural in this T The powerful Tunisian larist Prime Minister Youssef lages and neglected urban areas. Local media reported that En- parliament because those who rule Chahed ensured the adoption of Also affected is social personal- General Labour Union nahda’s leaders initially doubted the country and those who back amendments to the electoral law ity Olfa Terras Rambourg, who (UGTT) and the country’s the accuracy of the opinion polls them are terrorists.” that could block the way for un- has gained sudden notoriety leading business federation, but changed their minds when Terras said “the parties which expected rivals seen as surging through a massive communica- the Tunisian Union of they received similar feedback backed the law change will lose in opinion polls. tion and advertising campaign. Industry, Trade and through their own polling. as the people will punish them Legislative and presiden- The revised legislation bans Handicrafts (UTICA) both Their stance has pushed Ka- in the elections.” tial elections are scheduled for candidates who resort to “po- opposed the legislation. roui to speak up against Islam- October and November. litical advertising” or distribute ists. “We used to see Ennahda The electoral amendments “aid to the population” from The straw vote, conducted by for eight years tell people it is The revised legislation bans were approved June 18 in par- running for office. the Sigma Conseil agency and defending a democratic form of candidates who resort to liament by Islamist members, The government defended published June 12 by Le Maghreb Islam after suffering exclusion “political advertising” or who have the most seats in the the amendments, arguing that newspaper, showed Ennahda’s under the Ben Ali regime. But distribute “aid to the 217-member body, backed by they were aimed at fixing “loop- electorate support falling from they voted for a law to exclude population” from running three secularist groups, spark- holes” that allowed “populist” 18% in May to 16.8% in June. others in an attempt to keep for office. ing sharp criticism among many politicians to use “unfair tac- It was the first time since early power. History and the people political activists and intellectu- tics” to gain undue influence 2011 that Ennahda had fallen so will not forgive them for that,” Analysts say that banning fig- als who described the move as a over voters. quickly and sharply in a poll. said Karoui. ures such as Karoui and Terras is “stain of shame” on the nascent It claimed the legislation did The June poll indicated En- “The government and its par- an indirect reflection of the de- democracy. not set financial limits to charity nahda trailing a yet to be formed liament members by legislative- teriorating social climate, with Some political analysts ex- associations and did not prevent political entity — known as the ly sidelining its annoying rival the poor feeling the state has pressed concern over the them from receiving foreign Karoui Party — established by candidates fail to understand left them out and are willing to amendments’ possible impact funding. Karoui. The Sigma Conseil data that the democratic weapon of “punish” the political establish- on the country’s reputation as it “The legislation aims at clos- indicated the Karoui Party could mass destruction they used un- ment in next elections. seeks financial and security as- ing up these legal loopholes and win 29.8% of the vote in parlia- dermines the fragile Tunisian “The state is leaving the so- sistance from the West and asks ensuring equal chances for all mentary elections compared democracy,” said political writer cial field for charity associations for more patience at home from candidates,” said government to 16.8% for Ennahda. The poll Marouen Achouri. to fill and some charity groups Tunisians confronted with so- spokesman Iyed Dahmani showed Karoui to be the poten- “Why did the government have no qualms to politically cial and economic hardship. The new electoral legislation tial frontrunner in presidential stand idle while Karoui and Ter- control these poor,” said uni- The powerful Tunisian Gen- will also ban candidates who en- elections. ras were busy reaching out to the versity teacher and writer Amel eral Labour Union (UGTT) and gage in the “apology of human Karoui, who owns the influ- population through their charity Grami. the country’s leading business rights violations.” Critics say ential Nessma TV channel and works for two years?” asked po- Eyes are now on Caid Essebsi, federation, the Tunisian Union such a vague provision could has until now been on friendly litical activist Omar Shabou. who has the power and the po- of Industry, Trade and Handi- be used against rival candidates terms with Islamist leaders, is “If Chahed is thinking to get litical motive to veto the law. crafts (UTICA) both opposed the such as Abir Moussi, leader of widely popular because of his more voters by making such a “Beji Caid Essebsi has revenge legislation. And the move ap- the Free Destourian Party, be- television programmes and di- move, he is mistaken. People will to take against Ennahda and pears to be a golden opportunity cause of her advocacy of judicial rect outreach to the poor. turn even more against him as Chahed, all within the strict im- for President Beji Caid Essebsi exclusion of Islamists from poli- Despite the advantage of his government gave them only plementation of the constitution to stand up to Ennahda Presi- tics and her derision of the 2011 incumbency, Chahed saw fa- failure after failure,” he added. and the law,” said Business News dent Rached Ghannouchi and uprising as a “foreign conspir- vourability for his party, Tahya Leftist opposition Popular online newspaper editor Nizar Chahed, who have a de facto al- acy.” Moussi said she was not Tounes, fall from 16.5% in May Front spokesman Hamma Ham- Bahloul. 10 June 23, 2019 News & Analysis Syria Syria says no to restoring ties with Hamas

Sami Moubayed Inasmuch as they hated Me- shaal, the Syrians saw promise in the new generation of Gaza-based Beirut Islamists who replaced him. Three of them — Izzat Rushuk, Moham- or more than two years, mad Nazzal and Musa Abu Mar- Iran and Hezbollah have zouk — were public advocates of been trying to mend bro- normalisation with Damascus. All F ken bridges between Da- the new figures hailed from the mascus and their allies in Hamas. camps and streets of Gaza and The “Axis of Resistance,” which were deep-rooted in society and included Syria, Hezbollah and close to the people and to Iran. Iran, they claimed, would never be Most were from military back- complete without Hamas. grounds and were senior figures What started out as informal in the Iran-backed Al Qassam Bri- talks led by third parties devel- gade. oped into direct contact for the Additionally, they adopted a first time since 2011. So close were new declaration of principles in the two sides to an agreement that May 2017, distancing themselves Hamas Political Bureau Chairman from radical jihadi thought, which Ismail Haniyeh gave an interview made it easier for the Syrians to re- to a Russian news outlet praising engage. the Syrian leadership, which was Their new doctrine was focused republished in al-Watan, a Damas- more on Palestinian nationalism cus newspaper. than Islamism and had much less Those negotiations ended in dogma, which makes the party early June, however, after a senior open for a wider variety of mem- Hamas official returned empty- bers, not necessarily radical Is- handed to Gaza after an unan- lamists but moderates as well. It nounced visit to Damascus. He rejected the Oslo Accords of 1993 ‘Brotherhood blood’. A 2007 file picture shows Syrian President Bashar Assad (R) meeting with is thought to be Saleh Arouri, a but accepted the Palestinian Na- Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus. (AP) close confidant of Hamas military tional Authority that came out of commander Yehya Sinwar and his it, which is de facto recognition of personal envoy to Hezbollah Sec- Oslo. It also accepted de-escala- followed by steady isolation of accommodating the second re- Additionally, given rising tension retary-General Hassan Nasrallah. tion as a principle, packaging it as Qatar deprived Hamas of the un- quest was not. The Syrians care- between the Syrians and Turkey Syrian officials were reluctant a form of resistance. limited funds that were once at its fully inserted the second con- over the recent operations in Idlib, to re-establish ties with Hamas, The new leaders welcomed nor- disposal, resulting in a far more dition to kill the negotiations, it is likely that the Syria talks were arguing that the military group malisation with Damascus, realis- realistic and pragmatic agenda to- blaming Hamas for their collapse. amputated by Turkish President backstabbed its leadership in 2011. ing that times had changed since wards other Arab countries. All of They asked for Hamas to distance Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They only half-heartedly agreed to Meshaal waved the tricolour of that was topped with a weakening itself from the Egyptian Muslim Interestingly, after articles ap- start talks after Hamas Chairman the Syrian opposition in December grip on security within Gaza, re- Brotherhood, which Hamas was peared in pro-Hezbollah media Khaled Meshaal was ejected from 2012. Their ally in Cairo, Morsi, had sulting from poverty and hunger, in the process of doing, hoping to outlets in Lebanon, all predicting office in 2017. been in prison since 2013 until his which triggered anti-Hamas dem- turn a new page with Egypt. an imminent breakthrough, it was A long-time friend of the Syrians death June 17 and so was the Egyp- onstrations earlier this year, and After Qatari Emir Tamim bin the Syrians who announced their and resident of Damascus, he fa- tian Brotherhood’s top command. a series of defections into ISIS- Hamad al-Thani failed to men- failure, rather than Hamas. mously defected to Qatar in 2012, Their allies in Libya are facing an affiliated militias, feeding off ille- tion Gaza during his UN speech On June 7, a statement was re- seeing inspiration in the election uphill battle against Field-Marshal gal arms reaching them from Sinai last September, Hamas started to leased on the Facebook account of Muhammad Morsi, a leader of Khalifa Haftar and were expected and the Libyan battlefield. look for new allies, meeting with of the Syrian presidency and via the Cairo-based Muslim Brother- to fall in due course. With that in mind, Hamas snug- the UAE-based former head of the state-run Syrian television, hood, as president of Egypt. Contrary to 2012 expectations, gled up to Damascus, hoping to re- Palestinian security Mohammed saying Hamas was a “terrorist” Meshaal sent arms and weap- Assad survived in Damascus and gain political influence and access Dahlan. They agreed to set up a organisation with “Brotherhood ons to militants in the Yarmouk won the war in his country, thanks to a large number of apartments, committee to help Gazan families blood flowing through its veins.” Palestinian Camp near Damascus, to Russian support. Under the offices and cars that were confis- in need, with donations of up to Days later, senior Hamas official hoping they would march on Da- Trump administration, US enthu- cated by the Syrians in 2012. The $50,000 per household. That was Nayef Rajjoub said: “Relations mascus to install a “Syrian Morsi” siasm for regime change in Da- Syrians said “no” but agreed to a UAE money, of course, aimed at with the Syrian regime will not be as president. He wrongly believed mascus also waned, with Wash- representative office for Hamas in challenging Qatar within Doha’s restored.” that the Brotherhood regime in ington more interested in Kurdish Damascus, conditioning that it is- traditional sphere of influence. Cairo and the Brotherhood-affil- empowerment, the defeat of the sued a public apology and severed However, the Syrian rapproche- Sami Moubayed is a Syrian iated one in Libya were there to Islamic State (ISIS) and curbing of its relationship with both Turkey ment collapsed before bearing historian and author of “Under stay and that the days of Bashar Iranian influence in Syria. and Qatar. fruit, due to the impossible con- the Black Flag” (IB Tauris, Assad were numbered. Also, the Gulf dispute of 2017, While an apology was possible, ditions set forth by Damascus. 2015). Viewpoint Syria still faces uphill struggle to return to international fold

espite Syrian the regime because using loyalist Foz and its other go-between What exactly does the sanc- government efforts businessmen to launder and businessmen is that much of its tions regime against Syrian to return to the move money overseas is a central wealth was either funnelled out government figures and their Stephen Starr international fold, tactic to pay off international of Syria as a precautionary move business enablers look like? It new sanctions groups and individuals that the years ago or that the sums means frozen assets, banning against leading regime hopes will invest in the required necessitate funding exports — including of petro- Dpro-Assad figures show that it reconstruction process. from foreign partners. chemical products — sales and faces a bigger fight to do so than it Foz, 46, who owns on behalf of Many countries with the investments in Syria by US expected. the regime the Four Seasons financial means to get involved in “persons” and bans individuals With the Assad regime in Hotel and Orient Club in Damas- the reconstruction of Syria and and companies from facilitating control of the vast majority of cus as well as a multitude of other that have ties with Washington or financing transactions. Syria, it’s been putting out feelers businesses and holding compa- will now be scared away from US sanctions have significant to diplomats in Jordan, Bahrain nies, finds himself cut off doing so. The regime’s primary scope. The ban applies to US and elsewhere in a subtle push to completely from the US financial international backers — Iran and persons whether based in the force the international commu- system, which follows a similar Russia — are done investing in United States or overseas and it nity to re-engage with it. Its goals move by the European Union in Syria, having spent untold billions goes further than that: individu- are to have itself viewed as a January. of dollars propping up Assad. als or companies that are not crucial international player in the Everything from broken The extent of the investigation American in any way but interact region and to secure investments concrete and steel debris from by the Treasury Department is with US persons may not facili- to help rebuild the war-torn damaged and destroyed proper- instructive. It outlined links tate those under sanctions. country. ties to contracts for futuristic between Foz, his family based in The troubling aspect of this or However, when the US Treas- residential developments are up the United Arab Emirates and any sanctions regime is that the ury Department blacklisted for grabs for regime loyalists such companies in Lebanon. Oil and civilians dependent on the businessmen and regime apparat- as Foz. From Latakia and edu- television businesses based out medicine, food and jobs provided chik Samer Foz for amassing huge cated in Paris, Foz runs the of Lebanon were also named in by Foz’s business operations will sums of money through war country’s only steel smelting the investigation. be hit hardest. Though blacklist- profiteering, that plan suffered a factory in Homs, a facility that’s It’s been well documented how ing regime-linked businesses cuts significant setback. been working overtime to melt UN officials and staff members the regime’s tactics off at the Preventing the Syrian Sigal Mandelker of the Treasury down and reuse metal from used the Four Seasons in Damas- knees, it almost guarantees Department’s Office of Foreign destroyed neighbourhoods once cus as both an accommodation further suffering for the people of regime from Assets Control announced on held by opposition forces. and operational base during the Syria. profiteering off the June 11 that “Samer Foz, his The reconstruction process is war, sending millions of dollars Preventing the Syrian regime relatives and his business empire where the big money is. The directly into the regime’s coffers. from profiting off the lives of lives of those it has have leveraged the atrocities of building of Marota City in the Another of Foz’s assets, Aman those it has slain is a worthwhile slain is a worthwhile the Syrian conflict into a profit- Mezzah suburb of Damascus has Holding, is a web of trading pursuit but history has shown pursuit but history generating enterprise. This Syrian involved the eviction of thou- companies and one of the largest that sanctions alone rarely oligarch is directly supporting the sands of residents from land conglomerates in Syria. It is dissuade the victors of war. has shown that murderous Assad regime and where hundreds of millions of involved in importing oil and sanctions alone rarely building luxury developments on dollars is to be invested. People exporting foodstuffs, automotive Stephen Starr is the author of land stolen from those fleeing his such as Foz have the money to assembly, agriculture, broadcast “Revolt in Syria: Eye-Witness to dissuade the victors brutality.” make a start but the major production, pharmaceuticals and the Uprising” and has lived in of war. This serves as a major blow to problem for the Assad regime and transport. Syria and Turkey since 2007. June 23, 2019 11 News & Analysis Lebanon US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel expected to begin in weeks

Simon Speakman Cordall tions and the role of the concerned parties, including the United Na- tions, Lebanon and Israel, as well Tunis as the role of the United States,” the statement said. ebanon has agreed to enter Israel’s discovery of the Tamar US-brokered talks with Isra- and Leviathan gas fields in 2009 el over a disputed maritime and 2010, respectively, increased L border. the rate of exploration across the Lebanon has not commented eastern Mediterranean, with dis- publicly on its participation in such coveries later made in Cypriot and talks; however, Israeli sources indi- Egyptian waters. cated that negotiations could begin Of the Lebanese blocks open to in July. It is understood that discus- commercial exploration, one, Block sions would concern only the mari- 9, borders Israel’s declared mari- Many questions. A map shows the ten offshore blocks off the Lebanese coast for which the time border. time zone. The disputed maritime Lebanese cabinet in December 2017 approved licences for three international companies to carry out Acting US Secretary of State for border touches two other blocks, exploratory drilling. (AP) Near Eastern Affairs David Satter- though neither are yet licensed. field has been shuttling between French multinational (Total SA), both countries’ capitals for months whose consortium was awarded to usher in a period of unparalleled fixed,” Kennedy said. “Its finances imports and to utilise its existing and is believed to have achieved a exploration rights over Block 9 in austerity, opening the fields to fur- have been increasingly strained infrastructure to import Israeli gas breakthrough after meeting with February 2018, said that it would ther exploration stands to be vital. as its main international financial for domestic use and export.” Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran not drill near the disputed border. “The Lebanese economy is strug- backer, Iran, has come under much Discussions are under way to es- Bassil in late May. While the extent of gas reserves gling to absorb Syrian refugees who tougher economic sanctions from tablish a pipeline between Cyprus off the Lebanese coast have yet to fled the war in Syria and that con- the US to force it into a renegotia- and Egypt, with Israel hoping to be confirmed, seismic studies in- flict has also cost Lebanon one of tion of the nuclear deal.” begin exports to Jordan, despite Israeli sources indicated dicated that as much as 25 trillion its largest trading partners. Public The opening of negotiations be- domestic Jordanian opposition. that negotiations could cubic feet could lie beneath the sector debt is more than 150% of tween Israel and Lebanon, two “Of interest here is the East Med begin in July. It is seafloor. Analysts cautioned that GDP,” Kennedy said. “Additionally, countries that technically remain Gas Forum that sat for the first understood that not all of gas may be commercially US sanctions against Hezbollah, in a state of war, potentially begins time in January this year,” Ken- negotiations would viable. as part of a wider confrontation a new chapter in relations across nedy said, “featuring Egypt, Israel, concern only the Given the extent of potential hy- in Iran, have dented international the eastern Mediterranean, as hy- Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Italy and maritime border. drocarbon reserves, the stakes for confidence in the Lebanese econ- drocarbon deposits become impor- the Palestinian Authority. both countries are high. “Demar- o m y.” tant adjuncts to foreign policy. “Notable from their absence here A statement, carried by Lebanese cating the border would be impor- Hezbollah’s position regarding Kennedy said that, following the are Syria and Turkey and it could state media following a recent Sat- tant for both Lebanon and Israel, the border dispute has become establishment of a modern and ef- well be that further energy coop- terfield meeting in Lebanon, said particularly as it would probably increasingly strained. Though fective regulatory framework, eration and agreements of frame- the Foreign Ministry confirmed be used by Israeli PM [Binyamin] Hezbollah-aligned newspaper Al “Egypt in particular is looking to works is a means of excluding that no major obstacles remained Netanyahu as a political victory go- Akhbar warned against opening establish itself as an energy im- these states from further regional ahead of negotiations but that ing into new elections,” said Jack A. negotiations with Israel, the group port and export hub for the eastern integration.” more trips were required. Kennedy, a senior analyst with IHS “would be looking to get a share Mediterranean, both by exploit- “We started putting the final Markit. of any potential gas deals that ing its own domestic offshore gas Simon Speakman Cordall is a touches on the form of negotia- However, as Lebanon prepares were signed once the border was reserves to reduce its reliance on freelance writer.

Viewpoint Lebanon’s boycott of Bahrain meeting is another wasted opportunity

In fact, the Palestinians’ a small delegation headed by a something of a sacred duty of the overhaul its decaying economy, it absence may be more of a reason minister or even its undiplomatic Lebanese, who claim to care is counterproductive and impru- for the Lebanese to be present, if foreign minister. about the Palestinians’ plight, to dent not to show up at an eco- Makram Rabah only to provide needed support Lebanon’s attendance would champion their cause and remind nomic meeting of this calibre. for their allies. not have necessarily lent cre- those present that it is not only Recently, Lebanon has unchar- The Palestinians’ decision to dence to US President Donald Israeli action that has led to their acteristically shown that it is he Lebanese govern- not take part in the workshop Trump’s “Deal of the Century,” tragedy but the inaction of many capable of using Western diplo- ment’s decision to certainly altered expectations. which is nothing but a visionless others, including Arabs. macy to its advantage by fully boycott the US Most important, it led the US attempt to achieve peace by Being present at the Bahrain cooperating with the US adminis- economic workshop in administration to downgrade its putting a price tag on justice. workshop should also be impor- tration in international mediation Bahrain reminds me of invitation to the Israeli side, On the contrary, their represent- tant to Beirut because of the large efforts to resolve a maritime a slogan often repeated which will be represented by a atives could have provided Palestinian refugee community dispute with Israel over gas fields. Tby a distinguished Lebanese small delegation of businessmen needed pushback to what Trump’s that calls Lebanon its home. Building on this recent diplomatic columnist: “The Lebanese never instead of Israeli Prime Minister son-in-law and chief architect of Lebanon could use this chance to victory and attending the Bahrain miss an opportunity to miss an Binyamin Netanyahu, as origi- the plan Jared Kushner is widely remind the international commu- conference would show that opportunity.” nally planned. expected to explain to his audi- nity that the equally tragic plight Lebanon can be a force of modera- While many may argue that Still, the event is critical for the ence: how peace, or at least his of Syrian refugees should not tion and help reverse its image as Lebanon’s boycott of the confer- region’s future, giving a needed conception of it, could be eco- overshadow the needs of Palestin- a crony of Hezbollah and Iran. ence is warranted, especially after look into what US designs are for nomically beneficial to all. ian refugees stranded from their Even if Lebanon has low the Palestinian Authority how to end the intractable Indeed, given the many defects homeland. In addition, given how expectations for the event, it declined an invitation to attend, it conflict. in Kushner’s peace plan, it is desperately Lebanon needs aid to could approach it as one of the is ultimately a failed opportunity Strangely, Lebanon’s decision many time-sharing presentations to play a role in a key interna- to avoid the meeting was not people go to out of courtesy, tional event that could have discussed or voted on in cabinet where a tacky marketer tries to lasting implications on the meetings. It was simply the result convince listeners that their region’s future. of backroom deliberations product is worth a purchase. One The Palestinians certainly have between Lebanese President customarily attends these their reasons to justify the Michel Aoun, his son-in-law and pitches, partakes of the food and boycott, not least because they Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil beverages on offer, takes a view the only road to economic and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. complimentary gift and leaves. prosperity as through an end to Surely such an important issue Lebanon could have the same the Israeli occupation. However, should have warranted lengthy such attitude — attending the it is somewhat juvenile for consideration and debate, which meeting without endorsing its Lebanon to boycott the confer- would have at least given the purpose or outcome. ence simply because its Palestin- unwise move some semblance of While few are of the delusion ian counterparts have done so. legitimacy. that peace in the Middle East is Lebanon is averse to participat- within reach, Lebanon’s situation ing in such events. It has previ- can always get worse. By continu- By continuing to make ously weaselled its way out of ing to make irrational choices, conferences of this nature by such as boycotting the Bahrain irrational choices, playing the anti-Israeli card and conference, Lebanon is only such as boycotting the insisting it stands in solidarity causing itself further trouble that Bahrain conference, with the rest of its Arab brethren. cannot be easily undone. This excuse does not work in Lebanon is only the case of the Bahrain confer- Makram Rabah is a lecturer at the causing itself further ence, which it could have chosen American University of Beirut and to be represented by in any author of “A Campus at War: trouble that cannot be number of fashions, including Wrong decision? Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (R) with Student Politics at the American easily undone. through either a senior diplomat, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil. (AFP) University of Beirut, 1967-1975.” 12 June 23, 2019 News & Analysis Iran

Flaunting rights. An Iranian police vehicle is seen parked outside a currency exchange shop in Tehran. (AFP) Despite international outcry, Iran keeps executing children

Jennifer Bell yet some countries execute child families. The next day, Iran’s Legal were not isolated cases. ince in connection with the fatal offenders. Medicine Organisation reportedly “We are very concerned that stabbing of a young man during From 1990-2018, Amnesty Inter- informed the families that the boys some specific cases of individuals a fight among a group of boys in Dubai national documented 145 execu- had been executed and asked them who were under the age of 18 at the 2008, Papayianni said. tions of child offenders in China, to collect the bodies. time of the offence are at risk of ex- The court relied on “confessions” ran must abolish a “blatantly the Democratic Republic of Congo, “We are particularly disturbed ecution now,” Papayianni said. he made at the police station after unfair” judicial system that has Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Su- by reports that one of the alleged The sobering list includes Mo- his arrest when he did not have ac- seen the country obtain the re- dan, Sudan, the United States and child offenders, Mehdi Sohrabi- hammad Kalhori, who was 15 when cess to a lawyer or his family. I cord for executing the biggest Yemen. Iran has executed more far, had an intellectual disability he was arrested in December 2014 Papayianni said Ahmadi’s “con- number of child offenders, Amnes- than twice as many child offenders and had spent nearly 10 years in a over the fatal stabbing of one of fessions” were obtained under tor- ty International said. — 97 — as the other countries com- special education centre,” said UN his schoolteachers. He was found ture and police officers held him for Amnesty International said that, bined. experts in a statement. “Although guilty of murder in March 2016. three days in a filthy, urine-stained in the past 30 years, Iran has ex- evidence of the child’s disability He was sentenced to three years cell; tied his hands and feet to- ecuted twice as many juvenile of- was presented during his trial, the in prison and ordered to pay diya gether and pushed him face down fenders, some as young as 12, than In recent years, Iranian courts failed to use their discretion — blood money — to the victim’s on the cell floor; tied him to a pole any other country. The group cited judicial authorities often to request an assessment of the family. In its verdict, the court in the yard; kicked his genitals; and serious concerns for children — waited until a child maturity of the child, in line with relied on a state medical opinion denied him food and water. perhaps as many as 90 — on death sentenced to death had Article 91 of Iran’s amended Penal that concluded that the boy did not Reportedly, the pain inflicted row who were under the age of 18 turned 18 before executing Code, in clear breach of his right to have “mental growth and matu- was so severe that he was willing at the time of their alleged offenc- him, claiming he was no a fair trial.” rity” at the time of the crime. to confess to anything to end it. es. Many, the organisation said, longer a child. A Wikipedia entry states that However, the verdict was over- Authorities are not known to have were not given a fair trial. crimes punishable by death in Iran turned on appeal by the Supreme investigated his torture allegations. “Amnesty International believes Some were of pre-teenage age include murder, rape, child moles- Court and, in January 2017, a court “In Amnesty International’s that the death penalty is a cruel, when they were accused of their al- tation, drug trafficking, armed rob- dismissed arguments about Kal- annual death penalty report this inhuman and degrading punish- leged crimes. bery, kidnapping, terrorism, bur- hori’s “mental growth and matu- year, which looks at the use of the ment and its use is horrendous in Arman Mohammadi was arrested glary, paedophilia, homosexuality, rity,” convicted him of murder and death penalty worldwide in 2018, absolutely all circumstances but when he was 12 and spent six years incestuous relations, fornication, sentenced him to death. At least we have said that seven people is even more appalling when it is in prison before his execution. The prohibited sexual relations, sexual two judicial reviews of his case in Iran and at least one person in used as punishment against peo- crime he was charged with has not misconduct, prostitution, plotting since then have been rejected. South Sudan were executed for ple who were under 18 when the been revealed. Nor has it been in to overthrow the Islamic regime, Papayianni also pointed out the crimes committed when they were crimes took place and within a ju- the case of Makwan Moloudzadeh, political dissidence, sabotage, ar- case of Barzan Nasrollahzadeh, younger than 18 years of age,” said dicial system that is blatantly un- who was 13 at the time of his al- son, rebellion, apostasy, adultery, who was arrested by Ministry of Papayianni. “The organisation also fair,” said Nassim Papayianni, sen- leged offence. He was executed in blasphemy, extortion, counter- Intelligence officials at the age of 17 recently issued a document on ior campaigner for the Iran team 2007. feiting, smuggling, speculating, in May 2010. He was held for sev- which countries the organisation at Amnesty International’s Middle Other cases include the arrests disrupting production, recidivist eral months in a Ministry of Intel- has recorded using the death pen- East and North Africa regional of- and executions of two 17-year-olds consumption of alcohol, producing ligence detention facility in San- alty against individuals who were fice. this year. Papayianni said cousins or preparing food, drink, cosmetics andaj without access to his family under the age of 18 at the time of “The Iranian authorities have Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Seda- or sanitary items that lead to death or a lawyer. the offence.” a horrific track record of putting ghat were executed on April 25. when consumed or used, produc- In recent years, Iranian judi- juvenile offenders to death in fla- “Both were arrested aged 15 and ing and publishing pornography, cial authorities often waited un- grant violation of international law convicted on multiple rape charges using pornographic materials to so- In the past 30 years, Iran til a child sentenced to death had and their own human rights obliga- following an unfair trial,” she said. licit sex, recidivist false accusation has executed twice as turned 18 before executing him, tions. (Iran) is a state party to the Information published by Am- of capital sexual offences causing many juvenile offenders, claiming he was no longer a child. UN Convention on the Rights of the nesty International stated the teen- execution of an innocent person, some as young as 12, than “There is no justification for exe- Child, which is unequivocal in its agers were unaware they had been recidivist theft, certain military of- any other country. cuting children,” said Michael Page, absolute prohibition on the use of sentenced to death until shortly fences (e.g., cowardice, assisting deputy Middle East director at Hu- the death penalty for crimes com- before their executions and both the enemy), “waging war against He has said he was tortured, in- man Rights Watch. “Until Iran bans mitted by people below 18 years of teenagers had lash marks on their God,” “spreading corruption on cluding with an electric-shock de- the death penalty, Iranian judges age. bodies, indicating they had been Earth,” espionage and treason. vice, by being suspended upside should use the legal authority they “It is also well-established in the flogged before they died. The two UN Special Rapporteur on Hu- down and beaten. already have and stop sending chil- principles of juvenile justice that were reportedly forced to confess man Rights in Iran Javaid Rehman After his trial in August 2013, he dren to be killed by the state.” individuals under 18 years of age under torture. published a report that presented was sentenced to death after being Amnesty International recorded are categorically less mature and Their families and lawyers were in-depth research on the execution convicted of “enmity against God.” about 51,000 adult and juvenile ex- culpable and should never, there- not informed about the executions of child offenders in Iran, including His request for judicial review of ecutions from 1990-2018, however, fore, face the same penalties as in advance and were “shocked to targeted and detailed recommen- his case has been rejected, which data from China have been unavail- adults.” learn of the news,” Papayianni said. dations addressed to the Iranian means his death sentence could able since 2009. The use of the death penalty Held at a Shiraz child correction parliament, judiciary and other key soon be implemented. for crimes committed by people centre since 2017, the two boys stakeholders, outlining steps to Hamid Ahmadi was sentenced to Jennifer Bell is an Arab Weekly younger than 18 is prohibited un- were transferred to Adelabad Pris- end the practice. death in August 2009 following an contributor in the United Arab der international human rights law, on on April 24 and visited by their It said Sohrabifar and Sedaghat “unfair trial” before in Gilan prov- Emirates. June 23, 2019 13 News & Analysis Turkey As new problems for Turkey pile up, Erdogan faces key challenge in Istanbul

Thomas Seibert its Islamist predecessors have con- trolled Istanbul for 25 years. Istan- bul has a budget of close to $4 bil- Istanbul lion and accounts for one-third of the country’s economic output. urkish President Recep Losing Istanbul would weaken Tayyip Erdogan faces the government at a time of grow- mounting challenges with ing problems at home and abroad. T polls predicting victory for Dissidents within the AKP are re- the opposition in the rerun mayoral portedly planning to split from the election in Istanbul and as econom- party and set up their own organi- ic as well as foreign policy problems sation. loom. The rerun election comes as Tur- Polls indicate that Ekrem Ima- key’s economy struggles with re- moglu, from the main opposition cession, high unemployment and New face-off. People watch a televised debate between Istanbul’s mayoral candidates Ekrem Republican People’s Party (CHP), an inflation rate of almost 19%. Imamoglu (L), of the Republican People’s Party, and Binali Yildirim, of the Justice and Development could beat Binali Yildirim, the can- Some economists predicted that Party, at a cafe in Istanbul, June 16. (Reuters) didate of Erdogan’s ruling Justice the country will need outside help, and Development Party (AKP), by either from the International Mon- as much as 9 percentage points. etary Fund — a step Erdogan has nar, is expected to get around 1%. tionalist Movement Party, which asked in a speech. Imamoglu narrowly defeated rejected — or other means. “Turkey Konda General Director Bekir Ag- is strongly opposed to any conces- In another effort to reach out to Yildirim in the regular election in needs money,” one Western econo- irdir said on the Medyascope Inter- sions benefiting the Kurds. “They Islamist voters, Erdogan brought March but the Turkish Supreme mist in Turkey said. net television channel that the de- will not win many Kurds but they up Morsi’s death June 17 of an ap- Electoral Council annulled the re- Turkey’s row with the United cision to annul the March election will potentially lose many nation- parent heart attack in a Cairo court- sult following pressure by the AKP States over a plan by Ankara to buy was the main reason for the AKP’s alists,” Sazak said, referring to the room. Erdogan accused Egyptian and ordered a rerun for June 23. a Russian air defence system could problems. Political pressure on the AKP. authorities of failing to act to save That decision brought interna- turn into a serious crisis soon with Supreme Electoral Council that led The AKP’s strategy to beat Imam- Morsi’s life. “Morsi was killed. He tional criticism and accusations the first components of the Russian to the rerun election rattled peo- oglu rests on motivating the party’s did not die of natural causes,” He from Turkey’s opposition of eroding S-400 systems expected to arrive in ple’s sense of justice, Agirdir said, base to go to the polls. Around 1.7 said Egypt’s government rejected democracy. It also unnerved finan- Turkey within weeks. adding: “That was the moment the million voters did not vote in the the Turkish leader’s comments as cial markets and threw a spotlight The Istanbul election is also a test AKP lost.” election in March. “irresponsible.” on the AKP’s management of Tur- for Erdogan’s new presidential sys- Imamoglu enjoys the support of In an unspoken admission that Erdogan also said Imamoglu key’s largest city and commercial tem. Critics said the president has many non-CHP opposition voters things were not going well for the stood with supporters of Fethullah hub during its long years in power. sidelined parliament and turned determined to inflict a new defeat AKP, Erdogan abandoned a hands- Gulen, an US-based Islamic preach- Huseyin Cicek, a Turkey spe- government into a one-man show on Erdogan. The pro-Kurdish Peo- off approach to the Istanbul cam- er accused of masterminding a 2016 cialist at the University of Vienna, and accuse him of chasing fantasies ples’ Democratic Party (HDP) is also paign that had kept him away from coup against Erdogan. Austria, said the Istanbul election of neo-Ottoman grandeur. Cicek backing Imamoglu, a decision that the city to give the limelight to The president even suggested would be crucial. “The coming days said that the “‘Ottoman’ AKP cas- could be decisive for the election Yildirim. Late in the campaign, Er- that Imamoglu could end up in will show how big the Turks’ trust tle in the air” could come crashing results. An estimated 1.5 million out dogan appeared at several rallies. court after the election. “A decision in the president’s policies still is,” down. of 10 million registered voters in Is- The president came out guns by the judiciary can block his way,” Cicek wrote in response to ques- Imamoglu and Yildirim faced off tanbul are of Kurdish descent. blazing, attacking Imamoglu harsh- Erdogan said. Imamoglu has been tions. in a live television debate, the first In a last-minute effort to weaken ly. Some AKP members expressed accused of insulting a regional gov- The AKP, which has won almost such encounter in a major Turk- Kurdish support for Imamoglu, concern that Erdogan’s abrasive ernor in Turkey’s Black Sea region all elections in Turkey since 2002, ish election campaign in almost 20 government media published an style could put voters off but Erdog- by calling him a “dog.” Imamoglu appeared to be on the verge of de- years. Yildirim, 63, failed to land a appeal from jailed Kurdish militant an did not seem to be bothered by denied the allegations. Erdogan said feat. “At this point, Imamoglu has a knock-out punch against Imamog- leader Abdullah Ocalan, an influen- such warnings. he told the governor to take Imamo- comfortable lead,” US-based Turkey lu, 49, who campaigned on a theme tial figure, who said the HDP should He compared Imamoglu to Egyp- glu to court after the election. expert Selim Sazak said via e-mail. of change and has been leading in remain neutral in the election. Oca- tian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Imamoglu responded by say- “The AKP seems confused and clue- almost all opinion polls. lan’s lawyers confirmed the state- whom the Turkish president accus- ing the government could not go less.” One survey, published by the ment. es of having taken power in a coup against the will of the electorate. A second defeat in Istanbul would Konda institute, predicted Imamo- Sazak said it was unlikely the Oc- against Muhammad Morsi, a mem- “The person who can stand in the shake Erdogan’s 16-year grip on the glu would win with 54% of the vote, alan appeal would boost the AKP’s ber of the Muslim Brotherhood. way of the people’s decision hasn’t country and would deprive the AKP with Yildirim trailing at 45%. A third chances decisively. The AKP is in “Will we say Sisi or will we say Bi- been born yet,” he told an election of financial resources. The AKP and candidate, Islamist Necdet Gokci- an alliance with the right-wing Na- nali Yildirim on Sunday?” Erdogan rally. Viewpoint Why Turkey’s turbulence will be a long-lasting, thorny affair

the edge since the Supreme Bearing full responsibility, a disruptive move that may Russia, which has taken control, Electoral Council (YSK) declared without a doubt, but in full topple him from power. Abdel in part, of Turkey’s once- the mayoral vote on March 31 null denial of the massive national Fattah al-Sisi became president respected foreign policy. Yavuz Baydar and void in a ruling that lacked crisis, Erdogan insists that he will of Egypt after having led the There are more serious dimen- legal credibility, has demon- cling to power in a way that a military in pushing out Morsi sions whose consequences will strated that the Justice and separation will be a highly from the office in July 2013. In finalise Turkey’s worthless ill the result of Development Party (AKP), which dramatic affair. the same vein, he talked publicly solitude in the world scene: The the repeat Erdogan heads, will employ all This was easily detected in his about how “there are many Sisis S-400 missile defence system elections in sorts of undemocratic measures approach to the election rerun in this country, too.” crisis led Washington to impose Istanbul mark a not to accept defeat. campaign: he could keep quiet Seeing himself as the only powerful sanctions against historic turning This is a critical point. In only for some weeks, only to remaining figure in the same Ankara. The crisis in the Eastern point for modern Turkish history, the return with harsh rhetoric, ideological line as the Muslim Mediterranean, between Turkey WTurkish President Recep Tayyip voter has always had the highest threatening to “punish” Ekrem Brotherhood, Erdogan’s fear has and Cyprus, led the European Erdogan and his way of ruling regard for the pluralist system, Imamoglu, the opposition been increasing because of the Union to consider similar Turkey? albeit with a lot of flaws, and candidate who won the earlier crisis he has caused by an endless measures. No matter how the voting whenever it was mishandled, the vote. series of erratic moves. The All in all, the situation pro- ended up, regardless of who won, popular reaction was to punish Erdogan seems determined to interesting equation is that, since ceeds to become unbearable and Turkey is decidedly headed for those who disrupt the practice. do so in two ways: by engaging he won the referendum that a solution does not seem to be in further instability. Each time the military, for the AKP majority in the city handed him the super-presi- sight. The rerun of Istanbul elections, example, intervened in politics council to filibuster and paralyse dency in 2017 and the more Regardless of the Istanbul vote which has kept the electorate on by way of a putsch, people voted Imamoglu and by forcing the centralised his power has outcome, it will be a weakened for whoever was challenging the subservient judiciary to launch become, the deeper and faster Erdogan who emerges. History oppressor, such as Suleyman charges on insult to a governor in Turkey has been sunk in the has shown that, whenever they Demirel or Turgut Ozal. Ordu. crisis. feel they have nobody to trust, A weakened Erdogan Istanbul has become a minor These are only minor, if not The situation is so acute that tyrants become dangerous. may well be a more but vital case of a similar type of insignificant, details. Given the even the usually loyal segments A weakened Erdogan may well confrontation. Regarding the YSK overall conjuncture, marked by a of the bureaucracy in Ankara be a more dangerous one. If he dangerous one. If he ruling as an extreme example of multilayered crisis in Turkey, have been sending out discreet feels that his personal interests feels that his personal injustice, many voters even Erdogan displays growing signs signals of anxiety over Turkey as are at stake and if he is unable to inside the pious camp reacted, of paranoia. no longer governable. Tensions find an honourable exit, he will interests are at stake indicating a weaker belief in Among many things, it is the run high, far beyond the elec- turn to the only way he finds and if he is unable to Erdogan’s commitment to the death of former Egyptian tions in Istanbul. useful: sparking further crises. find an honourable electoral system, showing a trend President Muhammad Morsi, a Domestically, all economic His impasse will make Turkey’s that, sooner or later, will implode prominent figure of the Muslim indicators call out SOS. One false harmful turbulence a long-last- exit, he will turn to the AKP as a movement. Brotherhood, that seems to have move after the other left the AKP ing one. the only way he finds Whether Erdogan will be shattered him. Calling Morsi a government with no friends in issued an exit ticket by way of the “martyr,” Erdogan said Morsi the Middle East, except Qatar. Yavuz Baydar is a Turkish useful: sparking ballot box is far more complex “did not die, he was murdered.” Profound mistrust with the Arab journalist and regular columnist further crises. than the destiny of the country. He doesn’t hide his concern of world is coupled by the one with for The Arab Weekly. 14 June 23, 2019 Debate Combating Extremism The terrible link between jihadists and Islamophobes

to 2013. In that year, the Chechen-American brothers Rashmee Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsar- Roshan Lall naev detonated bombs at the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring several hat do jihadists hundred. Tamerlan Tsarneav, and right-wing Smith writes, was prone to killers have in violence against women, having common other battered a girlfriend and abused than the fact his wife. they commit- The year after the Boston Wted an act of public violence? Is bombings there was the siege of there an unsuspected link a Sydney cafe, which was treated between those who perpetrated as a terrorist incident. The attacks in the name of Islam in perpetrator, an Iranian-Austral- Britain, France and the United ian man, sustained a 16-hour States and those who have standoff with police but it ended attacked Muslims in the West? with the death of several people, Human rights campaigner Joan including the perpetrator. The Smith said all were men with attacker made confused and some history of domestic scattered claims that suggested a violence, mostly as perpetrators perverted view of his religious but sometimes as victims. duty but Smith says the real An alarming pattern. A combination of pictures shows (L-R) Youssef Zaghba, Khuram Shazad Butt Many were wife beaters, giveaway was his “history of and Rachid Redouane, believed by police to be the three attackers in the June 3 terror attack on misogynists and control freaks domestic and sexual violence.” London Bridge. (AFP) who terrorised the women in She discerns the same pattern their lives. Some, such as the in the lives of other jihadists: French-Algerian Kouachi The wife of Tunisian Mohamed attacked pedestrians on London private ones in the unhappy fam- This study reiterates something brothers who killed the staff of Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, who killed Bridge in June 2017, complained ily homes of terrorists. that has long been known — that Charlie Hebdo magazine in 2015, 85 people when he drove a lorry of “violent abuse.” Yet, there is a decided sense of those who experience violence suffered at the hands of violent onto the pavement of the Smith notes the similarities in overreach in the claim that often perpetuate it. This fathers. There is a “close link Promenade des Anglais in Nice the troubled and troubling lives domestic violence should be applies to individuals as much between private and public on Bastille Day 2016, had filed of those at the other end of the seen as a warning of as to communities and violence,” Smith writes in for divorce listing abuse. religious and race spectrum, for terrible public whole cultures. “Home Grown: How Domestic Khalid Masood, the British instance violent white Christian atrocities to come. In her book As the cliche goes: Violence Turns Men into Terror- Muslim convert who drove a car Islamophobes such as Darren Smith writes that “Home Grown: How Violence begets ists.” into pedestrians on London’s Osborne. In June 2017, Osborne domestic violence Domestic Violence Turns violence. I’m not The title — just like Smith’s Westminster Bridge and then drove his car into a crowd is a “useful Men Into Terrorists,” sure that is a premise — is a thought-provok- fatally stabbed a policeman in outside London’s Finsbury Park apprenticeship” human rights campaigner counterterrorism ing assertion. If one goes by March 2017, had “an extensive mosque, killing one and injuring for men who Joan Smith makes the strategy but it Smith’s argument, it is time to history of domestic abuse.” nine. Osborne, says Smith, was become infa- case that “there is a close does add another rethink counterterrorism Salman Abedi, the British no more than “a domestic mous for “crush- link between private dimension to the strategies because a person’s Libyan who detonated a suicide tyrant…(an) abuser with a ing passers-by and public violence.” debate over the ideology and faith — or lack of it bomb in the Manchester Arena lengthy record of violent crime” under the wheels of roots of terrorist — doesn’t matter quite as much concert venue in May 2017, against the two women he an SUV or stab violence. as their record of violence killing 22 mainly pubescent girls, married and many others. strangers with kitchen against women. had once punched a female The checklist above is dismal knives.” Rashmee Roshan Lall is a Does the argument hold water? fellow student for wearing a and just about repetitive enough Perhaps. But all that is columnist for The Arab Weekly. Smith makes her case through an short skirt. to suggest that Smith is right to really established is the likeli- Her blog can be found at examination of disparate The wife of Moroccan Rachid see some connection between hood a violent person will www.rashmee.com and she is on incidents of terrorism going back Redouane, one of three men who public acts of violence and continue to behave that way. Twitter: @rashmeerl. EU combats terrorism on social media but radicalism endures

In the same line of argument, more than 40 companies and advocacy groups drafted an Ali Alfoneh open letter in February warning against “content filtering gone awry.” Among other cases, the fter the horrific authors pointed to the Syrian New Zealand Archive, a civil society organi- mosque shootings, sation preserving evidence of the first of which human rights abuses in Syria, was live streamed whose videos were deleted by on Facebook, the YouTube. While the Syrian EuropeanA Union accelerated Archive uploaded the videos to approval of legislation that document human rights requires internet companies to violations in Syria, technical take down terrorist content filters, blind to the context, within an hour of receiving deleted them as dissemination notification from authorities. of extremist materials. By “terrorist content,” the The European Union’s European Union refers to vigilance concerning terrorism material that “incites or solic- and over-vigilance of compa- its… terrorist offences, provides nies such as YouTube stand in instructions… or solicits the stark contrast to general participation in activities of a political radicalism, which is terrorist group” as well as thriving among some of its content providing guidance on members. how to make weapons for The Danish daily Berlingske terrorist purposes. Tidende released a video, The text has yet to be produced by Rasmus further negotiated among Paludan, leader of the newly lawmakers and EU established Stram Kurs members before (“Hard Line”) party in becoming law but so Denmark. Posing Hopefully, the much is known with the Manhat- that companies, European public will tan skyline in the which systemati- not only discuss background, cally and persis- terrorism but also Paludan argues: tently fail to theoreticians of “Terrorist abide by the law, violence, rabble killing of more may be sanc- rousers and than 2,000 people tioned with up to populists. [on September 11, 4% of their global 2001] was perpe- turnover. trated by Muslims The EU initiative is because they [the Many faces of radicalism. Far-right protesters shout slogans against the arrival of migrants at the controversial and has many perpetrators] were Muslims. Catholic Church centre ‘Mondo Migliore’ in Rocca di Papa, near Rome, last August. (AFP) critics. In its criticism of the Because they were good legislation, European Digital Muslims. Because they were Rights group argued the text of abiding by the Quran and not a single Muslim left on dear politics and one ought not to solution” to what the populist the law “looks nice” but it “runs following the words of the [planet] earth. I hope this pay too much attention to such right perceives as Europe’s the severe risk of undermining Prophet to the letter. This is happens one day, at which point types but how come YouTube, Muslim problem? freedoms and fundamental what Islam is: Killing, humilia- we will have achieved our final which feels compelled to censor rights online without any tion, rape, vandalism and goal.” videos documenting human Ali Alfoneh is a senior fellow at convincing proof that will debasing non-Muslims… The Paludan’s party doubtlessly rights violations in Syria, does the Arab Gulf States Institute in achieve its objectives.” best thing of course, is if there is represents the fringes of Danish not prohibit calls for “final Washington. June 23, 2019 15 Debate Iran and the West

US congressional concerns mount over escalating US-Iran tensions

Observers have pointed to Trump’s position that Iran was Gregory responsible for the attacks on Aftandilian two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, seeing it as an indication that he is preparing the political S President Donald ground for war. Trump’s decision to Although Adam Schiff, the send an additional Democratic chairman of the 1,000 troops to the House Intelligence Committee Middle East and the and frequent Trump critic, has Iranian downing of said the evidence is “overwhelm- Ua US drone increased concerns in ing” that Iran was behind the the US Congress that the United tanker attacks, that does not States is heading towards war overshadow the belief among with Iran. congressional Democrats that Although there is no support Trump is unnecessarily provok- for the Iranian regime in the US ing the Iranians. Capitol, many members of Iran’s efforts to up the ante by Congress said they are worried attacking a US drone over the that Trump is stumbling into a Strait of Hormuz on June 20 war, encouraged by hawkish increased concerns that the aides, such as the national United States and Iran are security adviser John Bolton, headed towards a military who advocated bombing Iran conflict. when he was a private citizen. Before the June 20 incident, This comes after events since Speaker of the House Nancy May in which Trump has threat- Pelosi asked rhetorically in an ened Iran. Politico, a Washington interview broadcast June 16: publication, reported that “What is their [Trump adminis- Trump’s aides have made the tration’s] motivation to be case that the president has the provocative with the Iranians? authority to take military action Why did the president turn his against Iran, citing the Authori- back on the Iranian nuclear sation for the Use of Military agreement? What’s the logic Mixed signals. US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (L) and House Speaker of the House Force (AUMF). except some other issue — that is Nancy Pelosi (C) walk at the Capitol in Washington following a briefing on Iran, June 20. (AP) This legislation was passed by was negotiated by President Congress after the attacks of [Barack] Obama?” September 11, 2001, and was Pelosi took a more measured said Congress must “step up and Republicans. Senator Rand Paul, members of Congress is the directed against al-Qaeda and its position after the drone incident, prevent an unconstitutional war a member of the Senate Foreign difficulty inherent in de-escalat- Taliban allies, even though it has stating: “We have to be strong with Iran and avert one of the Relations Committee, said, ing the US-Iran crisis. With the been used against other groups, and strategic about how we biggest foreign policy blunders referring to the Trump adminis- recent drone incident and Iran such as the Islamic State. protect our interests. We also in decades.” tration, it is “a mistake to keep not willing to renegotiate the That the AUMF could be cannot be reckless in what we US Senator Elizabeth Warren, ramping things up in the Middle nuclear deal and perhaps moving invoked against Iran would be a d o .” who is seeking the Democratic East.” ahead with plans to exceed its stretch but perhaps the Trump Although she is usually Party’s nomination for president, Other Republicans in Congress nuclear stockpile and uranium administration is laying the critical of Trump, Pelosi said she was “very concerned are not as outspoken as Paul but enrichment levels under the 2015 groundwork for it. US seems to want to encour- about a slide towards war with they seem to harbour private agreement, many members fear Secretary of State Mike age Trump not to Iran” and emphasised that misgivings. This is due in part to that Trump and his team may Pompeo, speaking overreact. After Trump must go to Congress for Trump’s end-run around believe they have to respond and June 13, appeared Many members suggesting that authorisation before engaging in Congress on arms sales to Saudi a military response by the United to lump together of Congress say Congress and the hostilities. Arabia and the United Arab States could lead to a rapid slide Iran’s support for the United States American people She underscored a general Emirates by declaring an “emer- into more hostilities. the Houthi rebels and Iran are have “no appe- Democrat sentiment that “part gency” situation, which sparked Many congressional members in Yemen with the engaged in a tite” for going to of the problem… is that the presi- attempts at introducing biparti- say that the United States and May 31 attack on a standoff with war, she said she dent backed out of a deal that the san resolutions of disapproval. Iran are engaged in a standoff US convoy in neither side thinks the United States had committed to Not only do those Republicans with neither side willing to blink. Afghanistan that willing to blink. president does not and does it with no coherent say they are losing congressional The members say they are was claimed by the want to go to war, alternative strategy.” prerogatives, they are worried frustrated and powerless to stop Taliban. either. Indeed, on Schiff said he would allow a that Trump could drag the what they see as a steam engine Michael Kugelman, an June 20, Trump said full House vote to “prevent an country into a war that would be headed towards war. expert at the Wilson Centre publicly that he thinks Iran’s unconstitutional war in Iran.” unpopular in their home districts Many hope the Trump admin- think-tank in Washington, downing of the US drone was The Republican leadership in a year before elections. istration will take “measured told the Washington Post: “This “a mistake.” Congress is generally supportive Indeed, Trump campaigned in steps,” in the words of McCo- administration is itching for a However, some members of of Trump on Iran. Senate 2016 on the notion that he would nnell, but others are worried that fight with Iran. Unfortunately, Congress say there is still a risk Majority Leader Mitch McCo- keep the United States away the staircase is so wobbly that that sometimes entails making of war. nnell, for example, characterised from costly wars in the Middle falling off balance could be the some accusations against Iran In the Senate, Tom Udall, a the policies as “measured East. The Republicans are hoping more likely scenario. that are somewhat questionable.” Democratic member of the responses to the Iranians acting that Trump’s instincts on the Bolton also issued tough Senate Foreign Relations out” and emphasised that Trump issue of avoiding war will prevail Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer statements, saying the Iranians Committee, warned prior to the is “not trying to start a war.” but fear miscalculations in the in the Pardee School of Global “would be making a big mistake June 20 incident: “We are However, that support for the Gulf could precipitate military Studies at Boston University and if they doubted the president’s stumbling to the brink of war administration’s Iran policy was action. a former US State Department resolve.” without support of our allies.” He not universally shared by Another major concern of Middle East analyst The radical left provides Iran’s ‘useful idiots’ in the West

only actor with motive in the came Corbyn demanding to see Russian imperialism in Syria or countries are harmed. While the region to conduct such attacks on more “credible evidence” before Iran’s imperialism in Iraq that has likes of Corbyn and Galloway rave Tallha international commercial he agreed that Russia was led to the sectarian slaughter of about Saudi Arabia, they barely Abdulrazaq shipping in the Arabian Gulf, the responsible. untold thousands. utter a word of condemnation or mullahs’ Western apologists were It beggars belief just how much To their conspiracy-addled condolence when Saudis are the wheeled out in quick succession Corbyn distrusts his country’s minds, even aid workers such as target of terrorist attacks such as to cast doubt and spread dezinfor- own intelligence services as well the White Helmets, who have the Houthi missile strike on Abha henever Iran matsiya. as independent reporting by the verifiably saved countless lives International Airport. finds itself in In Britain, one need look no Organisation for the Prohibition across Syria, are actually “terror- The double standards practised hot water, its further than the radical left to see of Chemical Weapons, which ists” masquerading as humanitar- by these radical leftists are no less legion of where Tehran’s lobbying efforts concluded the same thing the ians, no matter what evidence is dangerous than the views of the sycophants have taken root. British Labour British government did. How provided that proves the alt-right. While they claim come out the Party leader Jeremy Corbyn much more “credible evi- contrary. support of the people of the Wwoodwork to defend whatever immediately called to see “more dence” does he need? As such, the only region, they are more sectarian villainy Tehran is up to. credible evidence” that Iran was Like the alt-right “useful idiots” on the than some of the worst regional When two oil tankers were involved and blamed US President they so oppose, scene are ones who actors as they stay silent on the attacked off the coast of Fujairah, Donald Trump for the escalation. alt-left politicians The double play into the hands mass slaughter of Sunnis by Iran it did not take a genius to figure One of his main allies, the leftist and thinkers standards practised of Iran, willingly or and its Shia militant proxies, yet out that Iran was responsible. George Galloway, labelled all harbour an by these radical otherwise. Such are immediately up in arms the Indeed, operatives from Iran’s those who doubt Iran as “useful inherent distrust leftists are no less people justify the second Saudi Arabia so much as Islamic Revolutionary Guard idiots” who are whipping the of anything their dangerous than the brutality of not twitches. Corps were sighted by the crews hounds of war. governments say only Iran but also Such people can never be of the vessels, spotted approach- It is almost as if it is a recurring and tend to adopt views of the alt- that of its allies trusted to support what is just and ing the tankers by reconnaissance joke in a poorly written sitcom. propaganda created right. such as Syrian right as long as they hold these aircraft patrolling the Gulf and Corbyn is notorious for follow- by Russia and Iran dictator Bashar Assad highly discriminatory views and were caught on camera removing ing a highly sceptical and conspir- and taking it at face and the Lebanese Shia act in the interests of mass a mine from the hull of one of the acy-believing “anti-imperialist” value without fact-check- jihadists of Hezbollah. murders and dictators. targeted ships in a clear attempt thought process that is common ing. They also side with Iran to hide evidence of Iran’s involve- among the alt-left. When Russian While they are “anti-imperi- simply because they disagree Tallha Abdulrazaq is a researcher ment. agents poisoned Sergei and Yulia alist,” that seems only to apply to with the governments of the at the University of Exeter’s Despite this veritable avalanche Skripal with the Novichok nerve the United States and its allies region and they will stay silent Strategy and Security Institute in of evidence and Iran being the agent in Salisbury in 2018, out because they do not seem to mind whenever civilians in those England. 16 June 23, 2019 Economy

Expo 2020 Dubai on track, organisers moving fast Briefs

N.P. Krishna Kumar Iraq lifts production at Exxon’s West Dubai Qurna 1 oilfield to 465,000 bpd yes are all set on Expo 2020 Dubai, which is being pre- Production at the giant West pared to attract millions of Qurna 1 oilfield in southern Iraq E visitors over a 6-month pe- reached 465,000 barrels per day riod of spectacle and global celebra- (bpd) after the completion of new tion. crude processing facilities and oil The event, with its theme of storage tanks, Iraqi oil officials said. “Connecting Minds, Creating the West Qurna 1 oilfield, developed Future,” is centred on innova- by Exxon, was producing about tions to build a sustainable future. 440,000 bpd, officials working at Displays will be installed in three the field said on the sidelines of a thematic districts that explore the ceremony to inaugurate the new Expo’s subthemes of “Opportuni- installations. ty,” “Mobility” and “Sustainability” Exxon’s foreign staff members and include 192 country pavilions. were present, having returned to the The event is expected to attract oilfield on June 2, two weeks after 25 million visitors from October 20, Exxon pulled about 60 people from 2020, to April 10, 2021. the oilfield and flew them to Dubai. A visit to the Expo site, covering The evacuation came days after 4.4 sq.km, shows that, after 100 the United States withdrew non- million working hours with 30,000 essential staff from its embassy in workers on site, the venue is tak- Baghdad, citing a threat from Iran. ing shape with the construction of the petal-shaped thematic districts (Reuters) complete. Master planner HOK, a US engi- Saudi crown prince neering firm, said the three districts Momentous event. A woman walks past the logo of Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Reuters) emanate from a central plaza called says to finalise Al Wasl, the historic Arab name for privatisation deals Dubai and meaning “the connec- its massive domed trellis, which less than 520 days.” Dubai, said: “The completion of the tion.” The plaza was inspired by the will act as a huge 360-degree pro- Khatib said, as of May, 67.5% of thematic districts is a significant this year layout of a traditional Arabic souk. jection screen. It is scheduled for the construction work had been milestone in our journey towards Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed The thematic districts — designed completion by the end of June. completed. delivering an exceptional Expo.” bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said the by British company Hopkins Archi- Designed by architect Santiago “All Expo 2020-built structures A single-day adult (aged 18 and government will finalise privatisa- tects — evoke old Dubai, with fa- Calatrava in the shape of a falcon in are designed to achieve at least over) ticket will cost $33 and a 3-day tion deals worth $533 million before cades resembling traditional Emir- flight, the UAE Pavilion will be a ma- LEED Gold certification, the glob- pass will cost $71 and can be used on the end of this year, the Saudi- ati wind towers and walkways lined jor attraction. It depicts the history ally recognised standard of sustain- any three days of the 173-day event. owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper with flora indigenous to the United of the Emirates as a connected glob- able architecture, which is in line Children aged 5 and younger can reported. Arab Emirates. They incorporate a al hub, along the vision of its leaders with Expo’s commitment to leaving enter for free, can people aged 65 The privatisation drive is part of host of innovative features, includ- to create a peaceful and progressive a sustainable, meaningful legacy,” and older, while children aged 6 to Vision 2030, a package of reforms ing smart shading, solar cells and society with ambitious plans. said Khatib. 17 and students get a 50% discount. led by Crown Prince Moham- moisture-capturing mechanisms, Dubai Expo has the largest num- More than 100 million working On schedule are 60 live daily med that is intended to wean the as well as an enormous basement ber of participating countries in the hours have gone into developing shows, future-shaping technolo- economy off oil and create jobs for under each district, which will be 168-year history of world expos. the site, including the completion gies, performances by world-fa- young Saudis. used for logistics during the event Out of the 192 participating coun- of shell and core works for the Op- mous artists, parades, cutting-edge The expected deals will be in and parking post-event. tries, 81 will build their own pavil- portunity, Mobility and Sustainabil- innovations and architecture, spe- sectors that include flour mills, Built by the United Arab Emir- ion; the rest will lease Expo-built ity districts. cial celebrations and more than 200 medical and shipping services. The ates’ Al Futtaim Carillion and al- pavilions. The Dubai Metro Route 2020 ex- food and beverage outlets offering government will next year offer ready landscaped with water and Officials at the Expo site said they tension, which will link the Expo more than 50 cuisines. privatisation projects in the educa- shading features, the districts are expect construction to be complet- to the rest of the emirate, the three The Expo is predicted to add the tion sector with investments worth ready for fit-out. They form the ed this year. electric substations that will power equivalent of 1.5% to the United around $267 million, the newspaper largest built-up area of the site and Ahmed al-Khatib, chief devel- the site and other key water, sew- Arab Emirates’ GDP, boosting its quoted the crown prince as saying. include 86 buildings that will house opment and delivery officer, said: age and telecommunications infra- economy by $33.4 billion and sup- dozens of country pavilions, food “This is the year of delivery and the structure, including the 2.2km road porting 905,200 job-years from (Reuters) and beverage outlets, retail, perfor- completion of the three thematic network, have been completed. 2013-31. mance spaces and leisure areas. districts is a major construction Reem Al Hashimy, minister of Turkish lira weakens The Al Wasl Plaza is set to be the landmark to be celebrated as we state for International Cooperation N.P. Krishna Kumar is an Arab next iconic structure of Dubai, with prepare to welcome the world in and director-general, Expo 2020 Weekly contributor in Dubai. on report detailing possible US sanctions The Turkish lira weakened after Egypt seeks to upgrade industrial sector through Siemens deal Bloomberg News reported the United States was considering sanc- Mohamed Hammad needs to address the issues be- were never installed. This impeded energy, digitised services, stream- tions that could target Turkish de- cause neighbouring countries have transferring of tanneries that have lined procedures and problem fence companies, cutting them off outdone Egypt in establishing been languishing inside residences solving,” Aref said. from the US financial system over Cairo smart industrial zones. in the Old Egypt area to the special- Egypt needs specialised indus- concerns about Ankara’s purchase “The situation of Egyptian in- ised leather region. trial zones to streamline proce- of a Russian air defence system. he Egyptian government has dustry has become complicated Investors questioned the success dures to improve its No. 128 (out of Ankara and Washington have signed an agreement with because of the deterioration of of the programme. In their opin- 190 countries) ranking in last year’s sparred for months over the S-400 German electronics com- services in industrial zones, which ion, the state of the industry is an Business Climate Report. missile system, expected to be T pany Siemens to improve runs counter to investment trends integrated whole and mere devel- Such indicators confirm Cairo’s delivered to Turkey as early as next industrial competitiveness and es- in infrastructure,” said Hisham Ka- opment and modernisation are not need to confront bureaucratic inef- month. Washington has said that tablish “smart” economic zones. mal, chairman of the Industrial Or- enough. ficiency through the digitisation would trigger US sanctions under The deal is to establish special- ganisation of New Cairo. of services offered to investors and a law calling for sanctions against ised industrial zones based on re- “If the Ministry of Industry An agreement with Siemens by not limiting incentives only to countries procuring military equip- gional resources in each Egyptian wants to develop industrial zones, establishment of companies. ment from Russia. province, harmonise industrial it should ensure that all parties that aims to improve industrial Investors can start companies areas with local job markets and deal with investors are computer- competitiveness and to in Egypt through the internet but (Reuters) use best technological methods to ised and digitised.” establish ‘smart’ economic they face difficulties to obtain nec- solve problems and minimise hu- Cairo recently completed a pro- zones in Egypt. essary licences to operate a factory Palestinian finances man intervention. ject that added 3,400km to the and commence economic activity. The agreement is based on de- road network, linking various in- “There is no clear will from the Majdi Sharara, chairman of the near collapse veloping infrastructure, automa- dustrial and commercial cities in officials. Such reforms were sched- Small and Medium Industries as cuts deepen: tion and digitisation of industrial the country. uled to be implemented in the eco- Committee of the 10th of Rama- zones; providing support to facto- Transforming industrial zones nomic zone of the Suez Canal since dan Investors Association, drew monetary chief ries to optimise energy efficiency into smart ones is difficult because 2016 and they have not been real- parallels between the Siemens Palestinian finances are on the and adopting automated solu- the only digital transitions to have ised,” said Ahmad Shami, a mem- agreement and difficulties the brink of ruin after the suspension tions; developing local machinery taken place benefited only a few ber of the Suez Investors Associa- Ministry of Education faced when of hundreds of millions of dollars manufacturers; building capacity financial services. Bureaucracy is tion. it attempted to digitise secondary of US aid, Palestine Monetary Au- and improving technical and vo- prevalent in most sectors that in- Shami said the infrastructure of school exams. thority Chairman Azzam Shawwa. cational education; and providing terest investors, particularly insur- the labour force is not trained in The failed attempt resulted in the Mounting financial pressures on financial services to the industrial ance, water and electricity. the use of technology. abolition of the tablet-based exam the Palestinians’ self-ruling entity sector. Kamel said the Siemens expe- Some investors see the neces- system in some school subjects and have sent its debt soaring to $3 bil- There are more than 121 indus- rience will — if applied correctly, sity of establishing smart industrial a return to a paper-based system. lion and led to a severe contraction trial zones in Egypt. They have precisely and without alterations zones while finding solutions for “That was a concrete example in its estimated $13 billion GDP various issues and are considered — change the face of investment in zones where the infrastructure of of the general lack of preparation economy for the first time in years, obstacles hampering the general Egypt. which is not up to date. for digital transformations, which Shawwa said. investment climate. Egypt does not have specialised Samir Aref, chairman of the 10th require initial groundwork and an “I don’t know where we are Cairo tried to address problems in industrial zones. The establish- of Ramadan Investors Association, upgrade of telecommunications heading. This uncertainty makes industrial zones with a general plan ment of a first specialised area said a digital transformation would systems before proceeding to the it difficult to plan for tomorrow,” for the Suez Economic Zone and for the leather industry known as eliminate red tape that investors generalised implementation of the Shawwa said during a visit to announced that facilities and infra- “Rubiki” in Badr, west of Cairo, is must deal with but that the lack of new system,” Sharara said. Jordan. structure for the project were im- trudging along slowly. mechanisms blocks needed changes. plemented through “smart” design. Despite receiving grants for de- “Egypt needs smart industrial Mohamed Hammad is an Egyptian (Reuters) To maintain investment, Cairo veloping the area, basic facilities zones that rely mainly on solar writer. June 23, 2019 17 Economy

Tunisia secures IMF loan tranche but debt concerns rise

Lamine Ghanmi is often mired in infighting while social and economic concerns go unsolved. Tunis Public service workers grew so frustrated with their economic po- he International Monetary sition that earlier this year, they Fund approved a $245 mil- staged the first national walkout in lion loan instalment for Tu- four decades to press for wage in- T nisia and encouraged the creases. The government agreed to country to tap into capital markets modest salary increases for public abroad for more money but local sector workers, effectively pushing experts warned against implica- back the IMF’s loan instalment for tions of the government’s soaring months. debt problem. At the same time, authorities in- Tunis plans to borrow $3.2 bil- troduced cuts on energy subsidies, lion to finance its deficit this year. raised the retirement age and in- Of that, $2.67 billion is projected to creased interest rates to help the come from abroad, increasing the dire state of public finance. country’s total debt to $28.4 bil- Taoufik Rajhi, a top economic lion for 2019, up from $26 billion in adviser to Tunisian Prime Minis- 2018, official figures show. ter Youssef Chahed, said the IMF’s The International Monetary Fund loan dispersal amounted to a “vote (IMF), whose recent loan tranche is of confidence.” part of a $2.9 billion package to Tu- To ensure long-term economic nisia tied to reform measures, said recovery, the IMF has pressed Tu- that, after eight years of stagnation, nisia to have greater exchange-rate risks to the country’s economy re- flexibility to help boost internation- main high. al reserves but a weakened dinar The instalment had been delayed could fan inflation. while Tunisia’s government strug- “Monetary policy focuses on gled to balance demands from a curbing inflation and continued ex- Next generations’ problem. A Tunisian public sector worker holds a poster criticising IMF Managing powerful trade union with IMF change rate flexibility will help to Director Christine Lagarde in Tunis, last November. (AP) conditions, which include unpopu- improve the current account defi- lar spending cuts and price hikes, cit and international reserves,” the including for petroleum products. IMF said. rate could decrease the value of the country to bring in more imports to $2.7 billion, the same amount Other difficult reform measures The Tunisian dinar has lost al- dinar and drive up debt. and widen the trade deficit, further budgeted for public investment. include increasing taxes, lower- most 40% of its value against the Experts at the non-government driving down the value of the dinar, “How could we see the light at ing energy subsidies and reducing dollar since mid-2016, experts said. Tunisian Observatory of the Econ- they point out. the end of the tunnel of the eco- production costs, which the IMF This has improved slightly this year omy said that, since 2016, the di- nomic crisis with such a situation?” amid expectations of a record num- nar’s depreciation has been the he asked. insists are crucial to turning around Tunisia plans to borrow the economy. ber of tourists and good cereals har- main cause of the debt increase. In a poll of leaders of 264 Tuni- “There is no room for relaxing the vest. They argued that the decline of the $3.2 billion to finance its sian companies, which together effort on taxes or current expendi- The IMF stressed that reducing dinar contributed to the country’s deficit this year, employ some 151,000 workers and ture after the recent increase in the country’s “external imbalanc- increasing foreign debt. increasing the total debt to have a combined $10.6 billion turn- civil service wages,” David Lipton, es” depends on reaching a “market- “The authorities’ efforts must fo- $28.4 billion for 2019, around, 51% of respondents said IMF first deputy managing director determined exchange rate.” cus five times more on stabilising official figures show. they expected a worsening busi- and acting chairman, said in a state- “Competitive foreign currency the value of the dinar rather than in ness climate and deteriorating eco- ment. auctions together with reduced austerity on the budget, which con- “The money did not flow into the nomic indicators this year. Since the ouster of President Zine Central Bank interventions and ef- tributes less to increasing the debt,” economic processes of production The poll, conducted by consul- el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, when fective communication to the mar- they said in an analysis. to yield growth and new wealth. It tancy firm Ernest & Young, said GDP growth was 5% per year, nine ket remain critical to improve the Other economists said the debt went to lubricate the government’s that 35% of the leaders said they successive governments failed current account and reserves cov- was funding unnecessary expenses bureaucracy and the apparatus and planned to invest more in 2019, to turn the country’s economy er,” Lipton’s statement said. and not being used to finance pro- to absorb social anger,” said econo- compared to 48% last year; 58% of around. Heading into an election Still, government experts and ductive investment. mist Ezzeddine Ben Hamida. businessmen polled said they felt season, many Tunisians are disil- independent economists said they A high rate of consumption on Ben Hamida said that in 2018, their companies’ existence would lusioned with a political class that fear further tweaking the exchange top of increased debt pushed the debt service payment jumped 57% be at risk during the 2019-20 period.

Viewpoint Investors keeping close eye on Arabian Centres’ IPO and majority shareholder in the that shares in a Saudi firm could group, serves as Arabian Centres be directly and primarily sold to chairman. He was arrested in No- qualified US institutional inves- Jareer Elass vember 2017 as part of the Saudi tors under US securities Rule 144a. government’s anti-corruption Arabian Centres said: “Final al- crackdown that included promi- locations were approximately 94% nent Saudi executives, govern- to institutional investors entitled ment officials and royals. He was to participate in the book-building released in January 2018. process and approximately 6% to Arabian Centres is the leading individual investors in the King- owner, operator and developer dom of Saudi Arabia.” of malls in Saudi Arabia, with 19 The company noted that public shopping centres in ten cities and funds, private funds and discre- plans to expand its operations to tionary portfolios were the main he initial public of- 27 malls within four years. Its par- investors in the IPO. There were fering of shares in ent company owns the kingdom’s reports that the kingdom’s main Arabian Centres, Saudi franchise rights to well-known sovereign wealth fund, the Public Arabia’s largest shop- retail brands, including Banana Investment Fund, had indirectly ping mall operator, is Republic and Gap. Part of Arabian invested in the Arabian Centres significant, not only Centres’ expansion plans include Receiving attention. A view of the Mall of Dhahran, operated by IPO through institutional funds. (Reuters) Tin the sale being the third largest cinemas, of which four are under Arabian Centres in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Centres IPO is the kingdom has witnessed in five construction with another 12 in the first beneficiary of new rules years but also in it being the first the works. among the largest in the kingdom could earn as much as $836 mil- recently introduced by the king- to welcome qualified US institu- There had been much hype since Saudi lender National Com- lion, based on the top of the share dom’s market watchdog, the Capi- tional investors. leading up to the Arabian Centres mercial Bank raised $6 billion in price range that Arabian Centres tal Markets Authority, that aim For those reasons, potential IPO in May, though the sale may November 2014 from the sale of had calculated in its “book- to limit stock fluctuations after a investors in the much-anticipated have suffered from a lacklustre 500 million shares, representing a building” process with potential public share sale. limited sale of Saudi state oil and investor response and the com- 25% stake in the financial institu- investors ahead of the listing Arabian Centres’ debut per- natural gas giant Saudi Aramco pany’s cautiousness. tion. The Gulf country’s second on the Tadawul. The Saudi mall formance on May 22, however, were watching how the Arabian The IPO was expected to be largest IPO involved Saudi Ground operator planned to sell 65 million proved underwhelming, perhaps Centres initial public offering Services, the kingdom’s largest existing shares and 30 million new resulting from a somewhat tepid (IPO) played out and how the airport ground handling services shares at 26-33 riyals ($6.93-$8.79) response to the IPO that included company’s shares performed on provider, which earned $752 mil- per share. negative sentiment regarding the the domestic stock exchange, the Arabian Centres is the lion from the public sale of 30% of Arabian Centres ultimately Saudi retail market. While the Tadawul. the company in June 2015. priced its IPO shares at the bottom price of Arabian Centres’ shares The government of Saudi King leading owner, When Arabian Centres an- of that range, providing the com- reached $6.96 on the exchange’s Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has operator and nounced in April that it was pre- pany a market capitalisation of opening, it subsequently traded been encouraging family-owned paring to offer 95 million shares, $3.3 billion. The sale garnered the as low as $6.29 and closed at $6.66 Saudi companies to list in an ef- developer of malls in which represented around 20% of firm $747 million. The company riyals on that day. Since Arabian fort to strengthen the kingdom’s Saudi Arabia, with 19 the firm, CEO Olivier Nougarou, indicated that proceeds from the Centres joined the Tadawul, its capital markets as part of Riyadh’s appointed Arabian Centres’ CEO sale would go towards debt repay- share price has consistently set- economic reform drive under Sau- shopping centres in in March, suggested the offer- ment and expansion plans. tled below $6.93, the low end of di Vision 2030. Arabian Centres is ten cities and plans to ing could raise “in the range of What distinguished the Arabian the IPO range. the majority-owned subsidiary of expand its operations $1 billion but it’s very difficult to Centres IPO from previous public the Saudi retailer Fawaz Alhokair confirm.” offerings in the kingdom was Jareer Elass reports from Group. to 27 malls within The company’s prospectus for that it was foremost an interna- Washington on energy issues for Fawaz Alhokair, the co-founder four years. the IPO projected that the sale tional sale. It was the first time The Arab Weekly. 18 June 23, 2019 Special Focus Refugees in MENA Anti-refugee sentiment grows in Egypt, sparking restriction fears among Syrians

Ahmed Megahid cessful businesses in Egypt. Syrian patisserie shops are winning the day against Egyptian peers. Syrian Cairo restaurants are proving a favourite for Egyptians developing an inter- yrian refugees in Egypt have est in Syrian cuisine. expressed fear for their in- This has led to accusations that vestments and personal the Syrians have stolen the market S safety after an Egyptian law- and jobs from Egyptians. About yer lodged an official complaint in 8.1% of the Egyptian workforce was which he called for imposing tight- unemployed in the first quarter of er supervision on Syrians’ assets. this year. Lawyer Samir Sabri estimated, Some Egyptian observers ac- in his complaint to the public pros- cused the Syrians of having links ecutor’s office, that $23 billion had with the Muslim Brotherhood, the been taken by Syrian refugees to Islamist organisation which Cairo Egypt following the start of the Syr- gave a terrorist tag in 2014. ian civil war in 2011. Nabil Naeem, a former militant The Syrians used the money, he leader who is a media figure spe- said, to buy shops, flats and villas, cialising in terrorism and terrorist turning some districts in Cairo into groups, said some Syrians in Egypt Syrian colonies. He added that the are bankrolled by Muslim Broth- Syrians bought factories and im- erhood organisations to help the posed total control on some sectors group destabilise Egypt. of the economy, including the tex- He said that, while attending tile sector. a conference in Lebanon a few months ago, he was told by Syrian sheikhs that Brotherhood money Social media sites was behind most of the projects have been flooded with started by Syrians in Egypt. comments from He claimed that Syrians travelling Egyptians calling for to Egypt after the conference said Facing doubts. A Syrian refugee works at a restaurant in Egypt’s second city of Alexandria. (AFP) supervision of the they were given the air travel tick- financial dealings ets by Brotherhood societies. of Syrians. “This is why Syrians with links to their skin,” wrote Mohamed Abdel open his shop. Other Syrians do the head of the Syrian community in the Brotherhood have to be kicked Mawla on Twitter. “Now they own same. 6th of October City on the outskirts Tens of thousands of Syrians ar- out of our country,” Naeem said. factories, companies, shops and Anti-refugee campaigns coincide of Cairo, said most of the refugees rived in Egypt since the start of the His comments and the complaint millions of pounds. How?” with similar attacks in other coun- work hard to secure the simplest of civil war in their country. About lodged by Sabri are creating an anti- The Syrians said they make mon- tries, including in Lebanon where needs. 130,000 refugees are registered refugee sentiment in a country that ey by working day and night and there have been reports of citizens “Some refugees have to stop at- with the UN refugee agency but has shown the Syrians generous serving Egyptians. demanding the confiscation of Syr- tending school to work and feed that only includes Syrians who ap- hospitality since 2011. “God only knows how hard we ians’ assets. their families,” Abulkheir said. plied for UN support. Social media sites have been work to earn a living,” said Shaher These campaigns often overlook “They escaped death back in their There are tens of thousands of flooded with comments from Egyp- Khaldoun, a Syrian refugee who the realities of refugee life. While country to seek a new life here, not other refugees who did not report tians calling for the supervision of owns a shop for aluminium win- some Syrians have created success- to destabilise Egypt or cause prob- to the UN office, which is why some Syrians’ financial dealings. dows in Giza province. “Life is far ful business models in Egypt, most lems for its people.” estimates put the number of Syr- “They escaped the war in their from easy for us.” refugees are suffering and need ians in Egypt at more than 300,000. country and came to Egypt, owning Khaldoun said he had to work support. Ahmed Megahid is an Egyptian Some Syrians have created suc- nothing but the clothes covering and save for years before he could Rakan Abulkheir, a self-styled reporter in Cairo. Syrian refugees feeling increasingly unwelcome in Lebanon

Samar Kadi any wall taller than waist high. Mirroring the rise of anti-migrant sentiment around the world, some Beirut Lebanese officials are making their most aggressive campaign yet for hile the number of ref- refugees to return to Syria. ugees globally swelled The Free Patriotic Movement to a record 70 million (FPM) led by Foreign Minister Ge- W in 2018, Lebanon has bran Bassil, who is also the son-in- struggled to have more than 1 mil- law of Lebanese President Michel lion Syrians repatriated 8 years af- Aoun, has been the most outspo- ter they fled the devastating con- ken. During an FPM rally under the flict in their home country. slogan of “Employ a Lebanese,” Pressures, hate speech and anti- protesters chanted: “Syria get out.” Syrian sentiment have increased as Some attempted to storm a shop Lebanon faced austerity measures run by a Syrian, sparking a scuffle. and a weakened economy. Many Posters have appeared in streets Lebanese politicians and groups and online calling on residents to say Lebanon can no longer bear report any Syrian working without the burden of hosting the refugees, a permit. calling for them to go home as the FPM allies in the government fighting there is winding down. have begun enforcing laws that For many Lebanese, the Syrians were previously overlooked, shut- have no reason to stay any longer ting down shops owned by or em- Dire conditions. Syrian refugees outside their tents, in the Bekaa Valley town of Saadnayel, east in Lebanon. Two incidents in June ploying Syrians without permits Lebanon. (AP) demonstrated growing public and and ordering the demolition of any- official intolerance caused by the thing in refugee camps that could protracted refugee situation in the be a permanent home. Despite relative security in many with the current regime and in the permanently. Evictions and army country of nearly 5 million that has Nasser Yassin, a professor at the parts of Syria, Yassin argued that absence of a political settlement. I raids on refugee camps are on the the highest concentration of refu- American University of Beirut and conditions are not right for refu- don’t think the regime is willing to rise; towns have introduced cur- gees per capita. director of research at Issam Fares gees’ return, with no political set- do any reforms and consequently fews specifically for Syrians. Institute for Public Policy, said the tlement or guarantees for their we are stuck in a vicious circle,” Lebanese authorities estimate anti-refugee campaign could be po- safety. Yassin added. that more than 170,000 Syrians Mirroring the rise of litically motivated. “It is beyond just the security Many Lebanese complain that, returned to their country from De- anti-migrant sentiment “The refugees can be used by pol- of the place. These people want despite $6 billion of foreign aid in- cember 2017-March 2019, many around the world, some iticians to serve their political am- to go back to their own towns and vestment to support Lebanon, the through government-organised bus Lebanese officials are bitions and to divert public atten- neighbourhoods but many cannot flood of refugees has overwhelmed trips. making their most tion from current hot issues like the because of destruction or fear of schools and the debilitated in- The UN High Commissioner for aggressive campaign yet for economy and bad services. These intimidation and forced conscrip- frastructure, increased rent and Refugees’ “Global Trends” report refugees to return to Syria. people (refugees) are easy to vic- tion in the army. Things are not that forced Lebanese to compete with stated that more than two-thirds timise. You can easily single them simple as politicians here are say- cheap Syrian labour. of refugees worldwide were from More than 600 refugees were out and blame them for the coun- ing,” Yassin said. However, some analysts said at Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, evicted from their shelters in Deir try’s economic and social woes,” While 30% of homes in Syria are the root of the issue is a profound Myanmar and Somalia. Syria had a al-Ahmar in the Bekaa Valley fol- Yassin said. destroyed or heavily damaged, no and historic fear that the continued considerably higher number than lowing an altercation with locals. “What’s happening is an exagger- reconstruction is happening to fa- presence of Syrian refugees will any other country with 6.7 million, In the border town of Arsal, where ation about the impact of refugees cilitate the return of refugees, Yas- disrupt Lebanon’s precarious de- followed by Afghanistan with 2.7 60,000 refugees live in informal on the economy, unemployment sin noted. mographic balance. million. camps, Syrians had to tear down and crime rate. It can only lead to “You need the support of donor It has become a de facto policy to concrete structures after a Leba- fuel tensions between Syrians and countries, which are not interest- keep refugees in a state of discom- Samar Kadi is The Arab Weekly nese Army ultimatum to remove the Lebanese.” ed in funding any reconstruction fort to dissuade them from staying Travel and Society section editor. June 23, 2019 19 Special Focus RightsCon meeting

Tight control. Iranians surf the internet at a cafe in Tehran, Iran. A government push for a ‘halal’ internet in the country means more control after 2011 protests. (AP) Meeting on digital human rights Iran ramps up information convenes in region for first time control tactics, misinformation Yassine Halila of its physical architecture, regula- tion and use, different groups exert their interests over it. The principles Yassine Halila and allow it to shape Iranians’ in- before. Tunis of international human rights law, ternet usage, they added. Parallel to the regime’s efforts however, should be at the centre of The internet policy expert, who to control information internally ightsCon, the global meet- its development.” Tunis spoke to The Arab Weekly on con- are efforts to spread misinforma- ing on human rights in the The choice of Tunisia to host dition of anonymity, said NIN’s tion abroad. While the covert and digital age took place in mid- RightsCon reflected a desire to he Iranian regime is press- tactics threaten to shut down irregular nature of this campaign R June in Tunis, the first time move the conversation about hu- ing ahead with new infor- views misaligned with the govern- makes it difficult to track, some it convened in the MENA region. man rights in the digital era to the mation control tactics, fur- ment and erode the inherent neu- state-sponsored propaganda op- The conference gathers business MENA region. T ther restricting the flow of trality of the internet. erations have been uncovered. leaders, policymakers, government “RightsCon needs Tunisia be- information and leading misinfor- Even when Iran acts against In 2008, BBC Persian reported officials, technologists and human cause, let’s face it, a gathering this mation campaigns abroad, recent legitimate cybersecurity, sover- that an Islamic Revolutionary rights advocates from around the big [of the digital human rights com- reports indicated. eignty and privacy concerns, such Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman world to “tackle pressing issues at munity] needs to make its way to The efforts are part of a strat- as the 2010 Stuxnet cyber-attack claimed that 10,000 blogs were the intersection of human rights and the Arab world,” Wafa Ben Hassine, egy Tehran has employed since that caused damage to its nuclear launched by Basij, the IRGC’s “vol- digital technology.” global policy counsel for Access Now its Islamic Revolution to censor programme, its internet policy is unteer” paramilitary force. RightsCon is an initiative of Ac- and one of the organisers of Right- viewpoints it considers a threat to defined solely by the regime. Leg- As recently as this past May, cessNow, an international non-prof- sCon, said in her opening speech. its rule. The advent of the inter- islation designed to protect Irani- Agence France-Presse reported on it organisation devoted to defend- Organisers said they wanted to net, which created pockets of free ans’ sensitive data do not protect an Iran-based social media cam- ing digital rights and the internet. increase regional awareness about space where activists and dissi- freedom of expression online, un- paign to sway public opinion by The more local first such confer- digital rights issues following viola- dents can coordinate and express like the European measure after impersonating reporters, politi- ence took place in California in 2011. tions and restrictions. Concern was views, including during anti-re- which it was modelled. cians and others. The plot was un- The event has grown to become the expressed about shrinking digital gime protests in 2009 and over the covered by internet security firm world’s leading event of its kind. civic space and restrictions on on- past three years, has led Iran to FireEye, which said there was “a RightsCon 2019 included about line expression. tighten its strategy. Parallel to Iran’s efforts to network of English-language so- 3,000 participants from 120 coun- Many governments in the region To regain control of the digital control information cial media accounts misrepresent- tries for the 3-day conference. have censored or criminalised some sphere, Iran is employing more internally are efforts to ing who was behind them [and] Experts and practitioners from online behaviour and expression sophisticated — and forceful — spread misinformation was evidently orchestrated to pro- civil society, the private sector, UN but great variations exist in the de- methods to control information abroad. mote Iranian political interests.” organisations and academia spoke gree of information control. The online and weed out dissent, said After the report, Twitter re- during more than 450 sessions on region is also home to some of the speakers at RightsCon, a global Another piece of legislation is moved 2,800 inauthentic accounts topics ranging from the effect of on- most draconian cases of information meeting on human rights in the the “Organisation of Social Media originating in Iran and Facebook line technology on elections to digi- control. digital age. It convened this year and Messengers Bill,” which aims removed 51 accounts, 36 pages tal identity, technology-facilitated The “#KeepItOn” report presented in Tunis. to shape Iranians’ internet usage, and seven groups and another gender-based violence and content at the conference stated that Yemen, At the core of Iran’s effort is experts said. three accounts from Instagram. moderation. Some sessions were in Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Turkey and Alge- the government-run National In- An analysis of the draft bill by Despite Iran’s efforts to spread French and Arabic. ria shut down the internet at least formation Network (NIN), which the Centre for Human Rights in misinformation, its operations The conference’s growth has not once either partially or completely prevents data requests from be- Iran stated the legislation would have a limited effect on public been a result of organisers’ and the in 2018. The Transitional Military ing routed outside the country “enable the country’s security and opinion given the overall amount digital human rights community’s Council in Sudan completely shut and provides “secure and private intelligence establishment to eas- of information circulating online, efforts. It was, experts said, reflec- the internet down before the June intranet networks,” the Iranian ily and effectively censor online said the internet policy expert at tive of the increasing importance of 3 crackdown during which scores Supreme Council of Cyberspace content and monitor user activ- RightsCon. digital freedom and of how issues of people were killed. In Iran, a plan stated. ity,” “make it extremely difficult “Iran is certainly trying to be an pertaining to data, privacy, surveil- to nationalise the internet along the A leading internet policy expert for users in Iran to access non- influential actor for misinforma- lance, artificial intelligence or cy- lines of the Chinese model contin- in Iran who attended RightsCon state approved digital content,” tion but, at the moment, I do not bersecurity are shaping the political, ues. said NIN is Iran’s way of trying to “provide incentives for users to think they have the capability,” social and economic spheres, locally Tempering the bleak outlook is “nationalise” or at least “localise” access state-approved online said the expert. and globally. that the global conversation about the internet. content” and “lay out sentencing “When you look at trending The central message of RightsCon digital human rights has entered the While NIN has tangibly im- guidelines for users or companies hashtags in the MENA region and was that, amid the frantic pace of region. proved Iran’s internet infrastruc- convicted of accessing banned on- around the world, you can see how technological development, human “The organisers have asserted ture, boosting speed and enhanc- line content.” Saudi-led, anti-Iran propaganda rights are too often neglected or that choosing Tunisia as the con- ing the delivery of e-government Iran’s internet penetration rates gets amplified. Iran-originated treated as an afterthought. ference’s venue was not arbitrary,” and digital services, its end is in- are rapidly increasing. A 2018 hashtags never become trends on “Digital space is not neutral Lazhar Karoui Chebbi, personal rep- formation control, analysts said. survey by the Statistical Centre Twitter because of its filtering.” space,” said the Office of the UN resentative of Tunisian President As it progresses, it will give the of Iran said 64% of Iranians older High Commissioner for Human Beji Caid Essebsi, said in his keynote regime access to and control over than the age of 6 are internet us- Yassine Halila is an Arab Weekly Rights in a statement. “At the levels opening speech. data exchanged over the network ers, up almost 10% from the year contributor in Tunis. 20 June 23, 2019 Special Focus Football

Former UEFA president’s questioning deepens Qatar-World Cup scandal

The Arab Weekly staff Gulf emirate on course to be the first Arab country to host the com- petition, shocked many football Tunis fans, given Qatar’s sweltering sum- mer temperatures, historically ormer UEFA President poor football performance and Michel Platini was detained substandard infrastructure. for questioning in a crimi- Former FIFA President Sepp Blat- F nal investigation regarding ter said the meeting in Paris influ- Qatar’s winning the right to host enced top FIFA representatives, the 2022 FIFA World Cup. including Platini, to vote for Qatar Platini, a former French foot- over the United States, which was baller who was banned from FIFA also seeking the bid. in 2015 for ethics violations, is ac- Platini denied any wrongdo- cused of helping orchestrate a deal ing and called Blatter’s version of through which Qatar was awarded events a “tissue of lies.” hosting rights for the 2022 tourna- A statement from Platini’s rep- ment. resentatives said: “He has done absolutely nothing wrong and af- Qatar has been accused of firms that he is totally unrelated to offering bribes to secure the facts (of the case) that are un- known to him.” hosting rights for the World Platini said the questioning was Cup. Reports have detailed a “very long” but that he had “re- series of suspicious plied to all the questions calmly, financial ties between the while still not knowing why I was country and international there.” football officials. “It hurts,” he added. “It hurts for everything I can think of, eve- Platini was questioned by rything I’ve done. It hurts, it hurts France’s Office of the Financial but, after all, they did their job Crimes Prosecutor before being and then we tried to answer all the Clouds above. Former UEFA President Michel Platini leaves a judicial police station where he was released. The office is investigat- questions.” detained for questioning about the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament, in Nanterre, ing allegations of corruption, con- Platini is recognised as one of the France, June 19. (Reuters) spiracy and influence peddling world’s greatest footballers, hav- that have implicated top officials, ing won the Ballon d’Or three times including former French President and led the French national team detailed a series of suspicious fi- ums, with their cases often unin- labour system that ends the abuse Nicolas Sarkozy. to a European championship and nancial ties between the country vestigated by Qatari authorities. and misery inflicted upon so many Sarkozy and Platini were report- deep into the World Cup twice. and international football officials. Rights activists repeatedly urged migrant workers every day,” said ed to have met at the Elysee Pal- However, his reputation took a Doha has also come under fire for Doha to protect workers’ safety Stephen Cockburn, deputy director ace in November 2010 with Qatari hit when he was embroiled in the subjecting migrant workers build- and rights and criticised a labour of Global Issues at Amnesty Inter- Prince Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, investigation into Qatar’s awarding ing World Cup stadiums to “slave- system they say is fundamentally national. who is now the country’s emir, a of the 2022 World Cup. like labour” and dangerous con- abusive. The scandals have led to calls for week before Qatar won a vote to Qatar has been accused of offer- ditions. More than 1,400 migrant “Time is running out if the Qa- Qatar to be stripped of its hosting host the 2022 tournament. ing bribes to secure hosting rights workers from Nepal reportedly tari authorities want to deliver a rights for the tournament, which is That decision, putting the small for the World Cup. Reports have died while working on the stadi- legacy we can all cheer — namely a to begin in November 2022. Heightened security in Egypt as Africa Cup of Nations kicks off

Amr Emam On alert. Security and police officers Cairo take positions at the entrance gypt is taking unprecedent- of Cairo ed measures to secure the International Africa Cup of Nations, the Stadium ahead E top football event in Africa, of the Africa which kicked off June 21. Cup of Nations Tens of thousands of policemen opening match and secret police were deployed between Egypt in the four cities where matches of and Zimbabwe the competition are to be played, in Cairo, June including in Cairo, which hosts 12 19. teams, the largest number ever (Reuters) hosted by an African city for the Af- rica Cup of Nations. Police vehicles were continually on the move in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia and the security presence was beefed up at the 16 hotels where the 24 participating teams are staying. “The security establishment is on maximum alert for the competi- tion,” said Mohamed Nour al-Din, a former Egyptian assistant inte- rior minister. “There is a huge list of points policemen have to secure.” Sites for police to secure include the stadiums, roads to the venues, hotels and areas near the hotels. Apart from the 24 teams, police also must secure fans attending the matches. Egyptian officials have said the smallest security hazard can spoil the competition, which is taking place in Egypt for the fifth time. Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Na- tions seven times since it was first does not win it. Ahead of the competition, the curing these events,” said retired bought electronically, which contested 62 years ago. Egypt, Su- During a visit with the national Supreme Media Committee, the police General Farouq Megrahi. means that only those who have dan and Ethiopia participated in the team June 15, Egyptian President national media watchdog, asked “Nonetheless, the thing is that tickets in their hands are allowed first tournament in 1957. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi did not ask play- viewers to buy television anten- there is more stress on security to approach the stadiums. The competition is viewed as ers to win the competition or score nas designed to receive match during this competition and this Apart from the thousands of more than just a football event. goals but to behave in a way that signals. Millions of Egyptians boils down to the size of the secu- police and secret police guarding Cairo, which had been politically reflects Egypt’s civilisation, culture bought the antennas for around rity threats our country faces.” the matches and the stadiums, far away from Africa for decades, and peaceful nature. $23 each, breaking the monopoly Egypt battles a branch of the Egyptian authorities are using wants to use the competition in get- The same thoughts are wide- the Qatari network beIN imposes Islamic State in Sinai and militias unmanned aerial vehicles to se- ting more involved in the continent. spread among Egyptians but there on broadcasts of cup matches. affiliated to the Muslim Brother- cure the matches and detect ab- Cairo also wants to use the com- is also strong support for national The concentration of fans hood. This fight is overshadow- normal action inside or around petition to attract tourists, especial- team players and interest in the around the huge screens for the ing security arrangements in rela- the stadiums. ly from African countries that quali- tournament. matches adds to the security tion to the Africa Cup of Nations. “These are all necessary meas- fied for the tournament. It wants to Egyptian sports authorities placed concerns but this is a job, secu- Fans entering stadiums for ures if we will ensure the success prove that it is a safe tourist destina- huge screens on major squares to al- rity analysts said, police carry out the matches will be carefully of the competition at the security tion. low the general public to watch the easily. searched. The movement of the level,” said retired police General Stress across Egypt is on making matches. Egyptians can watch the “True, the Africa Cup of Nations fans during the matches will also Ashraf Amin. “Egypt is more than sure the event is organisationally a matches on free local channels, in- is a huge event but Egypt has a lot be closely monitored. capable of ensuring security at success, even if the Egyptian team cluding state television channels. of experience organising and se- Tickets for the matches are the event.” June 23, 2019 21 Society Media

Viewpoint In Morsi’s death, Egyptian newspapers missed an opportunity to regain credibility

Akhbar published the news of Revolts,” translated by Refaat amendments to be a religious Those positions and others are Morsi’s death in 42 words in a Sayyed Ali, debunking the duty.” better suited for persuading single column accompanied with illusion of the majority in That Egyptian newspapers are readers, while showing respect Saad al-Qarsh a picture of the deceased that was Egyptian elections. begging for readers is not new for their intelligence, because smaller than a postage stamp. In the first free vote in Egypt on and it appears that the only they clearly reveal the readiness Most other papers seemed to March 19, 2011, the vote on freedom left to the Egyptian of the religious right to resort to n June 18, Arabic- agree on publishing the news in constitutional amendments, 41% reader is the choice not to read holy violence. However, making language newspa- their “crime” pages, which are of the eligible voters went to the these papers. fun of Morsi’s family name, pers Al Arab and usually devoted to news of polls. Considering this turnout, it It was the news of Morsi’s death al-Ayyat, was not the right thing Asharq Al-Awsat criminal, not political, trials. is not difficult for Islamists to in court that would have attracted to do while his family was published on their The newspapers reporting the ensure a majority among this readers to buy newspapers, that grieving and front pages news of event referred to Morsi by his full minority of actual voters as most and front-page announcements simply reveals the source that Othe sudden death of former tripartite name — “Muhammad of the zealots tend to vote. of serious issues being dealt with runs the newspapers from behind So, they seem to be a majority in inside pages, perhaps in a a veil that does not conceal Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi al-Ayyat,” omitting his Morsi, accompanied with a academic title “Dr” and making vote. To put it simply, the quieter and much more civilised anything. picture. sure to give his less-known family Islamists do not need the support way using facts and analyses Egyptian President Abdel In Egypt, only Al-Masry name “al-Ayyat.” It is axiomatic of the majority of the people to rather than just piling insults on Fattah al-Sisi often said former Al-Youm shared this editorial that names and titles should be win any election. The Muslim the Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel choice confirming by its excep- neutral but, when the newspa- Brothers had used all the tricks in Readers would have been Nasser was lucky to have the tion that Egyptian newspapers pers dubiously agreed to refer to their book to mobilise their interested to read about facts media with him but forgot that followed, as a rule, their prefer- Morsi by his less-known family voters. They even issued a fatwa regarding the Muslim Brother- journalism is not advertising. The ence for moral revenge over other name, they were showing that considered “voting on and hood. Morsi was, in fact, the first Egyptian media are playing one considerations, including the contempt for readers who did not approving of the constitutional president to break the national single tune: the regime’s achieve- readers’ right to know. forget that Morsi was an elected consensus by unconstitutionally ments. Meanwhile, citizens can Morsi’s death could have been civilian president of the coun- declaring presidents not account- only count on more restrictions the golden opportunity for the try. able to anyone; the first to declare on their livelihood and their Egyptian press to restore readers’ These newspapers wasted the jihad in an Arab country but freedoms. trust through true professional- opportunity to dissert on and It was so bad that a conveniently omitted to direct What is happening in Egypt is ism but it wasn’t to be. clarify the dubious ways used by people’s energy and anger that even those rejecting the It was as if there is a strong the Muslim Brotherhood to popular newspaper towards jihad in the occupied Pal- Muslim Brotherhood, including determination to fail and to recruit voters in a wave of published news of estinian territories; the first the Christians, choose to listen commit one serious and scandal- religious and sectarian zeal president to listen to his support- and read the pro-Muslim Brother- ous professional error after following the revolution of Morsi’s death in 42 ers insult and threaten followers hood media just for the sake of another that confirms the January 25, 2011. words in a single of other Islamic sects; and the reading and listening to a differ- subordination of editors to the It would have been better to column accompanied first Egyptian president to ent tune and of learning more security authorities or to even analyse the circumstances and announce on television, amid facts than reducing a former supra-security authorities that factors of Morsi’s ascension to with a picture of the loud cheers and applause, his president to his obscure family ordered them to bury the power. US writer John Bradley did deceased that was willingness to sacrifice his name, al-Ayyat. event. just that in his book “After the citizens (“Yes, we can sacrifice a It was so bad to the extent that Arab Spring: How Islamists smaller than a postage few for the sake of the country… Saad al-Qarsh is an Egyptian the popular daily newspaper Al Hijacked the Middle East stamp. with no problem at all.”). novelist. Interview The changing face of region’s TV landscape

and series from all over the world. setting. The archetypes of Although the competition to characters are easily transferrable Khadija produce captivating content may because they express universal Hamouchi be fierce, there is still a strong truths. It’s the characters’ makeup need for relevant Arabic con- that we sometimes have to redress tent. and adapt.” Beirut “The demographics of the Arab TAW: How are local screen stars audience is quite unique as 80% adapting to that change of hulud Abu Homos of the population of most Arab format? is a TV and film countries, especially the Gulf KAH: “By the time a project is in production region, is under 35 years old. A lot production, it has already gone veteran. The of the content must be geared to through the writing and rewriting Palestinian the youth. Moreover, the highest phases. The adaptation of the entrepreneur was viewing audience of TV are project is usually the job of the part of the women in the region. Therefore, producer and writers. Actors come inception of the they are an impactful decisive in and receive an Arabic script. Kfirst paid TV platform in the power on the content aired.” They build characters from their MENA region — Orbit. Her career TAW: What types of films are own identities and experiences at the American Orbit Showtime Arab audiences interested in? and treat the work as an original Network led her to a commission KAH: “It’s hard to lump the because that’s what will reach the from the UAE government to build Arab film taste into one genre. audience.” the infrastructure of the cinema Egyptian cinema is the most TAW: Is TV ever going to industry in the region. thriving cinema industry in the disappear from the region? She is the founder of Art Format region with original productions KAH: “Isn’t that the question of Lab, an executive production in comedy and drama. For so long, the century? The Arab region is company in Dubai that delivers Egyptian comedies were the only tapped into the international premium and socially relevant commercial productions in the media world. Producers world- Arabic scripted and unscripted region. wide are concerned about the content. Abu Homos has interna- “However, the Gulf region is extinction of TV with all these tional formats from Hollywood, witnessing a shift in the cinema new digital platforms. I think that Europe and Asia adapted and culture with government entities the digital media evolution has produced in Arabic for the Gulf putting more money and only opened the door for a wider and MENA region. resources into local productions. audience to tune into shows and She spoke to The Arab Weekly The Gulf region audience is series. It has certainly enabled via Skype, revealing the transfor- saturated with dramas because various content creators to tap mation of the screen in the Gulf dramas during the ‘90s were into the industry more feasibly. region. the most produced local content “TV channels have turned into a Developing and producing in the region. streaming brand more than just a original local entertainment “The majority of the population broadcasting channel with MBC’s formats and remakes of interna- in these regions is below 35 years digital platform Shahid. The BBC tional movies are alive and old and a strong movement has done the same with BBC thriving. towards the genre of action and iPlayer. As of now, broadcasters The Arab Weekly (TAW): What fantasy thrillers is brewing, not in are adapting to the shifts and do Arab television audiences look just movies but also in local changes of the industry but, as like nowadays? literature.” content producers, we are able to Khulud Abu Homos (KAH): TAW: How do you localise an reformat shows and series into the “Nowadays, the Arab audience international movie for Arab platform they are streamed has access to a profuse of content audiences? through.” with a click of a button. With KAH: “We take into account the international streaming plat- relatability of the characters’ Khadija Hamouchi is a Belgian- forms, such as Amazon and storylines. The stories must be Moroccan social entrepreneur Netflix, adapting to paid TV based on the everyday lives of the and founder of SEJAAL, an platform business model, Arab audience members so that the initiative that is building an app A captivating insight. TV and film production veteran Khulud audiences are able to enjoy shows characters would fit in their for young people. Abu Homos. (Courtesy of Khulud Abu Homos) 22 June 23, 2019 Culture

Saudi writer Amina al-Hasan focuses on ‘reality of women’ amid social change

Zaki al-Soudeir and translation — was an influential part of political and social change in Saudi Arabia and because they can- Riyadh not live in a society that is not part of them, Saudi women have gone fter her first feature story through a lot of changes. This is why “Sarir Yattasi’” (“An Accom- Saudi female writers try to express modating Bed”), published this reality in what they write. A in 2014 by Nova Plus, Saudi “Creative and literary work is a vi- novelist and translator Amina al- tal part of the cultural formation of Hasan translated to Arabic-American any country,” said Hasan. “Literature novelist Jim Shepard’s “The Book of deconstructs people’s ideas and be- Aron.” haviour and the structure of socie- In addition to these two publica- ties. It injects a new consciousness tions, Hasan has written and pub- in the minds of readers and must lished many articles and translated contribute to changing the course of texts in blogs, websites and special- their lives. ised webpages. She has participated “When a person writes, he ex- in many cultural and literary events. presses everything he wants and She is translating a collection of ar- what he does not want, what he has ticles and letters by French philoso- witnessed and what he imagines and pher Simone Weil and finished writ- wishes. He tries to paint a picture ing a short story she said she plans to that can be translated concretely on publish this year. the ground. Most of Hasan’s stories revolve “When we return to Saudi novels around women’s concerns and written in the ‘70s and ‘80s of the women’s struggles in conservative previous century or shortly before societies. Even in those stories with that, we find that those novels were a male hero, events take place in a written either to record societal (Courtesy of Dihzahyners) world that affects or is influenced by changes, their manifestations and Street art in Beirut. women. their impact on people or to antici- “I’m interested first in the reality of pate in writing the future of the so- women, both in my private and pub- ciety in the presence of factors of lic environments, and in the strug- development. Therefore, I find that gles of man in modern times,” Hasan creative writing of all kinds flows Street art revitalising Beirut said. “I sometimes like to search for into the river of pushing the wave of imaginary and mythical worlds that societies towards change and over- make me write differently about life coming obstacles.” and people.” Hasan added: “Although all these with colours and shapes “I’m still at the beginning of my changes in Saudi Arabia facilitated translation career,” she said about many things in women’s lives, they how she selects works to translate. cannot change the infrastructure of Samar Kadi colour we spread in their streets,” lar places that needed upgrading “I have chosen many literary articles the society in the blink of an eye. We Elias said. would be an ideal medium and and texts that I liked and translated must go through the stage of conflict The staircase in Mar Mikael, one that designers could contribute to and published them. and the crisis of change and try to Beirut of Paint Up’s most successful pro- this powerful use of communica- “On the whole, I like to translate adapt to a whole new social phase. jects, drew world-wide interest tion and expression,” Elias said. literary essays that carry within their We, in Saudi Arabia, are several com- he giant “eternal mural” and was selected in a 2015 article Other initiatives to support the folds inspiring insights into literary munities making up one large soci- of Lebanese diva Sabah for Vogue magazine as one of nine Lebanese street art scene have works. I like also to translate cultural ety. We still have some time ahead of that decorates a once- amazing staircases around the taken place over the last few years, and intellectual books written in a us, which I hope will be short.” T bland building in Beirut’s world. such as Beirut Colours and the literary style, such as articles and let- Hasan said the effects of the re- crowded Hamra neighbourhood is “We want our initiatives to help Ouzville project, which brought ters. I find it very enjoyable.” vivalist period of the 20th century among many expressions of street reshape the locations we paint vis- together 25 local and foreign graf- When asked about moving for- in Saudi Arabia are still present and art that has developed in recent ually so people who walk on those fiti artists to paint the walls of the ward with translation from being an manifest themselves in social media. years from being tagging by mili- steps every day and who live in poor Ouzai district. The project re- individual’s occupation to becoming She, however, insisted that she does tias during Lebanon’s civil war to a Beirut may also feel they are mak- vitalised the neighbourhood and supported by governmental bodies not wish to exclude any intellectual recognised and appreciated art. ing the communities brighter and positively influenced the social at- or the private sector to cover costs of or social tendency but instead ac- Graffiti related to war and poli- refreshed,” Elias said. mosphere. buying rights and of translation, she cepts the different, regardless of his tics filled public spaces as militias Lebanese street art has been said institutions have a “great role” or her choices. scribbled slogans on walls to mark tackling social, psychological and in helping coordination of transla- “In fact, I do not see that we need their territory during the 1975- political concerns. Jubran Elias, co-founder of the the extinction of this radical stream tions, especially with rare or special- 90 civil war. With urban culture Elias said the millennials’ art Paint Up initiative. ised works from various languages. or the other because what our soci- spreading in post-war Lebanon, has affected social perspectives by “However, from my point of view, ety really needs is acceptance of the graffiti evolved into widely accept- creating awareness and proposing “Street art in Lebanon these institutions may hamper trans- ideas of ​​pluralism, difference and ed public art. solutions. Street art became a form is almost the same as lation work on the other hand, espe- coexistence,” she said. “There is no “Street art in Lebanon is almost of activism conveying messages of anywhere else. Street artists cially literary translation, if those in- need for eliminating one current so the same as anywhere else. Street peace and reconciliation with the want to help Lebanon and stitutions maintained strict controls that the other current can prosper. artists want to help Lebanon and country’s collective past, marked Beirut become a better and and standards that creative work, in Each party has the right to live as it Beirut become a better and bright- by a painful civil war. brighter place to live.” general, tends to bypass,” she said. wishes without imposing one’s opin- er place to live. They are being “We want to sway people’s Hasan stressed that translation is ion on the other. increasingly acknowledged and minds away from politics, from a fertile field and an important area “I find that the official positions of praised for their great forms of ex- the traffic and congestion of Beirut In Lebanon, as elsewhere, street that deserves the support of institu- our wise government have facilitat- pressions and for giving the city a and offer them something differ- artists need permission before exe- tions and governments. Translation, ed the beginning of raising people’s fresh and colourful look,” said Ju- ent, something they can feel will cuting large murals. Street art that she said, is hard and exhausting and awareness within the community of bran Elias, co-founder of the Paint provide some relief from all that dealt with politics, sex or religion translators need moral and scientific the need to accept the different oth- Up initiative. and also open their minds to want- was censored and artists have been support, not just material support. er,” Hasan said. Elias and Lana Chukri formed ing to help out their city in the best arrested if their work was consid- She explained that the cultural Dihzahyners, a team of 10-12 pas- way they know how,” Elias said. ered offensive. act — story, novel, poetry, criticism Zaki al-Soudeir is a Saudi writer. sionate artists set on creating ini- “We want to, not just stimulate Whether it is on stairs, walls or tiatives such as Paint Up to make people and help them feel more the streets, engaging in their sur- Beirut brighter through colour. at peace with their surroundings, roundings and the urban fabric of “We all graduated together from but we also want them to feel they their city allows street artists to LAU (Lebanese American Univer- are motivated to take the initiative understand the importance of how sity) in 2011 and, since then, Paint and feel driven to do something much their touch on public spaces Up has kept us together. Beirut is for their communities and cities, can affect their community, their a vibrant city regardless of events, t o o .” emotions and moods and their at- and the youth want to make it a Lebanese artists address the mosphere. better a place, a place that we all country’s turmoil by using popu- “Let them love where they live can love,” Elias said. lar cultural figures, Arab images, first, in order to love where they’re He said the goal is to rejuvenate personal reflections, poems and from as a whole,” Elias said. Beirut through urban and street art imagination. More than ten staircases, parks projects. They painted walls, build- Elias said the inspiration to cre- and park benches in addition to ings, staircases and park benches ate Dihzahyners came after he and walls have been rejuvenated under in broken and gloomy spaces of the Chukri researched ways to connect the Paint Up initiative. Voices of city that needed uplifting. with their country through urban “We have many projects in the change. A “We started with painting the design. pipelines, some independent ones painting by very steps and streets that we walk “After looking at visuals from and other collaborative ones with artist Nour down every day. Neighbours in the around the world of street art, graf- NGO’s or festivals. So stay tuned to al-Masri. areas we have painted thanked fiti, outdoor and urban design, see what we have coming up,” Elias (Al Arab) us, joined us and rejoiced in the we found that painting particu- said. June 23, 2019 23 Culture Heritage Family group preserves musical heritage of Upper Egypt

Marwa al-A’sar Ibrahim suggested they form a band based on mizmar music. “Mazameer El Nil” translates into Cairo the “Oriental Flutes of the Nile.” It took four years to form the band, t was a weekend evening when which became one of the major audiences gathered at El Dam- groups performing at El Dammah mah Theatre in Cairo for a per- in a network of other traditional I formance by Mazameer El Nil, bands sponsored by El Mastaba. a folkloric music and dance group El Mastaba Centre for Egyptian from Upper Egypt. Folk Music is a civil society organi- The extremely high tempera- sation founded in 2000 to revive tures did not dissuade the group’s Egypt’s rich and unique perform- fans from attending the concert, ing arts heritage. The centre pre- which started with an authentic serves, documents and develops scene of that part of Egypt per- traditional music in Egypt while re- formed by artists in traditional jel- introducing folk music in its origi- labiyas, scarves and turbans. nal communities and revitalise its The group mainly performs folk- role in the daily life and imagina- loric songs to the sounds of na- tion of Egyptians. krazan, a small kettledrum hung “We work hard on preserving around the neck that is struck with the Upper Egyptian musical herit- two sticks, and mizmar, an oriental age,” Abdel-Hadi said. “We mostly flute, while dancing accompanied interpret our own songs written by by the enthusiastic clapping of the Hanafi El-Bengawi, my father’s late audience. cousin.” Folk music in Upper Egypt is The lyrics of Mazameer El characterised by a diversity of in- Nil’s songs tackle subjects struments, such as the tabla, raba- ba (a spike fiddle), kawala (an end- ranging from love to the blown flute) and arghul (a double beauty of nature, including pipe, single-reed woodwind), an the Nile River, the palms and instrument depicted on the walls the land. The songs of pharaonic tombs. celebrate marriages and Abdel-Hadi said he started play- birthdays and promote ing the mizmar and arghul at the compassion and age of 13. He said traditional sing- companionship reflecting ing and music is a profession that Upper Egypt’s cultural has deep roots in the families in identity. Upper Egypt and is passed on from father to son. Singing in Saidi, the dialect of “We inherit the talent. It’s in our Upper Egypt, the group’s songs are genes. Even my brother, who is a not easily grasped by an audience high school teacher, works with of different backgrounds and na- us,” he said. tionalities. The lyrics of Mazameer El Nil’s Old tunes. Mazameer El Nil musicians play Upper Egyptian music. (Marwa al-A’sar) “Some Egyptians do not under- songs tackle subjects ranging from stand the meaning of our songs love to the beauty of nature, in- fully but with time and effort they cluding the Nile River, the palms cases, on improvisation of the sing- local dialect of Upper Egypt and rhythm,” said Adam Hall, a British manage to get it,” Mazameer El Nil and the land. The songs celebrate er, said lead singer, Mohamed Ab- I especially enjoy the music and national. co-founder Mahmoud Abdel-Hadi marriages and birthdays and pro- del-Hadi, Mahmoud Abdel-Hadi’s dance,” said Cairo native Ahmed The musical heritage of Upper said. mote compassion and companion- nephew. Hussein. “I occasionally don’t Egypt is surviving thanks to peo- “Upper Egypt singing and danc- ship reflecting Upper Egypt’s cul- “Most of the time when I sing an grasp some of the words, which the ple’s attachment to their customs ing never included women,” Ab- tural identity. old mawwal, I improvise some of band members explain to me after and traditions, Abdel-Hadi said. del-Hadi said. “We have nothing The group’s songs include words the words based on how the audi- the show with a welcoming smile.” “No written scripts or music against women but this has always of wisdom in the form of a mawwal ence interacts with me,” he said. Foreigners who don’t understand notes are available. We transfer been the tradition.” — an Eastern genre of vocal music The group is attracting large au- Arabic enjoy the group’s shows as knowledge from one generation to The idea of forming the band usually presented before the actual diences of all ages who are keen on well. another orally in order to sustain came up in 2002 when Abdel-Hadi song begins and is performed, in reconnecting with musical herit- “I know a little Arabic but the our heritage,” he said. met Zakaria Ibrahim, the founder Mazameer El Nil’s case, in Upper age. Upper Egyptian accent is quite of El Mastaba Centre for Egyptian Egyptian accent. “I understand most of the songs, hard for me to understand. Yet I do Marwa al-A’sar is a Cairo-based Folk Music, in Montpellier, France. A mawwal depends, in many though they are performed in the enjoy the dancing tempo and the journalist. Michael Rakowitz exhibition showcases destruction of Iraqi heritage

Karen Dabrowska The Lamsu was constructed ons of war, the other made out of Rakowitz explained. threat by a mujahideen squadron out of 10,000 date syrup cans and syrup cans — something from the in- “We used the photos from the to behead a soldier called John is part of a larger project, “The timate spaces of the victims of war.” website and worked with Interpol Adams if prisoners were not re- London Invisible Enemy Should Not Ex- Another amazing reconstruc- to find out what was missing. The leased from US Army jails in Iraq. ist,” which forms part of the Wh- tion is of panels from the palace idea is to approximate the objects. It turned out that the photo of the estruction, loss, recrea- itechapel show. of Nimrud built by Ashurbanipal II The recreations are always going to prisoner was of a doll called Special tion, memory and nos- Rakowitz said the project was in- (883-859BC). These were made us- be ghosts. The idea is to create an Ops Cody made by Dragon Models. talgia are the themes spired by a trip to a grocery store in ing commercial packaging: Moroc- aura of what was there.” Rakowitz acquired the doll and D running through a major Chicago during which his parents can tinned sardines, Maggi halal Since 2007, 700 objects have created a scenario in which Cody exhibition of the works of Iraqi- bought date syrup. chicken soup, the branded packag- been reconstructed. A selection goes to the Oriental Institute and American artist Michael Rakowitz, “The material culture of my ing of Al Kbous tea, Middle East- stands on a large trestle table, me- tries to free the statues in the As- hosted by London’s Whitechapel work and the materials I invoke ern chewing gum and many other ticulously labelled and appended syrian Gallery. To come to terms Gallery. are meant to be a part of what the products sourced from Assyrian with numerous quotations, includ- with the United States’ involve- Rakowitz’s magnificent rec- work is saying. They are its voice,” grocery shops in Chicago. ing remarks from the late Donny ment in Iraq, Cody apologises and reation of Lamsu, the winged god Rakowitz said in a public conversa- “When you go to the British Mu- George, an esteemed archaeolo- a dialogue between a statue from that guarded the Nergal Gate of tion at the Whitechapel Gallery. seum, you see panels from that gist who tried to stop the looting; 2005AD and a statue from 2005BC Nineveh from 700BC until its de- “The Iraqi deity made out of palace. My reconstruction is not Selma al-Radi, an Iraqi archaeolo- ensues. struction by the Islamic State (ISIS) date syrup cans is facing the lions just an articulation of what ISIS gist who led the more than 20-year in 2015, is standing on Trafalgar made out of melted down can- destroyed. It is also a project about restoration of the Amiriya Madra- The most ambitious Square’s fourth plinth, where it is nons. The face down is between two loss,” Rakowitz said. sa, which is under consideration as to remain until 2020. beasts — one made out of the weap- “The blacked-out areas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and reconstruction is the around people’s heads. A client William Polk, a former professor of remaking of some 15,000 in the West who was going to re- history at Harvard University. objects from the Baghdad ceive a frieze from an archaeolo- “In Iraq, they know what is miss- Museum that have been lost gist would not pay a huge amount ing,” Rakowitz said when asked if or destroyed. for shipping so they came up with the reconstructions would be sent a technique in which they could to Iraq. “This began as an angry East meets West when Rakow- slice off the head and behead the project because the outrage about itz, a Beatles fan, uses the band’s sculptures.” lost artefacts did not transition in ephemera to draw parallels be- The most ambitious reconstruc- the world as a kind of collective tween two unrealised dreams: tion is the remaking of some 15,000 outrage about lost lives.” the group’s attempts to stay to- objects from the Baghdad Museum “If the Iraqis want them, I would gether and the aspirations of pan- that have been lost or destroyed. return them in a heartbeat but I Arabism. Rakowitz noted that On its website, the Oriental Insti- also think of them as ghosts. Who breakups and unfulfilled dreams tute of Chicago shows the status of do these ghosts need to haunt? are universal experiences and the objects from the museum, which Who needs to be reminded? I think exhibition underscores our ulti- are labelled either “unknown,” about this in terms of the Lamsu as mate common humanity. “looted” or “destroyed.” well. Should it go back to Nineveh? The Michael Rakowitz exhibition “They did this to deter people Do they need a ghost?” is scheduled to be at the Whitechap- who buy antiquities on the black The past talks to the present in el Gallery through August 25. market and also draw attention a video “The Ballad of Special Ops “The Breakup” from the exhibition of Michael Rakowitz in London to how much hidden cultural Cody.” The New York Daily News Karen Dabrowska is an Arab (Karen Dabrowska) patrimony had gone missing,” ran a front-page article about a Weekly contributor in London. 24 June 23, 2019 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Oman: Through July

Taking place annually in Dho- far province, the Salalah Tour- ism Festival hosts street shows, concerts, games, fireworks, cultural activities and food stalls for locals and tourists.

Dubai: June 29

Dubai Performing Arts Acad- emy is putting on its annual show at Dubai Opera. Titled “Where STARS Are Born,” the show will celebrate the talent of local performers. Reviews of musicals such as “Mamma Mia!,” “A Chorus Line,” “Hair- spray,” “Rock of Ages” and A fancy cafe and restaurant in Dahab. (Ahmed Megahid) “Mary Poppins” are planned featuring cast members aged 3-18.

Carthage: Egypt’s Red July 12-August 23 The International Festival of Carthage is one of the old- est arts and cultural events Sea resort of in North Africa, drawing a mix of local and international performers to Tunisia over several weeks. Performances take place at the Amphitheatre Dahab gaining of Carthage.

Byblos: prominence July 12-August 24 Byblos International Festival in the ancient Phoenician port city of Byblos, north of Ahmed Megahid in the southern part of the town, Beirut, features international making Dahab a prime tourism des- rock bands and pop singers. tination for both budget and luxury This year’s schedule includes Dahab travellers. French singer Mark Lavoine, Authentic Bedouin lifestyle and Lebanese indie rock band gypt’s tourist sector, which traditions are better manifested in Mashrou’ Leila and Britain’s has been picking up after the northern old part of Dahab. tribute ensemble Queen Sym- years of slowdown, is draw- While constant winds offer per- phonic. E ing more visitors to the Red fect conditions for windsurfing, An area full of restaurants along the beach in Dahab. (Ahmed Megahid) Sea resort of Dahab. especially in the Laguna area, snor- Agadir: On the south-eastern coast of kelling is also a rewarding activity July 13-16 the Sinai Peninsula, Dahab, a small in Dahab with coral reefs visible at the fifth century during the rule of Bedouins bake bread using an- town where culinary and Bedouin a small depth. the Byzantine Emperor Justinian at cient and simple stoves. Their main The 16th Timitar Festival for traditions outrival anything else, is Dahab is a haven for adventurers the place where Moses was said to dishes include rice, potatoes and Amazigh culture and world becoming a favourite destination when it comes to the Blue Hole, a have heard God speaking from the chicken. They are famous for their music will take place in Agadir, for nature, windsurfing and diving challenging diving site. The site is a burning bush. coal-grilled chicken and meat balls, Morocco, and will feature art- enthusiasts. submarine sinkhole surrounded by Also known as the Sacred Mon- which they are keen to offer to visi- ists from Morocco, Senegal, Because it is originally home a 900-metre wall of coral that drops astery of the God-Trodden Mount tors. Algeria, Mali, France, Lebanon, to Bedouin fishermen, the once- deep into the ocean. Inside the hole, Sinai, the monastery is famous for Camping out in Bedouin areas is Cuba and other countries. sleepy village, which boasts some a canyon carved by an earthquake its library, which contains a large another way for having direct con- of the best beaches on the Red Sea, in the reef offers a dramatic land- collection of rare books and manu- tact with nature and with Bedouin Al-Qassim: is a great place to fish. scape of light and shadow. scripts. lifestyle. July 14-17 “It is a place full of excitement “It is a thrilling and fascinating The predominantly Bedouin part A Bedouin camp is just north of and beauty,” Ahmed Hesham, an diving experience and the place of Dahab is a gateway into the au- the Blue Hole in Ras Abu Galum Almithnab Summer Festival in Egyptian lawyer in his 30s, said. never fails to captivate those who thentic life of Egypt’s Bedouins and Protectorate. It is possible to hike Saudi Arabia offers a range of “You will find whatever you love come to Dahab,” said Karim Ahmed, herdsmen. Living under austere there, take a boat or join a camel sa- fun activities such as live per- there: nice beaches, great moun- a Red Sea tourist guide. conditions and in continual contact fari. The protectorate is defined by formances and games. Visitors tains and a desert that outmatches Although scuba diving is Dahab’s with nature, Bedouins developed its breathtaking scenery, with gran- can check out the wide range of all other safari sites.” premier claim to fame, there are a cuisine centred on natural sub- ite mountains plunging into the sea. arts and crafts displays, cafes Some 80km from the better plenty of other activities on offer in stances. The Bedouins of Dahab Diverse accommodation options and restaurants. known Sharm el-Sheikh resort, Da- and around the resort. have developed their own distinct are largely available in Dahab to suit hab is not as famous but is as at- Only a 2-hour drive from Dahab’s culinary culture that offers visitors all budgets. Prices range from $14- Beiteddine: tractive and worth visiting. It was centre, the Saint Catherine Monas- a treat of dishes. $60 per night. July 18-August 10 picked by National Geographic as tery can be easily visited on a 1-day Dates are a staple food for “Dahab is becoming one of the one of the top beaches in the Mid- trip. Nestled at the foot of Mount Bedouins. They combine them with most important tourist attractions The annual Beiteddine Art dle East. Sinai, it is one of the world’s oldest goat milk for a nourishing mixture on the Red Sea because it has some- Festival, in the Chouf moun- International hotel chains and active monasteries and an impor- they eat and drink in the morning thing to offer to every visitor,” said tains, includes a variety of tourist facilities are concentrated tant pilgrimage site. It was built in and late at night. tourism expert Magdi Selim. performances from opera and concerts to theatre and art exhibitions. The festival welcomes more than 50,000 visitors as well as numerous star performers.

Nefta: September 21-22

Les Dunes Electroniques 2019 is a Tunisian event that celebrates electronic music. The event takes place in the Ong Jemel area of the Tunisian Desert near Nefta. More than 30 international artists will perform.

We welcome submissions of calendar items related to cultural events of interest to travellers in the Middle East and North Africa.

Please send tips to: A herd of camels walks by the sea in Dahab. A sandy beach delineated by mountains at Dahab Red Sea [email protected] (Ahmed Megahid) resort in Egypt. (Ahmed Megahid)